Everlight
· 3 April 2014
· Chapter 6: Help Arrives
Ah, the wisdom of a child. He didn't think of himself as a hero then, ‘Heroes have swords!’ or later when he *did* have a sword. Strange how real heroes never seem to realize that they really are heroes.
I'm sure Bilbo will think of some way to help Robin, he is quite good at coming up with things like that.
Author's reply
The thought had crossed my mind, that even heroes with swords don't think of themselves as heroes. In point of fact, heroes are identified by others, not self-identified. Perhaps that's the way things ought to be.
Bilbo knows more about Men than most hobbits living in the middle of the Shire, that's certain.
Thanks!
Andrea
· 3 April 2014
· Chapter 6: Help Arrives
Great to see this story continued! I would have liked to meet Robin again in a much better condition, though ;-)
So I hope that Bilbo's wisdom also results from experience in healing "Tallfellows". If not there will be no other way than to try and see...
I'm looking forward to reading more!
Author's reply
Robin is an interesting fellow, one I've come to like over the years. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like him -- he was something of a ruffian at the start of our acquaintance -- but after spending more time in his company he's quite grown on me. (I first met him in All that Glisters and got to know him better in Just Desserts. He really is a gem among Men, IMO.)
Bilbo has some unique experience, I'm glad to say, as will come clear in an upcoming chapter.
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 3 April 2014
· Chapter 6: Help Arrives
*grin* So Bilbo's there, and Robin will be properly seen to what with the old hobbit able to reassure the healer, LOL!
"Tallfellow". I like that! (Now I am imagining a family of OCs: a family of Men, living in the Shire with the surname "Tallfellow"! Shoo, bunny! Get to the end of the line!)
And the tale of how Pippin made Robin's acquaintance once more postponed, I see! ;)
I loved the way you show Frodo's youthfulness, and yet in spite of his impatience, his trust in Bilbo! Beautifully done!
Author's reply
LOL! What fun to contemplate such a bunny! (But not mine to write... I can only hope it bites someone's ankles that we may read it later!)
Thanks!
shirebound
· 3 April 2014
· Chapter 6: Help Arrives
What a relief that Bilbo's arrived, especially since everyone's looking to him for wisdom and advice.
The phrase "a Tallfellow" is delightful.
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad to see Bilbo arrive, too. He has some unique experience, after all, that might come in handy.
I'm glad you like "Tallfellow" -- very fitting for a Man in the Shire! "Tallfellow" is actually Robin's travelling name when he's in the Shire. He starts out as Robin Tallfellow, changes to "Jack (Tallfellow), son of Robin" after running afoul of less honest Men, and eventually resumes his original name, Gwill o'Dale, in his later years.
Garnet Took
· 3 April 2014
· Chapter 6: Help Arrives
Love the exchange between young Pip and Bilbo.
It's amusing that one of the three people involved in this with the most knowledge about the man is the youngest and it appears that Bilbo has some decent respect for Pippin and what he did and what he understands.
Mardi actually has a good point. Doubling the dose of something just might be too much. Seems like a dose and a half or three- quarters might be safer.
Hope Robin pulls through. Sounds like he really is a good sort.
Author's reply
Robin is definitely a good sort. Oh, he makes mistakes, just like everyone, but his heart is in the right place.
You're right about dosage -- it's a tricky business going from Men to Elves to Hobbits. (I wonder how dosages correspond between Men and Elves? I haven't seen any speculation about that in other stories, but then I'm just starting to read Elf-centred stories so maybe it's something I'll run across sooner or later.)
Thanks!
Larner
· 3 April 2014
· Chapter 6: Help Arrives
I'd always believed a good deal of Frodo's wisdom he'd learned from Bilbo, and here we are shown one such instance. And love the healers' concerns regarding how else besides appetite Men might differ from Hobbits. This concern is a good part of what make Woodruff and Marti good healers.
Author's reply
I'd always believed it too, else how would he go from being one of the worst young rascals of Buckland to one of the finest hobbits of Bilbo's acquaintance?
Woodruff has an essential quality of curiosity, an itch to know what makes things tick (which is, in part, a basis for her close relationship with Pippin from his earliest days -- they understand each other). She manages to pass some of that on to her apprentices... maybe more to Hetty (Healer's Tale) than Mardi, but Mardi does pick up a little of that sense of wonder and exploration.
Thanks!
Larner
· 20 March 2014
· Chapter 5: An Un-expected Message
Well, of course there would be pocket handkerchiefs on Bilbo's mind--never too many when you are going on an adventure, even if it is merely to Whitfield! Heh! And now, for him to learn which of his Mannish acquaintances this one is.
Author's reply
Yes, a good thing for him to know. He does have that Man-sized bed at Bag End, after all, doesn't he? (Or is that fanon? I'm tired tonight and not thinking quite straight.) I love Shirebound's idea that Aragorn periodically visited him in the Shire... But am trying to stick to canon as much as possible. There were occasional Men in the Shire even before the Troubles, at least.
