I felt a bit sorry for Cado in this chapter. The banishment is such a harsh punishment and Cado might have made amends and done better without the influence of his father and brother.
Can't wait to see what happens with Berilac and Viola. I've been making guesses but I am looking forward to reading the next chapter and finding out for certain.
Author's reply
Banishment *is* harsh--harsher than the squeamish hobbits of the Shire realize, although that will eventually change.
I hope you will enjoy what I have in store for the two of them.
I am so glad that Gloin and Gimli were able to mend their differences and that Gloin and Legolas are now friends. I really enjoyed that scene between Gloin and Legolas.
And Bergil is having quite an adventure!
This gets better and better.
Author's reply
I couldn't have Gloin and Gimli on the outs! It just didn't seem right not to fix that!
Bergil is! And wait till his father hears all about it.
I hope Cado does speak to the hobbits as I'm sure they would be far more receptive than he fears.
Awwww! I spy an engagement! How lovely!
Author's reply
He may, some day...
Weeelll...possibly...
Kitty
· 29 July 2008
· Chapter 52: Chapter 52
Hm ... I have an idea what Beri is up to *grin*
Clovis certainly doesn't anything to endear himself to the Rohirrim, though at least this time it was a true accident. But he's certainly not exactly graceful about his punishment. I really wonder what will become of him.
Cado, on the other hand, should follow through with this impulse to tell the others he's sorry. I am pretty sure it would be well received, because it would be meant *honest*.
Author's reply
Maybe!;-)
Clovis really didn't mean to cause that accident--but it wouldn't have happened, I think, if he'd been in a better mood. And he's never shown any grace in punishment in all his life--he's not about to start now!
We will see about Cado--eventually!
Larner
· 28 July 2008
· Chapter 52: Chapter 52
A wonderful transition chapter as we watch all preparing for the feast. I suspect Cado would be surprised to hear what the other Hobbits actually had to say should he apologize, and Clovis isn't getting half of what he deserves, of course. And it sounds as if Viola and Berilac might just come out of this evening engaged! Wonderful!
Author's reply
I do think he might find Rolly and Denny less grudging than he imagines.
I hope you will like what's in store for Viola and Beri!
PIppinfan1988
· 28 July 2008
· Chapter 52: Chapter 52
Hehehe...I have a feeling Berilac is up to a little payback time. ;-) Can't wait to see what it is. :-)
I very much enjoyed all the neat little glimpses into everyone's storyline! I'll be here waiting for more!
Author's reply
Well, payback's not quite on his mind at the moment--but he has not forgotten, and he's already got a plan. Couple more chapters, you'll see!
Hope to get back to posting more this week.
Kitty
· 25 July 2008
· Chapter 51: Chapter 51
Ah, good, so Gloín apologised! It can’t have been easy for him, but he did very well. To offer his service to Legolas ‚and his family’ was a big step, considering his relationship with Legolas’ father. Really, I am glad how that went; it would have been so difficult for Gimli if this strained relationship between his father and friend had continued.
Poor Arien. It must be so hard, to lose not only her brother and husband, but her home, too, and only because of these stupid laws that give women no rights!
Very sensible of Aragorn to send Bergil straight back to Ithilien with his father. It would have been so hard for them to have to part again so soon. And I am sure Bergil will need at least half the way back to tell his father everything *grin*
*snicker* Prince Imrahil has warned his son to get into any discussion about genealogy with hobbits? Well, obviously he himself has made the experience that it is doing no good ;-)
And now it will be interesting to watch the hobbits getting to know more men.
Author's reply
No, it wasn't easy for Gloin, but he knew he had to do the right thing--he's an honorable Dwarf, after all. But it's never easy to admit one's in the wrong!
Well, of course, part of the problem was that in a feudal society a vassal had to be able to fight for his liege. And it's pretty clear that in Gondor at least, females didn't normally inherit. Remember Arvedui?
Aragorn would have known that the child needed to be with his father again for a while. And you are right--he has a lot to tell him!
