Reviews (464)

Pearl Took · 6 October 2005 · Chapter 50: Postlude

Bravo!! Bravisimo!! Bravo!! A fantastic finish to a marvelous story!!! 'Well,' he says with a wink. 'I'm back.' Absolutely too well done!! *Loud Applause* MEWD!!

Andrea · 6 October 2005 · Chapter 50: Postlude

Hooray! Now, there's the chapter I've been waiting for! Pippin's finally healed and up again. And not only that: he's as good as new! Another hooray for the marvelous Ent draught and those who provided it! While reading this chapter I felt like Woodruff and Merry and Sam, I just couldn't believe it! But this convinced me: "Pippin slaps Merry on the back and laughs, and Merry throws his arms about his cousin, and the two begin a jig, a dance of joy and welcome, while the Mayor looks on, beaming." Great chapter :)

Connie B. · 30 September 2005 · Chapter 49: Coming Home

"All's well that ends better," as the Gaffer would say.:) That was a totally sweet chapter, and well worth the wait. Everything fell into place. I'm glad Bilbo apologied. He knew he'd overstepped and nearly distroyed the self-confidence of a very worthy healer. The bit with the teapot was sweet, too. I was hoping Pippin would actually get a chance to explailn himself. And, last but not least, Ted finally declairs his love for Woodruff. To quote a friend of mine in a simular situation, "It's about time.":) Thanks. Connie B.

Dreamflower · 29 September 2005 · Chapter 49: Coming Home

*great big goofy grin* Ah, what a sweet chapter: like your chapter "After a Drought a Deluge" in "Starfire", heaping up all the goodies after the angst, one right after the other. Bilbo was so sweet and wise in this. I *love* Bilbo. And that last little bit with her weeping all her stress out on dear Ted, and then his response, and hers... *great big goofy grin again*

Andrea · 29 September 2005 · Chapter 49: Coming Home

"You have the bulk of my knowledge, Sweetbriar's voice echoed in her memory, the gentle tone taking on a mocking edge as Woodruff's remorseless self-judgment continued. All you are lacking is the weight of experience, and that comes in time." That sounds exactly like what my older colleagues tell me every day ;-) I think Bilbo succeded in convincing Woodruff, that she *IS* a very good healer. And the pony she received from Rosemary and the teapot from Pippin tell more than any word. They all respect her! She only needs a little time (with her beloved) to recover and to see clear again, and then she will feel happy!

Larner · 29 September 2005 · Chapter 49: Coming Home

Ah, finally her beloved declares himself, and she not only accepts it but finds the gentle healing only such a one can bring.

Anso the Hobbit · 29 September 2005 · Chapter 49: Coming Home

Happy ending! :D But a tearful one at that. Poor Woodruff, so overcome by worries about her healing abilities and now suddenly all these visitors giving her gifts and saying how well she's done. :)

SlightlyTookish · 29 September 2005 · Chapter 49: Coming Home

Awww. A pony, teapot, Ted, Ferdi's health...what more can Woodruff want? :) I really liked this chapter, and your Bilbo most of all!

Bodkin · 29 September 2005 · Chapter 49: Coming Home

Ahhh. Woodruff and Ted have finally wrapped their arms round each other! The start of a long and (mostly) happy relationship. Beryl was doing her best to look after Woodruff - she provided clean clothes, hot water, help with hair washing and food. And then Bilbo came along with reassurance and Ferdibrand and Rosemary provided approval, thanks and a pony - and then Pippin (with Bilbo's aid) produced the magic teapot. What more could a hobbit want from the day? Lucky Woodruff. She's come a long way from the poor bedraggled put upon apprentice at the beginning. A long journey. Much like Pippin's, in a way. And they are both sailing into harbour. Sighs of satisfaction. And now it's time to PARTAY.

Imrahoil · 29 September 2005 · Chapter 49: Coming Home

At last! Lovers, really!! Especially men, ehm, hobbits!!!

Pearl Took · 29 September 2005 · Chapter 49: Coming Home

So grand :) Woodruff gets her assuance, her teapot and her love. And a pony of her own thrown in for good measure :) MEWD!

Dreamflower · 20 September 2005 · Chapter 48: Interlude

Oh! This brought me to tears, Pippin considering his choices before the Quest. You know my take on how harrowing and difficult that was, and of course, I can see clearly that it is just so in your world as well. The one thing in the first movie that irked me was making Merry’s and Pippin’s agonizing choice to follow their beloved cousin into danger into nothing more than an accident resulting from ill-considered mischief. I know the reasons, and the time constraints, etc. And it was amusing and well-acted. But it short-shrifted their characters woefully, and left a good deal unexplained. For example, we never do find out that Merry and Pippin or Merry and Frodo are cousins, even in the EEs. Disgracefully sloppy.

Dreamflower · 20 September 2005 · Chapter 47: After All

Aw, poor lass! I hope Bilbo has a little chat with her again. And you are very fond of people sneaking out of their deathbeds to go eat something aren’t you? Apparently Ferdi’s going to make it a lifelong habit, LOL!

Dreamflower · 20 September 2005 · Chapter 46: Interlude

And what a contrast to the previous chapter: a Woodruff confident of her assertions, though a niggle of doubt remains, she is certain enough of her conclusions to reassure those who need it most. What a difference a few years and a little maturity and experience make.

