Nienor Niniel
· 2 October 2006
· Chapter 16: About a Fortnight Later
What confusion! But it all turned out lucky in the end.
Hm, I have to admit I am getting a little confused with all the children and their names - those hobbits have been quite productive.
An interesting turn on Goldi's and Farry's relationhip: I'd like to see it develop. And what's that about Ferdi's eyes? Could perhaps something happen with them after all?
I'm catching up with your postings soon, I think.
All the best, Nienor
Author's reply
Goldi's and Farry's relationship... I have to admit there's still a fair scope for writing there. You'll see more in "Solid Ground" and some bits in "As the Gentle Rain".
And Ferdi's eyes, yes, there's more to that story. (And his condition is based in research I did on "shell shock" in WWI, so it reflects some actual medical case reports I read.)
So yes, you're catching up at an astonishing rate! You've nearly made it all the way through the list, I think.
I certainly appreciate hearing your thoughts as you've made your way. Thanks so much!
Grey Wonderer
· 31 March 2004
· Chapter 16: About a Fortnight Later
Poor Sam! Now that was a very funny story! I enjoyed all of it. Loved the Thain having to ride with the driver as his carriage was full of sleeping children and I also loved Merry and Estella waking up after the wedding was over in their carriage on their way home! This was great fun.
Author's reply
Poor Sam. Someone close to me had chicken pox as an adult and it was not at all fun. I remember my 2yo breezing through it with hardly any trouble. As to "no room for the Thain", I have noticed that sleeping children sprawl to take up the most available space...
Thanks for reviewing!
Lyta Padfoot
· 30 March 2004
· Chapter 16: About a Fortnight Later
Poor Sam, chicken pox is no fun. You do enjoy teasing us about Farry and Ferdi in Gondor, don't you!
Author's reply
I'm wicked that way. Ferry and Ferdi in Gondor is going to be a fun story, with just enough angst to move the plot along (rather like this "Merrys" story)
The current "going to Gondor" story is not at all fun. I hate it when plot bunnies bite and have serious things to say. But if I don't write it the Muse will sulk, so I will dash it off as quickly as possible and get back to more enjoyable story outlines.
Thanks for the feedback!
Connie
· 30 March 2004
· Chapter 16: About a Fortnight Later
I had written a longer review, but got interupted and the computer ate it. So I'll just say that I really liked this chapter. Sam, Pippin and Merry have been blessed with sweet children.
Connie.
Author's reply
Awww, I hate it when that happens. I recently had four Word files open at once and Word, for some reason, didn't do it's autosave thing and I lost a fair piece of work. Poor thing. Thanks for summoning the courage to try again!
(Drat. And I so love longer reviews... *g*)
Dreamflower
· 30 March 2004
· Chapter 16: About a Fortnight Later
This was a lovely story! And now of course, you've set things up for some terrific sequels. Sam with spots--at his age? Love to see that one.
You have such a well developed set of characters in your stories, and keep up such nice consistency in them.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing! Yes, I hope the "setting up for sequels" was not too contrived. Actually was hinting at a prequel, which is in the works, where Farry and Ferdi (before he lost his sight) go to Gondor and have some interesting and rather comical adventures on the way.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Pervinca
· 30 March 2004
· Chapter 16: About a Fortnight Later
Aww, a pity that Goldi and Faramir's ending wasn't all that happy, even if everyone else's was (okay, maybe Sam's wasn't either ;P). At least I know it all works out in the end. Perhaps a little sequel to this would be nice - you hardly ever get to see a sickly Sam fic! It's always Frodo or Pippin, or occasionally Merry, but never Sam!
Gorgeous story all 'round. It just goes to prove that too many Merrys doesn't spoil the fun :)
Author's reply
Yes, glad to say it does all work out in the end, unlike the RL situation I was drawing from where the young lass in question actually married someone else. Don't have plans for a spotted Sam story but you never knew when the Muse's funny bone will be tickled by an idea...
FantasyFan
· 29 March 2004
· Chapter 15: Departure
Oh no, the dreaded, 'We'll always be friends.' Poor Farry. He's really head-over-heels, isn't he? It's not been a good trip for him, at all, at all. But Pippin's advice is wonderful - compassionate, truthful, with just enough of the voice of experience imparting his wisdom. Could I borrow him, do you think, to talk to me and Raven about the young fellows starting to flitter around?
