A Healer's Tale by Lindelea
Connie B. · 22 June 2005 · Chapter 28: Interlude
Oh, now we come to it. This was the moment I was wondering about. I know the jist of what happens from "At the End of His Rope", but I have been looking forward to more of the details. Thanks. Connie B.
Author's reply
And so you are getting the details! And more to come, but first, a detour to Woodruff's story. Thanks!
Mysterious Jedi · 22 June 2005 · Chapter 28: Interlude
More soon please :) <>< Saved from sin through Christ, mj
Author's reply
Your least wish is my greatest desire, as they so often say in the Shire.
Pearl Took · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 27: Silver Pennies and Showers of Blessing
Ah, good! All's well with Mardi's hands and Woodruff has more help that she needs. *sigh* A nice, calm, uplifting chapter. A joy to read :)
Author's reply
Ah, thanks. A calm and uplifting chapter was really needed, sort of a deep breath before the plunge. Things will get a bit rocky again for a bit, but the end is in sight.
Andrea · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 27: Silver Pennies and Showers of Blessing
So Ted made a private resolve? I wonder in which direction! I'm still not sure about it, but one thing is clear: Woodruff's "beloved" is indeed a very lucky hobbit, to have married such a wonderful person. I'm glad to see Mardi recovered and Hetty given the chance to become the healer's apprentice. I'm looking forward to reading more :)
Author's reply
Ted's private resolve will come to light soon. He's not one to sit on his hands once he's made a decision. Just posted more, thanks for your encouragement!
Larner · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 27: Silver Pennies and Showers of Blessing
Several pieces of business finished now, it appears. How wonderful! Hetty has a new place where her disability doesn't matter, Mardi will be able to continue with his own work, Tru is free to go back to his, and Ted is still under misapprehensions, it appears. Poor Ted. Love the writing of this, Lindelea.
Author's reply
Yup, just a few more pieces of business to go, now. Poor Ted, but will try to put him out of his misery soon. Thanks for the encouragement!
Connie B. · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 27: Silver Pennies and Showers of Blessing
The "brindle" remark was just priceless. I think I know two lads that had better get busy and ask a couple of lasses for their hands in marriage. If Ted doesn't say something soon, he's going to go crazy, and so will Beryl if Mardi doesn't speak up. Nice chapter. Can't wait for more. Connie B.
Author's reply
Mardi's got a good, sensible head on his shoulders. No use crying over spilt milk, as his father likes to say. (Such a hobbity sentiment) Mardi's not speaking up until he knows whether he'll be a productive healer or a "burden" on the ones who love him. Just posted more, thanks for your patience!
Ariel · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 27: Silver Pennies and Showers of Blessing
Men never can quite figure things out, can they? LOL! I have been delighting in trying to figure out who 'my beloved' is and I think I know, unless you are going to be very clever, and it is amusing to watch him holding himself back in favor of his percieved 'favorite'. LOL! Well, at least I know it works out in the end, eh?
Author's reply
Sometimes they can be quite thick, can't they? Well, let me know if you've guessed right, once all is revealed. Not sure I could manage "very clever" at this stage of the game! Thanks!
Dreamflower · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 27: Silver Pennies and Showers of Blessing
This is wonderful. I love the "pay it forward" theme of this chapter, as one good deed leads to another... Hopefully Mardi will speak for Beryl soon, and put Ted out of his misery. Silly hobbit! And it will be interesting to see how Hetty begins to fit into Woodruff's little household. But I haven't forgotten Pippin and the teapot...I hope we get back to that soon!
Author's reply
I just love to see good rewarded. Poor Ted, he is a silly hobbit. Perhaps he thinks Woodruff is too good for him. The teapot subplot is perking along nicely, I'm glad to say. You ought to see more news on that front soon. Thanks!
