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The Tenant from Staddle  by Larner 11 Review(s)
NotACatReviewed Chapter: 14 on 6/3/2015
I think I spotted a typo: "He was not found guilty of murder and executed…"

Surely there's at least a "not" missing there?

Author Reply: I was running the two results together, letting the one "not" stand for both, although perhaps I ought to have added the second "not," too. But you missed the dog "peaking" around Alvric's legs! "Peek" and "Peak" are two of my greatest bugaboos, I find. I know I have left this story unfinished for an unconscionably long time, but once I have finally finished "Stirring Rings" I hope to return to this one and "Or Perchance." Have a start on the next chapter, and hope to continue working on it later today.


6336Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/20/2009
Oh, the wish to clip Bartolo one round the lug'ole is growing steadily!
Lynda

Author Reply: He is a stubborn cuss, I'll admit. Very literally minded, and not good at thinking outside the box. He can be a pain, but I'm finding myself feeling rather sorry for him at this point. He has a good family, though. I really like Pet and Persivo.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/23/2007
It is a treat to return to Bree and see the inn under happier circumstances.

Author Reply: So glad you liked it, Linda. I doubt I'd mind staying in such a place myself, as long as they didn't host an invasion of Black Riders or questionable Southrons, of course. (Heh!)

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/20/2007
Persivo is definitely a very bright lad! He will learn a lot from Alvric ... and I'm rather hoping that Bartolo will, too! He is too intelligent to be so blindly prejudiced about Frodo.

And it looks as if Alvric will have his uses in other ways as well. Discouraging unwanted suitors, for example. And providing meals for hungry hobbits.

I'm not surprised Bartolo's family are finding Bree a bit intimidating - but you never know, they might be ready for a trip to the big city one day!



Author Reply: I suspect both Bartolo and Persivo found themselves learning a great deal from Alvric, probably more than Bartolo looked to learn. Bartolo is intelligent, but resentful; and all too often resentment has a way of causing us to blind ourselves to much we should be able to perceive. He's most likely going to thaw, but not in ways he'd intended, I fear.

Well, Barliman did suggest Alvric's presence could be of service to Denra Gorse, and as Gandalf pointed out the innkeeper could see through walls at need. But there is likely to be a cost. As for feeding hungry Hobbits, well, Alvric is becoming experienced, of course.

And they are gaining a bit of polish on this trip that may well prepare at least some of them to visit other places one day.

Thanks so much for the feedback, Bodkin.

