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StarFire  by Lindelea 2 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/1/2004
Ooh, I *like* Pip's brother-in-law! He must know how all the formality must chafe! And good for him to point out that Pip's escort needs to know about any danger in teh Shire!

Lyta PadfootReviewed Chapter: 18 on 5/9/2004
Lovely to see Isum and Pearl, happily married with children. Isum's treatment of Ferdi was perfect - he won't allow him to fade into the background. Ferdi's moment of realization that the farm belonged to Pippin was note-perfect, Ferdi and Pippin are both a bit out of the loop and it shows. I'm surprised there was less friction between Pearl and Pippin, was this the first time they'd seen each other in a less-than-public setting since Pippin left for Buckland? I wonder what Pearl thought of the whole Paladin/Pippin feud - or did she stay out of it altogether?

Author Reply: It was fun to catch a glimpse of Isum and Pearl so many years after "Pearl of Great Price". I don't have the chronology in front of me, but I figure they must have been married about 30 years by now, and I think they've had at least the dozen children wished them in one of the blessing toasts spoken at their wedding.

It is possible that Pearl was able to visit Pippin in Buckland, though not likely. Though he was somewhat mobile up through the scouring of the Shire and perhaps some time afterwards, her husband is now confined to a chair, and she has a dozen (or more) children and a farm to manage. It is likely they kept in touch through letters.

I assume she'd stay neutral. If she took her father's part, Pippin would have cut her off as well (out of self-defence). If she took Pippin's part, Paladin might have found another tenant for the family farm, seeing the bitterness that consumed him in the last years. She wouldn't have worried about herself, but for the sake of Isum and the children she had to stay on Paladin's good side.

Thanks for the thoughtful comments.

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