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The Life of a Bard by Dreamflower	121 Review(s)
PIppinfan1988	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/4/2006
This is great! I loved the duet!! Oh, my--and when I read the lyrics to the first song, I could just imagine Pippin (or any kid his age) enamoured with the life of a bard; fancying himself a free hobbit, coming and going as he pleases. It would break my heart to see young Pippin shivering in the cold night when the "honeymoon" wore off and found how lonely being penniless and homeless is. I also like the mutual respect these musicians have for one another. I am looking forward to more! :-) Pippinfan Author Reply: Yes, that song was the one that inspired the tale. When Marigold and I were evacuating from Hurricane Ivan, I was driving my truck, and she was following me with her mom in my husband's. I put in a rather old cassette of SCA songs which I had not listened to in a few years, and when that song was sung, I could just imagine Pippin, sitting in an inn, keeping time with it, listening to it, and captivated by the picture it presented. That was the beginning of this story, and I was so pleased when the songwriter gave me permission to quote her song in the story. And Menelcar recognizes true talent when he sees it, and so does Pippin.

PIppinfan1988	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/4/2006
Awesome! You capture every nuance and expression in the joy of making music, or singing a song. It is very evident that your Pippin has such a passion for music--and whose love of music is equalled only by the author. My Pippin, too, has a passion for music, but "his" writer is a bit cheeky; she loves music, but has absolutely no talent when it comes to music, lol! So, she lives vicariously through both our lads. :-) And once again, I was sitting in the smoky room with the hobbits watching Pippin (and Menelcar) in their element, playing the most beautiful songs. I am really enjoying this--I haven't read too much on Pip's talent as a singer. Pippinfan Author Reply: Well, I have to say, really, it is just the way Pippin is to me. I am sure that I've been somewhat influenced by Billy Boyd's obvious talent and sweet voice, but it just revealed to me something I think I was sure of all along. I think I've been captivated by Pippin's joy in song from the first time I read of his singing in the bath at Crickhollow, and the clear delight he was taking in not only the bath, but the song. As for my talent, well, I play a couple of instruments, rather poorly, but I dearly love music. I just wish more authors would include song and music in their fics--it was so important to JRRT, and such an integral part of his world.

PIppinfan1988	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/1/2006
This is great! I am so lost inside the tale already. I imagine myself sitting there at the table eavesdropping on Menelcar and Pippin's conversation. Its marvelous how you weave the mingling of Big Folk and Hobbits in the Shire pre-Troubles/Quest. Looking forward to reading more! Pippinfan Author Reply: Oh thank you so much, that's something I love to hear! I think before the Troubles, that Men were rare in the Shire (due to the watchfulness of Rangers) but not completely unheard of. I am sure that from time to time a few might pass along the trade routes. However, it would be far more unusual to see one in other parts of the Shire. And hobbits are social and curious creatures; once they saw no threat was offered, they'd generally be friendly enough.

PIppinfan1988	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/1/2006
This is starting out wonderfully! I had a good snicker at Merry's letter--his language has come of age, too, lol--and Pippin's isn't far behind. I had a good laugh from that. Seems young Pippin is having a bad night...but not for long! He is such a sweet brother to Vinca. :-) Pippinfan Author Reply: Well, you will notice that he crossed it out. It's not language he'd allow Pip to get away with, anyway, but he's very frustrated at the moment. And "Thunder!" is Pippin's oath, and not one that the other hobbits ever use that I show. It's mild enough that his mother can let it pass, but it's a bit stronger than "Bless me" or "My goodness!", and Paladin probably would not let it pass, LOL! Pippin is a sweet brother, and it's little generous gestures like that which make his sisters forgive him for his pranks.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/23/2005
