Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Tenth Walker by Lindelea	3 Review(s)
Erulissé	Reviewed Chapter: 126 on 3/21/2025
Oh Bill!!! And poor Sam. “But then all other impressions are shut out, as if a door has been closed, leaving me alone in a darkened room with the wizard. I become aware that Tall Hat's hand is resting on my head, and from his hand, I can feel warmth and light pouring into me and spreading through my very being. The walls of the room where we seem to stand brighten, and I hear voices speaking to me as the walls of this room inside my head show me evolving pictures of mountains and streams and trees and cliffs and more... as if I might follow them somehow, by looking for the same pictures with my eyes that I can see in my mind... I am putting it badly, I know, for I am only a pony.“ This is amazing! This is exactly what I imagined when I read the TFotR for the first time!!! You’ve just put it far more eloquently than I could. And we got his characteristic line! “… for I am only a pony.” I for some reason adore this line. To me it is a perfect summation of Bill’s whole character and personality. He is so delightfully unassuming and sweet, but also wise at the same time. This is exactly how I imagine a kind horse or pony talking. I also love the chapter names you come up with! It makes it so easy to figure out what is going on. I usually never remember chapter names for most stories I read, but it’s so easy in this one! I love that. I have always wondered how Bill got back to Bree, and I can’t wait to hear it! I had always wondered if Gandalf sent him there, but I guess it would’ve made more sense to send Bill back to Rivendell. I am curious why Bill decides to go back there, or if he just sort of winds up there? I can’t wait. :D Author Reply: Thank you for your thoughtful review! It was fun to read your impressions. Like you, I have become very fond of Bill over the course of the journey so far. I have definitely imagined him (from reading about his uncomplaining patience in the book) as you have described him here. To answer your question at the end, the question of Bree or Rivendell will be made clearer in Part 2, as Bill is making the journey homewards. (((hugs))) Very little is left of this story, and Part 2 will begin posting in April if all goes well. Think good thoughts!

KathyG	Reviewed Chapter: 126 on 3/20/2025
Hey! I was going to type a review before it got sent! Feel free to delete the first attempt, Lindelea, Oh, boy! The time has come for poor Bill to leave the company. Now you'll really have to figure out where things go from here, since all we know from canon is that he somehow makes it back to Bree. And Bill will have to figure out where to go, and how to survive en-route. Author Reply: Been there, done that – quite recently, as a matter of fact! I typed out a lovely long review on my phone and tried to post it, and it... disappeared. Ah, poor Bill. I do have his return journey outlined and written in draft form all the way to the Grey Havens (and back to Bag End). However, because of the SoA chapter limitation (150 chapters, I think it is?), I'm going to have to close this one out as "Part 1" of a "to be continued" story and tell the rest in a separate "Part 2". Just thinking aloud. Thanks so much for reading and pausing to share your thoughts! I appreciate your encouragement. (And at least as soon as the Watcher in the Water slams the Door and Bill is off on his separate way, I can resume reading the story you and DF wrote! There's something to look forward to!)

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 126 on 3/20/2025
I become aware that Tall Hat's hand is resting on my head, and from his hand, I can feel warmth and light pouring into me and spreading through my very being. What a marvelous scene you've conjured here. If anything can ease the grief and disbelief of this parting, you've found it. Author Reply: You might not believe (but then again, you might, considering your carefully constructed stories) how long and deeply I agonized over this scene, trying to figure out what Gandalf meant by "words of guard and guiding" and how these "words" might bring Bill safely back to Bree even though he was alone. In the end, the only way I could write the rest (I mean, up to the "snakes" and the doors slamming shut) was by envisioning those "words" as disengaging Bill from his Companions somehow, distancing him in a way, so he wouldn't be like a horse that runs back into a burning stables seeking safety but would be able to move forward, on the journey Gandalf laid out, instead of trying to run back to Samwise and the rest. (I hope that makes sense! I had too many cups of tea today. I should really switch to decaf or herbal.) Thanks for reading and pausing to share your thoughts. I really appreciate hearing from you. (((hugs)))

Return to Chapter List