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Where Roses Grow  by PIppinfan1988 7 Review(s)
pipspebbleReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/21/2004
Oh, my heart! You're going to kill me, you know that, don't you? So beautifully written, so achingly lovely. I'm so glad I found this story. It is simply marvelous!

Author Reply: Wow...I am always amazed at wonderful reviews such as this one. I'm so glad you found it, too--I've made so many lovely friends through this story. Take care!

Pippinfan

PervincaReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/12/2004
Sorry - been busy with exams, so just catching up on all of these chapters that I missed. Rest assured, that I will carry on reading this story, no matter how many tears it may bring to my eyes. It's wonderfully written, but it must be so hard for you. I agree that you shouldn't become too attached to OCs. That's probably one of the reasons I don't like to use OCs all that often :P

They should write to Aragorn for help, I think :P Has anyone thought of using athelas? (And please forgive me if this has come up earlier in the story - I'm very tired)

- Pervinca

Author Reply: I know you have--it's *that* time of year for you. :-) You know, I've thought about writing the King, but her illness is too far along for that at this point. You just gave me an idea for something else, though. ;-) I'll pm you and let you know when I have everything formulated.

Pippinfan

melilot hillReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/11/2004
Thi is so sad, but I still very much love this story!

Author Reply: Thanks, Melilot! I'm glad! :-) Thanks for reading Roses--and for taking the time to let me know you still enjoy it. Take care.

Pippinfan

KrisztaReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/10/2004
Good story, fantastic chapter, I like it very much! I still have hope in the happy end. I now I may be silly or childlish, but I don't care. Losing your child is an impossible great burden wich changes you forever, and I like Pippin the way he is, and I like Rosebud as well. It can be hard enough to bear when they say to you that you will lose your only child, this can have a free scope for a great Pippin and Merry angst. But I still have hope that THAT is enough suffering for poor Pippin. Besides, there is a therapy for this illness wich is used by horses: the doc inserts a tube into the lung to have run out the fluid from there. (See that e.g. in The Black Beauty)

Good luck!

Author Reply: Hello, Kriszta! Oh, I know there is therapy for this type of illness...but did it exist in Middle-earth--or the Shire during this story? I choose to believe that probably it didn't. At least, not in the Shire. JRRT mentions that hobbits disliked contraptions more complicated than a mill or a handloom, so I choose to believe that they largely depended on herbs and such for healing. I don't put it past Gondor to have that "technology" in its most rustic form, but not the Shire--however, thanks for the input. Yes!! This does give way to more Pippin and Merry angst! :-) The premise of it being extraordinarily hard on a parent to lose their only child is what this angst is all about. Thanks for reading Roses. :-)

Pippinfan

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/9/2004
No last minute change of heart? I cried almost all of the way through this and then when Merry started crying, I really lost it. If Merry's worried, then I am too. I did feel sorry for Merimas but I know that Pippin was doing what any parent would and that is to try everything. Pippin is so sick himself now that I wonder if he'll just want to give up and go with her when she goes. So sad and so very well written.

Author Reply: Thank you, Grey Wonderer! Sorry, no last minute change of heart. I almost did after Lilas died, but I guess you can say I'm back in the saddle.

I purposely wrote Pippin as a desperate parent--because most any parent would be frantic at that point. I deal with it a bit in the next chapter. There was a website I accidentally visited (accidentally, because now I can't find it again!) while doing research for Roses months ago, and it had a drawing of a woman dressed like Lady Libery holding a baby in one hand and a smoking gun in the other. The caption read something like this: "Never come between a mother and her child." And its so true, and I'm writing Pippin somewhat in that fashion. He would die for his own child. I'll leave it at that. ;-)

Thanks for reading Roses!

Pippinfan
I'll be reading your updates to one of my favorites today. :-)

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/9/2004
"Unnoticed by the others, Merry crept towards the empty corner near the window that held little light from the main part of the sitting room. The young hobbit stood alone in the shadows, partially hidden by the drapes as despair overwhelmed him. Leaning against the wall, Merry’s knees weakened under the weight of cares upon his shoulders, tears falling as he himself slipped down on his haunches in the nook of the corner…where he quietly wept."

Oh My Goodness!!!!! This is so incredibly heart wrenching and elegant!!!! You, my dearest Pippinfan, are an incredible author!!!!! And you go nuts over my word pictures . . . open your eyes and look well at your own, they are fantastic!!!!!!!

(it's an exclamation day ;) )

Author Reply: Aw, Pearl!! That means so much to me! But I do have to say, you are soooo much better at it than I. It's not just the picturesque art that you paint with words, its that you draw (pull) me into that portrait of your tale. Your characterization-art is magnificent, and written by a brilliant author. :-) Thanks for reading Roses.

Pippinfan

Connie B.Reviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/9/2004
Oh, how could you?:) What a place to leave them. I understand, though. You have to take a deep breath before the final plunge. The end is very near for Rosebud now, isn't it?

Actually, Merry is doing a very good thing; getting his grief out before the actual event so that he can be strong for Pippin. It is always hard when everyone involved is falling apart. It is a blessing to have someone who can keep themselves together.

This is going to be especially hard on Pippin. The grief he is going to experience is bad enough, but to be ill himself at a time like this is even more devistating. If Pippin becomes very ill, this could be very bad for his whole family. They may fear that they will lose them both.

Oh, man, don't keep us in suspence too long. My mind is already coming up with horrible ideas of what could be about to happen.

I am glad to see this update. I was just thinking about emailing you to see how things were going.

Take care.

Thanks.

Connie B.

Author Reply: I really do look forward to your responses, Connie! And you're so sweet for wanting to email. Yes, I'm still dealing with distractions, but I was a bit ill myself last weekend, so Pippin's illness is coming first-hand! :-P

Pippin will have a handful between Rosebud and himself. His poor family will be going through the wringer...right along with him. Much is coming up. :-) Gotta get back to writing...take care!

Pippin

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