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Twice Twenty  by Dreamflower 5 Review(s)
GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 24 on 11/15/2005
I don't remember reading this before! Now how did I miss it?

This really was first rate! Those segueways from one member of the Company's POV to another's were marvelous; very clever.

I like how you stuck to canon with Pippin being the one stumbling and flagging more than the others. After reading your recent essay, his constantly getting tired faster than the others and getting sleepy sooner actually lends a bit of credence to the idea that he was more sickly, no? Not great evidence of it, but a little bit. Then again, it could just be that he was still a tweenager, although I would think that a tweenager would normally have even more energy than an adult. At any rate, your Pippin is very much in keeping with canon here.

It's interesting to read about the status of the various members of the walkers at this early juncture of their trek. It makes sense that it would be most difficult on the little hobbits, particularly since they are not used to walking for such long periods of time. But still, hobbits are very resilient folk.

"He remembered poor Pippin’s consternation yesterday, when he had not been able to hold up Boromir’s sword. ...Pippin had not slept well yesterday, either. But Merry did not seem quite so tired. The young Brandybuck was quite tough. It would not do to allow too much time to lapse in the young one’s lessons."

Ah, I love how you continue to develop the relationship between Boromir and Merry and Pippin. At this point in time, the Big Folk are still all separate and have not all blended together as a group as of course the hobbits have amongst themselves. Boromir, from the moment we met him, he seemed more of an outsider, having not been asked to come to the Council of Elrond, but having gone there to ask about his dream. Boromir has started making a real connection with the younger hobbits and would allow Pippin to try to hold his sword. He'd feel for poor Pippin when he couldn't do it and nicked the sword. He'd notice how tired Pippin is or how resolute Merry is. That's Boromir for you - a proud warrior, yes, but a passionate soul who cares about those with whom he's connected.

It amazes me how quickly you are able to come up with one fantastic chapter or story after another!

Author Reply: I had a good time experimenting with the segue idea, incorporating "Questions" which was the theme for this one. I was afraid it might come out a bit artificial, but I'd had success with a similar, though not identical, device before, so I thought maybe it might work. The hardest part was to make it all come back to Frodo at the end.

That's even moreso, really! Because I'm working on *another* essay, and I can tell you, there's more about that in canon than I had originally thought to find!

Yes, as I told you in another reply, I shall make the most of Boromir while we've got him still. His connection to the young hobbits whom he ultimately saves is very strong!

I don't know that I come up all that quickly--I've rather let 20_rings lapse for a short while as I pursure other bunnies. But I'll be back to it as soon as I can.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/2/2005
The hobbits are more grouped - definitely a Merry/Pippin and also a concerned Frodo/Merry/Pippin - but the rest of the Fellowship are definitely individuals still. Concerned about each other, but not yet one. And polite to each other even in thought. I like the way they all think about each other.

Author Reply: Yes, for the hobbits, their central thoughts are going to revolve around one another. Yes, they haven't quite yet come together as a group, especially travelling, but they are beginning to.

I'm glad you liked it, and sorry for the late response. I somehow missed seeing several reviews.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/2/2005
This is great Dreamflower. I hope they find a way to communicate their thoughts to each other as well.

Author Reply: They are beginning to. This is early days yet.

(Sorry for the belated response. I missed seeing several reviews.)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/1/2005
Yes, Baggins stubborness takes over.

Lovely look at almost all the company here. Only Gandalf's POV seems to have been left out--his and Bill's.

Author Reply: Actually, I do have Gandalf's POV, in the second paragraph. But, alas, I'm afraid I did leave Bill out, LOL!

Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/1/2005
Yay! Hopscotch-thoughts! Or perhaps leapfrog would be more appropriate? In anycase, a very interesting and entertaining way to make the rounds of the Fellowship.

Author Reply: I'm so happy you liked this structure. I thought it would be neat to show each member of the Fellowship thinking of a question, and then have the next person thinking of the answer...I'm glad it worked!!

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