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


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

As the Gentle Rain by Lindelea	10 Review(s)
Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 5/12/2004
I love the truth-sifting. I also like how Pippin fooled everyone into thinking he was still a bit out of his head due to his injury. Can't wait to see what comes next. Author Reply: Thanks for commenting! Pippin is quite the gifted actor. I wonder if he ever fooled his cousins?

Hai	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 5/12/2004
Ferdi's skill has come in handy again! It really is too bad that Ulrich was a ruffian! I guess they would all be getting old now. I hope there is some sort of redemptiong that can be found in Ulrich, perhaps he has changed. Anyway, as always looking forward to more! Thank you! Author Reply: I think Ulrich has changed... he's grown wiser with age. You should be seeing more of his story in upcoming chapters. Thanks for reviewing!

Lyta Padfoot	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 5/12/2004
Ferdi could find himself in trouble should his abilities become widely known. Author Reply: You're right! They've always sort of kept it under wraps, just between Ferdi and Pippin and Regi. This is the first time he's openly displayed his truth-sifting before Men. I wonder how hard it was to persuade Elessar to let him listen to the ruffian? Thanks for reviewing.

FantasyFan	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 5/12/2004
It's a tribute to Ferdi's gift that he can sift the truth from falsehood of even a professional liar - a species he's probably not encountered often before. Of course, Ferdi's sharp mind and years of experience solving problems certainly helps almost as much as the truth-sifting ability. He'd better be careful, or Elessar may decide he's too valuable to give back to the Shire. Now that the Elves are leaving, Ferdi and his family may be the only truth-sifters left! Actually, that brings up more problems for Ferdi. He'd better watch his back, or those with something to hide may decide he's too valuable to leave alive. Elessar may want this hearing kept private, but I imagine there is at least some precedent in the law of Gondor for public accusation and defense, even though the king has ultimate powers of judgement. The mayor is popular here in his own place, and his people will have to be convinced of his guilt. The king may believe Ferdi, but the testimony of the witnesses will surely be needed. And then, it's a case of yes-he-did, no-I-didn't, without either a confession (which sounds unlikely) or Ferdi's talents exposed. Does Gondor have a witness protection program? There are some interesting ideas in this story of Ulrich. How much do his present helpful, proper and loyal actions mediate the guilt of what he did in a previous life? How much does saving Eldarion? He is shown to be a liar, and known to be an accomplice of evil, but the actions of a soldier in time of war must be judged on a slightly different scale than those of a man in peaceful times - do you agree? Or do scaring Breeland peasants and bullying bewildered hobbits not qualify as war? Remember how persuasive Saruman's voice was - I am sure he used it to coerce and cajole and intimidate his own maybe unwilling minions as well as his enemies. How will Aragorn mix judgement and mercy this time? Author Reply: Huh! As if Elessar had a chance of keeping Ferdi! (He's offered him a job more than once, as I recall, only to be rebuffed, politely but firmly.) I wonder how many of his children (if any) share the trait, or if only Rosemary's would. Is it passed down through the mother? Haven't thought it out yet. As you have seen with the next chapter, your instincts were spot on. With the witnesses not identified, anybody trying to intervene would have a hard time picking out just which hobbits were "inconvenient". A public trial is possible, but probably not likely in Ulrich's case. He's an old friend of Elessar's, he's cooperating with the authorities, and the King would do what he could to spare the sensibilities of Ulrich's family, so far as can be done. (However, Ulrich, and his family, know his probable fate...) You ask some good, probing questions in your final paragraph, all things that the King must weigh in pronouncing his judgement. It will be a few chapters, however, before all is revealed.

Meldewen Ilce	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 5/12/2004
Oh and I also wanted to say awhile ago but did not in my original view that this man Ulrich has not chance of lying his way out of this no matter how hard he tries, not with Ferdi listening to him with his extraordinary gift of descerning falsehoods from the truth. Anyway, great job and I imagine there is more angst coming our way! Author Reply: Thanks! I understand your browser ate your original review, so I appreciate your coming back to add a comment. You're right, there is more angst, and not just in the next chapter after this one! We still have to get to Minas Tirith, and the Pilgrim is still unaccounted for...

