Bodkin
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 32: Fool of a Took
Looks at Ferdi, shoulders shrugged, hands outstretched, words unnecessary.
Did he really think he would get away with such a silly scheme? Is he really surprised that all his friends and acquaintances are excessively miffed? Does he really not think that Hilly will now be in even bigger trouble?
The Tooks should have a double-barrelled surname. Fool-Took seems suitable. (There are some sensible Tooks. Most of them are female.)
Author's reply
Sometimes a look is worth 1000 words.
The really scary part is that they nearly *did* get away with it. Had it not been for the stallion of Rohan... and Pippin bumping Ferdi's leg...
Of course, it would have been bad for them, for their character, to let them get away with such a hairbrained (or is that harebrained?) scheme. (The Muse, in the corner, hides a smirk and sips demurely at her tea.)
Interesting comment about Tooks in general. I think you might have something there.
Hai Took
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 31: On Your Mark
WHat a mad plan they have come up with! I hope there will be now trouble coming from this but I suppose that is too much to hope for, I'm guessing Ferdi will be found out! I do hope everyone is able to make it through safely! Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
It is a mad plan, just mad enough for them to pull it off if there are no upsets.
Does anything in life ever go perfectly as planned?
Thanks for commenting.
Bodkin
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 31: On Your Mark
Ferdi is a fool. Desperate - but he takes idiotic risks. It's not surprising he always ends up in trouble. Is the pony really likely to go better with a swaying half-conscious pain-filled hobbit on her back, even if it is Ferdi? I would have thought not. Is he likely to end up back in bed with his leg even more badly damaged? I would have thought so.
And haven't the pressures changed? The Rohan pony is back. Ferdi was seriously injured saving Farry. Doesn't Pippin owe him some gratitude and pay back? Or does laying down your life come with the job description?
Author's reply
Yep. You've pegged it. Ferdi's a fool at this point in his life, or as another Took once said to him, 'When they coined the phrase "Fool of a Took" they were thinking of you at the time.' (something like that, anyhow)
He's really got nothing to lose, no reason for self-preservation at this point in his life. What does he have to live for, save his duty to his invalid father? If he had any ambitions for the future, they've been drubbed out of him by the uncertainties of life.
Thankfully, after he and Nell are united (albeit in another story, "Flames"), he has a future and a hope.
As to Pippin, I've characterised him to be very much like someone I used to know who'd get so focused on a goal he sometimes didn't notice (and regret) the bodies falling to right and left of his course until 1)he reached the goal and looked around or 2) someone grabbed him by the collar and interrupted his single-minded pursuit.
He learned, eventually. But it was kind of painful for him and those around him while the learning process was going on. Frustrating, ain't it?
Good comments.
Connie
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 31: On Your Mark
Those two are really a pair. They'll risk their very lives for something they believe in, even if it is a horse. I hope neither Ferdi or Pippin does anything, other than what they already have, that is going to get them hurt.
Connie.
Author's reply
Peas in a pod, I fear. As to what's going to happen, well, the race chapter is in the works and shaping up quite nicely so far. Perhaps even tomorrow...
We'll see.
Thanks for commenting!
Lyta Padfoot
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 31: On Your Mark
Ferdi is going to get into trouble... but what else is new? I adore Ferdi-angst, he suffers so well.
Author's reply
Do you happen to know my editor by chance? She says much the same thing. She's always telling me there's room for more, and I keep telling her the poor hobbit is going to end up permanently disabled from all the injuries... (but he's supposed to be vigorous and energetic right on up until the day he dies...)
Thanks for commenting.
Beruthiel
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 31: On Your Mark
I think we've had enough Ferdi angst for now. How about torturing Pippin instead? (What is it about Pip angst that's so appealing?)
Author's reply
Well, the idea was physical angst for Ferdi (we're talking the Thain story) and resulting mental anguish for Pippin, but Ferdi may have suffered enough. We might substitute someone else (though I can hear my editor pouting when we speak on the phone... LOL)
Haven't made up my mind yet, still pondering.
Bodkin
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 31: On Your Mark
I haven't actually read the chapter yet - I'll get back to you.
I wouldn't say stop torturing Ferdi ENTIRELY (he is probably my favourite hobbit) - but it would be nice to see some others (Pippin) suffer a bit more for putting him through so much agony. A bit of shared hobbit torture might work - with Ferdi getting rather more of the respect and admiration and rather less of the physical agony. It's just that nothing ever happens to him in moderation - it would be nice to have him saving the day without getting the wounds to go with it.
