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Thain  by Lindelea 7 Review(s)
Eirinn LeighReviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/22/2015
The story intro suggested that 'Thain' followed Bucca and Paldine as they found themselves thrust into thain-ship. But the story itself seems to follow Pippen well over his father.

Author Reply: Sorry for not replying to your reviews. I've been "away" from fanfic for a few years. Life sort of got in the way. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate that you took time to leave feedback, and to ask after this story.

As I find fanfic in general and hobbits in particular to be good for my mental health, I have carved out reading and writing time in my schedule again. Here's hoping all the WIPs eventually will find their finish.

Eirinn LeighReviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/22/2015
That's just cruel. And bad politics. Forcing someone into leadership who doesn't want to lead may be good in fairytales but...
Though can you imagine Pippin the sheepherd following his cousins on the quest? I would love to read an AU where Pip's Da didn't become Thain.

Author Reply: A theme that has always fascinated me is that of someone who does the hard thing, even when they don't want to do it, even when a selfish choice would keep them far away from doing the hard thing, because it is the right thing to do. I guess it started with Frodo (and Sam, and the younger cousins) on the Quest, and Freddy leading his band in the hills of Scary against the ruffians who'd taken over the Shire.

Thanks (belatedly) again!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 22 on 4/21/2005
First time I've found myself liking Ferumbras, I must say. Love this story, Lindelea.

Author Reply: Have you read "Pearl of Great Price"? That is where I came to know and like Ferumbras, poor, misunderstood hobbit that he was. He did the best he could, under the circumstances.

Thanks!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 22 on 3/27/2005
I should think he'd rather be a shepherd than a Thain-in-training. Or Merry's sidekick might be even better.

The ins and outs of Shire politics and inheritance are interesting.

Author Reply: Amen. Hope they're believable as well.

(Don't know if you read fanfic on occasion any more, but I thought I'd answer reviews, even the old ones, for old times' sake.)

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 22 on 3/21/2005
This one chapter goes such a long way to explaining Pippin's feelings on becoming Thain. This one line here:

Pippin had the bewildered look of a wild bird as the cage door closes.

That was all so very sudden and so very sad. Pippin never had a chance. It is hardly any wonder that he fled to Buckland and to Merry as soon as he got the chance. I only hope that Pearl is able to speak to him in private and that Pippin gets a chance to talk to Merry soon.

Author Reply: Really very sad, and I hated to do it. Sometimes it is a pain to write, constrained by previous material. But re-writing would be much more difficult and time-consuming! (You're so brave.)

Connie B.Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 3/21/2005
Talk about a bombshell. Poor Pippin, and poor Paladin.

One question. What was the deal with the birthday presents? It was Pippin's birthday, right? Shouldn't he have been giving presents and not getting them? I guess that was really three question, but on the same topic.:)

Glad to see an update to this story.

Connie B.

Author Reply: Owe you a word of thanks! I went to look up the passage in JRRT's letters about birthday presents, because he says, yes, it's a custom to give the birthday-child a present under certain constraints (the day before, or by noon of the birthday)--but then I ran across a part of the passage that I'd forgot! The presents are not displayed on a table, but given privately! So I need to re-write that bit.

There is some discussion of Merry's present to Pippin, and Frodo's, in a later chapter, so I need to ditch the table and re-do the giving of the presents somehow...

In any event, the next Bucca chapter is under the eye of my editor-friend at the moment, and we are trying to work out the outline to make sure the two parts end even with each other, as they originally did.

In the meantime, started a new story from Woodruff's viewpoint, and am still working on Rosemary's story.

But the Real Life writing is taking more time, so updates may be slow unless I can manage to keep getting up earlier than everyone else.

Lyta PadfootReviewed Chapter: 22 on 3/21/2005
Poor Pip - to have his life changed so quickly. I felt sorry for the family. Paladin and Eglantine are facing a very different future than the one they imagined for themselves and their family.

Author Reply: Thanks. Hope this reads as plausible. I keep running up against the question, "but *why* can't Paladin simply renounce the sucession?" Whew, that's a sticky spot. Hoping that duty and tradition is enough to explain it.

Nice to hear from you! Are you writing these days?

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