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The Tenant from Staddle by Larner	8 Review(s)
BIJeDW06sFq	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 1/12/2016
That's a we-l-thoughtlout answer to a challenging question Author Reply: Thanks for the comments.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/7/2007
Sorry it's taken so long to get this latest chapter. :( But glad, of course, to see someone else sticking up for Frodo. I know I would feel the same way as he did, the same guilt and shame, but it's not your fault, darling! Conquered indeed. :( Namarie, God bless, Antane Author Reply: Hobbits in general seem to spark protective feelings on those of good will of other races, and Frodo particularly inspired deep and abiding loyalties--how else would Legolas and Gimli have managed to make it to Caradhras without killing one another if it weren't for the tempering influence of Frodo and Aragorn, I wonder? Yes, conquered by a force beyond any mortal's strength, there at the end; but saved by Eru's use of Gollum. And Aragorn's kinsmen would appreciate that, I'm certain. Thanks, Antane.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/4/2007
Dauraman's evil knows no bounds, interesting to see justice in Arnor as the Northern Kingdom is often neglected. Author Reply: Saruman's actions must have haunted several lands for years and years. Now that Aragorn is King, the laws of Arnor must take precedence over those of the Breelands, at least from time to time. And these three need to be dealt with, for certain!

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/3/2007
Interesting explanations about the laws in the Breelands in this chapter. The breeding of these half-orcs, on the other hand, makes me shudder. To be honest, I’d prefer to hope the Traveller’s talk about half-orcs on their return to the Shire was only speculation, because it is such a nightmare to imagine. But Tolkien left not much room for this, I fear. And to think these women drowned during the flooding of Isengard ... it’s enough to feel sick, isn’t it? The sentence against the two Southerners was just, I’d say. Halladan proved a worthy Steward and judge, taking all their circumstances and behaviour into account. What surprised me most in this chapter was that Halladan purchased Bender’s farm. That was completely unexpected, and I think Bender got away very well – maybe even a bit too easy, considering that Halladan is willing to pay even more than the farm is worth. One can only hope he learned his lesson nonetheless. And I think other would-be suitors will think twice now before bothering Denra ever again. Halladan and Berevrion talked about a lot of details concerning the Ring rather publicly. And surely you can guess how satisfied I was that Halladan decided to ignore Frodo’s wishes for once and tell Barti and Mac so much!? Seems I’m not the only one who can’t have Barti think of Frodo so badly :-) Now Barti only has to put two and two together – I wonder how long it will take him. He's not proven to be overly bright in this regard, after all. Author Reply: As fanfiction authors we get to fill in the blanks as to social structure, legal systems, and so on. And unfortunately, the Uruk-hai had to have come from somewhere, so that gets speculated on, too. As Aragorn's cousin, I'd think that Halladan would have many of the same perceptions, particularly if he had helped his brother Halbarad administer the needs of the northern Dunedain, and that with the extra experience offered by their prolonged life would help give both Aragorn and Halladan more insight into human nature and a better idea as to who might be rehabilitated and who isn't likely to ever changd. Perhaps Halladan ought not to have paid Cotman so much; but it will at least get him out of town and probably far enough from other communities to keep him from doing things to other folks. And the folk of the Breelands will also need to learn that things have changed, and they owe a great deal to those four Hobbits who passed through last year. Barti still has one major concern to face in order to accept Frodo and Sam's place in saving Middle Earth. And I'd think Halladan would wish Barti to realize Frodo was NOT any kind of coward, and for someone in Frodo's extended family to have some idea as to what he accomplished. Thanks so for the comments.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/3/2007
Finally had some time to catch up on this one... it's been intriguing me for a long time! I love all the little details you throw into your stories, like the one in this chapter, where Safflower sits in subtle isolation, and the weaving together of clues--the socks drying on the hedge, the actions of the dog, the attitudes and speech patterns. And of course, the descriptions of Frodo are heartbreaking. This bit was particularly eloquent, I thought, But courage is not about remaining without fear--it is about going on in spite of the fear and doing what must be done. I do like your Mac! And now I'm interrupted, but better now than earlier, when I was immersed in reading! Author Reply: I'm so glad that the details work for you. Sometimes I'm afraid put in too much--but that's the way I tend to see the story unfolding. I tend to see the action unfolding, and write what I see; and I try to make the speech fit the various characters. Am so glad you like my version of Mac. He's been inspired by yours and by Lily's, of course. And of course Frodo was frightened, but also devoted to doing what had to be done no matter what. Am so glad you got caught up at last. I'll see you leter this week.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/3/2007
Halladan is a brilliant Steward! Felt physically sick at the thought of those poor women. But, most of all loved this.... He does not wish you to become fearful of the world and ever suspicious of the intentions of others. He wishes for your people to grow into the outer world and bring to it your own lightheartedness, not to take its insecurities into your lives.” It fits very nicely with a homily from our new Pastor. He was sayinging that we Christians hold a light and a hope for the world that we need to share rather than be disheartened by the materialism and corruption found inthe world. Got to go, back to work properly today! Author Reply: I'd think that Aragorn's cousins would be pretty intelligent, and would use much the same reasoning in their judgments as Aragorn himself. As for Saruman's Uruk-hai breeding program--he had to have started somewhere. Of course, I'll be exploring this idea more when I get into that period in "Stirring Rings." But there had to be some way that Saruman got hold of his "breeding stock," so I tried to imagine how it might have happened. As the orcs we see all appear to be male, apparently female orcs were kept sequestered in their own colonies. I suspect that Saruman, therefore, would have started with captured warrior orcs, which would indicate he would need someone to breed them to. So, perhaps using women tricked or stolen and forced to accept orcs would be the starting point. Why did Frodo insist that those taking part in the Battle of Bywater not slay those who would lay down their weapons, and why also insisted they not take vengeance on those Hobbits who went over to the enemy. That it was a conscious choice to try to keep his people from taking in the evil of the outer world seems the most likely reason, at least to me. And that he hoped that as the Hobbits of the Shire grew into more interaction with the outer world its people would serve as examples also seemed likely. And this also seemed likely to be a thought behind Tolkien's writing, considering his religious bent. And hope all goes well now that you are back to work once more.

