Fallow by Ariel
Larner · 18 September 2006 · Chapter 2: Innocence
So--this is how the heir to Bag End falls--not to machinations but to guilelessness and uncoached loveliness. A worthy match, if it had ever come to pass.
Author's reply
She would have been, I think. In the end they will see this, but that end is not for a very long time.
Larner · 18 September 2006 · Chapter 1: Spring
Poor Pearl, able to run free and now expected to become a lady. I, too, want a gander at the contract and wonder about the motives of both Pearl and Lalia at this point.
Author's reply
Well, I am afraid Pearl is the one being duped - but then I am afraid Lalia is a very persuasive lady. Stay tuned. The next chapter will explore Pearl's side of the situation.
FantasyFan · 18 September 2006 · Chapter 4: A Long Appointed Meeting
This is a very unhappy chapter. Poor Pearl, I really feel sorry for her. She must think Frodo was toying with her all those years ago, to so thoroughly reject her now. It is going to be hard for her to come to terms with how much he has changed, especially when she cann't know why. It sounds like she is a virtual prisoner under Lalia, though somehow she has managed to escape. It doesn't sound to me like she plans to go back - she's disguised herself, and left no trace. I wonder if she went as far as to cut her hair? If things werw so bad at the Smials, that she couldn't write and she couldn't get away, I imagine that thoughts of Frodo rescuing her must have been very much in the forefront of her mind. Was she counting the time until he came of age? What a horrible disappointment to find she had been forgotten, dismissed, rejected. Frodo, on the other hand, I'm trying hard to be charitable toward and not succeeding too well. He rationalized his way through their whole last encounter, but he did seem at the end to grasp the idea that she would honor her vow. Yes, he only said they would talk at the end of it, and he was careful not to promise her anything. Nevrtheless, I am disappointed in him, that he made no effort all this time to see how she was, to show her any of the care that was implicit in their earlier meeting. Maybe he doesn't know much about young girls, but he did see something of Pearly's spirit, and he ought to have known he would break her heart. Regardless of all that, now that she is there, he not only has disappointed her, he doesn't seem to care all that much about it. Yes, he spent a sleepless night, and yes, some of it is the ring talking (ok, maybe a lot of it is the poison of the ring), but he hasn't had it all that long, and there is no excuse for his lack of attention over the last years to something that obviously was very important to her. The ring is a powerful influence. I wonder if Pearl can overcome any of it? It's not an auspicious start (restart) to their relationship: but it does make an interesting story. I'll be looking forward to the next chapter.
Author's reply
*sigh* Yes, it is an unhappy chapter and under the ring's influence, Frodo's actions may seem harsh, but he's not seen his cousin in more than passing and has heard no good tales of her in all this time. I hope you give the story (and both characters) a chance to redeem themselves. I may provide angst, but I always give a happy (or at least resolved) ending.
SurgicalSteel · 11 September 2006 · Chapter 3: The Easy Pupil
Wow, that was amazing - her reaction to him pulling away was completely believable, and Frodo rationalizing his own bad judgment? Amazing.
Author's reply
*Preens* I have such a good time writing this story and it's really rewarding to see that others enjoy it too! Thanks for letting me know.
Cuthalion · 11 September 2006 · Chapter 3: The Easy Pupil
Ahhhh... I know I left a review when you published this first, but I simply have to tell you again how much I love it... wonderfully skilled writing, an utterly believable plot and a marvelous, female character as the heroine. And I'm really looking forward to read more! Cúthalion
Author's reply
I am having a really good time writing this. I am delighted you are enjoying reading it too. More soon!
Inkling · 10 September 2006 · Chapter 3: The Easy Pupil
Ooh, you do know how to get mileage out of a kiss, don’t you? Love Frodo’s rationalizations, that he’s doing this just to teach Pearl a lesson. Riiiight… I like the setup here, that Pearl is infatuated with a cautious and (belatedly) restrained Frodo. Very true to life…much more so than the usual fic convention that would have them both completely enamored with each other by this point. First love is so rarely reciprocated…
Author's reply
Oh, I couldn't see Frodo falling for such a young thing - he's got too much sense - unfortunately, by the time they are old enough for each other, Frodo will have the ring. :(
Inkling · 10 September 2006 · Chapter 2: Innocence
“take little Pearl out for a stroll” indeed! I think Bilbo’s the one who’s asleep here…
Author's reply
Well, he's over 100 after all... ;)
Withywindle · 10 September 2006 · Chapter 3: The Easy Pupil
This story is wonderful. I've always enjoyed Frodo and Pearl together, and it is refreshing to have a story where she is young and vulnerable, and not the vixen that so many stories portray her as.
