Larner · 24 March 2014 · Chapter 16: Where Two Become One
Ah, so Sandy is serving much as I imagine Pippin having done so at Aragorn and Arwen's door on THEIR wedding day. The perfect servant!
Striking Sparks by Lindelea
Reviews (29)
Larner · 14 March 2014 · Chapter 15: For Better or Worse
Trust Pippin to keep them sober enough to actually enjoy their wedding day! Heh!
Author's reply
LOL! He's come a long way from being one of the carousers! Thanks!
Dreamflower · 14 March 2014 · Chapter 15: For Better or Worse
Ah Regi! You see only too well. Pippin's had some fine schooling, and little of it in the Great Smials. Yet it was not only Buckland that tempered him, but also Bag End, and Rivendell and Lothlorien and Fangorn and Minas Tirith. And it was Old Man Willow, Weathertop, Caradhras, and Moria, as well as the plains of Rohan and the storming of Isengard--not to mention the siege of Minas Tirith and the Battle at the Black Gate. To Pippin, the battle with his own lungs seems far less dire than those other trials, and he's learned by great example how to take care of his people. Saradoc and Merry have been his main teachers, but he looks to his King to see what sacrifices a ruler must make; and to see what sacrifices a person armed with naught but grit is willing to make he only has to remember Frodo. Yet the Tooks know little of his heroism outside their borders. All they know is what they've been told of the past (filtered through Paladin's jaundiced POV) and what they see now.
Author's reply
Thoughtful analysis, thank you. The nice thing is, I can imagine this attitude on the part of the Tooks even with the pleasant Paladin I've started writing. Insularity and suspicion of outside influences fits with their keeping Men out during the Troubles. If "new" Paladin had sent Pipe to Buckland for good reasons (as opposed to the estrangement in the earlier stories), along with his foreign travels, Pip might well run into this attitude even if he helped to throw the ruffians out in the first place. Author Reply: Ah. lovely autocorrect. My phone changed Pip to Pipe.
Garnet Took · 14 March 2014 · Chapter 15: For Better or Worse
I have really come to love all these characters a lot. You have taken names on the family tree and brought them to life, and created some amazing OCs besides. You have set the bar high for bringing the Tooks to life. I hope when I write them mine can be half as believable and likable as yours are. I know this story is wrapping up, but that last scene just had me starting to worry all over again. Hopefully, all will be well for the wedding. Thank you again for resuming your writing. My mornings are brightened by new chapters to wake up to.
Author's reply
Again, thanks for coming alongside. And now as I post my nightly chapter I will think of you at breakfast, isn't that fun? I visit SoA every morning lately for a breakfast fix, or if the morning was too crazy I'll try to sneak online for a nightcap, so I can relate. I'm looking forward to seeing your stories!
Larner · 5 March 2014 · Chapter 14: An End to Waiting
At last he awakens! They have waited too long for this! Panda is cuddling close to me, while Brendi took his treat into the living room to keep an eye out for Sam's dog and the cats, who are out hunting. They are sending virtual kisses.
Author's reply
I'm so glad to be able to picture Panda and Brendi in my mind's eye. I remember how they fascinated Zoe, and how she longed to play with them. She loved little dogs, for some reason, maybe even more than someone her own size. Thank you.
Garnet Took · 5 March 2014 · Chapter 14: An End to Waiting
Yay, everything and everyone seems to be getting back to what passes for normal at the Great Smials. Hope you all get your healing and everyone feels better soon.
Author's reply
Thank you. We are reeling from an unexpected loss (our beloved dog died this morning of a very rare complication after going through surgery with apparently flying colours), but time heals such things, and the hurt will diminish over time.
Larner · 1 March 2014 · Chapter 13: Standing Fast
It's definitely time for some hope, of course. Am glad it is beginning to take root and make people notice it.
Author's reply
Thanks. *hug*
Garnet Took · 1 March 2014 · Chapter 13: Standing Fast
I really liked this chapter. There's certainly a lot more healing going here than the physical kind. I am so glad to see you writing and posting again. I've always loved your stories and have been revisiting many of them again and loving every minute. Keep the chapters coming. I'll keep reading. :)
Author's reply
Thanks. We could use some healing right now here at home. I appreciate the encouraging words.
