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Fallow  by Ariel 8 Review(s)
MechtildReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/19/2006
You did a wonderful job portraying Frodo's mix of complacent self-confidence, able to behave himself a nearly-undressed beautiful 'tween who is suddenly all over him, yet unable to admit his own desires, desires which have been called forth since he saw her climbing the tree in her underclothes. You have shown him a principled person, but perhaps too proud of it. That he should dissemble to himself ("I'm just doing this to teach her a good lesson"!)about his own weakening resolve is highly plausible and most...human.

I am intrigued by Pearl, though. So suddenly enamoured! From tomboy to lover in so many paragraphs. Is she really so volatile, or is this part of some larger design in the fic? If she really were an unaffected, guileless twenty-year-old hobbit-lass, she could *not* have led Frodo to this place already knowing she wanted him. If she had already wanted him, taking off her clothes and climbing a tree above him wearing her shift would be an act of seduction. I am betting this is not the Pearl you are portraying. She really is the wild, heedless girl she seems, but who very suddenly went from ignorance to full-blown, purposeful desire in a brief exchange. I would love to hear about this transformation from her point of view.

Looking forward to the next chapter!

Author Reply: *blush* Well, I am drawing from my own experiences here. I was MOST volatile at 14 - swinging from one extreme to the other in a mad rush of unfamiliar emotions I had no idea how to control.

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), dealing with Lalia will make Pearl much more careful and cautious of other people. When the only one you can trust is yourself, you learn to control yourself or else. :(

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/18/2006
What a vow to accept from her, and I'm glad he has, for it may keep her from simply tumbling to the next lad who responds to her beauty. And she could do worse....

Author Reply: Well, he probably shouldn't have, but he's barely more than a kid himself here. I figure 26 to be the human equivalent of 17, and I know I wasn't always making good decisions at 17.

And yes, she could do a lot worse. ;)

SurgicalSteelReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/11/2006
Wow, that was amazing - her reaction to him pulling away was completely believable, and Frodo rationalizing his own bad judgment? Amazing.

Author Reply: *Preens*

I have such a good time writing this story and it's really rewarding to see that others enjoy it too! Thanks for letting me know.

CuthalionReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/11/2006
Ahhhh... I know I left a review when you published this first, but I simply have to tell you again how much I love it... wonderfully skilled writing, an utterly believable plot and a marvelous, female character as the heroine. And I'm really looking forward to read more!

Cúthalion

Author Reply: I am having a really good time writing this. I am delighted you are enjoying reading it too. More soon!

InklingReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/10/2006
Ooh, you do know how to get mileage out of a kiss, don’t you? Love Frodo’s rationalizations, that he’s doing this just to teach Pearl a lesson. Riiiight…

I like the setup here, that Pearl is infatuated with a cautious and (belatedly) restrained Frodo. Very true to life…much more so than the usual fic convention that would have them both completely enamored with each other by this point. First love is so rarely reciprocated…


Author Reply: Oh, I couldn't see Frodo falling for such a young thing - he's got too much sense - unfortunately, by the time they are old enough for each other, Frodo will have the ring. :(

WithywindleReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/10/2006
This story is wonderful. I've always enjoyed Frodo and Pearl together, and it is refreshing to have a story where she is young and vulnerable, and not the vixen that so many stories portray her as.

Author Reply: I don't write vixens, generally. Most of the Frodo loving ladies I've met are bright, loving, generous and wonderful women, so that's what I want to write.

Glad you are enjoying the story - I hope you continue to enjoy it.

LilyReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/9/2006
What a lovely chapter. Poor Frodo. He really has no other possibility than to accept her vow.

I love the imaginary at the end.

he felt the spring wind blowing strangely cold and felt fingers of omen combing uneasily through his hair.

Author Reply:

Really, he doesn't. The poor fellow. Thought the ring doesn't give him much choice either, does it? All in all, I think he'd have been better off with Pearl. ;)

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/8/2006
That Pearl knows how to lead with her desires doesn't she. I love the fact that she almost wound up undoing Frodo in her innocence. I also liked the foreshadowing at the end of the chapter. I am still enjoying this very much.

Author Reply: Well, she isn't really sure what she's in for, and really, it does feel pretty good. *snort*

And seriously, if you had a 26 y.o. Frodo in your arms, what would you do?

I know what I'd do! Hehehe.

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