Daynawayna
· 8 March 2007
· Chapter 13: Timely Arrivals
*Bounce!* *Bounce!* *Bounce!* Wheeeeeee!!!!
It's now the Fab Four and the Dream-Speaker! K E W L!!!
MORE MORE MORE!!!
I think that about sums it up! :)
Author's reply
LOL LOL LOL
I'm going to have to name a folk/bluegrass band that, "The Fab Four and The Dream-Speaker" It would work well as bluegrass bands in particular often have 5 members - guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and upright bass with one of the 5 being the lead singer.
I'm hoping it won't be too long a wait. I'm back to posting before the next chapter is written, which I really don't like doing, so lets hope I don't hit a snag.
Thank you for your responses, Dayna!
Larner
· 7 March 2007
· Chapter 13: Timely Arrivals
Most likely tomorrow's trial is totally rigged. But pull just a single thread of a rigging, and all is likely to collapse....
Author's reply
Let's just say the fight isn't over yet . . .
I'm glad you're reading this :-). Thank you, Larner!
Author Reply: I just read your response to my response to your story. (How's that for confusing sounding? LOL)
Thank you so much for your kind words!! I enjoy your stories very much as well :-) You write a wonderful Frodo!
I am glad that Frodo visited Jebbin... er, visited us, the readers. :o) We needed it! Good chapter; thanks.
Author's reply
I'm glad to give you some Frodo to love :-) I'm pretty sure he'll be back!
Thanks for reading and responding, cookiefleck :-)
Andrea
· 6 March 2007
· Chapter 12: Gathering Witnesses, Giving Assurance
Great chapter, Pearl!
Chalcedony is a Tookish Brandybuck indeed, and one of those "right hobbits", I'd say. She only waited for her time to come, and now she has started a revolution, or that's what I would call it.
I LOVED it that Frodo was there to comfort Jebbin!
“I’ve been know to be quite persuasive, Jebbin Brandybuck.” Frodo Baggins smiled
That's true! But who did he have to persuade, I wonder? On the other hand, that's not so very important. *He* could persuade anyone :)
(Is it "anyone" or "everyone"? I'm a little bit confused after looking into my Grammar.)
And Pippin and Other did tell each other jokes and sang? *Grins* I like that!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Andrea :-)
Really, who could resist most hobbits - and Frodo in particular?
Yes, Pip and Er had a grand time. Not that Other is thrilled with being imprisoned, but he has a strong streak of Pippin's cheerfulness :-)
Good for Mac's mum! She strikes me as being a bad person to cross - and she's certainly got her dander up now!
While visits from Frodo - and Merry - are definitely good. I like the suggestion that what Other needed was something rather more light-hearted - songs and jokes.
It definitely seems a case of Tooks to the rescue. Especially green-eyed Tooks.
Author's reply
Thank you, Bodkin! Hehehehe, Other is, after all, a Tookish Brandybuck ;-)
Tooks and others will be there soon :-)
Green-eyed Tooks and 6x's Great grandfathers and Jokes in cells. Hall Spiders, Smial Spiders, and the gallant Spider Slayers to remove them and their webs. Mum and Da to rally the troops.
And that's the chapter in a nutshell. WONDERFUL!! Green-eyed Tooks indeed! LOVED it! The Mistress is a force to be reckoned with to be sure!! Remind me to never piss her off! LOL. I would hate to be her hubby when she gets home. Ouch. Hopefully, most of his Pompusness is due to his @#$## Secretary and he can be "redeemed". She's gonna give them both what for!
And FRODO!! He watched them burn the book! How could he stand it?? Poor hobbit. :( And he's such a love to sit with Jebbin and encourage him; and apparently still a bit of a wheedler, too! :)
Congrats on another rousing, incredible, awesome chapter, Pearl.
Author's reply
Thank you, Daynawayna! I love your summing up :-)
Yes, Chalcy is not to be lightly messed with and I'm sure Macimas could have warned Tollo that the look down the bodice would have been safer ;-)
Frodo's a brave hobbit. I don't even know why, but he had to be there. I had intended only Merry and Pippin to be watching at the bonfire, but I wasn't really surprised to find they were all there.
Thank you so much :-)
Oh, I'm SO glad Frodo himself visited Jebbin; and you're right--all Other needed was a typical Peregrin Took visiting him.
And I LOVE Chalcedony. One savvy Took lady, she is! She knows who looks through her eyes, doesn't she? Heh!
Author's reply
Hi Larner!
