Hello Lindelea:
Here's what the kids say.
"We like it! Its good so far! We want to know more. It has good detail, good names and good adjectives. We think you are doing good with it because we think you are doing well, whether this is a kid's story or a grownup's story. We will write more when Mom reads more."
Author's reply
Tell the kids it was fun to get their review. We have started The Hobbit over again. Just last night the kids pestered their dad into starting it, and they pestered him into reading two chapters instead of his usual one. It is supposed to snow heavily tonight, so it will be another good evening for hot cider and readaloud time.
Lindorien
· 2 January 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadow
I can see me reading this to my kids. In fact, I am going to. They will LOVE this. I'll leave reviews as I go and let you know what they think. Okay? I like it. Go Gandalf! I'm presuming that is Gandalf?
Author's reply
O lovely. I understand the Hobbit started out just that way (not that I would ever line myself up next to JRRT... but hasn't he made a marvel of a world for us to play in?)
And I thank you ahead of time for each and every review. Amazing, how they grease the writing process and make it run along more smoothly. But then, you write, yourself, so you understand that.
Lindorien
· 2 January 2004
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Here I am reading a hobbit fic and nothing bad has happened to me! Well, there's another hobbit person hanging about here who has taught me not to fear them so. Now then, Lindelea. This is wonderful so far! You really have the narrator's voice down well. I BELIEVE this guy! Did the hobbits really start out in Greenwood the Great? Or are you fooling me?
Author's reply
Nope, JRRT says that they really did start "in the upper vales of the Anduin River" near the eaves of Greenwood. I extrapolated from the facts a little, since he also said the Fallohides loved trees. I postulated that they started out as farmers and were forced from the land into the forest by Men who were greedy for their rich farmland... and on it goes from there.
eiluj
· 1 January 2004
· Chapter 22: The Rescue
What a lovely New Year's present! Thank you!
Author's reply
You're welcome!
(What a lovely New Year's present indeed. I do love to hear comments!)
FantasyFan
· 31 December 2003
· Chapter 21: Snatched from the Jaws
Who are these awful men, and who is their king? Not the king of the north-kingdom at Fornost? Has the great kingdom of Arnor degenerated this far - huntsman who don't seem to care if the creatures they hunt are sentient or not? Who don't recognize or value the lives of women and children? Who would not help a starving people? Even if the people are deemed poachers and criminals, is there no sentence other than death? It's a good thing Elladan is there to protest, because I think the hobbits are about ready to give up. And it's also a good thing that Elladan has friends in the woods, even a day's ride from Imladris, because he's seriously outnumbered here otherwise. Or perhaps Gandalf and Pick have arrived in Rivendell already, and have sent out searchers?
So many have died - 80 of the strongest and best in the mountains, 50 of the youngest and most vulnerable in smoke and terror, and who knows how many more by the hands of the hunters in the last few weeks. I'm glad Gandalf honored the dead and comforted Pick by arranging the bodies, and arranging for burial as well. Grumpy as he can be sometimes, he really has a good heart inside.
Author's reply
Thanks for the review. These Men are not from Fornost, which is the capital of the Kingdom of Cardolin, I think (tho it might be spelt wrong). Rather they are from Rhudaur.
The North-kingdom split into three some time before this story is set, so Arnor is no more.
The Men's attitude is not so unusual, when you remember the Holocaust, or the treatment of Native Americans during Westward expansion, or the Killing Fields (ever read that book? Incredible story of overcoming) of Cambodia, or...
The identity of the rescuers will be made clear in the next chapter.
Citrine
· 30 December 2003
· Chapter 21: Snatched from the Jaws
‘People!’ the leader shouted, as his Men laughed in derision. ‘They are vermin!..'
As I read this I feel ashamed to be a human being.
It's a testimony to your skill as a writer that I cried a little as the hobbits were dying on the mountain, and now I wish I could pick up a stick, or rock and defend the ones that are left! What a relief that someone has come to Elladan and the hobbit's rescue!
