Reviews (336)

Author's reply

Now that is an interesting point to ponder. I wouldn't be surprised if, in future years, Bill remembers some of his perceptions of Sam's ordeal, if only in dreams. Within the spell woven by the Ring (Sam is carrying and, for a large part of the time, wearing the Ring at this point), Sam and Mordor are equally real and present to him as the Bree-landers and The Prancing Pony's stables. On a related note, I'm sure the Travellers relived parts of the Quest in dreams and nightmares. It stands to reason... I wonder if, in later years, Sam sometimes dreams of Bill being with him in the dark places under the Ephel Dúath, and dismisses any such thoughts as nonsensical? "For of course," I can imagine him telling his Rosie, whether or not he told her any of the more dreadful details of that part of the Quest, "Bill was never really there.... Why, he would have been safe in Bree by that time!" Speaking of "nonsensical" things, I added a small bit to the chapter after you posted this review since the thought of singing Elves perched in trees made sense within the context of that part of the chapter, in case you might have the inclination to go back and look. To my mind, that addition strengthens Gandalf's argument, which originally felt a bit weak to me. Thanks so much for your faithful (and thought-provoking!) reviews.

Author's reply

As you suspected, Bill's weakness is a mixture of strain from using himself up (physically speaking) in providing a counter-pull to keep the fallen tree from rolling and crushing the trapped forester and his rescuers, and oppression leaking through to his mind and spirit through the power of the Ring which is amplifying and conveying the intensity of his hobbits' emotions. In short, he doesn't have the strength to bear up under the horror assaulting Sam (and Frodo, of course) at this time, and the connection to Mordor has hushed his Voices for the time being. Poor pony. Nevertheless, he earned the name Greatheart for a reason. And he's not alone; help is on the way. Author Reply: p.s. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! Your observations are helping me make the narrative work as intended.

Author's reply

Trust your gut. It sounds spot on. If I had written LOTR, Bill probably would have gone back to Rivendell. I'm not sure why the Professor sent him back to Bree, except maybe for that phenomenon of animals (dogs, cats, horses) finding their way "home" – in my experience, horses do naturally speed up when they realize they are heading in the direction of their stables, meaning the idea of a "stable pull" is real – and the other curious behavior where equines have been known to run back into their burning stables in search of safety. But Bill's life with Ferny was so miserable! And the Professor described the pony's positive changes during his time in Rivendell... I should think Bill would naturally be drawn back to "that marvellous Valley". (That is why I had to write the sequence as his ending up in Bree almost on accident.) While I mistakenly thought the Travellers spent a month in Rivendell on their rather-leisurely-sounding return journey, when I looked it up just now, it was actually only about a fortnight. I realize their pace wasn't actually as leisurely as it seems to me, considering the distances and travel modes involved, but still. It took them so long to get back home... Thanks!

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I know exactly how you feel! (((hugs)))

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Yes, wake up, Mr. Frodo! (Thanks!) I so appreciate that you are still with me, even through this angsty part of the story. (((hugs))), dear friend.

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I am indeed well, dear friend! The sun is shining, the dryer that was broken is now repaired (as of an hour ago) so I can finally get to the laundry (only a few days belated!), and I'm making progress in the current WIPs, including The Proposition, which I might start posting as a sort of tribute to Dreamflower, who was my beta-reader, confidante, and advisor for that story. (Besides, the next part of Thain is proving difficult, and I don't want to edit the draft into final form because the confrontation with the Witch-king and the battle against his forces in the next few chapters is more angsty than I want to think about at the moment. I will get back to it, rather sooner than later, or so I hope.) Anyhow, I'm rambling, which is a sure sign that I need to go off on a quest for protein. Many thanks for reading and pausing to share an encouraging word or three. (((hugs)))

Author's reply

Good Bill. He's no longer "only a pony", but his ego hasn't grown along with his understanding. He's still humble, which I think might be part of his charm. Bless the sweet lad. I am counting down the days with you! Rosie said she knew at some point that Sam was coming back ("I've been expecting you since the spring"); it seems reasonable that Bill might have an inkling, too. What fun!

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As you observed, in one of the meanings of the phrase, Sam is currently stumbling through the darkness alone, but Bill is with him somehow, even though the hobbit doesn't know it. Even if Bill wasn't a hero, he'd be receiving love and care and lots of attention, I'm sure. That said, his courage and determination have won many hearts, and he has more friends now than he will ever be able to count, even if he grows to the point where he can count as high as one of the Mearas. Such a good pony and a lovely character, even in the small hints the Professor provided! (Thanks!)

Author's reply

Poor Bill. His recent endeavors have stretched him to his limits, or even a bit past them. (I might say that Sam is experiencing the same phenomenon at this point in time. Having to go on without his master! Having the weight of the entire world fall upon his shoulders, and having to go on alone. Who knew that a simple gardener of the peaceful Shire could encounter such a test – and pass it! Hobbits are amazing creatures, as I think Gandalf once observed. Thanks!

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I certainly would be confused in his shoes. If he wore shoes, that is. Thanks!

