Lyana
· 29 July 2017
· Chapter 87: We make good use of our rest
I don't leave many reviews, but oh, I love this story! It's wonderful how you capture the pony POV, introducing Middle Earth and the Fellowship through scent, taste and sound. I always find myself completely swept into this gentle telling through Bill's eyes, ears and nose. I've never read anything quite like it. Thank you!
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I appreciate your taking time to leave an encouraging word. I am trying to update on a regular basis again, even though wolves and Caradhras and fearful "snakes" loom ahead. Yikes.
Larner
· 28 July 2017
· Chapter 87: We make good use of our rest
Aha! A good idea, that of Bilbo's, disguising sword drills as dancing lessons. Dora would have had a fit had he admitted he was preparing Frodo to one day take up his own adventure. As for the Brandybucks--I think they, too, would have been upset. But dancing is most proper for any Hobbit to know, after all. You'll find I managed to do much the same in "In Empty Lands," although I did it a bit differently.
Author's reply
Every lad should learn certain basic skills. After all, in Bilbo's opinion, the road can be a treacherous thing, and you never know where it might sweep you off to...
Thanks!
Tari
· 24 July 2017
· Chapter 86: We find a resting place amidst the holly
What a wonderful surprise. I got back from vacation and found two chapters posted. They are both great. Thanks.
Author's reply
Welcome back from vacation!
(I am using my vacation to get in some writing time. What a lovely feeling.)
Thanks!
Larner
· 23 July 2017
· Chapter 86: We find a resting place amidst the holly
Bill's just communicating as he can, and Sam is thinking problems? Glad all are concerned with seeing to our Bill's wellbeing, though. Thanks for this one!
Author's reply
Bill's trying his best, anyhow. I'm sure Legolas could have cleared things up, but he wasn't on the spot.
Thanks for leaving a good word!
Dreamflower
· 21 July 2017
· Chapter 86: We find a resting place amidst the holly
Love it when you add in bits of fun research at the end of the chapter!
I love the concern the whole group is showing towards Bill, making sure he is OK. And I enjoyed seeing Sam defer to Merry as more of the expert on ponies--it highlights the idea that ponies are something a Brandybuck is going to know more about than a Gamgee or even a Baggins! (Not necessarily a Took, but Pippin at this stage would defer to Merry as well.)
Very nicely done. Such a shame this stop won't end as pleasantly as it began. *sigh* Canon. Sometimes it's just no fun to know ahead of time.
Author's reply
*sigh* Canon. Too bad Bill doesn't have a Eucatastrophe in store. "And then the Eagles came, and the flew them all out of the blizzard, out of Caradhras' reach, and to the Fiery Mountain so that Frodo could drop It into the fire, and then back to Mines Tirith for a huge feast! And they all lived happily ever after."
One reason for the concern, at least for those who are well aware of the territory they're about to cross, is that he is their only pack pony for the climb up to the Redhorn pass...
(Hope I said that right. Am not looking at the book at the moment, but drinking tea and answering reviews.)
shirebound
· 21 July 2017
· Chapter 86: We find a resting place amidst the holly
Dear Bill. I just love reading his story.
Author's reply
It has been such fun to re-live the journey through Bill's eyes.
Thanks! Hope your move is going well.
Sue Cooke
· 16 July 2017
· Chapter 85: We move down into the valley of the forgotten Elves
Thank you, thank you !!!
Author's reply
You're welcome! And thank you for stopping to leave an encouraging word. :)
Larner
· 15 July 2017
· Chapter 85: We move down into the valley of the forgotten Elves
Ah, but a lovely moment here, and so pleasant to see them all relatively lighthearted for the moment.
Good, solid Sam and Bill, neither wanting to say anything critical of "their betters." Heh!
Don't know if I'll be down unless I only stop to see you. Meesh has had visitors for the past couple of months, and has made it plain she doesn't really want more until the end of August for her birthday on September first.
The dogs are full of beans, and you'll be surprised to see how much Bettina has grown.
There has been chaos since the beginning of May, so it's not been easy for me to get away, and the last few weeks I've been fighting asthma pretty badly. Am so tired of coughing my head off!
Love to all there.
Author's reply
Sorry to hear about the asthma.
We holidayed a few hundred miles to the north, and my allergies all disappeared for the duration! Must be slightly different pollen there than here -- the allergies all returned when we got home again. I don't think it's just the cats, because I sneeze as much outside as I do inside.
Sam and Bill know their place, and are not above reminding the gentlehobbits of the fact. I bet if Pip were to be too cheeky towards our Bill, he might be sent sprawling! But then, Bill *might* be too well-mannered, as things stand, and might make allowances for a younger hobbit, after all.
