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Pearl of Great Price  by Lindelea 4 Review(s)
Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 31 on 1/20/2004
I could just sit down and cry right now! You warned me this would be sad, but I didn't expect that! I have no idea how Paladin will stand this and no idea how Pippin will understand it. Pippin is bound to blame himself once he knows that this is because he tried to get to Merry. It was wonderfully written and you most definately made me feel it!

Author Reply: Thank you, it is sad, but Paladin is not friendless.

The sad part is that this is the beginning of the end of the warm relationship between Paladin and Pippin. It will only get worse once Paladin realises he's next in line to be Thain, and he has to train up this spoiled, willful boy to follow in his footsteps. (Love Pip, but he's been badly brought up... all love and no discipline, training, whatever you want to call it. Thank goodness for the Brandybucks and their good sense!)

Lyta PadfootReviewed Chapter: 31 on 1/20/2004
Poor Pippin, he has to be terribly confused. Of course part of the problem between him and his father (and it only gets worse!) is that Paladin doesn't keep Pippin 'in the loop' so to speak but seems to want to keep him young and ignorent forever.

Its difficult to imagine a society that allows the ban to be placed on an entire family - including three underaged children. Rather surprising Lalia didn't order Pimpernel, Pervinca, and Pippin taken away until Paladin complied. Lalia has shown herself to be without scruples - I wonder if Pearl's exclusion from the ban is in light of her position or plans on the part of the Mistress to use her as a replacement for Rosemary. With Pearl not yet of age and without a parent to speak up for her she is even more vulnerable than Rosemary was for all that she is older. If Lalia hasn't thought of this, I'm sure she will.

Author Reply: Y'know, I don't think children were easily taken from their parents in earlier days, though they might possibly run away. Lalia's rationale for banning the entire family is that the father is teaching the children disloyalty, so let's just punish everyone, shall we? (And for another reason to come out soon.)

It is not that Paladin is keeping Pippin young and ignorant, it is that the lad is only 11 and parents don't necessarily discuss business with youngsters (The Little House books come to mind. Don't you know that Ma and Pa were discussing things like starving and where the next meal would come from when the kiddos were asleep? But you got no hint of it in their interaction with the children...).

You have some good insights as to Pearl's position. It might have worked out just that way, but for an upcoming twist... Hah. Did I just give away a plot point? Hope not.

Thanks for reviewing.

ConnieReviewed Chapter: 31 on 1/20/2004
Oh, this is so sad. I guess I didn't realize at first that the whole family, except Pearl, would be shunned.

This really is the beginning of the end for Paladin's and Pippin's relationship. Oh how horrible. I know I should feel sorry for Paladin because he was only being a decent, honorable person, and to have all this come down on his head. But my heart really goes out to Pippin. He doesn't realize, at this point, I don't think, that he is a large part of the cause of this situation. And now his own father is acting so differently toward him. He has got to be one very confused child

If only they could have talked it through. But Lalia saw to it that the seeds of discord were planted deep and encouraged to grow strong.

I feel like I just rambled a bit there, but this is very distressing stuff. Oh, my poor, sweet Pippin.

Connie.

Author Reply: This is sad. I don't think Paladin realised it at first, either.

Poor Pip! Somebody really ought to have explained it to him, obliquely if necessary, before they left the Smials, but often adults discount children, either assuming they know more than they know, or assuming they're better off not being told right out, or whatever...

I don't mind rambling. I do it all the time. Thanks for reviewing!

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 31 on 1/20/2004
This is breaking my heart! Everyone is walking on eggs so as not to anger the petty tyrant, yet anger her they have. I doubt anyone reported Pippin's ravings: they wouldn't need to, as Lalia would know perfectly well what direction he was going in, and guess why. Isembold, Bittersweet and the Thain himself are skating on very thin ice to do as much for Paladin as they have done. Poor Paladin! I feel so badly for him. He tells it truly when he says he is trying to teach his children by example: to be loyal to those who deserve it, to be honest to their feelings, and to honor that which is honorable. Tell me, where exactly does Lalia find it written that she is allowed to choose when there are sides to be taken, or pit family against each other?

I have a feelling that this trauma will leave a lasting scar on Paladin. Not only is his entire family except Pearl under the ban (really petty vindictiveness, to punish Pervinca and Pimpernel), it seems impossible not to think he is blaming Pippin for it. Impulsive Pip has not thought about the consequences, and Paladin's failure to control him has been to their downfall. Is this the beginning of the deterioration of their relationship? His blow to Pippin now is frustration and anger and not knowing what else to do to show the severity of the situation, but there will be long silent days to brood on all this, and the wound can't help but fester.

In at least one way Lalia has her will - there is no way now that Paladin can communicate with his sister. Pearl will not dare sending a message from the Smials, and nobody will take a note from Paladin. Even the Thain will find it difficult to explain communicating with Buckland right now - maybe Ferdi could sneak in? Can anybody take the chance of Lalia finding out?

This ban is indefinite, which means until Lalia dies, since Paladin will not relent. I wonder, will Paladin be able to do business? Is he allowed to sell his crops, or buy at the market? I am sure that they are self-sufficient enough to survive, but it will be painful. Reading this, knowing Ferumbras will likely lift the ban after Lalia dies, and seeing Paladin's hurt makes it all the harder to realize he will one day impose a similarly painful fate on Ferdi, for no better reason. How dreadful it is to see how much he changes by the end of his life.

Author Reply: Glad to see you again! Once more you have written a very insightful summation. Your "Tell me" sounds rhetorical, is it? Of course it's not written! What despot follows rules, after all, instead of making them up as they go along?

Yes, this story marks the turning point in Pip and Paladin's relationship. I think in "Rope" he says something to Merry about his father not having been a totally awful father. I was thinking of this story at the time. Paladin was a decent sort before events warped him. Even after, he always tried his best, poor fellow.

The very least I can tell you about contact with Buckland is that Ferdi will not be going to Buckland. I wrote myself into a corner; the first time he ever saw the Brandywine was in "At the End of His Rope", so he cannot come within sight of the River in any earlier stories or I'm contradicting myself.

Your last paragraph will be dealt with in the next chapter or two. As a matter of fact, it is a major plot point.

Thanks for reviewing, both here, and in "Shire" (was beginning to think I'd lost the readers in that story and needed some drastic revising. Might still need drastic revising, but am too close to the story to tackle it now. Will just keep writing and pin hopes on editor and reader comments...)

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