Reviews (137)

Larner · 10 February 2008 · Chapter 11: An Infernal Behemoth From The Bowels Of Isengard

Excellent planning from our beloved Thain and the Mayor's son! And am glad the smith has the idea so readily as to what can be done. Lovely rescue. Now--to rescue our Pippin!

cookiefleck · 10 February 2008 · Chapter 10: A Balrog Is Come!

Saw the chapter title and took it literally. *laughs* I should have known better. Hobbits to the rescue!

Althea · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 10: A Balrog Is Come!

I absolutely love this story, so I was delighted to find that you had posted a new chapter. There is so much excitement and drama going on in the Shire. I 'm sure that Hobbits will be talking about this day for years to come. I hope, though, every one will be all right.

Grey Wonderer · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 10: A Balrog Is Come!

It was very hobbity of Herbie not to be able to resist telling a bit about the Engine and the Master and the Thain and the Mayor before returning. After all, he had a good audience together and a ripping yarn as well. Now there's a fire in full blaze and two folks trapped inside the Green Dragon! This is getting very serious indeed! Looks like we need a rescue effort and the attention of all citizens. I believe Pippin's manual labour (used the British spelling just for you) is going to have to wait. There's a pub on fire! I love that you used your Grandfather's own way of lighting fires as a part of the story. It fits so very well here, even his calling out, "Mind yer backs!" sounds like a hobbit tradition. Thanks again for the sheep in the last chapter and I will be waiting anxiously to hear what happens to the Dragon and to the ale and to Gammer Barlimow and to Poppy!

PIppinfan1988 · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 10: A Balrog Is Come!

Thank you, thank you!! *big smile*! Did I erroneously refer to the Thain's, the Mayor's, and the Master's wager as a comedy of errors?? LOL, I think this chapter tops it by a mile! Most brilliantly well done! I'm anxious to see what happens next. No, I won't die of suspense *this* time. ;-) I'll wait semi-patiently. :-) You're another author whose stories I can *easily* get lost in. I had a great time being the observer in the Green Dragon. (or is it now the Green Balrog?) Thank you so much for updating! Reading The Great Hobbiton Race has put a smile on my face once again. (my laptop is being a not so "comedy of errors" right now) Take care!

Andrea · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 10: A Balrog Is Come!

Wow! At least my guess about the fire was right. I can very well imagine the tweenagers taking their chance to have a drink, or two, unobserved. Poor Rolando, he did not mean to set fire but he was just too drunk! "The Red Lion" is a splendid name for a pub! German pub names are rather boring, at least where I live. But there is a British Pub in our street which is called "St. George and Dragon". Not a green dragon, but still a dragon ;-)

Katherine-The-Crowned · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 10: A Balrog Is Come!

Wow, definately not what I had expected. Though my thoughts were quite silly. This is worse. I hope they get out all right.

Marigold · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 3: She's Raring To Go!

I love the hobbityness of the whole business of setting out the rules and regulations for the race, complete with seven signatures in red ink! This is an important event and the hobbits would react to it in just this way. That folks were coming all of the way from Frogmorton and Pincup for the spectacle is just wonderful – certainly nothing of the like has ever been seen in the Shire before (or will again!) and who would want to miss the chance to see such a thing? This is something to tell the grandchildren about! All of the characterisations were wonderful (as usual) and I especially liked Sam in this, patient and deliberate and making sure that everything is done nice and proper. It's so in his character to help Merry and Pippin out with a wise word of common sense. I loved him putting his hand on Pippin's shoulder, that was just perfect. Merry and Pippin are terrific as well and I loved Merry's frustration and that he is actually reduced to swearing! Shocking behaviour, lol! I also loved the differences in preparation – Merry and Pippin up late at the pub and Sam and Frodo-lad getting a good night's sleep! Most excellently portrayed!

Pearl Took · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 10: A Balrog Is Come!

A fun personal addition :-) I wonder who will rescue the lasses? Great fun and now great drama as well :-)

shirebound · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 10: A Balrog Is Come!

