Dreamflower
· 4 July 2004
· Chapter 11: Birthday Cake
This was hilarious! It put me in mind of the cake in "Conspiracy" and the way Pippin kept eating at it. It's funny how everyone naturally assumed that a hobbit lad could be entertained with more food--they were right of course! LOL!
I like your hints about Pip and Diamond. Are they ever going to get that dance?
Author's reply
I thought at that point in their lives, Merry and Pippin might have trouble in groups because of the age difference. I figured Pip might be a bit out of place at the party and have to find other entertainment, cake! LOL
There is more on Diamond and Pip in future chapters.
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2004
· Chapter 10: Battling the Bullroarer
OK, the computer just ate this review so I'll try again. I seem to still be having some minor problems with SOA this morning.
I had guessed from all your hints about blood that Merry had cut an artery, and Pip had presence of mind enough to use a tourniquet, but never in my wildest dreams would I have thought up a stained glass window. And your description of the Bullroarer--too funny! I liked the interaction between the injured Merry and the trying-not-to-be-panicked Pippin. I also like the way you shifted the POV from your healer to Merry and Pippin in the barn, and then to Merry's dream. Very deft.
So far no Paladin in this story, and your mention of him in regard to the window is not flattering. Is he even going to make an appearance, or apologize to his nephew and his sister for what his window did? Hmm...
Author's reply
I wasn't going for the stained glass when I started. It just turned in that direction. Sometimes these things take me by surprise. In the past, I have written Paladin as a bit, shall we say, less than the devoted father. He and Pippin have not been close in my other fictions and so I am not sure if he will be turning up or not.
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2004
· Chapter 9: Party Conversation
Oh man! I was going along last night having a good time, and all of a sudden SOA became unavailable. I had to give up and go back to bed. I came straight back to the computer after breakfast this AM to finish what you've got so far.
This chapter is interesting. I like some of the little post-quest touches, such as the mention of Pippin's and Frodo's relative heights, the idea that they don't want to talk about where they saw a lot of blood, and Sam's need to check on his master. All kinds of hints about Merry's accident; very nice.
Author's reply
Thank you. I am having a bit of trouble with Arda also. Mine is in the format department. It slows down my posting of chapters in a big way. I have to put them in several different ways to keep them from running off of the screen. Have you had that happen? Glad you enjoyed this chapter. It was a bit of a connecting one and so didn't have as much action as some of the others. I was worried that it read a bit slow.
Elenar
· 4 July 2004
· Chapter 12: Dance With Me
I loved it, looking forward to more.
Author's reply
More was just posted a second or two ago. The next chapter is now up. I am glad that you are enjoying it so far.
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2004
· Chapter 8: The Wizard
That is just too cute! You ought to do a sequel where Gandalf actually *uses* the book for something!
Author's reply
You are awake, aren't you? A plot bunny! I just might try that at some point. Thanks.
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2004
· Chapter 7: Apples
Oh that bit with the apples was just MEAN! It's a shame Pip couldn't just take Frodo's advice and laugh it off; but saving Lilac's life might have done even better.
Author's reply
Yes, it was a bit mean of them. Sometimes a joke can go way too far. At least Lilac received a bit of payment for her part in it.
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2004
· Chapter 6: To and From
Oh man oh man! ROTFL only trying NOT to LOL! as everyone else in the house is asleep--I think I might rupture a vessel trying to keep it in! This is your funniest yet!
Author's reply
Why, thank you! I am so glad this made you laugh. This one was also a stand-alone story. At least, if I'm not helping you go to sleep, I am making you laugh.
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2004
· Chapter 5: Out of Hiding
Oh, this is nice. I love it when Frodo goes into older cousin mode. He manages Pip so well. But I really am starting to feel very sorry for the poor lad. What a birthday!
Author's reply
it's not his best birthday, is it? I am sure Frodo will help him get through it since Merry can't.
Oh, Poor Pippin!
I love the way he stayed under the bed, and the way Merry covered for him, without exactly telling a lie.
Author's reply
Merry is good at protecting Pippin even if he's only protecting him from embarrasing situations. Merry is also a quick thinker when he needs to be, so the oportinity to aviod a lie was easy for him to see.
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2004
· Chapter 2: Birthday Games
Oh, this is so sweet and adorable! Just the logic of little children, too--they see the world from such a different perspective. I love that Frodo and Merry are all ready to commiserate with him, and he comes up all excited and proud to be "first"!
