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| Just Desserts by Lindelea | 203 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/26/2005 |
| Very public restitution. Just what you need. Not just get out of jail free, but gloriously decorated horses, king's cloaks, King and Steward walking at your side, and a very loud announcement of inestimable honour. Yep. I think the population of Annuminas will have got the message. And Jack - if he is well enough - will be able to visit the place he considers above all others to be his home. Even if he is never fit enough, he will know he can. I think this episode will actually serve to strengthen the power of the king in the north. Considerably. He has been seen to be someone who will make every effort to be fair and generous in the way he deals with people in his care. Such a satisfying chapter. Jack shall have his Jill, Naught will go ill, The man shall have his mare again And all will be well. (Although the third line could be replaced with - The king is on his throne again.) Author Reply: Ah yes, perfect rhyme. Or perhaps And Jack shall have his Shire again. Just knowing he can ought to be enough, I suppose, but I find myself wanting him to go back and see the Shire, and such wonders as the Mallorn tree that grows in the Party field, and yes, perhaps even cook breakfast for the Gamgees in Bag End's kitchen, for old times' sake. Well, they always thought well of old Gwill, but now the people of Annuminas know what the hobbits think of him as well! And so satisfying, to have the mysterious rescuer's identity revealed! | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/26/2005 |
| Each with plenty of signatures in red ink I trust. A truly satisfying chapter Lindelea. Just what the healer ordered after all that angst! Author Reply: Oh yes, plenty of signatures, and those of the most eminent hobbits in the Shire! Mayor, Master, and Thain, their wives, of course, and two heroes of Tookland (Hilly and Ferdi) for starters. I think heaping up the blessings is a great way to let off angst! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/26/2005 |
| Seledrith kissed him on the cheek. 'You are an old dear,' she said, 'nothing more... and nothing less.' 'I beg to differ!' Denny said from behind them, Merileth on his arm. 'A great deal more, I'd say!' Yes, a great deal more indeed! I just loved Aragorn giving his cloak, and the whole procession! I love that everyone is going to see the injustice completely corrected. But the best part of all? 'Gwill o'Dale, and Gwillam and Robin, sons of Gwill,' Pippin said grandly, raising his voice though silence reigned in the market place. 'I proclaim you Shire-friends, nay, heroes of the Shire, who have, with your selfless and courageous actions, won the gratitude of Thain...' '...and Master,' put in Merry, at Pippin's side. '...and Mayor!' Samwise said decidedly from the Thain's other side. '...and so, we grant you and your descendants the freedom of the Shire, from now and henceforth!' Pippin said, extending three rolls of parchment, each tied with a bright ribbon. Gwill took a shaky breath, and his eyes glimmered with tears as he looked to the King. 'My Lord?' he whispered. Elessar nodded with a smile. Who was he to gainsay Master, Mayor, and Thain? Deep sigh of great satisfaction!! Those hobbits know just what they are doing! Author Reply: O yes, that proclamation was the seed for the whole story. It has taken a while to write all the way from the end of "Glisters" to this point! And now we have a scene around the table, and an Epilogue, and I think we can wrap this story up... don't even need the shiny bow, really, because all the sparkle's been supplied in this chapter, I think. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/25/2005 |
| Well, *now* I see where all your hints about a "vacation" were leading! *grin* This is rich. Ferdi and Haldoron. And Faramir Took. I'm forgetting how old he is in this--his teens or his tweens? And likely to give his escorts as many fits as his father gave his cousins and the rest of the Company. Well, at least they'll not be carting a Ring of Power around, and hopefully there won't be any Nazgul or Balrogs...*chuckle* Author Reply: Well, "Farry and Ferdi go to Gondor" has been long in the making. Dana knows something about the story; I sort of tried it out on her in a phone conversation and she laughed, so that's a good sign. Farry is, I think, sixteen. But precocious, and likely to give his escorts fits, yes. He's got definite ideas of what he wants out of the journey. Whew, no Nazgul, what a relief! And I think the Balrog is on a holiday of his own. But still plenty of pitfalls out there! Thanks. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/25/2005 |
| Can I go too, Lindelea? Can I? Can I? *jumps up and down in anticipation of long evenings by the fire reading of Faramir and Ferdinand's adventures!* Author Reply: Only if I can go, too. We will hope for the best, and that the Muse doesn't become miffed at some imagined shortcoming and take herself off to Hawaii. I love long evenings by the fire, reading. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/25/2005 |
