FantasyFan
· 28 December 2004
· Chapter 54: All the King's Horses
Hilly would be horrified to think that he has betrayed Pippin's confidence, even to the king, were his request not so desperate. It is hobbity that he has resigned himself to losing Posey, and to following her into the darkness as soon as may be; but he realizes how very important Pippin is to the Shire, and how much all the hobbits need his wisdom and compassion and determination. It is remarkable for him to interfere in the Thain's private business, and shows also considerable insight on his part: at this point Pippin has earned his Thainship but maybe not all the hobbits of the Shire are as convinced as Hilly of Pippin's ultimate necessity. I think that even though he seems to have accepted the death that is in his future, he desperately wants to do something to heal someone. His anguish is so real.
This chapter also really makes me wonder how Entdraught works. The Elves have the power of stasis - they are excellent at the state of waiting, and their healing draught reflects this characteristic. It allows rest so that healing can occur, but it cannot bring about anything new. The Entdraught seems to tap into a more primeval power. The Ents were the thought of Yvanna, if I remember properly, to protect her creations of the forest from potential destruction by the dwarves. She was the one who sang life of a multitude of types into being, and I could imagine her restorative drink to be able to promote growth out of harm, new life out of decay, and vigor out of stasis. At least that's my theory for today.
Merry Christmas, a few days late. I hope it was happy for you and your family. How's the hamster?
Author's reply
Bingo! Your analysis of Elf-draught versus Ent-draught hits right on the mark. When researching the Ent-draught I re-read the passages in "Two Towers". Interesting that the hobbits not only grow taller (and Merry is past his growing years at the time, as I recall), but all their ills from their ill-treatment at the hands of the Uruk-hai are healed as well. Does the healing come from drinking from the stream? I forget. In any event, there's powerful stuff coming out of Fangorn Forest, and yes, it's a matter of growth (new growth?) in contrast to maintaining.
The hamster is very distracting at the moment, rolling everywhere in her ball, checking everything out, while the little ones follow and shriek with delight at the cunning expression on her little face. She is the most distracting creature! (In an amusing way, of course.) I'm reminded of an astronaut in a moon-buggy, exploring a strange new world.
Hilly is "into" information. He's one of the biggest gossips in the Great Smials, though he's more about gathering information than disseminating it. It would be very like him to see how much good Pippin has done since becoming Thain.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Bodkin
· 28 December 2004
· Chapter 54: All the King's Horses
I'm glad Hilly opened up and told Elessar what the problem is. Even if he can't do anything about it, it seems better that he should know. (How long is it before Sam visits the Ents? It doesn't seem as if Pippin is likely to last many more winters, so I hope it's not too far off.)
Poor Hilly - he shouldn't have to come to terms with losing Posey (cruel author). He's a hero!
Author's reply
Let's see... the meeting at the Bridge was in 1436, and Sam went to Gondor in 1442 and stayed for a year, so perhaps seven years? Pippin will have his ups and downs over that time, making subtle gains in health during part of the time, and losing ground in stress or trying circumstances, but hanging on for the most part as a stubborn Took is wont to do.
Hilly is a hero! He ought to get a reward! (Stay tuned)
Dreamflower
· 28 December 2004
· Chapter 54: All the King's Horses
This chapter made me so sad, I had to go back and read the pertinent chapters of "At the End of His Rope", and I realized that since this was one of the earliest stories I read, I never reviewed it, as at the time I didn't know how. Now I'm going to have to go back and re-read the whole thing--What a fate! LOL!
Poor Pip. And poor Aragorn. How it must tear him up to realize he can't cure his friends--first Frodo, and now Pippin. But perhaps there is something he can do to at least ease the hobbit's condition--after all, Pip lasts a good few more years until the Ent-draught.
Author's reply
Aha! Does this mean I can hope for more reviews? Bet you know how that is.
I once considered a medical career, but knowing what I know now I wonder how difficult it might have been, for even doctors for all their knowledge and perceived "power" in our culture still can't cure everything. And they don't even have athelas at their disposal.
Pippin does have to last a few more years, and several more bad spells, before Sam brings the Ent-draught to him! Good thing he's a stubborn Took. Thanks!
Connie B.
· 28 December 2004
· Chapter 54: All the King's Horses
Finally, someone has the sense to tell the king what happened to Pippin. Pippin is going to be really upset with Hilly though, if he finds out that it was he who told Aragorn the truth.
How sad and frustraiting it must be for Aragorn to know what is wrong with his dear friend and not be able to do a thing about it.
This chapter was almost as sad as the last one was happy.
I'm still enjoying this story a great deal. Keep up the good work.