Dreamflower · 20 September 2005 · Chapter 45: Starving, as unto Death

Oh, the poor Woodruff! She really *doesn’t* know what she’s doing now! It’s a wonderful thing that Bilbo is there! Being three times as old as anyone else does have it’s advantages. Of course, then you wonder also, “what if *he* had been wrong, and *she* had been right”…

Bodkin · 17 September 2005 · Chapter 48: Interlude

Fascinating stuff - Pearl and Frodo, Pippin and his decision whether or not to leave on the quest - and Woodruff at the heart of it. And Pippin sleeping quietly through all her brooding as he gets his strength back. I look forward to his waking.

Pearl Took · 16 September 2005 · Chapter 48: Interlude

Such a gentle interlude, though not all the memories were peaceful ones, it is gentle all the same. Wonderful :)

FantasyFan · 16 September 2005 · Chapter 48: Interlude

This chapter has such a sad feeling to it. No, sad isn't quite the right word: the nostalgia is melancholy, I guess that's the best I can call it. Or maybe bittersweet, that word that so many people use to describe Tolkien's portrayal of what happened to Frodo, and what happened to the Shire; and here, what happened to the life Frodo and Pippin and Woodruff and the rest of the Tooks used to know. There's sweet in the growing of Pippin to maturity, and in the beautiful way he loves his cousin and his advisor, and in the regard that Woodruff hold him in, but bitter in the lost chances and the unfulfilled promise that comes to all those who sacrifice. Interesting theory Woodruff has about Pearl. I had always thought Frodo and Pearl would have made a good couple, as she was one of the lasses mentioned who was nearest to his age, and I felt they'd often be thrown together at family gatherings. We know there was nothing to Woodruff's speculation, but I guess I'm not the only matchmaker around! I do love the description that you paint of the two of them together - They were so lovely together, him so tall and fair, and she, round and rosy, and the two of them always laughing gaily together, as if they shared a delightful secret as they walked through the marketplace... Different in many ways, but not so different ultimately when it came to temperament, I think. Each of them certainly did the best they could with the choices that were forced on them. At least Pearl eventually got her reward, though it was long in coming. The ending is just beautiful and evokes such powerful feeling: My wayward lad, child of my heart, come into this life as my old life was ending, born into the dawning of joy and promise, and claiming a piece of my heart ever after. Pippin is deserving of all this love and more, but it makes me long to be a Took worthy of Woodruff's gentle care. Hope you're feeling well today.

Connie B. · 16 September 2005 · Chapter 48: Interlude

That was one of the best chapters yet. I loved the way you portrayed Pippin as thoughtful and introspective before the Quest. So many authors overlook that, or just don't see it. Wonderful. Thanks. Connie B.

Larner · 16 September 2005 · Chapter 48: Interlude

Sometimes it is only in the renewal of the Old Tales that the new ones can be written; a hobbit gone to become a knight; a broken sword reforged; a hobbit and woman together doing what a man could not accomplish; the power broken that the Presence again can be felt.... And so Pippin is part of Sweetie's life, and has been a moving force in her life, her one true tie to what was accomplished through Frodo, that one part of Pippin's life she cannot truly share, for that is more than the Shire which Pippin now personifies--that lies in the realm of Pippin's loyalty and duty to the outer world held in the King as the Shire lies in him. Am I making the least bit of sense? Love to the little ones.

Hai Took · 16 September 2005 · Chapter 48: Interlude

Wonderful! Bilbo did the right thing in giving Ferdi something to eat and I'm glad that it did turn out all right. I know Bilbo wouldn't have let Woodruff take any blame for something he had done but still nicer that things turned out well despite everything else. Pippin is certainly keeping everyone in a dither over his healing! This Ent draught is certainly worth it but I hope that everyone's cares can be relieved soon! I did love this glimpse at Woodruff's and Pippin's relationship even years later! That was a very sweet moment with the two of them. I'm looking forward to more and have of course enjoyed this greatly! Thank you!

Andrea · 16 September 2005 · Chapter 48: Interlude

Wow! I can't find words to describe how beautiful this chapter was! Not knowing, what kind of decision Pippin had to make, Woodruff gave exactly the right answer - to follow your heart: 'Then you must listen to your heart, to tip the balance, and choose the course that seems the rightest. The "right" is always the best choice, even if it is not often the easiest or safest.' Wonderful :)

Anso the Hobbit · 16 September 2005 · Chapter 48: Interlude

*dries tears* That was perfect! So tender and lovely and brilliant! I could really quote all of it because it is marvellous. My wayward lad, child of my heart, come into this life as my old life was ending, born into the dawning of joy and promise, and claiming a piece of my heart ever after. Thank you, Lin, for this incredible story!

SlightlyTookish · 16 September 2005 · Chapter 48: Interlude

Oh, my. There's just so muich packed into this chapter. I love seeing Woodruff's memories of a happy Frodo, and how Pippin came to her for advice, and how even knowing about the Quest the Shire still has its doubts it. This is your best chapter yet, I just adore it.

Bodkin · 15 September 2005 · Chapter 47: After All

Woodruff needs a bit of comfort and reassurance here . . . The strong arms of an attractive young hobbit and a shoulder to cry on might be just the job. Someone who cares about her - for herself and not because of what she can do. She is bound to doubt herself - Bilbo made his own decision and Ferdi sneaked out to raid the larder - but they could have been wrong. No ultrasound, no MRI - caution is probably better than rushing in under such circumstances. And now she is feeling an exhausted, limp-spaghetti of a failure. Yep. The hobbitly shoulder of a long-standing admirer seems the best medicine. Possibly in conjunction with a sweet hobbit lad with a teapot and an Uncle Bilbo. Good stuff.