A New Reckoning by Dreamflower
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 20: Departing Buckland
A fascinating puzzle Paladin has set for his beloved wife--but indeed Eglantine will be up to it. Now to learn how the Bankses end up having to go under guard to Gondore.
Author's reply
Yes, Eglantine has not spent all those years among the Tooks without learning a thing or two. And yes, it's in Tuckborough that the Bankses commit their folly!
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 19: A Little Bit of Fun
Wonderful to see FRodo eased like that, and translating what Legolas and Pippin sang. And LOVE the honorary cousins and the typical Hobbit mischef!
Author's reply
The image of Frodo with his head in his aunt's lap, and Legolas sitting next to him singing just popped into my head, and seemed so right! Of course, Pippin would join in when he arrived. *grin* *That* was a bit I had in mind from the very beginning: that Pippin would take his aunt's instructions to help Bergil lighten up and enjoy being a child quite literally. And Merry won't deny Pippin, and it would appeal to Legolas' own sense of mischief to be an accomplice! LOL!
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 18: Father-Son Conversation
Yes, Pippin repaying all that had been given for himself, and doing it the only way he could. Lovely strategy.
Author's reply
Indeed. And I don't think he even thought about it consciously at the time--like Boromir before him, he saw beloved comrades in danger, and acted.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 17: Offer from the King of Rohan
Escellent dealings with the treasure amassed by a Wizard who ought not to have held such things. And good plan for the meeting.
Author's reply
It seemed logical to me: Saruman *had* to have amassed some material wealth, as it was *that* sort of corruption he used to insinuate himself among the Bracegirdles and with Lotho. And since, as a Saxon-type culture, the Rohirrim would have a system of justice based on were-gild--I am sure they thought it their duty to see that the Shire was recompensed for Saruman's depradations.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 16: Proposals from the High King
Yes, seven important witnesses for this most official of documents, and Frodo feels and suppresses the need to quibble over whether or not he's accomplished anything of note. Poor Frodo!
Author's reply
It's almost a knee-jerk reaction for him, to deny that his contribution to the Quest was of any worth, since he sees himself as failing of what *he* saw as his job. But in these circumstances, he has to bite the bullet, and put up with the gratitude he does not want.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 15: Luncheon with the Men
Yes, nice indeed to see our fellows among friends, able to be soldiers again for the moment.
Author's reply
They can be among comrades with whom they shared experiences that other hobbits will never understand.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 14: A Lot to Think About
Implications and terrors survived, and lives forever left somewhoat--if not shattered, then definitely bent from what had been intended. And one who will not linger that much longer, no matter what is done.
Author's reply
No, sadly he won't. But at this point in time, even he does not yet recognize that truth.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 13: Invitation
All wishing to put others at ease, to calm worries and the unease they've now recognized; and the difficulties of dealing with such a lavish income!
Author's reply
Yes, there's a lot to think over. And Paladin knows that the Tooks really could use the money right now. But he also knows his son deserved the reward.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 12: Disturbing Memories
Yes, a terrible burden of memory that Pippin doesn't wish to relive. But now it's out, and Frodo's part in it is out, although none undertand that as well as they can imagine Pippin and the troll! And I'd not even connected the troll of the Morannon with that of Moria.
Author's reply
No, it's a dreadful memory, and not one he expected to have dredged up in such vivid detail. Each of Frodo's hobbit companions avenged him to a certain extent: Merry's the most obvious, in slaying the Witch-king; Sam took out Shelob; and Pippin, by proxy, got a troll. At least that's a connection *I* make. Whether or not it was intentional on JRRT's part, I do not know. However, knowing his penchant for parallelism, it would seem possible.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 11: Table Talk
The poor child--a boy trying to eat to Hobbit standards! Heh!
Author's reply
Unfortunately, not a task he is capable of. But he was trying to be polite, LOL!
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 10: Guests
Yes, the bonds of the Fellowship are unique.