Author's reply
I don't write vixens, generally. Most of the Frodo loving ladies I've met are bright, loving, generous and wonderful women, so that's what I want to write. Glad you are enjoying the story - I hope you continue to enjoy it.
Lily · 9 September 2006 · Chapter 3: The Easy Pupil
What a lovely chapter. Poor Frodo. He really has no other possibility than to accept her vow. I love the imaginary at the end. he felt the spring wind blowing strangely cold and felt fingers of omen combing uneasily through his hair.
Author's reply
Really, he doesn't. The poor fellow. Thought the ring doesn't give him much choice either, does it? All in all, I think he'd have been better off with Pearl. ;)
Grey Wonderer · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 3: The Easy Pupil
That Pearl knows how to lead with her desires doesn't she. I love the fact that she almost wound up undoing Frodo in her innocence. I also liked the foreshadowing at the end of the chapter. I am still enjoying this very much.
Author's reply
Well, she isn't really sure what she's in for, and really, it does feel pretty good. *snort* And seriously, if you had a 26 y.o. Frodo in your arms, what would you do? I know what I'd do! Hehehe.
lovethosehobbits · 7 September 2006 · Chapter 2: Innocence
I couldn't remember if I'd reviewed already or not, but wanted to tell you how sweet and fun this story looks to be developing. I can't wait to read more of it. I haven't heard much from you lately and wanted to make sure that you're alright and that everything is going ok with you. Let me know, I love chatting with you and have missed your emails. tree
Author's reply
Uh... sweet? fun? *checks later chapters* Well, wait till you've read a bit more before you decide on those adjectives. *snort* As you could probably expect, this thing is angst with a capital A! I've missed you too! But I am still here, just running out of things to say!
Grey Wonderer · 26 August 2006 · Chapter 2: Innocence
I love Pearl's logic here. She is looking for a way to remain in charge of her own life and she thinks attaching herself to another female of power will help her do that. I also thought it simply wonderful that she picked those apples in her short clothes in from of Frodo. I think he is becoming charmed by her whether he will admit it or not. LOL
Author's reply
Pearl is a fun character to write and though she's got faults and has been born into a society that doesn't accept her the way she is, she is strong enough that, even if she is baptized by fire along the way, she will 'make it' in the end, just like Frodo did. Thanks so much for reading and letting me know you liked the story!
SurgicalSteel · 25 August 2006 · Chapter 2: Innocence
Well, this is interesting. You can almost cut the tension between those two with a knife! Will be glad to see more!
Author's reply
*Waves!* Thank you for reading! While you excel at surgery, I fancy my claim to fame is angst; never gratuitous, but always intense. I hope you don't mind if I pile a bit more of it on! *grin*
Lily · 25 August 2006 · Chapter 2: Innocence
Poor Frodo. He really was pushed into quite uncomfortable a situation. I like your Pear a lot. A very strong character and yet so unsure about how to use it properly.
Author's reply
I like her too. ;) So many people have such a knee-jerk, compulsive hatred of Mary Sues that they either can't or don't write female characters at all. I've actually had people tell me they couldn't write a good female ?!?!?! For writers who are almost exclusively female, there's something decidedly wrong with that. I think the secret to writing good characters of any stripe is to like them. Sadly, we live in a society that tries its darnedest to put women down in every quarter. Very few women like themselves and so probably find it hard to like a character they create. It's a crime how our gender is STILL treated in this world. Well, at least I can treat them well in fiction. Well, 'well' is a relative term. Poor little Pearl is going to be going through some rather arduous hoops... ;)
Larner · 25 August 2006 · Chapter 0: Prologue
Good use of Tolkien's own letter to introduce the story.
Author's reply
Thank you! It fit, just the way it was, so why change it? I also wanted to thank you again for sending those files to me. I have, unfortunately found that when one has the files safely tucked away on one's PDA, one rarely finds a moment or two to read them. *sigh* Or perhaps it is the confidence of knowing that I 'have' them which means I feel no urgency about doing so. Either way, I thank you for your consideration. Nilmandra has since incorporated the ability to download an entire story in one fell swoop into the site software and I have been happily archiving stories. If I ever find myself on a deserted island, I'll have plenty to read! LOL!
