I simply love this story. I haven't left a review here before, but this time I have to do so.
Frodo's way of reprimanding mr. Tunnelly was just so great. His talk about not loosing one's temper and then the shouting argument in the middle of the Ivy.
The Gaffers interruption and Merrys whispered threats.. Wonderful.
I bet mr. Tunnelly's reputation will suffer a great deal after this, and he deserves that.
Your stories are really some of my favorites. They are so well written and the hobbits are so believable. I can't wait to see how this one turns out.
Are there many chapters left? (I hope so!!)
henry
Author's reply
Thank you for the lovely review. I am thrilled that you enjoy my stories and my version of the hobbits. As to how many chapters are left, I have no idea at all. I am writing this one a chapter at a time and I have no exact master plan. (I seldom do.) I know I'm not through yet but I really couldn't say how long it will go on. It is already much longer than I thought it would be when I started it. That usually happens with my stuff and it is part of the reason that I can't write drabbles. LOL
Pearl Took
· 17 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Part 4
Between you, me and this here desk, this is one fine story :)
Author's reply
LOL I am so glad to hear it! Thanks for reading.
Pearl Took
· 17 September 2005
· Chapter 3: Part 3
“You can’t measure yourself against others, Master Pippin,” Sam said. “My Gaffer says that everyone is different and all ‘o us just have to be the best at what we’re able to do and leave the rest to others.”
“Then I had best sit down in a corner and leave everything to everyone else,” Pippin sighed. “I’m not terribly good at anything.”
Oh, how often I've felt like that!!
This is a joy to read :)
Author's reply
I am very glad that you like it. I have also felt like that. I just wish I were more like Sam; good at many things and not too concerned about the others.
Pearl Took
· 16 September 2005
· Chapter 2: Part 2
“Least you got other children, Gaffer. I only had that one work table.”
LOL LOL LOL
Poor Pippin! He's nearly killed two hobbits and has Merry furious and I don't think he's even too aware of it all. Wonderful!!!
Author's reply
Someone has to be the last to know. Pippin may be the reason that people wear hard hats on job sites. Who knows?
PIppinfan1988
· 16 September 2005
· Chapter 7: Part 7
Okay...go, Frodo! I loved that "dream" Merry was having of Pippin asking to sleep in his bed--that was wonderfully creepy. It seemed real. I hope this isn't the end....? I still have to go back and review ch. 6...but I am too weary at the moment. Thanks for another great chapter! Cobbler...why am I getting hungry now?
Pipppinfan
Author's reply
It was a long chapter and you didn't eat before you read so by the time it was over you were hungry. That's my theory. LOL
The dream just sort of worked its way into the plot line and so I let it stay. I am glad that you liked it.
Auntiemeesh
· 16 September 2005
· Chapter 7: Part 7
I always love it when Frodo comes over all stern and intimidating, and you set this one up beautifully. Poor Merry doesn't know his cousin as well as he thought he did, lol.
Author's reply
I don't think Frodo knew himself as well as he thought he did. I do believe that he intended to remain rational but Mister Tunnely pushed too many of Frodo's buttons. LOL I don't think Merry was the only one that was surprised.
pipspebble
· 16 September 2005
· Chapter 7: Part 7
LOL and clapping hands in between typing! Oh, I love it, I love it! "That's how we do things in Buckland." I love your Merry. And I love how he kept his mouth full of food to keep quiet and let Frodo handle it. And I just adore his parting shot. This was worth every minute of the wait. :-)
Author's reply
Thank you! I had fun writing that part and I couldn't let Merry keep completely silent. It just wouldn't have been as much fun. Frodo's 'flies with honey' plan went right out the window after a few minutes so I guess Merry figured that it was ok if he got in a parting shot. I am going to try to have more of this up by Sunday night if all goes well. At least this was a long chapter.
shirebound
· 16 September 2005
· Chapter 7: Part 7
You can’t mean to let a-a-a-a gardener teach your cousin carpentry!" Mister Tunnely sputtered.