*giggle* I imagine that Prince Imrahil's ears are still ringing with all that information on the Gamgee clan!
So much to enjoy I don't know where to start. I do hope Lady Arien's life takes a happier turn. She doesn't sound very old - perhaps one of the lords of Rohan will catch her eye.............
I loved Gloin's apology and Legolas' response, and the curiosity about the hobbits. Yes, Amrothos would be well advised not to engage hobbits in discussions on family history or he'll be there for weeks!
Author's reply
She's fairly young. I don't know that I will be following her fate once the hobbits leave, but of course, you never know when the bunnies might strike!
Legolas knew that the best way with Gloin was to just make a fresh start.
And Amrothos will have a few weeks on the road with the hobbits to get ensnared in hobbit family history...
Larner
· 24 July 2008
· Chapter 51: Chapter 51
Curiosity is growing on both sides as to what the Hobbits of the Shire other than the four already acclaimed might be like; and some, I see, are looking for a new life.
Love that the colonies are already beginning to gather members, even before they are truly begun; and Gloin's apology was wonderful!
Author's reply
Yes indeed! Our heroes' kin and friends are going to be under minute observation!
Well, their people had to come south at some point in time--and it seemed that this would be about the earliest they could do so.
PIppinfan1988
· 24 July 2008
· Chapter 51: Chapter 51
So many wonderous wonderings! How you've brought Glimli and Gloin together...and Princess Lothiriel with Arien. You have a lovely gift for introducing new elements into your stories. I love it! And they're all excellent storylines that I'm very eager to follow -- especially Arien's. Isn't it amazing that just a century ago women were little more than chattel? *Cousins* were still inheriting estates that should have gone to the widows. Anyway, on a happier note, lol...
I am still loving every bit of this brilliant tale! I'm just as eager to get back on the Road, but I should like a small glimpse pf those being left behind (Cado...big hint!).
Author's reply
Well, I don't know how many will actually be followed in the story, but I also know that I have a tendency to come back to loose ends.
In a feudal society, it was fairly inevitable. One of the duties of a vassal holding land for a Prince or a King was to fight for his liege. If she had had a son, she would probably have been able to hold the estate as the child's regent--but not otherwise.
*grin* I have plans for Cado...
Lindelea
· 24 July 2008
· Chapter 51: Chapter 51
Ah, how I love Beregond and Bergil!
(I also love Freddy feeling his way through the customs of Men, and the truth the Prince found in the warning not to engage in discussions of genealogy... *g*)
Author's reply
I know you do! *grin* I had you in the back of my mind when I was writing them!
Well, after my coronation fic, I realized that Imrahil would certainly know that questions about family would get answered in painstaking detail! LOL!
SurgicalSteel
· 24 July 2008
· Chapter 51: Chapter 51
Fantastic story! Loved this at the end - Gloin apologizing to Legolas was wonderful, and I, too, can't wait to see what the hobbits learn in Minas Tirith!
Author's reply
I had to figure out how that apology would go. I originally wrote him apologizing to his son first, but it didn't seem quite right.
The hobbits are certainly eager--they keep skipping ahead!
TopazTook
· 14 July 2008
· Chapter 50: Chapter 50
Glad to see this story updated -- and I'm very curious to see what was in Merry's advice that Eomer is going to put into practice. Jolly is being very hobbity here; his trick with the "extra" breakfast is a great one!
Author's reply
You will get to see a little bit of his advice in action--just a hint, mind you!
I think Jolly would be the early riser amongst the hobbits, and getting a first breakfast seems just the kind of thing he'd do!
harrowcat
· 7 July 2008
· Chapter 50: Chapter 50
He certainly has a lot to tell his father. Looking forward to see how he does it without giving him a heart attack! :)
Author's reply
Well, it will help that he is obviously hale and healthy now. So finding out long after the fact has a few advantages.
GamgeeFest
· 5 July 2008
· Chapter 50: Chapter 50
Well, of course Jolly would rise early – and get his first and second breakfasts. :) I’m surprised though that Bergil got any sleep at all! He must have been bursting out the seams when he heard his father would be among the company. Their reunion was a fond one indeed.
