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Distractions  by GamgeeFest 6 Review(s)
Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/20/2009
So Sam may be a double agent? Impressive! LOL
And Legolas may be an agent of some sort as well if breakfast was any indication. The plot thickens.

Author Reply: Sam has no qualms working both sides of the war to ensure that Frodo is safe and happy. ;D Legolas may soon find that he's in over his head!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/2/2009
Apparently, when he had given oath to defend the Ring-bearer at all costs from anyone posing a threat, he had meant it.

*Grins* I liked Legolas' intervention very much! It makes it more difficult for Merry to execute his plan, but it also makes it much more interesting! Sorry, Merry ;-)

Anyway, with Bergil at his side Merry has a powerful ally. And Bergil cannot be so easily controlled (and tracked) by Frodo as for example Pippin.

Sam is a completely different matter. I'm still not sure on whose side he really is.

Author Reply: Merry will have to think twice as fast, but Legolas isn't as familiar with hobbit deviousness as he thinks he is!

I've yet to discover what role Bergil will play in any of this, but I'm sure Merry will think up some use for him somewhere, if not in this prank then in the real one.

Sam is always and forever on Frodo's side. Whether that also puts him on Merry's side in this particular matter is yet to be seen. ;)

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/1/2009
Oh, my, your delightfully devious mind had me chuckling during the conversation fraught with unspoken thoughts. An interesting ambiguity surrounding Sam's whereabouts and intentions. And the plot thickens...

Author Reply: :D I first used the unspoken thoughts device in "A Day in the Life" during a similar scene with Merry and Frodo, so I naturally had to reuse it here. It's just too much fun to write! Sam's intentions are obvious - to protect Frodo. Whether that makes him friend or foe in this particular prank is yet to be seen. Very wise of Merry not to tell him anything else about it.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/31/2009
Delightful! I loved the wheels turning during the verbal sparring; the whole subtext of what they were *really* saying instead of what they actually said.

I also loved the confusion, when Legolas decided to get involved--I wonder what role he's going to play as it goes along?

But you know, my very favorite part of the whole thing was how Merry went into the Rider's quarters and "fixed up" the stew! Really, seriously, I adored that bit--it was so very hobbity! Of course it needed his attention, but what was so fun was that he did not say a word about it, he jsut did it!

Great chapter--can't wait to see what happens next!

Author Reply: The subtext of their actual thoughts is a fun tool to use during these little sparring matches. I first used it in "A Day in the Life" during a similar scene between Merry and Frodo and just had to call back to it here. :)

I don't Legolas really knows what his intentions are here either. He just wants to make sure nothing happens to Frodo that will cause him harm. He knows Merry would never do something to hurt him intentionally, but there is always the risk of something happening to cause a flashback.

hehehe That was just a little throw-away scene that I didn't think much about while writing it, but I do enjoy that part so I'm glad you enjoyed it too. Naturally, Merry would fix the stew, and it wouldn't even occur to him to ask permission! The Riders will never know why it tasted so good that day!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/31/2009
Ah--well done, Pippin. Now, to see things properly planned and executed.

And I'd have loved to have heard Merry's stories, of course.... Hee!

Author Reply: Pippin is being even more sneaky here than Merry is. He's learned well from his teachers, both Merry and Pervinca, and quite a bit from the other Tooks as well. He has everyone where he wants them, and they don't even notice! ;)

I'm sure Merry tells it with great zeal and no hint of modesty. :D

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/31/2009
Legolas looked determined and quite lethal as he narrowed his eyes at Merry. Apparently, when he had given oath to defend the Ring-bearer at all costs from anyone posing a threat, he had meant it.

I love that. My goodness, all the details in this story are amazing. You must act as our guide through Minas Tirith the next time we're all visiting.

Author Reply: :D Merry will have to think twice as fast now that he has resistance. But as well as Legolas and Gimli have come to know the hobbits, they still don't know everything that Merry is capable of! I'm trying to pay extra attention to the details, so I'm glad you are noticing them!

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