Author's reply
Well, Pippin will be suffering mental anguish in the Thain story, no matter who gets crunched (in a manner of speaking), as he will be the cause of it all, heedless tween that he is.
And I'm afraid Ferdi will get very little respect and admiration this time, as the Thain story is set in the years just before "Flames", where he sank so low that he actually ran away to follow Pippin, or something, until Regi came looking for him and recruited him into Paladin's anti-ruffian force.
If you want Ferdi-respect you'll have to read "Rope" or "Merlin" or "Truth" or "Solid Ground" or "Rain" (though any time ruffians appear, they don't give him any respect whatsoever, the wretches).
So did you read the chapter yet, or are you waiting for the actual race?
Beruthiel
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 30: Day of Rest
Can't wait for that final race! Socks vs Penny ought to be entertaining, to say the least. I'm rooting for Socks (gotta love animals with attitude!).
Lyta Padfoot
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 30: Day of Rest
From the moment he got rid of his minders, I just knew Ferdi was up to something. Its good to be right!
FantasyFan
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 30: Day of Rest
Ferdi's bound to get in trouble. His little plan sounds too simple to pull off without a hitch. You've got him as devious and stubborn as Pip in these chapters. He's maneuvered around Rosemary and Hally easily enough, but...he's too sure he can fool the entire Smials in the winner's circle. It's sad to see Tolly betting too much. I almost wish he's lose here, so the burned hand would teach, but he's not due to learn from his mistake until Runaway.
It's good to see this story coming to the front burner now that Rain is finished. I always look forward to the frequent updates.
Connie
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 30: Day of Rest
If they pull this off with none the wiser, I'll be astounded. Ferdi is the most stuborn hobbit I know of. I think he even beats Pippin in that department.
Connie.
Chibi-Kaz
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 29: Laying Plans
Snert. You've either been watching the movie or reading the book "Seabiscuit", haven't you? Ferdi sounds like Red Pollard from time to time......
Keep up the great work,
Chibi-Kaz
Author's reply
It's a funny thing. I was halfway through writing the race sequence in "Flames" when "Seabiscuit" came out, and I was sure everyone would think the story was derivative, but it really wasn't.
Yes, I read the book (skimmed, rather, standing in the feed store with book in hand whilst the kiddos were going mad over the Breyer horses) and saw the movie, but really, Ferdi was a full-blown character, fool of a Took, before I ever heard of "Seabiscuit". His riding injured has nothing to do with that story... at least I doubt that it does. We never know quite what's going on in the subconscious, now, do we, or it wouldn't be called "subconscious"...
I cut my teeth on horse stories, growing up. Walter Farley, Marguerite Henry, Col. S. P. Meek, and a whole host of others too numerous to name were my constant companions. I find Tolkien's world the perfect playground for horse-admirers like me.
Thanks for reviewing!
Amazing that Ferdi is staying put in the bed, but he's hurt more than he realises. The bit about the nightmares... poor Ferdi, but he tends to carry more loads than he should. The bit about his own room made me understand him better, it IS frustrating to look around and know you own so little and must depend on others.
Author's reply
Yes, astonishing, really that they've kept him in bed for more than a day. Oh, thanks so much for noting something that helped you understand the character better! I'm always looking for such feedback, for it helps me in future character development.
Appreciate the feedback!
Hai Took
· 12 June 2004
· Chapter 28: Starting Over
Poor Ferdi! It would be terrible to escape the dogs to only have them return in your dreams! I'm glad his sister is there, it seems she does him a lot of good! I hope that he recovers and doesn't end up loosingh is ponies! Looking forward to more!
Grey Wonderer
· 12 June 2004
· Chapter 28: Starting Over
‘Hardly as bitter as it might be,’ Woodruff said, ‘but we didn’t have time to do better.’
I love a healer with a sense of humor. Haven't reviewed this in a while, but I am enjoying it and reading along.
Beruthiel
· 11 June 2004
· Chapter 28: Starting Over
Poor Ferdi, possibly about to lose his ponies, stuck in bed, eating liver. Poor, poor Ferdi.
