Lindelea
· 12 February 2014
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
*makes small, distressed sound on Eradan's account*
Love the "scapegrace nephew" and Merry's reflection on what could be worse. Not always wise, Merry, to reflect on what could be worse, as worse often seems to follow such reflections!
Love your healer and his opinions on Tooks and Brandybucks.
Author's reply
Yes, poor Eradan has no way to know his partner has already found help!
I'm guessing Pip gets that appellation from his fond Aunt Esme quite often. (Just as I'd bet Eglantine uses that very phrase for Merry--and both of them not far wrong, LOL!)
Thankfully so far Ilberic has shown no interest in the bagpipes!
*grin* I thought you might!
Lindelea
· 12 February 2014
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
I forgot to say, Poor Tired Saradoc! -- at the start of the chapter, and lovely job of working in the quote at the end of the chapter! What fun!
Author's reply
Sara sometimes forgets he can't keep up with Merry and Pippin anymore!
I *had* to get it in--and that seemed the most logical spot for it!
Lindelea
· 12 February 2014
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Ah, the pendulum! I've seen them being plied by skilful healers, and it's quite fascinating to watch.
Good that Merimac could have news of Berilac. Parents do worry when children go on long journeys, even if they're grown children...
Poor Merry. I wonder how many years it'll take before the subtle digs subside.
And I love the Ranger's partner, seeking for him -- you can see the relationship between the two of them, in their concern for one another.
Author's reply
My husband usually uses either a bone disk or a buffalo tooth. But I've seen him get results with a Lifesaver candy on a string! He's pretty skilled at it, but I've kind of increased the hobbit healers' abilities even beyond that.
Yes, it is good. He'll be getting a letter in a week or so, since my delegation all wrote from Tharbad.
I think perhaps Mellor's comments might help. Merimac just recalls how worried they all were, and especially remembers how Saradoc was so fearful for his son, yet tried to put a brave face on it.
The two have only been together since just after the end of the War, but they formed a pretty close friendship as they patrol the borders of the Shire.
Lindelea
· 11 February 2014
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Grinning ear to ear -- thank you so much for sending me the link!
I love the Ranger's understanding, his immediate grasp of the family relationship Ilbie lays out.
And this: “I’m turning into a hobbit, already,” he muttered to himself.
Quite a common malady, I trow.
Author's reply
Yes, so far as I'm concerned hobbits are pretty much infectious! ;)
Mellor's been watching the Shire for a while, and he's got a pretty good grasp of things!
Anso the Hobbit
· 21 June 2005
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
So that`s what happened! :) a very exciting tale this and a lovely bond between the rangers and hobbits! Thank you for such an enjoyable read.
Author's reply
Yes, that's what happened! *grin* And now there is a real bond of friendship between these two Rangers who are closest to the Shire, and some of the hobbits. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Anso the Hobbit
· 21 June 2005
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
This is such a nice side story to "The Road to Edoras". So the tooth is from the Fell Winter, eh? That is quite a bit of heirloom. :) I still don`t understand how that can work though, that the tooth can swing back and forth without someone moving it. I do like that Mellor sees that while the hobbit healers doesn`t have the knowledge Aragorn does, they still have advanced methods of healing.
Nice bit of Brandybuck family talk too - of course they would have wanted letters from Merry, but he couldn`t. :)
Author's reply
I don't truly understand it all myself, but I have seen it work. It works much like a "dowser" for water does, and it really does move by itself. It has to do with the energy a body gives off, and whether that energy is balanced or not. It's amazing the things my husband can tell from the way his pendulum swings.
I have always thought that would be a neat method for the hobbits to use.
Yes, it's clear that they really missed him while he was gone and worried a lot. But, of course, as you said, he couldn't.
Anso the Hobbit
· 21 June 2005
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Oh! I didn`t read all the challenge stories but I`m glad you`ve put this here so I can enjoy it! I like your Mellor. It`s fun to see how he gently handles the tiny utensils. Makes me think of a Troll in a human place, everything is too little, lol. I liked this very much!
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying it!
I figured if the hobbits had a hard time when they were out in the rest of the world, then the other way around would hold true, and Men would have to cope with everything being too small, LOL!
