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The Tenant from Staddle by Larner	12 Review(s)
annmarwalk	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/21/2007
I like the way the polite small-talk between Frodo and his unexpected visitors evolves into a bit of a rambling, thoughtful discourse, as the wide-eyed strangers ask questions and explanations of history, current, and local events that Frodo, having been raised somewhat more liberally than most hobbits, has taken for granted. It's interesting to observe Frodo as he must conquer his own native humility and reticence in order to describe these events dispassionately! I'm sure Sam's version would be quite different. Author Reply: Oh, I suspect you're right about Sam's version being much different from Frodo's. But this is one way to learn about the outer world, don't you think? Heh! Thanks for the comments, Ann.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/10/2006
An enjoyable chapter, I especially liked Frodo's descrition of Aragorn. Author Reply: Yes, Frodo's love for Aragorn would be on-going ever, I'd think. His friend, their King--in that order; terrifying and teasing by turns.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/7/2006
Nice to see Pando again, and I was amused that Frodo knew so well he would be somewhere out there, trying to spy on him. Ah, finally Boboli has meet Frodo! He was quite a surprise for Frodo, no doubt. Not to mention Teo's new clothes ... If I’d tried harder to befriend Lotho instead of allowing myself to loath him Now, that is complete nonsense, and Frodo should know it. No friendship could have turned Lotho into a honourable hobbit, even less so as his own parents were so nasty. Frodo was surprisingly open with Boboli and his children. But then, they do probably understand a bit more than the hobbits who never set one foot outside the Shire. Still, one thing has not changed – Frodo is talking most animatedly as long as the topic is Aragorn. Hm ... Frodo can't count on the service of Brendi in this matter, but has to ask Bartolo? This will be difficult. Author Reply: I've mentioned Frodo's interactions with Pando in "The King's Commission," but hadn't ever shown them happening. Felt it was time to show that by this time Frodo was well aware of his little spy. Yes, Bob and Frodo are now acquainted, and each is finding he likes the other. And as Frodo notes, it's obvious the Powers are intent on keeping him reminded of what he is in the outer world. You're right about Lotho, but we do tend to want to believe we MIGHT have changed things somehow if only we'd.... Yes, Aragorn does set his tongue wagging, and he just can't help telling stories. And yes, having to deal with Bartolo Bracegirdle won't be easy for either of them.

Lúmë	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/7/2006
Rhyming review #1: I knew Frodo would to them be nice He gave them pie and apple slice But shame, to think a little dog might give poor Frodo such a fright! (This is harder than I thought it'd be :-)) Author Reply: This is wonderful! I'm honored indeed. Yes, making certain things scan properly is difficult, which is why I've never done much poetry and why I so love Tolkien's. Poor Frodo, having to overcome his fear of dogs; but at least Lister is a small one, and he's able to recognize the ratter didn't intend to be aggressive.

SurgicalSteel	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/6/2006
Well, that's quite a pickle you've put Frodo in, and no mistake! It'll be interesting to see how he handles the legal issues. Author Reply: Frodo will see the legal issues met, although it will stress both him and the lawyer. But it's fun to see how different folk would react to the situation. One Hobbit lawyer is going to have a very mind-broadening experience soon.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/6/2006
But, then, the Hobbits inside the Shire were strange folk compared to those of the Breelands--everyone knew that. Maybe only folks as was a bit cracked would be considered as Mayor. LOL!!! Now that train of thoughts could also have come from Pippin. Fantastic;-) That was a long chapter with a load of new information to ponder! As some reviewers have already remarked, Frodo seems to reveal far more of his journey to Bob than he did to other hobbits much closer to him. Bob and his family are strangers, and unlike the inhabitants of the Shire they did not know Frodo before he left and thus they will not or can not see all the changes in him after his return. Or so he thinks! Bob examined what he could see of his host. "That may be," he said slowly and shrewdly, "but it can’t be denied as ye ain’t quite as ye was afore, I’ll be bound, and I’ll wager as it goes far deeper’n just your finger bein’ gone." And Bob proves him wrong! Poor Frodo! He wanted to forget all about the quest, to be a plain hobbit again. But this particular day he has no chance at all. P.S.: I was anticipating the scene when Frodo and Teo meet and Teo wears that fine clothing. Wonderfully done. Thank you! Author Reply: Hobbits do tend to use whatever logic comes to mind, I suspect; so it was fun to figure out how Bob might react to the idea that Frodo was indeed cracked. Often it's easier to confess things to those who don't have an emotional investment in the person, and so Frodo is able to open up a bit more to these than he can with family--but that's not uncommon. And you're right--Bob does prove Frodo wrong in perceiving that the changes aren't just superficial. The quest isn't anything anyone can just put behind them, a fact he'll keep fighting until he leaves the Shire. And so glad you liked the confrontation with Thranduil's gift.