Author's reply
Thank you for reviewing, and for the encouraging words. The treatment of the hobbits by these callous Men made me angry, as well, and I am just glad you want to throw rocks at the Men and not at the author!
Respite coming up. Whew. Sorely needed.
FantasyFan
· 27 December 2003
· Chapter 19: A Parting and A Meeting
Pick is very much like little Pippin here with his questions and curiosity and flitting from topic to topic like a lightning bug. Here again you show how close the hobbits are to the life of the earth, with Pick recognizing the difference in a bluebird's call west of the Anduin. I think I forgot to mention it about an earlier chapter, but their awareness of the water when crossing the river and of the weather in the mountain crossing really makes the land almost seem like a character in the story. It's funny that once they settle in the Shire, they become so insular and unaware of anything outside their own borders.
Maybe you should title this chapter something about a good deed returning, or being reunited with friends. They've made friends with the wizard and the elves earlier and were willing to help them when they needed it, now that help is being returned when the hobbits have the need. And I was wrong before when I said that Gandalf was the only being who recognized and could help them. Elladan also turns up just when he's needed the most. By the way, did Beech die, or is he just still out of commission?
I'm looking forward to seeing the people's reaction to Rivendell. To make friends with Elladan and Elrohir is not the same thing as making friends with Elrond (although they did manage Glorfindel just fine).
Author's reply
It's interesting how centuries of soft living can put a barrier between people and nature. And JRRT himself described how hobbits became insular after settling in the Shire:
...as the region of the authority of their Thain, and a district of well-ordered business; and there in that pleasant corner of the world they plied their well-ordered business of living, and they heeded less and less the world outside where dark things moved, until they came to think that peace and plenty were the rule in Middle-earth and the right of all sensible folk. They forgot or ignored what little they had ever known of the Guardians, and of the labours of those that made possible the long peace of the Shire. They were, in fact, sheltered, but they had ceased to remember it.
FantasyFan
· 27 December 2003
· Chapter 18: On Eagle's Wings
I do like your eagles. They are very much true to the character of the eagles in the Hobbit. Somehow I didn't have any fear that they would eat Pick, once they discovered he could talk. And the hobbits certainly have the favor of someone, with the eagle knowing exactly where to find the one being who knew Pick and was best situated to help him. I am eager, however, for him to meet up with the remains of his people. They have come through so far better than they could have expected, but there's still a lot of danger and hardship out there. I'm curious - will Pick come up with a name for Radaghast?
Author's reply
Very insightful! You're exactly right; I modeled the eagles' speech patterns in this story on the way the eagles talked in The Hobbit.
Unfortunately, at this point in time, Pick is too sick to really get to know Radagast at all. I'm sure he'll try his best to find out the brown wizard's name in the limited time available...
FantasyFan
· 20 December 2003
· Chapter 17: The Song
I thought for sure that Pick was dead - there was no way he could survive a blizzard and goblins and being separated from the people - but you have rescued him, at least I thinks so, and Thorn has come to his end instead, when I wasn't worried about him at all. I really liked Pick and was sad to think him gone - he reminded me of Pippin even before this chapter. Somehow he's going to have to get back to the others if there are to be those great great great grandchildren. Perhaps he can make friends with an eagle as easily as he seems to make friends with everyone else. He has the imagination to accept and prosper under the new conditions the people will face, and will make a good leader for them when the time comes.
I hadn't been able to decide whether the lady was the Vala Yavanna or if perhaps she was an echo of Melian, mother of Luthien, who also loved the forests. I was tending to discount Yavanna some because it was so long after the ages when the Valar took an active role in managing the affairs of middle-earth: now with the words of Mandos I think the lady must be Yavanna after all. In the Book of Lost Tales, in an early version of The Chaining of Melko, it is written, "Then Palurien Yavanna fared forth from her fruitful gardens to survey the wide lands of her domain, and wandered the dark continents sowing seed and brooding upon hill and dale. Alone in that agelong gloaming she sang songs of the utmost enchantment, and of such deep magic were they that they floated about the rocky places and their echoes lingered for years of time in hill and empty plain, and all the good magics of all later days are whispers of the memories of her echoing song," this is before she covers the area with forest. So I could see her influence lingering long afterwards.
