Pearl's Pearls by Pearl Took
Lindelea · 12 January 2006 · Chapter 6: With Love
I am interrupted before reading more than the first sentence or two. Was this at the challenge? If so I missed it--have only had time to read a few of the stories yet. Will try to sneak back later. *hugs*
Author's reply
Sorry :( , I didn't think it would be misguiding to say it was a Yule challenge, but it is as it wasn't specifcally titled that. I didn't mean to have anyone thinking they had missed out on something. Thanks for checking in :)
Lindelea · 12 January 2006 · Chapter 7: "A Misanthropic-Philanthropic Yule"
O yes, I saw this at the challenge, and sneaked a bit of time to read it again. I love this story! I love Paladin setting aside his own wants to help others, and Pearl jumping in; I love the children determining not to open their gifts until the family is all together again; the anxious wait (though it is nice to be amongst those who know that the missing are all right!); the joyous reunion. MEWD!
Author's reply
Aw, thank you, Lin!! Another MEWD!! Thank you :) Pippin shows a great deal of care for others and love of kin in LOTR, I figured he had to learn it somewhere :)
PIppinfan1988 · 8 January 2006 · Chapter 5: "The Remains of Power"
I absoulutely loved it!! Excellently written--and in Pearl Took fashion. You are great with the psychology of your characters...meaning, I love how you get under their skin and expose their soul. This is the very first tale that I've read featuring Saruman and his depraved thoughts. LOL, wood-demons--Very well done!! Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you, m'dear Pippinfan :) *blushing* I knew Saruman called the Ents something when he was talking to Gandalf after Isengard is destroyed, when he called the hobbits small rag tag that dangled at Gandalf's tail. It was "wood-demons". Chalk one up for the dear Professor :)
Grey Wonderer · 8 January 2006 · Chapter 5: "The Remains of Power"
A perfectly evil Saruman. The ducks gave me a laugh. That something so innocent would vex him at that point seems so right. Wonderful wickedness.
Author's reply
Thank you GW :) I'm glad I'm able to write him as he was - evil. The ducks were MysteriousWays odd-ball element that I think she throws in to see if it will trip me up. last time it was a chicken in "Why Did the Chicken Cross into Hollin?", which I like the story but not the title. I'm thinking of changing it in fact :)
Dreamflower · 8 January 2006 · Chapter 5: "The Remains of Power"
"One of Gandalf's dangles". Saruman never did get it, did he? Even meeting Frodo, even his perception of him back in the Shire, he never did get it. But those "dangles" undid everything he tried to do.
Author's reply
Ah! Ya caught it, Dreamflower! Well . . . caught and commented. Yes, for the book readers out there, "Gandalf's dangles" :) No, Saruman never did get it, he never saw the value of hobbits nor understood their intelligence and loyalty, their love and their strength - only the value of their pipeweed and their land as a place to conquer. In the long run it doesn't pay to ignore the strength of the "common" person.
Bodkin · 7 January 2006 · Chapter 5: "The Remains of Power"
What a nasty little schemer that fallen wizard is. Weaseling his way through the maze of enemies he had stirred up against him and thinking he is clever enough to get away with it.
Author's reply
Yes. Saruman thought rather highly of himself. That's why he took the tumble he did. I always thought he met an appropriate end. He's a nasty bit of goods. I'm glad you agree, Bodkin, and thank you so much for reading and responding. :)
SlightlyTookish · 7 January 2006 · Chapter 5: "The Remains of Power"
Wow, Pearl! This is amazing! I love the battle you show between Saruman and the Nazgul, and also Saruman's point of view as he surveys what has happened to his power. I can totally see this happening. What an amazing gap-filler!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Slightly Tookish! I'm glad you liked it. I hope this means I've not lost my touch as I was thinking I might be. Thank you :)
Bodkin · 15 December 2005 · Chapter 4: "Faramir's Afternoon"
Faramir is lucky that his father is supposed to be in charge. And that he is just young enough to get away with all this and be cute. I thought Diamond took it very well. No blood was shed. A lot of drool, but no blood.
