Reviews (127)

Author's reply

A belated thank you; I did not see this review until today. I appreciate the feedback.

Author's reply

Thanks! I like this gran-dad, he reminds me of my own long-departed grandfather.

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I remembered how Sam "thought he saw an elf once" while I was writing this story, and I thought how wonderful it would be to connect Pick with one of his descendants via Elven memory. So I took the liberty of Bilbo, as a young child, seeing an elf. Maybe it faded and seemed like a dream to him until Gandalf came along and stirred up his appetite for adventure...?

Author's reply

I'm sorry about that. I typically avoid writing really dark images. The word-pictures here reflect some awful photos and descriptions of man's inhumanity to man I've seen in various places, including Dachau, which I toured long ago as a teen and haven't forgotten. They've been toned down quite a bit for this story, though it may be hard to tell.

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I'm sure the Watcher would have been quite taken with Frodo or Pippin. Oddly enough, I write them as very similar though 21 years apart, or something like that. I think that comes from the mental pictures I formed of the hobbits when I read through LOTR decades ago, even though Frodo was "taller and fairer than most" and Pippin (before the Ent draughts) was the smallest of the hobbits in the Fellowship. In any event, the Watcher would have appreciated their curiosity and courage and bright spirits. The next story starts 150 years later. There's some mention of the hobbits from this story, but it is their great-great-great(-great?) grandchildren who make the decision to leave their homeland and start again in Bree.

Author's reply

Perhaps I will have to add more time clues. In the timeline for the story (doing this from memory, might make a small error or two), Pick falls from the mountain three days before Thorn's fight to the death. He passes those three days hiding under/behind a pile of game in the eagle's nest. When the blizzard blows itself out for the Fallohides, it is also that first clear day when Pick looks out of the nest into the shadowy valleys. While Thorn and the rest of the hunters are running back to intercept the orcs, and during the battle (which took some time, perhaps it is written as too abrupt and I may have to throw in more time clues, such as the sun moving across the sky), the rest of the Fallohides are "high-tailing it" down the trail to the trees, where they take refuge that night. When no orcs come, they descend from the trees in the morning and start the search for Imladris, which is "on the way" to Rhudaur when I look at the map in "Atlas". They search, but cannot find the valley. It might take them several days to reach the Ford and cross over, looking for woodland. They find the forest quickly--but it is in Rhudaur. Blackthorn divides the People into manageable groups and they find shelter in a series of brambles. They are here for less than a week before Elladan discovers them, but long enough for several of the hidden groups to be found and slaughtered by hunters of Rhudaur. Meantime, just after Thorn dies, Pick is taken up by the father eagle and the eagles discover he is a "speaking creature". The eagle takes him to Gandalf (eagles have very keen eyes, I'm thankful to say, but who knows how long he circled before he saw the wizards? Certainly they heard only a few cries, but that doesn't mean the eagle was flying only a short time. Once more, perhaps the story needs more time clues). When dropped off, Pick is in very bad shape. The wizards may have nursed him for some time (have to look at the timeline, I didn't drop any time references in this section because I had misplaced the timeline and didn't want to recreate it at the time; was in a writing mood and those are not to be taken for granted!) before Gandalf went off "looking for trouble". And I'm not sure how long he was gone on his scouting trip. Could expand it to allow for passage of more time. Remember that the Fallohides travelled for weeks, climbing into the mountains, and making the crossing. (Now, this might not be clear in the story, though looking at the map or reading the journey in The Hobbit such a duration makes sense. I might have to put in some sort of reference to "days and days".) They were only a day's journey from coming out of the mountains again when the orcs caught up with them. It would have taken Gandalf and Pick some time to reach the battle pass, even mounted on a swift stag. Again, perhaps I wrote too carelessly and need to flesh out this section a bit. Your comments have given me food for thought. Thanks! Author Reply: p.s. I forgot to mention that they begin the crossing of the mountains in early summer, I think, and the action with Pick falling and the battle with the orcs takes place in late summer/early autumn (the snowstorm that buries the bodies is the first storm of winter, effectively closing the high pass to travellers, so it probably takes place mid-to-late September or early October. The People are in Rhudaur for only a short time in autumn before Elladan finds them.

Author's reply

Sorry for the delay in replying. I thought I had answered this already but apparently haven't. Yes, it was intentional. It just seemed the right thing to say at the time... though of course Holly wouldn't know about gladiators or such things. I bet "eat drink and be merry" would be a common saying among hobbits, don't you? Thanks for the comments!

Author's reply

Thanks, Pearl. Do you think readers would be too confused if one of the heroes in the next part is named "Sam"? (For some reason Samson Roper, the son of Samneth Roper, great-grandson, I think, of Beechnut the Roper of the Fallohides) is winking at me from across the room. I keep telling him his name ought to be Sandy Roper, but hobbits can be awfully stubborn as you know.

