A Healer's Tale by Lindelea
Pearl Took · 8 May 2005 · Chapter 17: Rocks and Stones
Oh my! Our poor wee lad!! Another chapter that begs hurrying for a completion to its tale. Dear wee Pip, and poor sweet Woodruff.
Author's reply
Yes, but they are good friends, and their friendship will weather this storm. (A curious concept, Pippin being old friends with the healer who will later torment him with a steady stream of draughts and balms and other concoctions.)
Dreamflower · 8 May 2005 · Chapter 17: Rocks and Stones
Awww...dear little Pip, going to try and glue that teapot together. That's so sweet. Of course, he had no idea why it upset Woodruff so. So, Merry can't stand liver, but he can stomach kidneys, eh? I love this chapter, it's just so sweet and peaceful, even if it did end with a crash.
Author's reply
I had one of those moments... my littlest broke one of my mom's four remaining teacups, from my mom's collection, a really pretty piece of German china with crocus blooms bravely standing at attention. She wanted to glue it back together, but I girded my loins and threw it away. Really, it was unsalvageable. Drat.
Connie B. · 8 May 2005 · Chapter 17: Rocks and Stones
Oh, what a soft-hearted child Pippin was. I know he just had to feel terrible about what happened. Most kids would have run away, but even at that young age he had a well-developed sense of honor. I hope he can fix the planter. Unfortunately, he probably can't. Thanks. Connie B.
Author's reply
Yes, he felt absolutely terrible, and just as determined to make it all right. I can see some of that same determination, later, when he follows Frodo on the Quest despite Elrond's arguments.
Bodkin · 5 May 2005 · Chapter 16: Interlude
Sam and Rose must look rather unlike themselves if Woodruff can't recognise them - and I love the references to - h'mm - odour. Good for Regi. Maybe not the most imaginative hobbit, but he keeps track of everything. Get Sam in there - with his fantasy-tree-people-cure. After all, at this point, what harm? Save that Thain!
Author's reply
I had them quite a bit stinkier in the first draft, but it's not *that* far from Bree to Buckland... True! What harm? And to think someday Regi will get more than a taste of that particular medicine himself...
Andrea · 4 May 2005 · Chapter 16: Interlude
Oh my god, there really is hope! Being the only one (it seems), who is not familiar with the companion story, I had to read this chapter twice - just to be sure ;-) So Sam and Rosie were away on a mission to find a remedy? And they did succeed! That's really good news. It's so very typical of Sam to wait for the permission of Merry as gentlehobbit to let him enter first, although he's mayor now. On the other hand Woodruff would love to welcome any sign of hope, but her experiences as a healer tell her there is no cure any more. So, what's the remedy and most important: will it work? I hope it will! Please update soon!
Author's reply
Next update of Woodruff's story is scheduled for Monday, once all the kinks are ironed out, and then the next Interlude will go up on Wednesday if all goes well. Think good thoughts! So much more will become clear on Wednesday, although there is more to come after that. So hang in there! Thanks!
Pearl Took · 4 May 2005 · Chapter 16: Interlude
"I stride forward, crackling with anger, seizing the dirty stranger who is arguing with Master Merry; I swing him around. ‘You—’ I begin in my indignation. The rest of the words die on my lips as the trembling of my indignation turns to that of shock. ‘Mayor Samwise,’ I breathe. I look to the other mud-stained and rather odiferous traveller, brown as a nut, curls streaked with stronger sun than ours. ‘Mistress Rose?’" "‘I don’t care if they are walking bushes or talking rocks,’ I say. ‘He’s breathing his last, even as we speak!’ I seize the Mayor as well, stink forgotten, and between us Reginard and I haul him into the bedroom." So much that is so good in this chapter!!!! VWD!!!
Author's reply
Thank you! *hugs* This story has certainly been something of a challenge. Appreciate the good words.
Hai Took · 4 May 2005 · Chapter 16: Interlude
Hurry! Hurry! What happens next!? I'm sure I know but I'm still on pins and needles waiting for what happens next! Woodruff beingangry about strangers ruining what is suppose to be a time for family, but who weren't strangers at all. Merry wanting Sam to go first because of fear that Pippin might let go should he hear/see Merry! Yikes! And Pip is getting so close to being gone anyway! Ferdi's skeptism on "walking trees" I did like Woodruff not caring if they were "walking bushes or talking rocks" but anxious to get Sam to Pippin all the same! Oh, please me merciful and put me out of my misery!
Author's reply
Thanks for hitting the highlights! More of Woodruff's story will hopefully be posted Monday, and then the next Interlude on Wednesday if all goes well, so while it is hard to wait, at least you know what to expect! Thanks.