Inkling · 8 August 2006 · Chapter 1: Spring
Nice set-up so far...Frodo in paragraph three, family intrigue, and what promises to be an interesting dynamic between Lalia and Pearl. As always, great description and dialogue!
Author's reply
*Wags tail* Thank you, my dear! Funny, those are exactly the kinds of things I enjoy about your writing. ;) I'll try to post the rest asap for you!
Inkling · 8 August 2006 · Chapter 0: Prologue
Another "Fear," you say? Oh goody! And with a meaty character (so to speak) like Lalia! And a kiss from a sweet cousin (hmm, wonder who that could be?) Bring it on, Angst Maven!
Author's reply
Hehehh! I wonder! And it will be angsty, and not entirely happy, but not entirely horrible either. Some people just have to learn to make what they can of their lives. *sniff!*
SurgicalSteel · 7 August 2006 · Chapter 1: Spring
This is a really intriguing beginning. I'll be very curious to see how this pans out, because Tolkien's words really do suggest something much more sinister than a clumsy attendant and an accidental death.
Author's reply
Tolkien's words really do suggest something much more sinister than a clumsy attendant and an accidental death. Exactly! This passage has always intrigued me and I just knew there had to be much more to it than that! I've had a ball writing Lalia. She's become someone you love to hate, but who is quite honest in her beliefs and motivations. She's a woman made hard by circumstance and who built herself up. While I can't see any hobbit being out right evil, we have met ones who were mean, greedy and spiteful, so why not ruthless? I hope you enjoy the story as much as you have the beginning.
Grey Wonderer · 5 August 2006 · Chapter 1: Spring
I love your discription of Pearl covered with mud. This is so different from other stories that I have read about Paladin and the Thainship. In most that I have read he doesn't actually want the title but has no choice. I like the fact that he is seeking it in this. I am looking forward to more of this.
Author's reply
Really, she is a very different Pearl than any I have yet read. In fact, most of the hobbit women I have seen are either stage props, harpies or unrelateably demure. (I am not counting the many Mary Sues, though I'm a lot more pro-OFC than most) I just wanted to make a readable, believable and empathetic heroine... and then give her a whole pile of angst. hehehehe
Grey Wonderer · 5 August 2006 · Chapter 0: Prologue
I have always liked Pearl and the air of mystery that sometimes surrounds her so naturally, I am looking forward to this.
Author's reply
Good! So do I! Tolkien's own words seem to suggest something sinister, if not her doing, then her involvement. I hope you like my take on the matter. It'll be angsty (duh... no! Really?) but I hope it will keep folks' interest!
Lily · 5 August 2006 · Chapter 1: Spring
I loved this from the first time I read it on the Spring Challenge site and I'm glad to see you working on it again. It reminds me a little bit of "Fear" (which you know I adored!) ... not the theme but the intrigues and I kind of have a feeling that there are many different layers to this story as well. I'm looking forward to reading more of it.
Author's reply
Yeah, it feels a lot like Fear as I am writing it too, though Pearl is far from Dody. I think you'll see a lot of similarities between her relationship with Lalia and what Dody almost had with Clearwater (without the psedo-abusive suggestions). Good villans (and villanesses) are SO much fun to write! (and I even get to kill this one off! It's CANON! Heheheheh!
Armariel · 5 August 2006 · Chapter 1: Spring
My, this looks interesting! Anxious to see what happens next.
Author's reply
*Waves* I should tell you that I wanted to reply earlier, but something in your reply told the site software that I wanted my replies in... well, I am not sure what language it was... Some Asian something. Nilmandra deleted your little sword thingy at the end of your sig and I can now reply to it. I thought I might let you know that in case you've had problems getting people responding to your reviews in the past. Something about that little string of characters "~~~{~@" really seems to freak out the system! LOL! In reply to the encouragement, thank you! I will try to get new chapters posted as soon as my beta gets done with them! Thanks for reading. :)
lovethosehobbits · 5 August 2006 · Chapter 1: Spring
Oh, I am delighted to see you are penning another fic! This sounds very interesting and I can't wait to see what happens. Lotsa Frodo, I hope.
Author's reply
High time, eh? Seriously, I've been betaing like mad but haven't had ANY time to write for myself. This one has been on the back burner for about a year - which in Ariel-time means it's about ready to be put on 'paper' - LOL!