Lindelea
· 29 September 2006
· Chapter 17: The Wedding Table
LOL! I love your Pippin and Diamond stories.
You Tooks here at the Great Smials do the most interesting things.
and
"We try our best," Pippin said, wrinkling his nose a bit. At least, he thought glumly, I haven’t poured anything on her this time.
And *then* that he was trying not to sneeze on her!
(and of course the rest was simply delightful.)
Author's reply
Thank you! This was one of my first attempts at romance of a sort for Pippin and Diamond. I had them dance in "Many Happy Returns" but this was really a bit riskier. Glad you enjoyed it. I have always meant to do something else with this table. I gave it a background of sorts but I never came back to it. I might have to do that now that you've reminded me of it. Thank you for the lovely review!
Lindelea
· 22 September 2006
· Chapter 53: The Big Green Bottle
You have such a way with words and timing.
“Smooth going down, isn’t it?” Pippin managed after his coughing had died away.
*g*
(altho I'm also wincing for them, silly hobbits)
Author's reply
They do wind up with more than they can handle in this one. LOL Baggins Brew may now be tasty but it was strong! Thanks for stopping by!
GamgeeFest
· 6 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
Very cute. I'm glad Pippin got to be right for once, even if his whole laundry idea didn't pan out. :) The bedraggled orphan bit was funny.
Oh, and Merry is 36, not 34. :)
Author's reply
Thanks. I changed the age.
Baggins Babe
· 6 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
Count me as another one who would love to see another story on this, showing the reactions from the families when Merry and Pippin arrive home.
I love the banter between these two and the little details were so believeable - love the Pippin logic on this, and Merry grumbling about his ill-fitting waistcoat!
Author's reply
Thank you! I don't know if there will be more but I am not counting out the possibility. In fact, I never dreamed that there would be two stories on the same subject that I absolutely had to write! I just couldn't get this idea out of my head. Thank you for the lovely review!
Gryffinjack
· 6 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
This is as enjoyable as your other story on Merry's and Pippin's Ent draught induced growth spurts! I especially loved the natural pitter-patter of the banter between the two cousins.
I think you are right that they first would look to external reasons for why their clothing did not fit right. While it might be plausible for Pippin to grow a little since he is not yet an adult, the idea that both he and Merry have grown, and grown that much that their clothing is so ill-fitting, must seem outrageous.
Thank you for your lovely turn on the discussions on this subject at Filling in the Corners!
Author's reply
This story came almost entirely from the discussions on Filling in the Corners. I almost wrote it there in fact. I used most of the responses that I received in some way in this story and that made it even more fun. Thank you again!
Elemmírë
· 6 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
LOL! What a wonderful short tale exploring just how Merry and Pippin learned on their own that they grew overnight!
Merry checked the small adjustment belt in the back which allowed him to tighten or loosen the waistcoat. This was particularly helpful after a large meal.
LOL! So that's why that little buckle is often on the back of a vest?! Only a hobbit could come up with that idea!
Merry never liked looking improperly dressed. An ill-fitting waistcoat was simply something that he could not abide.
Funny to see Merry being such a perfectionist over his clothing--he must have learned that from the fastidious Frodo that is often portrayed.
I just love how you have Merry getting all worked up about his suddenly ill-fitting clothes and Pippin just taking it all in stride, hoping he's grown.
"It's a shame that when you wash something it doesn't sometimes get larger," Pippin said.
"Now, that is the most ridiculous idea you've had in some time," Merry sighed
Don't worry, Pippin. I fully agree with you on that point. It would be very nice indeed if some of my clothes came out of the wash a tad bigger.
Oh, I don't think Pervinca's filthy bedraggled orphan remark would have gone oover well with Frodo at all. I can just picture his stare ... and I love his own remark to young Pippin afterwards. 'A proper orphan' Hehe.
Another lovely little story, Grey Wonderer. Just one question, will we ever see a scene in which Pippin does indeed rap Sancho on the head (or everyone else for that matter?)
Author's reply
Thank you so much for the lovely review. I am very glad that you enjoyed this. I do think it would be nice if we had something to wash clothing in that made it bigger. Think of the savings! But some things really are fiction, aren't they?
