In the Greening of the Year by Lindelea
PSW · 22 April 2025 · Chapter 10: Cut to the Quick
Her stubbornness (I mean, determination) paid off in the end - yay for Tolly keeping his legs! And yay for them being found in time, not dying, and not ruining forever Pimpernel’s birthday… Thx as always for writing!
PSW · 22 April 2025 · Chapter 9: Darkest before the Dawn
They’re found! But it’s just as Tolly feared. I’m going to hope something will happen that they don’t need to actually do it…
PSW · 22 April 2025 · Chapter 8: Casting About
Well that’s a sad thought. But a good joke about Lake Bilbo…
PSW · 22 April 2025 · Chapter 7: Come Hail or High Water
Terrible pun indeed ;-) - but it fits so well!
PSW · 22 April 2025 · Chapter 6: Settling Matters
I think that’s wise, not to tell Meadowsweet yet. At this point, what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. Glad they’re at least on the hunt!
PSW · 22 April 2025 · Chapter 5: Bedtime Stories
Oh. Well, they’ll start putting things together now… And yes. They absolutely should stop punishing the escort for the escortee’s doing.
PSW · 22 April 2025 · Chapter 4: Tea and Conversation
Seems like they assume Tolly will tell her no, and Tolly is not comfortable with that. This is an issue that should be addressed if he’s going to be her escort in the rain…
PSW · 22 April 2025 · Chapter 3: Blunt Talk
Well, if anything will keep him fighting that’s it!
PSW · 22 April 2025 · Chapter 2: Hobbit Hospitality
Oh no, Tolly! It probably would have been better if it *had* been walking trees. I hope he does not meet the same fate as poor Ruby in the river…
PSW · 22 April 2025 · Chapter 1: To Be Back in Time for Tea
Good grief! Next she’ll be telling him about how she crossed it going uphill both ways in the snow everyday on her way to school… Even if she’s not concerned, it would be nice if she would take a care for his concern. I know she’s anxious to get home for her daughters bday though…
Nienor Niniel · 14 September 2006 · Chapter 10: Cut to the Quick
I liked to see more of Eglantine! She's a really amazing hobbit. And I am very glad they got him out of there without the cutting. The story about Pippin making the splash is cute, too! All the best, Nienor
Author's reply
I think she must have been amazing, to have such an amazing son! Thanks for stopping by, and taking time to leave a note.
pipinheart · 28 May 2005 · Chapter 10: Cut to the Quick
This was great... Eglantina was a very strong character,she won't let Tolly give up... She even gave order to Pippin and the rest on how to get Tolly out. She wouldn't let them cut his legs off... Nice work...
Author's reply
Hah, I just now saw this review, and thus the belated reply. For some reason my server doesn't always allow reviews through, I think. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking time to leave a note!
Dreamflower · 30 November 2004 · Chapter 10: Cut to the Quick
Goodness! You finished this one quickly! Start to finish, I read it in one gulp. There is so much to love about this one--Eglantine's stubborness, Tolly's bravery, the fear of their loved ones, Pippin especially. Woven in with all the anecdotes to provide a bit of leavening to the heart-stopping suspense. I mean, even though I *knew* it would come out right, I was still worried anyway! I *loveloveloved* the story about Pippin and the well, especially Bilbo's comment at the end. Now you have to give us the rest of the story about the cat. Thanks for the great story!
Author's reply
Thanks! I'm glad you had a good word for Tolly; he was having a really, really bad day. Appreciate the feedback, and you're welcome! (Actually, it's a relief to write something *short* for a change, where I can see progress and actually reach a conclusion without forgetting what went on at the start!) Author Reply: ...and now you have the story of Pippin and the cat. We aim to please!
Hai Took · 30 November 2004 · Chapter 10: Cut to the Quick
Oh! That was nearly terrible! Tolly came very close to loosing his legs, I guess it is a very good thing that Eglantine had made a promise and wasn't about to break it! She is a wonder in your stories and I really do adore her. They were so close to the victims of the dam but didn't think to look! Oh well I'm glad that things turned out alright! I was a bit worried there. I'm glad things went so well. The end was done in true hobbits fashion. Tolly wanting to know about the end of the story Eglantine had been telling! Such great fun, thank you for another read!