I like that Mandos gives Thorn a last view of what his courage in leading the people away from darkness will make possible. Of course, I recognize Merry and Pippin, Frodo and Sam. But the last scene - is that an older Pippin, with perhaps Faramir and Goldilocks? Am I close?
I think I am getting over my sickness, although I have lost my voice - no Christmas carols this year. In case I don't get to review more before the Christmas business hits, I hope you and your family have a grace-filled holiday.
Author's reply
You are not just close, but right on the money. It is Pippin, with Diamond, and Faramir and Goldilocks and Pip and Di's younger children, and Farry and Goldi's first few little ones... and another on the way.
Of course, it could be Pippin's descendants as well, but I really had Pippin in mind when I wrote the scene.
Sorry to hear you'd been sick. When you mentioned the flu visiting I didn't realise it meant *you*! I was thinking more of a mom taking care of the rest of the family... Glad to hear you're on the mend.
May your holiday be filled with grace, as well.
Grey Wonderer
· 20 December 2003
· Chapter 7: A-Journey
Very clever way for Gandalf to have gotten the name that the Hobbits use for him. Still enjoying this very much. It was very brave of you to try and tell this story. So much of it is pure imagination.
Author's reply
Don't know whether it was brave or foolish, but thankfully the story seems to be coming along. It is plotted all the way to Rivendell. There are scraps of outline for the Fallohides' arrival in Breeland, and then another outline is taking shape for Marcho and Blanco's exodus from Breeland to the Shire. Hoping to hit the high points of hobbit history. Whew. Don't know how far this will go... so much happens after Marcho and Blanco--the plague, the long winter and the starving time, the fell winter, Bandobras and the battle of Greenfields, hobbit archers going to the defence of Fornost when the Northern Kingdom fell... those might be other, separate stories, don't know yet quite how "Shire" will end.
The beginning of the Hobbit walking song? This is wonderful. I like how important Pick feels when he has the right word for their plan to leave. He is so cute and so clever! Hope the Grey one comes back soon as these little people could use some help.
Author's reply
I do think the grey one will show up sooner or later.
Grey Wonderer
· 20 December 2003
· Chapter 5: Night Visitors
So sad that the little families were eaten. I hope help comes soon. I believe that your story will explain so much about why the hobbits were protected so well in the time before Frodo's journey.
Author's reply
That is what I am hoping. Much is due to be explained in an upcoming chapter, hopefully by the New Year or shortly after.
Grey Wonderer
· 20 December 2003
· Chapter 4: The Fair Folk
This is getting better and better. I am in love with little Pick! Such a hobbity little character and so cute.
Author's reply
Thank you! He is very much like one of my own little hobbits.
Imrahoil
· 17 December 2003
· Chapter 13: River Crossing
Writing a pre-Shire story was a great idea and it is beautifully done. I like their reluctance to come to terms with anything new and their speech habits, Grand-alf was a touch of genius. But I'm quite lost with regard to the Lady, what/who is she? I thought at first an entwife, but that's wrong, isn't it?
Author's reply
No, the elves are on the right track, thinking the Lady is one of the Valar, who were known to take on solid form to walk in Middle-earth.
Thanks for the review!
Pearl Took
· 10 December 2003
· Chapter 12: Fare-thee-well
'I only need one,' Pick said reasonably. 'Or do you prefer to be called "Hoi, you there"?'
A wonderful Lindelea story that runs me no troubles with my own meanderings!!!! This is a joy to read! Something tells me Peregrin Took is a direct desendant of Pickthorn!! And I love that you have told us how Mithrandir came by the name Gand-alf!!
