Reviews (429)

FantasyFan · 11 January 2005 · Chapter 68: Trial by Conscience

"[Simple minds] tend to forget that strange element in the World that we call Pity or Mercy, which is also an absolute requirement in moral judgement (since it is Present in the Divine nature). In its highest exercise it belongs to God. For finite judges of imperfect knowledge it must lead to the use of two different scales of ‘morality’. To ourselves we must present the absolute ideal without compromise, for we do not know our own limits of natural strength (+grace), and if we do not aim at the highest we shall certainly fall short of the utmost that we could achieve. To others, in any case of which we know enough to make a judgement, we must apply a scale tempered by ‘mercy’: that is, since we can with good will do this without the bias inevitable in judgements of ourselves, we must estimate the limits of another's strength and weigh this against the force of particular circumstances. We frequently see this double scale used by the saints in their judgements upon themselves when suffering great hardships or temptations, and upon others in like trials." Tolkien, letter 246 Pippin is more like Frodo than he thinks. Only the saints have consciences.

harrowcat · 11 January 2005 · Chapter 68: Trial by Conscience

Do keep getting up early if this is the result, Lindelea. Draft or not it makes wonderful reading. I am going to have to take time to go back and re-read to get the full effect. What an awful chore!!! This chapter puts me in mind of 'The Trial of Frodo Baggins'. Another good read. Your portrayal of a king who is well able to temper the strictness of the Law with mercy and compassion is nicely in keeping with Tolkein's scene with Beregond - well done.

pippinheart · 11 January 2005 · Chapter 68: Trial by Conscience

Perfect...We finally breach the walls of what was eating at pippin... He wanted Aragorn to seek justice against him,but he gave kindness to one who is loved and needed it so much... Please continue....

Larner · 11 January 2005 · Chapter 53: Comfort and Joy

"Not in polite company", is it? Love it!

Larner · 11 January 2005 · Chapter 51: Difficult Choices

Beautifully written. I am following the hunt avidly, now that the computer is finally back online.

Bodkin · 11 January 2005 · Chapter 68: Trial by Conscience

I think Pippin's logic is debatable - if hobbity. As an officer of the king, he had a duty to prevent the child snatcher from evading capture. To rely on the guard turning up and taking him would have been abrogating his responsibility to ensure the safety of other children in the realm. He made a decision to take the criminal down. Fair enough. So he had a personal stake in it - doesn't really make a difference. He did not intentionally cause the kidnapper's death, although it was a possibility given where he was at the time. Jack - well, same thing applies, really. His intention was to protect the hobbitlings; innocence against presumed guilt. Yes, he would have been wrong, but spur of the minute decisions during moments of crisis don't give the luxury of extended debate. I think Ferdi could have dealt with carrying out these actions with much greater acceptance. One of Pippin's major problems is possibly that he feels that what he has done is unhobbit-like. And there, I think he is wrong. He feels that his war-time experiences have taken away his innocence and made him able to behave in a way that he would not have expected. There he is right - but that is, in many ways, becoming an adult, responsible for the care of others, both as husband, father, friend and Thane. Still Elessar and Arwen are being very understanding - and they seem to have got through to him now. He needs to start eating again or he'll be the tallest, thinnest hobbit ever. They'll be able to use him as a lamp post.

Roger Gamgee · 11 January 2005 · Chapter 68: Trial by Conscience

Now this is the sort of scene that brings tears to your eyes. I'm glad to see Pippin finally opening up about what has been bothering him. I think he may have realized what the penalty was for his 'crime', but wanted to hear it straight from the King himself. To see Aragorn temper justice with mercy... "‘The heart of a grieving father, in the heat of the moment, as his loss overwhelmed him,’ Elessar said. ‘That is what I see before me. It is not the heart of a murderer, for such a one would not have so bitterly mourned the death he wrought, nor regretted the death he ordered, even though it never came to pass.’" This is the mark of a true leader of men. Well done, Lindelea!

Beruthiel · 10 January 2005 · Chapter 67: Before the Face of the King

Eeeek! I suspected this was what Pippin was all worked up about, but what a way to get it out in the open! You're not really going to leave us hanging here, are you? You'll update very, very soon, right? *grovels at author's feet*

Bodkin · 10 January 2005 · Chapter 67: Before the Face of the King

Ahhhhh! And likewise wise nods. Feeling his hobbity integrity has been impugned. Actually 'impugned' isn't really the word I'm looking for, but the right one is floating about a foot above my head and refusing to arrive. Years of trying to soothe hobbity prejudice against Big People - and when his son is threatened he drops into 'Hairy Feet good, Bald Feet bad' mode. I wonder what is upsetting him most - being responsible for the demise of the baddie, or nearly ordering the death of someone who was saving his son and Pip-lad. Poor Pippin. This does seem like taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut - but then Pippin is a very hard nut to crack. Tears before bedtime. Better out than in. A trouble shared is a trouble halved. Or so they say.

