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A New Reckoning by Dreamflower	6 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 9/29/2006
Speaking of all this causes Frodo much pain, but is necessary. And he's indeed suffering from melancholy and depression and nightmares. So glad Frodo will share what he's been given with Opal for the lass's comforting. Author Reply: For me, the central fact about post-Quest Frodo is that while he cannot seem to take joy for himself, he is still capable of taking it for others. And he is at his best when he is thinking of and helping others. He always had a strong urge to help, a selflessness that enabled him to endure his task for the sake of others. And now the Quest is over, but he still thinks of other people first. Frodo's first impulse will always be to share.

PIppinfan1988	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 8/6/2005
“Foolish hobbit. If I were the kind of rogue who could be bought, I would have no need to let you go. I would simply slit your throat and help myself to all that nice shiny coin you have one pony…” - Dreamflower shivers Isn’t that the stark, awful truth? I shudder to think what sort of scoundrels were/are out there and would deal with the hobbits in such a way--people no bigger than children. I hope that bit of truth takes root in Mr. Bracegirdle’s heart. I still hold out hope that one of these villains will redeem themselves, though I have no idea how… A traitor is a traitor, and that’s a fact. You know, I’ve heard of the “absent limb” syndrome and it was floating round in my head when I read of Opal first waking up. I sort of wondered just how she would cope with that, and I am happy to see Frodo sharing how he manages the pain from his missing finger. I’m glad to see Opal and her sisters turning over a new leaf. Pippinfan Author Reply: It is the stark awful truth, and it is something I deal with in "The Road to Edoras" and also in my story "An Unexpected Guest" which has to do with events in the longer story. Hobbits who have been banished from the Shire have not always fared well, as Freddy and the others come to find out... When I first started the story, one of the things in the back of my mind was Frodo helping a hobbit who lost a limb, yet the last thing I expected was for it to be young Opal. (My original scenario involved a hobbit getting injured in another kind of accident altogether.) Opal and her sisters are now out from under Hyacinth's influence, and their basic natures as Reggie's daughters can begin to develop. It is not going to be easy for them, but Eglantine, her sisters-in-law, and Pippin's sisters will all be doing their best to help them. I show a lot more of Opal's fate in "It Takes a Took".

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 7/6/2004
Good for Frodo. I hope Reggie gets some support - he is looking at the end of his tether. Poppy is a good healer - the Shire seems to be well blessed with healers. Author Reply: Well, Reggie is getting a lot of support, but he is still trying to spend most of his time with her. He has a lot of guilt issues over not being a better father. But he will gradually begin to ease off. I like Poppy a lot. She and Lavender have made appearances in previous stories; but Poppy is a favorite of mine, and I have some interesting plans for her.

GamgeeFest	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 7/6/2004
Opal will do well to take Frodo's advice. I'm glad she was able to see that his "oddities" were only ever just rumors and ask for his help. And I am glad that Dago will get his due. But as for a sequel, didn't you say that Sandyman got away? Seems you could do something with that. Author Reply: Just about anybody would do well to take his advice. He has grown so much in wisdom and compassion since his journey, that I feel he now ranks among the "Wise" like the Bearers of the Three. And of course, in a lot of ways, Frodo was odd before he left, in hobbit terms at least, but oddities are not necessarily a bad thing, the way Hyacinth made it sound. Yes, Dago will get his due. But I already know what happened to Sandyman, and that will also come in before the end, I hope. Or maybe it will wait for a sequel. Hmmm....

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 7/5/2004
I saved up several chapters of this to enjoy all at once. It is still very good and I am enjoying it very much. I love how Opal responds to Legolas and how wonderful he has been to help her. I like the way everyone is pulling together to help her recover. This chapter was wonderful! I was so pleased to see how you used frodo's missing finger as a way for him to help Opal with her lost leg. I loved it when she asked him how to be good. Very sweet. I also thought that you showed Frodo's dificulty in speaking about his problems with the healer very well. He was willing to help, but it hurt him to reveal so much. I look forward to more. Author Reply: I'm so glad you are still enjoying the story. Legolas would always be willing to help when he can, and feels perhaps badly that it was her rudeness to him that got her into the situation in the first place. (Not logical, but good people do tend to worry about things like that, go figure.) Frodo will not talk about his problems or experiences to help himself, but he will to help someone else. I had really had this idea of him helping another hobbit who had lost a limb early on in the story, but I had not expected it to be one of Hyacinth's daughters at first.

Lyta Padfoot	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 7/5/2004
The scene between Frodo and Opal was sweet and heartbreaking. He understands her more than she realizes, indeed Opal's personality is improving, but the impetus for her change will be one she'll live with the rest of her life. Dago is pretty sheltered, but then so are most hobbits, if he thought he could actually get far without being caught or robbed. Author Reply: Frodo has grown a lot in wisdom and compassion, and he does indeed understand a great deal. Opal and her sisters are going to have to work hard to overcome habits of a lifetime, but without Hyacinth there, they may stand a chance. Dago thought he was pretty clever and that he knew more than he actually does. He is in for a rude awakening. And he really did not plan ahead for his flight; I don't suppose he thought much beyond getting out of the Shire with his ill-gotten gains.

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