harrowcat
· 11 January 2007
· Chapter 35: Chapter 35
I have been savouring this chapter Dreamflower. Love the understanding of the hobbit eating habits! I think it takes a special person to be married to a Healer of any Race. But then we know some very special Hobbits don't we!
I think that the Hobbits are right to be concerned about the punishment that may be faced but must also trust that both Kings have learned a thing or two about Hobbits.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you! I really think understanding the importance of food to hobbits is crucial to understanding them as a race.
Freddy and Beri trust what they've been told by Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Sam. But they've yet to meet the Kings in person, so a tiny sliver of worry remains. And too, they don't really know what to expect--they've been told that the Kings won't be too harsh, yet they have no way to guage what "too harsh" might mean to Men. A punishment that Men think is mild might seem pretty dreadful to the hobbits.
Kitty
· 11 January 2007
· Chapter 35: Chapter 35
It seems the journey was long enough to give at least some of the prisoners enough time to finally realise the consequences of their actions and to think about their behaviour. Clodio is now seeing clearly his own faults and the results for his whole family. Of course it is too late to prevent the banishment, but maybe there is some hope for him. Somehow I feel a bit sorry for him and his younger son, at least, even if I can't say the same of the other two, and I'm still not happy with the way Clodio treated Beryll. But Clodio and Cado show more understanding and repentance than the other two.
It is nice of Freddy to be so concerned about the prisoners, in spite of all they did. But it seems so very like hobbit nature to be uncomfortable with the idea of handing them over to a foreign King and not knowing how they will be punished.
And I see there is another healer who is coming around to accept that even healers can be happily wed *and* being healers. Diamond and Viola will set a new example, I suppose.
And of course I am a bit amused to see that the men are thinking in hobbit meal times already ;-)
Author's reply
He's beginning to realize where the roots of his trouble lay. He made the mistake of resenting his sister's natural ease with other people, and of going into his marriage wishing that his chosen bride had more money and status. So, even though he was in love with Beryl at the start, he resented that as well. It began to poison all his other relationships. Greed is not a natural hobbit trait, and by encouraging it in himself, he managed to "shut down" that little voice of conscience. But now he has nothing left to do but think.
Cado began thinking from the time they got caught. It's a shame he didn't start thinking before he went along with his brother's daft plan.
Poppy's aware that a few healers *do* marry. Lavender has been married for a good many years. I think her main concern is that it be a good match, and that Viola doesn't throw away her training. But I think that watching Berilac has helped her realize he would not make her give up her avocation.
Well, they spent a little over a month in the Shire, and now they have spent about that much time on the road with hobbits--they pretty much know how hobbits tell time, LOL!
SurgicalSteel
· 10 January 2007
· Chapter 35: Chapter 35
Lovely - interesting to see Clodio starting to regret his actions - and Poppy's delightful as always. ;)
Author's reply
Clodio is beginning to realize a few things, too late.
Poppy's a lot of fun to write. She's very observant.
Viresse
· 10 January 2007
· Chapter 35: Chapter 35
Hooray, another chapter to make getting through work today a bit easier.
It is good to see Clodio finally beginning to understand his motivations for his actions, and take some responsibility. He may actualy be 'turning back into' a real hobbit, dare I hope? I don't have much hope for his older son, but perhaps Cado may do so as well.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm glad if I make your day better!
It's been a long time coming, but Clodio is beginning to understand that perhaps it was his own attitudes and resentments that brought all this disaster on him and on his sons. Cado also seems to be understanding a few things. Clovis, however, pretty bull-headed, and I don't think he's likely to feel regret any time soon.
DrummerWench
· 6 December 2006
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
Hullo, Dreamflower!
I have been following the story and enjoying it very much! The reactions and interactions of the hobbits and others are quite believable. I really like your Rohirric / Holbytla fairy tale. It's integrated into the larger tale in a completely natural way. The idea of a Maia being the Fairy Wife is intriguing, and actually makes a lot of sense.
DrummerWench
Author's reply
Oh, I'm very flattered that you liked the "fairy tale"! Coming from you that is high praise indeed, as your own efforts on that score are brilliant!