Herbie related how the Thain had leapt at least 30 feet into the air, performed a double backwards somersault and then described the Master's daring feat of stopping the engine single-handed with his bare teeth. Those are the *best* tales. Oh my goodness, this is a dreadful turn of events! *frets*

Pearl Took · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 9: I'll Wager It's A Dragon!

Merry is the sort that would hate to lose. I bet folks were having fun watching him scrambling about in the grass cuttings ;-)

Pearl Took · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 8: Please! Not Another Bloody Moot!

If it goes anything like an Ent Moot, it will take forever - LOL Onwards to catch up.

Andrea · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 9: I'll Wager It's A Dragon!

"You could be the first hobbit to die from LACK of hard work – when I murder you! Now get on with it!" ROTFL!!! Great line, really! Now, I wonder what happened at (or to?) the Green Dragon! My first thought was fire. Whatever it is, maybe the "Infernal Machine" might be of help for a change. Just a thought. Although I don't know what that machine could do other the mowing :)

Baggins Babe · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 9: I'll Wager It's A Dragon!

This made my day - I almost fell off the chair, especially when Pip started reciting the list of people who have died of hard work! Trampled by sheep? The mind boggles! But this has to be my favourite line: "You could," Merry agreed. "You could be the first hobbit to die from lack of hard work – when I murder you! Now get on with it!" I love canny Sam and sensible Frodo-lad. Now I can't wait to find out what has happened at the Green Dragon.

Grey Wonderer · 8 February 2008 · Chapter 9: I'll Wager It's A Dragon!

((("Yes it did!" Pippin began to count on his fingers. "There was old Jeb Bracegirdle, worked in his garden till he was 102 and was found dead next to his wheelbarrow. Harbo Banks, went up to mend the roof in a thunder storm and got hit by lightning. And don't forget Jess Fulburrow! Whistled his dog in the wrong direction just as he tangled his feet in his crook and was trampled by his own sheep!"))) SHEEP! Oh, Llinos, I just love the mention of sheep here and I laughed out loud at Pip's worry of the 102 year-old Jeb working himself to death in his garden. What a way to go! Death by gardening at 102. Merry's will to win this thing is in over-drive now so Pippin doesn't stand a chance and I agree with Frodo that Sam probably has more up his sleeve than Pippin and Merry realize with his written rules of competition. Sam should have been a lawyer. Loved this line from Merry: ("Well it's moved on!" Merry snapped. "It's now about winning – don't you want to win Pip?") So stern and so out of sorts. And Pippin offering to pay the wager to get out of the real work was so very enterprising. hehehe Also very funny when Frodo was sympathetic with the Thain's having to work. Maybe Frodo and Pippin should make a quick retreat and let Merry and Sam battle for the title. I'm trying to guess what might have happened at the Green Dragon now. That should keep me busy for a few hours...

colbysgurl · 8 February 2008 · Chapter 9: I'll Wager It's A Dragon!

ahhhhhh! A cliff hanger!!!! what's happened to the Green Dragon? torn down/ fire? hm....

colbysgurl · 8 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Tell Me Mr Dandelion

"well, you're driving. It must be your fault.." lol. That's Pippins' logic alright. Loved the part with the Dandelion song and Sam telling them the rules about picking the grass clippings and getting rid of the dandelions..and Pippin's indignation.

colbysgurl · 8 February 2008 · Chapter 6: Vinegar and Onions Were Brought

I think this is my favorite chapter so far. Especially liked the description of the wasps being sent into the spectators.:D Sounds like Pippin and Merry haven't changed much, even with their new responsibilities. Lol

colbysgurl · 8 February 2008 · Chapter 3: She's Raring To Go!

I love that you mentioned the quest and the fact that Sam did most of the fire lighting. ;d another great chapter.

colbysgurl · 8 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Magnificent Machine

hmm...this sounds like it might get Pippin and the rest of Hobbiton in a peck of trouble. :D. Sounds like you're off to a great start. Looking forward to reading more!

