Daynawayna
· 23 January 2007
· Chapter 3: The Task at Hand
Yay! More Chapters! :D
And leave it to Other to find THE Red Book! OMG! How hobbity-freakin'-awesome is that!?!? Of course, barring a miracle (or twelve), the book will most likely be discovered missing. And if not, I would pay to be a fly on the wall when Other tries to return said book! LOL
I'm loving this more and more Pearl. I'm so glad you continued with it!
Author's reply
I'm glad you're enjoying it, Daynawayna! It would have been weirder had he known ahead that it was the original, but yes, it surprised me too. As to it getting discovered, or when/if he returns it . . .
we'll all just have to wait and see ;-)
Thank you for responding :-)
poppymuddyfoot
· 23 January 2007
· Chapter 3: The Task at Hand
Oh! Oh! You're continuing the stories! Thank you, thank you! I adore your characters almost as much as I do Tolkien's. I have wondered what it would be like for Jebbin and Other when they started to tell the truth. I am so glad that we're going to find out. The support of their wives and parents is marvelous. And I love the way Pippin and Merry are helping them. (To be honest, I just love seeing them doing just about anything though.) And the Red Book! Oh, I tried to imagine what I would feel if I could actually hold that book myself, and it gave me goosebumps. I imagine Jebbin would feel it even more strongly.
I am REALLY looking forward to reading more of this story. Thank you, THANK YOU for writing it!
Author's reply
I'm glad to see you, Poppy. Thank you for reading and responding :-)
Yes, there were so many readers wanting the rest of the story that I dove in.
"I adore your characters almost as much as I do Tolkien's." Thank you! There is no higher compliment, I'm honored. I'm glad you like my Jebbin and Other so much.
You are very welcome, and thank you for the kind words and support :-)
Andrea
· 23 January 2007
· Chapter 3: The Task at Hand
The Original Red Book!!!
Dear me, what a surprise! Was it only luck or is there some other force at work, I wonder. However, the ghosts of Merry and Pippin seemed as surprised as anyone else. Very interesting!
I loved the bells in your story. Of course Pippin liked them, he always had :)
Author's reply
A surprise indeed! For me as well as them :-)
I think this is all "meant to happen" just as the events of the War of the Ring were, but who is behind it . . . I don't know, even though it is hinted at in the story that Merry and Pippin aren't the only ones wanting the record set straight.
My thanks to GW for letting me borrow the bells. Yes, they are happy little things and little Pip did enjoy them :-) Grown up Pip likes happy things too!
Thank you for reading and responding, Andrea!
FantasyFan
· 23 January 2007
· Chapter 3: The Task at Hand
I can feel the tingling in my hands. What would it feel like, to hold the real Red Book of Westmarch? To see the spidery writing, and the flowing script, and be in the same room with the book that Bilbo carried with him? The book where Frodo painfully scratched out the story of Cirith Ungol, the book that Sam probably cried over on his return from the Grey Havens? Vicarious thrills, Pearl, that's what you're giving us.
But now that the real book has been (re)discovered, what will Jebbin and Other do to finish the story the way it should be told, and some way that modern hobbits can accept it? Frodo was very sparing with the details of his own thought in the last third of the story - will Merry and Pippin tell a fuller version? And who else, exactly, is in the wings also wanting to hear the tale told aright?
I am enjoying this story, and looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Wow! That's beautiful writing, FantasyFan! Thank you :-)
You've also posed some good questions, the answers to which I do not yet have. As I've said in some of my other answers to reviews, I really have very few ideas of where this story is headed - which is odd for me. I'm as eager to find all of this out as you are :-)
I'm glad you're looking forward to more. Thank you!
shirebound
· 23 January 2007
· Chapter 3: The Task at Hand
How heartbreaking that the original Red Book would be forgotten and neglected after so many years! But I think it has found its way into the right hands at last.
Author's reply
Yes, it is very sad but also true to the way things sometimes go. I hadn't thought of it at the time I was writing, but your saying this made me think . . .
It's like "Antiques Roadshow"!
"I paid 50 cents for this book at a yard sale. They said it was just some family relic."
"Well, Mr. Brandybuck. This is the original Red Book of Westmarch and it's priceless."
