Notes to Readers:
Thank you for the comments! I am very tired this a.m. and hope these responses
are at least coherent.
Aemilia Rose, "Give that lady a cigar... no, a pipe... no, a
teacake!" Yes, this is the background story behind the brandy in "At
the End of His Rope". Thankfully, that story had a happier outcome as she
was further along when the coach tipped. Also, don't know if you noticed one of
the connections between "Rope" and "Flames"--Pippin was
riding up on top of the box with Ferdi when the coach tipped, just like in the
chapter in "Flames" where they fetch Pimpernel and her family from
Bridgefields. Sometimes I am too subtle for myself, I didn't even notice the
connection until a day or two ago... Sure glad something somewhere buried in my
brain is aiming for consistency.
Xena, the Muse thanks you, as a matter of fact, that fresh glass must have
helped, for she stopped sulking and spat out quite a few chapters of
"Truth" this week; that story is nearly done. (First chapter to be
posted on the morrow or very late tonight, ffnet willing. *sigh* Poor Samwise.)
Bookworm, is it okay to say I like reading about my Farry, too? I write the
stories I'd like to be reading... Sometimes I catch myself itching to go
searching for Ferdi stories on the web, and then I remember... He has become so
real to me, living in my imagination the past few months...
PansyChubb, I know, this is a very sad subject. I remember going through
childbirth preparation classes, and one class touched the topic of the
"options" when the baby dies. Those nurses were so brave and
compassionate, I don't know if I could do what they do. I hate the thought that
in hobbit tradition, the baby goes without a name, but I established Naming Day
early on and am stuck with it now. In my imagination, I think that the family
would have named the babe, even one lost early in a miscarriage, it just
wouldn't have got written in the official record. I know my own children still
talk about their brother or sister "Jo" whom they hope to meet in
heaven someday, a baby we lost early on and didn't know, even, if it was a girl
or a boy. You cannot imagine the speculation that goes on here, sometimes...
SilverMoonLady, o another new face, welcome! Unlike me, who's a bit shy with
new people, the Muse steps up with a broad smile to greet you. Have a seat,
would you prefer by the hearth or the window? And how do you like your tea?
Thanks for reviewing. (Shhhh, everyone, let us pipe down until the Boss has
passed by.)
Hai, my children excel at hearing things they oughtn't. Am considering learning
French to converse with dh on things. OTOH, they'd probably learn French faster
than I would. Hmmm. A new home educator's gimmick. "How to teach your
children a foreign language, the fun and easy way..."
FantasyFan, bad ffnet, naughty evil ffnet, not to let you review. (Monty Python
drifts to the fore and is firmly shoved back.) You are right, the hobbits were
enlightened about acknowledging the babe's existence as a person... a friend of
mine who lost a child to cancer at six still talks about her anger and resentment
that people try to act as if Heather never existed, as if that would spare her
more pain than talking about this bright, beautiful little child. Going back
into my imagination, I think that if this had happened to common hobbits,
rather than in one of the great halls where mum and dad are busy and leave much
of the child-stuff to minders (not as much as Men might, but still...and this
is not to say I'm in favour of that lifestyle, just that it is the way of the
upper classes, more than less), the whole family would have shared in the
grieving process.
runaround, I'm sure Farry appreciates your sympathy. Perhaps you might take him
fishing, or bird-nesting, or somewhat, help him get him mind off his
troubles...
Ff.net permitting, expect to see the next chapter of this story two days from
this posting. Ffnet announced that there will be maintenance scheduled Monday,
so if you cannot access Monday's chapter, try www.storiesofarda.com. You can leave
reviews there, as well, and there is a "reply" feature where I can
reply to a review right there rather than within the text of the story. Amazing
place, that SoA.
The first chapter of the sequel to "Merlin" will be added on the
morrow, if ffnet agrees. It is called "Truth", and focuses more on
the Gamgee family than any previous stories have, though of course we will
still see Pippin and Faramir. (Still no Merry. Hmmm. All I can think is that he
is on vacation in Rohan. Musie, dear, is there a Rohan story in the works?
Answer cometh not, but the empty glass is held out to indicate a need for more
pina coladas...)
***
3. Bad Company
'What did you want to talk to me about?' Pippin asked his special assistant.
Ferdi had asked Regi to come a little late to the study this day, so that he
might have a private word with the Thain.
Ferdi cleared his throat. Never at a loss for words, he had no idea how to say
what he needed to say.
'It's Faramir,' he finally began. Instantly the Thain was alert, tense.
Ferdi held up a hand. 'Nothing like that,' he said. 'The lad's fine, eating
well, sleeping again, seems to be full of spirits.'
'O you gave me a scare just now, Ferdi,' Pippin said, wiping his brow. 'Do not
do that to me!'
'I'm sorry, cousin,' Ferdi apologised, 'it's just that...'
'What?' Pippin said.
'Those cousins of his are leading him astray,' Ferdi said.
'Which ones?' Pippin said. A reasonable question, since everyone at the Smials
was cousin to everyone else in one degree or another.