Bodkin · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 27: Silver Pennies and Showers of Blessing
Well! The blessings spread. Haldibold is thrilled by the healing and takes away techniques and leaves money - that then offers a chance to Hetty Grubb that delights her and helps her family. Now all we need is for Mardi to speak to Beryl, so that Ted can let some light into his skull. 'Ted stood silently and watched the healer's tender ministrations, and he made a private resolve.' This could be good - except I suspect he's made an entirely erroneous private resolve to keep his distance. The gloves are another advance in the treatment of burns. I'm glad to see Woodruff was cutting edge. It probably helped when it came to various other foreign treatments. Woodruff is a star.
Author's reply
Woodruff is a star indeed. I've always liked her; a very sensible hobbit with a remarkably open mind (for a hobbit). Private resolve coming to light soon, I think, if I haven't mixed up my chapters (very nearly published chapter 30 by mistake, just now). Thanks!
Bodkin · 14 June 2005 · Chapter 26: Interlude
Poor Estella. I think Merry needs to work on convincing her that she's not a second-best duty wife, but the wife he needs to hold him together. It must be hard for both Diamond and Estella to deal with these two - they are so close, but not to the exclusion of the others in their lives. If anyone needs to understand the Shadow, I would have thought it would be Woodruff. Whatever she might have guessed or worked out, she needs to be told by someone. And her words to Estella are very well-chosen. I like to see Estella steeling herself to continue to fight for Merry. By the way, I like the effect a sip of Ent-draught is having on her! She needs reviving at the moment, I would think. It's probably as well that Pippin survives this night - it wouldn't go down too well with the Tooks if Woodruff had withdrawn healer attention, whatever Pippin wanted. More please!
Author's reply
Y'know, I think Merry does need to work on that, for Estella's sake. I would hate for her uncertainty to turn to bitterness. Of course, I know that it doesn't, but it really does appear that they need to have a little talk. Thanks for the suggestion. Will see if I can work it in. As to Woodruff and the Tooks... Gee, I hadn't thought of that... good thing hobbits don't form lynching mobs! (And it's a good thing Pippin survives the night) Thanks.
Larner · 13 June 2005 · Chapter 26: Interlude
Oh, this one was apparently posted during the last breakdown. It is lovely, Lindelea, lovely. And glad Pippin has announced enough is enough. They all need their sleep! And love that what Frodo had said is now seen as foresight.
Author's reply
Um, let's see, it was posted last night. Or very early this morning. (Stayed up too late, can you tell?) Guess I ought to take a page out of my own book and try to keep more regular sleeping hours... Author Reply: p.s. is your computer feeling better? (I hope!)
Andrea · 13 June 2005 · Chapter 26: Interlude
Woodruff is a remarkable person! From all the bits of information she collected throughout the years she draws the right conclusion! Estella must have been amazed and maybe a little frightened of the knowledge the healer has about her husband and his cousins! But Woodruff can also assure her, that Merry really loves her and needs her to carry on. I loved it to see that Pippin doesn't want all the fuss made about him and only longs to be left alone with his Diamond, and to die, if he must, like a plain hobbit. 'I'm not afraid of the dark,' he says. 'It is only a curtain, and beyond is the white shore of a fair green country, where a feast is spread and waiting... I have only to put out my hand and the curtain will part...' I just hope, he will recover completely!
Author's reply
Woodruff is remarkable at collecting information and putting pieces together. I'm glad she was able to reassure Estella, who loves Merry so desperately, yet has never been sure that he loves her to the same degree. As to your last comment, I will not offer a spoiler, but there is hope, and light at the end of the tunnel, but we are not quite there yet. Thanks!
Connie B. · 13 June 2005 · Chapter 26: Interlude
Lovely chapter, full of great imagery. I especially liked the last couple of papagraphs. The talk between Woodruff and Estella was good. I think they both have a clearer understanding of things now. The part where Pippin tells Woodruff to go away was perfect. I think he would want to be treated just like any other hobbit; no special attention just because he's the Thain. This is what I would truly call an interlude.:) Thanks. Connie B.
Author's reply
It's always nice to hear what you especially liked. Thanks!
Pearl Took · 13 June 2005 · Chapter 26: Interlude
A tender scene indeed. Yes, Pippin has been near to death's curtain before, I can see him not wanting all that fuss. You show so well the love Woodruff has for her charges and their loved ones. VWD
Author's reply
Thank you. She does love them deeply, and fights fiercely for them. Definitely a Took, even though by adoption and marriage.
