And now Mardi himself will need Woodruff's skills. Ah, small children and burns--can remember going through a stage when Mom had to ban me from the kitchen because I couldn't seem to come near the stove without burning myself.
Author's reply
Ouch! And burns are so painful, too. I burned myself recently, and it is amazing how long the pain lasted, and how it came back in the shower, days later, for the healing burn couldn't seem to bear the feel of warm water.
What is it about small children? Something about going through a growth spurt and then not knowing where the arms and legs end, if not incredible optimism and poor judgment mixed in.
Mysterious Jedi
· 22 May 2005
· Chapter 21: Too Many Cooks
Looking forward to more, so I can see how bad the burns were :)
<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
MJ
Author's reply
Just updated the "interlude" part of the story, and you'll know more of Mardi's condition, if all goes well, on Monday.
Thanks!
Bodkin
· 22 May 2005
· Chapter 21: Too Many Cooks
Why am I not surprised that Pippin's first sign of recovery was the word 'Griddlecakes'? I suppose the only surprise is that it wasn't 'Seed-cake'!
There certainly seems to be plenty of work here for healers - Woodruff is exhausted, poor lass, and she's just about to be summoned to tend to her own assistant. I was a bit concerned about the gum rub for infants - it sounded as if there was potential for an overdose there, but poor Mardi! I'm glad he leapt in to save the little poppet with the sweet little face - but porridge is nasty. It clings enough to make you think it's got a second career as glue in mind. (And cleaning the kitchen won't be much fun either. Especially after it all gets trampled into the cracks.)
A favourite image? - Beryl 'hesitating between the gooseberry jam and the strawberry preserves. She finally opted for a little of each.' So very hobbity. And Leaf, trying to win Mardi's interest with cakes steaming from the over.
Author's reply
Yes, it would have been fun to have them baking seedcakes. But griddlecakes seemed more breakfasty.
There is a potential for overdose, which is why there were strict instructions: wet finger with the stuff twice, not oftener than every two hours. My m-i-l demonstrated this old "cure" years ago, with whisky and a screaming infant, and amazing how the stuff worked! Though we pretty much stick to Anbesol around here.
You're right about porridge. Got the idea for this, remembering an incident some years ago when a little one was carrying a bowl of the stuff from stove to table, and was careless, and the stuff slopped over onto her hand and clung and kept burning until we could get her hand under running cold water and scrub it away. Makes me shiver to recall it.
Loved reading the favourite images. The way to a hobbit's heart is his stomach, after all.
Connie B.
· 22 May 2005
· Chapter 21: Too Many Cooks
"Physician heal thyself" somehow seems to fit here.;)
Poor Mardi. First he's going to have to deal with the pain of his injury and then with the possible consequences that such an injury could have on his future as a healer. A healer is only as good as his/her hands, after all.
I know he does just fine, but still knowing what he's going to go through still hurts.
Thanks for the update.
Connie B.
Author's reply
Too true. Somehow it is ironic, having to heal a healer. Good thing it's Woodruff.
You are exactly right about the hands of a healer. Woodruff's care of her hands, wearing gloves for example, was partly an attempt to emphasize that point.
Thanks for the feedback!
Ariel
· 21 May 2005
· Chapter 21: Too Many Cooks
Ouch!
I've done that...
Reading on.
Author's reply
Me too, on a much smaller scale. That's how I realised how hot cereal can stick to the skin and keep burning you until you scrape it off...
Yikes!
(Thanks for commenting! Everyone's so silent, this chapter, one wonders what to think...)
Blossom
· 19 May 2005
· Chapter 99999: Story Notes
Just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your stories.
I only discovered them a couple of weeks ago and find myself logging on to check almost daily!
Keep up the good work.
Blossom
Author's reply
Why thank you! You've made my day.
Larner
· 19 May 2005
· Chapter 20: Interlude
Ah, yes, this is right, the two at last left alone to rest and recuperate, Pippin sleeping properly, for his end is not yet, but will come in time, after Diamond has gone before. We need his bed there to lie in honor beside the King he loved and served so long.
Beautiful, and love the way you alternate between Woodruff's youthful encounters with Pippin to the pain of awaiting the end that mercifully did not come when expected.
Author's reply
So true. I keep that fact ever before me (trying to stay "in canon" as much as possible except for oversights, and trying to fix those as well as may be).
Thank you! It is a challenge to weave the two stories together, but they are supposed to complement each other. Hopefully things are working so far, and the tie between the two (besides the obvious one) will become evident before the end.
Larner
· 19 May 2005
· Chapter 19: Tea and Trouble
Yes, this is right in line with my feeling Pippin feels the need to help others retain their sense of humor. Needs to help them smile indeed.
Author's reply
Yes, we seem to perceive Pippin as the mood-enhancer, if not the clown he was portrayed in the films. (And poor Merry, with his reputation so besmirched by the films. Anyone who didn't read the book would think *he* was the fool.)
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 18: Interlude
Oh, I'm so glad of this, you know. Lovely, lovely to see sleep and not death as yet.
