Poor little Bergil. At least it sounds not so very bad this time.
*grins*
Somewhere - don't remember where - I've read the remark "If you had 7 meals a day, you’d like round doors as well", and if I had to travel with Hobbits, I would end up *needing* a round door, I fear. The men will have to take care or they're going to don't fit in their armor any longer!
Legolas seems to have overheard the discussion about swimming in spite of Gimli taking him away. Of course he has prompt found the right spot for this. But it is probably not so easy for him if it brings the sea-longing back. It was very sweet how Gimli sat himself at the foot of the tree to wait for Legolas. I am glad he is so understanding and tries to comfort our dear elf.
Now I look forward to the swimming lessons!
Author's reply
We will see.
Ooh, I love that saying! Wouldn't I love to have a T-shirt saying that! Yes, hobbits are just going to spoil these Men, aren't they.
Legolas never knows when something will set off the sea-longing, but Gimli is his best friend, and he'll just always be there for him.
Bodkin
· 11 July 2005
· Chapter 21: Chapter 21
Poor Bergil. Let's have some Bergil-cosseting.
I like the beaver pool - it seems a good place to teach the reluctant hobbits to swim, although the water will be rather cold. Good thing the men are going to deal with the prisoners. I don't suppose they will bother too much with coaxing, either.
The mention of the sea doesn't seem to have done Legolas any good, but at least he has the Dwarf sitting at the bottom of his tree ready to look after him. And he'll come round - he's very determined.
Author's reply
Some Bergil-comfort coming up fairly soon, milady.
Yes, it will be a bit cold, but probably refreshing, considering that it is nearly mid-summer. I thought it wise to have the Men teach the prisoners.
Oh, Gimli will always look out for him. And yes, Legolas is very much determined. As he told Frodo at the end of "A New Reckoning" he is the stubborn son of Thranduil, and he will fight it back as long as he has a friend left to tie him to Middle-earth.
Lovely chapter. I had not realized that the talk of swimming would lead to a problem for Legolas but I can see it happening with a mention of the ocean. I love that Gimli is going to wait for him to come down. Such good friends and they know each other almost as well as the hobbits do.
Author's reply
I didn't think about it at first either, except I already knew Borondir had learned to swim in the sea, and when he mentioned that in front of Legolas, it kind of evolved from there. My take on the sea-longing for Legolas is that it is usually just kind of a background thing that he manages to ignore most of the time, but now and then something unexpected triggers it, and he just has to let it work its way off. It's why he could understand this about Frodo. My idea is that the white jewel from Arwen kind of triggers sea-longing in Frodo even as it relieves his nightmares.
Yes, at this point in time, Legolas and Gimli have already become best friends in spite of all their differences.
GamgeeFest
· 10 July 2005
· Chapter 21: Chapter 21
I must say, I'm looking forward to these swimming lessons. It should be interesting to see how all the hobbits react.
And I just have to say "Aaawwww" over Gimli at the end there. He doesn't show it often, but he can be a softy. His unvoiced concern over "his Elf" is quite touching.
Author's reply
Yes it is going to be interesting.
Gimli never really says anything when he worries about Legolas. He just tries to be there for him.
Anso the Hobbit
· 6 July 2005
· Chapter 20: Chapter 20
Poor little Bergil! He`s just a child and of course he misses his father. This is lovely Dreamflower, did I ever tell you that?
I love your Gimli and Legolas, lol. They`re so eat ease with each other, joking and making gentle fun of each other.
I bet Viola won`t have too much objection to being taught how to swim if Berilac does it...;)
Author's reply
Thank you. *blushes*
He does miss his father, especially being sick and hurt.
Gimli and Legolas have already become best friends. I see them joking and poking fun at each other a lot the way Merry and Pippin do.
Who says Berilac is going to teach her?
Anso the Hobbit
· 6 July 2005
· Chapter 19: Chapter 19
Trust a Brandybuck to press swimming lessons upon his fellow hobbits! but of course, they might need it and Freddy just showed that he certainly does. Poor Bergil! I hope he doesn`t take ill from this. It`s good that he`s got two healers with him though.
