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A Healer's Tale  by Lindelea 9 Review(s)
Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 43 on 8/21/2005
The last Insterlude sure does raise excitement a bit! Pippin is doing really well but no on else really know just HOW well he is doing!

It is a bit amusing that none have yet realized where Pippin went and that he was never at his grandparents house! Of course they are so worried over Ferdi that I'm sure it is very difficult to think about anything other than his health at the moment. Looking forward to reading more although is looks like the end of this one is coming up rather soon.

Author Reply: And things become a little more clear, perhaps, in the Interlude just now posted. Except for Fennel, perhaps, who is labouring under delusions of pessimism.

You're right, not many chapters left! It's slated to come out right at 50, though it might run a little longer (not likely) or shorter.

Thanks!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 43 on 8/21/2005
I'm impressed that Pippin managed to cover thirty miles from Whitwell to Hobbiton - even with the help of the wandering conjuror! He's only got little legs. And everyone is still talking at cross-purposes - I wonder if they'll ever realise exactly what happened. Possibly not. Lop can't tell them. Pippin doesn't really know - and Bilbo knows the value of keeping his own counsel. (As well as how to charm his hostess!) And, of course, they're still worried sick over young Ferdi. Maybe he'll take the solution into his own hands by sneaking out of bed and raiding the larder.

Fingers crossed Ferdi recovers soon!

Author Reply: Well, it's not thirty miles as the crow flies...probably more like 20? Don't know for sure, I'd have to draw a triangle and invite some math-orcs to tea, not my favourite guests. So if Pippin walked five or a few more, then Robin might have easily done 15 or 20 miles at four miles an hour, brisk walking pace.

If people ever do realise exactly what happened, well, it might take years. If ever.

Raiding the larder, what a lovely concept!

Mysterious JediReviewed Chapter: 43 on 8/20/2005
And to think this is only the beginning of Ferdi's many troubles...you've managed to turn a random family tree name into a favorite character!

<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
mj

Author Reply: So nice to hear Ferdi's a favorite!

But of course Ferdi's life will run rather more smoothly for another four or five years, which is something of a comfort to contemplate.

Connie B.Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 8/19/2005
Something about this part of the story put me in mind of a Chinesse finger puzzle: the more you pull to try to get out of it, the tighter it holds you. They just keep piling on the mysteries and the miseries and getting to the bottom of none of it. Even the poor dog and his actions are misunderstood.

Hope you don't me to leave us hanging for long before the next update.:)

Thanks.

Connie B.

Author Reply: Interesting picture--it is Woodruff, who feels damned if she does and damned if she doesn't at the moment.

Ah, but Lop has a reward coming--he gets to work the sheep on the morrow. No scolding can lessen the pleasure of that!

Thanks!

SlightlyTookishReviewed Chapter: 43 on 8/19/2005
I love how Bilbo did his best to put Eglantine and the others at ease about tea. But poor Ferdi! I'm anxious to see what happens to him.

Author Reply: Bilbo is wise, filled up with years and miles and experience, and innate kindness and good sense, too. As for Ferdi, we'll soon see a resolution there.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 43 on 8/19/2005
Poor Ferdi! "Old Ferdi" doesn't seem to have any hope left!
And I'm really, really curious to find out, how long it will take Paladin and his wife to figure out, where their son really was.

It's good for Merry to have Frodo there. I'm looking forward to a long conversation between the two of them in a more private place. I'm counting on Frodo :)

Author Reply: Poor Ferdi and poor Ferdi! It is just awful to watch a child suffer and be helpless to do anything.

There is a long conversation between the two of them but I don't know if it will get into the story... it rather slows down the pace alarmingly. But you can imagine what is said, at least!!! A lot of cousinly good sense, for sure.

Anso the HobbitReviewed Chapter: 43 on 8/19/2005
I guess there will be quite a bit of explaining now, lol. And Frodo ought to have a talk with Merry too it seems. :D Pip is back home wile the Bankses live quite ignorant of his "visit" there..

Author Reply: Makes me chuckle just to think of it. Of course he visits the Bankses often enough that when the topic of his "visit" comes up, it might just pass by without comment, for everyone will be thinking of a different visit...

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 43 on 8/19/2005
They are so certain! Poor Ferdi, just dying for a meal, not for internal injuries! Poor, poor Ferdi--and Eglantine and Paladin still to learn where Pippin has REALLY been!

Author Reply: You appear to be more perceptive than everyone else at the moment. Perhaps you are related to Bilbo?

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 43 on 8/19/2005
You stinker! *big grin*rolls eyes*
Are Paladine and Eglantine *ever* going to figure out where Pip's been? (Wouldn't it be funny--and mean of you too--if they didn't find out until *years* later? A chance remark at Bilbo's eleventy-first, or even after the old hobbit left the Shire? But really--I hope you don't do that, because I am *so* looking forward to their reactions!)

I'm so glad for Merry that Frodo's there. If anyone can comfort him it's his big brother/cousin. I hope that young Ferdi turns the corner soon...

Author Reply: I am terrible sometimes... and sorry to disappoint you, but it just doesn't come up at all in this story. Perhaps in the Epilogue, *if* the Epilogue sees the light of day. It's a bit of a downer, a glimpse of Pippin and Woodruff near the end of the healer's life, not long before Farry's wedding day, and though they are cheery as ever it is hard to see her failing. Thus that chapter might not be published. Don't know yet.

I do think that corner is coming up soon... the story's almost over, as a matter of fact.

Thanks!

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