I was glad Frodo showed up as well, I really think Jebbin needed Frodo just then.
I don't know if Chalcedony actually "knows" or not, but she at least knows there are things she can do that other hobbits can't, and that there is a voice that speaks to her that she can trust. :-)
Thank you :-)
LOL, Go Chalcedony!! I LOVED how she handled Tollo! That butt-wad got a bit too full of himself and messed with the wrong hobbitess, didn't he? I'm glad the perverted snake didn't decide to look down her blouse and instead got a REAL eyeful, or shall I say "mindful". Chalcedony probably would have decked him anyway, knowing the temper of Took Lasses. ;-)
Now the Ghosts are going round and lifting the spirits (yes, pun intended) of the Living. I thought Frodo's appearance was fantastic and very well written. :-)
LOL, Longo had better make sure he's not around when the Mistress returns or he may end up like his Tookland counterpart (yes!). I don't think they made dog houses back then that could house a fugitive husband for as long as Pompous is going to need one. I can't wait to see him get his due.
PF
Author's reply
LOL Thank you, m'dear, for all your enthusiasm!
Yes, Chalcy would have decked him ;-)
These spirits are blithe spirits, that's why they have been bringing us smiles all along. It was finally the character's turns to smile.
I'm not exactly sure what lies ahead for Old Pompous, we'll have to wait and see.
I like how so many loose threads seem to be coming together in hope and courage. And Frodo, yay! I'm glad he got to visit and be so encouraging.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! I'm just hoping I don't leave threads dangling. Frodo insisted that he be the one to comfort Jebbin, and I agreed whole heartedly.
TopazTook
· 4 March 2007
· Chapter 11: No Welcome, No Home
Wow, I am liking Macidoc more and more. He is a true leader. Unlike those book burners who are pillaging their own history. A harsh chapter, albeit with glimmers of hope. (Go Marjy!)
Author's reply
Yeah, Marjy is a grand lass! I'm glad you caught the glimmers :-) Thank you so much for reading and responding, Topaz!
TopazTook
· 4 March 2007
· Chapter 10: At the Hole in Twombly Woods
Pearl,
Just wanted to let you know I am following and loving this story, both for your characters and for the plot. (Now, if I could have dug into all that research material with them, I'd be in 7th heaven. ;) )
Excellent point about doing things for themselves, like parents have to, and I like the way you made it, too. Also couldn't help seeing Mickey Mouse in the Sorcerer's Apprentice as brooms flew through the air...
Author's reply
LOL! Except those brooms weren't "Pippin propelled". LOL
So nice to know that you've been along for the ride, Topaz :-) Thank you so much!
Grey Wonderer
· 4 March 2007
· Chapter 11: No Welcome, No Home
I actually felt a bit sick when they burned the original Red Book. It fits well but it is distressing to read it. This is such a wonderful story. I like the fear that the Master of Buckland had of Athelas's eyes. He knows a dangerous Took when he see one. hehehe I felt so sorry for Macidoc but he did at least seem certain that his mother wasn't involved. I don't know of Jebbin and Other were certain about their parents. Looking forward to more. I love weekends because I get time to read!
Author's reply
Burning the Red Book was hard for me as well, but it just was what my muse and I could see Longo and Old Pompous doing. Yes, Macimas is married to one of those dangerous Tooks, he knows.
Thank you so much, GW, for reading this and for the responses! I know you know how much I value them :-)
Grey Wonderer
· 4 March 2007
· Chapter 10: At the Hole in Twombly Woods
So now more folks in the Shire can say that they met the ghosts of Merry and Pippin! I loved this chapter. Pippin doing the cleaning had me giggling. I could see him forgetting to open the door and dropping those slip covers. Pippin's helpful predictions do seem to be a two-edged sword though. When he comes out with them you don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Author's reply
Hi GW! Yes, Pippin's utterings are rather mysterious, especially for Pippin ;-)
I'm glad you enjoyed his small troubles with the furniture covers!
Thank you so much!
Bodkin
· 3 March 2007
· Chapter 11: No Welcome, No Home
Oh my! This is an uncomfortable story - I just loathe those sneaky secretaries, while the Thain and Master are clearly morons! What has happened to Macidoc's mother? Although if it gets her away from Old Pompous, it's probably not a bad thing.
The ghosts are right - they can't be in the middle of it all the time - but poor Jebbin and Other and their wives. And, despite their parents' courage and refusal to bow before OP, the lads have still been offered forged evidence of being disowned. While the Evil Secretary has his way - and has got rid of an heir with brains and swapped him for another moron.
