Reviews (121)

harrowcat · 18 January 2016 · Chapter 12

Not a dry eye here either. Pippin would indeed have made a very fine bard but, once tempered, those same talents will make him a wonderful Thain.

MorganBaggins · 18 February 2013 · Chapter 12

I think this might be one of my favorite stories of yours yet! I (of course) love the relationship between Frodo and Pippin. It's so sweet that Frodo works to understand both Pippin and his father and helps mend the bond between them. I was excited when Pippin finally got to see Merry-I felt so bad for both of them that Merry's trip was delayed. Menelcar was a great OC (and very realistic to middle-earth). I'm glad he had the pleasure to meet such admirable good-natured hobbits :)

PIppinfan1988 · 11 January 2006 · Chapter 12

Oh, I had a good laugh with Merry and Frodo's exchange about those daft Tooks. :-D And what a tearful leave-taking from Menelcar. I can see why you got so many requests for Chance Encounter; this storyline definitely demands more attention--meaning, I want more! Thankfully, we are. :-) Onward, I go. Thank you for sharing your wonderful poetry (even though others may have actually wrote it!) and excellent storytelling. :-) Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 11 January 2006 · Chapter 11

Yep--that's our Pip. He (and Merry) could charm the cream out of a cow. I am glad to see Paladin finally coming round. LOL, why did I think that Menelcar and Pippin's transcribing would end up a jam session? I loved it. Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 11 January 2006 · Chapter 10

Good old Frodo. :-) He is so loving toward our young laddie, and yet he doesn't allow Pip to get away with his deed. It could be Frodo merely keeping the lad occupied, too--just in case. I hope Pippin has a new perspective on things. Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 8 January 2006 · Chapter 9

I so enjoy listening to Pippin and Menelcar singing! I also think Pippin would have made a fantastic bard, but it would have broken my heart to see him when the going got rough. LOL, yes, I am *that* wrapped up into your world of hobbits! I am really looking forward to reading more about their relationship in Chance Encounters! Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 8 January 2006 · Chapter 8

Yeay! Frodo to the rescue! :-) Seems poor Pippin is the epitome of angsty adolescence--and the Thainship being the cruxt of it. I hope Frodo can talk some hobbit-sense into him. Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 5 January 2006 · Chapter 7

I enjoyed reading the meeting between Frodo and Menelcar, though I believe Frodo is quite seasoned in the manner of Big Folk due to Bilbo's tales. I meant to ask in my review for the last chapter if Pippin and Paladin's row was the big "explosion" you mentioned to me a while back. You may not remember it, but I think we were discussing the relationship we each carved for the pair. I didn't get to finish the next chapter, so I will wait to comment on that, but there *is* something I came across in today's reading that I just have to share with you more privately. You know me--can't leave something unsaid. :-P Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 5 January 2006 · Chapter 6

By lunchtime, even he was tired of it. But it was worth it. When Pimpernel brought his lunch tray, she said, “Mother wants me to tell you to either choose another tune or stop playing. Father says if it keeps up, he will come in here and pitch your pipes out the window. And *I* say that I’m going to strangle you if you play one more note!!” Ha!! He's making them all suffer, isnt' he? Oh, I can feel for Pippin's family. My sister used to do that with LPs (lol, remember them?) when we were teenagers. My heart does go out to Paladin at times; having such a precocious son with a stubborn disposition to boot. :-) Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 4 January 2006 · Chapter 5

LOL, yes, you are, Pip. Can't wheedle your way out of this one. I can see the young hobbit courting the idea of taking up with the minstrel...I hope he keeps himself focussed and both furry feet on the ground. LOL, and I hope he survives his father! Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 4 January 2006 · Chapter 4

This is great! I loved the duet!! Oh, my--and when I read the lyrics to the first song, I could just imagine Pippin (or any kid his age) enamoured with the life of a bard; fancying himself a free hobbit, coming and going as he pleases. It would break my heart to see young Pippin shivering in the cold night when the "honeymoon" wore off and found how lonely being penniless and homeless is. I also like the mutual respect these musicians have for one another. I am looking forward to more! :-) Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 4 January 2006 · Chapter 3

Awesome! You capture every nuance and expression in the joy of making music, or singing a song. It is very evident that your Pippin has such a passion for music--and whose love of music is equalled only by the author. My Pippin, too, has a passion for music, but "his" writer is a bit cheeky; she loves music, but has absolutely no talent when it comes to music, lol! So, she lives vicariously through both our lads. :-) And once again, I was sitting in the smoky room with the hobbits watching Pippin (and Menelcar) in their element, playing the most beautiful songs. I am really enjoying this--I haven't read too much on Pip's talent as a singer. Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 1 January 2006 · Chapter 2