I don't know if there will ever be a story about Sancho and Pippin after Pippin returns home but it could happen. Notice the question mark next to The End? Even I am not completely certain.
Larner
· 5 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
Yes, truly hilarious. I love this look at Merry and Pippin coming to terms with their new height. How wonderful!
Author's reply
Thank you. I always have wanted more information on this height business. LOL Can't tell that, can you?
PIppinfan1988
· 5 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
ROTFL!! This was hilarious! LOL, letting out their braces so that their trousers would look longer! I can't say it enough, but hearing the comical banter back and forth between these two is medicine to my soul right now. :-)
"Filling in the corners" sounds like a fun place! I may have to take a gander as soon as I get a moment. G.W., you can write about all the growing hobbits you want and ent draughts as well and I'll read it, lol. I always enjoy your tales!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you for reading this one! So glad you enjoyed it. You should check out Filling in the Corners. You'd like it. Very interesting discussions and they are all very helpful. I thought my Hobbit Height question was a bit silly but they quickly jumped in there and helped me sort it all out just as if it were a key issue in a huge canon story. They were all great and I can't thank them eough. The site is run by Gryffinjack and she does an excellent job. Stop in and lurk if nothing else. I lurked for ages before daring to post a question and I learned a lot while visiting.
Pearl Took
· 5 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
*sigh* As wonderful as the other - if not more so :-) superbly well done :)
Author's reply
Thank you! Once I get off on an idea I tend to go on and on and on and.....well, you get the idea. LOL
Andrea
· 5 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
“The Orcs have done strange things to your trousers too, Merry,” Pippin said looking amused as they walked.
“I was just taking note of that fact,” Merry frowned. He had removed his waistcoat and had left it back at the Ent house. Merry never liked looking improperly dressed. An ill-fitting waistcoat was simply something that he could not abide.
LOL!!! That's our Merry! Nothing is worse than an ill-fitting waistcoat ;-)
That was great, G.W. and absolutely believable. With only the Ents around they had no-one to compare to properly. And, think about it, to have grown at that age is ridiculous. So the only logical explanation was that the clothes had shrunk. Only when their companions arrived did they really realize what happened.
I loved all those details about their clothing - and the question mark behind "The End" :) I would very much enjoy another chapter.
Author's reply
Strange but I thought everyone would be sick of my height obsession by now. LOL Thank you so much for reading this and I am very glad that you enjoyed it. I could see Merry getting upset about his ill-fitting clothing. Thanks for the encouragement and at some point there may be more!
SlightlyTookish
· 5 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
Heehee, this is wonderful! I love that they grew a little bit at a time, and didn't shoot up all at once. I think you need to write one more about everyone's reaction when they get home. All the best stories are in trilogies and this one needs a third part to make it right. *pushes an eager plot bunny into your lap*
:D
Author's reply
More bunnies? Errol will be jealous if the place fills up with strange bunnies. LOL
Glad you liked it and I just might have to deal with Sancho at some point but for now I think I will let my obsession with height settle down a bit. I don't want to drive everyone crazy just because I can't understand why Tolkien didn't cover all of this. hehehe
Thanks for your part of this story and for the review!
Dreamflower
· 5 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
This came out so well! I love the way they discuss all the little things *we* discussed, LOL! It all came out very naturally and not forced at all--even the part about the waistcoat.
I found it quite believable that they did not truly realize they had grown (well, Pippin thought they might have, but he wasn't sure) because until they saw their friends again, they had nothing to compare it to. But once they realized that they were coming up higher next to their friends, they had to realize they really had grown. (I can see them now--"Well, we used to only come up to Gimli's shoulder, and now we come up to his chin!")
