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The Many Aspects of Merimac Brandybuck  by Lily Dragonquill 5 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/16/2006
"All work and no play..." certainly fits here. Like the idea of Mac and Sara feeling competetive and wishing to resume the old companionship, and Rory realizing he needs to include Mac. Very realistic feel.

Author Reply: That one was quite a challenge. Glad you like it.

ArielReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/5/2006
For all the work we put into this, it really did turn out to be a great little story! You are introducing interesting concepts and complex relationships and that makes it harder, especially in another language. I think you did a really amazing job!

Author Reply: You were of extraordinary help with this, my dear. Thank you for being so patient with me. I'm happy with the outcome myself. A lot clearer than the first version.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/4/2006
What I like best in this is Merimac's double-pronged jealousy: he is jealous of his brother taking his father's attention, but he is also jealous of his father taking his brother's attention. And so of course, he doesn't really know which one of them to be really mad at, so he ends up lashing out at them both. That, of course, is so like certain types of adolescents!

The moment of near-drowning was eerie and frightening! Very well done, as was Rory's anger afterward.

Author Reply: Thank you so much, Dreamflower. It was quite interesting for me to see Merimac as an adolescent especially since he is at times quite different from the other hobbits I wrote. I'm glad you liked the jealousy. I thought it must have been an issue in his youth with him being the younger and, well, not being the heir.


The near-drowning is actually borrowed from my own life. When I was young I kind of did not realise that what I was doing in the pool - jump from a 3 meter springboard, sink to the bottom and push myself up - was not as good an idea in the river. I never reached the bottom, but I also thought I would never reach the surface again.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/4/2006
Oh, poor Mr. Greenhill!
Generations of hobbit lads will raid his berry bush! First Mac, than Frodo, and I'm quite sure that the Master's heir's heir will also enjoy those delicious berries ;-)

I loved the scene with Sara and Mac after the "incident" at the river:

Then they stood, both relentless, both too proud and stubborn to give in. The wind rustled in the leaves, the water murmured its melody, and Milo Burrows fidgeted, increasingly uneasy. The brothers had quarrelled before and all knew that two furious Brandybucks, even if their wrath was directed at each other, were nothing to meddle with.

Just great! I think you're right. It's pride AND stubbornness ;-)
Do not meddle with two furious Brandybucks! Wonderful!

The conversation between Rory and Mac was also very insightful! And Rory did his best. But he also had a lot of good luck. Just look at the discussions between Saradoc and Frodo in your German story. Saradoc had the best intentions, but sometimes this is simply not enough.
I think in such situations, Saradoc should think of his brother - and he would be able to understand Frodo much better.

I don't know what you have planned for those two in your "Schicksalsjahre" story, but I really hope they will come to accept each other.

(And please don't say anything about scattered hopes ;-))

Author Reply: Yep, Mr. Greenhill certainly has a hard time protecting his berries. And, as it seems, punishment doesn't stopt the culprits.

Ah, that's my Brandybucks... proud and stubborn. Some traits given from generation to generation. And in Frodo two stubborn families mingled... Bagginses and Brandybucks. That's why his stubborness is curse and salvation at the same time, eh?

If the adressee is willing best intentions are certainly enough. The problem in my German story is that Frodo is anything but. As for Saradoc thinking of his brother... well... I think it would be even better if he let Merimac handle all those wonderful conflicts, but we're kind of speaking of the wrong story here, aren't we? :)
Either way... what did you say about scattering hopes? *coughs* :)
And who are "those two"? Sara and Frodo or Frodo and Mac? I have plans for all three.


Thanks for reading this one. Now you know why the next gerneration (Frodo and Merry in Schickalsjahre) are allowd to have hay battles :)

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/4/2006
Another very enjoyable chapter to your series featuring Merimac, Lily. You had me a bit nervous with the bit in the river--but now I wonder if Merimac, Saradoc, or Milo find themselves remembering that particular day when they learn of the drowning of their aunt and uncle.

I especially enjoyed the ending with Saradoc smuggling his brother something to eat. And the scene with Rory and Merimac was done wonderfully, also. This chapter clearly shows why Mac seems to understand Frodo the most, and gives insight into how Rory and Sara may draw upon their lifes' experience in dealing with the orphan as well. This chapter ties in nicely with the rest and I did take notice of Mr. Greenhill's berries ... the same Frodo raided in the previous chapter. Nice detail.

Looking forward to more, Lily!

Author Reply:
That's a nice bunny you're giving me there with the cousin's remembering that very day some twenty years in the future.


I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter and think that it ties up some loose ends.

Mr. Greenhill's berries are only one of several ties I only recently discovered. I think there are going to be many more, even though each chapter can stand on it's own.

Thank you, Elemmire!

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