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StarFire by Lindelea	7 Review(s)
Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 9/1/2004
Awww...that is so sweet! How can anyone resist a gaggle of Gamgees? For some reason your version of the Gamgee children remind me of a favorite series of books I loved as a child. Have you ever heard of the "Five Little Peppers"? Author Reply: O yes, indeed. We have all the set, ranging from .50 for "Five Little Peppers Midway" to $30 for the rarest of the set (and it took months of scrounging to find them all!)--and periodically re-read them aloud, all tucked up on the couch together under an afghan when the weather is wet and stormy. I must confess my writing is heavily influenced by the Five Little Peppers books, Lousia May Alcott's varied characters (have you read "An Old-Fashioned Girl", and "Eight Cousins" and "Rose in Bloom"?), the "What Katy Did" books, Jane Austen, Thornton Burgess, Marian Babson, Anne McCaffrey, and Michael Sharra. An eclectic mix, to say the least. There are probably a few other authors in there, whose books I inhaled, but whose names I no longer recall.

Pearl Took	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/2/2004
This is precious!!! All those dear wee little hobbits adopting Ferdi, is just precious!! Pearl Took Author Reply: Huh! I don't think I ever saw this review before today, Pearl! Sorry for the belated reply. I just love the young Gamgees; they have more than enough heart to go around. Thanks for reviewing.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/26/2004
I am a bit confused, even with the background. I must have missed one of your stories because I have no idea why Ferdi was banned. I also have no idea what Pippin did to cause it or why Pippin would let someone else suffer so for his mistake. It doesn't seem like something Pippin would do if there were a way to prevent it. I am enjoying the story, but I am just a bit lost. Author Reply: Ah, so perhaps the background doesn't have quite enough details! This background is from the story "Flames". Pippin didn't mean to get Ferdi in trouble; it was thoughtlessness rather than malice. The whole time Ferdi was shunned, Pippin was living in Buckland, having been disowned by his father, so he did not know of the injustice caused by his leaving. Does that clear things up?

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/25/2004
Pippin may show his guilt at Ferdi's ill-treatment here, but that doesn't stop him jumping to conclusions when Faramir runs away. I thought Pippin was rather less endearing there! Author Reply: Yes, he was, and his only excuse was that he panicked, knowing that ruffians were still entering the Shire and being escorted out again, and knowing, too, what Men are willing to do for gold. Still, he ought to have known better. (but then that story would never have been written)

Lyta Padfoot	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/24/2004
I enjoyed the background very much. For those unfamiliar with your other stories it informs them of Ferdi's background, it also shows a more sympathetic Pippin. The idea that the Travellers have had to rediscover their hobbitness and can help Ferdi is powerful, thinking on its, Ferdi's preference for animals over people and his isolation aren't normal for his kind. Ferdi is sent for or sought out, seldom does he initiate interaction. Author Reply: You know, you're right about that. I hadn't thought about the fact that Ferdi seldom initiates interaction at this point on the timeline. Thinking on it, I've decided that his Nell is responsible for a great deal of his confidence later on. Without her he's only half a hobbit.

Connie	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/24/2004
I haven't reviewed on this one yet, but I figured now was the time. Keep the background part. It is a nice scene in and of itself, and it does help those who, by some strange twist of fate, don't know the other stories. I aspecially liked the idea images of how the three Travelers rebuilt their hobbity lives, to some degree anyway, compared to how Ferdi could be helped to rebuild his. Gee, I hope that made sense. I also really liked how you can tell that Pippin does feel terrible that his actions caused Ferdi to suffer the Ban. I also loved Sam's silent observation about a certain loyal Took. Good chapter. Connie. Author Reply: Thanks! You'll be happy to know that everyone's comments have persuaded my editor. The "background" remains part of the story. Yes, I think you're making sense. Of course, I'm short of sleep, so I'm not sure if anything I'm typing is making sense. Ha. Thanks for your comments.

FantasyFan	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/24/2004
Well, yes, the first part of this story is 'background,' in the sense that it tells Ferdi's story rather than shows, and it probably isn't integral to the action of the present story. But really, if you want to have the story stand independently of the rest of the body of work, it is actually necessary information to understanding Ferdi's character. I've read many a book in a series, and all of them have that part of a chapter near the beginning where what has gone before is explained for readers who haven't read the others. Often I'll skim those parts before diving into the 'meat' of the story, and sometimes I'll examine them closely, to see how the author presents it differently this time after 28 other repetitions of essentially the same information. Even Tolkien does it in the Prologue to Fellowship, where he has a section On the Finding of the Ring, which is essentially a recap of The Hobbit. So unless your editor really expects to require that all your readers must get through 300,000 words (or probably more) you've previously written in this universe before starting this story, I bet she won't complain too much about a bit of background. Especially when it's as well written as this part is. You tell the information, but it's presented in a lovely domestic scene that speaks to the heart of what 'hobbity' really is (here you're showing rather than just telling). Plus there's a good dynamic among the Gamgee children, and a chance for Pippin to reflect on his role in Ferdi's banning. It seems a little jarring for Pippin to be so calm and matter-of-fact about his fault, expecially as this story is set early in his Thainship, but then maybe the kings game is making him focus, and a focused Pip is always deliberate and quieter. (I find it interesting that Pippin when angry, upset or about to fly in the face of hobbit convention always gets quieter. When his voice becomes soft, watch out! I'm sure it's in direct reaction to his father's bluster.) I notice Eglantine doesn't meet anyone's eyes as she lets the story come out, but Pippin does. The children decide to make Ferdi an honorary Uncle. Very characteristic of Sam's family, I think, to respond to a hobbit's need by deciding to give of themselves. I suppose were they a few years older, they'd have tried to marry him off as well. Ferdi truly doesn't have a chance against them. Author Reply: Ha, managed to hit the "Reply" rather than "Remove Review" link, so I'm doing remarkably well this morning. Sometimes I think my editor really does expect to require the readers to plough through the multitudinous words I've already written, since she's done it herself. grin I did try to make the background as brief and interesting as possible, without being too brief I hope (someone who missed "Flames" was still worried that Pippin was out of character, being responsible for Ferdi's shunning and not doing anything about it, but we've worked it out, though she had to read "Flames" before she was satisfied, I think). You're right about the Kings game, it makes Pippin focus and anchors him to the conversation at hand so that he's less likely to go off on side trails. He's distractable (how do you spell that?) and though he's learning to control it, and those near to him are used to it and accustomed to bringing him back to the discussion at hand, it is a part of his nature. I think it's a part of his brilliance as well, his ability to make leaps of logic and to strike out in a totally new direction. Don't know if that's what JRRT had in mind for the character, but that's how Pippin has evolved in my imaginings based in Tolkien's "world". Ah, just looked at the clock and it's time to get moving! Thanks for reviewing.

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