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As the Gentle Rain by Lindelea	12 Review(s)
Nienor Niniel	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 10/4/2006
Oh, that was good. I was a little surprised to see Fatty down in the South: have you written about how he came there? Pilgrim and his alternate ego gave me the creeps. The scene in the hut in Rohan... I was so scared, it's a wonder that I didn't have nightmares last night. I like how Ferdi again learnt that not all Men are Ruffians and how we learnt that not all Ruffians are the same. Oh, did you write how Ulrich rescued Eldarion? I seem to recall that Ulrich had a cameo appearance on the lake when the hobbits were in Evendim. Hobbits in boots... chuckles All the best, Nienor Author Reply: Ah, Nienor, another review that I don't remember seeing before. I'd hate for you to think you'd taken your time to write a review, and it wasn't appreciated! You know, I cannot go back and read that scene in the hut, myself. I can scarcely believe I wrote it. I was a little surprised, myself, that Fatty went to the South; someone has said that it doesn't fit into canon, and my only defence is that it doesn't say anywhere that some few extraordinatry hobbits did not live in the Southlands - after all, Pippin and Merry went south in the end, and Sam in the Epilogue says something about them belonging just as much to the south as to the north, if I'm remembering right. But the fact that it was remarkable that they did so, might be evidence against my imaginings. Ah, well. But in writing "Small and Passing Thing" it just popped up out of nowhere, and it seemed to work, so I explored a bit more of it here. The story of Freddy's going south is not written anywhere, only hinted at in these two stories. I'd love to write it, someday, and also Frodovar's wedding to Forget-me-not, but now that the little ones no longer nap it has become very difficult to find writing time, and the Muse has not cooperated in a long time, to make matters worse. Anyhow, if I haven't mentioned how I've appreciated your leaving feedback as you worked your way through these stories, allow me to say it now. Thanks, much. Author Reply: p.s. No, Ulrich rescuing Eldarion is another of those story ideas that is the germ of a seed, not yet sprouted.

Ariel	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 9/28/2004
Lugs tome up back up to Lindelea's Library of Prolific Fiction and plops it into the return bin. There! Finished! OK - you wanted an intelligent opinion on the angst level of this fic and I'd have to give it about a 6. It's very readable, as are all your works (though I'll tell you right now, I'll never live long enough to read them all - though maybe just he angsty ones :p), but it seems like, though you have a lot of pain, injury and drama described, you shy away from really ripping the reader's heart out with it. If this is something you want to learn how to do, I think Ariel's Angst-To-Go service can give you some pointers, but I will tell you now, you probably appeal to more readers without venom dripping angst than I do with it. Eyes 246 reviews at SOA on one story alone Yeah, hon... I really wouldn't suggest changing what works. Author Reply: Did I not answer this review??? I was certain I had. Must be brain fade... Thanks for taking the time to read one of these "epics" (in scope, whether or not in theme!) and render an opinion. I'm not sure I'm cut out to compete for the title of Angst Maven; I think I'll leave that distinction to you! (You do it so marvellously well.) I do tend to "blur" the scene a bit when it gets to be too much... for me, at least. Anyhow, thanks!

Hai Took	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 6/17/2004
You do have a way of making the most touching endings! The last few chapters were certainly exhausting! The worry over Ulrich was terrble! the situation was so sad, what with the executioner knowing him and then having to do the deed of hanging him! How terrible that would be! Pilgrim being hanged along with him was terrible! Freddy giving wanting to give his life for Ulrich was very bittersweet! Reading his good-byes to his family made me cry! Good thing Merry didn't give up on those dusty old records, he eventually found something of use in them! Nell eventually being the one to make the decesion on weather or not Pilgrim/Brant should die! It was really, much more merciful to have the Pilgim killed then to allow Brant to live with him the rest of his life! I'm glad that Nell set a boat for Brant, very sad. You created a wonderful character with Pilgrim/Brant, very complex! I loved the return of the hobbits back to the Shire! Merry and Ferdi keeping their boots was great! Pippin, Diamond, Sam and Rose getting such a wonderful surprise on their return! Thank you for such a wonderful story! Author Reply: Thank you! The ending is the reward I give myself for plodding through the angst and character growth. The quality of mercy is an interesting concept. Just what is merciful? Such considerations have had me pondering for weeks. Thanks for hitting the high points in your review! It was a delight to read and remember along with you.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 6/17/2004
This has been a thoroughly marvelous story. You are such an inspiration to me, the way you have fully realized your version of JRRT's post LORT Shire, and the future of his characters. You have such a deft way with OCs as well. I loved the theme of "mercy"--mercy for the former ruffian Reinhart-Ulrich, and mercy for Pilgrim-Brant. (the split personality, multiple identities also put me in mind of Frodo's mercy to Gollum-Smeagol) Mercy was one of JRRT's themes as well, and we know that mercy and pity are what attracted Gandalf to the hobbits at first. Author Reply: Thank you! I find OCs rather fun to write, for they give me more "scope for the imagination" as Anne of Green Gables was so fond of saying. It was interesting to explore the theme of "mercy", although I wasn't quite as bold as JRRT. Both Bilbo and Frodo showed mercy to Gollum when they were very much in danger, whereas I don't stretch my hobbits quite so much; I let them consider pity and mercy once they're safe from harm. (Though Nell is pretty brave, to trust that Brant won't hurt her, I s'pose.) Thanks for the encouragement! I'm looking forward to reading your post-quest story as well, but have it on hold until I finish "StarFire" since that is set not too long after the Quest. I find my imagination grows lazy if I read while writing... have missed more good stories than I like because of this (as Pearl Took can attest!).

