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A Healer's Tale by Lindelea	9 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/18/2005
Very sweet introduction between Pippin and Merry. Author Reply: It was fun to imagine. I have read several accounts of the birth, and so it was interesting to come up with my own unique take. I don't think anyone else has had a broken-armed Merry cradling his newborn cousin. Thanks for the reviews!

sevenall	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/7/2005
What a wonderful atmosphere of homecoming and warmth in this chapter! And affirmation as well, of Sweetbriar among the Tooks and of Woodruff, both as healer and as an individual. I'm looking forward to meeting the Took that will sweep Woodrugg off _her_ feet. I like the small hints you've put in of Woodruff's competence and confidence in her own skills and how easily and naturally she takes care of both Merry and Pippin. Author Reply: The Took who sweeps Woodruff off her feet is a pretty special Took, at that! Thanks!

Anso the Hobbit	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/7/2005
Finally I have some time to descend upon this story! My life is so busy at the moment and I haven`t been too well so stories and hobbits have had to wait and still has for a bit, but I got some time off now. I`ve told you before and I`m saying it again: Lovely! Of course, putting in some Merry h/c alwasy melts my heart, but I love how you show these events from the healer`s perspective. She`s a wonderful person, your Woodruff. I like her very much. :) I very much like how you`ve showed what happened during Pippin`s birth. It`s hard to come by unique takes on that these days but I very much liked how you`ve pictured it. I like how you pictured Merry and Pippin`s first meeting too. Merry matter of fact and Pippin curious, looking up at him. I think Woodruff really loved Pippin and the interludes are so full of love and devotion that they almost made me cry. Author Reply: Ah, yes, the Merry h/c, I hadn't even thought about that--I just knew it came at this point on the timeline. I do like Woodruff, too. She'd have to be a special person to have been a healer amongst Tooks for so many years. "Merry matter of fact and Pippin curious" Sort of sums up their personalities, doesn't it? You're right. Woodruff really does love Pippin, sort of like a nephew even though he is only a cousin-by-marriage. Thanks!

Connie B.	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/6/2005
What a sweet chapter. I really liked the scene with everyone gathered round the dinner table. It reminded me a lot of family get-togethers when I was a child. I have always seen simulatities between the Tooks and my own large, loud and opinionated family.:) Merry's first meeting with Pippin was so nice. It shows that life can be like a circle. Woodruff is clearly going to fit in well with this new arangement. Thanks for the update. Connie B. Author Reply: Yes, that is one of the themes of this story, that life is a circle. Hmmm, so you must be related to me. My family must have been descended from the Old Took. At least, they have a lot of Tookish qualities. Thanks!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/6/2005
Another delightful introduction for Woodruff. I love the way Sweetbriar is already protective of her young assistant, protecting her from the boisterous jests of the Tooks, and lavishing her praise. Interesting sidelight on how Sweetbriar came to get her new apprentice. I do detect a little hint there that she just might have used Lalia's name in vain, in addition to the money, to coax the old Bracegirdle bezom out of her basically free help. Sweetbriar's definitely a clever one, but then she'd need to be to have made her way among all those recalcitrant Tooks. And Merry--oh, I do love the little meeting between Merry and Pippin. I was tickled at his assumption that the baby had to be a girl. And then his instant and touching recall of what Frodo had told him when he realize it really was a lad-cousin. This must be the cousin Frodo predicted! And of course it was! Frodo was always right! How sweet and loving! So wonderful for Woodruff to be able to see that momentous occasion, though I'm sure no one except Merry himself knew just how important it was. Author Reply: Lovely long review, insightful too. "Used Lalia's name in vain" snork I think Woodruff realised, years later, what a momentous occasion it was! Thanks!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/6/2005
'a pandemonium of young hobbits' By the way, I absolutely love your collective noun for hobbits! Author Reply: Ah, thank you. It just seemed to fall from the pen of its own volition.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/6/2005
What an adorable little sleep-creased Merry. And a positive introduction for him to the healer with whom he will deal so much in the effort to keep his cousin alive. She offered him food, comfort and Pippin. Interesting background on Woodruff. I'm quite surprised that Rotten Rosie was prepared to let her go if she was efficient enough to save the Bracegirdle from having to exert herself too much. Still, money talks - and some hear it better than others. You must have such a complicated timeline on what happens to everyone at each point over the years. I had almost forgotten that Merry broke his arm in that race. Do you ever lose track? What a delightful collection of my favourite figures gathered round that table - and how sweet and considerate they were to the shabby healer's apprentice. I should imagine that Ferdinand's boisterous warmth and kindness came back to reward him many times over the years to come. Author Reply: "offered him food, comfort and Pippin" I love your turns of phrase. Money does talk, and Rosie was in the position of losing Woodruff soon anyhow--at nearly thirty, she was approaching marriageable age. This way she received a goodly sum for her trouble. I'd imagine that Woodruff's dedicated care, after she became head healer at the Great Smials, of Ferdinand--and his son--stemmed from his kindness in the early years. Thanks!

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/6/2005
I am sorry Lindelea, I have been lurking and enjoying your story but haven't got round to reviewing. I just loved this introduction of Merry to Pippin. And 'a pandemonium of hobbits' well! grins Author Reply: Well, I'm very glad to have your review! Glad you're enjoying the story. Thanks!

Pearl Took	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/6/2005
VWD!!!! You had asked . . . keep the pattern. I love the ebb and flow, the waxing and waning. You have a soothing, loving, gentle thread running throughout. A joy to read, a joy. Author Reply: Thank you for your input. That is exactly what I was aiming at, an ebb and flow, an impression of "coming" and "going". So glad it's apparent in the reading.

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