Eruvyweth · 4 May 2005 · Chapter 16: Interlude
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER!!!!!!!! It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair... (falls onto the floor shaking in pure author's misery)
Author's reply
Oh poor dear. Perhaps a cup of strong tea with plenty of sweetening? Next interlude due Wednesday, with an intervening chapter the Monday before. Am sounding cryptic. Must be time to hit the pillow. Thanks!
Connie B. · 4 May 2005 · Chapter 16: Interlude
Oh, they are a mess, aren't they? Good thing Woodruff looked bfore she summarily threw Sam out. I did find the first referrence to the Steward having no imagination confusing. It may just be that I didn't read the three paragraphs right, but it just didn't seem to make sense to me. The second time you mention it, it does, but that first time baffled me. Thanks for the update. Connie B.
Author's reply
Yes, they travelled rather slowly from Bree to Buckland and were anticipating bath and change of clothes and hot meal and got intercepted and rushed off to Tuckborough. But the bath and change of clothes and hot meal are right around the corner, now. I'm sorry that bit was confusing. I'll have another look at it. It is supposed to be ironic that Reginard, the fellow who doesn't credit a thing unless he's seen it with his own eyes, would be the first to put two-and-two together, whereas Ferdi, a "fool of a Took", balks. Thanks!
Dreamflower · 4 May 2005 · Chapter 16: Interlude
*Whoosh!!!* *Lets out breath didn't even know I was holding!!* *jumps up and down singing "Sam's back!! Sam's back!!"* LOL! This is wonderful from Woodruff's POV. I *love* how she didn't even *recognize* Sam and Rose at first. And her ruminations on Merry and duty and responsibility. Still, he and Peregrin have been closer than brothers from the younger cousin’s birth. How it must have grieved him to leave Pippin’s side; how tempted he must have been, to shirk duty, honour and responsibility. Though he wouldn’t, of course. He would not. One of the things that's always just chilled me about this part--and I am including in "At the End of His Rope" here, was the thought of what it would have meant to Merry if he *had* lost Pip at this point, if Sam had *not* made it in time. I suspect that even Estella would not have been enough to keep him from losing his next bout with the shadow--if he even made it that far...
Author's reply
Y'know what's interesting? If Merry had shirked his duty, "just this once", because of the importance of staying by Pippin through this terrible time, then Pippin would have died. He wouldn't have had a reason to wait, and Sam wouldn't have known to hurry. Marigold told me that it says somewhere that Merry and Pippin died within a day of each other, so your suspicion is probably true. Thanks!
Pearl Took · 2 May 2005 · Chapter 15: Another Apprenticeship
Aw, poor Ted! Quite the changes going on for Woodruff, from apprentice to Mistress with an apprentice of her own so very quickly!! I'm just so enjoying this story that I eagerly await each installment and get mad at myself when I get behind. VWD!!!!!
Author's reply
Thank you! Don't get mad, just get even (i.e. caught up!) I'm way behind on my reading, myself, at the moment. Leaving more comments at MEFA rather than SoA, I fear. If I'd had any sense I'd have copied and pasted the reviews from one place to the other, but I wasn't sure of the MEFA rules. Don't know if the comments are supposed to be unique. Am up much too late... hugs!
Andrea · 2 May 2005 · Chapter 15: Another Apprenticeship
Good old Sweetbriar, I really liked her. She has done a lot for Woodruff. So, Ted is interested in Woodruff and he thinks, he has a rival now? That sounds interesting. But I'm really not sure, who Woodruff prefers. Maybe she hasn't noticed it yet? Well, lets wait and see.
Author's reply
Hmmm. Who could it be? Methinks all will come clear sometime soon. At least we can hope it will! *g* I really liked Sweetbriar too. May all her dreams be peaceful ones, as they say in the Shire. Thanks!
Eruvyweth · 2 May 2005 · Chapter 15: Another Apprenticeship
Ahhhhhh, so good. My heart always leaps when I see there's been an update! Lovely writing, very captivating characters who somehow become very personal and close to the reader. Dear Woodruff. Can't wait for the next chapter!!!
Author's reply
So glad to hear you say that. Someone once told me I write as if I'm taking tea with my characters (and it was not a compliment, LOL) and I answered that yes, I most likely am. Next "Interlude" due on Wednesday, and the next "Woodruff" chapter Monday, I think. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Anso the Hobbit · 2 May 2005 · Chapter 15: Another Apprenticeship
I can`t remember what Woodruff`s husband is called but suddenly it occurs to me that Ted is interested... :) It was very nice of her Mistress to give Woodruff the smial, and for a female healer to take on a male one... Probably unheard of? I bet the Tooks will talk alot about that, lol.
Author's reply
You make a good point! I have deliberately never mentioned the name of Woodruff's husband before. We'll just have to wait and see (though not much longer) *g*. I think the Tooks talk a lot about *everything*, and *nothing* too!
