Freyalyn · 4 May 2014 · Chapter 999999: Author's Notes
Excellent story - I loved your attention to detail and characterisation.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Thain Peregrin I: the First Days by Garnet Took
Reviews (65)
Larner · 27 April 2014 · Chapter 999999: Author's Notes
We'll look for the new story. And again, welcome back again!
Author's reply
Thanks. It's good to be back. :) I'm debating looking at what I have written so far on the new yet this evening but I may be too tired to think clearly about it. I need to do some serious work on what's already written and there's plenty more to write. I do need to jump into with both feet now that there's no other stories to distract me.
Larner · 27 April 2014 · Chapter 9999: The Free Fair
Ah, and I hope that the naysayers find themselves changing their minds as Pippin proves himself.
Author's reply
Oh they will. All those that matter anyway. Thanks for being there through the whole thing and thank for the encouragement.
shirebound · 27 April 2014 · Chapter 9999: The Free Fair
I don’t ask for the position for the glory and recognition of the title. I ask for it as an opportunity to serve the land and people I love. Perfect. I love the final line so much. This has been a totally delightful story.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Shirebound for sticking with me through the whole thing. I'm glad this last bit rang true and that you loved it. I was typing like a madwoman this morning on too little sleep and wasn't 100% sure how well this was turning out.
Lindelea · 27 April 2014 · Chapter 9999: The Free Fair
Popping a sticky treat in your mouth just before you have to speak (like just before the phone rings, in our world...). Sounds so familiar! Several had left, or didn't seem to approve, eh? Hopefully Pippin will be able to win them over without too much grief. This has been a lovely story, and I'm sad to see it end! Thank you for the treat.
Author's reply
I think I must have been channelling all my annoyance when the phone rings at work when I've taken a big bite of something. It happens all the time. :) He'll win all those who truly matter over. He the charming Peregrin Took after all. Thanks for liking it enough to review. I had a great time writing it and now maybe I'm ready to finish that other one thats been waiting six years to get done.
Larner · 26 April 2014 · Chapter 14: Day Eight
Ah, the perfect afternoon and evening. How proud of his dedication and love for his wife Frodo would have been of him. And he's proved himself to have the makings of an excellent Thain indeed!
Author's reply
This was an enjoyable chapter for the author as well as for the characters. :) Yes, I think Frodo would have been proud of Pip on several counts. Glad you liked it and thanks for sticking with me on this one.
Lindelea · 25 April 2014 · Chapter 14: Day Eight
At last, I can review! I read this last night but haven't had a chance before now to leave a good word. Pippin's just like a kid anticipating Christmas! Very sweet. Regi would probably be delighted to fetch him another plate! Maybe two! “Are there a lot?” asked Pippin. Reginard shrugged his shoulders. “It depends on your definition of a lot,” he said. Very precise of Regi... can't go wrong there... Nice ruling in the case of the wandering bull. I love Farry's summary of good behaviour. And Pippin as an eternally silly, irrepressible baby brother. The last of the preparations and the rest of the chapter made me grin. Lovely!
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it. Regi is a very good balance for Pippin and vice versa. When it comes to certain things, pip will never grow up. Glad you liked the decision on the bull. I just thought of it and threw it in. Glad you liked the last bit. I had way too much fun writing it.
Dreamflower · 24 April 2014 · Chapter 14: Day Eight
*grin* A perfect surprise for Diamond! You really made me smile with this chapter! Oh: I have to congratulate you on something else. Coincidentally, on the LJ community fanficrants, just today, I had mentioned in a comment that I'd only seen the word "pique" used correctly in a fanfic once. Someone else said they had *never* seen it used correctly. Well, now, for the second time, I have seen it used correctly!! Whee! (It's not a common word, so I just had to mention it! Isn't it funny how things like that crop up?)