This is very worrying. And stressful! (I'm almost glad that I'm short of time and catching up with chapters in a bunch!)
Author's reply
Thank you for sticking with this, Bodkin, even with it being uncomfortable. I know they can be hard stories to endure at times.
Thank you for agreeing with the Ghosts and those behind them. I knew from the very start that they wouldn't be involved in every little bit of this story. It is a battle Jebbin and Other and the current hobbits of Buckland and the Shire have to handle.
There's still some rough times ahead, but I like positive endings :-)
Larner
· 3 March 2007
· Chapter 11: No Welcome, No Home
Oh, I want to faint along with Jebbin. How could they do that? Oh Macimas, how you are being manipulated!
Author's reply
Hi Larner :-)
I think a lot of us want to faint with Jebbin. With Macimas, it's amazing what established habit can end up doing.
Thank you for staying with me and responding :-)
PIppinfan1988
· 2 March 2007
· Chapter 11: No Welcome, No Home
Wow. Wow.
Wow...I'm really at a loss for words, but, lol, I'll scrape up enough to let you know how much I enjoyed this chapter!
I *felt* their fear - the tragic loss of burning the Red Book of Westmarch. The feeling of being disowned...I wonder how Mac will feel toward his father after all is said and done. I thought the most moving scene was when a hurt and angry Mac faced his father and flung the signet into the fire. His is an interesting storyline as well as the others.
Like always, I am SO looking forward to more!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Bless ya, m'dear PippinFan :-)
It really has been cool how this chapter has affected my readers. I don't know what will happen with Mac and his father. It's another one of the areas I'm not sure of myself.
There is more to come :-)
Andrea
· 2 March 2007
· Chapter 11: No Welcome, No Home
Oh my God!!!
I could not believe hobbits to be as cruel as men, but you showed me that I was wrong. This is reality! Give them a determined leader (or two, in this case) and they will follow them everywhere!
This can be best seen in the Master of Buckland, who showed his emotions when he was confronted with his son, but nevertheless he disinherited him. And that was all the doing of his secretary, I'm sure! ("secretary" might become a swear word in this story.)
Alas for the Red Book! It had just been found again...
And where are Merry and Pippin???
I waited for them to show themselves and tell those hobbits the truth! Are they not allowed to do that? Didn't they want to come? My list of questions goes on, you know ;-)
Last but not least, I think it is an outrage that those oh-so-loyal hobbits call Frodo "the Faithfull and Fearless", but what they truly mean is "mad and weak". Unbelievable!
So, now that I've calmed down a little I would very much like to see a "confrontation"!
I can assure you that this story really feels like reality :)
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Andrea :-) To have it said my story feels real (twice now) is an awesome compliment! Thank you.
I feel that hobbits are mostly easy going, good sorts. But even Tolkien, I feel, shows that sort often are easily manipulated. He has an arrogant, pompous Took in Lalia the Great (aka the Fat)whom he talks about in his letters. He mentions that some of the extra Sherriffs that are around when the Travellers return weren't forced into the job but joined because "Even in the Shire there are some as like minding other folk's business and talking big." And until now, this wasn't that sort of thing anyway, just putting a twist on things over a few years until people believed what the movers and shakers wanted them to believe.
A confrontation is imminent. There's a bit more setting the stage to do and then the "battle" will begin.
cookiefleck
· 2 March 2007
· Chapter 11: No Welcome, No Home
Have been reading and enjoying your story. Perhaps because your story "feels" somewhat real, this chapter was very difficult to read. What horrid folk to act so cruelly. I am still feeling the pain as I write this. And the slurs against Sam... *cries*
Author's reply
Hi cookiefleck :-) Thank you for reading my story! Thank you for the wonderful compliment of saying my story "feels somewhat real". Tolkien says the hobbits are basically happy, easy-going folk, but he does show that some can get twisted. They also come across as a people that don't like change, so I don't feel I'm stretching things too much here.
I'm glad it has touched you. :-)
Cuthalion
· 2 March 2007
· Chapter 11: No Welcome, No Home
Good gracious. I'm completely speechless.
*weeps bitterly at the thought of the original Red Book being burned*
Author's reply
This seems to be having that affect on people.
It was a harsh way for the Red Book to be lost, but one that makes sense with the story.
Thank you for sticking with this story, Cuthalion :-)
Daynawayna
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 11: No Welcome, No Home
"
."
