eiluj
· 2 October 2007
· Chapter 17: A soaking rain begins
Poor Frodo! He'd never have survived without his companions' care (including of course Bill).
Wonderful characterization, as always. And all the little details, like hanging the packs on branches. And what seems to me (with admittedly little knowledge of horses -- though I now live next door to two of them) as a very good understanding of equines.
I loved "the very air consists of dampness" and Strider humming "strange melodies and sweet."
Author's reply
Yes, and here he thought to sneak off alone, without even his faithful Sam. (Very glad he didn't.)
Thanks for the encouragement. Being horse-crazy for half my life was probably a help, as well as personal acquaintance with several, over the years. My horse-days are done, but I still sometimes dream of that floating feeling, of being one, together. Don't know if I'm making sense--it's the wee hours and I had better go and see what's become of my pillow.
Anonymous
· 2 October 2007
· Chapter 17: A soaking rain begins
You really capture their misery- well done!
Author's reply
Thanks! Have been wet and miserable myself. Whew. Am glad to be warm and dry.
harrowcat
· 2 October 2007
· Chapter 17: A soaking rain begins
What a treat tonight, Larner, Shirebound AND Lindelea! But I was shivering with Bill, Aragorn and the Hobbits by the time I finished reading this. *reaches for hot water bottle*
Author's reply
Yes, isn't it a treat? Have already devoured Shirebound and Larner's postings, earlier in the day, and would love to read Thundera Tiger's latest chapter but have only had bits and snatches of time for reading today, and no time for any long chapters. Funny, how I've had time for short postings and a few drabbles today. All the time put together would have been enough for Thundera's chapter, probably, but I wince at all the interruptions that would have been involved.
Oops, though I'm feeling chatty I just looked at the clock and it's time to start dinner if we're to eat tonight!
How's your mum doing, if you don't mind my asking?
(and thanks for your comment! *hands harrowcat several hot bricks wrapped in flannel to tuck under blankets*)
Dreamflower
· 2 October 2007
· Chapter 17: A soaking rain begins
Aww...poor wet, cold, hungry, miserable hobbits, Man and pony! I can just feel the misery dripping off them like the rain they are slogging through! But I do love Pippin's valiant, if vain, efforts, to raise spirits; and Merry's homesickness comes through, as he thinks of the rain perhaps having come from the Brandywine! Beautifully and subtly done!
Author's reply
Poor everybody. Have slogged through drenching, misting rain in wilderness wanderings, where everything was damp--the clothes we had on, spare clothes, sleeping bags, tents, *everything* and remember the feeling.
And yet Pippin keeps trying, as does Merry, while Sam remains a steady rock to lean on. Whew. Hobbits are such an inspiration! (And Strider is doing his best, and so is our Bill. Poor pony. Green grass and sunshine to come, though he can't yet imagine it.)
Thanks!
Larner
· 2 October 2007
· Chapter 17: A soaking rain begins
A miserable day for the six of them. And now all smell of "Wet whatever." And Bill still cherishes Master, and seeks all he can to not add to his discomfort! Lovely!
Author's reply
"Wet whatever!" LOL - Right now the Writing Partner is smelling strongly of wet dog. But don't tell her that. She'd probably go and roll it all off onto the carpet, instead, and then we'd have wet dog and wet wool to smell.
Thanks!
shirebound
· 2 October 2007
· Chapter 17: A soaking rain begins
Merry at his side, looking up, reaching steadying arms around the older cousin, talking cheerful nonsense
That's such a sweet moment.
Author's reply
Yes, I love to think on quiet moments between the cousins. You do those very well, yourself, you know. Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 1 October 2007
· Chapter 16: We pick our way through a pathless country
I printed this chapter out to take with me on the plane, and it was a very nice read--this one is quite atmospheric, and yet you still manage to make the POV very "pony-like". Soon they'll be encountering stone-trolls--I look forward to his reacttion to that!!
Author's reply
LOL, it seems we are thinking along the same lines today... early this morning I was just contemplating Bill's reaction to the stone trolls. *g*
Thanks! And welcome back!
Althea
· 27 September 2007
· Chapter 16: We pick our way through a pathless country
Through Bill's thoughts, you have created a magnificent picture of the worry and weariness they all encounter as they make their slow way to Rivendell. I love how, despite his own hunger, fear, and exhaustion, Bill worries for his companions. I love scene in which Strider and Bill nod to one another. Bill is as ready to take care of his people as they are to care for him.
