The Many Aspects of Merimac Brandybuck by Lily Dragonquill
Larner · 22 January 2007 · Chapter 15: Joy of Your Life
How wonderful! Yes, these two are ready to try again themselves. And Merimac is enthralled by a tiny Took. How wonderful!
Author's reply
They are indeed, aren't they? That Took was just born to be the centre of attention :)
Bodkin · 21 January 2007 · Chapter 15: Joy of Your Life
I'm of the opinion that more children are definitely add-able. Especially if they're daughters! The family trees tend to focus on significant children rather than unimportant sprigs on the family trees! (After all - those many generations of Numenorean kings can't all have limited themselves to the one son and heir!)
Author's reply
True... female children are often ignored. Hm... now I only need to adjust the little one into the time line. A "late suprise" perhaps? :D Thanks for your reassurance.
Bodkin · 21 January 2007 · Chapter 15: Joy of Your Life
Sometimes joy comes in all sorts of guises! Merimac should have a few more children. It'd be a whole new learning curve for him! (And there's nothing like a new baby for making everyone around feel broody ... It's usually the females, though, who are agitating for an addition to the family.)
Author's reply
Well, it is a woman who starts speaking about having more children first :) As for more children: well, I would give Merimac more but then I am not sure how strict the hobbit genealogies are. There only Berilac is listed.
Andrea · 21 January 2007 · Chapter 15: Joy of Your Life
"Berilac Brandybuck! Stop fighting the lasses." "I'm not! I'm fighting Merry!" was the boy's insistent reply before all sounds faded once again. LOL!!! That was great! It seems Berilac takes after his father ;-) Or maybe he's still a little angry at him because he wasn't allowed to hold the baby? Babies are always sweet, attentive and well-behaved - as long as they don't start to cry, that is. But as Paladin and Mac found out, watching them grow is also a delight. And little "incidents" like this one make it even more interesting :) My friend's daughter has now started walking and speaking. A nice little girl. But let's wait until she has her first fight with a boy ;-)
Author's reply
*grins* Berilac is very much his father's son - and all his pride! :) Is that the same daughter you told me about while reading "Dear Diary"? How time flies!
demeter d · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 13: Hero
Internet fascinates me. I am spending time catching up today, I just reviewed your Yule story, and here comes your reply while I still sit here reading more. I especially like seeing people growing, relationships developing. It is easy to see that these Hobbits can count on their family. I can see where Merry Brandybuck learned to be the one folks could count on. He had examples to follow of his family supporting each other. Your characters are so real!
Author's reply
It's amazing how we are connected even around the globe, isn't it? Merry certainly had examples he could learn from, and in turn had his father and uncle. I love to explore this family. They are strongly connected to Frodo and yet we learn so little about them in the books.
demeter d · 20 December 2006 · Chapter 14: A Special Yule
Beautiful atmosphere! Sights, sounds, smells, emotions, so very immediate and real. And I love the warmth and strength of their relationship. Lovely!
Author's reply
Thanks a lot. They are a wonderful couple.
Larner · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 14: A Special Yule
Oh, it's wonderful to see the Troubles Lists going up in sparks, ash, and smoke here. And I'm glad he brought her out to see, warmly bundled up as he did. Truly she has what she needs for a joyous Yule ever in her husband.
Author's reply
I don't even remember where the idea of the Trobule List came from. I mentioned it first in one of my German stories. I guess I was thinking about the meaning of Yule in general - and combining it with new year's resolutions which are made nowadays. Adamanta is indeed a lucky woman.
Larner · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 13: Hero
Love the wise young cousin, of course. And love the support each gives the other at need. And so the story comes full circle, from Saradoc protecting Merimac to Mac supporting Saradoc.
Author's reply
The wise young cousin certainly grew a lot in the years between, say, Runaway, and the young hobbit that is presented here. Saradoc will never have to manage his land alone and likewise Merimac can always count on his brother's help should he be in trouble. Thanks for reading.
Bodkin · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 14: A Special Yule
I love the strength of Merimac and Adamanta's relationship - and his kindness and understanding. And his remarkable musicality! I'm sure Adamanta will sleep better for having seen the bonfire - and recover more quickly.
Author's reply
Thanks a lot, Bodkin.
Andrea · 18 December 2006 · Chapter 14: A Special Yule
The fire might be the icing on the cake, but now she understood that all she needed for a perfect Yule was her Merimac. A lovely story and a perfect last sentence! I loved it that after all those years Mac has been still as mischievous as ever, but now combined with responsibility and the love for his wife (and his son). (I'm not quite sure, if I used the correct tense. But I'm too tired to think it over ;-)) Thank you, Lily!
Author's reply
Thanks a lot, Andrea. Merimac will keep his sense of mischief - and his humour - all his life :)
Elemmírë · 12 December 2006 · Chapter 13: Hero
These were all very good, Lily. I especially enjoyed the last two. ~Elemmírë~
Author's reply
Thank you, dear.
Andrea · 10 December 2006 · Chapter 13: Hero
Wow! Those are great, Lily! First of all, I would never have thought that Sara used his fists in an argument. But taking into account that he was defending his little brother, his reaction is quite understandable. And now I know who was his teacher in the art of lecturing ;-) I was fascinated by the meeting of Mac and Frodo! "Will it ever stop to hurt?" "No," was the quick reply and for the first time Merimac looked into the kind face of his cousin. "But after a time you will stop bleeding." That is so true! And once again I found that Frodo is well-named, "wise by experience", indeed. And the last ficlet showed that Merimac heeded Frodo's advice and was able to pass it on to his big brother! Thank you very much, Lily!
