Where Roses Grow by PIppinfan1988
PipMer · 29 August 2007 · Chapter 52: Full Circle
Well, dear, I finally finished it. It was very touching and tender, and I'm impressed with how you handled such a sensitive subject. The death of a child is never an easy thing to face, whether in reality or in fantasy; it just seems so unnatural. You certainly rose to the occasion. Another job well-done, PippinFan!
PipMer · 28 August 2007 · Chapter 39: Dearly and Beloved
How very sad for Pippin. Who knows what would have happened had she Lilas lived; it seems that Pip was on the verge of falling in love with her. They probably would have been very happy together. Well done!
Author's reply
As this was the "plan" all along, I *had* to go through with it in spite of getting to knnow and love Lilas throughout her time with Pippin. I like to think that Pippin was at least ooming around as far as making a life with her...sometimes "love comes softly". Sounds like the title to a good book/movie. ;-) When I got the review alert I *finally* put your email addy and your name together, lol. I can't wait to meet you in person!!!
PipMer · 26 August 2007 · Chapter 6: Many Meetings
Hi, Pippinfan! I found this story when I was looking at the 2005 MEFA awards winners, and I started reading it over at ff.net, but then switched to reading it over here. I love it so far! I have a feeling it's going to be a sad story, but it's very well done so far. Quite realistic as to varying reactions to the situation, from Paladin's firm yet loving presence, to Silas' very unsupportive behavior. Well done!
Author's reply
Oh, my gosh...lol, I recently got another review from WRG on ff.net -- was that you? Thank you so much for stopping by to say how much you're enjoying the story! I *really* enjoyed writing it, although I got quite a bit of help from Pearl Took and a handful of others. As you read further, I think I put notes at the beginning or end of chapters where I took from someone's personal experience, and at one point I took an experience of my own mother's and put it in the story. I *love* to read LOTR fanfic, alas, my time is not always my own as it used to be. But I've noticed that MEFA is a great place to discover fics that I've not seen before, either. Thank you for reading and leaving a kind review!
EstellaB · 5 July 2006 · Chapter 9999: Roses: The Untold Story
"When she would be ready for courting and marriage (Pippin guessed around the age of…fifty or even sixty!)," Yup, that definitely sounds like most fathers! Very realistic.
FrodoBaggins_88 · 3 September 2005 · Chapter 52: Full Circle
I finally finished! :) Silly school kept me busy and made me forget, but when I came back I found it just as intriguing as before! Great story, great writing. You made me love your O.C.s when no one else's writing has been that effective. Great ending to it, and most of all, thank you for writing it!
Author's reply
As I already mentioned, school is not silly. Thank *you* for reading--and for actually remembering to come back. That was cool. Lilas is the only O.C. of mine that is actually based on parts of my own personality. Not to an exactness, but just enough for me to give her three dimensions. Thank you so much for the sweet compliments--and thank you very much for reading Roses! Pippinfan
FrodoBaggins_88 · 2 September 2005 · Chapter 50: A Lullaby for Rosebud
Actually, I thought the lyrics were quite good! Far better than anything I could write in regards to poetry. :) I'm liking this story. So sad, but so good!
Author's reply
What a surprise! I had to do a double-take when I got this. I am glad that you chose the more important of the two: school. I agree--one can always come back to a story online. This will probably be my only "dark" tale; it was too taxing on my emotions. As for the poetry, I actually put some time into this one; usually I just throw a bunch of words together--and quite obvious, I'm sure! Thank you for reading! Pippinfan
MysteriousWays · 19 August 2005 · Chapter 43: A Peculiar Place
I think I sense darkness starting to creep in. *sigh* Still this is most lovely and wonderful. I will read more later when I have some chocolate to help me along. -Myst
Author's reply
That is very sweet of you to give it go--and to be honest, the tale gets rather dark from here on, and stays dark the rest of the way through. I am sorry about that. :-( I would feel extrememy bad if reading this conjured up some really ugly memories for you. So, of course, you're always welcome to read on, however, I would much prefer that your dreams and thoughts be free from dark images more than likely gained from reading Roses. I will always be grateful for your advice in writing it! Thanks a million. :-) Pippinfan
MysteriousWays · 19 August 2005 · Chapter 41: Pippin's Day Out
Woohoo! Bringon the tactless Hobbit lasses! I think that was my favorite part. HeeHEee. You know, babies havethe right idea digging their hands into food and feeling it. I think I want to go make like Rosebud. :D -Myst
MysteriousWays · 19 August 2005 · Chapter 40: Starting Over
Hi T. I woke up his morning and was thinking of this story again. Still feeling bad for abandoning it. Today I decided that maybe I would get the nerve up to finish it. It is what you deserve after working so hard on it. And besides I don't want to feel bad for not finishing it. I will do my best. So here I go along with Pippin trying to move forward. Love, Kelly
Larner · 20 January 2005 · Chapter 9999: Roses: The Untold Story
Like both endings, myself. Thanks for the story.
