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Distractions by GamgeeFest	5 Review(s)
Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/19/2009
“Are you certain you want to return home?” asked Ceorl. “You can come with us on our campaigns and cook our meals.” LOL! Hobbits are born to cook, it seems, whereas the Rohirrim are in need of a good teacher. I'm right glad that Osric and Jamila were finally able to meet and speak. Now the future looks brighter for both of them, I'm sure. Sador's remark about the "bathing frequency" of the Haradrim will prove to be an important information ;-) Author Reply: Ceorl I'm sure is only voicing the hopes of the others! lol! These particular Riders seem to have missed our on some cooking lessons with dear old mom. Merry is more than happy to pick up the slack. :D Jamila should start to feel more settled, now that she can be more certain of her future. Things should be looking up for them both. And yes, very valuable information from Sador. Osric will be keeping that in mind, along with everything else he is learning.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/18/2009
It's nice to see this little gapfiller about the removing and planting of the old and new tree. And of course it was cute to read Merry's cooking instructions and nice to read about his ease among his Rohirrim brothers and they around him. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: It was fun to try to imagine what that ceremony would have been like, and who would be there to witness it. The Riders' palettes will be eternally grateful for Merry's cooking tips. ;)

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/18/2009
Marvelous! I love Merry giving the Rohirrim more cooking lessons! LOL! All the speculation about the mysterious item the King was bringing was fun, and I liked the hobbits' reaction-- another chance for teasing Strider! The confrontation of Osric and Jamila was beautifully done. The fact that they cannot so much as hold hands makes it very poignant, and even more romantic. And I think Jamila will do much better than Finduilas did in Minas Tirith-- Finduilas had to put up with the growing Shadow of Mordor practically in her backyard-- which would have made it even harder for her to adjust. There's no threat of that in Rohan, and while life there will be different, the threat of Sauron is gone, Saruman is gone, and so is Wormtongue, and Meduseld will be a happier place. Especially after Eomer himself weds. Author Reply: Those Riders certainly seem to need them! This was a good way to call back to Merry's earlier tampering of the food, though I do think Erkenbrand would be better off hiring a cook. No wonder they eat out so often! ;) The hobbits could turn any situation into another opportunity to tease Strider. I'm sure he was wondering all the way back to the Citadel what they would say. He knows his hobbits well. The queen knew what she was doing, by leaving Jamila behind. With the ban upon them both for the next month, it would allow them to get to know each other, without any pressure for intimacy. If they should end up being frustrated by their ban, then all the better, for that meant things were going well. ;) True, Rohan after the war is a much different environment that Gondor in the years leading up to the war - and especially Harad since Sauron's return to power. The climate may even prove to be similar, at least in the warmer months. The culture is entirely different though, and that poses the biggest hurdle for Jamila. Still, I do think that she will adjust with enough time, patience and understanding - all of which Osric is willing to give her.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/18/2009
I, too, pray she is made of sterner stuff, and that she finds the love of Osric the nurturing she needs to make the transition. Author Reply: I think that Jamila will find a way to happiness. Osric is already helping her, and in ways neither have yet to realize, just by insisting she tell him what she wants. It is likely she has never been asked that before.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/17/2009
“That’s a lovely tree, Strider.” Now that's the understatement of the Age! Bless those hobbits. I really liked the little ceremony and speech when the new Tree was revealed and planted. Author Reply: The hobbits are masters of understatement, never ones to embellish without need. :D It's interesting to imagine who would have been there to see the tree planted and what Aragorn might have said.

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