Pearl Took
Author's reply
Thank you, Pearl, how nice to see you here!
I suspect you are right about Peregrin Took... though I had someone else in mind (this will be made clear at the very end, I think).
It was lots of fun coming up with origins for "goblins" and "Gandalf" and a few other things. Hope no one gets huffy over my version!
Glad you stopped by.
eiluj
· 9 December 2003
· Chapter 12: Fare-thee-well
Just to say that I am very much enjoying this story (don't I always?). I hadn't imagined hobbits starting out in a thick forest, but it works. After all these 37-years-almost-to-the-day of reading Tolkien, I had somehow managed to miss the existence of the Mountains of Mirkwood! (Maybe that just proves I'm not obsessed with Legolas.)
I have only ever read one other pre-Shire hobbit story, not at all like this one. It used to be on the Barrow-Downs site but seems to have been weeded.
Author's reply
I certainly hope you always do! They didn't actually start out in the thick forest, though that is where their "wandering days" started. I imagined them as farming folk before they became forest folk. Very versatile, these hobbits.
I haven't read any pre-Shire hobbit stories! Didn't know any existed. I'm glad to know that there are readers out there who are willing to chance a story with no familiar characters to anchor the tale.
Thanks for the review!
FantasyFan
· 8 December 2003
· Chapter 11: Hobbit Help
This is an interesting chapter. Here you use 'Thorn' as if it were a title more than a family name, as I had assumed. Are we to think of it as the origin of the word 'Thain?' I wonder what the Tolkien etymologists would make of that (there are such people, you know)...
I am not sure if I like calling attention to the quaint use of the familiar form by the hobbits, and then dispensing with it. I know Tolkien says that the hobbits did use the familiar, and that those in Gondor were surpried by Pippin's address of Denethor so, believing that it must connote high status in his own land as the Prince of the Halflings, yet Tolkien did not show the archaic form except for very rarely, and not by the hobbits in their own speech or as delivered to others. I think I would either ignore it completely or retain the familiar for the hobbits speaking to the elves, but not call attention to it. I am personally not fond of notes addressed to the readers in the midst of the text.
The fact that the Thorn can hear the Lady directly, especially in urgent or dangerous situations, is very interesting. It certainly surprises the elves who, somewhat smugly in my opinion, pride themselves on hearing Illuvitar's song better than any other race. Actually, they are surprised by the Hobbits woodcraft, their speech and their knowledge. All that from a very simple and innocent race - very worth watching in the future. And Glorfindel taking orders from this little creature is quite an image.
The elves have definitely been helped by the hobbits here. What will the legendary curiousity of the Elves lead them to do next? I can't believe they'll just walk away from them....
Author's reply
Well, I'm told that Tolkien took the term "Thain" from the Scottish chieftains, to approximate a word in hobbit-language, just like all his other names are approximations translated from whatever you'd call hobbit-language. (Hobbitish?)
I did research "Gandalf" as far as I could and came up with no definite origin other than that it was the name he was called by the Men of the North, so I have had fun imagining my own origin, in addition to the hobbits' very practical adaptation of the word "goblins". There is at least one more distintive feature of Gandalf that will "originate" in this story.
Thorn is a family name, and a title as well (and the story was written, by design, to have that fact become gradually evident to the reader). Perhaps this family passes down the trait of being able to hear the Lady of the Wood. After the Lady sends them out to seek a new land, the leadership will not necessarily be tied to the one family--though I suspect the Tooks are descended from the Thorns. I have not found a surname for Marcho and Blanco anywhere, and unless I find otherwise before fleshing out the outlined chapters, they will be Thorns as well, though I think they change their name in the new land... that is only outlined, not written, and thus subject to change.
