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| The Way Home by Lindelea | 314 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 82 on 8/11/2026 |
| After all the extraordinary stuff Bill has done, pulling a plough with his mom should be a cinch. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 82 on 8/11/2026 |
| Poor Barleyman, having to ask a favor (or what he believes is favor) from others, and not be as independent as he's always been used to. I can see him much more clearly thanks to your story. And in response to your comment to my previous review, regarding Pippin pondering Aragorn's many names, I wove that in and out of my story "Reunion at Cormallen". In the last chapter, Pippin crafts a song using almost all of them: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=119&cid=605 Author Reply: "At no point in our confrontation do I recall Sauron breaking into song," Aragorn groaned. Yes! That was the story I was remembering! I am grinning from ear to ear, just reading this chapter, and later when I have some free time, I plan to go back and savor the whole story from start to finish. Aragorn shook his head and gave Pippin another hug. "There is no end to the ways hobbits can amaze you." A wonderful moment amidst a host of wonderful moments. (And the hint of conspiracy in the chapter you linked! The expectation that the song would be completely different in tone... *snork* And the suggestion that all bards would benefit from spending time in bed with a fever!) The wine and the thoughts of planning for an appropriate gift at some future time... (Does Elessar attend Pippin's confirmation as Thain in one of your stories?) I'm glad you got a clearer idea of Barliman. I dearly hope his characterization fits the original presentation. Besides that, I still feel uncertain as to my accuracy in reproducing the speech patterns of Bree folk overall. | |
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 7/31/2026 |
| What on earth? Sam's actually receiving a hero's welcome! Is it because of his role in saving that man who was trapped in that previous chapter, or something else? At least the Voices are still there, keeping him steady. And now, his mother, too! Oh, and yes, I got your email on Thursday, and sent you a reply. Author Reply: (Thank you for your reply. I got derailed, or the Horse of Life threw me, and now I'm doing my best to get back in the saddle, that or whatever metaphor might best apply...) The people of Bree are honoring Bill for several reasons: he fought bravely in the Battle of Bree; he took lifesaving supplies and a message of hope to the people of Archet through robber-infested country; and he was one of a group of rescuers who held a fallen tree in place long enough to dig the trapped Woodman free. Without the pony's strength and determination, the Woodman (and likely more than one rescuer along with him) would have been killed when one of the restraining ropes broke, for the remaining Men would not have been able to hold the tree back from rolling down the slope. In this part of the story, the oppressive force of the Ring prevented the wizard's Voices from reaching Bill, similar to Gandalf's inability to "see" Frodo after "he was saved from a great peril" (I think that might be referring to incident where Frodo put on the Ring at the summit of Amon Hen, encountered the Eye, and heard a Voice – Gandalf's voice? – telling him to take off the Ring?). Specifically, Gandalf told Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas that he knew Frodo had decided to set out alone, yet he did not know that Sam had followed his master. I don't know if I'm thinking of the book or the film, but I seem to remember Gandalf saying somewhere that Frodo had passed beyond his sight or perception when he and Sam entered Mordor. And yes, it has been wonderful to reunite Bill with his dam! Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! I really appreciate it. | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 7/28/2026 |
| Some random thoughts… He remembers “that marvelous valley…” again. A good sign. Hm… that song sounds familiar. Living in the present moment is good advice for anyone, not just for ponies. Bill doesn’t realize that he’s a hero. I wonder if he's ever going to figure it out. "Only a pony" indeed! Author Reply: I'm glad you noticed that once Bill was freed from the oppression of the Ring (while Sam was the Ring-bearer), his memories of Rivendell returned. That was intentional on my part. (Sometimes when the writing works, it's all the Muse's doing, meaning I didn't consciously realise how the pieces fit together at the time I was writing. At other times, I might put in a deliberate metaphor [or something like that; my brain feels like it's turning to mush, and I need a nap] that ends up falling flat, even as I'm afraid I'm belaboring the point. I find the writing process quite intriguing to contemplate.) LOL on familiar songs. I think I read that JRRT's troll song was based on the tune to a nursery rhyme? Melodies persist though lyrics may change over time... and now I find myself wondering how many different lyrics have been sung to the tune of "It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring..."