I do like the bond between Boromir and Pippin - they each offer the other something he needs a lot, and it's good to see Boromir's loneliness reduced by caring for a younger companion as he would his brother. While Pippin needs to feel himself big enough and worthy enough of his place among these warriors - which can't be easy just after the pebble incident. And it's good to have Boromir open up a bit - not to mention showing just why he was prepared to stand between the hobbits and an orc army.
Author's reply
Thank you, Bodkin.
I desperately wanted to show that these two will grow themselves, besides growing the friendship. I like the fact that Boromir, while still respecting Pippin, has someone like his brother to watch over. I think he needs that sense of purpose. He seems to have lost his sense of purpose with the Quest, sad to say!
As for Pip - he really needs some respect. I don't think he's ever truly had it - and now, as he is getting closer to being of age, it is most important that he find himself.
Thanks for reviewing!
Garnet Took
· 26 March 2007
· Chapter 3: Hollin
I am really enjoying this story. You are doing a very nice job showing a friendship not often deeply explred.
Author's reply
Thank you, Garnet. As I said in my little summary, this time with Pippin and Boromir is helping me too! I'm very glad you like it!
Grey Wonderer
· 25 March 2007
· Chapter 3: Hollin
Boromir is so very conflicted about his father and so devoted to his younger brother. It shows in the way he speaks of them to Pippin. This helps to explain why Pippin wanted to serve Denethor when he reached Minas Tirith. He wanted to do so because of his relationship with Boromir.
Author's reply
Oh! Grey Wonderer - I have always thought that Pip's incredible act of loyalty stemmed from more than what Tolkien showed us in his tale! Both Merry and Pippin grew up so quickly and learned the importance of fidelity to those they felt worthy of it. I think Pip did think Boromir worthy of his fidelity, as Merry did of King Theoden.
*heavy sigh* Wish Pip could have given his oath to Boromir in Minas Tirith, but Denethor received him well. There is still a soft spot in the old gentleman's heart!
Grey Wonderer
· 25 March 2007
· Chapter 2: The Ruins of Eregion
I think Boromir was right. The hobbits deserve to know what dangers they face. It will be easier if they are not surprised by it all. I am still enjoying this very much.
Author's reply
Thank you, Grey Wonderer - it seems only logical to know what you are facing and just because the Hobbits are 'smaller' in stature than the rest of the company, does not mean that they will not have to take part in their own defense and the defense of the Fellowship.
Very glad you are enjoying this!
Grey Wonderer
· 25 March 2007
· Chapter 1: Along the Bruinen
Oh, I am enjoying this very much! I just came across it and I must say, I love your Pippin. I also enjoy stories that have Boromir and Pippin or Merry developing a friendship during the Quest. I also find the idea of Ted and Pippin as friends very interesting. It would have made things so much more difficult for Pippin later when he found out about Ted's part in the troubles back in the Shire. Also Pippin would have been the sort to trust Ted even if others weren't very fond of him. Off to read more.
Author's reply
The sight of the mill, I think, would be just too intriguing to Pippin - so there begins the friendship...
Oh - I like that thought - about Pip & Ted at the end - what a mess!
Larner
· 25 March 2007
· Chapter 3: Hollin
I grieve that both the sons of Denethor felt such love for and yet such difficulty fully relating with their father.
And I've always loved that pebble thrown down the well.
Author's reply
Hi, Larner!
Fathers (and sometimes mothers) are definitely difficult... my own Dad scared the crap out of me until I was married... then, suddenly, I could see him as a man... and could love him without fear (well, mostly!)...
I love Denethor - and feel his sons would have loved him too - though also respecting him... which sometimes gets confused with fear.
Me too! I'm a pebble fan! Poor Pip... I would NOT want to be on the end of a tongue-lashing from Gandalf... even more fearful than one from Denethor.
daw the minstrel
· 25 March 2007
· Chapter 3: Hollin
I just started reading this today and found it both insightful and a lot of fun. I like the way you draw comparisons between the future Thain and the future Steward. Their physical and temperamental differences tend to obscure the similarities that are much more important: fated to rule and devoted to a brother/cousin, for instance. And they are obviously learning from one another. Plus this is just a good read.
Author's reply
Thanks, Daw!
As you know, I love your work and constantly tell folks to read your stuff - giving them links and such. I find it most humbling to have you enjoying mine...
Thanks for the great comments... I adore your take on the differences - you are right - they can blind us... when these two can be much more for each other!
Bless you!!!
