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Dreamflower's Mathoms I  by Dreamflower 12 Review(s)
Celeste Lucretia BlackReviewed Chapter: 79 on 5/15/2021
*sniffs* I love their relationship

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 79 on 4/25/2006
Poor Merry! I almost wish Pippin could have stayed with him, but that would have meant so many more lives lost. It's amazing how the Prof. tied all these teeny tiny threads together, isn't it?

I love the way you write Eowyn, caring and solemn, and gentle despite what she may say, just as she is.
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: It is truly amazing how many threads are tied together. We like to play with AU scenarios, but truly so many things depend on other things falling out "just so". Have you read any of Boz4pm's fics, "Don't Panic" and "Okay, Now Panic"? They are like an "anti-Mary Sue". The woman from our world has read the books, and is burdened with having to keep her mouth shut, because if she tells any of what she knows, she might mess things up and prevent Sauron's fall. A dreadful choice!

I'm glad you like my Eowyn. I hope that I do her justice.

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 79 on 12/7/2005
*sigh* I am beginning to see the merit of those knitted hobbits that Marigold has. After reading this story, I really want to hug both of them.

You had me hooked right from the get-go with:

"Merry’s face was pale, his grey eyes haunted. “So, you’re going with them, aren’t you?”

Pippin swallowed, and nodded. He had come to tell Merry just that, as soon as he had heard himself. “For Frodo. It’s all that’s left for us to do for him.”

Merry nodded as well. “I know. I wish you could stay, or that I could go. I don’t even have a sword anymore, Pip.” His voice was not much more than a whisper, and his eyes filled, though he blinked the tears away."

That moment, as well as when Pippin went back to actually say goodbye to Merry later on, must have been unbearable for both of them. After all they had been through ... to be forced to separate from each other and not know if the other lived or died, and then be reunited for but a brief time before now being separated again ... with Merry sufferring from the Black Breath and Pippin about to march off to almost certain death ... those poor lads!

What I love about this story is that it is a moment for Pippin to be the "older" cousin who is looking out for and trying to protect his Merry. Especially now, those two are really clinging to each other for love and support even as they have grown and learnt how to stand on their own two furry feet from having been separated from each other.

I also really enjoyed this exchange between Eowyn and Pippin:

"She smiled a little more. “Peregrin? But that is not what Merry calls you.”

He grinned. “No, my lady, I expect if he’s not calling me a ‘nuisance’ or a ‘tom-fool Took’ he’s probably calling me ‘Pippin’ or even ‘Pip’.”

Her smile finally reached her eyes, and she gave a little laugh. “Yes, I do believe that is what I have heard him call you: Pippin. He is very fond of you.”

Pippin nodded, and his face became solemn. “And I of him. That it why I wished to speak to you. I wanted to thank you, for bringing him with you.”

“It seemed only right, for I could tell how it cut him to the quick to be left behind. He did not mean to be left, and yet by himself, he should never have arrived on time. It was not fair that they leave him.”

“They meant well.”

She nodded. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli had meant well when they left Merry in the keeping of her uncle as they travelled the Path of the Dead. And her uncle had meant well when he told her and Merry to stay behind.

“But ‘meaning well’ is not always right,” she said. “And there it is; I would not be left, nor would he. It seemed only right that we travel together.”

Pippin approached her. “You will always have my everlasting gratitude. I do not know what would have happened if the two of you had not come, but I cannot think it would have ended so well as it did.”"

It must have been so difficult for Merry - and Eowyn - to be left behind again. That's one thing that struck me about the books - poor Merry is always left to feel like unwanted baggage that is left behind ... first by Frodo and Sam, then by Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, then by Theoden King, and now he is being left behind again, although at least this time it is because he is injured rather than because they do not wish him to follow. A hobbit could get an inferiority complex! Of course, it is this very feeling that allows Merry and Eowyn to empathise with each other to such a degree that they ride on together and kill the Witch King.

I was a bit surprised that Eowyn called our Took "Pippin" rather than something more formal, but I suppose that is because she is used to hearing the way Merry refers to him.

"Pippin nodded sadly. He knew that Merry grieved for her uncle as well. “He was so kind, Pippin, and he listened, and he cared what I had to say. He reminded me of Da.”"

Straight out of canon. I love the way Merry says that Theoden shall be like a father to him. It really shows the depth of his feelings for his king.

"He turned and went out, back straight and proud, a small soldier of Gondor, and she gazed after him with glistening eyes."

What a lovely last line! This story really gives a sense of how much our little Pippin-lad has grown up during the Quest.

Well done, my dear!

Author Reply: Thank you.

I know that the realization they had to part must have just been like a knife twisting in their hearts, after all they had been through to get together again. Yet it *had* to be. For Frodo, whom neither of them has forgotten.