This is great! I am so lost inside the tale already. I imagine myself sitting there at the table eavesdropping on Menelcar and Pippin's conversation. Its marvelous how you weave the mingling of Big Folk and Hobbits in the Shire pre-Troubles/Quest. Looking forward to reading more! Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 1 January 2006 · Chapter 1

This is starting out wonderfully! I had a good snicker at Merry's letter--his language has come of age, too, lol--and Pippin's isn't far behind. I had a good laugh from that. Seems young Pippin is having a bad night...but not for long! He is such a sweet brother to Vinca. :-) Pippinfan

Gryffinjack · 23 October 2005 · Chapter 12

Yeah! I finished before the hurricane got here! Count this also amongst my favourite stories of yours. For a tale about a wandering bard who came to the Shire, this sure has a lot of insight into Frodo, Pippin, and Paladin as well as into the Took family dynamics. "Merry rolled his eyes. “Daft Tooks. All of them. Uncle Paladin ought to know better than that after all these years. And Pippin ought to know better than to believe him.” “Your mother’s a Took.” “Not anymore. She had the good sense to marry a Brandybuck.” Frodo chuckled. “A poor excuse for trying to get out of being half Took, I’d say.” Merry gave his older cousin a little swat to the back of his head. “Well, anyway, Pip’s as Tookish as they come.”" This is a fantastic exchange that made me laugh. Of coursse, Frodo and Merry are right - Pippin *is* as Tookish as they come, which accounts for both his good and bad points. Menelcar is absolutely right. Pippin might have been happy living the life of a bard for a while, but he would have missed his family and friends so much that he would have ended up quite miserable. Pippin's life is in the Shire, with occasional visits to the South. A lovely story! And Frodo nodded his agreement. They didn’t come any more Tookish than Pippin.

Gryffinjack · 23 October 2005 · Chapter 11

*hugs Paladin* I'm so glad he went to hear Pippin play and sing! Now he can understand a bit more how much Pippin's music means to him and how good he is at it. It won't change things much, Pippin still must become Thain one day instead of a bard, but it helps to have his father understand him more. "Frodo gave his older cousin the kind of look that Bilbo often had used when he thought others were being particularly dense; with Frodo’s piercing blue eyes it was even more effective." Loved that line! I'm running out of things to say about Frodo. The way he makes Paladin understand why Pippin does not want to become Thain, his explanation about Pippin planning on leaving the Shire with Menelcar, and his defence of Menelcar... he really does have a way of making others understand. “I can see that I may have to tell him some things that I had rather not.” Can we see that? I'd really like to read that discussion between father and son! There were so many things in this chapter that I liked, the way Menelcar observed the three hobbits comfortable friendship in the kitchen, Paladin's exchange with Frodo, Paladin's coming to understand his son and his music more, and Pippin's reunion with Merry. A very satisfying chapter.

Gryffinjack · 23 October 2005 · Chapter 10

Frodo is such a wonderful cousin! I'm so glad he got Pippin to explain what was bothering him so much and was able to make Pippin understand and feel better about things. Frodo does look after both of his cousins and is willing to stick his neck on the line for them if he thinks it is necessary, such as taking Pippin to Brandy Hall despite what Paladin had said. However, even then, Frodo is still very responsible and lets Paladin know as much as possible what is going on and what the problem is. I'm sure he will make Paladin understand when he sees him. It must be quite difficult for a parent to have someone else explain your own child's feelings to you. It's got to be a blow to Paladin's Tookish pride. However, Paladin is also intelligent enough to know that Frodo knows what he is doing and has enough trust and faith in him not to question what he decides is best. Pippin is such a sensitive lad that you have to be careful how you treat him or he will take it the wrong way and then it will backfire in your face, as it did with Paladin. Paladin is very lucky to have such a caring cousin to help him with understanding and taking care of his son.

