Kitty
· 21 June 2004
· Chapter 47: Insult and Injury
Uh, Opals leg has to come off? That's horrible! She is a spoiled rotten brat, but this seems rather hard. I'm tempted to say "poor girl", although I don't like her!
Hyacinth is a nasty hobbit, really! You would think in such circumstances she would only be worried about her missing daughter, but no, all she can do is to be nasty. Please remove her from Reggie's side, he don't deserve this wife! Reggie himself is a nice guy, and I'm quite fond of him.
It seems the male Banks family members finally will get what they deserve - the Thain will not be pleased to know what they have done :-)
As always, I'm waiting eagerly for the next chapter - thank you for your story and the frequent updates!
Author's reply
No, Opal has not been a very likable person, has she? Which is why it will take something drastic to change her way of thinking.
Hyacinth has a heart of stone. But she has a lesson coming, too, though she is probably too self-centered to benefit from it.
No, no, Paladin will not be pleased at all.
I'm glad you are enjoying it.
Bodkin
· 21 June 2004
· Chapter 47: Insult and Injury
Poor Opal. Just trying to think if there are any super-healers around with extra skill. Nope, can't come up with any nearer than Rivendell.
Reggie does have to take some of the responsibility for useless parenting. Horrible Hyacinth is, but he shouldn't have let her get away with ruining their daughters.
Merry is in a bit of a hole with Estella - I hope her brother lets her in on more of the details. And I hope he doesn't get put off Angelica because she's a bit miffed with her father - she's a nice lass.
I don't think Clodio will get out of this one - good.
Looking forward to finding out more!
Author's reply
No none nearer than that. And even a super-healer like Elrond or Aragorn needs something to work with. But there are worse things than losing a leg.
Reggie is beginning to realize that. He spent so many years trying to keep the peace, and not fight with her (which can have its own kind of damaging effect on children) that he rather lost track of what it meant to be a father. And of course, the ruder and more unpleasant the girls became, the less he *wanted* to do anything with them. Kind of a vicious circle.
Yes, Merry doesn't know yet that Estella is upset with him. Freddy will do what he can, of course. I don't think his noticing her temper will put him off, I just think it was a good sign that he *noticed* at all.
Clodio is up the proverbial you-know-what-creek without a paddle.
Pervinca
· 20 June 2004
· Chapter 46: A Dish Served Cold
Oooh, I am really not liking Hyacinth, nor the Banks brothers! You've written them so well to be disliked (if that makes any sense at all). But poor Reggie (I think I say that in every review of this story). I hope you have a happy ending planned for the poor fellow.
- Pervinca *who apologises for her very short review - she is quite tired and somewhat hung-over*
Author's reply
Glad you enjoy my "bad guys". With the S.-B.s and Sandyman out of the picture, I was forced to rely on OCs for villains. Glad they are coming across all right.
Late night? 8-)
Truth-seeker
· 19 June 2004
· Chapter 46: A Dish Served Cold
There are several things that I deeply appreciate about your writing. I wanted to thank you.
The first and most important is that I am never caught off guard by inappropriate content. Many authors seem to think "Adult" indicates content that no responsible adult should ever read. In your case, I know that means I shouldn't let a ten year old read it, but I can plow ahead in good conscience. When you rate something PG, it means Parental Guidance for young children--not Perilous Ground or Pervasive Godlessness. I'm glad I don't have to wonder if your writing will ever contain stuff I don't want to read, adult or not.
This rating issue is so imperative that the second thank you is quite trivial in comparison: You update quickly!
Yesterday, I told a friend, "There is nothing to read, because Dreamflower already updated today, and Coriel already updated this week, and Wishweaver already updated this month, and Shakes already updated this year."
Your stories are light, your chapters short, and they keep coming. I hope you know how much we love small, frequent posts. Just enough to sate us for the day. Better than rare, long ones. Those have the disadvantage of distracting from real life work that needs doing.
