Imbecamiel
· 12 January 2013
· Chapter 2: An Unexpected Guest
I love Ferdinand's speculation regarding orcs' swimming abilities - or lack thereof. *g* No... I really can't picture them swimming much either, though I kinda imagine they could keep themselves afloat in a flailing sort of way for short distances. (Hey, if even my parakeet could learn to swim a bit in an emergency...)
Oh, this is just lovely. So warm and cozy and familiar, for all it takes place way out in wild and dangerous places... It makes me want to hug Aragorn, and Ferdinand, and all the hobbits, and this story, and you. Except, you know, sick and all, so I guess I'll keep my germs to myself and send love and admiration long-distance. *g*
Eep, though. I've no idea who the mystery visitor could be this time around... unless it's Tom Bombadil? Looking forward to reading the rest!
Author's reply
Thank you! I was trying for that feeling of security in the wilderness (though once out of the Barrow Downs, it's not *too* wild, at least compared with other Wilds in Middle-earth). But yes, don't hug Aragorn... he doesn't need a cold on top of everything else! (I do hope you're feeling better by now.)
eiluj
· 12 January 2013
· Chapter 2: An Unexpected Guest
I'm afraid I'd forgotten about Ferdinand. What a pity: I'll have to read that story again....
I liked Ferdinand's description of how the Bucklanders differ from other Shire hobbits. And of course Saradoc's far-sightedness.
"He says he feels in his foot hair that something's stirring out there in the world that might not be friendly to hobbits" -- This is undoubtedly one of the best allusions to foot hair in fanficdom.
So who does the deep, rich voice belong to? And what's this "one more chapter" business? There could well be many, many more travellers happening by -- people we'd be quite happy to see!
A couple of places where I was confused:
"Running from wights, or my imagine more likely" -- Imagination? Something else?
"Oh my. Orcs along the Withywindle! Now that is sore news. I wonder what they were doing here. You know, I was just in Buckland and of course, that's on the other side of the Brandywine so not likely to appeal to orcs. I don't think they swim, do they? No, I've never heard that they do" -- I'm not quite sure what's going on here. Buckland is, of course, on the east side of the Brandywine, the same side of the Brandywine where Aragorn and Ferdinand are at the moment. If orcs don't swim, they wouldn't want to go to the west side of the Brandywine (the Shire proper). But as I say, they don't have to cross the Brandywine to get to Buckland (only the Old Forest and the Hay -- and the Old Forest would make hash of them).
Author's reply
First off, thanks for pointing out the errors. The first is of course a typo (now fixed), and the second was a case of my writing faster than my brain could keep up (also fixed). Thinking too much of Buckland there when I should have typed "East Farthing". Suffice to say that Ferdinand was wandering sometime fairly recently on the west side of the Brandywine and then crossed and met Aragorn by chance on the north side of the Withywindle. And no, of course you and I and Aragorn know orcs wouldn't cross, but Ferdinand is thinking out loud... he's not *that* familiar with orcs, despite his vast-for-a-hobbit experience.
Anyway, both are adjusted and hopefully work now. I'm glad you liked the "feel it in his foot hair" line. It did seem a very hobbity thing to say. :)
No answers to your question of who the voice belongs to... well, except that in the next chapter it will be revealed. And yes, there's no end of possibilities of travellers, but as they say, those would be beyond the scope of this particular story. But I've more plans for chance meetings for Aragorn, so someday you'll read about some of those impromptu get-togethers.
Thanks again for the heads-up on the errors. I appreciate it.
Kate
· 12 January 2013
· Chapter 2: An Unexpected Guest
I did a little squeal yesterday when I saw a new story from one of my favourite authors! As usual, this was a great little read, I love how you write our hardy ranger and your OC's are always so believable!
Looking forward to chapter 3...my guess is Tom Bombadil!
Kate x
Author's reply
Thank you, Kate! I'm so glad you enjoy my stories and my OC's. They're so fun to write and share.
As for who the mystery voice belongs to... you'll just have to wait and see. *g*
shirebound
· 12 January 2013
· Chapter 2: An Unexpected Guest
Poor Strider, I know how painful a thumb injury can be! I'm just delighted at Ferdinand's nonstop chatter. This is probably more conversation that Strider has had in many a month. Mmmmm, I'm glad to know he'll be sharing a good meal with a good friend. And what a treat for someone to call him "young Strider". :)
Author's reply
Thank you! I like to think that Aragorn's looks often got him called "young man" by those who were older by the standards of their own race. I can just picture a gleam of amusement in his eyes when someone assumes they're far older than he is.
Imbecamiel
· 12 January 2013
· Chapter 1: A dodge and a ducking...
Oooh yikes. Being along, at night, anywhere near the Barrow Downs... D: Just proves yet again that Aragorn is a far, far braver person than I will ever be.