Bodkin
· 11 June 2004
· Chapter 28: Starting Over
I still think Ferdi needs a Humane Society to protect him. I'm glad he is recovering - and, considering he got hurt saving Farry, Pippin should give him a break! Good to see his sister - maybe she needs her own story, taking her on from the handfasting. When was she reconciled with her father? I've forgotten. I love it when OCs become more interesting than the original bunch of characters - it's like dancing off down all sorts on unconsidered side roads. (Not that Ferdi is OC in the sense of not being in the original - but he is much more developed and central - like Fatty and Regi and some of the others.)
Lyta Padfoot
· 11 June 2004
· Chapter 28: Starting Over
I bet Ferdi will be out of bed in time for the race. Rosemary's appearance was wonderful - it must be refreshing for her to be able to come to Ferdi's aid when he needs it after many years without that opportunity. Thank you for the new chapter!
Grey Wonderer
· 25 May 2004
· Chapter 27: Live and Let Liver
Leave it to Pip to provide the ale! Now Ferdi will recover!
Author's reply
Pip sure has a healer's instinct! (at least when it comes to others...)
Thanks for reviewing!
Grey Wonderer
· 25 May 2004
· Chapter 26: Put Back Together
Pippin patted his cousin’s blanketed shoulder. ‘I’m that sorry, Ferdi,’ he said. ‘She’s the healer, you know, and I’m only Thain.’
I love that line! Yur healer reminds me a an old country doctor and those are still the best kind. Too bad there are so few of them around these days.
Goldie is so cute in this story! She seems well on her way to becoming a healer herself at this point.
Author's reply
Yes, we grew up next door to an old country doctor. He made house calls! Imagine it...
Thanks for stopping by.
Hai Took
· 25 May 2004
· Chapter 27: Live and Let Liver
It is good to see Ferdi is going to survive! I like that you had Ferdi being to insistant on not missing a meal with his father! That his father actually came to him woas wonderful! Looking forward to finding out what happense next, thank you!
Author's reply
Yes, Ferdi is very loyal to his father, and a genuine affection has grown between them as well. I'm glad Ferdinand was just as worried about Ferdi as Ferdi was worried about his da, and insisted on being carried to his son's bedside, no matter the pain it cost him.
Thanks for commenting!
Author Reply: Yes, Ferdi is very loyal to his father, and a genuine affection has grown between them as well. I'm glad Ferdinand was just as worried about Ferdi as Ferdi was worried about his da, and insisted on being carried to his son's bedside, no matter the pain it cost him.
Thanks for commenting!
Lyta Padfoot
· 23 May 2004
· Chapter 27: Live and Let Liver
Poor Ferdi probably needs the alcohol to choke down that liver! Ferdibrand's appearance was touching.
Author's reply
That would be a safe bet. In my case, I don't think even ale would help much. (Liver. :::shudder:::)
Author Reply: p.s. Thanks for reading!
Camp6311
· 23 May 2004
· Chapter 26: Put Back Together
I have read several of your stories now, and am growing quite fond of Ferdibrand. He is so devoted to his duty, yet, he seems to be a magnet for trouble. Looking forward to the pony races, hope Ferdi can recover in time.
Author's reply
Poor Ferdi. It's a joke that he has the "luck of the Tooks". So does Pippin, for that matter. Might be better off without any luck at all, the way things seem to go...
Thanks for reviewing. Stop back anytime!
Lyta Padfoot
· 22 May 2004
· Chapter 26: Put Back Together
Ferdi's sense of humor is more exposed in this chapter. Loved the bit about the healer abusing him!
Author's reply
Yes, we're seeing him here as his friends (Tolly, Hilly and Everard) and loved ones (Ferdinand, Hally and Rosemary) see him. He's feeling too rotten to maintain his walls of reserve, that face he shows to most of the higher-ranking characters in Shire society.
The healer-Took standoff is a fun plot device...
Thanks for commenting!
Hai Took
· 20 May 2004
· Chapter 25: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig
I seem to jump inot your stories late but jump I always do! This is quite a story! Ferdi sure does do a lot for Pippin and now his family. It sure had me worried wondering about Ferdi getting hurt and now I hope that he is able to get healing, well of course he does as he is in your stories at a later time but still, the suspence! Looking forward to more, thank you!
Author's reply
Glad you jumped in and took the time to comment! As you are writing stories yourself, I know you understand how encouraging feedback can be. Thanks!