BTW, I love your bio!
Author's reply
Oh, Wow! You are so kind!
As to the ratings, I try to err on the side of caution: anything more than minimal violence is going to get upped to PG or PG13, or if I have to deal with a dark theme, such as death, then I will do the same. It is not only because of the children who may be reading; I myself want to know what I am getting into as far as a story goes. As far as the characters' more intimate lives: JRRT did not go there. I write these stories to honor him, so I will not go there. That's all there is to it. You will never find anything more intimate than kisses, hugs, and maybe hints in my stories, and certainly no slash, which is the main reason I post on SOA.
As to the frequent updates, in many ways I am lucky in having plenty of time to spend doing that. This weekend may go by without much, as I have to work both days, but my job is only part time, and caretaking for my mother keeps me home most of the time.
I don't care to be left hanging for ages with a cliffhanger, which is why I myself seldom read WIP, or at least until they have enough chapters to make it worthwhile. Right now the stories just keep coming to me, and so I put them out as fast as I can. Sometimes I worry that chapters are too short. I'm glad that you do not think so, it makes me feel better.
I'm pretty fond of my life; glad you like it. LOL! Thank you so much for your kind words; I'm glad to know any efforts I have made to show respect for JRRT have been noticed. I have only been doing this for a short while, but it has rapidly become my favorite pastime.
Kitty
· 19 June 2004
· Chapter 46: A Dish Served Cold
Poor Opal, her encounter with the horses is nearly punishment enough, I think. She will suffer some time for her foolness!
And for Merry, it was not very nice to kick the Banks-lads, but it was understandable - even more so after what this brats now have done to Danulf! Do Estella knows about the thing 10 years ago? Maybe she then would understand better? Anyway, Clovis and Cado had deserved it! And I hope Hyacinth will get in some sort of trouble, too!
Now I hope Clodio and Dago don't get away - they deserve some punishment, too! But I think, Clodio's sons will tell Frodo and the others everything. Their attempt to help their father seems to do the opposite! I hope you will update soon, otherwise I'm dying from curiosity!
By the way, will you write the journey of some Hobbits to Gondor? I would like to read this story, too! I'm sure you will make a fascinating story of it!
Author's reply
Yes, poor little Opal is in for some suffering. What happens when a child recieves no proper upbringing.
Merry never intended to be nice to the Bankses. He's waited a long time for this. Estella will understand sooner or later. (I'm not sure which yet.)
We'll definitely be seeing the Bankses get their just desserts; I'm not sure yet about Dago.
I've been thinking about this last idea--just waiting for the proper plot bunny to come along.
Grey Wonderer
· 19 June 2004
· Chapter 46: A Dish Served Cold
Hyacinth is nearly as wicked as the Dark Lord was. I hope she gets what she deserves. Do you suppose Merry might find a way to handle her too? LOL
Author's reply
Hyacinth will get what's coming to her, more or less, but not from Merry. She is indeed wicked, but not so much evil as she is *cold*--something wholly unnatural for a hobbit.
GamgeeFest
· 19 June 2004
· Chapter 46: A Dish Served Cold
I'm sure Reggie feels the same about his wife. It's a shame they have to be so unhappy. They are not well matched at all. Poor Opal. I hope she'll make it through this all right.
Estella didn't like that display of Merry's one bit, did she? I think Merry will respond to her disapproval more so than his cousins'. He knew what Pippin and Frodo would say, but he wasn't counting on her reaction.
Clovis and Cado are in the frying pan and boiling. I hope Dago doesn't get away.
I liked your description of how Clovis and Cado didn't think they could lie to Frodo. Frodo can be unnerving, though he doesn't mean to be. He's just seen so much, it's hard too fool him and his show the wisdom of his experiences. In trying to help their father, they made it easier to reveal his dealings with Lotho.