A thought just popped into my head... If Berilac got sick, Viola certainly would tend him with the utmost care, lol. ;)
Author's reply
Yes, I figured that as a Brandybuck, this would be just about the first thing Beri would think of once he got over the fright of Freddy and Bergil almost drowning.
As you see, it certainly *is* good luck for Bergil that Poppy and Viola were along.
Of course she would...
Anso the Hobbit
· 6 July 2005
· Chapter 18: Chapter 18
Nice bits of glimpses into their lives before the War. I especially liked the story about Èowyn and her childhood.
but what is Bergil up to and now Freddy is in the water! Someone better help them fast! Off to read more... Am about to fall asleep on my chair but I need to find out about this.
Author's reply
Yes, Eothain and Eowyn are about the same age, so they were playmates. I tell a little more about that in "Chance Encounter".
Well,now you know...
Anso the Hobbit
· 6 July 2005
· Chapter 17: Chapter 17
A goblin-man? That does sound scary! Nice glimpse into the life of the Rebels. They were so brave!
Author's reply
JRRT hints more than once that Saruman did *something* to cross Orcs and humans. I think such a thing would be *very* scary.
Yes, the Rebels were quite brave--after all none of them had any real training or anything, and just had to do the best with what they already knew: throwing rocks and shooting bows.
Anso the Hobbit
· 6 July 2005
· Chapter 16: Chapter 16
Go Freddy! That is brave of him and good of Beri to notice as something brave too, Brandybuck that he is.
I love Legolas`saying about the hobbits, of course they`re his friends, lol! He`s such a sweet elf. And very on time too, it seems. He came just at the nick of time to save Beri and Viola. That woman could have made quite a bit of trouble for them.
Author's reply
Freddy is a very brave hobbit, he just has not really come to appreciate his own bravery yet.
What a nice thing to say: Legolas is sweet! I certainly think so, yet that is not the usual adjective you hear about an Elf, LOL!
She certainly could have given them a hard time for a while. I think of her as being just a little bit like Lobelia--bossy, and nosy, and trying to make herself more important than she really was.
Anso the Hobbit
· 6 July 2005
· Chapter 15: Chapter 15
Poor Eomer, lol! No, I`m looking forward to see what you write of his judging. I like how you make Gimli and Legolas joke - hug his trees as good night, lol!
And Viola and Beri seems like they`re getting a nice start... :) Off ot read more.
Author's reply
Poor Eomer,indeed!
Well, I have good reason to think that the Elf and Dwarf joked around with each other, and I don't much think that changed after the Quest except maybe to get worse.
Marigold
· 5 July 2005
· Chapter 20: Chapter 20
Bergil!!!! Hurry with the next chapter please, I am on pins and needles!
Author's reply
Soon as I can, dear. I've got to be back at work tomorroow, though.
Larner
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 20: Chapter 20
So, our nasties are typical criminals, ascribing to Berilac the desire to drown them, ascribing their own self-centeredness to everyone else. Typical, typical!
Author's reply
Yes, typically nasty, especially Clovis. Actually, the other three are probably too terrified at the prospect to ascribe anything. But Clovis has never yet learned to keep from opening his mouth and letting his brains fall out.
Poor Bergil! I do hope that he isn't too terribly ill. I wonder if it is difficult for Poppy to work on my of the big folk because of the size difference? I wondered about that when Bergil was first in need of having his ribs bandaged in the last chapter. I guess now he and Pippin can compare notes on what it feels like to suffer through broken ribs once they see each other again. I was surprised that Bergil included the prisoners in his swimming lessons or was that Freddy's idea? That should make things very interesting indeed. I look forward to more of this.
Author's reply
Bergil's in for lots of TLC.
Poppy is going to have to make *some* adjustments for size, but I am sure she and Viola are up to the task, even if they have to get help from some of the Men.
LOL! I hadn't thought about that! But as soon as he's well enough, I would bet Bergil does!!
