This and That by Lindelea
Bodkin · 21 December 2005 · Chapter 11: A Very (Pippin) Yule
Letting Merry and Ferdi near the pile of gifts seems remarkably reckless - even if Pearl really badly needed to 'go'. But it worked out all right in the end. Love the image of the little cooing Pippin emerging from the wrappings.
Author's reply
I think that Pearl wasn't thinking all too clearly at that moment; sheer desperation sums up her attitude. Thanks!
Larner · 6 December 2005 · Chapter 10: A Shivery Tale
So, Gandalf would cast doubt on the influence he had on Isengar going off to sea, would he? Nice tie-in to your longer story, to which I look forward still, you know! Anyway, I can see that, given a chance, Isengar did wake up and was able to be clearheaded and free-spirited again. Love the polar bears and the seals. Bungo's reaction reminded me of reading Herodotus the first time and laughing at his surety that the shadows wouldn't lie to the south if one went around the horn of Africa.
Author's reply
Yes, Isengar did wake up, and there may even be another adventure or two in the not-so-old hobbit... We'll see. Herodotus. I haven't read Herodotus. Do you recommend him?
harrowcat · 5 December 2005 · Chapter 10: A Shivery Tale
A good title and a great tale Lindelea. Now I must nip off and put the fire on!
Author's reply
O yes, a fire's the thing. *shiver* Think I'll fill a hot-water bottle and seek my bed... Don't know why wet cold (it's rainy now) is so much *colder* than dry cold! (Now that the ice from the weekend's snow-and-ice storm has melted.)
Bodkin · 5 December 2005 · Chapter 10: A Shivery Tale
I just loved this. Partly because I have become hugely protective of poor Uncle Isen. He went off for adventure and saw the world - and came back broken to be despised by stick-in-the-mud hobbits with no awareness of anything beyond the horizon. And then - it's such a good story!
Author's reply
Well thanks! I do like Uncle Isen more and more as I get to know him. I think he's in for a better time, at least for the time being, as you can tell from the tone of this snippet.
Larner · 26 September 2005 · Chapter 9: The Wings of Eagles
Aha! A wonderful image, Gwaihir and his sons coming to honor Sam and to acknowledge the honor due themselves as well! Lovely, Lindelea.
Bodkin · 26 September 2005 · Chapter 9: The Wings of Eagles
This is a delightful story. Sam is just so modest he must drive his friends and family mad! And to think of Gwaihir being so impressed by him that he wishes to bring his sons to meet him. Faramir is just melting with respect. And Goldi is feeling smug to end smug. I love the way Pippin asks Sam's permission to be present. He'll get Sam accustomed to being a hobbit of power and influence in the end. Terrific.
Anso the Hobbit · 8 September 2005 · Chapter 8: Gift from a Land beyond the Sea
This is great! Everything to make the Ring-bearer eat, lol.
Larner · 6 September 2005 · Chapter 8: Gift from a Land beyond the Sea
Yes, anything to tempt the Ringbearer back to hobbit wholeness, not that that truly came to him. Love the special treats in store for Pippin, too, though. Lovely thoughts and images. Popcorn for our beloved Hobbits. (Although they did have potatoes and squash, and so would probably have had popcorn as well--although this ties Aman to the Americas in this story.)
Bodkin · 6 September 2005 · Chapter 8: Gift from a Land beyond the Sea
Poor Pippin. Dragged away from the chance to munch popcorn by dismal duty. The responsibility! He'll hardly be able to manage the weight of that tray! Do you think Sam should suggest the saving of some seed to see if he can coax it to grow in Gondor and/or the Shire? I'm sure Pippin would agree that it's a good idea. Good for Aragorn - using up some of his precious wedding gift to get Frodo eating. (If Sam learns to grow the stuff, he would be truly rewarded. And then, of course, it could become tremendously popular in Middle Earth and replace pipeweed production in the Shire which would be much healthier and make huge fortunes for the popcorn barons. Ahh, I'm getting carried away!!!)
