Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

It Takes a Took  by Dreamflower 13 Review(s)
EstellaBReviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/18/2006
"Merry looked up, and the book in his hands dropped to the floor with a thud.
Pippin grinned at him. “Cousin, I ask you, is that any way to treat our illustrious ancestor?”
Merry didn’t answer. He didn’t even hear him."

I know that is a really long quote, but I *love* that whole section. This is a wonderful story so far and I'm really enjoying it. However, I must admit that I feel slightly cheated: I just read When The King Comes Back (Brandy Hall), and I assumed that this followed it. I feel slightly cheated that there are none of your stories of Merry's courtship of Estella when it initially started, Unless I missed them, of course. At any rate, this is a wonderful story and I love it :)

Author Reply: I have to admit, that's one of my favorite bits as well, so I'm very happy to see it quoted back at me! *grin*

Well, since you read WTKCB--Brandy Hall, you did see the very beginning, when Merry comes home to find Fredegar's sister is all grown up, and she rewards him for rescuing her brother with a kiss. He begins his courtship by telling her the romance of Faramir and Eowyn. There was a little more of it in the prologue and epilogue of "For Folco", and then, in "A New Reckoning" they become an acknowledged "courting couple", especially in the chapters having to do with the Ball. And in a lot of ways, this story is *almost* as much about Merry and Estella as it is about Pip and Diamond, LOL!


PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 11/5/2005
"Merry looked up, and the book in his hands dropped to the floor with a thud.

Pippin grinned at him. “Cousin, I ask you, is that any way to treat our illustrious ancestor?”

Merry didn’t answer. He didn’t even hear him."


ROTFL!! Oh, to picture this in my head was hilarious! Nothing gets Merry's attention faster than his beautiful Estella! I am so loving this--and you are so talented at these romances! My favorite genre of movies is romantic-comedy, so all of this is right up my alley.


"She risked a smile at him. His eyes widened at the sight of her dimples, and he gave an audible sigh.

Pippin is too much! It is so fun to watch him make the moves on Diamond. And though I won't say its fun to watch her struggle against her feelings, but watching Diamond unfold like rose in blossom is fantastic.

Another bit I never tire of reading in fics is how folks entertained themselves "back then". Oh, yeah, they were trying to stave off Pippin's bundle of energy, but to ask someone to sing or to play an instrument to pass the time/entertain guests--was typical.

LOL, and the scene where Paladin brought in his version of being occupied was great! Nothing like cheap/free labor!

This was another one of those chapters where everything just grabbed at me, and I enjoyed every word of it. I'm enjoying this entire story so far, and I have absolutely no doubt that the rest will be just as wonderful.

Sorry for the late review--the end of the work week gets a bit busy for me and this week I got a little lazy. Can't say that it won't happen again, lol, because it most likely will, but I'm hooked on this tale like Diamond is to Pippin, so I'm here 'til the end, my friend. :-)

Pippinfan


Author Reply: I'm so glad you like the way the courtships are playing out. Merry/Estella were pretty much an established couple by the end of "Reckoning", though they've still got a ways to go before they tie the knot.

Pippin is one determined Took, and as soon as he figures out what's holding Diamond back, he will be unstoppable.

In these days of instant entertainment, available at the click of a mouse or the push of a button on a remote, we tend to forget that people enjoyed music just as much as before it was readily available--it's just that they had to provide it themselves. And trust Paladin to find something to work on to pass the time.

I am so glad you are enjoying this!

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 15 on 11/18/2004
Smart of Estella to let her mother thing that it was her idea to go to the Great Smials, although I get the impressiont that she (Rosamunda) may not be to happy that Merry is ther. I am glad that Frodo wrote to Estella as well. Good of him to let the two stay at Bag End when Rosamunda can be a bit snobby.

Oh dear Pippin is getting anxious to be up and about again! I'm sure he won't try anything too drastic and at least his dad has given him something to do! Even if it is boring, someone has to do it!

Looking forward to more! Hope it is soon!

Author Reply: Rosamunda likes everything "proper" (like the Gaffer) and she doesn't like to be caught unprepared. Of course, Frodo would have written at once, after Rosie gave him the idea.

He's too polite to turn them away, and Rosamunda's snobbery is not going to bother him as long as she keeps it away from Sam and Rose. Since Estella warned her, she would have been careful about that. Rosamunda is a snob, but she is a practical snob.

Yes, Pip's going to be getting a tad twitchy. He's actually just fine except for the broken leg, so it's hard for him to put up with the inactivity and boredom. And copying records, well, at least it's *something* to do, if not his job of choice.

GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 15 on 11/17/2004
I bet Rosamunda had quite a shock to see Merry there, hehe. Pippin's just inching his way slowly but surely into Diamond's heart isn't he? I loved that little flashback to Pippin complaining about being laid up. A bored Took is a dangerous thing. They're going to need to keep an eye on him just to make sure he doesn't try anything.

Author Reply: Yes, I think Rosamunda was a bit surprised and not amused, to see her future son-in-law installed there.
Pippin's making his way into her heart in spite of all her resolutions, but that will create its own set of problems, won't it?
I like that. It would make a good Shire saying: "As dangerous as a bored Took".

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 15 on 11/17/2004
Those poor lads have it bad!! I like Paladin's Cure for Boredom, he should patent it ;)

Author Reply: They do have it bad, don't they? They're in "lurve", ain't it sweet? *grin*

Oh, yes, Paladin's Patented Cure for Bored Tweenagers, beloved by parents everywhere!

SharonBReviewed Chapter: 15 on 11/17/2004
Oh, how funny Estella was happy to "outsmart" her mother just so they could get to the Smials of Tookland. She's going to get along fine with Diamond. Now just which of the boys is going to push her in Diamond's direction to help Pip along in his quest for her?

Poor Pip, getting bored already. And no king there to tell him to obey orders. Merry sure knows how to proverbially put his foot in his mouth though. We need something to occupy him, LOL. Last time he'll ever think to say that.

I had not relaized, or if you had said before, that the instrument Diamond was using was heart shaped. How interesting. Does that play into the theme here?

This story is moving along nicely. As always I'll be waiting for more. (We readers are an impatient lot aren't we? ;-) )

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 15 on 11/17/2004
Poor 'illustrious ancestor'! (I'm on a roll, or in a silly mood, or both)

My goodness, Rosamunda is a bit of a stuffed shirt! I see Rose is not the only clever one in your story; Estella has a fair amount of that quality as well, the way she manages her mother.

The Tooks' aversion to wheeled chairs... yes, that does sound familiar.

Copying out records. "Have fun!" Ah, Paladin, you're wicked!

Author Reply: Thud! Onto the floor, poor old Isengrim II. *giggle*

Rosamunda is a bit shallow, and also a bit of a snob. Stuffed shirt is a good description. Fortunately, she also has some hobbit sense and she does love her children, so that sometimes tones her snobbery down. Estella has needed to learn how to manage her mother over the years. But she hasn't got off scot free this time...

Oh yes! I loved your Pearl and Lalia story! I have a little different idea on it than some, but I haven't had enough of a plot bunny to put it into its own story yet.

He is, isn't he? *grin* Reminds me of what my husband would say to my son when he was rash enough to say he was "bored,bored,bored." His answer was "pain,pain,pain". Followed by some unpleasant chore. LOL!

good_one_pipReviewed Chapter: 15 on 11/17/2004
Estella is the best "medicine" for Merry at the time. I like the way you're dealing with Pippin's boredom. I hope you still have quite a few ideas, though, because he still has several weeks to go!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 15 on 11/17/2004
It's a bit foolhardy to admit to boredom, really. Although it seems to be Merry who is copying out the records.

I think Merry was quite glad to see Estella. But it's a good thing that her mother doesn't live in Brandy Hall. It would be enough to put him off Estella!
Rosamunda is a horrible snob - someone should tell her it makes her very boring company.

I look forward to seeing how Estella gets on with Diamond. The poor young healer doesn't know what she should do. (I do!)

Author Reply: Merry does tend to get absorbed in things, doesn't he? But though he is wielding the pen, Pip's reading out the material, or he was until Diamond came into the room.

Well, you will notice that Estella is rather pleased that her mother does not like Buckland. Rosamunda *is* a snob and a bit shallow; I've indicated as much in the past, but she does love her children, and she has enough sense to put a leash on her snobbery if it looks like it is unwelcome (unlike Hyacinth, for example, who could never hide her snobbery, and was a bad mother to boot).

I think Estella and Diamond need to get to know one another, don't you?

RogerGamgeeReviewed Chapter: 15 on 11/17/2004
What a lovely chapter...I couldn't help but laugh at Pippin. I know how he feels - I'm one of those folks who get bored rather easily, and I get restless in a hurry. Pippin and boredom make for a VERY dangerous combination.

Merry's reaction to Estella was priceless...good to see that Pippin isn't the only one the 'love bug' has gotten hold of.

Looking forward to the next update....

Author Reply: Oh I don't suppose many people feel safe around a bored Pippin, LOL!

Yes, indeed, Merry has been missing his lady-love.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List