Gryffinjack
· 30 December 2005
· Chapter 2: Unexpected News
Ah, so now the rest of the Shire is going to get to meet the men of Gondor and Rohan! Excellent! After all, Aragorn is the High King of the Shire, too.
The reaction that Berilac has is spot on - after the horrible experience the had with Saruman and his ruffians, they would be most wary of any Man. Fortunately, these Men are quite different.
You know, every time I see him, I like your Saradoc more and more. He is so kind, wise, and understanding. It is good that he recalled the significance of the day.
Your characterisations of Merry and Pippin are brilliant as usual.
""You know, Merry, it would have saved a great deal of trouble if we had just left this stuff at Bag End to begin with,” said Pippin. He was impatient with the slow pace of the journey by cart."
While I agree with Pippin and understand what he means, Merry is right that the result would have been more loss of Frodo's things. I do wonder at Merry's reference to "Sharkey." Would he have said "Sharkey" or would he have said "Saruman," since that was what the wizard was called during all of his experiences with him?
At any rate, I love your Merry here - the way he says, "Oh, yes, Pip. Brilliant." and the way he frets over how upset Sam will be when he finds out about Frodo's illness.
“Sam will be really upset when he finds out Frodo’s been ill while he was gone.”
“He should be. He’d been warned by Lord Elrond, just like I had about you. He should have remembered.” Pippin was still angry at Sam over this.
“Don’t,” said Merry.
“What do you mean ‘don’t’?” asked Pippin, although he knew perfectly well.
“Don’t give him a hard time over it. He’s harder on himself than either of us would ever be on him. Also, Frodo would be really upset if he realized you were angry at Sam, and why. We‘re not even supposed to know that Frodo was sick.”
“I suppose.” Pippin sat back, quietly.
Merry began to count in his head--one, two, three, four, five--his cousin’s foot start to twitch. He suppressed a smile. “Sing for me, Pip.”
Pippin brightened up. “Oh! All right, then!” He thought for a moment, and then started in.
Merry's counting to five was brilliant! I loved how he was just waiting for Pippin's foot to start twitching with restlessness again, and then smiled as he told Pippin to sing for him. Two things Merry is an expert on - Pippin and Frodo. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Merry himself is soothed by Pippin's singing and enjoys it so.
As for Pippin, your characterisation of him is always constant throughout your stories. He gets impatient, fidgety, is a ball of energy, yet sweet, open, and loving to sing. And as we saw in one of your other stories, although he knows when Merry is managing him by asking him to sing, he is quite happy to do so. It really does help calm him down and take his mind off of things.
Your attention to detail is once again fantastic. The way both of the cousins sing Bilbo's "The Road Goes Ever On," how Pippin sings not only the song about Tom Bombadil, but also the Elvish one that Legolas taught him. One of the things that always excites me when I read your stories is when I catch a reference to one of your prior stories. It's like a little gem waiting to be discovered.
"Merry chuckled. “Yes. Well. He’s an Elf.”"
lol! Another great line that made me chuckle.
Do you know what I think I have failed to comment to you about in all of my prior 183 reviews of your stories? I don't think I have mentioned how easy your stories are to read. The language you use and the construction of your sentences just flows so smoothly and seamlessly that it is a joy to read. And it does not matter which point of view you are writing from or whether you are writing a Hobbit or a Man of Rohan or Gondor. Your writing style is so gentle and kind that it has become like a familiar friend that I am always delighted to greet.
Author's reply
After the year they've had, it is certainly going to startle them to have a troop of Men ride up to the Bridge and ask to come in the Shire! But fortunately, Saradoc has a level head on his shoulders. (Of course he does, he's a Brandybuck.)
Pip's being a bit of a tween here. He really does know that it would not have been good to have left stuff at Bag End--but he is really getting bored riding in that cart.
Merry, of course, never loses sight of the actualities.
