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| A New Reckoning by Dreamflower | 5 Review(s) |
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| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 9/27/2006 |
| Implications and terrors survived, and lives forever left somewhoat--if not shattered, then definitely bent from what had been intended. And one who will not linger that much longer, no matter what is done. Author Reply: No, sadly he won't. But at this point in time, even he does not yet recognize that truth. | |
| Gryffinjack | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/31/2006 |
| "There was the lad, Bergil. Only eleven years old, and his father had allowed him to journey hundreds of miles away from his home, not even travelling with kin. Dark hair, solemn grey eyes, very serious and polite. Paladin had realized with a start halfway through the evening that the child reminded him of nothing so much as Frodo at that age." Ah, I thought of this in the last chapter when you mentioned that Bergil was motherless so many miles from his home. It's an excellent similarity that you have set up and noted. Bergil really does remind me of what Frodo would have been like at that age, now that you mention it. "More than the grave look on his son’s face, or the unshed tears that stood in the Dwarf’s eyes, it was the stricken look on his nephew’s face that convinced Paladin of how dire it really must have been. For Merry stood behind Pippin, and for an instant looked as if he might swoon. He noticed that the Elf moved a step closer to Merry, and put a supporting hand upon his shoulder." *wince* Poor ... everyone. They all sufferred so much, not only their own injuries, but the pains of knowing what the others in the Fellowship sufferred and that they had been able to do nothing about it, and more importantly, the realisation of how close each of them came to actually dying, even the immortal Legolas. And for Merry ... thank goodness Legolas was there for him. "But when Merry brought up the story of how Frodo, when he was seventeen, had tried to climb up a chimney on a dare, and gotten himself stuck, Bergil could not stand it, and burst out “Oh, now! Not truly!” For he could not imagine the brave, wise, solemn Ringbearer doing any such thing." This was a great story! I'm so glad you actually wrote it! "This led to more such stories, with even the Elf contributing a story of a prank that he had helped the King to pull when he was just a lad growing up in Rivendell." *glares at Dreamflower* And *why* exactly are you taking the time to read this review when you should be writing this story? Precisely what prank did Legolas help Estel pull off in Rivendell? I'm afraid Pearl's meaning is lost on me. I understand why she is distraught over what Merry and Pippin sufferred, but what precisely distresses her so about Beril's tale of Pippin and the Troll? Author Reply: Yes, Bergil is a bit older in terms of physical maturity than Frodo was when his parents died, but he has seen death--his own mother, and much of the death and destruction of living in a war zone, and his father under the shadow of a death sentence as well. All of that would have made him far older and more solemn than his years--much like Frodo. I wanted Paladin to get a glimpse of that--how close things had been for them. And knowing just how close Merry and Pippin are, Merry's reaction would have been a gage of how serious it had been. And I also wanted him to begin to realize the depth of friendship and protectiveness that came from these non-hobbit friends who had traveled with his son and nephew. It was fun, and made a great little bedside story for Merry to tell little Pippin, didn't it? As to that, I am thinking that at some point Legolas may recount that story in more detail to Freddy and Berilac and company, either on the Road to Edoras, or a bit later in Minas Anor. I think that you will begin to understand her distress in a couple of chapters. But think about the *sequence* of events involved, in light of *how* precisely, Pippin felled the troll... | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/5/2005 |
| "But as he stood there looking at the four of them standing there he suddenly realized that in some inexplicable way, these two strangers were closer to his son and his nephew than he would ever be from now on." Wow...I have often contemplated what your Paladin is feeling now, but I just am not able to write mine realizing that. It's probably part of the Samsonite luggage that I will carry around for the rest of my life, but my Pippin and Paladin will always be close--not saying yours aren't. However, I can tell you first-hand that your observation is much more on the money. I don't know about the other armed forces, but they can't be much different. When *most* of us Sailors go out for one of those six-month deployments at sea, there indeed is a comaraderie that binds different people. I'm not talking about the adulterers and other couplings(!), but many of the friendships built during that time often last for a very long time. Thanks for a great chapter! Pippinfan Author Reply: Well, at this point in the story, they are not really close, though they are reconciled. But the two of them were very close when Pip was small, and they will be close again by the time this story comes to an end, as they gradually repair the broken places in their relationship. My take is that Pippin had a rough adolescence and because of the pressures of the Thainship, Paladin did not handle it in the most patient manner, and all of it was exacerbated by Pip's sudden disappearance. However, unlike many fic writers, they were never truly estranged, and have never stopped loving each other. On the other hand, the camaraderie you describe, that comes to people who live and work together in life threatening situations such as the military sometimes does forge lifelong bonds of love and friendship as close as brothers or sisters--sometimes closer. And that is my take on the Fellowship. Those of the Fellowship consider themselves "family" now. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 5/6/2004 |
| I was away for a couple of days, but was glad to see the the story is still coming along. I loved this chapter all from Paladin's view. He really does have a great deal to think over and adjust to at this moment. I am very interested to see what he decides about the money and even more, what he will say to Pippin when he has the chance. Author Reply: Yes, I thought that having Paladin's POV would be good, since he's coming to the situation late. He's got a lot on his mind, and not much time to think it over. | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 5/6/2004 |
| That was interesting to see the Fellowship members through the Thain's eyes. His annoyance at Esmeralda and Pearl blushing around Legolas was cute and very true. I wonder what Saradoc thinks of his wife's behavior around the elf. Bergil's indignation at the thought that Frodo would ever do anything silly was cute also. They should tell him the Farmer Maggot-mushroom story. He wouldn't know what to make of it: the Ringbearer stealing mushrooms and getting chased by dogs! As always, this is wonderful. I love how you take your time with the story and let us get these little glimpses into their everyday lives. Author Reply: I'm glad you liked Paladin's POV. The others have had a couple of days to get used to these exotic strangers, but Paladin's just come on the scene with fresh eyes. I think Saradoc is probably amused--he's pretty laid back. Bergil, like most Gondorians,thinks of Frodo as some kind of saint. He's put the Ringbearer up on a pedestal, which is not a place Frodo likes to be. Thank you for your kind words. Sometimes I think I'm rather getting sidetracked, but it's the little glimpses that appeal to me most, and in this story, I do not have to keep on such a close track as in my other long stories. I really appreciate your reviews, and I'm glad you are enjoying the story. | |