| My friend, your Aragorn is as devious and appropriate in his consequences as mine ever was! Ah, how wonderful! And young Faramir Took will begin to learn firsthand, along with the Thain's Steward AND the King's Northern Steward, just what the landscape was like, although hopefully they will travel in summer and NOT winter, and will go over Caradhras instead of through the Mines. And they will learn how the journey helped shape the six who survived and yet remain in Middle Earth while developing more respect for one another's race and endurance. Any Elves or Dwarves going along, just to add to the guard? Can't see Radagast doing so, though.... Author Reply: Quite the compliment! As this story is set in springtime, I do believe they will be setting out in early summer at the latest. I do hope they won't be staying over in Imladris until nearly Yule! I really cannot see Radagast joining the party, though he might make an appearance. Elves or Dwarves. Hmmm. Might be some potential there. Don't know, at the moment. They're not in the outline, but anything could happen. Thanks! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/25/2005 |
| So that's why Halbador has become a hermit! You can see why - but I imagine Aragorn was quite keen to bring him back into society even before this crisis arose, and it will be good for his family, too, I should think. Haldoron has skill in leading children. That sounds like a barbed comment, if ever I heard one. Not happy about this, young Ferdi. But it will Do Him Good and provides a perfect opportunity for another great story! Love the implementation of hobbit methods: stale - send him outside for off for a break. And, moreover, make Ferdi and Haldoron work towards a real understanding of each other and each other's race. Good stuff. Author Reply: Yup, that is why he was a recluse. But I don't think he'll be able to remain one. And it'll probably be good for his budget, to live in the city, at least as long as he's acting Steward, for his wife will be able to go to the market every day if she wishes, and won't feel as if she has to buy enough to last her until another visit who-knows-when! Ah, "Farry and Ferdi Go to Gondor" has been in the works for a long, long time, roughly outlined, even, but stalled for lack of a title. It may be called "Rainbow's End" though that sounds rather hokey to me. I do think that Ferdi and Haldoron may draw together in face of a common problem: Faramir, who is quite headstrong, as Ferdi observed, and also quite enthused about the journey, and you know how fraught with potential enthusiasm can be... Thanks! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 11/24/2005 |
| That tailor is a very brave and compassionate man - who deserves to have his good qualities recognised. He would make an excellent counsellor to whoever rules in the north. The sort of person who keeps all around him honest. I love the term 'life warrant'. Something to treasure. Although it's going to take time to sink in. Good for Denny - coming out with Gwillam's comments and saving him the scolding! The twist with Robin and the young hobbits revealing the value of pretending sleep to hear what is not intended for young ears is delightful. A twist that Merry recognised perfectly from his experience with Pippin, too. Is the next thing to hear what Pippin and Ferdi are up to? The intricacies of this story are so enjoyable. I never know who I want to learn about next! Author Reply: You know, you're right about the tailor. I wonder how it would come about, for him to be made a counsellor to the temporary Steward of the North-kingdom. Well, you get to hear about what Pippin's up to... Ferdi isn't exactly "in" on it, but he does get pulled in whether he will or no. Although it makes a completely separate story that will not be continued here, except for mention in the Epilogue. This story is very nearly done, can you believe it? | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 11/23/2005 |
| At least those who listen whilst pretending to be asleep get to hear truth and not rumour. Got a great giggle out of the advice for pretending and it wasn't the expected way round either! Loved the way that, at least some of the towns folk want to rally round the family even if it feels slightly treasonous. Author Reply: Truth and not rumour! I hadn't thought of that... It would be a hoot to write an auction with one person bidding on each item, and then nobody else, and everything being bought for "pennies on the dollar"... "What'll you give for this fine bed, solid carven wood it is..." "Ha'pence!" | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 11/23/2005 |
| Oh lovely! I love that the neighbors are all set to save as much as they can for Gwillam and his family--but I have a hunch that things are not what they appear to others. I would bet that the family is set for a distinct rise in status... And I had to giggle at the little exchange about listening children who seem to be asleep. And it wasn't only children who pulled those stunts--after all Sam was full grown when he pretended to sleep while Gildor spoke to Frodo in the Woody End, LOL! Author Reply: Well, usually your hunches are pretty sound. I noticed (afterwards) that Sam was not saying anything about pretending sleep--but then, it is not yet clear if he's there or with Pippin and Steward and King, discussing... future development. The next chapter is still in the works. | |