Everlight
· 20 March 2014
· Chapter 5: An Un-expected Message
And their off! It must be nice to go anywhere at the drop of a hat (or note rather). ;)
Love the referral to 'The Hobbit'. He probably never was without a handkerchief after that.
Author's reply
Must be nice. Not something we can manage, what with pets to feed and bills to pay. But then, Bilbo brought all that treasure back with him from wherever it was he went, or so the neighbours say, and so he doesn't seem to have much trouble with heading off on a whim.
(I imagine he either learned to do without, or he always made sure he had a supply, after that.)
Everlight
· 20 March 2014
· Chapter 5: An Un-expected Message
And their off! It must be nice to go anywhere at the drop of a hat (or note rather). ;)
Love the referal to 'The Hobbit'. He probably never was without a handkerchief after that.
Dreamflower
· 20 March 2014
· Chapter 5: An Un-expected Message
Oh yay! Bilbo and Frodo will be there soon! *grin* I can just see the two of them young adventurer and old, racing along!
Author's reply
What fun! (You know, if Bilbo hadn't left, and left the Ring to Frodo when he did, eventually they would both have looked 50ish at the same time! The thought boggles the mind.)
shirebound
· 20 March 2014
· Chapter 5: An Un-expected Message
I love the pace at which this story is progressing, speeding towards Bilbo's arrival!
I would love to be a Quick Post messenger in the Shire. :)
Author's reply
You know, I think being a Quick Post messenger would be just about the best job going.
Thanks!
Garnet Took
· 20 March 2014
· Chapter 5: An Un-expected Message
Poor Frodo. Bilbo needs to remember not to say anything he doesn't want that one to hear.
Hopefully, the older hobbit can be of help to the Tooks of Whitacres.
Looking forward to what you have planned next.
Author's reply
And Merry and Pippin (and Sam) seem to follow in his footsteps, although Sam does get caught in the end.
Thanks!
Everlight
· 17 March 2014
· Chapter 4: A Man in the Kitchen
Well, that was quite the surprise for Mardi! He seems to be a decent fellow, though hopefully, he knows how to keep his mouth shut about certain matters or there could be some 'interesting' problems keeping Tookland out of the kitchen.
Looks like Pip's adventure is going to come out sooner rather than later. I'm looking forward to seeing how it will work out. Poor Pip! He is so worried. I hope it all works out for 'Robin'.
Author's reply
LOL! 'Interesting' problems -- that's a mouthful! I think, however, that his Mistress (Healer Woodruff, who apprenticed him) would have his hide if she found out that he broke patient confidentiality.
(grinning at the mental image of Tookland traipsing through the kitchen...)
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 11 March 2014
· Chapter 4: A Man in the Kitchen
Oh, at last Robin is receiving medical treatment; Mardi will get him fixed up--and hopefully Bilbo will arrive soon!
Author's reply
That's right! Mardi is at least starting to do something, even while he's thinking over treatments and dosages for someone Robin's size.
And yes, Bilbo ought to enter the picture very soon.
Thanks!
Larner
· 10 March 2014
· Chapter 4: A Man in the Kitchen
Robin, is it? Hope that all goes well for all of them. A friend among Men could prove helpful in the future, of course.
Author's reply
Ah, yes, Robin, later known as Jack, though his real name is something quite different...
(and you know, the opposite is also true: a friend among Hobbits could prove helpful in the future as well!)
galathil
· 10 March 2014
· Chapter 4: A Man in the Kitchen
Hi Lindlea
Man in the kitchen. Can you wave your magic make my son go in and either do the dishes or cook? Loving the story don't how I missed it. Can't wait for the next chapter. LOL Galthil
Author's reply
Nice to meet you! If only... if my magic worked that way, I wouldn't have any trouble getting my own dishes or cooking done. Funny how that works.
The next chapter to this one is due out in about a week. I'm adding a chapter from a different story each day, in the attempt to finish up the works in progress that have been languishing all too long. It's one of my new year's resolutions, isn't that funny?
Thanks!
shirebound
· 10 March 2014
· Chapter 4: A Man in the Kitchen
I'm all in suspense, but thank goodness our tall visitor is getting all the help the hobbits can provide. Dear Pip, he's such a sweet lad.
Author's reply
Mardi's in a little over his head, so to speak, but he's got the right instincts.
Dear Pip, he's trying to tell the grown-ups who the Man is, but they're not really listening.
shirebound
· 24 February 2014
· Chapter 3: Making Do
We don’t need the word spreading and crowds coming to look at the novelty of a Man in our kitchen! This is hardly Bag End, after all.
*grins* One doesn't need to be the object of *that* type of gossip, does one?
This is coming together nicely. :)
Author's reply
*grin* I can just imagine curious hobbits coming round to see such a novelty as a Man in Eglantine's kitchen, considering how Men are something of a rarity in the Tookland.
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 24 February 2014
· Chapter 3: Making Do
I just love Eglantine's bustling efficiency! She really does have things in hand as much as is possible!
