Kitty
· 19 March 2009
· Chapter 58: Will There Ever Be a Morning?
Sorry, Dreamflower, just realised I had missed a few updates!
Poor little boy, he really was too young to stay. No wonder it was too much for him to watch so many people die, and his brother obviously had, even if he's hopefully alive, no time to look after him. I am glad Pippin found him and comforted him a bit.
Lovely, Dreamflower!
Author's reply
Don't apologize, dear! It's hard to keep up with everything, and I always look forward to your comments whenever they occur!
Yes, poor kid! I am sure his brother is alive, but there really was no one to pay a lot of attention to him. But Pippin was the perfect person to help him.
Virtuella
· 14 March 2009
· Chapter 60: Trust in the Right
Is innocence a bonus then? Maybe only to some, for experienced people are very much needed on the quest. But innocence to begin with is probably a good basis for keeping one's heart intact in teh face of adversity.
Author's reply
I think of innocence as a blank slate. Sooner or later, experience is needed to temper that innocence into wisdom.
But there are some who trade away their innocence too early or too young, for the wrong sorts of experiences, and end up cynical instead of wise.
And there are those who cling to innocence, turning their backs on experience, and end up thinking that ignorance and innocence are the same.
I think the hobbits of the Shire, protected as they were from the Wide World, would have kept their innocence intact a bit longer than most denizens of M-e, and their natural compassion (Pity) would have helped them to a more optimistic sort of wisdom when it came. But there is no doubt that many of the Shire hobbits refused both wisdom and experience until it was thrust upon them.
Antane
· 13 March 2009
· Chapter 60: Trust in the Right
Bilbo had been such an innocent little creature when he left the Shire, inexperienced in the ways of the Wide World, never realizing how different things might be, or how his life had changed. He still had grief ahead of him, and Gandalf sorrowed that he could not spare his friend that much. But he was glad to see that Bilbo’s trust that people would do the right thing was still intact. That bit of innocence, he thought, would be rewarded if all went well.
And if Bilbo was no longer quite so innocent as he had been on leaving the Shire, he had exchanged it for wisdom, that would serve him well.
Like uncle, like nephew! :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you! Yes, Bilbo's wisdom would be a good example to his future heir!
Lindelea
· 12 March 2009
· Chapter 60: Trust in the Right
O very well done, indeed! I love your use of Gandalf's POV. He reads very true to the book.
Thanks!
Author's reply
Oh, thank you, dear!!
We don't get his POV very often, but I felt that this moment really called for it!
Larner
· 12 March 2009
· Chapter 60: Trust in the Right
Bilbo's wisdom, peaceable nature, and integrity are what set him truly apart, proving him a worthy guardian and teacher for the one who would become the Ringbearer. I am so very glad that Gandalf appreciated just what a wonderful one Bilbo proved.
Love this one.
Author's reply
I am sure that he did. It's quite clear that after the Adventure was over he did not simply drop Bilbo, but maintained their friendship over the years! (And I don't believe for a minute that was just because of the Ring!)
Lindelea
· 12 March 2009
· Chapter 58: Will There Ever Be a Morning?
So tenderly written, this story brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks,
Lin
Author's reply
Thank you, dear! *hands you a virtual hankie*
PIppinfan1988
· 12 March 2009
· Chapter 58: Will There Ever Be a Morning?
Wow...that was such a sweet story. I had to read just one more story before I'm off to bed, and this was the perfect touch to end the evening.
I love the Gondorian tales that have Pippin -- or even Merry to some degree -- interacting with the other children of the city and not always Bergil. These young hobbits, especially Pippin, are the best equipped to relate to the young ones, being that hobbits (to me, in my pov) are so childlike.
I love your world of hobbits; thanks for sharing. :-)
Author's reply
Well, to begin with, there would not have been very many other children for them to relate to--at least until the refugees came back.
But Bergil *does* indicate that there were a few other boys who had stayed to help run errands and such. Originally, I was going to have it *be* Bergil, but somehow this little OC just kind of popped up and said, "No, it was me!"
Ah, it's been far too long since I've perused in your marvelous library. I've got a bit of time on my hands, and thought to stop by to indulge myself. :-)
I can't think of a better bedtime story than one that involves hobbits, lol. (it's way past my normal bedtime, anyway) I just loved their reaction to the big folk's casual attitude towards mealtimes. Merry's especially, lol. Enjoyed it from beginning to end!
