A Time to Hope by PipMer

Reviews (45)

Write a review

Celeste Lucretia Black · 14 May 2021 · Chapter 7

Merry you worrywart although I can't talk

Golden · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 7

Very nice read and I like it a lot, when there are memories from the past within stories. Write more soon. :-)

Esquire_of_Rohan · 4 February 2008 · Chapter 7

Very good. Please write more.

Larner · 4 February 2008 · Chapter 7

Glad to see the formating fixed. And we see the caring continue on through from Frodo to Merry and now Pippin. Wonderful look at Hobbit sensibilities.

Author's reply

Thank you, Larner! Glad you commented again, since I lost your previous review when I had to delete the chapter. I just love exploring hobbit culture, especially the close ties with family. If only we all had that in our lives! Thanks for reading.

Grey Wonderer · 4 February 2008 · Chapter 7

Merry is ever the caretaker. It's part of what I like about him.

Author's reply

Indeed. This story focusses more on book-Merry than movie-Merry. Book-Merry has so much more depth, and we get to see into his true personality a lot more than was shown in the movies. Thanks for reading!

Grey Wonderer · 4 February 2008 · Chapter 6

(Aragorn smiled slightly. "Are you saying that I don’t know what I’m doing, Meriadoc?") If anyone would dare to question Aragorn's skills it would, of course be Merry. Lovely chapter. Now I wonder where Pip is.

shirebound · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 7

This is so full of love and gentle caring, Pip. I really love how the hobbits look out for one another, and their friends do the same.

Author's reply

Thank you, shirebound! To me, that's what Tolkien's story is all about.. loyalty and friendship. Those are two of the most important things in life, and it helped the hobbits to save Middle-earth!

Antane · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 7

Enjoyed this again, reading it more fully than the quick skim I gave earlier. So much love for so many years - it helped save Middle-earth and it has certainly blessed those fortunate enough to know of them in any age. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author's reply

Thank you Antane; I had to delete the chapter and reformat it earlier. Thanks for commenting again! The hobbits certainly were lucky to have each other, and Frodo was very lucky to have so many loyal friends follow him into danger.

Antane · 3 February 2008

Gotta love hobbity love! Nice dose here. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Dreamflower · 3 February 2008

This is really coming along well! Poor Merry the worrier--if he can't worry about Pippin, he'll worry about Frodo and Sam. One thing I loved was this little exchange: Do not worry, Merry; he is in good hands." Merry ducked his head. "I cannot help but worry; it is my job where Pippin is concerned." Gimli smiled, and gently squeezed the halfling's shoulder. "And whose job is it to worry about Merry?" "Frodo's" Merry said without hesitation. He smiled up at Gimli. "Frodo was the big brother that I never had. This is so true and insightful! And of course, Frodo, whose job it is to worry about Merry, is completely incapable of doing that right now. It's so good that there are the other members of the Fellowship there to take up that slack. (By the way, you may wish to check your formatting--there's one paragraph that seems to have jumped into the wrong place! That happens to me all the time.)

Larner · 3 February 2008

Lovely to see the two of them remembering being the younger cousin and the love they share for one another, and for Frodo and Sam as well. Now they're all taking part in the web of recovery. Wonderful!

elanor winterflowers · 3 February 2008

Nice to see this continuing on again! The flashbacks did a good job of defining the long standing of Merry and Pippin's concern for one another, and Legolas and Gimli are a strong pair of bookends. Particularly notable is the difference between the child Pippin and his older, wiser self; my thanks for growing him up with dignity!

shirebound · 3 February 2008

He didn't know whether to hope, or to give in to despair." "Well, it is a time to hope," Pippin said determinedly. "I will have to make him see that." This is lovely. I really enjoyed the conversations between Merry and Gimli, and Pippin and Legolas. The hobbits know one another so well, and will make sure everyone gets the healing and attention they all need.

PipMer · 20 October 2007 · Chapter 6

Thanks for reading, Larner. Indeed, where did Pip go? Poor Merry; his emotions have been up and down ever since Pip woke up! Thank you for commenting.

Larner · 15 October 2007 · Chapter 6

Rest, food, reassurance--and no Pippin to be found! Shock! Now, has he been carried to a bathing tent, or to see Frodo and Sam? He'd be insisting on both, I'd think.

Author's reply

Thanks for reading, Larner. Indeed, where did Pip go? Poor Merry; his emotions have been up and down ever since Pip woke up! Thank you for commenting.

elanor winterflowers · 15 October 2007 · Chapter 6

Well, I really liked the part about Aragorn's being able to settle minds before he sets about healing. That was quite inspired! And as for Pippin--I think I'd look in the larder first! :) Nicely done! A very cool story.

