Lalia Took's Pride by Larner
Lindelea · 26 October 2010 · Chapter 7: The Slothful Life -- Sloth
Ah, Pearl, that's the ticket. Polite, noncommittal, smiling pleasantly. Perhaps you'll be able to dodge the worst of the gossip that way, or at least be pitied, rather than slandered. At least, for now.
Author's reply
I so agree, Lin. A most difficult situation she will face all too soon, of course. But how much of her own misery Lalia brought upon herself is the question, of course.
Andrea · 21 October 2010 · Chapter 6: The Glutton -- Gluttony
Some hobbits even call her "Lalia the Fat"! Eating seems to be her only pleasure. You might even call it her hobby. I really pity her!
Author's reply
Yes, they called her that indeed. And she'd given over almost every other pleasure, other than the exercise of power over the other Tooks within the Great Smials. I, too, pity her. Thanks so, Andrea.
Armariel · 20 October 2010 · Chapter 6: The Glutton -- Gluttony
Poor old Lalia. She's really a mess, what? ~~~~~{~@
Author's reply
That's definitely true, Armariel. She gave up so much of herself!
cookiefleck · 19 October 2010 · Chapter 6: The Glutton -- Gluttony
I feel sorry for Lalia Took, having such gossipy and judgmental helpers!
Author's reply
I agree, Cookiefleck. But she has done much to lose the respect of her husband's people, and has never learned to cultivate love. Poor lady!
Tari · 15 October 2010 · Chapter 4: Lalia Took's Wrath -- Wrath
She lucky to find anyone to help her. One day she'll run out of relatives. Someone should give her a chill pill.
Author's reply
Oh, but you are right. She does not appear to have been any too loveable a person, after all. And it does not appear her eventual death raised a great deal of pity for her, but more for her nurse and her then-current Took handmaiden, Pippin's oldest sister Pearl.
Lindelea · 12 October 2010 · Chapter 5: Lost Lust -- Lust
Oh, dear! Poor Ferumbras, and his poor father, too! Sheds a whole new light on why he never married.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree. Fortinbras must at times wondered just what possessed him to have married Lalia Clayhanger!
Tari · 6 October 2010 · Chapter 1: Lalia the Great -- Pride
People with fat heads and overblown egos always think this way.
Author's reply
That they tend to do, Tari--you are certainly right there! Heh!
Lindelea · 4 October 2010 · Chapter 4: Lalia Took's Wrath -- Wrath
Avenged, eh? Salt in the sugar bowl, perhaps? Or some other prank, but so subtly done that the close attendants (who suffer most from Lalia's sharp tongue) cannot be blamed...
Author's reply
No, not salt in the sugar bowl. See http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=3966&cid=26141 to find out how Reggie managed it. But there was no question of one of the attendants having done it.
Andrea · 4 October 2010 · Chapter 4: Lalia Took's Wrath -- Wrath
What a contrast! Frodo and Bilbo know that it is wise to think before you talk and act. Lalia, however, just shouts out when something does not suit her. Maybe it always worked for her that way. But from Bilbo's words I would deduce that this time it will be different!
Author's reply
Oh, yes, this time it was indeed different. Vengeance was Reggies, if you will remember! Heh!
Lindelea · 28 September 2010 · Chapter 3: Envy -- Envy
That Lalia has a sharp mind and discerning eye doesn't surprise me. That you were able to move me to pity in this short word picture... very skillfully done!
Author's reply
I'm so glad I could do so, Lindelea. Even the likes of Lalia, Lobelia, and Saruman have their tragic sides, after all.
Lindelea · 28 September 2010 · Chapter 2: Greed for Recognition -- Greed or Avarice
Makes perfect sense. So, did the table of the Tooks rival that of the Brandybucks?
Author's reply
That I'm not certain, Lin. But I'd think that no matter how fine a table might be set in the Great Smials, with Lalia in charge undoubtedly most folks would still prefer to eat at Rory's rather than her own.
Lindelea · 28 September 2010 · Chapter 1: Lalia the Great -- Pride
And she certainly did! You say a lot in so few words...
Author's reply
Hey--I appear to finally be able to write a drabble as well as a novel! Thanks so, Lindelea!
Kara's Aunty · 21 September 2010 · Chapter 3: Envy -- Envy
Hello again Larner, dear, oh dear. What a bitter old lady she is. What a shame - she had all the means to be beloved, but squandered her energy instead on pettyness. And despite that, I still feel sorry for her ... M ;)
Author's reply
That she did. And I, too, tend to feel sorry for the old thing! Heh!
Kara's Aunty · 21 September 2010 · Chapter 2: Greed for Recognition -- Greed or Avarice
Hello Larner, I know I shouldn't like her because of her overbearing, controlling personality, but after reading this drabble, I feel quite sad for the lonely hobbit lady she was during life. *sniffle* Good work (as usual), M ;)
Author's reply
I find I have mixed feelings for the old lady, actually. And it's nice to be able to breathe sympathetic life into even such a soul as Lalia Took. Thanks so!
Kara's Aunty · 21 September 2010 · Chapter 1: Lalia the Great -- Pride
Hello Larner, what, no reviews for these stunning drabbles? What a crime! I really liked this glimpse into Lalia's inner thoughts. And fat or nay, her presence was certainly commanding! She was a bit of an old dragon in the end, wasn't she? Very enjoyable, M ;)
Author's reply
That she was. I posted these first on the Tolkien Weekly LJ site, so have received a fair amount of reaction there. Just got the beta back from RiverOtter, so it's now posted here, too. Am so glad you appreciate it! As for Lalia--am so glad Tolkien breathed life into her in his Letters. She is a fun one to write about!