Larner · 24 February 2014 · Chapter 12: Making Do
Ah, but they are wise, each and all, in the manner of Hobbits!
Author's reply
...and how I love hobbits... Thanks! *** We have a reprieve. Though the first vet said, "Put her to sleep immediately," the second vet said, "Yes, she's very ill, but she's not suffering at the moment." So we have a little more time to love on her. *sigh*
Larner · 13 February 2014 · Chapter 11: All in a Day's Work
Pippin is so lucky to have such excellent Hobbits about him to assist. Love Everard's display of self-interest! Heh! As for little Faramir--I can see it so plainly! Dear, devoted child!
Author's reply
Ah, how I love plain-speaking Tooks! Faramir is learning great lessons. Hard lessons, but they'll help him grow into the fine hobbit he will become.
Larner · 26 February 2009 · Chapter 10: Midnight Watches
A moment for all to take breath and rest, watching to see what comes next.
Author's reply
Yes! (and rest is what I'm needing to be attending to... off to bed, but took a moment to answer this) Thanks!
Larner · 18 February 2009 · Chapter 9: Late Supper, Early Morn
Poor Eglantine! To see her son struck down like this.... But he has the best love available about him, of course, and he IS Pippin, and quite as good at rallying at the last moment as a certain Baggins of my acquaintance, of course. Been quite a time since we saw this one. Nice to see it added to. Love to the Hobbitlings and hubby and Zoe!
Author's reply
Ah, yes, Pippin and that certain Baggins... must be a shared family trait. I read through the remaining chapters, and while they do need tweaking before going online, it certainly was diverting to take a walk down memory lane. Ah, those were the good old days, when the writing flowed like tea. Wee hobbits send their best, and Zoe gives you her best growly groan. No, wait, that might be her wanting-breakfast grumble. *g* Thanks!
Nienor Niniel · 22 August 2006 · Chapter 8: Son of the Thain
Does it really end there, or haven't you got around to reposting yet? Just wondering... But it's not as if there weren't some more of your stories to read, and as I'm determined to read them all, I'll simply go on with StarFire. Interesting how different the characers perceive each other. I wonder if Ferdibrand realises that others think him arrogant! Greetings, Nienor
Author's reply
Greetings to you! No, it doesn't end there, this one simply went on the "back burner" for a long time. This chapter is about halfway through. This one, "Jewels", and "Where the Merlin Cries" are the next stories on the line-up for editing and posting, however, when the schedule fills up once more (the start of the school year is galloping towards us) and I won't have the writing time I've enjoyed for the past month. Swim team practice is a wonderful one-hour block where I have nothing to do but watch swimmers stroke from one end of the pool to another. It's a good time to jot things down in a notebook, or print out others' stories and read. The summer has gone by *way* too fast! Anyhow, look for updates in those three stories starting some time in September or early October, if all goes well. Author Reply: I mean't that this chapter is about halfway through the whole story. I think it has fifteen or sixteen chapters. Thanks!
Larner · 6 April 2005 · Chapter 8: Son of the Thain
The half-formed wisdom of the children. I love young Faramir, his love and concern, his desire to sit the vigil, even if he doesn't understand.
Author's reply
Bless you, my friend, I was just answering "new" reviews and ran across this "well-aged" one, evidently unanswered. Hmmm. Will check the pizza place's menu. Can you eat pizza without tomato sauce? (They do their own dough and toss it and then load it with ingredients--my favourite is the one with fresh mozzarella and basil leaves. I'm not even sure it has tomatoes on it.)
Larner · 6 April 2005 · Chapter 7: Smoke Damage
Ah, Pippin, our beloved Thain! He was indeed the fighter, wasn't he? Glad to see the aid is coming just in time!
Mysterious Jedi · 2 April 2005 · Chapter 7: Smoke Damage
Excellent, as always. Looking forward to more. What is it with you and writing about hobbit healers lately? :)
Author's reply
O I dunno. They must be the most neglected of hobbits, and so they thrust themselves forward and demand to be heard. Or something like that. Thanks!
