Pearl's Pearls by Pearl Took
Bodkin · 5 April 2007 · Chapter 34: Alone, Yourself and Nameless
Pippin seems young and impulsive - but, every now and then, wham! Deep thought - and considerable intelligence! Some very interesting musing here!
Author's reply
Thank you, Bodkin :-) He's supposed to be like we would be in our late teens when they go on the Quest, and I've found teens to be very much that way. Just when you're thinking how mature they've become, they act like children again. Thank you so much for responding!
Larner · 4 April 2007 · Chapter 34: Alone, Yourself and Nameless
What a wonderful pondering our Pippin is enjoying. The dear lad! Yes, Iarwain or Tom or whichever of his other names one might use is a special one, perhaps the Maia of simple growth.... Lovely.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner! I've always found him an intriguing character, despite his apparent silliness. The real bombshell that Tolkien drops is that the Ring has no effect on Tom at all. Gandalf won't even touch the thing - Tom just takes it and pops it on his finger. I'm glad you enjoyed the story :-)
Rhyselle · 28 February 2007 · Chapter 33: "Healing Lessons"
Oh I like all of your short stories but this last one was my absolute favorite of this lot. I'm ashamed to say that I hardly ever think of the Dwarves' culture. Of course they'd have their own healers and healing techniques... and how appropriate that it be stone that is the focus of their techniques. :) Lovely, lovely tale! Thanks for sharing it!
Author's reply
And thank you for your kind comments, Rhyselle! And I'm glad you enjoyed my other tales as well.
Andrea · 20 February 2007 · Chapter 33: "Healing Lessons"
Wonderful story, Pearl! Healing stones - perfect for dwarves. And Parsow, who was at first suspicious, felt the healing power of the smoky quartz in his own wrist. “As I said, Dwarves are wise and clever, Parsow.” Pippin mumbles softly just before he falls asleep. That's true, indeed!
Author's reply
Thank you, Andrea :-) I'm so glad you enjoyed this. I love the stories that challenges inspire!
Primsong · 20 February 2007 · Chapter 27: "By Sorrow Unawares"
I *loved* the conversation with the badger in this one, and the comparisons between the two. Wonderfully done, and bittersweet too with his memories of dear Gandalf being caught in the results of his own moment of foolishness. Thank you, Pearl. - Prim
Author's reply
You're welcome, Prim, and thank you for reading and responding. Stories like this are why I love doing challenges - the neatest things can come out of them. I'm glad you enjoyed this :-)
Primsong · 20 February 2007 · Chapter 32: Free
Lovely, Pearl - I especially enjoyed their bouyancy and bright memories lifting them up throughout, and the small symbols they used to illustrate their father's accomplishments. All of your little tales I have read so far have a very sweet touch in them - thank you. - Prim
Author's reply
You are most welcome and thank you, Prim! I'm always glad to bring some enjoyment to readers. Thank you :-)
Bodkin · 20 February 2007 · Chapter 33: "Healing Lessons"
Beautiful, Pearl! I love Gimli stories - and the idea of his shifty secretiveness about bringing help to poor Pippin is delightful. While I do like healer Parsow. Who is broad-minded enough to try out techniques that must seem rather strange and alien to him. Three cheers for the dwarves - and I love Pippin's comment - “I think Dwarves are very wise and clever.”
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Bodkin! I do think Dwarves are fascinating and with all the stories Pip would have heard from Bilbo, I just know he would feel the same. I'm glad you like Parsow as well. He'd make a good Took as he is quite curious.
Larner · 18 February 2007 · Chapter 33: "Healing Lessons"
How wonderful! I would never have figured Gimli as a healer, though. Glad Parsow's touch is enough to empower them. And glad Aragorn didn't need bothering.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, dear Larner! Aragorn is right to be so supportive of Parsow. I was glad to give the man a break ;-)
Larner · 18 February 2007 · Chapter 32: Free
Oh, how right, that they should alter the effigies to show smiles upon the faces of these two, two who have brought smiles to all who have known of them and come to love them.
Author's reply
I could see them in my mind, done the way such sculptures normally are, and it just wasn't right. They needed soft, gentle smiles. Thank you, Larner for also seeing their smiles.