Author's reply
Thank you, I appreciate your taking time to share your thoughts. You're right, Bill has thoroughly adopted these people as "his".
Pearl Took
· 25 September 2007
· Chapter 16: We pick our way through a pathless country
Caught up at last!
This is so wonderfully well done, Lin!! I'm am totally and thoroughly enjoying this story :-)
Author's reply
Whew, good job!
Pearl Took
· 25 September 2007
· Chapter 15: We cross the Last Bridge
"It is very early, but we are up and moving, downhill now, down to the fearsome Road that lies waiting ahead, a mouth yawning to devour us, I’ve little doubt."
You paint such glorious word pictures, Lin!
Author's reply
Thank you! I try to write the pictures I see in my mind's eye, and the stories I enjoy reading the most are the ones that bring pictures to mind, like yours.
Pearl Took
· 25 September 2007
· Chapter 13: We cross the Road into a wild and pathless land
I don't know why, but I like that you have the athelas not tasting very good.
Author's reply
LOL, some herbs aren't half bad, like peppermint, but others! Eeeeugh!
Pearl Took
· 25 September 2007
· Chapter 12: We elect to leave the dell
". . . I move, one foot after another, as smoothly as I know how, rather like a cat I saw once, stalking a small creature in the field."
Beautiful imagery! Dear old gentle Bill!
Author's reply
Thanks! He really is a dear.
Istarnië
· 25 September 2007
· Chapter 2: We leave the Road
Well *I* am certainly being drawn along on this well known journey, and enjoying every step of the walk. Who knows, I may even start trotting soon - I have almost run out of excuses not to read faster.
I love the way Bill associates Pippin with his old, kind master. I also love the hint of menace from the pursuing 'old misery', which is alleviated by the 'tall Man's' words:
'He knows the land round here well enough, but he knows he is not a match for me in a wood.'
It is no wonder Bill feels '...the stirrings of friendly feeling towards this stranger at these words.'
Go Strider! ;-)
Author's reply
Oh, my! High praise indeed!
It's nice to be able to read slowly, chewing the words over, having time to digest them. All too often I have to gulp down a chapter, swallowing hastily, and too many times I am interrupted in the middle and have to try to remember to return, to finish. I do savour the times when I do have time to read slowly, and appreciate your approach to reading. (But if you want to read faster, it won't hurt my feelings. *g*)
Thanks!
Larner
· 24 September 2007
· Chapter 16: We pick our way through a pathless country
Ah, how wonderful! Dear Bill, and how he seeks to care for his small herd as they seek to care for him. And love the working in of the text.
Author's reply
Thanks! It's a game to blend the text into the chapter seamlessly, and I hope it doesn't bother anyone that I do that.
shirebound
· 24 September 2007
· Chapter 16: We pick our way through a pathless country
Mention of Rivendell is like a flash of bright light, a sliver of sunlight shining through clouds
Awwww. I love how they make sure Bill gets as much food as is available for him.
Author's reply
Yes, I think they care for him as much as he does for them. Poor hobbits and hobbit-pony, the pickings are pretty slim at the moment.
Larner
· 23 September 2007
· Chapter 15: We cross the Last Bridge
What a wonderful, welcome expansion on the book story, Lindelea. Bill and his perceptions of those he's with are so wonderfully described, as is his concern for Frodo and what might and might not disturb what ease he is able to know.
And poor Strider--so in need of a bath as they all are at the moment!
Lovely!
Author's reply
Animals are so amazing--so often they seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to well-being. I had a horse that was a real "brat" when dh tried to ride her--she figured he could take care of himself and so did all she could to unseat him without outright bucking--but put a child on her back and she'd turn her head back, to look and see who was in the saddle (such a light weight!), and then pace along smooth as glass and just as careful as could be.
And our dog always knows when someone's sick, and chooses to lie beside the sick person, instead of her usual favourite person.
Baggins Babe
· 22 September 2007
· Chapter 15: We cross the Last Bridge
I do love seeing these events from Bill's PoV and you do give him a very distinct voice - you certainly understand our equine friends. Love the thought that his mother said 'We'll cross that bridge when we come to it' - not just human mothers come out with wise sayings, it seems.
