eiluj
· 21 March 2006
· Chapter 100: Spring Quickening
Thank you for the lovely Crickhollow morning, and a lot of memories.
I'll have to try your mint recipes; I'm very fond of mint tea -- hot or cold -- the kind that's just mint leaves. I'm not SCA myself, but have long-term friends who used to be active in Tree-Girt Sea, and a couple of decades ago I would take my going-to-the-Renaissance-Faire-in-costume outfit and some blackwork and hang out with the SCA friends when they were being one of the attractions at nearby summer festivals. Cariadoc was one of the fighters who would spar when the sun wasn't too hot. He was known -- at least locally -- as the only King who ever declared war on himself ... and lost....
When I was in college, my mother let me garden in selected bits of the back yard. She would only let me grow mint in one area. It was bounded by the house's foundation on one side, concrete steps on the second side, A/C's concrete base on the third side, and deep plastic lawn-edging on the fourth side, so it couldn't take over the garden. As it happened, the water spigot was there, so the mint was *very* happy.
And even hobbits have difficulty controlling their mint, as it turns out!
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked the morning at Crickhollow! I think that Merry and Pippin and their families must have been quite happy there together.
Oh, I envy you having know Cariadoc in person! I've only ever known him through the Rialto (rec.org.sca) and through the many legends told of him! He seems a lovely and fascinating person.
If mint didn't taste so good, it would be a weed, LOL!
PIppinfan1988
· 20 March 2006
· Chapter 100: Spring Quickening
Okay...we can add two more recipes to my growing file. ;-) Oh, I'll eventually get to all the rest you have, have no worry. :-) As I've said, I'm no kitchen diva, although slowly, but surely, I'm warming up to it.
What a blissful morning for the young couples! I thoroughly enjoyed the wee fauntlings, the Mint garden, and the fantastic news of Diamond's quickening! I had a good snicker at Merry's reaction...the old vet, lol. Of course, he doesn't remember what it was like as a newlywed...lol. Loved it!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
I hope you do get to try them, if you enjoy cooking at all--they are very fun, and the sekanjabin is really refreshing.
I'm glad you liked it--just a little slice of life at Crickhollow. I have the two couples live there until Merry becomes Master, and then Pippin and Diamond remain until the year before Paladin dies. They rub along famously together, and all the children are more like brothers and sisters than cousins. They just add on to the little cottage whenever they need more room.
Bodkin
· 20 March 2006
· Chapter 100: Spring Quickening
I love Merry and Diamond bonding over the herb beds! While Pippin and Estella look proudly on. And, somehow, I'm not surprised that a little Took is on the way so quickly. They're an impatient lot!
Nice use of mint, too.
Author's reply
It just seemed to me a natural common interest: an amateur herbalist and a healer would definitely find lots to talk about. And Pippin and Estella would be pleased at their spouses being such good friends.
I had both my young couples start their families right away. Sam and Rosie didn't waste any time, so I don't see why Merry and Pippin would have.
And the Tooks really are an impatient lot! 8-D
Pearl Took
· 20 March 2006
· Chapter 100: Spring Quickening
This was sweet, cute and informative :) Well done!
Author's reply
Thank you!
Larner
· 20 March 2006
· Chapter 100: Spring Quickening
Yes, she would know. And glad they have uses for the excess mint!
Author's reply
Of course she would.
And there are loads of uses for mint, thankfully, because it really will run rampant if it's not kept in check. It's worse than zucchinni.
GamgeeFest
· 18 March 2006
· Chapter 39: Captain Freddy
That last line says it all. Freddy had so much on his shoulders once he took on the responsibility of Captain to the renegades. He will likely feel that pressure the rest of his life, for he'll always remember the ones he did lose. Just beautiful.
Author's reply
Yes, Fredegar ended up having to take on the rebellion without ever having the sort of experience and training that enabled Merry and Pippin to succeed, and his fate is what would have befallen them (if not worse) had they been in the Shire themselves during the Troubles.
And, like the others, he will never forget what he went through.
GamgeeFest
· 18 March 2006
· Chapter 38: On the Blessed Isle
Sam has his own healing to do. The loss of Rose would have left a hole in his heart nearly as big as the one that Frodo had left. Sweet and touching, it shows Sam's wonder at being in Valinor and the grief of his loss in so few words.
Author's reply
However happy and grateful Sam was to go to the Blessed Realm and to see Frodo again, he is still going to be missing and grieving over his Rose! I simply can't understand fics where he seemingly forgets all about her once he sees Frodo again.
GamgeeFest
· 18 March 2006
· Chapter 37: Seven (Going on Thirty-nine)
That first night without his Frodo must have been the worst night of his life until the Quest. Poor little Merry. I'm sure Frodo missed him too.
Author's reply
Yes, I think they missed one another dreadfully. In my Shire, Merry was actually visiting and staying at Bag End when Bilbo adopted Frodo, and it was not until he returned home without him that his loss truly struck him.