Author's reply
Thank you :) Yes, Mums have to be near dead before they fall asleep while watching the children. I'm glad you came and read it, Bodkin :)
PIppinfan1988 · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 4: "Faramir's Afternoon"
Ah...nothing like a sugar high to get through the afternoon and then the sudden low to crash next to Da on the couch! The colorful circles and decorations were a sweet and hilarious touch. Pippin the child-minder extraordinaire. Gotta love him! I know Faramir's restlessness first-hand--I was just like him, minus the wall art. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon with our favorite sleepy and lively lads. I missed little Beryl, though! Pippinfan
Author's reply
I could just see Pippin doing that, having all these good intentions of doing well minding the little ones while Diamond is away, and then falling asleep. HEHEHE. Thank you for reading my tales, Pippinfan :)
Garnet Took · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 4: "Faramir's Afternoon"
This was so sweet. That child is definitely Pippin's son. The decorating sounds like something he would have do. The image of the two children and their father asleep, and drooling, was priceless.:) All in all a wonderful little story. Thanks.
Author's reply
Thank you once again, Garnet :) You read a lot tonight! The family that drools together . . . LOL
Garnet Took · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 3: Under the Gloom of the Dark Lands
This is another one that I don't know how I missed. This was excelent. I liked how Beregond knew the others would be listening and got Pippin to tell the story without having to face them, and their doubts. Pippin's dream was so scary, and so believable. Wow! Great job. Sorry I've been so slow to notice.
Author's reply
You're a dear! Don't worry about it :) You know things had to be grim in Minas Tirith and the nearer one got to the Dark Lands, Tolkien mentions it bringing down even Pippin's cheery personality. Thank you so much for reading my stories, Garnet :)
Garnet Took · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 2: "A Tale To Tell"
I had written a longer review, but when I went to post it, I hit the wrong key and sent it to the great ciber-beyond. Suffice to say that I liked this very much and don't know how I missed seeing it till now. Thanks
Author's reply
Thank you so very much, Garnet :) I love to hear the stories are enjoyed. :)
Dreamflower · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 4: "Faramir's Afternoon"
*OMGROTFL!!!* *howls*wipes eyes* What a shame they had no cameras in Middle-earth--that sounds like a Kodak moment if ever I heard one!! And it's quite a shame that Pippin will never know how adorable he and his children look... I just *loved* Faramir's experiments with Pippin's fingers. This is a lad who will go far in life! *chuckle*wheeze*goes back to read again*
Author's reply
OMG an instant re-read!!! I'm totally floored, thank you, Dreamflower :) :) The different positions fingers take depending on the position of the hand has intriqued me for nearly as long as I can remember, I'm glad you enjoyed that part of the story :)
shirebound · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 4: "Faramir's Afternoon"
Awwwww! Pippin had a dusty blue bow tied in his hair, Beryl had a dusty pink one in hers. One of her husband’s feet was hanging off the edge of the sofa, a tag tied around the big toe read "To Mum" in the same printing as the sign. What an adorable Yule story! :D
Author's reply
Thank you so much. :) i've had the image in my head of Pippin and his children asleep like that for quite a while, I just finally got the story it went with :) Thank you, shirebound :)
SlightlyTookish · 13 December 2005 · Chapter 3: Under the Gloom of the Dark Lands
This is just wonderful, Pearl. I loved seeing the other men's perspective of Pippin and Beregond's defense of him, and then everyone learning that there is more to Pippin than meets the eye. Pippin's nightmare was a truly terrifying one and it's no wonder that with the battle looming before him his thoughts would turn to Sauron. Of course Pippin knew more about the enemy than even the most battle-hardened men of his company. This felt like a missing scene that dropped right from the book.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, ST :) I've always felt that his experience with Sauron would be close to the surface while in Minas Tirith and so near to Mordor. Thank you so much for the compliment that this felt like it came from the book, that is such a wonderful thing to hear :) Thank you!
Bodkin · 10 December 2005 · Chapter 3: Under the Gloom of the Dark Lands
It's only too easy to judge by appearances. But - as this lot discovered - it can be wrong. Pippin has a better idea of what he might face than many of them. Less experience in battle perhaps, but he's certainly been closer to the Big Eye.
Author's reply
I'm sorry this is so late in coming, Bodkin,I thought I had replied and just now saw I hadn't. Yes, Pippin's looks, I think more than the other hobbits since he was the youngest, would belie his experience by this point in the Quest. Thank you so much for reading and responding :) :)
Anso the Hobbit · 9 December 2005 · Chapter 3: Under the Gloom of the Dark Lands
Oh, lovely! I always love to see when Big Folk learn about hobbits and how valiant and brave they actually are. :D
Author's reply
Thank you, Anso :) Yes, they are all too easy to over look and think less of. A mistake many in those days came to regret making ;)
Grey Wonderer · 8 December 2005 · Chapter 3: Under the Gloom of the Dark Lands
I always enjoy it when others find out that the hobbits are more than they seem. Pippin showed them all a thing or two without even realizing that he was doing so. Lovely.