Author's reply
*grin* Of course he would--he's a farm-lad, after all, and used to being up with the chickens.
Bergil was very happy to finally see his father again!
GamgeeFest
· 5 July 2008
· Chapter 49: Chapter 49
It was nice to meet Lothiriel, and see what was going on with Beregond and Glóin. I did not expect to see them in this story! Beregond would be eager to see his son again, but he can be patient and wait for the morning. What’s one more day, right? Glóin has much to answer for and good bit of groveling to do. That he came to help with the reconstruction will show his determination to make things right, and I can’t see Gimli bearing a grudge for too long.
Author's reply
I just had to show the new arrivals at least once before they arrived!
And I'm glad the presence of Beregond and Gloin were surprises!
Both fathers will be glad to be reunited with their sons--though I think you are right about the grovelling.
GamgeeFest
· 5 July 2008
· Chapter 48: Chapter 48
Freddy is a little devious for telling that potty story about Merry to the King. I liked how Éomer so easily side-stepped having to reveal anything embarrassing about himself. Clovis still hasn’t learned his lesson, seemingly. He’s plotting another escape plan, or will be soon, knowing him. Éomer will not be so lenient again if he attempts to escape a second time, and within the walls of Meduseld no less. *shakes head*
Author's reply
Nothing like taking your cousins down a peg or two with embarrassing childhood stories, LOL!
Clovis is not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer. But we shall see how long he goes without making trouble.
GamgeeFest
· 5 July 2008
· Chapter 47: Chapter 47
LOL! Merry is so complimentary in his letter. Good thing Éomer is considered handsome among his people, despite the beard and lack of foot hair! He will give Éomer some good advice, along with just being himself. I enjoyed Pippin’s wheedling and am sure he’ll get Uncle Merimac to spill the beans.
Author's reply
Hee-hee! I think Merry knew a bit of humor would help keep Eomer from being too nervous. And yes, good advice and just being himself will buck Eomer up no end.
Well, Pippin's wheedling springs eternal, but Uncle Mac can't spill the beans, because Berilac didn't know about Eomer's letter, LOL! (And Merry knew that.*wink*)
PIppinfan1988
· 4 July 2008
· Chapter 50: Chapter 50
LOL! I got such a kick out of Jolly breakfast-hopping! Too funny, lol.
I really enjoyed following young Bergil from the time he tip-toed out of his chamber all the way through to his running into his father's arms. That was a beautiful scene!
And poor Bergil doing his utmost to keep still and be proper soldier -- I could *feel* him trying to reign in that energy, and then the release at the final part. That's a compliment to *you* as writer, but then...that most certainly isn't the first time that's happend, and quite sure it won't be the last. :-)
Author's reply
Well, you can't blame a hobbit for trying to get both breakfasts in, after all! *grin*
Sometimes I go from POV to POV, but in this chapter, I wanted to stay with Bergil the whole time--I thought it would make it more personal.
I'm so glad the feelings I was trying to convey came through--that's a great compliment, thank you!
PIppinfan1988
· 4 July 2008
· Chapter 49: Chapter 49
*sigh* I love a good romance, and this one is building up nicely. :-)
The idea did cross my mind about what Gloin would think about the friendship between his son and an Elf. This is very interesting!
I'm looking forward to Beregond and Bergil reuniting. :-)
Author's reply
Well, I mentioned briefly in "A New Reckoning" that Legolas was not made quite so welcome at the Lonely Mountain as he should have been, so I decided to expand on that here a little. It seemed to me that it would be harder for the Dwarves who were imprisoned to forget their grudge.
Father and son reunion--next chapter!
PIppinfan1988
· 4 July 2008
· Chapter 48: Chapter 48
Clovis is an idiot. I'm getting the vibe that he's brewing up some sort of trouble again...but *what*, and *when* will be interesting to read, of course!