I am looking forward to seeing his reactions when they reach Rivendell.
Author's reply
Thanks! Have loved horses for a long time, and after owning one and working with a few others over the years I begin to gain some understanding of them. I do miss horses; we cannot have any here in the city, where we live now.
How I love Bill's wise old mother! She must have been a very intelligent and observant pony.
harrowcat
· 21 September 2007
· Chapter 15: We cross the Last Bridge
perhaps bridges are not all the same... much like people.
And ponies.
Oh Bill the wise pony. He just goes to show that his deprived background with Bill Ferny has not stopped his inate character coming out with the encouragement of caring and loving friends(masters).
Author's reply
Perhaps they're not. Bill certainly is seeing the world, and gaining much more knowledge than the usual Bree-pony.
Amazing how an abused animal can seem a different creature altogether with a little love, care, and respect.
Pearl Took
· 20 September 2007
· Chapter 11: We are overcome on Weathertop
Poor dear Bill!
". . . I fall into darkness and fear." As did Merry and young marsh stinking hobbit. It is all much more than any pony could bear.
Author's reply
You know, JRRT tells us nothing about what happened to Bill at Weathertop. It took some thinking to figure out, though I knew he had to be tied securely (and I have had a panicked horse break a headstall, so even being tied was not a guarantee of keeping him from running away) or else hobbled. Hobbles seemed the most likely option.
Pearl Took
· 20 September 2007
· Chapter 10: We take a bite and consider
No, not a wee pony they are after. Bill is about to have a nasty fright . . .
Author's reply
Poor Bill and his unreasoning fear. I cannot tell you how many times I told my horse that a puddle would not swallow her whole. She still seemed to think it had something personal against her.
Of course, Bill is up against something even worse than puddles.
Pearl Took
· 20 September 2007
· Chapter 7: We continue towards Weathertop
Yes, dear Master and his unseen burden. It is always nice when it gets lightened a bit by the cheer of the others.
Author's reply
Yes, it is nice, this early on, when they can still take him out of himself. I think it gets harder the further they go on the journey.
Pearl Took
· 20 September 2007
· Chapter 6: We make our way towards Weathertop
Delightful!
Bill the pony-hobbit. Young marsh stinking hobbit rolling to scratch his back. Frodo's soothing talk of Bag End and it making Bill think of a nose bag. Sam fixing a cold supper beside the noisy stream.
Author's reply
He seems more hobbity the longer he keeps company with hobbits. Actually, a few of the ponies I've known have been quite hobbity in character, so Bill fits right in.
Thanks for hitting the high points, you made me smile.
Pearl Took
· 20 September 2007
· Chapter 5: We go from uncertain ground... to uncertain ground
"young marsh-stinking hobbit"
"young apples-and-mischief"
I love Bill's names for Pippin
I'm sure he would be glad to be out of the marsh!
Author's reply
I see Bill as a very literal creature, and so his names for the hobbits follow suit... I think they'll all be glad to get out of the marsh!
Pearl Took
· 20 September 2007
· Chapter 4: We share and share alike
Aw! That is so sweet! Poor soggy Pippin getting bit all over :-(
Author's reply
Poor soggy Pip; I don't know if that's what JRRT had in mind, but he certainly sounded miserable in the original.
BTDT. I don't think I'll ever forget the repellent on a camping trip again.
Pearl Took
· 20 September 2007
· Chapter 3: We enter the pathless wilderness, no longer on solid ground
Drat me for my sieve of a brain. I'd forgot I had started reading this.
I love dear Bill's urge to return to Bree and how even he doesn't understand it. Sometimes we two-foots are like that too.
Author's reply
What a delight to sign on while dinner's cooking and see your reviews! How I appreciate your taking the time to leave a word or three, especially when I'm near a long run of angst in "Closer than a Brother" (so tired today I'm not even sure I got the title right!)--but at least the angst is over and the good-feeling chapters are being posted now. Things are still quite angsty in "Jewels" and "Merlin" and likely to be for a couple more weeks before they settle down again. Come to think of it, things are rather angsty here in Bill's story, too, but he's making the best of it.
How is your story coming? Is it on hold during the Moot? How exciting that Golden gets to go (if I'm remembering right).
You and I and the others left behind ought to have a fic party. Wanna post a challenge at one of the LJ communities?