Reviews (226)

PIppinfan1988 · 23 August 2004 · Chapter 27: The Ending and a Beginning

Pearl, I have fallen in love with this story all over again. I love how you describe so vividly each and every scene. Why do I alway *feel* as if I'm right there? I felt as if I was standing right beside Pippin at the Black Gate, watching his every move, his every twitch. Heck, I felt as if I were reading Tolkien!! You write so beautifully, Pearl, and I will wait for each and every chapter--even if it takes you as long as Tolkien did to write his epic. But I hope not! ;-) Sending Karmel your way...sorry, no chocolate. You are in my prayers. Are we going to get to see Bell take her last breath? (no, I'm not being morbid--I just like drama!) We know that the hobbits and Gandalf meet up with Saruman and Wormtongue on the road as they are homeward bound, what sort of havoc will SAruman and Wormtongue wreak upon their arrival in the Shire? Will you give detail as to Lotho's demise? (no, I am not morbid--this is fiction, not reality) These are all little nooks and crannies that our beloved JRRT left for us who devour great fan fiction--little nooks and crannies that I would like to see resolved in some sort of fashion...that is if any of this is in your plans. If not, that's alright. I am still ever so eager to read..."The rest of the story". :-) See you next chapter! Pippinfan

shirebound · 23 August 2004 · Chapter 27: The Ending and a Beginning

Oh Pearl, thank you for ending this section of the story on such a hopeful note. Wow.

purrlin · 23 August 2004 · Chapter 27: The Ending and a Beginning

Ok I'm a lurker. I'm a downunder lurker. I put off reading this story for soooo long. I have read many stories and I enjoy waiting till most stories are finished before I venture in. Most times. I'm one of the thin blue line. If this means nothing to you then I'm glad. How do I say this....how can one break through a block....how can I let you know that I NEED to know the end of this tale...even though I know its end already. I love hobbit tales, even though I don't particularly gravitate towards them myself....its funny, my daughter tells me I'm ranger stock...she's hobbit as is the oldest of her two brothers, her sister and younger brother are elves and her father a dwarf..so wise is she for all of her fourteen years. Maybe its my "Rangerness" that makes me need to know what happened to the hobbits during this time. Though the Rangers where few, they must have aided in some way, even if it was but to keep the stories so their "Chieftain" was aware of what eventually happened (personally I'd like to think the rangers did more..no one would ever have add them into their "histories" anyway) Maybe the Rangers "taught" the Shirefolk how to become rebels..its not something I would think hobbits had an ability in. Ok more than I usually say about anything! I pray, which is something I don't do without conscious thought, that you can move on from here and aid my troubled and wretched heart by telling your tale. I thank you for your wonderful story so far...I always knew I liked Butterburr, I bet he makes a good ale! Esme always held my interest, a remarkable lady she always was and is. Saradoc and Palladin are so hobbity human male that it makes me feel breathless that you seem to have made them so real. You have a certain gift for being able to contain time so well. :) Egads! I ramble! Forgive me, I run away with my thoughts. I can only hope you dont stop at the return of the four...I pray you will take this through to the Shire meeting their King. I'd prefer more than that even...but then that would be greedy wouldn't it...and that would never do for the Shire! :) Thanks again....sorry I've drabbled on. Please keep up your excellent work! Now I'm torn between reading every chapter as you write it or waiting till I think you've written enough to make my heart ache with reading it! decisions! decisions!! purrlin :)

purrlin · 23 August 2004 · Chapter 27: The Ending and a Beginning

FantasyFan · 23 August 2004 · Chapter 27: The Ending and a Beginning

Pearl, don't despair! There are plenty of us who are avidly, greedily reading your story as fast as you can write it, and are mightily pleased to hear there will be more, in whatever form you choose and whenever you can manage to post it. And some of us are very bad and don't send the feedback that you deserve. This is truly a marvellous epic you're writing. I love the idea of the link Pippin and Esme share, I love seeing the familiar scenes from a new point of view, and most of all I cherish the thread of love and fate that runs underneath all of it. I'm looking forward to seeing the hobbits in the Shire react to Saruman and his evil in the next part.