LOL, nothing like a good old "potty-story" to lighten the mood! Loved it, though; nothing like a good cousin-roast. :-)
Author's reply
Yes, well, actually "idiot" may be overstating the case. He is bound to cause some trouble sooner or later.
*giggle* That's the third time I've used that story on Merry; LOL! I'd better be careful--he might try to get back at *me*!
PIppinfan1988
· 4 July 2008
· Chapter 47: Chapter 47
When I read in Merry's reply about carrying his (Eomer's) "extra hair" upon his chin instead of his feet, I had the biggest laugh! Leave it to a hobbit to speak his mind on sensible things. :-) I *am* eager to read his reply to Eomer in full. ;-)
Loved that little glimpse of Merry and Pippin back home in Crickhollow!
Author's reply
I thought that little jest sound very "Merry-ish" if you know what I mean!
They just insisted that they *had* to butt into the story at this point, so I finally gave up and let them!
The letter may not appear in full in this story--but in another.
PIppinfan1988
· 4 July 2008
· Chapter 46: Chapter 46
I was looking back to see where I had left off and...wow! How the heck did I miss this update? I would guess I was busy packing and running around doing last minute things -- same as you, lol.
That certainly *was* a persistent bunny! Eomer's letter did add an ever-so-slightly different spin to this lovely tale, but I'm so glad that you paired him up nicely. I would have no clue as to whom would tickle his fancy.
All the letter-writing to friends and family back home in the Shire tugged at my heart strings. It brought back to memory certain emotions I felt as I wrote home when I was a young Sailor overseas or on deployment. *sigh*
And I'm also looking forward to Legolas' payback, lol!
Author's reply
Yes, indeed! It quite threw me for a loop! It took me a while to kick things around and to figure out how to work that new bunny into the ongoing storyline! And trying to stay within the canon timeline made it even more difficult! Thank goodness for "Travel Times in Middle-earth"! Without it I would never have been able to figure out how much more quickly a single messenger could travel, compared to a group going at just under average speed!
Lothiriel, of course, is canon! There are so *many* Eomer/Lothiriel romances out there, I never thought before that I'd dip a toe into that arena! But it will only occupy a small bit of the main story--which, as you know, will remain hobbit-centric!
I love showing things by way of letters!
*grin* I know exactly what Berilac's up to, too!
Bergil is being very patient, and he has certainly done very well on his first long journey. Beregond will be proud of him. Loved the way he rushed to his father as soon as he was allowed.
Had to grin at Jolly's many breakfasts! Trust a hobbit to have his priorities right. This was a lovely look at Edoras and the day to day routines which underpin every househol, large or small.
A good opening line from Eomer to Lothiriel - did Merry suggest that, I wonder?
Author's reply
He is. He has learned his duty has to come first, whatever his own wishes may be--a lesson his father also knows! But they've been apart a very long time!
*chuckle* I originall was also going to have Rolly and Denny there, but it seemed a more intimate conversation with just Jolly. And he is a farm lad--he'd be awake far earlier than any of the others!
*wink* Well, he may have done! *grin*
Kitty
· 3 July 2008
· Chapter 50: Chapter 50
Bergil is such a dear lad! He did very well during the official part of the welcome for the visitors, managing not to fidget. But I can *so* see him rushing into Beregond’s arms as soon as possible, and I am glad the is finally reunited with his father. He is still very young to be parted from him for so long.
Oh, they will leave so soon? Just when I am so curious how Éomer will put Merry’s advice to use? At least he made a good first step, I think :)
He was the one who had found Danhelm after all. I think you meant Danulf here, Danhelm’s son?
Author's reply
I'm glad the feeling of anticipation I was aiming for came through--Bergil *is* still young, although of course in those days, duty began young. Still, it's been a difficult parting.
They will be leaving soon--it's time to begin the end of this one. But I think you will get to see at *least* a little of Merry's good advice go into effect.
Oh--and thanks! At one point I *thought* I'd made that mistake, but when I went to look for it myself, I couldn't find it again! Well-spotted; I'll fix it right away!