Oh, that Merry! He's quite the romancer! He should make sure to send a "thank you" note to Faramir, Eowyn, Aragorn, and Arwen. It's so lovely to see Merry's and Estella's romance blossom and bloom. I had to laugh when Estella got jealous of Eowyn and Merry crossed his arms with a smirk and enjoyed informing her that Eowyn was betrothed. Very humourous, yet realistic.
Yes, Sam has become much more confident and is doing well. I think seeing Sam, Merry, and Pippin doing so well in the few years since their return from destroying the Ring plays a great part in Frodo's decision to leave Middle Earth. Although Frodo's constant pain and the lingering darkness was a major reason, it made it much easier for him to leave knowing that his dearest loved ones, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, would be fine without him.
Author's reply
Merry's been of age four years. He's also, I think, pretty smooth for a hobbit. I'm sure he could tell how Estella's interest was piqued by his mention of Eowyn and the betrothal. And, well, there weren't any movies. A nice romantic story would be a good substitute for a chick flick, don't you think? *grin*
I agree. Frodo needed to know that his dear ones would be all right without him; I am quite sure that was one reason he truly did need to return to the Shire for a while. I don't think he would have take Arwen's offer any sooner, not without assurances that Sam, Merry and Pippin were thriving.
Gryffinjack
· 24 December 2005
· Chapter 3
I really am enjoying how you keep showing what the different hobbits are doing at the same moment.
The Brandybucks are a practical lot, dealing with the logistics of feeding so many mouths with winter coming on. I find it very interesting to see how all of the Brandybucks do seem to have common personality traits, such as this one. They really do seem like one large family and the cousins do seem like cousins. And the relationship between Merry and his parents is spectacular! The way Saradoc lauds so much praise on Merry in front of others is every kid's dream come true.
Very nice establishment of the continuing problems our Travellers face with the way Pippin feels crowded at the Great Smials. I am sure Merry will also feel awkward under so many staring eyes and of course Frodo and Sam want none of the attention in the first place.
Your attention to canon is wonderful. Pippin and Merry certainly would continue to go around armed and not afraid to use their weapons, especially while some of the ruffians might still be about.
"Pippin sat breathing heavily for a moment, shaken. Then he looked at his sword. The blood was *red*, not black. He turned his face away and vomited. He wished Merry were here."
While Pippin undoubtedly saw red blood on swords before, and might have even killed some of Sauron's men before and not just Orc's, this statement is extremely powerful. You really are setting up very nicely how Merry and Pippin continue to need each other and must be together.
Author's reply
Merry was an only child, although of course, he'd had Frodo in his early years, and I think that made his relationship with his parents more stable than that of Pippin, who had three big sisters. Saradoc is a very good father, isn't he?
They do have to adjust to all the attention. It's quite different from the attention and acclaim they recieved in Gondor--this is from people who knew them as children, and may have trouble reconciling that knowledge with what they are like now.
Yes, that is canon, for JRRT described them as riding about in their splendid armor and livery.
I'm sure that Pippin had seen red blood on swords, but am not so sure he would have killed any Men before. We know he killed orcs and a troll; Merry did slay one of the Ruffians in the Battle of Bywater, but we've no indication Pippin did. And in times of emotional stress, Pip's *always* going to wish for Merry's presence.
Merry Christmas!
Gryffinjack
· 24 December 2005
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Very interesting, between the Great Smials version and this chapter of the Brandy Hall version, how you have all four of our hobbits telling what happened on the Quest almost immediately. And in such different styles!
Of course, the one where we really get to relive the entire tale is Pippin's telling of it to his entire immediate family in the Great Smails version of this story, where we re-live so much of what he went through and feel his pain in the sections he purposely omits or glosses over. And now in here, we have Merry telling his father, but choosing not to tell his mother and let her find out from his father.
Whereas Pippin omitted many things in front of his mother and sisters and told them to his father privately, Merry told his mother nothing and his father everything. While Pippin did not have a choice but to tell the tale in front of the entire family, Merry did. Judging by the reactions of the women in Pippin's family, Merry was right that it would have been extremely harrowing for his mum to hear, but it is something she needs to know about the world and about her son and so it is good that she will learn it from her husband.
