Perhaps in the eyes of the Tooks Ami's "curse" took her, but she proved to be enduring, capable, and caring beyond Lalia's spite. Perhaps Fortinbras and Ferumbras should not have sought to hide things from wife and mother, but they proved to have excellent reason in the end.
I'm glad that Pippin had such a name-father, and no wonder they named him that considering their frustration with the Thain's Lady! He had quite the name to live up to!
And I rejoice that Ferumbras is far wiser as the Took than his mother ever was!
Thanks for a wonderful tale. I only regret that with my new job I've had so little time to read and review, and had to draw it out so!
Author's reply
Certainly some of the Tooks considered it the Curse, but many understand that it was Lalia at work here. Considering that Lalia knew much of what was going on already, I have to wonder how much would have changed if the news had from from husband and son, rather than a lowly stablehand.
Pippin certainly had a lot to live up to - and he did! I'm sure he made Perry quite proud. :D
Ferumbras had a lot of help in becoming so wise, and soon he'll be able to finally share his life with the lass he loves - and who loves him.
Thank you for reading, dear Larner, and for all your wonderful reviews!
Larner
· 16 December 2011
· Chapter 19: Curse of the Tooks
Oh, dear--even worse than I'd thought! How sheerly vicious she is! And such language and accusations! Lalia, no wonder you became so disliked!
Author's reply
Lalia has been sitting on this frustration for a long time - and it's not all about Ami. She certainly got caught up in the moment and said things she otherwise would not have said. She'll never live this moment down.
Larner
· 16 December 2011
· Chapter 18: Torn
The idea that Ami refused her son for this nobody is NOT going to sit well with Lalia. It would have been better to have Perry come to her in Whitwell, I suspect. And she has NOTHING to wear? Considering the wardrobes of those who will soon be her family, she has a veritable treasure trove of clothing!
Author's reply
Oh, indeed not! Lalia will take great offense. Whitwell would have been better, at least for a little while. Lalia still would have found out.
lol! Ami is allowed a moment of excited forgetfulness, I think. She may not have a special wedding dress, but she certainly does have many fine dresses that will serve in a pinch. And Perry certainly won't care what she wears. :D
Larner
· 15 December 2011
· Chapter 17: Truths Revealed
A match we know worked out. And Ami will return to Nohill, and soon enough, once Lalia works her spite out, I suppose.
Author's reply
Lalia does have a certain.... persuasive charm about her. ;)
Larner
· 15 December 2011
· Chapter 16: Nohill
Nice to know that Marcho has plans already for another lass, and that Perry and Merlin are for the rebuilding of Nobottle. Am also glad Perry refuses to lie or sneak around for Ami's sake. He has good principles!
Author's reply
Marcho knows when to cut his losses. He's very practical that way, not at all Tookish. :P
Perry and Merlin have been wanting to rebuild Nohill for a long time, but only Perry thought it was possible before today. Perry also knows the consequences that can result from sneaking around. He believes honesty is the best policy.
Larner
· 14 December 2011
· Chapter 15: A Conspiracy Unmasked
Oh, dear! She's going to get Marcho to talk? I wouldn't want to be Marcho in that case. Love the title usage here.
Author's reply
She's certainly going to try! I think she'll find Marcho to be more stubborn than she expected. :)
Larner
· 14 December 2011
· Chapter 14: Tuckborough
And just why do I think she's headed Pincup-way? Heh! I hope Marcho hasn't been serious about her.
Author's reply
She's certainly up to something, being the Took that she is. ;)
Larner
· 14 December 2011
· Chapter 13: Home Again
At least her mother now understands the situation, even if she doesn't approve of the way Ami's heart is inclined. And the plan to involve her in the building does appear workable.
Author's reply
Clematis only wants what is best for her daughter. It's just going to take some convincing that Ami knows what is best for herself as well.
Larner
· 24 November 2011
· Chapter 12: Fair's End
Oh, she's smitten well enough--just NOT with Rumbi! The family will be devastated, but I doubt she'll regret it when she declares her love for Perry.
Author's reply
She is, unlooked for and entirely unexpected. It'll certainly be a shock to her family, in more way than one. ;)
Larner
· 24 November 2011
· Chapter 11: 2 Lithe
Ah--he is SO smitten, isn't he? I grieve already for Rumbi, but am sure she's made the right decision.
Author's reply
He is, he is. It's a side effect of knowing Ami, seemingly. ;)
Andrea
· 21 November 2011
· Chapter 20: Amends
So, Thain Fortinbras feared that Lalia would leave him when he didn't banish Ami?
Well, some people might say: good riddance!