Larner · 8 February 2008 · Chapter 9: I'll Wager It's A Dragon!

Oh, dear--what's happened? Is the Green Dragon on fire or something? Or did something the machine did start a fire there? And I see that you've followed the movie-version of Pippin as one who has never done an honest day's work. Heh! Cute!

cookiefleck · 8 February 2008 · Chapter 9: I'll Wager It's A Dragon!

I love this story. Biggest laugh for me in this chapter was when Merry "barked" so loud he woke Farmer Cotton. But there's so much more to your story than the delicious humor ... there's also much depth and insightful character relationships written with love. But, oh my, how could you leave us hanging so? Still rooting for my favorite, Samwise. :o)

PIppinfan1988 · 8 February 2008 · Chapter 9: I'll Wager It's A Dragon!

LOL!!! Honestly, I can't think of a more hobbity and fun story. Full of laughs...and now nail-biting suspense, lol! I can't believe you're leaving us on a cliffie! I'm going to die of suspense until you update next. :-P Perhaps Merry might know if someone has ever died of suspense? ;-) Sam's got something up his sleeve...Merry is determined to win at any cost, and Pippin is willing to foot that cost, lol. The cousinly banter is impeccable! I am still so amused at the comedy of errors this whole wager is taking, and I am still so loving this most brilliant tale! Thank you for the laughs -- I really needed them tonight. :-)

Marigold · 8 February 2008 · Chapter 2: Are You Sure It's Not Dangerous?

I loved all of the descriptions of the townsfolk in this chapter! You really brought them to life and managed to give each one a personality even with just a line or two of description or dialogue. Their reactions are just wonderful! This bit: "Then kindling and coal had to be brought and shovelled into the firebox, and Pippin ceremoniously lit the first match and set it to the fire." made me think of the scene with the stolen fireworks in the film and had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen this time! To have Pippin so confidently working the controls was a nice way of showing how he's matured since then! Or so it seems! Once again, I love Merry's use of technological jargon! He's obviously memorised the manual and he really does *seem* to know what makes the engine tick – so does Pippin for that matter. But I get the feeling that Pippin just sort of picked it up whereas Merry tackled the learning far more intently – again, in perfect character for the both of them! Sam's speech is very diplomatic and Mayor-ish! It's obvious that he's been to his share of events where he isn't quite sure of things and yet doesn't want to cause offense. I love his calling the machine a " magnificent contraption" and a " thingamabob" and Merry's grand speech is perfect as well! Pippin should have known better than to suggest a competition, especially one involving something so dear to Merry's heart!

Marigold · 8 February 2008 · Chapter 1: The Magnificent Machine

This is one of my favourite stories ever, as you know, and I have been very bad about leaving reviews, for which I apologise! I am rereading the story from start to finish and this time will review, as I should have done before. I love the way that Merry is such a forward thinker and that Pippin always goes along with his plans – somehow I doubt that purchasing the "The Spindle Activated Vegetation Dissection and Lubrication Engine" was in any way Pippin's idea but I am equally certain that he was all for it once Merry brought it up! I think that it's spot on that he is always so supportive of Merry's grand ideas! Merry's very technical recitation of just how the machine works is wonderful and it's clear that you researched it carefully. It's all beyond me and I have the feeling that it may be a bit over Merry's head too though he'd never let folks know it! I could just picture Pippin and hear his accent from the films when he reads from the manual: "The Spindle Activated Vegetation Dissection and Lubrication Engine is a new combination and application of machinery for the purpose of cropping or shearing and irrigating the vegetable surfaces of lawns, grass-plots and meadows." and I love that this incredibly inventive name for a lawnmower! Sam is marvellously written too and I like the way that you have portrayed Frodo-lad here; he is obviously Sam's son and yet you have taken him a bit further if you see what I mean, sort of a slightly more sophisticated next generation which I think is done just right. The mention that Sam had made sure that all of the local children had the chance to learn to read was just perfect – I'll bet that establishing the school was the first thing that he did as Mayor!