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The Road to Edoras  by Dreamflower 5 Review(s)
GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 54 on 7/13/2009
At last, Beri's prank! And a very clever one as well. Merry and Pippin would indeed be proud. :D I can't wait for Legolas's reaction!

Cado would do well to allow himself to grieve. Anger might make the time pass faster, but it's exhausting as well. I do hope he manages to turn himself around, but I won't hold my breath for it.

Author Reply: I thought it would certainly be a good one to pull on the Elf, since he dislikes the smell of pipe-weed smoke so much!

Clovis doesn't want to think. Anger keeps that from happening. I think he knows if he starts to think, he might discover that he is to blame for his own problems-- and that is not a fact he wishes to face. He'd rather be angry and rant and rave and blame someone else.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 54 on 7/11/2009
How sweet to see that Beri and Viola are finally courting - and clever Beri to find something suitable in Edoras. Those Brandybucks are very resourceful.
I also love Mistress Poppy here - sensible, kind, motherly.

Freddy's letter was perfect and shows just how much he has healed. If only Frodo could have known such healing.

Naught Beri - I was wondering when he would get his revenge. I shall be sorry to see this story end, Dreamflower.

Author Reply: Yep. They are now an official "courting couple"! Brandybucks are very resourceful-- Beri knew that there had to be something he could use in Edoras!

Mistress Poppy basically is Viola's surrogate mother; she's really going to look out for her.

Frodo's healing was so much due to the way the Ring had scoured his soul. No matter what his *head* told him, that he should not feel to blame for things, his heart could not see it that way.

Yes, his revenge was rather subtle and hobbity, I think.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 54 on 7/9/2009
Quite clever of the King, indeed!

Lots of cleverness abounding in this chapter, including Beri's.

Love Freddy's letter to Frodo, and the path of healing it traces. (So sad that Frodo could not follow the same path...)

Thanks!

Author Reply: Very clever, with Merry's letter at hand to give him confidence in the strategy!

Sadly, Frodo's scarring was too deep; the Ring had seen to that. But at least he can still take comfort in the healing of others-- and Freddy was also his beloved cousin. He will be able to find some joy in knowing that Freddy is finding himself again.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 54 on 7/8/2009
Hm ... Clovis wants to stay angry? He might feel better then, but I doubt it will help him in any way in the end.

Poppy was great here, giving Viola such good advice. And I just realised that at this rate, Lavender will soon be not the only one married healer in the Shire. The Great Smials and Brandy Hall will have their own in only a few years, too.

Like Freddy’s letter to Frodo. Our stubborn hero may not want any thank, but I think he will be happy to know how much things have changed for Freddy and that he could let go of his hatred.

Éomer seems to have wrapped Lothíriel around his finger already. Very glad to see that Merry’s advice worked and they get along so well. No matter how common that may have been in earlier times, I never liked the idea of their marriage being one of these politically dictated matches with no love in it. I’m beginning to wonder if the Hobbit embassy will be able to witness their wedding?

*grin* So Beri is finally getting his revenge on poor Legolas? Had been wondering if he has forgotten all aobut it!

Author Reply: Anger is an easier emotion for him to manage. It gives a surge of adrenaline, and also gives him the excuse to fume and blame others. Sorrow is harder-- it makes him think, and the last thing Clovis wants to do is think. No, anger won't help him, it will just keep him from facing the truth as his brother has done!

Yes, well, some things do change!

I think hearing from Freddy will bring Frodo a good deal of comfort.

Merry's strategy with Estella worked pretty well for him-- it seemed to me it would also work well for Eomer! I think that Imrahil may have been resigned to a political match for his daughter before, when Denethor was Steward. But knowing that the new King married for love, he felt that he was free to offer his only daughter that courtesy.

Beri had not forgotten one little bit. But he's a Brandybuck-- he knows how to bide his time, and get it right!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 54 on 7/8/2009
Ah, my dear Beri--he HAS indeed managed to pull the perfect prank on Legolas! Hahahahahahaha! And a recipe confirms the courting! Love it, of course!

As for Freddy's letter--I'm glad it goes back to Frodo, even as I know it cannot offer the recipient as much healing as he needs or deserves.

Lovely chapter!

Author Reply: *giggle* I have known exactly what his prank would be for a very long time-- but setting up the logistics of it took a little thought. Imagine Legolas having to travel to Ithilien smelling of pipe-weed! LOL!

No, it will not offer him healing, but I am sure it will at least offer Frodo some comfort to realize that at least his other beloved cousin has begun to find his own healing.

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