Postcards From the Shire by SlightlyTookish
Larner · 10 December 2005 · Chapter 28: Whistling Lesson
It's nice to see Pippin doing something for a change that Merry can't. Lovely!
Author's reply
It is nice, isn't it? Even Merry doesn't seem to mind much and is willing to let Pippin shine. I'm glad you liked it, Larner. Thank you! :)
harrowcat · 10 December 2005 · Chapter 28: Whistling Lesson
Ah! Trust Merry to find a way to make it all better when Pippin fails at something!
Author's reply
Of course! Merry is very attuned to Pippin's feelings and always knows what to say or do to make things right. They really do have such a great friendship. Thanks for reading, harrowcat! :)
Bodkin · 10 December 2005 · Chapter 28: Whistling Lesson
Ahh, how sweet. I love the way Pippin can't quite credit that he can do something that Merry can't. And that he feels guilty about continuing to whistle in the light of Merry's failure. Merry's comfort and easy acceptance are a nice reflection on his character, too.
Author's reply
Growing up, I think Pippin would have seen Merry as the perfect older cousin, so of course it would be shocking to discover that he could do something that Merry could not! And you're very right about Merry - he is naturally confident enough that even if he fails at something he is glad that Pippin succeeds. I'm so happy that you enjoyed the lads here. Thank you, Bodkin! :)
Pearl Took · 10 December 2005 · Chapter 28: Whistling Lesson
Ah, the joy of feeling grown up! And good for Merry, picking up that Pippin now felt awkward and encouraging him. *sigh* Wonderful story :) :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Pearl! I'm so glad you enjoyed this! You're absolutely right about Merry, he's just so attentive to Pippin and secure in his own skin that he can let Pippin shine without any jealousy creeping into their relationship. They have a wonderful friendship :)
Pearl Took · 9 December 2005 · Chapter 27: A Gift Farewell
Wonderful!! Don't know that I've ever read about the hat before :) Wonderful!!
Author's reply
Sam's hat is one of those "wait a minute!" parts of the book. Where did he get it and whatever happened to it? It's such a mystery. I thought it would be cute if it was something Rosie gave him. I'm glad you liked it. Thank you! :)
Pearl Took · 9 December 2005 · Chapter 26: Hobbit in the Box
This was just one moment in a lifetime of teasing, and of looking after, his cousin and Merry held Pippin close, ready to comfort him, as the baby scrunched up his face as if to cry. A laugh escaped instead. AW!! My kids were both terrified of jack-in-the-boxes, hehehe. I love the details of Pippin "gumming" the ribbon and of Merry holding the lad's hand in place while the crank gets turned. Wonderful!!!
Author's reply
I remember being a bit wary of jack-in-the-boxes even when I was a bit older. Just something about it popping out at me was scary! But I thought that Pippin is such a happy sort that even a hobbit-in-the-box wouldn't make him cry. I'm glad you enjoyed all the little details! I love babies and all the cute things they do. Thanks for reading, Pearl! :)
Pearl Took · 9 December 2005 · Chapter 25: Least Expected
ooo! So sharp and concise!! Well Done :)
Author's reply
Thanks very much, Pearl! I appreciate it :D
Anso the Hobbit · 9 December 2005 · Chapter 25: Least Expected
Now, this is interesting! I haven't seen anyone write what the hobbits thought while inside Old Man Willow! :D
Author's reply
I haven't seen it either, and it's a part of the book that is so mysterious. We only get Frodo and Sam's side of the story, but I've wondered what Merry and Pippin were thinking. And my Merry-muse is the one who ordered me to write it. (Pippin is keeping quiet on the whole matter). I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks, Anso!
harrowcat · 9 December 2005 · Chapter 26: Hobbit in the Box
This was just one moment in a lifetime of teasing, and of looking after, his cousin I think that I am going to start a collection of perfect phrases SlightlyTookish and start with this one.
Author's reply
Aww, thank you! That's a sweet thing to say! I'm very glad you enjoyed it :)
Larner · 8 December 2005 · Chapter 27: A Gift Farewell
What we will wear for the ones we love! Even shapeless "hats"! Heh!
Author's reply
I've wondered about that hat! Where did Sam get it and whatever happened to it? I thought it would be sweet if it was a momento from Rosie that Sam was "forced" to wear :) Thanks for reading!
Larner · 8 December 2005 · Chapter 26: Hobbit in the Box
Aha--Pippin appreciates the startlement, does he? Not all babies, do, but then Pippin is no namby-pamby normal bairn, is he? Heh! Glad to see it!
Author's reply
Pippin is no namby-pamby normal bairn, is he? You;re exactly right! I imagine Pippin as a happy, smiley, laughing baby. He has a' great sense of humor when he is grown and I can't imagine something like a hobbit-in-the-box disturbing him. I'm glad you liked it, thank you! :)
Larner · 8 December 2005 · Chapter 25: Least Expected
Definitely a book moment when the sleep spell is dropped, once Old Man Willow feels he has his victims....
