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| Reconciliation by Larner | 15 Review(s) |
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| Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/31/2006 | |
Tedicus, How many times did "The Gaffer" show up for the reading of the will? Did he perhaps leave and come back? Is there another individual to which the moniker "The Gaffer" refers? How about the possibility that he has a doppleganger? Could Bag End be an intersecting point for multiple universes where replicate Gaffers congregate to create mystery and mayhem? The riddle of the cloned Gaffers must have a resolution! Maybe Sharkey was making some magical means to mold men in multiplicity. Please elucidate. Author Reply: I suspect that the Library at Unseen University was intersecting with Middle Earth at this point, Tedicus. You know how it can get when the orangutan librarian there doesn't get his bananas regularly. However, I offered him an orange and he ordered the unwarranted incursion of that magical space to withdraw from this story at least. Thanks for the heads up--although one of these days I may try a crossover between Pratchett's and Tolkien's worlds. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/30/2006 |
| Oh dear, I'm hopelessly tender-hearted when it comes to grief like this, and have just cried my eyes out through this chapter. Again, you've managed to capture perfectly something that comes after the departure of a loved one--the to-do and bustle, in this case not having to do with a funeral but with the reading of the will. What memories it brings back. Well, at least they haven't had time to experience that dreadful stage of not knowing quite what to do with oneself and feeling like they've done nothing but grieve for an immeasurable time. Sam is likely to feel that the most, I expect. Poor Mags! It's so sad to see how her good, tender heart was wrung by Frodo's leaving. Really I feel sorry for all of them; for no matter how neatly things are left, there are always things that have to be settled, and I observed my parents, grandmother, and other relatives enough to know that it can look like a mountain when everyone is already worn down just by the grief itself. *sigh* So wonderful to see Pippin finally having the chance to explain everything to his parents, and what seems to be the last step to reconciliation for them. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Part of this, of course, is based on real-life experience. I am glad someone at least finds Mags's plight understandable and empathizes with her. She and Timmins have watched Frodo for years, have served him for years, have a feeling for his favorite dishes and ales and diversions in their establishment. He's been eating less and less, he has finally given up visiting at all; yet he orders this elaborate meal for what they think of as a house party and they find it's nothing of the sort, and he's gone. I truly think that far more than Frodo dreamed would care are realizing he's left the Shire for good, and with no proper warning. It's not just his near and dear who will mourn his leaving, but the quick post messenger who's always thrilled to his smile, the children he's told stories to, the widow whose cat and flowers he's always admired, the ones who sold him his favorite blends of tea, and those who served him in the inns. Mags and Timmins represent all those. The realization that there are more details that need to be dealt with in settling the new regime into place is a very valid one, and I'm glad you brought it up. Dealing with deaths and permanant leavings is never completely easy. But at last Pippin's been able to have his say, and this time his parents are listening. Now, as FrenchPony points out, it's time to communicate on both sides to see the process firmly accomplished. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/30/2006 |
| I loved the reading of the will. All right and proper, especially compared to the way Bilbo ran off without a word. But that's Frodo's way. He prefers everything done correctly, pre-arranged down to the last detail. And all is done to spare those left behind as much stress as possible. That's Frodo all over. I'm glad that Pippin and Paladin finally got to sit and say their pieces to each other. Their next step is that they must learn to converse instead of speechifying. Then they will truly be reconciled to each other. Author Reply: Frodo is simply NOT Bilbo at all, and would indeed see to it as many details as possible would be arranged so as to make it easier on everyone. Bilbo never fully got over his awakened tendency to set everyone just a bit askew, even in his personal bequests; Frodo is far more dignified. And you are certainly right about the need to move from speechifying to communicating. But at least the reconciliation is unfolding between Pippin and his parents. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/30/2006 |
| Larner, this is so beautiful! I can tell that in a number of ways you see Pippin's upbringing much as I do--that he and his father were close until adolescence and the worries of the Thainship drove a wedge between them. But that early foundation of love and trust and pride could not have been completely undermined, and now it can once more be built upon. And the Conspiracy--yes, the older ones *would* have tried to keep Pippin safe, and Pippin would have used just such a tactic as he did. Poor Pippin, Merry and Sam. They *know* Frodo had to leave, and why, they are happy to hope for his healing--but, oh the grief of not seeing him any more! Even Sam--though he has the promise of going to join Frodo, it won't happen for years and years--not until he has lived an entire lifetime without his dearest brother-friend; and for Merry and Pippin, well, not within the circles of the world will they see him again. So, in terms of missing Frodo, of grieving for him, in those ways, Frodo might as well be dead. Yet they were unselfish enough to give him up anyway, knowing that he might stand a chance of a bit of happiness once more, even for a while. This scene with Pippin and his parents is everything I could have hoped for--Paladin and Eglantine showing their guilt and remorse and belated pride in their son, and Pippin being his generous and forgiving self. *sigh* *goes back to top of chapter to read again* Author Reply: It's always lovely to find others who have the same or similar feelings to particular relationships that aren't described in the books save for the biological ones. And now the foundation relationship is ready to be restored at last. It must have been somewhat comforting to think of their son as still being their "little Pippin" at heart, having something unchangeable in a stressful world which was heavily impacted by the presence of Lotho and Sharkey's army within the Shire; but children do grow up, and with Pippin leaving the Shire as he did they didn't get to see it. By not accepting his story they were seeking to keep a bit of innocence in their lives; now they must accept Pippin as he is, which is as an adult whose nature has been tempered in fire. He's far more than they ever thought to see in the son of their loins, of course; and coming to terms with that is not easy. Am so glad this scene is what you felt was needed. As for the sacrifice Pippin, Merry, and Sam have made--it is that, and for his chance to also become all he can be as much as for his restoration. For Frodo doesn't just belong to the Shire--he was set aside for a fate beyond expectation; now is his turn for fulfillment come, which cannot come to him if he remains where he was. Thanks you for the honor of this review. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/30/2006 |
| What a lovely gesture of Frodo's to have had those beautiful clothes made for Sam. If you were wondering, I'll continue my own story when I've revised HDOH, which is a bigger task than I thought,hopefully by next week it will be complete. Author Reply: Just as Aragorn saw to it in Minas Tirith that the Hobbits looked the part of heroes and princes through the wardrobe he gave them (in my stories, anyway), so here Frodo seeks to do the same for Sam. Sam is now the Master of Bag End and will be the Mayor seven times running. He's not just a paid gardener any more. Frodo realizes Sam needs to look the part to play the role he's now destined to know. Frodo is making certain no one will underestimate Samwise Gamgee from this point forward. Am looking forward to seeing "Web of Treason" continued, but certainly understand the influence of revising an existing piece of work. Good fortune to you! | |