Larner
· 13 May 2008
· Chapter 16: In which a youthful hobbit takes up the search
Ah! Wonderful! And trust to our beloved Frodo to notice the incongruity and realize the likely cause! Hooray! Frodo's close on the mark now!
Lovely, Lindelea. And have you checked out your nomination yet? I HOPE you'll accept it!
Author's reply
Thank you!
(Yes, Frodo's within a stone's throw of solving the disappearance...)
And thanks for the nomination. I'm tired and pressed for time but will take care of the details ASAP!
Dreamflower
· 12 May 2008
· Chapter 16: In which a youthful hobbit takes up the search
Oh yay!! Frodo's out there searching, and YES, Frodo you have definitely found a sign of the little ones! Just keep on looking--you'll find them soon...
*casts nervous look at author...unless of course, you get lost too...or fall off a cliff*
Author's reply
Get lost? Fall off a cliff? I suppose it's possible... but he's already fallen into a cold, running stream and run headlong into a tree. I'd hate to develop a reputation as a Frodo-basher... (in addition to what's gone before) *g*
Yikes, it's time for math! Gotta go. *hugs* More soon, I hope.
Author Reply: (sneaking back from math to say)
O how sorely you tempt me!
Bodkin
· 30 March 2008
· Chapter 14: Interlude
Ferdi is still my hero. Even knee-high to a grasshopper, he's still saving his cousins!
Author's reply
Ah, yes, he showed his quality even early on. Reminds me of JRRT's assertion that deep in the heart of even the most timid hobbit is a core of courage, or something to that effect. He's a combination of Tookish boldness and Bolgerish good sense.
Larner
· 30 March 2008
· Chapter 15: In which a youthful hobbit musters his courage
Ah--to find he's been so treated! And when all he wants is to find his so-beloved young cousin-brother! And he has a good deal to deal with! Heh!
Author's reply
Wretched business, indeed. How could they be so thoughtless? Hmph.
cathleen
· 30 March 2008
· Chapter 15: In which a youthful hobbit musters his courage
Oh my! I love this little series! Will you have the next part up soon?
Author's reply
I hope so!
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a note!
Dreamflower
· 29 March 2008
· Chapter 15: In which a youthful hobbit musters his courage
Oh, poor Frodo! Of course he's agonizing over little Merry. And little Ferdi, too, though they're not so close.
But Merry's the closest thing he's got to a baby brother. Awww...
*grin* Thanks for more of this! And thanks for a bit of Frodo's POV--you know how much I love to see him thinking of his younger cousins!
Author's reply
Oh, yes, it just wouldn't be right without a little of Frodo's POV--I'm sure he told Merry about his feelings, later on, probably while telling the little fellow *never* to give him *such* a scare *ever* again. (And that's how Merry's able to tell this part of the story now, all these years later...)
And probably Bilbo's quite upset over both little Merry and little Ferdi, considering that later on Ferdi was one of the ones invited to the Birthday...
Larner
· 18 October 2007
· Chapter 14: Interlude
Poor, poor lads! Well, at least Merry isn't alone, and Ferdi has all a Hobbit's expected ability to care and comfort as he can.
As for slipping something into Frodo's drink--Bilbo, you caring, frustrating HOBBIT!
Author's reply
Ah, Bilbo. Wise old hobbit. What would Frodo do, stumbling around in the dark? He'll be all the better for the rest. At least, it is to be hoped.
Thanks!
harrowcat
· 17 October 2007
· Chapter 14: Interlude
Exhaustion would seem to be a good incentive for sleep but it doesn't always work. Good work Ferdi!
Author's reply
Yes, I wish it would work for me! It's nearly midnight and I cannot seem to find sleep.
Dreamflower
· 16 October 2007
· Chapter 14: Interlude
Oh, poor little Ferdi! But they are as safe as they are going to be now, and at least the poor baby's not wandering about alone.
And oh, Frodo--yes, he's going to be so worried about Merry! I can seem him thinking about Merry shivering as he is...
Author's reply
Yes, the thought of a hobbit tot poking around a dark wood gives me the shivers, too. Sure glad that morning comes in the next chapter. Now just need to find the time to type it in. Thanks!
Larner
· 12 October 2007
· Chapter 11: In which quiet is, as quiet does
Somehow I managed to miss this one. Oh, poor Merry--to meet such an adversary, and at this time!
And what a cliffhanger! Sort of glad I didn't read it first! Heh!
Author's reply
Yes, it's really not safe for young hobbits to wander without bigger sisters or brothers or cousins along...
Thanks!
Larner
· 12 October 2007
· Chapter 13: In which a hobbit surprises himself
Poor little lad. At least he managed to protect Merry and save him from the fox. Hobbit lads are so small, after all, and could easily be seen as vulnerable; but obviously even very small ones are handy with thrown stones! Marvelous save!
