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All That Glisters  by Lindelea 4 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/24/2004
Whoosh! I had been worried that Jack had been hanged, although I really did not think you would do that to the younger ones! What a relief!
I love the way Pippin was "firm" with the Rangers. He is not really being Thain here so much as he is being the Ernil i Pherrianath and a Knight of Gondor. I could easily imagine that if Aragorn saw him in action, blessing out the Rangers, he would have been sniggering into his hand.

Author Reply: Yes, there was deliberate ambiguity there, just as Ferdi and Pippin would have experienced.

The thought of Aragorn sniggering into his hand brought a chuckle, here.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 20 on 10/7/2004
This was a wonderful chapter. I loved the way that Pippin called the shots. He sounded so very nuch the Thain of the Shire. My favorite was:

‘So say I,’ Pippin said. ‘Only the King can gainsay me. It is my right to grant such. You read your Edict and you’ll see.’

But I am also rather fond of:

‘Fat lot of good it does!’ he flared. ‘Men are still coming into the Shire, while you sit on your backsides, expecting stinking corpses to do your duty for you!’



Peregrin Took has come into his own at this point. Now on to Pincup and the Valar help those that stand in Pip's way.



Author Reply: I was a little tenative when I wrote this, thinking, "o my goodness, he's *insulting* a *Ranger*! The guy could break him in half with one hand tied behind his back!"

But then I realised, of course, that seasoned, disciplined troops are used to accepting whatever an authority figure dishes out without blinking an eye (no matter what they might think about it, or even say about it in private), and so of course the Ranger wouldn't be annoyed or insulted but more courteous than anything else.

Valar help those that stand in his way... including Ferdi!

Thanks.

Connie B.Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 10/7/2004
Go, Pippin! I love the way he took charge of this whole situation. This was great. And I'm so glad that Jack and the boys got away. Yes!

Thanks.

Connie B.

Author Reply: I do love writing a "Thainly" Pippin, and it is fun to see him protecting Ferdi instead of the other way around.

I'm glad Jack and the boys got away, too. While drafting the story there was some discussion as to how it would turn out, either way (as in, they got away; they didn't get away), and I'm glad that the version you're seeing here was the final decision.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 20 on 10/7/2004
Hurray! Three cheers for Pippin. (If it works.) A hobbit with a heart. Jack the lad saved Hilly and looked after Diamond and Farry, so Pippin will save him and look after the lads.

I have never been convinced that gibbets and dangling corpses have much of an effect as a measure of intimidation, because those forced to view them soon become inured to the spectacle. And they are certainly a Health Hazard. I should think the majority of hobbits would be totally horrified to know that the peaceful Shire was ringed with the hanged corpses of Men. (Although some would cheer - probably those who have absolutely no idea of the reality of it. Note that Ferdi, who knows exactly what it means, loathes the idea, even though he is not at all partial to Men.)

Very sneaky, having Pippin with the power to over-rule the Edict when he chooses. And very sensible, too. (Is this before the sickness one? When the guards entered the Shire? I lose track. I was just thinking that this seems the sort of sensible addition to the Edict that might happen when they realised that sometimes it is really handy for a few Men to be able to go into the Shire.)

Aargh! I'm wittering on far too much. Good chapter - increases my liking for Pippin, who (blasphemy) I can find a bit irritating at times.

Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing! This is some years before the epidemic.

I'm glad to have raised Pippin in your estimation. He can be a bit irritating at times, but then nobody's perfect! (Not even if fanfic readers and writers want them to be!) I much prefer a sensibly flawed character, myself. It leaves so much scope for the imagination.

Very insightful comments.

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