Larner
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 32: O Pilgrim Grey!
And so it is that here the Hobbits are able to lead in the healing which must come.
I am strongly reminded of Baylor's "The Care and Feeding of Hobbits" in the chapter set in just this setting, as there, too, the Hobbits lead the grieving and the remembrance of the good times as well.
Very lovely.
Author's reply
"Care and Feeding" remains near the top of my all time favorite fics. It was one of the first I ever read, and that this reminds you of it I find very flattering indeed.
I think, because they are so open about their feelings, the Hobbits *are* able to lead in the grieving--Men, Dwarves, even Elves, are taught to appear untouched by their feelings, whatever their true state of mind might be. To show one's pain openly is to appear vulnerable. But Hobbits *know* they are vulnerable, and see no need to pretend to be something they are not, nor would it appear sense to them to deny their grief.
Pearl Took
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 32: O Pilgrim Grey!
I'm teary myself. This was such a great loss for all of them and you have captured it well.
Beautiful!
Author's reply
It was indeed. I still remember my own grief, and how stunned I was by Gandalf's fall the very first time I read the book. I had no idea then that he would return, and I was so shocked that JRRT had killed him off.
Pearl Took
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 28: That Song...
I'm a heartless beast!! I thought sure I had left a response for this one!!!
Of all the songs . . .
I love the image in my mind of Galadriel singing it :D :D :D ROFL
MEWD!!!!
Author's reply
*snerk*
Yes, the hobbit equivalent of "99 Bottles of Beer" (although hobbits would probably like that, too, LOL!) and then translated...
I could just see Galadriel, after that heartbreaking farewell song, humming along on the way back to Caras Galadon, and then suddenly realizing *what* she was singing! *evil grin*
Pearl Took
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 26: A Convivial Evening
Drat me!!! I read this and didn't respond!!!
I love this. I love dear Boromir. And your Bilbo is terrific!!
Well Done :)
Author's reply
Thank you very much! I really enjoyed writing this one. Bilbo gives a good party, doesn't he?
Larner
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 30: Too Long
Oh, Merry, so dependent on knowing his little Pippin is all right.
Author's reply
Yes, Merry is very much dependent on knowing that those he loves are safe, and most especially for Pippin, who he's always taken care of.
Queen Galadriel
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 32: O Pilgrim Grey!
Oh, how very poignant! I like seeing these moments through Aragorn's eyes. Beautiful-it makes one feel the grief with them.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
For some reason this one wanted to be in Aragorn's first person POV. I've only done that a very few times, yet I felt that we needed to see how he felt, dealing with this aftermath of Gandalf's loss.
harrowcat
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 32: O Pilgrim Grey!
I always love this bit in both book and film. I, too, want a translation of what the elves are singing but Frodo's poem with Sam's addition is lovely and very hobbity. I felt my own tears starting with Aragorn's and felt the weight of the trust of the Fellowship settle onto his shoulders along with Frodo while he was musing on what he knew of Gandalf's plans.
I had never thought of that aspect of the Fellowship leaving Lothlorien - that it needed to be safe both for them and for the inhabitants of the Golden Wood. Lovely writing as usual Dreamflower.
Author's reply
Well, you know, I realized that Aragorn would know what the songs said as well as Legolas did. I actually checked the lyrics of the songs as they were done for the film, and was surprised to discover that the English translations were rather unimpressive and prosaic. Hence why Aragorn says the true meaning is lost--the Sindarin has nuances that a literal translation does not capture.
Frodo's and Sam's verses really touched me--especially poor Sam's; as you said, very hobbity and heartfelt.
Yes, Frodo had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and Aragorn had the weight of Frodo on his.
I think that their sojourn in Lorien must have been as long as it was for the same reason as their lengthy stay in Rivendell. The movements of the enemy had to be accounted for, and it had to be safe for both them and for Lothlorien, when they did leave.
Bodkin
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 30: Too Long
Merry would like to wrap up all those he loves and tuck them away somewhere safe. He's natural hero material. Accepting the choices of others though ... better he learns how before he marries Estella!
Author's reply
Yes, he would. And the Quest made it worse, for he could not help but feel less than effective at being a protector when he can't even begin to imagine all the dangers ahead of them. It had to make him tense.
I agree. Poor Estella--I'm sure it would get frustrating for her. But somehow I don't think it's a lesson he ever completely learns. He just learns how to be more tactful and less obvious about it over the passing years.
Pearl Took
· 14 February 2006
· Chapter 30: Too Long
This is one of those things that is just so right - so real. I can deffinitely see Merry fretting like this. A very telling wee moment. Well Done :) :)
Author's reply
Merry would fret. He is not one to be happy to let any of his loved ones out from under his eye, no matter how briefly.
Thank you!