I think Merry, Pippin and Sam might have picked up on the "Sharkey" from the others in the Shire. And I can see Merry and Pippin, especially, using it with relish--as a term of contempt. They, after all, suffered at Saruman's hands more than Frodo and Sam did, and have a bit of a personal grudge with him. On the other hand, I don't believe *Frodo* would ever lose sight of who Saruman was originally, and I can't see him using the term at all. Rather like the term "Lotho Pimple". Frodo is going to give even his enemies dignity.
I'm glad you liked the bit with Merry's counting. I could just see him sitting there, watching Pip out of the corner of his eye, and knowing *precisely* how long it would take his cousin to get twitchy again, LOL!
I try very hard for consistency in my characterizations, and I am glad you think that I achieve it with these two.
What's funny here is that "Kingly Gifts" had not been written when I wrote this chapter. So, once more, it is the earlier story that had to be fit into the later one chronologically speaking. The more stories I write, the more complicated it gets, LOL!
183 reviews? Whoa. *gulp* Thank you. *blushes*
Gryffinjack
· 29 December 2005
· Chapter 1: Echoes of a Bad Time
This story grabbed hold and pulled me in right from the beginning. It's always great to see Berilac again, but I was wondering where Merry was and why Saradoc was thinking of how Merry had been in danger of dying just a week prior.
What a shock for Saradoc, Esmeralda (you need to fix the spelling throughout this chapter), and Pearl to find Merry and Pippin looking so ghastly.
Although the books concentrate on Frodo's anniversary illnesses from his encounters with the Ring and his overall declining spirits, it would have been impossible for Sam, Merry, and Pippin to have gone through what they did without also having similar experiences. After all, not only did Sam spend so much time with Frodo in the Black Lands, but he also had his encounter with Shelob and most importantly of all, was a Ringbearer for a while and thus was exposed to Sauron himself. Pippin also had endured Sauron himself forcing his way into his mind via the palantir. Not only that, but he also had his near death with the troll, the entire episode with Denethor, his fears about Merry and Frodo, and his and Merry's siege by the Orcs to contend with. In fact, the only one of the four Hobbits not to have Sauron forcing his way into his mind was Merry. But Merry had encountered the Black Breath thrice, including when he helped to kill the Witch King, plus the siege by the Orcs, and fearing for the lives of Frodo and Pippin. Plus, they all had Weathertop and seeing Frodo disappear and coming back injured and on the brink of becoming a Ringwraith.
So, all in all, this was a very important thing that you showed. Merry would be more ill like Frodo due to his exposure to the Black Breath, but Pippin would be suffering more from nightmares, like Frodo and Sam, due to his exposure to Sauron.
How like Merry to immediately start worrying about Frodo. And how like both Merry and Pippin to immediately take action about those worries and head straight away to their dear older cousin with his belongings in tow.
The mood in this chapter was quite disturbing and therefore excellent. It's just what was needed to tell of the horrors that Merry and Pippin will face the rest of their lives.
Author's reply
So, all in all, this was a very important thing that you showed. Merry would be more ill like Frodo due to his exposure to the Black Breath, but Pippin would be suffering more from nightmares, like Frodo and Sam, due to his exposure to Sauron.
I'm so glad that you saw the reasons for the differences. Merry and Frodo both had exposure to the Black Breath and the W-K, Frodo being wounded by the Morgul blade, and Merry being wounded by the backlash of stabbing the creature. So their illnesses would reflect that similarity of experience. And then of course, Frodo's own *springtime* illness was from Shelob's poison. But the terrors and nightmares from the Ring induced exposure to Sauron would be reflected by Pippin's exposure through the palantir. And of course you mention all the other traumas they experienced. Sam's worst trauma, of course, was Shelob, and thinking Frodo dead. And as you say, exposure, however briefly, to the malice of the Ring. That we see no mention of their trauma in the book is to my mind *actually evidence of it*, because one of the symptoms of PTSD is the reluctance to talk about the traumas that cause it. So it's rather a catch 22.
It is like Merry. The first thing on his mind is going to be "how did Frodo fare?"
