Poor Diamond! I hope that she will recover soon for the infection! How terrible! Very brave of Opal to tell Diamond what had happened when she got hurt, espeically with her fear that Diamond wouldn't want to be her friend any more.
Ah, so now Pippin is watching over Diamond as well, inspiration to get use to those crutches was it? Looking forward to more and hope it is soon ;)
Author's reply
I think that she is on the road to recovery now, we shall see?
It was brave of Opal, but she wanted her friendship to be honest; she should have realized that Diamond would understand.
Yes, now the shoe is on the other foot. (What *would* a hobbity equivalent of that saying be, I wonder?) Pip gets to look after her a bit.
katakanadian
· 12 December 2004
· Chapter 21
I was going to comment that you had a lot of punctuation errors but then I noticed my browser was set for the wrong language. Oops.
Very good so far. I'm really looking forward to the rest.
Author's reply
I never knew before recently that I could change the language on my browser. That's so cool! Although it would do me no good, since I don't know any other languages well enough.*grin*
Thanks for reading and reviewing!
SharonB
· 11 December 2004
· Chapter 21
Oh dear, ashtma like symptoms and then pneumonia or croup on top of it. Having only a little bit of asthma myself I can certain feel for Diamond. And, lol, Pip certainly had incentive to learn to use the crutches quickly. It worked for him too, he was there when she woke up after the fever.
You tied so many things up well. Even Opal learns what a true friend is like from how Diamond reacted on hearing about her past.
Author's reply
Pneumonia, croup, and bronchitis are all complications of measles, according to my research. I, too, suffered from asthma as a child, and drew on some of that experience to describe Diamond's symptoms.
Pip was anxious to be there for her, wasn't he?
Diamond knows what Opal is like *now*, and she's not much concerned with her friend's past, since she has put it behind her. Opal can be free now to truly be herself.
GamgeeFest
· 11 December 2004
· Chapter 21
Poor Diamond! It's been a long time since I've been sick like that, but I remember it all too well. It's a horrible feeling. And for Diamond to be so far from home makes it all that much worse. But how did I know Pippin would make his way there as soon as he became mobile? ;) I'm glad Opal told Diamond the truth, that was very brave of her.
Author's reply
I remember it myself, and drew on some of those experiences to describe her symptoms. One of my most vivid childhood memories is of hallucinations when I was sick, and the sensation of my bed flying and spinning. I can still see that parade of colored figures in my mind's eye, just as if they were a "real" memory.
Yes, I guess I was a bit obvious telegraphing Pippin's resolve to make his way to her. Originally, I had planned to have him still bed-bound and all frustrated that he *couldn't*, but I think it worked out better this way!
It was brave of Opal to confess the truth to Diamond--she has come a long way from being Hyacinth's spoiled youngest.
pipinheart
· 11 December 2004
· Chapter 21
Very nice!
Pippin is very worries about Diamond, and he should be she isn't doing well. The fever is stopped spreading,though the healer is worried about the infection in Diamonds lungs.
Pippin is determined to learn to use the crutches,so determined he in the end checks on Diamond himself.
Keep up the good work..
Author's reply
Yes, I read up on measles, and lung infections are one of the less dire complications of them. At least I didn't inflict her with hepatitis or encephalitis or permanent heart damage! (Although I was tempted by the last one--it has excellent dramatic possibilities, I must confess.)
Well, Pip is always determined, isn't he? He's a Took, after all! *grin*
Thanks, I hope to!
Auntiemeesh
· 10 December 2004
· Chapter 21
Ah, poor Diamond. Somehow I suspected she would get a rotten case of the Spotted Fever. How nice that when she wakes up, Pippin is there to greet her! Lovely chapter, as always. :)
Author's reply
Yes, we fanfic writers don't do things by halves, do we? If someone's going to be sick, by golly, then they are going to be *sick*! (The better to comfort you with, my dear...*evil laughter*)
Well, I had not originally planned that, but thanks to Bodkin...
Pearl Took
· 10 December 2004
· Chapter 21
Opal's change is wonderful. It is sad but true that it often takes a tragedy to wake a person up. What better for Diamond to wake up to than a kind, gentle Pippin :) :)
Author's reply
I think it was the combination of both the accident, and getting rid of Hyacinth's influence (which, of course was also a result of the accident) which made it possible for the "Jewelry" to sort of wake up to their true hobbity natures. Turns out they took after their father after all! But of course, they have years of poor behavior to make up for.
Yes, what better? After all, Pip got to wake up to her!
katakanadian
· 10 December 2004
· Chapter 3
Enjoying this very much so far.
Author's reply
I'm glad you are enjoying it! Thanks for letting me know!
good_one_pip
· 10 December 2004
· Chapter 21
Oh, I'm glad Diamond seems to be pulling through OK. I can't wait to see the conversation she and Pip have. Thanks for the summary of Opal's accident, since I don't think I'll have enough time to read the whole 70-something chapter story for a while.