"I would have offered Sam the position to begin with if it had been entirely my choice," Frodo said calmly. "I just didn’t dare to hope that Sam would have the extra time for it. He’s very much in demand for his gardening skills and I know that Hamfast relies on him to be available for other jobs. Paladin and I talked it over and decided that Sam simply wouldn’t have the time to work Peregrin’s lessons in with everything else that he has to do and so we settled for you."
Wow! Now there's a side of Frodo I love to see -- calm, adult, clever, and completely in charge of a difficult situation.
Author's reply
I have said it before, I love to write Frodo as a sort of take charge hobbit. I think he had to be a very strong individual in order to face what he did later. I suspect that he had lots of practice managing all of the things that Bilbo got them into and later everything that he dealt with for Merry and Pippin. I also think that he was the sort to be clever with words and leave the fighting to others. (Merry, maybe?)
Auntiemeesh
· 12 September 2005
· Chapter 6: Part 6
Poor Pippin, being the youngest really is a drag (says one who knows the feeling all too well). I love Merry's complaint too, that he's too old for Pippin but not really old enough to be an adult yet. He's in another awkward middle ground.
You've done a great job with the characterizations here (as you always do). I'm looking forward to seeing how everything works itself out. :)
Author's reply
Thank you! I hope to have more of this one up by the middle of the week anyway. Work is just getting in the way big time, but gotta eat so I am guessing that quitting to write is out of the question. LOL Thank you for the lovely review!
Larner
· 11 September 2005
· Chapter 6: Part 6
Probably a very good idea Frodo handles Tunnely, I think.
Lovely story about the shelves--I could see it well!
Author's reply
Yes, I don't think Merry should be the one to handle Tunnely. Frodo has the cooler head to this point. Glad you enjoyed the shelving story. Pippin isn't the only one who is less than successful with carpentry. Thanks for reviewing!
pipspebble
· 11 September 2005
· Chapter 6: Part 6
Aha, and the wheels are turning! I can't wait to see how Frodo handles the situation, and it will be fun to see Merry chomping at the bit to give Mister Tunnely a piece of his mind but forbidden to do so. Poor Pippin! It is so hard to be on the cusp of adulthood yet not that far from being a child. Such an awkward age. You're portraying it very well indeed. Love this story!
Author's reply
Thank you! Glad that you like this one. So far, it has been fun to write. Frodo's visit to Tunnely is coming up soon. Thank you for reviewing!
SlightlyTookish
· 11 September 2005
· Chapter 6: Part 6
Another great chapter, GW! I loved Frodo's story about his carpentry lessons, and also about baby Merry's adventures! And Pippin feeling sorry for himself seems very realistic. It can't be easy being the youngest and also not very skilled yet in anything he's learning.
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed little Merry and Frodo's carpentry. There may be more about Frodo's attempts at carpentry in later chapters and perhaps a mention of Bilbo. Pippin is sulking a bit right now. I do think he has been loaded down with things that he can't quite do and it is starting to get to him. Thanks so much for reading!
GamgeeFest
· 11 September 2005
· Chapter 6: Part 6
What a darling story! Wee!Merry is so adorable here, though if I were Esmeralda, I think I'd be slipping a bit of ale into his milk at bedtime, lol. And if Frodo had used as many nails on the shelves as Pippin did on his shirt, the shelves might have held. ;)
I'm glad Sam was able to talk Merry out of marching up to Tunnely's. I do feel sorry for Merry though, having to deal with a jealous Pippin, and very sorry for Frodo, having to deal with them both. Adolescence is hard to go through, even for hobbits.
Can't wait for more carpentry lessons, and for Frodo to verbally bash Tunnely.
Author's reply
Frodo has his hands full at this point. He is expected to handle Tunnely, Merry and Pippin. As always, I am very sure that he is grateful for Sam Gamgee. More soon if all goes well. Thanks for reading!
melilot hill
· 11 September 2005
· Chapter 6: Part 6
There are just one or two (can't even remember, lol) sentenses with a very small font, so don't worry about that :-)
Another wonderful chapter. I think, that once Pippin's project is finished, he's going to like carpentry better than writing letters ;-) I can't wait till Frodo goes to see Mister Tunnely and tells him off for his behavior towards Pip. It's porbably a good thing Merry didn't get there first!
