Reviews (13)

Lindelea · 15 May 2014 · Chapter 6: Justice

Found a printout of the first two chapters of this story in a pile of old papers today, while cleaning out a storage area. Realised I'd printed them to read them, upon a time, and came looking for this story once more. I remember reading it way back when. It is just as well-written and powerful today. Sobering, and yet ultimately hopeful. Beautifully done. I don't know if this will reach you, if your email address is still active, but I thought I might as well send you this note of appreciation anyhow.

Dreamflower · 29 July 2006 · Chapter 6: Justice

What a gripping story! I found it as I was looking far back in the archives to see if there were any hobbit stories I'd missed. This was excellent--I really like the way you set the event up, and how you incorporated the various canon timeline events (i.e. the Gaffer's death, Sam's being Mayor, Pippin and Diamond being newlyweds) into the real-life inspiration. It's so plausible, that "Sharkey"--Saruman, who still had his Voice, could have left such a legacy as poor, mad Grig. The reactions of Merry were very much in character. I see him as far more likely to seek vengeance than Pippin, who tends to take after Frodo in that regard, and Sam, who fell between them in his attitude, and ultimately fell out on the side of mercy as well. I'm so glad that I found this!

rabidsamfan · 10 March 2004 · Chapter 6: Justice

Fascinating and gripping. You've done a lovely job with this story, and while it's cost me in kleenex, I'm glad to have read it. I particularly liked the way that you dealt with Sam, Merry and Pippin and their very different reactions to the catastrophe.

Pervinca · 5 January 2004 · Chapter 6: Justice

Fantastic work! This was a very moving piece of writing, and you should be proud of it. You worked the "true story" element into it very well, and managed to keep all of the characters...in character. I especially liked Pippin's defence of Grig and Sam's comparison of that to Frodo's pity for Gollum. Very clever.

Rian Silverleaf · 13 November 2003 · Chapter 6: Justice

Hello! I saw your 'triple pronged polarized plug' on the PPC board, and I enjoyed that story (I've already forgotten the title! Ack!) so much that I decided to read your other ones, too. And about this story: I enjoyed that. I really did. At this point, good LotR fanfiction is rare and hard to find. I'm glad to see it still exists! ~Rian Silverleaf

Lindelea · 29 October 2003 · Chapter 6: Justice

Quite a satisfying story, well done indeed! I liked your portrayal of Fatty as a questioner--I see him much the same way for some reason. I liked Pippin's insistence on justice in the face of his fear of losing Merry's respect and/or friendship. Your hobbits are wonderfully written, very believable! Was this (the Hartford, CT fire, I mean) the fire where a beautiful baby girl was found (I think it was a girl), and they never found who she belonged to? I remember reading about a circus fire where the pictures of the child, an angelic face, were published in all the newspapers of the surrounding areas, but no one ever claimed her, and they never found out who she was. Speculation was that her parents/family died in the fire, and that's why she was never identified.

Rose Gamgee · 29 October 2003 · Chapter 6: Justice

Ack, sorry it took me so long to review! I've been really bad about that lately... But WOW! Man, this story... no review I could write would ever do it justice. It's so rare to find a really dramatic post-WotR hobbit story that does such a fine job of pulling at the readers' heartstrings. It was great to see the Shire really coming together like that - to mourn, to heal, and to seek justice. I loved Paladin's line about wanting justice, not revenge; a very hobbit thing to say, in my opinion. There were so many moments in this story that made me want to burst into tears - the mass funeral, Estella's miscarriage, everything about Grig... when Merry punched that boy, it was such a powerful and terrible moment. You've done a fantastic job of capturing the characters' actions and emotions in this time of crisis; I especially loved your portrayal of Sam, it was so very true to canon. Thank you for sharing this incredible story with us! :-)

Lindelea · 16 October 2003 · Chapter 4: Memorial Lesson

O my, this is just as gripping as the beginning was, and your hobbits ring so true. "justice, not vengeance". Thank you for posting. While this tale is sad, it also shows how the spirit can rise above tragedy. I think I know what Pippin is re-living. What is going to happen to the orphan boy now?

Lady Jaina · 10 October 2003 · Chapter 3: The Day After

Poor Merry and Estella. So sad, but I do so love a good angsty story!

Lindelea · 27 September 2003 · Chapter 2: Baptism Of Fire

A breathtaking and grippingly written beginning. I think I know the incident you are referencing. Keep posting!

Hai · 27 September 2003 · Chapter 2: Baptism Of Fire

I couldn't help myself and already went over to ff.net and finished this story but I think I will continue to read it as you post, that way I take it slower and can take in more. Poor, Sam the sorrow at finding his Dad and yet he found his two kids again. What emotions! Poor, Merry worried and pushed right over the edge into a feint. This is really such a wonderful story, thank you!

Hai · 25 September 2003 · Chapter 1: The Free Fair

Yipes! Oh, dear there are too many problems it seems. I hope you will be fast with an update so that I can read more! I'm anxious to find out that happens!!

Rose Gamgee · 24 September 2003 · Chapter 1: The Free Fair

Ooh, yay! I was hoping you'd post this here, so that I could review it by chapter (I have it on my favorites list at FFN, but have yet to review it there). First of all, I love your writing style. Easy to follow, but not boring, and really good with details. Your dialogue is great, too. You're also doing a great job with characterization. And I love how you described the fire at the end . . . subtle, like the start of the fire itself. Okay, not sure if that made any sense, but I hope you get the idea . . . :-P Anyway, I wish I could give you better feedback, but I really do love this story. I'm almost dreading re-reading the upcoming chapters; they were so heartbreaking . . . Ah well, great job! I'm looking forward to more!