Grey Wonderer · 23 August 2004 · Chapter 27: The Ending and a Beginning

As you know, I have enjoyed every chapter of this story. Esmeralda is wonderful and she has been through so very much in her journey with Pippin. You can feel her ache for Merry in all of this while she is drawn to Pippin. It's a great story and I just know that you will over-come the writer's block. After all, you must have a bit of Fairy blood in you as well to have gone through all of this. Just relax a bit and I am sure the words will come to you.

TopazTook · 22 August 2004 · Chapter 27: The Ending and a Beginning

Oh, Pearl. I came to this story somewhere in the middle of your posting it, but have been following it ever since. This last chapter is both heartbreaking and triumphant.

PIppinfan1988 · 31 July 2004 · Chapter 26: Tremors, Terrors and Healing

Wow...that was awesome! These parts in the seige of Minas Tirith and Merry's aiding to kill the witch-king are one of my favorite parts in ROTK. I sometimes wonder how each lad's parents would react had they truly known what sort of trouble their sons were experiencing. You wrote Esme's response very well! And the tenseness of each person or animal in the Shire...like a calm before the storm. Certain Tooks with green eyes looking into the eastern sky...brilliant, Pearl! I will watch and patiently wait for your next update! :-) Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 31 July 2004 · Chapter 25: Doing What We Can

My apologies for being late on the scene! :-( I truly enjoy your most excellent writing, Pearl; details that make me feel as if I'm right there in the room watching and listening during the exchange. I feel as if I'm sitting at the table in the room sipping tea, watching young Tom take the items out of his pockets and talk to the other characters in the room. That is just one of the MANY reasons why I love your style of writing, which results in your very entertaining tales. :-) I thought your giving the lockholes a previous "hobbit history" was very interesting--and I whole-heartedly agree on that. Pippin's arguement to Elrond in Rivendell is one example. This is a fantastic chapter! Things are getting more and more difficult in the Shire and Buckland--it will be quite fascinating to watch what happens next! Pippinfan

Grey Wonderer · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 26: Tremors, Terrors and Healing

Still one of the best stories on this entire site! I love this. I love how you weave Esme's presence into Pippin. This chapter gave an entirely new look at events through Esmeralda's eyes. Wonderful!

shirebound · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 26: Tremors, Terrors and Healing

Pearl, I think this chapter is one of the finest things you've ever written. I'm so awed by it, I don't think I can review properly. Magnificent. *applauds*

Lindelea · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 26: Tremors, Terrors and Healing

I have tears in my eyes, writing this. How powerful your writing is, describing the hobbit farmers' unease, the ponies' unease, and then you cap it off with Esme seeing her son, being one with Pippin to sustain Merry in love until the coming of the King. VWD... (remember what that means? *g*)

Lindelea · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 25: Doing What We Can

I forgot to mention after the last chapter that your Brandybucks are very much like the Brandybucks I imagine, great-hearted and reaching out to others less fortunate... and fretting over the need to be deceitful to do so. The farmers and gardeners and those close to the earth feeling that sense of evil is very "real". Does Hamfast Gamgee feel it too? I was touched by the little picture of the Cottons visiting and bringing comfort to the Gamgees, and the reminder of Rosie's faith that Sam would return.

Lindelea · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 24: Deeds Done in the Dark

Whew! I don't think I breathed at all, reading the last half of this chapter. Very well done! (I keep saying that, reading your chapters... Perhaps I ought to abbreviate it to VWD) Wonderful exposition of Pippin's thoughts, how he never imagined evil, only good. That the ball contained sunshine, and might help him to catch a glimpse of home (how the enemy seems fair and feels foul, or however that phrase goes). Poor Esme! And poor Pippin, and poor Fairy, and last but not least, poor Merry! (And poor me! Taking deep breaths now, getting over the dizzy feeling... and on to read the next chapter)

Lindelea · 26 July 2004 · Chapter 23: Took Moot

O excellent! Your hobbits are as practical as I imagine hobbits would be. This in particular goes to show the thought you've put into your stories: "But Tookland isn’t entirely self sufficient, my friends." Adelard reminded the group. "We import the coal and iron used by our smithies. Our ale, and the grains we use for making our own, come from the North Farthing. Glass for our windows, bottles and such is all made in Michel Delving." "Our fabric for making our clothes comes from weavers in the North Farthing as well. That is where the flax is grown for linen and most of the Shire’s wool is produced there as well." This was the first heard from Eglantine. "Cotton is grown in the South Farthing near the Bounds and the fiber is processed and woven there. There are many children who will be out-growing clothes who will need to be provided for. And several of the herbs we healers use are brought in from other places as well." Very nicely done!