I decided early on that this story would be filled with tales and flashbacks and songs as well--I'm seeing this "getting acquainted" journey as a sort of "Canterbury Tales" as they all get to know one another, and to seek to while away the travel time.
I've often wondered how that idea of the Tookish "fairy wife" would fit into JRRT's overall vision of M-e, and reading some recent stories involving Melian and Thingol gave me a clue. I see the Fairy Wife as a lesser Maia, perhaps a handmaiden of Yavanna, charmed by this small race she is watching over, and by one particular member of that race in particular. Since I also believe that Tom Bombadil and Goldberry were Maia of some sort, I think that she too would have been of an earthy, elemental kind.
PIppinfan1988
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
I absolutely adored that story!!! Yeah, I had a wry grin on my face when I first read "Tûkka". I love it. Excellent job with the Rohirric--lol, not that I have a keen eye for such, but I thought it was great. :-) This visit at the farm is going to prove to be interesting.
Pippinfan
Author's reply
I toyed around with giving my proto-Took another more Rohirric name, and checked into the meanings of some words, but "Tûkka" seemed instead to be just right.
I need to put in the translation--"I thank you, grandmother." I had wanted to put at the beginning the "Rohirric" for "Tell us a tale, grandmother", but I could not find anyone to translate that for me, *sigh*.
Bodkin
· 1 December 2006
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
Lovely tale from the Rohirric grandmother ... and that makes the Rohirrim virtually Tooks-by-adoption, doesn't it?
I can just see them gazing wide-eyed at the hobbits and making mental adjustments between the image and the reality. A pleasant interlude - with food!
Author's reply
It does, doesn't it? *grin*
Yes, that's exactly what they were doing! And with hobbits, any interlude with food is pleasant!
harrowcat
· 1 December 2006
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
I just loved this tale within a tale Dreamflower. Sharing our heritage helps people to get to know each other so much better. And I love farie - tales in whatever form!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked it! I'm trying to let the hobbits get to know the world Outside through how they are percieved by those they meet.
How wonderful - a tale within a tale. This was great, and those feisty Tooks are everywhere! Nice to see the hobbits cropping up the folklore of other places.
So glad you have re-started this story.
Author's reply
Well, there are lots of "tales-within-tales" in this story. I'm thinking of it as a sort of Middle-earthy "Canterbury Tales"--only cleaner, LOL!
I'm very glad to be back to posting it as well.
Imhiriel
· 30 November 2006
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
I like it how you keep emphasising the importance the Hobbits always place on everything to do with food. Discussions about details of contents and preparation, even inviting their guest to taste and comment... And you do it so unobtrusively, as just one more background detail and quite natural to the characterisation of Hobbits - very good.
But his wife shook her head, and then smiled at him. "How would your men feel if they knew that their mighty leader is deathly afraid of spiders?"
He blanched. "Very well, wife," he said meekly.
*snigger*
Very inventive to not threaten the warrior with some revelation about violence, but with something so seemingly trivial!
The whole tale is charming, and I hope it and discussions about it will crop up in future chapters.
Author's reply
Well, I have a reason for that: they eat six or seven meals a day--they are basically eating about every two to three hours. Their lives must have been centered around food, and it would have been a very important fact of life for them.
As to the threat against the warrior--I thought it would be terribly funny if what he feared was something like that, and the idea of his men finding out!
I'm so glad you liked it.
AspenJules
· 29 November 2006
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
Dream, this was just delightful! It reminded me a bit of the tale of the old shoemaker (can't remember the name at the moment), as well as some other fairy tales I've read. You did a great job getting that fairy tale feel.
I realized in checking back that I never reviewed the last chapter, and I apologize! I thought I had. I'm so happy to see this going (forward!) again, though I may need to back up a bit and review who the various characters are. My memory just isn't what it used to be, LOL!
Now if I can just get my own muse out of hiding wherever it went and get back to work on my own story. It *is* very frustrating when stories/characters/muses don't cooperate, isn't it?
Author's reply
Ah, yes, the Shoemaker and the Elves! That was one of the ones I had in the back of my mind when I wrote this! And I am glad you think it felt like a "real" fairy tale!
I was wondering when I'd hear from you again! I'll be available to beta until about the 13th, and then I will be offline for a few days as we move. Also my email addy will be changing.