Gryffinjack · 23 October 2005 · Chapter 9

This chapter is the type that makes me sigh with happiness and wish that I could be there at the Green Dragon watching Menelcar and Pippin perform rather than just reading about it. After reading the books and watching the films more times than I can count, I found Frodo to be admirable, wise, sensitive, but most of all, whiney. Oh, he had every reason to complain, being orphaned at a young age, his guardian leaving as soon as he became an adult, and being saddled with that ring which wore him down. But I got so tired of hearing movie!Frodo complain about what a burden the ring was that it coloured my impression of Frodo. In short, I did not appreciate him enough. I should like to thank you for rectifying this grievous error on my part. Your stories have shown Frodo's finer points and explained much about him. I understand him so much more now and so look forward to when he shows up in your stories. I also find that my new-found understanding and appreciation for Frodo has spilled over so that I understand what Frodo is going through in the books and movies and appreciate him much, much more. I can now give him the credit he deserves and I have you to thank for that. It's your own fault for writing so many truly magnificent words that I must quote them back to you: “Don’t be that way, Pippin. What did you expect? You did not tell Master Menelcar that you had a secret to protect, and then you sent him right to me at Bag End. The minute he mentioned he had a potential travelling companion, I knew that it was you.” “I’ve only this to say for now, Pip, and then we’ll leave it alone until we get to Bag End where we will have a bit more privacy. You owe Menelcar a massive and sincere apology.” "Pippin refused to meet Frodo’s eyes. “I did *not* lie to him,” he told the table, as he drew patterns in the moisture from his mug with his finger." “No, but you did not tell him the truth, either. *Think*, Pippin. Your father commands the Shire Muster. What do you think would have happened when he learned one of the Big Folk had carried you off with him?” “You do foolish things sometimes, dearest. This one, I think, more foolish than most. You have disappointed Menelcar, and you would have gone off and broken all our hearts. How do you think Merry would have felt?” "Frodo stared, and then rolled his eyes. Sometimes Paladin knew *exactly* the wrong thing to say. “Pippin, that is so wrong I don’t even know where to begin. But I told you it can wait until we get back to the smial. This is a public place, and we don’t need to discuss anymore of our family business here. Besides, I think your friend is getting ready to sing.”" "The way Frodo handles Pippin in this chapter is masterful. He has such compassion and understanding." As for Pippin, I cannot say it any better than you did: "Watching the performance, Frodo found himself wishing that it could indeed be possible for Pippin to try this life. It obviously suited him. But there was no way that could be. He rather hated himself for having to squash his young cousin’s dreams." I hope the electricity doesn't go off during the hurricane so I can continue to read your stories!

Gryffinjack · 23 October 2005 · Chapter 8

This chapter is jam-packed with little treasures. “You didn’t say I couldn’t go to Bag End.” Now here's a multi-faceted little diamond. Let's start with how clever Pippin is in his skillful phraseology. That hobbit could be an attorney for all the attention he pays to the nuances of the meanings of words. It sounds just like statements I've made to deceive someone into drawing an incorrect inference that I did not actually say. It's the perfect statement to make Paladin believe Pippin went to visit Frodo, yet Pippin would not be lying by not visiting him. The next level for this statement is its obvious terseness and adolescent rebellion and anger. Our bright, sunny, and charming lad has become moody and is having problems growing up. Life without Merry's almost constant presence is confusing and lonely. Trying to live up to Paladin's expectations is daunting. Accepting that he will one day be Thain and that the reason for his becoming Thain will be due to the death of his father is downright scary and something he cannot face. For all that he and Paladin have problems right now, Pippin loves his father dearly and does not want the Thainship if it means losing his father. Unfortunately, Pippin and his father are having a lot of difficulty communicating and are not even really trying to communicate with each other. Instead, they talk around each other, Paladin being the responsible parent doing what he thinks is best for his son and Pippin feeling that his father does not understand, but unable and too proud to explain how he really feels. Paladin's subconscious desire for Pippin to actually go to Bag End so that Frodo can deal with him also speaks volumes about the state of his relationship with his son. It is far easier for the adolescent to listen to someone whom the adolescent is not obligated to listen to, someone who is more on their level and whose advice can be more readily listened to as advice from a mentor, like Frodo. Pippin, as do many adolescents, views his parent as the source of all of the rules and changes in his life that are creating such turmoil within him. Instead of accepting responsibility for his own actions and feelings, he unjustly blames it on Paladin and thinks Paladin is only interested in him as the future Thain rather than as his son. If only Paladin and Pippin would open up to each other, then Paladin would understand why Pippin does not want to be Thain and be able to comfort his son, make him understand that he felt the same way, and let him know that he is so hard on Pippin because he is training him so that he will be ready when the time comes. But they both are too stubborn and proud to confide in the other. "The Steward of Minas Tirith had *two* sons. If a wandering minstrel had tried to entice either of them away for an apprentice, said minstrel would be cooling his heels in a Gondorian prison..." Menelcar's assessment is pretty accurate. After all, Denethor did resent the way Faramir looked up to Gandalf and I think blamed Gandalf for the death of Boromir. Thankfully, Menelcar will not have to suffer such wrath from the Thain. Pippin showed his cleverness again in using Tom and Jolly Cotton to find out if Sam or Frodo were in the Green Dragon. Unfortunately for Pippin, Frodo was one step ahead of him. It's not easy to be sneaky when someone knows you so well. Frodo knew exactly what Pippin was doing. Despite Pippin's not having thought things out fully (because he *did* try to think them out but was thwarted by his run-in with Paladin), I feel sorry for Pippin. It won't be easy for him to have his dreams go up in smoke and accept that he will have to become a responsible Thain-in-training. It's not easy to accept the limitations that are pressed upon us by society and by our circumstances. Especially with someone who feels things so passionately and deeply, his hopes soar and then to have them dashed away, he will plummet once again unless Frodo can find away to gently make him understand. I look forward to the day when Pippin and Paladin understand one another and have a loving father-son relationship. It would help if Paladin understood how important Pippin's music was to him and if Pippin understood how important *he* was to his father, Paladin.