GamgeeFest
· 17 June 2005
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
It makes sense that the exiled hobbits would want to stay as close to their homeland as they could. What a horrible fate for them, to first be banished, and then murdered in such a way. At least now, Paladin and Saradoc can do something to change that custom.
Author's reply
I do not think that all banished hobbits would have done that, but some certainly would have. And the fact is that all the banished hobbits would have been vulnerable in the rest of the world. And the only place they might have been safe, Bree, would probably not accept them, knowing that the marks meant they were criminals.
Change is in the wind.
GamgeeFest
· 17 June 2005
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
LOL, so I'm not the only one who thinks Merry and Pippin drove Boromir "to distraction" with their ramblings about their geneaology.
The Old Forest - how ominous. This can't amount to anything good. I don't like the idea of Eradan going in there alone.
And how cute is Ilbie, playing for the ranger, sour notes and all? Knowing he's only a year younger than Pippin, it's much easier to see just how mature Pippin has gotten because of the Quest. There's a huge gap between the two lads and how they carry themselves.
Author's reply
Yes, I'm sure that the rest of the Fellowship eventually got a bellyful of hobbit family trees, LOL!
Ilbie? Exactly--you caught *exactly* why I included him in the story in the way that I did; I wanted to show the contrast between him and Pip, and show that Pip is now considered old enough and responsible enough to teach, even though he's not yet of age. It was a way of emphasizing the way Pippin has matured. I thought perhaps I was being too subtle, you are to only one who got it!
lovethosehobbits
· 17 June 2005
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
What a riveting story!! I ate it up like so much candy. I love the side bar of this story from your other that I am also voraciously reading, although (blushes with embarrassment) I have neglected to review. Keep up the great tale spinning, you're such a natural.
Tree
Author's reply
Thank you very much! It's always nice to hear!
Bodkin
· 16 June 2005
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
I'm glad Tom Bombadil proved useful. Eradan needed a hand at that point - and the Old Forest behaves itself in the presence of the substitute Ent.
'Just then, he looked up to see his guest, standing in the door of the room he was using, looking alert and dangerous.'
Polite and dangerous, too! I like hobbits seeing Rangers at their finest - even if it is already in front of the converted.
The sub-text of the dangers of banishment and thrusting the Shire's problems out on the rest of the world - and the suffering of the wives and families of said problems is interesting. Have you managed to come up with adaptions to the Shire's legal and judicial system?
And Mellor and Eradan have permissions to return to the Shire? I hope they do!
Good story.
Author's reply
Yes, old Tom is useful in more ways than one, LOL! I had planned his intervention from the start, and only regret that I could not seem to get his appearance in the story to more than a cameo. Of course, Eradan at that point was not *quite* in the Old Forest yet, but he was ready to brave it for his partner's sake.
Of course, Mellor would be ready to defend his host if needed. And I think that Rangers are all pretty much at their finest all the time anyway!
This sub-text, or theme, is one I have been sneaking up on. For as long as they can recall, the Shire has put its worst malefactors out, on the old idea of "out of sight, out of mind"; but now they are part of the Two Kingdoms again, and as I noted the first time in "A New Reckoning", it's hardly fair to put troublemakers over the Border to continue making trouble elsewhere. And I am sure that given the choice, some hobbit wives have chosen to accompany their husbands into exile. Although it probably does not really occur all that often, and is confined to those who chronically break the law and do not seem to learn a lesson, or whose single offences are severe (eg, violence--though that I would guess is an even greater rarity, but one that the Banks brothers engaged in; and if their reckless dare to Pippin had resulted in Pippin's death, they would probably have been banished for causing a wrongful death, even though it would not have been deliberate murder).
In my Shire, justice is meted out at the local level by the family heads. One might (like Hyacinth) be banished from the family without being banished from the Shire. It takes the Thain to banish from the Shire, or in cases where his impartiality might be in question, the Master and/or Mayor. Legal action is private, initiated by the offended party or victim, but carried out by the appropriate authority, whether Thain, Master or Mayor. (I have Saradoc, for example, threaten Otho with an action-at-law for Lotho's bullying of Merry) Most of the time punishment consists of reparations to the victims and then some sort of personal punishment appropriate to the situation meted out by the family head (for example, Chico Chubb punishes Gil Chubb's slander by going to the root of the problem, and forbidding any family members to buy him drink anymore). Since the family heads basically are acting as fathers to their clans they have a lot of leeway in what they can do. And since they are actng for the good of the family, a lot of offences that we might not consider a crime, they might.