Author Reply: Oh, and I fixed the "Esmerelda"s. Again. I thought I fixed them a few weeks ago when I put in a chapter title, but I guess I forgot to hit edit. *facepalm*
Gryffinjack
· 29 December 2005
· Chapter 0: Prologue
This is a very nice prologue introducing the theme of the story to follow. I very much look forward to reading this story again.
Oh, and terrific original writing in this prologue! Quoting the master will never steer you wrong! lol!
Author's reply
*chuckle*
I thought the easiest way to show the gap I was filling was--to show the gap I was filling, LOL!
Lindelea
· 18 November 2005
· Chapter 5: Four is Company
So much I'd like to say, and no time!
I like the contrast in setting the watch, before versus after the Quest.
Pippin and Sam's talk, and "We can barely help ourselves." But glad they came to an understanding.
The major production of waking the Thain! Yikes! (Wise Berilac)
Author's reply
Just seemed to me that there would be a comparison there, between this time and "Three's Company";
I'm glad they did too, though of course they would. They love and respect one another too much not to.
Beri's nobody's fool, LOL!
Lindelea
· 18 November 2005
· Chapter 4: Back to Buckland
He saw the figures of several more Men taking their ease about a campfire, some of them seeming to be attending to such chores as mending clothing or sharpening weapons; all were clad in either the black and silver or the green and white he was becoming used to. There was one figure, much smaller than the rest, also clad in the black and silver, attending to the scrubbing of pots. As he grew closer, he realized that this was only a child, and was amazed to see him among all these grown Men.
(I love these sorts of descriptive passages that set the scene clearly.)
Gimli and Legolas!
he had been well aware of the plans to reward his cousins, and was all in favor of it as long as there were no surprises for him in store
(Hah! There ought to be!)
Author's reply
Oh, thank you! I always love when someone likes my descriptions, as I tend to think of them as one of my weak spots.
Yes, Gimli and Legolas.
Well, Frodo's made it clear he wants no surprises, and Aragorn will honor that--but he wishes he didn't have to.
Lindelea
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 3: An Important Date
Two ponies, and silver pennies in the bargain, and every year! Such a reminder!
(Merry ought to have accepted being showered with gifts before he left Rohan, I guess. He could always have given them away right and left to anyone they met on the journey homewards...)
You have a hobbit named Denny! No wonder my Denny was perceived as so hobbity by the hobbits!
Lovely details, this being just one of many:
The two men stood up. Denny flinched. While he had been sitting on a barrel, and they upon the ground, he had forgotten for a while just how large they were.
And:
Targon’s voice took on an almost reverential note when he spoke that name
And:
That was a bit of guilt he felt himself from time to time.
The way Pippin knows what Merry is thinking and feeling, just as Merry understands Pippin. Lovely.
Author's reply
Merry, unfortunately, did not understand how persistent and devious the young King of Rohan was, LOL!
*grin* I do like "Denny"--I like it a good deal better than "Denethor"!
So very glad you like those details. I could imagine how Men would still appear menacing for a while after the ruffians had been in the Shire, yet hobbits are resilient, and he would easily be lulled by their amiable and courteous behavior--which I thought would stand out greatly in contrast to what he might have seen of Men in the past. Still, size is intimidating.
Merry and Pippin--well, they do know one another thoroughly, don't they?
Lindelea
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 2: Unexpected News
Ah, yes, I love the little clues you stick in, so quietly, that explore the characters:
Merry
- knowing Pippin so well. (one, two, three, four, five)
- understanding Sam, that he'd be harder on himself than anyone
- that they weren't supposed to know Frodo had been ill
Pippin
- angry on Frodo's behalf, but quick to understand Merry's point
- quick to pick up a song, even when he didn't understand the words (we have that experience in our Swiss choir, singing in five languages, only two-and-a-half of which I know)
- impatient, restless, full of energy
Saradoc
- wise and insightful
- we can see where Merry gets a lot of his good qualities
I am looking forward to the Travellers meeting with the Men in livery! Who are they, I wonder? *g*
Author's reply
Thank you; the bit with Merry counting to himself as to when Pip would start to fidget was a favorite of mine.