Author's reply
Glad the chapter made you grin. The last half just wrote itself. It was like they were having a confessional moment and telling me, "First we did this and then that happened and, oh by the way, somewhere in there we had that wonderful wine and ate all those fantastic nibbles." I'm excited that you were impressed with the use of the word "pique". I use it a lot in just the way I used it in the story. I just I'd never noticed that most people have either not heard it or never heard it used correctly. It is sometimes interesting how you come across something rare and then it just keeps cropping up. Glad you have enjoyed the story and thank you for sticking with me through it and faithfully reviewing. It really helped.
shirebound · 24 April 2014 · Chapter 14: Day Eight
It's interesting to think about the parallels between Pippin's life as Thain and Aragorn's as King. They're both guardians of land and people who trust and respect them, and both are making decisions with as much wisdom as they can... with good people to help them every step of the way. This is a very loving and lovely chapter. I'm so happy for Pippin and Diamond, and the Tooklands, and all of the Shire that such joyous and peaceful times have come at last.
Author's reply
I've alway thought that Pippin and Aragorn had a lot more in common than most would think. Pippin really paid attention to how Aragorn governed and tried to learn from it. Also, I've always viewed Pippin as more intelegent than most people gave him credit for. :) Pippin and Diamond lover each other madly, even though they have a very dark time ahead. Diamond eventually has to work through her own issues and will eventually remember that Pippin loves her as much as he showed her on this day early in his Thainship. Yes, I'm getting ready to finish that trilogy that covers the building of the Thain's family. :) Thanks for sticking with me through this whole thing and thanks for the encouraging reviews.
Larner · 24 April 2014 · Chapter 13: Day Seven Part Two
How well he's planning for the next day! I hope he and Diamond find it well worthwhile!
Author's reply
I hope so too. And I hope I can write it the way they deserve. Thanks for reviewing so faithfully
Lindelea · 23 April 2014 · Chapter 13: Day Seven Part Two
Ahhhhh. At last, a few peaceful moments to savour this latest installment. I'm sorry to hear this one is nearly done. It has been a delight! Good food and good conversation. I'm glad Pippin has the time for both. Nibbles that Diamond especially likes. Flowers. Bath preparations. Sounds like quite a plan! And all a surprise? Lovely! Mum's hand, or Da's? Sweet! Wanting to go all the way to Buckland in a few years? Sounds like there's a story to be told...
Author's reply
Sorry it's taken so long to reply. I'm glad you liked this chapter and I'm a limitless sad that it's ending too, but there' another story I promised to have done by Memorial Day so I need to get busy on it. I hope the chapter I plan to post lives up to expectations. Thanks for hanging there for this whole thing.
Dreamflower · 21 April 2014 · Chapter 13: Day Seven Part Two
*grin* I love all his little preparations! Delightful!
Author's reply
I was hoping that this would be fun. I'm thinking that the next chapter is going to finish this story except for the epilogue. I can't believe I've almost finished it. Then it will be on to finishing the last story in the trilogy about Pippin and Diamond trying to have children. That series needs a happy ending. :) Thanks for all your encouragement and sticking with me through my longest story ever so far.
shirebound · 21 April 2014 · Chapter 13: Day Seven Part Two
“Oh look!” exclaimed Egantine when she saw her visitors. “It’s my big lad.” She held out her arm to grandson. She then looked at his father. “And my giant lad too,” she laughed. What a lovely and loving scene. Oh my, I'm as eager as Pippin to experience the special moment he's planning.
Author's reply
I just couldn't resist that image when it popped into my mind. :) I hope I can pull this off and keep it PG13 and tasteful (I'm so evil sometimes). I was going to make day eight two chapters but now I'm thinking it's going to be just one. That means just it and the epilogue. I can't believe a few paragraphs scribbled while I was at work five years ago turned into the longest story I ever wrote so far. Thanks for stiicking with me through it and I hope the ending is worth the ride.
Lindelea · 20 April 2014 · Chapter 12: Day Seven Part One
I just hate opening up my eyes on one of those days... Pippin's solution for the sheep farmers sounds wise and fair to all involved. He's still looking out for the Tookland, but not at the expense of everyone else. I love Regi's practical support and ideas for carrying out Pippin's plans. I've written him in a similar vein, myself -- he's not a planner, he's a doer. Both kinds are needed! And, speaking of plans... Pippin's sister? Is this a hint, or did I miss something earlier? (I'm assuming this has something to do with his surprise for Diamond.) Alas, poor Regi. Now he's going to worry about Pippin falling ill from malnourishment, or dying of starvation or somewhat, and then he'll be stuck with the Thainship. (jk!)
