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| The Tenant from Staddle by Larner | 11 Review(s) |
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| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/9/2006 |
| Those Bracegirdles. Those hard-headed, grasping, rude and self-centered Bracegirdles. While at least Bartolo's honest, he certainly hasn't been gifted with any other virtues I can see. But his complacency's at least been shaken. And he had better watch his tongue about Frodo when he meets with Lord Halladan's representative. I did like the encounter, though. I liked seeing Frodo being every bit as stubborn as ever, and getting the best of Bracegirdle, in spite of his physical weakness. And now, of course, Bartolo can't talk about anything that was said--how annoying not to be able to gossip or use any of what Frodo said as ammunition. Author Reply: Yes, those rude Bracegirdles. And LOVE your perception that now he's been sworn to secrecy Bartolo can't gossup about what he knows. That indeed has to hurt the most for him. Thanks! | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/8/2006 |
| Having just got back from my Scottish dance class, I had to giggle at the title of this chapter. It sounds a little like the sort of name that those dances tend to have. It's an interesting question of legal matters within the Shire and without. I always had the impression that the Shire, for all that its government seemed about a half-step up from anarchy, was the most legally complex society in Middle-earth. Which makes you wonder. . . where are the Shire law schools? How do Hobbit lawyers learn their craft? And then, making contracts with Arnor. . . that's a land that basically hasn't had much government of any sort for centuries. Who knows what the contract law is there? A thorny problem that Aragorn will have to work out before long. Author Reply: Yes, that would get one giggling. Never did any Scottish dancing. Have done some Elizabethan and German and Israali dances--had a roommate who was into it back in my college years, and as she was Jewish her dance group did several traditional Jewish dances as well as others. I envision a sort of apprenticeship situation for legal work within the Shire; but much of that is described in today's chapter. As for Arnor--they may have been reduced to a number of far-flung villages in order to keep from too many important folk possibly being killed in case of an attack, but I suspect that the traditions of Numenorean legality were carefully preserved in some families in the hopes one day Arnor would be reconstructed and the King properly returned; and I suspect that in the last generation more folk have been preparing for that eventuality, now that Aragorn had become chieftain and it looked as if it were possible that the prophecies at last would be met. But it's most likely that now that North and South are united, most of the Arnorian legal system will be revamped to meet Gondorian standards, with some changes to the Gondorian system where Aragorn feels the southern writ would be to strict or out of whack with what he sees as fair. At least we get to play with the ideas of how such things are done in our fanfict, don't we? | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/7/2006 |
| I want to slap that Bracegriddle for being so rude to our Frodo - how dare he! And our dear remaining calm and polite, a real gentlehobbit in the face of all that abuse. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: It's just difficult for a pure Bracegirdle to be pleasant, I suspect. And he does resent Frodo for coming back and getting Bag End back again. And Frodo is as much, in his way, the representation of his own personality, refusing to let others see what he's been through or done; and he does manage to make a few jabs of his own, as subtle as only a Baggins with strong Took leanings could be. But Bartolo does have a good side, you'll find. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/7/2006 |
| Frodo is overdoing the secrecy a bit, isn't he? I see no true reason not to tell Sam anything. Maybe Sam will even have the same problem some day. His wedding is no true reason. Being asked about the rightfulness of *his* contracts by his relatives surely hasn't improved Bartolo's mood or his willingness to talk to Frodo. He certainly did his best to be as nasty as possible to him. But in the end, he seems to have developed some, if grudging, respect for him. And it explains why he spoke for Frodo later in the other fic. During the time this story is covering, he probably learned more about Frodo than he had ever wanted to know ... somehow I suppose whoever will be sent by Lord Halladan will explain more to Bartolo than most other hobbits know. Author Reply: You're truly right about Frodo's poor reasoning in not confiding to Sam--but then he'd rather not discuss it with anyone, given his druthers. Bartolo Bracegirdle does indeed have his good side; but I suspect there's a long history of resentment he's felt toward Frodo--and then to have him come back from nowhere and get Bag End for nearly nothing as he did must have truly frosted the cake for Bartolo. And the question as to whether or not his contracts might have been tainted was very insulting, you must admit. | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/7/2006 |
| Eek, Bartolo is a nasty one...has a little good streak in him though. Maybe it will crowd out the nasty eventually! Author Reply: There's a good deal more to Bartolo Bracegirdle than his outward seeming, as you'll find; but he's resented Frodo for a very long time, and it will take a good deal to put that resentment to rest. | |
| Lúmë | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/7/2006 |
| Rhyming review #2: What a strange yet logical contrast Between concern and hate When finally he learns of Frodo's fate I hope Bartolo will understand at last (I figure I might as well be a bit creative in my reviews ;-) And of course I wouldn't bother if I didn't like the story a lot!) Author Reply: Again, I am very honored. Barti and Frodo are going to have a bit of a voyage of mutual discovery, although by necessity it will be Bartolo who learns more in the end. Thanks so much for the smiles given! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/7/2006 |
| Well - Bartolo is learning more than he might otherwise have done. Only he's sworn to secrecy! Although that might actually mean it makes more impression on a Bracegirdle. Delphinium seems happy enough with him, though - so maybe his sour outside conceals a sweet core. Author Reply: You'll find out more of what Delphie thinks and knows of her Bracegirdle husband and inlaws starting with the next chapter. And Bartolo will end up knowing far more than he ever wanted to before the end. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/7/2006 |
| Lovely to see the Shire blooming again after the devastation. Author Reply: Yes--and both vegetation and Hobbits are beginning to bloom now that the famous 1420 is well underway. Thanks for the review. | |
| SurgicalSteel | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/7/2006 |
| Another good chapter - I actually *like* the fact that Bartolo doesn't immediately decide he likes Frodo. His resentments are still there, which makes it feel much more realistic. Frodo's insistence on secrecy also makes perfect sense - goodness knows he'd have had enough of folks spreading rumors about him and about his beloved 'uncle' Bilbo in his younger days. Author Reply: Thank you--that you, too, find that Bartolo's continued resentments are barely scratched as yet realistic is heartening. And Frodo's nature is very private. Learning what rumors had driven his beloved mother out of Hobbiton must have been terribly painful for him. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/7/2006 |
| Another intriguing chapter Larner. Got to go to work so just time to say that I liked Frodo's careful thanks to the groom and the maid! And the rest of the chapter of course. Author Reply: Yes, the groom and maid actually made him feel welcome, unlike the master and mistress of the home. And hope your day was fruitful. Must get ready soon enough to go to work myself. Night jobs can be difficult, I find. | |