Then there is Sam. Sam, who although he tells of the events to his father, purposely leaves out how brave and vital his role was in the mission. Sam's omissions to his father seem to be not so much out of pain but out of discomfort at his own importance. This makes complete sense, given the Gamgee's social status and the way that Sam was raised. I am sure Sam left even more out when he told Rosie what happened. I loved how Frodo could tell Sam was talking about Elves by the lightness in Sam's voice.
Lastly, we have Frodo. Frodo, who like Sam, despises telling of his own self-importance on the mission. Instead, and since he has no immediate family of his own, he makes sure that the Gaffer knows how brave and important his son was to the mission. Not only does this speak to Frodo's humility, but also to his generosity of spirit.
"‘Dear Mother and Father, I’m off on an adventure with Frodo and Merry. I don’t know where we’re going or how long we’ll be gone. Give my love to the girls. Love, Pippin’."
This note sounded just like one that the tweenage Pippin would have written! Thankfully, Pippin realised this note would never work and tossed it in the waste bin. Unfortunately, the Tooks are intelligent people and Paladin knew enough to look in his son's waste bin. That note sounded just like Pippin was being irresponsible and just running off on a jolly adventure without permission again instead of saying how important and different this time was. As if Paladin did not have enough cause to be extremely upset and distraught, this certainly added fuel to the fire, albeit unintentionally on Pippin's part.
This was a very interesting chapter of comparisons. Well done!
Author's reply
Here we see the beginnings of my fascination, my obsession, with the connections between these four. I wanted very much to show them having parallel experiences--not identical, but similar.
As to the telling of their tale: it seemed to me that Merry and Pippin at least, would feel obliged to let their parents *know* what happened and why. I am afraid that I do not see the logic in fanfics where neither of them ever tell anyone, including close family, about what happened to them, or has them doing so only years later or under extreme duress. Some of these stories are good, but I am afraid that they call for a bit more suspension of disbelief than I have to normally put forth. But Frodo would have been more reticent about himself--not so much about Sam. And Sam would have wanted to tell Frodo's part in the story, knowing that Frodo would not.
Yes, I'm afraid Pip's not the best letter writer in the world, and he should have been more careful of the contents of his wastebasket.
Gryffinjack
· 24 December 2005
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
One of the things that makes all of your stories so wonderful to read and so like canon is your attention to detail, careful research, and grasp of LotR terminology. For example, you constantly use the hobbit names of the months and days of the weeks and use them correctly, your application of geography to the Shire, including directions, and the various characters.
I am so glad that Merry got to keep Stybba! One of the visuals from the movie that sticks with me is of Merry kicking Stybba repeatedly and jostling the rains to try and get the pony to move. lol!
"Still, Merry was a little embarrassed. Frodo and Pippin both thought him overprotective, and were sometimes irritated at his regard. Sam never noticed. He was too busy doing the same thing."
Oh, but that's perfect! Merry and Sam certainly are the practical, overprotective ones and think alike.
"“No. It wouldn’t be practical. I need to be close by to oversee the repairs; also, thanks to your meddling, I have to be available to act as ‘Deputy Mayor’. I cannot believe I let you get me into this.”
Laughing, Merry exchanged a grin with Pippin and Sam. He was rather proud of the idea himself. Frodo needed to be kept busy, and as Mayor (Deputy or not) the rest of the Shire would *have* to show Frodo some respect. He had made up his mind that he would never let a “Mad Baggins” comment pass unrebuked ever again."
So the conspiracy has not ended, eh? Those three are going to manage Frodo until the day he leaves for the Undying Lands. I love this paragraph about Merry. He has been protective of Frodo since the day he was born and made a study of his older cousin.
Good for Frodo, putting one over on Merry and Pippin! I so enjoy seeing Frodo happy and laughing smugly to himself. He really has a great sense of humour, although it is masked and coloured all too frequently by the effects of the Ring.