Gryffinjack · 22 October 2005 · Chapter 7

Strange - my personal review page that lists all of the reviews I have left here at SoA for you does not list the review of chapter six that I left last night, yet the review appears if you click on the list on the chapter list. Did you get notification that I left a review? As for chapter seven: Bilbo's influence is tremendous on Frodo's life, journeys, and education. Even after these fourteen years, Frodo misses him something fierce. I'm so glad he will be able to see his Uncle Bilbo again in just a few years. It's very interesting when Frodo says that he thinks he would know if Bilbo were no longer alive. Is this connection because of the ring? I believe there is a connection between all of the past and present ringbearers where they all would feel if one of them had died. Or is this a connection Frodo feels because of his close relationship with Bilbo? Frodo's pride in and love for Bilbo is quite evident in his discussion with Menelcar. Naturally, Frodo, ever the gracious host, would be anxious to share his hospitality with someone who appreciates his cousin. Bilbo has had such an influence over the music and stories of many races in Middle Earth. For a Man to come in search of him, wanting more information on him or to even meet him - Menelcar must be one of the first groupies! Not bad at all for a little hobbit! Poor Merry! He's being so conscientious and responsible with his first assignment as an adult. He has the right of it, of course, about how Pippin feels. Those two definitely have a special connection, although Frodo also feels that something is amiss with Pippin. How like Merry to, depsite his own troubles, worry about Pippin and to even blame himself for the way Pippin is feeling so lonely and bored. This is one time where the large age difference between the two lads is a huge gap that is not as easily bridged. It is not for Paladin to say whether Pippin would be a hindrance to Merry were he to visit Merry in Buckland, not after Merry suggested a visit. If Paladin had a different reason for Pippin not visiting, then that would be different. But he has no right to usurp Merry's rights as an adult to make known what he wishes and how he feels. Paladin was doing a grave injustice to both his son and his nephew, even though he meant well. "There’s a young hobbit who is of a mind to travel with me and try the life of a bard. I met him in Tuckborough. He sings very sweetly, and plays the fiddle more than passably well, so I agreed." Gee, I wonder who that could be! It's a good thing Frodo set Menelcar straight about Pippin's not being an adult yet and his future career as the Thain. I don't think Pippin realised just how much trouble Menelcar could have got into had the two of them gone off together. The reprecussions just would not have crossed Pippin's mind. All he knew was that the two of them enjoyed making music together and could be good travelling companions on the road of the bard. Thankfully, Frodo was there to think of the reprecussions for the tweenager. You know, I do like how you incorporate the various forms of an individual's name in your storiesm, especially the use of all three of Pippin's names - Pip, Pippin, and Peregrin. You do so at appropriate places rather than a random and haphazard spraying of the various forms of the names. For example, having Paladin usually calling him Peregrin but having Merry and Frodo call him Pip or Pippin. You do the same thing with the other names as well, like for Merry, Beri, Esmerelda, Eglantine, and Freddie. It add feeling and a level of understanding to the relationship between the characters as well as to the action which is occurring. I look forward to seeing how Frodo is going to clean up Pippin's latest problem. If anyone can make Pippin understand and feel better about his situation, it would be his cousin Frodo.

