Pearl Took
· 10 July 2005
· Chapter 33: Death, a-Creepin' on Silent Paws
Dear blessed sheep dog!!!! And poor Ted's confusion, he's going to be so thrilled to realize that he can court Woodruff :) Merry the Mindful; perhaps he should have been called that instead of the Magnificent. hehehe Eargerly awaiting the next chapter :)
Author's reply
Yes, Lop is one of those dogs that his "family" will probably remember for years after he's gone. I'm glad to get a glimpse of him while he's young and strong and full of life.
Merry the Mindful! *chortle*
Larner
· 10 July 2005
· Chapter 33: Death, a-Creepin' on Silent Paws
Ted is definitely confused, isn't he? Interesting to see it.
Sorry for the fox, really. Am loving the image of the sheepdog curled around Pippin, though.
And the concern for both Ferdi and Merry is so well written and expressed.
Author's reply
Poor Ted. Once he gets an idea in his mind it's hard to shake it. But he can't very well hang onto the idea any longer, now that he's practically had his nose rubbed in the truth!
It is too bad about the fox, but this one was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He ought to have known better than to go after a hobbit.
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 10 July 2005
· Chapter 33: Death, a-Creepin' on Silent Paws
So, there's an end to the fox. I can't help but feel a bit sorry for the poor hungry kits...but not sorry enough to give them little Pippin for supper! The fox would have done better to set her sights on a coney.
Ah well, good old Lop! And Pip will be kept safe and warm between the old sheepdog's paws. Such a sweet picture! But I cannot imagine the panic that is going to occur when the truth comes out back home...
And now, poor confused Ted will finally be put out of his misery, LOL! Maybe *now* he'll finally open his mouth and say what he's been feeling all along.
Author's reply
Good old Lop. It's a good thing he wasn't out with the flock that day.
Ted will sort it out in time. I have every confidence.
Stormscrystal
· 10 July 2005
· Chapter 33: Death, a-Creepin' on Silent Paws
They STILL have no clue about Pippin? Oh I don't want to see when they DO find out. Merry especially.
And bless that dog. He was not going to allow Pippin to be harmed. He took care of Business.
Author's reply
I do love dogs.
Lop is modeled a little after several real dogs I knew, one an Irish wolfhound that idolized a family's 3yo daughter, followed her around, doing whatever her little heart desired. 'Sit,' she'd lisp, looking up at the monster and his rear would hit the floor almost before she got the word out.
Another dog was some sort of herding dog. My friend would put her baby in the middle of a blanket and get busy pegging out her washing or digging in the garden or whatever, and when the baby would crawl or roll to the edge of the blanket, the dog would nudge him into the middle again. Sometimes the baby would get frustrated and cry and pound with his little fists on the dog, and the dog just wagged his feathery tail and "smiled".
Dogs have such a way about them.
Beruthiel
· 10 July 2005
· Chapter 33: Death, a-Creepin' on Silent Paws
Now that's an ominous chapter title.
Poor Ted. When will he ever figure it out?
Author's reply
Poor Ted. He's a stubborn Took, and once he gets hold of an idea...
But of course, now he's got time to think it over, I'm sure he'll come to the right conclusion. Don't you think so?
Bodkin
· 9 July 2005
· Chapter 32: Interlude
I find it fascinating how much more powerful this seems when seen from Woodruff's point of view. It just seems - fuller, and more involved. It's partly because it's extended, I suppose, but I think the perspective makes a difference. First person - it's more intimate.
And, even though I knew it wouldn't happen, I was rooting for Diamond to put her foot down.
I'll bet Woodruff is close to collapse later in the day when she realises just how close it came. That horrible sick feeling that you get when you just managed to grab the kid before it ran out into the street in front of a speeding car.
Good stuff. Sorry about the delayed response. Been distracted.
Author's reply
Easy to get distracted. Happens to me all the time.
It is interesting, how the change in perspective affects the perception of the story.
Close to collapse, yes, I'd imagine, sort of that roller-coaster feeling of having come *this* close to disaster and having been yanked away through no credit on your own part. But that is a few chapters away yet. For awhile she'll continue to regret that she couldn't take off the leg right then and there when she wanted, when she figured Pippin would be too exhausted to fight for long, and would probably faint quickly, which would be a blessing under the circumstances.
But happily it turned out differently.
Thanks!
Andrea
· 7 July 2005
· Chapter 32: Interlude
Oh my, I think I need a healer myself, now! I've caught a very bad cold, but I'm looking forward to the weekend. And of course, this is nothing compared to poor Pippin nearly losing his leg! I don't know, if Woodruff's decision was right or not, but one thing is sure: She really needs a rest!
So, let's give her - and our nerves - this rest ;-)
Afterwards, everything will look better.