I am glad you see the clues to their characters. I try to show it, for to me characterization is the heart of the story. I know when reading, that no matter *how* well a plot is constructed, if the characters fall flat I lose interest. I am glad to know that you think I do well with that part of the writing.
Lindelea
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 1: Echoes of a Bad Time
What a promising beginning! Once I got past the initial irritation (sorry about that last non-review) I was able to pick up from the context what date you were illustrating.
I have long speculated that if Frodo had echoes of the Black Breath from Weathertop, then surely Merry must have, as well. It seems perfectly plausible to me.
And that poor Pippin had not slept the previous week, from his own memories. It makes sense that the Palantir might leave echoes of its own; after all, contact with the Dark Lord must be more intense than with one of his Ringwraiths.
Though JRRT did not write of such a thing, he didn't rule it out by what he wrote, either. It is so interesting to see the possibilities written out.
I love all the little details you put in a piece that add to the "realness" for the reader, from the uprights on which the lanterns hung, at the Ferry landing, to the wrapped hot bricks warming Merry's arm.
I am being pulled away, yes, interrupted once again, and this one will be a long interruption, I think, perhaps even until tomorrow. So all I shall say in closing is that I'm glad the next chapter is already there for the reading, and I don't have to wait for it to be posted! All I have to wait for is the time to read it!
Author's reply
It seemed very plausible to me, as well. I could not imagine that the younger hobbits were not traumatized as well. Of course, Frodo's was the worst, but he was not the only one to suffer.
I'm glad you like the details as well. I sometimes think I get carried away with them.
I understand interruptions. I got interrupted in the middle of this reply, LOL! but since the insurance people finally showed up, I won't complain.
Lindelea
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 1: Echoes of a Bad Time
It had been a Mersday, the fifteenth of Rethe.
You know, it drives me nuts. I'm sorry to be so blunt. I can't keep these things in my head, so whenever I run across this sort of thing I have to go look it up, and it's another interruption when it is all I can do to read to the end of a chapter. I think I've learned "Highday" which was Friday or Saturday, right, and considered the free day of the week? But I'm not completely sure. I could well be wrong. Whenever I use the term in a story, I look it up. And promptly forget it again. And that's after two years of fanfic. The old memory cells just aren't what they used to be. And since this is a shared workspace I can't just tape crib notes to the filing cabinet.
Would you consider footnoting, when you use one of these Tolkienesque terms? Even an asterisk (or no asterisk, but just a note) with a translation at the bottom of the page, as so many of the Elvish-using authors do, would be greatly appreciated.
I promise to write a proper review of this chapter, if I'm not pulled away, when I get to the bottom of the page.
Author's reply
As you may have noted, I'm in the gradual process of cleaning this story up as I post it to another archive. (I still have a few "Esmereldas" floating around for one thing) So I think your idea is a good one. Perhaps put in an Author's Note or something?
The problem with putting Shire "equivalents" on the days of the week is that they are not exactly equivalent. "Sterday" as you can tell from the sound of the word is Saturday, yet it is not the seventh day of the week, but the first. Sunday and Monday are the same words as ours, but Sunday is more like Monday in function. "Highday" rhymes with Friday, which is the day before Saturday, but in the Shire that's the *last* day of the week, and it functions as a sort of weekly half-holiday, more like Saturday. And because hobbits are not religious, they really don't have a day that is exactly equal to our Sunday.
Months are a bit easier, in that Halimath=September, but again there are a few subtle differences. Remembering these differences is why I use the Shire terms instead of modern ones. Otherwise, for example, I might confuse someone if I were to say that the Ents began the Entmoot on February 30. Anyone not familiar with the differences is going to go "say what?"
