Oh dear. This is a messy situation. Now I suppose Hyacinth is going to be left to watch Pippin? But I suppose she's sensible enough not to try anything. Why do babies always pick the most inconvenient times to be born? I hope for Aster's and the baby's sake that its just false labor.
And poor Frodo. This has been quite a trial for him as well, having to fill in Bilbo's... er, something that's the hobbit equivalent of shoes :) during this time. I don't blame him for feeling overwhelmed. Hopefully, he'll realize that he really is the perfect hobbit to succeed Bilbo.
Author's reply
Hyacinth? Sensible? You think?
Frodo is generally fairly comfortable in the role Bilbo left him, but at this point in time, it's not even been a year yet since he was left Master of Bag End, and this is the first time he's really been put to the test--it's no wonder he's feeling just a bit out of his depth. But no one else will ever know that.
Larner
· 2 June 2006
· Chapter 15: Chapter 15
Ooooh--vengeful Hyacinth left alone with little Pippin? I'm with those worried about what she'll put in the lotion, myself!
She is a vicious thing, and I, too, find I trust her not at all. Ms. Hollyhock has good instincts about her.
Author's reply
Vengeful and vicious? Yes, she is.
AspenJules
· 1 June 2006
· Chapter 14: Chapter 14
I can't believe I haven't reviewed any of this before! I thought I had... guess not.
I love this story! It's so cute, and I love the insight into Shire 'politics'. I have obviously missed something about Hyacinth though... where can I go to read more about "Her Evil-ness"?
The part where the healer puts the cream on Pippin's back and he cries out for Merry made my throat close up. And Merry's sympathetic tears... Even in his mother's presence Pip wishes for 'his' Merry. Such a wonderful picture, and makes it even more poignant when Gandalf carries Pip away from Merry after the Palantir episode. I *always* tear up at that scene in the movie when Pippin cries out for Merry as they ride away.
Anyway, great job!
Author's reply
I'm glad you are enjoying it.
Hyacinth made her previous appearance about the middle of my long post-Quest fic "A New Reckoning". She was not originally intended to be evil; I meant for her to be a bit of silly comic relief. But all of a sudden, she revealed her hidden dark side to me! I'm not quite sure where all her vileness came from, but she is truly despicable, and even after her downfall, the depths of her evil-ness are not revealed to others. I am still amazed that I found out how bad she is.
The relationship of Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Sam is a long and complex one, and endlessly fascinating to me. I feel that the cousins in many ways are bonded to one another more closely than to their parents.
You are right--that is a wonderfully poignant scene, as Pippin realizes they are about to be parted, and perhaps forever, given the uncertain state of the world. And I do so love the EE scene afterwards, with Merry confiding in Strider, though I *do* wish he'd mentioned Pippin was his cousin! Or at least *somewhere* in the movie!
Hyacinth is going to grill Reggie? Well I wouldn't put anything past her! Can we grill her instead - preferrably over a slow fire?!
Merry is still looking out for his Pippin, and Mistress Hollyhock is looking out for him. Caring hobbits - is there anything more delightful?
Author's reply
Yes, it's quite a good idea not to put anything past her. Unfortunately most hobbits have no idea how bad she really is.
Hobbits are by nature caring and nurturing creatures--which make the rare exceptions, such as Hyacinth (or Lalia, the S-Bs, Sandyman, or the Bankses) stand out all the more.
But hobbits *are* delightful.
I love hobbits.
Pearl Took
· 24 May 2006
· Chapter 14: Chapter 14
Poor lad. *sigh* And having to have something that stung put on it as well. Though very good that it stopped the itching :)
Well done as always, Dreamflower :) :)
Author's reply
Well, I know from personal experience that most topicals applied to stop itching tend to sting at first, especially if there is a cut or scrape (or broken blister) involved!
Thank you--I'm glad you're enjoying it!
PIppinfan1988
· 24 May 2006
· Chapter 14: Chapter 14
Good old(young!) Merry--always there for his Pip! I'll wager Pippin will be so glad to be rid of those blisters when they finally heal.
It's getting to be about "that" time up here for the lovely refreshing Mint drink! I might start taking it to work with me (no AC). :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes, he will be glad of it! And I would guess he'll be more careful in the Sun from here on out, as well!