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Butterbur always seemed like a solid, likable figure to me despite his tendency to succumb to distraction. Gandalf appeared to hold him in high esteem ("can think his way through a brick wall, given enough time" or something like that, as I recall him rebuking Frodo when Frodo said something less than complimentary about the innkeeper). I thought it might be plausible that the power of the Ring might enable a sort of mental or psychic connection between Sam and Bill during the time Sam served as the Ring-bearer. They may connect again later, in dreams and/or during times of strong emotion, perhaps through the power of the Voices; I'm not quite sure yet. Some of the upcoming draft chapters have multiple alternate versions, so I still have to decide which plotline to choose as I thread my way through this part of the tale while pondering the possibility of a connection between Bill and Sam might be when even Gandalf could not pierce the veil of Shadow and perceive Sam and Frodo in Mordor. Thank you for your encouragement. I really appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Author's reply

Bill is experiencing something like a waking dream in the current chapters. At this time, Sam is the Ring-bearer, and it is because of the power of the Ring that Sam and Bill have a more direct connection to each other in this part of the story. That also means that things will change when the Ring passes back to Frodo (if that is not too much of a spoiler). Thanks!

Author's reply

Excellent guess! The next chapter adds some clarity to the picture, as you expected. Thanks for pointing out details that you love; it helps me see the story through someone else's eyes and serves as encouragement to continue to add in details as I smooth out the draft chapters into polished form. (Sometimes I worry that I include too many details and they bog the story down... I can get pretty long-winded when I'm immersed in Tolkien's world.) Author Reply: p.s. to clarify, Men carried Bill down the hillside on a blanket, and then they laid the blanket and pony in the bed of a wagon that, by the end of the chapter, is now carrying Bill and Bert towards Bree.

Author's reply

I'm glad you picked up gentleness here. I was aiming for a dreamlike quality in this chapter. Outside of Bill's current sphere of perception, he is being handled with great gentleness and care (though that will only be revealed later). Author Reply: p.s. Thanks so much for pausing to share your thoughts.

Author's reply

He's in good company! After all, Frodo had a vision of Gandalf at the top of Orthanc, walking back and forth, as I recall. I'm not sure that Bill's weird connection lasts past the destruction of the Ring (though those chapters still exist only in draft form and will be polished before posting); I think the power of the Ring has something to do with Bill's ability to perceive what is happening to his hobbits. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment! I really appreciate hearing your thoughts.

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Poor Bill is suffering from a combination of over-strain and Shelob echoes. Things will get better, but he's having a rough time at the moment.

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Poor brave Bill. He's having a difficult time right now, but young Bert has learned a lot from his uncle Bob, and Bob... let's just say the hobbit is practically a pony himself. This part of his story contains another chapter or two of angst (for these chapters correspond with the timing of Shelob's lair and Frodo being held captive in the Orc tower) before things get better again. But I can assure you that they will get better. Thanks!

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Definitely. Two or three carrots, even. Preferably five or six. Thanks!

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Beg pardon. This section of Bill's story has been difficult, and Bill's been a bit preoccupied. But things will be looking up soon. Think good thoughts, if you don't mind? Thanks!

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I don't think I've ever minded hearing another thought presented. Especially if it concerns Tolkien's world. :) The suspense will continue for another chapter or two, for Bill is feeling rather muddled at present. But I can assure you, all will be explained to his satisfaction when he's had a chance to rest and recover. Thanks!

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Bill is so brave and true. As someone said to me after reading this chapter, 'He should have ALL the carrots! EVERY carrot!' I quite agree that he has earned a reward – or several. One of which will be an upcoming reunion, or even several of them. Thanks!

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Hobbity idioms certainly add a light element to a heavy situation. Author Reply: p.s. Thanks!

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"Old Rushlight" may be Bill's Old Man of Archet, or he may simply be related or acquainted (since Bill never mentions his old Man's name, it's difficult to tell at this point). Yes, another nearby community desperately needs medical supplies, and a healer into the bargain! So of course the good people who are left in Bree (now that they've run all the scoundrels out of town) will do what they can... Thanks!

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Never a dull moment... or maybe it's like the Professor said in The Hobbit: Now it is a strange thing, but things that are good to have and days that are good to spend are soon told about, and not much to listen to; while things that are uncomfortable, palpitating, and even gruesome, may make a good tale, and take a deal of telling anyway. Even though there's a long stretch of silence in Bill's story in the original text, we know that everything did not go smoothly, considering Butterbur's description of Bill's condition on arriving at Bree, along with the rest of what the good innkeeper said about life in Bree between the time the Travellers left and when they returned. In any event, Bill's adventures seem to be taking a deal of telling anyway. (LOL) Thanks!

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It has been so absorbing to contemplate Bill's experiences, and interesting (and often quite fun) to write them! This might be my most challenging gap-filler yet since writing about the Fallohides crossing the Misty Mountains. (That was mostly fun, too. How I love hobbits. Would you call Bill an honorary hobbit, perhaps?) You're very welcome, and thank you in turn for the vote of confidence.