Lindelea
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Looking forward to reading this as a whole. I think I may have read a chapter or three, out of order, but I'm not sure I've read from beginning to end.
Isn't it fascinating, that the new year used to begin on March 25? I mean, in actual history?
Author's reply
Oh goody! I'm glad you are finding the time for it!
I think that JRRT used that fact himself when he set the dates for significant things to occur in Middle-earth.
PIppinfan1988
· 19 August 2005
· Chapter 72: Farewells and a New Beginning
I can't tell you enough of what a wonderful, insightful hobbit-world you've created. I've loved every minute of reading this tale, from beginning to end. You created characters using both canon and those of your own beautiful imagination--some I will always remember, some I will gladly forget! LOL...not really. You are the first author I read where you managed to create a disdainful hobbit...which says a lot about your abilities as a writer. And the ending! Making me want more of those wee Little People! Bless you!
You'll see shortly which tale I've begun today. While I prepared for work this morning, I realized that for the first time in many weeks I didn't have a story ready to take with me. I solved that problem real quick. ;-)
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful world of Middle-earth. :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed "A New Reckoning"! It was delightful to me to see your reviews on a story finished over a year ago; I was able to renew my own love for the story--which remains in my own opinion one of my better efforts. I enjoyed and looked forward to all your reviews, and also to our little side-conversations in email.
Actually, I saw your other review before I saw this one; for some reason I did not get the review alerts for these two chapters--but I knew they had to be here, and came looking, LOL!
And *I* am definitely looking forward to more of "Courtship"
PIppinfan1988
· 19 August 2005
· Chapter 71: Outward Bound
Ahh...I see another wedding in the somewhat near future! I love romance stories...*sigh*.
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Somewhat. Though of course, not till after Freddy gets back...
PIppinfan1988
· 17 August 2005
· Chapter 70: Dancing at the Wedding
What a lovely wedding! Music, dancing...chasing the Bride and Groom down the hill to their hole...lol. Wonderful. You wrote it all beautifully. I thought Merry leading the Tangle dance was cute--ending up just where he had planned...right in front of Estella, both stealing kisses from one another.
Now Mr. Gamgee and the lovely Mrs. Gamgee can finally be alone. And get started on Elanor--and her twelve brother and sisters. Are they *really* cheaper by the dozen? :-X Go ahead, smack me!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed the wedding; I had *sooo* much fun writing it, and thinking of hobbity things for it! I have to admit, I took a tiny bit of poetic license with the Tangle Dance--those things are almost impossible to plan out in advance. Of course, if *anyone* could do it, our clever Brandybuck could! And it does happen that folks *do* end up nose to nose at the end!
I don't suppose they really thought about the expense. Of course by the time the family finally filled out, they owned Bag End and everything of Frodo's and Sam was Mayor, so I don't much guess they had to do a lot of penny pinching, though I'm equally sure that growing up with thrifty ways, they were still careful.
PIppinfan1988
· 17 August 2005
· Chapter 69: And the Bride Has Music
"Nip smirked. “Waste of a perfectly good handkerchief.”
LOL--that was *too* cute! Compared to all the extra lengths that you go to in search of the perfect song/poem, I feel *lazy*! LOL, I do research as far as Jeeves will take me, but I am amazed at your energy! If ever you feel you have too much, just pass it on to me. :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes, I think the Shirriffs made their opinion of the traitors perfectly plain, LOL!
Oh, to me the research is part of the fun! I've collected all kinds of cool links that are useful for my stories, but the Folk Music site and the Bagpipe site I will go to just to play around and listen to the music, LOL! It's not work to me at all. Maybe sometime I'll collect up some of those links and post them on my LJ.
PIppinfan1988
· 16 August 2005
· Chapter 68: Well Wed
Squeeee! I knew Sam would find the silver penny!
