Hai Took
· 20 January 2005
· Chapter 5: I'll Love Her ‘til the Seas Run Dry
Gracious! How difficult for both of them. I have always enjoyed your Ferdi's character, I can't remember if I have told you that or just planned too. He is just a bit sarcastic, in his speach and such, like right before he was completely under water. That would be such a strange way to try and stay alive. It's a good thing neither paniced, I think I probably would have under such a tense circumstance.
Ferdi's view of his life and the metephore abou the ceiling coming down and loosing all of his supports through the years, well done. It was also very interesting to see if it in Ferdi's POV, if a rather short one. Then him deciding that he was going to give up so that Pippin could get out, very noble, but I'm sure it must have been a blow to think that Pippin had given him up.
Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Yes, I love Ferdi when he feels as if there's nothing to lose and lets his tongue go.
I don't know if I can bring myself to read "Sometimes a Great Notion" or to see the movie based on it (don't remember the name of the movie, if it's the same or not), knowing that *that* scenario had a tragic end.
Considering Ferdi's last memory during the crisis was Pippin abandoning him, and Pippin's last part of being in the river was of being forced away from Ferdi, breaking his promise in a sense, the angst is not yet completely resolved.
But we're close.
Thanks!
Connie B.
· 20 January 2005
· Chapter 5: I'll Love Her ‘til the Seas Run Dry
Shwuph, at least they're out of the stream. Thank goodness.
That was very interesting seeing Ferdi's view of events in his life. Kind of ironic that the one person he had come to view as hard to trust was the one person he had to have faith in to survive. He must have thought his lack of trust had been correct when he felt Pippin's hand leave him. I wonder what his reaction will be when he finds out that they had to pull Pippin away from him.
And then there's poor Pippin. He was so determined to fulfill his promise to Ferdi that he was willing to sacrofise his own life to do it. Even though he knows Ferdi's safe, he's probably going to feel like he didn't keep his part of the bargane because he was pulled away from Ferdi before they'd got him out of the water. Pippin is always so hard on himself.
Needless to say, I got a lot out of this chapter.
Looking forward to what comes next.
I also have to hand it to you. It can't be easy making each title match a line in the song.
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
So encouraging, to see your review!
Definitely ironic, as you say, that the one person Ferdi had to depend on was the one he saw as undependable. Let's hope he's past all that now.
You're right about the chapter titles! This can't be one of those mega-stories -- there just aren't enough lines to support too many chapters!
Thanks!
Grey Wonderer
· 19 January 2005
· Chapter 4: Sometimes I Take a Great Notion
Talk about suspense! This is almost too much! Thank goodness for Gimli or they wouldn't have an option on this. Now, if only Fredi doesn't panick or Pippin doesn't run out of the strength do keep breathing for both of them. Help can't come soon enough. BTW, I love how Pip and Ferdi revert to just cousins when they are up against it and both of them speak plainly. As in the you're mad, I'm desperate, portion of their discussion. I find myself wishing that it could always be like that for them.
Author's reply
Y'know, they do revert to "just cousins" later on the timeline. When I look at their relationship in "Truth", "Merlin", "Gentle Rain" or "Solid Ground" I see the give-and-take that you only see in rare moments, in the earlier stories.
Which is kind of nice, the way it worked out, 'cause I didn't really plan it; it just happened.
Thanks!
Grey Wonderer
· 19 January 2005
· Chapter 3: To Jump into the River and Drown
These Tooks have simply got to build some bridges! I hope Pippin keeps his wits and is able to find his escorts. Shame on you for leaving us in water up to out necks! LOL I will be waiting for more of this one.
Author's reply
Well, they do have bridges, but the problem is the rivers are higher than the bridges! Sensible people would just stay home.
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 19 January 2005
· Chapter 4: Sometimes I Take a Great Notion
*Whoosh* (exhales own breath)
This is amazing! Looks like you have that stubborn contest going on right now! I guess the winner will be the one who stays conscious longest...
Oh, mercy...
Mean ol' Mistress of Cliffies!
Author's reply
So who won the stubborn contest, do you think?
Dreamflower
· 19 January 2005
· Chapter 3: To Jump into the River and Drown
Oh Thunder!!!!....