Author's reply
I thought that Pippin would be more than willing to believe he'd grown because he might want that to be the case and he is more inclined to believe the impossible. I figured that Merry would have to exhaust all other reasonable possibilities before he would be likely to entertain such an out landish idea! I tried to use as much from the discussion on Filling in the Corners as I could. It was all excellent material. I almost didn't get the mention of laundry in there but I finally worked it in. Thanks for reading and I am glad you liked it!
harrowcat
· 5 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
Oh I'm willing to read as many stories on that, or any other subject, that you can come up with GW! This was so much fun. Call me thick but it hadn't even dawned on me that their clothes wouldn't fit properly for all that time. And I guess that as it had happened to both of them and they had nothing familiar to measure themselves by it would not be easy to tell if they had grown in truth.
BTW that is one scene in the EE of the film that I didn't like particularly. I didn't hate it and it did make me smile but ... *shrugs*
Author's reply
See this is what was driving me crazy. I kept thinking that if they actually did grow that much then surely their clothing didn't fit anymore and there they are out in the middle of the wilderness so you know that they didn't have anywhere to shop. LOL No Middle earth Walmart. I even wondered if they might split the seams on their clothing but people who know things have assured me that because they didn't eat well they were thin enough that this wouldn't have happened. I knew Pippin got a uniform in Minas Tirith and the Merry got one of some sort in Rohan but until then.....
I do enjoy that scene in the extended for some reason but since they don't really mention it at the end of the film it doesn't fit well really. Thanks for reading!
Bodkin
· 5 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
You would blame the clothes, wouldn't you? After all, adult and almost adult hobbits don't grow inches overnight.
I love Pippin's imitation of his bossy older sister telling him he's too much of a scruff to sit and eat in public. (Mind you, she's probably right!) And the idea that the King about to arrive is even going to notice their state of attire is very amusing when you know they're about to greet Scruffy the Ranger.
I wonder how they managed to get themselves clothes that fitted them again. After all, they seemed quite neatly dressed in Edoras ... How many hobbit seamstresses would be holding suitable stock in Meduseld? Or was Eowyn out there with her needle putting on false hems and letting out seams?
Author's reply
I did think that they would wonder about the clothes frist. After all, both of them were entirely too old to be getting taller. Tolkien never mentions if they out grew their clothing or exactly what happened other than the fact that Gimli thinks them taller and that he mentions their hair has grown.
Glad you enjoy this one. I also wondered about what they wore or how it fit until Pippin got his uniform in Minas Tirith and Merry got his in Rohan. It's one of those little details that seems to be unexplained.
shirebound
· 4 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
Adorable! I love the banter, and the hobbits' slowly-growing realization that *something* has happened to them.
Author's reply
I think I used most of the suggestions of comments from Filling in the Corners in some way during this one. It helped to sort things out over there first. I gotta get my mind on a new topic now. LOL Thanks for reviewing and for your comments on Filling in the Corners.
eiluj
· 4 September 2006
· Chapter 55: The Measure of a Hobbit
Now, this is a *different* story!
"Merry watched as Pippin straightened to his full height and smiled over at his older cousin looking as if he had just been awarded some sort of prize for a noble act. Merry sighed. Pippin was going to be insufferably pleased about this turn of events for quite some time now."
Yes, that's Pippin. Even after the Palantir and the battles, he still had that quintessentially-Pippinish delight at having grown.
The story works very well as-is, of course, but I would be happy to read more.
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed it! I just couldn't get this topic out of my mind. I do wish Tolkien had written more about the Ent Draught and how quickly it affected the Hobbits and if they did notice it. I know it had to do something to their clothing and the way it fit unless, as some have suggested, the clothing grew with them. I have now devoted my last two stories in this series to Hobbit height and so I think I can move on for a while. Maybe. LOL
Thanks for the lovely review!
Lindelea
· 4 September 2006
· Chapter 54: Poking The Badger
Do you know how hard it is to get up at 5 or so, before the rest of the family, in order to be able to get a little reading done, and then read something like this, which has one bursting out laughing every few lines?
Honestly, this has been a terrible trial. I'm wiping sweat from my brow, and my stomach muscles hurt.
I could identify with Pippin, I suppose, having always been the shortest or second-shortest in my class at school.
You are a genius at timing. Most of what follows are clips from parts that I was struggling not to laugh aloud, reading (there were more, but I cannot clip the whole story here, now, can I?) A couple of things were something I wanted to comment on.