I must admit, I deliberately called attention to the familiar form because of my own shock at realising, 25 years after reading the original for the first time, that "thee" and "thou" is what JRRT meant when he said the hobbits' speech was quaint by the standards of the people of Minas Tirith. I think I must have read it in an appendix, or perhaps one of JRRT's letters, but only within the last few months. I'm sure it is not in the text or I would have noticed it in one of my annual re-reads (and these are not deliberately scheduled, mind, it is just that I turn to this book whenever sick in bed and stuck with nothing else to do. It is a comfort read to be sure.) I will rethink in accordance with your comments, especially if I hear a second opinion to the same effect.
You have mentioned before your dislike of author asides. I avoid these as much as possible, but evidently not enough! *grin*
"The Hobbit" has disappeared again (under someone's bed, no doubt)--we have only three copies, perhaps a fourth is needed, to be chained to the bookshelf! Thus I cannot cross-check my gut feeling that Thranduil was not familiar with hobbits, though Elrond was. Therefore I have devised a way for the hobbits *not* to accompany the Rivendell elves to the North. Hopefully it is plausible.
Perhaps the reader is asking the logical question: Why don't modern hobbits hear voices in their heads? I think the spirit (Valar probably) who is the Lady of the Wood has decided that it is time for hobbits to grow; she has mothered them long enough, and while they were engaging children she has great hopes for their future. It is interesting that she has nurtured the future of the Ring-bearer as well, was this all part of Illuvatar's song?
I am just getting into the Sil again, after laying it down 20 years ago. I must admit it adds such depth and richness to Tolkien's world. That comment in itself sounds trite and obvious, sorry, you cannot know the wonder that infuses it.
I suspect that the Rivendell elves won't say much about the hobbits to Thranduil, or what they do say will scarcely be believed. But the Rivendell elves will meet with the Fallohides again, on the other side of the mountains. The Lady, after all, has promised that the People will survive.
Whew, this has gained the length of a chapter! Sorry to ramble so! My editor is "on vacation" and I have no one else to ramble at, at the moment...
FantasyFan
· 3 December 2003
· Chapter 7: A-Journey
I'm sorry I haven't got to review much, there's just been no time, no time, no time! But I couldn't let this one go by. GRAND-ALF!!!! BBWWAAHAHAHA! It's so perfect! You have an incredible wit. I wonder how the Grey Wanderer felt becoming known to the royalty of Rohan and Gondor with a name invented by a three foot shoeless proto-hobbit?
I'm glad the hobbits went after the orcs and wanted to protect the Grey One, not that he really needed the help. They try to pay their debt for the rescue of Pick, and show from the beginning that there's more to them than might be implied by their appearance. In return, they've got Gandalf's attention, and help for their a-journeying. Saruman would have just blown them off. Gandalf's got to be curious about this folk that don't appear in any of the old lists, as Treebeard would say. They aren't of the Firstborn, but not quite like the Second Children of Illuvitar, either. They are kind and respectful to each other in this first meeting. And a relationship starts that will end up saving the world - no coincidences in Tolkien's universe.
I hope Gandalf pops up again somewhere in your story, as I imagine they'll need some more help sometime before they finally reach the Shire. How will he be remembered through the generations to come? Might Elrond lend a hand as well?
This story is quite engaging. I'm as curious as a hobbit to see what comes next.
Author's reply
It was lovely to find your review. I understand about being busy! Somehow, though, a response helps me feel that I'm not just talking to myself.
Since Frodo, Merry and Pippin are descended from Fallohides, I figure there's got to be something good there! And yes, the hobbits will have more encounters with Gandalf, and Arwen and her brothers, and eventually Elrond, though perhaps not the wood elves (must do a quick re-read of the Hobbit as I am not sure Thranduil recognised Bilbo the way he might've had he run across hobbits before). The People have a ways to go before they're driven to cross the mountains, an adventure in itself! And then there's the bit of story that comes after the mountain crossing... more fun in store, I think.
