News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| It Takes a Took by Dreamflower | 348 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 11/17/2005 |
| SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I've been waiting all day to let that out!!! What a beautiful scene of them finally alone togeher. :-D I hope their wedding, or at least, a betrothal party is up next. :-) Now onto other bits and bobs... "With a stealthy skill that would have done a Ranger proud, she spirited the lad out of the Hall. Oy! If that lass isn't careful, she's going to end up like Lilas! I love the names you give your dances! I laughed when I read "the Southfarthing Brawl"...too cute! "Candles" is my favorite, with lit candles adding to the ambience--very beautiful. Before going on to the last part, I do want to say how much I have enjoyed this lovely, and moving tale of Pippin and Diamond. I do have to agree that Pip's life-long partner has to be more than a fashion statement. She at least has to be intelligent (like Pip) in order to challenge him, courageous (like him), and strength of character...like him! All other attributes such as humor, big heart, and appearance, will all fall into place thereafter, though they are also important. Well...sniff, sniff...onto the last one. Pippinfan Author Reply: Thank you! Thank you! I really wanted the build up to that first kiss--believe it or not, that was the second scene I wrote. (The first was Pippin seeing Diamond's face hovering over him when he regained consciousness after the accident.) Ah, yes, Celandine might have a bit in common with Lilas if her mother, father and brothers are not a bit more watchful! But she really served a purpose here, and not just comic relief. I wanted Pippin to be tempted to be a little less than gentlemanly with Diamond, and Celandine was the catalyst for that. But I wanted to give him a chance to reflect on his knightly honor, and how that meant he had to respect his lady-love. Well, the word "brawl" actually *comes* from the word "bransle" which is *pronounced* "brawl" but *means* a medieval circle dance done to a certain type of step. And "Candles" is my favorite dance as well. It is called "John Tallow's Canon" and is absolutely breathtaking to watch, and is good fun to do. I did want Diamond to be more than just a pretty face for Pippin; I wanted her to show all those attributes you mention. That's why I thought of making her a healer, for it's one way a lass could show those qualities. | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 11/17/2005 |
| Pippin is so funny chomping at the bit; Diamond is so close he can almost smell the fragrance in her hair! (joking) The eager lad has waited so paiently and for so long...I only hope he and Miss Diamond have a grand time at the Yule gathering. Pippinfan Author Reply: I like that "chomping at the bit". He's missed her a good deal, and he's ready to see her again. Well, you will see what sort of time they have... | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 11/17/2005 |
| I wish I could write short letters like Pip--but I'm too much of a chatterbox. There are so many reasons why I love your Diamond, and they are too numerous to list here, so I will try to explain one of them... I think her friendship with Opal is just lovely. Poor Opal needs a good friend, and Diamond is one of those people who percieves that and doesn't expoit it. Don't know if I'm making sense, but Diamond has excellent character. :-) As for Opal...that poor lass is going to have some issues later in life about her mother...I can feel it. She's already bottling up her feelings. That is what I'm gleaning from her and Diamond's exchange about Hyacinth. Okay...onto the next. :-) Pippinfan Author Reply: *snerk* Me too. Well, sometimes my replies to reviews are longer than the story, LOL! Yes, Diamond's friendship with Opal does show a lot of her character, as do some of her other actions. Opal still has a good deal to work through in her life. Some of that will begin when Poppy returns from Gondor, and apprentices her. | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 11/17/2005 |
| Oh, that was so sad! Poor Frodo--and Merry. I little understood JRRT's motive in having him leave the Shire until I read one of his letters in response to Frodo "failing"--claiming the Riing at Mt. Doom. That letter captured my heart. I actually stumbled upon it while researching something else, but I found it very insightful. As for Pippin, I am tickled right along with him as his leg heals up for dancing! Pippinfan Author Reply: I know. The first time I read the ending (at the tender age of fifteen) I was so upset--I couldn't see it as the apparently happy ending that JRRT meant it to be. And then in subsequent readings, I began to realize that one part of what made it great literature, and not just a roaring good adventure, was the bittersweet nature of the ending. It was not until I began to delve more deeply that I began to realize what underlay Frodo's decision to leave--like you, Letters was an eye-opener for me. And I read an excellent online article a couple of years ago that really made me truly understand. Its called "Too Deeply Hurt to Understand" http://www.geocities.com/karynmilos/toodeeplyhurt.html It really made an impact on me, and made me realize that Frodo was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or what WWI vet, JRRT, would have called "shell shock". Pippin's healing very rapidly. It was a very bad break, but the Ent draught helped. | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 11/15/2005 |