Thank you so much for leaving this response, shirebound!
Grey Wonderer
· 22 January 2007
· Chapter 3: The Task at Hand
I love the fact that Pippin still blushes even as a ghost! hehehe I also love what you did with the bells. It is darling the way they accepted the watch chains and the way Pippin actually enjoyed his. I was stunned that Other had actually managed to nick the original RED BOOK! That was a very interesting surprise indeed. But Pippin's line:
(“Sometimes things aren’t as bad as the dreams show them to be.” Pippin paused a second, then added, “Although, sometimes they’ll be worse.”)
That was so very Pippin that I just had to laugh out loud!
Author's reply
Thank you, GW :-) I'm so glad you like my Merry Ghost and Pippin Ghost! I'm enjoying writing them. There's more to come on the Red Book. It's nice to have had something like that pop into the story.
I'm glad that bit made you laugh. Along with Other just *having* to tell Jebbin about the dreams and pinching the book - I'm having fun with my Tookish Tooks and Brandybucks.
Larner
· 22 January 2007
· Chapter 3: The Task at Hand
Ooh! Cool! THE original, found and read after all this time. Talk about straight from the horse's mouth! Wonderful! Oh, I'd be all but genuflecting. They are SO lucky! Am thrilled.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner :-) I was excited too when it showed up - I love how these things just pop into my head as I'm writing.
Grey Wonderer
· 13 January 2007
· Chapter 2: Getting Settled and Unsettled
Poor Merry. He does seem confused by it all, doesn't he? I guess he knows different things in each place but doesn't remember them all of the time. Is that close? Imagine a Hobbit not being able to eat! Now that must be annoying for Merry. Looking forward to more and to hearing what Merry has to say.
Author's reply
Thank you for reading and responding, GW :-)
I think it is something like that. I'm not sure myself. Not being able to eat has to be a terrible thing for a hobbit, even a ghostly one.
Bodkin
· 7 January 2007
· Chapter 2: Getting Settled and Unsettled
It would be very disconcerting to find you'd taken up residence with a ghost! Especially a legendary ghost like Meriadoc Brandybuck.
I hope Jebbin and Other and their wives enjoy these early months together - because I think they have very tough times ahead of them.
Old Pompous certainly lives up to his name - fancy attaching a signet ring to an infant! - but Mac might be a wiser and more enlightened Master when his time comes.
It'll be interesting to discover what Merry has come to say ... and I wonder if Pippin will be turning up.
Author's reply
Thank you, Bodkin!
I've often wondered about living in a home with a ghost. I knew someone for awhile that did. It was a peaceable ghost who didn't show up too often and my friend just got used to it. But then, it wasn't talking to her either ;-)
Yes, things will get rough, though I'm not sure how bad or when (see my reply to Pippinfan).
Pompous is a pain, but I think Mac is going to come in handy, we'll have to wait and see.
PIppinfan1988
· 6 January 2007
· Chapter 2: Getting Settled and Unsettled
Hi, Pearl! I *finally* made it! I started to read last night, but was interrupted by a very rude cat. :-(
ANYWAY...I thought the wedding night pranks were fabulous--reminded of some stories my parents once related my sister and me. ;-) I will always love how you portray the ghosts--Merry and Pippin. Their movements and reactions run smooth and true--and comical when the moment calls for it. I am guessing that the signet ring left by Macidoc will have some bearing on this tale at some point, but my antenna isn't up right now (it's still focussed on that cat and my laptop keys!).
I really enjoyed this most excellent chapter! Now I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the next update.
PF
Author's reply
Hi PF! Glad you made it :-) *sounds like I need to have a talk with Kali*
I'm so glad you're enjoying this and that the ghosts are coming off well :-) I'm also assuming the signet ring has some bearing on this, though I don't know any more than anyone else at this point. The muse is leading me along blindfolded on this one, which is a frightening feeling. I start to write and things come into my head and I put them down, I've nearly nothing plotted out with this story.
I was just working on the next chapter, so hopefully it will be posted in the not so distant future.
Thank you so much for staying with it!