But obviously he loved her. And what could we say against that, especially after this story ;-)
I liked it that Rumbi followed Ami's advice and spoke some clarifying words concerning Pearl as soon as he arrived in Great Smials. That was the best way to end the rumours.
And of course I liked it that he lifted the ban. Ami however, seemed to be happy and content in Nohill. I doubt that she would have found that in Great Smials with Lalia as her mother-in-law!
Thank you GamgeeFest for this story! I enjoyed it a great deal!
Author's reply
He did love her, yes. I'm sure she had her good qualities. ;) He wasn't the easiest husband to live with either - most wives wouldn't put up with being put second to her husband's cousins. And considering how many cousins he has, that's a very distant second.
Ami learned the hard way that keeping quiet isn't the best way to go in most cases, but especially this one. Pearl is innocent and everyone needs to understand that. It's up to debate if speaking up would have helped Ami all those years ago, but she's not one to linger over should-haves.
Rumbi was always going to lift the ban. He didn't really need Pally and his sisters to ask him, but he may have waited a little longer to go visit her without their prompting. As Perry pointed out, it was not a good time for the Thain and Took to be taking off unannounced.
Ami has no complaints, that is certain! She's lived a full and prosperous life and never wondered "what if." She took what was given her and did the most she could with it - which was quite a lot! It is the Tooks who should be wondering "what if" for having lacked her as the Lady.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Andrea! I truly appreciate all your reviews!
Andrea
· 16 November 2011
· Chapter 19: Curse of the Tooks
Oh dear!
Just like Dreamflower it was my fear, too, that Lalia might interrupt the wedding ceremony! I'm glad this didn't happen.
But how can she banish Ami? At this moment of time, Peanut is the Thain - not Lalia! So, he just has to say "no", doesn't he?
I was reading this chapter over several days with several interruptions and just saw that a new chapter is up. Maybe, it will answer my question ;-)
Author's reply
In his Letters, Tolkien explained that the mistress of the house held the same authority as her husband, though she often did not exercise it unless he passed away. Lalia has no such qualms in this instance. She feels she's given her husband more than enough time to do something about Ami's behavior, and he's done nothing - except lie to Lalia. True, Fortinbras could still supersede her, but not without debate.
I tried my best to wrap up all the loose ends for you. :)
Larner
· 16 November 2011
· Chapter 10: Overlithe
And I wonder why he didn't come. Am glad she feels it's right to say no to Rumbi, somehow.
Author's reply
He didn't ignore the invitation lightly. Ami will find a way to let Rumbi down as gently as possible.
Dreamflower
· 14 November 2011
· Chapter 19: Curse of the Tooks
Oh dear! Lalia's worked herself up into a find state! And using the sorts of words a respectable hobbit matron shouldn't even know, much less speak!
At least the wedding took place before she got there-- I was afraid she'd interrupt the ceremony, which would be worse. And I love the way Perry intercepted her.
So she's banished Ami? I am quite sure that Ami will be glad to be shed of her! But I have a feeling there's more...
Author's reply
Lalia was in quite a rage, wasn't she? Shouldn't know - I don't know about that one. As with all such words, everyone knows them but few admit to it. She certainly shouldn't be using them though, that's for certain!
I wouldn't put it past Lalia to have waited for the ceremony to end before bursting in - but on this one I think she was simply late. Either those gossipers didn't get to her in time, or she was otherwise delayed in getting there. After all, she could hardly leave elevenses with her cousin just to see what the Whitwells wanted with her husband.
Ah, Perry - he might not have known who Lalia was, but he did address her correctly (inadvertently of course!) ;)
She did give Ami the option, but of course we know already how Ami chose.
Andrea
· 10 November 2011
· Chapter 18: Torn
Oh my! Well, first of all I feel happy for Ami. She was so sure that Perry would come to get her, and she was right :-)
But what if Lalia finds out ... She will, won't she?
Esme's unease makes me nervous, too!
Author's reply
Ami's faith was well-placed so far as Perry is concerned. And Esme isn't the only one who's worried about what may come.
Lalia has eyes and ears everywhere. They'll have to be very careful.
Dreamflower
· 8 November 2011
· Chapter 18: Torn
Oh dear! Oh dear! *frets*
Author's reply
:D
Andrea
· 6 November 2011
· Chapter 17: Truths Revealed
Oh my! For a moment it looked as if it really could have worked! Poor Ami!
So, Perry is a short form of Peregrin? That is VERY interesting!
And Pally met Eglantine for the very first time. At least we know that he will have more luck than his sister Ami.
Author's reply
It really could have. Ami certainly had everything planned out to a T.