Beruthiel	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 5/12/2004
Aragorn says Ulrich saved his son from drowning nearly 30 years ago, but in "End of his Rope" wasn't Eldarion born the same year as Tolman Gamgee (1442 or '43), only 20 or so years before "Gentle Rain"? Is that a mistake or do these people just have an odd definition of "nearly"? Loving this story! Too bad for Ulrich, if he really has turned over a new leaf. Hope Fatty's all right. Eagerly awaiting the story about Paladin you mentioned somewhere. Author Reply: Thanks for the catch! Will have to do a little rethinking, as to whether to change the date (weakens the story; he and Aragorn are supposed to have known each other a long time!) or change the name of the drowning child (have to research Elven names a bit to come up with a believable name for a princess...unless you have a suggestion, which I'd be happy to incorporate!) I was trying to find Eldarion's birthdate in my notes (it isn't given) and was doing some research in Encyclopedia of Arda, where they speculated that he had been born the same year as Faramir. Of course, it's all speculation, so I can have him being born the same year as Tolman and not worry. Paladin's story is percolating slowly through the layers of my brain and will probably be ready to begin production when either "Rain" or "StarFire" finishes, if not sooner. Not sure if I can handle writing on more than two long stories at a time though, especially with my editor still too busy at her "real" job. Appreciate the review, and the correction!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 5/12/2004
Swift updates on two stories, plus some one offs. How do you do it? I envy Ferdi's ability to tell if someone is speaking true. Wouldn't it be useful - no more need for lawyers! I like the fact that the ruffian seems to have two sides - the past and his more pleasant present. It can be so difficult not to fall into bad ways if you are surrounded by villains - and Ulrich seems more three dimensional for having a good side too. I hope Freddy is recovering. Author Reply: I think about a story for weeks before I write. For example, the story of Paladin becoming Thain has been outlined awhile now, but I will not get to writing it for some time, probably, and when I do sit down to write it ought to be quick since the thinking is already done... unless I run into something I find needs more research. I write a chapter in about an hour, because it's "already written" in my head. This does not take into account the hours of research and "pre-writing" of course. It is wonderful to have a story to chew on while washing dishes, ironing, vacuuming, or being stuck in rush-hour traffic... There's more on Ferdi's ability in "Runaway" (where it first came to Pippin's attention) and "Truth", if you're interested. Thanks for reviewing.

Bluegrass Elf	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 5/12/2004
Wow! Neat! Ferdi has a gift! Author Reply: I wish I had that gift. It would make parenting so much easier. Ferdi's gift is also explored in "Runaway" and "Truth". Thanks for reviewing.

Meldewen Ilce	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 5/12/2004
Wow this is really getting good now - I look forward to the next chapter! Author Reply: Great to hear from you! I feel as if I'm driving a coach with four-in-hand... all these different sets of reins to keep track of. Every time I can pull a chapter out of the spaghetti of plot it is a minor triumph! Thanks for the encouragement.

Connie	Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 5/12/2004
Oh Man. Aragorn sure is between a rock and a hard place. If he believes Ferdi, the men will see his a unfair,biased and quick to judge. If he finds for Ulrich, the hobbits will view him as uncaring of the injuries at the hands of men. I know Aragorn believs the hobbits, but this looks like it could go to a full trial. Not a fun thought. I somehow don't think it will come to that. Ulrich thinks Freddy is dead and will probably betray himself when he learns otherwise. You certainly are putting a lot of interesting little swists and turns into this plot. I'm lovin' it. Keep up the great work. Connie. Author Reply: Poor Aragorn. I wonder how he's going to manage... There's going to be quite an upheaval in the little town of Dindale when word gets out that the ultra-respectable Mayor is under suspicion. Thanks for the encouragement! Hope to have another chapter tomorrow or the next day.

Return to Chapter List