The Blessing by Pearl Took
Dreamflower · 24 July 2007 · Chapter 17: Merry
Poor Merry! This is a harsh blow for him, and he'll never quite stop blaming either himself *or* Pippin...but perhaps, perhaps he can begin to understand.
Author's reply
Yes. Merry's having a hard time. Hobbits seem pretty good at letting things go, well, the "happy" ones. Some do hold grudges. But I think the sting of all this will fade for these two. Thank you, Dreamflower :-)
Hai Took · 24 July 2007 · Chapter 17: Merry
Oh! Poor Merry! I don't blame Aragorn being angry but the others had his best interests in mind, afterall they had Elrond. Nonetheless I am glad Aragorn is there. Merry it seems is finally coming to terms with things a bit and ready to be present. I'm so anxious for the next bit. You and Golden are still doing a supreme job! Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Hai :-) Hopefully the next bit will be fairly soon. Merry is trying, dear lad.
Garnet Took · 24 July 2007 · Chapter 17: Merry
What a powerful chapter. I was starting to get teary. Poor Merry. I think he had to go through the hurt and the anger and the whole gambet of emotions so that he can start to accept the situation as it is and help Pippin regain as much as he can. Now Aragorn knows how it feels to be left out of the loop. In a way it serves him right. I think, now that Merry has worked through his anger and some of his sadness, things will start to look up. I'm looking forward to what Elrond may be able to do to help. I'm also looking forward to seeing Pippin wake up. Once again, great job. Keep up the good work.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Garnet :-) It did serve his majesty right, hehehe Merry is hurting more than Pippin at the moment, but he's headed in the right direction :-) One more chapter then Pip will be on his way back :-)
Lindelea · 19 July 2007 · Chapter 16: A Terrible Result
Certainly a terrible result. Poor Merry, his first thought that he'd done this to Pippin, or Sam had. I hope things will be looking up soon.
Author's reply
Hi dear Lindelea! Approx on more chapter as things are with improvement beginning at the end, then a chapter of recovery and we'll be on our way. Not problem free but improving :-) Thanks so much for being with us on this :-)
Andrea · 19 July 2007 · Chapter 16: A Terrible Result
And I’ll add here - Frodo, Sam and the others are Golden, I’m Merry. I absolutely agree! My reaction would have been like Merry's! So, now you've done it! I can't decide whom I feel more sorry for, Pippin or Merry! Poor lads! I only hope that Lord Elrond can bring Pippin back! There has to be an improvement! Please update soon!
Author's reply
Hi and thank you, Andrea :-) We've another chapter of "gone" Pippin, then things will improve. Everyone of our Middle-earth friends are having a hard time with this, bless 'em all!
elanor winterflowers · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 16: A Terrible Result
Ohhh! I suffered through this one, I can tell you. And I was like Merry--one look at Pip was enough for me. I was very glad to hear, though, that Pippin's essence is nearer than it seems. Peregrin Took, you come back RIGHT NOW! Really well done, Pearl. Such a steady hand and fearless vision. Carry on!
Author's reply
Soon, elanor, soon :-) Thank you for staying with us!
Hai Took · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 16: A Terrible Result
Poore, poor Merry! I was literally trembling when he was going home. He was so happy and looking forward to such a good day that I didn't want to see it fall apart for him! You wrote Merry very perceptive, knowing why Pippin stopped taking his medicine and understanding the reasoning. Of course he would know best. Howawful for all the hobbits. I'm glad other are able to take care of since Merry is having such a rough time with it. Thank you very much for the update, you and Golden are still doing such a great job, and I'm glad you decided not to go with grand mal status. Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Thank you, Hai! Merry is having a very tough time, worse than Pippin to a certain extent, because Pippin is unaware of everything at this point. That will change in while. We're glad you think we are doing a great job :-)
PipMer · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 16: A Terrible Result
Oh, my poor laddie. The things you have put my favorite hobbit through...although I guess he's done this to himself. Sigh. I did see the movie Awakenings also .. wonderful movie, but very sad. I hope you have a better ending for our young hobbit! Well-written, Pearl and Golden.