I imagine she has grown quite a bit! And quite a little beauty, I'd imagine.
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 14 July 2017
· Chapter 85: We move down into the valley of the forgotten Elves
Oh, my dear! You are SO good with the hobbit banter--and I love hearing it through Bill's eyes.
He seems to be becoming a much wiser hobbit, and more understanding, the more he travels with this group! Love his voice!
Author's reply
Very hobbits, indeed. He's in good company!
Thanks!
Author Reply: I meant "very hobbity"! But autocorrect tripped me up. Huh.
KathyG
· 14 July 2017
· Chapter 85: We move down into the valley of the forgotten Elves
I am so glad that you have finally posted an update! Please post them a little more frequently after this, OK? I want to see how it goes from here! It'll be interesting to see how Bill fares, going up that mountain with that extra load of firewood.
Author's reply
I will do my very best to post more often. My goal has always been at least once a week, but it has been too many weeks...
Ah, yes, I had forgotten that extra load of firewood. If I'm remembering right, Bill looks reproachful when the extra wood is suggested.
Thanks!
shirebound
· 14 July 2017
· Chapter 85: We move down into the valley of the forgotten Elves
Master turns his head towards Youngest, and ruffles his curls. ‘You’re making more sense than you usually do,’ he says affectionately. ‘I don’t know why, but I feel as if it ought to worry me.’
*grins* What a delightful line.
Author's reply
*grin* How I have missed hobbits!
...now off to read your recent posting...
(Thanks!)
Sue Cooke
· 20 May 2017
· Chapter 84: We contemplate mountains, valleys, and lost and present Elves
Oh, please, please continue this story! It is one of my very favorite LOTR fictions (and I read a lot of them). Your characterization of Bill is so spot-on. I want his WHOLE story; making his way back to Rivendell and how he came to be in Bree again and his reunion with Sam. Please, with hobbit cakes, please write more.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you so much for the encouraging words! (and hobbit cakes. delicious things, they are)
The whole is outlined, and I keep hoping to get back to writing on a daily basis. I made it, this week, at least. Will keep trying. It will be so lovely to write the reunion scene between Sam and Bill in Bree... Like a reward, shining at the end of a long journey, beckoning me onward.
PSW
· 8 October 2016
· Chapter 3: We enter the pathless wilderness, no longer on solid ground
Nope...not much to like about the Midgewater Marshes...
Mr. Apples-and-Mischief. Ha! Truer words were never spoken. :-P
Thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Belated thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a good word!
(Sorry, I just now saw this review. It is, however, greatly appreciated all the same.)
KathyG
· 7 October 2016
· Chapter 84: We contemplate mountains, valleys, and lost and present Elves
The day is rapidly approaching when Bill will have to part company with the rest of the Fellowship! Wonder how he will fare after that, before he ends up back in Bree.
Author's reply
There is certainly plenty of scope for adventures in such a gap-filler!
Thanks! (and apologies for the long gap)
Larner
· 7 October 2016
· Chapter 84: We contemplate mountains, valleys, and lost and present Elves
Ah, but bless Bill so. I love this look at the rest in Hollin from his point of view.
Author's reply
I have been pondering Hollin for quite some time now. I think the film might have done it an injustice in my imagination. But it has been long enough now, since seeing the film, and reading the book fresh, that I can begin to write scenes set in Hollin.
Are you coming down during the summer? We have discovered a couple new eateries.
Thanks!
shirebound
· 6 October 2016
· Chapter 84: We contemplate mountains, valleys, and lost and present Elves
Oh dear, not much direction can be learned from just nibbling on a map! That's a cute detail. :)
Author's reply
It is fun to contemplate old, familiar sayings from a new perspective, such as "do not judge a book by its cover" or even "I'll eat my hat!"
I love Bill's literalness. It makes him fun to write.
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 6 October 2016
· Chapter 84: We contemplate mountains, valleys, and lost and present Elves
Ah, Bill! You poor fellow, you are beginning to understand your companions all too well, but not the nature of your journey!
Caradhras! Wolves! And then??
We know your journey *ends* well, but not all that lies between!
Author's reply
Alas, poor Bill!
But there may well be some surprises ahead, as well.
Thanks!
KathyG
· 30 September 2016
· Chapter 83: We reach the top of a low ridge in the dawning
… went over the mountain, to see what he could see.
And what d’you think he saw?
Hmm. So this is the hobbit version of "The Bear Went Over the Mountain"! =)
So the sun is out--great! They must be in Hollin, then. The weather was pretty nasty, as I recall, until they arrived there.