Yeah! I finished before the hurricane got here! Count this also amongst my favourite stories of yours. For a tale about a wandering bard who came to the Shire, this sure has a lot of insight into Frodo, Pippin, and Paladin as well as into the Took family dynamics. "Merry rolled his eyes. “Daft Tooks. All of them. Uncle Paladin ought to know better than that after all these years. And Pippin ought to know better than to believe him.” “Your mother’s a Took.” “Not anymore. She had the good sense to marry a Brandybuck.” Frodo chuckled. “A poor excuse for trying to get out of being half Took, I’d say.” Merry gave his older cousin a little swat to the back of his head. “Well, anyway, Pip’s as Tookish as they come.”" This is a fantastic exchange that made me laugh. Of coursse, Frodo and Merry are right - Pippin is as Tookish as they come, which accounts for both his good and bad points. Menelcar is absolutely right. Pippin might have been happy living the life of a bard for a while, but he would have missed his family and friends so much that he would have ended up quite miserable. Pippin's life is in the Shire, with occasional visits to the South. A lovely story! And Frodo nodded his agreement. They didn’t come any more Tookish than Pippin. Author Reply: Glad you did! Here's hoping Wilma will not inconvenience you too much. Please stay safe!! Almost any story I write tends to be an exploration of the dynamics of the relationship of the four hobbits. I concentrated here on Frodo and Pippin, but of course Merry and Sam found their way in a little bit as well, LOL! Paladin's trust in Frodo has built up over the years; since you have been reading chronologically, you know how Frodo has helped Pippin in the past. This is not the first time Frodo has run interference for his young cousins with Paladin, and Paladin has learned how wise and caring Frodo truly is. I had a bit of fun with the exchange between Frodo and Merry. Both of them do recognize the ultimate Tookishness of their younger cousin, and all that it implies. Hobbits are not meant to be apart and alone--most especially a very social creature such as Pippin. He probably would have stuck with Menelcar out of a sense of obligation, but he would have been so miserably homesick that it probably would have translated into physical ailments. I'm so glad you enjoyed this story. I am eager to get "Chance Encounter" up soon, and you can discover what came of Menelcar afterwards.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/23/2005
hugs Paladin I'm so glad he went to hear Pippin play and sing! Now he can understand a bit more how much Pippin's music means to him and how good he is at it. It won't change things much, Pippin still must become Thain one day instead of a bard, but it helps to have his father understand him more. "Frodo gave his older cousin the kind of look that Bilbo often had used when he thought others were being particularly dense; with Frodo’s piercing blue eyes it was even more effective." Loved that line! I'm running out of things to say about Frodo. The way he makes Paladin understand why Pippin does not want to become Thain, his explanation about Pippin planning on leaving the Shire with Menelcar, and his defence of Menelcar... he really does have a way of making others understand. “I can see that I may have to tell him some things that I had rather not.” Can we see that? I'd really like to read that discussion between father and son! There were so many things in this chapter that I liked, the way Menelcar observed the three hobbits comfortable friendship in the kitchen, Paladin's exchange with Frodo, Paladin's coming to understand his son and his music more, and Pippin's reunion with Merry. A very satisfying chapter. Author Reply: I really did want Paladin to have a chance to see his son in his element, happy and unaware of parental scrutiny. That was planned from the start, and Paladin can be proud of Pippin's abilities, and as he comes to think it over, he will also realize that it bodes well, not ill, for his future as Thain. I could imagine Bilbo giving The Look, and easily see Frodo employing it to his own advantage, LOL! I am glad that this is helping you to see Frodo in a strong and positive light. He's no wilted lily, and he is able to back up his statements with logica and fact. I don't know. We'll see which way the bunnies hop... I'm glad you liked this chapter...I moved things along rather quickly, and was for a while, afraid the chapter was a bit too abrupt.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/23/2005
Frodo is such a wonderful cousin! I'm so glad he got Pippin to explain what was bothering him so much and was able to make Pippin understand and feel better about things. Frodo does look after both of his cousins and is willing to stick his neck on the line for them if he thinks it is necessary, such as taking Pippin to Brandy Hall despite what Paladin had said. However, even then, Frodo is still very responsible and lets Paladin know as much as possible what is going on and what the problem is. I'm sure he will make Paladin understand when he sees him. It must be quite difficult for a parent to have someone else explain your own child's feelings to you. It's got to be a blow to Paladin's Tookish pride. However, Paladin is also intelligent enough to know that Frodo knows what he is doing and has enough trust and faith in him not to question what he decides is best. Pippin is such a sensitive lad that you have to be careful how you treat him or he will take it the wrong way and then it will backfire in your face, as it did with Paladin. Paladin is very lucky to have such a caring cousin to help him with understanding and taking care of his son. Author Reply: Yes, Frodo will do anything he can for his favorite cousins, and if that means sticking his neck out, so be it. But he does understand the proprieties, and writing to Paladin about the matter is second nature to him. I felt it very ironic and bittersweet writing this chapter, realizing what I am showing about Frodo's concern and Paladin's faith and trust in him, and also realizing how sorely that faith will be tried in only three years time... but at this point in time, Frodo does understand Pippin better than his father does, precisely because Paladin has his own Tookish pride tied up and at stake. And fortunately, Paladin is wise enough to know that. Pippin is very high-strung, and quite apt, as you indicate, to blowing up in just the way you don't wish unless he is handled carefully.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/23/2005