Author's reply
It's such a creepy part of the book! I'm sure Merry and Pippin were terrified.
Larner · 6 December 2005 · Chapter 24: A Moment's Peace
No, no rest for the weary and frightened, and Gandalf hurries off to Minas Tirith with Pippin and Merry is left behind--and left behind.... Be wary what you wish for, they say.
Author's reply
This is why I love reading and writing gapfillers. You know what happens before and after, and then you get to imagine those few moments in between. Thanks for reading, Larner!
Pearl Took · 6 December 2005 · Chapter 24: A Moment's Peace
Well done, S.T. :) A good moment between the cousins.
Author's reply
I love it when the cousins are there for each other. I'm glad you liked it too. Thanks, Pearl! :)
Larner · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 23: A Sticky Yule
Trust Pippin to need to confirm his first bite will be as good as the next one! Heh!
Author's reply
And Merry too! I think both of them would have had to try several more marshmallows before making a decision :) Thanks for reading!
Tigger · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 23: A Sticky Yule
Saw the comment about hobbit cookies and had to comment... I attended The Gathering in Toronto in 2003 and I brought along Gingerbread Rangers to our MB's party room. Do your icing outline as usual, only put a White Tree and Seven dotted Stars around the icing White Tree. They're now a tradition in this house. It wouldn't be Christmas w/out em here. Just thought I'd mention that. :o)
Author's reply
Gingerbread Rangers! Now I want to try that (and Gingerbread Hobbits....and maybe a Gingerbread Fellowship! :D). I'm glad you did mention that, I think it's a wonderful, unique idea - much better than the little smiley faces I usually put on my cookies :)
Tigger · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 23: A Sticky Yule
Oh...What a lovely piece of fluff and from Shirebound's lovely AU to boot!! It doesn't get much better than that. Well...A certain Ranger could be there, but I digress... ;o) Loved Pip's "marshmawwos"!! Too cute!! Loved, loved, loved this. Thanks for the lovely Yule tale. :o)
Author's reply
Oh, I love getting a chance to write something in one of Shirebound's AUs. The "Quarantined" is such a loving 'verse full of friendship. I would have included that certain Ranger but he was already at Bag End for a Halloween fic I wrote, and I'm sure he had all sorts of Ranger-y duties in the intervening months :) I'm glad you enjoyed this Yule story! Thank you very much! :)
harrowcat · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 23: A Sticky Yule
As a diabetic toasted marshmallows are a fond but distant memory of happy camping days! But happy hobbits are fun at all times and, while very sweet, do not raise the sugar levels! So, more, more, more!!!
Author's reply
I love writing happy hobbits! Especially wee ones. There's something so sweet about hobbit children. And as you say, they don't affect the blood sugar levels :) I'm very glad you enjoyed this, harrowcat, and thanks for telling me so! :)
Andrea · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 23: A Sticky Yule
That was a sweet little story! I'd love to have a hobbit-shaped cookie cutter :)
Author's reply
I would love a hobbit cookie cutter too! I guess I'll have to make do with a gingerbread man one :) Thanks for reading, Andrea. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
XtremeFrolicker · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 23: A Sticky Yule
What a cute story! I love Pippin's baby voice; it was very cute and fits with how I see you Pippin as well. I am a big fan of this whole series, so keep on writing!
Author's reply
Young hobbits are one of my favorite things to write :D I'm so happy that you enjoyed this, and thanks for telling me so! :)
Pearl Took · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 21: Diamonds of the Earth
Well said . . . they are diamonds indeed :)
Author's reply
I'm glad you think so, too. Thanks, Pearl! :)
Pearl Took · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 22: Double Bubble
Not off base at all, hobbits had wire :) This is as fun as blowing bubbles itself :) Thank you!!
Author's reply
Thank you, Pearl! I'm glad you thought this was fun! I had an image of wee!Pippin blowing bubbles, and I just had to write it. I'm just happy that people indulge me by reading :)
harrowcat · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 22: Double Bubble
This deserves an 'aw'. I actually thought this was set post ring-war at first which would have been fun too!
Author's reply
Hee! A Post-Quest version would have to be Merry and Pippin teaching their own children the magic of bubbles :) Thanks for reading!
Larner · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 22: Double Bubble
I've made bubble mixtures using glycerin, but didn't think of sugar as doing much the same. And I'm certain they'd have some kind of wire, particularly as they had ponies and carts and tools and so on. Wire is so useful with such creations.
Author's reply
How interesting! I've never made bubbles myself, but now I'm tempted. I never would have guessed that sugar or glycerin would be an ingredient at all. Thanks for reading :)
Larner · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 21: Diamonds of the Earth
Oh, the diamond that sparkles and shines, but which may appear a mere bauble when it can cut through the hardest materials and times. A wonderful image in Gimli's own terms.
Author's reply
So well said, Larner! Thank you very much! :)