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| Tailings and Tales by Canafinwe | 10 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Gwaeros | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/9/2017 |
| 'Folk would put on airs in an inn, but he’d never known one to put on irony'. What a wonderful line! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/18/2015 |
| I've been giggling through this one. Poor Barliman is ignoring the very clues he notices, and doesn't appear to appreciate as yet that Strider's injured. I'm glad he's thinking of bringing the water, which will be much appreciated, I'm sure! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/10/2015 |
| Walker or Stalker or Prowler…... Love it! What a wonderful back-story for Barliman, and the Prancing Pony, and the courteous, suspicious, mysterious ways of Rangers. "‘Simple as that,’ Strider echoed. He tilted his head to one side and studied Barliman pensively. ‘What a thing, to have such a choice,’ he murmured. He lifted the mug to his lips. He was not drinking in healthy gulps as a man ought to, but nursing it: savouring every drop of the brew as if he had not had good beer in years and knew not when he would see his next. I wish I was there to buy him a supper! Author Reply: I'm sure he would appreciate that so very much! He's earned a good supper. Thank you for your lovely remarks! I'm glad it all fits well. Cheers! | |
| ainisarie | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/10/2015 |
| I suspect/hope that Aragorn will surprise Barliman and finish the tale. Barli is not a bad person at all. Scatterbrained and busy, yes, but not unkind. I think his suspicion of Rangers is that, like most people, he has no idea what they do besides wander. They don't seem quite reputable by his standards, even if he knows nothing bad about them. So, he is wary of them but not to the point where he refuses to allow them into his inn. Also, i want to know the rest of the story too. Author Reply: You're right: Barliman is a good man. He's scatterbrained, but so well intentioned. He's suspicious of Rangers, but not cruel to them. And he really does risk his life to help Frodo and his friends. Thank you so much for reading! Ah, the story... would I really leave that hanging? | |
| TheAnswerIsDawn | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/10/2015 |
| 'Folk would put on airs in an inn, but he’d never known one to put on irony.' What a wonderful line! Author Reply: Oh, so pleased you like it! Thank you for letting me know! | |
| someone | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/10/2015 |
| How long has Barliman been now in charge, about half a year? He has managed well, if The Pony's reputation has already grown. Interesting detail that Strider is not wealthy by even ranger standards (and has clothes of matching colors). Either it has bern a long time since he was able to resupply or he really doesn't have any more. However, the lord of the dunedain must have some sort of income, trade or something, right? So that he could sometimes buy a real dinner and not eat bread like that (soaked in beer, of all things!). I am almost waiting for him to offer to do the dishes in exchange of a meal, as Barliman clearly thought he was good at that job. I was already suspicious when Barliman noticed that Strider was using only one hand, and then it was a "prudent" time to visit the inn again and the odd sounds from behind the door... What has happened to the poor ranger? A couple of nice details: Barliman's starting memory problems and the "courtyard" (of course Strider would think of The Pony as a palace, as he couldn't possibly have seen anything better!) and Barliman's surprise that a ranger can read. Author Reply: Yes, he has managed very well! Here the close-knit Bree-land community works in his favour: news of a positive change travels quickly, too! Regarding Aragorn's income as Chieftain... yes, I'm certain he must have some. Income from trade is one possibility. Income from tenanted lands is another, but doesn't fit as well with what little we know of the Dúnedain of the North. Then there's the idea of taxes/tributes/tithes from his people: each household contributing to the wellbeing of the Chieftain as part of their feudal duty. Whatever the case, there are definitely times when Aragorn is well-heeled enough to buy the occasional hot meal. He's just been a long time out in Arthedain by the end of November: the married Rangers have all been home for the harvest, and he can't get away to resupply himself (see "Lonely Watches"). Very astute: noticing the one-handed fumbling! What has happened indeed. Glad you liked the "courtyard"! And the conversation about reading, too. Cheers! | |
| NotACat | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/10/2015 |
| Another kind of "cliff-hanger", and we can guess that this will likewise remain unresolved for the most part, because we know how these two interacted by the time Frodo and his bunch arrived in the Prancing Pony. I am most intrigued to see how you do resolve it, given those restrictions! Author Reply: Yes: I love my cliffhangers. And yes: there's not a whole lot of resolution or reconciliation between these two. Hopefully the story will still be satisfying, however! | |
| DoggieGirl | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/9/2015 |
| As always, you painted the reality of Barli's present life with subtle details that made it seem real. By the time the mysterious stranger appeared I already had everything pictured in my minds eye. Nicely done. Poor Barli. He just doesn't have a well organized brain to remember fine details. of course it was a long time ago for him and only one night. So I guess it might have been easy to forget a face and voice. Aragorn ironic and understated responses were classic of him. When he replied that he read "a little" I definitely snorted in amusement. That is such an understatement from a man who knows how to read four or five languages fluently and probably understands others. I don't envy Aragorn's lunchin though. It sounds pretty disgusting all right. A ranger's lot doesn't often provide for a tasty, chew-able lunch with fancy trimmings now does it. The timing and even the short handedness of Barli seem to echo their first meeting. What worries me is the injury that Aragorn is concealing. I thought it was a little strange at first,,that Aragorn would stop buy so early in the day. But now I am wondering if he has something that cannot wait to long to be dealt with. I can't wait to see what happens next. Author Reply: Thanks! It's interesting to build a life for a character who has so little clear background. I'm glad that it all came across clearly. And yes: one night, more than half a lifetime ago -- and it just doesn't make SENSE for someone to be so similar after fifteen long years! I had fun with the bit about literacy. I think four or five languages might be a conservative estimate! But understatement is Aragorn's specialty. In the Book, he also describes himself as having "some skill as a hunter at need". Alas! Travel fare is rarely pleasant after the first couple of days. At least there were no weevils... And yes, there had to be a reason he would turn up in the middle of the afternoon. ;-) Very astutely noticed! Thank you for the wonderful review. | |
| Aranadhel | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/9/2015 |
| Doc, Tim has passed into the West already? :( bless that ol' hobbit for his kindness to give Estel something to 'makan' that fateful night. Walker, Stalker, Prowler and Strider... now mellon... is this a tease that there are 3 other Dunedain going about Bree along with their Chieftain? Love your story! PS - sorry for going off topic but may I ask from which country you are from? Author Reply: Alas, yes! Old Tim was indeed old. Very nice use of "makan", by the way: made me grin. Heh. So the other Rangers Butterbur thinks of weren't enough? You want three MORE? Oh, my, you're insatiable, my dear! So glad you like the story. | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/9/2015 |
| Longer stories are always better! Love that Strider never returned until Butterbur owned the Pony. Still, I want Butterbur to hear the end of the Theoden story. I am really enjoying this tale. Thank you. Author Reply: So pleased you feel that way! I'm sure Strider would have been very curious to see how the young boy he met under such strained circumstances was managing as innkeeper. Thanks as always! | |