Author's reply

Thank you, elanor! This is my favorite chapter so far :) I think you're right about Pippin; look where there is food, when all else fails, lol!

Grey Wonderer · 14 October 2007 · Chapter 6

Uh-oh, I wonder where Pip has got to. I enjoyed Merry's breakfast almost as much as he did. Great chapter but I do wonder about Pip. Hope everything is all right. Looking forward to more.

Author's reply

Thanks, GW! Merry's breakfast was something else wasn't it? I could almost smell the mushrooms ... This was my favorite chapter so far to write for this story. Thanks for commenting!

Dreamflower · 13 October 2007 · Chapter 6

The idea that Frodo's and Sam's long and deep sleep would seem very unnatural and frightening to Merry is something I've always believed, and you portrayed his distress very well--of course he was fearing the worst, and I am glad that Aragorn was able to relieve his mind! And Pippin's not in the tent? Oh dear--another cliffie?

Author's reply

Thank you, Dreamflower! Leave it to Merry to speak his mind, even to the future King of Gondor. Yes, another cliffie .. sorry about that!

Neilia · 13 October 2007 · Chapter 6

Whoa! Where's Pip? This is a great chapter. Hope to see the next one soon. love those Hobbits. Neilia

Author's reply

Thank you, Neilia! Hopefully the next chapter won't be as long coming as this one was.

Antane · 13 October 2007 · Chapter 6

Hmmm...interesting little cliff-hanger there. Poor Merry, this must be so hard for him waiting, the only one healed enough to be up and about and nothing to do but worry, and he's got another week to go until he can look into his Frodo's eyes and Sam's. No wonder he's fretful, but good that he's sleeping and eating well and Strider is there to soothe his fears. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author's reply

Thanks for reading, Antane! Yes, I think without Strider reassuring him that Merry wouldn't know what to do with himself; he's just a small hobbit all alone in the world of men, after all. I'm glad you enjoyed!

shirebound · 13 October 2007 · Chapter 6

I think this is your best chapter yet, Pip! What a wonderful talk between Merry and Aragorn, and I think Merry's high spirits have made everyone feel better. Elrohir grinned at the hobbit as Merry continued to shovel food into his mouth. "Are you getting enough to eat, Merry?" he asked facetiously. "I will as soon as I return with my second helping," Merry replied as he got up and headed towards the food with his plate. Aragorn tipped his head back and roared with laughter. Love it. And welcome home! I hope you enjoyed Scotmoot, or Sheepmoot (as Grey Wonderer might call it).

Author's reply

Thank you, shirebound! This was a really fun chapter to write, as it had its light-hearted moments, unlike the previous chapters. So often the angst comes easily to me, but not humour or light-heartedness. I'm glad it worked this time. Scotmoot was wonderful! I did not want to come home; I'm still easing back into the routine.

Grey Wonderer · 30 August 2007 · Chapter 5

((((("Of course you have it, Strider. You can't possibly think of everything."))))) I love this part and the lines before it and after it. So very like the hobbits not to want special treatment and also to be forgiving. You write Merry very well! The part with Gandalf was lovely too. Nothing better than Gandalf looking after his hobbits!

Author's reply

Thank you, GW! Yes, hobbits are not ones to hold a grudge, for any length of time. And I'm glad you liked Gandalf; sometimes it's hard to pin his personality down. Thanks for reading!

elanor winterflowers · 30 August 2007 · Chapter 5

Poor Merry. He's in a tough place, waiting and worrying over all the rest of the hobbits. I'm glad he finally wore himself out! Good dialogue and characterizations. I especially liked Gimli's paragraph, which beautifully invoked his character at the same time it was bringing us up to date. You write him very well!

Author's reply

Thank you, elanor! I NEVER write Gimli, I always seem to center around the hobbits, so I'm glad that bit worked out well. Thank you for such kind words.

Larner · 30 August 2007 · Chapter 5

At least Sam and Frodo were providing a good example of proper resting and sleeping technique for him to follow! Heh! A wonderful chapter.

Author's reply

Yes indeed, Sam and Frodo know how to do a proper recovery, don't they ;) Thank you, Larner!

Antane · 30 August 2007 · Chapter 5

Glad Pippin is all right! That was very humble of Aragorn to ask for forgiveness but he is full of humility already, a good trait in a king who is also a servant. And now to sleep, dear Merry... Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author's reply

Yes, Merry definitely needs his sleep. The first time he tried to get some rest, Pippin woke up for the first time! Hopefully this time he can get a good long stretch of relaxation. And I like it when Aragorn admits his mistakes and oversights...it makes him all the more human. Thank you, Antane!