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A Matter of Appearances  by Lindelea 5 Review(s)
demeter dReviewed Chapter: 25 on 8/19/2006
OOOOhhhhhh! Both story lines are getting most desparate. i am now almost as concerned for the youngest ruffian as I am for poor Farry. If something does not happen. he will become like those he runs with. And your detailed descriptions of sweet, unknowing, innocent Farry. You are too cruel. It does sound as though there would be plenty down Gondor way who would love to get their hands on at least the older ruffians. Do go on!

Author Reply: EF is too cruel. I'd much rather "imply" than go into detail. I'd've written a much shorter story if I'd had my way! (And now that we're past most of the worst part--there's a moment or two left that I don't like to contemplate--I almost galloped to the ending, but then I thought I'd spend a little more time writing the kind of stuff that *I* enjoy (the humour, for example, of the latest chapter posted, with the epidemic of fainting). So if you think it's dragging on too much, please let me know.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 25 on 8/18/2006
As this was twenty-five, you'd best be at LEAST on 26. Hmmm. And it seems to me that I remember that the Thain's treasure stores have been filled with gunpowder for some time--gift from Gandalf via Aragorn, if I remember correctly.

Oh, dear, I suspect that the remaining ruffians are in for a very bright--and LOUD--ending. Hope Farry is left safely in the survival tunnel he's in now for protection, and that none of its ceiling will come down.

Author Reply: Yes, *was* on 26. And hopefully the chapters will move much more swiftly from here on out. There's really very little left of the story, and just have to be sure to fit in all the already-written scenes in the draft, just writing enough linking material to... well, to link them together!

And I think you're right. This story ends more with a bang than a whimper. Sort of. Hope the epilogue is not anticlimatic. Or whatever that word is.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 25 on 8/18/2006
Lindelea, are you being more cruel to Nell, Woodruff, Ferdi, Farry, Pippin, or US? You wicked, wicked writer of cliffhangers!

It appears one is indeed on the dead one's trail, and thus on that of the brawny one as well. If so, the ruffians have nowhere near the time to act they think they do, which is fortunate.

The cruelty of the fat one deserves a NASTY end, and I hope he's taken alive and sent to the northern Steward, and made to suffer all of it.

Now, Ferdi, TWITCH, do you hear? Twitch, and NOW! Open your eyes! Move your hand!

Author Reply: It's funny, that was the first thing that drew EF to my stories, the cliffhangers. And she's worse than I am, in the "nasty" department. And proud of it.

Oo, the northern Steward, yes, he's a stern fellow. Though at this point on the timeline his son has not yet been murdered, and so he's not quite so grim as in later years. And of course, his option would be a simple, quick, clean hanging. (Though I wonder if the hangman, hearing the tale, might not be quite so conscientious about placing the knot...) A tempting thought, but the fat man's fate is already sealed, and what's more he is the agent of his own destruction, which is rather a satisfying thought.

It is a pity that Ferdi didn't open his eyes while he was uncovered. Would have given that gravedigger quite a start, wouldn't it?

Rest assured, this story is nearly done. It is galloping to the climax, even now. (Great relief to me, as I type in chapter whatever it is, 25? The second super-angst chapter, anyhow, which sort of turns my stomach if I think about it too much. Definitely being stretched here, and have already told EF that she's getting a Starbucks gift card for her *next* birthday. Whew.)

Author Reply: oops, I'm typing in chapter 26, not 25. It's actually 25 and a half. I had to cut off 25 when it reached nearly 3000 words. It's much too slow to upload and/or edit anything bigger, with our slow dial-up. (Are we the only people left in the world without high-speed Internet?)

Vicki_TurnerReviewed Chapter: 25 on 8/18/2006
Anxiously awaiting the next chapter as always!

Author Reply: Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 25 on 8/18/2006
I'm still here :-)

Sorry I'm not finding as much to say as the others, but I am still reading.

Well written as always, dear Lin :-)

Author Reply: *hugs*

Appreciate your dropping a note. (Was afraid I'd warned everyone off, and no one would read the chapter except EF, of course, who requested it.)

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