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This and That  by Lindelea 4 Review(s)
FimbrethilReviewed Chapter: 46 on 8/16/2025
But Merry surprised Pippin by pulling him close, in turn, and whispering, 'Gandalf did not want the art of fireworks to disappear from Middle-earth when he did so, and it seems he thought long and hard on the matter. He decided in the end that the Dwarves were a shade too aggressive to have the secret, though I'd've argued with him that they'd never use the stuff in delving or mining, not after hearing Gimli talk about their art. That said, his greatest concern was that Men might misuse the stuff, and he said – in the letter, that is...'

'The letter you burned,' Pippin clarified.

'That's right, the letter I burned,' Merry answered, drawing a curious look from a passerby. He took Pippin's arm and drew him further away from the other hobbits nearest them and added in a whisper, 'He said that Strider agreed with him.'

'And the Elves?' Pippin said, keeping his own voice low.

Merry shook his head. 'The Elves would have no use for it,' he said. 'I think old Gandalf had the right of it, there.'

But he maintained his grip on Pippin's arm. 'Strider knows because Gandalf told him,' he said in a low voice that was almost lost in the celebration surrounding them, Shire-folk walking from the racecourse back into the town, chattering about the wonders they'd just seen. 'But it's got to stay a secret, Pip! For Gandalf has given the Shire-folk a great treasure, and he trusts us to hold it secret, that Men and Dwarves will not guess its true nature...'

'Gimli would guess, I should think,' Pippin argued.

'We don't want rogue Men waylaying hobbits in hopes of learning the secret!' Merry insisted, and Pippin suddenly went still as this thought hit home.

'No,' he said slowly. 'I suppose we don't.' He blinked solemnly and added, 'It will be enough that they may marvel at the beauty of the fireworks shining in the sky, and never know the terrible power of the stuff behind it...'

Suddenly his gaze sharpened, and he stared into Merry's eyes. 'Perhaps Gandalf ought to have taken the secret with him over the Sea,' he said. 'Are hobbits to be trusted with such knowledge?'

Merry started to answer, but the words caught in his throat. He swallowed hard, then said, 'I think hobbits proved themselves to the old fellow, proved themselves and their trustworthiness. For Frodo and Sam took a little ring, the least of rings, to the edge of the Fire; something even the Great were unwilling to attempt...'

The younger cousin stood very still, and then he nodded. 'The secret is safe with me, Merry,' he said. 'You can rest assured.'

'I know I can,' Merry said, punctuating this thought with a hug.

[…Oh Man. To think that it is MERRY and PIPPIN talking about this. heeheehaha. I would say they have grown though. In more ways than one. heh. But I never considered this, but it does make sense.]
***

And Pippin kept his word, even to the point of acting astonished when, after he'd come of age, old Merimac solemnly informed him of the great privilege and heavy responsibility the White Wizard had levied upon the Brandybucks.

'Black powder? You don't say!'

'No, lad,' Merimac rumbled. 'The point I'm making is that you don't say!'

'Of course I won't!' Pippin answered, and Merry slapped his younger cousin on the back with a grin.

Old Merimac didn't know the half of it. And, knowing Pippin, the old hobbit would never find out, either.

Author Reply: I should think the cousins certainly have grown, considering everything they went through on the Quest. I'm glad it makes sense to you!

Thanks so much for reading and for all the lovely reviews! I will be working more on review replies in the coming days, but for now, it's past midnight and I had better call it a day.

PeriantariReviewed Chapter: 46 on 7/13/2025
That's so thoughtful of Gandalf to leave down the secret to Merry and counted on him to keep the tradition.
'But it's got to stay a secret, Pip! For Gandalf has given the Shire-folk a great treasure, and he trusts us to hold it secret, that Men and Dwarves will not guess its true nature...
I never thought of that! That is so clever for you think of. THe whole premise of the story is very creative.
Awesome job!

Author Reply: Very early on, it struck me that when Gandalf sailed, Middle-earth would no longer have fireworks. The thought made me so sad, I figured out a way to preserve the art of making fireworks so that they wouldn't become a wistful legend amongst the Shire-folk but rather a continuing delight.

(While I'm not thrilled by the loud booming component of fireworks, I do love seeing the showers of bright colors against the night sky.)

Thanks so much for taking the time to pass along an encouraging word!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 46 on 7/12/2025
What a creative tale! I enjoyed this very much.

Author Reply: Thank you for reading and pausing long enough to leave a word of encouragement! I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

ItarilleReviewed Chapter: 46 on 7/12/2025
What a thoughtful parting gift from Gandalf!
What a sweet story about fireworks, delving and mining :)
I hope you are feeling better.

Author Reply: Thank you for your good wishes! I had oral surgery to deal with an infection almost a week ago, and today's the first day I've felt like my energy is coming back. Here's hoping for better energy going forward! (And, in hindsight, it's no wonder I've been so tired the last few months.)

I'm glad you liked the story! The idea that Gandalf left the secret of black powder with hobbits when he sailed away has long appeared in my stories, for the idea that fireworks would disappear from Middle-earth made me sad. Thus, I tried to figure out how to keep the art of fireworks alive after Gandalf departed. (But up until this point, I've only mentioned it in passing and never wrote the story of how it came about.)

I appreciate your reading and taking the time to share your thoughts.

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