Author's reply
I think Pippin's view of the world in general was always a bit different unless corrected. I figured that he might see being first as being the winner. Glad you liked it. At one point, this chapter was a stand alone story.
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2004
· Chapter 1: The Patient
Thought I'd give your WIP a look through, as I can't sleep tonight. Very interesting beginning.
Author's reply
Sorry you're sleepless, but thanks for reading. Maybe this will put you to sleep. LOL
PIppinfan1988
· 3 July 2004
· Chapter 10: Battling the Bullroarer
Finally I know now what happened to poor Merry. It wasn't a birthday game, but the Bullroarer! Nasty glass. At least Pippin can now pocket the pennies he would have used to pay the young lad with a good arm! Thanks for a great chapter!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you for reading. I do believe that is the first time the Bullroarer has actually been in one of my stories. I may have to use him again and he was a smash this time. LOL Sorry, couldn't resist that. (At least I didn't say that it was his break-out performance.)
PIppinfan1988
· 3 July 2004
· Chapter 9: Party Conversation
If you have three sisters, Frodo, you learn to notice frocks for your own safety," Pippin said. - GW
ROTFL!! Loved that line--and Frodo's amazement at Pippin's knowledge of fashion! And you are so spot-on with Pippin's jealousy over Estella! He and Merry had only each other to share all those years, but now... Merry, being the older would adjust better, but Pippin would need a little time. Awesome, Grey Wonderer!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
I think it took both Estella and Pippin a while to adjust to their situation where Merry was concerned. I don't envy Merry being in the middle of it. So glad you enjoyed it all.
Anso the Hobbit
· 1 July 2004
· Chapter 11: Birthday Cake
A new story and already so many chapters! This is so sweet and wonderful: both Pippin´s birthdays, and Merry´s joy in telling about them. It´s good to see a happy post-quest Frodo too. Lovely as always!
Author's reply
I love a happy Frodo! I hate to write him when he's all sad and depressed. That's why the post quest stories are so hard for me at times. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Elenar
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 11: Birthday Cake
Great chapter. I loved 'Pippin's experiment,' very cute.
'No one had time to spend with him but everyone had extra cake to give away. Funny, it was never this easy to get cake at home. '
Poor Pippin, doesn't know whats going on.
So I am assuming that Pippin did end up askig Diamond to dance and it went well, no? Can't wait for the next chapter.
Author's reply
Answers about Pippin and Diamond are coming soon. I'm working the bugs out of the next chapter later this evening. Wish me luck!
PIppinfan1988
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 8: The Wizard
LOL! "Spells and Magic Charms"... I guess we all need a little 'reading up' every now and then! As always, your hobbits are wonderful, and beautifully written. I loved the hub between young Pippin and Gandalf. The wizard is usually portrayed as aloof, but I am very sure that he had a soft spot in his heart for all the Little Folk. :-)
And I really enjoyed the last chapter--Lilac choking and poor Diamond with ABC apple all over her face! Great chapters! Take care!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes, even wizards need to read up from time to time. After watching Ian MMcKellen play Gandalf I can't show him as aloof somehow. I like the slightly grouchy, but sweet Gandalf. I have been rather hard on poor Diamond in this fiction haven't I? Thanks for reading, there's more coming.
hobbit_lass
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 11: Birthday Cake
("Here," Pervinca said, reaching over to the table and beginning to slice a large piece of cake. "You take this and then promise me that you won’t say a word to anyone about what I just told you." She handed her brother the dish with the large piece of cake on it.
"Well, alright, Vince, "Pippin said. "Only I’m not really sure what it is that you told me."
"Even better, little brother, now enjoy your cake," Pervinca said, and then she turned and left.
That was strange to say the least, but then it was very hard to figure out what lasses were about, especially older sisters.)
Oh my gosh! I laughed so hard when I read this part! I liked the birthday cake story, very cute. I also liked how you cut back and forth between the two days, it kept it interesting:)
Great as Always:)
mc
Author's reply
This, without the frame work, was the cake story that I told you about. I had hoped that this one hooked together well but wasn't sure. This was the hardest of the little short stories to fit into the frame work for me for some reason.Thanks for the lovely review and I am glad that you are enjoying this one.
