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A New Reckoning by Dreamflower	10 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 9/28/2006
Worser and worser for the miscreants, it is. And I hope they find the Bracegirdle before he quite gets away--I hate to think anyone is getting away with something tonight. Oh, dear, Merry, that was a fair way to meeting the promise you made. And certainly these are stupid enough to deserve such a promise. Darwin Awards for dumb hobbits? Author Reply: Well, he might get away for a little while... grin I had great fun allowing Merry to keep his promise. And yes, those two really do need a Darwin Award, LOL!

AspenJules	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 7/5/2006
Ok, now I know Hyacinth is really, truly a horrible old COW!!! To be so wholly concerned with how things affect her, and to regret being "saddled with a hurt child" rather than any concern at all about how badly she is hurt. She lacks even the most rudimentary of maternal feelings. I'm sure Reginard wishes she'd never married him as well, the old cow!! At least the girls still show some semblance of sisterly concern. Perhaps there's hope for them yet. But poor Opal..., ok, now I really feel sorry for her, to have to lose her leg. I like that Estella is concerned about Merry's reaction. That really was a somewhat violent act for a hobbit, especially a gentlehobbit. I guess the Quest may have changed his ideas on physical violence just a bit, and that would with good reason be a concern to Estella. It's an interesting theme that's developing throughout a lot of this story, how we make bad decisions for one reason or another (selfishness, ignorance or because it seemed like a good decision at the time) and then the complications that come when we try to avoid the consequences of those decisions. Author Reply: Yes, Hyacinth's true selfishness really is beginning to show. Now you know. As to the sisters, you will find out eventually... It was something that rather took her aback, and showed her a side of Merry that she had not considered before. Yes, that's definitely one of my themes, and I am glad you are picking up on it.

PIppinfan1988	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 7/31/2005
Poor Opal! I saw that one coming as soon as I read her leg was shattered. That Hyacinth is a real piece of work. LOL…I can see how you ‘ran away” with this character, but hey--every story has to have a villain, whether a person or object. You’re doing very well (did very well!) Things are really revving up here in this chapter…and loved Sam’s reaction to Merry’s “bit of a confrontation”! Pippinfan p.s. I’ll have you know that I was almost through the next chapter when I realized I had only eaten my sandwich at lunch! I was so engrossed in the tale that I nearly forgot to eat lunch! Author Reply: Yes, Hyacinth rather took me by surprise when I realized her true nature. I like everyone else in the Great Smials had her pegged as a snobby nuisance, more of an annoyance than a menace. I was floored when I realized her nastiness went deeper than I expected. Sam knows Merry. He has known Merry since he was nine and Merry was seven--not as well or as closely as Frodo, but well enough to know exactly what his reaction to the detestable Bankses would be. My Sam and Merry are a good deal alike, personality-wise. LOL! I may have stumbled onto something here: could I make a fortune with "The Fanfic Diet"?

yelena	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 5/27/2005
WOW!!! As it is well past midnight, I have to wait until tomorrow to finish this story, but its sheer masterfullness (no, i don't think that is a real word) has captivated and enthralled me for the past several hours. I am truly enjoying this story! Author Reply: I just came across your review when I had gone back to check a detail in this chapter for the other story I am working on. I am so glad you were enjoying it and I apologize for not seeing it sooner!

GamgeeFest	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 6/22/2004
Ha! Sam knew it was Merry without being told. But then who else would it be? Poor Opal! That is far too great a payment for her silly act. I can see her becoming incredibly bitter over all this. And if Hyacinth wants to blame someone, she could try looking into a mirror. Author Reply: Of course Sam knew, once he knew who the culprits were. He and Merry are never going to be as close as he and Frodo, but they are pretty close friends, and being so much alike, they know one another very well. It's going to take some time to see how Opal adjusts to her ordeal. Hyacinth is getting ready to face some long needed retribution.

