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StarFire  by Lindelea 3 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 20 on 9/1/2004
Uh-oh, this sounds ominous...

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 20 on 5/11/2004
I am so glad the Gamgees have adopted poor Ferdi. They will do him good. I think I am developing a fondness for that poor hobbit - he needs a society set up to defend him. I think Rosie would be just the person to run it, and Diamond can help.

So Pippin is dreaming about his escort now, is he? Perhaps that will stop him trying to escape them!

I hope the pony is all right. Anything could have happened to him by now.

Author Reply: Yup. I can just see it. The society for the protection and nurturing of unhobbity hobbits.

Poor Pip. Cannot escape his escort, even in his dreams.

Stay tuned for future developments. I hope to post the next chapter tomorrow.

Thanks for commenting!

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 20 on 5/11/2004
That is an absolutely chilling scene! Pip was chased by the wild boars, but he wasn't present when Isembold was injured defending Thain Ferumbras. Was it just seeing Pearl's husband that brought it back, or has he been imagining the scene ever since? How absolutely horrible - Tolly is dead, and Ferdi is bleeding his lifeblood out before our eyes - I'm actually glad you didn't write it in Pearl of Great Price quite so vividly. Is Pippin feeling a little guilty for what he is putting Ferdi through, or is it perhaps just general guilt over his responsibilities toward all the Tooks? (Random observation: Isum does not get up when Pip visits him, though he could walk with aid before. Is it just that the years have stiffened his injuries, or is he worse?)

I loved that Sandy is listening outside the door, ready to bring warm milk with honey to every generation of Thains. Sleep is not one of his duties! Too funny.

Pippin is learning as much about Ferdi and Ferdi is learning about Pippin. Ferdi doesn't let down his hair in Pippin's presence, and as aloof and matter-of-fact and competent as he usually is, I'm not surprised Pip tends to overlook him as a person, taking him for granted. The Gamgees are good for Ferdi, and although he really didn't have a choice about being adopted, it's clear he feels a bond with the youngsters. How can he (or we) not love the adorable hobbitlings (though I note Farry's jealousy)?

Then, you close with a note of foreboding. Farry and Goldi (awwww, aren't they cute) have wandered off, too small to be seen through the tall grass, and they aren't missed. If that pig scene at the beginning was foreshadowing, I don't want to read the rest. You wouldn't do that to us, would you? Please?

Author Reply: It was much easier to write the scene as a dream, than to write it using the names of the hobbits who actually died or suffered serious injury, hobbits of whom I'd grown fond.... Yup, I think Pip is feeling a fair amount of guilt all around.

I need a "Sandy". At least I have one in my imagination.

It's nice to fill Ferdi's cup with love spilling over from the Gamgee children.

I wouldn't exactly do that to you, you know that by now. This story is not AU, and fits with later tales, so you know how it has to come out in the end, right? There is angst coming in the next chapter, but also a few surprises. Hang in there.

Thanks for reviewing!

Author Reply: p.s. Isum was barely able to walk thirty-some years ago, with aid of a heavy stick or a hobbit to lean upon. Age has stiffened his joints, adding to the effects of crippling injury, and now he stays mostly chair-bound. He can walk just a bit with Pearl on one side and his eldest son on the other, supporting him, but it causes him enough pain that he moves only at need. (Bed to chair, chair to bed, and such.) Still, life is sweet and his family are always surrounding him, keeping him in the midst of everything.

Author Reply: p.s. Isum was barely able to walk thirty-some years ago, with aid of a heavy stick or a hobbit to lean upon. Age has stiffened his joints, adding to the effects of crippling injury, and now he stays mostly chair-bound. He can walk just a bit with Pearl on one side and his eldest son on the other, supporting him, but it causes him enough pain that he moves only at need. (Bed to chair, chair to bed, and such.) Still, life is sweet and his family are always surrounding him, keeping him in the midst of everything.

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