Author's reply
Reggie, at least, was in love when he married her, and then the blinders came off. Hyacinth on the other hand never had love even enter the equation.
Someone else peeking over my shoulder? Merry may not regret what he did, but he may come to regret doing it in front of her.
Frodo is now (at least to my mind) to be counted among the Wise--it puts him in company with Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, Aragorn. Think of trying to lie to one of them. This wisdom and insight is a small recompense for all he suffered, but is also a result of what he suffered.
And yes, their foolish actions have had the opposite results of what they intended--as foolish actions often do.
Beruthiel
· 18 June 2004
· Chapter 46: A Dish Served Cold
Indeed, if only Hyacinth had known. I wish she had, for poor Reggie's sake.
Author's reply
Hyacinth has a lot to answer for, indeed she does.
RogerGamgee
· 18 June 2004
· Chapter 46: A Dish Served Cold
Dreamflower,
Oh man....I loved this chapter. I couldn't help but laugh at Merry wanting to 'keep stupidity from passing on to the next generation'. Absolutely priceless!
I'm hoping Bracegirdle doesn't manage to get away. He's got a good deal to answer for.
Keep up the great work (eagerly looking forward to the next chapter)
Author's reply
Ever since I first thought up the original incident with Pippin, I knew this was what Merry was eventually going to do to Pip's mean old Banks cousins (I didn't even have names for them then) sooner or later.
I haven't decided what to do with Bracegirdle. He'll have to keep for a while.
Thanks. I have to work tomorrow, hope to get the next chapter up in a couple of days.
Bodkin
· 18 June 2004
· Chapter 46: A Dish Served Cold
Merry's attack - understandable, but a tad undiplomatic. Should help with the interrogation though. I think Daddy Banks has lost the game.
Now, what are you going to do with Reggie's family - at one point extermination seemed best, but now that Opal is suffering, there has to be some kind of redemption - at least for her and probably for her silly sisters. Hyacinth, though, is probably beyond saving. Have her eaten by a passing troll.
I look forward to finding out.
Author's reply
This was something Merry had wanted to do for *ten years*. He wasn't about to miss the opportunity. It may have unexpected repercussions for him, though.
Clodio? He's a loser all the way around.
I've got plans for Reggie and Opal, I've got comeuppance in store for Hyacinth. I have not yet decided what to do with Amethyst and Garnet.
Glad you are enjoying this.
Grey Wonderer
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 45: The Search for Clues
Now that was an exciting chapter! I wonder what has happened to Opal? I also wonder what Merry and Frodo and Pippin will do when they locate the hobbit with the missing buttons. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
All that is in the next chapter. Notice that I moved the rating up to PG, as things were starting to get serious.
GamgeeFest
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 42: Interlude on the Terrace
Yep, I missed this chapter. My apologies.
You handled the situation perfectly. It could have been very soppy and overly dramatic in less skilled hands, but you managed it in a way that got the facts out and the emotion without letting the sadness overwhelm it.
I never realized before that Frodo would be the last of the Bagginses. But I checked out the family tree and the last generations have produced either females or bachelors. I suppose Angelica could always hypenated her name when she marries, as the S-Bs did, and keep the name going that way. I'm sure if she hooked up with Freddy he'd be willing to do that.
It was very sweet of Pimmie to ask to name her future son after Frodo's father. That was just what he needed to lift his spirits for a little while.
Author's reply
Thank you. I tried to handle it subtly. I think that this is something Frodo came to terms with way back when he first volunteered to carry the Ring.
I came to realize this when I was doing When the King Comes Back (Brandy Hall). I was searching the family trees for characters, and it suddenly dawned on me. I think JRRT did it on purpose, so that Sam could be Frodo's heir. In that story, Merry realizes it for the first time. It certainly makes for a nice little plot point.
I'm thinking about that with Angelica. Haven't quite yet decided how that's going, but it's a distinct possibility.
