Dreamflower
· 8 September 2009
· Chapter 39: We pick ourselves up, for we dare not tarry
Oh, poor Bill! *sigh* This is a sad and dismal time for our heroes-- I suppose the Professor knew what he was doing when he took us straight to Frodo's waking bedside-- I know *I* was convinced he was dead at the end of "Flight to the Ford"! It was such a relief to know I was wrong!
But in subsequent re-readings, I often wished to know more of what those left behind said and thought. Your speculations fit perfectly into canon.
Author's reply
Ah, yes, thinking back on that first reading. I think I fell a little in love with Frodo there on Weathertop, when he was struck down while attacking the Witch King. So brave, even in such a desperate situation! I'm with Bilbo, in his estimation of Frodo.
Thank you, fitting perfectly into canon is exactly what I'm aiming at.
harrowcat
· 7 September 2009
· Chapter 39: We pick ourselves up, for we dare not tarry
I love Bill's protectiveness. 'My brave hobbits'.
Shame that Sam isn't quite fluent in 'pony-speak' yet.
The thought of what the Nazgul could do made me shiver too!
Author's reply
Yes, he's quite adopted the hobbits into his herd I think. And the Nazgul are definitely a shivery topic!
Thanks!
Larner
· 7 September 2009
· Chapter 39: We pick ourselves up, for we dare not tarry
How gentle and sad a tale at this point, Lindelea. And I'm with Bill here--it's so sad he can't speak with Sam at this point to reassure him!
Author's reply
Poor Bill. He always does his best. I imagine he'll be studying the problem of language over the next weeks... at least Sam seems to think so, when they depart Rivendell.
Thanks!
shirebound
· 7 September 2009
· Chapter 39: We pick ourselves up, for we dare not tarry
Bill is such a dear pony. There's such tenderness and love in this story.
Author's reply
Yes, ponies tend to reflect the emotions around them, and of course Bill, perceptive and sensitive as he is, has picked up on the love and respect between the hobbits (and the growing trust they have in Strider, as well as his regard for them).
Thanks!
Elena Tiriel
· 11 July 2009
· Chapter 38: We mourn our loss, but worse is yet to come
Oh, dear... my heart goes out to both Bill and Asfaloth.... the people, too....
What a horrendous fate for Frodo.... and the horses' reactions seem so amazingly apt.
Well done, Lindelea!
- Barbara
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm glad you're still with me, considering how slow this story is to move forward. (Bill is easily distracted from the thread of his tale, I fear, but we are slogging away once more, eager to reach Rivendell.)
Baggins Babe
· 11 July 2009
· Chapter 38: We mourn our loss, but worse is yet to come
Good grief! Cut out his heart? Now I hadn't thought of that! What a chilling thought. I want to give them all a hug and tell them that Frodo is not dead.
Poor Asfaloth and Bill too. Horses are such sensitive creatures.
Author's reply
Well, if they couldn't find the shard, and it would continue to work its way inward so that even in death Frodo would not be safe from a fate worse than death (and I don't know if that's what JRRT intended, but hopefully it's within the range of his possibilities)... anyhow, it seems a logical thing to do. *shudder*
I can imagine that herbivores would be even more appalled at the idea than we are...
Thanks!
Celeritas
· 9 July 2009
· Chapter 38: We mourn our loss, but worse is yet to come
I'm mostly following this story silently, but I had to say:
"Cut out his heart before the shard can reach it" really got my inner horror nerd perversely pleased. I'm rather glad they didn't try that one on Frodo right there!
Author's reply
I'm glad you took a moment to comment.
Yikes, what a mental picture that makes!
shirebound
· 9 July 2009
· Chapter 38: We mourn our loss, but worse is yet to come
Oh, I just want to weep right along with them. Thank goodness we know that "the worst" will yet be avoided. What a lovely, tender 'conversation' between these two courageous steeds.
Author's reply
Thank you. I love horses and ponies, even though they vary as much in personality as people do. Bill and Asfaloth are two of the best, of course!
Larner
· 9 July 2009
· Chapter 38: We mourn our loss, but worse is yet to come
Even Glorfindel and Aragorn are convinced Frodo is dead? Ohhhhhhhh! (SHUDDERING!)
Author's reply
Dead, or worse. (I've thought about that turn of phrase for a long time. Surely they don't think he's already a lesser Shade, but perhaps he's well on the way.)
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 9 July 2009
· Chapter 38: We mourn our loss, but worse is yet to come
What a wrenching scene! Oh, I just want to grab them all and tell them it will be all right!! Poor dears! And Asfaloth's explanation to Bill...just too horrid to think of! Yet we know it's just what Strider and Glorfindel did fear could happen.