Thanks.
Connie.
Author's reply
Glad you're enjoying the story even with the sorrow/worry/angst that is integral to this part of the timeline.
So far as the outline goes, and the rough draft written from it, Pippin never discovers that it was Hilly who "betrayed" him... I was able to spare Hilly *that* much grief, at least, so long as I don't re-think that part of the plot.
This is a melancholy part of the story with several heart-to-heart conversations. They were all part of one chapter, but just Merry-and-Pippin ran over 1500 words, so the chapter split itself. When a chapter approaches 3000 words the loading and editing becomes much too cumbersome on a dial-up connection.
Hai Took
· 27 December 2004
· Chapter 53: Comfort and Joy
Whew! That was all very stressful indeed! Hilly sure did go through a lot in this story! First Farry and now the little princess! He sure is brave though. Good thing Bergil followed them and was able to pull the both of them out of the river!
How hard it must have been for Elessar to leave when his daughter's life was possibly at stake as well! To think her lost only to have to deal with another crisis! I can't imagine how how a parend would feel. Very nicely portrayed!
Sam has certainly had a trying time! Gracious, I hope he is all right, what a nasty fall! And there are still those men lurking around!
You have a wonderful knack of putting in something amusing in some of the most stressful situations. Hm, what is said about the Brandybucks? Looking forward to more, thank you!
Author's reply
Yes, it was a good thing Bergil followed them. Hilly sort of ran out of gas (to use a non Middle-earth phrase!) and just didn't have any more to give at the end.
Thanks for hitting the highlights in your review, and for the encouraging words!
Just posted more, but it's rather a melancholy chapter. Drat.
Bodkin
· 27 December 2004
· Chapter 53: Comfort and Joy
Pippin isn't going to give in, is he? He doesn't want to talk to Aragorn and he isn't going to! Obstinate should be his middle name.
And Hilly isn't much better! No, of course he did nothing to rescue Liriel. She swam out by herself, picking up the hobbit on the way. (So what do they say about Brandybucks? That was a royal command.)
So one or two of the current crises have been overcome - in part, at least. That only leaves about . . . twenty or so!
Author's reply
Well, Pippin and Hilly are Tooks, after all, and if there were a hobbit thesaurus, "obstinate" would be one of the synonyms for "Took", right along with "stubborn", "pig-headed", "recalcitrant", and a host of other such pleasant expressions.
Royal command? Well, perhaps, over brandy with the King, when there are no ladies present...
Difficult to believe, but there really is not much left to the story! Wonder how many chapters it'll take to resolve twenty or so crises?
Grey Wonderer
· 26 December 2004
· Chapter 53: Comfort and Joy
A lovely Christmas surprise! A new chapter to read. Frist I loved the difference in Pippin and Diamond's reaction to the news that it was a cold. You could tell that Pippin was vastly relieved that a cold was all that he had, where as Diamond was worried about how the cold would affect him. I loved that you were able to show that without really having either of them say so. I also loved how concerned Pippin was about Aragorn working on him when the princess was still missing and how he tried to reassure Aragorn in his own way by telling him about Hilly.
So, what do they say about Brandybucks when not in polite company? LOL
Author's reply
Nice catch, noticing the difference between Pippin and Diamond's reaction.
What do they say about Brandybucks? An entire host of uncomplimentary things, if you're amongst Tooks and no ladies are present.
Elena Tiriel
· 25 December 2004
· Chapter 53: Comfort and Joy
Thank you for the lovely gift, Lindelea! I guess I can stop holding my breath now... ;-D
Happy Holidays to you, too!
- Barbara
Author's reply
Wouldn't want *your* face turning blue as well as Pippin's! Thanks!
Connie B.
· 25 December 2004
· Chapter 53: Comfort and Joy
Perfect title and perfect chapter for today.
Merry Christmas to you, too.
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
You're welcome, and thanks to you, too.
Dreamflower
· 25 December 2004
· Chapter 53: Comfort and Joy
What a lovely Christmas present to wake up to! I'm spending a little quiet time here on the computer until the DH wakes up--this is the first Christmas in the 28 years we've been married not to have company or a kid on Christmas--and not finding much new.
How lovely that everyone is going to be all right!! Pippin had better learn to talk to his King! And I love Hilly--so stubborn in his absolute refusal to take any credit where credit is due. (Reminds me of Sam is some ways.)
Very, very nice!
Merry Christmas to you!
Author's reply
Yes, Hilly and Sam have that modesty in common. I think it's probably something you'd find in many hobbits.