Endaewen	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/6/2006
An interesting set of problems Frodo has there. Hopefully you are going to solve them soon for him. Author Reply: Yes, a set of problems indeed that will in the end be sorted out, but not without difficulty and some confrontations.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/6/2006
"He worries for me, Pando. He worries for me, having seen what evil can do." He looked away. "He’d do better, perhaps, to worry for what I might do myself," he whispered so softly Pando had to strain to hear him. "Certainly I’ve heard the urgings of Morgoth spoken in my own heart often enough--It saw to that." It should be all done and over with. The rape of Frodo should have stopped at the time the Ring was destroyed, but it goes on and on and nothing can stop it until he leaves. I realize this is the way such violations go on long after the actual crime is over, but the poor dear so suffer so much, to achieve so much too and not to think he's worthwhile. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: At least now most of the time Frodo recognizes the urgings as being from outside himself; but once that channel has been opened it tends to remain so indefinitely. In order to close it off at last he must go where Morgoth's voice can be easily identified and ignored and the channel either properly buffered or closed down. As long as he remains in Middle Earth Frodo Baggins has one open wound kept irritated by the fact the likes of Morgoth don't easily learn to shut up. Now it is more Morgoth than the Ring, at least.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/6/2006
An intriguing chapter. It seems that the office of Mayor includes far more actual work than Tolkien indicated -- at least, I'd always got the impression that the Mayor's function was largely ceremonial. Of course, what with the Shire recovering from its troubles, it's likely that the office of Mayor has expanded to fill the work available. Frodo has lost none of his penchant for speechifying, I see. The Hedges seem like a nice family. They understand that Frodo seems to need someone just to sit and listen to his adventures. Turns out to be for the best that Faradir sent them to Hobbiton after all. Author Reply: Tolkien indicated the Mayor oversees the Shiriffs, possibly the Quick Post, and officiates at banquets. But as I've stated in author's notes to previous chapters the probability is that he also helps oversee the registration and filing of documents and possibly the activities of the Shire's lawyers as well, as the Shire is shown as a legalistic society requiring seven signatures in red ink on many legal documents. And so I played a bit with what kinds of responsibilities that might entail in "The Choice of Healing" and have continued on with it in other stories as well, particularly "Stricken from the Book" in Moment in Time and "The Acceptable Sacrifice" in the second half of the work. But imagine if the Mayor has been imprisoned for several months, and the complications of trying to see to it documents that had stacked up are properly reviewed, registered, and filed; much less with the problems of sorting out the bogus claims for reparations and trying to piece together how Lotho ending up owning almost all the inns and mills in the Shire. As deputy Mayor in my view of things Frodo had his hands full.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/6/2006
Aha, so they are both in the same place at the same time, at last! Although, it doesn't look like good timing for Frodo initially. He seems to be much more open with the youngsters and with someone from outside the Shire than he does with those close to him or with the Shire inhabitants. Some hope of finding less resistant minds and one with a wider world view perhaps? I liked the kitchen take over! And the rest of the chapter too. Now who is going to sort that contract! Haven't been able to go home today - which has disappointed Mum and Dad as it was my birthday last Wednesday! My friend's mum has had a mini=stroke.She is home again but Anna needed me to sit with her last night while she went to an unavoidable meeting and again today while she arranges with work to do some at home. Difficult being needed in two places at once and I suspect that I have ruined some plan at home although Dad will never say so! Author Reply: Yes, they've finally met. Frodo's taken aback, but his native courtesy and hospitality will help him overcome that. And it often is easier to explain things to those who aren't felt to have emotional investments in the situation, something most who've known Frodo will have, as he has an emotional investment in trying first to appear normal and second to try to protect them from the horrors he's experienced. And, as Bob and his family have experienced horrors in the war OUT THERE, it's easier to believe he will understand better than the more protected folk here at home. As for who's going to write the contract--he has a choice of three, one of whom is now in the Lockholes himself and another under suspicion of illegalities and conspiracy. That doesn't leave a lot of choice. My late husband had a series of TIAs in his last few years, so know how much they can knock one for a loop. Am praying she doesn't have more soon.

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