Chapter 18.2 is added to A Secret Gate today: Mat Bucket arrives at Brandy Hall where he encounters all manner of surprises and-at last-reunites with Jamy
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Oh! Oh! And I have to go out tonight in just a few minutes! And I also want to re-read the last couple of chapters at SoA! Well, maybe we will get home in time, then!
As to stairs, I do not imagine them as being unheard of in the Shire, but as being uncommon. I know that my version of the Great Smials has at *least* two stairways--the quasi-canonical steps up to the Great Doors as described in Letter #214, and a staircase leading into the ballroom which I could not imagine *without* a staircase. I know that there are probably a few staircases at Brandy Hall. Still, both those places have sloped passageways, or ramps as you describe them, for the most part. It would not surprise me if a few of the public buildings might also have staircases from time to time.
Oh, now if only we get back in time for me to read Ch. 18.2 tonight!
For me, personally, I treat them canonically; but they were not meant to be published, they were written, as many people argue "after the fact" (usually in answer to fan letters asking questions), and were not published in his lifetime. There are some people, who judging by the last criteria, think of the Silm as "quasi-canonical". So I use that term mostly to avoid controversy.
My personal opinion is that he knew his characters and world better than anyone, and whatever *he* had to say on the matter *should* be treated as authentic. And while they were published after his death, they are still his own word on the subject.
(And I *finally* got to 18.2, and it was awesome! More and detailed feedback later when I have more time!)
Well, in Lothlorien it is said, "Hobbits do not like heights; and do not sleep upstairs, even when they have any stairs." Which implies that some at least do have stairs. And in the letters, Tolkien refered to the fate of Lalia the Fat, mother of the unfortunate Ferumbras who was Thain before Paladin, who overbalanced her wheeled chair and fell down the front stairs of the Great Smials to her death. So, there is definite evidence for stairs at at least one of the great houses, unless you are one of the very picky who does not consider the letters canon.
Hi! So glad to hear from you again! And thanks so much for this comment--I was sorely in need of it, having been scolded a bit already. I hope I didn't sound argumentative on the subject--I just thought I ought to explain what in the world possessed me to do such a thing.
I find I can accept a lot of "iffy" stuff in other people's work if I know where they're coming from and why. And since not a lot of people here know me, I thought maybe an explanation was in order.
Oh, Elanor, this was a lovely chapter, as always! At first I was quite put out with the Captain's attitude, but he came around fairly quicky. I loved watched Mat's defenses come crumbling down!
I liked the interplay between Mat and Jamy, as well. So realistic, the reunion of a father and son. And it was heartbreaking to see Jamy's reaction to Mat's news of going away again, and yet very realistic.
You know, I am so pleased you were impatient with Mat. That sounds odd, I guess, but what it means to me is that that part worked! I sometimes have a hard time putting a character I'm fond of in a light that isn't flattering, and it took awhile to strip Mat of his charm there. I'm glad to know you "bought it", so to speak!
The scene between Mat and Jamy was months in coming; it was in my mind long before I actually wrote the chapter. It changed from time to time, too--place, characters, focus--but what never changed was the emotional core of it, what seemed to me the deep, heartrending love each has for the other, and the care with which they have heretofore expressed it. It all broke loose here.
So glad you liked it, and thank you so much for letting me know!
I DID enjoy it. It still saddens me that Jamy and Mat lost Lyssa so soon, and the little lass. I wonder if perhaps Mat could find another lady love at some point; he's still young enough, of course. But with his responsibilities at the Barway, I don't see that happening anytime soon.
Or did I read somewhere that hobbits rarely remarry?
I think I've read that somewhere, too--that hobbits rarely remarry. Like the Gaffer. You're right, also: Mat is going to be very busy there on the Barway, where lady-folk aren't permitted. (There don't seem to be a plethora of swash-buckling lady hobbits anyway; and though my Estella had her moments, Freddy made sure nobody heard about them!)
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As to stairs, I do not imagine them as being unheard of in the Shire, but as being uncommon. I know that my version of the Great Smials has at *least* two stairways--the quasi-canonical steps up to the Great Doors as described in Letter #214, and a staircase leading into the ballroom which I could not imagine *without* a staircase. I know that there are probably a few staircases at Brandy Hall. Still, both those places have sloped passageways, or ramps as you describe them, for the most part. It would not surprise me if a few of the public buildings might also have staircases from time to time.
Oh, now if only we get back in time for me to read Ch. 18.2 tonight!
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My personal opinion is that he knew his characters and world better than anyone, and whatever *he* had to say on the matter *should* be treated as authentic. And while they were published after his death, they are still his own word on the subject.
(And I *finally* got to 18.2, and it was awesome! More and detailed feedback later when I have more time!)
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I will be eagerly reading your chapter today!
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I find I can accept a lot of "iffy" stuff in other people's work if I know where they're coming from and why. And since not a lot of people here know me, I thought maybe an explanation was in order.
Hope you like the chapter!
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I liked the interplay between Mat and Jamy, as well. So realistic, the reunion of a father and son. And it was heartbreaking to see Jamy's reaction to Mat's news of going away again, and yet very realistic.
Well done!
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You know, I am so pleased you were impatient with Mat. That sounds odd, I guess, but what it means to me is that that part worked! I sometimes have a hard time putting a character I'm fond of in a light that isn't flattering, and it took awhile to strip Mat of his charm there. I'm glad to know you "bought it", so to speak!
The scene between Mat and Jamy was months in coming; it was in my mind long before I actually wrote the chapter. It changed from time to time, too--place, characters, focus--but what never changed was the emotional core of it, what seemed to me the deep, heartrending love each has for the other, and the care with which they have heretofore expressed it. It all broke loose here.
So glad you liked it, and thank you so much for letting me know!
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Or did I read somewhere that hobbits rarely remarry?
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