Author's reply

The prologue and epilogue are bookends of a sort, or perhaps endpapers in a book, meant to contain the tale. Yes, that echo of the Old Thorn's visions was deliberate. Perhaps I was too subtle or the tale ran too long, but you're supposed to think of the grandfather in the prologue when you read the epilogue, and wonder if perhaps this is the Old Took telling tales to young Bilbo, even though it could be any Tookish grandfather and grandson the way it's written. This last chapter was one of the first written. I had thought to leave it off, but Pearl's plaintive inquiry about hobbits reaching the Shire made me reconsider. Since I don't know how long it'll take me to get the hobbits to the Shire (this story has taken the better part of a year to write), I thought I'd offer a bit of hope. Also, since Pick and Thorn aren't planned to appear in any future instalments (the next is set about 150 years later, when they are dust and perhaps a memory lingering in stories told to the great-grandkids), the Elf's momentary arrest over Bilbo's resemblance to those hobbits wouldn't make sense if I put it in one of the later parts. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

Author's reply

That sounds workable! Whew. What a relief. I hate having something turn out AU when I've put in so much research to fit it into the restrictions of canon. It would help if I had every single book about or by JRRT, but... ah well. Must apply some of the budget to food after all. Still, have put Unfinished Tales on my list.

Author's reply

Thank you so much, Pearl. Be sure to check back for the last chapter sometime today or tomorrow. It's in draft form, I just have to type it in. I'd like your opinion as to whether it ices the cake nicely or ought to be left off. No, they are not yet in Bree, though that is the assumption I made when I started out to write this story. My research revealed that the hobbits first settled in or near the Angle where the Hoarwell and Loudwater (Bruinen) join (though some of the Stoors settled as far southwest as Tharbad in Dunland). In 1300, growing danger offered by Angmar (remember the Witch King? I think he comes in here but since I don't have my notes in front of me I cannot say with certainty exactly when he takes up residence) forced the hobbits to move again, and this is when they came to Bree. Thus they had only about 150 years in this lovely valley... but that's another story, I think. Thank you for reading and commenting!

Author's reply

Ah. Sounds like a good resource. I will have to seek it out. Looks as if "Shire" might have to be labelled "AU" after all. I saw the reference in the Tale of Years that said Gandalf had come to the aid to the hobbits in the Days of Dearth, but that in itself did not imply to me that such was the beginning of his interest in them. I have not found mention of Gandalf in the Prologue, though the Days of Dearth were mentioned there. Of course sometimes I read too quickly. I was fascinated this month to re-read The Hobbit and find that Gandalf was a "good friend" of the Old Took! Food for thought... Author Reply: Oops. Meant to comment on the Harfoots and Arnor. I do have the Harfoots being well-known to the ruler(s) of Cardolan (they came over the mountains a hundred years previous, after all, and settled in that land), and soon the Fallohides and Stoors will be known as well. And later, of course, when they move westward they will become known to the king(s) of Arthedain. For all I know, the "current" king of Arthedain (in 1150-something) has already met Harfoots while on a visit to Cardolan. UT must be referring to the rulers of divided Arnor, for the hobbits did not even appear West of the mountains until centuries after Arnor was divided. In any event, the king of Rhudaur in "Shire" is certainly familiar with them though he refuses to admit they are people.

Author's reply

No, not too many difficulties, and there are more safeguards in place now. Just a background note: I am thinking of the watchers who guarded the Shire and Bree-land, and how that whole business got started. Perhaps the Elves watched over the hobbits (secretly of course) until Arthedain fell, and then the Rangers became involved. Dunno. Just speculating. The story is winding down and the Fallohides are nearly home. (See "The Last Leg")

Author's reply

Thank you for the review! We all get busy. There are a couple of fics I was following and got sidetracked from as well. I need to get back to them! I was wondering if this story had lost its way because the number of readers was down, yes, but also because those who were reading had no comments at all. Did I stun them speechless? Or leave them yawning... difficult to tell, when reviews are the only feedback you get. Writing one of the Shire's darkest times? Would that be "When we Dwelt in Fear"? Now that I've finished Freddy's story (my editor is dealing with it now, whew), I can finally dip into that story of yours! Hurrah! Thanks for the encouragement.

Author's reply

Yes, Thorn is the ancestor of Frodo, Merry and Pippin. Beechnut is the ancestor of Sam. Yes, Sam does have a little Fallohide in him, though he is more Harfoot than anything else. It was very difficult to write his death, the deaths of so many hobbits. My only comfort was to make Mandos as warm and welcoming a character as I could. Why else would the doom of Men be called a gift?