"It was a measure of how far down Pippin was that he did not even pretend to misunderstand. “I think so. Father’s still angry, but he didn’t tell me not to come back. Mother and Pervinca were glad to see me, at any rate. It’s just--dead, Merry. He said I was *dead*.” Pippin’s eyes glittered with moisture, but he quickly blinked it away.
“I know, Pip. If you need me, send for me. And you are *always* welcome in Buckland.” Merry’s own eyes glittered, but with anger."
Poor Pippin! The anguish and pain that must have caused him to find out that his father had declared him dead. Especially since he still was not of age, for a parent to give up all hope on him ... it must have been incomprehensible to Pippin, especially as sensitive as he is.
And Merry... *sigh*. He is our constant, stalwart Merry, always looking after his cousins, always offering them all he has, and always ready and willing to defend and protect them.
"Pippin did laugh then. “My fierce Merry."
Loved that line, too.
Berilac is a most welcome sight in this story! I first came to really appreciate him in On the Road to Edoras. Since then, through my readings of your stories in chronological order, I have grown fonder and fonder of this particular level-headed hobbit. Well, Berilac and Freddy, actually. But I'm so glad Berilac is here! Aside from Frodo or Pippin, he is the cousin closest to Merry and most like a brother to him. It really is enjoyable to read how Merry and Berilac speak with enough respect for each other that they speak honestly and do not hold much back, especially Merry, with all that he has gone through.
This is a fine start! I'm so excited to finally be reading these stories again!
Author's reply
I do try very hard to stay as true to canon as I can. The use of hobbit months is actually not quite true to JRRT's style, as he always "translated" them to our modern months; however, I found that the deviations in his calendar made that difficult for me, so I stuck to the hobbit names, so that I could easily consult his calendar. As to distances, I was hard put to it with Merry's trip to Buckland, which *should* have taken a couple of days in normal travel. However, I was reassured by those in the know that on ponyback and cross-country, it *was* in fact doable in one.
I guess that you can see here the seeds of how I would develop Merry's and Sam's personalities. Chronologically, of course, this story is rather far down the time line, but it was written second, so it pleases me to see that previous developments enhanced rather than contradicted this story. It is so neat to be seeing all this through *your* eyes, as you read the stories in this fashion!
Frodo's sense of humor and happiness were muted by his experiences with the Ring, but at this point in time, he is hopeful that he will be able to pick up the pieces. He knows that he still has far too many "bad days", but he is looking for them to decrease. He has yet to realize they will only get *worse* with time. And too, his joy has always been in others rather than himself.
Yes, poor Pippin. His encounter with his Father was much influenced by the story by Lulleny that inspired all of this--to have been presumed dead had to hurt him horribly.
And, yes, overprotective Merry.
This was my first use of Berilac, and I had a good time figuring him out!
Hai Took
· 3 June 2004
· Chapter 16
That was all very delightful! I liked how Merry defended Frodo to that Chubb lad in Brandy Hall! Merry doesn't seem like one who would allow his family to be spoken to like that, especially after everything Frodo did!
Merry's cousins sure did find him to be intriguing! I like your Berliac, that name crops up quite a lot in post and pre-Quest stories but I like the way you have written him. Especially is awe for Merry!
Esmerelda taking the time to talk to Frodo at the Cotton's home was beautiful! That Frodo had not thought of himself as being missed is so sweet! I'm glad that Esmerelda and Saradoc are helping him to see that he was missed!
The bit about the nightmares and that they seemed to be better if Gandalf or Legolas watched them sleep was very fitting! Legolas offering to watch them sleep for the rest of their lives was very good!
The apology from Paladin to Saradoc was great! I'm glad that they were able to make up and be friends again! It is good for Merry and Pippin as well! If your families aren't getting along then it certainly becomes difficult to remain friends!
You ended it wonderfully, with Aragorn gettin the letter from the Shire! I wanted to know what everyone else had to say to the King though! Now I feel more adequately prepared for Reckoning! Thank you for sharing such wonderful stories!