Grey Wonderer · 19 July 2004 · Chapter 25: Doing What We Can

Seems Rosie knows her Sam. Wonderful chapter. Was glad to see more of this one.

PIppinfan1988 · 11 July 2004 · Chapter 24: Deeds Done in the Dark

Ooooh! This one sent chills up my spine! Those nasty ruffians having their meeting and all, but my favorit--as always--is your connection between Esme, Pippin, and the Faerie! As the reader, *I* feel as if I'm experiencing Pippin's fears and emotions. A sign of a truly gifted writer! The palatir scene, and Merry weeping against Aragorn tugged at my heart. Beautiful, Pearl! Pippinfan

Lindelea · 10 July 2004 · Chapter 22: The Third Awakening

Forgot to say, regarding the last chapter (but was reminded in this) that Saradoc's interaction with Esme brought a lump to my throat. A small typo in this chapter: gaged should be gagged in the second paragraph of Pippin's story. How tragic for Esme to see her son suffering and feel Pip's suffering. How sad, Pip's alone feeling when Esme pulled away. "a team again, pulling the prank of their lives" -- lovely turn of phrase! I wanted to cheer! Ah, the ending, such a relief. I loved the fairy's description of Fangorn.

Lindelea · 10 July 2004 · Chapter 21: The Second Awakening

This chapter gave me the shivers. You have skilfully woven together the original text and your own imaginative flourishes. Very, very well done. On to the next chapter!

shirebound · 10 July 2004 · Chapter 24: Deeds Done in the Dark

Your hobbits are so wonderfully interconnected. Interesting how Esmeralda had to work out exactly whose anger she was feeling. Amazing story.

Grey Wonderer · 10 July 2004 · Chapter 24: Deeds Done in the Dark

Another great chapter! I was so sad for Merry at the end of this one. I wonder how Esmeralda will react now that her two lads are apart and she can only see Pippin, or can she still see Pippin after that?

shirebound · 29 June 2004 · Chapter 23: Took Moot

I'm *so* impressed by this chapter title, Pearl! Especially since, the last time we saw Merry and Pippin, they were about to meet the Ents. The Tooks are a formidable clan, and no mistake.

Pervinca · 29 June 2004 · Chapter 23: Took Moot

Clever hobbits, our parents are! Always thinking ahead. I really liked the way many of the Tooks came up with the good aspects of being besieged. I worried that the would all turn on Paladin, but he give a wonderful speech to turn them to his side. - Pervinca

PIppinfan1988 · 28 June 2004 · Chapter 23: Took Moot

You, go, Lanti! and Pearl!! Another brilliant chapter! I loved the democracy, diplomacy...and the planning of their self-imposed barricade. I love it that Paladin didn't sell his soul to the devil-hobbit. Poor Saradoc may have been caught unawares, but Paladin is nobody's fool. Most excellent, Pearl! Fantastic writing, and wonderfully written! :-) Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 24 June 2004 · Chapter 22: The Third Awakening

He felt ready to give up the struggle against the pain that was killing his spirit, destroying his hope. - PT I loved how you brought to life all the subtle little "fillers" that JRRT inadvertently left out of the three day captivity of these wonderful characters. Will Pippin ever divulge to Merry that he can feel his aunt's presence inside his head? I'm anxious to see what happens with the palantir...! What can I say? You always possess this mysterious ability to pull me in to the story, Pearl--as if I were Esme herself! A very moving chapter from a very gifted writer! "Cullassisul"...beautiful name! Pippinfan