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| Runaway by Lindelea | 78 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Nienor Niniel | Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 9/23/2006 |
| Ooh, I liked that one very much! The set-up was great, and you really had me thinking they would see the punishment through. The new view on Ferdi's and Pippin's relationship was interesting: that Ferdi hasn't always been fair either. And I like how Faramir is developing. Greetings, Nienor Author Reply: Glad you liked it! Some readers loved this stories, and others have told me they hated it. Haven't seen any lukewarm responses. Much of the credit for this story goes to Jodancingtree, for she rescued it from the rubbish heap and breathed new life into it when I'd given it up. Glad you like seeing Farry's development! He's been an interesting character to imagine, even though I haven't got much past his first year of marriage in my imagining. | |
| Lyta Padfoot | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 3/4/2004 |
| Oh.... new chapter. Makes the next two chapters flow better into the stream of the story. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 3/4/2004 |
| I see you've added the chapter with the bonfire. I just assumed that it was background, referred to but not shown. I think it is a good chapter to add, as it you realize that the 'little smoke' was actually a serious attack that Pippin is making light of, and there is great interaction between Pippin and Tolly and Sweetie. She goes from ready to take off both their heads to genuinely concered and moved by Pippin's sincerity. It was important for Pippin to adress the concerns openly: to do more than show the hobbits of the Smials that Ferdi and Tolly are forgiven, to bring it out where everyone can hear, accept blame and to leave the chance for forgiveness or censure to the Tooks. He left it open, and it could have ended up differently, except that he'd already had it all out with the escort and they had no doubt of his conviction and his pledge of loyalty. Brilliant handling of Meadowsweet, to adress her righteous anger and let others tell her that it wasn't Pippin's fault alone. It sounds calculating that way, but the thing is it wouldn't have been successful except that Pippin is truly committed to his pledge, and serves as Thain out of a real love for the Shire and the people. I like the way Pippin and Faramir drew strength from each other during the crisis, remembering their promises and gaining another day. And Meadowsweet's comment about the Thainship wearing Pippin down makes Old Tom's thoughts in the next chapter an echo of the Talk. I really do think it was important for Pippin to give the Tooks something to resolve the crisis and balance the talk, but it also shows that not all concerns are completely put to rest (his health, mostly). Overall, a good addition and makes it more believable that there is no visible tension left between Ferdi, the escort and Pippin by the beginning of Rope, only a few months later. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 3/2/2004 |
| Somehow I managed to miss the previous chapter entirely. Farry is absolutely adorable there. Just the right mix of earnestness and vulnerability and inner strength. I know now he'll be a wonderful hobbit when he grows up, and a worthy sucessor to Pippin. Especially as Pippin will keep his promise, and not lose him again. I think I'm missing the point in the last chapter. Did Pip and Ferdi just have to get out of the Smials? Their conversation, although it requires privacy, doesn't require salted nuts and cheese cubes (great description of hobbity nibbles, by the way). Ferdi has told Pip he's staying, and if Pippin knows anything he should be sure of Ferdi when he gives his word. I suppose it's a measure of how shook up he's been about everything that's happened that he has to hear it again. But why go to the Spotted Duck to complain about their wives, especially if they are so concerned about being recognized? It doesn't look like they are trying to overhear the talk outside the Smials, though from what the inkeeper and barmaid say, it seems the hobbits there still respect the Thain and look to him for their concerns. Trust is not an easy thing to rebuild, but I think the Hobbits have it over us in the sincerity of their feelings. It is easier for them to forgive and move on when malice is so foreign and the joys of each day are to be savored. The next story in the chronology is 'Rope', and I don't see mistrust between Pip and Ferdi and the escort by then. Congratulations to you and Jo for finally finishing this story! Author Reply: Of course they just had to get out of the Smials. *grin* Imagine being a Took, with people sitting on you to keep you in bed... a bed that will swallow you alive if you stay there another hour. Your wife, thinking you're asleep, takes herself off to late supper--you hear her talking softly in the hallway with another hobbit mum. You carefully arrange a bolster or two in the bed to make it appear that you're still there, listen for an opportune moment when the servants are occupied or gone, muffle yourself in a cloak and creep out... only to encounter another escapee. So off you go together to commiserate. Author Reply: p.s. Thanks for the review and the congratulations! I truly would have abandoned this story as unworkable had Jo not stepped in. As it was, she reworked the middle and made it possible for me to write the finishing chapters. Whew. | |
