Reviews (173)

Author's reply

Such a sad thought. I'm glad that the "knowing" you mentioned also includes the survival of Tokka's line (becoming the Tooks) and Bucca's line (becoming the Oldbucks and then the Brandybucks, as I've envisioned things) through the centuries to come. Thanks!

Author's reply

Poor Nell. She and Ferdi are two halves of a whole. I can take comfort in the fact that they will come together in time. (Even in my alternate Shire, in the world of "The Farmer's Son", Nell marries Rudivacar Bolger first and then, after Rudi's death, marries Ferdi at last. But that story is not quite ready to post to the end yet. Still some draft chapters remain to be written from the story outline. The days are getting nicer for sitting outside and writing with pen and pad, though. I've even bought a new pack of legal pads in preparation for writing time to come. Think good thoughts, if you don't mind?)

Author's reply

It couldn't last... The adults were bound to catch on eventually. And Nell is still young enough at this point to realize she has not been doing Pippin any favors. (Perhaps it'll make her a wiser and warier mother?)

Author's reply

I'm glad the customs make sense. (Even the ones that don't make sense, I try to make them plausible, at least, by connecting them to tradition, which can make people do the stupidest things IRL, I've found. Shades of "Why can't things be different?" answered by "Because they've always been that way.")

Author's reply

Oh, I'm glad to hear that you're re-reading. Unfortunately, this story has stretched out so long... Please, if you would be so kind, let me know if you notice any inconsistencies in the newer chapters and the upcoming ones. I just have to get past the big battle with the Witch-king, and it's relatively clear sailing after that to the end.

Author's reply

I'm so glad to hear from you! I remember this as an impossibly busy time of year in academia. (So, I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to welcome you back later when your workload eases somewhat! Meanwhile, I'm continuing to chip away at the WIPs, including Thain.) Springtime this year has reminded me of spring weather when we first moved here a few decades ago. (Our area is – or used to be, at least – famous for rain and grey skies most of the year; we even got used to camping in the rain when we moved here.) Many of the older homes in our region were built without air conditioning because it seldom used to get hot here, even in the summer months. I remember when the temperature rarely hit 80F /~27C, even in the summer. Recent trends are troubling; in June 2021, over 100 people died of heat-related conditions in a nearby city when the temperature reached 116F / ~47C. The climate has certainly changed over the years, making this year's cool spring weather feel like a gift. I wish it meant climate change as a whole was trending better, but I'm afraid it's just a respite. Still, I'll take it. I tend to wilt in the heat, so I empathize with you. I often find myself asking people to think good thoughts in review replies, so your closing resonates with me. And you're right, the practice really does help, at least in my experience. (((hugs))) to you, and thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness. Best wishes with your studies!

Author's reply

Good to hear from you! Yes, this is the Galdor from the Grey Havens, where Bucca originally met him earlier in the story. I have chosen to write Elves as "regular people" with a lot of life experience and an ability to commune closely with nature, in trying to follow the ideas that Tolkien's descriptions gave me. Certainly, his Elves had particular qualities that set them apart from other races, but that said, he endowed each of the races in Middle-earth with their own unique talents and failings. I don't see any of them as "above" any of the others, though Elves in general might act distant because of the perspective their long years has given them. (Not that they are wiser; but I wonder if they tend to distance themselves from mortals because of the pain of inevitable separation? I know I'm feeling hesitant to adopt another dog in part because the last three deaths – we lost two dogs and a cat over the past decade – tore my heart to pieces. Or felt like it, anyhow.) Although the idea of "the Thorn" of the Fallohides (as well as the Thorns of the other two branches of Hobbitry) originated in Thain and is part of the origin story for the term "Thain" (as will be made clear in a future chapter), you'll find a much earlier Thorn (in terms of hobbit history) in the story Shire: Beginnings. I put the link below to make it easier to find. That story also includes quite a few interactions between Hobbits (the Fallohides in the mists of Hobbit history) and Elves, including Glorfindel, Elrond, and the Twins, as well as Arwen. The story also introduces the idea that the Valar were watching over Hobbits from their beginning (even though there's no record of how Hobbits began), which is how the Lady comes into that story and this one. http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1052 It makes perfect sense (in retrospect, 20-some years after I started writing fanfic) that all hobbits, not just males, would take up archery (interestingly, Tolkien seemed to imply that the Fallohides were more likely to practise archery than the other two clans). However, I didn't realise that I'd neglected the idea of female Tooks and archery skills until I read Mirkwoodmaiden's account of Éowyn learning archery, and something clicked. I am so glad the contrast between the two eras shines clearly! That was one of the things I was aiming for: spotlighting the differences (the contrast in attitude and culture, considering the dangers hobbits faced in Bucca's time compared to the soft living of the Shire in Pippin's youth) and similarities (for hobbits are, indeed, hobbits, no matter the circumstances) between the two timelines in my attempt to weave them together in a logical as well as comprehensible way. Many thanks for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts and questions! Author Reply: I may have given the wrong impression in talking about how I see Elves, for there are some Elves that stand out from the rest, of course, especially those who were born early enough to see the light of the Two Trees in person. They seem to possess a greater degree of power than those who were born in a later age. Galadriel and Glorfindel come to mind. Galadriel was born during the Years of the Trees, as was Glorfindel. Thus, they both saw the light of the Two Trees, I think? Even so, they had their triumphs and tragedies and passions, very much like the "regular people" I mentioned earlier. Galadriel had relationships with siblings and other family members that sound awfully familiar, and she clearly suffered the failing of pride. She took part in a rebellion, lived through many wars, experienced bitter losses, and was exiled. I feel as if it wouldn't be wrong to sum her up as a really stubborn person with genuine gifts who had to learn things the hard way. (I know RL people like that!) Meanwhile, Glorfindel died (heroically, I think?) fighting a Balrog and was re-embodied. I should think his long (though interrupted) life and many experiences would have taught him wisdom and possibly compassion for "weaker" (note this does not mean the same thing as "lesser") beings. But I might be communicating all these thoughts badly since I haven't tried to organise them in a logical way (at least, not at this point). And I'm badly in need of a nap. Ultimately, for all their powers and talents and length of years, Elves could not bring the Ring to the Fire. They had to trust, instead, to the "small hands" of the "weak". Thus, I still find myself more intrigued by the simplicity of hobbits than the larger-than-life intrigues of the "great". I've read some wonderful Elf-centric fanfic in the past (for example, Nilmandra's stories), but hobbits keep distracting me when I try to turn my thoughts elsewhere. Anyhow, though muddled and more than a little rambling, here you have a glimpse into my perspective on Elves.

