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This and That  by Lindelea 7 Review(s)
Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 12 on 9/18/2006
Please, make my Da well.

This was crossed out, and underneath was more writing, smudged, as though a tear had dropped upon it.

Please, let my Da live.

Regi hastily shoved the paper under the Log and squeezed his eyes shut, wishing himself young and innocent and able to believe in miracles.

Now you've gone and done it! he seemed to hear young Andson's accusing voice echo in the back of his mind. Now it'll never come to be!

'Please,' Regi whispered to the Log. He knew not whom he addressed. To whom does Father Yule speak his wishes?

*wipes tears* Oh, how heart-rending! Poor Fari!

The servitors scarcely needed to light the hanging lamps with their long brass poles with the wicks at the end. Farry's smile was bright enough to light
the entire great room as he answered.

'Just that I have all I ever wanted,' he said. 'But you can stick this in for me, anyhow. I think that Father Yule just might read it in the smoke.' And
he pulled a very small slip of paper from his pocket, and handed it to the steward.

'O' course he will!' Merigrin said.

Farry stood to his feet and tousled Merigrin's curls. 'O' course he will!' he agreed, and taking the little ones' hands he led them singing from the great
room.

When the basket was full and the great room was again empty of children, Regi performed his duty of arranging the paper kindling around the Yule Log. He
saved Farry's note for last, and holding his breath, he stuffed the slip of paper in the middle of the rest, but not before his eye caught, as if by accident,
the writing that was there.

Thank you.

Beautiful! This made me cry.
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: A belated reply to your response. I looked at this story again because Middlest had read it for the first time yesterday, and mentioned that it made her cry. She's in good company, it seems!

And so, thank you so much for reading and taking time to leave your thoughts.

*hugs* Hope you and yours are well.

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/18/2006
A beautiful, beautiful story, Lin. So very precious.

Author Reply: A very belated reply, sorry.

Thank you for taking time to drop a word of encouragement.

*hugs*

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/11/2006
Oh, Lovely! I too, am old enough now to be "believing again". A Lovely, lovely tale. I want to share this with you. The Disney cartoon movie made in the 1970's, "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" featured a family of children spread from oh, six or so, to the oldest brother who had about reached "that age". Seein that new Narnia movie recently made me think about it again. At one point when the oldest brother begins to scoff at things he can not accept, the country lady in whose home they are staying to escape the Blitz sings a darling song to him, called "The age of not believing." The song ends with the hope that those years will pass and some day he will again start to believe in miracles. Whenever I encounter a story like this, or listen to the anxiety of the teens and twenties employed at the restaurant where I work, that song waltzes around in my head, and I remember that there is hope for them too.

Thank you for sharing this story.

Author Reply: "...there is hope for them too."

What a lovely sentiment!

Thanks!

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/10/2006
Oh God, Lindelea, that made me cry. I feel such sympathy for Farry, growing up knowing that his Da is dying but not able to talk to anyone about it, trying to be too grown up too fast, always afraid that the next crisis will be the last, and very conscious of the weight of responsibility that will either fall to him long before he's ready for it, or be thrust on someone who doesn't want it if Farry isn't 'good enough'. I suppose this is about as close as an ordinary hobbit would get to praying for deliverance, and it's interesting that it's reserved as a child's custom; for hobbits aren't ordinarily without hope. Somehow in those in-between years, that hope gets internalized, for even Regi knows that the wishes will start again. Wonderful story, about some of my favorite parts of your universe.

Author Reply: *hugs* I'm so sorry. I hope it was a cathartic kind of crying, rather than ripping the scab off a new-healing wound.

I was a grown-up when my dad died, married and with a young child, and still I felt as if I was having to become too grown up too fast, as you say.

Yes, I think the hope must get internalized; you see so much of it in LOTR, in Sam, seeing the star peeping through the cloud wrack, in Rosie, knowing months before that all was well and he'd be coming home to her again, even in Pippin's "dying" thoughts under the troll.

Belated thanks for your thoughts.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/10/2006
Yes, just right for the Thain's son, and so worthy of a worthy individual. And glad Regi peeked!

Author Reply: Ah, yes, had Regi not peeked there'd be much less of a story! (If any at all.)

Thanks!

"Princess Bride" is on the agenda for Saturday! Will let you know what the little ones think.

Author Reply: Just had to revisit this to let you know that Princess Bride has become one of the Wee Hobbits' favourites. They quote whole sections at each other. It's a hoot.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/10/2006
This really is a lovely Yule story Lindelea. Trouble with tear-jerkers before work is that I have to wash my face again! And it has reminded me of a story I want to read again!

Author Reply: Ah, the perils of wearing makeup. Almost makes me happy to be allergic to the stuff.

Thanks!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/10/2006
Oh, this was just lovely. Poor Faramir. Just young enough to hope, but too old to believe. And desperate, poor lad. Willing to clutch at any straw in the wish to save his father.

I wonder if the talented author has any more insights into Faramir around this time - when he had begun to develop greater responsibility, yet was too young to accept as he was watching with the rest as Pippin died by inches.

Delightful story. I like Regi, too. Makes a very good secretary to Father Yule. And knows enough to be prepared.

Author Reply: Flattery will get you something, I forget what.

Well, I do believe that Faramir had begun to develop responsibility around the time of "Down and Out". You might or might not know that he found work in the stables at the end of "Runaway". By the beginning of "At the End of His Rope" he is quite grown up for his age, even to the point of helping however he can manage, after the coach accident, including helping to deliver the twins.

So far as future stories set during this time frame, well, anything is possible, so long as the Muse is in a good mood.

Thanks! (And sorry for the belated reply.)

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