Larner · 18 February 2007 · Chapter 31: A Different Anniversary
So, she is there with him, having been denied the chance to shield him before. And now Merry understands as well, bless his heart. And both find healing alongside Pippin.
Author's reply
Hi Larner! I just knew that would always have saddened her and was glad to give her a chance to make it up to her Falcon. And how could she not bring some peace to the son of her other child? Thank you so much and I'm glad you liked it!
Grey Wonderer · 18 February 2007 · Chapter 33: "Healing Lessons"
I had to read it again! This is so inventive and tells us so much more about the Dwarves than we usually get. The bonus of your wonderful OC is also a plus here. More about Parsow!
Author's reply
Aw shucks, *blushing* Thank you so much, m'dear GW. I'm so glad you enjoyed both Gimli and Parsow. I hope the young healer shows up again as well :-)
Armariel · 18 February 2007 · Chapter 33: "Healing Lessons"
Adorable! The stones are a nice touch, and I always like to meet Gimli in a tale. ~~~{~@
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Armariel! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
SurgicalSteel · 18 February 2007 · Chapter 33: "Healing Lessons"
I liked this very much - both the lesson itself and the notion that the dwarves practice their own forms of healing. And it seems only natural that their healing would be crystal/stone based. Heh. It would explain Gimli's line in the movies about his axe being embedded in someone's nervous system if he were the dwarvish equivalent of a battle-surgeon. The nervous system likely wouldn't be widely known of outside of the healing profession in Middle Earth, but would certainly be known by healers. Very, very nice.
Author's reply
I hadn't even thought of that! I had thought it interesting when I first heard him say that in the film, but hadn't thought of it in regards to this story. Cool! I so glad you enjoyed it, SSteel!
Cuthalion · 1 February 2007 · Chapter 24: Remembering Aright
Ah - that is what started the tale I found this morning! (And you wrote it for Daynawayna... which made me giggle, for she nudged a story out of me some time ago, and it has become one of my favorite ones). Love this to pieces - and I guess the faerie is the legendary ancestress of Pippin? Marvelously done. Cúthalion
Author's reply
Hi again, Cuthalion! Perhaps we need to stick a warning label on Daynawayna: "This person is known to nudge stories out of unsuspecting LOTR fanfic writers." She seems to have a good sense of what to give nudges about, though! Yes, the faerie is Cullassisul, (I do have a tendancy to change the spelling at times to Culassisul) the faerie who long ago married a Took. She emerged in my "While We Dwelt in Fear" and she has since shown up in a couple of other stories. I've the feeling that someday, her story will come begging to be told. Thank you so much, again, for taking the time to read these and "Remembering Anew"!
Cuthalion · 1 February 2007 · Chapter 23: "Remembering More"
Oh oh. Well, it's most understandable that the two ghosts didn't want to disturb the lads any further... but still.. *weeps*. Can't wait to see how the true story finally comes through! Cúthalion
Author's reply
Thank you again, Cuthalion! Merry and Pippin are true gentle hobbits and not ones to shatter two young hobbit lads notions. I can't wait either! :-)
Cuthalion · 1 February 2007 · Chapter 22: "Remember"
“Of course he did, Other. Brandybucks have told Brandybucks that story all those years. You aren’t going to say they were lying, are you? You know we Brandybucks only tell the truth.” Oh dear. Now I get the problem. That's the worst historical misinterpretation I've ever seen... and Other already asks the right questions. Marvelous, Pearl... can't wait to read the sequel! Cúthalion
Author's reply
Hi Cuthalion! Welcome to where it all started, and thank you so much for taking the time to read the prequels :-) It had all become a horrid mess - in a way for them and me as well as I never intended this story to go any further. As the A/N indicated this all started as a way to meet a Challenge that was a bit different than anything else written about "What was Merry's journey to and arrival in Ithilien like?" It has since become an odyssey of its own. Thank you for joining the adventure :-)
Baggins Babe · 14 January 2007 · Chapter 31: A Different Anniversary
In Chapter 29 Culassisul said she would watch over both Merry and Pippin, and here she is doing just that. A beautiful explanation for the tombs not being side by side - of course the book does say that Merry and Pippin were laid beside the tomb of the King. Can't have Strider being bored in the afterlife...........