Author's reply

I'm glad you like the story! If all goes well, new chapters of this story will continue to appear regularly (once or twice a week) until we reach the conclusion. Now that I'm no longer working 14- to 16-hour days, six or seven days a week, I have writing time again. I am working at finishing all the WIPs I left dangling when I went back to the workplace about a decade ago. So long as real life cooperates, I think there's a good chance. Think good thoughts, if you wouldn't mind. I appreciate the kind words about my characters. I try to treat all of Tolkien's races with respect; I don't really consider any of them superior to the others, even though I find Hobbits, in general, more relatable somehow. I don't remember that story by Pearl Took! I'll have to go back and find it. I may even have read it in the past (and left reviews, even, for I've made an effort to review the stories I've read). Too many times the past couple months, I've read delightful stories from my favourite authors and left a glowing review – or started to – and then found I'd actually read and reviewed a long time earlier. Oh well. The plus side of forgetfulness is I get to enjoy a story all over again if I don't remember having read it earlier. That said, I can't promise anything, but I will seek out that story and ask the Muse if it might be possible to adopt that plot bunny. Maybe inspiration will strike. You never know.

Author's reply

Thank you for reading and stopping to leave an encouraging thought! Yes, this one is undergoing beta-reading and is scheduled to start posting again in mid-April 2025. (Think good thoughts.)

Author's reply

It was a terrible day, indeed. Poor Bucca.

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So very good to be able to write again, even a little. When I think how I used to be able to turn out a whole chapter or two a day, whilst the wee hobbits were napping... But small steps will reach the end of a journey just the same as large leaps, even if it takes somewhat longer to get there. Such a helpless feeling, to be on the spot but unprepared for an emergency. I wonder if this affected any of Frodo's future "tramps" around the Shire, before leaving on the Quest? Or if it influenced his preparations for leaving on the Quest itself? Or if his recounting the story of this affair might have affected Merry or Sam in their apparent thoroughness in making preparations to set out away from home, perhaps? (Am I making sense? I am in need of a nap.) Thanks so much for the encouraging words!

Author's reply

It broke my heart. It was so sad, it put me off updating this story for the longest time... I know what's to come, and I'm reluctant to write it, but to get to the end, you have to go through the middle. Sigh. But I've remembered how frustrating I found it to really get into a story and then find the author had never finished it, had even abandoned it altogether, and I had no hope of finding out how it all came out in the end. I don't want to do that. So I'm going to do my best to finish the WiPs, at least. There are certainly enough of them! And if the writing mood continues after that, maybe I'll get around, finally, to writing the story in the back of my mind about Bandobras the Bullroarer. Thanks so much for your encouragement! (Sending another email with a question, just to let you know.)

Author's reply

Sorry for not replying to your reviews. I've been "away" from fanfic for a few years. Life sort of got in the way. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate that you took time to leave feedback, and to ask after this story. As I find fanfic in general and hobbits in particular to be good for my mental health, I have carved out reading and writing time in my schedule again. Here's hoping all the WIPs eventually will find their finish.