"It‘s not done very often--in fact it‘s usually reserved for when a couple of tweenagers put the dessert before the main course--” This was the usual hobbit euphemism for a hobbit lass and lad who anticipated the delights of matrimony without the formality of it. “but not always.” (Merry to Pippin)
Now it was *my* turn to almost fall out of my chair laughing! LOL...I don't think I have ever heard it put quite that way before, but I loved it! And it certainly *was* a delightful surprise to see Pippin sign the marriage lines. The fact that an underaged hobbit's signature has no legal value without his parent/guardian's signature is something I've practiced, too--the same as it is today. But I think Pippin felt "of value" when he was allowed to do so.
I thought your hobbit-wedding was absolutely beautiful. Almost makes me want to write Pippin and Diamond's wedding...maybe.
Thanks for a wonderful chapter! :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
I rather telegraphed that one, didn't I? LOL!
Well, we have a lot of euphemisms for it--put the cart before the horse, etc. but I wanted something hobbity, and there's nothing more hobbity than food! I just felt Pip deserved a chance, and I knew that if Merry could possibly figure something out to help Pippin, he would. It meant a lot to Pippin to be able to participate, and it meant a good deal to Sam and Rosie that he get a chance to do so. And you are absolutely right.
I'm glad you liked the wedding. I wanted a very hobbity ceremony. JRRT says specifically that hobbits are not religious, so it would of course be a rather civil ceremony (Frodo's invocation of the Valar was very *Frodo* and not something you would usually hear.) So I decided on a simple presentation of the potential bride and groom by the ones who "stood for" them, a signing of the contract, and a little speech by the officiator. Very short and simple.
And I hope that you *do* write their wedding. I know such an occasion is very far off in your fic. (Even though I fudged Diamond's age in *my* P&D story, they still had to wait darn near six years.)
PIppinfan1988
· 16 August 2005
· Chapter 67: Here Comes the Bride
Everything was sweet...fantastic...from Rosie oversleeping and Sam worrying about what his gaffer would think of his "get up"...just beautiful! The lasses going off to spend the morning getting ready...and Frodo waking up to the smell of coffee! Ooooh! I can't wait for Saturday--that's when I make my own coffee instead of drinking the swill at work. This is going to be such a lovely wedding--I can't wait!
Pippinfan :-)
Author's reply
Thank you! I think the chapters leading up to the wedding and the wedding were the most fun for me to write! I'm so glad you are enjoying them too!
PIppinfan1988
· 15 August 2005
· Chapter 66: One Day to Go
"Why, yes, dear. Meriadoc asked his father and I to be witnesses on the marriage document. We can’t very well do that if we are not there. Ow!”
He rubbed the back of his head ruefully."
LOL...I had good (silent!) laugh at that bit. I always love to read/see Paladin and Tina interacting like this.
I hope Pimmie isn't going to have it too rough while Poppy's gone. Poor lass. Is Pervinca ever going to have another bairn?
I thoroughly enjoyed the press-conference the Travellers had with the plebes. I can hardly wait to read about their adventures in Road to Edoras.
I do like reading your Gaffer; he really *is* a wise hobbit. :-) Thanks for a wonderful chapter!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
*grin*
I had forgotten about that little bit. I figured Eglantine was too sharp most of the time for Paladin to put one over on her, so on the rare occasion he could do so, he enjoyed it immensely.
Yes, although not in the time span I have so far covered.
By the time the Embassy returns there will be more travellers in the Shire than it has ever seen before. I've just a bit to do on my next chapter of R to E before I post it in the next day or so.
The Gaffer is a crusty old fellow, but I think he must have been mostly pretty wise, to raise such a fine hobbit as Sam. Still, he also has some of the blind spots that hobbits in general are prone to.
PIppinfan1988
· 11 August 2005
· Chapter 65: Duties of a Best Hobbit
"Even though I am a Knight of Gondor, even though I’m older than the King of Rohan, here I’m still just a child! And all of you are moving ahead without me. It’s going to be *three more years* until I am of age, and I don’t know how I’m going to stand it!” - Dreamflower
Poor Pippin! You woudln't mind if I gave him a wee hug, would you? Bless his heart--in a strange way, he *is* displaying his inherent underaged hobbit ways by being jealous of his freinds moving on without him. And at the same time, he has every right to be jealous; having fought in a war and knighted by the High King, yet is not considered old enough by his own people to sign a legal document. I'd be angry, too.
