Bodkin
· 5 August 2006
· Chapter 10: In which a Took hears rather more than he wished
Poor Nell. Poor as-yet-unnamed baby. I'm still crossing my fingers that Ferdi is about to pull off a miracle recovery - but my hopes are diminishing as dawn comes closer. Whatever happens, he's not in a good way.
And those are nasty villains! You can't have any sympathy with them - they have to be stopped - they're slimy and vicious and see no value in Shire rats except a monetary one. Not like Jack and his boys at all.
I liked Faramir's reflections on the number of times he's been captured. Being Pippin's son isn't the safest of positions in society! But he is behaving very well and courageously - and if anyone can come up with a way of escaping or letting someone know what happening, he might! (The old cloak pin trick?)
Very exciting. And sad. And I want to know what happens next!
Author's reply
These are "real ruffians" of the sort that served Sharkey. A dying breed, I hope. Not like Jack and the boys at all, although...
Farry has a head on his shoulders, as you'll see.
Pearl Took
· 4 August 2006
· Chapter 10: In which a Took hears rather more than he wished
Curiouser and curiouser. A goodly mystery you are setting us, dear Lin! MEWD!
Author's reply
Oh, how funny! I just used "curiouser and curiouser" in Chapter 11!
Perhaps you know the same gammer that I know!
Vicki_Turner
· 4 August 2006
· Chapter 10: In which a Took hears rather more than he wished
And so the ruffians lay out their plan... Will Pippin fall for it, or see through it? Hm...
I'm eargly looking forward to more chapters! It's an amazing story!
Author's reply
Well, Pippin has lived in Gondor. (Hereabouts we'd say he's been around the block a few times.) So he's going to both take it seriously and with a grain of salt.
demeter d
· 4 August 2006
· Chapter 10: In which a Took hears rather more than he wished
OOOhhh! Now Farry knows more of their plan. He is, after all, his father's son. perhaps he can make use of the info. Anxiously!
Author's reply
Farry *is* his father's son, and though physcially weaker and smaller, there's a brain in that curly head...
demeter d
· 4 August 2006
· Chapter 9: In which a murder is interrupted
Not a cliffhanger, says someone? do they harm him? How quickly does his father find out he is not safe? How do they track his whereabouts? do they somehow get help from the Rangers? so many ropes hanging! His father, I think, would have been grateful that the memory of the story of the troll gave his son courage to face his own ordeal. Anxiously awaiting!
Author's reply
Not a cliffhanger? Did someone say that? (Author pleads amnesia)
The answers to the questions are in the draft, awaiting release when the plot is ripe. Think good thoughts.
FantasyFan
· 4 August 2006
· Chapter 10: In which a Took hears rather more than he wished
So the Ruffians think they are going to sneak up to the front door of the Great Smials with a note and a rock. While the muster is going on and a grave is being dug for the dawning. And they think the hobbits are stupid?
I can't imagine that the messenger won't be caught, sooner rather than later. And when Farry's hair is discovered, especially if a little of that blood is on it, I cannot imagine what Pippin will do. He's not reasonable, after all, when it comes to the safety of his family.
Poor Farry. It's a wonder that this doesn't scar him for life. And poor Nell. To lose Ferdi another time, this time forever. When Rudi died, she almost lost herself. How can she possibly manage this grief?
(I'm still being patient to see how you get him out of the winding sheets.)
Author's reply
This is a quick reply as I'm on my way out the door, but needed to correct a misapprehension. The "smial" is not the Great Smials, but an isolated farmhold out in the middle of Green Hill country. Do I need to clarify that in the chapter, do you think?
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 4 August 2006
· Chapter 10: In which a Took hears rather more than he wished
Sheesh. Stupid ruffians. I won't say "poor" stupid ruffians, for I've no pity at all for what will happen when they get caught. You'd think remembering Sharkey's ultimate fate would be enough for them to get a clue, but clearly they've not got enough brains between them to go around. If they are actually *leaving* to the north, how are they going to get their "clues" left going further southward? Except, I suppose, at the expense of the stupidest and most weak-willed of them all...whom they will willingly sacrifice, I guess.
I will say "poor Farry". The lad has to be terrified.
