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The Tenth Walker  by Lindelea 7 Review(s)
Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 42 on 4/7/2010
I love the delineation of Bill's thoughts here - he is not a human mind encased in an equine body, he is a non-human, a true pony, albeit a smart and brave one, and his balking at the sight of the bridge, and Glorfindel's solution, is delightful and poignant. I love how Bill's thoughts keep returning to the grass, poor hungry fellow, and his intention to be 'steady'.

Author Reply: Thank you! That's exactly what I'm trying for, to get inside the head of a pony, and show events from his limited (and yet different) perspective.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 42 on 10/30/2009
Oh goodness! I thought I had reviewed this the other day but apparently not.
Bill is such a hobbity pony and is beginning to sound like Sam. I also love the way he refers to 'my hobbits.' Bless!

An, that lovely warm, comforting stable with the soft sounds of horses' breathing and yes, there is always one having a munch! I am so glad that Bill has finally reached Rivendell and I hope he is reunited with his hobbits soon.

Author Reply: Well, thank you for dropping by and making sure! How the Muse adores reviews... it makes the writing flow much more smoothly, somehow.

I hope he's reunited with his hobbits soon, too, but I fear there is something of a long, anxious wait in store, at least for the hobbits.

Thanks!

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 42 on 10/26/2009
"There is a smell of warm, sleepy horses, and the sound of soft breathing."

Your writing is so poetic at times... such a delight. I remember making the same comment about one of the earlier chapters... will have to go back and find that one and re-read.

I loved the way you showed the trust building in this chapter as Bill crossed the bridge. And a surprising ending that felt different, more somber. I guess I was feeling a foreshadowing of the sad time when Bill and the Fellowship are permanently separated on the quest.

Author Reply: Ah, yes, describing things like a sleep-drenched stables brings back warm memories, and it seems easy to wax poetic at such times.

You're right, it could be a foreshadowing of sorts. Poor ponies, their lives can be so quickly unsettled, and no way, really, to explain things to them and be sure they are understanding (or perhaps, listening at all).

Thanks!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 42 on 10/26/2009
I would bristle at his words, but I am too busy with remaining steady, if you take my meaning.

I love how Bill is sounding a lot like Sam here.
Very ponyish this whole chapter. :) and a nice change of mood at the very end.

Author Reply: The more he's in Sam's company, the more Sam seems to rub off on him. I'm sure that's part of the reason why he went with the Company when they started off again.

Thanks!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 42 on 10/26/2009
Ah--a sweet arrival and such gentle and welcome handling for our faithful Bill! And am so glad he is already seeking the scent of his Samwise! A most wise and faithful animal!

Author Reply: Very faithful, but worried, too... his kindred spirit is not to be found! (Though he's about to have a great deal of his mind taken off his worries.)

Thanks,
Jean

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 42 on 10/25/2009
There is a smell of warm, sleepy horses, and the sound of soft breathing. A munching comes from somewhere, someone's late-night snack of hay.

Yay, at last! I'm so happy for him. This is a very gentle and tender chapter.

Author Reply: I just love a barn in the early hours, so quiet and sleepy. Even if it's frosty outside, the horses give off a lot of warmth, and no matter what hour I've been visiting, even if nearly everyone is asleep, there's usually someone wakeful enough to grab a few mouthfuls of hay before going back to sleep. Such a homey medley of sound, the chomping, the soft breathing, a quiet snort, the bumping of a hoof against the boards as a horse changes position...

Thanks!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 42 on 10/25/2009
Awww...poor Bill! Thinking he's lost his Sam! And having to cross that dreadful bridge, too!

I have really been enjoying these chapters of "just Bill" as we get to know him a bit better, and not just his better known two-legged companions...

Author Reply: A dreadful bridge, indeed. When I refreshed my memory, reading "The Hobbit", I was surprised that the dwarf ponies weren't more upset at the time. But then, perhaps they had not been so sheltered (or maybe the word is "provincial") as our Bill?

I'm glad you're enjoying "just Bill" as I have the idea he won't see much of his companions over the next few days, poor lad.

Thanks!

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