Reviews (256)

Dreamflower · 1 September 2004 · Chapter 9: Trapping a Fox

Awww...that is so sweet! How can anyone resist a gaggle of Gamgees? For some reason your version of the Gamgee children remind me of a favorite series of books I loved as a child. Have you ever heard of the "Five Little Peppers"?

FantasyFan · 1 September 2004 · Chapter 53: After the Drought, a Deluge

Pippin has an embarassment of riches now, doesn't he. The found gold belongs to the Tooks, but all this new stuff is his own personal treasure, I would guess, as it is a gift. And of course, he is drowning in riches of other kinds as well: friendship and love and esteem. It's a happy ending all around.

Dreamflower · 1 September 2004 · Chapter 8: A Tangible Expression of Gratitude

*LOLOL!* If I thought Ferdi was devious in the *LAST* chapter--he goes completely beyond that in this one! I could just imagine the look on Sam's face! And I would think Pip would have been a bit bumfuzzled as well! *giggle*

Dreamflower · 1 September 2004 · Chapter 7: Solving Problems

Clever, clever Ferdi! He's definitely Pip's cousin! Too devious by half!

Dreamflower · 1 September 2004 · Chapter 6: A Breath of Fresh Air

Oh dear! Poor Pip! I know that you have him struggle with weak lungs for years, but it's hard to see! And the catalog of his scars is evidence of how true all his stories had been. I'm glad Ferdi has the chance to see some of what Pippin suffered, maybe it will give him a bit more respect for his new Thain.

Connie B. · 1 September 2004 · Chapter 53: After the Drought, a Deluge

Oh My! What a wonderful thing to happen. Even if the treasure horde hadn't been found, they'd have fine. This is just the measure heaped full and running over. Good things do eventually come to good people; it just sometimes takes waiting through all the bad to get to it. Thanks. Connie B.

Lyta Padfoot · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 52: About a Year Later

Clever hiding space. I'm sure the Tooks will be relieved. There is a nasty strain to lacking for money.

Dreamflower · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 5: Clothes Make the Hobbit

Oh my! I love this chapter, humor, angst, danger, and intrigue in equal measure. Poor Ferdi, conditioned by a skinflint Thain to think he'd have to pay for the clothes. And now he has saved Goldi from the dangerous pony, and the Mayor is going to be ever so grateful! Too bad he had to rip his new trousers, LOL!

Dreamflower · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 4: A Social Call

This is getting very interesting. I *love* your Rose, and your Diamond as well. Still wondering why Sam doesn't want to be Mayor.

Dreamflower · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 2: Sunshine and Shadow

Ooh. A cross Pippin, and Ferdi, whom I've met in some of your other stories. And Sam doesn't want to be Mayor again? Well, unless this is AU, we know he loses *that* argument. Hmm...

Dreamflower · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 1: A Kingly Gift

Well, I'm starting this nice little epic. And the first thing I wonder is what on earth Eomer will say if he learns his gift was abused?

Hai Took · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 52: About a Year Later

I'm glad that things are looking up for Tookland! It is looking even better perhaps now that Fari and Ferdi have stumbled upon SOMETHING thing will look even better? I'm very excited to see how things are not going to turn out! As always looking forward to more!

FantasyFan · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 52: About a Year Later

I knew that gold had to be somewhere, as Pippin has plenty to fill a waggon by the time of the famine. But I'm really looking forward to the best explanation they can come up with for how it got there. Ferdi's a good tracker, to notice the dust-filled prints. I wonder if he can figure out the riddle from that? Whatever the answer is, it makes me feel bad that the Tooks had to go through so much hardship - especially Paladin and Pippin, but really all of them -because of the missing gold. Paladin's a hard hobbit to like, just from the way he treated his son, but you wonder what might have been different had the plow not been so rusty. (Pip's done a wonderful job, by the way, in the previous chapter to create sympathy for Paladin with his parable. Will the story that he's told there come out more in Thain?) Another detail that really struck a cord with me was the picture of Pippin, ill and dispirited, as glimpsed by Sam. I wonder if hiding troubles is a Tookish trait Frodo inherited? Pip was expecting Sam - was Ferdi's tumble the reason? I recognized the events of Firestorm in summation as time passes, and at first I thought it sounded like an epilogue even though there was still that large plot thread dangling. Glad to see there is still more to come.

Connie B. · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 52: About a Year Later

LOL! Guess I got the answer to what the Tooks were going to do in the long run. Ferdi and Farri save the future. Now I'm wondering who hid treasure in a secret room behind a closet in the Thain's quarters? I'd leen toward someone like Lalia; she was fond of her whealth, but she also liked to flaunt it, so maybe not. Things that make ya go "Hm". Very good chapter. You tie this universe together so well. Thanks. Connie B.

Bodkin · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 52: About a Year Later

Ho-ho and ha-ha. Does the gold emerge from the secret hiding place of the Tooks to save them at the last moment? Ferdi and Farry to the rescue! I actually feel poor Pippin in this story. And if it is the gold it is too late to save the poor family thrown off the farm - although I suppose Somthing Could Be Done if only they have the money.

RogerGamgee · 31 August 2004 · Chapter 52: About a Year Later

You really know how to come up with a cliffhanger, I'll say that much! I have my suspicions as to what's in that chest, but I'll keep it to myself because with my luck, I'm bound to be wrong. Good work!