Yes, I think Pimmie cheered him up a bit with that. Pimpernel has learned a few things since her brother came home, and one of them is a new apprciation for Frodo.
Hai Took
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 45: The Search for Clues
Company for a little while and there is a lot more to read! The whole ball was written wonderfully! I liked how you wrote eveyone! The introductions were splendid, I like the way you worded the titles for everyone, very nice! Poor Frodo to be so nervous and upset about the whole thing but doing it for Sam anyway was great! Pervinca and Pimpernel being proud of Pippin was sweet! That some recognized Gloin as being one of Bilbo's dwarfs was an excellent addition!
Esmerelda snapping "Manners, Frodo!" and prompting him to participate in the dancing was cute! I guess she probably would have given him orders a lot of the time! I like how everyone was trying to keep dancing with Frodo to keep him from curious questions. I liked this "Females! So devious and so practical. Amazing!" Saradoc saying that he felt proud that his son and nephews out ranked him was splendid!
I really felt bad for Angelica, she was doing something for her father and yet she didn't really want to. So good of Frodo to be so understanding in such and awkward situation. Pimpernel accidentally listening in and then being there for Frodo was sweet! The names that she wanted to use for her baby are wonderful and that Frodo hints that she may be carrying twins! Wonderful!
Merry revealing to Estella what Galadriel read in his thoughts was perfect! The way he said it and now knowing that the hobbitess with him was her was very sweet!
Oh dear Clovis and Cado sure have stirred up some trouble and so it seems got Opal hurt in the the process! I hope that they are able to find the one who is missing buttons, I'm sure they will but then it certainly won't go well for them or their father! Looking forward to more, and can't wait to find out how the culprit is caught!
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed the introductions! I took a while to come up with as many titles as I could think of, and then set the precedence. Frodo still is not fond of having people praise him, but it's like a vaccination, it has to be done. And it's nice for him to be able to see Sam get a bit of glory. I'm glad you liked the reactions for the other intros also.
Esmerelda was Frodo's surrogate mother after Primula died. She gave him quite a few orders, I would imagine. But I thought it was fun to have the female relatives plot to keep him dancing, but not tell him why until he asked.
Angelica is a good daughter and a good Baggins, but she is also a nice lass. Frodo handled it the best he could. I had wanted the bit with Pimpernel from the very beginning, before I was sure how the Angelica thing would go. And yes, that is a hint from Frodo. Since he was so prophetic about Sam's children, I thought it might apply to others as well.
JRRT was very cagy about Merry's temptation. I always thought that it might have involved some special lass.
Don't forget that someone has a promise to keep to the Banks brothers. That's a hint about the next chapter. 8-)
Pervinca
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 44: The Ball Interrupted
So much happening in two chapters! It only takes a few small events to make something that was going so well, go terribly wrong. I cannot believe what those two Banks lads did! You'd think they would have learnt.
I think you've managed to get me even more engrossed with this story now! Please continue, and soon :)
- Pervinca
Author's reply
The problem with the Banks lads is that they never have had to learn. Even when their father makes them apologize, he lets them know it's only for show; he doesn't really try to teach them anything beyond the surface of things. That's why they automatically assume that their little stunt will be enough to sink Aragorn's decrees.
I'm continuing fast as I can. Can't let unimportant stuff like work and housework and meals get in the way of a story! 8-) LOL!
GamgeeFest
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 44: The Ball Interrupted
Wait, what happened with Angelica and Frodo? It would have been interesting to see that conversation and how Frodo would have explained to her that he would never marry.
.
Poor Bergil. I can sympathize with him. It's hard being a kid in an adult setting. Give him a few more years though and he'll understand how Merry could just stand around staring at a lass LOL!
.
Pippin asked the impossible when he told people not to talk about what's going on. That's like asking them not to eat.
Author's reply
Looks like you might have missed Chapter 42. It's showing up fine here. Maybe you just did not notice it?
Not only that, but the lad's tired. Still, he handled himself OK in the emergency.
