Connie B.
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 3: Blunt Talk
I just had to laugh at Eglantine's bluntness. Now we know where Pippin gets a lot of it from.
That nightmare of hers was frightening, and so were the crows.
I hope they really do stay put and let help come to them. People are a lot easier to find when they're not out try to find the the searchers.
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
LOL--yes, Eglantine is plain-spoken. Do you suppose it's a Banks characteristic, or did the Tooks rub off on her?
You know, I hadn't thought of the fact that it's easier to find lost people when they stay put, but you have a point. I don't think she's going to leave Tolly, though.
You're welcome, and thanks for commenting!
Bodkin
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 3: Blunt Talk
Well done, Eglantine. And you've surprised Tolly. He'll stay alive for Sweetie and the little'uns if he can. The idea of being trapped and unable to help yourself while carrion birds peck at you is horrific.
I have my fears for the ponies, though. But if one has escaped, they might raise the alarm. With luck.
Author's reply
Horrific, a good word for it. Yes, Eglantine managed Paladin for years, and learned something about motivation.
My goodness, in two stories simultaneously you're picking up on plot clues. Very sharp!
Pearl Took
· 24 November 2004
· Chapter 2: Hobbit Hospitality
Oh, this is good!! I eagerly await the next chapter :) I like that you had Eglantine not being a bossy pain to the nice farm family, and I like she and Tolly each being "stubborn Tooks". VWD!!!
Author's reply
Thanks! Eglantine was a farmer's wife before she was the Mistress, after all, and she's got a good head on her shoulders, so I can't see her being a pain, thankfully! (Actually in my mind's eye I can see her hunkering down with the wives for a good gossip over their teacups...)
The next chapter is in the works. I wish my timing were better; it occurred to me that the ending might have made a good Thanksgiving story. Ah well. Will just have to keep on writing anyhow.
Glad to hear from you, Pearl, and hope to hear more! (Hope your writing goes well.)
Well, just what have we here? A touch of the Scottish play? The woods coming to meet them? Looks like the rain has stirred up something more than the river. I wonder if a landslide can stop Eglantine. She's a bit of a landslide herself. This gets more interesting all of the time. Love the idea of a birthday breakfast, btw. Sounds like a nice tradition.
Author's reply
Now where's MacDuff when you need him? If he were wearing bushes he'd be on the spot to rescue the hapless hobbits... OTOH, it's been so long since I read The Play I'm not even sure if MacDuff is a character, anymore.
Eglantine, a bit of a landslide. Lovely picture!
Thanks!
estelnalissi
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 2: Hobbit Hospitality
Your Eglantine is definitely no, "Coddle me, I'm old," matron. Uncomplaining and undaunted, she'll have her way and get where she wants to go and the winds,rain and muck may as well step aside for her. It's hapless Tolly who's stolen my heart. Did anyone hear me laughing at your master stroke of understatement when Eglantine asked if they should stop and ask for tea and Tolly properly replied, "As you wish, mistress."? In my mind I heard him blurting, "yes, yes, yes! Please, please, please, pleeeeeeze!! The automatic hospitality, of Bert's family, given in equal measure to Tolly and Eglantine, was a gem showing the inate goodness of hobbitkind. One more thing. Don't feel compelled to keep it short. I guarantee their'll be no complaints if this story grows in the telling.
Author's reply
LOL, it is so much fun to read between the lines!
Glad to hear there'll be no complaints. I cannot tell you how long this one will be, but the outline hints at roughly ten chapters, which is *short* for me.
Thanks!
Connie B.
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 2: Hobbit Hospitality
Oh man, it just gets better and better. Tolly is having bad luck. He was afraid of the water, now he's got mud and water both. I hope Eglantine's all right. I think she is. Of course I think Tolly is too, or he will be.
So is Pippin fretting yet?
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
Pippin is not fretting yet, for he doesn't know his mother is overdue... You should see in either the next chapter or the one after that, depending on if it splits itself or not.
Tolly's having one of those days... you ever had the kind of day where you wish you'd never got out of bed?
Thanks so much for the feedback!
Bodkin
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 2: Hobbit Hospitality
Poor Tolly. This is turning into some peaceful trip home! Flooding and landslides and it's only chapter two! (I suppose at least he did get some tea. A hobbit in a landslide with no tea in his tummy would be even worse off.)
So how are they going to get out of this one, Lindelea?
Author's reply
"...and it's only chapter two!" she says. Well, we are moving right along in this story. I did promise (relatively) short and to-the-point, after all.
How are they going to get out of this one? Well, you'll see, in a few chapters... *g*
Thanks so much for the feedback!
Grey Wonderer
· 22 November 2004
· Chapter 1: To Be Back in Time for Tea
Great start! So this is where Pippin gets his stubborn streak, from the Bank's. LOL Seems that his mum is still quite sure of herself and very strong-willed. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Thanks! Yes, either stubbornness is a "Banks" quality, or it rubbed off from Eglantine's Tookish husband...
Larner
· 22 November 2004
· Chapter 1: To Be Back in Time for Tea
I love it, as always, although I admit I am still waiting for the endings of some of your other works.
Yes, Eglantine looks as if she's picked up a good deal of Took stubborness in her years with Paladin.
Author's reply
You and me both. Wish they would write themselves, and all I had to do was *read* them!
But they're coming along... sometimes I write "one-shots" or short, unrelated stories to relieve the tension of the long haul.
"Glisters" is written all the way to the end, am just hammering out Merry's medical details. "Thain" has a long, long way to go and I suffered a setback this week--am trying to recapture the vision for the story. The stories being copied over from ff.net are complete, over there, but my editor has pleaded for a break (she doesn't mind so much giving new material the once-over) and so there probably won't be much (if any) progress on those, or the ones being copied from SoA to ffnet for that matter, until the New Year.
Rosemary's story is a comfort piece at the moment, for it's fun to go way back in Rosie and Ferdi's past to give them joy. The story is supposed to cover events up until her marriage, though... which means a lot of angst if I don't find a happier and earlier ending spot. For the moment it can remain "comfort food".
Was there something in particular you were waiting for? I'll let the Muse know.
Connie B.
· 22 November 2004
· Chapter 1: To Be Back in Time for Tea
This looks like it's going to be good. I have always liked the way you portray Eglantine. She is stubborn, strong and loving; quailities that her family needed since her husband was so pig-headed sometimes. When Pippin lost her, I imagine he must have felt the loss greatly. She was such a stablizing force in his life.
I know she'll come through this just fine. Pippin, on the other hand, is probably going to be a wrech.
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
Yes, Pippin is probably going to be pretty upset (mild understatement) though he might not show it right away, soldier that he is.
Thanks!
Bodkin
· 22 November 2004
· Chapter 1: To Be Back in Time for Tea
Poor Tolly. It must be hell, being official escort to a Took. They never listen to anything they don't want to hear!
I hope Eglantine isn't exposed to anything too wet / cold / dangerous. She's pretty deadly when she wants to be, but she's not as young as she was!
Author's reply
I certainly thank you for your faithful and encouraging feedback. Sorry to have posted so much in so short a time, but I wasn't able to post at all for nearly a week! Busy time of year.
I think escort must be the most admired and most abused position in the Great Smials...