Through the Storm by SlightlyTookish
harrowcat · 9 January 2006 · Chapter 1
This definately deserves an 'Aww!' But I want some bells! You can't have a sleigh, or even a sledge, without bells. The song says so!
Author's reply
Thanks! You know, there *were* bells in my first draft, but then I took them out. I thought it gave away the ending too much (though, is there any doubt that *I* would leave Merry unhappy?) :)
Baggins Babe · 9 January 2006 · Chapter 1
Poor Merry, thinking he was going to have a dull Yule, and how much more wonderful when Bilbo and the rest arrived. I loved the relationship between Merry and his parents, especially Saradoc, who sometimes receives a bad press in fan fic.
Author's reply
Thanks! I'm glad you liked Merry's relationship with his parents, I really enjoyed writing that. I agree, Saradoc (and also Paladin) often get a raw deal in fanfic, and I'm not sure why. I personally can't imagine them as anything but loving parents, and I tried to express that in this story :)