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Drop of a Hat  by Armariel 4 Review(s)
docmonReviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/24/2005
I had to write another review when I realized I had not mentioned the most touching part of this story. When Pippin says:
“I just mean…when such people take a mind to be your friend, then they’re your friend and no nonsense about it. No going back. And you’ve got to take care of such people, just like if you’re given a great treasure. You don’t leave it sitting out for wicked folks to steal what they like, and you don’t try to twist it into something it wasn’t meant to be. Neither do you try to pig it all for yourself, and hide it away in a dark closet till it loses its luster. You were trusted with it, even if only for a while, and so you take the best care of it. You see what I mean?"
I just found it wonderful. It's a message for all of us to take our friends seriously and not take them for granted. I hope to do the same in my life.

Just wanted to add that! A wonderfully written story!


Author Reply: Thanks dear! That passage, as you seem to have figured out, sums up the central message of the story. That's the bulk of what I've gotten out of LotR, that true friends look out for each other, and don't lead each other into temptation and trouble, or use each other for what they can get, or as you say, take each other for granted. I think the entire trilogy is about the true nature of friendship, and therein lies its greatest appeal to me.

Thanks for taking the time to review again, that is so heartwarming!

xoxx
Armariel~~~{~@

FarawynReviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/21/2005
I love this! Better than the last chapter. Bergil asking Pippin how to get Mikala to like him and Pippin's response are great. I just wish all boys would act like that when trying to get you to notice them...... in stead of showing off and all that rubbish. But that's what makes your story realistic and life-like. And a great story idea! I know you got it from Shirebound, but I don't think many people could have taken off from that starting point as you have.

Update this soon!

Farawyn

Author Reply: Sounds like some wanted to, from the LJ entries, but if they did, I don't know about it. It would be cool to see other writers' takes on it, however.

I've hit a bit of a snag with Part III and have had to do a bit of re-reading and stuff in the book. So it might not be up for a day or two, but maybe tonight...who knows?

So glad you like it dearie!

xoxx
Armariel~~~{~@

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/19/2005
There are such lovely concepts in this chapter, but these are my two favorites:

that was why good men went to war, so that their children could talk of colors and sweets and games and stories and birthday presents and what not in peace and freedom and sunlight...

when such people take a mind to be your friend, then they’re your friend and no nonsense about it. No going back. And you’ve got to take care of such people, just like if you’re given a great treasure. You don’t leave it sitting out for wicked folks to steal what they like, and you don’t try to twist it into something it wasn’t meant to be. Neither do you try to pig it all for yourself, and hide it away in a dark closet till it loses its luster. You were trusted with it, even if only for a while, and so you take the best care of it.


You can literally see Pippin's thoughts and feelings maturing during his time in Minas Tirith. And yet... he's still our Pippin.

Author Reply: Still our Pippin, yes, and may he always be so! I've learned quite a bit from him by walking around in his skin and letting him tell his story. Do you ever surprise yourself when you write, with all the things that come out of you that you didn't even know were there? It's quite a feeling!

It's good to be writing fics again, and it could really get addictive....

Thanks once more!

xoxx
Armariel~~~{~@

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/19/2005
There are some people in this world who just seem to have this inborn knack for making you fall in love with them at first sight, or pretty nearly, and he was one of them. Strider was another, at least when he was all cleaned up and got up fine…and maybe even when he wasn’t, which was why we all warmed up to him so fast. Lady Arwen was yet another, and it wasn’t just her outward beauty that made her so. So was Frodo. I was never quite sure exactly what it was about him, but it was as if he were a lamp and you were a moth. And yes, Sam was that sort too, even if he wasn’t so fine looking as all those others. But he made you like the way he looked, just as he was.

And then of course, there is *you* Peregrin Took! And part of the charm of such people is the fact that they do not ever seem to know such things about themselves.

You have taken what could have been a bit of silly little humorous fluff and transformed it into something profound. I love these bits of insight from our Pip.

And you’ve got to take care of such people, just like if you’re given a great treasure. You don’t leave it sitting out for wicked folks to steal what they like, and you don’t try to twist it into something it wasn’t meant to be. Neither do you try to pig it all for yourself, and hide it away in a dark closet till it loses its luster. You were trusted with it, even if only for a while, and so you take the best care of it. You see what I mean?”


So very, very true and so very, very wise.

He didn’t kiss me. Boys don’t kiss each other here. I puzzled a bit about that, but every country has its customs, I suppose. So hobbity! I got a chuckle out of that.

You have perfectly captured our sweet Took here, a wise fool, very young in many ways, very old in others, with his great and generous heart that never looks back at doing what he thinks will enable him to take care of his friends. I am curious now to see what happens with the hat, and how he finally gets his sword back.

Oh--and I love your Faramir, as well, just thought I'd add.





Author Reply: Thanks so much Dreamflower for such a lovely and detailed review! I was a bit worried that readers might not like how the story had taken such a serious turn. Well, I knew it would have serious overtones, there being a war on, after all! and I was wondering how to keep it light without seeming frivolous and absurd in the face of encroaching darkness. So glad my approach works!

One of the biggest parts of LotR's appeal, if not THE biggest, is the themes of friendship, which resonate so profoundly with me in view of my relationships with my own friends. I'm thankful that it enables me to incorporate what I've learned about friendship into my writing.

blessings & cheer
Armariel~~~{~@


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