As the Gentle Rain by Lindelea
Connie · 1 April 2004 · Chapter 7: Stirring the Embers
Oh My God! This is a horrble cliff-hanger. Please don't leave us like this for long. I'm speechless, and that rarely happens. Now I'm really worried what that madman is going to do to Merry. Not to mention what he's liable to do to poor Nell when he gets his hands on her, and I know he will. She can't stay hidden while that loony roasts her dear Ferdi. Oh man, what a fix. Please update soon, before I tear my already thin hair out. Connie.
Citrine · 1 April 2004 · Chapter 7: Stirring the Embers
........!!! EEEEEeeeeeeeeeekkkk!!!! *THUD* *Recovers from faint, crawls to keyboard* *Laughs nervously, feels slightly sick* April Fools, right? Right?? *whimper*
Author's reply
sorry about that. feeling better now?
Hai · 31 March 2004 · Chapter 6: Blind Faith
I hope the lost hobbits don't get in trouble for making themselves at home! I don't suppose though many people would be cruel enough to turn them out into the storm! I guess having an elf certainly helped to keep the party moving to Edoras! Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Well, they don't get in trouble for making themselves at home, no, that's not the reason for the trouble, but rather whose home they found for a refuge. Sorry about the cliffhanger in chapter 7, but I will hope to get chapter 8 up tomorrow if I can carve out some time to finish writing it. Thanks for reviewing!
Connie · 31 March 2004 · Chapter 6: Blind Faith
Well, any port in a storm I suppose. I am worried about what will happen when that madman gets back to his hut and finds three hobbits there. This could definitely go either way. Thank goodness for Arwen and that elvish skill of hers. Where's Pippin? I feel like Nell on this one. It's his Tookish luck that I'm worried about. Thanks. Connie.
Author's reply
Well, by now you know which way that situation went... but stay tuned for further developments. If I have time to finish writing another chapter I will update tomorrow.
Lyta Padfoot · 31 March 2004 · Chapter 6: Blind Faith
I need a nice warm blanket to wrap around me after reading this; it makes me feel cold! The exchange between the married couples was wonderful. I hope we discover Pippin's fate soon.
Author's reply
Thanks, that's high praise! Don't know what you'll say after reading the latest chapter, tho.
Hai · 26 March 2004 · Chapter 5: Into the Storm
Uh-oh, now Pippin is separated from the other hobbits. Did he make it back to the caravan? So maybe they won't even make it to Edoras, eh? Looking forward to more, thank you!
Connie · 26 March 2004 · Chapter 5: Into the Storm
Oh, you did it to us again. Another cliff-hanger. But they are so fun, aren't they? At least I know you'll finish your stories. I don't always have that faith with some authors. I'm glad Ferdi thinks Pippin always lands on his feet. I see him getting into far more trouble than the average person. Though he usually comes out better than most in the end. More, please. Thanks. Connie.
Lyta Padfoot · 26 March 2004 · Chapter 5: Into the Storm
I have a nasty feeling that you are gearing up to kill characters.
Bluegrass Elf · 26 March 2004 · Chapter 5: Into the Storm
Can't wait for more!
Hai · 25 March 2004 · Chapter 4: Breaking Storm
Oh my, a snow storm! So early in the year too! It lookes like perhaps the company may be staying longer in Edoras then they thought, if they get there at all now! I hope Pimpernel, Ferdi, Merry and Pippin don't get lost! Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing. I think they'll be a bit belated in their arrival at Edoras, actually.
Lyta Padfoot · 22 March 2004 · Chapter 4: Breaking Storm
Sounds like they really picked a great autumn to travel abroad! A blizzard in October - thats pretty unusual, though I'm in my twenties and have never seen any blizzard at all. Something tells me that ain't no ordinary storm and the creepy senior citizen will be part of it. At least Farry and Goldi will gain plenty of experience back in Tuckborough.
Author's reply
You are a very perceptive reader! Hope I have the nerve to write out what's in the outline. Thanks for reviewing.