GamgeeFest
· 18 March 2006
· Chapter 36: A Thorny Problem
I could have sworn I reviewed this when I first read it, but I guess I didn't. It's still as delightful to read now as it was then. I love all the hobbit-talk and Boromir's embarassment at being the center of attention because of his misstep and Pippin's pride at having done something useful.
Author's reply
I thought you must have, too. But it's good to know that it stands up to repeated readings! I had a lot of fun writing this one.
GamgeeFest
· 18 March 2006
· Chapter 35: In The Sitting Room
Poor Pippin. He's been homesick for the Shire for so long, and now that he's there, he's homesick for the friends he made on the Quest. Feeling so out of place doesn't help matters and being the center of attention, which he never minded before, is now trying and warying. At least he found an audience he could pour his griefs into. Beautiful story!
Author's reply
Yes, he is homesick for his friends. He made a whole 'nother family for himself outside the Shire, and of course he misses them. And being the focus of attention is one thing when you are singing or performing, but it's another thing altogether when you are the object of speculation and gossip.
I've always envisioned his older "Aunties" as being rather like grandmothers to Pippin and his sister. And because they rather share an interest in music, he is especially close to his sweet and gentle Aunt Peridot. She'll listen and accept, which is what he so desperately needs.
GamgeeFest
· 18 March 2006
· Chapter 33: Hide and Seek
Awww! So sweet! But then you have to add that little twinge of angst at the end. Unfortunately, Mirabella will learn too soon what she would do without Primula.
Author's reply
The great thing about fanfic is, we already know what happens to the characters. And when we know one is doomed, even the fluffiest bit of fluff seems bittersweet, as we contemplate the ultimate end in canon. It adds a bit of depth to a story, for which we can take no credit at all. It all rests on the professor's foundation.
GamgeeFest
· 17 March 2006
· Chapter 24: In the Style of Ogden Nash
LOL, The Council of Elrond is hilarious! They did make it rather "entertaining" for such a drawn out history lesson. *grins* Love the others too.
Author's reply
*snicker*
I just thought the Council of Elrond was ripe for it; so many people *do* find it boring--I never did, though I did find it a tad *confusing* the first time. But I've heard so many complaints about "lack of action" and "talking heads" from other people.
Ogden Nash is hilarious, and the way he plays with words is so cute and quirky--they were contemporaries, and I've sometimes wondered if JRRT might have liked his little verses.
GamgeeFest
· 17 March 2006
· Chapter 23: The Lady's Gift
I've never thought of Galadriel gathering the soil and seed to put into the box, nor where she might have gotten the box from. A very well placed gift, and a gentler side of Galadriel that is often forgotten.
Author's reply
I think that Sam might have been just the person to bring out her gentler side--he's so humble and unassuming in his wisdom, and his own gentle heart must have impressed her.
Anso the Hobbit
· 16 March 2006
· Chapter 99: Traveller's Tales
This is your challenge story! I'm glad you put it up here as I haven't managed to read all the challenge stories yet. :D
This was great. It's a lovely gapfiller to the troubles the hobbits could come upon because of the edict and I like your portrayal of our dear hobbits in this one (as always of course, but it doesn't hurt to say it once in a while). Can't help but love those lads! :D
Author's reply
Hi Anso! I just found your review here and realized I had not replied--I am so sorry!
And I am very glad that you enjoyed this one!
Bodkin
· 16 March 2006
· Chapter 99: Traveller's Tales
I like seeing grown-up Merry and Pippin dealing with the delights of the Prancing Pony. And the tinker is a very good example of why the wholesale exclusion of men from the Shire might not have been such a hot idea. I rather hope that the three remaining Travellers get Elessar to drop it - or put limitations on its extent. It's especially silly when you consider that the Great West Road goes through the Shire (doesn't it?)
Mind you, going into business with dwarves could be a good scheme - and profitable to both.
Author's reply
Goodness! I just keep finding reviews tonight that I have missed responding to! I do apologize!
I have *always* thought that the Ban was a bad idea on the whole--which is why I put loopholes in my version of it. After all, we are not given details as to the edict--only the statement that Aragorn himself abided by it. But I think that it surely underwent a trial period, and that if there *were* to be exceptions, he would have left it to the *hobbits* to decide what they would be, not the Men.
Oh, I think that, yes, it would be a good idea myself. And I hope that the tinker found it so!
Ah, this is great! Yea for good Merry and Pip stories!! :)
GOd Bless,
Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
Thank you! I do love Merry and Pip stories, and Merry and Frodo, and Frodo and Pippin, and Sam and Frodo, and Sam and Merry, and Sam and Pippin, and Frodo and Merry and Pippin and Sam--and occasionally throw in Bilbo, Fredegar and Folco--I do so love hobbits!
Yes, I somehow had missed this one. Thank you for this short, sweet and true to the story and characters fic! I've been through a few of them tonight, and this is the best so far. You make the characters as I remember reading them, the way they were when I grew to love them. Thank you!
Author's reply
Well, I'm pleased you got to read it. This was a request from Marigold--I had already done "Kingly Gifts", which was my Cormallen fic, but she asked to hear more about Pippin's birthday while he was there, so you might say it was a gap-filler for a gap-filler, LOL!