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 17: Rocks and Stones
Bless the little Took for his thoughtfulness.
Author's reply
I do love hobbits, especially Tooks and Brandybucks and Gamgees...
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 16: Interlude
Hooray! The cavalry has arrived! Oh, love this!
Author's reply
I'm so glad!
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 15: Another Apprenticeship
Looks like a taste of the green-eyed monster.
Author's reply
Definitely! "Seeing one thing and taking it for something completely different..."
Thanks!
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 13: A Pony of a Different Colour
Lovely save by our favorite Brandybuck! Wonderfully written, including even colorblindness! Now, that's not one I'd have thought to include, as aware as I am of visual problems.
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 12: Interlude
I love Pippin's plan here. Wonderful thought behind it, and well considered. This is definitely in keeping with the best of the Tooks.
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 11: Into Deep Waters
Wrong smial and wrong well, I hope? Wonderful words from Merry to Eglantine.
Mysterious Jedi
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 20: Interlude
Excellent piece of writing, as always :)
<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
MJ
(Glad you like that, thanks :) )
Author's reply
Ah, thank you.
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 10: Interlude
A good parting (which I know that as you are following canon will not happen, and still waiting for Sam and the Ent draught, you know! Gonna have to read that one soon.) But a good preparation for the parting.
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 9: Family Matters
Glad that Bilbo and Frodo were there to see Ferumbras in glory proper to his status.
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 8: Interlude
A sad moment indeed, and a beautiful description of the room.
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 7: Home Again, Home Again
I truly LIKE Sweetbriar. Very good characterization, wonderful imagery.
Larner
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 6: Interlude
Yes, Pippin would be that thoughtful.
Pearl Took
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 20: Interlude
Dear Merry. And dear Ferdi wanting so badly to be rid of that signet ring. It's so hard to think of a thin, wasted Pippin *sigh*. And next we get to go back to the Teapot Incident :) You've so much going on there!! All wonderful :)
Author's reply
Thanks! There is a slight plot detour before we get back to the Teapot incident (yes, we'll keep Pippin in bed for a day or two, to get over the bump on his head, and meanwhile a little more of Woodruff's story will unfold). But we will get back to Pippin and his schemes within a few chapters.
Thanks!
Andrea
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 20: Interlude
Did I really miss the last Woodruff chapter? How could that happen?
Anyway, here's my review for the last two chapters:
Well, sometimes people arrive just at the wrong moment ;-) Poor Ted, what will he think of the scene, he saw?
And little Pippin, trying to glue the teapot pieces together, ending up with most of the glue on himself was very funny - until the accident happened.
He should be really lucky to have such an attentive cousin around.
And I think, when he apologized it was not only for his fall, but also for breaking the teapot. I wonder what he's up to...
And the "Interlude" - just wonderful. Woodruff seems to know a lot about both Merry and Pippin. If Pippin had died, Merry would not have had the strenght to carry on alone. But he lives, and he will make it to the morrow, I'm sure!
"I turn back for a last look, and Diamond’s smile continues to shine in the semi-darkness. ‘We’ll be fine here,’ she murmurs, and somehow, I am sure that they will be."
Author's reply
The chapter was accidently published a few days early while editing, and quickly hidden again (it was not yet fit to be seen), and so when it was officially published there was no notice sent out, and it did not move to the top of SoA's "front page". Put a note to that effect in the summary of another story published the same day, but you might not have noticed it.
You're right, Pippin was apologising for both falling and breaking the teapot. Woodruff understood, and didn't give him away. No use shutting the barn door when the cows have already escaped.
Woodruff has known Pippin and Merry for a long time, indeed!
Thanks!
Bodkin
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 20: Interlude
Well, if Merry didn't love Sam before, he certainly will take him firmly into his heart now.
The complete death-bed scene - missing only one thing: the death. And, in a way, such an anticlimax for those waiting outside with the funeral meats. They're giddy with relief and confusion and not-quite-sureness.
I'm not surprised that Farry is reluctant to leave - he doesn't know what he'll meet tomorrow.
Nice bit of cynicism from Isum. That ubiquitous 'resting comfortably' - I'm glad that he made Woodruff replace it with 'sleeping peacefully'.
Nice Interlude.
Author's reply
Thanks!
Ah, such fun to write, a death-bed scene without the trauma of the actual death. A real challenge, and difficult to pull off very many times. (Not for want of trying)
Thanks!
Connie B.
· 18 May 2005
· Chapter 20: Interlude
Oh, that image of Merry and Pippin following each other in death that Woodruff saw was so poiniant. Few of their family and friends understant the true depth of the their bond, but she does.
It will be amazing if half the Thain's family doesn't fall ill. The stress they've been going through has got to be taking quite a toll on them.
If I'm remembering correctly, don't we have one more crisis to get through?
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
You remember correctly! The interludes in this story are showing a lot of "behind the scenes" background that wasn't written into the original story. But we'll get to the crisis sometime between midnight and dawn.
Thanks!