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The Tenth Walker  by Lindelea 15 Review(s)
MirkwoodmaidenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/22/2020
Lindelea!

I can tell already. I will love this story. You write Bill so well. His character simply jumps off the page! Sam is so wonderfully kind and Pippin is so sweet. And so happy the old woman was able to see Bill happy at last.

Bill's parting gift to Ferny was indeed priceless!!

Stay safe! ((virtual hugs))

MM

Author Reply: Oh, I’m so glad! Thank you for hitting the highlights! I think Bill must have been special from the glimpses JRRT gave us of him.

(((hugs))) Hope this finds you well and safe.

Kara's AuntyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/2/2009
Hello Lindeleas,

erm, perhaps I haven't read your tale before actually. I thought the first chapter seemed unfamiliar because it had been a while since I read it, but I don't remember this second one either.

Which is great! It means I've stumbled over a (for me) brand new Bill story, yippee! You certainly seem to have some knowledge of the care of these lovely animals (unlike me). I'm getting a true feel for the misery he's known and the relief he's now feeling to be free of it.

And more Sam too - excellent!

Kara's Aunty ;)

Author Reply: LOL! Happens to me, too. And sometimes I'll read an unfamiliar-sounding story and leave a review and then look back through the reviews and find I wrote a review some months before and managed to forget the story in the meantime!

I grew up horse crazy, owned a horse for a time, and have access to wonderful advice from horse people, all of which has helped mightily in writing this story.

Is Sam your favourite hobbit?

DinossielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/24/2008
'Waste of a good apple,' Sam says, but I shake my head. It was my apple, after all, and I gladly donate it in service to the cause in which it was employed.

I love that. But it's too bad that it couldn't have come bouncing back so that poor old Bill could eat his apple. 'My old Misery' was indeed a misery and a poke-nose, and a thief, and an abuser of animals.

Author Reply: He was indeed--an apt description of the old misery. You have a way with words.

Do you think Bill would have wanted to eat that apple, tainted as it was by Ferny's touch? Hmmm. I think Sam must have given him another apple after they left the village, to make up for the loss.

Thanks!

IstarniëReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/20/2007
I love this tale - it is so captivating to read an account from the real tenth walker's point of view. The first feelings I had with this particular chapter were ones of saddness at the plight of so many animals, reminisent of my first reading of 'Black Beauty' as a child.

'Steady, lad,' she said, and her voice was so very sad it startled me, and dim memory rose of happier days by the side of my dam, my days of training under the gentle hands and kind voice of an old man..'

You have portrayed the contrasting cruelty and kindness of folk so well here - albeit the kindness of the old woman was small - it was very meaningful. And although it *was* a waste of an apple, I am so glad Sam retaliated to the 'old misery' the way he did. I wish I was a faster reader - but I like to savour each chapter like a jucy apple as I go.

Istarnië

Author Reply: Well, as Bill would say, "slow but steady will arrive in good time". Not that I'm sure what he means, but he knows what he means, at least.

I admit to being heavily influenced by "Black Beauty" and "Beautiful Joe" as a child. The old woman with the carrot is sort of inspired by a scene I still remember from "Black Beauty", in point of fact.

The nicest part (for me, I admit) of your savouring each chapter slowly is that I am greatly enjoying your comments.

Thanks!

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/5/2006
'Waste of a good apple,' Sam says, but I shake my head. It was my apple, after all, and I gladly donate it in service to the cause in which it was employed.

Here, here! I'm sure Bill would have liked to get a good kick in as well :) I love his parting gift ;)

Author Reply: Yikes, Pearl! SoA tells me I missed replying to this review! Oo, yes, a good kick, I'm sure, except that he knows his mother would be disappointed with him.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/24/2006
Aha--wonderful infusion of Bill's thoughts into the bookverse.

Author Reply: Thanks! I like looking at things from varying points of view. (You can either call it "beating the thing to death" or "looking at it in a fresh, new way". *g*)

Anso the HobbitReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/7/2005
Lovely! I do like how you make the pony think. I`m glad he approved of Sam`s use of that apple. :D

Author Reply: Belated thanks!

InklingReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/5/2005
My former misery…a nice touch, that Bill refuses to call Ferny master.

And a very poignant moment with the poor old woman…sad from the death of her husband and the fate of her pony. Abuse of animals is so painful to read about…I remember Black Beauty making a huge impression on me.


Author Reply: Hullo! Was replying to a recent review in this chapter and saw yours. You're spot on--that little scene with the carrot was inspired by something similar in Black Beauty.

We sometimes watch Animal Cops on television, and the little ones want to grow up to be protectors of animals...

CuthalionReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/3/2005
My old misery ducks too late, and I hear him cursing from behind the hedge, yet my trembling has left me, and I step forward confidently under Sam's guiding hand and Pippin's soft pull. Somehow I know I have nothing to fear any more. I lift my tail as we pass by the rusty gate and leave a steaming pile in the middle of the entry to the overgrown yard, a last farewell.

'Waste of a good apple,' Sam says, but I shake my head. It was my apple, after all, and I gladly donate it in service to the cause in which it was employed.


*laughs*

I love it. I lovelovelove it. Bravo.

Author Reply: Thank you!

Hopefully Bill will provide a bit of lightness to the heavier parts of the story, as well. He seems to have his head on straight. Ponies are eminently practical creatures, when they aren't taking on irrational dislikes/fears.

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/3/2005
I like Bill's memory of 'his misery' (very sad but well done) and his reaction to the use of the apple. I'm sure that is exactly what Tolkien intended him to think. :-)

Author Reply: LOL... I figured if Sam had an apple in his hand, either he was going to eat it himself or he was offering it to Bill, and it makes sense that if he was leading Bill, the apple was meant for Bill. I don't think Sam would have regretted so much the waste of a good apple if it had been on his own account, but that it was *Bill's* apple, well, that is cause for regret, from Sam's viewpoint.

(OTOH, Bill appreciated the apple's fate)

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