Ch. 13 ~ The Hay-cut

[mechtilds_fic]

Threshold ~ by Mechtild

Chapter 13 - The Hay-cut

Rating: mild Mature

Comments

[lame_pegasus]

Wow, Mechtild. This is like a rich, luscious painting (from the Netherlands, perhaps, 17th century...), full of wonderful, vivid images.

They moved across a field like a line of country dancers, but their partner was the grass. It bent before their blades and fell with a sigh like lasses. And lasses watched. And sighed, too. A hobbit good with a scythe, it was said, was good in other ways.

*smiles*

And what a wonderful portrait you paint of Bilbo here! You grant us a look into his heart, and I love what I see; his memories of doing the rub for Frodo after earlier hay-cuts is one of the most moving, tender things I've ever read.

Marvelous. Absolutely marvelous, and so intensely worth all the waiting and your renewed efforts!

[mechtilds_fic]

Oh, thank you, Mona (may I call you "Mona"? It's so much shorter than your elvish name).

I am so pleased to read your response. Although I loved the chapter (well, both, since 13 and 14 were written as one long sequence, but too long to post as a unit), I was worried that readers would find it terribly anticlimactic, especially after such a long wait. I had an awful time getting through this, but, perhaps it is because I share a dislike of difficult things with my heroine. ;) I knew I needed to get back to Bilbo and I knew it would be complex and painful for me, for I really do love the hobbit, and I knew this would be hard for him.

[lame_pegasus]

Of course you may call me Mona! *laughs*

[mechtilds_fic]

O.K., Mona!

[aussiepeach]

What she said. I could taste the cherries and smell the hay. *purrs*

[mechtilds_fic]

Oh, Peachy! Thank you! All the way from Russia! I suppose the heat matches, too. No, I hear it's far hotter where you are right now.

If you become bored, forward through all the chapters from the beginning, just to look at the pictures. I had such fun finding them and mulling over the selections. I love the way the whole thing turned out, so "book-like." Like a "real" story.

[maewyn_2]

Such beautiful, descriptive writing! Your words make the story come to life. Bilbo's actions and feelings are real. Your world feels real.

I'm looking forward to Chapter 14! Oh, and I love the pictures you've incorporated into the chapter. It makes it more personal. I must go back and look at the earlier chapters. Well done, and it's been well worth the wait!

[mechtilds_fic]

Oh, thank you, Maewyn. I went a little overboard with pictures for this one. It was one chapter for which I could find a dozen great images. I compromised by using the cherries and hands in tight detail as insets. Only one other chapter has more pictures than the one at the head. I may have more than one image in chapter 14, though, since it is another one for which I found so many good paintings I couldn't choose.

Guess what!?!?!?!? I got an email from Scarlet: far ahead of schedule she's sent back the first revision of Ch. 14. I must go open it. Maybe it can be published by this weekend! It will depend on how much there is to do on it, I guess. All the corrections for Ch. 13 were very small things, but which added together tightened and polished it up quite a lot. Scarlet is terrific at critical reading.

[maewyn_2]

Woo hoo! So we're going to have a feast after the famine! Go Scarlet!

You really must continue on with this story. I know you had difficulty getting these chapters written, but it's come out so beautifully! You really do paint a word picture. That's the only way I can describe it. You take the reader there.

I distinctly remember reading the first paragraphs of Chapter one. My imagination immediately transported me into the languid atmosphere of a warm afternoon, with mothers and babies relaxing under the trees after their meal. Not to mention that kitchen scene! ;-) That's seared into my brain!

Oh, I've had a look at the previous chapters you've posted here, and you've chosen perfect pictures for each of them!

[mechtilds_fic]

Thanks, Maewyn. I have to go to work soon, but I hope to open and make corrections from Scarlet's edit tonight, sending it right back for her persusal. After that, it usually takes another couple of back-and-forths to finish up.

[taerie]

This was wonderful and evocative. (I haven't finished my re-read but couldn't wait to read this.)
I love it the very best when you describe the every day business of Hobbiton.. the culture.. the people.
Living in Kansas.. (Rather a lot like the Shire actually..) haying is very much a big deal.. even with modern machinery it is an art.. and easily messed up. So all of this just makes Hobbiton live and breathe to me.. and the sights smells and feelings are spot on.
Beautiful.

[mechtilds_fic]

Oh, thank you, Taerie! You are very gracious.

And your remarks about haying in Kansas were a thrill to read. I was worried that the haying wouldn't be realistic enough. I found a SUPER book at the library after not finding what I wanted on the internet, detailing the hayings on farms in 19th century Minnesota, with farmers using only old methods and tools (since that was all they had), all of them immigrants or children of immigrants from Scandanavia and Germany. It seemed a perfect resource.

[este_tangletoes]

This is going to be one of my favourite chapters. Whenever I wish to live and breath the hobbit aura, I’ll re-read chapter 13 of Threshold.

You have described Bilbo and his mannerisms perfectly. That dear old hobbit. Here’s a *swoonlet* for Bilbo.

Thank you Mechtild, chapter 13 was eagerly awaited and is much loved.

[mechtilds_fic]

Oh, Este, you are so sweet! It is very Shire-ish, isn't it? And Bilbo -- oh, I just love Bilbo. I loved him before, but after writing Chs. 13 and 14 I loved him that much better.