Connie B. · 10 January 2005 · Chapter 67: Before the Face of the King

Guilt! That's what's been eating at Pippin. He feels guilty for the death of the ruffian, and for ordering Hilly to shoot Jack. He also feel guity for the fact that the ruffians thought Pip-Lad was his son and not Farry. He can't get it out of his mind that the ruffians planned to discard Farry as a piece of extra baggage. Am I getting close?:) Looking forward to where this is going. Thanks. P.S. I'm still working on the stubborn Challenge 12 story. It is not coming nearly as easily as the last one did, but I'm struggling through it. I need to get it done so I can think about 13. I think I'm going to like it a lot better. Thanks for the nudge to work on it. Connie B.

FantasyFan · 10 January 2005 · Chapter 67: Before the Face of the King

I have been wondering for several chapters what on earth was wrong with Pippin, but there was much else to think about - Denny, and Posey, and Pip-lad's fear. Now I think I am beginning to have an inkling of the trouble. Is Pippin feeling guilty for killing the ruffian? Is he feeling bad about ordering Jack to be shot? I suppose he might feel remorse about killing the ruffian, but he was not an innocent: he and his friend had already murdered Denny, disabled Sam and attacked Hilly. And worst of all, he had hurt Pippin's family. Of course it pushed his buttons. And for all he knew Jack was another ruffian waiting on the other shore - if he let the ruffian go, who knows what two of them would have done? He knows now that he misjudged Jack, but at the time Pippin's order was a way to stop Jack from getting away with Farry. It sounds like the old fear that he and Merry have been infected by evil too much to be fit for the Shire. Either that, or he now thinks that he has to remove his family from the Shire entirely to keep them safe, and he's feeling guilty because he is the cause of the danger threatening them. Am I even close?

harrowcat · 10 January 2005 · Chapter 67: Before the Face of the King

I have been gripped and enraptured by your story from the start Lindelea. Don't stop there! How can I last until you update again?? Help!

Eruvyweth · 10 January 2005 · Chapter 67: Before the Face of the King

LOVE IT!!! WRITE MORE!!! And if I may, consider yourself urged to include some nice juicy Merry-and-Pippin drama in the next few chapters - I devour Merry-and-Pippin drama and the time seems just right with the plot!

Grey Wonderer · 9 January 2005 · Chapter 66: The Eyes of the Queen

I love this. Arwen was wonderful with the little ones and even more-so with Hilly. I think Hilly was a bigger challenge than putting Pippin-lad at ease in this case.I am very glad that Hilly accepted the loan of the necklace for his dear Posy. Now, if only Posy will accept it. the hobbits have such interesting views on death, if she knows it purpose, I wonder what she will say? I suspect that she might take it knowing that Hilly needs her, but I do think she might protest just a bit. I hope not as it took quite a lot for Hilly to make it this far himself. Arwen handled this beautifully. Now, I think she will have her hands full with Thain Peregrin.

FantasyFan · 9 January 2005 · Chapter 66: The Eyes of the Queen

How many of these jewels does Arwen have laying around? Or......is it the same one she gave to Frodo, returned by him to Cirdan as he was leaving the havens, when he would no longer have need of it? If so, Hilly and Posey have truly been granted a great gift. And if it is Frodo's, will Sam and Pip recognize it? I'm very excited to think it might be. I'm truly glad that Arwen can offer this gift to Posey - the gift of time, the gift of release from pain, and the gift of peace that comes from having no need of fear. It's a very Elvish thing to do. I do like the way you write Arwen. She's very assured and very insightful, not flashy in any way but graceful and wise in all things. Boy, for thinking you would be busy all weekend, you turned out to have a very productive couple of days. Are the kiddies tired of the hamster yet?

Meldewen Ilce · 9 January 2005 · Chapter 66: The Eyes of the Queen

Poor little Pip-lad - I hope he'll soon come out of his shell! Oh what a precious gift Arwen has given Hilly and Posey! I am glad that her life expectancy will be doubled and that now when she leaves Hilly behind that she won't go in pain but rather in a peaceful sleep... my heart still breaks for them, btw! Oh I have truly enjoyed this story and I'll be sorry to see it end!

