Reviews (249)

FantasyFan · 9 October 2003 · Chapter 18: Of Gossip and Gardeners

So, this story is going to go all the way to the Havens - that's quite a period of time to cover! I'm going to have to re-read the relevant chapters in the other stories to call back to mind what you've done already with this time. Merry is coming into his own now that he's returned home. He's got both Frodo and Sam to jab at, and he seems thoroughly comfortable with his role. I can see where the picture of the dashing young Travellers, with their finery and parties, is coming into view. Pippin just needs to be drawn out of his funk. Coming home doesn't seem to spark him quite the same way. I would guess there's quite a confusion of emotions in his young mind. Relief at surviving the war and being home at last, determination to finish the job of driving out the ruffians, tremendous anger at what has been done to the hobbits and probably a bit of guilt that he couldn't prevent it, some impatience at the provincial attitude that remains in many inhabitants of the Shire, resentment of his welcome, or lack thereof, by his family, and probably some sadness because you can't really ever come home and have things the way they were before. He most likely feels like he doesn't belong anywhere. We know it's going to take quite a bit of time before he straightens himself out. Frodo's started Freddy on the road to recovery, but he's right to tell his father how they must help Freddy fight against the darkness. It's not quite the same as the Black Breath and there's no anniversary to worry about, but he has been deeply scarred and he's going to have to fight to recover. Frodo's still trying to walk the tightrope, wanting to give the hobbits the understanding of the horror so narrowly escaped while keeping them firmly grounded in the good. It's a tough act.

Hai · 8 October 2003 · Chapter 18: Of Gossip and Gardeners

I love Merry's courtship of Rose Cotton! A little more pronounced here then in your other stories, lovely! I'm looking forward to finding out more about Freddy, poor guy. Are we going to get to see him happy at home again? Looking forward to more, thank you!

trishette · 7 October 2003 · Chapter 17: Lancing the Boil

I'm glad Freddy is finally seeing the light.

Hai · 7 October 2003 · Chapter 17: Lancing the Boil

Poor Fatty! Good thing Frodo finally got everything out of him! Hopefully he will be a little more happy about the prospect of going home! He seems to be making wonderful progress! Pippin does seem to be in bad humor, what caused that? Looking forward to more, thank you!

FantasyFan · 7 October 2003 · Chapter 17: Lancing the Boil

Merry's still trying to deal with Pippin's troubles. When Rosa describes Paladin as Angry (and maybe she sees it a bit in Pip too) you can almost see Merry challenge Frodo to hear and understand. Frodo knows well the longstanding history of Pippin and his father, but Merry thinks something has to be done soon to keep Pip off the road Freddy envisions. Wonder where Pip went and what he's doing? I was glad to see that Odo did tell his wife about what happened when he went to get Stella. It would be too easy though, for them to discuss 'twig' while Merry was there to hear and interpret - not until we get to see a little more of Stell in her disguise, and I hope to see her managing her own freedom. She will have to realilze soon that it's safe for her to return home. She must know about Ferdi's injury, and she will most likely hear talk that Freddy is rescued, if not how ill he is, but she may not know where her family is staying. I found myself holding my breath through the whole interview between Frodo and Freddy. Frodo was so close to unraveling the tangle Saruman had left in Freddy's mind, and I was afraid to hope he'd puzzle it all out. Every time Merry appeared with the tray, I wanted to shout at him and pull him out of the room, so he wouldn't derail Frodo's train of thought, or distract Freddy from finding answers to the questions. Frodo speaking to Freddy about the need to rebreak his fingers was enough to pull Freddy back into the real world, so he could remember all that was done to him and finally articulate his pain and fears. And at the end, I wanted to shout at Frodo, to make him believe what he had just told Freddy - the wizard's words are lies, and he must put them away! It is never far from the surface of my thoughts that this is just an interlude for Frodo: a brief period of relief and light, before the darkness becomes inescapable. You haven't written it that way at all, but that almost makes it worse and I cannot escape the thought of what is to come. But for today, Frodo's saved the Shire for one more hobbit, or saved one hobbit for the Shire, which is close enough to the same thing for me.

Miriel · 7 October 2003 · Chapter 17: Lancing the Boil

Poor Freddy! Thank goodness that Frodo knows just how to touch that spot that no one else can. Now I know what "going home for Yule" means. (I wondered about that in hte last chapter, as it hasdn't been mentioned previously.) Poor Freddy. (Although I've said that many times before, it still holds true.) Ah, so Merry now begins the Courtship of Rose Cotton. Heehee.

