Reviews (43)

Author's reply

Hello again 6336 (Lynda), Perhaps he could have replaced them...but it wouldn't have been the same without our favourite sparring duo! But at least Gimli will have a healthy respect for ponies (and horses) after his encounter with Bill. He'll stay away from all ends now... Thanks again for R & R-ing, M ;)

Author's reply

Hello 6336 (Lynda), A Gimmy Snack! LOL. Reminds me of a Scooby snack. I think that Gimli's beard will survive his pony encounter - it's his head of hair he should be worried about... Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;)

Author's reply

Hello Antane, Don't worry about Gimli and...well, everyone else, actually. They'll all come to a good enough understanding to undertake a successful quest and save the world, becoming massive friends in the process! Great, eh? How I love Tolkien! And Aule/Mahal...thanks for the tip, although, I don't really mind the error on that too much. Dwarven culture is not my specialty and I only want people to get the general idea, which I think I've achieved (I hope). Swearing to Aule - er, he is a fictional diety you know, m'dear ;) You have me curious though - do you work with a squad of paratroopers? Only you mentioned you hear enough swearing at work... Am v. interested (and eager) to hear your response on that (goes into wild fantasy about working with a squad of cursing paratroopers). In case you're confused at this, over here we have an expression; 'swears like a trooper' - used to denote someone with a fondness for bad language! See you later, dear. M ;)

Author's reply

Hello Larner, you know, I was just finishing the reply to your last review, when my Inbox pinged again, and what do you know> It was from you! Yes, poor Gimli indeed. Perhaps he should have taken a 'time out' - like we do with naughty nursery school children. Can you imagine it? Elrond making him sit on a step for a minut of each year of his ife until he'd learned to control his temper and reflect on his behaviour? Actually, Legolas could do with some of that too - except his great age would have him sitting on the steps for the lifespan of your average mortal! Thanks for R & R-ing, M :)

Author's reply

Hello Andrea, Gimli was in a bit of a stinker before he entered the stalls (hardly his favourite destination), but he did try to calm himself, for the gardener's sake. Pity he hadn't reckoned with a paranoid pony... I just suggested (in my reply) to Larner, that it may be a good idea if they swapped minds for 5 minutes, so they could understand each other's POV better. Actually, perhaps Gimli should try that with Legless too... Thanks again for showing you appreciation by R & R-ing, M ;)

Author's reply

Hello Larner, ohmigosh, I have to say - I got in from work over an hour ago and nearly fainted when I say 11 Reviews in my Inbox!! Mainly for this fic. That's a lot for me, and I've been replying to them ever since, and more keep coming in!! Holy moly!! Sorry about that, just had to share my delighted disbelef and you were the nearest target :o) Anyway, m'dear, wouldn't it be fun if they could actually get into the other's mind for 5 minutes? That would be the quickest way to sort their problems out, I think. Gimli as a pony. Gimli the Pony! Now there's a thought! Thank you so much for R & R-ing. M (grinning madly).

Author's reply

Hello again Celeritas, Yep, our Bill comes across as a bit of a hobbit horse, doesn't he? All he really wants is a nice home, good food and someone to love him. I only pit him against Asfaloth because he was the only other equine in Imladris that I knew of, but it worked, thankfully! He does (secretly) admire him, but he would never admit it! The misunderstanding will be taken care of in chapter 3...or will it? M ;)

Author's reply

Hello Saphirs, Brilliant! I'm so chuffed (very pleased) that you like 'A Pony's Tale'. I just wrote it as a bit of a laugh, but it appears to be going down quite nicely (author grinning like a mad woman). I'll need to make the next chapter a whopper then, if I'm to keep you laughing so much though...(puts thinking cap on) For you, I will do my best! Thanks for R & R-ing ;) M ;)

Author's reply

Hello Robinscat, It's great to hear (or, read, rather) that you liked this so much. Makes me smile a mile! And what a good idea to continue it into the quest (I hadn't thought about that). If I weren't writing another lengthy (for ma) fic just now, I might even take you up on it. Of course, once I finish that, I could always do a sequel to this. Robinscat, it appears to me that you are my muse!! What a clever idea... Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;) P.S. If you're the cat, who's Robin? Batman's friend? Cool!!