***
Pippin was becoming convinced that it might be wise to remove all of the doors before someone was injured.
In fact, asking Merry anything was a bit like trying to put a waist coat on a badger; in other words dangerous and pointless. The badger was unlikely to be cooperative and the end results were most likely to be painful
“I am quite pleased with it,” Pippin grinned. He stood up as if to make his point clearer. “I am no longer everyone’s little cousin or little brother. Most folks do not pat my head or muss my hair because most of them have trouble reaching the top of me. For the first time in my life, I am not the smallest and I like it very much.”
(I just love your whimsical Pippin)
He did hope that Pippin was not going to compare him to any more farm animals.
don’t turn your nose up at a gift and most especially one that is so generous.
(Miss Dora would be quite satisfied with Pippin's conclusion, I think)
“The other lads will play with you, they just don’t want you to kill them,” Pippin said.
“And if you’re worried then I will be happy to pay a few of the other Hobbits to lose to you,” Pippin offered.
Masterful job! If ever I'm looking for a deft and light touch, I'll know who to come to.
Author's reply
I know that it is nearly impossible to get up at 5 in the morning! Yikes! Dreamflower says that this one needed a drink warning and with your comment I am beginning to think she may have been right. I am glad that it made you laugh but I am sorry about the hour at which it made you laugh.
Thank you for dropping by. I know how hard it is for you to find time to read and how many irons you have in the fire. It means a lot that you took the time to comment and not only that, but to select your favorite lines as well. Believe it or not I have another one on this same topic (Ent draught/growth) that I am playing about with. No badgers though. LOL
Periantari
· 28 August 2006
· Chapter 53: The Big Green Bottle
“Pippin, these are not the sort of glasses that a Hobbit drinks alcohol from. These are milk glasses from my mum’s kitchen.”
lol! So True.
THis whole fic had me smiling and laughing non-stop. WOw Baggins Brew certainly gets Merry and PIppin drunk in no time.
I guess this calls for a bit more for next time, doesn't it, GW? ;) ;) ;)
Your characterization of drunk hobbits is *such* a pleasure to read. ANd i love how Frodo is the one who bottled it!! hahahahaha
Wine--it's good... had some tonight--now when are you visiting the city again, my dear Took? ;)
THank you so much for this fic! i really really enjoyed it!!! =) :D
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed it my dear Baggins! Drunk Hobbits are fun, aren't they? I would love to come back to NY. I hope that it is soon but right now work is getting in the way of travel. You know how work is. When I return I promise that you and I will talk Hobbits and raise a glass or two. LOL Miss you!
Bodkin
· 28 August 2006
· Chapter 54: Poking The Badger
I love the title! And Pippin's mental image of dressing a badger in Merry's weskit. Not to mention Merry's indignation that Pippin is sitting quietly and not ... badgering him into revealing all his frustrations. The wrestling story is great, too. But Pippin's genuine understanding of the whole problem is probably the thing that calms Merry down. Even if his enjoyment of his new size is going to irritate his cousin. Another really great episode.
Author's reply
Thank you! I can't seem to keep the animal references out of these little stories! I am very pleased that you enjoyed this one. Oh, and you're right. Pippin's pleasure at being tall will probably annoy Merry a great deal.
Gryffinjack
· 27 August 2006
· Chapter 54: Poking The Badger
Oh, GW, this was absolutely delightful!
I reviewed this on your LJ, but I wanted to review it here as well since I forgot to mention a few things. You have a wonderful gift with banter that made me laugh as I read your story. And to read about the discussion at Fill in the Corners was quite a thrilling surprise for me!
And your Pippin! Well, he's my favourite of the hobbits, but aside from that, the way he compared Merry to a dog! lol! You can take the hobbit out of the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the hobbit. lol!
I look forward to reading your other story from the Filling in the Corners discussion as soon as possible!
Author's reply
I thank you for the review and for providing a place for the discussion that led to this story. The other one will actually involve more elements of the discussion on Filling in the Corners but this one just seem to write itself first. LOL I did feel that Filling in the Corners needed to be mentioned. I always try to mention sources or people that have helped and your site was a big help on this one!