Being left behind was probably getting very old for Merry, yet this time there was nothing he could do about it at all. No way to sneak off and hide among the other soldiers *this* time, and he's too weak to do it anyway.

I think that she would have called him "Pippin" for just the reason you've said. I doubt Merry had ever even said "Peregrin" when he talked of his cousin to her. And too, I think she took Pippin's remark as his statement of how he preferred to be called.

There are two ways to interpret Merry's remarks about Theoden. Some authors take it as a sign that his relationship with his own father was less than ideal, and so he's seeking a substitute. Others, and I am among them, take it as a sign that he misses his own father, and sees things in Theoden that remind him of Saradoc.

And I'm very glad you liked the last line. I changed that bit over and over until I hit on that one!


AndreaReviewed Chapter: 79 on 11/30/2005
“Will--will you look after my Merry for me? I hate that I must leave him, all alone and friendless here. This great pile of stone--it’s--it’s not easy for hobbits.”
Dear Pippin. He had a difficult time as the only hobbit in that big city of stone. But like he found Beregond and Bergil, Merry also is not friendless. The lady Eowyn will look after him as he will undoubtedly look after her!

Author Reply: Don't know how I missed seeing your review the other day!

Pippin would know how hard it was to be a hobbit alone in Minas Tirith; I am sure that it greatly relieved his mind to find someone who would care about his Merry!

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 79 on 11/29/2005
This was so right! A beautiful look at those hours before Pip's departure and his entrusting his beloved Merry to Eowyn. Dear Pip being brave and yet still so very Pippin!

Poor Merry and Eowyn must have felt so frustrated and powerless, being left behind and unable to do anything about it this time.

Perfect, Dreamflower!

Author Reply: Thank you; I'm glad you felt Pip was true to character here.

I am certain they did feel so. In fact, Eowyn says as much, when she bugs the head healer in the book.

And again, thanks. And thanks for stopping by to comment.

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 79 on 11/29/2005
This is precious and dear, Dreamflower :) Everyone is so true to character. I love Pip being thankful for his extra inches for reaching door knobs :) Very Well Done :)

Author Reply: Thank you very much!

I think the doors in the Citadel may have been even larger that the doors in the average Man's dwelling--I am sure they were a real hassle for the hobbits.

PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 79 on 11/29/2005
Beautiful. A perfect gap-filler for Merry and Pippin while in the Houses of Healing. If I didn't know any better, I'd guess the good Professor wrote this and then forgot to send it in to the publishers. :-)

I so enjoyed to see Pippin interact with his beloved cousin while recuperating--an absolute delight, but to also to request Eowyn to look after his Merry in his absence. Everthing was just perfect.

Pippinfan

Author Reply: *blushes* You know, don't you, that's the best compliment you could pay? Thank you.

I'm glad you liked it. The challenge was to show one of the hobbits interacting with someone they never did in the book. But I had to show him with Merry first, for the conversation with Eowyn could not come from a vacuum.

Thanks again!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 79 on 11/29/2005
Poor Merry. Too much being left behind - and too much seeing Pippin go ahead into danger without him. And yet . . . What choice did they have? I'm glad to see Pippin thinking to have someone watch out for his cousin - and who better than the White Lady, who has already shown herself to be more understanding than assorted kings and princes. And it will give her a purpose, which she badly needs right now. Merry can watch out for his sword-sister and she can support him through his worries. And between the pair of them, they can look after a certain Steward who is struggling from his sickbed to try to co-ordinate those left in Minas Tirith.

Good to see Pippin being mature and sensible at a very difficult moment.

Author Reply: Yes, poor Merry, left once more. And you are right, they had no other choice, if their hope was to be of any help to Frodo at all.

Pippin would want to know *someone* was thinking about Merry, there in that big City. And you are right of course, that Eowyn, his sword-sister, is perfect for the job.

And yes, Faramir might well benefit.

Pippin's learned the hard way that there are times when mature and sensible are called for--and seeing to his Merry is one of them.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 79 on 11/29/2005
“Thank you,” Pippin tried for dignity, but it was a lost cause.

A dignified Pippin? Not just yet! When he becomes Thain perhaps? Well, maybe just a bit more dignified! But then, he is a Knight of Gondo so maybe he is learning!!?! *g*

The rest is so sad and wonderful too.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 79 on 11/29/2005
Meant to read this on Hobbit_ficathon but found it here and couldn't resist. This captures Merry's feelings at knowing that Pippin will be leaving for battle so well and I loved Eowyn's surprise when Pippin hugged her. His response to what Merry might call him was cute too.

Author Reply: Merry knew Pippin had to go. As Pippin said "For Frodo", it was after all why both of them had come. Poor Merry.

Yes, I don't imagine Eowyn was used to impulsive hugs from hobbits. And Pippin always tries to find a little bit of humor where he can.

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