Grey Wonderer
· 20 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Dreams of Hope, Dreams Shattered
I think that the fact that you have chosen not to let Pippin fall completely for Lilas adds to the reality of this story. It makes it more believable that he isn't completely madly in love with her just because of their situation. I am feeling so bad for Pimpernel just now. I am glad that Pippin is there for her and that she has her family around her during this. Good chapter, now write more, ok? (I'm through with the little hints and have moved on to a more direct approach.)
Author's reply
LOL...no more hints? Straight forward, are we? Thank you, Grey Wonderer. I was stuck on chapter six for this past week, but I thing your reminding me of *why* I began this story helped me a lot. Perhaps you, and a couple of others in fanfiction, know my characters as well as I do--scary, huh? Thanks! :-)
Pippinfan
Bluegrass Elf
· 20 June 2004
· Chapter 24: Dreams of Hope, Dreams Shattered
Oh dear! Poor Pimpernel!
Author's reply
Goodness, poor Pimpernel, indeed! It's good though, that she has her family to support her in her times of trials. Thank you for reading and reviewing Roses! :-)
Pippinfan
Grey Wonderer
· 20 June 2004
· Chapter 23: The Stuffed Pony
Oh, good a nap! I could use one of those. I liked the way they argued over the stuffed pony. Also, looks like Pippin's gotten out of the worest of the work. Go Pip!
Author's reply
No naps for you! LOL... I seem to recall waking up this morning to a wonderful prospect of reading another great story from Grey Wonderer... Okay, I'll stop giving you a hard time! Yes, but one must admit that slipping sheers off of their rods is very tiresome! Thanks for reading, GW! :-)
Pippinfan
Mistress Holblyta
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 23: The Stuffed Pony
What a great chapter! I think I may have said "awww" outloud and gotten a few looks from the family. ^^; I am very happy that Lilas and Pippin made up. Though I have a feeling there will be more make-ups needed in the future. What good sisters Pippin has! It was interesting to see Lilas thinking about what it would be like to lose her husband as she thought of Pimpernel. You have really brought all these characters to life.
On the previous two chapters: I'm so happy that Lilas got to see her family and curious to see if her father will ever come around. I really would like to see him and Pippin interact. What he must think of the boy who impregnated his daughter? Though he seems to know that she has been up to no good before, I would still think that being a father in those days would make you quite upset at the male as well, no matter the circumstances.
The cake proposal was adorable! It was so very sad to see Pippin's reaction to it, though. It is sad, but hopefully he will find happiness in what his choices have given him. I loved Frodo's line "Normally it is, but not today."
Great writing. I'm more than hooked. :)
Author's reply
What an awesome review--thank you!:-) There are more make ups (coughs nervously) in a later chapter... My only purpose in having Pippin watch his cousins and friends at various stages in their love-lives is to show what most young folks give up when they jump into being a parent before they are truly ready for it. And back yonder, that meant marrying the person you consorted with--more adjustments compounding the issue. Both Pippin and Lilas are giving up a lot. Will he find happiness? We'll have to see...
Thank you for reading Roses, and taking the time to leave such lovely comments!
Pippinfan
Bluegrass Elf
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 23: The Stuffed Pony
How sweet!
Author's reply
Thank you! :-)
Pippinfan
Pervinca
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 23: The Stuffed Pony
Such a sweet chapter. I'm glad you added that little hint about what happened to Pimpernel's family. I doubt you'll ever write the full story, so it was nice to get some idea :)
How did you manage to turn what should have been a very angsty story into something so sweet?
- Pervinca
Author's reply
Thank you, Pervinca...don't really know on that second question. It's the muse. I could write a full story on Pimpernel's family someday, though it would definiely have to be after Roses. Thank you for reviewing!
Pippinfan
Beruthiel
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 23: The Stuffed Pony
That did make me smile. Thanks for the update.
Author's reply
Most happy to oblige! :-)
Pippinfan
Beruthiel
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 22: Reflections
Oh, dear. I knew something like this had to happen sometime, but it's still sad to see them fight. Hope they manage to talk things out and make amends.