Author's reply
They are. In the time they travelled together, they became a family themselves, having their own set relationships with one another, and bonded by danger, and blood, and tears. It's not a blood relationship, which must seem odd to a hobbit, for whom kin is all, but it is just as strong. And in some things--stronger.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 9: What the Master Heard
Yes, dearest of friends.
Author's reply
The very dearest.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 8: Gifts
Embarrassing, but necessary, I think, although Frodo's refusal of other gifts would be seen by those watching as not honoring him rather than accepting his own will for the situation. Ah, Frodo, our beloved Hobbit!
Author's reply
Poor Aragorn had a fine line to tread. He had a way around Sam, going through Rose, but for Frodo, he knew he had to respect his wishes. However, his message that he would do *anything* for the Ringbearer and his companion is not going to be completely lost on the other hobbits. Yes, Frodo the Beloved!
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 7: A Joyful Reunion
Yes, all honor to the Ringbearer and his esquire! Hooray! Eglerio!
Author's reply
Oh yes indeed! I had great fun writing that chapter, and having all the hobbits seeing Frodo and Sam being knelt to (even if it *did* embarrass them!) and in showing them as much honor as I could get away with!
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 6: In the Still of the Night
Excellent--Paladin appreciates this is a proper delegation and will come to honor those who honor his son and cousins.
Author's reply
Yes, he knows what it means. And as Thain, it's his duty.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 5: Four is Company
Excellent plan here.
Author's reply
Well, waking up the entire Great Smials would be a bit embarrassing, to say the least, LOL!
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 4: Back to Buckland
And our beloved Ringbearer still does his level best to efface himself, while delighting to see the rest honored. And a delight to see our friends here.
Author's reply
It's his automatic reaction to gratitude. He simply can't make himself believe he deserves it, while he *knows* the others do. But at least honor to them gives him some pleasure, even if only vicariously.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 3: An Important Date
Ah, how undeserved guilt can destroy and weaken those who don't deserve to carry it.
Author's reply
Yes, it can. Feeling guilty does not necessarily mean one *is* guilty. And sometimes even when one is guilty, it's not something as serious as all that. When it comes to guilt-trips, we are all our own worst enemies.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 2: Unexpected News
Yes, on the wings of Eagles were Sam and Frodo lifted up.... Lovely way to work one of the most haunting songs of the movie into the story. Well, well done.
Author's reply
To me, the strongest points of the movies were the visual imagery and the gorgeous movie score. And, as you said, *that* one was one of the most haunting. In "my" universe, Legolas sings that to Frodo and Sam while they are in their healing sleep, and Pippin listens in.
Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 1: Echoes of a Bad Time
And so the folk of Brandy Hall begin to become aware of the horrors faced by the four Travellers. Lovely!
Author's reply
Yes, Saradoc's been told, of course, but he's about to find out that there was a good deal more than he knew.
AspenJules · 5 July 2006 · Chapter 56: An Urgent Errand for Merry and Pippin
Oh, liked this chapter a LOT! I especially liked the bit with Pippin and Bergil. The idea of a young human sleeping with an older 'tweenaged' hobbit is an interesting one. I wish I'd had a hobbit for my children to sleep with, LOL. It'd be good for the children, and the hobbits *like* it. Someone right there to soothe their nighttime fears... I unfortunately as a mother was bad at that because I used to be really grumpy if I was awakened. Now I'm so used to being sleep-deprived that I often suffer insomnia and wake up wide awake at the drop of... whatever. My son often got up and went into his older sister's room if he couldn't sleep or had a nightmare, and no matter what they were like in the daytime with each other, she always kindly let him crawl in with her. ...I think I want my very own hobbit pile for my birthday... LOL
Author's reply
*sigh* Our own hobbit piles? That sounds ever so lovely and cozy! And again, my apologies for being so late with my reply!