Author's reply
Shades of 102 Dalmatians. Or is it 101 Dalmations 2? Or is it 101 Dalmations 1-1/2? I can't get all these sequels straight. But I'm thinking of the cartoon where one of the pups gets to hang out with his hero Thunder. It got a lot of play around here recently.
Connie B.
· 19 January 2005
· Chapter 4: Sometimes I Take a Great Notion
Thank you for the quick update. They're still in an awful fix though. Pippin can't keep this up for long. Like Ferdi said, he's barely got enough breath for himself. Oh, they are both going to be sooo sick after this.
Keep it comin'
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
As you already know, we managed to resolve the situation fairly quickly. (Rescue-breathing is difficult to sustain for any length of time, and put that together with having to duck your head under icy water to deliver the breath, whew!)
Thanks.
Bodkin
· 19 January 2005
· Chapter 4: Sometimes I Take a Great Notion
From one cliff-hanger to another. At least Haldi has made it so far, but he'd better get help quickly - Pippin is pretty determined to save his cousin and brother-in-law.
It's just as well that Gimli taught Pippin how to do the dwarf-breathing - it's more than paid its way in just one chapter! (He'd better make sure all the escort can do it. There's no knowing when the need will next arise.
Exciting tale - and two chapters in one sitting!
Author's reply
Well, my dh still gets a funny look whenever he runs across rescue-breathing in a story. I think it jars him right out of Middle-earth. Hope it doesn't affect everyone else that way.
Yep, you got two chapters in a sitting, but that'll have to be all for one day! The house is a wreck, the little ones have been very good all morning, and now it's time to give some time to Real Life.
Thanks for commenting! Not much left to the tale, and a good thing, for I'm running out of lines in the song lyric that adapt nicely to chapter titles.
Pearl Took
· 19 January 2005
· Chapter 3: To Jump into the River and Drown
*Shivers* Oh My! On and on the excitement builds!! Most excellent!! (me and my exclamation points ;) )
Author's reply
Ah, but I love you and your exclamation points!! (There. join the party!!)
Connie B.
· 19 January 2005
· Chapter 3: To Jump into the River and Drown
Oh man, you have got to be kidding. You didn't just leave Pippin hanging from a broken bridge over a swollen river? Talk about a cliffhanger. Please don't leave us, I mean him, hanging to long. After all, we know Pippin is going to need all the strength he can muster to recover from this.:)
I liked the chapter title. I laughed when I saw it. It kinda just sums thing up, doesn't it?
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
Worse. He's not hanging *over* a swollen river, but *in* it.
Good thing he's due for a vacation in Buckland next week.
It is a challenge, to write a story where all the chapter titles come from "Irene, Good Night". Hard to resist the urge to tweak a title just a little, but have managed so far to keep the titles word-for-word true to the lyrics I found on the web.
FantasyFan
· 19 January 2005
· Chapter 3: To Jump into the River and Drown
Of course I meant Haldi, not Hildi. I've never been good spelling names.
Author's reply
Well, I'm a great one to interchange names. You don't know how many times I've written "Thain Paladin" when I meant "Thain Peregrin" (or vice versa) or "Ferdinand" for "Ferdibrand" or even, in "Seeing the Forest for the Trees" where I wrote "Meriadoc" when I meant "Merimac" for half a chapter!
Spelling is easier to overlook! LOL.
FantasyFan
· 19 January 2005
· Chapter 3: To Jump into the River and Drown
Are all the ponies gone? I was hoping Ferdi's pony might have made it to the end of the bridge, at least, being unencumbered by a rider. Pippin is strong, and the water will recede a bit once the first rush is spent, though not quite as fast as it came up. I think he'll be able to make it to the end of the bridge, and out of the water. But he'll be wet and cold, and still two bridges from the edge of the woods: a long way to go to get help if there are no handy woodcarver's huts nearby. Will he search until dark? And then what will he do?
I did like the description from Hildi's point of view at the point of impact: the details of color and frozen motion. Very scary. And that was an interesting little sentence in there, that Pippin was trusting in his escort to do the evaluation and keep him safe, while he paid little attention himself. It seems a little odd for Pippin, but then again I remember him telling how he allowed people to fuss over his eating and his clothing. Does it seem characteristic for him at this time?