Bluegrass Elf · 22 March 2004 · Chapter 4: Breaking Storm
I can't wait for more!
Author's reply
Nor can I. Hope the Muse will keep whispering. She was silent all last week, as a matter of fact. Thanks for the encouragement!
Connie · 22 March 2004 · Chapter 4: Breaking Storm
Whoa! All I could visualize there at the end was the Donner Party. That's one heck of a snowstorm. I quess the silver lining is that it wasn't hail. I liked the scene with Farry and Goldi in the bath. They are a sweet couple. Connie.
Author's reply
The Donner party... ah, yes, we studied them a couple of years ago while learning about the Oregon Trail (and the California trail). Eerie, that you would think of that. *shudder* You sound a bit like Goldi, finding a silver lining (I think she gets it from her dad). I like Farry and Goldi, too. They will get a fair amount of material in this story, the way the outline reads. Thanks for the review!
Lyta Padfoot · 16 March 2004 · Chapter 3: Change in Store
Thought I'd point out this chapter is labeled 4th even though its 3rd. Looks like trouble will be brewing - Ferdi's head is hurting and thats a sure sign. Loved the Farry and Goldi bits.
Author's reply
Appreciate the correction! Woke up with a bit of a head myself this morning and didn't think through as I was posting. Good thing I wrote the chapter yesterday, as I don't think I could manage today. Can sympathise with Ferdi! Thanks for reviewing.
Lyta Padfoot · 12 March 2004 · Chapter 2: News from the Northland
I wonder who the Pilgrim was, I suspect he will be important later on as you aren't one for including extranious characters. The conversation between Freddy, Beregond, and Melly was charming.
Author's reply
Thanks for the feedback! Yes, he just might be important later on. I don't include extra characters? O good, you're telling me my writing is lean and to the point... well, at least some part of the time it is! Thanks go to my editor, I suppose, who looks things over before they go "up" and then works on them to fine-tune after readers comment.
Hai · 12 March 2004 · Chapter 2: News from the Northland
How wonderful that a group of hobbits are making to foreign lands! In my opinion there are not enough stories about any of the hobbits going back or taking their families with them! I liked that it was Beregond that delivered the news to Freddy, how wonderful for them to get to see some family again! Looking forward to more, thank you!
Author's reply
People seem to like more to dabble their feet in the waters of the original, rather than striking out swimming for an unseen shore. It is difficult to project into the future, but I do my best. While there are still constraints, trying to stay true to "canon", it does not feel as constrictive as writing "during the Quest" on the timeline. Beregond is "getting up there" in years; I estimate he's in his 70s. Wonder if they had some sort of retirement, or what happens to old soldiers in Gondor? I'm glad Bergil is coming along to the southlands for the winter, with some of Beregond's grandchildren, and a great-grandchild or two. Thanks for the review, and the encouragement!
Connie · 11 March 2004 · Chapter 2: News from the Northland
So glad to see another of your stories being posted. I saw in one of your replies to reviews that this one is going to have some darker moments. Sounds interesting. That Mad Pilgrim guy kinda gave me the willies right off the bat. Hopefully it's just my distrusting nature coming out, and not a true foreboding. Can't wait to see more. Connie.
Author's reply
That Mad Pilgrim guy definitely gives me the willies. You have good instincts. The darker moments are outlined but not fleshed out, whilst the Muse meditates on how crazy is crazy? and is there a spark of intelligent malice there, or just madness, which in itself is frightening? Ah well. Hope to write the next chapter over the weekend if I can wrestle the computer away from all the other people who want it.
Meldewen Ilce · 11 March 2004 · Chapter 2: News from the Northland
Oh please DO update again soon!
Author's reply
Possibly Monday. This story is getting ever more complicated, and then I have to decide whether to include what's happening back in the Shire under Thain-to-be Faramir... This might end up being one of those epics with way too many chapters... but what can I do? Can't leave the story half-told.
Lyta Padfoot · 5 March 2004 · Chapter 99999: Notes for the Interested, or Merely Confused
A nice overview of your characters and situations.
