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As the Gentle Rain  by Lindelea 8 Review(s)
Mysterious JediReviewed Chapter: 46 on 6/7/2004
Come on, Lindelea's muse, get going!

Author Reply: The Muse has very graciously delivered a rather long chapter... so long that it split into two pieces. The first has been posted for your reading pleasure.

Thanks so much for your contribution! Reviews do put the Muse into a good humour!

BeruthielReviewed Chapter: 46 on 6/7/2004
Which hobbit offered his life if Ulrich tried to escape? Was it Fatty? That makes sense, considering it was Fatty who recognized his voice and got him caught in the first place. Guess I'll have to wait to find out. Or I might never find out. Cuillon is right, they have indeed condemned an honourable man.

Author Reply: See, reviewing's not that arduous, is it? And it brings such a light to the Muse's eyes.

I do believe you find out in the following chapter (or at least there's a heavy hint) which hobbit offered his life.

Thanks!

Meldewen IlceReviewed Chapter: 46 on 6/7/2004
Oh, welcome back and thank you for these two chapters!

I do wish Merry could remember whatever it is -- I want Ulrich to be saved!

And why am I uncomfortable with the idea of Ferdi being a witness at the handfasting? I mean it is great for the two families that their children have found one another but doesn't this in some way hasten Ulrich's demise since he won't be hanged until Ferdi can walk with him? True, Ferdi would be riding down to the Pelennor but still...

And I am uncomfortable at the thought because that madman Pilgrim is still on the loose and he's bent on getting the hobbits!

Anyway, great job and please don't leave us hanging (no pun intended) for very long!

Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing!

Actually, it doesn't hasten Ulrich's demise for Ferdi to witness the handfasting. As you will see in the following chapter, the hanging date has already been set and nothing Ferdi can do (short of faking a relapse, which he's too honest to attempt) will stop matters. As it is, Elessar is giving his old friend a last bit of brightness, a farewell feast of sorts, in that Ulrich is invited to the handfasting and the feast to follow.

Ferdi cannot even offer his own life in exchange for the ruffian's, for it would mean the death of his beloved Nell... so he just has to make the best of things, but it is a difficult and distressing situation, no bones about it.

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 46 on 6/7/2004
Oh dear, it seems the hobbits are going to play right into the Pilgrim's hands! I do hope they have guards still on the alert who can be in place against the Pilgrims plans! Forget-Me-Not being married to Frodovar so far away! Although it seems Pippin has a good plan for getting them ready to visit lots! I like that Ferdi decided Ulrich wasn't a ruffian but still hadn't decided about the King! Looking forward to more! thank you!

Author Reply: That sneaky Pilgrim... I hope the guards are on their toes.

Someone mentioned how nice it would be for Pippin to have family nearby when he finally removed to Gondor in the end. Funny, I didn't think of that when plotting out this story, but come to think of it, it *is* nice to set up the chance for some "on the spot" grandchildren to brighten his remaining years.

Thanks for reviewing.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 46 on 6/7/2004
I hope Freddy doesn't have to die to rescue Ulrich - that really would not be fair.

I have a bad feeling about this trip to the Pelennor - except that Ulrich might do something really brave and redeem himself. (Gondor needs to introduce some scheme of appeals and mitigation. Send in the lawyers.)

Keep writing and delivering swift updates, if only to stop me brooding about the poor hobbits. (And the rest).

Author Reply: Thank you, I will try to keep up the swift updates. The reviews do help to grease the wheels tremendously. I had no desire to write when I returned from that lovely vacation, but after reading reviews the Muse perked up once more and started whispering. Don't know why it works that way, but who am I to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs? (Did I just mix a metaphor?)

Hmmm. Lawyers. Interesting concept. Wonder when lawyers were invented?

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 46 on 6/7/2004
Welcome back from your vacation, I hope you had a fun break. I never did get to reviewing the three chapters I was behind, and now I have two more to do. In case I never get to them, I will say I was grateful you didn't leave us hanging (no pun intended) over the cliff during the last week. Nell is safe and more or less sound, and that is good. Having Brant let her go while the Pilgrim was sleeping was brilliant, but I don't think that the guards should get too relaxed yet. It is the creepiest thing ever to think of him, planning and stalking and obsessing on torturing the hobbits. And with this chapter, I have a sneaking suspicion where you are going with Ulrich and Pilgrim. There's sure to be suffering to come, but I can see a hope for redemption.

Author Reply: Thank you for the warm welcome, and this and the other reviews you took the time to write. It was a fun break--a joyous wedding celebration, and then an "outdoor school" to follow. What a whirlwind fortnight it has been!

Hmmm. Let me know if your sneaking suspicion pans out!

ConnieReviewed Chapter: 46 on 6/7/2004
Now I know part of why I never studied to be a lawyer. The law can be so inflexible and unforgiving. They have just got to come up with a way to save Ulrich. I have an idea of something that would go a long way toward saving him. If he could somehow be in the right place at the right time to catch Pilgrim, that would certainly be a big help to his cause. And I have the feeling he may just get the chance. The guards are becoming lax again, and I think Pilgrim is going to try to grab one of the hobbits at the handfasting. Ooo, this could get quite interesting in the next few chapters.

Sorry if I just wrote a huge run-on paragraph. The thoughts were flowing and I just couldn't stop them.

To your muse: Come on girl, snap out of your trance. You're not on vacation any more and Lindelea needs you to give her lots of enspiration. Back to reality, or fantasy I should say.

Thanks

Connie.

Author Reply: You're welcome. You don't have to apologise for writing a huge paragraph. Reviews are so heartening, and long reviews are lovely.

You're right, the next few chapters will be quite interesting if they follow the outline to the end (and no reason why they shouldn't).

Goodness, we're getting close to the finish of this particular story. Can you believe it?

Lyta PadfootReviewed Chapter: 46 on 6/7/2004
A charming chapter. I think they all need the handfasting to distract them from the unpleasant aspects of the situation.

Author Reply: Thanks. I think I needed the handfasting to distract me! (It helps that I just attended a joyous wedding...)

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