Reviews (840)

Author's reply

He certainly did! But he'll learn, I'm sure. (I wonder, was Faramir a faster learner than his brother?)

Author's reply

I'm tired today, so this reply is rather rambling and thinking aloud. Disregard as you wish, or feel free to discuss! I love pondering details of Tolkien's world-building, and it's always fun to gain additional food for thought to chew on. Pretty much like a protein bar! Or maybe trail mix. Concentrated calories for hiking, anyhow. I'm glad to hear you came to see Sam in a new light. I've always seen him as a product of his environment. Maybe because I read a lot of Dickens and Victorian children's stories and watched "Upstairs Downstairs" and "The Duchess of Duke Street" (or something like that) with my mom as a kid before I encountered Tolkien? And then before I started writing fanfic, I read all of Dorothy Sayers' "Lord Peter" books and encountered Bunter, Lord Peters batman (I think?) in WWI. If I'm remembering right, he pulled Peter out of a collapsed trench, and then when Peter was invalided home, basically nonfunctional from shell shock (he couldn't even give orders to his parents' servants because he'd been traumatized by ordering men to their deaths), "Sergeant Bunter" showed up on the doorstep of the mansion and just naturally stepped into the role of Peter's manservant (which included taking photographs of crime scenes and running an organization of informants, if I'm remembering right). He is never portrayed as "less than" – but he is "different", and he may be deferential, but he's never subservient, if I'm making sense. Thus, in my Shire, I've built on Tolkien's hints of class distinctions, but I don't structure it in an oppressive way. Rather, hobbits are creatures of habit. If you're interested, here are a couple places where I explored the idea as part of the dialogue (feel free to read or bypass as you will): http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=796&cid=3472 (Freddy and Frodo separately explain the concept of "place" to Estella from a "gentry" viewpoint: One of the things Freddy says about Sam is Just because he’s of a lower class does not mean he is actually lower—why, I believe he has more influence over Frodo than I do, and I’m Frodo’s kin!) http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=796&cid=3799 (A healer's explanation to Samwise from the "common hobbit" viewpoint: Among the points he makes are Fancy dress and fancy talk don’t cut any ice with Farmer Cotton! Not from a common hobbit, anyhow. He puts up with it from the gentry, for it’s what he’d expect, so long as they don’t look down their noses at him for being a hobbit of honest labour and But rolled-up sleeves and plain talk, they don’t cut any ice with the gentry, you see? If I, as a healer, want them to mind my words, I’ve got to get them to do more than half-listen to me. I have to talk their talk, but if I’m looking plain and speaking fancy it makes them uncomfortable, so I take pains with my appearance so as to make it easier for them to listen. Poor souls, they don’t know any better, and so I make the effort.)

Author's reply

(Good things he has those words of guard and guiding to fall back on...) The continuation is coming soon! The Rescue is coming close to the end of the story, and after I've posted the last chapter of that one, I'll start posting Bill's journey home. Thanks so much for reading and pausing to leave an encouraging word!

Author's reply

Rest – what a lovely concept. I'll be so glad when (and if) we've passed through these stressful times. Hopefully to something better. And justice. That wouldn't be too much to hope for, would it? Alas, poor Pippin, this year of adventure is probably equal to a lifetime of growing up in most hobbits' experience. But you're right. It's nice to know he'll survive and thrive and even prosper in the coming years.

Author's reply

I love the framework the Professor provided for us to build upon, where one of Gandalf's talents (is that the right word?) is kindling courage and confidence in others. (Courage is right, at least, while confidence is a guess since I don't remember exactly how he described Gandalf's effect on people, like when he was walking through Minas Tirith during the siege.) Perhaps the company he's currently keeping is rubbing off on Gimli? It's possible that other Dwarves might look at him funny if he were to strike up a conversation with a pony, but he sees the other Walkers doing so all the time. :) Thanks!

Author's reply

I'm not sure what to make of Gimli and Bill, since they have no interaction in the book – except for Gimli riding him down the mountain. And you're right – I think the journey through Moria is a life-altering experience for him, giving him a new perspective, especially considering his expectations and the reality of what the Nine Walkers discovered in the darkness. Thanks!

Author's reply

It's always such a delight to catch a glimpse of Frodo (or Bilbo) taking care of Sam! They must have given him good reason to be so loyal and devoted. Good to hear from you! (((hugs)))

Author's reply

Ah, well. We all have our bad days... Thanks for reading and pausing to share your thoughts!