Pervinca	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 6/22/2004
Things certainly are becoming more serious. Loss of a limb! I often forget that healers in the Shire would not have access to the treatments we have today. She may have been a little brat, but poor Opal. It will never cease to amaze me how much you can make happen during a time in the books where it seemed nothing really happened :P - Pervinca Author Reply: Yes, that's part of the reason I upped the rating. Yes, poor Opal. But this is going to result in some eye opening around the Great Smials. I know. Post-Quest, JRRT only gave us this little bare outline of events to cover about 2 years. Gives a lot of scope to the imagination, doesn't it? "Reckoning" only covers the short period of time between that little quote in my prologue and Sam's wedding. Little over a month, actually.

Hai Took	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 6/21/2004
I like how Merry fulfiled his promise to the Banks brothers. Although his deeds seemed to have startled a few people, Estella being one of them! But I bet Merry felt better! Opal being hurt and the way Hyacinth is actin! Not a very motherly attitude! Poor Reggie, realisizing everything he shoudl have done when his girls were young. Maybe this will be a chance for their family to pull together? I hope this doesn't present any troubles for the Men in cooperating with the hobbits! Looking forward to more! Thank you! Author Reply: Yes, keeping that promise definitely made Merry feel good. He doesn't realize yet, however, just how thoroughly he startled Estella. No, Hyacinth is not a very motherly person, is she? But the blinders are off for Reggie. With lesser Men, the brothers' scheme might have borne fruit. But Aragorn and Eomer chose these particular Men themselves. They would not have sent anyone who would be taken in by such an act.

Beruthiel	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 6/21/2004
Hmmm, what exactly has Clodio been up to? You've got me so curious I'll never get any peace until I find out. Update soon, please. Author Reply: I will show you soon just what Clodio and Dago did, and why they are so desperate not to be found out.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 6/21/2004
Uh, Opals leg has to come off? That's horrible! She is a spoiled rotten brat, but this seems rather hard. I'm tempted to say "poor girl", although I don't like her! Hyacinth is a nasty hobbit, really! You would think in such circumstances she would only be worried about her missing daughter, but no, all she can do is to be nasty. Please remove her from Reggie's side, he don't deserve this wife! Reggie himself is a nice guy, and I'm quite fond of him. It seems the male Banks family members finally will get what they deserve - the Thain will not be pleased to know what they have done :-) As always, I'm waiting eagerly for the next chapter - thank you for your story and the frequent updates! Author Reply: No, Opal has not been a very likable person, has she? Which is why it will take something drastic to change her way of thinking. Hyacinth has a heart of stone. But she has a lesson coming, too, though she is probably too self-centered to benefit from it. No, no, Paladin will not be pleased at all. I'm glad you are enjoying it.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 6/21/2004
Poor Opal. Just trying to think if there are any super-healers around with extra skill. Nope, can't come up with any nearer than Rivendell. Reggie does have to take some of the responsibility for useless parenting. Horrible Hyacinth is, but he shouldn't have let her get away with ruining their daughters. Merry is in a bit of a hole with Estella - I hope her brother lets her in on more of the details. And I hope he doesn't get put off Angelica because she's a bit miffed with her father - she's a nice lass. I don't think Clodio will get out of this one - good. Looking forward to finding out more! Author Reply: No none nearer than that. And even a super-healer like Elrond or Aragorn needs something to work with. But there are worse things than losing a leg. Reggie is beginning to realize that. He spent so many years trying to keep the peace, and not fight with her (which can have its own kind of damaging effect on children) that he rather lost track of what it meant to be a father. And of course, the ruder and more unpleasant the girls became, the less he wanted to do anything with them. Kind of a vicious circle. Yes, Merry doesn't know yet that Estella is upset with him. Freddy will do what he can, of course. I don't think his noticing her temper will put him off, I just think it was a good sign that he noticed at all. Clodio is up the proverbial you-know-what-creek without a paddle.

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