He knew that. He had to try anyway.
Mysterious Jedi
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 44: The Ball Interrupted
This is excellent so far. I look forward to more.
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm glad you are enjoying it.
Bodkin
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 44: The Ball Interrupted
'It was time he asserted his authority and put his foot down.'
No, really? Time? Not approximately 20 years past time?
Enjoyed the rest - but this stood out!
Author's reply
LOL!
Actually it's closer to 30 years past time. But Reggie had spent most of that time trying to avoid his wife, placate her and achieve a tiny bit of peace and quiet. He's also been trying to keep peace for the Thain by giving in to her, so that she would not give a hard time to Eglantine. Over time, it became a habit. This is one of the results. It has just been that nothing drastic enough to rouse him happened over that time. He's rather like an Ent in that regard.
GamgeeFest
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 43: A Plot Gone Awry
Oh boy, I saw that one coming. Now Clovis and Cado are in a real fine mess. If someone figures out it was them. The buttons might help, but who knows. Unless, someone saw them... And the ball was going so well up till now too.
Did you come up with all these dances yourself or are they actual dances? Some are at least.
Ah! Merry and Estella, how sweet! I like the vision/temptation you gave him. Very fitting. Estella's quite lucky to have caught his eye. And the twist you put on Freddy's nickname was fun.
Author's reply
Don't worry about whether they'll get found out. Those two are not the brightest bulbs in the package. And don't forget that the Men have a Wood-elf with them; Legolas may not be as skilled as Aragorn at reading the signs, but he'd not be too far behind.
The dances? I keep getting asked about them. They are actual dances that I know. My description of them is somewhat oversimplified, but they are some actual historical dances. "Exchanges" is actually called Hole-in-the-Wall, and is one of the most popular ones I know.
Merry's description of his temptation is rather tantalizing: "Except, well, I don't think I'll say any more." I always thought it might perhaps have included the future Mistress Brandybuck.
The bit about Freddy's nickname first cropped up in "Conspiracy". I always thought it was sort of superfluous for a *hobbit* of all things to be nicknamed "Fatty" since it probably described half the population of the Shire. But if it originally started as something else, it might make more sense.
Bodkin
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 43: A Plot Gone Awry
I never thought I would say 'poor Opal', but . . .
Those Banks boys are serious scum. They deserve the names they are stuck with! And a lot of other things.
I hope Merry and Estella make it official soon.
Author's reply
but..."poor Opal". It's going to be a serious wake-up call for a few people
Clovis and Cado--definitely will get what they deserve before the end.
Well, we know they do! But I'm not sure how soon "my" Merry and Estella will announce a betrothal.
RogerGamgee
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 42: Interlude on the Terrace
Dreamflower,
I absolutely loved this chapter. Frodo truly seems to have come to terms with the fact that he will never marry and produce an heir. Being single myself, I can empathize with his situation...family members always wanting to know when you're going to settle down and have children of your own.
It was so touching how Pimmie wanted to name her own children after Frodo's late parents...a fitting tribute to him, I think. Well done!
Author's reply
Frodo came to terms with a lot of things in his life that he gave up to be Ringbearer,up to and including his life itself. Some of them he gained back, temporarily at least, such as Bag End. But never the chance to carry on the Baggins name.
Pimpernel has suddenly come to a fuller understanding of her cousin, and now she does wish to give him a tribute. Thank you.
Pervinca
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 42: Interlude on the Terrace
I am so glad that no one else is home at the moment, as this chapter made me cry! Despite knowing full well that Frodo never married, nor had any children (plus reading several stories that mention it), the way you wrote the end of the Bagginses was beautifully heartbreaking. At least you have given Angelica someone sweet to look after her (you seem to enjoy matchmaking as much as I do).
The ball has not been a disappointment! Did you come up with the dances yourself? Very clever if you did.