Author's reply
Nope! I think Merry and Pippin could hardly imagine anything worse ;-) She is a good and kindly faerie. Thank you for reading and responding, BB!
Bodkin · 14 January 2007 · Chapter 31: A Different Anniversary
I love it that Cullasissul comes to protect Pippin from the dark shadows that haunt him - and that protective Merry is determined to discover how it is possible that his cousin isn't haunted by this particular memory. Shame she can't extend her protection to Esmeralda's offspring. ... ... Or perhaps she can, to a degree. Perhaps that's why Pippin and Merry can stay in Middle-earth until age takes them. Lovely story.
Author's reply
Thank you, Bodkin :-) With what I wrote in "While We Dwelt in Fear" it just made sense that she would seek to comfort him this night every year. A good question/thought, perhaps she does give a bit of comfort to Merry as well.
Bodkin · 14 January 2007 · Chapter 32: Free
I like to think of Pippin and Merry awaiting Strider with a smile on their faces. Faramir and Theodoc would have wanted that - and to bid their own farewells to their legendary fathers.
Author's reply
Yes, Bodkin. Smiles suit our lads and that is how they would want future generations to see them. They were such happy souls. Thank you for reading and responding :-)
harrowcat · 14 January 2007 · Chapter 32: Free
This is wonderful Pearl. I felt like crying over the explanation of the separation of the tombs.
Author's reply
Thank you, harrowcat! There would be no other acceptable explanation for their tombs not being right next to each other. Can't have Strider facing a dull eternity ;-)
Grey Wonderer · 13 January 2007 · Chapter 32: Free
Priceless! There should have been smiles with those two, always and forever smiles.
Author's reply
Thank you, GW! Yes, smiles are very much their usual expressions.
Grey Wonderer · 13 January 2007 · Chapter 31: A Different Anniversary
Just popping around and catching up. This one is so enjoyable. I can see Merry leaning over a sleeping Pippin and looking completely vexed by Pippin's sound sleep. I do enjoy that image. hehehe
Author's reply
Thank you for popping around, GW! Indeed, it would be just like Pip to do the opposite of what one expects, and just like Merry to be irked by it. I'm glad you enjoyed the imagery :-)
Grey Wonderer · 7 December 2006 · Chapter 29: "Count the Stars"
Read this again too. I love the dragon and find myself wishing that it were still around slipping in and out of the Shire to check on the Hobbits. Can you imagine a dragon 'sneaking'? Again, I have to say that I love the connection between Esmeralda, Merry and Pippin in this and their connection to Culassisul. More about the fairie blood soon?
Author's reply
Wow! Two second reads :-) Thank you so very much! I would think a dragon would have trouble sneaking, LOL. I've started writing the sequel to the "Remember" stories, and there is faerie blood on it's way in that along with the ghosties :-)
Grey Wonderer · 7 December 2006 · Chapter 30: "The Way of Things"
I stopped by to read this one again and enjoyed it even more. Lovely. A very difficult subject with a hopeful outcome.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you so much, GW!! Such an honor to get a second reading :-)
Andrea · 6 December 2006 · Chapter 29: "Count the Stars"
Beautiful story! The Dragon is watching over Merry and Pippin, because he knows that they will do something great when the time comes. A nice and comforting thought. I remember watching a movie, in which a (mostly) friendly dragon helped to save a kingdom. The dragon died in the process, and he, too, was rewarded by being lifted up into the sky, forming the constellation of Draco. But I simply can't remember the movie's name! Concerning your A/N: Well, there I thought I knew my home country, but you proved me wrong ;-) Where is that town in Germany, where a meteor is kept as a talisman? Do you know?
Author's reply
Thank you, Andrea :-) I'm glad you enjoyed it! Oh dear! I had no idea there had been a movie like that, I know I never saw it. About the town with the meteor - It was mentioned on a TV program and I can't remember the name of it, *embarrassed blushing* I'm sorry :-(