Must be awful for Pippin, watching his friends falling in love while he's stuck in a marriage with a lass he might never love. I don't imagine it's easy for Lilas, either.
Author's reply
Seems you and I both know the bittersweet of relationships. As I wrote another reviewer, the next few chapters ought to make you smile a bit... Thanks for reading!
Pippinfan
FantasyFan
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 22: Reflections
Poor Pippin and Poor Lilas. Just when it looked like things were getting easier, too. I loved how Lilas went to Pippin for comfort when her father shut her out, and how Pippin was right there for her. But now, they're dancing around each other again. Lilas is righteous in her anger, and Pippin is miserable in his patronizing. I hope they can come to a real understanding soon.
Keep writing, I am enjoying this story.
Author's reply
Thank you, Fantasy Fan! Glad you're enjoying Roses. :-) Settling and adjusting is a part of building relationships--unless it's malicious fighting, relationships grow stronger as the "kinks" are worked out. Bet he'll never keep something like that from her again! The next few chapters ought to make you smile...
Pippinfan
melilot hill
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 22: Reflections
I'm still really enjoying this story. It's beautifully written! I think you describe each character very well.
Author's reply
Thank you, Melilot! That compliment means the world to me! Take care.
Pippinfan
Pervinca
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 22: Reflections
Poor Pippin and Lilas - things just aren't working out for them. It seems every time Pippin gets something right, he ends up doing something to undo all his good work! Maybe you just like torturing the poor lad.
It was rather exciting when I finished replying to your reviews and found you had updated! :) If only I could update as quickly :P (or perhaps just not work on so many stories at the same time - you know, I've actually started having ideas for another one!)
- Pervinca
Author's reply
LOL...you're doing just fine! Though they're not adjusting like they were, there are still tweakages to be done. Relationships are like that. Things are looking better for them--from where I sit!
Excellent about your newest plot idea! My muse has been all over my case this past week, too! Oy! Take care, Pervinca, and thanks for reading Roses and reviewing!
Pippinfan
Grey Wonderer
· 12 June 2004
· Chapter 21: Cake is Cake...Normally
That Sam Gamgee is a pure romantic! Rose is a very lucky lass. Only now, I think I have to go and find a cake somewhere because once again, I am hungry after reading this story. Ever think of opening a resturant?
Author's reply
Open a restaurant? Nah...I wouldn't last--I'd end up giving the food away instead of charging folks! I guess I am a sort of hobbit when it comes to food! Yes, it's a nessesity, but why not enjoy it? I do like Rosie and Sam--they were made for one another! Take care.
Pippinfan
Beruthiel
· 11 June 2004
· Chapter 21: Cake is Cake...Normally
I have a strong desire to throttle Silas, but other than that this was a sweet chapter. Feeling sorry for Pippin, not getting a chance to court a special lass, but I think he might love Lilas someday. Would be most interested to know what Silas was thinking while he was hiding in the bedroom. Very good to know the rest of Lilas' family haven't rejected her.
Author's reply
LOL...well, you never know what the future may bring with these characters! Don't throttle the old hobbit yet! ;-) Pippin is getting to the place where he *loves* Lilas, but not *in* love. He has a bit to go to even get to the place of the former. Thanks for reviewing! :-)
Pippinfan
Pervinca
· 11 June 2004
· Chapter 21: Cake is Cake...Normally
This sweetness of this chapter was a nice balance to the angst of the chapter before. It was so sad to see Lilas being rejected by her father, but at least Pippin was there for her. He does make a good husband. And it was nice to see that the rest of her family was happy to see her.
I hope Silas will realise how precious a gift a daughter really is.
- Pervinca
Author's reply
It was sad, wasn't it? I wouldn't say that Silas' actions were written in stone, though. I think Pippin is *getting* to the place where he is a good husband; he still has a ways to go. He still has one little duty left to perform... Thanks for all your lovely reviews and encouragement! :-)
Pippinfan
Mistress Holblyta
· 10 June 2004
· Chapter 20: The Red Door
What a place to leave us hanging! I can't wait until the next chapter. I wonder how Pippin will be looked at by Lilas' family, her father especially. Once again, you are a superb writer and I am absolutely in love with this story. I can really see how much Lilas has fallen for Pip, but he's still working on it - I can see. Though, I remember my minister saying that acting romantic and loving towards your spouse will make you feel that way for them. I can see that in Pippin. Now that he and Lilas have developed a friendship, I see these acts of love that Pippin has been showing her helping him develop a kindling love for her as he watches her reactions. I adored the party scene from one of your previous chapters where Pippin wonders if there was something in the air and gives her a kiss after he is captivated by her eyes. Its all just very sweet.