Author's reply

Your suggestion make sense. Of course, I have the impression that hobbits like talking about food and will seize upon any opportunity to center their conversation around that topic! The argument over whether to call the meal "breakfast-supper" or "supper-breakfast" suits their preferences quite well in that light! LOL! Your description of Merry as competent and good at organizing rang true to me from the first time I read the book decades ago. In addition to his organizing the move to Crickhollow and the ponies and supplies for the journey from Crickhollow onward, his organization of the hobbits' resistance in the Battle of Bywater struck me particularly. He even organized Frodo's explanation of why he was going away when the conspirators were gathered at Crickhollow! (‘I think I could help you,’ said Merry quietly, ‘by telling you some of it myself.’) For that reason, I've written him as a natural leader, organizer and worrier, even though the last doesn't quite fit with "Merry" as his name. (I thought I'd read in the book that people forgot his name was Meriadoc and called him "Merry" because he was so cheerful all the time, but I couldn't find that idea later, just 'his real name was Meriadoc, but that was seldom remembered'. So maybe I read it in a fanfic rather than in the original.) Author Reply: (That was supposed to read "makes sense". My keyboard seems to be sticking a bit, and what I *feel* I've typed isn't always appearing when I go back and read it later. Ah, well. Hopefully it makes sense anyhow.)

Author's reply

I love it when you point out the details you love. It helps me see the story through new eyes. I'm very glad you've enjoyed this story, and I really hope that the second part will work without much input from Bill's hobbits for the first half or so! (((hugs))) Thanks for coming along for the journey and for the encouragement you've so generously shared along the way.

Author's reply

Good to hear from you! I'm glad to hear that midterms are behind you. I think you're right about the Tooks' thick skulls! As to the "old pet" – that's what Merrylegs calls Bilbo. Good guess! Poor Bill indeed! But Tolkien had a habit of sending help unlooked-for and unexpected (or do those two terms mean the same thing? My brain is tired.). Bill may yet benefit from the grace JRRT included in his world-building. Chapters from the next part of Bill's story are scheduled to start appearing in April. The Rescue is almost finished posting, opening space for the WIP Thain to resume in mid-April (to coincide with a friend's birthday) and run until the final chapter is posted. I also have another "Tolly" story ready to go, the sequel to In the Greening of the Year. Because it's relatively short, I'm considering whether to start posting chapters of that one this weekend now that Tenth Walker is finished. Finishing WIPs is so motivating! Of course, centering a story around an OC is risky; it's possible that nobody will read it or feel moved to review. In this case, I may be writing for my own satisfaction; that story explains a large plot hole (or whatever it might be called, that Tolly's older children in later stories are much older than his marriage to Meadowsweet!). I try to be consistent, so that inconsistency has been distressing. Or annoying. Or [insert negative emotion here]. I hope this reply finds you well. Take care, yourself! ...and thanks so much for reading and pausing to share your thoughts. I really appreciate it.

Author's reply

You've guessed right: the next chapter concludes this part of Bill's story. Part 2 will probably be much shorter, LOL! Thanks for coming along for the journey and stopping to share your thoughts. I appreciate your feedback.

Author's reply

How I love Bill! He always tries his best.

Author's reply

All of the hyphenated "Merry" names refer to Merry. Throughout the story, Bill is confused at Merry's name since the hobbit is so often not merry. Thus, Bill tries his hardest to name Merry accurately while never able to figure out what to call Merry. Poor pony. He does his best. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts! The last chapter of Bill's journey as the Tenth Walker is due to post on Tuesday, and Part 2 telling of his journey home is scheduled to start posting in April. (Think good thoughts.)

Author's reply

Thank you for your thoughtful review! It was fun to read your impressions. Like you, I have become very fond of Bill over the course of the journey so far. I have definitely imagined him (from reading about his uncomplaining patience in the book) as you have described him here. To answer your question at the end, the question of Bree or Rivendell will be made clearer in Part 2, as Bill is making the journey homewards. (((hugs))) Very little is left of this story, and Part 2 will begin posting in April if all goes well. Think good thoughts!