Author's reply

Not sure what you are asking; he was in this chapter. He's the one who fetched Violet (his mum) to Lily's side. You'll see more of him when (Black)Thorn gets back from Rhudaur with Glorfindel. Not much left to this part of the story, really. The journey to Cardolan, meeting the Harfoots, settling down, and an epilogue. Then, I think, there will be a part 2 with Marcho and Blanco, unless that's part 3, and part 2 involves the hobbits moving from the "lost villages" in the angle to Breeland. After all, M and B go from Bree to found the Shire. Anyhow, haven't got the later parts worked out yet. Am still thinking about M & B and what sort of hobbits they are... all I know at this point is that they are brothers, and that they inspire many hobbits to follow them.

Author's reply

Thanks for the review. The city is built in imitation of Minas Tirith, I think (must go back and check when MT was built) or perhaps even an earlier city from lost Numenor. My ancient Tolkien history is a bit sketchy. Mordor has not yet been rebuilt. Sauron is dwelling in Dol Guldur, I think, as the Necromancer. I'd have to look at my notes to be sure. In any event, they are leaning towards the Shadow. There were men of Numenor who fell under shadow and practiced human sacrifice, so there is precedent for the men of Rhudaur going bad. I do remember clearly that Rhudaur fell under the shadow of Angmar soonest of the three northern kingdoms, so it is logical (to me, in writing this story) that they would have already been inclined to evil. The thunder and sulfur were Thorn's perception of Glorfindel's building anger.

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Thank you for the feedback! I know what you mean about not getting enough stories. LOTR ended too abruptly! It left me wanting more. I think that's why I started writing in the first place, to fill up the corners. I appreciate the encouragement. Thanks again.

Author's reply

Your son Ace is exactly right. From what I've read, Rhudaur "fell under shadow" instead of being conquered in battle as Cardolan (though I think the plague helped finish Cardolan) and then Athedain were. I have Glorfindel's speech and Thorn's speech worked out. I'm still not completely sure what moves the king of Rhudaur. I am sure it is not pity, at least, not on his part. But his wife, now... hmmm... there might be something there to work with. Thank you for the remark about my elves. Elves make me very nervous (that is, writing about them). Thorn is his father's son. He has been well-taught, and he must have "something" or the Lady wouldn't have bothered talking to him. Although hobbits don't normally go around hearing voices of higher beings, there is precedent -- I am thinking of Frodo hearing Gandalf speaking to him when he puts the Ring on just before the breaking of the Fellowship. (Take it off, you fool!) But Thorn's speech to the king of Rhudaur will have to wait, for I am off to watch "Pirates of Penzance" now. Have a good weekend!

Author's reply

Thanks for the review! I was beginning to think the story had lost its (whatever it is). Can you tell I'm brainless tonight? Going to take the night off from writing and watch "Pirates of Penzance". Death, after all, is the Gift of Eru. The Men of Numenor fell because they desired immortality, didn't they? Hobbits are perceived as purer and more innocent, so perhaps they have not been corrupted by the longing for prolonging life beyond its prescribed span. Don't get me wrong; they love life and revere it, refusing to take the life of another hobbit, say, and not prone to suicide (so I was told when I had Estella contemplating such in "Ruffians" when there seemed no other escape). It's just that they are not afraid of death. I guess I get this impression from Pippin beneath the troll. He doesn't seem frightened. Tenderhearted Elrond comes from the description in The Hobbit, "kind as summer". I can just see the Elves enjoying the babies... Am still working out just how Glorfindel scares the king of Rhudaur. (What makes Elves scarey? Why are people in awe, just seeing an Elf? Cannot find an explanation. The Elves are powerful, my "Tolkien Companion" says, but neglects to go into detail. Guess if Glorfindel can stand against the Nazgul, mere Men are no match for him; that is the premise from which I'm working.) The Muse has a magnificent speech worked up, just am not sure where in the course of events it falls. Black, too, has something to say.

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Such a wealth of information! Now just to pick and choose a few names... and if *I* make any dreadful errors, hopefully my readers will be gentle in their correction. Thanks much! I had no idea of the resources available, but then I've been writing mostly about hobbits and very little about elves up until this point. What fun! Something tells me the Fallohides will soon be "home" (at least, home for the nonce, until it is time for them to move on to Breeland about 250 years later). Now I have to decide whether to continue after that point (their settling down) in "Shire", making it one of those super-long stories, or if I should have a Shire: Part I followed by Shire: Part II... decisions, decisions... (thoughtful frown) Thanks again for the input.

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Well, the black squirrels aren't dangerous in themselves, they are a *warning* of danger in the Forest. Can you think of other things that warn of danger, without *being* dangerous? They are black because of the evil spreading over Greenwood, which will eventually cause its name to be changed to "Mirkwood". Good night! I enjoy reading your reviews.

Author's reply

Well, just about anybody would seem to be a giant from a hobbit's perspective. There will be a name for the giant, and the creatures, if you just keep reading!