Connie B. · 9 January 2005 · Chapter 66: The Eyes of the Queen

I hadn't thought of Arwen being the one to bring Pip-Lad out of his shell of fear. I hope it sticks and he starts getting past his fear. What an amazing gift Arwen gave Hilly. If Hilly had refused, I'd probably jumped through the computer just to shake some sense into him. I still am dying to know what's up between Arwen and Pippin. Thanks. Connie B.

Bodkin · 9 January 2005 · Chapter 66: The Eyes of the Queen

Well done, Arwen. Gamgees and Tooks! And then there's Brandybucks! They're no better. I'm glad Posey will last a good few years and have a peaceful end. And I take it they've all seen the sea in Hilly's eyes, so Arwen is inveigling him a) to take ship and b) not to lay down his life at Posey's death. I like the sound of the jools.

Grey Wonderer · 9 January 2005 · Chapter 65: Early Morning Cheer

Seems that Pippin is doing some very serious thinking at this point. I suspect that Arwen really will be able to see just how serious and see more in Pippin's eyes about his condition than he would like for her to know. I am glad that Denethor is getting better even though it would seem that he still has a long way to go. A very good chapter and as I always do, I enjoyed the undertones.

Bodkin · 9 January 2005 · Chapter 65: Early Morning Cheer

I love the picture of a night-shirted Pippin wandering round and causing scandal! One round to the Tooks. That healer with Denny will be doing a lot of self-congratulation - settling Denny and collaring the Thain with one move. Very good - and without ever once bleating, 'has the King said you can get up?' Interesting clash of cultures - duty / gratitude. I think Pippin will have to accept that Denny sacrificed himself because he thought it was necessary to save the hobbits - and Denny will have to accept their gratitude (even if he was just doing his duty). Either way, he becomes more than a casual friend. The laughter is painful, but I'm glad to see it - it shows that Denny's mind is clear enough, even if his body is a bit battered. And he can see there's a problem with Pippin. Send the family out for a nice long walk in the countryside and grab control of the computer. Want more!

Connie B. · 8 January 2005 · Chapter 65: Early Morning Cheer

I can so understand Pippin's reaction when he realized he'd made poor Denny laugh. My friend who had major heart surgery back in October still doesn't want to laugh because it causes her ribs to hurt so bad. Her laughter assures us though, because we know she hasn't lost her sense of humor. It seems neither of these two have either. I think Pippin's coming to understand just how vulnerable his family, and those around him, are. I believe he has a whole new understanding of just what Aragorn and others have done all these years to safeguard hobbits. Also, he's getting a clearer picture of his new responsabilities as reguards the new-found whealth of the Thain. Thanks. Connie B.

Grey Wonderer · 8 January 2005 · Chapter 64: Tea, that Soother of All Ills

Try though he might Merry had trouble getting Pippin onto that pony. Now, I wonder if Pippin fears what Arwen will see if she looks into his eyes. I hope Denethor recovers. Always nice to come home from work and find more of this story up to read. Diamond has such a way of handling Pippin without making a big fuss of things. She and Merry know just what to do to keep him in his place. I will be looking for more of this one.

Meldewen Ilce · 7 January 2005 · Chapter 64: Tea, that Soother of All Ills

Hmmmmmm.... I am not quite sure why Pippin is avoiding Arwen's gaze here.... LOL - you know perhaps Aragorn should pull rank on Pippin, who is after all a knight of Gondor who has given an oath of fealty to the King. I know Aragorn probably wouldn't really want to result to that but honestly as bad as Pippin is about not wanting to listen to the healers, he may have to!

Connie B. · 7 January 2005 · Chapter 64: Tea, that Soother of All Ills

You must have got your Challenge story done.:) Why won't Pippin look at Arwen? Is he feellng guilty because he wasn't able to do more for her daughter than he did, which was get himself into deadly straight, and yet he saved his own son and Pip-Lad? Enquiring minds want to know. Of course the reason may be obvious, and the Queen of Obtuse is just missing it.:) Thanks again. Connie B.

Bodkin · 7 January 2005 · Chapter 64: Tea, that Soother of All Ills

H'mm, hobbits in the report . . . . I don't think it would come off, somehow! New chapters to read are a delight rather than a chore. I must go back and read some earlier ones now! (I reread At the End of his Rope the other day. Monday probably, since it was a Bank Holiday. Good way to spend a gloomy day.) Wrassle those other family members away from the computer! Have they no consideration for your fans?