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The Farmer's Son  by Lindelea 4 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/29/2009
Ah, Lin--how terrible a thing to think the trouble was but minor, but then learn it's even worse than anticipated! May they find good signs soon!

Author Reply: Easy enough mistake to make--it's terrible to see a loved one injured and in pain. But then the worry of not-knowing, well, it's worse. Especially when Pimpernel was half-angry with Ferdi, having convinced herself that Tolly had dragged him off to the Duck for drinks and darts...

Thanks!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/28/2009
Oh dear! Oh dear! That feeling of fear? What's the date?

And now Ferdi and Tolly are missing--caught by Lotho's Big Men, perhaps?

*frets*

Author Reply: Well, when Paladin and Eglantine were awake the previous night, around 10, Paladin spoke of the Birthday being "yesterday" which would make the previous day the 23d, and this chapter's setting the 24th.

According to Appendix B, the Black Riders drove the guard of Rangers from Sarn Ford on the evening of the 22nd and five of them continued to pursue the Rangers eastward through the 23d before returning to watch the Greenway. (Does this mean they pursued the main body of Rangers all the way to Bree, over the course of two days? What a chase that must have been!)

On the 23rd, four Riders entered the Shire before dawn. A Black Rider came to Hobbiton at nightfall, just before Frodo took his leave.

At about 10 p.m. on the 23rd, Paladin said,
'It's been unsettling,' Paladin said, seeming to change the subject. 'The Birthday yesterday, and no sign of Bilbo all these years – he came back after a year, that first time he went away, but it seems he really is gone for good this time...'

'...and today the lads were to set out from Bag End, and perfect weather they had for the walking – why, we cut more hay this day than I'd thought we would, but dry and fine it's been, and the Sun so strong and warm...'

None of Paladin's family slept well the night of the 23rd-24th, as you've seen.

The morning of the 24th was "pale and clammy" and "mists lay thick on the world" (as when Tolly arrived at the farm) but the day began to "turn fine and hot...after ten o'clock" (which, as Paladin observed, would be fine haying weather). In the afternoon of the 24th, Frodo & co. were nearly overtaken by a searching Black Rider. We know, thus, that Black Riders were searching for Frodo, likely spreading out from Hobbiton along the routes they thought he might have followed. Perhaps even suspecting that Frodo might be on his way to the Havens, having laid a false trail to Buckland? Hmmm.

Does that help you place the events of this chapter? Hope so. Brain is muddled from cough mixture and I need to hit the pillow now that it's taking effect. HTH!



Author Reply: Of course, Lotho's Big Men is a good guess! Wonder just when he's going to have his little chat with Paladin about who's the best suited to run the Shire?

SoledadReviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/28/2009
Ugh! You can't leave us hanging like this! That's an evil evil thing... I don't want Ferdi hurt, please...

Author Reply: Oh, dear, I *don't* want to leave this hanging for long. The chapter just broke at the most logical place (it was over 3500 words as it was, longer than my usual chapter length, and if I hadn't broken it there the next logical place to break would have made the chapter some 6000 or 7000 words--too long for my short attention span!). The next chapter deals with Ferdi and Tolly. Hope to get it typed in soon.

Author Reply: p.s. Thank you for the encouraging feedback! I appreciate your taking the time to leave your impressions.

Garnet TookReviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/28/2009
So excited to see an update to this.

Now I'm worried for poor Ferdi and Tolli. I also am finding it fascinating that Pervinca seems to be the one with the Sight. I can't wait to see just where all this is going.:)

Hope to see an update real soon.

Author Reply: Am working on the next chapter, so we'll see how soon I can get it polished and ready to go.

Pervinca (in my stories) has always been moody and mercurial, and it occurred to me that this would be a perfect fit for her to have inherited the gift (or curse) of prescient dreams.

Thanks for the encouraging word!

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