I can feel poor Sam's nervousness...good old Merry will be a great "best hobbit". Seems traditions haven't changed much over the years...
This is a most excellent story...have I told you that lately? :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
You just hug him all you like, dear; he's imminently squeezable, poor lad!
Yes, I like to show flashes of the younger, more immature Pip shining through from time to time--experience can only do so much; there are certain attitudes that only come with time. Pip's not so much jealous of his friends as worried that he will be left behind as their lives move on. Of course, he knows deep down that they love him too much to do that to him, but that is part of his youthful insecurity peaking out.
And poor Sam really is nervous--he'd really like to just *be* married to Rose without all the fuss. But of course, Frodo's not about to let that happen...
*blushes* That's one of those things an author never gets tire of hearing. *grin*
PIppinfan1988
· 11 August 2005
· Chapter 64: The Embassy Grows
Cool! So the delegation is complete. Mosco is going to keep an eye out for his "auntie". Road to Edoras is definitely my next tale...yet I'm drooling over your P&D tale...oy.
The whole build up to the wedding is perfect. Even *I'm* starting to bite my nails! I can hardly wait to read your version of a hobbit wedding. :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes the delegation is complete: 6 hobbits, then the 2 hobbit healers, and the 4 prisoners--making 12 hobbits heading out of the Shire at the same time!
"Road to Edoras" starts a few days after they leave the Shire, and is ongoing; at the same time, there are four or five short tales: "Marigold's Wedding" and "Tribute" are the important ones. "It Takes a Took" begins about a week or so after Frodo's next birthday...
It was funny, when I was writing it, I was as nervous as if I were planning and preparing a RL wedding, LOL!
PIppinfan1988
· 11 August 2005
· Chapter 63: Meanwhile, Back in Tookland
Oh, this litle plot line with Cado drooling over Poppy is going to be interesting! Never gave thought to the four of them fighting like cats and dogs, so the move to separate the children was a good move. Prison hits home the hardest during solitary confinement--and no! I was never in prison--just a wild guess. :-P
Your Eglantine sounds like such a busy beaver! A lovely busy beaver, but always moving, never sitting on her laurels. I like her! Next project: Reggie's daughters.
Pippinfan
Author's reply
I'm moved slowly with the prisoners, for they of course, have a sequel to get through, so don't expect a lot of resolution yet to some of these little plot hints.
I had to tie up a few loose ends before I left the Great Smials altogether, and Eglantine was glad to do that for me!
PIppinfan1988
· 9 August 2005
· Chapter 62: Preparations
"Pippin laughed. “Delayed a bit? Is that what you call it? Frodo, we are late because *certain* lads just couldn’t bring themselves to finish saying their farewells to *certain* lasses.”
Oh, that was gem! I got a good "silent" chuckle at while reading at work. I loved Pippin and Merry's new beds! *Nice* touch! :-) I can hardly wait for the delegation to get started now...look at me--jumping ahead already to Road to Edoras.
Take care,
Pippinfan
Author's reply
*giggle* Yes, I thought that might state a bit more about Freddy's and Merry's states of mind than actually showing the farewells.
I just thought the new beds would be the kind of thing a thoughtful person like Frodo would do for his favorite cousins.
PIppinfan1988
· 9 August 2005
· Chapter 61: Back in Bag End
Good old Sam! Still serving his dearest hobbit--besides Rosie, of course.
You know, I have always suspected that Frodo knew LONG before Sep 29th, S.R. 1421 that he was going to leave the Shire. Going to the Undying Lands is not something one does on a last minute notice. I like your lawyers' name: Grubb. Today, it would be: Grubb, Grubb, and Grubb. Sorry, bad joke.