Hai Took · 30 August 2004 · Chapter 51: Of Ruin and Redemption

Pippin wishing for a moment that he could use a ring a disappear as Bilbo did. The story Pippin told of his father's life was a nice summary! That other farmers will perhaps be able to understand best Pippin's comparisons to having to plough a rocky field and all. I like the way when things began to get heated Diamond stood beside Pippin and they were ready to go through what they must together. I also like that Regi stood up for Pippin and would not take them blaming him for the current problems, good for Regi! It was very touching and even had my eyes misting over when Garabard rose and was the first to place his coin before Pippin. Then everyone else rising and responding to it, especially the farmers being the first! Odovacar offering to pay the cost of the road and Edelbert being willing to trade for wool and such! You presented yet another wonderful example of Hobbits pulling together in rough times! Thank you for the story and I'm looking forward to more!

Connie B. · 30 August 2004 · Chapter 51: Of Ruin and Redemption

Not quite what I thought might happen. I knew they wouldn't throw Pippin out, but I didn't expect a show of support in the form of pocket change and promisary notes. This is a start on a new beginning for the Tooks, but what are they going to do long-term? They have to raise money somehow, and I don't think they can sell enough wool and sheep to get all the funds they will need. I still don't envy Pippin his position. Thanks. Connie B.

Chibi_kaz · 30 August 2004 · Chapter 51: Of Ruin and Redemption

Hmm. Now that there's a King, shouldn't the Thain be letting the King know how things stand in this corner of Arnor? Or did Aragorn's vow to keep big folk out of the Shire make the Shire a completely autonomous fief? Cheers, CHibi-kaz

FantasyFan · 30 August 2004 · Chapter 51: Of Ruin and Redemption

I am pleased to see that the hobbits of Tookland, and those assembled from the rest of the Shire, have a healthy dose of hobbit-sense. Hobbits are a practical sort - if the milk is spilt, all the crying in the world won't bring it back. I think they can see the essential goodness in Pippin, and though only Ferdi and Rosemary can hear the truth for sure (and Ferdi's da?) maybe a little of that ability is built into hobbit-sense and spread along the Shire. There is no lie in Pippin's voice. Plus, as practical as they are, they can pretty much figure that pitching Pip out on his ear is also not going to make gold spring out of the ground where he lands. He's the best thing that has happened to the Shire in generations, and they know it deep down even if there are still doubts on the surface, as he makes as many mistakes as he does right choices. There's one thing that doesn't seem quite right to me, though. Lalia and Ferumbras as the spendthrifts? Somehow I can't see it. Oh, there were fine strings of pearls to be had, but Lalia had a tight-fisted reputation as well. Ferumbras, I don't know so much about, but in Pearl's story he seemed to want to undo the wrongs his mother did - I don't see him as a wastrel any more. Perhaps restoring the reputation of the Thain took money, but I wonder if it isn't more likely that the gold is still around somewhere, hidden for safekeeping or disguised in a way that a clever pair of hobbits would eventually be able to figure out? Lalia died suddenly - perhaps she was not able to pass on the secret? Oh, I'm way out on a limb here now, best I let you tell the story you've written (much better than anything I could come up with). As ever, eagerly awaiting the next chapter. FF

Hai Took · 29 August 2004 · Chapter 50: Truth Be Told

Poor Pippin! I felt bad for him that he had to tell the farmer's family that he couldn't keep his promise! How terrible for him to have to break a pomise at all but especially to a family in such a hard situation! The Talk certainly flying! I guess it will end soon, well at least concerning this, but they will find something else I am sure! I am looking forward to more and finding out how things are taken by the rest of the Tooks and the Shire for that matter!

Sulriel · 29 August 2004 · Chapter 49: Tea and Talk and Mouths to Feed

Lindelea, I love how you worked out a resolution for Star without having him injured. Very creative!

Beruthiel · 29 August 2004 · Chapter 50: Truth Be Told

Angst! Yay! Very well done, my dear. Especially Hilly walking in and catching Pippin crying. Loved that! Also liked this: "Who's joking?" Pippin asked, steepling his fingers together, a thoughtful frown on his face. "It's the truth, after all. I *am* dying, and you know it." Drama at its finest. Are going to move FireStorm/Striking Sparks to this site? Perhaps these stories could have a bit more added to them to show the Tooks attitude adjustment in greater detail? Would a promise of plenty of nice reviews persuade the Muse? Handfasting Faramir? At his age? Where *do* they get these ideas? Can't wait to see what they'll say after the convocation! Sadly, my computer will be unavailable for a few days, but I'm hoping to see good, new chapters when I return. Maybe the thoughts of several random Tooklanders after the convocation? Could be quite interesting.

RogerGamgee · 29 August 2004 · Chapter 50: Truth Be Told

Loved this chapter...I stumbled across this story the other day and spent most of yesterday reading it. It's good to see Pippin take responsibility for what has happened, regardless of the cost. It can't be easy for him to cast a family out of their own home, regardless of the reason. I'm looking forward to seeing the convocation and the results. Like one of your previous reviewers, I thought about Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" while reading this. A good lesson to be learned from this. Eagerly awaiting the next chapter...

Connie B. · 29 August 2004 · Chapter 50: Truth Be Told

Good chapter. I knew after the farmer left that someone would find Pippin crying. Too bad the farmer didn't realize that it really was heartbreaking to Pippin to do that. Poor Diamond, trying to keep a sense of humor through all of this, and then haven't Pippin make a joke of her worste fear. Pippin has such a great attitude about it all. Face the facts, but don't dwell on them. Live every day like it's your last, because no one is promised tomorrow. Oh drat, now I can't get the songs "Live Like You Were Dying" and "Live,Laugh,Love" out of my head. Good songs, but not what I wanted stuck in my this early. I really do like this chapter. Looking forward to how it all comes out. Connie B.