At the End of His Rope by Lindelea
Grey Wonderer · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 1: The Problem
I remember this opening well from the first time I read this. I love Pippin's talk abut his luck and Diamond's answering jests. She is always so very good with him. Loved the group riciting the words of Sam Gamgee on the need for ropes! Too funny.
Hai Took · 5 February 2005 · Chapter 96: Epilogue
Well I finished this story again. I must say I found it just as enchanting as I did the first time though. Only this time I didn't have to wait for updates ;) There are so many thing incorporated! Everytime one piece comes to an end I'm surprised there's more, although I must say it is always a pleasant surprise ;) I had forgot how much was part of the one story! Pippin's illness, Merry's trouble, the drought, the fever, and I'm sure I missed something! I love that there was a chance for those closest to the hobbits to be able to enter the Shire for a little while. And especially glad that Bergil was allowed to continue to enter! I find Legolas to be a lot of fun. Being a long lost relation and all. Helping to name Merry's daughter as well. Gimli playing Father Yule in Buckland was perfect! The hobbits learning about the New Year in Gondor as well, and Ferdi's consternation at realizing what he hadn't before. There is so much and reading it again I found that certain things I noticed more and found to be more touching. More than once you had me in tears, perhaps my favorite was Sam and Pippin speaking about Frodo, and Pippin admitting to forgetting him. Anyway, I just thought I would let you know I read it again, and I couldn't resist commenting once more. Perhaps I should have commented every chapter as I'm sure I didn't say something I meant to! Thank you for such wonderful expansion of Tolkien's creation!
Author's reply
Though you wrote this quite awhile ago, for some reason there's no reply appearing. Don't know if I wrote one back then and it got lost in a database reload, or if I didn't write one. Just wanted to say, again, thanks for taking time to share your thoughts.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 96: Epilogue
Such a satisfying ending to such a lovely long tale, that held up very well to a second read. Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 95: Healed
Once upon a time Merry said "there are things deeper and higher, and not a gaffer could tend his garden in what he calls peace but for them, whether he knows about them or not. I am glad that I know about them a little." It's finally time that Merry, Pippin and Sam remember this bit of insight. It will do other hobbits good as well, to get a glimpse of the heights. And there is no knowing about the heights without knowing at least a little of the depths.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 94: Fireworks
And this chapter is another I remember very vividly, hobbits finally learning *why* the Travellers are honored, *why* the Big Folk were so solicitous and grateful. And Ferdi's realization that it was Sam who went to the Mountain with Frodo. And I think Pippin underestimates himself. If need be, I think he could have done what Frodo did. But I am glad he did not have to try.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 93: Another Naming Day
I just adore your Naming Day custom and ceremony. It's one of the very nicest things you've come up with for your Shire.
Author's reply
Very belated thanks. I must have been very remiss in answering reviews, and here I thought I was so careful about it. *hug*
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 92: Fighting the Darkness
So wonderful, to see them together fight off the last remnants of the old enemy. Have you seen Silvermoonlady's new fic "March Frost" I read it just before I came back to this tonight. It seemed to fit somehow.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 91: Naming Names
Pippin smiled. 'I have a sense of humour,' he replied. 'It is a great help.' Ah, yes.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 90: Remembering Love
*sniff* Oh.
Author's reply
*hugs* Another review without a reply. Am housekeeping... thanks!
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 89: Back in Time for Tea
And so Ferdi finally gets his first sight of the Brandywine...
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 88: Wolf Trap
Now *this* I remember very well indeed. Stupid ruffians, served them right...
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 87: Payment in Full
There is so much in this chapter, the ending of it is, I think my favorite part of this whole story: Paid in full by Frodo Baggins. Of course, it's only a tiny bit of the debt Men owed Frodo, but at least it lets them feel a little bit as though they are paying the debt. My Aragorn has said more than once that he doesn't feel that the debt will ever be fully paid of what he owes the hobbits, and I would venture to guess yours does too. I did notice Pippin's ruminations about Men and greed and gold and his family not knowing about that, but since "All That Glisters" they will know something after all. This is another chapter that makes me tear up.
Author's reply
The "paid in full" theme was what shaped the story, after Dana egged me on to add to the first chapter (which was supposed to be a stand-alone), and then suggested I ought to keep going after chapter five (I think it was chapter five), which was supposed to be the original ending to the extended version. Originally it was supposed to be a gag, based on Pippin's accident-proneness. (At least where fanfic is concerned) Author Reply: Hah. Just dropping you a note to let you know this chapter has at last been revised to bring it into line with the stories written later. Thanks again.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 86: Bywords
'That's another. Tooks are famous for many things,' Reginard said. 'Most of them uncomplimentary.' Perhaps this could become the Took family motto? LOL!
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 85: "All this Way for Nothing"
Well, Ent-draught to the rescue! *Whew* I hope someone tells Treebeard someday how effective it was in saving Pippin's life.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 83: All that Glitters
*Whew!* You know, I had forgotten all about the part with the mithril coat--I remembered the ambush, but not how it came out.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 82: Yule Celebrations
*sigh* *grin*
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 81: Greeting the Thain
I can imagine Legolas's bemusement on seeing Pippin's new maturity. I'm sure it was a reminder of how swiftly mortal lives flow. I also liked Pippin's contrast of his homecoming now to when the famine had been in full force. Amazing the differences change in circumstance can make in attitude.
Author's reply
It is amazing, just as you said. I miss you, my friend.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 80: Bread and Breakfast
Absolutely delightful. And Legolas can get away with a lot more of managing Pippin than Strider or any of Pip's relatives, because he doesn't see that much of him, and he's not a healer...
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 79: Healer's Eyes
Legolas can be counted on to take good care of his hobbits...
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 78: Sails in the Mist
'Ah, well, you know how it is,' the dwarf grumbled. 'When I was ready to come, he was occupied, and then to pass the time, I'd occupy myself in business and so be unable to get away when he was free.' He cast a demonstrative look at the elf, and Merry laughed. 'So it is all Legolas' fault, as usual,' the Master of Buckland chuckled. 'What is my fault?' Legolas asked, turning from conversation with Elessar. 'Everything,' Gimli grunted, and the elf laughed. 'Of course,' Legolas said I absolutely *adored* this exchange! So very like our curmudgeonly Gimli and our oblivious Elf--the original Odd Couple.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 77: Ghosts of the Past
And another reminder of the family resemblance of Pippin to Frodo. And I loved Faramir's confusion on hearing his namesake called. Delightful.
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 76: Tall Ships
This was so fun! Legolas was so Legolas, and Gimli so very Gimli, if you take my meaning. Can't wait for the reunion scene...
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 75: A Debt to Be Paid
Nice bit of foreshadowing. "Debts must be paid". We are starting to get to one of my favorite parts...
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 74: Yuletide Preparations at the Gamgees'
I love how well Pip's taking care of the Gamgees. Of course by this time they are his own dearest friends as well, but I'm sure he also thinks of it as helping Frodo as well.
Author's reply
Thank you for this insightful comment! You have such a way of cutting to the heart of the matter... (((hugs)))
Dreamflower · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 72: Odds and Ends
Delightful chapter! Wouldn't we all love friends like that to come to our rescue when disaster sends the household into chaos?
Author's reply
Was thinking of you, today, on this anniversary of Katrina. I trust you did have friends who came to your rescue... and pray that such help will not be needed again for a long time to come.