Bodkin · 2 May 2005 · Chapter 15: Another Apprenticeship
I hope Ted thinks to tell Woodruff why he is feeling a tad moody. I know she's the best healer since Aesculapius but she's not psychic. And she's been kicked too many times to assume that odd behavious = admiration. Her substitute family has been very good for her - she seems infinitely less hangdog. (Rosie Bracegirdle, *&&*'##*&. Still due a kicking.) She will miss Sweetbriar, though. Sweetbriar took healing to a new level in dealing with Woodruff. And Mardi is lovely. Some professional admiration will do a lot for Woodruff, too. And help her see herself as others see her.
Author's reply
I think Woodruff suspects why Ted is a "tad moody" but she's waiting for him to speak. For the moment, anyhow. Remember she has been under the wing of a very astute and observant hobbit for the past seven years, and Sweetbriar may well have talked to Woodruff about the facts of life and how Woodruff must make up her own mind and not be pressured into anything, and if she decides *against* Ted in the long-run, that she must be gentle and kind and not hurt Sweetbriar's favourite lad. (But of course the old healer was hoping that such won't be necessary... in any event Woodruff has Sweetbriar's blessing, and she is simply waiting for Ted to grow up. Though I suppose it is always possible for another to come along and sweep her off.) I do like Mardi, myself. Glad to hear others do as well. Thanks!
Hai Took · 1 May 2005 · Chapter 15: Another Apprenticeship
Poor Woodruff, now to be out on her own again. At least this time she knows she is wanted and has good hobbits looking out for her. Mardi got in at the wrong time didn't he? They all handled it well, considering they were still trying to figure things out themselves! I hope Ted doesn't feel pushed off by Mardi! I'm sure it must be a bit uncomfortable for him but perhaps they will become good friends! As always, looking forward to more!
Author's reply
I have the feeling that Mardi and Ted will become good friends, indeed, once all these things have been sorted into their proper places. As a matter of fact, they'll laugh for years afterward about "shooting the chicken". Thanks!
Beruthiel · 1 May 2005 · Chapter 15: Another Apprenticeship
This chapter reminded me of something I've been wondering about for quite awhile: If Woodruff had one month of apprenticeship left, this would be in 1397. Mardibold is 32, which makes him 4 years older than Reginard (see family tree), who (in "Striking Sparks") marries Mardi's daughter in 1434. Considering Mardi's age, Rosa would be just barely of age, at most, when she marries Reg, who is 65 in 1434. In "Sparks" Mardi doesn't seem the slightest bit uncomfortable letting his daughter marry someone twice her age (his misgivings all seemed to concern Reg's possible Thainship, not his age), so are marriages with such a huge age difference common in your Shire? (I also remember Eglantine being shocked that Paladin wanted Nell to marry someone 20 years older than her ("Flames"), so it can't be *that* common.) Got long-winded there. Hope all that made sense.
Author's reply
Made perfect sense, for you've been very astute in your reading and tying things together. It was quite a challenge, actually, for when I went through the old stories to put this one together I ran into facts sprinkled in various stories that had to be reconciled. I had a general idea of where everyone was placed, and had worked out ages to some extent in earlier stories, but that age difference between Regi and Rosa gave me some pause, at first. This is what I came up with: It is handy that from the groundwork laid the Smials Tooks are considered a bit different than the country Tooks, and true enough, when you look at English history, that town folk lived by different standards than farm folk. Thus, hobbits of the Great Smials and Tuckborough might not blink twice at a large gap in ages, whereas hobbits from outlying farm communities might not be so sanguine. (Although I'm sure there were older, well-off farmers who cast an eye at a young thing from time to time.) Thus, Regi and Rosa can marry without anyone blinking an eye, and it is not a marriage of convenience, but they truly love one another and it has been something of a long courtship, him playing chess or something like that with her father while waiting for her to come of age. Perhaps she declared when she was a young girl about "I'm going to marry you when I grow up" and everyone thought it a good joke, but she continued in her determination. That sounds like Rosa to me... So Eglantine is shocked because she's retained some of her standards from farm living, and Paladin has absorbed some of the standards of high society and is desperate enough for money that he can talk himself into seeing it as "looking out for Nell" as well as his daughter doing her duty by the Tooks, just as Paladin has been doing his duty since becoming Thain. Does that clear things up? Author Reply: Meant to say that marriages of convenience or arranged marriages were more common amongst the hobbits of the great holes (again drawing from history), so I was extra glad to make Rosa and Regi's marriage born of love. Author Reply: (and I am so dead-tired this morning that I'm not sure if I'm using the term "marriage of convenience" correctly now. So perhaps I'm talking about arranged marriages) Did you see my LJ post? Got any stories to tell a bored, restless tween who cannot imagine spending another *day* in bed much less a week?