Come on, Ferdi, snap out of it--you've only got till dawn!
Author's reply
Well, at the moment they're travelling eastward, and a little south, but when their true business is completed they'll head out of the Shire to the north. At least that's the plan.
But they don't know their ruse (making Ferdi's death look accidental) has failed, which is one factor in the hobbits' favour. And the Muse has a few other plot points up her sleeve, which readers of previous stories may or may not call to mind when the time comes.
Anyhow, it's all coming nicely together. Thanks so much for coming along for the ride and leaving notes (much nicer than ruffian notes) along the way!
Pearl Took
· 3 August 2006
· Chapter 9: In which a murder is interrupted
Ah ha! 'Tis how I reckoned, they took the poor wee lad.
"But he was a dead hobbit, all the same, and the ruffians had made no pretence at any promised future for the lad.
He was alive only to provide a shield of sorts . . ."
At least it gives the Tooks time to find the ruffians and beat the stuffin' out of them, after they rescue Farry!!!!
*deep breath, sigh* At least this wasn't as much of a cliff hanger :) I needed a breather ;-)
Wonderful as always, Lin!
Author's reply
Fleshed out the draft of the last chapter today, and it made me smile. So there's much to look forward to.
Yup, if the Tooks are fighting mad now, just wait until certain plot developments happen...
I would not want to be a ruffian caught on Tookish soil, that's for sure, hobbits or no hobbits.
Sheesh.
(Thanks!)
MaidenofValinor
· 3 August 2006
· Chapter 9: In which a murder is interrupted
Oh, poor Farry! I just want to give him a great big hug...*sniff*
Farry thought in that moment of his father, facing a troll four times his size or more, and he stood straighter.
What a brave lad!
I'm scared for him...
Author's reply
I think he could use a hug about now. And tomorrow, too.
Think good thoughts.
(It is always darkest before the dawn. But I am also a sucker for happy endings.)
FantasyFan
· 3 August 2006
· Chapter 9: In which a murder is interrupted
Farry is truly Pippin's son, isn't he? Oh, I don't mean in looks, though he is that, enough that even the ruffians recognize it. I mean in courage, and in grace. He will stand tall, remembering his father. I'm hoping he'll be his equal in wit as well, and figure out some way out of the trap.
Pippin has moved into action. He has a clear goal in mind, and he will see to it that the ruffians are driven out of the Shire. Much easier said than done, evidently. Pip is going to be terrifying when he finds out Farry and Ferdi set out from the farm together. And now Tolly is the one giving in to grief.
You're going so fast with the updates - can't wait for the next one!
Author's reply
Just happen to have a little writing time right now, sort of like a mini-vacation, and am taking advantage of it while it lasts. Don't know when the schedule will compact to nothingness once more... (you know, that Black Hole that eats all the minutes until there are none left)
I figure that the Farry here ought to reflect the kernel of the grown-up Farry of "Solid Ground". The events of "Runaway" turned him around, and he never looked back, I think.
And he may be a hobbit lad of ten or so, but he's wise beyond his years...
Thanks!
Bodkin
· 3 August 2006
· Chapter 9: In which a murder is interrupted
No!!!!! He can't be the late Ferdi. He has things to do, people to see, baby hobbits to conceive, trips to Gondor to endure. The reports of his death must be exaggerated. Maybe being face down over the pony will clear his lungs and rattle them into breathing again.
Faramir is a remarkably brave young hobbit. Mature for his age - most of the time - and cool-thinking, but it will take a lot for him to escape this nasty bunch of villains. And he'll be worrying about his parents as he tries.
More, more!
(Thank you for the birthday wishes. And is your public knowledge? Because unreciprocated presents just ain't on!)
Author's reply
Places to go, people to see, things to do. You're right. Somebody needs to have a little talk with the author. Or at least with the editor-friend, who drinks up the author's pocket money in fancy flavoured lattes and pokes holes in stories and suggests impossible things.
But then the author does like to drink cafe au lait, and we live in what has to be the coffee conaisseur's (I know that's spelt wrong) capital of the world, and the coffee is so good. So very good. So very very good that sometimes I drink too much. And I write when I ought to be sleeping and all havoc breaks loose.