Author's reply
Well, she's getting better now, and Pippin is there to greet her!
I did put that in for folks who've never read "A New Reckoning"--it is a bit of a long haul, but I hope that maybe you will give it a try sometime when you've got a little more time, as a lot of my stories kind of link into that one.
Bodkin
· 10 December 2004
· Chapter 21
Ha! Diamond getting on well with Opal - which actually augurs quite well for Opal's future, really, considering. And now the fur is on the other foot and Pippin is tending the future Mrs. Pippin. How can she not fall (even further)?
Author's reply
Well, Diamond and Opal have become fast friends--perfectly understandable, since Diamond never knew her *before* and has no preconceptions about her. Even after Opal and her sisters made a turn around (after getting out from under Hyacinth's thumb) they must have been embarassed to finally realize what everyone in the Smials thought of them: as spoiled brats. So it was nice to have someone come in who didn't know all that.
Well, as you know by now, you have yourself to thank for that little twist!
Hai Took
· 10 December 2004
· Chapter 20
Gracious! Poor, Diamond! I'm sorry she is getting sick but it seems that Reggie and his girls will look after her nicely. I think that will be good for all of them, yes?
It seems that Lavender has returned just in time! I'm certainly glad that Diamond didn't have to deal with a baby being born as well!
I found it rather amusing that Lavender found what Diamond had been seeing in Pippin. We all know he can be quite charming when he wants to be ;) I hope that there aren't any problems when he is able to get around on crutches! Well, looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Yes, it will be good for them all. They are very fond of Diamond, especially Opal.
Well, Diamond helped, but she didn't have to do it by herself, anyway!
Lavender is not immune to the Tookish charms, is she?
Bodkin
· 9 December 2004
· Chapter 20
Suggestions? Moi? Poor Diamond - those sort of childhood ailments are awful when caught as an adult. I'm glad Opal is going to help take care of her.
Pippin, quite inadvertently, keeps revealing to his healers how much he has learned from being on the receiving end of skilled care. He really does need his own personal healer sharing his life.
Author's reply
Suggestions--toi! LOL! I had thought at first having Pip looking in on Diamond might be a little OTT, but when you seemed to indicate that it would be welcome, I decided to go in that direction.
Yes, Diamond's having a pretty rough bout; Opal is her best friend at the Smials, and she'll be happy to take care of her.
Pippin *has* spent a lot of time being taken care of by healers, and just when he could be enjoying good health due to his newly strengthened constitution, he goes and breaks his leg. Since he seems to make a habit of getting himself in peril, you could be right! *grin*
Pearl Took
· 8 December 2004
· Chapter 20
This didn't feel too short :) I liked how it moved along. How wonderful of Regie and his daughters to offer to care for Diamond. I wonder if that is where Pippin will head when he gets his crutches? Well Done :)
Author's reply
I'm glad you didn't find it too short. When I decided to go in a slightly different direction, I ended up with a bit less material.
Reggie knows how much he owes to the healers not in money, but in gratituded for the help they have been in getting his family moving forward after Hyacinth's betrayal.
Yup.
Thanks. 8-D
SharonB
· 8 December 2004
· Chapter 20
Ah, it's nice to be back and have time to R&R. That is so good of Opal and her realizing that this will be good practice for her to learn how to cope with unwell patients. It's also good for Lavender to see how well Diamond could perform and not lose her objectivity even when treating Pippin. Poor Diamond really was getting run down before Lavender got back. SO, will Pip be helping Opal take care for that precious lass? You'll leave us to wait until more gets posted. ;-)
Author's reply
Opal really wants to help Diamond out, as she is her first and only real friend. And it will be good for her to get some sickroom practice in.
I think Lavender is very impressed with her apprentice.
Take a look. 21 is up.*grin*
good_one_pip
· 6 December 2004
· Chapter 19
"there is a seed of courage hidden within the heart of every hobbit...just waiting for some final and desperate danger to make it grow" you've really captured this Tolkien statement. Not all hobbits have to go on quests and fight in battles to be considered "brave." Diamond seems to show this quality wonderfully.
Author's reply
No, there are all kinds of bravery, and not every hobbit (or person) is suited to the same things. There was the bravery of a warrior, which Merry and Pippin learned, and the bravery of endurance, such as Frodo and Sam had. The kind of adventurous bravery that led the Travellers out of the Shire was different from the kind that Fatty Bolger showed in offering himself as bait, and then leading a rebellion.
And the kind of bravery that a healer has to expose herself to illnesses is also very different!
good_one_pip
· 6 December 2004
· Chapter 17
A very sad, dramatic, retelling of the death of Frodo's parents. Yes, unfortunately Frodo was sadder than most hobbits from his early childhood. Poor Diamond! It looks like she has her work cut out for her. I do hope this epidemic isn't too serious!