Author's reply
Little boys around here seem to be throwing stones all the time, and I imagine hobbit lads are no exception. Practice makes perfect!
Thanks!
Larner
· 12 October 2007
· Chapter 12: Meanwhile
What a shock to believe that! Poor Eglantine! But with Frodo and Bilbo as well as Saradoc and Paladin amongst the searchers I suspect things will be put right soon, including incorrect suppositions. Poor lass!
Author's reply
Ah, yes, Bilbo and Frodo are ones to count on! (And with a knack for being in the right place at the right time...)
Dreamflower
· 11 October 2007
· Chapter 13: In which a hobbit surprises himself
Oh, poor wee Ferdi, so fiercely defending his older cousin--with a hobbit's natural weapon of course! And oh, that Merry--he started this tale with no knowing how it ended!! Hardly fair, was it?
I can just see tiny Ferdi trying to find help...such a brave baby! No wonder he grew up to be such a good hunter!
Author's reply
LOL! IIRC (and I might be wrong--wouldn't that be embarrassing, with my own story), it was Ferdi who began by excoriating (don't know if that's the right word to use, but it's somehow satisfying) Merry for leading his littler cousins into nasty uncomfortable adventures, and I think he was the one who narrowed down the guesses to this particular adventure.
I could be wrong, though, as there is a dog standing (standing? quivering, dancing, etc.) nearby holding her leash in her mouth as if it is some sort of exciting pirate treasure.
Must go.
Thanks!
harrowcat
· 11 October 2007
· Chapter 13: In which a hobbit surprises himself
‘The little ones will never get to sleep at this rate,’ Pippin said lightly. ‘You’ve got them all stirred up and imagining the worst sort of imaginings.’
I am glad to be classed as one of the little ones. But please do tell the Muse that she isn't being any good for the state of my heart health!
Author's reply
I will tell the Muse to have some consideration for the little ones who are listening. Thanks!
harrowcat
· 11 October 2007
· Chapter 12: Meanwhile
I'm thinking of a quote that I can't attribute 'Never leap for the worst until it is proven.' Appropriate but very easy to do!
Author's reply
My parents used to say, "Don't borrow trouble."
And you're right. Very easy to do.
Dreamflower
· 10 October 2007
· Chapter 12: Meanwhile
Oh, poor Eglantine! Oh, golly, and Saradoc and Paladin coming home to hear such news!
But, yay! The Bagginses are with them, and I am quite sure that Bilbo and Frodo will be a lot of help! Though Frodo's going to be frantic about Merry--and it's likely to remind him sharply of his parents!
Oh dear!
*grin* Thanks so much for this!
Author's reply
You're welcome. More, if all goes well, tomorrow.
You're right--if I were a hobbit facing a crisis, I'd want Bagginses--the right sort of Bagginses, that is--in the vicinity.
Dreamflower
· 10 October 2007
· Chapter 11: In which quiet is, as quiet does
Oh my! Since you are being so kind as to offer, I will take you up on it. My own muse has been totally frightened off by the problem I'm having--I can't seem to focus on anything else at the moment.
Author's reply
Well, you're in luck then, for I have two chapters of this ready to post, and need only to type them in.
*hugs* Hope they prove diverting, and hope that your problem solves itself soon for the best.
harrowcat
· 10 October 2007
· Chapter 11: In which quiet is, as quiet does
Oh NO! It isn't only little hobbits who are a-quivering and a-quavering! Oh NO! Harrowcat is as well!
And nasty, nasty Lindelea for leaving us with a cliffie!
But I had to grin at Merry's asumption!
Author's reply
Moi? (innocent look) No, no, all the credit goes to the Muse, who seems to delight in cliffhangers. Whenever she gets that look on her face... look out. And she's looking particularly smug today.
Poor Ferdi! (Really, Merry ought to be able to tell the difference between fox musk and... ahem. But then, he's still quite young, I suppose.)
Dreamflower
· 10 October 2007
· Chapter 11: In which quiet is, as quiet does
Oh no! Poor babies! A fox!
Well, we know they get out of it somehow--but goodness! There's no trusty sheepdog this time...
And thank you, dear, for the update on this. I was really needing something to cheer me up today.
Author's reply
Well, yes, that is the advantage of having the two protagonists (would that be the right word?) taking turns narrating the story. If they're alive to tell the tale, then we know something of what must somehow have occurred. Mmm. Just ate something highly sugary. Don't know if I'm making sense. Must go now and eat protein.
Author Reply: p.s. You're welcome. Ok, have awakened the Writing Partner from her nap for a short conference, and she's agreed (especially if it involves sharing the dregs of my lunch)--will go ahead and give you the reins for a moment (as in, which story will be updated next). This one is due for another update next week. If you prefer, I can push this to the front of the pile and update one or two more chapters before going on to update the next story that's simmering away in the lineup. Just let me know. (Aren't extended birthday presents fun?)