Author's reply
I'm glad that you enjoyed it so much.
Do you know you are the only one who picked up on the bit about Legolas offering to watch them sleep? It was a little thing that came to me, that the Elf or Gandalf might be able to banish their nightmares. Of course, Gandalf would realize right away that the hobbits could not depend on that forever, but I could see Legolas, upset at their distress, willing to do whatever it would take to help; after all, what would sixty or seventy years mean to an Elf? And not quite realize the other inconveniences it would cause for the hobbits.
So now you know what was in all the official correspondence, it does make it easier to keep up with Reckoning.
PIppinfan1988
· 26 March 2004
· Chapter 16
This was a most delightful story! I'm sorry you ended it where you did because now *I'm* curious as to what Paladin, Saradoc wrote! I can pretty much guess that Frodo was catching up on news and such, but...oh, well. Another tale perhaps? I see you already have another story posted--you *are* a busy beaver! Take care.
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes, well, it had to end; I confess, I did write a couple of the hobbit letters; maybe I'll finish them up and put them in an epilogue if enough people are interested.
PIppinfan1988
· 26 March 2004
· Chapter 15
Necessity made him a warrior, destiny made him a King, and his heart made him a healer. - Dreamflower
Nicely done! And I love the bit where Pippin seeks his mother as an advocate--I think she was always butter in his hands (to an extent, of course).
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you. I felt that Aragorn's true calling is as a healer, and that, of course is *part* of his being King. And yes, I thought Pippin would get a bit further with Eglantine this time. He's fixed things up with his father, but I see it as still being just a little delicate.
PIppinfan1988
· 25 March 2004
· Chapter 14
Pippin shook his head sadly. It had been inevitable that those in the Fellowship would know about the Hobbits’ night terrors, but outsiders just could not understand. - Dreamflower
With this paragraph and other similar to it sprinkled throughout the story, I can't help but have an image of war veterans coming home after a war (doesn't matter which one). Was it your intention to hint to this? I have long believed that the hobbits had nightterrors after the horrors they experience in the War, and I love the element of how close these four have become in the process of trying to pick up the pieces.
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes, that was part of what was in my mind. The idea was put into my head by a very interesting discussion thread on rec.arts.books.tolkien about how Frodo suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The other thing is that I think it would have been much *worse* for the hobbits than for other members of the Fellowship, because hobbits' minds are not meant to work that way. Hobbits are meant to think of the simple things in life, and not *have* to experience such things, and I think that this goes deeper than just culturally, I think it is an integral part of their make-up. Certainly, they are "very tough in the fibre", but I think that emotionally it would be harder for them to come back than physically.
I'm glad the closeness I wanted to show came through. These four have become a family to themselves over the course of their adventure, I think.
PIppinfan1988
· 25 March 2004
· Chapter 13
I can't tell you how sweet this story is...and I love the 'sixth sense' you have between Merry and Pippin.
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Tolkien never seemed to have a problem with the characters exhibiting a "sixth sense" Frodo was always having dreams that foretold things, and a lot of characters said things like "I know this or that in my heart",(remember Faramir's vision of Boromir's death) and the other characters did not dismiss it, but simply accepted it as true. I think Merry and Pippin would have been at least as close as brothers. I see the relationships as Merry in the middle being very close to both Frodo and Pippin, but that he was somewhat closer to Pippin. I think too, that Merry could "read" Frodo best, and that Pippin could "read" Merry better than the other way around.
PIppinfan1988
· 25 March 2004
· Chapter 12
Merry (and Frodo) has such a kind heart! Love him...and Pippin! What the heck, I love *all* hobbits! :-) This is a fantastic story. Onward...
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Isn't it amazing how hobbits can just get into your heart? I often wonder what it is that makes them so darn lovable!
Bluegrass Elf
· 24 March 2004
· Chapter 16
Great story! I really enjoyed it.
