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A New Reckoning by Dreamflower	8 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/27/2006
Ah, how undeserved guilt can destroy and weaken those who don't deserve to carry it. Author Reply: Yes, it can. Feeling guilty does not necessarily mean one is guilty. And sometimes even when one is guilty, it's not something as serious as all that. When it comes to guilt-trips, we are all our own worst enemies.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/30/2005
"“Oh, Sara--what could those men want with our lads now?” For she feared that perhaps they had come to take them away on another quest." Oh, dear. That is precisely what a parent would think, isn't it? I'm glad Saradoc was able to put her mind at ease. "It was strange, they looked like large versions of Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin in their warlike get-up and with their swords and armor and all, yet even with all that, they did not seem so threatening as those ruffians who had over-run the Shire last year." I really liked this observation by Denny. I also really liked Denny's thoughts as he listened to and oberved the Men and how they spoke of Merry and Pippin and their deeds. The Men must really have looked like larger versions of Merry and Pippin to him and their behaviour would have been quite at odds with that of the ruffians. Still, it is as if all of the Hobbits other than the Four Travellers have completely forgotten their experiences of having met Menelcar and how nice and polite he was. Of course, that was five years ago and the fear and destruction from the ruffians would more than justify the wariness of the Hobbits. But still, it's as if nobody even remembers that they had met a perfectly civilised Man named Menelcar before. Then again, this could come from reading "Chance Encounter" at the same time as this story. It's Targon and Eothain again! Recurring characters are great, aren't they? "Targon’s voice took on an almost reverential note when he spoke that name," Simply wonderful. Saradoc's almost embarassment over how the Shire does not celebrate the new year on the day of Frodo's great deed and how the Shire does not even honour the four Travellers was spot on. Especially for one of the leaders of the Hobbits, this would definitely be a question that would make him squirm in discomfort. "Pippin laughed. “Who else would forget two ponies and a hundred silver pennies?”" A very Pippin line! It perfectly captures his cheekiness and the way he and Merry play with each other. "Pippin smiled fondly at his older cousin. Though he teased him, he knew the real reason Merry was uncomfortable with this. For even though the small Knight of Rohan knew without any doubt that he could not have done anything, in his heart he still felt guilty that he did not somehow save King Théoden, whom he had dearly loved. He knew Merry also still felt guilty that they had allowed themselves to become separated from Frodo. That was a bit of guilt he felt himself from time to time." Brilliant and very poignant. That relationship between Merry and Pippin - sigh. It's just beautiful the way they know and understand each other completely. And Merry's guilt about not being able to save Theoden is so touching and sad. For Merry and Pippin to both feel guilty about having been separated from Frodo is a prime example of just how hard all four of the Travellers are on themselves and how much they all love each other. Once again, your "voice" that you give Sam is spot on. "Sam, however, met their gaze directly, and flushed. He looked apprehensive. So. He had found out--probably Rosie told him. Now he was expecting, maybe even hoping, for a tongue-lashing as soon as Frodo was out of ear-shot. Pippin’s chin came up, and his green eyes glittered. Merry decided that if Pippin still wanted to upbraid Sam, he would not interfere. It might be more merciful than letting the gardener stew in his own guilt." I forgot to mention this in my last review, but it applies equally here as well. This reaction for Pippin is perfect. While Merry understands Sam far more and is much more like him, Pippin's only concern is for Frodo. But just your phraseology "Pippin's chin came up" or "his green eyes glittered" - it's a great visual. I can see it clearly. This is so well done! Author Reply: Of course it was going to be the first thing that would pop into her mind. Lucky, really, that Eomer wrote to Saradoc, isn't it? Or he too, would be wondering what was going on. grin Well, of course, story-externally, I had not even thought of Menelcar yet. And story internally, he only met a certain number of hobbits while he was there. It's quite possible Denny never saw him. But even those hobbits who do remember Menelcar fondly are probably going to think he was an exception. (I can see a conversation now, during the Troubles: "You know, I remember that Menelcar chap. He wasn't at all like these brutes." "Well, he was nice enough. But he was a minstrel after all. Obviously not like other Men.") Knowing what Merry has told him, yes, it's going to make Saradoc squirm. But hobbits are insular creatures for the most part, and there's not much to be done about that. Even after the embassy leaves, there will be many hobbits who will forget what it was all about, and only remember the spectacle. For all his teasing, yes, Pippin knows how Merry feels. I am glad that you like the way I portray the relationships here. This story was the first in which I had a chance to do some of the in-depth probing and exploration of the relationships between the four post-Quest. And I am so glad that you got what I was trying to show in the dynamic between Merry, Pippin and Sam. Thank you so much. I always like compliments about my style, for I am always afraid it is my weakest point.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/4/2005
Two ponies, and silver pennies in the bargain, and every year! Such a reminder! (Merry ought to have accepted being showered with gifts before he left Rohan, I guess. He could always have given them away right and left to anyone they met on the journey homewards...) You have a hobbit named Denny! No wonder my Denny was perceived as so hobbity by the hobbits! Lovely details, this being just one of many: The two men stood up. Denny flinched. While he had been sitting on a barrel, and they upon the ground, he had forgotten for a while just how large they were. And: Targon’s voice took on an almost reverential note when he spoke that name And: That was a bit of guilt he felt himself from time to time. The way Pippin knows what Merry is thinking and feeling, just as Merry understands Pippin. Lovely. Author Reply: Merry, unfortunately, did not understand how persistent and devious the young King of Rohan was, LOL! grin I do like "Denny"--I like it a good deal better than "Denethor"! So very glad you like those details. I could imagine how Men would still appear menacing for a while after the ruffians had been in the Shire, yet hobbits are resilient, and he would easily be lulled by their amiable and courteous behavior--which I thought would stand out greatly in contrast to what he might have seen of Men in the past. Still, size is intimidating. Merry and Pippin--well, they do know one another thoroughly, don't they?