Author's reply

Sorry for the very late (understatement) reply. I have begun on the WIPs here at SoA and hope to finish them, after being away from fanfic for several years. Sometimes life happens. Thanks for your inquiry, and taking time to leave feedback.

Author's reply

You said it! (Belated thanks for reading and stopping to share your thoughts.)

Author's reply

A theme that has always fascinated me is that of someone who does the hard thing, even when they don't want to do it, even when a selfish choice would keep them far away from doing the hard thing, because it is the right thing to do. I guess it started with Frodo (and Sam, and the younger cousins) on the Quest, and Freddy leading his band in the hills of Scary against the ruffians who'd taken over the Shire. Thanks (belatedly) again!

Author's reply

Yes, I couldn't bear to contemplate him losing that last piece of his beloved. As it works out, his son's survival will be important in more ways than one. One more tournament, and then, hopefully, life will settle into more of a routine and I can have some regular writing time once more. I do want to finish this, and the other WIPs... More stories keep popping up. Farry and Ferdi Go to Gondor for one; it keeps plucking at my sleeve and is growing quite insistent. Belated thanks! Author Reply: Thanks to your reminders, this was the first WIP to be updated when I started writing again, after finally finishing and posting the next "Bill" chapter. Hope this finds you well.

Author's reply

Yikes a plastic bag! Did you have a glorious (from his perspective) game of keep-away? Looking forward (well, not completely) to playful times with the coming pup. We saw a 10 week old puppy yesterday, so cute (pit bull, I think) -- just a few weeks older than our pup, though since our pup is of a giant breed, she's likely larger. Since Zoe came to us fully grown, and I've never seen a puppy of her breed, I'm not really sure what to expect. Glad to have your confirmation of my medical research! You are spot on in your analysis. Thanks! Author Reply: It was so lovely to spend the afternoon with you! I meant to post two more chapters for your birthday this year, so you'd get a Pippin-and-Frodo chapter as well, but that one remains only half written, so you have it to look forward to, I guess. The birthday present that keeps on giving...

Author's reply

It's fun to see Frodo as the caretaker, rather than the one needing care. He's definitely the competent older cousin here. Poor Pippin, it was a fair bit of rotten luck on his part. If only he'd chosen a different pony, his plan might have worked out more as he intended. *sigh* Consequences... one of Life's favorite teaching tools. Author Reply: (not to say that he was in the right... only that he might have been a little less wrong!) p.s. Did you get my email?

Author's reply

Not AU I'm glad to say, but within the realm of possibility. Thanks! The next two chapters are already written so they should go up on schedule, or sooner if I get stuck while working on one of the other WIPs in the lineup.

Author's reply

Thank you! You're right, it can't be a permanent impairment but it is worrisome, and all Frodo can do is keep him quiet and wait for help. Will try not to keep you waiting too long. Next update will be a Bucca chapter (next week) but the Pippin chapter after that is already written and so will be an easy update.

Author's reply

It seemed to be a logical step for hobbits to take, and with a strong leader like the Thorn to coordinate efforts, it's not impossible to contemplate. And next, I finally get to come back to Pippin's part of the tale, and Frodo's, at last! It seems as if I've been hanging all too long. However, at least we found which box the notes, outline, and drafts were in, and so the work continues on my New Year's resolution -- to finish a number of WIPs. And who knows, once they're done, what may come about. I once had so many story ideas, I scarcely knew what to do with them all. "Farry and Ferdi Go to Gondor", and how Bandobras Took ended up in the North Farthing, riding a horse of all things, and how Hally and Rosemary first met (and the story of their courtship and marriage -- for they were handfasted on very short acquaintance and barely knew each other, but it was the lesser evil, for Rosemary's sake at least), and the story of how Marcho and Blanco founded the Shire, and perhaps how Bergil came to be a part of the King's elite bodyguard. So much to contemplate... But so long as there's a place to post, and someone out there to share my enjoyment, I suppose I'll keep at it.

Author's reply

Yes, the hobbits have had months to build this safe place, and many bodies -- when you consider that there were likely many made up of the majority of the farmers of the Marish, plus the hobbits of Stock and the Yale at the very least -- and who knows if they might have had help in the design and execution, as a result of taking in an injured, fugitive Dwarf or two? (Although hobbits, being traditionally hole-dwellers, are probably excellent delvers in their own right.) The possibilities are so interesting to contemplate! Poor Bucca, his own personal loss(es) will come clear all too soon.

Author's reply

Congratulations! Just his luck, the most convenient pony also happened to be the most valuable in the stables... Ah, consequences. I can promise you, they'll be interesting.