Author's reply
I'm getting fonder of Eglantine with every story... I'm not sure it was a matter of not thinking to look so much as the fact that it was dark and foggy and lanterns don't give all that much light. They might have risked themselves on the landslide area, started another slide or fallen themselves, come within a few feet of Tolly and Eglantine, and never seen them! You're welcome, and thanks for commenting!
Bodkin · 30 November 2004 · Chapter 10: Cut to the Quick
Well done, Eglantine. Bet she doesn't even get a cold. Tolly will always have a special bond with the Thain's mother now. 'Pippin remembered seeing Elladan cutting away the legs of a screaming soldier of Gondor who was trapped beneath a fallen Oliphaunt.' - I am conscious of a huge wave of sympathy for the sons of Elrond, who must have had to do this kind of thing far too often. What a relief for Pippin.
Author's reply
I bet she wouldn't get a cold; that would be perfect. I'm a little worried, though, for I cannot find the reference to Eglantine's end (in one of my stories, for I don't think JRRT gave her an ending date, or if he did I haven't seen it yet), and so I'm not exactly sure when it occurred. There is an epilogue to this story (unpublished) that shows her falling asleep in her breakfast; or at least, after a bath to get all the mud off, they have the festive birthday breakfast and she dozes. Someone makes a toast to Eglantine, as Pimpernel's mother, and Eglantine wakens with a start and to cover up the fact she was asleep she lifts her glass and says, 'Many happy returns!' ...to which, of course, everyone is more than happy to drink. But the epilogue seemed anticlimatic (is that spelled right?), somehow, even with Meadowsweet tearfully greeting Tolly, and Pimpernel falling on her mother with hugs, and before that the Tooks all cheering Eglantine as she rode to the Smials--yes, *rode*, for she insisted she wasn't going to be carried in a litter... Perhaps all those scenes can be included in a sequel. Don't know yet. But now you've had a peek behind the scenes. Thanks!
Pearl Took · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 10: Cut to the Quick
So very intense and then such blessed relief!! Wonderful imagery, Pippin savoring the sound of his mother's laugh, and Englantine's imperiousness softening when she looked at her son's face. VWD, as always!!!
Author's reply
Whew, thanks! It was a relief to bring it in for a safe landing. So glad you noticed the nuances. Sometimes I think I'm too subtle and sometimes I feel like an Oliphaunt tromping plot points all over the place. Appreciate the feedback! *hugs*
Larner · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 10: Cut to the Quick
Ooh, VERY satisfying! So glad to see it done! Well written. Still waiting on several others, of course!
Author's reply
Thank you! Sorry for the delay on those others. It's just been an impossibly busy week and on top of it I'm fighting bronchitis. (Makes it easier to write characters with breathing problems, however: how I can sympathise!) Sometimes it's moral-lifting to step away from a long story and shoot off a few short ones. I'll be jumping back into "Thain" and "Glisters" soon, but I've been enjoying the break after being at a high point in each of those stories. I'm rather dreading descending back into the valley of angst. Thanks! Author Reply: oops, I think I meant "morale" and not "moral"!
Grey Wonderer · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 10: Cut to the Quick
That was wonderful! She managed to stop all of them and make them do what she had promised. I'll wager she makes the breakfast and what a story she has to tell now.
Author's reply
You're right! "More grist for the Mill" as Merry might say. (I'm embarassed to say I looked back over the story and she doesn't really promise, at least not while we're watching. It must have happened in the depths of the night, in the dark, when nobody saw but Tolly.) Thanks!
Connie B. · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 10: Cut to the Quick
Oh, that was too close. I knew something would happen to stop them doing that to Tolly, but I was still nervious. Yay! we got to hear the end of the story of Pippin and the well. I really liked this chapter. I glad I gave you soemthing to think about as much as I thought about this chapter. Oh, and I almost forgot, I still love Eglantine. She's got a good mix of love and forcefulness. Thanks. When are you going to update Thain. I'm liking that one more and more, too. Connie B.
