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Just Desserts  by Lindelea 4 Review(s)
harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 16 on 10/27/2005
I guessed that he would get cut down while still gasping but not just because the Sunset bells had rung. Now what a sight for our little party of mourners to face.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 16 on 10/27/2005
Oh, hurry, our beloved King Elessar. Hurry and heal these two who so need you. And I'm glad that the evening bell has freed both. Certainly Pippin has reason to hope.

Now, to have this Steward face his own comeuppance.

Author Reply: Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "saved by the bell". But yes, they badly need the King's healing as well. Good thing he's on his way.

Thanks!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 16 on 10/27/2005
The Steward is a little rule-bound, isn't he. Five minutes to sunset - hang him. The sunset bell rings - cut him down. No matter that he isn't dead, we can finish him off in the morning. (What's happened to the theory that it wouldn't be just to make him suffer overnight?) I suppose I should be glad, because he would otherwise have encouraged Hunethon to perform the quiet neck-break. He's not really a bad man - he's just unimaginative and inflexible. And patronising.

And I'm not sure this isn't even worse an outcome for Seledrith to face - at least at the moment. Neither Jack not Will is dead - yet both still have their names on a death warrant. I hope at least one of the hobbits take Turambar and Denny - and Seledrith - to one side and explains to them just why they should be proud of both Jack and Will.

And that Aragorn manages to get back before Will's son has grown to manhood. What is keeping the man? Has he been waylaid by bandits? Has his horse been lamed? Has he lost the way? If he doesn't get back soon, I shall be very disappointed in him. And so will all his admirers among the hobbits. Ferdi, on the other hand, might eye him with a touch of cynicism and decide that all men are ruffians after all.

Author Reply: Yes, you've caught the gist of the Steward. Not evil. Just lacking in imagination. He's probably good at day-to-day stuff and where the rules are clear-cut, and he's a man you can count on, through thick and thin, so long as the issues are black and white.

I think Denny knows the story already, after talking to Robin. But definitely, the greengrocer and his daughter ought to hear the whole. The greengrocer is a man of simple love and strong loyalty, but his daughter is a woman betrayed, or at least she thinks that she is.

Keep in mind that Aragorn's kinsman lives at some distance from the city. After all, you probably wouldn't put a hunting lodge within an easy walk from a bustling city, would you? Don't think you'd find a lot of game there. Two hours or maybe a bit more, at a trot, when you know where you're going, and how far/long at a gallop? I'll have to ask Sulriel.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 16 on 10/27/2005
Now what on *earth* is holding the King up? (aside from a sneaky author)

Well, at least there is a respite till morning. And it should be very interesting indeed to see what happens in the night.

I would imagine that Pippin is just about fit to be tied. This Steward has got to be one of *the* most pig-headed creatures he's had to encounter, with the possible exception of Denethor. But then, Denethor had the excuse of being as crazy as a coot, while this particular "person" just can't seem to admit he's ever wrong.

Poor Seledrith. Poor Will. And poor Jack.

Hurry up, Strider--you're needed!

Author Reply: Dratted sneaky authors.

Your description of Pippin is perfection itself. Yes, he is. He's in the right place, though. Lots of ropes and things lying about.

Pardon the gallows humour. Craving chocolate does that sort of thing to me.

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