Grey Wonderer
· 6 January 2007
· Chapter 1: And So It Began
Jebbin is wonderful! I do enjoy him a great deal. His thoughts on Pippin as a meddling ghost are too funny! Marjy is great too. I like her scholarly ways and she reminds me ever so slightly of Frodo in that. Any Baggins in that one? I am enjoying this very much and glad to have had time to begin it. I will be back later in the day for more of this one!
Author's reply
Thank you, GW! It's grand to have you along on this ride. It will, I'm feart, be a dark story, though I'm hoping to find moments of humor as well. I really know so little about what is going to happen in this one.
She might have some Baggins at that, I'll see what the muse says ;-)
Grey Wonderer
· 6 January 2007
· Chapter 0: Whatever Shall Be Done?
This is a wonderful beginning! I love your original characters in this and the mystery and adventure that this one chapter promises. It seems that the current Master of Buckland is not at all living up to his sires! He is a bit like a certain female Took was in his misuse of his authority. Looks like there will be danger ahead!
Author's reply
I missed this! I'm very sorry, GW.
Yes, old Pompous is going to be a pain I think. Jebbin and Other and their wives are in for a dangerous adventure indeed.
Thank you so much for responding to the prologue, GW :-)
Dreamflower
· 5 January 2007
· Chapter 2: Getting Settled and Unsettled
Oh Pearl, this is really looking good!
I have to say, I like how *Merry* is reacting to his being "dead" and his "haunting"--it really is very like him to be a bit disconcerted at this turn of events, even though he knows what it is. Of course, Pippin *would* be more comfortable with it, LOL!
I also like Marjoram very much. She clearly has a quick grasp of things, even if it is a bit hard for her to deal with emotionally.
Author's reply
Thank you, Dreamflower :-) Yes, Marjy is a good level-headed lass and Jebbin is going to be glad for that, I think . . .
. . . if only my muse was letting me know what it has in mind for this tale!
Pippin thinks it's all rather fun :-)
Daynawayna
· 5 January 2007
· Chapter 2: Getting Settled and Unsettled
Wow Pearl, this is just getting better and better! Now aren't you glad I nudged you for more? LOL? wonders how much she's hated by the lovely Pearl Took... ::Giggle:: Just kidding! :O) I can see this is going to be even more wonderful than the previous stories... I can't wait to see how Jeb and Other 'change history' and correct the hobbits view of things. I just hope they all survive! :O
Andrea
· 5 January 2007
· Chapter 2: Getting Settled and Unsettled
Wonderful! The story of Jebbin and Other goes on!
First of all, I like the hobbits' arrangements for the wedding night. It is indeed very clever to choose a "guard". And the jokes those guards played, were very gentle, avoiding to change the bedding, how very practical and hobbity!
And where else in all the rooms of Brandy Hall would Meriadoc the Magnificent appear, if not in his former study? He just didn't know that it now belonged to Jebbin and his wife.
“I seem to be doomed to provoke you, Jebbin,” Merry sadly said.
Poor Merry! But in fact it saved him a lot of time ;-)
Now I'm really interested in what Merry is going to tell Jebbin!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you're enjoying this, Andrea :-) It does make sense that his old apartments would be a place Merry'd be seen.
I'm interested in finding that out as well!
Thank you :-)
Larner
· 5 January 2007
· Chapter 2: Getting Settled and Unsettled
Now, that would have been quite a surprise for poor Marjoram.
And have I told you how glad I am that the one bride is named Athelas? I do find it appropriate and delightful.
Author's reply
Yes, poor dear, a surprise for most of us. You hadn't mentioned that before, Larner. I'm glad you like that I used Athelas. I would think it would become a hobbit lasses name at least in the Brandybuck, Took and Gamgee/Gardner families.
Thank you for reading and responding :-)
shirebound
· 5 January 2007
· Chapter 2: Getting Settled and Unsettled
“Pippin and me?” She mumbled as she started to slip towards the floor.
That would be my reaction, too! Poor girl. But what a lovely honeymoon for all of them. This is getting very intriguing, Pearl!
Author's reply
Thank you, dear mentor :-) It's intriquing me as well, LOL!