Author's reply
Thank you, GW :) It's good to see the strength in people that you didn't know was there. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
PIppinfan1988 · 8 December 2005 · Chapter 3: Under the Gloom of the Dark Lands
Absolutely brilliant. Wonderful. I have also mused on what the remaining soldiers thought of the smallest of their company during their march, though never with a thought to write it--I could never do it the same justice that you have. I was delighted to see them come away with a healthy respect for our wee lad, because he deserves it. Thank you for sharing such a lovely story. :-) Pippinfan
Author's reply
*blushing* Thank you, Pippinfan :) I'm glad it was something you had also thought about and that you like how I handled it :) Thank you!
Larner · 8 December 2005 · Chapter 3: Under the Gloom of the Dark Lands
Oh, all too well can I see just such a happening. Bless Pippin for proving them wrong, and Aragorn for confirming the truth. Bless them all, those who tomorrow will live and those who will not.
Author's reply
Yes, always the hard truth of war. Aragorn was proud of his small soldier indeed. Thank you so much, Larner :)
shirebound · 8 December 2005 · Chapter 3: Under the Gloom of the Dark Lands
Aragorn had laid his hand upon the hobbit’s head and was lightly rubbing his fingers in the lad’s hair. His healer’s touch did its work and Pippin soon became drowsy. "I am tired . . . Strider," he mumbled. "But I will be . . . ready . . . as I can be." Pippin yawned. "To help . . . to not let . . . Him . . . . . . win." Oh Pearl, what a nice scene. And soon all the soldiers will realize just what a treasure they have amongst them.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, shirebound :) :) Yes, the hidden treasure within hobbits ;)
PIppinfan1988 · 8 November 2005 · Chapter 2: "A Tale To Tell"
One of the many ways to get rid of grief or trauma is to talk about it, and it seems that that is just what our lads were doing. Bless their wee hearts. Thanks for sharing! Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes, they are good close friends and kin, they would eventually talk to each other about it all. Thank you, Pippinfan:)
Larner · 8 November 2005 · Chapter 2: "A Tale To Tell"
They needed to talk it out, to look at the truth of their lives now.
Author's reply
Yes. Little do they know it's only the beginning of their frightening experiences. Thank you, Larner, for reading and responding :)
Lindelea · 8 November 2005 · Chapter 2: "A Tale To Tell"
What a great gapfiller! VWD indeed! Pippin in particular had been light of heart and under foot (Wonderful turn of phrase and so very in character.) “Strider carried you and me, Merry,” Pippin said. “And Glorfindel carried Sam. I had wondered how we would cross as the water was up to Frodo’s feet while he crossed on the horse, and that was before the flooding.” (You know, I've often wondered about this when reading that passage, and Frodo's awakening. And though I didn't clip it, the description of the horse guarding Frodo was also excellent, told more through the reactions of the hobbits than details about the horse itself, which I think could be summed up with the words "wild-eyed". Very nice storytelling through conversation!) Merry looked at Pippin as though the lad hadn’t a brain in his head, though it was more irritation with himself that Pippin had noticed that detail while he had not. (This sounds so true to life!) Tears that had come in small spurts before, quickly dried and hidden behind hopeful words to their unconscious friend and kinsman, now ran freely. (Once again, a gem that shines from the page, and tells so much in so few words.) Thanks for the waker-upper this morning!
Author's reply
Lin, thank you for such a wonderful response :) I don't know what I'd do without Marigold's challenges, of late it seems that I don't come up with many plot ideas on my own. So glad you enjoyed this one :)
PIppinfan1988 · 30 October 2005 · Chapter 1: "Confession"
Well, this is a side of Pippin that I never considered before...wonderfully done! Pippinfan
Author's reply
I think we all have moments where murder sounds appealing, even of someone we dearly love. But of course most of us would never do it. Billy Graham's wife was once asked if she ever thought of divorcing him (gone all the time, celebrity status, etc.). She said, "Divorce never! I've thought of murder a few times though." Thank you so much for sticking with me through all of this madness :)