Author's reply
Well, Saradoc was young once too and the control he now has when lecturing his charges certainly needed a few years to develop. Though he is the less impulsive of the brothers he could definitely be dangerous when he is angered. And of course he would never admit that he cared for Merimac a great deal :) Frodo grew quite a lot from the lad that is seen in other stories where he and Merimac interacted. Thanks a lot!
Larner · 1 November 2006 · Chapter 2: Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Ooh, lovely--payback time! How did I miss these two? This one right after the other is so cute!
Author's reply
The two of these were first posted amang my drabbles and only when I started the Merimac Series they moved here - right at the same time as Tomp Tomp did. Glad you liked them.
Larner · 1 November 2006 · Chapter 1: Feeding A Cousin
Oh, the joy of feeding little ones--and few can fight those eyes of his, can they?
Author's reply
This eyes can barely be fought - especially when they're briming with tears.
Larner · 1 November 2006 · Chapter 12: Milk and Honey
Mac wants company, and perhaps Frodo's finding he has a bit more than he'd bargained for now that he's sick. But a nice image that, Merry quiet for once, and Beri grumping, and Frodo lying on the end trying to be better, and Mac moving in on his son.
Author's reply
I think you're quite right. After Frodo has got used to the quiet of Bag End the hubbub in Brandy Hall must be almost too much for him.
Elemmírë · 30 October 2006 · Chapter 12: Milk and Honey
I really liked how you transitioned from Mac, Sara, and Paladin's childhood into Frodo, Merry, and Berilac's. I also enjoyed the parallel storytelling: Mac travels to the Great Smials and gets sick, likewise as decades later Frodo becomes ill during his own visit to Brandy Hall. It's good to see that Frodo is no longer emotionally distancing himself from those who love him. Mac will always be young at heart, which is a good thing! Another wonderful glimpse of Mac's life, Lily! ~Elemmírë~
Author's reply
Thanks a lot! To be honest I haven't realised there was a parallel in storytelling until you mentioned it. I love to explore Merimac's life and I'm glad you enjoy the glimpses I offer - even though he is so minor a character as to be almost OC.
Bodkin · 30 October 2006 · Chapter 12: Milk and Honey
Ahh! Sweet little Merimac giving in to his desire to protest the unfairness of life - his mother was very patient with him. And it paid off - because he does a good job with his own little lad. And shame on Frodo - teaching the young'uns such unparliamentary language!
Author's reply
Menegilda's patience and understanding was certainly an advantage to her children. I'm afraid, Frodo couldn't help himself :) Thanks for reading.
Andrea · 29 October 2006 · Chapter 12: Milk and Honey
"You're a git, Mac." Merimac smiled impishly. "Thank you." He threw the pillow back. "And I do love you too, lad." Very nice, Lily! Mac may have changed a lot from the time when he was a little boy to now. But there still is enough mischief in his head to amuse both his son and his cousin. And that I like! Nothing is more boring that an adult who is always reasonable ;-)
Author's reply
Thanks, dear. Merimac definitely stayed a little boy in heart :)
demeter d · 19 October 2006 · Chapter 11: Bedtime Hour
Three cheers for the "Hobbit pile", even if it is only a pile of two? Saradoc sounds just like a typical big brother, trying to sound tough and "cool". But still, he does love his little brother, and takes his responsibility to look after him quite seriously. I am sure that after a few days of snuggling up to a patient big brother, Mac will be just fine. A sweet little moment.
Author's reply
Thanks a lot, dear.
Larner · 19 October 2006 · Chapter 11: Bedtime Hour
And that was all he needed--to feel he wasn't alone but had the love of his family by him. Dear Mac. Love it, Lily.
Author's reply
Exactly. :) Thank you, Larner.
Dreamflower · 18 October 2006 · Chapter 11: Bedtime Hour
Aww...poor Saradoc. It's hard to have to share a room when you are used to one of your own. And poor wee Mac, trying to get used to sleeping in a new place. This was adorable, and so hobbity of Saradoc to forget his irritation, once his little brother was all snugged up closely.
Author's reply
Thank you, dear. It is hard to sahre a room with someone when you're used to having one of your own. I realise that every time my parents are visiting for the weekend. so hobbity of Saradoc to forget his irritation, once his little brother was all snugged up closely You think it hobbity? That's good. I just couldn't imagine Saradoc sending Merimac away again.
Andrea · 18 October 2006 · Chapter 11: Bedtime Hour
Merimac might be a nuisance most of the time but he could not help loving him anyhow - though he would never tell him that. Perfectly observed, Lily! A great addition to your Mac stories, especially to those involving the Brandybuck brothers. I like those two :)
Author's reply
Thanks, dear. I have been fond of each of the brothers for quite a while - especially Saradoc due to his constant presence in Schicksalsjahre eines Hobbits - but the more I think about Mac's life, the more I like to see the two of them together.
Elemmírë · 10 October 2006 · Chapter 10: Easing Troubles
The sad part is, I wonder if in all his anger and grief if Frodo really did realize his behavior toward Berilac. If so, I bet felt even worse after the fact. Another wonderful look at a glimpse of Merimac's life! A follow-up to this one, perhaps? ~Elemmírë~
Author's reply
He will realise it in the morning at the latest. As I know Berilac he will let Frodo know. I'm not sure about a follow-up. Maybe... :)
demeter d · 9 October 2006 · Chapter 10: Easing Troubles
What a sweet image, of a Father who has learned how to listen, and really say things that will help. Berilac will be on his way to understanding that even the best people sometimes have troubles.
Author's reply
Awww... nicely said. The many years of knowing Frodo must have given him some ability to understand him at least a little - and thus comfort his son. Thank you!
Larner · 8 October 2006 · Chapter 8: A Pony Too Little
Oh, have I seen THAT scenario over and over again!
Author's reply
*nods* It does occure ver often. Thanks for reading.