PIppinfan1988
· 6 December 2006
· Chapter 1: And So It Began
I'm sitting here cringing...and sitting on the edge of my seat somewhat patiently waiting for the next chapter. ;-) Somehow, I get the feeling that the "rough road ahead of them" will be an understatement, lol. I'm looking forward to more!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you, m'dear for coming along for the ride :-)
I think it is going to be rough but I don't know much myself yet. This is being one of those stories that I'm having to claw for. The next chapter has been started though :-)
PIppinfan1988
· 3 December 2006
· Chapter 0: Whatever Shall Be Done?
You know...I'd like to see some hobbit kick that Pompous jerk's you-know-what! How dare he even *suggest*, let alone *demand* someone to disown their children??? I'm sure he's going to get his comeuppance at some point in this tale and I'm going to be on the sidelines whistling and clapping my hands with Clary and Marrin when he does!
This is a fantastic beginning to what I see will be a most fascinating story. :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you, m'dear Pippinfan! I think you're right, though I don't know myself at this point when and where it will happen. I'm looking forward to it as much as my readers are :-D
Larner
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 1: And So It Began
They truly found the right ones for them. So, this is about Jebbins and Other, then? They must be VERY unpopular right now. Nice start.
And he doesn't realize just how much folk in our time will come to love that interfering old ghost, does he? Heh!
Author's reply
Yes, though eveyone's favorite ghosts will definitely be part of the tale, this is more of Jebbin and Other's story. They will be very unpopular soon, poor lads. No, Jebbin has no idea that large numbers of Big Folk will adore that interfering old ghost . . . LOL!
Thank you, Larner, for reding and responding :-)
Larner
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 0: Whatever Shall Be Done?
Accepting true is always difficult when it challenges our preconcptions.
Author's reply
Yes, They've quite an up hill battle and I'm not sure how it ends myself at this point.
Thank you, Larner :-)
Andrea
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 1: And So It Began
Please submit my greetings to your muse, and tell her (or him) that I would really appreciate it, if that "Master" of Buckland was visited by the ghosts of Meriadoc and Peregrin! He may not be Scrooge, but he really deserves it ;-)
Other and Jebbin have just started their "quest". It will be very different from Merry's and Pippin's, but they will be supported by their wives, who are both fascinating hobbit lasses - and (mostly) Tooks. This is going to be very interesting! I'm looking forward to reading more!
Author's reply
Thank you for reading and responding, Andrea :-)
I'm not sure if or when the ghosties will visit Macimas II. The impressions I have thus far are that, if they do, it will be later in the story not sooner - but we'll see what happens. Seeing as the story is now at a time when Jebbin hasn't even written his book, there's no need for ghostly visits to the Master at this time. But the ghosties will be in the story, I promise :-)
harrowcat
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 0: Whatever Shall Be Done?
Hi Pearl. My reading time is scare at present and reviewing time even scarcer so just to let you know that you have me intrigued and I am reading as fast as I can. I'll try to drop in when i have a moment!
Author's reply
Thank you, harrowcat, for letting me know you're reading this :-) Do what you can, it's a hectic time of year!
Bodkin
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 0: Whatever Shall Be Done?
Marrin and Clary have courage. A lot of people in their situation would have given in - superficially at any rate.
Macimas - well, if the best anyone can say of him is that he is 'Efficient', I wouldn't want to hear the worst. Even Pompous sounds like flattery.
This seems to be an indication that matters are going to get worse before they get better. A lot worse.
Author's reply
They are brave hobbits indeed. Yes, "Efficient" isn't saying a whole lot, though it's a quality that is enviable when you don't have it - which I don't :-)
Thank you so much for reading and responding, Bodkin!
Bodkin
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 1: And So It Began
And, as the prologue indicates, it is indeed going to be tough. You don't crack through engrained prejudices without banging your head against a lot of brick walls. And enduring even more shunning and persecution.
That narrow-minded pompous excuse for a rule-bound Brandybuck doesn't seem to have much in common with his Magnificent ancestor. I hope a certain couple of hobbits are able to come back and haunt him.
This looks very interesting!
Author's reply
Well, don't forget Lalia the Great (Fat), She was quite pompous. And Lobelia and Lotho were as well I'm sure when they ruled the Shire.
I'm glad it looks interesting :) I'm not sure whom those two spirits may visit, but they will be putting in appearances :-)
Thank you, Bodkin!