Gryffinjack · 22 October 2005 · Chapter 6

"You will *not* slip out the window and go haring off to Buckland. Your cousin Merry has responsibilities now, and he does not need to be distracted by you hanging about and getting in his way when he has a real job to do, nor does he need to be burdened with having to be your nurse-maid." I don't think Paladin could have said anything that would have hurt Pippin more. To say that Pippin would be a distraction and would only get in Merry's way? And Pippin has all day to think about how his Merry doesn't really want himm around and has more important things to do. Not a good thought to put in Pippin's sensitive and impulsive head. “I. Do. Not. Want. To. Be. Thain!” And Pippin knows how to sting Paladin to the quick as well, however unintentional. Like father, like son. “What you want hardly matters. What is, is." From "Moving Day": “You *will* do this, Paladin Took, or find yourself and your family homeless. This farm still belongs to the Took family, and not to you personally.” If only Hyacinth knew that neither Paladin nor Peregrin really wanted to be the Thain and the Took! lol! No, really - what a horrible thing that is - to wait in the wings your whole life knowing that you will only get the important job when your father is dead. What a horrible burden to put on Pippin or Merry! No wonder Pippin wants to escape it. The bit with the funeral march dirge on the Tookland pipes was inspired! Was this another section where your son came in handy as a model? Or perhaps your own experiences? Whatever it was, this bit is brilliant. Pure Pippin, too, expressing himself the only way he knows how and in the only manner that he can express himself to his family under the circumstances. Pretty intelligent thinking, actually. "Whatever you did, I hope it was worth it, because I think you will be in trouble for some good long time to come." I love that line of Vinca's. I can see Pippin weighing things in his mind sometimes - "Is it going to be worth all the trouble I'm going to get into to do this?" So like an adolescent. Pimmie and Vinca were both wonderful in this chapter, their love and fondness for their little brother shines through. It's always great when siblings stick up for each other when they are in trouble. It's such a pity that Paladin and Pippin do not get along at this stage of their lives. They are more alike than either of them cares to admit. We tend to think of Pippin as being so sweet, cheerful, mischievous, impulsive, and charming. It's easy to lose sight of the fact that he had to go through the difficult tweenager years, learn to accept responsibility, and learn who he is and where his place on this Middle Earth really lies. Even when he leaves on the Quest, he still has to struggle with this and is forced to grow up earlier than he otherwise would have. Those awkward years are not easy for anyone, especially someone who has been spoilt as the charming baby of the family who craves the love and attention of others. Pippin will have to learn how to somehow balance it all out.

Gryffinjack · 22 October 2005 · Chapter 5

I like the way Paladin usually addresses Pippin by his real name, especially when he is angry with his son. How very like a parent. Do hobbits have middle names, too? Usually when someone's in trouble, they get addressed by their called on the carpet by their full first and middle name. Interesting comparison between the two cousins and how they treat Pippin when he runs away to them. Merry lets his mother do the admonishing while he is the friend who does the comforting. Since Merry doesn't actually say that Pippin is wrong, it's no wonder that Pippin does not come back repentant, only a bit cheered from having been with his Merry. I daresay that Pippin goes to Merry most when he wants to be bolstered and told that he is correct rather than shown where he might be wrong. But with Frodo... now Frodo not only really understands the workings of the young Took's mind, but he also has the clarity of wisdom, patience, and compassion to know how best to get through to Pippin. It also doesn't hurt that Pippin looks up to Frodo and respects his opinion so much. Pippin will go to Frodo if he has doubts inside himself about whether or not he was correct or is having trouble understanding something. Of course, Frodo knows that in order to get through to Pippin, he has to first get passed the impulsiveness and anger in order to reach Pippin's reasoning abilities. Frodo is not even in this story yet, and already I really like him in it. Paladin ... is a Took. In his anger at Pippin for deliberately disobeying himself and more importantly, his mother, Paladin is deliberately and stubbornly staying in his son's room so he can scold him. He is acting on impulse rather than thinking through what the best way to get through to Peregrin is. Paladin understands what makes Pippin repent when he speaks with Frodo. Yet, instead of trying to use the same tactic himself to get through to his son, he stews in his son's room, seething with anger and ready to pounce on him as soon as he comes back. I'd wager that Frodo and Paladin could give Pippin the same lecture in substance, yet Pippin at this age would rebel against Paladin while he would give serious thought to what Frodo said and probably repent. It's a natural set-up for the undecided Pippin to fly in the face of his own reasoning. The very thought of leaving his Merry behind, his very rock and anchor in this world, was enough to and make him "sicklied o'er by the pale cast of thought" and would have resulted in "enterprises of great pith and moment with this regard, their currents turn awry and loses the name of action." However, with the inevitable confrontation with Paladin looming ahead of him, I can see the lad rebelling against his father and fleeing to join his new friend, Menelcar for what seems a care-free life.

