Dreamflower
· 25 November 2004
· Chapter 32: Sweet Draughts and Savoury Biscuits
The way the healing sleep helped Ferdi reminded me of one of the stories in James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small (or maybe one of the sequels): how he had to treat an animal that was suffering badly, but the owner did not want to put it down. He surreptitiously gave the animal a strong sedative, with the expectation it would carry it off; instead, it fell deeply asleep for a couple of days. This broke the cycle of pain, and allowed it to recover.
On a lighter note, I am enjoying the banter between Merry and Pippin as they journey to the Lake. Even though it is for the serious purpose of Merry's surgery, you can tell how happy they are to be in their beloved Strider's company once more.
Author's reply
This is a very belated reply to your review, which I just now saw, can you imagine?
Actually, if I'm remembering right, the idea came from that anecdote of James Herriot's.
Dreamflower
· 25 November 2004
· Chapter 31: Fighting Fire with Fire
Oh, you go, Nell!
Dreamflower
· 25 November 2004
· Chapter 28: News to Keep
Ferdi? Now you've really thrown me for a loop! Last I saw Ferdi was fine, if a little aggravated at being "wrapped in cotton wool"...
Grey Wonderer
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 42: Making Progress
‘There’s a lot of things I don’t like, myself, but I’m too polite to say anything,’ Pippin retorted, gasping.
LOL Since when? I thought it was good of Sam not to reveal too much. I also loved the line:
‘It’s like telling the wind not to blow!’
I hope Merry makes a speedy recovery. Estella did very well. Is she related to Pippin's mom on the Banks side? Very refressing, all of these strong ladies of yours.
Now, I wonder what is next with Jack and Rob.....mmmmm
Author's reply
(We use that "telling the wind not to blow" around here a lot)
Glad to hear you like the strong ladies. Hope Pimpernel isn't too weak by comparison! Sometimes I want to smack her, but on the whole she does pretty well, considering the situations she must endure.
As for Jack and Rob... well, they'll be around.
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 27: Not So Bad, Really
oh I love your Bergil, I do!
Dreamflower
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 26: In the Hands of a Healer
Ah, I recall from "Gentle Rain" that your hobbits don't do much in the way of surgery. Interesting to see all their reactions to the idea. Of course, Merry and Pippin are receptive. It will be interesting to see how Estella receives the idea.
Dreamflower
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 24: When in Rohan...
Awww! This was so lovely, the bowing, and Aragorn honoring his hobbits. "For Frodo", brought a tear to my eye. *sigh* This is just how it ought to be!
Dreamflower
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 23: To Meet Once More
Yes!!! Go Pip! I can't imagine Aragorn greeting his hobbits that way, but Pip (and Merry too) are not going to allow him to stand on ceremony!!
Bodkin
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 42: Making Progress
Hopefully the golden sunshine potion will help Merry restore his blood in sufficient quantity.
I think Sam needs to take Aragorn to one side and be honest about Pippin's health. He might not be able to do much - he's no Ent - but he'll do more if he understands the problem.
Good to see Jack, Will and Rob. I hope they repay Diamond's kindness by being in the right place at the right time!
Author's reply
I am laughing because Merry hates liver, and he's going to be ingesting lots of it while asleep! Another nice service provided by the golden draught...
I'm not quite sure how much Aragorn knows about Pippin's lungs in this story. I need to go back to "Rope" and see how familiar he is with the problem during Sam's visit to Gondor.
This isn't the last we'll see of Jack and the boys... Is it giving away a plot point to tell you that?
Thanks!
Connie B.
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 42: Making Progress
Nothing is as easy as it looks. I should have known that there would be at least a small complication for Merry.
I was surprized to see Jack and the boys back in the story. I hope they don't accidently get caught up in the mistchief(sp) that those ruffians are planning. My guess is that they're going to save the day.
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
Well you ought to be surprised! (I know I was.) That bit wasn't even supposed to be there, being "background" to set straight in my mind a few facts that would come out in the final chapter, but my editor went ahead and put it in because she thought it was "sweet". So Jack's appearance later won't be quite so much of a surprise as it was supposed to be.
You're welcome, and thanks for commenting!
Dreamflower
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 22: Sleeping Half the Day Away
Very nice! I'm sorry that Ferdi doesn't get to go, but I guess that would mess up some of your other stories. It's hard to keep things straight sometimes, isn't it?
Well, I have to quit again; going to try and get an hour's sleep before I have to get up again.
This story's great!
Author's reply
It is hard to keep things straight. I don't mind so much when my editor says, "er... ah..." but when a reader catches something, showing that they remember my stories better than *I* do... well, it's humbling. But welcome. Am glad when someone takes the time to point out something I've overlooked or forgotten.
Goodness, suffering insomnia? Have had that problem, and have read fanfic to while away sleepless hours, but it wreaks havoc on the following day. *hugs* Hope you did get that hour's sleep, and thanks so much for the lovely reviews!
