Bodkin
· 18 August 2004
· Chapter 15: You Shall Weep and Lament
Aragorn would do it, because they are hobbits - but going to war over the kidnapping of eight hobbits is a very extreme and incredibly PROMPT reaction.
Did no-one suggest, 'hey, king, time for a bit of diplomacy before you involve the states of Gondor and Rohan in all out war'?
Did no-one suggest, 'hey, king, let's check they're actually there first'?
Did the evil empire not think that wearing clothes (of your own choice) and chattering in animal talk (aka foreign languages) is not a suggestion of intelligence?
Still no matter - this makes a much better story.
Author's reply
Well, the thought did cross my mind that there ought to be investigating and such... but then people keep telling me I write *long* and ought to keep the plot moving.
My beta didn't like the "drowning" part, it didn't seem plausible to her that the hobbits would jump to that conclusion. I left it in anyhow, sometimes I'm stubborn as a Brandybuck.
Author Reply: p.s. Aragorn might have gathered an army anyhow, because he'd confirmed that the King of Haragost was promulgating slavery and conquering neighbours, which doesn't fit in the Free Lands now that the Dark Lord has been thrown out.
Bodkin
· 15 August 2004
· Chapter 14: Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life
I really like this story. I love Regi - he really seems to have grown in some ways in this one. (And it's a change to see someone other than Ferdi acting as pincushion.)
Love Fastred and Leotred - and the way they helped Rose. And Regi's intelligence in pointing out to Elanor how she helped.
Poor Celandine and the little ones.
Author's reply
Thanks for commenting!
Yes, I remember discussing this with Dana as it was being outlined (someone other than Ferdi as pincushion).
Next chapter posted!
Anso the Hobbit
· 14 August 2004
· Chapter 1: Sheep May Safely Graze
Oh, another "old" story! I`ve read this before too, but I probably haven`t reviewd it. You are so good with incorporating lesser known hobbits and giving them life, in addition to write about the known and already loved ones.
Author's reply
Ah, thank you, Anso. Am too tired to edit tonight, so am merely answering some reviews. You reviewed this a long time ago, but Larner just sent me some "new" reviews, causing me to look at this story once more, and what do you know? There are reviews there!
Bodkin
· 18 June 2004
· Chapter 12: Sleepers, Wake!
I can't speculate - because I know!!
Love Regi and his revived sense of humour, Fastred discovering that these powerful hobbits deserve their place, Leotred coaxing Rose out of her shock, the magic Ent-water. (I was glad when Pippin stopped being on the point of death so often.)
Actually, the Regi, Ferdi, Pippin relationship works really well by this time and they bring out the best in each other.
Author's reply
LOL. Well, I won't give in to the temptation to re-write it differently to give you scope for speculation. (Will simply smile and contemplate the next chapter of StarFire, which is shaping up to be a lot of fun!)
I was glad when Pippin stopped being on the point of death so often, myself. Am getting tired of Ferdi being so. Now who shall the Muse pick on next?
As to your last comment, when I get frustrated with Pip and Ferdi in earlier stories (easy to do) I remind myself of how their relationship settles out. Character growth. Cannot have it if the characters start out mature and settled, after all.
I know there have been times I've wanted to throttle my own brothers. (These are coming less often.) They seem to have turned out better than I thought they would...
Thanks for commenting! Am hoping to take the weekend off, posting another chapter of "Merlin" and anything else I manage on Monday. "See" you then!
Bodkin
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 99999: Notes to Readers
I am sorry to be nit-picking, but you appear to have omitted chapter 10 and gone straight on to chapter 11.
Author's reply
Not nit-picking at all. Thanks for catching that. It's fixed now.
(My editor skimmed the first chapter of "Thain" and picked a major nit... so you're in good company)
Bodkin
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 6: Hold Thou Firm against All Evil
I am enjoying reading this again. These ruffians are a seriously nasty bunch and this is a dastardly scheme! (Glad I know Regi will be OK!)
Author's reply
Glad to hear the second read's not boring! Thanks for commenting.
Beruthiel
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 11: I Go and Seek with Longing
Am I missing something here? I read this at ff and I thought there were more chapters before this one. What happened to the missing chapters? They were quite good and shouldn't be left out.