I also enjoyed how Lilas' sister reacted to Pippin in this chapter. The Thain's son! You've really done a great job showing the different classes off and bringing them together. Much like Tolkein did with Frodo and Sam! ^_^ Great job and looking forward to more!
Dreamflower
· 9 June 2004
· Chapter 20: The Red Door
This story is going along beautifully, and it is also going against all my pre-conccieved expectations. It is already longer than I thought it would be--I was convinced that you would have Lilas miscarry early on, and you didn't. And I didn't expect that she and Pippin would learn to like and respect each other so soon. And I didn't expect a lot more things, but you are making this very interesting and intriguing by avoiding all those "soap opera" cliches.
Now we are going to see if Lilas can reconcile with her family. I am wisely making *no* predictions, because if I do, I'll be wrong! LOL! Keep up the wonderful work on this story!
Author's reply
Hehehe...it's longer than I ever thought it would be, too! I have rarely gone beyond twelve chapters, so this is quite new to me. My imagination wanted to run through it, not stop to smell any roses, then come to a screeching halt at chapter 10. Pearl and Myst saw this right away and reined me in--and I'm grateful. From the start of it all I wanted to steer clear of the "Soap Opera" themes. There is so much that I have planned for Pippin and Lilas, and I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for reading Roses, and leaving a wonderful review!
Pippinfan
Grey Wonderer
· 8 June 2004
· Chapter 20: The Red Door
You are leaving this here! At this point? Are you mad? Do you think we can stand the suspense? Are you out of your mind? Have you been into the pipe weed? Some will say this is not fair, and I will be forced to agree with them. LOL
Author's reply
My humblest apologies, Grey Wonderer! However, I seem to remember a couple cliffies you left me hanging on during one of your stories! :-P Hope you're enjoying your rest--because it's almost *that* time again. I *do* love your merry hobbits and can't wait for you to begin another story. :-) Thnnks for reading Roses! :-)
Pippinfan
Beruthiel
· 8 June 2004
· Chapter 20: The Red Door
Aahh! How could you stop right when things get interesting? Lilas' and Saborra's reunion was sweet. Looking forward to more. Still wondering what Silas will say.
Update *soon*!!
Author's reply
Ooops...so sorry. I sometimes forget about how I've hung the reader on a cliff--update coming soon! Hope you enjoy it when it's posted...hopefully tomorrow. Take care, and thanks for reading Roses!
Pippinfan
Meldewen Ilce
· 8 June 2004
· Chapter 20: The Red Door
Oh wow - Lilas is home and it'll be interesting to see what kind of reaction her father will have - I just hope he's not going to say/do anything that will hurt her!
And I really hope the fact Pippin is the Thain's son will count for something with Lilas's father!
Please update soon!
Author's reply
Yes, it will be interesting, indeed! I don't plan on this visit to be the only encounter with her family, however, this one is quite brief. Thank you for reading Roses and taking the time to leave a lovely review! :-)
Pippinfan
Beruthiel
· 7 June 2004
· Chapter 19: Homeward Bound
Looking forward to the next chapter. Can't wait to see Pippin meet his in-laws! Should be quite a confrontation. Wonder what Silas will think when they show up.
Author's reply
Hello Beruthiel! Well...not *quite* a confrontation. The meeting of the in-laws is merely a prelude to a later chapter, so I'm just giving small glimpses of the reunion. You may be surpirsed to see what else happens! :-) Thank you for reading and for taking the time to review!