I hope you do try out the sekanjabin. It truly is refreshing!
PIppinfan1988
· 24 May 2006
· Chapter 13: Chapter 13
At least Pippin got to get out of bed--and watching the threesome playing "Miggle" was a delight. Sounds like hints of Chinese Checkers, but I haven't played that game since I was Pippin's age.
I still had a good laugh at Frodo's suggestion of "sincerely-falsifying an apology" for in the future! Such young rascals--blackened teeth and a green bath...lol.
Now we're getting to another great part--Ferumbras exonarating Pearl. :-)
Pippinfan
Oh, how long is the poor little lad going to be sick? I feel sorry for both him and his caretakers. It's got to be frustrating to have those blisters keep breaking, and now infection too. *sigh*
Oh no! Now Aunt Paridot is sick and...the poor family! What else can possibly go wrong for them? Of course, that's what keeps us reading, you know. But who's going to stay with Pippin now?
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I just now realized I had not replied to the Chapter 14 reviews!
Pippin's not quite well yet. But he will have other problems than just sunburn coming up...
As to who will stay with Pip...I guess you have found out by now!
Andrea
· 24 May 2006
· Chapter 14: Chapter 14
So, the guest is a *he*! That should make things easier... well on first sight! There are still so many possibilities! Though I like the guess of a Hyacinth-eating orc by Bodkin ;-)
Merry is just great! His interest in the healer's smial shows that he would be a good healer himself. But he's that concerned about Pippin that he forgets about his own health. Thank god Mistress Hollyhock has it all under control!
Now that the aunties are not available, who will look after Pippin? Merry? Pearl? I can't wait for the next chapter!
P.S.: I've never heard the word "stillroom" before. And my dictionnary is of no help, either. Would you mind giving me an explanation?
Author's reply
*snicker*
Well, and of course, it's canon that he's interested in herbs. But I do think he'd be a good healer.
Who do you guess?
You know what a "still" is, right? Like moonshine? They used to use smaller apparatus similar to that to distill medications. Most healers and herbalists had them, and even housewives used to.
Bodkin
· 24 May 2006
· Chapter 14: Chapter 14
Our special guest .... the Hyacinth-eating orc on an exchange visit from the Misty Mountains.
Merry is doing his best to look after young Pippin - and doing a pretty good job of it. And Pippin's Earlier Lesson in Co-operation is still benefiting his carers. And they have got a good healer on the case. One capable of looking after non-patients, too, to see that they don't turn into patients.
Oh dear. No available aunties. I hope that doesn't mean that evil Hyacinth gets to sneak in and poison the calomine lotion.
Author's reply
*giggle* "Who's at the door?" "Oh, just Ugluk's cousin Iglu, come for his snack."
Merry will always do his best to look after Pippin, no doubt about it; and Pippin really did learn his lesson on cooperating, whether he likes it or not. Mistress Hollyhock is rather observant--she knows when someone's been overdoing.
*clears throat*back away*no reading over shoulder of writer at work*
GamgeeFest
· 23 May 2006
· Chapter 14: Chapter 14
Poor little Pippin. He's really paying for that sunburn. Poor Merry too. He's so worried about Pippin, he's forgetting to take care of himself. Thank goodness the healer is there to see to his needs as well. And now Aunt Peridot. It seems everyone is under the weather at the moment, in one way or another. I hope everyone starts feeling better soon. I really can't wait for Hyacinth's reaction to the news of what her husband has been doing. *grins*
Author's reply
Yes, it was a *really* bad one! And Merry is not one to think of himself when Pippin needs him. But Mistress Hollyhock is pretty astute. And Merry's young.
Everyone's under the weather for a reason...
She won't be a happy camper, that's for sure.
Larner
· 23 May 2006
· Chapter 14: Chapter 14
Ah, I smell trouble, right there in the Great Smial, with a capitol T that doesn't rhyme that stands for Hyacinth's proposed visit. No--will the witch now find herself able to torment a vulnerable Pearl left watching her brother, and probably a furious Merry? Now what will these two do to get revenge? Oh, am looking forward to seeing this through.
Author's reply
You may find yourself seeing a plot twist you had not anticipated...