Dreamflower · 13 June 2005 · Chapter 26: Interlude
I do love this little heart-to-heart between Woodruff and Estella, as Woodruff gradually comes to realize what kind of thing the Travellers must have faced in the outer world. It had not occurred to me that Estella would misunderstand the nature of Merry's love for her; yet in your world, where she was "second choice" to his intended bride who died, it makes a good deal of sense. These interludes are every bit as enlightening as the main part of the story.
Author's reply
Well, I realised what a difficult position I'd put Estella in, while writing this story. If everyone knew that Pippin and Merry were "joined at the heart", how would that make Estella feel, knowing that her beloved might choose to follow his cousin rather than remain with her? I really didn't deal with it until I was writing the chapter with her arrival, and then I was stuck with the situation as I'd already set it up. Sometimes it's a challenge, instead of rewriting, to lie in the bed one has made and figure out how to make it work. I'm so glad that Woodruff was able to offer some reassurance, comfort, and understanding. Thanks!
Anso the Hobbit · 11 June 2005 · Chapter 25: Twice Shy
What a certian lad doesn`t do for his future wife, lol! He`d make a healer out of pure love that Tad. :) I also liked how you had all the hobbits give honey to the family! That is so sweet, and a very hobbity way of doing things - food for all occasions - also healing. :D
Author's reply
LOL! He certainly does love Sweetie, even though he sees no hope for winning her. Bless his heart. I guess they can always eat the honey that's left over! Perhaps have a honey festival, or something. Thanks!
Connie B. · 7 June 2005 · Chapter 25: Twice Shy
Ow! That chapter was painful to read. I can't imagine how much it hurt Mardi. I don't want to know, either. It looks like Ted and Mardi may get a chance to have a much-needed talk. I think Ted is going to be pleasantly surprised. Thanks for updating so quickly. I take it the computer is working well for you now. Thanks. Connie B.
Author's reply
Well, Ted and Mardi's talk is coming up in a chapter or two. Hopefully it will be a pleasant surprise for the reader as well as Ted. Computer is working, thanks!
Mysterious Jedi · 6 June 2005 · Chapter 25: Twice Shy
Excellent and leaves me looking forward to more, as always :) <>< Saved from sin through Christ, MJ
Author's reply
Thanks! Happy to oblige.
Dreamflower · 6 June 2005 · Chapter 25: Twice Shy
Well, at least old Rosie taught her well, whatever her other faults. It's going to be interesting when Ted learns he's misinterpreted a few things. But I wonder how long they will talk at cross-purposes before he gets things straight? And I do love Hildibold's amazement at Woodruff's treatment for his son.
Author's reply
Yes, I think old Rosie had a passion for healing, whatever her other faults might have been. You've gotta wonder at Ted's thickheadedness. But then, he's convinced that Woodruff regards him more as a brother than anything else. And what does he have to offer? He's an honest working Joe; whereas Mardi is descended from the Old Took, son of a wealthy hobbit with a large and comfortable smial in Tuckborough. I love the fact that Mardi's father is open to new ideas in healing (at least, in the matter of his son, when *anything* would have to be an improvement over Mardi's prospects with the only treatments known in Tuckborough), and that you *can* teach an old dog new tricks. Thanks!
Pearl Took · 6 June 2005 · Chapter 25: Twice Shy
Wonderful! (does honey really work on burns?) As always, you're leaving me anxious for more :) VWD
Author's reply
I haven't tried honey on burns, but it's amazing, what I've read about the stuff. Evidently it works better than conventional medicine, in some cases. Computer goes into the shop tomorrow, so I am not sure when I will be posting again. (A chapter of Dreamflower's will be posted on the LJ story, which was already scheduled for tomorrow, and then we'll have to wait and see when we'll get the computer back to resume posting.) I haven't even had time to read any of Challenge 17, though I saw you had more than one story there. I am very much looking forward to reading them! Will you be posting them here, or shall I look for them on the challenge when I'm back online? Thanks!
