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The Tenant from Staddle  by Larner 5 Review(s)
Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/15/2007
I must be a typical Hobbit as I'm not keen on adventures !It is interesting how your characters have their interests in the outside world gradually widened.

Author Reply: I don't mind adventures myself for the most part, but haven't had the time nor money for any for too long at this point. And these Shire Hobbits are indeed having their horizons broadened, which both provokes growth and some anxiety as well.

Thanks for the comments.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/15/2007
Glad to hear the good repeorts on behaviour. I like the archeology that is going on while digging this hobbit hole! And waste not want not with the building that survives.

Poor Barti this oath is proving to be very vexing! *g*

Poor Petunia, not an adventure for any Lass.

Alvric found himself glad to have prodded once more at the antagonism Bartolo held for his wife’s kinsman. - Alvric is doing a great job!

The discussion on branding still makes me shiver.

Good for Persi and I am impressed that he can tell his dad so openly of his pride in Frodo and Sam. But then Barti really is growing through all this isn't he.

Sorry it has been taking so long to review - just too much work and I am so tired at the moment!


Author Reply: One of the images I always loved was of one character--I think Aquila--in a Rosemary Sutcliff book finding a mosaic on the floor of a room in a ruined Roman-era villa, eventually burying Dog nearby. The idea that perhaps the Hedges might find such a feature in this dig (in more than one sense of the term) they were doing just seemed likely. And, being practical as well as inventive Boboli's going to use every advantage he finds.

I'd think that there would be several things found in the digging of this smial; and it would be of interest to both the Hedges and their Ranger friends.

Yes Barti is indeed finding the oath vexing at this time, although it also relieves him of having to talk about Frodo when he'd like to ignore him as best he can; but he just can't get away with that with Alvric giving his little prods toward realization that Frodo is actually very responsible and has managed to more than earn that unexpected lordship of his.

As for Persi, I keep finding I just simply like him.

Sorry about the work taking up so much of your time--I can certainly appreciate that.

Have fought some bug this last week myself, and am trying to get caught up.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/14/2007
And I warned her that adventures are uncomfortable things that tend to make one miss meals. *lol* For a hobbit, that is a very serious reason to consider!

Quite a shock for poor Pet to be troubled by these two in an open marketplace in a town! Ternish was quite foolish to think he could get away with that undetected, but I am still glad the Greenwillows were watching and acted before something could happen to the lass.

Ha – do I need to tell you how much I enjoyed what Lindor told Bert about the Travellers? Another piece of the puzzle for Pet to fit in. Not to mention the effect on the ruffians.

Lindor will be quite busy if he has not only to translate the roll, but to make so many copies. But I agree – there are so many who would be most interested in it, of this I am sure.

Somehow I fear Barti is absolutely *not* happy that he was the only one possible for this job, for always having to listen to the others praise Frodo isn’t exactly improving his mood *grin*

Barti took it remarkably calm what happened to his daughter. To know who rescued her will help him and Delphie to feel more comfortable about Men and about Rangers in particular, I suppose.

And more plot bunnies are appearing all over the place again! Aargh! Sorry about that. I know I am a bad girl. Here, take this big bag of carrots to keep them happy and occupied, so they don’t bother you too much.

Author Reply: The comments on the typical Hobbit view of "adventures" is, of course, based on Bilbo's own original comments on such things from "The Hobbit." I felt they must somehow be typical of Hobbits in general to the point that Barti would repeat them now.

The encounter in the marketplace will help the entire family be more aware of the fact that "out there" has always been more dangerous than within the Shire, and help they appreciate both what the Travelers did for the Shire on their return and what the Rangers do for them now. And Petunia definitely has a better appreciation of Frodo's true nature and how it is seen by others.

I think what happened to Petunia was more than Barti could take in; he's a bit in shock and just able to appreciate she wasn't hurt, that the former Ranger had an eye on her, and that the ruffians who'd been in the Shire are now in custody and will be taken care of. It will bring home again what Eregiel said about always being on guard and the worst ambush he faced was in the familiar fields of his home village.

As for carrots--the carrots these bunnies want have to do with type fonts, I'm finding. It's hard to keep many of them successfully fended off!

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/14/2007
Another marvellous chapter, and it seems that even Barti is beginning to learn more and hopefully will be able to let go of his resentment. I hope we learn why he feels this way towards Frodo.

Pet was very lucky and I'm sure a cane well wielded can do a fair amount of damage. My grandfather's walking stick was lethal at times! :-)

Looking forward to finding out more about the scroll.

Author Reply: It will take time yet to fully understand just why Bartolo is resentful of Frodo, although it will come out eventually.

I know my late husband's white cane could be wielded effectively to swat legs from time to time.

And there will be more about the scroll--also eventually.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/13/2007
Oh poor Pet, but it is a good thing these ruffians decided to show their hand too soon. This way, the Rangers still around Bree know there's a pocket of them somewhere around and to take the needed action. Also that Mr and Mistress Greewillow were there as well. It is amazing the different uses a cane can have, as I've learned over the years w/my own white cane. ;o)

The different ways of punishment that the World of Men uses would be distressing to Frodo and in turn, to his Bracegirdle cousins. I can easily see Frodo telling Aragorn off for branding those who warrented it, but how else in those days would people know who to keep an extra eye on. There are times when I think that was the best way to deal w/those guilty of doing unspeakable things to children. Even now sadly.

To find out one of those ruffians had his Aunt Lobelia's promise necklace would have come as a horrible shock to Barti. I am very much looking forward to his talk w/Mr. Greenwillow. :o)

This was a great addtion to this fantastic story. Can't wait for the next update. :o)

Author Reply: Oh, it's always good to see a note from you, Tigger.

Had they only tried trading one of their trinkets for some supplies these might have gotten away fairly cleanly; but Ternish had to let his inner orc out, didn't he?

Certainly my late husband found he could use his white cane for a variety of things; and he even gave an older one to a friend who was a pool player, who used it as a cue for exhibition games. And the folding ones when the cable breaks make lovely wind chimes, we learned.

I'd written a chapter in "The Acceptable Sacrifice" in which Frodo realizes both he and Aragorn feel it as Angrapain is branded as a pervert, and the argument between them occured originally there. Frodo is incensed, and Aragorn rather angrily asks if Frodo expects him to let these perverts go unmarked so no one recognizes them and realizes they are dangerous? And he speaks of the years of experience he has that for some there is no redemption because they will not accept it. It's a big thing to accept, that such perversions are not as uncommon among men as they are among hobbits.

My own daughter's birth dad was the stuff of nightmares. He's dead now, and I hate to say it but must, in this one case the rest of the world is better off and safer because he is. Her memories when we adopted her were pretty dark.

And Barti is shocked to find out how these two ruffians helped imprison his aunt and then at least one of them thought nothing of endangering his daughter.

Thanks for the review--with the heat of the summer reviews have suddenly dropped off dramatically.

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