FantasyFan · 7 October 2003 · Chapter 16: Dreams of Home

Tolkien said something about the power of the voice of Saruman, that some who hear it remain ever afterwards in its thrall. Freddy is physically stronger, and mentally much closer to the real world, but Saruman's voice is still eating away at him inside, like an apple with a worm at its core. His hold on the ground he's gained is precarious. I'm hoping Frodo figures it all out, before it's too late. Frodo seems a bit more comfortable with his title of Mayor, now that he's realized he doesn't have to do anything. There won't be too many banquets for him to preside at, for the short term, and an edict or two isn't too hard. I'm still enjoying seeing him take a part in the byplay between the hobbits. None of them have really settled back into normal life yet, but there's a hint of relief at being home (except for Pip). I wish it could last for Frodo. I like the feast with legs that moved from room to room, and the song. Is it original, or a folksong?

Miriel · 6 October 2003 · Chapter 15: Another Pause

whew. At least Ferdi is begininning to recover. I liked him "Counting" on Frodo...that is a silly phrase, come to think of it. Ah, back to the Red Book. So you *were* reading from it all along, which answers my other question. So I was right! Estella is still "Twig." Very good. Kudos to you for such a well pur-together story.

FantasyFan · 6 October 2003 · Chapter 14: Pouncing on Fredegar

Frodo is positively enjoying poking Freddy. I think we all enjoy it more, once Freddy starts to come out of the fog a little and can respond. He doesn't know what's going on right now, but his memory of old days is returning and a little of the old spirit. It's quite a relief. Frodo is funny! Nobody else ever writes write post-quest Frodo joking, but he couldn't have been sad and sick all the time. Pippin's 'Wakey, Wakey" makes a return as well as a memory of Estella the Terror, jokes about feeding Freddy like a new father with a cranky babe, and even a couple of quips at his own expense. I am absolutely enchanted. Of course, the business with Estella is a bit more serious. I understand that this is an old-fashioned culture, but I'm getting a little tired of all the menfolk protecting their wives from bad news. Some of the strongest characters in the Shire are female, and they're not getting a chance to prove their worth in a crisis. Odo doesn't even have a plan right now - who will he talk it over with, if he can't talk to his wife? I'm looking forward to hearing about Stell's adventures, from her point of view. I'm sure it wasn't pleasant, but I'm also glad you gave us that hint that she's alive and well.

FantasyFan · 6 October 2003 · Chapter 13: More than Fast Enough

Two chapters at once - I can't keep up with your output, and I'm only writing two paragraphs to your pages of material! It was good to see Ferdinand. He always was crusty, but even more so here without Ferdi to soften him. Both he and Odovocar have lost a daughter, and are losing a son. How freeing it is to let out the word 'dying.' It strips away the superficial so that other words than need to be said, can be. I loved seeing Twig interact with Merry. He's saved her life, and she won't forget that, but she's also fooled him, and once the shock wears off, I think she's enjoying it. Fooling people whom she knows probably has been quite a source of amusement for Stell in the past half-year. It seems like everything is consipiring to keep Odo from finding Stell. Ferdi's clue can mean nothing to him, but he has sent everyone else away who might have grasped a meaning. Merry is riding away from the Smials when he encounters the familiar-looking lad, and will probably not be back for a while. I don't think he actually realizes the gravity of Freddy's situation anyway, as Frodo sent him to bed rather than ask him to help with the round-the-clock feeding. I wonder who the family is that has taken in a Took 'cousin' and how much they know. Good planning on Ferdi's part anyway, as it would be much easier to disgiuse Stella as a boy in an out-of-the-way farmstead, than among numerous relations where personal matters are difficult to conceal, and any slip would be seen my many eyes.