In the parenthetical comment, I didn't quite get it. I knew it was your birthday because of the story summaries popping up on SoA. But if you said what I think, I do think that reciprocity is a good thing, indeed. (Though your birthday story is already plotted. You may put in a request if you like, but if the Muse prefers the current plot, that's what she'll deliver. Have to keep her happy, you know, or she takes herself off to Hawaii and doesn't send post cards for the longest time after.)
Dreamflower
· 3 August 2006
· Chapter 9: In which a murder is interrupted
*whew*
So one of them realized that Farry might be kin to Pippin--or even his son, and so they spare him as a possible hostage.
I can't imagine how Pippin's going to react when he learns that Farry is *NOT* at Whittacres. And I'm very curious as to how Ferdi's going to pull off a miracle this time...
Sure glad you are updating so fast!
Author's reply
You got it. Possible hostage, true, but as Farry realises, only a temporary one, and disposable into the bargain. Nasty ruffians. No wonder there's an Edict.
Thanks!
FantasyFan
· 3 August 2006
· Chapter 8: In which a Took at last makes an appearance
It's not AU, and it does fit into the timeline. That means Ferdi can't be dead. So is the dead hobbit not Ferdi, or is it Ferdi but not really dead? I guess we will just hve to trust you and be patient, for I am sure all will be revealed eventually.
Poor Pippin. He's seen more death than many there, and is used to more violence. If anyone should have understood that Ferdi (or whoever it is) is gone, it should have been Pip. He just doesn't want to believe it. I think he's cheated death so much, and learned to plan so well, that he just can't imagine this could happen. He's learned to twist things to his will, to make things happen through forceful action and wit, and he's not entirely reasonable in his grief.
And of course, the question hasn't even been asked yet - What has happened to Farry?
Author's reply
Yes, all will be revealed eventually, as you may trust. And, I hope, it will not sound too terribly contrived. Am counting heavily on a few research results to try to knit together the pattern I've been given to knit from. I don't know how plausible it'll all be. I just hate deus ex machina or whatever you'd call it. The plot hinges on a very thin point at the moment, so thin I feel as if I'm walking on eggses, or thin ice that might break and dump me into an icy bath at any moment. But I will keep treading and hoping that the reader's credulity is not strained *too* terribly.
Vicki_Turner
· 3 August 2006
· Chapter 8: In which a Took at last makes an appearance
Loved this chapter! Poor Ferdi and everyone else! The only thing that i have a qualm with is I think Pippin and everyone else needs to remember Faramir was with Ferdi really soon!
Of course, i have a feeling he's no longer around Ferdi anyways and that the Ruffians couldn't kill him and so they kidnapped him.... That's my guess. I'm anxiously waiting to see how it turns out.
Author's reply
Well, they don't know that Faramir was with Ferdi, and won't know until the messengers reach the farm and find out that Ferdi *was* there and took Farry away with him.
You are a good guesser!
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 3 August 2006
· Chapter 8: In which a Took at last makes an appearance
No, I am very *grateful* for the hint, for I was beginning to think perhaps just such an AU was the demand of whoever this birthday fic is for!!
That said--*whoosh*! (huge sigh of relief) Means Ferdi is going to get to have another miraculous recovery! I love those--and he's just about got to hold the record for them! But now they are thinking that Ferdi never made it to get Farry? Poor little Farry, what has happened to him?
Author's reply
Glad. Some people like to wallow in angst and don't welcome such hints, but I (in my stories) don't like jerking people around. Yes, I am writing according to a request, but no, I'm not in the habit of writing that sort of AU.
I do hope that miraculous recoveries are not outre. (If that's the right word. Have been reading Agatha Christie again, and old-fashioned words keep surfacing as a result.)
Bodkin
· 3 August 2006
· Chapter 8: In which a Took at last makes an appearance
Oh dear. Well, at least the Mannish footprint will take attention from the Talk about Ferdi. But the squishy body parts... Squishy body parts that make Tolly vomit, too - that doesn't sound good. Fingers crossed that more of the hillside came down on one of the villains - but if it isn't, they'd better get the victim out quickly.
Scary stuff. Update soon!