Author's reply

Hello Dreamflower, don't worry m'dear. Where there's a 'Bill', there's a way! (Wee play on words there, did you get it?). Thanks for R & R-ing, you're a wee star! M ;)

Author's reply

Hello Jay of Lasgalen! It was an absolute hoot thinking of all the different ways I could make them annoy each other. But at this stage in the tale of the Quest, it preseted me with as much problems as opportunities, because they didn't know each other too well and their initial dislike of each other was more strongly based on their fathers' histories (which meant I had to research The Hobbit - not my strong point). Still, didn't turn out too bad if you liked it! As for Elrond, his sons got their sense of humour from him! Even the mighty Lord of Imladris used to be an elfling... His poor parents! Thanks for R & R-ing. M ;)

Author's reply

Hello shirebound, I'm pleased as punch that it made you giggle so much! It was a lot of fun to write, let me tell you. And there's still at least one more chapter to go... M ;)

Author's reply

Hello Andrea, Oh I'm so thrilled you enjoyed Bill's POV!! I'd always wondered if he may have been slightly irked at being named after that rapscallion Bill Ferny - this was a fun way to explore it. And of course, he adores Sam because the gardener is so conscious of everyone around him and doesn't like to exclude anyone (bless him). Thanks for R & R-ing M :) P.S. Gimli's POV is up now, if you haven't read it yet.

Author's reply

Hello Dreamflower, no perhaps it may take longer, but it's good to know Bill has fighting spirit, despite his trials! And Sam he does learn to trust again (most people), so that's a good thing too. I'm just relieved he still retains a sense of humour, or writing this would have been a nightmare! Thanks for R & R-ing M ;)

Author's reply

Hello Jay of Lasgalen, wow, - I'm thrilled to get a review from you. You're a very established author here (and probably on other sites too), so I'm currently puffing my chest out in Merry-and-Pippin -esque pride! Bill is such a good wee soul, though, isn't he? Always plodding on, ever docile. So I decided to give him a fic of his own and use the horse-friendly 'Gimmmy' as his support cast. Poor 'Gimmy'. Still, his POV is coming up (I'm about to start writing it after answering these reviews, so if I'm lucky it will be done, dusted and onsite this evening). Happy days! M ;)

Author's reply

Hello Antanemir, Oh dear, me dear, you are taking the Bill/Asfaloth thing a bit too seriously... Don't be too hard on Bill the Pony though, he's only at loggerheads with the 'prissy elf-horse' because this here author didn't know the names of any other horses residing in the stables at that time - and it's all meant to be light-hearted fun, cousin dear!! But I'm happy you like his adoration for his 'little master'. The gardener's probably the first friend Bill's ever had and even when he feels 'betrayed' by Sam, he still is reluctant to take hasty action that may bring him harm. Aww. You've got to love that pony, really.... Cousin Mo.

Author's reply

Hello Shirebound, I'm absolutely thrilled that you enjoyed it! I've tossed the idea of Bill story about since I finished 'Concerning Sam' and decided that 'the Gimmy' would be his perfect adversary (after Asfaloth). It was great fun to imagine how he would perceive his surroundings and what he may call hobbits and men. Elves he new by their race because they can somehow 'communicate' with animals, but he's never spoken to a hobbit or even seen a Dwarf before, so it was s good challenge! As for what the Gimmy is after, I hope to fill you in on that before this time next week. Thanks for R & R-ing. M ;)

Author's reply

Hello Sunny, You're right on the mark with the 'hobbity equine' comment - I nearly called the stoey "The Hobbit Horse', but didn't know how it would go down. But Bill is a rather simple wee soul - and I mean that in the best of ways. His sheltered (albeit neglectful) existence in Bree does have an air of naive hobbitry about it. Until he meets half the pre-Fellowship, and later the magnificent Asfaloth (who he thinks is too big for his boots). I think there's a bit of jealousy going on between him and the elven steed (mostly on Bill's side though). Thanks for the read & the review. M ;)