Larner
· 6 October 2007
· Chapter 10: In which young hobbits find a questionable refuge, and the searchers jump to conclusions
Silly children--even as supposedly grown Hobbits they're STILL silly children! Heh! Although one doesn't blame those who've concluded they've been swept away.
Author's reply
Well, they are Tooks, after all, and tend to think the worst when water is involved...
Dreamflower
· 6 October 2007
· Chapter 10: In which young hobbits find a questionable refuge, and the searchers jump to conclusions
What a lovely treat to wake up to!
*sigh* Stubborn little Merry, and poor little Ferdi! And definitely poor searchers--
But the part I liked best was all the asides at the campfire, as Merry is interrupted in his telling, making his listeners all the more eager to hear how it ends...
Peace, Ferdi, or we shall never hear the end!
(Only half out of his wits? Only half! And as if to say he recovered them!)
Aye, peace, the both of you, and someone be so kind as to tell on! The moon is high, the fire is low, and we’ll be up all night at this rate...
Then throw another log on the fire!
Yes, my Lord King, at once.
There. That’s better. Pour Master Ferdibrand another cup of that good and heartening drink, there, and Master Merry another cup of his own. Surely storytelling is thirsty work, or so Bilbo often told me.
Yes, my Lord King... Here you are, Master Ferdi...
Thank you, Captain. Very kind, I’m sure. And thank you, my Lord. I can see why they made you King; very sensible and commanding as you are.
Yes, well, this sensible King very sensibly wishes to seek his pillow before the dawn comes stealing, and so he commands that you continue the story before the night grows any older.
Yes, my Lord King...
Enough of that! Get on with the story!
Reminds me of in The Hobbit, and Gandalf's telling Beorn of their travels...
Author's reply
O yes, that's a lovely scene, telling the story to Beorn with such skill that he was asking for more and hardly paying heed to the new arrivals.
Glad you pointed out what you liked, as I was thinking perhaps the interjections were too much distracting from the story.
Thanks! (And many happy returns...)
harrowcat
· 6 October 2007
· Chapter 10: In which young hobbits find a questionable refuge, and the searchers jump to conclusions
Yes, come on now Lindelea! You don't want to keep us waiting - neither the King nor us! *g*
Author's reply
My goodness, such a prompt response! Well, certainly I wouldn't want to keep any of you waiting!
harrowcat
· 25 August 2007
· Chapter 9: In which young hobbits discover the perils of a watery grave, and have a narrow escape
Ooh! I don't know about the trees providing 'good hiding' I can see two little hobbits who might just be in for 'a good hiding' when the hunt catches up with them. If relief doesn't outweigh aggrivation that is.
Author's reply
Ah, I missed seeing this review until I came to post a new chapter. Good hiding, nice play on words. We'll have to see!
Bodkin
· 2 August 2007
· Chapter 9: In which young hobbits discover the perils of a watery grave, and have a narrow escape
Thank goodness Merry's a Brandybuck, and, as such, capable of pulling a little lad out of the water. And wise enough to scare him out of taking the chance again - although Ferdi might have taken his warnings a teensy bit too seriously, considering his later aversion to rivers. Although, on the other hand, considering his experiences with anything more dangerous than a pillow ... (I don't think anyone has attempted to off him by suffocating him with a pillow yet, have they?)
They must have some rather dangerous adventures ahead if their families are not about to put them on leashes and tie them to a ring in the wall. That or Eglantine's health is about to put disciplining children out of all heads until it's too late to do anything about it.
Author's reply
(I don't think anyone has attempted to off him by suffocating him with a pillow yet, have they?)
No, I think Dreamflower's Pippin has that distinction. (And he's not even born yet, on this part of the timeline. Whew. Sigh of relief and passing desire to add to Angst.)
As to what's ahead. Hmmm. You just might have something there.
Larner
· 1 August 2007
· Chapter 9: In which young hobbits discover the perils of a watery grave, and have a narrow escape
Seeking to hide, they lose themselves possibly the more? Alas, Merry's saved Ferdi but now they will be the more lost in the end, I fear.
I love how Ferdi connects the stones with ponies.
Author's reply
I remember reading about how lost little ones will sometimes hide from searchers. We had a very sad case here, as you might recall, last autumn, an autistic boy lost in the wilderness.
Ah, yes, Ferdi and ponies--he'd be very pony-oriented, I think, what with his father and uncle's occupation. His Bolger grandmother would love to raise him as a young lord, rather than a working hobbit, but by the time his mother dies and his father is incapacitated, she's gone on to her reward and cannot step in to take over his shaping "as ought to have been".