Dreamflower
· 12 August 2006
· Chapter 2: A Bill Too Big..............
*whoosh* I'm wondering--perhaps Olorin had been over watching his old friend, or maybe you've another explanation--but I am ever so glad for that mithril shirt.
OOooh! Do we get to watch when Merry and Pippin find out! I love Merry in a temper, when someone's tried to hurt his family! And Pip won't be far behind I'm guessing--not the way he reacted to Frodo being called a "cock-a-whoop". Sandyman's in a world of trouble--and really, banishing him back to Bree won't solve it. He'll just bring his sorry ways there.
Fact: He *should* be sent to Gondor for justice! And Aragorn/Elessar was an eyewitness...
Author's reply
Perhaps Frodo can be persuaded that sending Ted back to Bree will solve nothing. He may just have been trying to reassure the Sandymans - and I suppose he can be forgiven for not thinking too clearly at the time! :-))
You will certainly see Merry in a temper, and even sweet Pip is none too happy about events. I always loved that reaction of his in the book - you can tell our impish little Took has matured.
Aragorn *was* a witness, and will no doubt want a say in Ted's future - and he's lucky he still has one!
finafyr
· 12 August 2006
· Chapter 2: A Bill Too Big..............
Wheeeew.. I was hoping that somehow he was wearing the shirt. I love your stories and really want to know how this is going to play out.. I like the Sandyman family lots.. except for that drunken lout. I do not think he has any redeaming qualities. I want to see Merry and Pippins reaction. I really want to know if there is going to be anymore from Aragorn.
It is time that the Sandyman family finds out that they are really and truly home with neighbors that care about them.
I love your universe.. I like that you have Frodo there and well .. (for the most part (smile)) and happy. As far as I am concerned you can keep writing forever.
Now I am looking foreword to the next chapter.
Author's reply
*blushes* Thank you so much for your kind words, and I am thrilled that you enjoy your visits to my universe.
The Sandyman family (except the idiot) are very sweet and have taken on a life of their own. I think they will be surprised and touched by the response from the people of Hobbiton and Bywater. Ted has no redeeming qualities whatsoever and Merry and Pippin are going to be far from pleased when they find out.
I am sure that Aragorn will want some say in this, having witnessed the event. We shall see.........
shirebound
· 12 August 2006
· Chapter 2: A Bill Too Big..............
BB, you rascal!! *hugs you lots and lots* Whew!
"Besides, we want you here. We are neighbours and we will see this thing through together, as neighbours should."
"Will you stay with me for a little while. I need to know you're here and safe."
Sam smiled and lay down on top of the quilt and Frodo pillowed his head on his brother's sturdy shoulder. Sam rested one hand on Frodo's chest, over the heart he feared had been stopped forever, and whispered a prayer of thanks to whoever had given his beloved friend that warning.
This is filled with such love and grace and "all's well as ends better", thank goodness.
Yay!
Author's reply
I hope I'm now forgiven? I know I was a rotten stinker to write the cliff-hanger and frighten you, but you know I couldn't kill Frodo off! I've worked too hard to give him his life back.
There will be a bit of Frodo-comfort in the next chapter, which I know you will enjoy. I don't imagine you'll protest about that! :-))
Glad you're happy. *hugs back*
Andrea
· 12 August 2006
· Chapter 2: A Bill Too Big..............
My god! If I only had some brandy ;-)
That was wonderfully written!
Whoever gave Frodo that warning, my thanks to him as well!!!
Now I'm curious to see Merry's reaction. Rohan methods? There's a lot of trouble awaiting Ted Sandyman.
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed it. Sorry to be such a rotten tease though!
Merry's reaction will not bode well for Ted, I'm sure.
harrowcat
· 12 August 2006
· Chapter 2: A Bill Too Big..............
Ooh! Of course.... how could we all forget the shirt.... you crafty, devious, cliffie-loving, heart-stopping fiend!!! *GGGGrin* I'm with Aragorn 'I need a drink' and I don't mean hot sweet tea! Now we are all going to spend the next interval wondering about that 'voice'! I am glad that the Sandyman's are learning about truly good neighbours. And thank you for updating quickly.
Author's reply
*grin* Yes, how could you all forget the shirt? Ain't I a stinker? That was rather cruel of me but I wanted to see if I could do a proper cliff-hanger. Do you think I managed it?
Yes, this may be an important turning-pont for the Sandymans. There are interesting times ahead.
Bodkin
· 11 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
Oh no! Nasty bullying Ted Sandyman, a knife, brave Frodo and a worried Aragorn. The combination is not good.
I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Author's reply
No, that is not a good combination at all.
Hopefully by now you will have read Chapter 2 and know what happens next.
Ami
· 10 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
Ack! A cliffhanger!
I have been, however, hoping you would write another story regarding the the Sandyman family. I loved the way you portrayed them in "A Neighborly Thing to Do", and i've been curious how they would adjust to life in Hobbiton as Frodo as their new neighbor.
This is going to be a great h/C fic, I think, unless of course Frodo still wears his Mithral vest.
Please do not keep us waiting too long!
Author's reply
Ack indeed! Nothing like a cliffhanger to keep people on the edge of their chairs.........
Yes, I really like the Sandyman family (excluding Ted, naturally) and I thought it was time to pay another visit, although they've been cropping up in other stories in the meantime. Somehow I don't think this incident is going to do them much good, but we shall see. It is an ill wind, after all........
shirebound
· 10 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
Eeeeeps!!!! BB, you must tell me if this story will be too angsty and dark for my tender little wimpy hobbit-heart!