I think Pippin is just tired of being poked and prodded. Probably chagrined to have ended up in a bed just now, and determined to get up before anyone is ready to let him up.
Bodkin
· 23 December 2004
· Chapter 52: Still Waters, Running Deep
Oh my! I love all these many crises pulling themselves together. (This lot will never dare go on a picnic again!)
Hilly - brave, brave Hilly. Well - he will definitely be on Elessar and Arwen's top hobbit list. You can't get better than coming within a whisker of losing your own life to save their daughter. Clever Hilly, too - he knew enough to be able to use the river rather than struggle against it. And Bergil - well, at the very least, someone else should get the joy of having to de-rust his mail! (He's practically a hobbit, too, anyway.)
And Elessar shows his quality again, taking off to save Pippin when he is desperately worried about Liriel, even if he didn't think to take Diamond along. Perhaps he will remember to sing.
Poor Sam and Merry, too. At least Sam has Elrohir working on him - not that that will ease the pain! Or the worry.
I suppose it's a plus that the evil kidnappers decided to give the chaos a miss and put off their plans.
I like your Elladan and Elrohir. And your Elessar and Arwen. Elves and men are just big hobbits. That eat less. And are slightly less jovial.
Author's reply
You're right, Bergil really shouldn't have to de-rust his own mail... even if he was the one who got it wet. It was all in a good cause, after all.
Elessar might have done some singing. It doesn't *say* so in the text, but while I forgot, he might well have remembered...
Just slightly less jovial, eh? (Making a mental note.) Except, perhaps, when they've imbibed too much of that wine of Dorwinion.
Thanks!
Grey Wonderer
· 22 December 2004
· Chapter 52: Still Waters, Running Deep
(‘He’s walking alone into the darkness,’ Diamond said, and her eyes filled once again with tears. ‘No friendly voice, no song to sustain him, no hand holding his...’)_________poor Diamond has been expecting this and now she is so worried that Pippin will die alone! So sad and she doesn't have any hope at this point because she knows his condition unlike Aragorn and the others.
(‘I thought you said only a fool would jump in the river with mail on,’ Hilly said, sitting up with an effort.)_____more survival through humor from Hilly. I am so glad that he and the princes and Bergil are out of the water and safe, though exhausted. Those swimming lessons did pay off!
I can't wait for more. I know I've said that before but it seems to hold true yet again. I thought the scene when Diamond was collecting Faramir was very well done also. She did want to look at poor Arwen because she suspects that Arwen's daughter is already lost to them and she didn't want to take her hope by telling her. Ok, enough from me. Quit reading this and write the next chapter.
(‘They call it a healing balm,’ Merry said lightly, his hand tightening on Sam’s, ‘but it doesn’t look all that healing, in this light.’) ________Loved Merry and Sam trying to help each other through Sam's injuries when both of them must be worried about Sam's leg and about Pippin.
Author's reply
Can't wait for more? I know the feeling. Have posted a mostly-happy chapter for a little Christmas present.
Thanks for the lovely review!
Dreamflower
· 22 December 2004
· Chapter 52: Still Waters, Running Deep
Yay, Bergil!!! I *LOVE* Bergil!!! *squee!!* (Takes deep breath and tries to calm down)
Okay, okay, let's get more coherent here.
This is wonderful. You move so quickly from situation to situation and character to character, building the momentum without ever losing track of what's going on, and more importantly without letting the reader lose track. Love it!
In case you don't update before the holiday: Merry Christmas!
Author's reply
I just love Bergil, too. You're reading rabidsamfan's Bergil piece in her LJ, aren't you? What a lovely story!
Thanks for the encouraging feedback. Have left another chapter, a sort of Christmas treat, in case anyone has some idle time during the holiday.
Connie B.
· 22 December 2004
· Chapter 52: Still Waters, Running Deep
This chapter had some really great moments in it. I especially liked the scene where sam makes his sarcastic comment about the glass not being deeply buried. The exchange between Hilly and Bergil was great, too.
Thank goodness they're out of the river at least.
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
What a relief to get them out of the river at last. Though the action could not have lasted all that long, it seemed an eternity. Glad you liked the chapter.
Have posted another. Merry Christmas!
Appreciated your thoughtful note but didn't have time to do more than read it, and now there's no time as well (only time to post this chapter, do a quick proof-read, and get offline again as it's way past bedtime and the little ones will be up early to look in their stockings!)
Thanks so much for your encouragement. *hugs*
You're back and with a dandy cliff-hanger for the holidays! Poor Aragorn! Such a choice to have to make. Sam and Merry managed to keep their heads on this, now if only Hilly turns out to be an olympic swimmer they might manage to get out of this somehow! Hope that there is more soon! Very exciting and fast-paced all around. So many good things!