FantasyFan
· 30 November 2003
· Chapter 5: Night Visitors
Looks to me like there's every reason to pack up and find a better place to live, and absolutely no reason left to stay. We always stick with what's familiar and comfortable, until it becomes uncomfortable enough that a change is less scary than remaining with the old. Now, the threat of physical violence is very high, and there aren't even any familiar posessions left to tie them to the old hole. I wonder how they will decide where to go - I don't imagine the step from the forest over the mountains to Bree took place all at once. Will Pick's positive experience with the Grey One and the Lady lead them to seek out advice, or will another fortunate chance guide them? I would like to see Gandalf taking an interest in the hobbits.
Author's reply
I think the answer to your question, how they decide where to go, is in the next chapter. It all sounds mystical, but I'm sure the Valar are watching over them... or at least one of the Valar is... which one walked under the eaves of Greenwood in the early days, I forget, but the hobbits never forgot her.
FantasyFan
· 28 November 2003
· Chapter 4: The Fair Folk
I take it all back! (LOL) There are plenty of familiar characters in this story, and the new hobbits are plenty engaging in themselves. This is shaping up to have some interesting ideas in it. I would love to see the simple hobbits helping to influence the decisions of the wise about what to do with the threat, and I would also like to see the compassion of the Elves and the meddlesome nature of Gandalf helping shape what happens to the hobbit ancestors. It all comes around in the end, doesn't it!
Author's reply
So glad! There will be much of what you're describing in the chapters to come. And it does all come around in the end, as you said! ...for these Fallohides, and Gandalf, and the Rivendell Elves are all drawn from hints and impressions JRRT provided. Hopefully I will be able to stay true to his original intent.
Grey Wonderer
· 28 November 2003
· Chapter 3: Make New Friends
I like Pick. This will be a difficult story to tell without all of the regulars but I think you are doing a terrific job. I am already interested in these characters and their lives. I am interested to see what happenes when this nice "stranger" takes this child home to momma. Never did give Pick his name did he? Very clever at avoiding that question. Knows his hobbits, feed them and they will forget their questions for a while at least.
Author's reply
Yes, I believe he's already become familiar with the Harfoots, who crossed the mountains a century before. I think they were in Eriador shortly after he came over the Sea to Middle-earth.
trishette
· 27 November 2003
· Chapter 3: Make New Friends
Hmmm... I wonder if the one in gray could possibly be Gandalf?
Author's reply
It does sound a bit like him, doesn't it? (hope so, anyhow)
Tim the Enchanter
· 26 November 2003
· Chapter 2: Fear
The story of the Leaf family is chilling. This chapter is considerably darker than the previous one.
Author's reply
Quite a bit; that's why there's a PG rating. I find orcs and ruffians to be darkening influences on a story...
Author Reply: Have to add, it won't get much darker. I don't go in for writing descriptions of things such as what the orcs did to the hobbits they captured. Imagination is quite enough.
Marilla
· 26 November 2003
· Chapter 2: Fear
Hmm, I don't know that I've seen one of these before. I like the addition of the prologue - it IS helpful. Are they called the Thorn family because all of their names end in "-thorn?" I'm assuming that the reference to the black squirrels and water are too get across that they're living in the part of Greenwood that is near Dol Gulder (or where it will be - I'm not really sure where its building fits on the timeline in relation to this story)? Also, having Holly "call" the neighbors is a little confusing - to my extremely modern mind in brings up an image of a little hobbit girl on a telephone, which although it is a cute image isn't what I think you're trying to get across. Maybe you could phrase it differently, or make there seem like enough time for her to have run to a few holes?
I'm interested in this story, and I will be watching its progress and anxiously awaiting the updates.
Author's reply
Thanks for the comments. I will look at that part again, perhaps change "call" to "fetch". I did envision the hobbit community living within a fairly close distance of each other since they are not farming... and even if they were farming (I don't know how it is in England, but in Germany it is this way), often you have a cluster of farmers living together and farming the fields surrounding their little community. However, I might've let too little time elapse for Holly to finish "fetching" the neighbours!