FnatasyFan · 6 October 2003 · Chapter 11: Ups and Downs

It's getting worrysome watching Freddy's inner torment continue. I know it's really been a short time since he was liberated, that he is very weak and that you cannot undo in a day what has been painfully learned over months; however, it's sad to watch the hobbits around him think they are making progress without realizing Freddy distinuishes very little reality amid terrible delusions. Someone will have to break the mental barriers soon, or I am afraid the healer's fears could become true. Ooooo, Regi doesn't know Estella is there. I can't believe she's still with Rosemary's family. Is it possible she's gone to the Smials but kept her disguise for the whole time? I wouldn't put it past Estella to have tried. She seemed quite fiery and mischievious in the earlier stories. She might have done it for a lark, or she might have chosen to grasp at the relative freedom a young boy would have, compared to the cosseted youngest lass of a gentle-born hobbit family. She's got enough Took in her to look at this as an advenure of her own, and a chance to do something besides hide from the ruffians. Or is there totally something else going on? I love to try to guess, even when I'm wildly wrong. I'll be eagerly waiting to see you pick up this cliffhanger!

Hai · 5 October 2003 · Chapter 11: Ups and Downs

Oh, no! Where is Estella if not here? Still at the Woody End? I hope the Bolgers will all be reunited soon! They have been through a lot! How wonderful of Lobelia to give back Bag End and even want to pay for it to be fixed! Looking forward to more! Thank you!

Miriel · 5 October 2003 · Chapter 11: Ups and Downs

Oh no! Where could Estella be? Or is she still "twig?" My heart just breaks as Fatty's tortured mind refuses to take the food-so sad. Very smart of the hobbits, to make themselves look far poorer than they are. This is excellent. Update soon!

Miriel · 5 October 2003 · Chapter 8: Suitable for Hobbits

Poor Freddy-I hope that he can recover from those awful ruffians, and that he will realize that he is safe. I enjoyed MErry's shock at lobielias kindness. Very good.

FantasyFan · 4 October 2003 · Chapter 9: Of Pig Slops and Milk Toast

Doing a good deed should be its own reward, they always say, but it sure is nice to see the results of your own kindness, and know both that it made a difference and that it was appreciated. It's good for all the farmers that Tad brings them in, to see that Freddy has survived, and that their bit of trickery with the pig slops is remembered. The farmers have already been working together, but there's a lot of work still to be done to restore the dilapidated buildings: perhaps the Bolgers will choose to help with the work, or contribute to the costs, to show their thanks. Freddy's still got some serious problems. I wonder how long it will take before it really sinks in, that the ruffians are gone for good.

FantasyFan · 4 October 2003 · Chapter 8: Suitable for Hobbits

Poor Freddy! He certainly is in a bad way. His thoughts remind me of Merry's, "Are you going to bury me?" after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. There's no black breath for Freddy to fight, but in a different way the voice of Saruman is just as poisonous. Perhaps this is an example of the infection Merry hopes to burn out of the Hobbit's memories. Hunger is awakened, but fear prevents Freddy for asking for more. Death will be a release, though he will try to be brave. Frodo is in a position to understand a little of what is going through Freddy's mind - but even he doesn't realize the whole of it. Saruman's voice has gotten deep in Freddy's mind, and I wonder what it will take to exorcise it for good. The scene where Frodo becomes Deputy Mayor is pure fun. Sometime's Merry is like a sharp pointed stick poking at his cousin. Merry's had years to refine the art of pulling Frodo out of himself, just as Frodo's perfected his role of softening Merry's sharp edges (and pulling Pippin down off the ceiling). Then, Lobelia. Grief is a funny thing. She's heartbroken over the death of her son. Does she now see the long, twisted path that lead to his death, and her own part in opening Lotho to arrogance and greed? I don't think she's just acting out of a rigid interior view of 'the way things ought to be done.' Frodo's reluctance to open the note, in case it might burst into flames in his hands, is quite amusing. I like, "Ah, well, he’d faced Shelob. Surely Lobelia could be no worse." The troubles have changed a few for the better, like Lobelia and Fatty's father, and even Farmer Cotton. A few will be heavily scarred by the experience, like Frodo himself, Lobelia I think, and possibly Fatty.