Author's reply
Not typical of Pippin when he's feeling well, but he's tired--probably didn't sleep all that well, anticipating the journey home; at least, *I* never sleep well the night before travelling--and chilled, and Ferdi has never let him down before. In addition, the ponies' slow, methodical pace is just as hypnotic as it was on the outward journey, so it might be understandable that he's not paying full attention, not thinking particularly hard about his surroundings. He might just feel a sense of relief that *this* crossing, at least, will be uncomplicated, and any niggling voice of caution would go unregarded in light of the fact that Ferdi said the bridge took no damage from the previous high water.
As to what Pippin will do, that's in the next chapter! Might even be able to post it today (don't know yet) as it is my birthday and the little ones are being as good as gold and *telling* me that one of their presents to me is that they will play quietly or even tidy up while I have some extra online time.
I don't know... I might have to reward this selfless behaviour by sitting down on the floor with them and playing games. We'll see.
Hai Took
· 18 January 2005
· Chapter 2: Stay There By Your Fireside Bright
Wonderful to see another story! I always like the stories that involve Ferdi. I find the relationship you have created between him and Pippin very intriguing! I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble they get into that Ferdi has to trust to Pippin!
Old Hildi talking and being such a source of knowledge must be wonderful for them! I bet he has some real good stories too. So many possibilities there! Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
I just love storytelling. We have some CDs with great storytelling on them, and we play them over and over again.
Thanks!
Pearl Took
· 18 January 2005
· Chapter 2: Stay There By Your Fireside Bright
So far, so Wonderful!!! I'm thoroughly enjoying this. I like Pippin perking up when away from all his responsibilities as Thain. He is just a "down home" hobbit at heart. VWD :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Pearl, and *hugs*. Appreciate your taking the time to read and comment! And certainly the VWD brings a smile... You're right about Pippin. That's just how I see him. A farm boy pulled up out of the fields and into another situation entirely. Ummm. Or something to that effect. Hobbit-turned-"ruler" of a sort?
Bodkin
· 18 January 2005
· Chapter 2: Stay There By Your Fireside Bright
Dum spiro, spero = While I breathe, I hope. Old enough to have done Latin at school. Though not old enough for that to have been under the Roman Empire.
Author's reply
Aha! Sort of "While there's life there's hope" from which I coined the hobbity "While there's breath there's life". Take the Latin "While there's breath there's hope" (paraphrase of what you said) and I think you could build a triangle with breath/hope/life at the corners and "While there's" in the middle. Maybe. Am feeling whimsical at the moment.
LOL about "old enough". Ever heard that joke of the six ages of man?
Not old enough to know better.
Old enough to know better.
Not old enough.
Old enough.
Not old.
Old.
Just read aloud a fun book called "Detectives in Togas". Ever heard of it?
Grey Wonderer
· 18 January 2005
· Chapter 2: Stay There By Your Fireside Bright
I like Hildibald and his family. They seem charming and they are not so formal with Pippin as to make him uncomfortable. Seems like a nice little break from things at the Smials. But I am sure something more is coming with all that rain.....
Author's reply
Thanks, I like them too! Was hoping "Hildibald" would not be too close to "Hildibold" and confuse people. Of course "Hilly" can be distinguished from "Hildy" or "Hildi". Sort of like "Jon" and "John" in today's world.
You might be right about all that rain.
Thanks again!
Bodkin
· 18 January 2005
· Chapter 2: Stay There By Your Fireside Bright
Dum spiro, spero. One of those Latin tags that sticks in my memory. (I'd do better if I were Ferdi.) Referring to optimism? The rapprochement of Pippin and Ferdi? The moth-eaten lungs of the Thain?
The truth-reading would be terribly useful in dealing with a slippery Thain. He wouldn't be able to get away with untruth - but does evasiveness show up, I wonder? Or 90% truth with a little bit of jesuitical wriggling?
I love the elderly hobbit - glowing with pleasure as the Thain sits and listens to all those old tales that make his family cast up his eyes. A bit more of this and he will decide to live for ever, just to get the attention.