Gryffinjack · 21 October 2005 · Chapter 4

Marvelous use of the songs in this story to advance the plot - it's like the old Broadway musicals. Songs are used too infrequently in art these days and our society suffers from it. We are missing something - the joy that the average common man can create through his own voice and playing. In this instance, it's easy to see how young Pippin is seduced by the bard's song of a life free of all routine and responsibility. Being constantly reminded that you are going to be Thain one day and must act accordingly cannot hold a candle to the life of the bard that Menelcar wove into the song, not for tweenage Pippin who is fighting his father and the acceptance of the responsibility that being an adult brings with it. That song of the trees does indeed remind me of Frodo - sad, but gently and quietly full of beauty and tranquility. How delightful that Menelcar and Pippin both knew the words to the same song and were able to sing an unexpected duet! Yep, that mind of Pippin's is whirling with ideas of becoming an apprentice to his newfound friend. The hobbits truly are amazing, the way they are giving Menelcar a chance and making him feel welcome.

Gryffinjack · 21 October 2005 · Chapter 3

"Pippin very quickly forgot about Menelcar as he was caught up in the joy of the music. (H)is face was flushed with pleasure." Now this is how I envision Pippin. His love of music quite fills him up. The lyrics to "Nob o’ the Lea!" are delightful! Did you create this or did Tolkien? The tune practically sings itself and I can imagine hobbits dancing or even step dancing to this lively tune. I wish there were sheet music available. As for the dwarvian song, it's wonderful the way a tiny hobbit like Bilbo has such spread his influence through such diverse cultures. "Pippin’s sweet voice faded away on the last mournful note, and he looked up gratefully as the innkeeper handed him a full mug. His eyes held a question as he took it. “It’s just cold water, Mr. Pippin,” muttered Dodd quietly, “but I’m thinking you’re thirsty.”" Master Dodd is very thoughtful and Pippin has such a gentle sweetness to him. Even had the mug been full of ale, I doubt that Pippin would have drunk the entire thing without Merry. Pippin and Menelcar really seem to be developing a very nice relationship here. Is Menelcar from Gondor? Something about him makes me think he is and I wonder if Pippin would see him again while in Minas Tirith.

Gryffinjack · 21 October 2005 · Chapter 2

Master Dodd is a masterful creation. One of the things that makes your stories so enjoyable is that all of the characters, both canon and O/C, are fully fleshed out individuals. You also have use the same trick that Tolkien himself employed - not having to give a complete visual description of an individual to make him or her fully realised. I can see and hear Master Dodd in my head, as I can Menelcar. Menelcar is an O/C? Incredible! Your O/C's are so well done that I do not even realise they are O/C's. The delineation between canon and O/C characters is blurred by your masterful quill. It was very wise of both Master Dodd and Pippin not to divulge to this strange Man that Pippin is the son of the Thain, although they each did it for two completely different reasons. While both reasons were equally valid, they demonstrated what was of most importance to each. Master Dodd was protecting the Thain's son from a stranger while Pippin, being his ever-trusting self, only wished not to put the Man ill at ease. How fitting that Pippin would not be taken aback by the presence of the Man. As you pointed out, Pippin is friends with a wizard, who would naturally be more impressive that a Man. I expect that Pippin and Menelcar had quite an enjoyable time chatting about tales of Dale. It must have been quite exciting for Pippin to hear tales of that city from someone other than Bilbo, Frodo, Gandalf, or a dwarf. I'm afraid Menelcar has yet to learn that hobbits age differently than men do. He is expecting twenty-five year old Pippin to look like a twenty-five year old Man, and thus be old enough to accompany him as an apprentice. He's in for one big shock when he learns that not only is this twenty-five year old is the future Thain, but he is also still a minor according to the laws of the pheriannath. I believe that I have neglected to say in my previous reviews how glad I am that Pippin can play the Tookland pipes. This is an excellent tie-in to the Scottish ancestry of the Tooks, as demonstrated so wonderfully by Billy Boyd's lilting Scottish accent and proven by references found by Peter Jackson to Tolkien's mentioning that the Tooks created the game of golf. Now do we get to enjoy Menelcar's and Pippin's enthusiasm for their music?