Someone should explain to Bill that No. 3 is the Gamgees' address! Wonder if a pony would be at all capable of understanding that concept, though?
Author's reply
You are correct! We have finally reached Hollin. Since this was about a fortnight on the way, there is not very much left before Caradhras and the door to Moria. Yikes.
I am not sure that Bill would comprehend addresses. I imagine he must treat places rather like the way he names people; descriptive, rather. So No. 3 Bag End might be where he's accustomed to stopping, someday, and where he's always assured a carrot will be waiting for him. Thus, "the carrot smial" or some such.
Thanks!
Tari
· 30 September 2016
· Chapter 83: We reach the top of a low ridge in the dawning
Your descriptions are amazing, especially the one of the sunrise.
Author's reply
Thank you! I must give some credit to Thornton Burgess, the nature writer, for his characterisations of nature. We really enjoyed reading his books aloud together when the wee hobbits were younger.
shirebound
· 30 September 2016
· Chapter 83: We reach the top of a low ridge in the dawning
How Pippin's youth and resilience must have cheered the Fellowship in their way, including dear Bill.
Author's reply
I know they certainly cheer me!
Speaking of Pippin of movie fame, I had the opportunity of seeing Billy Boyd at Comic Con recently. I wish I'd got up the nerve to queue up and ask him a question, but it was a completely enjoyable occasion just being one of the crowd. What a character!
Thanks!
Larner
· 30 September 2016
· Chapter 83: We reach the top of a low ridge in the dawning
It sounds as annoying as 99 bottles of beer on the wall, this version of the bear went over the mountain. But the view sounds spectacular!
Author's reply
Probably!
I couldn't quite decide what creature would be featured in the song, so I deliberately left out the "bear" part. Whew. What do you think it might have been?
And now I want Pippin to sing a 99 pints of beer at the Green Dragon song... or maybe at the Golden Perch. Intriguing to contemplate. How am I going to get *that* out of my head?
Hurrah, I see you've added to Enter the Ranger. Will hope to steal some time in the morning to read it. I can hardly keep my eyes open at the moment.
Dreamflower
· 23 September 2016
· Chapter 82: We make a long and stumbling night-march
Bill is growing more and more lyrical and philosophical as he travels. "Only a pony," indeed! Only a very wise and loyal pony. I think the company he keeps is rubbing off on him.
Author's reply
I have found the ponies and horses of my acquaintance to possess a certain poetry, so it comes naturally to Bill. But yes, I think the company is also rubbing off. My goodness, he's been rubbing elbows, so to speak, with some exalted company! Elves, a wizard, Dwarf ponies and even a Dwarf, not to mention the Hobbits (though of course they bear mentioning) and two noteworthy Men.
Thanks!
Tari
· 23 September 2016
· Chapter 82: We make a long and stumbling night-march
Your back! I really miss reading about Bill. It seems that many authors I have been following are not finishing their stories. How sad it is for us readers. We are left hanging. Glad I can count on you to continue. Thanks
Author's reply
Bless you! Thank you for the encouragement. I keep intending to start again, and get derailed by events, but... think good thoughts. Here I go, starting again...
shirebound
· 22 September 2016
· Chapter 82: We make a long and stumbling night-march
Master, too, of all my hobbit folk seems the most sure-footed. He does not stumble at all, as if somehow he can see his way in the dark, in some way that the other three cannot.
That's so perceptive of Bill. I love the names he gives his companions.
Author's reply
Bill is a very good listener... he can tell so much by hearing and smelling, as well as seeing.
In "A Journey in the Dark" it says "One sign of change that he soon had noticed was that he could see more in the dark than any of his companions, save perhaps Gandalf." I remembered while planning this chapter that Frodo could see better in the dark than before the Morgul blade, but I didn't remember the rest of the quote until I looked it up just now. Maybe I should rewrite the chapter and add in a stumble or two for Legolas and Gimli and the Big Men? Goodness! Or maybe Bill's just being charitable...
Thanks!
Larner
· 22 September 2016
· Chapter 82: We make a long and stumbling night-march
Hooray! Have been looking for another chapter, and am glad to see it on Ring Day!
Poor Pippin--he would be the one to take the most falls, of course. And of course Bill is right, for one would expect the awful nights to seem longer than this one on which people are merely stumbling. But milder nights with intermittent troubles can seem to drag on forever, it seems.
Love seeing this added to!
Author's reply
Thanks to you for reminding me that Ring Day was near! I have been in survival mode for so long, I barely pay attention to the calendar except to note appointments...
It was so wonderful to visit with Bill once more. Maybe the Muse will stick around a bit longer so I can keep writing chapters. Whew.
Thanks!