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One Who Sticks Closer than a Brother  by Lindelea 4 Review(s)
BodkinReviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/7/2006
I love the affection between Tolly and Toddy and Teddy. It's no wonder that Tolly has a sneaking feeling that not all men are ruffians. (And he's right!)

And Paladin is already stirring things up among the Tooks. Still Tolly could do worse than be healer's plant-hunter. He'd get into less trouble - probably.

Author Reply: He's definitely right!

I suppose a plant hunter might get into less trouble... unless, of course, one takes into consideration the fact that he's a Took. There's something about that family...

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/4/2006
Yes. I caught that line and was going to comment--seemed a bit ahead for the nine-year-olds I've known.

So--Pippin reinstates the Thain's escort, does he? Interesting.

Author Reply: Well, our little ones quote all sorts of things, but then they've listened to storytelling and read-aloud since they were suckling babes. So it's possible for a little one to repeat something often heard. Of course, it would be something of an anomaly, in this particular case.

In truth, Pippin doesn't reinstate the Thain's escort; actually it's Reginard, after Pippin (& Frodo & co.) disappears into the Old Forest. Regi figures odd things are happening and more and more rough Men are appearing in the Shire and maybe it's time to start protecting the Thain once more. (Especially, I s'pose, since with Pippin gone, he's next in line to be Thain, if anything happens to Pippin. Not a fate he wishes on himself.) So he ropes in the finest archers he knows--Hilly, Tolly, and Ferdi--and persuades Paladin to let them follow him around. It sort of happens in the early chapters of "Flames" though it isn't told in detail.

So now you know the backstory!

This chapter took place about the time Pippin was 25--when his father became Thain. I forget how old he is on the Quest, is it 28, or 29? I'd have to look it up but I am on my way to bed at the moment.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/4/2006
Hmmm...I don't recall about Paladin dismissing the escort? I wonder how I missed that. Have you referred to it before? And when and how did he change his mind--for he obviously did. Or is this something new?

Of course, to one who knows your stories, the reason's pretty clear--Paladin had discovered that somehow Ferumbras had "lost" the Thain's treasure...

I really like the woodcutter's family. Tolly's delirium is very informative...

Author Reply: Paladin dismissing the escort hasn't been directly mentioned in earlier stories, no, though it's been implied. In "Flames" there was no escort at the very start, but Regi was riding out to recruit Ferdi for it, knowing that Ferdi fit all the characteristics (shooting, riding, being in good physical shape, as a hunter). At the beginning of that story, there were no well-muscled doorwards, nobody following Thain and his family around as became such a familiarity, later.

But after Lotho brought his goons to the Great Smials, Regi thought it best to re-establish the escort, and somehow he talked Paladin round.

And you're exactly right about the "why" and the timing of the dissolution--too many mouths to feed!

(I like the woodcutter's family too. Not all Men are evil, to borrow a phrase from Gandalf. Tolly's delirium is going to have to inform the reader of the entire backstory... hope it's not asking too much of the fever!)

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/4/2006
You are having fun with Tolly's fevered imagination aren't you Lindelea. Thanks for dragging us along for the ride.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, - I love the nod in the direction of Robert Frost!



Author Reply: Thanks! Perhaps I ought to have credited it in author's notes...
(bites nails)

I figured everyone would know the reference, but perhaps someone might think I was claiming it for my own!

So glad you don't mind being dragged along for the ride. He's going to be very wrinkled if he spends much more time in that bathtub, and there are more memories to be got through! What to do, what to do...

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