The Tenth Walker by Lindelea
KathyG · 28 April 2016 · Chapter 81: We find rest along the way
Aww, Bill's earned his chance to have a rest! I'm glad you gave the poor pony a break--he deserves one. =)
Author's reply
Yes, he does. It's hard work to be a bearer of burdens, but Bill seldom complains. I'm quite fond of the old fellow... Thanks!
shirebound · 27 April 2016 · Chapter 81: We find rest along the way
Bill is such a wonderful guardian.
Author's reply
He is! It's good to be able to give him a little rest, too, what with what's around the corner... Thanks!
Larner · 27 April 2016 · Chapter 81: We find rest along the way
Nice to find a few moments when Bill doesn't have to be on watch, when Gandalf and Aragorn and Legolas are watching over them all.
Author's reply
Yes, poor pony. It must be tough to be a prey animal in the Wilderland. It's a good thing to be able to share guard duty. Thanks!
Kath · 11 April 2016 · Chapter 80: Another day, another dollop of this and that
I passed on reading your stories for ages as I wrongly assumed having the Rings told by a pony was a silly idea! In fact I have loved these tales and fallen for Bill too with his bravery and committment to the Hobbits. It has been really great to revisit the Fellowship valarand I can't wait for more! Thank you so much.
Author's reply
You are most welcome, and thank you for taking the time to leave a good word. I am intending to post weekly. Haven't quite lived up to those intentions, but I'm still trying...
Anonymous · 8 April 2016 · Chapter 7: We continue towards Weathertop
I really enjoy reading the Stories of Arda, not only because they are enchanting as stories go, but also because all are written using wonderfull language. It is such a change from some stories I've read of late. Thanks to all the authors
Author's reply
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a good word!
Larner · 6 April 2016 · Chapter 80: Another day, another dollop of this and that
Ah, poor Pippin. Sounds as if as well as being cold he's taking one as well! And Boromir and Aragorn are able to be on the same page on this matter. Good leaders, both of them! Will be down next week on Tuesday, and will be staying until Saturday. Want to put up with me for a day, perhaps Saturday when I'll be leaving anyway?
Author's reply
Would love to see you! Will mark the calendar. Yes, we definitely don't want him taking cold, especially with Caradhras looming (even though the hobbits may not know it yet). Thanks!
Dreamflower · 5 April 2016 · Chapter 80: Another day, another dollop of this and that
Aww...Love Aragorn and Boromir's reasoning in this. And while any of the hobbits would staunchly stand their own watch, the idea that they might leave the others shivering from lack of their own warmth (particularly Frodo and Pippin) would be a convincing argument. And that way the Big Folk can coddle their hobbits without seeming to, ;-) Bill's a very observant pony! *grin*
Author's reply
Quite observant! I'm certain they have a practical approach to caring for their troops. After all, if someone comes down with pneumonia, it'll slow the whole party down! Author Reply: p.s. Thanks!
Tari · 4 April 2016 · Chapter 80: Another day, another dollop of this and that
Bill's back. Yeah!! I missed him. It seems like I'm not the only freeze baby. Too bad Bill can't lay down next to them. I'm sure he'd help warm them up.
Author's reply
I imagine he would provide warmth at that! Just explain to him that he should lie down, and let the hobbits snuggle against him, and put a tarp over all of them, with Bill serving as one wall of a tent... What a mental picture that makes! Sorry to hear you're cold. After our glorious mini-heat-wave, we're back to cool and rainy weather again. Thanks!
KathyG · 3 April 2016 · Chapter 80: Another day, another dollop of this and that
Brrr!!! That had to be cold. Last time, it was Sam's turn to be chilled; now it's Pippin's! It is good of Boromir to offer to take 2 turns keeping watch so the hobbits can keep warm.
Author's reply
One of the things that I imagine made Boromir a great Captain was that he looked out for his men. I remember how his concern for the hobbits on Caradhras was one of the first things about him that caught my attention, the first time I read the book. It seems odd to be writing of sleet, on the day our A/C came on for the first time this year... but then other parts of the country have definitely been experiencing winter temperatures. *shiver* Thanks!
shirebound · 2 April 2016 · Chapter 80: Another day, another dollop of this and that
"A suddenly conspiratorial smell", love it. It's wonderful to see Aragorn and Boromir in agreement, and everyone looking out for one another.
Author's reply
Thank you! I was going to bring them to Hollin today, but thought a little relationship-building and h/c would not go amiss.