AspenJules · 5 July 2006 · Chapter 52: With Friends Like These
"Trust us, Merry." "After all, he couldn't be more miserable." "[The elf] had thousands of years of experience, he must know what he was doing." (Did they ever *think* about the fact that with all those thousands of years of experience he was *still single*!?!) "'Oh stars above!' Frodo moaned. 'Whose brilliant idea was that?'" "You know how Elves are about romance." "I must say, that this is not the reaction I was hoping for." I laughed so hard reading this chapter I ... umm... *clears throat and changes what was about to be said* almost had to change my drawers! Oh my oh my! I must say I love *your* Legolas, whether in his 'fey' mood, or with his royal Elvish dignity wrapped around him like a cloak, or being a 'gossipy meddlesome elf', or kindly singing to Opal and easing her pain as he can... he's delightful and lovely and *sighs and tries not to blush and get tongue-tied.*
Author's reply
Dear me! I can't believe I am only just now finding this delightful review, and the one to follow. I was unfortunately laid up that week, and apparently never quite caught up! I am so glad you like my Legolas. I like to show his light-hearted side as well as his more serious one. And he's so fond of his friends, he'd always want to be helpful to them--I think, appreciating how short mortal lives are, he always wants to make sure they get every good thing they can in their lives. And I do think Elves were romantic--most of their most famous tales seemed to be of romance!
AspenJules · 5 July 2006 · Chapter 49: The Morning After
Frodo shows his Elvish quality in calling the Sun 'her'. And Sam gets to say 'proper' again! *cheers* I love his saying it several times just because he *can*! LOLOL... it's so like Sam not to even have said it to himself during the time of the 'ban'.
Author's reply
According to JRRT, hobbits also called the Sun "her"--probably was a legacy of Elvish legends. *grin* I did so want to end this section with something a bit lighthearted!
AspenJules · 5 July 2006 · Chapter 48: Revelations
I LOVE that all the 'culprits' have to do is look at Frodo and they spill the beans! What is it, do you think? That they think he can see through them anyway, and so can't lie convincingly? Is it a legacy of the Ring, or the strengthening of his Elvish qualities due to the refiner's fire that purged away so much of the rest of him? And great decision by Paladin, to simply turn them over to those to whom they did the most wrong. That really would be a scary thing to those who had experience with the Ruffians, and also it's ironic justice... that the one who is largely responsible for putting all the hobbits of the Shire at the mercy of men is now at the mercy of Men himself. Truly wonderful story writing, Dreamflower! ((Hugs!))
Author's reply
Is it a legacy of the Ring, or the strengthening of his Elvish qualities due to the refiner's fire that purged away so much of the rest of him? Both, in a way. I think the Frodo who came out of the Quest had become, because of his experiences and his sufferings, one of what JRRT calls The Wise (like Elrond, Galadriel, or Celeborn). His strength of Will, and the clarity of his insight would make him a bad one to try and lie to. And for the rest, as to turning them over to the Men--well, that *is* who they committed their crime against--and it will be extremely scary.
AspenJules · 5 July 2006 · Chapter 47: Insult and Injury
Ok, now I know Hyacinth is really, truly a horrible old COW!!! To be so wholly concerned with how things affect her, and to regret being "saddled with a hurt child" rather than any concern at all about how badly she is hurt. She lacks even the most rudimentary of maternal feelings. I'm sure Reginard wishes she'd never married him as well, the old cow!! At least the girls still show some semblance of sisterly concern. Perhaps there's hope for them yet. But poor Opal..., ok, now I really feel sorry for her, to have to lose her leg. I like that Estella is concerned about Merry's reaction. That really was a somewhat violent act for a hobbit, especially a gentlehobbit. I guess the Quest may have changed his ideas on physical violence just a bit, and that would with good reason be a concern to Estella. It's an interesting theme that's developing throughout a lot of this story, how we make bad decisions for one reason or another (selfishness, ignorance or because it seemed like a good decision at the time) and then the complications that come when we try to avoid the consequences of those decisions.
Author's reply
Yes, Hyacinth's true selfishness really is beginning to show. Now you know. As to the sisters, you will find out eventually... It was something that rather took her aback, and showed her a side of Merry that she had not considered before. Yes, that's definitely one of my themes, and I am glad you are picking up on it.