Author's reply
Hang in there with us, PipMer: I'm a firm believer in at least moderately happy endings :-) Yes, "Awakening" was very sad, more so because it is a true story. Pip will do better, I promise :-)
Dreamflower · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 16: A Terrible Result
Pearl, I don't even begin to know what to say to this chapter--it's just, oh, poor Pippin! And Merry, oh, his reaction--I just wanted to hug him! I hope Elrond does have an answer, I really do. Anything else is too dreadful to contemplate.
Author's reply
Hi Dreamflower and I totally agree with everything you said.
Telpethoron · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 16: A Terrible Result
"Can Pippin be fixed?" That question, I think, is on all of our minds at this point. You and Golden have created a wonderful tale here - I honestly wanted to cry along with Merry at the description of Pippin being changed like a faunt, with no control over even his most basic motor functions. I confess to some curiosity (bear in mind I have no prior experience with epileptics) as to Lord Elrond's optimistic view. It was pointed out earlier that even the Elves don't have a cure for the 'falling sickness', as they call it. Elrond, however, seems to believe (and please correct me if I'm misinterpreting) that Pippin CAN in fact be cured, when he tells Merry that he believes Pippin will come back. Does he mean that Pippin will return to his former self (i.e. before the troll fell on him) or something else? That said, this was a wonderful chapter. Well done!
Author's reply
Hi, Telpethoron :-) The is the important question indeed. Sorry to not be clear, it's something that happens sometimes when I know what I mean then end up not writing it well enough. Lord Elrond was meaning Pippin will come back from being in his current condition, the stupor resulting from the condition of continual seizures/bad spells. Pippin will always have epilepsy (in this story) as there is no cure for that and he will still have challenges to face as the story progresses. In many cases, when a child suddenly develops the condition, it will disappear as they go through puberty. But when it starts in adulthood, or has a physical injury as its cause, it doesn't go away. Hope that answers your question and thank you for reading and responding :-)
Larner · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 16: A Terrible Result
Oh, I can understand. Have you watched "Awakenings" with Robin Williams? In this a form of palsy held the sufferers in just such a stasis until a new med helped them waken--for a time, until the body became unresponsive to it. Merry's reaction is all too believable.
Author's reply
Hi Larner :-) Yes, I've seen "Awakenings" and this has been bring it to mind often. It was a wonderful movie. Thank you for saying this is believable, esp. poor Merry lad.
Garnet Took · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 16: A Terrible Result
Wow! I think I'm more like Merry than Frodo, Sam or the others here, too. That had to be just devestating to see. I'm practically speachless over this chapter. I hope you can update soon so that we don't have to leave them like this for long. Once again, great work on both yours and Golden's part.
Author's reply
Thank you very much, Garnet :-) I'm doing my best to keep chapters coming out without too much of a wait. I'm going to be busy this weekend so that may slow things a bit but I'm hoping not too much. Thank you, we appreciate the encouragement :-)
PIppinfan1988 · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 16: A Terrible Result
A Terrible Result, indeed! Our poor laddie! Merry was right; all Pippin wanted was to not have headaches, nausea, or be in an endless bad mood. I'm certain if Aragorn and Parsow had been more clear in their warning, Sam and Merry would have been more watchful. If both, grand mal and status epilepticus, occur in afflicted individuals, then yes, it is a blessing that the latter had happended rather than the former. Merry is stunned, shocked by what he saw, but given time to absorb everthing, I believe he can bounce back regardless of Pippin's condition. I think we all have a wee bit of "Merry" in us, though some of us are able to overcome our "shock" more quickly than others. You and Golden are brave lasses for writing this! Excellent chapter. PF
Author's reply
Thank you so much, PF :-) Who among us wouldn't want to feel better if we knew it was our medicine making us feel badly? It is a problem many people face. Merry is having a rough time indeed. I hope he will be alright . . . I think he will. Thank you for your kind words :-)
PipMer · 15 July 2007 · Chapter 15: Gone
Oh, poor Pip, it's tearing my heart out! I have a brother who, along with being mentally handicapped, has epilepsy as well, and has had grand mal seizures quite often while growing up. Medicine has it pretty much under control, but this story reminds me of him and all that he goes through. Makes my heart go out to him even more.
Author's reply
Oh my! Hug yourself and him for us. If you are reading this and not shaking your head at us, well . . . thank you isn't strong enough. But that is what we have - Thank you :-) I hope we keep doing a good job. Thank you, dear PipMer!
