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O The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night  by Lindelea 4 Review(s)
BodkinReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/1/2006
Poor Ferdi! He's only a little lad - being trained up for terrorhood by his cousin Merry and condemned to a tea of bread and butter - while the orc-like sisters eat cake.

But their penalty will last longer ... no ribbons and laces for their sweet, pretty faces!

And Ferdi might be young, but he sees through to the right of it!

I do like the background conversations going on in 'modern times' as the tale of Merry and Ferdi is told. 'Present company excepted', of course!


Author Reply: Trained for terrorhood by one who was trained by the terror of Buckland. Sounds like the beginning of a legacy to me.

It was amusing to me that missing one tea of apple tart for the lads was seen as equivalent to a year without frills for the lasses. The way to a hobbit's heart is his stomach, I've heard.

Thanks!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/28/2006
So, now they're going to involve poor Frodo, are they? Alas, Frodo Baggins, your cousin has PLANS! Heh!

Author Reply: "Plans" -- a word to strike terror into the hearts of older cousins, I think.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/28/2006
Oh dear! *grin* Merry has *thinking* to do, has he? *snort* Yes, indeed! I have a feeling that Merry's "thinking" may easily live up to any subsequent "thinking" Pippin might have come up with years later, LOL!

However, I do have to say--I kind of agree with him that it's unfair for the lasses to get off so lightly. At the very least, they should have also missed the nice parts of the tea as well, for pilfering is certainly a more serious and premeditated offense than bolting into the pigpen! And while the lack of lace and ribbon might be bemoaned, it's not quite so immediate a bit of justice. But then, life's not fair is it? Especially when you are young.

And Merry may have miscalculated his father's reaction to the episode.

(Oh and I love all the interruptions and asides:

Come now, I was not such a babe as all that!

O but you were, sorry to say, cousin—it must be remembered that you were quite a little lad at the time, barely out of gowns...

Poor little fellow, I feel quite sorry for him...

You stay out of it, Pip! You were still a twinkle in your da’s eyes, at the time...!


And

‘Silly Took!’ Merry said, slapping Ferdi on the back and standing to his feet for some proper bouncing. ‘There’s no king!’

I beg to differ.

Present company excepted. Now, where was I...?


made me giggle out loud!

I have to say, it's very nice having my birthday dragged all the way through September...






Author Reply: Glad you don't mind the extended birthday. After all, Miss Dora herself said something about a time limit on present-giving. This might be terribly rude, in the Shire! (But then, maybe not. Hobbits seem to love stories.)

I was glad to read the lines you picked out, especially the King's quiet comment. Why, he was so quiet I didn't even know he was present, until that moment!

Thanks!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/28/2006
Hmm punishments to fit the crime methinks! And, somehow, I don't think that a certain father is necessarily going to take his lad's side. I do like your 'voices off' effect!

Author Reply: LOL, I hadn't realised the king himself was there, listening, until just that moment! *g*

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