Dreamflower · 20 January 2016 · Chapter 79: Second day of the New Year, same as the first, a little more sleet, weather a little bit worse
*grin* Methinks Merry doth protest a wee bit too much, LOL! I love conversations like this, where the hobbits are talking about home and just assuming that everything's going on the same as ever--while we readers sigh and cluck our tongues, knowing Fredegar's not safe a Crickhollow and has already had to flee from Black Riders! Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Just a wee bit. :) I like them imagining everything back home just as they left it -- I might have gotten the idea from the films, when Treebeard has told the hobbits to go home, and Pippin's actually kind of happy at the thought. "We still have the Shire," he says dreamily. Thanks!
Dreamflower · 20 January 2016 · Chapter 78: We stumble over rough paths through the darkness
Aw, poor Bill! A stone in the foot must have been so painful, poor baby! I love that Merry caught it and that Legolas was able to fix it. One of the neat touches was Merry's little bird-call signal to summon Pippin, who responded so quickly. I am quite sure that there's a whole world of backstory to that signal but that you didn't waste time explaining it, but just left it to us readers to speculate. Very nice chapter; well, all of them are. I love how each little section is a little vignette, leaving us knowing just a wee bit more at the end of it.
Author's reply
Somehow I missed answering this! Beg pardon. Ah, yes, bird calls. Hobbits have come a long way from Bilbo being expected by the Dwarves he accompanied to the Lonely Mountain, to make bird calls to signal them of any trouble... Thanks!
Dreamflower · 20 January 2016 · Chapter 77: We have a celebration of our own
Oh my! I am behind on this story by three chapters? How did that happen? I do love your Bill's POV. It's so fun to see things through the eyes of this innocent and yet wise pony! BTW, I seem to have missed your birthday as well! Belated Happy Birthday!
Author's reply
Belated thank you!!!
spinster · 28 December 2015 · Chapter 79: Second day of the New Year, same as the first, a little more sleet, weather a little bit worse
I really love this story. And I'm so glad it is moving slowly with much detail since I know we will say goodbye to Bill at Moria Gate. Bill's POV is very heartwarming. Have a Merry Yule and a Happy New year. Maybe I am YOUR First Footing?!
Author's reply
You *were* my First Footing! Congratulations! Here is the bottle of spirits I'd saved for you, and some pennies and a loaf of fresh-baked bread, and a warm knitted muffler for your neck. Thank you!
quodamat · 24 December 2015 · Chapter 79: Second day of the New Year, same as the first, a little more sleet, weather a little bit worse
Very sweet chapter, as usual. Thanks for the update, and very best wishes for the holidays!
Author's reply
Thank you, and hope your holidays were good ones, too.
Tari · 23 December 2015 · Chapter 79: Second day of the New Year, same as the first, a little more sleet, weather a little bit worse
Bill's back, I'm so glad. SOA is way to quiet. I wish more stories were being posted.
Author's reply
I have really enjoyed catching up, these past couple of days. I haven't started reading any longer stories, just the shorter ones, because it's been so busy IRL, but it's so nice to come back and find good reading! I'm going to do my best to post more. It all depends on how much RL work I can manage to get after the holidays are over. (More work means more money, of course, which would be a blessing, but the downside is less time to write and read.) Author Reply: p.s. Thanks! Glad you're still here. Good to hear from you.
earthdragon · 23 December 2015 · Chapter 79: Second day of the New Year, same as the first, a little more sleet, weather a little bit worse
I have read a lot of really dire tenth walker stories, usually involving a Mary Sue who not only performs all the heroics (making you wonder why they bothered with a Fellowship and didn't just send her to destroy the Ring), but is a shapeshifting elf/maia/fairy and blessed with unbelievable magical powers. However, your wonderful story shows how ridiculous such stories are. Of course the tenth walker is Bill the Pony, whose courageous contribution to the Fellowship has largely been ignored. I love the way you are telling the story as if he were talking himself and the way he refers to the members of the Fellowship. I'm glad to see the latest update to this long saga and look forward to the next one.
Author's reply
Why thank you! That makes my day. Dana (an author who befriended me in my early days in fanfic) and I had a running "Tenth Walker" joke for quite awhile before this story came about, LOTR told from the perspective of a flea residing in Gandalf's eyebrow. However, I think Bill is a much better storyteller than a flea would be... I think I dabbled my foot in one or two tenth walker stories when jodancingtree first introduced me to Tolkien fanfic, but thankfully it was shortly after that I discovered Shirebound, Budgielover, Thundera Tiger, and Baylor (these were the first five authors added to my favorites list)--and from them to discover and devour the works of still more authors, in the wide world of high-quality fanfic, too many to name. There is actually at least one "girl falls into Middle Earth" story that I've found to be well done. (Well, there's a sequel, so technically it would be two stories.) The author is Boz4pm, if you haven't already made her writing's acquaintance.