FantasyFan · 3 October 2003 · Chapter 7: One Step at a Time

Just some disjointed thoughts today. I meant to add to the review of the last chapter, that I finally understand the title now. The focus is not to be on the troubles, but that the troubles are over and did not change the hobbits. Sometimes it takes me a while. Frodo's forgotten already that Bag End is ruined, and besides doesn't belong to him any more. He's quite resilient himself, as I suppose would be essential to the task he's completed. We don't see much yet of the darkness that will eventually leave him without peace. Odovacar and the Bolgers have come down in the world a bit - hiding in a gardener's closet and sleeping on a cot. Perhaps a little lessening of the class system would be a good thing to result from the troubles. Shirefolk could use tragedy to learn how to pull together in a closer-knit community, similar to the feelings in the US after 9/11. Some memories of adversity are worth keeping. Poor Freddy! He will have to have all his fingers rebroken in three or four weeks. It would have been a kindness to do it while he was still so out of it, but I can understand not wanting to add to the shock. He doesn't even remember what he did to keep Estella safe. Stella's been at the Smials for quite a while: perhaps here's where we see Paladin evaluate her as a wife for Pippin? There's been no time yet for such thoughts, so something must bring it to his mind - if not now, maybe later should Estella return to the Smials to visit the friends she's undoubtedly made there. You've got plenty of time for that particular scenario to play out. But I would love to see more of Stella here, and both Pippin and Merry will be there for interaction. Then, the last two lines: again, Merry's determination that the hobbits take no more harm from the troubles, and retain their core of goodness. Only those who witnessed it will remember the violence of the scene where Saruman's throat is slit, and Wormtongue is executed. There's a hint of Frodo's regret for the fall of a being who once was great, just for us who love that part of the book.

FantasyFan · 2 October 2003 · Chapter 6: Picking Up the Pieces

There's quite a fine line Merry is trying to walk here. Frodo is going to write their story in the Red Book, and he hopes that the Hobbits will know and remember what happened, in order to love their freedom all the more. But Merry sees the danger in the hobbits losing their innocence, internalizing evil by dwelling on it. Merry's view eventually prevails, and the rest of the Shire neither knows nor cares about what Frodo has done for them. Here, Frodo understands and agrees with what Merry is trying to do - Pippin is young and has already seen more evil than is good for him. He will eventually occupy a position of great influence, and more than anyone else he will have to balance the authority and power of the Thainship with hobbit sense and humility. He's already had more than a taste of terror, he'll end up with a fair bit of adulation, and the young are always in danger of idealistic zeal. Merry wants to hear pity and mercy from Pip, but he sees bitterness here, which probably dismays him more than the outrage. You've spoken a bit before on the idea of the innocence of Hobbit culture. It's quite interesting here to see Merry (and to a degree, Frodo) making a deliberate decision toward preserving it, similar to the protective attitude of the Rangers. The innocence, however, comes at a price. Frodo ends up bearing that burden as well. In the light of all of this, Sam ends his story for the younger Fairbairns without a happily-ever-after. The rest of the story comes tomorrow. Will he make his history vague for them? When he's finished his tales, he'll be gone to the Havens. What does he want to leave as parting wisdom? He's going to leave the Red Book for Elanor. It's so sweet that he wants to take a little time with it before he goes - spending a last few hours with Mr. Frodo - even though in his heart he hopes (knows?) he will be reunited with the real thing very soon.

Miriel · 2 October 2003 · Chapter 6: Picking Up the Pieces

I'm in agreement with Merry on the matter. I wonder why Pippin disagrees. Um, quick question. If Sam and Fastred and Elanor are reading from the Red Book, would Merry and Pip's POV and conversation be in there? Or is this simply the finishing of the tale? I do love reading this. Update soon, please!

Miriel · 2 October 2003 · Chapter 2: Mistress Lobelia Takes the Cake

Oh, I am delighted to have more Lobielia! There was hardly enough of her in "The REbel." (Although, that was about Fatty, not her. :) Her specially pointed umbrella! How DO you come up with all of these lovely things? I certainly hope that they make it hot. (Although, I'm sure that they wouldn't dare not to.) Excellent so far.

Hai · 2 October 2003 · Chapter 6: Picking Up the Pieces

You are into the recovery of the Shire right now, eh? I must say these are really good and I guess I never thought of it in this depth, what they actually had to come back to recover from and try to forget, or mostly the other hobbits who watched the Shire fall apart. I hope to see more of Lobelia! I love how you wrote the Ruffians being afraid of her! Lets you like her more then in pre-Quest stories. Looking forward to more! Thank you!