(Sam was sitting up, his face grey with pain, but he waved Elrohir away. ‘I’m well,’ he lied. ‘See to Pippin.’) _____so like Sam!
(Pippin’s mouth opened as if he would speak but no words came. His clouding eyes sought Merry’s in unspoken apology, and then they closed as he settled in Merry’s arms, unmoving, unbreathing.
‘No!’ Merry cried in an agony of denial, tightening his hold. ‘Breathe, Pippin!’)______________this got to me in a very big way! So full of emotion and so like both of them to know without words.
(he remembered all the well-meaning hobbits, drowned trying to save others from drowning, whose bodies he’d helped pull from streams.)__________and this was so descriptive of hobbits in general, trying to help even when there was little hope. I do hope that Hilly fares better than the hobbits he is thinking about.
Keep it coming! It's just fantastic!
Author's reply
Thank you for the lovely review! I love the way you hit the highlights. I'll try to get another chapter up before the weekend.
Beruthiel
· 21 December 2004
· Chapter 51: Difficult Choices
Ooooh, another nasty cliffy! You have a real sadistic streak, you know that?
Things aren't looking too good for Pippin at the moment. He may be on his way to the House of Healing, but the people who know what's wrong with him and what to do about it are still at the river. I'm waiting on pins and needles for the next update (which is coming very soon, right? RIGHT?).
A merry Christmas to you and yours! :)
Author's reply
Merry Christmas back at you.
Next update before the weekend, I hope.
Thanks!
(Sadistic? :::looks at Muse, smirking in the corner:::)
Dreamflower
· 21 December 2004
· Chapter 51: Difficult Choices
*Whoosh!* You are the Mistress of Cliffies! Even though I know things have to turn out right somehow, I am still on pins and needles! Poor Pippin! Poor Hilly! Poor Liriel! Poor Aragorn! Oh my!
Author's reply
Mistress of Cliffes, hmmm, got a ring to it. It's got possibilities. Ariel is the Angst Maven, you know. Never had a moniker before. It just might work.
Will take it up with the Muse, who is the one who ultimately decides where to split off a new chapter.
This "rescue" was actually one long chapter in the draft... but it keeps calving like an ice berg. or glacier. or whatever the thing is.
Thanks!
Connie B.
· 21 December 2004
· Chapter 51: Difficult Choices
Wow! I'm glad Sam remembered what Gimli had told them. I'm also really glad that Hilly found the princess. I know they both make it. Now I'm wondering how bad this is going to be for Pippin. You know my thoughts are always with him.(stupid grin on my face)
Thanks. I was really looking forward to one of your updates.
Connie B.
Author's reply
I'm glad you were looking forward to it.
I went into a tailspin this week and couldn't deal with anything to do with fanfic. If there's a long delay between postings, you might check my livejournal (Lindelea1) for news.
If I'm having computer problems or can't get online for some reason, sometimes I manage to post there from the public library. And this week I posted there for a different reason, but it did have something to do with not being able to update stories.
Anyhow, thanks for the faithful reviews, the good thoughts, and the encouraging words.
Bodkin
· 21 December 2004
· Chapter 51: Difficult Choices
Goodness, this is dramatic stuff. I don't know who I'm most worried about, really. Liriel, probably - or possibly Hilly, because I know Pippin and Sam survive. The way you cut from one the the other really heightens the drama!
Don't leave it too long to update - I can't worry about them all until after Christmas!
Author's reply
Thanks! Since it's all written, at least you have a better chance of reading more as long as I can find the time to type it in.
Am hoping Elessar, Elrohir and Elladan sound in character. Somehow I find hobbits so much easier to write!
Larner
· 15 December 2004
· Chapter 50: Steps and Mis-steps
Now I am waiting breathlessly for the next chapter.
Author's reply
Next chapter is up, finally. Will try to get another up before the weekend. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a note.
Larner
· 15 December 2004
· Chapter 46: Making Merry
Very gentle and sad.
Larner
· 14 December 2004
· Chapter 45: Something to Remember Him By
Yes, something to remember him by. Beautifully written.
Larner
· 14 December 2004
· Chapter 43: Never Judge a Flask by its Cover
I've read enough of the reviews to realize what is up with the flask, but it is still awe inspiring to see it come to light.
Larner
· 14 December 2004
· Chapter 39: Of Draughts and Dreams
Wonderful!
Larner
· 14 December 2004
· Chapter 38: Bed and Breakfast
Ferdi is intent on driving everyone else to distraction, isn't he?