GamgeeFest
· 29 November 2006
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
What a fun tale! Those Tooks were causing mischief even way back then! lol
Author's reply
Of course they were! That is what Tooks are for, after all, LOL!
lovethosehobbits
· 29 November 2006
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
Fantastic to see an update! I really love this story and what a marvel to hear of their long lost kinsman and his escapades!
Author's reply
Yes, they are beginning to learn that some of the old legends and tales may very well have some basis in fact!
SurgicalSteel
· 29 November 2006
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
Oh, that was just lovely! I loved the 'fairy tale.'
Author's reply
Thank you! *grin*
Larner
· 29 November 2006
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
Oh, what a wonderful tale within the tale, Dreamflower! Superb!
And a welcome addition to the story. Now, to hear the rest of the journey.
Author's reply
Thanks! I am doing a lot of that, of course, for that's part of the purpose of the story, for the hobbits and the other races to learn about one another and themselves as well. And a journey lends itself to tales, a la Canterbury Tales.
Yes, they will very soon be on the road once more.
Kitty
· 29 November 2006
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
Dreamflower, I *loved* this tale! Though it has traces of our own fairy tales, in the first place it reminded me of the Took who was said to have married a Faerie, and the Hobbits very obviously remembered this, too. How lovely to have the hobbits come to the aid of this family and even stopping the son-in-laws from taking over the farm they had disdained earlier in order to get the profit. It is amusing to have been told this story among *men*! Great idea - this certainly was worth the long wait for this story. Can't wait for more!
Author's reply
Yes, it's the ancestors of the Tooks, of course.
My idea is that the "faerie wife" must have been one of the lesser Maia, perhaps set to watching over the hobbits by Yavanna. We know that Maia can wed the children of Iluvatar, since Melian married Thingol. But I see this particular one as somewhat earthier, and maybe akin to Goldberry. (Because I think Tom and Goldberry are also Maia.)
And I did try to keep it in the folkloric tone of RL fairy tales, though trying also to make it in keeping with Middle-earth as well.
I love the story. It reminded me so much of the fairy tales that I used to read as a child. Great chapter and finally, the Hobbits heard a tale about themselves told by another race.
Author's reply
Thank you! I wanted to capture that fairy tale feel! I'm glad you think I succeeded.
Well, you know in "The Road to Isengard" Theoden says that "they do little, and avoid the sight of men, being able to vanish in a twinkling; and the can change their voices to resemble the piping of birds." He also says there are no tales--but I think these sorts of tales would be more well known among the common folk. And we know that the language of the Shire and that of Rohan had words in common, so there must have been *some* interaction.
SurgicalSteel
· 10 November 2006
· Chapter 33: Chapter 33
Lovely, just lovely!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, dear!
GamgeeFest
· 8 November 2006
· Chapter 33: Chapter 33
What a delightful surprise to come home to! I'm so glad to see you 'caught up' with the ending of the story and I'm very eager to see what is going to happen from here on out. I continue to feel sorry for Cado. He has the same weakness of will that Lotho did and it landed him into just as much trouble. And now I see why that song reminded me of Berry and Viola!
Author's reply
Yes, I finally got back to where I left off! LOL!
Cado's beginning to see that sometimes the path of least resistance has hidden potholes. He's always gone along with his brother before because it was less trouble than not. This is no longer true, and he's beginning to understand now that it never *really* has been.
*grin* Yes, I did write that specially for Beri to sing at Viola in this chapter--but I'm sticking to it that it's a traditional song, he just happens to be especially fond of it!
PIppinfan1988
· 8 November 2006
· Chapter 33: Chapter 33
Oh, my! Has it been that long--11 months? I'm just happy that you and your Muse have given us this wonderful little gift. :-) Selling a house is very time-consuming--hope all goes well for you!
Now, for the story! I am still loving it all! I love your portrait of hobbits as seen through the eyes of a Man.
The wasted lives of young hobbits, Cado and Clovis...so sad! Cado is finally seeing the light of things and Clodio is brought low through his circumstances--a circumstance that he brought on himself and to his sons by his inactions and selfishness. *shaking my head* I find myself wishing for something redemptive for Cado...though I can still see dark defiance in Clovis. His pride will be his ruin; such a waste.
