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The Tenth Walker by Lindelea	7 Review(s)
Virtuella	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 1/18/2025
I confess for a long time now I have been unimpressed by Aragorn as a guide in the wilderness, and your story confirms this. He seems to know little more than which general direction to go and which rivers to expect, and he has no way of avoiding the bottlenecks where the nazgul could catch them. It's a wonder that they ever made it at all. Author Reply: LOL. In one of my stories, I have someone describe Aragorn as "clumsy and incompetent and saved only by extraordinary luck": 'O yes, quite!' The hobbit lowered his tone then. 'Confidentially speaking, the King himself was a miserable failure when it came to keeping hobbits...' The man started and pulled his arm down, to stare at the hobbit. 'O aye,' the hobbit nodded wisely, 'it's not common knowledge, but I have it from the Thain himself. Time after time...' 'I don't believe it.' 'Well of course the minstrels set it to music and smoothed the rough edges to make a nice story, but the truth of the matter is... Time after time, that particular Ranger failed in his duties, and if you were to talk to him about it, he'd be the first to admit it!' 'Time after time?' 'Sceptical, are we? "Time after time" I said, and such is the case! Why, from the very start, when Frodo put It on in front of a common room full of men and hobbits...' 'That was hardly Elessar's fault!' 'He sat there and let it happen, knowing what sorts of pressures might be asserting themselves against my cousin on the Enemy's part.' The man wished to assert that it was hardly fair to lay such blame at the Ranger's feet, but the hobbit took the bit in his teeth and was off at a gallop. 'And that disastrous shortcut--I should think that a Ranger of all people should know that short cuts make for long delays! And any other number of missteps and errors on his part--it's a wonder he ever became King at all! It's a good thing he has a great deal of luck...' The man could scarcely sputter a protest, choking as he was on his words. 'And the greatest failure of all--at Parth Galen,' the hobbit went on inexorably. 'He'll tell you so, himself...' And the man was suddenly still, and silent. Yes. The King had told him so, himself, when warning him of the difficulties of conducting hobbits in the Wilderlands. 'You have a great deal in common with the King,' Ferdi went on, as the silence stretched out. 'Do I?' the man said dryly. 'Not just that you are close kinsmen, I mean.' 'We're both clumsy and incompetent and saved only by our extraordinary luck, I suppose.'

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 11/29/2008
Poor Bill - I am so looking forward to his meeting with Asfaloth. What will he make of the great Elven horse, I wonder? I could feel that bit of welcome sunshine after so much dismal weather! Author Reply: Yes, and what will the great Elven horse make of him? A clear sky can be so energizing! (We had a clear morning yesterday, but it's been cloudy and raining on and off every since the clouds rolled in again.) Thanks!

Dinossiel	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 11/26/2008
Bill is such a dear creature. I love this story through his eyes. I can understand his fear of the road and the 'cry' that was heard on it. This fills in many blanks about Bill. I have often wondered what went on in his head, what he experienced. Now I know, thank to your imagination. Author Reply: Awww. He really is a good-hearted little creature. I'm glad he found friendship, and a master to love, even if he had to go on a difficult and dangerous journey to find them.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 11/25/2008
Ah--I am in veritable paradise, again sipping so satisfactorily at your stories, Lin! And love Pippin's attempts to lighten moods, Frodo's rally--I ever see him rallying at the last moment, Strider's decision to chance the road, and Sam's joy at the simple praise and thanks, as if it were good gold coin! As for Bill--he is so observant! Author Reply: Ah, bless you for the good word, and your own observations! I will keep plugging away so long as the Muse is tractable... think good thoughts and we'll see what comes of it. Thanks!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 11/25/2008
Oh, Lin! How delightful--I feel almost as though you are writing just for me--yesterday a bit more of my "Bunny" and the beginning of a new tale, and today more of dear Bill and the journey to Rivendell! I love this small interlude--the wee bit of hope that seems to have come to our weary travellers, and Bill's descriptions. I especially love the touch of the "sour pine needles" (yes, they are sour) and the "tasteless bark". 'Come, Merry,' the Big Man says, rising from his crouch. Perhaps I ought to say creaking to his feet for he moves slowly and painfully, indeed, and not with his usual grace. Somehow, I think at that moment, Dunadan or not, you convey the impression that he is feeling his 80+ years. Frodo's rallying a bit is a good thing, and I really liked his interaction with Sam. And I so love the way Aragorn is consulting with Merry as they make their plans--of course, he's making the decisions, but he's keeping Merry informed and making Merry feel as though his opinion matters. I adore Pippin's at least somewhat effective attempts to cheer everyone. And this was so sweet: My Samwise beams as if he's been paid in heavy gold coin, and not just a simple word of praise. 'I'll have breakfast ready as quick as you can say “Overhill, over Dale,” Mr. Frodo!' 'Overhill, over Dale,' youngest hobbit says sleepily, sitting up. 'I say, Samwise, a few eagles would not go amiss... though the eagles over Dale never did fly Bilbo all the way home past Overhill. What a story that would have made'! 'Yes, wouldn't it,' Master says with a fond smile for the youngster, who has walked so very far, and no benefit of eagles to spare his travel-worn feet. It is good to see him smile. Youngest hobbit returns the smile, and heartened, adds, 'I'll settle for some of that tea.' 'Right, Mr. Pippin,' my Sam says in his briskest tone. I prick my ears forward, glad, though my belly is empty. I tear a strip of bark from the tree. It is tasteless, but it gives me something to chew. Poor Bill. Author Reply: It is very likely that part of this chapter was inspired by your Ode to Tea... It was so nice of the original chapter to suggest that they were heartened at this juncture, perhaps by the sunshine, or the freshness of the rain-washed air. We're studying weather at the moment, and I expect the rising barometer had something to do with their rising spirits. (What fun! To fit our studies into JRRT's so-carefully crafted tale...) Ah, it was lovely to hear some of your favourite bits. (And yes, I think Dunadan or not, Strider must have felt stiff on occasion. Even young hobbits do, after sleeping on cold ground when it's been raining for more than a day, and the dawn comes cold and clear.) Thanks!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 11/25/2008
'Ah,' he sighs, 'that's good.' My Samwise beams as if he's been paid in heavy gold coin Awww. These are lovely moments amid such a dark time. Author Reply: It is so nice to have a lightening of the angst, even for a bit! Thanks for stopping by.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 11/25/2008
You make us feel every whine of the wind and the grumble of Bill's empty belly. Oooh, shivers and scuttles off to find breakfast. Author Reply: Oooo, breakfast sounds like a good idea. Hot breakfast. And quantities of tea. Thanks!

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