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A Matter of Appearances by Lindelea	5 Review(s)
demeter d	Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 8/19/2006
OOOOOOhhhhhhhh! Both of your storylines are coming to a crisis point. When does Ferdi really 'wake up" enough to call out? And what will they baddies do to the poor little lad? Will the young ruffian develop a conscience? So many questions. I like Merry's trying to encourage Pippin with hopeful memories. We can only hope that the same meemories still help Farry. Author Reply: Well, by now your questions are answered! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

storyfish	Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 8/17/2006
Oh no oh no oh no! bites off fingernails I strongly dislike Red. He's not just bad, he's scary-evil. (Farry, run away!) Now I understand why you didn't want to write this chapter...this is AWFUL! But, y'know, somehow I still can't tear my eyes away. sits on the edge of her seat, eyes glued to the screen (Dude, this is getting good...) What a great scene you have here between Merry and Pippin. I nearly dropped my tea when I read, ‘Do you suppose Strider felt this way, following us? The Three Hunters?’ he added, for clarification. Merry's so observant. I'd never thought about it that way before! But now I'll never be able to get that thought out of my mind when I read about the Three Hunters. What DID it feel like to pursue the trail of the orcs...? I've thought many times about what Merry and Pippin must have felt...but I never stopped to think about Strider, Legolas, and Gimli. Hmmm, would love to read a fic from their perspective. And poor, poor Pippin. I'm nowhere near having kids, but the older I get, the easier I can imagine..... Author Reply: Hmmm, would love to read a fic from their perspective. You have a treat in store. Check out Dreamflower's story: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=4920 As a matter of fact, when I was writing the draft of this, I was thinking from Merry and Pippin's perspective, during the Orc chase. It was only after reading Dreamflower's fic that I started imagining the scene from the "other" side. If you thought this chapter was hard to write, um, well, it doesn't hold a candle to the next. I'm so glad that the story is almost over. I do believe (unless chapter 25 splits itself in half, due to length) that lots of things will be resolved in chapter 26. Thanks so much for taking time to share your thoughts.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 8/17/2006
Oh, sweet Valar! Nasty Big Men, nasty! Look about, Sam, and follow that brawny Man. And Woodruff--you'd best HURRY! Twitch, Ferdi--sit up or something! Author Reply: Go, Sam, go. (Hmmm. That might work in a basal reader.) The Big Men are very nasty and I fear their time in Mandos will stretch long indeed. (Evil men go to Mandos too, don't they?)

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 8/17/2006
Well ... It's just as well that no-one is keen to sprinkle lots of earth on Ferdi's face. Though I'm more than a little anxious that Woodruff gets there before his breathing is made any more difficult! ... ... I suppose that, in the end, Ferdi might come to appreciate the fact that he got to listen to his own eulogy. After all, there's not many as do! Merry's doing his best to hearten Pippin and make him believe that Farry can come out of this relatively undamaged - but really, Pippin's far too knowing to accept Merry's encouragement. I hoped Sam was going to spot the withdrawal of the brawny man ... but it looks as if the Three Farthing Stone hobbits might be too distracted to pick up on him. Shame. It won't do Farry any good if that message makes it back to the Fat Man. It looks as if Porky is just about to push the young villain into doing something unforgivable. If Red doesn't kick up too much of a fuss. I'm worried! I hope Farry is scheming - and figuring out some way of stretching the debate out. Or that the brawny man will provide a distraction. Or something! Author Reply: Woodruff is on her way. Go, Sweetie, go! (Feeling rather like a cheerleader, waving puffy things and shouting.) "Whistling in the dark" I think they call it. Merry knows that Pippin is far too knowing, but he'll talk lightly anyhow. And Pippin will try. Sam's on the ball. Or at least Jay is. He was a good choice for Shirriff, and I'm glad Pippin put in a good word for him. That little act of thoughtfulness may well pay him back, with dividends. "Porky and Red"!! What a pair, makes me think of pork and beans. Hmm. Baked beans. Well, yes, that might work. (See a future chapter.) Farry is dreaming at the moment, not scheming, but he will have his chance to... um... think about the consequences of his actions, and make a conscious decision that requires all his wit and nerve, in his effort to survive this. Am I giving too much away?

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 8/17/2006
I couldn't help but find Ferdi's thoughts at the beginning humorous--he's listening to all the nice things being said of him--it reminded me of Tom Sawyer at his own funeral...only, thank goodness, Ferdi doesn't understand. But then...well, you weren't kidding about the angst. Poor Pippin! And Merry, trying so hard to keep the dark at bay for both of them! And yes, I would guess that Strider's searching for them would have been a good deal on their minds. I loved the way Merry reminded Pippin of his accomplishments--and that Farry took after his father! And this batch of Ruffians are truly dreadful, with the possible exception of "the young one". And hurry up, Woodruff! Ferdi's "dream" is going to turn into a nightmare if you don't!! Author Reply: Yes, chief mourner at his own funeral. This story was influenced to some degree by the fact that "Tom Sawyer" was our read-aloud earlier in the month. (We've just finished "Little Britches" and are going on to the next in that series.) Also, your story of the Three Hunters was of some influence in this chapter. I had been focusing on Pippin and Merry's experience, while writing the draft. I hadn't thought much about Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas; so thanks for bringing them to mind. These ruffians are truly dreadful, the worst sort, as Pippin called them. The young one might not be totally lost, yet, but his soul is definitely endangered.

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