I am eagerly awaiting your next update--but I'm patient, too, considering your house situation. :-) Take care!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes it has, believe it or not! I am *so* glad to get it going again!
Well, Cado is beginning to get a few things into his head; Clovis on the other hand seems to be getting worse, not better.
I'm hoping to be able to update regularly now. *crossed fingers*
Larner
· 8 November 2006
· Chapter 33: Chapter 33
Ah, it's been a long wait, but a worthwhile one now this has indeed come.
Poor Cado--he ought indeed not to have followed his brother; but he's known for years what he's done with dad and brother was wrong. About time he owned up to it.
Author's reply
I *am* glad you think the wait worthwhile. I found it immensely frustrating!
Yes, he is beginning to grow the rudiments of a conscience, and he no longer has any reason to keep supressing it.
Bodkin
· 8 November 2006
· Chapter 33: Chapter 33
Hurrah! I'm so glad that the camp has been packed up and the party is on the move again.
And I really cannot dislike Cado that much. He is several cuts above the rest of the herd - and most of his less pleasant traits can be blamed on his twit of a father and his vile brother. Hopefully he will learn what he should have worked out years before - you can't follow people into things the least bit of thought should tell you are wrong.
Berilac and Viola seem to be getting to know each other rather nicely!
Author's reply
Believe me, so am *I*! I've been trying to prod them loose for *ages*!
You may be rather pleased and surprised at what fate ultimately has in store for Cado.
They do, don't they?
Kitty
· 8 November 2006
· Chapter 33: Chapter 33
Oh, you *finally* updated this! Hurra! I had truly missed it.
It is understandable Beorhstan wondered how on earth the hobbits managed to do what they did on the Quest - everyone who witnesses their everyday behaviour has to wonder a bit, I think. Gimli explained it rather well, and his own fondness for hobbits is apparent.
Oh yes, I can see the hobbits having a long and animated discussion about the question how to call their meal *snicker*
The incident with Pippin and his duck was rather nasty. Only a pity the Banks brothers got away with this back then. Poor Beryl was right, and it makes me angry to know her husband backed his sons up instead of her. No wonder they turned out so bad. Though I get more and more the feeling Cado may be stupid, but not as bad and mean as Clovis. Truly, I can't wait to know what Éomer will do with them.
Author's reply
I'd missed posting it. But it was just insisting on writing itself more or less "backwards". *sigh*
Yes, Beorhstan is fascinated by the hobbits, and seeing how innocent and peaceful they seem must puzzle him very much--I thought Gimli would have a good handle on things though.
They would, wouldn't they? If none of the usual categories fit? I can just see them discussing it, and maybe even quoting "Miss Dora" at one another!
It was a nasty little incident, and a precursor of things to come. Clodio's pride would not allow him to see his sons being berated in front of his sister and her husband, nor to admit that their behavior was unacceptable. And perhaps his jealousy, as well, was appeased by Clovis and Cado discomfitting his little nephew.
Cado is somewhat brighter than his father and brother, and he has a rudimentary conscience, that is no longer being stifled, so he may end up surprising himself.
And I hope you will be pleased with Eomer's judgment when he makes it!
harrowcat
· 8 November 2006
· Chapter 33: Chapter 33
I am Soooo glad to see that you are back in business with this Dreamflower as I have missed it. Now all i have to do is find a moment or three to go back and re-read in order to appreciate it all the more. What a chore! *ggg*
Author's reply
Hope you haven't forgotten *too much*, LOL! I'm just glad I can get back to posting it!
(“My father told me that Gandalf had once described old Bilbo as ‘fierce as a dragon in a pinch’. I remember how surprised I was when I finally met the old fellow: polite, well-mannered and soft-spoken, and a sense of humor most often turned upon himself.)
I love this discription of Bilbo and I enjoyed Gimli in this new chapter. It is great to see this one back. I look forward to more about Berilac and his lady love in future chapters. My internet is shaky tonight but it allowed me to read this at least.
Author's reply
So glad you were able to get to read this, GW! I've been missing you! I hope your problems are cleared up for good soon!
I like Gimli to talk about "his" hobbits, and about hobbits in general.
There will be a good deal more of Beri and Viola to come, as well! So don't worry about that!