Author's reply
Yes, it's amazing the nuances one can comb from the Original when contemplating every word, and not skipping over to get to the joyous awakening.
Thanks!
harrowcat
· 9 July 2009
· Chapter 38: We mourn our loss, but worse is yet to come
This is a 'wow' of a chapter Lindelea. Ever since i first read the book I have tried to imagine how each of the Fellowship would express their grief over Gandal. Which would be 'cast upon the ground' and which 'standing and silent'. I think that we agree!
Author's reply
Thank you! I admit to being influenced by the scene in the film after the Travellers have left Moria. Somehow the sight of Merry cradling a totally devastated Pippin stayed with me.
Baggins Babe
· 5 July 2009
· Chapter 37: The waters recede, and we cross over
I thought I had reviewed this last week but apparently not. *Smacks forehead*
Heart-breaking to see the grief of the hobbits who believe Frodo dead but I think Aragorn and Glorfindel fear something even worse. I was biting my nails and I know the outcome!
I love Bill's trust in Glorfindel in these chapters - although terrified he finds the courage to believe 'the shining one'and even with everything else going on the Elf remembers Bill and cares for him.
I'm so sorry for Asfaloth who is obviously mortified that Frodo has fallen. I'm looking forward to seeing the great horse and the pony spending some quality time together once they reach Rivendell.
Author's reply
Thank you for coming back and making sure! Somehow reviews seem to grease the writing wheels, and when things get busy (as they have again) it's good to have some extra motivation to write.
You want to hear something funny? At least one Rivendell chapter (interaction between great horse and humble pony) was written many months ago, probably even before they reached Weathertop! I re-read it periodically, and it's still true to the spirit of the rest of the chapters, and happily, it's due to be posted fairly soon, in another two or three chapters' time. Whew! About time!
Thanks again.
FantasyFan
· 26 June 2009
· Chapter 37: The waters recede, and we cross over
Tolkien occasionally liked to relate key events in conversations held afterwards. Frodo's fall at the fords is one of those times: we only hear about it thirdhand, as Gandalf relates what others have told him to Frodo himself. I know that it's because the writing is all Frodo's POV at this point in the story, but it's a treat, and so much more dramatic, to see it firsthand in this chapter. When we turn the page to "Merry Meetings" he's all better, well, as better as he's going to get. It doesn't come close to conveying the terror and grief that Aragorn and the hobbits must have felt in the mud at the top of the hill. "Dead, or worse." I shudder, just thinking about it. I imagine the hobbits think "dead." Their individual reactions are so poignant, as you have written them. Aragorn and Glorfindel must at least have in the back of their minds "worse." I wonder when they will begin to come to grips with that thought.
Author's reply
Yes, it's been a challenge to take the hints offered in "Flight to the Ford" and "Merry Meetings"--the first rather confused, due to Frodo's failing strength, and the second not so detailed as we might wish, due to Gandalf's not wanting Frodo to overdo--and turn them into a coherent account.
Luckily it's an account seen through the eyes of a pony, which by nature clarifies some elements and confuses others.
I see it the same way; the hobbits are thinking "dead" and the Man and Elf-lord are thinking "worse".
And then as to "carrying [him] slowly towards Rivendell", well, I've had to wrestle with that a bit as well. If I'd put the scene together I'd have had Glorfindel galloping along with Frodo in his arms, but then if they think him dead perhaps they're not so much in a hurry. Still, I think I've come up with a plausible explanation. We'll see how the next chapter flows.
Thanks.
cookiefleck
· 25 June 2009
· Chapter 37: The waters recede, and we cross over
Gripping and heartbreaking chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you.
Larner
· 25 June 2009
· Chapter 37: The waters recede, and we cross over
To fear so that they have lost him--it must be the greatest grief all seven of those around Frodo's body must know!
Author's reply
Yes, heartbreaking for the hobbits, and for the Man who has come to know and respect Frodo over the last fortnight, and for the Elf-lord who perhaps understands better than any of them just what the shard means for Frodo.
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 25 June 2009
· Chapter 37: The waters recede, and we cross over
Oh dear! I'm so glad they will soon realize their grief is premature. But oh, the poor hobbits! *squishes them and pats them and tells them it will be all right*
Author's reply
Yes, poor hobbits. After all their efforts, to think Frodo "dead, or worse"--I rather think it's the hobbits who think he's dead, and Aragorn and Glorfindel who are thinking the worst.