I do like your Marigold--she's so lively and cheerful! With the exception of Hyacinth and the traitors, I've liked all of your O.C.s.
I'm also liking how you have Sam and Rosie sitting for their gifts up to their wedding day. It goes hand in hand with the byrding ritual of receiving/giving gifts no later than noon of the actual day of the birthday--which I am going to have to squeeze in tightly for a certain teen...
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Oh, I'm sure he did. He did not really make up his mind until after Elanor was born, according to JRRT, but I think he had been considering it and weighing his options almost ever since his return.
"Grubb" for Bilbo's lawyer is canon. In The Hobbit, the lawyer's conducting the estate sale when Bilbo returns are "Messrs. Grubb, Grubb and Burrowes". The Grubb whom Frodo uses is the grandson of one of those Grubbs.
I think Marigold would have to be lively and cheerful; she's the baby of the family, and even though she was part of a working class family, I'm sure they spoiled her as much as they could. And I've noticed that "spoiled" children turn out one of two ways--they actually *are* spoiled, or they come out with wonderfully cheerful and optimistic natures. I think most hobbit children would have fallen into that latter category.
Well, I'm simply extrapolating from what JRRT said in Letter #214. He said the gifts were not to be brought to the wedding; I think a "bridal shower" is too modern an idea, so I came up with the "sitting for the gifts" tradition. Also, I took his notion of it being poor taste to take a gift to the wedding one step further, and made it that it is also considered bad luck, as well.
Now, as we know from Bilbo's party, the byrding could *give* gifts at the party; but could not recieve them, without, again it being considered poor taste.
PIppinfan1988
· 9 August 2005
· Chapter 60: Picnic in Pincup
Wow! Loved going on the picnic with the gang. The pipes and bubbles were a brilliant and delightful idea! I had pondered bubbles on a couple of occasions for a certain tale but couldn't get past the technicalities....I talked myself right out of it, lol.
I have something to say about Pip's and Merry's scars, but that will have to be a pm after work (sorry). But I truly enjoyed watching the family running about, smiling and laughing. It had been a little while since they could do that and enjoy it.
Opal wanting to be a healer? Very nice! I am so captivated by that bone Poppy wears about her neck! I really do hope she comes back from Gondor with a ton of information.
Well...until later...have a good day!
Pippinfan
PIppinfan1988
· 9 August 2005
· Chapter 59: Closing the Convocation
It's nice to see Eglantine and Pearl making Reggie's lasses feel welcome. The tyranny of thier mother toward them is terrible--I wonder what she would do if pressed to accompany the delegation south...travelling the hard road...eating a cold meal when it rains...sleeping in the ditches...lovely picture indeed. ;-)
With the "moot" nearing the end, I'm starting to look forward to Road to Edoras.
Pippinfan
PIppinfan1988
· 6 August 2005
· Chapter 58: An Errand Delayed
Ooooh! Angelica and Freddy are feeling the arrow of cupid! I still think that Freddy needs to do this--go to Minas Tirith. I agree; when he returns, he and Angelica will be ready to forge ahead with life.
Hehehe…Bergil reminding Esmeralda what it is like to have a young child at her feet again!
Whoa, baby! Tom giving Marigold a huge, wet smacker right there in public! (Mari can’t fool me--I’ll bet she enjoyed every second of it!) And I get the sneaking suspicion that Jolly is going to join captain Freddy…
Bracegirdle *finally* feeling shame! Its about time…still hoping.
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes, Freddy and Angelica make a nice couple, don't they? She's a sweet lass, and now that her father knows there won't be any hope of carrying on the Baggins name through Frodo, there should be relatively few bumps in the road by the time Freddy returns from the South.
LOL! A young child who overtops her by two heads.
Tom was glad to see her, wasn't he? I am sure you are absolutely right.
Sneaky suspicions are the very best kind...
Well, don't get your hopes up *too* high. He has a sequel to get through, and I haven't determined two of the traitors' fates yet. ;-)