Pervinca
· 24 June 2004
· Chapter 22: The Third Awakening
I must have missed the last update you made of this story - wouldn't surprise me; I've been so busy. These two chapters were incredible. I really liked the idea that Esmeralda was the one giving Pippin hope in a time when he barely had any. When I first started reading this story, I didn't realise you would be able to work so many scenes of Merry and Pippin into it!
That comment by the Fairy seems to suggest that you may be returning this story to the Shire once more. Very anxious to see what you have planned, bit sister.
- Pervinca
Grey Wonderer
· 23 June 2004
· Chapter 22: The Third Awakening
Love how you've taken the book and then woven in esme within Pippin's mind. Just wonderful. She must have felt so helpless in it all. It comes across very well, how desperate she is and how her presence helped Pippin to continue and also helped Merry. Can't wait for more.
shirebound
· 23 June 2004
· Chapter 22: The Third Awakening
Oh Pearl, what a lovely passage: "They are safe now." The sound of flutes once again filled the soft voice. "The Eldest One, he who keeps the forest, will be keeping them for a time." How gentle and perfect. You're telling such an amazing story about how interwoven all of life is, no matter what form it takes.
Beruthiel
· 23 June 2004
· Chapter 22: The Third Awakening
I love how this story is going, but there are a couple of mistakes in this chapter.
". . . scuttling like a herd of beetles." A group of insects is called a swarm, not a herd.
"He chose to fain ignorance." That should be spelled "feign".
Update soon!
Grey Wonderer
· 16 June 2004
· Chapter 21: The Second Awakening
Was very glad to see more of this one posted. Poor Esme! Seeing and feeling it all and not being able to speak to Merry. She is a big help to Pippin though. Very good! Still enjoying this very much.
PIppinfan1988
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 21: The Second Awakening
They ran. Pippin shut his mind down as well as he could. There was nothing but pain and running. - PT
This is so heartwrenching! So captivating... Another brilliant chapter, Pearl! You describe so well the pain, suffering and emotions of your characters--especially Pippin and Merry's captivity with the Uruks. This chapter alone could be another Pippin's Crucible! :-) I'll be here--patiently waiting for the next chapter!
Pippinfan
shirebound
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 21: The Second Awakening
This is an *amazing* description of the pain and torment Pippin and Merry went through with the Orcs. (The movie really minimized the whole experience too much, I thought.) Really amazing, Pearl.
FantasyFan
· 4 May 2004
· Chapter 20: The First Awakening
I think I have neglected to review too many chapters of your wonderful story, which I am finding quite intriguing. I love the whole idea of a mental connection between the Tooks, passed down from the fairy-wife. The capture by the Uruk-Hai is terrifying enough in Tolkien, but you've really shown Pippin's fear here. That chapter of the books shows the first of Pippin's tremendous growth as he takes charge of their escape, and its comforting to think he's got help from his aunt in what had to be the most terrifying crisis of the quest for Pippin. Unfortunately, Pip's comfort comes at the expense of Sara's. Maybe now he'll really believe in his heart what he's heard only with his ears up to now from his wife. Three days? Four days? I don't remember exactly how long the Orcs run with Merry and Pippin, but that's going to be a long time for Saradoc to dwell in fear, unknowing. I'm hoping he'll get some comfort once Esme can tell him what it all means. I'll be looking forward to your next update.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for the wonderful response. There is much happening and much to come in the rest of this month (in the story's time) and it will be quite the ride for everyone. Then there are still six or so months before the Travellers get home during which things worsen in the Shire. There is still much to come and I hope you will stay with me.
Pearl Took
Pervinca
· 3 May 2004
· Chapter 20: The First Awakening
I really enjoy these scenes with the bond between Esme and Pippin. Poor Saradoc! I can't imagine how terrifying it must have been to see his wife like that, even though she has told him about the link with Pip. As if they don't have enough to worry about already. Another wonderful chapter, big sis.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I'm glad you are still enjoying this story. We've a way to go, so hang tight.
Lindelea
· 3 May 2004
· Chapter 20: The First Awakening
p.s. send me an email, will you please?
We switched computers and somehow your email address did not migrate over with the rest of my address book.
Thanks,
Lin
PIppinfan1988
· 30 April 2004
· Chapter 20: The First Awakening
Pearl, I'm sitting on the edge of my seat!! PLEASE update soon! You have such a lovely way with details and describing emotions...I always find myself caught up in your characters; what they're feeling or seeing.
My goodness--what is Saradoc going to do? I love it that Esme is there to help comfort Pippin--mercy, the angst at seeing her beautiful boy (though grown) is going through. Precious! I'll be back!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you. Thank you for responding and thank you for hanging in there with me. :)
Pearl Took
Lindelea
· 30 April 2004
· Chapter 20: The First Awakening
O Pearl, I'm so glad you updated! I hadn't had time to read lately, but was glad to see a new chapter pop up when I had a few free moments. This story is simply amazing, and I am eager to see what happens next!
Author's reply
If I had known you are reading this, I had forgotten. I'm glad you are enjoying it. Thank you so very much for responding, I have begun to dispair and a response from you has been quite a pick-me-up.
Pearl
shirebound
· 23 April 2004
· Chapter 19: Choices
Oh Pearl, this is amazing. (Have I said that too many times already?) The way you write!!
". . . ask anyone to go with him . . . off to Mordor alone . . . if we can’t stop him, we shan’t leave him." The Tookish burr of her dear little nephew slew her with its words; "we shan’t leave him." She trembled.
". . . Mr. Frodo . . . to find the Cracks of Doom, if he can . . . he’s just plain terrified . . . whether we’ll go along with him or no. He knows we mean to . . . he’ll want to go alone." Sam’s plain, solid hobbit voice.