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/20/2007
Oh, I love it when a baddie shows up, like that Cotman fellow.....and I do like Bartolo's kids. Nice twist at the end of the chappie with him choking on his drink hearing that Frodo has said nice things about him...haha! Took the wind out of his sails, didn't it?

~~~{~@

Author Reply: Yes, the baddies do show up from time to time; the folk we love to hate? So glad you like the children, although at the moment Begonia and Alyssa are still a bit lacking in awareness outside themselves, although that will be remedied in time, I'm certain.

And yes, Bartolo's going to have to accept the awful truth that Frodo Baggins respects him--a bit of a hard pill to swallow, but a remedy he must have if one day he is to find he reciprocates the feelings. And it's fun to twit folk like Bartolo. Heh!

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/19/2007
Persivo and Alvric seem like a match made in Heaven. Persivo will be able to learn a lot from Alvric, but will probably teach him just as much.

Author Reply: Yes, all present are beginning to learn from one another, and Persivo and Alvrid do have a great deal in common, I think.

Thanks for the feedback.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/19/2007
Ah, so we got to know the infamous Bender Cotman. I'm not favourably impressed of him, that is for sure. Alvric did a great job in sending him away, and I love his threat with the Rangers. Alvric truly should talk with them, so they can have an eye on the matter particularly when he is not there. Somehow I fear Denra hasn't seen the last of this bully.

I think Bartolo will finally come to appreciate how important the exact wording of contracts is, if this first meeting is anything to go by. And his son will become a great lawyer with his sharp mind and the interest he showed here.

Somehow it is ironic that Bartolo, of all people, has to deal with this contract for Frodo, considering how much he dislikes his cousin. Well, I have the feeling Alvric will do his best to wear him down. Certainly the end of the chapter left me grinning.

Hmmm ... thinking about it ... if Bartolo would meet the Rangers, they could tell him more about the Travellers, as Frodo didn't tell *them* not to talk about the Quest ;-)

Author Reply: Now you know precisely why Denra finds Bender so obnoxious. Bender's not certain just who these King's Men Alvric speaks of are, although once he realizes they're those disreputable Rangers how he'll react is anyone's guess. But he's not done with pursuing Denra as yet, that's for certain.

Bartolo is finally beginning to understand just what Persivo and Frodo have been on about wording for, and now he sees his role on Frodo's committee to improve language in contracts more seriously, and is likely to actively be useful, at least. And I do suspect Persivo will be very important to the Shire once he's an adult in his own right and practicing law within and without the Shire.

Yes, it's definitely ironic that Bartolo is dealing with Frodo, but that's what he's been brought to through the fact he's the one Hobbit at the moment who can write contracts outside the Shire whom Frodo can trust and send. And I suspect Frodo's getting a bit of private satisfaction out of the fact he's managing to make Bartolo truly useful to himself.

And you're right about the Rangers NOT being restricted to avoiding WHY the Travellers left the Shire. How long it will take them to reveal more we'll have to see, of course.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/18/2007
But they're only Hobbits of the Shire!

Indeed - good things come in small packages. :) And Frodo does bring out the best in people, just look at what he did or almost did with Smeagol and it wasn't his fault Smeagol couldn't go the whole way. Imagine what he could do with a Bracegriddle. And to grieve for Lotho too, 'tis a noble spirit inside that tortured lad of ours.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Yes, Frodo embodies natural nobility, and it's a great deal of what we love about him. Persivo and his father are only just beginning to realize just why the northern Dunedain have held respect for the Hobbits of the Shire for so many years, and why they acceded to Gandalf's request to guard the borders of the Shire once his concerns made themselves felt about that ring Bilbo found.

EthareiReviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/18/2007
Hi! I haven't logged onto SoA in the longest time, but every now and then I get the craving to revisit delightful stories such as yours, so I don't think I can ever truly stay away ^_^

I absolutely adore this story, initially because I can never get enough of seeing how the Hobbits of the Shire would view the Travelers in the aftermath of the War and the Troubles. Your depictions of the various cultures of Middle-earth are always so detailed and feel thoroughly researched. Your writing style is very engaging and flows easily, so that something as seemingly dry as the writing of contracts and other law-related business holds my attention through the text. And you have a talent for making believable OCs to whom the readers can create an immediate attachment.

I cannot wait to see how you will handle the development of Bartolo's character and any changes in his viewpoint of Frodo. I also look forward to getting to know Alvric as he becomes acquainted with the ways of Hobbits, as well as Persivo's role in the whole thing (for I feel that his character has a larger significance in the future).

Thank you very much for this enjoyable and engrossing tale. Do update it soon!

A faithful reader,
Etharei

Author Reply: So glad you appear to appreciate this one, Ethaei, and glad you checked back in. I also post at HA, TFF, and FFN as well as WotM, although I have a great deal of updating to do on that site.

I am so honored you find the exposition is nevertheless interesting in my stories, for I know it can be tiring at times. And am SO glad you like my OCs, for I've found several have become long-term friends. And Alvric is bringing to at least part of the Shire an appreciation of the outer world and the part the Travellers played in it. Persivo represents the coming generation, which is likely to be far more appreciative of what the Travellers (and particularly Frodo) accomplished "out there" than his father. As such, I think he will probably play an increasingly larger role in the life and business of the Shire as he matures and comes into his own as a mature Hobbit and lawyer to both the Shire and the outlands.

Thanks so much for letting me know you're enjoying this story.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/18/2007
Really pleased to see the new chapter Larner although it hasn't appeared on my author alert as yet.

Dashing home if the wind allows and then on to a meeting in Derby.

Loved the interplay between people here, especially Alvric & Dender Cotman & Alvric and the two Bracegirdles who are so different in nature but equal in curiosity. And the final line brought a grin! Typical Lawyer!

Thank you for your best wishes to my folks they do appreciate them although my Dad is a bit bemused by them. Jet sends back a very big and now deep 'woof'!
Life goes on, the pressure sore has healed fairly well but we await a pressure mapping test before Mum can be out of bed for more than an hour at a time. And we await an appointment for that which can take up to twelve weeks *sigh*!

Author Reply: Oh, I wish I could come over for a time and escape the States briefly. I so want to visit Bosworth Field again (although it would be best to come over after April to be able to visit the tourist center there--did I tell you my roses are white?) and York again. I LOVE York, after all. And maybe this time I could take the Cadfael walk in Shrewsbury. I love the Owen Archer books as well, for as often as I've visited York I feel I know just where each action takes place.

Yes, Alvric is getting to know the other players with whom he will interact over the next little while. And am so glad you appreciate his intention to pick away at Bartolo.

Glad things are going well with your mom, and hope the pressure mapping shows she can get up fairly regularly soon.

And my Yogi sends one of his tail wiggles to you and Jet.

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