PIppinfan1988 · 15 July 2007 · Chapter 15: Gone
And all he wanted to do was to prevent his feeling nauseated, angry. He only waned to be his old self. Poor Pippin! I can't blame him; I hate feeling sick to my stomach or moody. I suppose now Pip's learnt his lesson, but at what cost? Eagerly awaiting more... Excellent chapter! PF
Author's reply
Thank you, Dear PF :-) I don't blame him either. I think I would also lose my patience with it all. Hopefully more soon :-)
Daynawayna · 14 July 2007 · Chapter 15: Gone
Holy Cow! Can we do anything MORE to the poor boy? Poor Pippin! I'm reading the 'best parts' to hubby and he said he might have to hunt the two of you down for doing this to Pip! LOL! But he's not sure he could take both of you. ::giggles wickedly:: I hope they can get Pippin to understand how long this could take and that they're really just trying to help him. I also hope he doesn't have lasting damage from this last spell! :( Can't we just have Gandalf wave his staff and heal him? I thing we've built enough extra character to last the boy a lifetime! Pleeeeeeaaasseeee???? :) You ladies are killing me, but I'm loving this story! Dayna PS: I think my very favoritest part EVER is with Shadowfax. That horse ROCKS. :)
Author's reply
I fear he has a bit more to go through, Daynawayna. He and the others. Just keep in mind I don't like depressing endings . . . I don't know if he could take Golden. OTs are usually pretty strong. I spend too much time on my rear writing to be too much of a threat. ;-) He is a most excellent horse! Thank you and hang in there :-) Oh, thank you for reading this to your hubby, we're honored.
Andrea · 14 July 2007 · Chapter 15: Gone
Oh dear!!! I had not expected that it would be that bad! I hope Pippin will be able and willing to tell what he did with the medicine! Time is precious! And I loved the scene with Merry and Pippin, escpecially the last sentence: He had Pippin’s sunshine back in his life. They were both so happy that night. But when Merry returns, what will he find? Please update soon!
Author's reply
Hi Andrea :-) There's a hard road yet to walk, and lessons to be learned. I'm doing my best to cover it as it needs but not drag it on too long. There will be happiness again . . . eventually. Thank you so much :-)
elanor winterflowers · 14 July 2007 · Chapter 15: Gone
Agh! Rock bottom--and by his own hand! Not a good place to be--though it can inspire new ideas and attitudes, in a bone- and brain-rattling sort of way. :( My responses to your chapters seem to follow an evolutionary process. In the beginning, I so hurt for Pippin, and wanted to fold him up and protect him from both fate and possibility, to make up for it all somehow. Then came a plateau where it seemed possible he could, with a clear eye, rise to the occasion and help himself, and so should be allowed the freedom to do so. But as he steadily became his own worst enemy, I began to realize with a sinking heart that he would have to experience the whole miserable journey before he would have the insight and the patience to suffer what needed to be done to find his way back to his life. It's so unfair--he did nothing to deserve this--but often of terrible adversity come shimmering spirits that transcend the ordinary. And he is in good company! A thoughtful, emotional work, and handled with tremendous care and respect. :)
Author's reply
Thank you, dear elanor! He has taken the hard road, that is for certain. Hard on everyone including the writer. There will be light again - I promise. We are both doing our best to handle this all with care. We're glad it shows :-)
Garnet Took · 14 July 2007 · Chapter 15: Gone
Wow! I hadn't expected an update this fast. In fact, I misread the update alret and thought I hadn't deleted the last one.:) This was a VERY hard chapter to read. It must have been heartbreaking to write. Pippin has really done it now. He's made things even worse than they were to start with with hes switching the herbs with worthless substitutes. I just hope that when he is coherint again, he confesses what he did so that they can make things right. At least that should get Parsow to try a new medicine. Oh, I hope the next chapter comes as quickly as this one did. It is so hard to leave him like this while waiting for an update. Pearl, you and Golden are doing fantastic on this one. Keep up the great work. We're all waiting as patiently as possible.:)
Author's reply
Aw, thank you so much, Garnet :-) This is all being *very* hard to write. They all have a lot of working things out and it will be hard on them all. Just remember, I like things to work out in a positive way :-)
Hai Took · 13 July 2007 · Chapter 15: Gone
Yikes! Oh, Pippin, he should have known better than to think that anyone would have kept him sick on purpose! Now he may have done himself worse harm! Oh dear! I'm all a dither now. *sigh* Maybe he needs to see Shadowfax more, that seemed to help him clear his head a bit. Poor Merry, he thought he had his Pippin back now for this to happen. Maybe Pippin needs a dog? That wouldn't help the fits themselves but it might help him to have an animal about. I saw a program ages ago about dogs that could "feel" seizures, anyway. Looking forward to more! You two always end in the worst places! Can't wait!