I love Pip checking for Merigrin. Did he realize he had been left behind the first time? A wonderful detail, that the drivers were just a tiny bit annoyed by the delay. (Or perhaps they were significantly annoyed, but just let it show a tiny bit.)
And, there's 'at least' one more chapter to come? Could there be more?
Lyta Padfoot
· 29 March 2004
· Chapter 15: Departure
Pippin reminded me of my father in this chapter - and that is a compliment of the highest sort! Poor Faramir, love is a roller coaster. You've really worn all the "Merry's" out, haven't you!
Grey Wonderer
· 27 March 2004
· Chapter 14: After the Ball Was Over
I noticed that in my review I miss-spelled Faramir, sorry bout that. Really should read what I write first shouldn't I? LOL
Author's reply
Happens to me all the time. I called Merigrin "Merigrim" in the latest chapter posted and didn't even notice until I'd proofread it three times. Thanks for reviewing!
Grey Wonderer
· 25 March 2004
· Chapter 14: After the Ball Was Over
Don't suppose Faravir is in the closet with a special someone do you? LOL Or maybe just dancing way too late? Love Merry sleeping through the entire thing along with Estella. Too funny!
Lyta Padfoot
· 25 March 2004
· Chapter 14: After the Ball Was Over
Primula is a lovely name for a girl-child. Merry and Estella must really be exhausted to barely wake when moved into the coach! Well, they'll be rested when they arrive rather than worn out after travel.
Author's reply
Isn't that a nice thought? I'm always exhausted and in need of a vacation after a vacation... Thanks for commenting!
FantasyFan
· 25 March 2004
· Chapter 14: After the Ball Was Over
This is a lovely sweet interlude after all the broad comedy of the Linen Press. Like any new parents, Elanor and Fastred are counting tiny toes and exclaiming over wee eyelashes. It was sweet of them to honor Frodo with the name, but I think it was as much for Sam as for anyone. Elanor knows how much her father loves Frodo, and how much he wants him to be remembered. I notice she waits until he's not holding hot tea before she tells him the name.
Merry and Estella are precious. I don't think they're going to let each other out of sight for a while. It'll be funny when they wake up and don't know exactly where they are and can't remember the wedding. They'll probably recognize Rosie's cooking, though. Sometimes the burden seems to lie heavier on Merry and Estella than Pippin and Diamond. It's good to see them have an interlude without angst!
What is Farry up to now? And is Goldie up to it with him? Is he going to be glad that Robin is the one finding him, and not his father or Sam? I don't guess he's brawling with Hodge, but there may be some funny business going on. That's an interesting situation, and it becomes more so to hear that Sam has his eye on Hodge, in a mayoral way I suppose; but you never have said exactly who owns that mill....
Looking forward to the next chaper. It's kind of refreshing to have a story that's light and not too worrysome, now and again.
Author's reply
Just posted the second-to-the last chapter, what is that word? Penultimate. Not far to go now. Have started another semi-light story, now that this one's nearly done, to counter the very heavy story I'm posting.
You are as observant as Elanor to have noticed her waiting until he was done pouring the tea!
It was fun to give Merry and Estella a nice rest, even if most of what I wrote was about them... asleep...
And as to Farry, well, we find him in the next chapter.
Meldewen Ilce
· 25 March 2004
· Chapter 14: After the Ball Was Over
Oh, I love the baby's name - brought tears to my eyes because even if the babe had been a boy, Frodo and his parents still will be remembered...
And I am so glad everyone's out of the linen press - finally!
LOL!
Author's reply
I'm glad too. It was starting to get stuffy in there.
It was nice of Fastred and Elanor to honour Frodo. Been wanting someone to do that for awhile now.
Connie
· 25 March 2004
· Chapter 14: After the Ball Was Over
Yay! They got out of the closet.
What a sweet chapter. I really liked the naming of the baby.
Looks like Farry and Goldi could have a bit of rough beginning to the courtship. Nice to know in advance that it all works out.
What a sweet image of Merry and Estella. I always find them hard to visualize, but you make them so clear, and sweet, and obviously in love. Aaahh.
Thanks.
Connie.
Author's reply
Thank you. Glad you liked it.
Yes, things are a bit rough at the moment. Good thing we know the outcome.