Bodkin · 6 June 2005 · Chapter 25: Twice Shy
Seven cheers for Woodruff. And I might let Rosie Bracegirdle off a thousand years or two in purgatory for teaching Woodruff the magic honey technique. Do you think Ted, Beryl, Mardi and Woodruff might begin to work out their emotional lives in the next decade or two? The clues are all there - all they have to do is learn to read. The Ferdinand references to fire are ironic. He is so confident and kind - and his life is going to be shredded. It's clear that part of the training healers endure is how to go without sleep for protracted period without losing their efficiency. I can see Woodruff being summoned from her own sickbed. Does she have children? I hope so. And they'll be able to set up a honey shop at the end of this. Talk about a land of milk and honey! Typical hobbit generosity. I think the Tooks have learned a new treatment for burns, too.
Author's reply
Ironic. Sometimes it's a word-and-a-half. I tell myself he has five good years after this, and that he'll live them to the hilt, characteristically. But really, it's terribly bittersweet to write him whole and hale, not yet broken and embittered. At least I know he'll gain a measure of peace and even contentment before his end, but it's small comfort. I know that Woodruff has children, mainly because of a reference in "Rope" where it is said that Regi gave her the day off because her third grandchild had just been born. I think the newfangled treatment for burns is going to spread throughout the Shire, and about time! Thanks! (Actually, I think the only one in the dark about the way things stand is Ted. I'm sure that he'll be enlightened in one of these chapters, sooner or later, possibly about the same time as the Great Teapot Quest.)
FantasyFan · 6 June 2005 · Chapter 25: Twice Shy
Ted shows his quality, in instantly giving up his bed and offering to nurse his 'rival'. I hope that in the enforced inactivity to come, there'll be at least a little time for conversation and the clearing up of misunderstandings. It would be a shame for him to miss a chance for happiness with Woodruff. - I'm rooting for them, anyway. And Old Rosie had some redeeming qualities after all! I'm glad to see it. As hard as she was, she did teach Woodruff what she knew. May that count in her favor in the end. Hope the computer heals as quickly as Mardi.
Author's reply
Yes, Ted shows his quality, indeed. I have grown very fond of the hobbit. And once Mardi was no longer kept sleeping, I'm sure there was time for conversation, the fruit of which will soon be made evident. Thanks for the good thoughts on the computer's behalf. We are pretty dependent on the beastie. Thanks!
Bodkin · 3 June 2005 · Chapter 24: Interlude
There'll be more to worry over before it gets better, Woodruff. But it will get better, I'm glad to say. I really appreciate knowing how this turns out. Woodruff, Ferdi and Regi are stars - they are the rocks on which Pippin the Thain balances. And Merry - well he's closer than a brother. The cold arm is a bit worrying, but I think it'll only take a beaming Pippin to warm the cockles of his heart and his arm'll benefit from the proximity. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
I'm not sure I could write it, if I didn't know what was going to happen. Nice word pictures. Your chapter posted over at LJ today, just to let you know.
Anso the Hobbit · 2 June 2005 · Chapter 24: Interlude
What a lovely chapter! :D Of course you now have me wonder what Merry did to have to disrobe before Woodruff as a tween, lol. I love the conversation between her and Regi as they`ve finally managed to get Merry to bed. And I especially loved this: I knew, right then, that he would be a Thain worth following. He had my heart, that day, my spirit, my strength and my loyalty, to the end of my days, and beyond.’ Can`t wait for more!
Author's reply
Yes, Merry having to disrobe before Woodruff as a tween, *there's* a tale to be told there, I'm sure! Thanks!
Connie B. · 1 June 2005 · Chapter 24: Interlude
Oh, how sweet. You paint some of the most poiniant pictures. The idea of Merry and Pippin someday dying, possibly within a day of each other, is interesting. I've heard other people say that neither one could survive without the other. Can't wait to see what's next. Connie B.
Author's reply
Thanks! Computer going into the shop, so not sure quite when the next Interlude will post. But by the weekend, I hope. I've heard quite a few people say that Merry and Pippin died within a day of each other, but I haven't seen the source, yet.