Larner · 29 July 2005 · Chapter 7: To Climb a Tree
Ooh, I LIKE it, the image of Pippin taking over, reassuring and rescuing for once for all his youth. Lovely, lovely! And the idea that once Frodo makes a command others respond specifically because such are so unusual is a wonderful one! Excellent story!
Author's reply
Thanks! I'm glad Marigold gave me the starter she did, for it shaped the whole story. (And yet, it makes perfect sense to me, seeing how it was Pippin's quick wits that saved himself and Merry in "The Uruk-hai".) Yes, Frodo doesn't seem the pushy sort to me, but then there is that moment of command where he stands before Gollum and orders him "down". I see you've started a new story. Hopefully I'll find a bit of time next week to read!
Andrea · 29 July 2005 · Chapter 7: To Climb a Tree
There go my hopes for the recovery of Ferdibrand! I would have liked to see him safe and sound again! I like Pippin in this story. It started with Merry trying to save Pippin, but in the end, Pippin was the one who saved Merry's life. "I keep climbing, and he keeps up a stream of encouragement, as if he's the older cousin and I'm the younger. For some reason I don't mind." Thank you :)
Author's reply
O dear. You perhaps didn't realise that Ferdi in the Interludes of "Healer's Tale" (whom Pippin would choose as his successor to be Thain) about 40 years later (when Pippin is all grown up and Thain), is the same as Ferdi (who fell out of the tree) in the early-Woodruff chapters? Yes, he does go through a rough time, which starts some time after Bilbo's infamous Birthday (about five years after he fell out of the tree, in other words), but it has nothing to do with his falling out of the tree in "Healer's Tale". Hope that's not too much of a spoiler for you. It's detailed in a story called something like "Pearl of Great Price". His life finally gets better at the end of "Flames", and in the middle of "StarFire" (part of which runs concurrent with "Flames"). I like the role-reversal as well, and am glad that Marigold gave me the story starter that she did! Thanks!
Pearl Took · 16 May 2005 · Chapter 6: Heart Calls to Heart
Haunting and beautiful. VWD
Author's reply
Thank you, friend!
Eruanna · 16 May 2005 · Chapter 6: Heart Calls to Heart
A beautifully written piece, so expressive and full of sorrow and compassion. This really touched my heart, I can't tell you how much. Thank you for posting this! Blessings, Eruanna
Author's reply
Ah, thank you for your encouraging words.
Larner · 16 May 2005 · Chapter 6: Heart Calls to Heart
This is most likely from Sam, but could be from any of them, I suppose. And you say you don't like Grey Havens segments? Lovely.
Author's reply
You're right, this was Sam's, though the first part could have been any or all. No, I really don't like Grey Havens segments. I've always regretted that Frodo had to leave the Shire, you see. I even wrote an AU where he stayed, and lived happily ever after!
Armariel · 15 May 2005 · Chapter 6: Heart Calls to Heart
Brava! brilliant job. Very clever, it works!
Author's reply
Thanks! I appreciate your taking time to leave a review.
Larner · 26 April 2005 · Chapter 5: The Dancing Lesson
Ah, the teaching of Frodo Baggins to dance. Lovely!
Author's reply
Much belated thanks!
Armariel · 26 April 2005 · Chapter 5: The Dancing Lesson
Brava!!! They're all delightful, but I like the one about the pigsty best. Gotta love that Pippin, what? LOLOL
Author's reply
A very belated thank you. And yes, I do indeed love the lad. Such a character!
MaidenofValinor · 25 April 2005 · Chapter 5: The Dancing Lesson
A highly amusing addition to my day. I must say that Bilbo does come up with some wonderful ideas. The first one reminded me strongly of Dumbo, I cannot imagine why. :) Anyway, I am glad that Frodo has found a way to please the lasses, or at least his Uncle Bilbo.