| Lyta Padfoot | Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 2/27/2004 |
| Faramir is certainly a mixed bag of guilt, nobility, and determination in this chapter. Tom's comparison of Farry to a young Pip or Ferdi is interesting. I wonder what a pre-fire Ferdi was like... Author Reply: He was lively, cheerful, clever, full of more energy than was good for him, engaging, mischievous... though seven years older than Pippin (if I'm remembering right) the two were peas in a pod. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/20/2004 |
| That's a bit of an uncomfortable dinner, isn't it? Meadowsweet isn't as forgiving as Tolly is, and I'm not so sure Ferdi is in too forgiving a mood either. The subvocal chatter has quite an edge to it, by all parties. Of course the Tooks are falling out of their chairs to hear what's going on, and for those too far away to listen in, Pip has provided an appropriate visual show. Pippin's making an obvious effort to show everyone that all is well, there is no lingering blame, everything is smoothed over, Ferdi and Tolly are in good graces. The Tooks will take that with a grain of salt, I suppose. Pip ought to be worrying about how they'll view him once the whole story comes out. He's a large serving of humble pie in front of him now, and trust is not so easily rebuilt. I know you've written the final chapter already - will it go far enough to hear the naming of Nell's babe? Author Reply: Everyone is slowly settling back into their places but there are a few rough edges left to be gently sanded away before we can put the finishing coat of polish on. Didn't get around to writing the chapter where Pip had to deal with the truth coming out. It still might be inserted later, or I might leave it up to the imagination. For all practical purposes the story is finished. Nell's babe has not received a name in this story; am still thinking on it for a future story. Thanks for reviewing! | |
| Hai | Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/20/2004 |
| That was a interesting diversion. I hope that things can regain some of the trust and order between the families of the falsely accused. I keep thinking you are finished with this story and then another chapter is posted! Thank you! Author Reply: Well, the story is finished now! Just posted chapter 34. Trust takes time, and there wasn't enough of that to re-establish the relationships in *this* story, but you can see it in "future" stories; so yes, the trust and family order were regained, over time. Thanks for your comments! | |
| Lyta Padfoot | Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/19/2004 |
| The escort seems to be having fun with the Talk. Author Reply: Very mischievous of them, I think. Wonder how often they play this game? | |
| SoundofHorns | Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/19/2004 |
| this is great. i just wish there was more of faramir again! he was such a great little character. Author Reply: You got a bit more of Faramir in chapter 33, and the last chapter (34), the wrap-up had no Faramir at all, I'm sorry to say. However, he may appear in other stories, you never know. Thanks for commenting! | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 2/2/2004 |
| This is a most satisfying conversation. Diamond is strong, and she's smart too. Even with these few words spoken by Pippin, she understands immediately the truth of what he's saying and its implications. And Pippin is trying his best to keep his promises to Farry, both those spoken and unspoken. He's going to let the lad grow up, and include him in the adult conversation. It's good to see. I wonder though - Diamond says she feels stronger than ever. Is that from the worry being released, or is it a sign that her own babe is soon to be born? There's one word in here that makes me a little...uncomfortable. There's a lot of talk of dying in this chapter, as well there should be. But Pip says a couple of times that he's buried himself in his work, and that they have left Farry to muddle along while they buried themselves. Really, what they've buried is a baby, but they have not allowed the feelings associated with the loss to be laid to rest. And so talk of buring themselves doesn't ring quite true, though I understand the turn of phrase well enough. Pip has distracted himself with work, and each in his own grief has not attended to the pain of the others. Perhaps what I'm thinking is more to the sense of, they've buried a child, and with it buried some of the family closeness that was in short enough supply before, leaving grief and unspoken blame (or remorse) to linger like a shade. Does that make any sense? Author Reply: Diamond will not deliver until the Spring (and "Runaway" is set in late November-early December). This is the birth described in the early chapters of "At the End of His Rope". As to your other comment, I think you are making sense but I'm not sure how to reword the conversation. Have yet another cold and the meds are messing with my mind. Perhaps later when I have a brain again, I can do more than type rough handwritten copy into the computer and put it up for my editor to tweak (and Jo to embroider on). Hurrah, spring is near and soon I will be past the cold season. That will be a relief. | |