PIppinfan1988
· 21 May 2006
· Chapter 12: Chapter 12
He sat back, and amused himself with a fantasy in which his cousin somehow found a wife, and was presented immediately with a bouncing little lad, thus sparing him the trouble of ever becoming Thain himself…
You know, I've often thought about Paladin's fantasy becoming reality...but then I have difficulty imagining anyone wanting the self-centered old prune. Perhaps Hyacinth...lol.
Poor wee Pippin's back! Blisters are absolutely no fun...
Pippinfan
Author's reply
"Self-centered old prune" LOL! Good description. He's not really bad, but he's spent his life trying to get what he can in spite of his mother, and it has made him manipulative and devious.
No, blisters are no fun.
Bodkin
· 21 May 2006
· Chapter 13: Chapter 13
Now, with most mothers, hearing happy Euphorbia and Juniper would remind them of being separated from their own daughters. Not, I would suspect, Hyacinth. Her daughters were tools on the way to power. (Orc bait.)
I hope Pippin's burst blisters don't become infected and make him ill. Hyacinth'll be feeding him monkshood and yew berries. With an expression of concern on her face.
Bilbo's teaching on How to Apologise When You Don't Mean It will definitely come in useful to Merry and Pippin. They should store that information for future reference.
I like the sound of Miggle. Good game.
And I'm glad that undercover Reggie has come to a conclusion that satisfies devious Ferumbras. And I'm even happier that it will frustrate evil Hyacinth.
Author's reply
Orc bait. Yes, indeed. Poor Orcs.
We shall have to see what happens, won't we?
*grin* Life Lesson #401. Diplomacy Can Be Fun.
It does sound kind of fun, doesn't it? I might have to figure out exactly what the rules are and how it's played.
Hyacinth will not be happy with Reggie, oh no.
I should think you'll have people queing to put dye in Hyacinth's bath! She really is a very unpleasant person. I feel very sorry for Reggie, who seems a decent sort. Love the fact that he is fair and even-handed in his investigations, and I'm glad he's been able to show Ferumbras that it was an accident.
'Miggle' sounds a lot like the game we in Britain call Ludo, with the coloured counters. Frodo is a sweetie to keep his cousins company, and to offer Merry such good advice.
Oh, and I'm happy that Pip is on the mend.
Author's reply
Maybe we could charge admission to see her turn purple or green or whatever? LOL!
Reggie is a very decent sort, and it is a real shame he was duped by Hyacinth, and ended up stuck with her. And he is being quite thorough--by leaving no stone unturned, he can make sure that unpleasantness won't follow Pearl.
Hmm...I was thinking of a cross between Chinese checkers and Castellan. I never heard of Ludo. How interesting!
Frodo is just a good older cousin, and he delights in them. I'm sure he much prefers to spend time in their company, than among some of the stuffy family heads.
Pearl Took
· 19 May 2006
· Chapter 13: Chapter 13
I love the game! And I love the build up of tension.
Can I put dye in Hyacinth's bath?
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked the game.
And the tension will just get built up more in the next chapter or so...
Feel free. I recommend a lovely shade of purple...
Andrea
· 19 May 2006
· Chapter 13: Chapter 13
He said, ‘I’m sorry I put ink in your tea, Laburnum,’ and then, inside his head, he said, ’I wish it had been dye in your bath. Green dye.’ Which, he said, he *did* mean, for it would have been a much better trick if he could have managed it.
Oh my! That's a little glimpse at the activities of the "terror of Buckland" ;-)
And I must say, I love it!
Frodo can very well understand why Merry reacted in that "drastic" way, maybe he even approves it (only in his mind, of course). He has such a conspirative way of letting Merry know what he truly thinks, but on the other hand he teaches him polite behavior. I wished I had had such an older brother. Like Frodo, I was always the eldest!
Author's reply
Yes, indeed, "terror of Buckland" at his worst, LOL!
Frodo does sympathize with Merry, and I am sure that he did think the little brat deserved to have her hair pulled. But he also knows that it's for Merry's own good that he learn more diplomatic ways of dealing with things. So, just as he taught Merry to read, or to swim, or to make tiny footprints in the frost, he will also teach him the ways of tact and diplomacy.