Author's reply
Glad you liked the solution to the sheep farmers's problems. I have been hoping all along that my Regi isn't a copy of yours. They are very much alike. Pippin had written to his sister Pim to see if she could watch Faramir so that Pippin can pull off the surprise for Diamond. Regi is so happy being an assistant he's going to everything he can to avoid having to become Thain. Thanks for the review and thanks for sticking with me all the way so far.
Larner · 19 April 2014 · Chapter 12: Day Seven Part One
He's handled the first crises well, and will undoubtedly continue doing so. As Gandalf noted, they have all grown and are now among the great! Shire really ought to be capitalized, and Thain when used as the title, just as the Hill, the Water, and the Road are all capitalized because they are, to those who live near them, the proper names given them within the Shire.
Author's reply
Thank, Larner. You're right, all of them are much more prepared than they ever would have been had they never left home. Thank for the capitalization help. You'd think I'd know these things but sometimes my brain takes a holiday. I was actually doing better than I thought then and made more mistakes in this chapter than I had in others. I'll have to go back through all of them though just looking at that one issue.
Dreamflower · 18 April 2014 · Chapter 12: Day Seven Part One
Oh, I am so glad the meeting with the sheep farmers went well. Looks like Pippin has things well in hand! I do wish this story was slated to last a little longer!
Author's reply
I'll be honest. I don't think I could take out past about the eight days. I was thinking as I was writing this chapter that I'm glad I can leave Pippin to get on with things without having to record it. He really had a job I would not want. :) Thanks for the complement. Knowing that someone wants a story I've written to go on is quite humbling. I think it's going to be three more chapters and an epilogue. Thanks for the review and the encouragement.
shirebound · 18 April 2014 · Chapter 12: Day Seven Part One
“Is something wrong? I’ve noticed that you seem to skip at least one breakfast and either elevenses or luncheon almost every day.” Good old Regi, to be noticing such a worrisome thing. He's a good friend.
Author's reply
Yes, and a true hobbit. He's got to look out for Pip. He doesn't want anything to hapen to him because to be Thain is the last thing Regi wants. :) Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Larner · 16 April 2014 · Chapter 11: Day Six Part Two
I love the manner in which these two communicate. Lack of communication causes the worst problems in relationships as people seek to second-guess one another and botch things up royally.
Author's reply
I love these two also. I don't have any idea where I've got the model for their relationship. Maybe it's my ideal couple, I really don't know, but I love them together. The course of love isn't perfect for them. Just read "To Have or Have Not" and you'll see how they near fall apart but I'm working on curing their woes in a story that I intend to get back to work on as soon as this one's done. I so enjoy writing and reading Pip and Di in love. :) Thanks for the review.
Dreamflower · 16 April 2014 · Chapter 11: Day Six Part Two
Oh, I am sure that Diamond will like her surprise! *grin* I love the image of wheeling that money off in a wheelbarrow! LOL!
Author's reply
I know that if I were her, I'd like it. Mmhm. :) I suddenly realized that they had a goodly sum of money there and no way to get it to where it needed to be. I thought there'd most likely be a wheelbarrow nearby so I went with it. Glad you liked the image. It is rather funny to think about. I wonder what people thought if they saw all those flour sacks being wheeled down the hall. Thanks for reviewing.
Lindelea · 15 April 2014 · Chapter 11: Day Six Part Two
Pippin makes it obvious that Diamond is the most important part of his life. Lovely! (From the first part of the chapter, where he makes a point of keeping her informed, to the last few lines, it's very clear that she is his treasure.) Ah, Regi is so practical. All he needed was the right kind of leadership. Wheelbarrow and sacks! *snorfle* I like the way Pippin eats humble pie and apologises to his mother, and also the reference to Denethor. What a nightmare it must have been. And yes, it's easy to ignore and explain away signs in loved ones that we don't want to see. Continuing to enjoy this one. Looking forward to more. The meeting with the sheep farmers ought to be interesting, but at least Pippin seems to be well prepared.
