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A Healer's Tale  by Lindelea 9 Review(s)
Mysterious JediReviewed Chapter: 38 on 7/28/2005
I'm still reading and enjoying!

<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
mj

Author Reply: Glad to hear it!

Anso the HobbitReviewed Chapter: 38 on 7/28/2005
Oh! That was quite a speech to give Merry. I sat on the edge of my chair reading that. But it`s probably true, sad as it is. Estella shouldn`t be second in Merry`s life. She should be first. But that is hard with the relationship between Merry and Pippin since that is so strong.

Author Reply: Poor Estella. Merry was taking her for granted, and not even realising it. But I think he's seeing the situation through new eyes, thanks to that interfering busybody of a healer... (I mean Woodruff, whom I regard fondly, despite what I just wrote...)

ArielReviewed Chapter: 38 on 7/27/2005
That is one thing I have bitched about many times - that people write these hobbits as being closer to each other than to their wives. BULL. That shortchanges women, and does us great disservice. I challenge anyone who's lived a while to remember when their best friend got married. Friendships, no matter how close, are different than the relationship between a married couple. Comparing them is like apples and oranges - neither is better than the other, nor stronger nor exclusive of it - but the friendships, if they are true friendships, DON'T get between the marriage. Marriage is more important, and dare I say, sacred, and too many fanfic writers don't understand that. Maybe because they are mostly so young. *shrug* It's late... I hope you didn't expect coherency?

Author Reply: While I don't expect coherency, I do read reviews with interest and appreciation. And sometimes ask for clarity. But then I'm so often muddled, myself. (Not as much as previously, when I was in a caffeine fog. Oh how I miss the taste of coffee, tea and chocolate. But it's been worth it.)

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 38 on 7/27/2005
Wow! Woodruff is amazing! As an experienced healer she always knows what to do and what to say. And having dealt with the Thain for so long, she's not the least afraid to speak to the Master as if he were her own son! And Merry takes her advice(a real good advice BTW), because he respects her.

And if Merry is absolutely sure, that Pippin is out of danger, I trust him. For there is no-one, who knows Pippin better than Merry!

Thank you!

Author Reply: LOL, so you can relax now, at least so far as Pippin is concerned. We are past the worst, I'm glad to say.

And Woodruff is only human, and makes mistakes, but not so many as she used to.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 38 on 7/27/2005
This is great.

I love the way she simply takes over with the Mayor and the Master. Having so long dealt with a Thain, they simply do not intimidate her in the least. She sees what they need and provides it: in Sam's case, something to calm him and help him sleep, and in Merry's case, a bit of sage and overdue advice.

I am glad that Merry was able to let her know how sure he is that Pippin's recovery is real. He does indeed know his cousin better than anyone--even better than Pippin himself--and I am quite sure that he read the signs immediately. And of course, he has his own previous and personal experience of Ent-draught to go by.

And I am glad that Woodruff was able to open Merry's eyes a bit to his neglect of his wife. I am sure that he did tell her he loved her in the earlier days of their marriage, but that is something that needs constant re-inforcement--especially when Estella knew that he had loved another before her, and that however much his heart is given to her, Pippin has part of his soul. She had to wonder at times, and in the stress of possibly losing Pippin, it must have been doubly hard.

Very good chapter, and I look forward eagerly to the next--I'm dying to see how Bilbo can fix the teapot problem...

Author Reply: I think a healer to the Tooks would grow a thick skin... Are your Tooks as difficult for Diamond to deal with, healer that you've made her, as mine are with their healers?

Poor Merry has been very distracted, but he is back on track with his wife again, thanks to Woodruff!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 38 on 7/27/2005
We need the words sometimes. She's right to tell him to tell Estella, and it's about time she realizes that Merry knows his Pippin to recognize when he's getting better.

Author Reply: It *is* about time! But it all flies in the face of everything she's learned over the years... Miracles can be hard to swallow.

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 38 on 7/27/2005
Oh dear, Sam is so very upset! I'm sure that is very frightening for his children to see. Woodruff did well though to get them off to breakfast hopefully that will lift their own spirits. Woodruff's beloved was able to help with that I think, keeping the children occupied and all. I know Rose will be there for Sam know matter what!

Merry seems to grasp things very well. At least he is confident that things are going well. Woodruff did a very good thing asking Merry if he loved Estella, although I'm sure it was a blow to Merry. I must find it very difficult to accept that he hasn't always been as loving as he ought to be with her.

I was originally going to write one review for this chapter and the last but I wanted to say too much so it ended up as two. I'm looking forward to more and I'm more than a bit anxious to see the recovery of Ferdi and Pippin!

Author Reply: Poor Sam. He's so very exhausted, worn down to a frazzle. A good sleep will help, and seeing Pippin later on will do him a wonder of good.

I find it hard to be called on my shortcomings; I guess I can empathise with Merry.

As you know, your reviews are very welcome!

Connie B.Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 7/27/2005
Woodruff can certainly be a force to be reaconed with. I think Merry was stunned by her bluntness and honest observation as by what she told him.

It is amazing how many people believe that their loved ones just know that they are loved without ever hearing the words. No matter how much you show a person that you love them, they still need to hear those three little words now and then. I hope Merry realizes that he's neglected to say them for far too long and corrects that oversight.

Very nice chapter.

Connie B.

Author Reply: Ah, Woodruff. Not one to pull her punches. (Not a very hobbity sentiment!)

I remember hearing a lovely song on the radio, that went like this (looked it up just now, and apparently it is a folk song--the Carters sang it, but it has no author attributed):

Wonderful things of folks are said
When they have passed away
Roses adorn the narrow bed
Over the sleeping clay

Give me the roses while I live
Trying to cheer me on
Useless are flowers that you give
After the soul is gone

Kind words are useless when folks lie
Cold in a narrow bed
Don't wait till death to speak kind words
Now should the words be said

Let us not wait to do good deeds
Till they have passed away
Now is the time to sow good seeds
While here on earth we stay


...Thanks!



Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 38 on 7/27/2005
BRAVO!!! On so many counts, in so many ways over the last several chapters. BRAVO!!!

I've been hectic and have just now caught up. I loved the wandering conjurer, the loyal sheepdog, I love the handkerchief upon the doorknob, Rosie with her Sam, Merry being reminded to comfort Estella with words of his love for her. This is a wonderful, truly wonderful story.

I leave for England on the 2nd and, though I'm taking a laptop, I'm not sure how easily or often I'll be connecting to the internet. It may be long stretches between reading and responding through most all of August.

Again, MEWD!! :) :) A joy to read :)

Author Reply: Thank you so much for your encouragement.

Why, as I write this, you ought to be in England! I hope you have a wonderful time!

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