'The ones he's been spending so much time with lately,' Ferdi said. 'Ever
since...' He did not want to finish the sentence, but the Thain understood
anyhow.
Pippin nodded, then looked puzzled. 'Astray?' he asked. 'Adelgrim, Palangrim,
Odobard and Hildibald?'
'Those are the ones,' Ferdi said grimly.
'I cannot believe you, cousin, they're just high-spirited lads! What's a little
mischief, after all? You and I did plenty of our own, in the old days. Nearly
burned down the old Thain's stable, even.'
'They are leading him astray,' Ferdi reiterated. 'Not just pranks, mind, but
serious mischief.'
'I cannot believe it,' Pippin repeated. 'They come of some of the finest
families in the Smials! What are you on about?'
Holding on to his temper, Ferdi said, 'They may be the grandsons of your
father's sisters, but they are trouble, Pip. Believe me.'
'I cannot,' Pippin said. 'What is this about?' He gave the other a searching
glance. 'I know that Farry has not spent as much time in the company of your
sons, lately...'
'No, for my sons do not spend time with those Tooks,' Ferdi answered.
Pippin shook his head. 'Ferdi,' he said seriously. 'I think you have an
unreasonable prejudice against those families. I know that they were
instrumental in your shunning, years back, but that was cleared up after my
father died.'
'This has nothing to do with that,' Ferdi said in frustration. One simply did
not shout at the Thain, no matter how blind and aggravating the hobbit might be
acting. 'Your father put me under the ban, and it was his prerogative as Thain,
unjust as it might have been. His sisters and their families didn't need to
take such pleasure in carrying out his wishes, of course, but I can understand
that they wanted to honour Thain Paladin's decision.' They still had avoided
speaking to him, after the unjust ban was lifted, but that was beside the
point.
'It is just that I do not think they are the best companions for your son.'
Ferdi would not say the phrase "bad influence", but the words
hung between them.
'Ferdi, Ferdi, Ferdi,' Pippin sighed, shaking his head. He put a soothing hand
on his assistant's shoulder. Ferdi gritted his teeth and refrained from shaking
it off. 'Calm yourself. Give the lads a chance. They're good lads, really, very
polite and proper.'
Of course they were polite and proper in the Thain's presence. They weren't
fools. That was part of the problem. Had they been fools, Faramir would not
suffer their company.
'I cannot move you on this?' Ferdi said bleakly.
'I see no point in it,' Pippin said. Turning the subject, he added, 'We have a
lot of business to cover this day; I'd suggest we get started.'
Ferdi sighed, and nodded.
'Very well,' he said.
***
That day at teatime, Ferdi had a serious talk with his children. Well, not his,
not exactly, they were the children of his own Nell's first marriage, who'd
become children of Ferdi's own heart when he married their widowed mother.
The topic, of course, was Faramir and his new bosom friends.
'They praise him and flatter him and laugh at his jokes, even the lame ones,'
Rudivar, the eldest, said in frustration. 'They've turned his head, and he
won't hear me.'
Ferdi made a difficult decision. 'Then you are not to associate with Faramir,'
he said, and Rudivar, Odovar and Fredevar gasped. 'None of you,' he went on,
looking from Rudi to his brothers. 'Not so long as he is going about with that
crowd of cousins. Do you understand me?'
Rudi nodded slowly. 'I understand, Da, but...'
Ferdi shook his head. 'No, lad, I will not have your younger brothers spoilt...
nor yourself, though I suspect you have too much sense to let that happen.'
'Yes, Da,' Rudi said obediently. Reluctantly, Odo and Freddy gave their word as
well.
***
'Come with us!' Faramir called. 'We're off on an adventure!'
Rudi dug his toe in the dirt. 'I can't,' he said.
'O come on!' Faramir said. 'You've been busy every time I've invited you the
past fortnight! Surely you're not busy today!'
'I've other fish to fry,' Rudi said sullenly. Faramir and the others had
fishing poles over their shoulders; it looked as if they would be having much
more fun this afternoon than he anticipated having himself. His da, Ferdi, was
not going far from the Smials these days.
'Dunno where you'll find any, here at the Smials. Come along with us and you'll
really have fish to fry,' Palangrim said.
'O leave the old stick-in-the-mud,' Odobard laughed. 'He'd just scare the fish
away, anyhow, pulling that long face!'
'It's your burial,' Faramir said, turning to follow the others.
'No, more likely it's yours,' Rudi muttered after him, but of course Faramir
didn't hear, running as he was to catch up with his cousins.
***
That evening, as Ferdi told stories by the cheerful fire on the hearth,
Pimpernel gave a gasp. He broke off, anxious. 'What is it, Nell, my love?' he
asked. 'Is it the babe?'
'No,' she said, then, 'Well, yes, it is, but not in the way you meant. He's not
coming this minute, or even this night, but he is kicking hard enough to take
my breath away.'
She looked around the circle of expectant children and said brightly, 'Your
brother's dancing, who'd like to greet him?' An eager chorus broke out, and
they swarmed around their mother, laying eager hands on her swollen belly, each
one exclaiming as he or she felt the movement of the newest member of the
family, eagerly awaited, and due any day.