Periantari
· 18 May 2006
· Chapter 13: Chapter 13
What a cliff-hanger--and i was about to click "next" when i realized it was the end of the chapter. I really like this story and really want to find out what Ferumbas going to do--i feel like Hyacinth is going to manage something really nasty before the end though. :p
And Pippin h/c is adorable and very well written so would like more of that as well... =)
yes, i'm all caught up. :)
Author's reply
Hyacinth is going to be far nastier and wicked than I had ever before thought her to be...
Periantari
· 18 May 2006
· Chapter 11: Chapter 11
awww the Pippin and Pearl scenes were written so well-i love portrayials of good hobbit sibling relationships. :) and yummy mushrooms for dinner!
Author's reply
We don't often get to see scenes of those two together. In such a large and busy family, with so much of an age gap, they probably did not have a lot of one-on-one time. I thought it would be nice to give them some.
Periantari
· 18 May 2006
· Chapter 10: Chapter 10
What a funny flashback story. lol i enjoyed that bit... aww poor Frodo! =)
Author's reply
Yes, poor Frodo! LOL! I had that story as a short little anecdote in "A New Reckoning", and so decided to tell the full story behind it here!
Periantari
· 18 May 2006
· Chapter 8: Chapter 8
I love that bit with Frodo having Merry eat some dinner and in the meanwhile got PIppin to fall asleep~ i love big cousin Frodo so much! Yes, that was so very sweet. :)
this is a wonderful story--must find time to catch up. :P
and the side plot is very intriguing...
Author's reply
I love "big cousin Frodo" myself. He is so careful and protective of his beloved young cousins--it's why they adore him so much.
Intrigue...yes...
Larner
· 18 May 2006
· Chapter 13: Chapter 13
A wonderful continuation. I find Ferumbras's decision to make Paladin Thain in spite of himself wonderful, and love that he recognizes Hyacinth is a brainless, blithering idiot. And love both he and Reggie both recognize she does NOT need a chambermaid! Poor Begonia. Hope she finds a good home.
Author's reply
It is wonderful, of course, for everyone except poor Paladin, who doesn't want the job, LOL! And Hyacinth herself is the only one who does not realize that she would be a complete disaster as the Thain's Lady. Even Lalia, who was a tyrant, had *some* sense.
We will deal with poor Begonia, you'll see.
GamgeeFest
· 18 May 2006
· Chapter 13: Chapter 13
Can't wait to see Hyacinth's reaction when she learns her plotting has been foiled, and by her husband no less.
"Miggle" sounds like an interesting game, something similar to checkers but with more players. That should keep Pippin occupied and forgetting to scratch for a while. I had to chuckle at his dismay over missing *two* meals, and that's some good advice Frodo gave Merry. ;)
Author's reply
Yes, well, she won't be a happy camper, and she will have her ways of making him miserable to be sure.
I conceive of Miggle as a sort of cross between Chinese checkers and a medieval game called Castellan, only more complicated.
Merry and Pippin are such a pair! :) And Frodo conspiring right along with them as to how to apologize and still be truthful-imagine that! LOL!
Pippin looked puzzled. "Over-kill?"
"I think it must be something he picked up on his Adventure. Frodo says it means that you can only kill something once, and to keep on doing things to it
after it is dead is useless."
"Eew!" Pippin said, scrunching up his face in disgust.
Hee hee! Yeah, eeewww is right, but for some reason that just struck me funny.
I don't know why, but I just love seeing the Hobbits playing games! :)
*sigh* Oh, good, I'm so glad Pearl is cleared! Now, this meeting should be interesting.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
They are, aren't they? I love showing Frodo's sense of humor--it's not something we are often allowed to see.
I just thought that the phrase would be something totally *alien* to young hobbits, and would both puzzle them and perhaps disgust them, but fascinate them as well.
I like them to play games, too! Usually they play "Stones", but I've invented a couple of other hobbity games as well.
Yes, the meeting will be very interesting.
PIppinfan1988
· 13 May 2006
· Chapter 11: Chapter 11
I always enjoy scenes between Pippin and Pearl, and this one was no exception. The love between those two is very evident. :-)
I see Hyacinth is up to her usual no-good. LOL, and the bit with the trifle is going to be so good--not just *deliciously* good. ;-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
I don't often get the chance to write Pippin and Pearl scenes, but I just could not resist this one--the oldest and the youngest together. They do love one another very much.
Hyacinth is seldom up to anything good at all.