Where the Love-light Gleams by Lindelea
Pearl Took · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 11: Sounding the Alarm
Well, they'd best get a move on, seeing as Ferdi's gone and got himself buried in the hay. Bless Pippin for wanting to see to his cousin and fearing the others might not be able to deal with him. So good! So very good!
Author's reply
Yes, Pippin's motives are very good, though he's rather jumped to conclusions at the moment! Thanks!
harrowcat · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 11: Sounding the Alarm
That sounds like quite a procession on its way to the stables. I hope they find him - by his snores if nothing else!
Author's reply
O yes, I think Ferdi'll be found, by hook or by crook.
Dreamflower · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 11: Sounding the Alarm
*snerk* Poor Tad, there among all those Tooks, who seem to know more about what happened than he did himself. I love the poor lad's confusion. And it's going to be interesting when they finally get to the stables... Yep. Interesting. *grin*
Author's reply
I've seen a person equipped with the facts, become disoriented in the face of utter confidence on the part of someone who *thinks* he has the facts. As you already know, *interesting* is a word and a half.
Garnet Took · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 11: Sounding the Alarm
And the tales grow taller on down the line. How like the Tooks to blow things all out of proportion even when they are well-meaning in the effort. I can't wait to see Woodruff's reaction. She is going to upset with Ferdi for getting drunk, but she's also going to be fit to be tied at how everything was made to seem so much worse than it is. Oh, those talkitive Tooks. GT.
Author's reply
Woodruff's reaction is interesting, to say the least. Looking forward to posting that chapter.
Bodkin · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 11: Sounding the Alarm
Poor Ferdi. He's going to have every ranking Took at the discovery that he's one over the eight. Unless Woodruff decides to cover for him. Which is not impossible. After they find him, that is. Poor hobbit. Pimpernel will be mortified. She'll never let him live this down. (And neither will Pippin!) I love Tad's awe at being dragged into the Thain's private rooms. And the way he lets Sandy convince him that Ferdi is badly hurt!
Author's reply
Poor Pimpernel. And poor Ferdi! He never knew what hit him... Amazing how the Talk grows and grows.
harrowcat · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 10: Needle in a Haystack
Oh Ferdi - just what other trouble can you get into? Well, knowing Lindelea, lots - and we readers love every minute of it!
Author's reply
LOL! Poor fellow, a magnet for trouble.
Bodkin · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 10: Needle in a Haystack
Oh no! Rebreathing all those alcohol fumes! He's knocked himself cold. Although, as long as the hay pile doesn't get too much higher, he'll be warm and snug on a comfortable bed. He'll be asleep in a moment - and then the reluctant Nibs will take half the day to uncover him! I hope Ferdi isn't driven hard enough to make him sample the keed-willer - or Pimpernel will really have some sharp words for him!
Author's reply
Ah, the keed willer. One of those plot points it is good not to forget. I hadn't thought about him knocking himself out rebreathing the alcohol fumes! LOL!
demeter d · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 10: Needle in a Haystack
Oh, dear! all of that Yule-tide cheer caught up with him. At least Tim knew he had been out there, and if he does not turn up in the house, will know where to look. About now I would imagine he needs a bit of sleep, anyway! Charming chapter. Well written people. I feel as if I know them.
Author's reply
Thanks! I would think he'd need a bit of sleep, too, considering he's been up more than 24 hours now. He may have dozed a bit in the saddle, but that doesn't sound all that restful.
Pearl Took · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 10: Needle in a Haystack
Oh no!!! Finally home and now this!! Poor Ferdi. You are way too good at torturing your hobbits LOL I eagerly await more :) :)
Author's reply
Well, at least he's not feeling any pain at the moment. Hasn't been, for quite awhile. But I hate to think what the hangover will be like.
Dreamflower · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 10: Needle in a Haystack
Oh no! *ROTFL* Poor Ferdi! Oh golly! At least this will be a New Year he will never forget!
Author's reply
At least this will be a New Year he will never forget! Ummm. Well, maybe. I've heard that overindulgence can lead to forgetfulness. Don't know how it works in someone who drinks very little and then suddenly has a blowout. (I know that blackouts are a symptom of advanced alcoholism, right? So I don't know how realistic it would be for Ferdi to have no memory of the uproar.)