Author's reply
Thanks! I tried to put together a sort of "family tree" but haven't figured out how to format it for ff.net. The summaries are the next best thing.
Lyta Padfoot · 5 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Making Preparations
The gang goes to Gondor. Can't wait to see what goes wrong!
Author's reply
O lots and lots (not like Bilbo's answer, lots and none at all). Hopefully none of it too predictable, but we'll see. This is turning out to be as difficult to write as "Runaway" was, and no chance that Jo will jump in if I'm over my head (she's very busy writing more of her excellent stories). Comments will be most appreciated, especially if you think something is "over the top" and needs to be excised or revised. "Farry and Ferdi go to Gondor" (working title) is more of a comedy; this story is quite serious, and uncomfortably (for me, anyhow) dark in places. Thanks for reviewing! Chapter 2 due sometime in the next few days...
Bluegrass Elf · 5 March 2004 · Chapter 99999: Notes for the Interested, or Merely Confused
Great story! Can't wait to find out what happens next!
Author's reply
Thanks! I am still doing some research before plunging farther. I thought I could write the first few chapters while researching material for later chapters, but it turns out that I need to know more about the Rohirrim before tackling chapter 2. Am nearly there! Thanks for reviewing.
Lydia · 5 March 2004 · Chapter 99999: Notes for the Interested, or Merely Confused
Well, very interesting. So which fics have Ferdi and Farry in Gondor and Rudi moving to Ithilien. I want to read them. Or haven't they been written yet?
Author's reply
"Ferdi and Farry in Gondor" exists as a synopsis, not yet outlined. Freddy moving to Ithilien is mentioned at the end of "A Small and Passing Thing" though the story of his move, if any is in the making, does not even exist in synopsis form as of yet. If people keep commenting, which makes the Muse happy, they may yet be written... Thanks for reviewing!
Meldewen Ilce · 5 March 2004 · Chapter 99999: Notes for the Interested, or Merely Confused
For those who have not read any of the other stories in the "Thain" cycle, a little background may be helpful. About Pimpernel Took (Pippin's sister) Thain Paladin formed a marriage agreement with Rudivacar Bolger, Odovacar's younger brother, despite the mutual feelings between Pimpernel and Ferdibrand Took. Rudi and Nell married and removed to Bridgefields, where they lived happily and had five children together. A sixth child was expected when Rudi died of a sudden illness (probably appendicitis, though the records are rather vague). Nell lost her wits from grief and was forceably returned to the Great Smials, with her five young children, to be cared for at least until the birth of the baby. It was here she found love again with her Ferdibrand, and though it is nearly unheard of for a hobbit to remarry, Pippin and Odovacar schemed together to bring their union about. You know I have kind of wonder about Pimpernel and Ferdi: Seeing as I have not read all of your stories, is there one story among them that tells how Pippin and Odovacar conspired to bring them together? For that matter have you written to do with Pimpernel's life before with Rudivacar? As I have said before I have grown quite fond of Ferdi and I'd love to see these little details fleshed out into stories by you if they're not already...
Author's reply
Yes. Stories written thus far involving Nell and Ferdi: "A Pearl of Great Price" Though this story is more about Pearl Took (and Mistress Lalia), there is quite a bit about Ferdibrand and Nell's early relationship and how it got derailed by tragedy when Ferdi was 19. "Flames" In this story you see Nell's marriage to Rudi, Rudi's death, Nell's return to the Smials, and her growing relationship with Ferdibrand. "A Small and Passing Thing" This is mainly the story of Fatty Bolger's recovery after being released from the Lockholes. Paladin's scheming leading to Nell's marrying Rudivacar is detailed here. Thanks for reviewing! Hope this helps!
Meldewen Ilce · 5 March 2004 · Chapter 1: Making Preparations
Nice start - is this the story you IMed me about when you were thinking about doing it?
Author's reply
Thanks for the review! Indeed it is. Have been thinking deeply on all the different facets and think I have found my way through the labyrinth to the other side. Ok, just mixed my metaphors. Hope you catch my drift!