Author's reply
I had wanted to do a whole story about Pippin's aunts and Frodo's mother, but I couldn't get it quite right, so I just put it in anecdote form.
Frodo's early bereavement affected him deeply. I think that his sorrow and grief were what made it hard for the Ring to get hold of him.
She's going to be a busy lass for a few days, that's for sure!
pipinheart
· 3 December 2004
· Chapter 19
Very nice... Diamond put herself at risk to help the sick,and will be ill herself soon...She sent many away,but will soon be defensless against this.
Pippin and her have a little chat and tells her how brave she has been..... You can see the open admiration he feels for her...
Good job,update soon...
Author's reply
Yes, I think a hobbit as special and brave as Pip deserves a lass who is also just as brave!
Hai Took
· 2 December 2004
· Chapter 19
lol, I do hope poor Pippin's affections are returned and they can begin to court or something! I guess they do share affections in some way. already.
I'm glad that the Thain spoke to Diamond about the job she was doing! I hope he certainly doesn tell Mistress Lavender! Although Lavender doesn't want to loose Diamond I'm sure she will be grateful for the praise!
I'm looking forward to see how things are handled when Diamond falls ill, hopefully Mistress Lavender will be back then. Hm, can any of those who have arrived at Bag End be carriers of the spotted fever? I certainly hope Frodo won't get sick because of his guests! Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Well, I think I can safely say that Diamond has begun to return his affection, but she won't feel comfortable allowing that to be shown until she can reconcile some things in her own mind.
Paladin sees how capable she is, and he will definitely let Lavender know this.
Diamond was very careful to ensure that anyone she sent away from the Smials had not already been exposed. I think I can safely reveal that much to you, so don't worry about Frodo on that account!
GamgeeFest
· 2 December 2004
· Chapter 19
Ah, Pippin is so sweet! I can't wait until he wins the girl. :) Too bad Merry had to come back so quickly, looks like Pippin could have gotten somewhere there.
Author's reply
Thoughtful lad that he is, if Merry had known she was there, he might have dallied a bit; as it was, he probably hurried back, being worried about leaving Pip alone. And I do think Pippin is getting somewhere--Diamond is definitely succumbing to the Tookish charm.
Beruthiel
· 2 December 2004
· Chapter 19
Diamond is very brave lass, perfect for Pippin. So when are they going to hurry up and realize they're meant for each other?
Do excuse my impatience, please. It just means this story is gripping my interest. Excellent job!
So will that Pippin-gets-lost-in-Brandy-Hall story be coming any time this decade?
Author's reply
Well, I think Pippin's already made his mind up 8-D, LOL! but Diamond has got to get through a lot of notions and pre-conceptions before she's ready to admit that they match would not be unwelcome.
I'm glad that you are into the story! I always love to hear that!
Believe it or not, that little bunny was nibbling at me this afternoon, as I was mulling over approaches to the Challenge #12 fic. I'm not sure yet if it is a fit, but I haven't forgotten it.
melilot hill
· 2 December 2004
· Chapter 19
Oh, poor Diamond! I hope everything will be fine soon :)
Author's reply
Well, soon enough. I am taking my time with this one--I know where I want it to end, but I am not going to rush getting there--I discover more about my characters that way.
Kitty
· 1 December 2004
· Chapter 19
Another great chapter to start my day at work 8-)
I loved the talks between Diamond and Pippin and his father. She is brave, yes, and will become a good healer. And she is so like Pippin - the both are destined for each other :-)
Author's reply
Yes, it struck me as I wrote: for Diamond to put herself at risk for a patient was much the same as Pippin putting himself at risk for others as a Knight of Gondor. I think there is much more to Pippin's attraction to a healer than he realizes: they are very much kindred spirits, as you said, destined for each other.
Auntiemeesh
· 1 December 2004
· Chapter 18
I loved that Primrose put Rosamunda in her place quite firmly, and the turned around and did the same to Estella for speaking disrespectfully of her mother.
Diamond seems to be handling the situation very competently. She was smart to talk with Eglantine before going in to see the patient.
Thanks for another lovely chapter. :)
Author's reply
Well, Primrose is the most senior of the female cousins, and I would bet that she wields that authority with aplomb. Rosamunda did deserve to be dressed down, but Primrose was not going to allow impertinence from a young one to go unrebuked.
Diamond knows these things, having been taught very well. She's a little apprehensive having to put them into practice on her own for the first time, but she is remembering her professional protocols.
Bodkin
· 1 December 2004
· Chapter 18
Pippin'll be on crutches soon. And he'll have nothing better to do than mop a fevered brow!
Author's reply
Welllll...hmmm...I don't know....hmmm...
Bodkin
· 1 December 2004
· Chapter 18
Oh no! Diamond is bound to catch it. Then Pippin can nurse her . . . he won't have any scruples about flirting with his patients.
Author's reply
Well, there's a little hitch in that scenario: his broken leg! But yes, you can pretty much count on Diamond's catching it.