I haven't done much with writing about Merry and Estella for quite awhile now. It was nice to give them a quiet, loving interlude. Of course, it is only possible to do that if you have lots of action swirling round them, otherwise the story would be sweet but awfully dull, I'm afraid.
Marigold Gamgee
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Two's Company, Eight's a Crowd
So more people do get stuck.... Thankfully that's well over.
Author's reply
LOL, yes it is well over. For the nonce. The linen press just might have the last laugh; we'll see.
Connie
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Two's Company, Eight's a Crowd
Oh, please say that they're finally getting out of that closet. I don't think it could possibly hold nine adult hobbits and one babe, especially since one of the hobbits in question is very tall.
All of sudden I just had vision of opening the door of a VW and twenty people climbing out. (shakes head)
Well at least Merry and Estella are having a very nice nap.
Connie.
Author's reply
Yes, they finally got out. Whew. Good thing Merry doesn't follow on Pippin's heels as he usually does and precipitate them both into the linen press, then it would be *two* tall hobbits in addition to all the others...
Hmmm. Or like one of those clown cars at the circus, and how *do* they all fit in there?
FantasyFan
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Two's Company, Eight's a Crowd
Would somebody please get a brick to prop that door open! I wonder exactly how many people can fit in a linen press, anyway? This is an interesting chapter, because even though the hobbits are grim, thinking Ferdi fallen over a cliff or into a pool, I keep chuckling as more people keep letting that darned door close behind them. You could always call this chapter, "Three's Company (but Eight's a crowd)"
Author's reply
Am seriously considering titling the chapter "Two's Company" seeing as how Rose thought just Daisy and Frodo were in the linen press... and in the beginning it was two hobbits as well. Your title is very clever, even if you meant it in jest!
Lyta Padfoot
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Two's Company, Eight's a Crowd
A lovely chapter. Everyones actions to the little one are adorable - but I especially enjoyed Daisy's.
Author's reply
Ah, thank you. I think Daisy-Day will fit nicely into the Gamgee family.
Pervinca
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Two's Company, Eight's a Crowd
I think that linen press is getting rather full of hobbits! Is there room for anymore? I loved the little interlude about Merry and Estella! I was starting to wonder what they were up to. :)
Author's reply
There might be room for more, but that will have to wait for another story, if ever. Don't want the joke to get old, as it were.
Grey Wonderer
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Two's Company, Eight's a Crowd
Now that is one full closet and I only hope that Pippin doesn't walk in and forget the door too as Nell is so very worried. This is just wonderful! I wish I had a closet that size, think of the storage space! Envy.
Author's reply
I could really use that kind of storage space too, but mine would probably be so full there'd be no room for hobbits. (Making mental note to start weeding and decluttering again)
Meldewen Ilce
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Two's Company, Eight's a Crowd
Oh my - PLEASE tell me the door isn't going to somehow close again as I do not think the linen press can hold one more hobbit! And if it is indeed over, I certainly hope fixing that door will become high on Sam's list of things to do -LOL!
*grins*
Anyway great chapter - and now if everyone is going to get out of that linen press I suggest Ferdi get to his wife as soon as possible so she can stop worrying about him!
Author's reply
I think fixing the door ought to go to the top of the list, and I don't think you could keep Ferdi from his Nell a moment longer, or Nell from her Ferdi for that matter.
Marigold Gamgee
· 20 March 2004
· Chapter 12: To Have and To Hold
Heh.... I've made my way through the entire story now, very nice. Disasters at every turn! I wonder how many more people will get trapped in the linen press before someone actually props the door...... And although the wedding's over, the tale's not over yet, is it? Faramir, Goldilocks and Hodge still need to make up, and everything else needs to be set to rights..... Excellent.
Pervinca
· 16 March 2004
· Chapter 12: To Have and To Hold
Good gracious! Now there's more in the closet! Well, I don't think Frodo and Daisy could have been any more surprised! I can't wait to see how many more characters are going to find themselves looked in the linen press!
Grey Wonderer
· 16 March 2004
· Chapter 12: To Have and To Hold
LOL More and more hobbits in the closet! I'm still looking for Groucho, who, come to think of it, kinda has a hobbit-like name. And, are merry and Estella still asleep or have they joined the search? Can't wait to see who goes into the closet next!
Lyta Padfoot
· 15 March 2004
· Chapter 12: To Have and To Hold
Everybody is getting trapped in that closet! Middle Earth Sardines!