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The Tenth Walker  by Lindelea 8 Review(s)
Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/25/2007
I don't know why, but I like that you have the athelas not tasting very good.

Author Reply: LOL, some herbs aren't half bad, like peppermint, but others! Eeeeugh!

DaynawaynaReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/21/2007
Oh.My.Gawd.

I LOVE THIS!!! You are absolutely BRILLIANT Lindelea! I'm so in love with this story and Bill the Pony and... and.... squeeee! :)

Poor Pip is now Marsh-and-Mischief! LOL love it! And I think my FAVORITE thing is this:

Still, I follow as best I can, and such is the power of the song that images form before my eyes and dance in my imagination.
You smile—imagination! In a pony! But I assure you, ponies have wonderful imagination. Too wonderful, sometimes, transforming a blowing bedsheet into a ravening monster...


Do you work with horses or just study really well? I've seen a horse training video and they talk about how horses can freak out at "billowing sheets" (Or in this case, the flapping tarp on a truck), so when I read that, it really struck true with me. OMG this is AWESOME! More more more!! :)

Author Reply: I was a horse freak all my life, until I got a horse. LOL! Found out the hard way, but learned an awful lot about horse quirks and horse training!

Not able to ride anymore (knees are shot) but miss that feeling of being one with the horse. *sigh* Lovely, floating, flying feeling.

And horses certainly have personalities of their own...

Thanks! With such encouragement I ought to be able to convince the Muse to smile a bit more often.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/19/2007
Reviewing two chapters here. What with school and such I didn't realize I'd missed ch. 12.

I love Bill's observations about how the Hobbits' moods have changed. He's very perceptive. :) And his determination to conquer his own fear/weariness and not let Frodo fall no matter what is so sweet. *hugs Bill* :)
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: And of course with chapters coming so far apart, it's easy to miss one. (BTDT)

*Bill rubs his jaw along Queen Galadriel's shoulder, making her giggle at the tickling sensation of his whiskers on her neck*

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/19/2007
Oh yes, medicinal plants are often very pungent - poor Bill will be tasting it for days! He is such a brave and faithful pony, and a very perceptive one. I'm eager to see his reaction to Asfaloth.

Author Reply: LOL, I'll have to put that in, about him tasting athelas for days!

Asfaloth... ought to be interesting.

Thanks!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/19/2007
Lin, this is so wonderfully atmospheric! Poor Bill, poor hobbits, poor Strider! I can just imagine the fear and wariness as you've described it. I do look forward, though to Bill meeting Asfaloth!

Author Reply: Ah, yes, a pony's impressions would be atmospheric, wouldn't they! Much more sound, smell, feel, and taste-driven than couched in mere words.

Ah, yes, Asfaloth! I wonder if he's ever made the acquaintance of a Bree-pony before?

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/19/2007
‘Sorry, old fellow. There’ll be sweet, long grass where we’re going. Think on that, and keep your spirits up, for we’re counting on you, you know.’

Ohhh, I can't wait for us to reach that sweet, long grass, and neither can Bill. :)

Author Reply: Y'know, I wrote Bill's introduction to Rivendell more than a year ago, and it's still sitting on my hard drive. I am so looking forward to getting there!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/19/2007
At last - something that the miracle cure-all plant isn't good for! *g*
Thank you for describing it correctly Lindelea. Every time I see the scene in the movie where Strider finds athelas, is caught by Arwen and then 'chews' those small leaves before plastering them on Frodo's shoulders I wince!
I understand the theory of bruising and wetting the leaves to make a green plaster but the prof describes Athelas and how it is used so carefully.

And I do love your faithful Bill!

Author Reply: You're welcome! Healing herbs, in my admittedly limited experience, have a strong taste, and not all of them are pleasant to the tongue.

Faithful Bill--he does his best.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/19/2007
Poor Bill--everything tends to taste of athelas, eh, now he's tried a leaf? Poor pony! But he knows that Aragorn cares, and senses Frodo's increased failing, and is still steadfast and as determined to do his part as the rest of them.

Am SO glad Bill nudged at your elbow today. Am in Gresham now. Look forward to meeting the Writing Companion.

Author Reply: The Writing Companion is in place at my feet, snoring gently, waiting for the magic word that begins with "W" and involves a leash.

It's sort of like cilantro--when I get some of that in food, everything I eat afterwards tastes like soap.

I read back through the story this morning, to re-acquaint myself, and was taken with what good care Strider was taking of the pony, from the time they set out from Bree. Might be just practical, for the pony needs to stay well to be a good pack-pony, but I'd like to think Aragorn has a special understanding with animals, perhaps partly born from his long association with Elves.

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