Author's reply
Glad you liked the chapter. I was with Tolly; I wanted to know what Bilbo said! Am working on "Thain" but it's slow as I'm not enjoying the current "Pippin" chapter... I'd love to just leave him with the old shepherd for the rest of his days, but then I'd have to label the story "Definitely AU". Thanks for commenting! Hope things are going better than last month.
Grey Wonderer · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 9: Darkest before the Dawn
She fights even unconcious! I love this woman. Can't review more as just have to read the next and see what happens.
Pearl Took · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 9: Darkest before the Dawn
Oh my!! Will the fate he dreaded fall upon Tolly? And dear Eglantine not releasing her hold on him. Yes, cliffhanging indeed! Wonderful!
FantasyFan · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 9: Darkest before the Dawn
I have missed this story up till now. I don't know how I could have missed nine chapters of anything, but there it is. I love the development of the character of Eglantine. All your hobbit matrons are a special blend of pluck and care, and Eglantine lives up to both here. They don't get much in the way of flashy adventures, but hobbit society would be much poorer without them. And here's a cliffhanger for you - it looks like Tolly was in the right to fear for his legs. Yes, we know Tolly comes out right in the end, but that doesn't make him less scared now, or Mardi less heartbroken at having to do it, or calm Hilly's stomach. What I don't remember is how long Eglantine lives: she's old, and all night in the wet and cold isn't good for her. As usual, your writing is very evocative and stirs the emotions. At least I'm getting to read this before the end.
Author's reply
Well, I'm glad you found it, then! I always enjoy reading your comments. Speaking of flashy adventures, I get the feeling that Bilbo's mum might have had a few of her own, considering the way she's described in The Hobbit. What those adventures might have been has not yet occurred to me. Ummm, in one of my stories she had just died before the story started. I think it might be "FirstBorn". Don't have the timeline in front of me but if you're really curious you can look and see where that is, relative to this story, which is set the autumn before Elessar meets his Counsellors at the Bridge. (And now I'm curious, and want to look it up! Probably ought to, before I finish writing the outcome of this story!) Thanks for the encouraging words!
Connie B. · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 9: Darkest before the Dawn
Please, don't tell me they're planning to do what I think they are? I don't think they go through with it since I seem to remember Tolly being whole and healthy in other stories. At least they found them. Now I'm starting to wonder a lot of other things though. Pippin's been out in the cold and wet all night, and now he's sitting in that mud. What is this going to do to his health. That's always a concern with him. You've given me a lot to think about until the next chapter. Thanks. Connie B.
Author's reply
I'm afraid you have the right of it. But the story's not over yet... and your memory sounds correct to me. Hmmm, hadn't thought through the effect on Pippin, though he's being cossetted with a fire and food and hot drinks. Still, he *is* out in the weather. Wonder if he's in for a stint in bed? See, you've given me a few things to think about until the next chapter as well! Thanks!
Bodkin · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 9: Darkest before the Dawn
Don't amputate! Mardi - there will be another way. Eglantine needs some warmth and dry clothing soon - but she's dogged though, isn't she! She won't let go of poor Tolly. If they don't recover, Pippin will never forgive himself for sitting by the fire while Eglantine and Tolly froze almost within sight of them. I hope they manage to release the water slowly without flooding the valley.
Author's reply
So many threads to pull together in the next chapter or two! I was really planning on a ten-chapter story... looks as if I'll have to settle for eleven, and hope no more chapters calve. Thanks!
Bodkin · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 8: Casting About
polliwog (also pollywog) · n. dialect & N. Amer. a tadpole. – ORIGIN ME (earlier as pollywiggle): from poll in the sense ‘head’ + wiggle. ME - Middle English. Concise Oxford Dictionary definition. (Some N. Amer. words are more authentic older-style English that English versions.)
Author's reply
"pollywiggle"! Delightful, I'm half-tempted to change the word, but for the fact that nobody but you and I would likely know what I was talking about! Thanks!