However . . . I sense there could be troubles ahead. Too much water is as bad as too little! (And, if there weren't troubles ahead, there wouldn't be a story!) Good thing they're riding solid, unnamed ponies. . . . Hang on a minute, that suggests that they could be expendable!! Oh no! Cruelty to animals! Or Haldigrim - I hope I've just forgotten the poor hobbit.
Being out in this damp weather is not good for Pippin, though. Oh dear.
Author's reply
Ummm. Translation please? I'm about as conversant with Latin as with Elvish. Whcih means, not. For all I know you're talking about a sparrow with laryngitis. It stretches my brain to try to imagine what optimism, rapprochement and moth-eaten lungs could have in common in a Latin phrase.
Expendable crewmen wear red shirts, or don't have names. Wait a minute, sometimes they do have names.
There's a lot of stuff that's not good for Pippin. The next chapter, for instance.
Thanks!
Connie B.
· 18 January 2005
· Chapter 2: Stay There By Your Fireside Bright
What a neat chapter. I could just see Pippin and Ferdi sitting for hours listening to the old hobbit spin his tales. I'd say Pippin got more than one surprise. It also appears to have been good for him to get away from his responsibilities for a few days.
Now the hard part comes; getting back home. Now I'm all in suspense about what's going to happen on the return to the Great Smials.
BTW, Pippin never did get back to talk more with old Hildi, did he?
Thanks.
Connie B.
Author's reply
Y'know, I thought about Hildi... this story ends a week or so before "Rope" begins, where Pippin is injured and confined to the Smials for quite awhile after.
Wouldn't it be ironic (and sort of sweet) if Hildi did get up out of his bed and came to visit the Thain, to regale him with more stories as he was stuck in *his* bed?
Yes, suspense is probably the proper condition to be in. This was the calm before the storm, if that's not too much of a spoiler.
Thanks!
Bodkin
· 18 January 2005
· Chapter 1: Me and My Wife Settled Down
Poor Ferdi (MFH). That head of his can be useful, but I think I'd rather look out the window to tell what the weather was going to be like.
Really, Pippin has a huge way to go to win the level of trust that Ferdi gives him later - and it's not surprising, one way and another. It'll take a lot of patience (not Pippin's most well-known quality), too. Although an act of heroism might help, it'll not remove all Ferdi's doubts.
(That truth-reading skill would be remarkably useful. Not to mention the eidetic memory.)
Nine hobbitlings! They'll need to dig some more sets of apartments at the Great Smials, making them the Even Greater Smials.
Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Poor Ferdi. My brother was that way, he had a weather-ache in his head. I have one in my hand, where I broke a bone as a teen.
As to your seond comment, you'll have to let me know if you think this story bridges the gap between the level of mistrust in "Runaway" and the level of trust Ferdi gives Pippin later. That's one of the reasons this story has been kicking around in the back of my head. Actually, "In the Greening of the Year" was supposed to be *this* story but it just didn't work out and ended up being Tolly and Eglantine instead.
So now you get *this* story, and I hope it works.
Thanks!
pippinheart
· 18 January 2005
· Chapter 1: Me and My Wife Settled Down
Very nice...Pippin and company on another trip...His sister having another little one...How do they feed all of them...good story...Keep up the writing...
Author's reply
Must be a chore, feeding all those little hobbits. Unless you can send them to their auntie's for the occasional meal.
Thanks!
So far, I seem to be up to speed. I knew what was what as I read, but I do think that these notes are a very good idea. You most likely will have someone new to your stories start with this one and this chapter of notes will be invaluable to them. Once they are hooked, they will have to back up and read the others. I know that was what I did.
Author's reply
Well, glad to hear that the notes will be of value. I had someone critique a story, saying that the background comments were too distracting, and that's when I started putting the background into author's notes. I think it started with "Gentle Rain".
People who are bothered by the notes, who get to a chapter by clicking on the link in a notification e-mail, can simply *not* hit the "next" link at the bottom of the chapter, which will probably lead to the notes! Even if I post two chapters in one day, it'll be hours apart, as I don't usually get big enough chunks of computer time to type in two chapters at a time from the draft.
The "notes" may not be added to with every chapter posted (see "All that Glisters" for an example: big gap there!), but we'll leave them up for anyone who is interested in the background and in seeing the writing-editing process at work.