Perry can be just as stubborn as Ami. ;)
He needs to remember to thank his sister at some point; he may never have met Eglantine otherwise. :D
Dreamflower
· 4 November 2011
· Chapter 17: Truths Revealed
Oh, poor Ami and Perry, their hopes crushed just when things were looking promising (Ami's plan was actually well-thought out, quite brilliant in fact)-- but of course they would be, wouldn't they? And poor Sprig, his own youthful delusions squashed!
So Perry's real name is Peregrin, huh? And Paladin has met-- and flirted with-- a certain Miss Eglantine Banks. Somehow I think those two facts must be somewhat related.
Still on pins and needles as to what Lalia's going to do; and for that matter, what Ferumbras is up to...
Author's reply
Ami's far more proficient than anyone's given her credit for. Of course, she's had little opportunity to show that side of herself. Poor Sprig! He's learned the hard way that no one is perfect.
:D
Just a few more chapters to go before all is revealed. ;)
Andrea
· 3 November 2011
· Chapter 16: Nohill
How much time do they have before Ami's "escort" back to the Tooklands arrives?
It's really a shame that they have already found out where she is!
But I'm quite sure she will refuse to go with them as stubbornly as she did when Perry tried to bring her back ;-)
We'll see ...
Author's reply
Not enough...
They're Tooks - of course, it wouldn't take them long! Especially once Esme cracked.
We'll see... :)
Andrea
· 1 November 2011
· Chapter 15: A Conspiracy Unmasked
Oh my!
That was such a well-planned conspiracy!
If it was'nt for Lalia, I would see a chance for a good outcome, but with Lalia involved and her curiosity aroused, bad things might happen ...
Poor Marcho!
Author's reply
The Tooks know how to conspire! Only ones who do it better are Brandybucks. ;)
Lalia is going to cause Trouble, I'm afraid.
Marcho is fine, don't worry about him. He'll get his lass, I'm sure. :D
Dreamflower
· 1 November 2011
· Chapter 16: Nohill
Aww...it looks like it could have been a possibility for Ami's plan to eventually succeed-- if her whereabouts were not discovered too soon. But of course, sadly, we know that's not going to happen.
And I'm very curious about Grandpa Nettlebur's feelings about money!
Author's reply
Ami's plan is well-thought out, if a little too ambitious. But she's a Took - she's used to getting what she wants. ;)
Hm..... We'll see. :)
Dreamflower
· 28 October 2011
· Chapter 15: A Conspiracy Unmasked
Uh-oh.
The younger generation is the same all over: when one is brewing up trouble, the others are not going to say a word, and that's all there is to it. Clearly Ami had not been keeping the secret from her sister or Marcho, and Pally knew more than he ever let on. Even Rumbi knew about her correspondence with Sprig...
And of course it's all because they worry about the reactions of their elders.
But I'm blessed if I can figure out what Lalia is going to do...
Author's reply
They all acted out of concern for Ami - and the belief that the situation wasn't really that serious. Pally had certainly thought this was over long ago. Put all the little pieces together though and things start to look different. They're all realizing they've underestimated her.
Let's hope now their elders can prove them wrong. ;)
Oh, Lalia.....
Andrea
· 25 October 2011
· Chapter 14: Tuckborough
I wonder if Ami's adventure trip leads her to a certain shepherd!
That might have been her intention from the beginning on - or it is still in development. With Ami both is possible :-)
But what is it that Lalia will have done to her? (Future 2, right?)
I'm looking forward to reading more!
Author's reply
We'll find out soon enough just what this Took has up her sleeves. ;)
Lalia is another matter though.
More coming soon! :D
Dreamflower
· 23 October 2011
· Chapter 14: Tuckborough
Poor Ferumbras! Of course, his future with Chrysanthemum is doomed, though he doesn't know it yet. (Looking forward to how you deal with that.)
Ami and Sprig corresponding? I'm guessing that at least on her part it was innocent enough.
And of course, we have a good idea of where she may be going.
I worry about what Lalia may do, however; your opening salvo was ominous to say the least. (And I can't forget what "my" Lalia did to a Took sister, though hopefully it won't be that bad.)
Author's reply
Rumbi is doomed to live alone, as we know. Poor him and Chrysanthemum both.
Sprig isn't a fool. He would recognize that there was nothing but friendship there on Ami's part, but he can't help but feel special that she would write to him.
I'm sure Lalia doesn't even know what she's going to do yet.
AzureSkye
· 22 October 2011
· Chapter 14: Tuckborough
Ooh, the plot thickens! The little bit of the frame story was very intriguing. As is Rumbi's engagement, as that won't happen....Well, it will be fun to see where you take this! Waiting impatiently for the next chapter as always!
Author's reply
Poor Rumbi has no idea what's coming. Nor does anyone else, not even Ami.
Thank you, Azure. Now that it's finished updates should be more frequent.