But it's clear now that they will have to make some changes.
Well, as far as *Esmeralda* is concerned, they do, LOL! I am sure the permissions were originally issued just to cover the situation at hand, but if she wants to take that as a blanket permission, I don't suppose her husband and brother will gainsay her, and if they don't, I can't see Will Whitfoot doing it either, LOL!
I'm glad nothing terrible happened to Eradan, and how well you did, fitting Tom into the tale.
The idea of those banished hobbits and their families being killed gives one food for thought. How sad that they still wanted to look at the land they could no longer enter, and what a horrible death for them and their wives and children. I shall be interested to see how the problem of 'wrong-doing' hobbits is resolved - in a future tale perhaps.
A very thought-provoking chapter and a lovely story. Thank you.
Author's reply
I knew from the start that Tom would appear--I would have liked to actually include him, but I had a bit of trouble getting his voice down this time.
I do intend to see the problem solved eventually. I've been creeping up on it slowly with various hints ever since "A New Reckoning".
Kitty
· 15 June 2005
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Oh, this wasn’t so bad as I had feared. No attack on an already injured Mellor and no more problems for Eradan. I am glad of this.
You have made it quite clear with this fic the Hobbits can’t simply banish their criminals from the Shire any longer. I think the Rangers have backed up Merry and Pippin quite clearly in this. Hopefully you will tell us later in another story how they solve this problem!
Thank you for sharing!
Author's reply
No, Mellor's fine, and Eradan is glad to have found him. I did not want to drag this out too long, as it is just a little sidebar to "Road to Edoras".
I will be giving some thought to the solution. This is an area I have been sneaking up on ever since "A New Reckoning"; it is not a problem that will be quickly solved, but a solution will be found.
Lovely story. The only good think about it being over is that you can focus more attention on "A New Reckoning."
<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
mj
Author's reply
Thank you very much!!
Pearl Took
· 15 June 2005
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Wonderful!! I'm so glad I'm reading this. I love your mention of little plates, cups and utensils; and your own finish to a Tom Bombadil rhyme :)
Yes, I'm sure bannishment seemed a good answer to the hobbits of the Shire, and I'm sure they never would have thought of the possibity of such horrible results.
Well done all round!!
Author's reply
It has to be just as awkward on the Men in the Shire, as for hobbits in the rest of the world!
Hobbits had been using banishment for a long time; they simply never thought of the consequences: they were basically shoving their problems off for others to deal with, and were going by the old saying "out of sight, out of mind". But of course, that would not be the end of it, would it?
Elentariel
· 15 June 2005
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Please do continue this story, it's very good. Your plotlines are always so intricate and link together with such ease.
Author's reply
Well, this particular story is at an end, but I am sure that sooner or later we will see more of Mellor and Eradan!
Ariel
· 14 June 2005
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Very nice little tale - and thank you for bringing Dody out to play! One of these years I have to get him written into something else myself.
Author's reply
I like Dody very much. I have one more story I want to use him in, that is so far no more than a very tiny baby bunny in my head, and it will use just a tiny bit of some of the things you put in his story. But I would very much love to see a story from *you*, with *your* Dody, talking to Frodo after the Quest, and possibly realizing what it has cost him, and realizing that what he learned as a small child in his illness was what gave him the determination to succeed on his mission. How did Dody feel about Frodo when he lost his parents, and when Frodo vanished from the Shire? I guess you can tell you created a wonderful OC when someone wants to know as much about them as they do a canon character! LOL!
Tigger
· 14 June 2005
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Thank Goodness Erador found Tom and Tom led him to Mellor. You were right, there is *some* good in the Old Forest. I'd forgotten about good old Tom. (Been almost a year and a bit since I last read Fellowship, so..) Love Esme's good bye to Mellor. So hobbity and sweet. I'm guessing this isn't the end of the story and looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Well, it *is* the end of *this* story, but of course there is Road to Edoras, and I am quite sure we have not seen the last of Mellor and Eradan.