Author's reply
You poor thing. I have a bad cold, too, and the stupid thing came back after I thought I was "all better" and went back to my daily routine. So take care, get plenty of rest, and all that.
The worst of the "Interlude" angst is over, I promise. So rest and relax and enjoy the rest of the ride. (The other chapters, however, will continue to be angsty for a little while longer. Sorry about that. They didn't quite "wrap up" at the same rate... unless I made the Woodruff chapters about 10,000 words long...)
Larner
· 6 July 2005
· Chapter 32: Interlude
I rejoice it wasn't necessary to remove the leg, but can certainly understand why she thought it might be necessary and best done now.
Author's reply
O good, glad her rationale, though from the standpoint of incomplete understanding laced with exhaustion, makes some kind of sense, and not just to me!
Thanks!
Pearl Took
· 6 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Further Developments
Oh dear!! This is becoming such a tangled tale. Though the interlude will be good I'm sure, I'm looking forward to more of this part of the story :) VWD as always :)
Author's reply
Thank you for your encouragement!
Pearl Took
· 6 July 2005
· Chapter 32: Interlude
You manage so well, keeping me on the edge of my seat even though I know what is coming!! And Pippin's sense of humor is perfect:
'What would you have me say?' Pippin grits, and Merry's lips twitch in a genuine smile, not the false cheer he has sustained through these dark hours.
'How are you feeling now?' I ask.
'Just dandy,' Pippin says. 'Is it nearly teatime? Let us take tea on the meadow this day.'
'Is he delirious?' Sam whispers.
'No, Samwise, you ass,' Pippin says. 'I am merely fed up to my chin with healers and their stupid, useless questions.'
'Steady,' Merry says, resting his hand on his cousin's shoulder.
'Easy enough for you to say,' Pippin says.
Perfect! MEWD!!! ;)
Author's reply
Oh, thank you so much! I don't get MEWD that often!
(Kind of like dd's math papers. She has to get a perfect score to have a mark of "Excellent". If she makes one mistake or a few, she gets "very good". She always groans, but I tell her if she got "Excellent" for every paper then it wouldn't mean anything.)
Connie B.
· 6 July 2005
· Chapter 32: Interlude
That was it, the crisis I was wondering about. I found myself holding my breath even though I knew they weren't really going to aputate his leg. Just the thought makes me cringe.
Now I can breathe a little easier and enjoy the rest of the story.
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
Whew! Breathing easier along with you. Except for this dratted cold that has seized my bronchia. Drat.
Certainly hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
Dreamflower
· 6 July 2005
· Chapter 32: Interlude
I'd been waiting for this bit. Woodruff *still* doesn't have much faith in the Ent-draughts, does she? I am surprised she did not realize that the spasms were from life returning to the leg, and that they would pass, but I suppose exhaustion could account for her mind not working up to par. How horrified she is going to be when she realizes what she almost did...
It is so interesting to see the familiar scene from an entirely different POV. I love her insight at the end, that the only way to get Sam to rest was to order Merry to do so.
And yay! Diamond. She may be exhausted, but she knows her husband!
Author's reply
Well, Ent-draughts are Outlandish, after all, not good solid hobbit sense. And you're right, Woodruff is very near the end of her own rope, in terms of exhaustion. But she certainly knows Merry, and she's come to know Sam.
And yes, I think Diamond has a good head on her shoulders.
Thanks!
Larner
· 5 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Further Developments
I feel a good deal of satisfaction that Mardi is being encouraged to press his suit, and also feel with Pippin in his misguided journey. Pearl is going to feel particularly responsible and guilty when she realizes just what she'd assumed. Poor lass!
Sorry about the fox, that it will not get its meal, and hope it doesn't get killed in the rescue of one intrepid Took lad.
Author's reply
You're right, poor Pearl!
I'm sorry about the fox, too, and his hungry kits waiting at home.
pipinheart
· 5 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Further Developments
Very well done... Poor Ferdi all is so worried about him. Pippin sure isn't thinking straight,trying to travel to bag End,and a fox thinking of him as dinner....
Mardi loves the girl...He and her would be nice for each other....
Please continue
Author's reply
Nice summation. I don't think many six-year-olds have a good grasp of reality. Could be wrong, but think how boring the story would be.
Connie B.
· 5 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Further Developments
I'm still not sure that Mardi and Ted are on exactly the same page so to speak.:)
Oh dear, when they brought in that injured child I thought for sure that it was going to be Pippin, after the previous paragraph.
This story certainly has had some very interesting twists and turns. I like it.
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
I think you're right about Ted and Mardi. They both think they're talking about the same thing, but in reality...
It's funny, you're the second person who mentioned that they thought the injured child was Pippin! I never thought of that.
Thanks!
Mysterious Jedi
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Further Developments
This leaves me anticipating more :)
<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
mj
Author's reply
Great!
