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A Small and Passing Thing  by Lindelea 3 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 51 on 4/23/2023
I'm glad my gentiehobbits aren't as predatory as yours in their marital arrangements. My Ferdi and Pimmie were married prior to the Time of Troubles. I hope Nell and Rudi are happy.

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 51 on 10/28/2003
Frodo seems as healthy and happy here as could be, with Sam and Rosie to take care of him and keep him busy and distracted from spending too much time withdrawn into his memories. It's precious to imagine him rolling out piecrust and digging worms out of the garden, even if he's probably reading on the riverbank rather than fishing. But he's hardly a proper hobbit at all, refusing first breakfast, skipping elevenses, and seldom touching his tea or supper. Why, he hardly eats any more than a Man!

Sam's talk with Tom accomplished two things at once. It told how he finally made up his mind, but it also moved Tom off center. I just love weddings! Sam's explanation of how Merry's teasing stopped him from speaking to Rosie, and how his accident spurred him on, was very satisfying to me from the standpoint of wanting to know the why of things. I liked Tom saying that Sam waws slow to speak, but worth waiting for. I suppose Rosie feels the same way too. Sam's advice is entirely appropriate, but you'd think that his hobbit-sense would have made him aware of the uncertainties of life long before. He's probably as serious here as I've ever heard Sam. I almost expect one of the Gaffer's sayings, maybe that one about the job's longest that's never started, or you could probably think of something equally witty and pithy, but more appropriate.

Paladin makes me so mad I want to spit. He's sounding out Odo about Freddy for one of his daughters, but as soon as Odo speaks of the inheritance, his nose for money fastens on Rudi. Now don't get me wrong, it's not like Paladin would marry his daughter to an evil hobbit just for money, and Rudi is a fine hobbit. And way back in chapter 40, Freddy says that Uncle Rudi has his eye on a youngish Took - if he meant Nell, which from Rudi's glances at Nell and Ferdi might be true, then there's the advantage of affection in at least one direction - something to build on, and Rudi will try to please her. I also understand the custom of arranged marriages among the great houses, and Nell will be happy with Rudi, even if they don't share the same kind of love that later on, with Ferdi, will inspire an elf to choose mortality. But Paladin's preditory thoughts of control of the Quarry and the mines and the gold, that turns my stomach. The height of irony is that Rudi does not live a tremendously long time. No date of death is given for Fatty, but he certainly will live long enough to give his blessing to Ferdi and Nell later. Of course, the other thing that angers me is Paladin's cavalier dismissal of Ferdi, despite all he's done, as a no-account with a questionable background and no prospects. GRrrrrrrr! He's never been one to take anyone's feelings into account, from his family down to the servants.

Nice contrast, placing the two very different weddings on the same day. One poor in goods but rich in love, the other just the opposite. Interesting that you would make Freddy and Frodo choose which one to attend, and that they choose the opposite of what I would have first thought. Frodo, who normally has more disdain for propriety than Freddy, attends to the obligatory invitation of the Thain. Freddy, who is closer in blood ties, avoids the Smials and celebrates with the Cottons and Gamgees. Now Frodo's choice I think I understand. It won't hurt Tom and Mari if he keeps to his place with the gentlehobbits in Tookland, and he needs to appease Paladin whenever he can for Pippin's sake. Freddy's choice, though is more worrisome. I don't understand why he won't go, and if the truth is that he's still tired and weak, that's not good either. I just feel safer when Frodo's taking care of him.


Tim the EnchanterReviewed Chapter: 51 on 10/27/2003
I love how you have contrasted the two weddings - the one of love and the one of arrangement. Poor Pimpernel and Ferdi - if I was Nel I'd have moved to Bree.

Author Reply: I am with you. Poor Pimpernel, and Ferdi too. But eventually true love wins out. Have you read "Flames"?

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