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Birthday Present  by Lindelea 7 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/23/2004
Oh dear! Well, we know that he gets out--I hope without too much trouble! Sam's gone for help though. It's a good thing they were together!

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/21/2004
Poor Merry! I hope Sam is quick. Sam is always in need of rope for some reason isn't he? Love how this is from Merry's POV.

’ Perhaps he wasn’t the half-wit his father made him out to be. I had suspected as much for a long while now.

Love how Merry was trying to work out how intellgent Sam might be now that he really needed him. It's also a nice glance at how others might see Sam if they view him through only his father's eyes.

Frodo was probably buried in a book at that very moment, in front of a crackling fire in the study, no thought of supper (and cousin) having yet occurred to him.


Such a good picture of the Frodo we know and love on this part. Well, waiting for more and enjoy this very much.

Author Reply: Thanks for commenting! Wrote a draft of chapter 4 but am not sure if it fits the tone of the previous chapters. Will have to let it "age" a day or two and then take another look.

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/21/2004
I like how you have been writing it all as if Merry is narrating the story. Merry's own present thoughts filtering as he tells the tale is wonderful! Good of him to think of something to do with Sam's book from Bilbo, very creative! I hope Sam is a good runner! If he is going to get help for Merry he had better be fast! Looking forward to more!

Author Reply: Have posted more, though not sure if chapter 4 will remain as is or if it will be heavily edited when my editor comes back from vacation.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/21/2004
Omigosh, this story has taken such an unexpected turn! Hurry, Sam!

Author Reply: Sam hurried. Hope the change in narrator isn't jarring. Thanks!

ConnieReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/21/2004
Oh very good. I knew it had to be the well as soon as he hit the hole. Though having it still full of water is a cool twist. Good thing Merry can swim. I just hope Sam is quick with the help. And I hope you're quick with the next chapter. :D Merry can only tread water so long, ya know.

Thanks.

Connie.

Author Reply: Let me know what you think of the change in perspective. Is it jarring, to switch voices midstream?

Wasn't planning to update for a few days, but had a little more time to write than I'd anticipated, and the chapter I was planning to work in in "Thain" wasn't going at all, so I switched stories...

So Merry need not tread water quite so long as might have been.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/21/2004
Good thing that the one to fall down the well was a Brandybuck - or else we'd have had a drowning!

This is a very drama-filled day. Like the first person point of view (am I repeating myself?) I like Merry. He has brains. (Though he can be a bit self-satisfied.)

Author Reply: He can be quite self-satisfied, spoilt young lad that he is (but spoilt in a good way), well-loved son, petted and praised and encouraged... but he has a good head on his shoulders, and his encounter with the *real* Shadow later will not darken his heart, rather it will teach him wisdom...

Thanks!

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/21/2004
Wow! My chills aren't just from the cold water! Wonderful, wonderful story!!! I'm eagerly looking forward to more :-)

Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing, Pearl! I seem to be updating about a chapter a week. Don't know if I'll miss a week... the computer has to go in the shop and they tell me I'll be going through withdrawal for a week or two before we get it back once more... Will have to update on a borrowed computer, if possible, if that's the case. At least this isn't a long story! It'll end at bedtime, obviously (when it satisfies the plot bunny's nibblings).

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