And I can just imagine the look on Bilbo's face when he gets the Tooks' letter!
Author's reply
Well, she's the wife of a farmer who has "lands" to farm, according to something Pippin says on the Quest, so she must have to manage bed and board for a number of hired hobbits, I should think. "Bustling efficiency," what a nice term to describe her!
(I'm just wondering how to break it to Paladin and Eglantine that their little six-year-old son (as he was, two years previous) walked part-way to Bag End with only a sheepdog for company...)
Tari
· 17 February 2014
· Chapter 2: To Land A Fair Sized Fish
Another great story to follow. How do you do it?
Author's reply
I think about hobbits. A lot. Too much, actually. But I find it relaxing to write, and a delight to discover that others enjoy the stories along with myself. (It can get so tiresome talking to oneself all the time. Yikes!)
Thanks!
Larner
· 12 February 2014
· Chapter 2: To Land A Fair Sized Fish
Good reason to come warily, but then to lay down their potential weapons and work to get the poor Man to dry ground.
Author's reply
Prepared for trouble of one sort, and yet immediately able to deal with a totally different trouble. Yup. I can see how Paladin was able to lead the Tooks in resisting the ruffians.
Dreamflower
· 12 February 2014
· Chapter 2: To Land A Fair Sized Fish
What a treat to find this when I woke up! *grin*
I love how determined Eglantine is. Of course, she's had to be, living among Tooks all these years, LOL!
I can see Bilbo will have some explaining to do when he arrives; but I hope poor Robin is not too dreadfully sick, poor guy!
Author's reply
Living amongst the Tooks would be a lifelong lesson in determination, I should think. (But what fun to contemplate!)
Some 'splaining to do, yes, certainly... I wonder how long the misunderstanding can be prolonged...?
shirebound
· 12 February 2014
· Chapter 2: To Land A Fair Sized Fish
Oh my, how suspenseful!
You beautifully show us the frenzied surprise of hobbits who don't have many Unusual and Unexpected Events occur in their lives. :)
Author's reply
Very true -- they lead a settled life for the most part (though I think of Bandobras leading the charge in the North Farthing, not so many years earlier), but they have that deep-hidden core of courage, and they're nothing if not resourceful...
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 19 January 2010
· Chapter 1: The One that Almost Got Away
I know I squeed over this at LJ, but I had to re-read it here at SoA. And since I've had time to calm down from my initial state of gleeful hysteria, I had to tell you about the parts I loved most.
Like your opening:
The young hobbit was hardly frightened, here on his father's land, and he wasn't the kind who frightened easily, at any event. As a matter of fact, he was rather more inclined the other way, rather more bold and curious than was good for him. Or so his mother, a solid and steady Banks had been heard to say on more than one occasion.
To which his Tookish father would answer, after a shake of the head, that the lad was, after all, a Took, and descended from the Old Took himself, and so a little spirit was only to be expected.
To which the mother would sigh and observe that “a little spirit goes a long way.”
To which the father would heartily agree. It was why, more often than not, when Pip's older sisters or cousins were not keeping watch on him (he was, after all, only eight), Paladin was happy to set the lop-eared sheepdog on the task.
A perfect snapshot of the Took family dynamic, and of the young hobbit who'd one day grow up to be Sir Peregrin.
And this:
'Lop!' Pearl added her own shout, but beside her, Eglantine put her hand to her heart in sudden comprehension.
'It's Pip,' she gasped. 'Something's happened to Pip!' And she stretched out her hand to the dog.
At the repetition of the name he loved best, Lop stopped his barking and ran to Eglantine, seizing her hand between his teeth, though so gently as to make no mark, and tried to pull her after him.
I love Eglantine's mother's intuition here, and also, it's fun to see Lop "play Lassie". ( I suppose it would have been too funny-- and too difficult-- to have Robin down a well, LOL!)
I adore Lop-- I imagine him as a sort of border collie mix, much like the first dog my husband and I had years ago as newlyweds.
Thank you again for this bit of wonderful story!
Author's reply
Ah, lovely encouragement, and as I'm sure you know, quoting your favourite bits is great encouragement indeed!
It was delightful to chat with you today, and as you can see, I'm continuing the plan of updating the WIPs while working on finally finishing the one we discussed. (And then, dare I say, another? And hopefully another? Ah, well. Must take it one at a time, I suppose. Foot by foot...)
Belated thanks for this lovely review.
Celeritas
· 19 January 2010
· Chapter 1: The One that Almost Got Away
Exciting, and I'm glad you found the time to be able to leave this (first part of a) tale with us! Lop was cute, brave, and had a ridiculous amount of Dog Sense of which I wholly approve. And I hope Pippin doesn't take a chill!--though he did the right thing in staying and making sure Robin doesn't drown.
Hoping to see more!
Author's reply
Writing time has been incredibly rare, the past few months years, but I'm hoping to be able to routinely add to stories now that the RL schedule has eased up a bit...
Much belated thanks!