Pippin is my favorite hobbit, though I guess I don't have to mention that fact to anyone who has read my fictions. I enjoy the way he thinks, or forgets to think. I also believe that he has a very big heart and lots of loyality. Besides, Merry is an excellent judge of character and he adores Pippin!
I hope to have the other story done sometime over the holiday weekend and it will, most like post to Brandybuck and Took! Thanks for reviewing!
Pearl Took
· 27 August 2006
· Chapter 54: Poking The Badger
However do you keep getting such delightful ideas, GW?
This was such fun, I enjoyed it thoroughly :)
Bravo!!
Author's reply
This idea came from a discussion on 'Filling in the corners', a site run by Gryffinjack on LJ. I have always thought that Merry and Pippin's sudden growth should have been explained further. I mean, after the Ent draught did their clothing still fit? If not, what did they do about that? Just how quickly did they notice the growth? etc. I am working on a second story that will take place on the quest and has to do with this same subject. Think maybe I'm obsessed? LOL
Thanks for reading and I am very glad you liked this one!
Larner
· 27 August 2006
· Chapter 54: Poking The Badger
Ah, how wonderful! Lovely gift given to Pippin, and now he's managed to very nicely slip the waistcoat onto the badger!
I love Pippin logic!
Author's reply
Thank you! Pippin did enjoy his gift and it is the thought that counts. I think a great deal of thought and considerable coin went into that gift! Thank you for reading! Hope you were able to see the badger in the waist coat.
GamgeeFest
· 27 August 2006
· Chapter 54: Poking The Badger
LOL Merry and Pippin have reversed their roles! Now it's Merry who is overly sensitive and easily offended, and Pippin who does the consoling. But they still know how to annoy each other and Pippin displays his unique thought processes comparing Merry to all sorts of animals. :) The best part has to be this:
“Naturally,” Pippin scowled. “You were annoyed because Berilac was wrong. I’m the tallest Hobbit in the Shire.”
Merry turned to look at him and frowned. “No, you aren’t,” Merry said. “I am.”
LOL. Merry, you daft tall hobbit you. Here he is complaining that everyone is making such a big deal over how tall he is, and then he gets all persistant that he's taller than Pippin. *grins*
Wonderful as always.
Author's reply
Merry may not want to be the tallest Hobbit in the Shire but he still wants to be taller than Pippin. LOL Glad you enjoyed Pippin's farm animal logic. Here lately there seem to be lots of animals making their way into my stories including stuffed Rabbits, sheep, badgers, goats, dogs.....this might be a sign of something. LOL
PIppinfan1988
· 27 August 2006
· Chapter 54: Poking The Badger
“The point is, Big Black never seemed to know that he was bigger than the other dogs,” Pippin said.
LOL, ain't that the truth! I had a dog that tipped the scales at 45LBS and she thought she was a lap dog. :-P
I do think its rather logical that Merry would miss his old habits and amusements--poor hobbit. I liked Pippin being proud and happy over his new height and girth--and also being the one to give *Merry* advice! I enjoyed that! :-) And as always, I love happy endings! :-D
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Hey, gotta have a happy ending! Glad you enjoyed it.
Animals never seem to know exactly what size they are in relationship to other things. LOL I have a little, male cat who thinks he's a giant and he attacks the other cats. Funny thing is, it takes the bigger ones by surprise and they run!
I think before the quest Merry would have been big enough to win at physical challenges but close enough to the size of the others to make things fair. He must have missed those days.
Thanks for reading!
shirebound
· 27 August 2006
· Chapter 54: Poking The Badger
“I did mind when Berilac pointed out that, no matter where I am, I can be easily spotted because I am now the tallest Hobbit in all the Shire! That bothered me considerably.”
“Naturally,” Pippin scowled. “You were annoyed because Berilac was wrong. I’m the tallest Hobbit in the Shire.”
This banter back and forth is delightful! :D
Author's reply
Thank you! I don't know which of them was actually the tallest but I took a cue from the movie scene where Merry seems to be measuring Pippin to see which of them is taller. LOL I figured that it might be an issue between them at times in a good-natured way of course.