FantasyFan · 1 October 2003 · Chapter 4: A Little Fall of Rain

The stories are just pouring out! I love it! It seems that between the last chapter and this one, there wasn't quite enough time for the prisoners to die. It's a good thing Frodo and company didn't delay any longer. I like the idea of Sharkey putting a curse on the storage hole, so that the townspeople would be afraid to enter. It's perfectly in character. Intimidation was a big part of what happened in the Shire, like the fear that kept the hobbits in the cells with no doors. Frodo has a wonderful idea to use the Phial to light the way. If the power of Galadriel could strengthen Sam and him at Cirith Ungol, perhaps it would strengthen the cowed hobbits here too. It's too bad that the use of 'Elven magic' is likely to make the insular hobbits distrustful of Frodo - they don't want anything to do with magic in any form. Merry's courage in entering the doorway before the spell was broken is what is most likely to be remembered. I am still struck by the characterization of Lobelia. As sour and angry and greedy as she had been, there was a core of decency buried deep down. Not a shred of her unpleasant personality has changed, but she has finally focused outside herself. If that isn't metanoia, I don't know what is. She is reconciled to the community, who spontaneously acknowledge her deeds with cheers, as personified specifically by the Bolgers, who offer her a place to stay. All that remains for her redemption to be complete is remorse for her past, and she clearly has accomplished that by the time she restores Bag End to Frodo and leaves her money to help hobbits left homeless by the troubles. The concept of second-chances is so important to Tolkien. Every major baddie is given a chance for repentance, mercy deliberately offered - none take it, although Smeagol comes closest, and Saruman wavers for a long second before he is conquered by hate and fear. Lobelia's change of focus seems to have been entirely internally generated, without a specific moment of insight or deliberate invitation. I would like to hear some of that recognition in her thoughts, perhaps during the mopping up to come. Write on!

FantasyFan · 1 October 2003 · Chapter 3: Evil, Personified

I see you've added a prologue to this story. It seems as if Sam has found the secret treasure-trove of stories I was wishing for. LOL! I suppose I have as much eagerness as the Fairbarn hildren to read a new story about the hobbits - that's what brings me here, after all. The crossed out titles remind me of Bilbo more than Frodo - Frodo seemed to have a firmer grasp of what he wanted to say. But it does call attention to the title, which is somewhat enigmatic. I remember a conversation in Mordor, about evil being a small and passing thing, and light and beauty existing above it all. It's comforting in a way, but it also speaks to the smallness of our entire lives in the grand scheme of things, which is humbling at least if not downright depressing. Once again a hobbit looks at Fredegar's emaciated, pointed face and thinks they are seeing a Took. I know Fredegar is part Took, although I can't remember the exact lineage. Perhaps is it a measure of his Tookish obstanancy and spirit coming to the fore. Fatty is a Bolger through and through, but the Rebel is just as much every bit a Took. (By the way, when you think of how a Took looks, are you influenced by Billy Boyd?) There are a couple of important points in the last chapter that certainly make the plot flow plausibly. The ruffians think Lobelia may be a spy - therefore they are less eager than they ever were to challenge her. That makes it easier to swallow their fear of an old hobbit harridan. And, once that fear is removed by Sharkey's visit, they drug her in order to safely move her to the cell. A very sensible move on the ruffian's part. In the dark, all alone, will they even bother to feed her, now that they are back in control? Will the treatment of the other prisoners return to its former brutality? Once again I am wishing for the travelers to rescue the hobbit prisoners soon. Oh- and I love "They were not at all trustworthy, to her thinking." Only Lobelia would think any of them should be.

FantasyFan · 30 September 2003 · Chapter 1: Every Ruffian's Worst Nightmare

I do enjoy your knack for writing scenes from several points of view. Here you focus on Lobelia's righteous indignation. She definitely knows what is right and what is not. It doesn't matter that Fatty, lying on the floor of the cell, reminds her of her son - he is not being treated justly and it is to her credit that she insists something be done about it. She, and her deadly umbrella, will brook no interference with putting things right. The telling line is, "Young Lobelia hadn’t been one afraid to get her hands dirty, though she hadn’t had to do so in quite awhile." I think of the oft-told assertion that a bully will back down when confronted by strong resistance from a potential vicitm, even when the victim is much smaller. The ruffians prove the point here. I suppose that Bilbo and Frodo can be forgiven now for never finding the exact way to deal with Lobelia, as the ruffians can't figure it out either. It makes one wonder what things would have been like, had someone found a way to harness Lobelia's energy to kinder ends, for all those miserable years. I'm looking forward to seeing the encounter with Saruman from Lobelia's perspective as well.