Imrahoil
· 14 February 2006
· Chapter 29: Never Give Up
Oh, sorry. You have to fill in your e-mail adress for the reply function to work, stands to reason, and I don't do that most of the time. But now I have found the story - on my own, clever Imrahoil ;-) - and I have read it and I love it. Love Boromir and Merry and Gimli and Glorfindel and the family jewels and Sam's suspicion ... And it's miiine. Oops, there I go again.
Author's reply
I'm so *glad* you loved it! And yes, it's yours! *grin*
I'd had the bunny way in the back of my head some time ago, and had nearly forgotten it; then you asked for Ring-less Boromir with hobbits, and it began to niggle at my brain. But it wasn't until I realized that it was perfect for the "yield" prompt on 20_rings that it actually started to gel into an actual story. And it came out a good deal longer than I had originally planned. But I don't guess you *mind* that part, LOL!
Grey Wonderer
· 14 February 2006
· Chapter 30: Too Long
I usually catch these over on LJ but I must have missed this one. Another perfect drabble. I have no clue how you manage that. I enjoyed this one.
Author's reply
*grin* I just write them, and count the words, and add or subtract until I reach 100. *ONE* time I actually wrote a perfect one off the bat!
Imrahoil
· 14 February 2006
· Chapter 29: Never Give Up
Look, what's here, my story, and I missed it. It's not even a ficlet, it's a real STORY with all of them in it. Thank you so much. Now, I'm going to read MY story. And afterwards I will try to behave like an adult again.
Author's reply
Yay! You *found* it! I had tried to let you know via the reply feature on the other story, but I wasn't sure if you ever got the notice!
Yes, I had been searching my brain for the right bunny for you, and as soon as I saw the "yield" prompt, it began to come together for me!
harrowcat
· 13 February 2006
· Chapter 30: Too Long
I guess 10 seconds would have seemed too long for Merry!
Author's reply
Well, he *does* tend to worry about his cousins when they are not under his eye. *grin*
Queen Galadriel
· 13 February 2006
· Chapter 30: Too Long
Wow! I'm for ever amazed by the power of drabbles! This one says so much in so few words.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
100 words can say a good deal, can't they?
Lindelea
· 13 February 2006
· Chapter 30: Too Long
Ah, Merry. Time is so relative. Bet it only *seems* longer.
(Or is there a Quest bunny nibbling at Dreamflower's ankles?)
Author's reply
I think it's only seeming longer. *grin*
I have any number of Quest bunnies nibbling at me. But they will have to wait in line...
Kitty
· 6 February 2006
· Chapter 29: Never Give Up
Sorry for not reviewing earlier, but last week I had barely time to even read at least part of all the updates I wanted to read and review and am still busy catching up.
That is so very typical of Sam, not wanting to sparr with Merry or Pippin! Of course, it wouldn’t be proper *eg*
The sword fighting lessons were very interesting and, of course, amusing and touching. The hobbit’s understandable doubts in the beginning, Merry’s and Pippin’s eagerness ... and I can understand even more why they loved Boromir so much.
In hindsight, Boromir did a wonderful job and saved with these lessons not only the two hobbits, but a lot of other people, too. He put so much effort in the teaching of these two, although – or because - he knew how much at a disadvantage they were, and worked so hard with them to overcome this disadvantage as well as possible. It is truly a pity he didn’t live to see them fight at the Pelennor and the Morannon. He would have been so very proud of them!
The padded leather „armor“ is a good idea, and I suppose it doesn’t hinder them so much as real armor. And you know, the family jewels is a absolutely priceless expression! *rofl*
Frodo chuckled. “No doubt he can.” He found it quite humorous that while Sam felt the Gondorian son of the Steward “too grand”, he still felt comfortable calling the Heir of Isildur “Strider”. Oh, I hadn’t seen is this way, but that is only too true! *giggle* I wonder if it had truly sunk in in Sam's brain *who* exactly Strider was at this time.
Author's reply
Well, of course, it was not only the impropriety of it. Sam had a "feeling" about Boromir, but he wasn't sure what it was, so he used "proper" as an excuse--although I am sure he would also not have been comfortable with doing something so improper.
Boromir I see as being very good at teaching swordplay. He would know just the kind of thing necessary to teach them in order to give them what advantages he could. I hope that somehow he was able to know that his teaching saved them.
Glad you liked the idea of the leather "armor", and the "cups", LOL! But I just felt that if they were to learn how to fight without pulling their blows for safety's sake, they needed something of the sort.
I don't think it had. He heard the stories, but he *knew* Strider, and I think that first impression would have colored his attitude.
Larner
· 5 February 2006
· Chapter 29: Never Give Up
A lovely technical win, I must say. Very believable, and wonderful characterizations of all.
Author's reply
A technical win, but a win, nonetheless. I am quite sure that Merry is going to make a point of breathing properly from here on out!
I'm glad you thought it believable--it always seemed to me that Merry's and Pippin's training *must* have begun before they set out, because pick-up fights on the trail were simply not going to be enough to impart to them the skills they eventually showed when they finally were forced to actually defend themselves.
Larner
· 5 February 2006
· Chapter 28: That Song...
"Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer"--Hobbit-style, and then translated to Sindarin and infecting Elvendom! Oh, how hilarious! Hilarious!
Author's reply
Yes, the earworm that invaded Arda.
I had thought up the song some time back for a young hobbits fic, and it seemed to me that Pippin and Legolas might just be mischievous enough to do that to everyone!
Larner
· 5 February 2006
· Chapter 27: A Conspiracy of Comedy
Worth the delay to get the desired response; and the thought of those garish stockings on a dwarf's feet is making me smile. And glad it was Aragorn who finally got the desired effect!
Author's reply
Well, it's quite clear that Merry, Sam and Pippin thought the delay worth it--and really, Gandalf, too!
It just occured to me that we never really *know* what's under those boots, do we? What if Dwarves have a thing for colorful stockings? LOL!
Yes, it just had to be Aragorn (and Gandalf) who finally pulled that smile out of him. *grin*
Bodkin
· 4 February 2006
· Chapter 29: Never Give Up
Well - if anything will make Merry breathe when fighting, it'll be having lost to Pippin! He will find that very hard to take - especially if his younger cousin makes a point of gloating as much as possible.
It's a shame Sam won't take part in the training - he will need the skill and it isn't really something you can learn by watching. His mind might know what to do, but his body won't. He needs to learn now, before he and Frodo end up on their own.
I love the sense that takes Merry and Pippin to Gloin and Gimli to ask about the truth of fighting tall men when you are short and outreached. And it all sounds very sensible to me!
Excellent chapter - really enjoyed it.
Author's reply
Yes, indeed. This is going to rankle. And Pippin is not the *deliberately* gloating type, but of course he *is* a chatterer, and beating Merry is not something that often happens to him, so he *will* go on and on about it--harder for Merry to take than if Pippin *did* gloat on purpose, LOL!
As you can tell, I thought Sam might have a "feeling" about Boromir, one that he could not really put into words, but that would make training with him uncomofortable. But he's observant, and I think that he probably *will* ask "good old Strider" for some help along the way as well. But he's not going to put himself forward, either.
It just seemed to me the sort of concern that the two would have, as they began to see the reality of fighting foes twice as large or larger, than they. And it *would* make sense to ask people who might have such experience about the feasibility of it.
Queen Galadriel
· 3 February 2006
· Chapter 29: Never Give Up
Very entertaining and well written! I love gap-fillers that tell something of the hobbits' time in Rivendell, whether before or after the quest. And what a wonderful description of the training! Again, you've managed to capture everyone perfectly! I really enjoyed this.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I like Rivendell gap-fillers myself!
I'm glad you liked this story. Imrahoil had asked for Boromir-hobbits, and when I was searching for a bunny, and saw the prompt "yield" for this challenge, it seemed like the perfect chance to do this.
Pearl Took
· 3 February 2006
· Chapter 29: Never Give Up
Well done!!
The sword fighting details all sounded fine. I do know that some SCA folk have no idea of correct swordsmanship or classical fencing, only theatrical. Others I know have studied proper form for their weapons. I'm a classical fencer and this all sounded good :) :)
Yea, Pippin!! Huzzah!!!
About time he won ;)
Author's reply
Well, while I'm not a fighter myself, I've watched quite a few tourneys and fighter practices, and overheard quite a few bits and pieces of advice from marshalls to new fighters. That said, of course, since this is meant for Boromir teaching the hobbits how to fight to survive, he is advising them to do just the opposite of some things that SCA fighters are not allowed to do, such as striking from behind, or blows to "illegal" areas such as knees and ankles, LOL!
And, yeah, I thought it would be good for Pippin to win. I see Merry as one of those extremely competitive types. This is not natural to my Pippin, who is more interested in having fun than in winning. But Merry has always pushed Pippin to try harder, because while he wants to win, he doesn't like to win "too easily"--and he thinks Pippin *should* be more competitive, LOL!
*sigh* I always wanted to try fencing, but, alas I am too old and out of shape to try it now.
harrowcat
· 3 February 2006
· Chapter 29: Never Give Up
I didn't want to hear the end of this either, Dreamflower. It was so great and full of description which I love.
Author's reply
Thanks! I did indulge myself with the description in this one!
Queen Galadriel
· 2 February 2006
· Chapter 2: Playing at Stones
Awww! Very cute! Of course Pippin would want to be a part of everything, even as a baby! :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Well, he's no intention of being left out of anything, right from the start!
Queen Galadriel
· 2 February 2006
· Chapter 27: A Conspiracy of Comedy
LOL! Oh, thank you! I was hoping we'd get a closer look at this incident. Yes, Frodo had to be melancholy indeed not to even notice the others' antics. They had me laughing. To think of Legolas juggling apples! :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
When Frodo goes into that particular sort of mood, he's rather beyond noticing things, as Merry knows very well.
Marigold had suggested that Boromir juggle, but when I went to write it, Legolas shoved his way in and said "No, me!" LOL!