Thanks!
shirebound
· 25 June 2009
· Chapter 37: The waters recede, and we cross over
What a terrible moment for everyone. *sniff*
Author's reply
Poor hobbits. Poor everyone! Things are going to get rather more anxious before they get better, but I'm looking forward to cool sunlight and green grass for Bill, in a manner of speaking.
Thanks!
Elena Tiriel
· 25 June 2009
· Chapter 37: The waters recede, and we cross over
*points upward*
Yeah, what Jay said: Eeep!
- Barbara
Author's reply
Eeep, indeed!
Think of it, the chance to write a canon death scene for Frodo! (There's another, but Bill wasn't on the spot in that instance.)
Thanks!
Jay of Lasgalen
· 25 June 2009
· Chapter 37: The waters recede, and we cross over
Eeep!
I'd forgotten that when the others crossed the ford they found Frodo and thought him 'dead, or worse'! And I hadn't thought before that Asfaloth would feel shamed by letting Frodo fall off.
Another great chapter!
Author's reply
I have been pondering that phrase for months now. How could Strider and Glorfindel miss something so simple as a heartbeat? Yet there are accounts of people declared dead in a hospital setting, who later revive. If hospital personnel could miss signs of life, I suppose an Elf-lord and Aragorn could. However you explain it, it's canon, whew.
It's been interesting to contemplate events from Bill's, and Asfaloth's, POV.
Thanks!
Author Reply: (not casting aspersions, BTW. sometimes a pulse can be very hard to find!)
Baggins Babe
· 22 June 2009
· Chapter 36: At the Enemy's attack, we make our stand
Beautifully written and wonderful to see this scene through Bill's eyes. I love that he believes the words of the Shining One - that all will be well if he stands. Bill is a very brave pony and deserves Glorfindel's name for him - great heart.
I should think Glorfindel in all his power must be an awesome sight - even the Nazgul would pause when faced with that.
Sorry to hear you have been unwell - I hope you're feeling better and I am so looking forward to the next chapter.
Author's reply
Thanks, bronchitis is such an inconvenience.
It took some thought to figure out how Bill would see Glorfindel. After all, the pony wasn't half in the Other World, so would he see the Light that Frodo saw?
And yet, animals might have different senses than people...
(still pondering, can you tell?)
Larner
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 36: At the Enemy's attack, we make our stand
Oh, seeing the assault on the Fords from Bill's point of view is marvelous! YES! That Glorfindel sees Bill's character and worth is wonderful and so appropriate; and that all forget the pain and weariness to drive the Nazgul into the flood--YES!
Thanks for updating, and am so glad you are feeling better!
Author's reply
Yes, the adrenalin must have been flowing. I think of Frodo's perspective, shadowy figures running about with torches. No idea from the original account where Bill was at the time, but I think he *must* have been tied to one of the trees in such an intense moment.
Thanks!
shirebound
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 36: At the Enemy's attack, we make our stand
but the Shining One... the Shining One...
Words fail me.
This is very exciting! It's great to see this incredible moment through Bill's eyes and thoughts.
Author's reply
Thanks! It's challenging to go over the same ground as the original, but I think Bill helps me to manage it.
Elena Tiriel
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 36: At the Enemy's attack, we make our stand
OWhat an exciting chapter! Bill's PoV really makes it fresh and exciting.... Well done!
And I'm very glad you're feeling better, Lindelea. {{{hugs}}}
- Barbara
Author's reply
Thank you, Barbara!
(((hugs back)))
I find it fascinating to contemplate scenes from a different POV.
Dreamflower
· 18 June 2009
· Chapter 36: At the Enemy's attack, we make our stand
Oh Lin! What a wonderful bedtime treat!
So exciting! Bill's POV really makes the suspense here, because he has no understanding of what is happening or why, and so his fear and urgency are so much the more intense! I could just see all the chaos you describe, as the weary travellers do their best to defend poor Frodo!
And speaking of Frodo, love the recounting of his attempt to defy the Wraiths, even though Bill doesn't really know what he was doing.
Excellent and breathless chapter!
I'm glad you are feeling better, dear! ((hugs))
Author's reply
Thank you. ((hugs back)) It's been an awfully long six weeks. Still lacking energy, but getting better.
So glad to have caught you before bedtime. (I like bedtime treats, and early morning treats, too. The only times I get to read, these days... LOL! Too much competition for the computer other times.)
Mîdhaer
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 35: On to the Ford, at our best speed (or hobble)
Look, I'm not a patient person, and you haven't updated in two months. For Eru's sake, please update soon.
Author's reply
Sorry, been very ill the past six weeks. Have been writing bits here and there, just need to get it typed in. Thanks for the encouragement! Very motivating!
Author Reply: Just to let you know, the newest chapter has been posted. Thanks again.