This is making me so, ridiculously happy, though. I just love that depth and sense of realism that you bring to your portrayal of Middle Earth. From the big things to the little details, it just... Yeah, this cold's pretty much taken what little ability I have to use words coherently. But your writing is delightful.
And I actually did a happy little bounce when Ferdinand showed up at the end. :D Off to read the next chapter!
Author's reply
Hee!! So you guessed it was Ferdinand! And thank you, you're very kind. I do like working in as many details as I can without dragging down the pace of the story. And yeah, Aragorn's FAR more brave than I ever would be!!
I hope the next chapter continues to take your mind off your cold. We hates colds, preciousssss!
Dreamflower
· 12 January 2013
· Chapter 2: An Unexpected Guest
*grin* I do so love Ferdinand's hobbity conversation and banter with Aragorn! What fun! And a great bit of description of Buckland and Bucklanders. OK, so this story must be taking place in SR 1313 (Because Old Rory died in SR 1308)? Just a few years before the Quest.
Hmm...who's the voice? Gildor? Tom Bombadil? Gandalf? I guess I'll have to wait till the next chapter to find out if any of my wild flailing guesses are correct!
Author's reply
Hee hee... I have a long-standing policy that I do not answer questions, no matter how much the reader is flailing. *g*
I'm fascinated by the Buckland hobbits; they're so different from most of the rest.
Aragorn likely wouldn't use SR, so, since this and my other tales are from his POV (or the POV of other Dunedain like Halbarad), I have at the start of the story TA 3012. I'll let you do the exact math (I hates math, preciousssss), but yes, a few years before the quest. The references to Old Rory's death are deliberately a little vague, because I didn't know his exact date of death, only the year. So I'm assuming 4-5 years, or, as Ferdinand says, "about five years ago". :)
Lindelea
· 12 January 2013
· Chapter 1: A dodge and a ducking...
Denny's came out with a Middle Earth menu? I missed it! (or is it still on?)
We had a plate of mushrooms cooked in wine and butter sauce last night, as a matter of fact, to go with our chicken pie... very hobbity, and homely too.
But dragging myself away from the topic of food, I just want to say that this is a delightful story! Poor, bedraggled, Ranger. Sounds like he could use some hobbity company (and food!).
What a lovely gift for Shirebound! ...and the rest of us.
Author's reply
Ooh, mushrooms in wine & butter with chicken pie does indeed sound hobbity and delicious. :) As for Denny's, they did have a Middle-earth menu. I didn't try it because there's no Denny's in my city (probably the only city in the US without one!), but I heard good things about it. I'm not sure they still have it.
Thanks for reading and leaving a lovely review. Two chapters to go!
mistmantle
· 11 January 2013
· Chapter 1: A dodge and a ducking...
That was great! It really got me interested! I can't wait for the next chapter! :)
Author's reply
Thank you! So glad you're enjoying it!
Fantasia
· 11 January 2013
· Chapter 1: A dodge and a ducking...
Is Ferdinand? As usual, poor Strider, always running and hurt. So glad that you are posting again, thank you.
Author's reply
Ah, Fantasia, you always ask questions I can't answer... except in the next chapter, of course. *g* Thank you for your kind words--I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
curiouswombat
· 11 January 2013
· Chapter 1: A dodge and a ducking...
Ah - I can quite see why it was a tale for Shirebound.
Just at the moment I think I'd rather have toad-in-the-hole that hobbit-in-the-hole - but I can see it making an excellent breakfast!
Author's reply
Toad-in-the-hole would be delicious as well... maybe Barliman will experiment and add that to the mix. *g*
And yes, a very hobbity, Shirebound-y tale! I hope you enjoy the rest. :)
Linda Hoyland
· 11 January 2013
· Chapter 1: A dodge and a ducking...
Great to see a new story from you!
Poor Aragorn, I feel really sorry for him. I hope help has arrived.
Author's reply
Thank you! It does feel good to finally post a story, even if a short one. Glad you're enjoying it. :)
eiluj
· 11 January 2013
· Chapter 1: A dodge and a ducking...
What fun!
Author's reply
Thank you! The remaining two chapters will go up over the weekend. :)
Dreamflower
· 10 January 2013
· Chapter 1: A dodge and a ducking...
Wheeeee!!!! *grin* I think this will make me just as happy as it did Shirebound!
Author's reply
I hope so! *g* Thanks for reading!
Larner
· 10 January 2013
· Chapter 1: A dodge and a ducking...
Aha! At least this is a friend! Glad that he has company and some decent food coming.
Author's reply
He definitely needed a friend to come along just now, didn't he. Thanks for reading!
shirebound
· 10 January 2013
· Chapter 1: A dodge and a ducking...
Wheeee, I love this story. Hobbit-and-Ranger friendship fics are my favoritests. And just today I noticed how well my thumb is finally doing. Thank you again, my friend.
Author's reply
Hooray for improvement! And you're certainly welcome. It was nice to have my muse wake up again. Two more little chapters to come. :)