Omigosh. *biting nails*
Author's reply
Oh dear! I didn't mean to frighten you. Now I hope you know me better than to think I'd write anything too dark. I'm a wicked tease I know, but I'm just blaming that vicious plot bunny for everything!
Kitty
· 10 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
Arrrgh! Nooo! You can't stop here! It's not fair!
Well, I know you mentioned in a reply some time ago the next story would deal with the Sandymans, but *that* is quite a violent way to deal with the problem! My poor Frodo! You can't hurt him so! *sniff*
I wonder if maybe Aragorn witnessed the attack through the palantír? I'm sure he will not be pleased with Ted - not at all!
At least I am happy that Ivy and her children are able to earn their living now and have recovered. Or maybe more precisely, had recovered. After this attack I wonder how the poor children and Ivy will react ...
Need I to tell you that I want the update *at once*? You can't let me dangling from the cliff at the tips of my fingers for long, now, can you?
Author's reply
Oh yes, Aragorn is watching - in horror, it has to be said..
Poor Ivy and her family - and of course she will feel partly responsible, her confidence not being that well-developed. We shall see how events affect them, I'm sure.
Hang on to that cliff and I'll try to update soon.
Elemmírë
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
Eeek!! Are you apprenticing with Budgie?!! I most certainly hope you're going to post more very, very soon! :D
Frodo was amused and touched by their concern. Even the most insular were beginning to understand the ways of the outside world ...
All save one, it seems. Poor, dear Frodo. It sounds like Aragorn is going to be in for a rude awakening when he looks in the palantir. Ted Sandyman may soon regret his drunken actions when he remembers that Sam is now the Mayor and in charge of the Sheriffs, and that Frodo is the most beloved subject of the High King in all Middle-earth (save Arwen, of course).
I'm also curious as to what else Frodo was looking for in the far reaches of the cellar.
How very cool of Frodo and Sam to build a treehouse for all the little Gamgees. It seems their plans are going to be on hold for a while though.
Can't wait for more, Baggins Babe!
Author's reply
I'm afraid Aragorn's reaction will be similar to Sam's - seeing a sharp knife aimed at the heart of his favourite hobbit will not please the High King, that's for sure.
I shall try to update pretty soon - don't want all my readers falling off that cliff, now do I?
Tigger
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
*Gasp!!* I realize he's a Hobbit, but how on earth did the Bounders allow Ted back into The Shire. I mean...Surely...
Oh this is not good. Not good at all and I hate to think what Aragorn's reaction to this will be.
Hurry up and post the next chapter so we know what happens next!!!
Author's reply
Ted was never banned from the Shire - he left voluntarily when Sam became Mayor but because there was no ban in place there was nothing the Bounders could do.
Will try not to leave everyone dangling for too long..........
Breon Briarwood
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
EEEEEEEEEEE!!!
*bites nails*
Oh my, you certainly do write so well.
By all means, listen to the bunnies!
Author's reply
*evil cackle* Seems I have everyone biting their nails. My work here is done!
Will try not to leave you nail-nibbling for too long.
lovethosehobbits
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Don't let anything happen to our Boy!! (Although I like h/c as well or better than the next) :D
Author's reply
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
That is just what Sam says when he sees what has happened - a sharp knife straight to his beloved friend's heart.
I quite like h/c myself. :-))
Dreamflower
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
Oh no! BB, this is certainly a change for you! But I am hoping this is the prelude to a long tale with lots of comfort for an injured Frodo!
If the King looks in the palantir, he'll know what happened! Is he in Minas Tirith or Annuminas? If the latter--well, his healing hands will be there in a flash, but if he's back in Gondor, he's going to be *so* frustrated.
And Sandyman? Well, somehow I always thought he might turn up in your story again. You didn't give him the fate I gave mine, so he'd have to show up like a bad penny...
Author's reply
Sorry to do that to everyone - I blame the bunny!
Aragorn is in Minas Anor, high up in the White Tower. You're right, he will be very frustrated.
As for Ted, people like that always turn up like a bad penny. Now we shall have to see what happens to him as a result of his actions.........
Andrea
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
Oh my god! In the centre of his chest?
What a cliffhanger! I'm speechless!
You know, this is the second cliffhanger of this evening. I'm just back from watching "Pirates of the Caribbean, Part 2", which ended with a very nice cliffhanger. For the solution of that I'll have to wait one year - that's a fact! But I hope, yours will be resolved much earlier ;-)
At least Aragorn already knows that something is wrong ...
Author's reply
No, it won't take a year to resolve the cliffhanger - sorry, that was evil, but I'm blaming that fiendish plot bunny.
Haven't seen 'Pirates' yet but hope to next week.
harrowcat
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
I can see why you had to write to appease the nuzgul that was snapping at your ankles but I also sincerely hope that it keeps nipping. I don't think I can bear to wait any time until you update this!
I am glad that Aragorn is getting foreknowledge about this but it is going to be hard to do much from Gondor.
Author's reply
I'm sure it won't take too long to update - I couldn't be so cruel.
Yes, Aragorn will be very exasperated, stuck in Gondor.
demeter d
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 1: A Score to Pay
My, oh, my! What a vicious little blot bunny! You gently build up to the life Ivy and the children have made for themselves, then spring this! I am anxious to see what comes next!
Author's reply
It is a very naughty little plot bunny and refused to be ignored.
I know, it was evil to have such a cliffhanger, but I'm blaming that bunny for everything!