This chapter is the type that makes me sigh with happiness and wish that I could be there at the Green Dragon watching Menelcar and Pippin perform rather than just reading about it. After reading the books and watching the films more times than I can count, I found Frodo to be admirable, wise, sensitive, but most of all, whiney. Oh, he had every reason to complain, being orphaned at a young age, his guardian leaving as soon as he became an adult, and being saddled with that ring which wore him down. But I got so tired of hearing movie!Frodo complain about what a burden the ring was that it coloured my impression of Frodo. In short, I did not appreciate him enough. I should like to thank you for rectifying this grievous error on my part. Your stories have shown Frodo's finer points and explained much about him. I understand him so much more now and so look forward to when he shows up in your stories. I also find that my new-found understanding and appreciation for Frodo has spilled over so that I understand what Frodo is going through in the books and movies and appreciate him much, much more. I can now give him the credit he deserves and I have you to thank for that. It's your own fault for writing so many truly magnificent words that I must quote them back to you: “Don’t be that way, Pippin. What did you expect? You did not tell Master Menelcar that you had a secret to protect, and then you sent him right to me at Bag End. The minute he mentioned he had a potential travelling companion, I knew that it was you.” “I’ve only this to say for now, Pip, and then we’ll leave it alone until we get to Bag End where we will have a bit more privacy. You owe Menelcar a massive and sincere apology.” "Pippin refused to meet Frodo’s eyes. “I did not lie to him,” he told the table, as he drew patterns in the moisture from his mug with his finger." “No, but you did not tell him the truth, either. Think, Pippin. Your father commands the Shire Muster. What do you think would have happened when he learned one of the Big Folk had carried you off with him?” “You do foolish things sometimes, dearest. This one, I think, more foolish than most. You have disappointed Menelcar, and you would have gone off and broken all our hearts. How do you think Merry would have felt?” "Frodo stared, and then rolled his eyes. Sometimes Paladin knew exactly the wrong thing to say. “Pippin, that is so wrong I don’t even know where to begin. But I told you it can wait until we get back to the smial. This is a public place, and we don’t need to discuss anymore of our family business here. Besides, I think your friend is getting ready to sing.”" "The way Frodo handles Pippin in this chapter is masterful. He has such compassion and understanding." As for Pippin, I cannot say it any better than you did: "Watching the performance, Frodo found himself wishing that it could indeed be possible for Pippin to try this life. It obviously suited him. But there was no way that could be. He rather hated himself for having to squash his young cousin’s dreams." I hope the electricity doesn't go off during the hurricane so I can continue to read your stories! Author Reply: Well, I am most pleased and gratified by your words about Frodo, if I have made you appreciate him more. I understand the reasons behind much of what was stated in the movies--PJ wanted to emphasize the power of the Ring, yet the way in which he did so was often to the detriment of other characterizations. And many other fic writers tend to exacerbate this perception of Frodo. Ironically, it's those who claim to love Frodo the best that are often the most guilty of depicting him as weak and whiny. It's a strange paradox. But I have never seen Frodo as weak in any way until after the Quest, and even then it was not a natural weakness, but the last sad bit of malice from the Ring. And his weakness then was physical, and emotional. But the second kind could often be banished when he had others to consider--think of the strength and wisdom he displayed in preventing unnecessary bloodshed during the Scouring, or in gifting his cousins with Crickhollow. blushes at all the kind quotes I hope your power doesn't go off either. It's miserable when it does.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/23/2005