- Pervinca
Author's reply
I'm still finding it odd to realize that making someone cry is a compliment. I guess I sort of have an obsession with Frodo being the last of the Bagginses. It just seems to be a neglected area. It's just so *sad* to think of the Shire with no Bagginses in it.
I do like matchmaking for my hobbits. Of course, most of them were matched up already by JRRT, but there is a *little* leeway on those family trees.
Alas, I am not that clever. Those are all *oversimplified* versions of actual dances we do in the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) They are mostly historical or based on historical: the Maltese Bransle (pronounced "brawl"), John Tallow's Canon, the Earl of Salisbury Pavane, and the one I called "Exchanges" is actually named Hole-in-the-Wall. In the next chapter is one we call Tangle Bransle (for obvious reasons).
RogerGamgee
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 41: The Ball Begins
This is by far one of the best chapters yet. I've had this story in my favorites for some time, and eagerly anticipate each chapter as it comes out.
Who knew hobbit girls could be so conniving? Angelica's determination to latch onto Frodo is so amusing...I can't wait to see what happens on the terrace.
The description of the dance was rather intriguing...I remember seeing Merry and Pippin dance in the films - on the tabletops no less - and I can't help but wonder what other dances they know.
Good work...this story gets better and better!
Author's reply
I am glad you are enjoying the story; I hope you are liking it as much as I am liking writing it.
Angelica is a good daughter and a good Baggins. 'Nuff said.
The dances: well, in this story, the dances *they* know are the dances *I* know. I certainly wouldn't be clever enough to make them up from scratch.8-) The first dance is an oversimplified version of the Maltese Bransle; then we have (again, oversimplified) John Tallow's Canon,the Earl of Salisbury Pavane, and the one I call "Exchanges" is actually called Hole-in-the-Wall, and is just as much fun in real life as in a story. Then there is the Tangle Bransle. (Oops, next chapter)
Thanks for the great review!
Bodkin
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 41: The Ball Begins
Three cheers for the devious and practical females, rescuing Frodo by keeping him on the dance floor. Also protecting him from unnecessary interest from female cousins.
Interesting to note that the Jewellery is only semi-precious! Whereas Pearl and Esmerelda would count as precious, I think.
I love to think of Legolas introducing a hobbit dance to the fun and games of an elven gathering.
(Do I sense potential Freddy / Angelica romance? That would be fine - she's actually quite a nice hobbit lass.)
Nasty Banks boys. Comeuppance required. Same for Opal and her nasty sisters - but even more for their very nasty father Banks and mother Hyacinth, who are responsible for their unpleasant offspring!
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo's female relatives will take care of him--whether he wants them to, or not. Of course he may wear out his furry feet dancing before the end of the evening.
Legolas is a bit devious too: imagine the Elves reaction when it becomes popular, and then he reveals he had it from the hobbits!
Have you been peeking over my shoulder?
Comeuppance on the way sooner or later. May be more than anticipated.
Grey Wonderer
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 41: The Ball Begins
Seems like everyone is going outside for a bit of fresh air. I wonder how many of them will run into each other while out and about. I am very glad that Bergil danced with the hobbits. Can't wait to see what happens next.
Author's reply
Yes, things can happen out in the fresh air, can't they?
Bergil's having the time of his life, so far.
Pervinca
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 40: A Matter of Precedence
My, my, Eglantine certainly is a clever one. How I would have loved to see the hobbits' faces as they heard all those names for the travellers! I was quite impressed myself. I always though of Gandalf and Aragorn as having the most names :P
You managed to make an entire chapter out of introductions! That's very impressive - and, as such, I'm expecting the chapter about the actually ball to be absolutely wonderful (which I know it will be) :)
- Pervinca
Author's reply
Yes, well, I'm sure that if Gandalf and Aragorn had been there, they'd *still* be introducing them.
I'm glad you were impressed with the titles. It took me a while to come up with them all.
The Ball has begun.