Pippinfan
Pervinca
· 7 June 2004
· Chapter 19: Homeward Bound
Another sweet chapter! And now you've made hints about Sam and Rosie. I had almost forgotten that this story took place before they were married! I'm glad that Pippin had decided to take Lilas to see her family. Sure, she has gained a new family in the Tooks, but they can't really replace her own mother. Looking forward to seeing what you have planned for the meeting between Peregrin and Silas.
- Pervinca
Author's reply
Thank you, Pervinca! You'll be surprised. It may not be quite what you think, but I want to touch on every aspect of passionate love that I believe Pippin is missing out on. As much as I can, anyway.
I agree. Of all her siblings and parents though, I think that Lilas is closest to her mother and sister. Thanks for reading Roses! :-)
Pippinfan
I loved the three hampers of food for the journey and the teasing between Merry and Pippin. Poor Rose, though. Sometimes it's so hard to know how to answer a question. She tried, but still wound up in a mess. It should be interesting to see what happens in Hobbiton with the in-laws. (that is the hint for you to post the next chapter in case you missed my being so very subtle.)
Author's reply
Absolutely, that's why I tried(?) to write Lilas not flying off the handle--just hurt and depressed. Rosie only told her what she saw Lilas' mother doing. Lilas realized she asked for it.
We both like writing humor into our stories--which is why I absolutely *love* your stories, but in Roses, it's there for a purpose, though I don't think anyone's picked up on it (it would be hard to). Lilas and Pippin are still very much in their tweens, and so I choose to show that part of their childlike qualities through their bantering and humor.
I always look forward to your reviews, Grey Wonderer--even those are peppered with the funniest of humor! Like--"Subtle"??? LOL...GW, when have you *ever* been subtle?? :-)
Pippinfan
I really really liked the story entitled "where roses grow". I was so suprised when it ended, all i could think was It's over already?, what about the baby, what about her parents, how did they react when they arrived? Did they like Pippin? (What a stupid question, how could anyone not like Pippin) But still, i loved it...entirely and completely loved it.
Author's reply
Hello hobbit hopping--well....the story really isn't over. Lilas is just reaching her fourth month (I'm going by a friend's chart of a hobbit's 7-month gestation) while her and Pippin are still adusting and growing into a friendship. Will it ever develop into love? Will a tweenaged Pippin and Lilas be good parents? And you're correct--What about the baby? These are all aspects I still want to explore and write about. Stay tuned, because there's a lot more coming! :-)
Thank you for your lovely comments!
Pippinfan
I am really enjoying this story and I anxiously await each chapter!
I will join the group of those who say they cannot see Pippin doing something like this but you're really handling the entire situation in a way I can see happening IF Pip had taken such a path in his life...
Great job and I can't wait to read more!
Author's reply
Hello Meldewen Ilce! Join away because you're in good company--myself included! This story is highly AU; even to my own "universe". This whole story balances on the big "IF", but I wanted to explore this particular side of Pippin. Thank you for taking the time to read Roses and leave a response. :-)
Pippinfan
Beruthiel
· 3 June 2004
· Chapter 18: A Little Help From My Friends
How long exactly is the hobbit gestation period? Lilas is about 3 1/2 months along, and you're saying the baby is due in 3 months. If her swelling tummy is barely noticable at this point, it doesn't seem like only 3 more months would be long enough.
"Pippin's fever had broke the other day..." That should be *broken*, not *broke*.
Love the little moments between Pippin and Lilas. Very cute.
Author's reply
Oy, that was my slip--I'll fix "broke" to "broken".
Lilas is a week shy of her fourth month. I probably should've put the pregnancy note in my summary, but at that point I felt I would be giving away more than I needed to. Mysterious Ways and Pearl Took came up with a guideline a long time ago charting a hobbit lass's pregnancy--at 7 months. They figured the smaller the creature, the quicker the gestation period. It seemed plausible to me, so I asked if I could use it for Roses. I tip my hat to your keeping track of time! I've made a Shire/Bree Calendar that I've been using to keep track of her pregnancy. I'd be happy to send it to anyone who wants a copy--very user friendly. It's done in blocks like our modern day calendars so that you can write events and such in them.
Thank you, Beruthiel, for taking the time to review--and keeping up with Roses! Thank you for the sweet compliments.
Pippinfan