Dreamflower
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 21: Laying Uneasy Spirits to Rest
That turned out well! I love Ferdi's astonishment when Pip takes him to task for acting impulsively--*pot*kettle*black*--yet in this he was absolutely right. And for Ferdi to realized that the boy he thought had been hanged was still alive and in happier circumstances should go a long way to easing his night terrors.
But are they ever going to make it to the Bridge?
Author's reply
It is awfully fun when Pippin takes others to task for faults for which he could be the poster child!
Are they ever going to make it to the Bridge... this story seems to drag on forever sometimes. But yes, I believe you'll see the Bridge very soon.
Dreamflower
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 20: Clearing the Air
Whoosh! I had been worried that Jack had been hanged, although I really did not think you would do that to the younger ones! What a relief!
I love the way Pippin was "firm" with the Rangers. He is not really being Thain here so much as he is being the Ernil i Pherrianath and a Knight of Gondor. I could easily imagine that if Aragorn saw him in action, blessing out the Rangers, he would have been sniggering into his hand.
Author's reply
Yes, there was deliberate ambiguity there, just as Ferdi and Pippin would have experienced.
The thought of Aragorn sniggering into his hand brought a chuckle, here.
Dreamflower
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 16: The Dark before the Dawn
Oh goodness, here I was wishing, and we get a bit of his backstory! How nice! The Amazing Allemondo, hmm? I wonder how he came by Elven rope? I'm so glad that Diamond was able to speak to him before he left, but Pip's going to be mightily put out by all this, to say the least.
Author's reply
Just like the old cliche: Be careful what you wish for... altho in this case it was a nice thing to get.
The Elven rope is part of a backstory which may or may not be included. My editor is still working on the last ten chapters wherein the rope makes its appearance once more, and that would be the logical place to explain it. But she says it's an interruption, so she'll cut it and nudge me to write it into a story of its own. We'll see.
Dreamflower
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 14: Fox and Hound
Well, I knew it was coming. Now they've caught these unlikely ruffians. Just when Diamond and Farry were on the point of being released.
Jack is interesting. I hope we get more of his backstory.
Hai Took
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 41: Deep in the Heart
Whew! That was tense. Poor Estella, she has been truly brave, I don't think I could handle anything like that. She has never even seen any of the Mens ways of healing, so this must have been a terrible shock for her.
Sam and Pippin in turn steadying one another, very nicley done, silent testimony to their friendship and understanding of one another. Maybe Estella should have sat with them, oh well, Elrohir was keeping and eye on her.
Also the descripton of the "road" and such about the nervous system was wonderfully done! It reminded me of an old cartoon, perhaps you have seen it, part of the School House Rock collection. Very effective and I like how you made it fit with the time period so to speak!
I did like the beginning of this chapter, poor Bergil and Denny! I hope they don't become to large for their armor! They are probably getting anxious to get away from these hospitiable hobbits!
As alsways looking readily forward to more! Thank you!
Dreamflower
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 13: The Hunt
Well, Merry and Ferdi have almost caught them up. This is going to be interesting, but I have to quit for a while and get some RL stuff done. I'd be biting my nails if I had any left to bite. You are the queen of cliffies!
Dreamflower
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 10: Diamonds
Oh my, another sympathetic ruffian. Diamond's in a real dilemma now.
Dreamflower
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 6: In the Grip of Misfortune
Oh dear! It's a bog, and here I was thinking ruffians. Of course, knowing you it may be both!
Dreamflower
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 5: Midnight Arrival
Uh-oh.
Dreamflower
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 3: Stuff and Nonsense
Yay! We're getting to the good part!
Dreamflower
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 1: Signs of Warning
Well, as you've started a new one, I guess this means this one is close to finishing.
This sounds very promising. Ruffians and Ferdi and Rangers, oh my!
I wonder if Aragorn would approve of his men's method of discouraging intruders?
Grey Wonderer
· 22 November 2004
· Chapter 41: Deep in the Heart
I like the way Aragorn explains the brain funticon and the nerves to the hobbits. This was a very difficult surgery and I am very gld that everyone made it through, but just now I am wondering about those children and what lies ahead. More soon, oh very busy writer. I noticed a new one up and am off to check that one out. LOL You do keep me entertained.
Connie B.
· 22 November 2004
· Chapter 41: Deep in the Heart
Whoa, I think I held my breath through that whole scene with Merry. That was hard to read. That one hits just a little close to home. I know that once he heals, he'll be back to his old self, but oh how the healing can hurt.
The bit with Bergil had me laughing out loud.
I'm really enjoying this story.
Connie B.
Bodkin
· 22 November 2004
· Chapter 41: Deep in the Heart
Poor Bergil and Denny! They'll have to jog to the Lake to try to reduce their embonpoint. I love the cunning way they are pretending to fish to cut the amount of food they are being forced to eat. Never mind, chaps - the rescue party in the Thain's carriage is on its way!
Very good operation description . . . without being too gory. Excellent Road imagery to explain the innards. Estella is coping pretty well. I can see that the noise would be the most shocking thing - well, that and the smell. And Pippin / Sam support is working well.
Looking forward to more.