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The Many Aspects of Merimac Brandybuck  by Lily Dragonquill 100 Review(s)
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!

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/15/2006
It takes one rascal to know one, doesn't it. :D

>>"Yes," Frodo replied happily, then, realising his mistake he quickly corrected himself. "No." He paused for a second, not pleased with his cousin's smug grin. "I mean…" Glaring at the shovel he let out a puff of air and groaned in frustration, hoping to sound convincing.<<

I'm really enjoying your characterization of Frodo and especially of Merimac. I can't wait to see what you have in store next!





Author Reply: It takes one rascal to know one, doesn't it.

Definitely :)

I'm glad you're enjoying Merimac's character. It's a lot of fun to discover him a little bit more with every story.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/14/2006
Oh Lily! That was wonderful!

You're quite enjoying yourself, aren't you?"

"Yes," Frodo replied happily, then, realising his mistake he quickly corrected himself. "No." He paused for a second, not pleased with his cousin's smug grin. "I mean…" Glaring at the shovel he let out a puff of air and groaned in frustration, hoping to sound convincing.


LOL!!! Mac is absolutely right! Frodo has to learn a lot ;-)

This one made me nearly fall off my chair:

"Ask one of the washerwomen, or better, one of the lasses. Use those eyes of yours to your advantage and you will get all the help you need."

Fantastic!

I consider this to be one of the points on my list and I'm awaiting eagerly the next one.

P.S.: He's really a scallywag, isn't he?


Author Reply: "Ask one of the washerwomen, or better, one of the lasses. Use those eyes of yours to your advantage and you will get all the help you need."

That one I actually stole - from Merimac himself. He says something similar in Schicksalsjahre one day :)

Glad you're liking these stories. I'm enjoying them a lot myself. It's so much fun to discover a so far minor character.

Elanor SilmariënReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/14/2006
Ha! This is hilarious! I like Merimac already. I think I shall have to go back and read the rest of this sometime! I love the advice Mac gives Frodo!
God bless,
Ellie

Author Reply: Merimac is unique and always willing to help youngsters out of their mischief. I'm glad you like his character.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/7/2006
What a lovely story. It sometimes takes a near-tragedy to remind us of what we have... and what we could lose so easily.

Author Reply: It does. Thankfully everything turned out well in the end.

Thanks for reading.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/7/2006
Oh, I'm sorry!
You're absolutely right! I must have overlooked him!
Of course I remember those scenes, now that you mention them.

But in those situations Mac acted like the older cousin. That is quite different to what Fastred indicates:

Who would have thought I would ever have to patch you up again because of somebody else's thoughtlessness besides your own?

That sounds as if Mac brought himself into trouble on several occasions.
I'd like to hear more about that! Maybe I can somehow trigger your muse ;-)

Author Reply: Well, some things will be revealed in Schicksalsjahre, other, I hope I will come up with. No ideas yet.

Don't worry... I haven't quite seen him either, until he forced himself into one of the Bag End chapters and told me quite a bit about himself. Now I can't stop thinking of a wonderful character I can explore.

Author Reply: BTW:
You also musn't forget that by the time these events in Schicksalsjahre take place Mac is way beyond his tweens. And, as is stated in this story, thanks to Adamanta he settled down a bit :) So, yes, he is the older cousin and does act like it, and to Frodo he always was the older cousin, but as I said, when he was young things looked different.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/7/2006
Am I really the first reviewer? What an honor!

"I know what it was," Gilda said sternly but her features softened and turned into a fond smile. "And I'm very proud of you but that doesn't reduce my worry, as you doubtless know."

Oh my, from what Fastred and Gilda say, Mac must have been quite "active" in his youth!
You said, there would be more about him in your "Schicksalsjahre" story? I'm really curious about that!

What Mac experienced is what makes out the difference between adults and parents. You have to be a parent to completely understand all the worries your parents went through. I don't have children (yet), but some of my friends have little ones. And they all confirmed, that if you become a parent, your life changes completely. It's when you really understand the meaning of responsibility.
There will be much to worry about, but also moments of joy and happiness and pride. And only those count.

P.S.: I very much enjoyed little Berry speaking of *that* Merry :)

Author Reply: Yep, you're the first one. It seems nobody likes Merimac - at least not enough to read stories focused on him.

Mac has been quite active indeed. If the muse whispers to my ear (and not the same things she already whispered for Schicksalsjahre eines Hobbits ) we might hear more about it ;)

There will be more of Mac in Schicksalsjahre, unfortunately only in the Bag End part. Though, he is quite prestent in the Buckland part as well. He is often mentioned and has even some minor appearances, but unfortunately he is overlooked.

eg it was hime who brought Frodo and Merry back after their "adventure" on the Tween Feast, it was also him who Merry called to when they found Marroc and Frodo fighting. And it was Mac Merry ran into when he brought some cookies for the first evening in a shared room. In fact, Mac is mentioned in the last three chapters and will also be mentioned in the next, so... yes, he is quite present, though nobody sees him.

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/16/2006
Sigh. Wee Frodo is too cute.

So, Mac is a mischief maker too. Hmm, I wonder if _he's_ the one who taught Frodo some of his tricks ... which in turn would have been passed down to Merry and then Pippin. I can just picture an older Saradoc admonishing his brother many years later for teaching Frodo some particular mischief while he's under the Brandybuck's care. LOL!

Just one little note: when Saradoc references Drogo in the beginning, shouldn't he be saying "Uncle Drogo" and not just Drogo?

Also, a quick question: is there an English translation/version of your Schicksalsjahre story to be found anywhere? I took 3 years of German in high school, but it's very rusty 10 years later.

Author Reply: Thanks. Wee!Frodo has developed into one of my favourite writing objects :)

Of course Drogo is Saradoc's uncle but since he is of age already he might not always use "uncle" to address him or rather speak of him.

I can just picture an older Saradoc admonishing his brother many years later for teaching Frodo some particular mischief while he's under the Brandybuck's care.
That's a very interesting thought. Mac will be of age when Frodo moves to Brandy Hall but, perhaps he has still a mind for a mischief or another :)
I'm keeping that in mind.


I'm afraid I'm still writing on my German story - the Bag End part now - and Frodo is still twenty and I intend to write until he is 33. So, there is lots to come and if I ever translate it, it won't be until I'm done with the German version. It would be too confusing for me to write two timelines at once.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/16/2006
Wonderful! I think I like your "scallywag" as much as I like Dreamflower's "sprout" :)

I remember the "stomping" game. I played it with my brother when he was small.

So, Mac was famous for his mischief? Then little Frodo found the perfect teacher!

Surely she thought her child would never be as much the source of trouble as Mac.

Poor Primula, I'm afraid, part of her wish will not come true ;-)
But I doubt that Frodo, with his mother still there, would have become such a rascal.

Author Reply: Scallywag as famous as Dreamflower's sprout? I'm honoured!!! I love "her sprout" :)

I used to play that game with my cousin ... though he did without any stomping sounds :)

Yes, Mac is famous for his mischief. You will see that also in later Schicksalsjahre chapters (yes, he's going to have a not so unimportant role).


I doubt that. Frodo was a rascal from the very beginning. He might have developed differently... but he would have stayed a racal :)

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/14/2006
I can't remember if I reviewed these before Lily but they have just raised my spirits before a very long day at work. Now I really must get off the internet before someone comes in and catches me......oops!

Author Reply: I'm glad they brightened your day :D

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