Author's reply
More with Frodo and Mister Tunnely is coming and thank you for letting me know that you were able to read this. I had such a time posting last night. Thanks for the review and I am looking forward to more of your story. It is such fun to read it again.
Bodkin
· 11 September 2005
· Chapter 6: Part 6
Merry is suffering from growing pains too - not a teen, not an adult - expected to act grown up yet keey his mouth shut. Still that's more a Merry problem. Hiding his light under a bushel is not his strength.
I'm feeling sorry for Frodo here. One or the other of them would be fine. The two together - elven diplomacy required.
I - like Pippin - enjoyed the Frodo's shelves story. And Pippin's subsequent exhaustion. Sam must be tearing his hair out - and wondering if there is something about being a gentlehobbit that turns tweens into big kids.
It's interesting to see Merry and Pippin growling at each other - they are usually so joined-at-the-hip, but it's actually delightful to see them having to work at parts of their relationship.
Excellent chapter - now get Pippin and Sam back working on that secret project!
Author's reply
Not to worry there is more carpentry in the next chapter so Sam will have plenty of time to pull out most of his hair. I do think that even Merry and Pippin had times when they weren't completely in agreement and it seems to me that they must have gone through a rough spot or two on the way to adulthood. I am glad you are enjoying this and thank you for your email re the format problems. I hope things are fixed now but I won't bet on it just yet.
Anso the Hobbit
· 11 September 2005
· Chapter 6: Part 6
this reads just fine, so no worries about that. Poor Pip! He doesn`t think he can do anything, but Frodo is right of course. I loved the little story with wee Merry and Frodo`s carpentry. He and Pippin has something in common there that I suppose they don`t share with Merry and Sam as at least Sam is good at carpentry and Merry can do whatever he sets his mind to.
And oh, the woes of growing up. :)
Author's reply
So glad that you could read it. Believe me when I say that I worked on getting it posted for over an hour. I was afraid that the font was too small in this final version but it was the closest that I had come to getting it right. I am just not good with computers.
Glad you enjoyed the wee Merry story. Frodo and Pippin do have a shared problem with carpentry but just maybe Sam will be able to help Pippin a bit. Thank you for reading and for the review.
MaidenofValinor
· 9 September 2005
· Chapter 5: Part 5
AW! Merry is so cute. I do hope he apologizes to Pippin.
I love the way Sam talks!
Author's reply
I was so nervous about writing Sam and so I am thrilled to hear that you are enjoying him. More with Merry in the next chapter which should be up soon. Thank you for reviewing!
PIppinfan1988
· 9 September 2005
· Chapter 5: Part 5
That snot of a hobbit, Tunnelly!! He and Opal would get on just fine, wouldn't they? Seems Paladin owes Sam a nice sum of money...Tunnelly's loss is Sam's gain, I say. I'll bet by now you're well versed in carpentry, LOL! I think it's fun to do the bit of research for certain items we think they may have used "back then", though I've never thought to use the word "antique" in the search engine...I usually just input "history of...". Cool. I'm looking forward to more...lol, but I'll give you the weekend to come up with Chapter 6! No pressure (wicked laughter):-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
You and I may have to get Opal and Tunnely together at some point. LOL A bit of story-to-story match-making though I fear that Tunnely is too old for Opal. LOL
My researcher, Topaz_Took, has given me a whole new group of tools for Pippin and Sam to work with. She has done a marvelous job and she has not been well paid for it. I am very grateful to her for helping me out.
Chapter 6 was supposed to get posted today on the LJ but it looks like it won't be up until later. I was, as Gandalf would say, "Delayed".
Keep up the wicked laughter. It seems to be helping me write. LOL
Larner
· 9 September 2005
· Chapter 5: Part 5
Aha--we are all finally getting on the same page! Wonderful development, all beginning to realize the old goat slipped from the beginning in his responsibilities! Now, if Frodo had only had Sam's teaching from the first maybe he'd have gotten somewhere himself and know half the tool names Pippin has been throwing at him! Heh!
LOVE the characterizations!
Author's reply
There will be more on Frodo's experience with tools in the near future. Seems now everyone knows all they need to know about Tobias Tunnely except maybe, Pippin. Thank you for reading and reviewing. More soon.