Author's reply
Thanks! I did accidentally leave out chapter 10 when moving chapters over here, and wouldn't you know it, got interrupted right after hitting the "publish" button, so no chance to double-check and hopefully catch the error. It's fixed now.
Beruthiel
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 9: I Stand with One Foot in the Grave
I was wondering if you'd ever update this one. Will Faramir not be appearing at all?
Author's reply
Yup, updating it now. Was too beleaguered before. "Rain" took most of my concentration, and "StarFire" took almost all my research time.
Sorry to say, it would take much more rewriting to shoehorn Faramir into the story, so I took the easy way out and wrote him out. Hope it doesn't distress his fans too much... it does, however, leave open the possibility for a story about his visit to the Lonely Mountain.
Bodkin
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 9: I Stand with One Foot in the Grave
I really enjoyed this story when I read it before. I will be re-reading it, but possibly with not quite the same excitement as As the Gentle Rain, where I didn't know what happened.
Again this is a Poor Old Ferdi story. The amount of torment that hobbit goes through, I am surprised he keeps his sense of humour!
Author's reply
Poor Old Ferdi.
How about Poor Young Ferdi? Are you maxed out on Ferdi angst? There's a bit more coming in "StarFire" (no major injuries planned, just dealing with what's already happened), and then the outline for the Thain story has a fair amount of Ferdi angst, from the time the story starts a couple years after "Pearl" leaves off, until Pippin leaves on the Quest.
Do you think I ought to take another look at that and hand someone else the angst-on-a-silver-platter? Everard, perhaps, or Hilly...
My editor loves Ferdi-angst for some reason, and is always hinting for more. Perhaps she secretly hates Ferdi for generating so much work for her! O dear.
Miriel
· 3 September 2003
· Chapter 8: Watch, Pray, Be Prepared
Oh, I do hope poor Regi makes it! I realized that his fate is in your hands! Be kind, please be kind. Update soon!
Miriel
· 2 September 2003
· Chapter 99999: Notes to Readers
Update soon!
Author Reply: Thank you for your reviews! I shall add chapters 9 and 10 tomorrow. That is all that has been read by my beta reader to date, so chapters 11-46 will be up but in "draft" form, replaced as they get hammered out and polished.
Miriel
· 2 September 2003
· Chapter 7: Who Knows How Near is My End?
Oh, thank goodness they're safe!! Poor Elenor...but at least nothing TOO bad happened to her.
Miriel
· 2 September 2003
· Chapter 6: Hold Thou Firm against All Evil
Oh no again! Poor Elenor and Rose! I hope nothing Bad happens to them! Its wonderful so far!
miriel
· 2 September 2003
· Chapter 5: This is Certainly the Truth
ANgsty chappie. Between Diamond and the ruffians, gloom lurks around the corner. I wonder which lass they'll go for? Anyone we know?
Miriel
· 2 September 2003
· Chapter 4: With Peace and Joy I Journey Thither
I'd comment, but all I can say is the formatting is bad. It is all bold and in one paragraph. Other then that, I'm glad that Fastred finally met Elenor! (And Rose-that should prove to be most interesting!)
Author Reply: Thank you for letting me know! I fixed the formatting after reading your review.
Miriel
· 2 September 2003
· Chapter 3: Prepare the Way, Prepare the Course
Perhaps now Fastred better understands Mayor Sam. I can't wait for him to talk to Elenor!
Author's reply
Perhaps he is beginning to understand. The story was an eye-opener, and no mistake.
Miriel
· 2 September 2003
· Chapter 2: Stay with Us for It is Nearly Evening
Fastred seems to carry quite the chip on his shoulder. Ah Ferdi, always to the rescue. :) Eager to see how it all plays out. Cheers!
Author's reply
I think Fastred is in for a few surprises. We call it "attitude adjustment" around here.
Miriel
· 2 September 2003
· Chapter 1: Sheep May Safely Graze
Thank you for referring me to this story. I like it so far. Fastred is a very strong character. Must go read more. :)
Author's reply
Finally getting around to answering reviews for this story. Are you still there?