Garnet Took · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 10: Needle in a Haystack
Only Ferdi can get in this much trouble. He is just about the single most unlucky, yet lucky, hobbit there is. He even has stranger things happen to him than Pippin does I think. Hope they get him out of that haystack soon. Thanks for a fun read. GT.
Author's reply
Just call him un/lucky! Save time and space! Y'know, I started picking on Ferdi in the first place because I'd done so much to poor Pippin... And now Ferdi's saturated, I need to look around for someone else, or choose a different genre than angst. Goodness!
Larner · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 10: Needle in a Haystack
Poor Ferdi--now THIS is a predicamate for which he is poorly prepared, as drunk as the poor hobbit is. Hope Nibs finds him soon! Poor child, but one who deserves it thoroughly.
Author's reply
Hmm. Perhaps he'll get some of the rest that he has been denying himself. OTOH, with his luck, you never know.
Larner · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 9: Home, Sweet Home
Not so much the fall itself as what came AFTER the fall is wrong with poor Ferdi.
Garnet Took · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 9: Home, Sweet Home
Trouble is, Tad doesn't *know* anything about Ferdi's fall. He thinks he does. Woodruff is most likely going to be shocked nearly to death when she discovers Ferdi is simply blind-runnin' drunk. Once the furor runs down, I'm sure everyone, with the possible exception of Ferdi, will find the whole thing rather amusing. Pippin will probably get the biggest laugh of all out of it. Thanks. GT.
Author's reply
You're right!
Bodkin · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 9: Home, Sweet Home
I wonder if it will take Woodruff long to come up with the diagnosis 'drunk' - or whether there's a bit more to it than that. Poor Nibs is going to get his comeuppance - although I can't say I'm sorry. I like the country hobbit Tad admiring the Thain's extensive stables. And Old Tom is very wise to save the effort of arguing with Ferdi and go straight to Woodruff. She has powers over Ferdi that Old Tom lacks - and an ability to conscript Pimpernel to her aid. I think Ferdi's head is likely to be aching even more soon!
Author's reply
I really don't think Ferdi hit his head... though it would be easy to mistake his behaviour, especially for those who know him well, and have never seen him intoxicated before. (Or, actually, not for a long time. I just remembered that Everard got him drunk when Thain Paladin sacked him, after Pippin went off to Buckland without an escort.)
harrowcat · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 9: Home, Sweet Home
Good - at least he is home safe if not exactly sound! Now how is Woodruff going to explain to him the difference between a concussion and too much liquid refreshment! Or is the alchol both masking and enhancing the effects of the fall?
Author's reply
It's fun to contemplate Woodruff's reaction! (Coming soon, I hope)
Dreamflower · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 9: Home, Sweet Home
*chuckle* Well, he's home and safe, and he'll be seen to and no one worrying about him--which is what worried him, LOL! And *what* will he do with all those mufflers? *giggle*
Author's reply
O my, what to do with all those mufflers? Hmmm...
Larner · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 8: Oasis in a Thirsty Land
Poor, poor Ferdi, with a surfeit of liquor this night of all nights. And the currant wine makes better weedkiller? Oh my, poor thing!
Author's reply
I do think that for the first time in his life, Ferdi is going to have a hangover. He probably *will* think he gave himself a concussion... Thanks!
Dreamflower · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 8: Oasis in a Thirsty Land
Oh golly, this just gets funnier and funnier. He's going to be in such a state by the time he gets home, he won't know up from down. *giggle* This is wonderful,and in spite of the knock on the noggin, I'd say you are at least somewhat making it up to poor Ferdi for all those years of angst! *How* many mufflers does he have now? And I love the thought of him giving the "keed-willer" to Pippin or Merry as a birthday mathom! *snerk* (I wonder which of them will end up stuck with it?)
Author's reply
Poor solicitous Tad, making sure Ferdi keeps a steady level of sustaining brandy in his bloodstream. (Actually, there was no knock on the noggin, but Ferdi's too muddled to say so, and the way he's acting, everyone else just assumes...) I'm glad to make it up to him for all the angst. I just could not bring myself to write more Ferdi-angst for this story, poor hobbit. When I try to imagine him, lately, all I can think of is him and Nell snuggling on the sofa in front of a crackling fire. Thanks!