Author's reply
Thank you, Hai :-) We do seem to go for cliff hangers. Interesting that you should mention a dog . . . This is all going to be hard on Merry, poor lad.
Agape4Gondor · 13 July 2007 · Chapter 15: Gone
Oh - I've been sick, Pearl and didn't get a chance to review the last chapter... though I read it and feared. And now the fear has come true... I'm grateful these chapters were close together - but mostly I'm hoping we won't have to wait too long - PLEASE???????????
Author's reply
Hi Agape! I'll do my best. I've finally got a bit ahead on this story (15 was actually ready to go when I posted 14 and 16 is actually ready) so I'm wanting to try to keep one chapter ahead of what I post. We'll see if I can do it though. I'm hoping to get started on 17 tomorrow but most likely won't finish it as I've a few RL things going on tomorrow. I'm aiming for Monday or Tuesday :-) Thank you for being an anxious reader :-)
Dreamflower · 13 July 2007 · Chapter 15: Gone
Oh dear! Pippin's really done it now. In a way, though, I'm glad that he was able to enjoy Aragorn and Arwen's wedding day--it's a horrible price to pay, but at least he didn't disgrace himself at the wedding.
Author's reply
That was my feeling when writing this. I hated to think of him missing the wedding or being in such poor shape (headaches, upset stomach, aggressive) at it either. So I was generous. Tolkien let him off with no problems at all, I let him have a great day for Strider and Arwen's wedding :-) However, you're right, he's made a huge mess of things in the long run. Thank you, Dreamflower :-)
Larner · 13 July 2007 · Chapter 15: Gone
A high price to pay today for yesterday's clarity. And he's spent a good deal of his strength as well. Now for the next round of treatment.
Author's reply
Exactly! It wasn't at all the easy answer, even though it seemed to work at first. He has the best Middle-earth has to offer there to get him through it. Thanks so much, Larner :-)
Andrea · 13 July 2007 · Chapter 14: Pippin's Solution
Poor Pippin! He's desperate, that's obvious! And in such a state of mind one word (and action) easily gives the next. However, I think Frodo had a very good point there. “Look, Fro! I’m a cripple!” Frodo’s face darkened causing Pippin to close his mouth and pull back from the edge of the table. “So am I, Pippin,” Came the steely reply as Frodo held up his right hand. “Quit your whining, Peregrin Took.” He did not expect what came next, neither did Pippin, I'd say. But it happened anyway, and both hobbits felt sorry for what they did. That's so typical! The scene with Shadowfax was wonderful! But Pippin's "solution"? Well, if it had been a twelve-year-old who had come up with that plan, I would have accepted it. But Pippin is nearly an adult. He should know better! On the other hand: he's desperate! I only hope his manipulation doesn't lead to some *new* side effects. And I'm right glad that Dreamflower mentioned Elrod. I had nearly forgotten that he's already on his way. Maybe he can help! Thank you both for this great chapter!
Author's reply
You are most welcome, Andrea! Pippin is an adult, but one that is definitely not himself. He might sometimes play the fool, but our usual Pippin wouldn't go this far. Frodo did have a good response, even though things went very badly from there. Yes - Elrond is coming . . . Thank you so much :-)
Dreamflower · 12 July 2007 · Chapter 14: Pippin's Solution
Poor Pippin! (I seem to be saying that a lot in this story!) His "solution" here reminds me a lot of "Tea and Tonic", the PippinHealer's story--except he is old enough here to know better. But I think his reaction actually is part of the side effects themselves. This is so difficult! But Elrond will be there soon, and perhaps, even if the Elves have no cure, he might know of some medicine that will at least alleviate the symptoms without so many side-effects...
Author's reply
:-) You and everyone else - including Golden and me. Yes, it is in large part the medicine "talking". He's being even less cautious than usual. Interesting that you'd mention Elrond . . . Thanks so very much, Dreamflower :-)