Edlyn · 16 January 2008 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
I love the way you got into Pippin's mum's head here. A lovely read.
Lost and Found by Bodkin
Reviews (13)
Haleth · 23 March 2006 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
This beautifully captures the essence of what it's like to be a mother. The child may tower over her and may have travelled to places she's never heard of, but a mother will want to nuture and protect him. And her heart will break when she realises that she just can't anymore.
Author's reply
Isn't it just! The natural instinct to stand between your child and anything that threatens him doesn't go away just because everyone else in the world looks on him as a hero. And it's only natural that there would be a touch of resentment because some chit of a girl can offer him comfort when you can't - after all the work you've put into him, too!
cathleen · 12 September 2005 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
Bodkin, this was so beautiful and touching. I have often thought about what the hobbits must have gone through on their journey and what would have happened afterward. I have been thinking of writing something along these lines. I think the way you presented this through the eyes of Pip's mother was perfect. Thank you for a great story! PS: I'm new to this list and am just discovering all the wonderful writers here. Cathleen
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I liked looking at the aftermath from the point of view of someone who is usually only seen through Pippin's eyes - it seems as if those left behind would have a different perspective. And I suppose it's my age - I can't help but feel the pain of the parents whose children disappeared and came back different and hurt. There are lots of fantastic stories here - you're in for a good time as you trawl the list. Good reading!
pipspebble · 24 August 2004 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
This was heartbreakingly beautiful. As a mother of two lads of my own, I get a real sense of Eglantine and the pain she feels for what her baby has suffered. Fabulous job! I'm so glad Marigold pointed the way to this wonderful story!
Author's reply
I almost fainted when I discovered Marigold had approved! It is so hard to realise that your children have grown up and can make their own choices. And in Pippin's case, such painful choices. I am glad you enjoyed the tale.
pipinheart · 24 August 2004 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
Lovely, such a great story! The emotion hits home, I had tears in my eyes.... A mother who sees the cost of her sons sacrifice..... Great, job..... Keep up the good work........
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I feel for all the parents actually - Elrond's pain just tears me up. And the Gaffer - just a different viewpoint.
Mariposa · 21 August 2004 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
This is really lovely! It is well-written, thoughtful, flowing, and touching. Thank you for these lovely thoughts and a poignant point of view.
Author's reply
Thank you for reading. I feel it must have been terribly hard for Eglantine - and Esmeralda to deal with the changes in their sons after they returned from the Quest. They both changed so much - not necessarily for the worse, but it must have hurt to have been excluded from such life-changing experiences.
Saoirse · 20 August 2004 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
This is v. v. lovely. It shows clearly a mother's despair for 'losing' her son (or at least what she had remembered him to be) and mourning for that, and then it shows the acceptance she gains (if not fully understands) when Pippin himself resolves to explain that things (like innocence and happiness) sometimes need be sacraficed (which shows even more clearly how much he has changed from the irrepresible tween he once was) since she is so blinded by a mother's love and cannot see it herself. Then, in the end, she finds that though he is different, he is still Pippin in a changed form, and is proud of what he was able to accomplish, how wonderful! Thank you for writing it.
Author's reply
Thank you very much! It is always difficult for mothers to watch their children grow up - and it must have been particularly hard for Eglantine. Pippin was still a child, (well, a tween), when he went away and a rather indulged child at that. All his best friends were older than him and so were his sisters plus he was the Thain's only son - it is hardly any wonder that he was a bit babied. Then, over the course of one year, he risked great danger, saw friends injured and killed, stood against the Dark Lord, watched Denethor's final descent into madness, saved Faramir and marched to battle where he was critically injured. He changed. But his mother stayed at home and didn't see any of it. So the Pippin she saw was still the tween - and she had to adjust to the moody adult with his aching bones and his nightmares. It probably didn't help that he didn't want her - or any of his family - to know the worst of what happened. I think the story of people left behind is very interesting - it can be as hard to adjust as it is for those who took active part.
Hai · 21 April 2004 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
That was so touching. Written from a mothers perspective and all really made it wonderful. That she wanted to protect him and wished he could have stayed the same. It was wonderful, thank you!
Author's reply
Thank you. It is so interesting to turn things around and look from another angle. And a mother's viewpoint is always so personal - blow the fate of the world, how dare you hurt my child!
Lindelea · 19 April 2004 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
Very well done, indeed! Your grasp of Eglantine's voice is sure, your descriptions are clear, deft, even haunting in their insight into the characters. He had seen more than any gaffer nodding away in the corner of the inn (nice word picture) come through the fire, burnt bright and fine (the refiner's fire) come home in search of a healing he would never find (sad, but so often true) Following his cousins devotedly even as he led them by the nose. (a picture to laugh at) all I could see in my head was his face, leaner, the ready smile absent, weathered, old before he was adult (very clear insight) As if I would do anything else! (I can just hear her saying this!) but he had found a purpose that would keep him following the right path throughout his life; helping the helpless, protecting the weak, ensuring that evil could never prevail if anything he could do would prevent it (This is just how I picture Pippin, and try to write him in my stories.) Thanks, glad to make your acquaintance! (Found you after you reviewed a chapter of mine) Write on!
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm glad you picked out some of my favourite phrases.
Bluegrass Elf · 18 April 2004 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
A wonderful story!
Author's reply
I'm blushing.
Lyta Padfoot · 18 April 2004 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
A very insightful look at Eglantine. It feels very real, her perceptions have a certain edge to them. Some of your descriptions are amazing, particularly about Frodo.
Author's reply
Thank you.
Dreamflower · 18 April 2004 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
Absolutely wonderful! I loved so many of the descriptions ( Frodo looking like he had been "boiled and bleached" ) And I especially loved the ending, when she realizes that what Pippin found was as important as what he had lost. The description of his knowledge that he was able to protect the weak and fight evil, so evocative of his obligations as a knight. Just beautiful!
Author's reply
Mothers have a hard time of it when their sons go off on quests - and it must take them a while to adjust to the changes it brings.
Tom Fairbairn · 18 April 2004 · Chapter 0: Lost and Found
Fantastic character piece and great sustained point-of-view. Some great phrases ("all eyes"). The conclusion was bittersweet and well-handled. I'm making this a favorite.
Author's reply
Thank you for your review. I can't help but want to know what others think of what happened - especially mothers.