Beruthiel
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Further Developments
Young Pippin being stalked by a fox, while everyone thinks he's safe with someone else; reminds me of Faramir in "Runaway". But no Ferdi to the rescue this time!
These Tooks get more than their fair share of angst, don't they? Wonder what makes them so attractive to the nasty muses.
Methinks Ted is in for a bit of a surprise. Silly hobbit!
Author's reply
No Ferdi to the rescue. We must find some other fanatically loyal minion to do the trick.
Well, JRRT himself said that common hobbits were about the most tedious people he could think of. Or something like that. The Tooks are more interesting, somehow. Maybe because they're Fallohides, and bolder than the rest?
Methinks you're right!
Andrea
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Further Developments
Oh my god! Ferdi seems to be hurt gravely and Merry - as always- takes the responsibility for it. That's something he has in common with his cousin Frodo!
And little Pippin is still outside with that fox after him, while Pearl thinks, he's safe with his grandparents! Where on earth are Bilbo and Frodo. They should be on their way by now!
And Ted and Mardi? Well, let's see, what comes out of it ;-)
Great chapter! Can't wait for the next one, but wait I must :)
Author's reply
Yup, Merry has always been one to assume responsibility.
Bilbo and Frodo will appear sooner or later!
Thanks!
Anso the Hobbit
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Further Developments
Oh dear! What a misunderstanding! Mardi thinks he is a full-trained healer and Ted thinks he wants to marry Woodruff! And now Pippin is on his way to Bag End and that fox is loose and the Bankses have been visiting but has no Pippin with them! :D
Author's reply
Well, Mardi is a full-trained healer, by Tuckborough standards. He's come to Whitwell because of the reputation of the healer there (was Sweetbriar, now Woodruff), to learn more. Sort of like a trained doctor going for post-graduate training.
But you're spot-on in all the rest!
Thanks!
Anso the Hobbit
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 30: Interlude
Oh, I remember this from your other story! It sounds dangerous to put so hot cloths onto the skin, but she`s of course right. Tight muscles are eased with heat. :) This is great! Off to read more...
Anso the Hobbit
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 29: Tooks, Trees and Tethers
Finally I got some time to read again! This is so nice - the lovely summer days and the children playing and laughing, but what a tragic ending. Poor, but brave Merry only climbing down because his cousin was injured. And what, pray tell is Pippin up too? Off to read more! :D
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Further Developments
*giggle*snort* And isn't Ted going to be surprised when he speaks for Beryl instead of Woodruff? *giggle*
On a more serious note, poor little Pip being stalked by a fox. I'm assuming that it will be Lop to the rescue, thank goodness! But still--I often wonder that more stories don't make more of the fact that little hobbits must have looked like tempting morsels to predators that would be no threat at all to humans...foxes, owls, hawks...
And Pearl assuming that Pip's already with the Bankses...how long I wonder until they truly miss him?
And Nell is already feeling the sting of guilt for her rough words...
Author's reply
I think Ted might be quite surprised, indeed! *g*
I wonder about little hobbits, too. I think they'd be very vulnerable to predators. I just can't see little hobbits being allowed to wander at will... and so when I write them that way, they usually get into trouble. Tweens, now...
Poor Nell!
Ariel
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Further Developments
Why is it that I feel that what Ted thinks he's given his 'approval' for and what Mardi thinks he's been given approval for are two entirely different things? LOL! Oh, dear - poor Pip!, Poor Ferdi! Reading eagerly!
Author's reply
Why is it? Ummmm. Because you're an astute reader?
LOL!
Bodkin
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Further Developments
We've not still got Ted working at cross purposes, have we? No names were mentioned, I see. He could end up very confused when Mardi does speak to Ted's da.
What an action-packed chapter. Ferdi, first - his situation doesn't sound good. Rosemary is very good as galloping for healers. Gets a lot of practice, I daresay. But Ferdi's injuries are worrying.
And then little Pippin is being stalked by a fox - and you follow it up with a limp blood-stained child! Such authorial cruelty. Mardi and Hetty and Beryl managed pretty well between them - they won over the worried father.
But Pippin! He's still out there! The subject of a hunt - with a fox that refers to him as a carcass! And a family that is sure he's been carted off safely by his grandparents. Save that hobbit!
Bodkin
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 30: Interlude
Old Rosie was obnoxious, but she does seem to have been skilled, so I might have to forgive her her Bracegirdlishness. Does the hot poultice thing really work? I suppose it would really - it's comparable to the power of the hot water bottle.
It's a good thing that Woodruff took a drop of the water - it's enabling her to learn on the hoof what to do to help someone who has overdosed on Ent draught. Not that it's a problem she's likely to come across often.
I daresay the Ent draught'll sort out the somewhat-over-warmed leg, too.
Never mind Woodruff. Daytime'll be along soon. Though it'll feel longer.