Bodkin
· 9 September 2005
· Chapter 5: Part 5
Oooooh, that Tobias Tunnely needs a punch on the nose. I think even calm, respectful Sam might be inclined to inflict it, too.
Poor Pippin could remember all the negative and unpleasant comments the grumpy old hobbit made - he's quite bright enough to remember anything useful or positive too. Pippin is really much, much better off with Sam - who has managed in remarkably little time to teach the teen some useful skills.
And Merry is a hobbit with a mission. Now imparted to Frodo. Together with a desire to call TT an old goat. Too great a compliment if you ask me. Although Merry's remark was almost enough to take Frodo's mind off the point - "You of all hobbits, called someone else arrogant?”
I'm not surprised Pippin is bubbling with excitement - he's actually been able to learn something. (And Frodo made his favourite again. Kind Frodo. Although Pippin's confidence seems to be reviving without it.)
It's good to see Merry and Sam pairing up, too. Sooner or later it's going to be a good thing if they can work as a team! And Sam is angry enough to let Merry in on TT's total uselessness as a teacher, too. Look forward to more.
Author's reply
I'm glad you are enjoying this one. I think you are right about Sam and Merry needing to learn to work together. Where as Frodo and Merry are already of one mind when it comes to the "old goat" there are still some decisions to be made on how this should be handled. They may all tend to go at this from different directions or maybe they will find a way to work together on it. More sometime tomorrow! Thanks for reading.
PIppinfan1988
· 8 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Part 4
Ah! My sweet Merry is finally waking up! Pippin an inventor?? This is an excellent turn of events. For as much as I imagine Pippin a very clever lad, until now, I never thought of him as an inventor. I do love your Sam! He talks to young, inexperienced Pippin without putting on airs. A most excellent tale! Waiting for more...or shall I head on over to LJ and get No. 5?? ;-) Hey, gotta have something to read at lunch tomorrow... Thanks for a great chapter!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Hey, thank you for reading! They say that necessity is the mother of invention and I believe that after finding some loads a bit too heavy to manage, Pippin simply came up with a plan. Merry is having a change of heart. As to your lunch reading, I am putting part 5 over here in a minute or two. If you print, I'd suggest doing it from here because the font on LJ went totally screwy on me for part 5 and it refused to behave. Thanks for the review and I am so glad that you like Sam.
MaidenofValinor
· 8 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Part 4
heh. I like Gaffer. that apple cobbler sounds so gooddddd. I shouldn't read when I'm hungry....
Author's reply
I think I must have been hungry when I wrote that part. LOL Glad you like the Gaffer. He is becoming one of my favorites to write lately.
Andrea
· 8 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Part 4
“Just between you and me, Master Pippin,” Sam said in a low tone. “Them what does the teachin’ don’t always have all the answers.”
Sam's comments are really great - and wise. That statement is so true!
Well, it seems Merry needed old Gaffer Gamgee to see clear. Now he will come to Pippin's aid, I'm sure. He can never be angry with his adored little cousin for long, as is also true for Frodo :)
Thank you, G. W. !
Author's reply
Thank you for reading and taking the time to review. I am glad that you are enjoying this one. I do think that Merry is starting to come around now.
Bodkin
· 8 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Part 4
This is probably just what Merry needs to bring him onside! If he can be fighting for Pippin against the world, he can forget the disappointment of being discarded in favour of Sam as carpentry trainer.
And Sam is, truly, the best candidate for helping Pippin learn. He can listen - and give credit where it is due - and let Pippin try things. And, if he can learn to wield a sword effectively for Boromir, I'm sure he's capable of learning to hammer a nail and use tools properly.
This is a fun ride.
Larner
· 7 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Part 4
Not realizing they have a far better teacher who is both braver and better able to manage Pippin in that barn with him at the moment.
Pippin talking, hammer in hand, is quite the image to have in mind. Sam has his work more than cut out for him, doesn't he?
Author's reply
Ah yes, but Sam is fearless isn't he? Well, let's hope he is anyway. Pip and that hammer are a receipe for danger.