Bluegrass Elf	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 6/15/2004
Oh, I'm almost sorry that it's ended. The whole story was done so beautifully. Author Reply: Thank you for your encouraging words. I'm almost sorry, too, but it is certainly a relief to get my favourite hobbits safely home again.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 6/15/2004
Just reading reviews - do (please) work on the second part of the Shire Beginnings plan - I really enjoyed that. And thinking on The Merchant of Venice - does that make Nell Portia? Author Reply: Hmmm. Nell as Portia, an interesting thought. She did plead for Brant, in a novel kind of way. Brant was desperate, thinking he'd be condemned to live in a dungeon cell for the rest of his life with the Pilgrim. But Nell came through for him. Have hauled out the "Shire" outline and am looking at it. After all, StarFire is nearing its conclusion and I haven't decided what story will follow, yet. Thanks for the comments!

Lyta Padfoot	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 6/14/2004
You've brought this roller coaster of a story in for a safe landing. Ulrich is reunited with his family, Farry and Goldi are enjoying parenthood, Ferdi and his Nell are able to heal and reflect. It was hard to imagine Pippin a grandfather when Goldi's pregnancy was revealed, but now I see he'll be a fantastic one. Those unnamed twins are lucky little hobbits to have Sam and Pippin for grandfathers. I'm looking forward to the conclusion of StarFire and the launch of other tales. I like to print the chapters and bring them to my college classes to read before class. Author Reply: Roller coaster--what a perfect description! I had already imagined Pippin as a grandfather in "Shire" and yes, he's a great one. (Sam too, I think) My goodness, my tales are going places! (I like to print them and proofread them at appointments or lessons.) Thanks for the encouragement! StarFire is coming along, racing to its conclusion (bad pun, i know). Soon I'll have to consider what story will take its place.

FantasyFan	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 6/14/2004
This is a perfect ending for your story. The hobbits are home again, grateful to be where they belong. I had not forgotten Farry and Goldi's impending event, and the timing worked out perfectly. I read what you said in your other response about Rose being a twin - and it's funny, I had always made the other assumption: that she and Jolly were 'Irish twins', but then there is no real evidence for that, either. It's fun to imagine either way. Brandt is not forgotten - he never would have been, after all that happened - but it is good to see him remembered with mercy and forgiveness. And Nell and Ferdi are incredibly romantic, at the end. Happy tears all around. You are to be congratulated once again on another marvellous story. This one had more angst, more cliffhangers and peril than most, but it made a great read once I recovered from the first couple of chapters! Can't wait to see what you come up with next. FF Author Reply: Well, good, for I'd worried it was anticlimatic (don't know if I spelled that right). I like the thought of twins. Never had any myself, though. Know a few. Tolkien wrote a lot about mercy. It is an intriguing theme to explore. When is "mercy" merciful? Had some interesting "death penalty" discussions with people while working on this story. Nell and Ferdi remain incredibly romantic to the very end, which I probably won't write. This may be the latest story on their timeline, unless I decide to do Forget-me-not's wedding. Thanks so much for the praise and encouragement. Your comments helped more than you know, I suspect. And they give me the courage to tackle yet another story...

Connie	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 6/14/2004
Oh, it's over. I hate to see a story end. I know they have to, but every time one ends I just ask myself," is that it?" I always want to know more. And you certainly have left a lot of doors open for future stories. Now we need to know about Farry and Goldi's children. There's Ruby and Frodovar's wedding, in seven years. Oh, there are so many possibilities. This had such a poiniant ending. Love, sorrow, memory and forgiveness all rolled into one. I just remembered, there's still the story of what happened post wolves-pre twins for Farry, Goldi and all those left behind. I can't wait to see what the muse cooks up next. I know "Starfire" has to be a focus now, but still looking forward to whatever comes next. Thanks for sharing for efforts with all of us. Connie. P.S. I just remembered something that occurred to me the other night. The hobbit toast that appears in so many of your stories; "Live long, laugh long, love forever" wouldn't be tied in any way to the song "Live, laugh, love" would it? Like I said, just a late-night thought. Author Reply: I keep worrying about running out of things to write about... guess I shouldn't worry. Of course, it feels a bit odd to contemplate writing a story about two completely invented characters (such as Frodovar and Forget-me-not) without even a mention on the genealogy to give them nodding acquaintance with Tolkien. There's a song? And here I thought I was being strikingly original! (haha) What song is it? Who sings it? Is it old, or current? I'm afraid my listening is restricted to the classical station, or to Celtic music. I certainly wouldn't mind hearing your impressions of StarFire, though it will hardly be as heavy and thought-provoking as "Rain" was. As to StarFire's companion (for I invariably write on two stories at once), part 2 of "Shire" and the Thain story were vying for pride of place, but I think the Thain story is a bit more developed and will probably win. Thanks for reviewing! Author Reply: Perhaps I ought to rephrase that "wouldn't mind" and say I look forward to hearing your impressions... for indeed, I do.

Beruthiel	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 6/14/2004
Very sweet ending. What exactly is the significance of the title, "As the Gentle Rain"? Apologies if that should be obvious, but I can be rather dense sometimes. Waiting with bated (or is it baited?) breath for the next story. Author Reply: Thank you. Hope the ending wasn't too much of an anti-climax. I would have left the story with Ulrich's being set free, but there were a few loose ends to clear up. I fear I reach the end of too many stories requiring some sort of epilogue to tie up the loose ends (or snip them off, or whatever) as I haven't figured out, always, how to weave them in. If you will look at the quote from Shakespeare at the beginning of the story, you will find the phrase "it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven...". The original title was "The Quality of Mercy" but I wanted to be more subtle than that. My editor tells me it is "bated", short for abated, or holding your breath. I don't know where she gets this stuff, but then, I don't need to know as long as she is willing to generously share her time... (spoilt rotten, that I am)

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