I think that it was Freddy's idea to include the prisoners, though I don't suppose Beri will object--the idea is safety, after all.
Elentariel
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 20: Chapter 20
I love the hobbits' reaction to swimming, can't wait to see how they go with the lessons. Poor Bergil, it's often easy to forget he's still very young and far from home. I hope he is better soon and that YOU update soon!
Author's reply
They didn't exactly take to the news with enthusiasm, did they? *grin*
Bergil's only eleven; true, he's a mature eleven, but still very much a child.
Bodkin
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 20: Chapter 20
PS: Forgot to say - poor Bergil. This doesn't sound good. Being sick and far from home is pretty bad. I hope Poppy and Viola manage to offer him mothering as well as medicine. And stories about Pippin wouldn't come amiss.
Author's reply
Yes, the poor lad misses his father and home right now. Poppy and Viola will take good care of him...
And stop that...just...stop...peeking over my shoulder...
*grin*
Bodkin
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 20: Chapter 20
I have a sneaking feeling that Freddy wouldn't have minding forgetting the swimming conversation. Good think that Berilac is obstinate.
Maybe one of the men should do the swimming lessons for the non-hobbits, though. I don't think Berilac or the New-Bankses need to listen to them - and it's a bit difficult to learn to swim when bound.
Maybe Poppy needs to whip up a respectable outfit for ladies to swim in. (“It will be all right, dear. Just think of it as medicine.” Heh, heh - good line.)
I like Gimli refusing to let Legolas appear curious. Not that he needs to - I'm sure he can be far enough away to look unconcerned, yet still hear - with his super-elfy senses.
Author's reply
I don't know if he would have completely *forgotten* it, but he might have managed to er, "table" the suggestion for a while. He does understand and agree on the safety aspect, but when it comes right down to it, he's not keen on the idea. But Beri is a Brandybuck. (Can you imagine *Merry* letting him off the hook?)
Now, now, stop peeking over my shoulder...
A respectable outfit, huh? *giggle* Hadn't thought of that...
I'm sure Legolas heard the whole conversation. But Gimli is never going to let him forget his blunder when he butted into Merry's love-life...Hey, that's what friends are for, right? LOL!
Kitty
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 20: Chapter 20
Poor little Bergil! It must be hard to get ill so far from home!
Loved it how decidedly Beri took over about the topic of swimming lessons. And Viola ... *grins* ... I look forward to Beri giving her lessons!
Hm, the prisoners as well? Against their will? That will be interesting. I wonder what will happen then. Somehow I suppose this will not be entirely uneventful.
Author's reply
He's definitely wanting his daddy right now, poor chick. It does have to be very hard on him.
Berilac is feeling quite strongly on the subject. I think Freddy really scared him--he would have been stuck with being in charge if something had happened to Freddy. But who says *Beri* gets to give Viola her lesson? *evil grin*
Well, the effort will be made. The hobbits don't *like* the prisoners, and would prefer to ignore them as much as possible, but they will be keeping their physical well-being in mind anyway.
Swimming lessons? That should be amusing :)
<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
mj
Author's reply
*grin* I hope so...
Marigold
· 3 July 2005
· Chapter 19: Chapter 19
Oh, YAY Freddy! I am so happy to finally see this part! I know that Merry and Pippin will be so proud of him when they hear, and grateful that Bergil is all right - and Beregond will be grateful as well.
I can't wait to see Frddy swimming - can you imagine when the folks back home see/hear about it!
Can't wait for the next chapter : )
Author's reply
Yes I *know* you've been waiting a *long* time to see this part! LOL! I am quite sure that Merry and Pippi *will* be very proud of him when they hear--and now Beregond, who owes his life to Pippin, now owes his son's life to Pippin's cousin! That's going to be interesting, wouldn't you say?
The swimming lessons. What *have* I got myself into? But it just seemed natural that this would occur to a Brandybuck like Berilac.
Hope to get the next chapter up soon.