? For some reason, contemplating Bill's understanding about being a hero (or lack thereof) brought to my mind that lovely conversation between Frodo and Sam as they walked... through Ithilien, was it? The movie did a good job with that scrap of dialogue, I think. 'But [said Frodo after laughing again] you've left out one of the chief characters: Samwise the stouthearted. “I want to hear more about Sam, dad. Why didn’t they put in more of his talk, dad? That’s what I like, it makes me laugh. And Frodo wouldn’t have got far without Sam, would he, dad?”' For me, living in the present moment portends a nap, I think. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your impressions. I quite appreciate it. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 7/28/2026 |
| What a glorious and well-deserved show of love and respect from the townsfolk! Bill's dam is very wise... all of us would do well to embrace the good times when they come and let the good feelings surround us. Well done, indeed. My favorite scene in the films that Peter Jackson invented was the display of reverence and gratitude to the hobbits in Gondor. Many of us spent years writing fanfic that gave them the love, respect, and healing they all deserved. Author Reply: Ah, yes, I love that scene. "My friends, you bow to no one." I love it so much that I've taken inspiration from the film in some of my stories, like when Merry and Sam lead the Shire-folk in bowing to Pippin to show their confidence in him as Thain, and when Elessar and Arwen and all of those travelling with them bow to the hobbits when they meet at the Brandywine Bridge. Many of us spent years writing fanfic that gave them the love, respect, and healing they all deserved. So true! I think your stories were some of the first I read, that hooked me on the love, respect, and healing to be found in lovingly-crafted fanfic. (I need to go back and read your Cormallen piece. And another thought has been nagging at me lately... was that the one where Pippin was musing over Strider's many names, or was it another one?) Thanks so much for your encouragement and food for thought, my friend. Embracing the present moment and looking for joy in it is so much more productive than borrowing trouble, I've come to realise. | |
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 80 on 7/22/2026 |
| Aww, a fond reunion, indeed! Bill's been reunited withy his mother, and he has *so* much to tell her! Author Reply: It is so satisfying to reach this point in the story. (I'll be sending you an email this week, so if you don't see it by Thursday, please let me know.) | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 80 on 7/21/2026 |
| ... And so good to see him reunited with his mother! Author Reply: Yes! I'm so happy to have reached this point in Bill's story. Thanks! | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 79 on 7/21/2026 |
| “...cannot put my nose upon it in this moment.” I guess that’s the pony equivalent of “can’t put my finger on it” since they don’t have fingers. And “The pen is heavier than the shovel and wheelbarrow” instead of “mightier than the sword” -- another twist on an old saying, since hobbits are into gardening, not swords. That being said, it's so good to see Bill back on his feet again. Author Reply: You're right about the idioms! I find it quite fun to run across a cliche and then figure out how to tweak it to fit into Tolkien's world in a way that makes sense. Thanks for reading and pausing to share your impressions! I'm always happy to hear from you. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 80 on 7/21/2026 |
| Another joyous reunion! Bill is finding joy to chase any remaining Shadows away. push at him gently with my nose as he swings the half-door open. That's exactly what my Rena-pup does to my leg when I delay opening the door for her backyard romps and rambles. Author Reply: That's exactly what my Rena-pup does to my leg when I delay opening the door for her backyard romps and rambles. What fun! I love seeing this in my imagination... I am glad to say that Bill has many happy days ahead... up to and including Sam's return. And beyond, of course. Thanks! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 79 on 7/18/2026 |
| There is something familiar about this Man, though I cannot put my nose upon it in this moment. What a lovely encounter for Bill! And what a lovely chapter, full of joy and relief and resuming the simple lives of these good folk. Author Reply: It is so nice to get bak to fluff (more or less, or maybe I should say 'more than less'). Good times (along with more chances for Bill to prove his quality) are ahead! Thanks so much for coming along on this journey. I sincerely appreciate your encouragement. | |