Author's reply
*grin* You know I'm always glad to hear from you!
Yes, meals are serious business for hobbits! I could just see them being horrified by not giving enough thought to what a meal is called!
PIppinfan1988
· 12 March 2009
· Chapter 60: Trust in the Right
Very well done! Your definitions of "innocence" truly set the stage for your wonderful tale, and the blossoming relationship between Bilbo and Gandalf. Once again, you have this knack for making me feel as if I'm reading the Professor's own writing. :-) Enjoyed every word!
Author's reply
Oh thank you dear! That's a high compliment!
I think that Bilbo very quickly gained a hold on Gandalf's heart--due, possibly to his similarities to Gandalf's old friend Gerontius!
PIppinfan1988
· 8 February 2009
· Chapter 59: Reckoning of Years
Lovely! Merry is always so profound in his thoughts and it's something that I truly adore in him. I'd love to see you write more of his Post-Ring Rivendell "adventures". :-)
Author's reply
Sorry to be so late in answering this one! Somehow I missed seeing it until today!
Hmm...I will have to see how the bunny bounces, but it would not surprise me if I don't someday!
Baggins Babe
· 6 February 2009
· Chapter 59: Reckoning of Years
Glad to see that Celeborn and the Twins have adopted elevenses! Strawberry tarts? Mmmm!
Another lovely look at one of our beloved hobbits and I love Merry's concern to see the Shire's history preserved. As an archivist and local history officer I entirely agree with him!
Author's reply
Well, according to the Prologue and the Appendices, Merry had a lot to do with writing out some of that history!
I'm sure that they did whenever they had hobbit guests at Rivendell!
Baggins Babe
· 6 February 2009
· Chapter 58: Will There Ever Be a Morning?
Ah Dreamflower, how like our indomitable Took to comfort this child with his hobbity optimism - and Pip is still close enough to his own childhood to be especially sympathetic to one so young.
Apologies for not reviewing sooner - chaotically busy at work and this week we are wrestling with blizzards! Not used to this in Britain. :-)
Author's reply
My apologies for not replying sooner! Somehow I missed the notices for several reviews!
LOL! After springlike weather over the weekend, we had snow yesterday! The weather this year has been strange all over the world!
Pippin is still close to his own childhood, and he has a sympathetic heart. He easily can empathize with the griefs and fears of others.
Antane
· 3 February 2009
· Chapter 59: Reckoning of Years
I'm glad the wisdom wasn't lost - I wouldn't be where I am now if it was!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Nor would the rest of us!
Larner
· 3 February 2009
· Chapter 58: Will There Ever Be a Morning?
This period must have been so hard on all of them. And to find this child so deeply in need of comforting like this--at least it helped Pippin center himself as was needed.
Lovely, Dreamflower.
Author's reply
Oh yes indeed!
I think that one lesson Men find hard to learn, but that Hobbits know deep in their bones: it is in comforting and helping others that we find our own best comfort.
Esquire_of_Rohan
· 2 February 2009
· Chapter 59: Reckoning of Years
Very nice little piece. I like it.
Author's reply
Thank you very much!
Virtuella
· 2 February 2009
· Chapter 59: Reckoning of Years
Lovely! This seems to link in so well with Celeritas' story about Kira and the Red Book of Westmarch. The importance of remembering is certainly to be taken very seriously.
For some reason, the image that stuck with me is that of Merry wearing spectacles. Somehow it is very fitting. ;-)
Author's reply
I'm sure that part of the reason the theme resonated with me for this request was the thoughts that came from reading Celeritas' story
It had not occured to me before I actually wrote it down, that Merry wore spectacles when he got older--and yet once it did, I thought "Of course!"
Lindelea
· 2 February 2009
· Chapter 59: Reckoning of Years
Absolutely lovely! Here I was reading the first sober and somewhat distressing paragraphs, and I began to wish that Pippin would show up, and...
he did!
Thanks!
Author's reply
*grin* Of course he did! Pippin on demand!
Really, I could not imagine Merry making such a journey without Pippin, nor Pippin allowing Merry to spend too much time amid the dusty records while they were there!
GamgeeFest
· 2 February 2009
· Chapter 59: Reckoning of Years
There's nothing that can't be improved by strawberry tarts. :) I enjoyed this glimpse of Merry and his spectacles, poring over the library in Rivendell and getting all the kinks and aches that come from constant research and writing.