I figured Esme would be feeling a bit motherly towards her guest.
Ariel
· 14 June 2005
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Ah! Found it here! I know you have a new chapter out, but I read off of SoA a lot more often than anywhere else and I am more likely to read it here than anywhere else. Thank you for this very engaging tale! I am finding it enjoyable reading (as I have all your works!)
Author's reply
Yes, they all show up here eventually. Really, here and LJ are the only places I really post very much, and *everything* winds up on SoA, even if it's on LJ first. The very few other archives get it later.
I hope you've liked my use of Cousin Dody!
Tigger
· 14 June 2005
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
And the plot thickens. Glad to see our Ranger's up and about and even though it's only flashes, at least he's remembering *something*. Had to laugh at the little ones wanting a story. Wish I could have seen the look on the faces of the twins and Halbarad when Aragorn came strolling into camp w/that bear on his shoulders. *snicker* Merry's right BTW. I've had bear and when it's prepared properly, it is delicious!!
Looks like Eradan's about to get into trouble though. No good can come from The Old Forest after all.
Looking forward to the next installment of this story.
Author's reply
I figured he'd be fair game for stories once he was out of his room.
I was remembering that scene in the film where Aragorn comes into the camp before Weathertop with the deer on his shoulders. I've never had bear myself, but a friend of mine swears it's delicious, and tastes a bit like pork.
*No* good?
We'll see.
*grin*
Kitty
· 14 June 2005
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Loved the talk between Mellor and Dody about healers and their patients. Dody should be glad he has not to deal with Pippin or Paladin right now ;-)
The other part is quite dark. Who has set the trap where Mellor probably was injured? I'm quite curious to know more. And poor Eradan, he must be very worried now. I hope nothing bad happens to him, too, and he is reunited with Mellor soon.
Author's reply
I am enjoying Cousin Dody. As you know, he's a rarity in my Shire, a male healer, not to mention being a Brandybuck. But I am certain that he does not envy Poppy or Lavender their dealings with the Tooks!
There are some clues, as well as clues in Road to Edoras.
They will be re-united, never fear. I'm fond of happy endings whenever feasible.
Poor Eradan; how will he find his companion without breaking the edict? Please update soon.
<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
MJ
Author's reply
Coming up soon.
Bodkin
· 14 June 2005
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
'it must be a difficult thing for him to be a warrior and a king as well as a healer.'
How true!
I think Esmeralda likes Mellor. She adventurous Took enough to have a hankering for the excitements of outside the Shire, I reckon. Might she visit Gondor in the future?
Poor Eradan is right to be worried.
Author's reply
I have often been struck by the contrast in Aragorn's three roles in life: healer, warrior and king. Judging from the tender compassion he shows to his companions in the books, I think that healer is the role that he feels suits him best. The other two are more or less duties and necessities. It does not make his fierceness as a warrior or his wisdom as a king any less, but it does put them into perspective.
I don't think *my* Esmeralda will make such a journey, but I have read a couple of lovely fics where Pippin and Merry take their mothers on such a journey. One of them in Challenge 17.
Well, yes, for he has no way of knowing that his partner is already being taken care of.
As good as what I've come to expect from you. I look forward to the next chapter!
<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
MJ
Bodkin
· 14 June 2005
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Rangers are noted for their courage and devotion to duty. Even when it means that Rangers with bad headaches listen politely to the less than tuneful piping of young Ilberic.
Esmeralda is a very sensible hobbit. Showing off noble Rangers is definitely a good way of getting others to see that there are as many different types of men as of hobbits.
Eradan is doing a good job of tracking Mellor down - although I don't know if going into the Old Forest is the best idea.
Good story!
Author's reply
*giggle*
Poor Ilbie! In one of my other stories I had a throwaway bit about Pippin teaching him to play the shepherd's pipes. I decided that while Pip is amazingly talented, and quickly learns any instrument set before him, Ilbie is like me, an enthusiastic amateur, who will probably never be more than adequate.
Well, the hobbits of Buckland are pretty enthusiastic about King's Men, but this is going to be their first (open) encounter with a Ranger.
Eradan is doing better than Mellor expects him to, although there are probably some other more subtle signs that he has missed altogether.