Larner · 19 January 2005 · Chapter 51: Reaching Out
Losing them hurts. It feels like your heart is being torn out of you. Even when they aren't of your body, it still hurts.
Larner · 19 January 2005 · Chapter 47: A Day at a Glance
Still catching up, but a bit behind. A good continuation of the story, and reason for Pippin to find interest in Diamond when he meets her.
Larner · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 25: Loving and Tender
About time, and well written.
Larner · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 21: Cake is Cake...Normally
Very nice touches, and good look at Lilas's sensitivity and plain Hobbit sense.
Larner · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 20: The Red Door
Good enough! Glad to see the family starting to rally.
Meldewen Ilce · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 9999: Roses: The Untold Story
Okay, now that I have seen an ending where dear little Rosebud lived (and her pulling on Gandalf's beard btw was a cute mental image), I must say I preferred the original ending, though I did love exploring the possibility where she lived for a long time. As sad as the original ending was, to me it was more touching and sorrowful, yet hopeful because Pippin found a way to continue with his life, and he found ways of making sure that his sweet baby's memory would live on (not that anyone who knew her could ever forget her - I certainly won't)! But thank you for offering us this second ending to this hauntingly beautiful story - I won't be soon forgetting it - and I am still of a mind to write out that one story that takes place during Pippin and Merry's time at Crickholllow. I will email you if and when it is ever written and posted. Thanks!
Larner · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 15: Heart to Heart
Great! About time Merry starts realizing someone is interested in him, too.
Larner · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 13: Providence
A very gentle chapter. Thanks.
Larner · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 10: Shadows from the Past
And they now learn to care for one another. Good.
Larner · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 8: Settling In
It's about time! Poor children, both of them, having to learn the facts of life the hard way.
Larner · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 6: Many Meetings
I feel sorry for both, but particularly for Lilas.
Larner · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 3: The Summons
Ah, it is sounding VERY serious indeed. Poor Pimpernel, caught in the middle as she is.
Larner · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 2: Gone and Done It
Am feeling very sorry for poor Lilas. Well written.
Grey Wonderer · 17 January 2005 · Chapter 9999: Roses: The Untold Story
Now I liked that very much. I loved that it was Gandalf who cured Rosebud and that Merry was the one who brought him to the Smials. This is the ending that I like the best. I enjoyed Rosebud pulling Gandalf's beard. A great job! A Bilbo ending, "And she lived happily ever after until the end of her days."
pipspebble · 16 January 2005 · Chapter 9999: Roses: The Untold Story
You couldn't leave it, could you? I can appreciate your wanting to write an alternate, to make everything all better. But you know how I loved the original story, though it absolutely broke my heart, and I thought it was brilliant. This is sweet, warm and fuzzy, and a "Say it ain't so!" kind of p.s. to the Original Roses. Did you get a public outcry about the original ending or what? Lovely, nonetheless. :-)
Author's reply
LOL...no, I just had to indulge myself with Rosebud one last time. You'll think I'm nuts, but after it was evident I was going to go on with Rosebud's demise, a few folks did say that they wished Rosebud wouldn't die. Though it had nothing to do with Rosebud, but I was still reeling myself from killing off Lilas--I got a wee bit attached to her, too. Her death really affected me. Yes, I'm cracked. I thought perhaps the readers were right. Then Pearl Took (my mentor and friend) got hold of me and we agreed to stick to the original ending--and I had every intention of doing so--and I did. However, as I was on the road to carrying out Rosebud's illness...I sincerely fell in love with her (Rosebud's) character. From the beginning I wanted a bit more interaction between Pippin and Rosebud--that's why I wrote the dream sequences. However, she couldn't live for too long; I wanted to stay *somewhere* wihtin JRRT's storyline! :-P That's when another idea took shape in the back of my mind: to write yet another alternate ending--*for me*! I didn't care if anyone wanted it, or liked it. I merely figured I would share it with whomever wanted a glimpse. You are a wonderful reader/author yourself! Thank you for humoring an old lass! :-) Take care! Pippinfan