longcleeve	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/14/2004
oh im enjoying this story so far! i really love when stories are longer like this one...makes em last :) cant wait to read more Author Reply: I am glad to see you enjoy it! LOL! I never had intended the story to be quite that long, but it just kind of grew on me. I hope that you enjoy it all. Thanks for letting me know!

pipwise brandygin	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/21/2004
Oh gosh, I wish I had time to read this all the way through! It's the sort of story I could quite easily get lost in for hours, and I've really enjoyed these first few chapters. You capture the hobbits beautifully. Am so glad there's lots more to come! Author Reply: I'm glad you are enjoying this. I've been inspired by several other wonderful writers to try and keep my stories linked together, so that this one and Conspiracy both mention the incident I am telling in The Dare. I hope you do have time for more of it. It is turning out to be a much longer story than I originally planned.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/7/2004
Smiling in delight. I like how you tie this story in with another story of yours (the hundred silver pennies, wasn't it?). At least I think it was your story. O dear, now I'm feeling muddled. In any event, Merry is very practical here. Yes, Sam might feel better for a tongue lashing, and Pippin might not be as hard on Sam as Sam would be on himself. How true to life! There were other little touches I enjoyed but I think it's time for a nap. Ah well, with so many chapters posted I have something to look forward to. Author Reply: Yes, both of my When the King Comes Back stories mention the hundred silver pennies, as well as my new story Kingly Gifts. Actually, that was you, inspiring me to keep all my stories sort of fitting together to form their own little universe. I love the way you have done that. Merry's almost always practical. And he's closer to Sam in a lot of ways than Pippin is. I'm glad you are enjoying this so far. It's very flattering. Thank you.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/24/2004
I loved Merry's reaction as Pippin was telling about the gifts he was to receive. So very like Merry and so like his Pippin to be proud of Merry.I also loved Saradoc feeling a bit flustered. You are having fun aren't you? I am so glad because I am having fun reading. Author Reply: Pippin and Merry are proud of one another though they often tease. I thought the idea of these big Men calling Saradoc "Lord" Brandybuck, and their obvious respect and reverence for his kin might embarass him just a bit. But of course, being the Master of Buckland, he'd try not to show it. I'm glad you're having as much fun as I am!

GamgeeFest	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/23/2004
Another story! How do you write these so fast? I'm in awe. Wonderful so far. You really write the hobbits well. Perfectly actually. Can't wait for more. Author Reply: I don't know. They are coming to me like a dam burst ever since I started the first one. I suppose it will slow down a little somewhere along the line. Also, I have a lot of time. I only work part time, and most of the rest of the time I have to be at the house taking care of my mother. Gives me plenty of time at the keyboard. I'm glad you like the way I write the hobbits. I'm really very attached to them, and I hope I do them justice.

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