Garnet Took · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 8: Oasis in a Thirsty Land
LOL! "Hones',ociffer, you're not drunk." That was the first thing that came to mind when Ferdi said, "keed willer". The more I think about it, the harder I laugh. I do feel sorry for him, though. He's gonna have the mother of all headaches once all the booze is out of his system, if it ever gets out; considering he's adding even more now that he's got a waterskin full of brandy. Looking forward to whatever happens next. GT.
Author's reply
I'm sure I've heard that "hones', ociffer" comment somewhere before but I cannot place it. But I do remember the comedian Gallagher, and his bit about, "Anytime's a good time for beer! B.S.! ...traffic court! "Just a minute, judge, let me pop a cool one. ...weavin'! Heck, I can't even knit!" I am very glad to hear that I'm not the only one laughing. (People look at me funny when I laugh at my own stories...)
Pearl Took · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 8: Oasis in a Thirsty Land
"Ferdi stood straighter, suppressing a belch. He was a fine, upright hobbit, after all." " "He doesn't want to drink that stuff he won,' Jolly said. 'Wonderful weed-killer it is, but you don't want to drink it! It'll lay you low, and the head pain the next day... don't drink it! Pour it out, and not on any plants that you value, neither!' 'It'll make a wonderful birthday mathom, then,' Ferdi said. 'I'll give it to Pippin, or better yet, Merry, on my next birthday.' 'Just warn them it's weed-killer,' Jolly said, helping Tad lift Ferdi up into the saddle, for it seemed the hobbit's knock on the noggin had affected his balance; he needed help just finding the stirrup. 'I'll do that,' Ferdi said. 'Keed-willer,' he added, and laughed." Poor Ferdi, he's going to become a lush!!!! ROFL!!!! Pickled Hobbit!!!! Grand and Wonderful, a joy to read!!!
Author's reply
A lush! Well, perhaps for one day. I think the hangover just might cure him of any future lushiness, however. Thanks for hitting the high points!
Bodkin · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 8: Oasis in a Thirsty Land
Poor Ferdi might make it home, but he'll need a full day in bed to get over his involuntary over-indulgence! And he's got to the confused point now where he's saying 'good' when he finds he's topping up the Ferdi-shaped brandy bottle! Not good, poor hobbit, not good! He'll be in the stable in disgrace with Nibs at this rate.
Author's reply
LOL! I don't know how you do it, but you often make such prescient comments... Y'know, I don't think Ferdi has ever been hung-over before in his life! He's always been such a light drinker... and probably will be, again, after this.
Larner · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 7: A Little Goes a Long Way
And so far no one's realized that Ferdi himself wouldn't have left Star in that condition. They are a bit slow for the previous night's celebrations, aren't they? Ah, well, at least Ferdi appears to be in good hands. Glad he has an escort.
Bodkin · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 7: A Little Goes a Long Way
Well - an escort for the (former?) escort sounds a good plan. Especially if he has imbibed rather less First Footing cheer. I like old Prudence - wearing braces and a belt! He probably has as many old sayings as the Gaffer. I love Starfire - what an intelligent pony. Not many could put themselves to bed. Shame he couldn't unharness himself, too, and take the hams to the kitchens, but that would probably be a bit too much, even for a pony from Rohan! Nibs is likely to find himself getting an ear-bashing later - there's not a lot of point having a stable-lad there to look after the ponies if he doesn't even notice when one comes home with no rider! And saying he fed Star is confusing - because he did and he didn't! Nibs may well be cleaning stalls for the next fortnight when all this gets sorted out. Fingers crossed Tad sees Ferdi safely home.
Author's reply
I bet he does. He seemed the type of hobbit to speak in proverbs (almost said cliches, but he might not appreciate the distinction). Star is quite self-centred, as are so many ponies of my acquaintance. Untacking himself, yes, he'd do that if he could, but take the hams to the kitchen? Probably not. I imagine he'd have dumped his load if he'd only been able to figure out how. After all, it would have been easier to get rid of the dogs that way, and not have to expend the energy running away. I imagine that there's lots of muck in Nibs' future...
Pearl Took · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 7: A Little Goes a Long Way
Oh dear! Those stable hobbits are in for a surprise. I'm glad that family treated Ferdi so well :) Star was rather rude to not notice he'd last his rider! LOL Hope all is well in your RL.
Author's reply
Thanks so much. *hug* Am fighting the dark again, but managing to hang in there so far.