And I thank you so much for the compliment. To say that my characters are *in character* is about the biggest compliment you could pay me!
Thank *you* for the kind words!
Arwen of Lorien
· 13 March 2006
· Chapter 21: Under the Lilac Bushes
Greeting Mrs. Dreamflower. I loved your funny, thoughtful, creative stories.
I really enjoyed reading them! You have such a cute way with hobbits and amazing Bio!So you know Lindalea? (I think this is how you spell her name) She edits some of my friends stories also! I have plenty to read now that I have seen your talent. You have alot of stories! Namarie and God bless! Arwen
Author's reply
Why thank you very much, dear! I appreciate you stopping by to let me know that you are enjoying my stories. I hope that they give you as much pleasure to read as they did for me to write them.
I have always admired Lindelea's fics, and have come to know her online. I do not often use a beta, and seldom the same person twice, but I was very pleased that Lin is doing me the honor of beta-ing my new WIP.
I do, I have a "lot" of stories, LOL!
PIppinfan1988
· 13 March 2006
· Chapter 99: Traveller's Tales
A couple of old, dusty travellers now, aren't they (Pippin and Merry)? Pippin has grown up so much.
LOL, I still get a snicker from the "wedding gift"! I really enjoyed this wonderful tale! :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes, it's getting to be routine, these runs to Bree to meet with the King's Messengers...
I'm glad you liked that as an idiom. I wanted something that would be very hobbity, so this worked for me.
Larner
· 13 March 2006
· Chapter 99: Traveller's Tales
Nicely done, Dreamflower. And nice to see the story is being made known in Bree at the last.
Author's reply
Thanks!
I think with the King's Messenger making regular stops there, it would be pretty hard for the Bree-folk to continue denying what all had happened! Though I am sure it was really hard for them to imagine "Strider" as the King, LOL!
good_one_pip
· 13 March 2006
· Chapter 62: Whisper of Hope
Is this the same seashell that pops up in Grey Wonderer's "Trust a Brandybuck and a Took story?" Anyway, I'm so glad Merry can be himself again. It really breaks my heart to see any of our hobbits in pain.
Author's reply
We both wrote our stories for the same Marigold's Challenge 19--we had similar elements that we had to include, so by sheer coincidence (or Marigold's deviousness, LOL!) our stories seemed to fit together. In two other of her challenges, I've had my stories "fit" with someone elses'. Amazing!
It is heartbreaking to see them in distress--but at least we know that things worked out for them in the end.
Anonymous
· 13 March 2006
· Chapter 59: The Knight Has Been Unruly
It took me until halfway through the story to realize that the Rory that jumped into the pool was none other than our Merry's grandfather! HAHAHA! Your ability to think up all those hobbit names never ceases to amaze me.
An interesting take on the whole fireworks thing. That was great! Bilbo, up to mischief, Bilbo as a tween for that matter! A funny thought in itself.
Author's reply
*chuckle* Yes, that was Merry's grandfather and Frodo's uncle Rory.
Most of the hobbit names I used in this story came straight off the family tree in Appendix C, but most of the time when I need male hobbit names, I use this site:
http://www.gaminggeeks.org/Resources/KateMonk/
For female names, I have a garden catalog I keep handy, LOL!
I just thought it would be funny, if the whole fireworks thing had happened, but that PJ got it wrong, and it happened to their older relatives instead of to Merry and Pippin themselves! This was the first time I wrote Bilbo as a tween, but I really like the idea, and have written at least one more of him at that age.
good_one_pip
· 13 March 2006
· Chapter 9: At the Inn in Bree
Ah, good old Pip and his unquenchable cheerfullness. Although I sometimes take up the nickname Pip, I really don't have his kind of optimism. I wish I did. But anyway, you did a good job of capturing his personality.
It kind of makes my heart shatter, though, when they talk about things not being so bad because they were all together. If only they knew that in a book and a half they would all be split up...no, it was better they didn't know.
Author's reply
Pippin really is a very optimistic personality, but not because he thinks everything will always be all right, but because he does everything in his own power to make things as all right as he can.
It's hard. You want to warn them. But we have to remember what we know and what they know are two different things. It makes things very ironic and bittersweet at times.
Anso the Hobbit
· 12 March 2006
· Chapter 98: Five Years Old
Adorable! And quite breathtaking, lol, just like Pippin. *giggles* It is always a treat to see such enthusiasm between the cousins I think. I always smile when reading about how they love each other. :D
Author's reply
I always smile when reading about how they love each other. :D
So do I. *sigh* They are so sweet together, and cousinfic just makes me all sentimental.
Anso the Hobbit
· 12 March 2006
· Chapter 97: "Dear Frodo..."
Oh. That is just so beautiful and sad. Those dear cousins! I couldn't help but laugh a bit at Merry's hasty letters though, lol! He's such an eager one. :D Lovely, dear! Just lovely.
Author's reply
It is so sad. Merry's only little when he writes them--he's always been an eager one, as you said. Thank you very much.