Connie B. · 1 May 2005 · Chapter 15: Another Apprenticeship
Well that certainly answered some questions, but raised a few more. So that was how Mardi and Woodruff met: interesting. I don't think Ted approves of them working so closely together. Could he be a bit jelous. I don't know if I spelled that right, and I'm too tired to check.:) Thanks. Connie B.
Author's reply
I've known for a long time that Mardi apprenticed under Woodruff, but this story is the first time I've thought things through. I think you're right about Ted. Thanks!
Ariel · 1 May 2005 · Chapter 15: Another Apprenticeship
Uh oh! Me senses a bit of conflict in paradise! hehehe! Well done. I am eagerly reading along.
Author's reply
LOL, conflict in paradise! They say there's no plot without conflict of some sort... Altho there often seems to be conflict without plot these days, doesn't there? *g*
Dreamflower · 1 May 2005 · Chapter 15: Another Apprenticeship
So, just about what year on the timeline is this? Bilbo has not yet left, but that seems to be just around the corner, from some of the hints. What's "The Bracegirdle" up to? And methinks I detect an air of jealousy about young Ted...
Author's reply
Woodruff's just completing her seventh year of apprenticeship, which began the day Pippin was born, so that makes him... about to turn seven in another month, I think. Bilbo left when Pippin was eleven, if I remember right. Tru is probably meeting with The Bracegirdle over trade agreements, or perhaps something to do with the upkeep of the roads. (One of the original functions of the Thainship was to speed the messengers of the King, I think.) If I sound muddled tonight, blame it on chocolate overload. Methinks you're right about young Ted... Thanks!
Anso the Hobbit · 30 April 2005 · Chapter 14: Interlude
What a few very exciting chapters! I held my breath as they talked of who were to succeed as Thain as well as when Merry probed first one well then the other. That lad is so responsible even as a little lad! I`m very happy they found Pip but I`m curious to what state he is in. And Pippin and Diamond`s little children! :) They`re so cute. Poor Farry though. This last chapter brought tears to my eyes. A truly lovely story Lin! *hugs*
Author's reply
Yup. I think Merry is about 14 at the time of the "well" incident, and even at that age he's very responsible, being heir to the heir to Buckland, and Pippin's older cousin all at the same time! Pippin was shivering cold, nearly asleep from hypothermia when Merry found him. They took him home, warmed him well, forced a draught or two into him, and before the end of the day he was back on his feet and cadging cake from all and sundry. Thank you!
Beruthiel · 28 April 2005 · Chapter 14: Interlude
*sniff* Wonderful. I like how you included Gandalf's line: "Not all tears are evil" Looks like Sam and Merry have arrived in the nick of time. Never realized they were *that* close when I read "Rope".
Author's reply
Yup, they were *that* close! The reason that Regi and Ferdi were in the room with them, in the chapter where Sam has arrived (in "Rope") is because Pippin had already passed on the office of Thain to his successor, and his relatives were singing his final song(s). But I guess this story, going into detail as it does, makes it all the more clearer. I do love that line of Gandalf's. Very wise and loving. Thanks!
Pearl Took · 27 April 2005 · Chapter 14: Interlude
OH MY!!! Such wonderful chapters!!!! The sudden realization that it's the wrong well!! (I didn't catch it - duh! Well done :) ) The defeat they were feeling when Regi took the ring. And I love the "jammy-kisses" and his wee twins snuggled up against him, sleeping in their innocence. *sigh* This is just such a powerful story. Wonderful! Wonderful!! Wonderful!!! and even better :)
Author's reply
Well, it was supposed to be a surprise for anyone who hadn't read "In the Greening of the Year" (or perhaps even for those who *did* read it and forgot... I'm finding this in some of the mysteries I'm reading, that I read as a teen. If I forgot whodunit, it's a whole new story to me!). Thank you!
Andrea · 27 April 2005 · Chapter 14: Interlude
That was so sad and so very emotional! The scene with the little twins was really heartbreaking! You warned me there would be a cliffhanger, but I must say, you place your cliffies very skilfully :) Something unexpected is about to happen, I feel it. I will keep my word to read this story first - to the end, whatever will happen.
Author's reply
You're very brave. I am one of those without the self-discipline to read a book without peeping at the ending... LOL And if I don't like the ending, I don't read the middle! My time is so very limited... Thanks!
Mysterious Jedi · 27 April 2005 · Chapter 14: Interlude
Ferdi would have been a capable regent, though he wouldn't have liked it very much! <>< Saved from sin through Christ, MJ
Author's reply
Yes, those reflect my thoughts exactly.