Pervinca
· 24 March 2004
· Chapter 16
Oh! I wanted to know what the messages from the hobbits were! I suppose I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that you'll be inspired to write another addition to this "series". I really, enjoyed this one, especially the reasoning for Merry and Pippin's move to Buckland. You are a fantastic writer, so I thank yuo for sharing these wonderful stories! :)
Author's reply
I had to stop somewhere 8-). I had a lot of fun with the letters from Aragorn, and the messages from Gondor and Rohan. I have to confess I did make up a couple of the hobbit letters, too, but I decided to let Strider have a little privacy in his correspondance. Maybe if I make up the rest of the letters I can post them separately or something. Not sure if that's a good idea or not, hmm...
Grey Wonderer
· 24 March 2004
· Chapter 11
came back here to say how much I enjoyed the surprised reaction of Frodo when he learned that he had also been missed. Must have been very hard coming home to no one special relative or friend. His closet friends were with him and Bilbo stayed in Rivendell. You did make me think on this.
Author's reply
This was one of the things that came to me at the time I realized that Frodo would be the last of his line. It just seemed so sad. I had Aragorn writing to the fathers of Merry and Pippin, though not to the Gaffer, as he was illiterate (and I'm fairly sure that's the kind of thing Aragorn would find out about) but of course there was no one for Frodo. I do think his loneliness played a large part in his difficulty healing. Yet it's also clear that Frodo's was a bright spirit that caused people who knew him and met him to love him dearly, so I felt that there would indeed have been those in the Shire who *did* miss him after all.
Grey Wonderer
· 24 March 2004
· Chapter 16
At the end of each chapter I kept telling myself to stop and review, but I couldn't quit reading this long enough! I loved it and I love your Frodo as he is still strong and thinking of his friends even at the end of the quest. So many do him such an injustice by making him so damaged that he can barely continue until his ship sails. I alos like the way you show the connection between Merry and Pippin, even in their dreams. I also enjoyed Merry and Estella. Well, face it, I enjoyed all of this. Hope there is now one in the works about life at Crickhollow and Frodo as Mayor and lots of Sam. Thanks for a lovely story.
Author's reply
Thank you!
Frodo was lonely and heartsick, but at least according to JRRT, he did not really give up on being healed until after Elanor was born. And he held himself responsible for the troubles and pains his kinsmen and friends had while on the quest. Just because he suffered,too, would not mean that he would give up on helping them. After all, everything Frodo did and suffered was because he had so much love in him. Part of the thing I wanted to explore in the story was the connection between the cousins--I find it thoroughly fascinating.
PIppinfan1988
· 23 March 2004
· Chapter 10
I loved this chapter; the comparison between a 'hardened' Merry and a 'soft' Berilac. Oh, yes...nothing like a hard day's work while running on half a tank! :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Merry was enjoying himself, I think. Somewhat a reminder of the days on the road with the Fellowship. And he likes seeing the Shire get itself back to normal. I believe Beri is only a softy in comparison to Merry; but he's game!
PIppinfan1988
· 23 March 2004
· Chapter 8
Lovely letters you've written! I believe I noticed that Aragorn and Eomer's letters contained a different tone, derived from the roots of their native tongues. If this was intentional, it was very perceptive on your part. Take care.
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you. The letters were great fun. Yes, the differences were very intentional. I used the Saxon alliterative form for Rohan. The letter from Gondor, I made very formal and pompous. I'm really quite used to that kind of thing, as I am a scribe/calligrapher in the SCA, and have penned many a pompous sounding awards scroll. 8-) What I had the most fun with were the personal letters from Aragorn; I wanted them to sound like *him*, as he tried to make his friend's fathers understand what they meant to him.
greenjay
· 23 March 2004
· Chapter 11
These are wonderful stories! with flashbacks to quest days and angst for each other. I hope you continue this one, and maybe have more on the same, or similar, stories.
Author's reply
There's a lot more left of this one, and I have another I'm working on. I'd like to get someone to beta it for me, though, as it's a bit different from these first two. ( Pre-quest, not post )
Bluegrass Elf
· 23 March 2004
· Chapter 10
Great story! I can't wait for more!