Grey Wonderer
· 17 January 2005
· Chapter 1: Me and My Wife Settled Down
So, Pippin is going on a trip to Pincup again. Seems that is never an easy journey. I like his banter with Regi and the fact the from time to time, Regi has no idea what Pippin finds funny. I also am very glad that Hilly is allowed time at home with his Posey. Very thoughtful and as it should be. I suspect that no one is more aware of it than Pippin. I think I will enjoy this trip even if Fredibrand doesn't.
Author's reply
Huh, missed responding to this when you posted it, and now I'm up avoiding bed like the plague--but it'll win. It has a mysterious magnetic power.
It's fun to hear what you like. I have no brain for writing or reading at present, but know that 12Days remains at the top of my list of "got to reads".
You're probably right about Pippin appreciating and guarding Hilly's time with Posey, all the while not making it too obvious, which might make them uncomfortable. Very deft, our Took.
Thanks.
FantasyFan
· 17 January 2005
· Chapter 99999: Author's Notes
And these are just the notes for chapter 1! If we are lucky and you spoil us like this for all the chapters, we might get an insight to your prolific writing process and a bit of that background information your editor is always urging you to leave out.
Just curious (it's a failing of mine): have you added up your word count for all the stories you've written in the last couple of years? I keep meaning to compile them all into a book, but you write them too fast for me.
Author's reply
*chuckle* You don't know what a relief it is to hear you're pleased about the notes. Editor-friend and I had a long heart-to-heart about the matter; we decided that either people would love it (people like us, who compulsively read footnotes but hate to be interrupted by them in a chapter), or they'd hate it, clicking on the "Next" button in hopes of seeing another chapter and rolling their eyes with a "Not this again!"
Actually, it's a bit of a shortcut in the writing-editing process--she can check on continuity more easily this way, and add notes to remind me of things I've overlooked. The notes may be deleted once the story is posted in full, being "working notes", or if you think they add to the reader's enjoyment we'll consider keeping them.
Unfortunately she's much too busy with the after-holiday catch-up at work to look at the "old" stories; she has barely enough time to look at each new chapter posted to catch major "oopses", much less go over anything with a fine-tooth comb.
Don't know what the total word-count is. Not sure if that's available on SoA. According to ff.net I've posted some 860,000 words. There's a lot on SoA that is not on ff.net, yet, so I haven't a clue as to a real total. Can't just do a word count on my Word files, either, as they are full of editing notes and research notes.
Thanks!
(Gee, aren't school holidays fun? Still, we've got to do *something* productive today or I'll be in trouble with the Principal.)
Connie B.
· 17 January 2005
· Chapter 1: Me and My Wife Settled Down
So Nell is expecting again, Ferdi's head is hurting, and the streams and riviers are running high; and Pippin has to get to Pincup. This could prove interesting.
Thanks for updating.
Connie B.
Author's reply
Here I am hanging about the computer instead of doing what I ought to be doing, once again today. Do you ever get those spells of what-the-heck?
I really do need to Get Serious and pay attention to Real Life or something will hit the fan.
But I am glad the story sounds interesting. You're welcome, and thanks for commenting.
FantasyFan
· 17 January 2005
· Chapter 1: Me and My Wife Settled Down
Ferdi in a bit of a temper has less control over his tongue. I think on the whole that's good for Pippin, as he often needs to know what others really think. With Ferdi unguarded, Pippin hears the truth of his thinking, though he has to take another approach with Regi. I wonder where Pippin learned that look from? I bet the intimidating posture is Aragorn, with a touch of Frodo in the steel as well. Poor old straight-laced Regi doesn't have a chance against that combination - he truly doesn't understand Pip, does he?
I think I'm going to have to go back and re-read Runaway, just to get the time straight in my head.
Author's reply
Ooo, Aragorn plus a little Frodo for spice. Hmm. And some of Bilbo's deftness in handling people, thrown into the mix. And you're right, Regi really doesn't understand Pip, though he has a great deal of respect for him. I think Regi will understand him better after nearly dying in "Merlin" and finding a sense of humour during his recovery.
I had to re-read Runaway during the writing of this story! Amazing how it's growing on me. I like it better with each re-reading.
Thanks!