Larner
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 21: False World, I Do Not Trust You
Oh, but it's been a LONG time since this was last updated. Please finish updating it soon! And am glad the mice are staying very quiet. Now, if only Legolas makes certain folks are at the river to rescue the Hobbit prisoners.
Author's reply
Very long, indeed. Am going over the beta notes on this one at a rate of about a chapter a week. Hopefully RL will allow that to continue! At least it takes less time than writing something new, though it's not quite as satisfying.
Thanks!
Bodkin
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 21: False World, I Do Not Trust You
Rosamunda might be able to accept the scars - since she will be able to see that the hobbit who is wearing them is in (remarkably - considering) good health.
And it's a jolly good thing that Aragorn's team avoided the stew, even if it didn't contain quite what the Lion thought it did.
Those trying to rescue the 'pets' are very brave - I doubt their end would be pleasant if the Lion was to have any say in the matter. Fingers crossed they escape too. It wouldn't be a proper rescue if someone else ends up paying the price.
Author's reply
Somehow I think Regi's part of the story must have been partly inspired, at least, by Clint Eastwood's "Pale Rider". (I think that's the title). In that story, the mysterious avenging drifter takes off his shirt and has a perfect circle of bullet-hole scars around his heart. (As in, impossible to survive...)
You're right about the proper rescue! (Am a great believer in poetic justice.)
Congratulations on the MEFAs, BTW.
Thanks!
harrowcat
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 21: False World, I Do Not Trust You
I am completely puzzled Lindelea as I seem to have missed this story totally! Oh well, after this tantalizing chapter I have a nice catch up to do! Trouble is going to be finding time!
Author's reply
Not all that puzzling, if you knew that this story hadn't been updated in nearly a year. It got put on the shelf for a while, due to various reasons, but now is back in circulation, being posted at a rate of about a chapter a week, so long as RL allows.
Know what you mean about finding time!
Thanks!
Author Reply: (make that "not updated in *more* than a year". O my.
Vicki_Turner
· 8 August 2006
· Chapter 19: There Ripens a Dreadful Ending for You
Are we going to get an update in the story soon??? I'm very anxious to find out the fate of the characters!
Author's reply
Soon, I hope! It's on the list!
Thanks for stopping by.
Author Reply: Story is being updated now. Just thought I'd let you know. Thanks!
Bodkin
· 9 July 2005
· Chapter 19: There Ripens a Dreadful Ending for You
Thank goodness for nice guard and interpreter. And that Bessime and Jessamin are prepared to risk their own lives for the sake of these little ones. Very brave of them - because that Lion is a seriously demented and depraved piece of work. And nasty guard is - well, nasty.
(Glad I know the ending! It's saving me a lot of unnecessary worry.)
Author's reply
(Glad I know the ending, too.)
Good to know there are good men sprinkled in amongst the bad. It's very dangerous to be a good and upright person walking amongst demons, however; one must tread very carefully indeed.
I think the young prince must have had a courageous mother with a good heart who taught him well in his tender years.
Thanks!
Larner
· 8 July 2005
· Chapter 19: There Ripens a Dreadful Ending for You
Interesting development, and before the nasty guard returns. I suspect the King had begun to realize what the new "pets" were in actuality and intended to offend the Lord King Elessar as strongly as possible.
Author's reply
I expect you're right.
Thanks!
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 18: Bring the Hungry Man Thy Bread
Seems this guard needs to come up against the King Elessar--and SOON. Celandine is very quick on the uptake, and I'm glad.
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 17: I Had Much Sorrow
They might be safer if considered animals. The king is starting to realize, perhaps, that they aren't.
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 16: What Shall I Make of Thee?
Every time I see the phrase "little monkey" I want to slap the silly girl. Stupid folks, they are.
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 15: You Shall Weep and Lament
These Haradrim are rather dense, aren't they? They can see the signs of culture, but can't read them. Idiots! At least the servants are civil.
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 14: Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life
Unfortunately, Gimli is correct--it could be all too easy for the new "owner" to kill his "pets" and pretend they'd not been there at all. Come, Aragorn, and find them quickly!
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 13: The Meek Shall Not Go Empty
AAACCCCKKKKK! Capture after all? Not fair!
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 12: Sleepers, Wake!
Good thinking, letting Rosie-Lass see that Regi not only survived but is starting to flourish. Fastred, you're earning Elanor's love.
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 11: I Go and Seek with Longing
It must be sheer torture for Regi to have to hear his own words parroted back at him, and a pleasure for Pippin. But how they will awaken Rosie-Lass I'm not certain. Sheer shock shut-down.