Pervinca
· 23 March 2004
· Chapter 9
Oh, this keeps getting more wonderful! Merry's wrath over that hobbit's words about Frodo was especially touching. To be honest, it's never something I ever considered - the fact that there would be no more Bagginses. I suppose the old Prof. set it up to be exactly that way.
I have a question for you - a request, if you'd like. I really loved the idea of the hobbits buying presents for their families in Minas Tirith. Would you mind if I used that idea in a story? I will give you complete credit for it, of course! It's just something that I can really imagine happening!
Author's reply
Yes, I noticed it when going over the family trees for characters. It just suddenly struck me that there were no more male Baggins after Frodo. Like you, I think it was probably deliberate, since JRRT wanted Sam to be Frodo's heir. But I thought that Merry would find this very sad once he realized it. I know I did. No more Bagginses in the Shire...sigh.
And sure, you can use the gift idea. It just seemed logical to me. I could see them trying to while away the time there before going home, and that was one thing they would obviously do.
Grey Wonderer
· 23 March 2004
· Chapter 9
I love Merry's defense of Frodo and the way he warned his cousin not to talk down to Sam. Very honorable. I am enjoying this very much. It is a very good story.
Author's reply
I've always thought of Merry as naturally very honorable. Standing up for his family and friends would come to him as easily as breathing.
PIppinfan1988
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 7
Please say you're going to update???? I *know* this can't be the end! I will be back...
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes, there's quite a bit more to go. Putting them in is going rather slowly, as I have had lots of interruptions ( silly stuff like work, meals, etc.) Also, I'm pretty sure I'm doing it the hard way, but hey, it's working.
PIppinfan1988
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Awww, that's so nice of Frodo to tell the Gaffer about Sam--Samwise the Brave. I can't tell you how well written this is--and of course, so was Great Smials! Thanks for sharing!
Pippinfan
PIppinfan1988
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Most excellent--Merry's point of view now! I see they had "driving food" back then, too! lol...
Pippinfan
Author's reply
I really had to do some thinking with this. When I wrote the Pippin story, I had Merry telling his family the same night as Pippin was telling his. However, I came to realize that normally this wouldn't work--Buckland was too far away by road. However, I thought on pony, cross-country, he could probably do it, especially with a pony from Rohan! But not if he had to stop for six meals 8-).
Author Reply:
Pervinca
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 3
Oh, I'm so glad you've written this story from Merry's point of view too! I like the way you've written in scenes that were only hinted at in Pippin's version. Now I'm hoping to have the story where Sam tells Rosie what happened! (Btw, loved the idea of Frodo telling the Gaffer about Sam's deeds. I've used that myself in a story, because I can't see Sam telling his Dad himself, but I'm quite certain Frodo would have done the deed for him). Please continue soon!
Author's reply
What really got me started on this one was several scenes that came to my mind while I wrote the other one--even though I was cutting in some Merry and Frodo POV, I was trying to keep it mainly for Pippin, but I didn't want to lose those scenes.
It just seemed right to me that the hobbits are telling those closest to them of their experiences. I know a lot of authors have them never talking about it at all, but I think, especially in Merry's and Pippin's case, that their families would have wanted to know. In Frodo's and Sam's case, it would have been each of them trying to bolster the other.
Grey Wonderer
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 3
Poor Pippin! He thinks it's over and yet it's not. Now he will have nightmares for certain. Hope the food probelm in Buckland is soon solved as it sounds more serious than they seem to be letting on to Merry.
Author's reply
I just checked the story, and a whole paragraph got put in the wrong place. I'm not sure what I did there, but I think I fixed it now.
Yes, Pippin and Merry are still going to be clearing out ruffians for a while; I also wanted to show that there would be a different reaction to killing a "person" ( as shown by the red blood ) to that of killing one of the "wicked races" such as Orcs and trolls, that had black blood. Although Tolkien seemed to indicate that Merry slew one of the ruffians in Bywater, I don't recall Pippin ever killing anything but orcs and a troll during the Quest.