Hai Took
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 11: Birthday Cake
Pippin eating all the cake that was given him! No one bothered to keep track of how many pieces he had, besides the one whom he would actually ask for it! So did Pippin get to dance with Diamond? It guess that will be answered in the next bit. Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
I have trouble turning down cake myself so this chapter was easy to write. Thanks for the review and there's more on the way.
Pervinca
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 11: Birthday Cake
Lol, very cute. I can just imagine Pippin turning on the charm to get so much cake, and not think about the consequences. So are we going to get another story about how Pippin turned on the charm with Miss Diamond Took? I'm quite interested in that story :P
- Pervinca
Author's reply
Oh, there's more to come and Miss Diamond just might turn up. Thanks for reading.
Pearl Took
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 11: Birthday Cake
Once again you have left me smiling. These birthday tales have been great fun and I like the going back and forth between the present time and the remembered times. Well done indeed!
Author's reply
Thank you! The birthday fictions started out as a group of small stand-alone stories and I have taken them and connected them together with this story about Merry's recovery. I had no idea if it would work or not, but I'm giving it a try. Keep smiling!
hobbit_lass
· 29 June 2004
· Chapter 10: Battling the Bullroarer
"I guess I was dreaming again," Merry said, softly and lay back down. "Pippin and I were in the barn again fighting the Bullroarer."
"Go back to sleep, dearest," Esmeralda smiled. "You and Pippin won that one."
Those lines were lovely:)
I'm so glad we know that Merry is okay before we read about how dreadfully he gets hurt. I liked the stained glass, (We know someone who would have found that tacky thing wonderful!) The fact that Pip already had a plan to get rid of the dreadful thing when he became Thain cracked me up!
Great Story as always and another great healer character!
mc
Author's reply
I was a bit worried about the stain glass, but I decided that it might be okay. I wanted to look as if the healer was telling the story and yet parts of it, he couldn't know and so I let Merry dream a bit at the same time. Glad you enjoyed it. I seem to always need a healer in these things. Too many of my hobbits are getting injured, I fear. LOL Next story, I need to try and write something without a healer.
hobbit_lass
· 28 June 2004
· Chapter 9: Party Conversation
Sam and Frodo trying to convince Pip to ask Diamond to dance was so cute!
"But he's tall" LOL!
I really liked how Frodo was amazed that Pippin knew his sisters dresses, and how Pip and even Sam were very matter of fact about the whole situation.
You are such a tease about the accident! Can't wait to find out what happened to Poor Merry-
Great Job!
mc
Author's reply
I suspect that if you've been the short one all of your life, suddenly finding yourself taller than everyone else would take some getting used to. As to the dress thing, well, I figured that both Pip and Sam have seen their share of new frocks and been forced to offer their opinions on them. Poor, Frodo has no idea about sisters. Thanks so much for reading this.
PIppinfan1988
· 28 June 2004
· Chapter 6: To and From
Frodo walked over and put an arm around Merry shoulder and said, "It’s a puzzle box, Merry. It was made by the dwarves in Dale. - GW
I loved how you incorporated Merry's puzzle box into this story! I like it when you have tidbits from your other stories in your new stories, or explain certain things somehow. So cool! Pippin, Merry, and Pervinca switching tags--that is so funny! Merry is such a little conniver!
This is wonderful, Grey Wonderer! I will return again tomorrow; I have a bit of a headache and I need to catch up on Roses some. Take care, and thanks for sharing your wonderful and wild imagination! :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Oh, good more work on Roses so more chapters! I love good news! That puzzle box has a life of its own now. Seems it appears in more stories than some of the main characters. I must have some sort of box fixation. Feel better and thanks for reading.
auntiemeesh
· 28 June 2004
· Chapter 10: Battling the Bullroarer
Another battle fought and won valiantly. It must have been awful for Pippin (and everyone else), thinking that they were safe now and then to be forced to realize that terrible things can still happen. But Yay! for Pippin having learned the necessary skills to save Merry when the crisis hit :)
Author's reply
Pippin often winds up being the one in trouble so I thought he deserved a chance to save the day. I suspect that they all saw many things that might help them in an emergency. Thanks for the review.
Pearl Took
· 28 June 2004
· Chapter 10: Battling the Bullroarer
Ah, my friend! I've not been home and so took a while to respond. Well Done!!! This is such a wonderful story and it is a joy to read it. Thank you!
Author's reply
Why, thank you for saying such lovely things and for taking the time to review this one. I'm pleased that you are enjoying this.