| I really liked the whole scene of Pippin and Merry crossing on the Ferry and returning to Crickhollow...I felt as if *I* was relieved to be home! I'm eagerly awaiting Yule--everyone is getting together with loved ones...and Pippin and Diamond will be together once again. But...there's only a few more chapters left... Pippinfan Author Reply: Yes, as much as both of them are sorry to be parted from their lasses, they are glad to be going home, to their own little house that Frodo gave them... I think you will like Yule at Brandy Hall. And Pippin and Diamond. That happens when you keep reading, unfortunately. Now you know how I felt when I was getting to the end of "Courtship". | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/15/2005 |
| "Merry felt gratified that she didn’t add--as so many did--”for a male”. Oh, that was cute! So this wee bit of "contention" went as far back as Middle-earth, lol? And to think our generation had started it... I really enjoyed the horseplay between Pippin and Merry. I like to think that they had as much fun together after they became adults (*semi*-adult, in Pippin's case). LOL, is she being maneuvered again? Now Esme's behind it! Rosamunda may as well give up. As for Diamond, I do think being ill has helped her to empathize with her own patients. Not that she was unsympathetic prior to spotted-fever, but it helped. Pippinfan Author Reply: Well, in the Shire, *my* Shire, at least, the vast majority of healers are female. And of course in any occupation dominated by one gender, certain biases arise, sometimes within the occupation, sometimes from those who make use of the occupation (eg. patients) and sometimes both. I think they probably were still playing around and goofing off when they were little old hobbits retired to Gondor, LOL! (Can't you just see them trying to spar with their walking sticks?) Oh, yes. Manipulating Rosamunda is a treasure art form among her relations... Anytime a healer has to be a patient herself, she will learn a bit more about empathy. | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/14/2005 |
| "Rosamunda began to get the feeling she was being maneuvered," *snorts laughter* I was really enjoying this--too bad she's wisened up. Its true--our lads *had* to spill thier guts at some point. To keep all of this inside would create an immense wall between them and their spouses when they marry. And what sort of marriage is that, anyway? It was very brave of them to face the facts and re-tell it all. Wonderful. Pippinfan Author Reply: But she still lets herself be maneuvered, LOL! Well, one thing that had kept Merry from moving forward in his plans to marry Estella was his fear of what would happen when she heard his nightmares. And she realized what a barrier it was. Now that barrier is mostly down. And Pippin, having already seen what it had done to Merry, in his blunt way, decided to be upfront with Diamond from the start. | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/14/2005 |
| Wow. That is the Diamond that I know and love so well; the sort of lass who fully lends her ear to listen to Pippin and his journey. Never calls him a liar, even asks questions to get more details, or to put it all to memory. Estella is a bit older, so yes, while its just as wonderful that she gives Merry her undivided attention, Diamond is a much younger lass, not cosidered mature enough to handle such intenseness. But she is, and I'm proud of her! :-) Pippinfan Author Reply: Yes, she is young. But she has the maturity to become a healer, and a good deal of that involves being a good listener. I think this may be what Pippin had in mind when he told his father that he fancied apprentice healers. If you recall, he was paying some attention to Viola, Poppy's apprentice before she left. A lass who is concerned with life or death *is* going to listen, and not try to hijack the conversation to talk about her latest frock. But I think on this score, Diamond is exceptional. And she cares about Pippin on more than one level, though up to now she's done her best to deny it. | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 11/14/2005 |
| "Diamond shook her head. “I am fine. You lads are not going to use me for an excuse to get out of this.” Go, Diamond! She doesn't take any of his/their nonsense! I really like her! Oh, I get such a tickle out of watching Tina play Rosamunda like a piano. Rosamuda is no fool (sometimes), but I love how Eglantine is the ringleader of hers, Pippin's, and Merry's conspiracy. Speaking of which--I really enjoyed your rendition of the pre-Conspiracy days. Merry lurking in the study while Bilbo and Frodo went to the Stationer's. Merry did remark just before Pippin stole away the palantir, "No Took ever beat a Brandybuck for inquisitiveness!" He sure did prove it when he formed his Conspiracy! Pippinfan Author Reply: No, she doesn't. And she has three reasons for wanting to continue hearing the tale: first of all, her concern for Pippin personally, second of all her worry about him as a healer, and third, her Tookish curiousity. Tina does know Rosamunda's weaknesses. And to be fair, Rosamunda knows her own weaknesses as well, and chooses to give in to them. After all--it's not every day you get to meet such a talented dressmaker... Yes, Merry did indeed prove his inquisitiveness on that score, LOL! | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 11/10/2005 |
| LOL, Pippin's got something up his sleeve! He has to be enlisting his mother in on whatever scheme is up his sleeve. You must have an older sibling to have Pippin muse that it "isn't right" about Merry pleading with him for a favor. And Frodo growing tired of it all...this is going to rip my heart out. Just watching the beginnings of his eventual leaving is sad. Pippinfan Author Reply: Who better to help any scheme Pippin might have than Tina, who has learned to scheme by surviving among the Tooks. LOL! No, I'm the oldest in my family, actually. But I know my Merry and Pippin. Pippin begs and wheedles and manipulates, and Merry knows what he's doing, and Pippin knows he knows. But Merry, well, he hardly *ever* pleads, so that's just got to affect Pippin strongly. We are pulling into the home stretch for Frodo. He makes his decision after Elanor is born... And yes, it is heart-wrenching... | |