This chapter is jam-packed with little treasures. “You didn’t say I couldn’t go to Bag End.” Now here's a multi-faceted little diamond. Let's start with how clever Pippin is in his skillful phraseology. That hobbit could be an attorney for all the attention he pays to the nuances of the meanings of words. It sounds just like statements I've made to deceive someone into drawing an incorrect inference that I did not actually say. It's the perfect statement to make Paladin believe Pippin went to visit Frodo, yet Pippin would not be lying by not visiting him. The next level for this statement is its obvious terseness and adolescent rebellion and anger. Our bright, sunny, and charming lad has become moody and is having problems growing up. Life without Merry's almost constant presence is confusing and lonely. Trying to live up to Paladin's expectations is daunting. Accepting that he will one day be Thain and that the reason for his becoming Thain will be due to the death of his father is downright scary and something he cannot face. For all that he and Paladin have problems right now, Pippin loves his father dearly and does not want the Thainship if it means losing his father. Unfortunately, Pippin and his father are having a lot of difficulty communicating and are not even really trying to communicate with each other. Instead, they talk around each other, Paladin being the responsible parent doing what he thinks is best for his son and Pippin feeling that his father does not understand, but unable and too proud to explain how he really feels. Paladin's subconscious desire for Pippin to actually go to Bag End so that Frodo can deal with him also speaks volumes about the state of his relationship with his son. It is far easier for the adolescent to listen to someone whom the adolescent is not obligated to listen to, someone who is more on their level and whose advice can be more readily listened to as advice from a mentor, like Frodo. Pippin, as do many adolescents, views his parent as the source of all of the rules and changes in his life that are creating such turmoil within him. Instead of accepting responsibility for his own actions and feelings, he unjustly blames it on Paladin and thinks Paladin is only interested in him as the future Thain rather than as his son. If only Paladin and Pippin would open up to each other, then Paladin would understand why Pippin does not want to be Thain and be able to comfort his son, make him understand that he felt the same way, and let him know that he is so hard on Pippin because he is training him so that he will be ready when the time comes. But they both are too stubborn and proud to confide in the other. "The Steward of Minas Tirith had two sons. If a wandering minstrel had tried to entice either of them away for an apprentice, said minstrel would be cooling his heels in a Gondorian prison..." Menelcar's assessment is pretty accurate. After all, Denethor did resent the way Faramir looked up to Gandalf and I think blamed Gandalf for the death of Boromir. Thankfully, Menelcar will not have to suffer such wrath from the Thain. Pippin showed his cleverness again in using Tom and Jolly Cotton to find out if Sam or Frodo were in the Green Dragon. Unfortunately for Pippin, Frodo was one step ahead of him. It's not easy to be sneaky when someone knows you so well. Frodo knew exactly what Pippin was doing. Despite Pippin's not having thought things out fully (because he did try to think them out but was thwarted by his run-in with Paladin), I feel sorry for Pippin. It won't be easy for him to have his dreams go up in smoke and accept that he will have to become a responsible Thain-in-training. It's not easy to accept the limitations that are pressed upon us by society and by our circumstances. Especially with someone who feels things so passionately and deeply, his hopes soar and then to have them dashed away, he will plummet once again unless Frodo can find away to gently make him understand. I look forward to the day when Pippin and Paladin understand one another and have a loving father-son relationship. It would help if Paladin understood how important Pippin's music was to him and if Pippin understood how important he was to his father, Paladin. Author Reply: As I have said before, Pippin doesn't mind lying once in a while, but this was not a time when he needed to. A terse statement like that conveyed exactly the meaning he was after. And you are quite right in your assessment of his level of anger and frustration. His letters are always succinct anyway, but this one is to the point of near-rudeness, and meant to show his state of mind. Well, of course, a lot of this story as I said is based on a dynamic I have observed between many teenage boys and their fathers, most especially my own son and my husband. It is exactly as you describe it, and it is nothing short of miraculous when the relationship can be mended as the child approaches adulthood, and loses that moodiness brought on by the turbulence of puberty. Exactly. Menelcar would have no trouble realizing the implications here. Yep, Frodo one step ahead all the way. Frodo will do his best to be gentle with Pippin, we'll see how well he succeeds. It does happen. In my Shire, they are not estranged ever after, the way some authors depict them. But there will be a little awkwardness at first in smoothing over the rough spots. Especially when Pippin first returns from the Quest.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/22/2005