Tracey Claybon	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/2/2007
I started reading this story, just intending to read a chapter to see what I thought of it. 6 hours later, I got to the end of the tale so far - wonderful characterization, all in canon, and a totally engrossing read... Thanks so much for writing it. Tracey Author Reply: Thank you so very much! I am honored and greatly flattered. Bartolo Bracegirdle has managed to appear on several of my stories, and I found I had to flesh him out a bit more and perhaps see him as his family sees him. I will continue on with it, of course--it and "Stirring Rings." With fortune I might just finish them, if more smaller nuzguls and plotbunnies don't take me over first, of course. Heh! Again, thanks for the read and the comments. I am honored.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 9/2/2007
I really like your Lord Halladan! He has seen to it that Barti knows the truth now--but only because he knows that the hobbit had already pieced together most of the story, and out of a need to defend Frodo from the charge of cowardice. I'm glad that Mac knows, too. And Sara and Esme will get the rest of the story soon enough... And I concur with the Breelanders, that Halladan was more than fair enough to Cotman. It remains to be seen if that Man realizes just what a close call he had to hanging, and whether he is grateful to have escaped with his life. Author Reply: Probably Halladan was far, far too fair with Cotman, as he didn't have his property simply confiscated, and he now has perhaps more than its worth to start over, although he will have to start over with very little. His scheme didn't work, and in the end he did little enough damage, I suppose. And Safflower has had a reality check as well, for the fact he even considered helping Cotman could easily have cost him his own life. And Barti has pretty much all of the story, although whether or not he understands Frodo's reasons for not wanting people to understand what they did is still questionable. It's still over a year before Sara and Esme will understand, but they will know before Frodo leaves the Shire, at least. The first taste of the King's justice for the folk of the Breelands, and I suspect they're seeing the new Steward isn't just arbitrary, which indicates the new King is likely to be rather a good thing for the Breelands as well. Thanks for the response. Now, we wants to see how the plotbunny's growing, of course....

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