Larner · 23 December 2015 · Chapter 79: Second day of the New Year, same as the first, a little more sleet, weather a little bit worse
Ah, but he IS interested in Estella already in his own way, our Merry is. And good to see Frodo laughing along with Pippin. Certainly Gandalf has reason to be glad to hear that laughter! I hope to see you between the fourth and the ninth. Take care and love to the Hobbitlings, although they are anything but small now.
Author's reply
LOL! Estella has joined the party in spirit, it seems... She'll make her own journey into the wilder parts of the Shire later in the year, of course, and I'm sure she'll be thinking of the Travellers as she goes. I do hope to see you then! I could definitely use some of your good sense and knowledge in figuring out the next few "Pippin" chapters of Thain, to get that story rolling once more. Did you get any of that snow? I looked at the weather map last night, and it looked like you were either getting several inches, or all rain, but I couldn't quite make out which it would have been.
shirebound · 22 December 2015 · Chapter 79: Second day of the New Year, same as the first, a little more sleet, weather a little bit worse
Ah, yes, Estella! What a little midge she was! I love that so much. What a hoot! We're getting a rare storm here today -- wild wind and driving rain -- so I empathize with our walkers.
Author's reply
LOL! Having been a formerly pesky little tag-along sister, I can identify with Estella! Thanks! (Stay warm and dry... We've had our own wild wind and driving rain, lately. Rainiest December in history, here.)
Larner · 19 August 2015 · Chapter 78: We stumble over rough paths through the darkness
I'm so glad it wasn't particularly serious. Poor Bill, and poor Sam. I am glad that Merry IS used to ponies and heard the difference in the hoofbeat. It helps to have such people along, and Legolas knows HOW to ask and manages to relieve the pressure properly. And Frodo knows how to comfort Sam for not having recognized the situation. Dear Frodo!
Author's reply
It is good to have an Elf along, who can speak and understand proper equine. And dear Frodo, how I have missed him and the others. It's been a long dry spell. Thanks!
UTfrog · 17 August 2015 · Chapter 78: We stumble over rough paths through the darkness
Very sweet chapter. I am so glad they were able to help Bill.
Author's reply
I'm glad they got the stone out before it penetrated too far and lamed him. Poor fellow, though they would have unloaded him and carried all they could manage, he'd still have followed them like a dog... Thanks!
shirebound · 17 August 2015 · Chapter 78: We stumble over rough paths through the darkness
Dear, sweethearted Sam. He probably feels nearly as responsible for Bill as he does for his Mr. Frodo.
Author's reply
Nearly! As I recall, he was terribly torn between them at the gates of Moria. And Bill is the same towards Sam. Thanks!
Larner · 27 July 2015 · Chapter 77: We have a celebration of our own
Ah, but I love seeing First Footing honored even here in the Wild, and the debate on the merits of different people's beer! Heh! See you at the end of the month.
Author's reply
It seems a logical thing for guys to debate... I hear such debates quite often when the guys get together. :) It will be good to see you. And I hope to have another chapter or two of F&F for you this week. It is reading annoyingly like background material, so you'll have to tell me if it's worth leaving in...
shirebound · 27 July 2015 · Chapter 77: We have a celebration of our own
What a wonderful celebration, full of warmth and cheer and distraction from their chill surroundings. I move behind my hobbits, the better to breathe warm breath over them Awwwww. :)
Author's reply
A respite is a good thing when one is travelling. When I was a teen, we went canoe-camping in the North Woods, paddling and portaging. I seem to recall we took a rest day every seventh day, on the longer trips. It made a difference! Thanks!
KathyG · 18 July 2015 · Chapter 76: We remember past celebrations
Thank goodness Bill finally got to have something to eat and drink! He must have been pretty hungry and thirsty by the time camp was set up. And I love the TLC Sam got in this scene.
Author's reply
Thank you! (Actually, I want to reassure you, that this was not a hungry/thirsty travel day for Bill. Sam gave him every opportunity to drink when they crossed running water (or when the trail ran alongside running water), and Bill's meal this night comes before midnight, instead of around dawn. It was a short night of travel because they had to get Sam warm, and quickly, after he fell in the stream.) So everyone has a bit of a rest, after about a week of travel, which is probably a good thing.