Author's reply
Strawberry tarts are a wonderful cure-all! *grin*
As a scribe and calligrapher, I know only too well the "kinks and aches" from writing things out by hand!
Larner
· 2 February 2009
· Chapter 59: Reckoning of Years
Ah, you and I have seen so much of the same truth here--that Elrond and his sons have kept far more records of the doings of Hobbits than the Hobbits themselves, and that Sam, Merry, and Pippin all followed Frodo in seeking to keep that connection open that the Shire not forget!
Wonderful ending, and so very Hobbity!
Author's reply
It seems pretty clear to me that Rivendell was a haven for the remnants of the Northern Kingdoms--and that would have included any records they wished to preserve.
Merry compiling the Tale of Years is canon; I just decided to put it into context. And we know that Pippin gathered records at the Great Smials, and that Sam completed and passed on, the Red Book.
Thanks! A light ending seemed appropriate.
GamgeeFest
· 1 February 2009
· Chapter 58: Will There Ever Be a Morning?
Poor Sador! To be so alone during such a dark time, and so worried for his brother. It cannot be reassuring for him to see all these soldiers dying. Thank goodness Pippin was able to ease him to sleep, at least for this night.
Author's reply
Yes, poor little fellow. He's really too young, but there is no one with the time right now to take responsibility for him. Pippin came along at just the right time.
Antane
· 31 January 2009
· Chapter 58: Will There Ever Be a Morning?
I love that lullaby! Very nice. Have you read Queen Galadriel's that are sprinkled throughout my earlier stories? This reminds me of hers and, if you don't know already, that's a high compliment! How sweet of Pippin to sing this. I can imagine it being sung to Frodo too, by one of his cousins or his Sam. I love also the hope Pippin had.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you! I wrote that lullaby a few years ago, for my Dreamflower's Mathoms I story "At Crickhollow", and thought it was time to use it again.
Queen Galadriel is a very talented poet, and I do really love her verses!
Well, I propose that it is a traditional Shire lullaby, so I am sure some of the others sang it or had it sung to them as well.
Andrea
· 29 January 2009
· Chapter 58: Will There Ever Be a Morning?
I do not *know* they will prevail, but I feel that they will.
Wonderfully written, Dreamflower!
Pippin is reminded of himself by that little boy. After all he's not an adult yet, and like the boy he was forced to grow into adulthood in a far too short time. There must have been several moments during that day when Pippin felt like weeping himself.
Still, he has not lost hope completely. In fact, the saving of Merry was the beginning of new hope for Pippin. And he shares this comfort with the little boy! Wonderful :)
Author's reply
I think you have a lot of insight into Pippin's circumstances. He empathizes very easily with other people's trouble, and I think he does identify himself with the poor kid. And yes, I'm sure he did feel like weeping that day, especially when he found Merry in such dire straits.
Pippin never entirely loses his hope, even when he thought he was dying under the troll, his spirit laughed.
Virtuella
· 28 January 2009
· Chapter 58: Will There Ever Be a Morning?
That is a wonderful snapshot, touching, but not too sentimental, with just the right balance of hope and anxiety.
Author's reply
Thank you dear! I do try not to be "too sentimental" in my dealings with hobbits, so I am glad you feel that way!
"Hope and anxiety". That had to be the watchwords of the last few days before the end.
This is really, really amusing, especially the discussion the have on the names of meals. Ha! “Not to mention the other things that aren’t quite meals, such as a mid-afternoon break or a midnight larder raid or a little something to tide one over before supper!” Indeed. And the ending is lovely, with poor Boromir having that song stuck in his head. We call that "Ohrwurm" (earwig) in German, BTW.
Author's reply
Yes, well, I think food loomed very largely in the psyche of hobbits! Just think that most of their days when at home were preoccupied with either the eating of meals or the preparing of them!
Yes, over here they are called "Ear-worms", and they are very persistent!
nancylea57
· 10 December 2008
· Chapter 2: Eucatastrophe IV: Happy New Year
you have painted exactly how startled these lads must be, imagine an everyday fixture in your life is actually the hope diamond, and you thought all it did was turn on the water!
Author's reply
Well, they'd heard the stories all their lives, but the impact it made in the world was beyond them--I'm sure it was much like when the young hobbits heard Bilbo's stories: exciting, but not exactly real to them!
I like your metaphor!