Author's reply
Your least wish is my greatest desire.
Author Reply: p.s. Happy birthday!
This is not your birthday present, that one is in the queue, but this and something else need to be done before I can start yours. Hope you don't mind too much.
MaidenofValinor
· 2 August 2006
· Chapter 8: In which a Took at last makes an appearance
Oh dear...I've finally had time to read all of this, and I'm worried. You can not leave us hanging like this, dear. I need to know what's happening! Nice work, as usual.
Author's reply
Bless your heart, I'm writing as fast as I can.
Unlike my editor-friend, I'm not one to bear suspense for very long.
So long as my schedule doesn't blow up in my face, I'll knock this one out as quick as possible.
Think good thoughts.
(and thanks for the feedback, it's quite a help and very motivating)
Pearl Took
· 2 August 2006
· Chapter 8: In which a Took at last makes an appearance
I'll just have to keep hoping for the best, as (you know I'm feart to admit) I've not read enough of your stories to know the time line.
It's going to just be too horrid when they find Faramir . . . unless . . .
I'll have to wait and see.
So very well done, Lin - MEWD!
Author's reply
Oh, thank you for the encouragement! Hang in there! (Maybe not the best choice of words...)
FantasyFan
· 2 August 2006
· Chapter 99999: Best laid plans...
I'm really surprised to read this note. I would never have guessed at a light-hearted story or a comedy from either what has been posted so far, or even from the synopsis you've posted here. And I have to admit, I'm a little worried about the character death warning on the synopsis.
I also have to admit that I really like this period in the timeline. Pippin's not quite as sure of himself as he will be, Ferdi's quite irascible, Farry is vulnerable and there's the feeling that things aren't quite settled yet in the Tooklands. I think it's a valuable place to explore Pippin's character, and the relationship between him and Ferdi that still has a ways to go.
But I did wince in the earlier chapter where Ferdi takes yet another blow to the head. It's amazing he has any brains left to scramble. Can't wait to see how you get them out of this mess. It seems that the time crunch has eased up for you just a little lately, and I hope you get more time soon to develop this story.
Author's reply
Well, what spun off of Where the Love-light Gleams *was* a comedy, just as that one was oddly enough a comedy (Everyone, including Ferdi by the end of it, thinks Ferdi's hit his head when really he's been given too much medicinal brandy by too many helpful people. Perhaps not a comedy, some might think. But it's supposed to be). Ferdi got rapped on the head and...
When the story was originally worked out, there was no "character death" warning and the PG-13 was strictly precautionary.
But editor-friend and I were talking over lattes, and I started free-associating and spinning off different ways the plot could go and she seized on something and wouldn't let it go. She said she wanted to go for "thoughtful, even a little sigh-producing" rather than comic.
And so the comic story will have to come next, I guess. Hope it turns out comic. Dana laughed on the phone when I described one scene to her, anyhow.
Whew. Writing is hard work!
Author Reply: p.s. I winced as much as you did when Ferdi got this latest blow. It was supposed to be a fairly light tap, considering the original plot, not enough to crack his skull or anything but enough to send him into temporary amnesia (I'm told brain swelling can do that, though usually not so dramatically as you might see on television. Poetic license, I guess. Anyhow, for the sake of the "memory-loss" plot it's a given).
But the original free-associating spun off something rather more serious, and while I'm not really keen on doing Ferdi any more bodily harm than perhaps a hangover (and already BTDT), I'm doing the best that I can while obliging a birthday request.
(And editor-friend says I write best under duress, imagine that.)
Author Reply: p.s. (I keep getting interrupted, and I've had too much coffee today which makes me wordy.) The plot didn't even change until after chapter 2 was posted! The angst warning went up somewhere between the posting of chapter 2 and the finishing of chapter 3.
How difficult it is to change horses in mid-stream!
I will stop nattering at you now and try to do something constructive!
Vicki_Turner
· 2 August 2006
· Chapter 7: In which a messenger is interrupted
You are my favorite Hobbit writer and I've been following this story ever so anxiously, shaking with eximent and nervously teetering on the edge of my seat for another chapter... Please post soon!
Author's reply
Nice to meet you, Vicki!