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 9: I Stand with One Foot in the Grave
Yes, Regi has a strong sense of duty, and will linger as necessary; and hopefully will benefit from the draught. Glad Woodruff thought of it.
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 8: Watch, Pray, Be Prepared
Fastred is getting the fast lessons here, isn't he? Poor Mardi.
Author's reply
He is, indeed. And it must have been awfully difficult for Mardi, to contemplate his daughter becoming a widow, especially when anticipating a joyous event.
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 7: Who Knows How Near is My End?
King's Men to the rescue! Lovely! And I hope that Regi's wife does NOT kill him--he's too close as it is.
Author's reply
I love the picture in my mind of those great dark horses splashing along the stream...
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 6: Hold Thou Firm against All Evil
Is Rosie-Lass seeing this? Am afraid she will come down and give herself away before there is true need. Too bad Regi didn't work a bit faster.
Cliffhanger, of course, but then I know I already have the next chapter here to read. Need to get things done soon, however.
Author's reply
This was a cliffhanger, indeed, and lucky for you the next chapter was already posted!
Poor Rosie-Lass. Poor Regi, and poor Elanor!
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 5: This is Certainly the Truth
Hobbits as "pets"? Now, there's a thought.... But they have visitors they'd not counted on. Looking forward to the encounter and seeing these laid low.
Author's reply
Hmmm. Pet hobbits. Might be some profit in that. At least, until the new "owner" found out how much they eat, perhaps...
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 4: With Peace and Joy I Journey Thither
Lovely imagery, and the idea that the merlin is a "hobbit hawk." Fastred is slowly coming to realize there is more to his companions than he'd first thought. And love Sam's reference to weeding. Very apt for our favorite gardener.
Author's reply
It was so much fun, researching merlins and moorlands for this story. Sometimes the research is just as interesting as the writing, as I'm sure you've found, from the meticulously crafted stories you write.
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 3: Prepare the Way, Prepare the Course
Yes, Bergil the adopted son of Sam and Rosie, and Legolas the adopted Took. Lovely reminders from other stories.
And love how Fastred is beginning to realize that perhaps neither Sam nor Pippin has had it as easy as he'd like to believe.
Author's reply
It was fun to open his eyes, so to speak. And I think this was written on the heels of "At the End of His Rope", while it was still fresh in my mind.
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 2: Stay with Us for It is Nearly Evening
Methinks the Chancellor is looking for a reason not to remain bored.
Lovely!
Author's reply
Methinks you are right! Thanks!
Larner
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 1: Sheep May Safely Graze
Have seen Fastred as a quick post messenger and that was how he met Elanor, but find I like this view of him.
Author's reply
Oh, I don't think I've seen that one! Actually, I know I've read at least one story with Fastred but don't remember it. Silly me.
Bodkin
· 30 June 2005
· Chapter 18: Bring the Hungry Man Thy Bread
That Ha'aran is a seriously nasty piece of work. Deserving of an unpleasant fate. One of the chosen, indeed!
It's a good thing that Celandine has a brain - and that she picks up languages quickly, or she wouldn't be so cautious. How could a hobbit from the Shire expect to end up in quite such a tricky situation?
I hope that poor Guardsman is adequately rewarded for his suffering - I expect he will be: Aragorn is a kind man and he has a good appreciation of service, since he's put in eighty or more years of his own.
But Frodo! He's going to get into a lot of trouble with his sisters if he's not careful. He should take a lesson or two from the Ferdi method of supervision. Surely the object at the moment is to make them feel better, not have them gang up on their brother. Though that could work!
Bodkin
· 8 September 2004
· Chapter 17: I Had Much Sorrow
I do like the way the Elanor / Fastred relationship is developing - and the way Ferdi protects her. Fastred and Leotred are right to get the lasses back out into the sun.
Although I am very sorry for the Guardsman of Gondor - I would have liked to see that evil king suffer twice as badly - it is a good thing that Celandine saw how vile he was before she gave too much away. She now knows that she needs to be cautious.
Love the Legolas / Gimli wine and lembas debate.
Author's reply
You probably thought I'd given up on this story, but really, what happened was I could not face posting it while writing fresh angst.
At the moment the angsty stuff is winding down, and so I'll see if I can find the beta notes, argh for procrastination, and start posting again.
I appreciate your taking the time to leave thoughtful comments. I don't feel so much as if I'm talking to myself! (They say that's not a bad sign, unless you start answering yourself...)
Thanks!