And that ending! Poor Esme, caught between terror and hope, the same as our four brave hobbits.
Author's reply
I hope it was clear enough that those are bits of quotes from the book, unless you are complimenting how I chose to use them. I had someone not realizing when I was quoting from the books in "Truth Be Told" and I felt uncomfortable. Don't want to look like I'm plagerising, just quoting.
Thank you :) I'm glad you can feel the tension. This will be a bit different for Esme and Pippin.
Pearl Took
PIppinfan1988
· 23 April 2004
· Chapter 19: Choices
So awesome!! I love how Pippin is now sensing Esme's presence within him. When she was sharing Pippin's experiences, I felt that I was experiencing them, too. You have always been remarkable in bringing the reader close in to the realm of your story. And poor Esme, having to feign a cold in order to keep her own husband from thinking her mad. Can hardly wait for the next chapter! :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you :) To hear it pulls you in is a most wonderful compliment! Thank you!
Pearl Took
Pervinca
· 19 April 2004
· Chapter 18: In Plenty and In Want
Oh, that Lotho is a nasty one, though I did enjoy the mental image of him tossing darts at Tookland on the map. And it would be just like Lobelia to brag about her new position in life!
Bell's worsening condition is sad though. I think this is one of the only stories of seen where Bell was still alive during the Occupation. Most other authors (myself included) kill her off well before.
PIppinfan1988
· 19 April 2004
· Chapter 18: In Plenty and In Want
ohhh! I hate that Lotho! Really! A throne?? Mercy me, he's so full of himself--and so is his mother! Just as I began reading this chapter, I was thinking, 'Pearl had Bell gettin' on a bit poorly', and was wondering where you were going to take it and elaborate more on her--and there it was. Pearl, you are doing a splendid job with this! All the research and filling in the blanks...marvelous! :-)
Pippinfan
PIppinfan1988
· 19 April 2004
· Chapter 18: In Plenty and In Want
In every town the poorest, oldest, most infirm hobbits were forced to move into these poorly thrown together one-room dwellings. It didn’t take much hobbit sense to see that the shacks would be numbing cold in the winter while, being black in color, turning into small ovens in the summer. - Pearl Took
I've only got this far, and it's making my skin crawl--in a good way! These shacks you (and JRRT) describe remind me of the housing I grew up in; thrown together with glue and staples after WWII for the GIs to live in until they could find suitable housing. Little did the city realize that what they built were future 'Projects'. Very good, Pearl...now I'll move on to the rest of the story...
Pippinfan
This was beautiful. I enjoyed reading about Pippin and Merry and how Pippin finally let go of his guilt. I could feel Saradoc's pain as he struggled with the decision that he had been forced to make. I could see Paladin worrying about whether or not he had done the right thing. You painted a very clear picture of them all in this chapter. This is a wonderful story.
Pervinca
· 12 April 2004
· Chapter 17: Guilty Feelings
This was an incredibly moving chapter. The way you tied Peregrin, Saradoc and Paladin's guilt together was fabulous. To be honest, I had never thought of the seige of Tookland to be so bad, but I'm sure it would have had to be, if *no one* had managed to get in or out. Now you're getting into the more disturbing parts of the occupation, and your story is getting better. I really hope you are able to continue this soon. I always get excited when I see that it's been updated.
PIppinfan1988
· 12 April 2004
· Chapter 17: Guilty Feelings
Loved that scene between Merry and Pippin--excellent. The build up of emotions with Saradoc and Paladin is brilliant! I absolutely love your faerie lady! Pippin's own little guardian angel! Cool! :-) Waiting for more as you're ready to post them...
Pippinfan
shirebound
· 12 April 2004
· Chapter 17: Guilty Feelings
Oh Pearl, what a brilliant chapter! A wonderful contrast between Pippin's resurgence of spirit and sense of self, and his father slowly losing his.
And I *never* thought about this: "Strider said he’s quite sure they, the orcs, knew we were there all along. He said all the noise from the collapse of the western gate couldn’t have been missed. They surely would have gone to see what had happened. His feeling is they were afraid of Gandalf with his glowing staff at first, but then grew bolder and waited until they had us where they thought we would be trapped."
Amazing.
Pervinca
· 23 March 2004
· Chapter 16: Rule Breakers
I was hoping that this part of the story would be coming up soon. I wondered how you would write our Da having the ruffians shot, and I was not disappointed! Also loved Saradoc's plan to slyly break the rules - cousin Merry must have taken after him!
I hope you manage to overcome your writer's block! It's so annoying when it strikes - especially when you *want* to write. Feel free to email me if you're completely stuck for ideas, and I'll see what I can come up with!
I will stay with you on this as I dearly love both of those stories and if necessary, can wait for future chapters. I love Esmeralda and Saradoc together in this story of yours. Very hobbity and very sweet. Take your time as I am sure we will all be waiting.
shirebound
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 16: Rule Breakers
This is great, Pearl! Paladin and Saradoc are quite the formidable leaders, aren't they? You really show us where their sons got their mettle.
Omigosh, isn't writer's block the worst? Maybe if you collapse time a bit, and get to a part of the tale you're eager to to tell, it might go a bit easier. If you need any hugs (or other help), just ask!
PIppinfan1988
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 16: Rule Breakers
You are doing so well with all of this! I cringe at the deep research that you are conducting for it. I loved your portrayal of the parents--and the small battle near Whitwell! Well done. Farmer Cotton said that Paladin held no truck with those ruffians...and I imagine that meant they had a couple scrapes within Tookland for word like that to get out.
I'll be here for as long as it takes you; waiting in the response wings!
Pippinfan