At present I am writing in spare moments, and there are more spare moments lately than there have been in months.
Cliffhangers help, because I don't like leaving characters hanging any more than you do!
Dreamflower
· 2 August 2006
· Chapter 7: In which a messenger is interrupted
Oh dear! Well, they've found *someone*! And they know now that there are Ruffians in the Shire...*shudder*
Author's reply
Those pesky Ruffians! What we need is a better pest repellant.
(Yes, they've found *someone*. I'm not terribly happy about it at the moment, but drama will "out", and I'm allowed a relatively happy ending despite writing to someone's request. Whew.)
Pearl Took
· 2 August 2006
· Chapter 7: In which a messenger is interrupted
You, dear Lin, are the Mistress of Torturous Cliffhangers!! Angony, sheer angony!
This is an intense, tightly written story. Please keep writing and posting as steadily as you are able :) :)
Author's reply
Have a little time this evening to write, as a matter of fact, so think good thoughts! (And having had too much coffee today is also quite a jump starter.)
Pearl Took
· 1 August 2006
· Chapter 6: In which a Took considers appearances
I've read your note and now I'm anxious to see how you are going to be stretching yourself as an author, as you have written dark stories before. Hope all goes well with the mid-story change :)
Author's reply
EF is going for "realistic" in this story. She's the one who pushed me in the past to write "A Took by any Other Name", for example, and also suggested, early on, Ferdi's death in "Merlin". (I was afraid readers were perceiving me as writing to a formula, and I didn't want to be predictable.) But I was so depressed, and honestly distressed, contemplating Ferdi's demise, that when Dana talked me out of it, EF went along without further argument. She honestly didn't mean to distress me, she just thought it was a possible solution to the "predictability" problem I was expressing.
Y'know, when I wrote Bodkin's "prize" I offered her the option of Jack or Will's dying, rash thing that I am. I'm so glad Bodkin is as fond of the characters as I am! I'm not sure I'd offer that much leeway again, to someone. I'm awfully fond of my characters, fictional though they may be.
But my editor-friend has done so much over the past three years, that letting her choose which of the drafts to flesh out (there are several, with alternate endings) is a part of my very inadequate thanks to her.
Bodkin
· 1 August 2006
· Chapter 6: In which a Took considers appearances
Character death, she said suspiciously? Well, it can't be the heroic Ferdi. Or Farry. Or lots of other characters.
Hobbits are a terrible bunch of old gossips! And always looking for scandal, too. Pippin should try to break them of it. M'mm. Mainly by providing so much scandal himself that everything else seems bland in comparison.
I'm worried about Ferdi - I hope Farry is sharp enough to help him out here, because he doesn't seem in much of a condition to do much for himself. And poor Nell will be looking back wistfully to the tranquil days of her marriage to Odovacar. (If that's the right Bolger.) Sorry. Just got back home and my brain is blown.
Author's reply
Welcome back! Missed your cheery comments. Hope you had a lovely time.
Cannot comment on the "character death", of course. It's one of those thorny plot points that I'm not completely at ease about. I happen to like the character, which makes it more difficult. Hopefully it won't be terribly upsetting to the reader.
(Of course, there is a precedent, where a character I liked died in the draft and then became so "real" in the writing that I didn't have the heart to "kill" him. So if there is a reader revolt perhaps editor-friend will relent. One never knows, with her. She likes being unpredictable. Doesn't even order the same flavour of latte two weeks in a row.)
Author Reply: *shudders at the thought of flavoured lattes*
Dreamflower
· 1 August 2006
· Chapter 6: In which a Took considers appearances
Clever, clever Pippin! And finding that the rock-fall indeed is there will be enough to at least keep things going his way for a while. It may even be enough to relieve his own mind just a little--of course, *we* know there's more to it than that!
But I do hope you will soon take mercy on us, and let us know what Ferdi and Farry are enduring!
Author's reply
Well, it's in the very next bit, which kept getting shoved backwards as the draft got fleshed out, but it really ought to be coming up soon. Will hope to write some on it tomorrow, and maybe update the day after if I can finish another chapter.
Isn't it nice to be omniscient? (At least, where fanfic is concerned...)
Thanks!