In the timeline I have (Appendix B) chronology it says that a shadow falls on Greenwood in 1050 (and the Harfoots come to Eriador), that the Wise discover the stronghold in Dol Guldur in 1100, and in 1150 the Fallohides enter Eriador, while the Stoors come over the Redhorn Pass. So those are the dates I'm working from.
They're actually about halfway between Dol Guldur and the Old Forest Road when the story starts.
Thanks for the encouragement. I hope to post a chapter a day as I get the already-written stuff formatted, and then keep posting as new chapters are written. Comments are always welcome, especially when they point out flaws that are correctable. (Fatal flaws? Ummm, don't quite know what to say...)
Author Reply: There, I changed the wording a bit so that Holly ends up "whistling up" her brothers nad sisters, which fits; whistled signals would carry farther than voice, I think. I also changed "call" to "call to", and hope it no longer conjurs up images of telephones...
We hardly ever use our telephone. The phone line serves more as a link to the internet than anything else. I must admit, to me, "to call" is to lift up one's voice rather than a telephone receiver.
FantasyFan
· 26 November 2003
· Chapter 1: Shadow
Sorry, I was having a very silly day yesterday. So now, for a slightly more serious reviews of your chapter.
I think it's going to be a challenge for you to write a story that doesn't have any characters at all in it that we already know and love. You do a very good job bringing to life characters like Ferdi or Nell, who really aren't more than names on a page in Tolkien's canon, but it has taken a long time for us to get to know and love them, and there always was the bedrock of Merry and Pippin, who we already had a relationship with, to play them off against. This story is set so far back, that there will certainly be no recognizable hobbits in it, but I suppose Elrond, Galadriel and the Mirkwood elves are all around somewhere if they are needed for your story, and you've already put a hint in of someone I assume is Gandalf. There are kingdoms of Men in existence too, although I will have to refer to the appendices to see who is where. Hobbits, though, are the touchstone of your stories, and of the Lord of the Rings in general, and these will be brand new.
I had forgotten the part that said that the Stoors and Harfoots had crossed the mountains first, and that the Fallohides came later. So all those near the Thorn family would be similar. Why are they so dependent on the Big Folk for something like agriculture, and industry such as weaving cloth? Without them, they are so helpless as to be falling back into a hunter-gatherer subsistence culture? It seems odd to me that they would not be able to take care of themselves especially when they are settled in groups. Why have they not learned at least how to keep chickens from the Big Folk? What did they contribute to the mixed society prior to the Big Folk abandoning their area? Hopefully this will all come out later; at this point it just seems a little of a stretch.
I see a prologue on the story now to set the stage - that wasn't there before, was it? It's probably a good idea, I know I was looking for my bearings jumping right into chapter one. Can't assume we remember all the things we read in the forward and the appendices. (LOL)
Looking forward to see what comes next.
Author's reply
Why are they so dependent on the Big Folk for something like agriculture, and industry such as weaving cloth? Without them, they are so helpless as to be falling back into a hunter-gatherer subsistence culture?
Hopefully this will come clear in time, but I will answer one point. They don't weave cloth these days because they don't keep sheep in the woods, nor cultivate fields of flax. They used to... then when they retreated to the forest, they kept up those skills as long as they were able to trade with the few Big farmers who'd supply wool and flax to the Little Folk.
Even *I* cannot remember everything I read in the appendices! If not for the timeline and notes and maps I made while charting out this story, I'd be lost! I hope the prologue clears things up. I didn't feel "dry and academic" last night when I wrote it, so it is rather folksy-sounding.
Author Reply: p.s. It must have been a silly day... I went to the link you posted, downloaded it, and played it. The little ones wrinkled their noses like puzzled hobbits and said, "That's suppoased to be a song?"