Larner · 1 April 2005 · Chapter 6: Standing Up for the Steward
Aha--a cliffhanger, eh? Looking forward to the next installment.
Author's reply
Ah, yes, somehow I tend to write in cliffhangers. Perhaps it's the writer's form of procrastination. I'll give it some thought and perhaps get back to discussing it later.
Larner · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 5: A Long-Awaited Proposal
Even today a terrible number of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Suspect my own mother had at least one, my daughter's lost two, and I believe I lost one as well, very early on. (Commenting on your notes there.) Again, I find myself enjoying your characters, and the views they are having of Pip as the Thain, chipping away at the supercilious nature of the Great Smials Tooks.
Author's reply
Amazing how I almost never heard about miscarriages until I had one, and then all sorts of women were telling me about theirs... I guess it's something we don't talk about much.
Larner · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Healers' Consultation
A nice, succinct review of Pippin as new Thain and the reactions to it. In many cultures the ruler was not to be disabled or maimed, and had to be replaced if such happened--a belief in sympathetic magic in many cases, I've thought. Yes, many would definitely have major cows if they realized how easily Pippin becomes ill.
Larner · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 3: A Matter of Patience
Yes, the difficult patient. Too bad they don't let Aragorn know once in a while just how hard it is to keep a Took in bed--although, he, too, has faced that difficulty.
Larner · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 2: Tea with the Tooks
The characterizations are wonderful, and find I enjoy Mardibold as much as young Hilly.
Author's reply
Ah, yes, the -bold family! Salt of the earth. (Always wondered what that meant. Doesn't salt make earth sterile?) I hope it is clear that young Hilly is nephew to Hilly-the-escort.
Larner · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 1: Interrupted Plans
Well, I find I'm enjoying this story, although I am woefully behind in all your ongoing works. Have been fighting crud and more computer blitzes. I do like young Hilly.
Author's reply
I'm glad you are enjoying it. It's hard to write Fourth Age stuff; so much of it is un-Frodo'd, by canon constraints. I do what I can with dreams and such, and his cousins' fond memories of him. You've been fighting crud too? There's a lot of that going around. (Including here. Barely have the energy to get out of bed these days, and am taking naps when the little ones do, something that I haven't done much in years.) Thanks! (And get-well-soon, both you and your computer!)
Bodkin · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 5: A Long-Awaited Proposal
Enjoyed the chapter - and also agree with the comment at the end. This is a pre-20th-century fairly rural and conventional society - and it will have had relatively high infant mortality. Accepting that Rosamunda should use her healer skills is quite advanced of Regi. And Regi even speaks to Mardi before he tests the water with Rosamunda. I suspect she will accept him, though. Just a feeling.
Author's reply
LOL - just a feeling! Perhaps you have a crystal ball tucked into your sleeve... Glad to find you equable on Regi's behalf. He is awfully old-fashioned, but quite forward-looking with regard to his wife... Thanks!
Mysterious Jedi · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Healers' Consultation
Looking forward to more. Interesting to see a different POV. Kind of surprised me that Mardi would speak of Pip's---excuse me, Thain Peregrin's unwellness, but I suppose it was healer to healer, and I imagine she's sensible enough to not spread the notorious Talk, or to think Thain Pregrin unfit for the thainship.
Author's reply
You're right, it was healer-to-healer, and healers have a sort of code of conduct--they don't gossip. (Not even if they're Tooks!) Thanks.
Bodkin · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 3: A Matter of Patience
éminence grise /%EmIn2Qs "gri;z/ · n. (pl. éminences grises pronunc. same) a person who exercises power or influence without holding an official position. – ORIGIN 1930s: Fr., lit ‘grey eminence’; the term was orig. applied to Cardinal Richelieu’s grey-cloaked private secretary, Père Joseph (1577–1638).
Author's reply
Aha, interesting! Thanks for scratching that itch. Yup, between them Regi and Ferdi pretty well run the Tooks when Pippin is indisposed, or even when he's not, for they handle all the minute details that would otherwise annoy him and waste his time. I remember Richelieu from "The Three Musketeers", is that right?