Pearl Took
· 25 March 2007
· Chapter 3: Hollin
“Now, Master Thain, I could not let you attack my brother. First, he is my brother and I love him, but secondly, you could hurt him and that would hurt both him and you. For I see in you a gentleness that is like unto him and I would not have that leave you.”
*****************
That resemblance is part of why Boromir likes the young "Thain". And it will be in part thanks to Boromir that Pippin later becomes a "stellar thain".
I am so enjoying this!!
Author's reply
Hi, PT!!!
I loved those lines - it seemed so appropriate and what Boromir didn't say - but might later on - is that he has seen some of Faramir's gentleness leave him because of the war and such - and will do everything in his power to keep that from happening to Pippin - now that they are friends.
If Boromir had lived to be Steward, I'm sure some of Pippin's 'wisdom' would have helped Boromir... I do like your thought that Boromir is helping Pippin grow. *blushes*
Again, 10,000 thanks for reading and responding!
Pearl Took
· 25 March 2007
· Chapter 2: The Ruins of Eregion
"You are to be thain because of the king of the north, are you not?”
“I am. But only because the king died and left no one to rule the Shire.”
“But the same is true for me!” Boromir exclaimed with fervor. “As I told you.”
“Then we have something else in common.”
“That we have, Master Thain. That we have.”
**********
They do have a great deal in common, these two.
I love your Pippin, Agape!!!
Author's reply
Doesn't it just amaze you, Pearl Took - I had the tiniest of an idea about this a year ago - but when I finally did the research and saw this... well, I was dumbfounded.
The seem to be a natural pair!
Thank you so much for your encouragement of my 'Pip's voice!
Pearl Took
· 25 March 2007
· Chapter 1: Along the Bruinen
This is wonderful! I love their calling each other "Master Steward" and "Master Thain". And I like that Pip is as good a listener as he is a talker.
Very Well Done!
Author's reply
I loved it too - when the thought came to me... though they both know they are not yet - they will be - as far as they know...
And it adds some levity to the grim things that are all about them! Something to chuckle over!
Who would have thought Pip could listen! I did for doesn't he do that while they are 'following' Frodo before he leaves the Shire.
Thanks for reading and especially for commenting!
shirebound
· 25 March 2007
· Chapter 3: Hollin
It was only a pebble after all. And wells are supposed to end in water. A small splash was all you could imagine hearing, not the everlasting rattle of it as it fell.
Does Sam sing?” Boromir asked, surprised.
“He does lots of things,” Pippin said proudly. “He’s not just a gardener, you know.”
“I did not. And you are not just Merry’s cousin, Master Thain.
I'm just loving these conversations. They have so much to learn from -- and teach -- one another.
Author's reply
Hi, shirebound,
I loved the pebble too - I know why PJ did the whole armour thing - but the pebble is perfect... poor Pip, who would have thought!
I can't wait till Sam sings in Lorien...
Again - deepest thanks for readiing and especially for commenting!
Paladin1420
· 24 March 2007
· Chapter 2: The Ruins of Eregion
I am enjoying this story very much. The characters and conversation are easy to imagine having actually taken place in the context of the book. I never really made the connection before of Pippin and Boromir both being heirs, and the fathers' positions existing mostly because of the absence of the King. I've always connected Pippin and Faramir because of the later events with Denethor, but Boromir was the Heir to begin with.
Thanks for a great story.
Author's reply
I thought of this a long time ago while writing another tale, but put it aside. Suddenly, Pip started saying he wanted it written. I've since discovered that I'm not the only one with this 'unique' thought *blushes*
Pip does name his firstborn son Faramir - and Tolkien says he definitely became 'smitten' with Faramir as soon as he laid eyes on him. But I think Boromir must have laid the groundwork for that love and devotion. I cannot believe, upon reading Tolkien's description of the brothers' love, that Boromir would not have spoken of his younger brother, given half a chance!
Thank YOU for reading and responding!
Bodkin
· 24 March 2007
· Chapter 2: The Ruins of Eregion
Only Pippin would be quite as open! But then, only Pippin would get away with it. He and Boromir really did get on well. (Only not quite well enough for Boromir to take up smoking!)
Author's reply
He certainly has a way with him, doesn't he? And yes, he can ask questions that others would not, for his unprepossessing self is hard to say no to!
Pipkin Sweetgrass
· 24 March 2007
· Chapter 1: Along the Bruinen
Ooo, this is off to a good start! Please say you'll archive this at The Blue Book: Boromir's Journal?
Author's reply
When I finally have the whole thing done - It's going to be short, compared to most of my other stuff. And I'm thinking of changing the title too. We'll see what happens.
Glad you are enjoying this!