Strange - my personal review page that lists all of the reviews I have left here at SoA for you does not list the review of chapter six that I left last night, yet the review appears if you click on the list on the chapter list. Did you get notification that I left a review? As for chapter seven: Bilbo's influence is tremendous on Frodo's life, journeys, and education. Even after these fourteen years, Frodo misses him something fierce. I'm so glad he will be able to see his Uncle Bilbo again in just a few years. It's very interesting when Frodo says that he thinks he would know if Bilbo were no longer alive. Is this connection because of the ring? I believe there is a connection between all of the past and present ringbearers where they all would feel if one of them had died. Or is this a connection Frodo feels because of his close relationship with Bilbo? Frodo's pride in and love for Bilbo is quite evident in his discussion with Menelcar. Naturally, Frodo, ever the gracious host, would be anxious to share his hospitality with someone who appreciates his cousin. Bilbo has had such an influence over the music and stories of many races in Middle Earth. For a Man to come in search of him, wanting more information on him or to even meet him - Menelcar must be one of the first groupies! Not bad at all for a little hobbit! Poor Merry! He's being so conscientious and responsible with his first assignment as an adult. He has the right of it, of course, about how Pippin feels. Those two definitely have a special connection, although Frodo also feels that something is amiss with Pippin. How like Merry to, depsite his own troubles, worry about Pippin and to even blame himself for the way Pippin is feeling so lonely and bored. This is one time where the large age difference between the two lads is a huge gap that is not as easily bridged. It is not for Paladin to say whether Pippin would be a hindrance to Merry were he to visit Merry in Buckland, not after Merry suggested a visit. If Paladin had a different reason for Pippin not visiting, then that would be different. But he has no right to usurp Merry's rights as an adult to make known what he wishes and how he feels. Paladin was doing a grave injustice to both his son and his nephew, even though he meant well. "There’s a young hobbit who is of a mind to travel with me and try the life of a bard. I met him in Tuckborough. He sings very sweetly, and plays the fiddle more than passably well, so I agreed." Gee, I wonder who that could be! It's a good thing Frodo set Menelcar straight about Pippin's not being an adult yet and his future career as the Thain. I don't think Pippin realised just how much trouble Menelcar could have got into had the two of them gone off together. The reprecussions just would not have crossed Pippin's mind. All he knew was that the two of them enjoyed making music together and could be good travelling companions on the road of the bard. Thankfully, Frodo was there to think of the reprecussions for the tweenager. You know, I do like how you incorporate the various forms of an individual's name in your storiesm, especially the use of all three of Pippin's names - Pip, Pippin, and Peregrin. You do so at appropriate places rather than a random and haphazard spraying of the various forms of the names. For example, having Paladin usually calling him Peregrin but having Merry and Frodo call him Pip or Pippin. You do the same thing with the other names as well, like for Merry, Beri, Esmerelda, Eglantine, and Freddie. It add feeling and a level of understanding to the relationship between the characters as well as to the action which is occurring. I look forward to seeing how Frodo is going to clean up Pippin's latest problem. If anyone can make Pippin understand and feel better about his situation, it would be his cousin Frodo. Author Reply: My inbox was overfull, or something, and I had some bouncing mail. It's fixed now though. Yes, Frodo does still miss Bilbo. I think he has a connection to him, similar to his connections to his other cousins, although not nearly so strong. I think he does believe that he would know if Bilbo died. And I interpret Frodo's remark to Gandalf in "Shadow of the Past" to indicate that he did have letters from Bilbo from time to time. I am sure that passing Dwarves or other merchants would have taken messages to the Shire, though the only one Frodo could entrust with a message to Bilbo was Gandalf. Just my personal opinion. And I could so easily see Bilbo's songs and stories spreading so. Menelcar I think of as somewhat a collector of songs and music. Merry's not one to miss the signs of something wrong with Pippin no matter how busy he is, and you are also right about Paladin's reaction. Of course, Paladin meant well, but really he had no idea. Frodo of course could hardly miss the fact that it had to be Pippin. And yes, he would naturally set poor Menelcar straight. Yes, you are the first one to spot that use of names. Merry and Frodo are the only ones, really, who call him "Pip"; everyone else calls him Pippin, unless they are being serious or angry. I try very hard to be consistent in it, just as Frodo is the only one who calls Merry "sprout", or Pippin "dearest". Yes, Frodo is going to try and get to the bottom of it all.

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