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Dreaming of Estella  by Celeritas 5 Review(s)
PuddumReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/26/2010
Oh, this just breaks my heart. But at the same time it's sweet that Merry would think of Estella in his darkest time during the quest. I've always liked to imagine that he did think of her often on the trip, but wouldn't have necessarily spoken about it, since it's such a personal, private matter. There's a bit in the Lothlorien part where Sam is talking about Galadriel reading his mind and asking if he'd rather go back to the Shire and Merry adds that he felt the same way, but then he suddenly and awkwardly cuts himself off, as if he didn't want to explore the topic any more.

Anyway, I'm rambling. This a great piece with a lot of fantastic and grim imagery.

Author Reply: Ramble away, please!!

I've also wondered about the meaning of those awkward cut-offs in Lothlorien (especially Sam saying that he felt naked around her). In fact I suspect that these dreams increased after they left there. Thank you!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/23/2010
And one is left wondering just which is the worse nightmare--the one he had while unconscious, or what he woke to? Well done!

Author Reply: Well, at least he can do something in the one where he's awake. I think the worst part of Merry's dream was the part where he couldn't do anything, and all that he had already done had turned to ill.

VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/22/2010
Impressive! You're so good at writing dreams,and this one is so convincing!

Author Reply: Thanks! This one was a little more horror than my usual fare, plus it's of a character I don't have much experience writing--so I wasn't entirely sure how well it'd turn out!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/21/2010
What a terrible nightmare for Merry! When he returns to the Shire he'll never take his sweet Estella for granted, and bless every day they spend togeher.

Author Reply: Well, even after he returns to the Shire he'll have a long road ahead of him, the way I've set things up. But just knowing that she's alive and well will be a blessing.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/21/2010
You have a way of spinning a tale, drawing the reader ever deeper until one feels oneself snared, unwilling, yet unable to look away. And then...

—oh, good, there was Pippin—

Yes, my thoughts exactly.

Nice gapfiller.

Author Reply: Thank you so much!!

Even though it means a shared captivity, I think the sight of Pippin would have been some relief--both because that means he's alive, and because Pippin would jolt Merry out of his nightmare more than orcs would.

I'm glad you enjoyed my little tale!

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