Author's reply

Been there, done that – quite recently, as a matter of fact! I typed out a lovely long review on my phone and tried to post it, and it... disappeared. Ah, poor Bill. I do have his return journey outlined and written in draft form all the way to the Grey Havens (and back to Bag End). However, because of the SoA chapter limitation (150 chapters, I think it is?), I'm going to have to close this one out as "Part 1" of a "to be continued" story and tell the rest in a separate "Part 2". Just thinking aloud. Thanks so much for reading and pausing to share your thoughts! I appreciate your encouragement. (And at least as soon as the Watcher in the Water slams the Door and Bill is off on his separate way, I can resume reading the story you and DF wrote! There's something to look forward to!)

Author's reply

You might not believe (but then again, you might, considering your carefully constructed stories) how long and deeply I agonized over this scene, trying to figure out what Gandalf meant by "words of guard and guiding" and how these "words" might bring Bill safely back to Bree even though he was alone. In the end, the only way I could write the rest (I mean, up to the "snakes" and the doors slamming shut) was by envisioning those "words" as disengaging Bill from his Companions somehow, distancing him in a way, so he wouldn't be like a horse that runs back into a burning stables seeking safety but would be able to move forward, on the journey Gandalf laid out, instead of trying to run back to Samwise and the rest. (I hope that makes sense! I had too many cups of tea today. I should really switch to decaf or herbal.) Thanks for reading and pausing to share your thoughts. I really appreciate hearing from you. (((hugs)))

Author's reply

I'm so glad to read this! Merry has always been my favorite hobbit, ever since I first read the scene where he crawled, sick and shaking, behind the Witch King and stabbed him in the back of the knee. I was only a young teen at the time, but he's remained my favorite since that day. (Before that point in my first reading of the book, I'd fallen in love with Frodo on Weathertop when he defied the Black Riders. That's a teen for you.)

Author's reply

LOL, actually it was an echo of Pippin. (That hobbit certainly knows how to make me smile.) Thanks for reading and pausing to share your thoughts.

Author's reply

(I have to admit to you, I'm a bit face-blind. So the first time I saw FOTR, I couldn't tell the difference between Aragorn and Boromir except for the actions a character took.) I first noticed the difference when I saw the first film. One of the camera shots (obviously planned for the impression it would make) at the Breaking of the Fellowship part was of Boromir's shield, leaning against a tree. That's when I realized he was the Big Man with the Shield, as Bill labels him, out of the two Big Men in the Company of Walkers. The book mentions his shield as they set out from Rivendell, but the film really emphasizes the shield in that scene where he's left it behind. (I can't remember if he has his shield when he tries to defend Merry and Pippin from the Orcs or not...? It would have been his only defense against archers...) Thanks!

Author's reply

Soooo many questions...! LOL!

Author's reply

O I know. I felt as if I had to wash my hands thoroughly (and even the rest of me), with lots of hot water and soap, even as I was contemplating all the murky, slimy water in this part of the story. And to think it gets worse! *shudder* Where's Han Solo when you need him? Princess Leia: It could be worse... Han Solo: It's worse. Look, Princess... Thanks for staying with me through this awful part, and leaving an encouraging word. (((hugs)))

Author's reply

*shiver* O that ominous banjo music! I'm glad to have provided a respite from the pending onslaught of mids. Just a quick addition on the book recommendation (we're talking about Snow Treasure, if I haven't lost track of the conversation): It's a children's book, as I remember, based on a true incident early on in WWII. But (if memory serves me correctly, which it doesn't always these days) I think it was the inspiration for Hally and Rosie's children and the dangerous (though the children didn't know it) "game" they played with the enemy in The Proposition (and Jewels, I think?) and The Rescue. Children can be so innocent and charming so as to disarm the suspicions of the most cynical foe, it seems. Thanks for the lovely review!

Author's reply

Poor hobbits. The tale keeps getting darker, and they're not even in the "long dark of Moria" yet! (Somehow I'm glad the Professor spared Bill that ordeal, even if it was for practical reasons. Even if it means poor Bill has to be separated from his beloved Sam for a time. And happily, we know from the original text that Bill survives the Quest! I couldn't have written this story if he didn't...) Thanks for pausing to share your thoughts, and letting me know about the detail you liked! I find reviews quite motivating when I sit down to write more...

Author's reply

Bill's story has been lots of fun to write! (Though heart-wrenching at times, I must admit, but that's not my fault. Whew.) It has given me an increasingly deeper appreciation of Tolkien's genius in the world (and characters) he created and the stories he set there. Writing this story has also given me the chance to walk down memory lane and think about the horses and ponies I have known. You're very welcome, and thanks for reading and pausing to share your thoughts!