Author's reply
Pippin really needs Diamond to complete him and the fact that he nearly loses her in one of my stories set a few years after thos one is heartbreaking. I'm going to work to complete that series as soon as I finish this story. :) Regi is a true hobbit: well grounded and practical. He's a good ballance to Pippin. I really think Pippin is familiar with the taste of humble pie. He's had to eat it on more than one occasion in his life. He would never mean to hurt his mum. He's suddenly put it all together that his father was very sick and he sees how much like what happened to Denethor it is, even without any supernatural involvement. He's ready for that meeting. I just hope I'm ready to write it. That's going to be the hardest part of the little that's left to write on this story. Thanks for sticking with me through this one. I really appreciate the reviews.
shirebound · 15 April 2014 · Chapter 11: Day Six Part Two
And I thought *my* job was complicated. The number of things Pippin is juggling all at once is impressive. This was one of the three room in the Great Smials that were kept locked when no one was in them. The other two were the Thain’s office and the healers’ stillroom and herbal storage. This is so well thought out! And the small reference to Denethor is a wonderful detail.
Author's reply
Thanks. Yeah, he's got a lot on his plate at the moment but it's going to get easier soon. :) I thought about that bit with the locked doors today at work. I was doing something rather mindless that was taking way too long and was thinking about the story and not the job and came up with that. I just couldn't pass up the Denethor idea. The things that happened to Pippin were good preparations for other events in life. Thanks for sticking with this and reviewing.
shirebound · 13 April 2014 · Chapter 10: Day Six Part One
Oh what, what a treasure hunt! I can't wait to find out what's behind the wall! Wow, Regi is the best assistant ever. Pippin is so lucky.
Author's reply
All will be revealed in the next chapter. Yes, Regi is a good ballance for Pippin and Pippin makes him take himself less seriously than he might. They're a good team for running the Took family. Thanks for continuing to read and review.
Larner · 13 April 2014 · Chapter 10: Day Six Part One
Ah, is it Paladin's secret stash at last? Now--how to deal with it! Good thinking on Pippin's part.
Author's reply
Next chapter will tell. Even if he doesn't think like his father, Pippin could sort of anticipate how he might have done something. Thanks for the review.
Lindelea · 13 April 2014 · Chapter 10: Day Six Part One
I'm so glad Pippin kept Regi on! He always tried to do his best, and he will continue to do his best for the new Thain (and his best may very well be better than it was, with wiser guidance). A treasure hunt! How exciting! It makes perfect sense that Paladin might have squirrelled away an emergency fund where the ruffians (if they came back) might not easily find it. Hopefully Everard and Ferdi have found what I think they've found, and hopefully it'll make things that much easier for the new Thain in his endeavours. As always, looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Yeah, Regi has the knowledge of how things used to be done and the flexibility to see that things don't have to be done the same way. He's a good stablizing influence on Pippin. Yeah, I suddenly realized that they were going to have to find the hidden money or they were not going to be able to renegotiate anything. Paladin's reason for hiding the wealth may not have been so noble. I'm thinking he was starting develop senility, sadly enough. As for Ev and Ferdi, you'll have to wait for the next chapter. :) Thanks again for the encouragement.
Dreamflower · 12 April 2014 · Chapter 10: Day Six Part One
Yay! Sounds like Pippin's had success! It is a shame Paladin did not get the chance to tell Pippin what he'd done. That conversation might have eased Pippin's mind.
Author's reply
Yes. It looks like the lost is found. Unfortunately, as I have written this story, Paladin's situation has become ever more clear to me. He was a hobbit in the fading of his life and facing such ills as often befall those in later years. I have concluded that he was suffering from some type of senility that had caused him to become ever more unreasonable about certain things and that he was beginning to develop hording tendencies as well. Sad to think of him ending that way but then it is sad to see anyone declining. Now, if I can get those pesky sheep farmers dealt with and get a start made on getting contracts sorted out, I can to the fun part of the last couple of days I plan to record. Pippin has a bit of a scavenger hunt he needs to go on in order to give his wife a surprise. Thanks for reading and helping to remind me of things that could become loose ends left dangling. I couldn't have kept track of it all without your reminders and nudges. :)