So Berilac will be giving swimming lessons? That should be very entertaining. I do belive that Freddy is a bit less afraid now that he has survived the worst. I wonder if Bergil will have a hard time of it with his injuries? Hope there will be more soon. I am having so much fun reading this one.
Author's reply
Yes, this episode scared Beri just about as bad as it did Freddy, LOL! And being a Brandybuck, he is eminently practical and goes straight to the obvious solution. We will soon find out how the other hobbits will react to this idea.
I'm glad you're having fun with this one. It is a bit more work than "A New Reckoning" was, but it's still a lot of fun to write.
Oh, no! Freddy's wost nightmare seems to be coming true. This will either cure his fears and set them in stone if he and Bergil survive. I am also worrie about Viola. I don't think Cado is quite as harmless as he seems even though he is being closely guarded. So much to worry about. On to the next chapter. This is so very good by the way.
Author's reply
Cado has had his eye on Viola ever since she fixed his nose for him after his brother broke it, back in "A New Reckoning"...
Lindelea
· 2 July 2005
· Chapter 19: Chapter 19
Ah, Bergil!
Freddy certainly *was* brave! And practical, too. "Swimming? On purpose?" LOL, but he certainly seemed quickly to grasp the need.
Great stuff! Will be waiting for more.
Author's reply
Yes, he has shown his bravery "in a pinch", which is after all, the hobbit way.
I don't think Freddy would have come up with the idea on his own, but with Berilac explaining it, he quickly realized that the Brandybuck was right.
GamgeeFest
· 2 July 2005
· Chapter 19: Chapter 19
"Swim? On purpose?" LOL, but that was funny. Now at least Freddy should be able to understand how Merry was able to face his fears during the Quest. Necessity and emergencies often don't give us time to think about such things. These swimming lessons should be interesting though. I wonder if "all the hobbits" includes the prisoners as well.
Author's reply
I thought that might be the typical hobbity reaction to the idea, LOL!
Freddy is beginning to understand a bit, and of course, he will more, by the time he gets back to the Shire.
*I* think it ought to, but I don't know how well they will take to the idea... or whether any of the hobbits who can swim will be *willing* to teach them...
GamgeeFest
· 2 July 2005
· Chapter 17: Chapter 17
I loved that "present" Freddy left for Lotho, and Lotho's reaction was perfectly fitting for him, kicking someone when they're down.
And we're back to the Mister thing again. At least no one is daring Jolly not to say "proper" for a week or anything of that sort. Although, with Legolas in the entourage, it may not be long before he's dropping suggestions to the other hobbits, lol.
Author's reply
Yes, I think that would have been Lotho's reaction as well. Of course it served the Bracegirdles right, for collaborating with Lotho to begin with.
The "class" distinctions are something that are going to rear their heads from time to time; and as has been observed with Sam, the opposition to reaching "up" so to speak comes from the one who is reluctant to do the reaching, from a false sense of social inferiority. In other words, like Sam, it's *Jolly* (and to a certain extent, Rolly and Denny) who will be reluctant to give over the signs of deference. But you know that, having explored that theme yourself very brilliantly.
Bodkin
· 2 July 2005
· Chapter 19: Chapter 19
Good for Freddy - however worried he is about what faces him in the outside world, he is a hero. He might not see it that way, or he might have forgotten over his long recovery from the Lockholes experience, but he is one who is prepared to endanger himself for others.
And I imagine that this piece of selflessness will raise him enormously in the esteem of the men. And Beregond, when he finds out.
I loved Berilac putting his foot down and saying that the hobbits were about to take swimming lessons. Should be interesting. Especially when he is concentrating on improving Viola's swimming strokes. (It would be really amusing to find that Jolly is a closet swimmer - who sneaks out to the duckpond in the early morning to practise, so that none of his family realise he does something so un-Cottonlike.)
I hope Bergil doesn't go down with lung fever - he has two very good healers on his case. Perhaps they'll save him. And - 'The healer had prepared a number of packets of herbs for various purposes, color coded them, for emergency use during their travel.' Goodness, but that Poppy has brains.