This is me, speechless. (see? quotes, no words...) I can't .... put it... into words... ok, breathe... try...
My throat is tight, my heart breaks and then swells with pride for the brave young wife (long live hobbit busoms!). I'm left in shock and disbelief, and now it's not Old Pompus who I want to be embarassed infront of all Hobbitkind, but those Bastard Secretaries!!! !*@%&$!#$!*#$ Secretaries! Cowardly, snot-nosed, stuck-up, lying, two-faced....!!!!!!!!!!
::Dayna has been taken from the computer, given a sleeping draugt and put to bed. She will be fine in the morning. Just don't remind her of They-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and all will be well.::
Awesome Job, Pearl! I couldn't review this one any other way. Angst is now offically your middle name, lady. :) You tore me apart, now put me back together again!
Author's reply
Aw, that was a cool response, Daynawayna! Thank you :-)
Puttiing back together will come, I assure you. I think there are still a few bumps ahead, but remember - they aren't alone in all this. :-)
Thank you so much, Daynawayna!
Cuthalion
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 10: At the Hole in Twombly Woods
The humorous touch, of course. (Remind me next time not to write reviews before I had my first cup of strong coffee...) *grins*
Cúthalion
Author's reply
"Ahem! Cuthalion, remember: No reviewing without your first cup of coffee." :-)
Cuthalion
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 10: At the Hole in Twombly Woods
This chapter is simply too darling. Aside from the enormous relief those brave parents must feel when they get the "final proof" that Jebbin and Other are not crazy at all, I simply love the humorous you gave the whole thing, and I would have died to see how Pippin whirls through the smial like an invisible cleaning lady. That incident with the covers made me laugh out loud. Thank you!
Cúthalion
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed the humor!
I is a relief indeed to know where the whole idea started and that the lads are involved in something important.
Thank you, for enjoying my story and for leaving responses, Cuthalion :-)
Larner
· 28 February 2007
· Chapter 10: At the Hole in Twombly Woods
So, Other and Jebbin's bells were used here, too. Nice that Merry and Pippin are warning folk of their coming, even if those folk haven't heard from Other and Jebbins how the two ghosts announce themselves.
And the realization these must do things themselves is just right. What victory for Hobbits would there have been had Gandalf accompanied them and faced down Saruman at the last? It was better he realize that Frodo had learned the lessons taught by confrontation with the Ring better than he had, after all--it made him realize he had indeed doomed himself. He wasn't facing his former brother and replacement as Head of the Istari and the White Council--he was facing a Hobbit who'd made it to the Chamber of Fire fueled by stubbornness and love alone. Made Saruman's end the worse in the end, I think.
Author's reply
Ghostly Merry and Pippin seem to like the wee bells, so they haven't taken them off :-)
We learn best what we do for ourselves, and even better, unfortunately, if it's difficult. You're right, Saruman had no idea who/what he was dealing with, no more than his lackeys did with Merry and Pippin at the gates or when one of them called Frodo a "cock-a-whoop".
Thank you so much,Larner, for your thoughtful comments! :-)
Andrea
· 28 February 2007
· Chapter 10: At the Hole in Twombly Woods
Dear Pearl
There's one question left that came into my mind. Are there still Bagginses in the Shire? If so, I would really like to know what they think of Jebbin's book!
Thank you!
Author's reply
In looking at the Baggins family tree, I only saw one Baggins that could have passed on the name - that is if Porto was a male - and he isn't shown as getting married. Mind you, Tolkien says that the family trees are incomplete.
At this point, no Baggins' have presented themselves via my muse. A time is coming when one might have a word about things without greatly burdening the story line or distracting from the focus of the story, if there are any Baggins' left. But my muse is wanting to keep this story pretty much focused on Jebbin and Other and those closest to them.
Good question :-)
Andrea
· 28 February 2007
· Chapter 10: At the Hole in Twombly Woods
They really aren’t alone. Even when they will be taken from each other, they won’t be alone.
[...]
“He says such things now,” Merry said to the two anxious living hobbits. “They are comforting when you think them through."
LOL! Well, well, I hope Merry is right. Jebbin and Other will be seperated? That doesn't sound good. Pippin's words are as cryptical as Gandalf's used to be ;-)
But I'm glad that Marrin and Clary now met the ghosts of Merry and Pippin themselves.
I'm looking forward to reading more!
Author's reply
Hehehe yes, Pippin can be cryptic now :-) The Ghosts felt it was time to spread their 'haunting'.
Thank you so much for reading and responding, Andrea!