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| The Way Home by Lindelea | 56 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 7/8/2025 |
| Master laughs and combs my forelock with his fingers. I don't think he'll have any problem with that! Why, he's half-a-hobbit already! Which half? Youngest inquires, eyes dancing with mischief. What comforting and cheering thoughts for Bill on this long, wearisome journey. Author Reply: Bill's heart is with his hobbits, so it's no wonder that they help him on his way in turn, courtesy of his memories and perhaps with a little boost from the Voices (part of that whole "guard and guiding" business). Thanks! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/7/2025 |
| A good time to rest indeed. Love how Shadowfax is increasing Bill's self-confidence. Author Reply: I figured that Gandalf would not befriend just any horse. It made sense to me that Shadowfax would be wise and courageous and able to inspire courage and confidence in his fellow beasts. (I probably got the idea from Shadowfax leading the other horses to Gandalf and Aragorn and Legolas and Gimli in Fangorn, if I'm remembering the details right. It's been a long day.) Thanks! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 7/7/2025 |
| Heading for the Greenway, eh? Shadowfax needs his own healing. Author Reply: Yes, poor Shadowfax never quite forgets his Rider. Part of him is always listening for Gandalf's voice. Thanks so much for reading, and for taking the time to share your thoughts. I really appreciate it. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/7/2025 |
| That the old Man and the Hobbits should come to represent the passage of time is interesting. And now it is the Pony that leads and the horse that follows. That Bill, Shadowfax, and the Voices all agree that it is time to move on.... Indeed, time to move on. Author Reply: I have found myself contemplating the qualities and characteristics of time lately, and some of that has crept into the latest stories. But isn't that the way writing so often works? It can be like a vehicle for pondering life. Hmmm. I wonder what happens when they don't all agree? For some reason, I had a flash just now of that Mork & Mindy episode where Mindy explains democracy to Mork, and Mork brings an immigrant (a Russian guy? I can't remember) home and "plays democracy", with the two of them outvoting Mindy when there's a disagreement of some sort. Robin Williams was such a brilliant man. Thanks! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 7/7/2025 |
| Not to mention Sam's comment as he holds Frodo's responseless body after Shelob. Yes, Shadowfax would feel Gandalf's fall. Glad he knows that the Wizard is still falling. Author Reply: Yes, that was a deliberate echo of Sam's despair. Just as Bill would follow Sam to the ends of the Earth, so would Shadowfax follow Gandalf if he could. Glad he knows that the Wizard is still falling. Yes, but that comes with a flip side; what will happen when Gandalf dies? | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 7/7/2025 |
| So, he realizes just how much he's learned as he's gone along with the Fellowship. Author Reply: I really think that travelling with such excellent company, as well as his time in Rivendell with the Elves, had a lot to do with Bill's growing understanding and maturity. Thanks! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 7/7/2025 |
| I love how Bill learns from Shadowfax. Now--where next? Am sad that they didn't meet again in Rivendell. Author Reply: It is really too bad that Bill didn't go back to Rivendell. When I was drafting the story, I kept asking myself why he'd go back to Bree? After all, his life with Ferny was so miserable. So part of figuring out Bill's journey involved finding the answer to that question. Thanks so much for reading and pausing to share your thoughts. | |
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/6/2025 |
| I'm so glad that even with Shadowfax nearby, the Voices are still helping Bill! I'm also glad that Bill has made the decision to spend the night where he is, instead of attempting to press on; they've picked a good place for that. He and Shadowfax need the rest before they continue onward. Author Reply: The more the merrier, which is quite a hobbity idea when I think about it. Considering how far they have to go, and not knowing what difficulties they may face along the way, resting seems like a wise as well as practical decision. I'm glad Shadowfax was able to persuade Bill that a night of rest would pay for itself going forward. Thanks! | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/5/2025 |
| "I am a horse, after all!" And after he lectured Bill about his "only a pony" stuff. At least he didn't say "only" a horse. And that's a pretty good trick being "silver-white" and then disappearing in the dark, since white things usually show up at night. There always was something magical about Shadowfax. Author Reply: Leaving out "only" from what he said was probably deliberate. He was simply (and realistically) describing the ability a horse has to shut out everything else when it's concentrating on something in particular. You're right about JRRT writing Shadowfax in rather wondrous terms. Like never seeming to tire, and travelling faster than a "regular" horse, in addition to his invisibility in the darkness. (I wonder if he's mischievous enough to sneak up on people in the dark and startle them? We had a black lab when I was growing up who loved to come up behind you in the dark and then suddenly let out a loud bark. He seemed to get a kick out of making an unsuspecting person jump.) Thanks! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/5/2025 |
| Ahhh, rest at last. What a comforting chapter. Author Reply: It just seemed the right time for some comfort. I'm glad it felt that way. (((hugs))) Thanks so much for reading and pausing to share your thoughts. | |