Bodkin
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 3: Best Laid Plans
Ferdi's headaches have their uses - but they are not terribly handy when he's riding in the dark on a cold winter's night.
Bolham the Red and the rebel bands of North-Tooks sound interesting - I wonder if their story is another one that might one day be told?
Sensible hobbits had weather aches in bones they'd broken. Ah well. Ferdi knows full well that nobody would call him a sensible hobbit. Not even Pimpernel - although she might find various other complimentary terms.
So he's out in deserted country, in the rain, on a dark moonless night, with a splitting headache, groggy with weariness and a pony whose gait has changed.
I hope the hams don't get home without the hobbit.
Author's reply
Have you been reading ahead?
(How do you *do* that?)
Don't know yet about Bolham. Who'd read his story, I wonder, unless there were some way to slip canon characters into the plot?
Larner
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig
Yes, the wives say that, "Take care," "We wish to have you return again." And love Oatley and his stern assurance he ISN'T raising pigs when all know he does! Heh!
Garnet Took
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig
That exchange between Ferdi and the farmer was interesting. I guess he can't see the wisdom in diversifying his farm. Oh well, I guess that is a normal hobbit trait; a resistance to change.
I don't blame Starfire for being a little put out, that's a lot of extra weight.
Now I guess we're going to get into what happened on that long trip home on Last Night.
Thanks. Now I'm off to read the next chapter.
GT.
Author's reply
Typical hobbit, yes.
Poor Starfire. It's not even something *he'd* choose to eat. Carrying oats, now, there's a nice prospect, and a chance to munch if Ferdi were to decide to lighten the load.
Bodkin
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig
I love Farmer Oatley's reasoning. He grows oats. The pigs are just friends of the family - ridding them of organic waste and generously providing hams and bacon. Ferdi seems to understand how to deal with him though - although it must be frustrating.
Starfire doesn't seem to be that impressed by his role as pig porter. But I'm sure Ferdi will be able to keep him in hand - all things being equal.
Since the coach had fallen, and him under it, they'd watched him slipping away, slowly, ever so slowly, for he fought with all the courage he'd brought back from the Southlands, but little by little in truth.
Ah. Know when this is then. I'm not surprised Ferdi is out riding through the night to try to tempt Pippin's fickle appetite.
Author's reply
"pig porter" Imagine that on a resume.
Yes, I threw in that time clue for those who knew the backstory. And if I get my entry to Marigold's latest challenge finished, it'll tie this story and that one nicely together.
Dreamflower
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 2: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig
So the farmer won't raise the pigs for pork, will he? It sounds like the sort of stubbornly daft reasoning the Gaffer might use--and very hobbity!
And of course the mention of Pippin's health places where the story belongs in your timeline, and shows just *why* Ferdi and the others would go to such lengths for Pippin. It also plays up something which both you and I agree on--Pippin's similarity to Frodo. For it is also just the kind of thing Pippin, Merry and Sam would have done, the kind of lengths they would have gone to, for their beloved Frodo. Pippin, too, inspires others to love him that way--it is part of who he is, and a result of his own generous and courageous nature.
I got a chuckle out of Starfire's reaction to being used as a pack pony--*snerk*!
And the farmer's wife adds a touch of foreshadowing. Obviously, Ferdi's going to have a bit of trouble on the way home. (Well, of course,or there's no story, right?)
Author's reply
Of course! But the story is shaping up quite comical--er, angsty, indeed. One might think Mr. Herriot had entered the picture.
Poor Ferdi.
And here you have posted a new "Menelcar" chapter, which I skimmed very rapidly (probably read about one word in five) as I am interrupted... but I hope to get back and read it slowly and properly. What fun!
Larner
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Where the Love-light Gleams
I do love the idea of the First Footer and the symbolic gifts to him, and Ferdi's decision to be that for a time on the way home. Who knows where the glory of the new year might greet him? Lovely as always, Lindelea. Hope the lasses have had a wonderful holiday. See you, I hope, in two weeks.
Dreamflower
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Where the Love-light Gleams
Oh, I remember that little exchange--too funny! And now we see Ferdi really went and did it...
Off to a very promising start!!
Author's reply
Yes, Ferdi really went and did it!
Don't know that he'd go so far for anyone but Pippin though. (Pimpernel, certainly. Regi, probably. But I can't think of anyone else.)
Thanks!
If all goes well this will wrap up in less than a week.
Bodkin
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Where the Love-light Gleams
Riding round after dark! With honey-cured ham!! And bacon!!! First footing!!!!
Ferdi is as likely to find trouble as a raindrop to find the ground.
(I'm not really rubbing my hands together with glee.)
Author's reply
As prone to trouble as the sparks fly upward, I'm afraid.
But not necessarily a terrible lot of bone-breaking, drowning, choking, bleeding angst. Been reading too much Herriot lately to take things too seriously. Perhaps he has a calming influence.
You're only rubbing your hands together to warm them, isn't that right?
Pearl Took
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 1: Where the Love-light Gleams
This is off to a fine start, Lin! I placed the title right off :) And I like the Tooks having the First Footer. Looking forward to enjoying more :)
Oh, Happy New Year to you and yours :)
Pearl
Author's reply
And Happy New Year to you and yours as well!
Though from the summary this looks like the typical Ferdi-angst fest, really it seems to be shaping in quite another direction. Perhaps I'll get to adjust the rating downward, from PG to G, rather than upward for a change!
(I balked at writing it in the first place. My brain was telling me the poor hobbit has been through enough in his life...! But evidently the Muse knew what she was doing.)
Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving a note!
Bodkin
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 14: All's Well, etc.
I'm confused.
I love the story. Poor Ferdi - at least he gets out of this one with just a headache and Woodruff shielding his reputation.
But what happened?
Author's reply
Um. what do you mean, what happened?
The data got corrupted and had to be restored. Is something missing?
Or is there a plot point that I dropped in my knitting?