Author's reply
Thanks! Gee, I wonder if Bilbo heard the story of Dumbo in his youth... Na-a-a-ah. Perhaps it had something to do with the video going on in the other room at the time this was in the works... *g*
Bodkin · 9 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Something to Do before the End
I do like Boromir and the hobbits. Even post-mortem Boromir. All the touches like Pippin growing less substantial to Boromir's touch as he returned closer to the living world are excellent. And I'm glad to see Denethor's madness leaving him in death, so that he can be reconciled with his son - and that he honours Beregond for his actions. It's lovely picturing Boromir fighting to keep life in Pippin until Gimli finds him and Aragorn and later Merry can anchor him.
Author's reply
"even post-mortem Boromir" Hmmm. Bet you don't hear that every day. Glad the "touch" detail came through clear, that Boromir and Pippin were existing on separate planes and that they could only touch when Pippin was crossing from one to the other, and that when he pulled back into the world of the living, he became less substantial on the "other side". It is satisfying to give Denethor his healing. I seem to remember someone (Gandalf?) telling Pippin that Denethor is a "great man" but I forget the context. Thanks!
Larner · 6 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Something to Do before the End
Oh, I LOVE this one--so love this one--Boromir supporting Pippin until Merry could get there. Thank you so much for this story--it is a definite keeper!
Author's reply
You are very welcome!
Larner · 17 March 2005 · Chapter 3: In a Pig's Eye
Oh, I can so appreciate the exhausted Pippin who finds the pig sty fascinating. Poor, poor Merry.
Author's reply
Poor Merry. It's the sort of thing to laugh about, sitting around and sipping brandy, years later.
Larner · 17 March 2005 · Chapter 2: The Un-Expected Guest
Aha, Frodo the party crasher! What a birthday surprise indeed!
Larner · 17 March 2005 · Chapter 1: Dorwinion Wine
Been a while since I read this one. Still love it. And perching in a tree might make it easier to sing such a sont.
Author's reply
Hm. Was it perching in the tree that spawned the song, or the song that led to the perching?
Connie B. · 16 March 2005 · Chapter 3: In a Pig's Eye
Amazing what being over-tired can do to some people, especially if that person has a tendancy to be a bit hyper to start with. This story really shows how much the Quest changed our young Pippin. It's sad in a way that he grew up so fast, but I like the person he became so much. Sorry I didn't review this on the Challenge 14 sight. I haven't been up to my usual standards the last couple of weeks. There's been a bug going around, and jsut when I thought I was over it, it made a return visit. Now I just hope I can pull it together to write my Challenge 15 story. I wish I'd read this sooner. Thanks. Connie B.
Author's reply
Poor thing, I hope you're well over your bug by now. I just seem to keep catching different ones--one after the other. I have been at that level of exhaustion, one of a group of young teens, all of us very silly after paddling-and-portaging through the wilderness for a number of days. It's the sort of thing that makes people put a "safety" rope around their waists to play in a waterfall... probably not something our counselors would have done, had *they* not been in the same state. And then to lie on the shore of an island in the middle of a pristine lake, after all the gear is tucked under the overturned canoes and dinner is eaten and everything washed up... calling back and forth with the loons across the water, while the stars come out and the Northern Lights dance. Whew.
Bodkin · 16 March 2005 · Chapter 3: In a Pig's Eye
Is 'dippy as a Took' a new simile in the Shire? Although, apart from wallowing in a pig sty, I can see why Pippin is so excited. Everything else emphasises the difference between hobbits and elves - but they both have pigs. But I do think Pippin's reaction suggests he might have found and eaten some magic mushrooms as well as the more normal sort! So, then, Lindelea - how did Pippin and Merry convince the august Elf Lord that they were up to the task?
Author's reply
LOL, is that a plot bunny I see before me? You're spot on with why Pippin is so excited. Exhausted, exhilarated (how DOES one spell that word?), and not a little homesick. Ummm, with the exception, perhaps, of the magic mushrooms. Dippy as a Took? Hmm, there's got to be some sort of Middle-earthish way to say that.