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A Matter of Appearances  by Lindelea 6 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/15/2006
So, Ted knows, does he? Not only Frodo has second sight, apparently. Come on, Woodruff--get out there and keep poor Ferdi from being buried alive!

And one more is being sent away, sacrificed by the fat Man. Hmmmmmmmm......

Author Reply: Well, JRRT said something about a rumour that Tooks have "fairy blood", and Frodo had prophetic dreams (I think that's what they're called, even though Gandalf called one of his dreams rather belated). So it stands to reason that other Tooks might, even though such a thing would be considered scandalous, and thus rarely, if ever, talked about.

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/12/2006
‘Tookland is a poorer place this day,’ Pippin said,"

Aye, it will, if they actually bury the poor hobbit!

"Siggy was half-way through his first plateful, and contemplating with great pleasure his seconds, when he realised that something was not quite right, though he couldn’t put a finger on it. He stopped to think.

He scanned the faces around the table, going around thrice in point of fact, before he realised..."

'Bout time, I'd say. Pearl's about to get a nasty surprise.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/12/2006
Sometimes a man has to make his own luck, and the fat man was no stranger to this truth. So it was he sent the brawny man after the club-wielder. ‘Don’t let him know you’re following him,’ he said.

‘Do you take me for a fool?’ the brawny man said.

The fat man laughed, a jolly sound. ‘Of course I don’t, old friend!’ he said, slapping the brawny man on the back. ‘I just want to know if he takes the gold for himself, or if he’s the loyal sort.’

‘A test,’ the brawny man said, and smiled grimly. ‘As you tested me, all those years ago.’

‘A test,’ the fat man agreed. ‘Is he an honorable thief? A thousand gold sovereigns, now, that’ll tempt a man.’


I didn't read this chapter before I wrote that last review, honestly!!! Great minds think alike obviously! *grin* Either that or you are doing such a good job that you are bringing your readers with you every step of the way! (Probably the latter as I don't claim any greatness!)

Right - onward! Three chapters at once is a real treat. And I was only away a day and a half!




demeter dReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/11/2006
Well, now they will know when Ferdi and Farry left Whitwell. Has Ted in his feverish state been communicating with Ferdi's equally unsettled spirit? This just gets better and better! So, one of the ruffians is going to the stone to look for the gold, after all! Bur really there will be the two of them. i hope that there are enough Hobbits there to deal with them. But if they are both killed, how will they find the rest of the gang, and poor Farry? This chapter raises as many questions as it answers!

Author Reply: The source of Ted's knowledge will come clear soon, if all goes well. After all, there has to be a way for Woodruff to distinguish between delirium and truth!

And the Muse has a few tricks up her sleeve, yet, as to how the searchers might find Farry. They have hunters, for one thing, following a trail. And there are hobbits spreading out in that general direction, searching, and more in the vicinity of the Three Farthing Stone. It's going to be a bit difficult, even, for the two travelling ruffians to avoid detection!

Thanks!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/11/2006
Oh, the chaos that is about to descend on Whitwell! Poor Pearl!

And I love the part with Woodruff and Ted--how does he know Ferdi's not dead? Is it that he's so close to it himself? But it's very touching and eerie.

And *whoot*! Sam's going to get a chance at TWO Ruffians! (So, how many apiece does that leave now for Merry and Pippin? I do hope you are dividing up the Bad Guys fairly--they all three deserve to get their whacks in now, after all this pain and trouble.)

*rubs hands gleefully and waits for more*

Author Reply: As to Ted... he's a Took, you know. And Tooks are rumoured to have fairy blood, though they of course discount such wild tales. More to come out soon, I hope.

Well, I didn't want to leave Sam out of the party. But the brawny man is following, not walking *with* the clubman, so it's possible someone else might get a chance at him, later. You never know.

Thanks!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 19 on 8/11/2006
Oh dear. Ted's not well. And if Woodruff won't leave him for Ferdi's funeral, he is very, very not well. Not to mention hovering between life and death if he can spot Ferdi's spirit in like case. And Woodruff is at the edge of her endurance if she can't spot the message Ted is giving her.

And, Siggy dear, I think that if Farry was with his cousins, they wouldn't be treating him like a very superior visitor - and he would be out there doing chores, too. But you can't expect a bored Took to think on an empty stomach. He'll start flapping now and not know what to do next.

Fingers crossed that the anticipated funeral is not taking place - or is, at least, coming to an unusual conclusion.

And I suspect brawny man is potentially being set up as a sucker, too. After all, he's passed on the essential information - and a dead conspirator cannot reveal what he knows.

And yes ... you're definitely vulnerable at Starbucks. EF should know that it's not just in libraries that they are watching you... And a thank you to her for liking my elves.

Author Reply: I'll let EF know about your confirmation of her paranoia, next time we talk.

Siggy's a bit of a snob. Or is he a prig? I forget. In any event, he's in for some discomfort.

At least Pippin left orders that there is to be a good, lo-o-ong funeral procession. Every little bit helps.

Too true, the brawny man is not needed. He has a better chance than many of surviving, though, with his knowledge of the Shire. And I don't think the fat man would deliberately betray this old friend. I could be wrong, though.

Thanks!

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