Larner
· 23 March 2007
· Chapter 2: The Ruins of Eregion
Boromir does indeed know how to follow orders, doesn't he?
Very wonderful.
Author's reply
I think, Larner, one of my favorite Boromir moments in the book is when he diffidently suggests bringing wood to Caradhras....
Leaders must know how to take orders as well as give them... IMHO...
Garnet Took
· 23 March 2007
· Chapter 2: The Ruins of Eregion
Very nice chapter. It must have been so hard for any of the hobbits to even begin to understand the polotics of Gondor. They just aren't that type of people.
You are doing a very good job capturing Pippin's personality. Boromir's doubt, confusion and mistrust come through clearly. He is such a conflicted character.
Keep up the good work.
Author's reply
Thank you, Garnet - I'm trying. Boromir is such a strong character that it is sometimes difficult to keep him 'down' - but Pippin is so irrepresible that even Boromir must succumb!
shirebound
· 23 March 2007
· Chapter 2: The Ruins of Eregion
This is a wonderfully evolving friendship between Boromir and Pippin. They have so much in common, and yet are such different people, from such different backgrounds and experiences.
Author's reply
Thanks so much, shirebound. I hope I can keep it above angst and closer to gentle banter... nice way to become friends instead of having to kill someone to make a friend! LOL - though that time will come.
shirebound
· 21 March 2007
· Chapter 1: Along the Bruinen
I consider you brave. To have left your world to step out into another for the love of a friend, that is most brave
This is just lovely. I really enjoy reading about the members of the Fellowship getting to know one another, and Pippin and Boromir are just delightful here.
Author's reply
Shirebound, You have always been one of my most favoritest 'Hobbit' authors. I most appreciate your acceptance of this tale.
AND - I most appreciate your noticing that small section. It is my favorite. So far.
Dreamflower
· 21 March 2007
· Chapter 1: Along the Bruinen
Pippin's quite sweet in this, and I can see him and Boromir finding their positions something they have in common.
You might want to take note that Ted Sandyman lived in Hobbiton--not really close enough to Tuckborough for him to be a regular playmate of Pippin unless Pippin was visiting Frodo. Also, Merry was really the first one to notice Frodo's behavior and start the Conspiracy.
But I like the bonding between Boromir and Pippin, and hope that you will continue on with this--it's a friendship not examined often enough.
Author's reply
Thanks ever so much Dreamflower - I most appreciate your kind words in this endeavor of mine.
As for Ted Sandyman - yes, I know he lived in Hobbiton and Pip lived quite some ways away, and it was during his 'numerous' visits to Bag End that the 'odd' friendship began, AND I had thought of mentioning it, but other things got in the way. I can just imagine Pip being driven past the mill and his eyes just buggin out at the thought of exploring it! LOL
It was Merry? Well, I'll correct that - but I swore it was Sam who finally thought they should 'do' some serious detective work.
If the muse (and the Lord Denethor) allow, I hope to continue this for at least another couple of installments.
Again, many thanks for your kind words and gentle correction.
Garnet Took
· 21 March 2007
· Chapter 1: Along the Bruinen
This is a very nice story. You are doing really well writing hobbits even though they are not your usual subjects.
Just to let you know, Pippin and Merry are first cousins on Pippin's Father's side and Merry's Mother's.
I will definitely be following this story. I am really enjoying it.
Author's reply
Thank you, Mistress Took - high praise from soneome who should know, much more than this humble writer, about the Took Clan.
I MOST appreciate your note about the cousinship - my sources had said it was on Pip's mother's side. I will make the correction!
And THANK YOU so much for reading and responding. Let's see what the muse does. I have had an abidding love for the sense of comaraderie that I have felt between Boromir and the 'Halflings' - but mostly I love the idea of him and Pip - what with Pip's 'joining' the army of Gondor. There was something special beetween the two, I think... *heavy sigh*
harrowcat
· 21 March 2007
· Chapter 1: Along the Bruinen
I think that you did very well with Pippin. And I like this comparison between the two.
Author's reply
I have to laugh, harrowcat, for I thought the idea of the thain and the steward's positions being linked was totally my own. As you can see by the note at wikipedia, someone else thought the same! LOL - Forgive my audacity.
Larner
· 21 March 2007
· Chapter 0: A small introduction
Oh, have used the Encyclopedia of Arda, but not Wikipedia. Interesting excerpts. Thank you.
Author's reply
I used to use EoA all the time, and then found Tuckborough, and used that one too - but I like wikipedia - easier to search - also, most of their stuff seems (?) to be researched.
Thanks for reading.