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| The Life of a Bard by Dreamflower | 13 Review(s) |
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| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/1/2006 |
| This is starting out wonderfully! I had a good snicker at Merry's letter--his language has come of age, too, lol--and Pippin's isn't far behind. I had a good laugh from that. Seems young Pippin is having a bad night...but not for long! He is such a sweet brother to Vinca. :-) Pippinfan Author Reply: Well, you will notice that he crossed it out. It's not language he'd allow *Pip* to get away with, anyway, but he's very frustrated at the moment. And "Thunder!" is Pippin's oath, and not one that the other hobbits ever use that I show. It's mild enough that his mother can let it pass, but it's a bit stronger than "Bless me" or "My goodness!", and Paladin probably would *not* let it pass, LOL! Pippin *is* a sweet brother, and it's little generous gestures like that which make his sisters forgive him for his pranks. | |
| Gryffinjack | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/20/2005 |
| Without Frodo or Merry around, I don't think Pippin is happy unless he is getting into trouble. Disobeying his parents and running out to get a half at the pub - not a bright idea, although quite Tookish. However, I did notice that although Pippin is now twenty-five years old and allowed to buy drinks all by himself in Tuckborough, he only wanted to buy a half. As usual with Pippin, he has learnt from his past mistakes and is going to honour his promise with Merry not to get drunk without him. So in this regard, the lad has matured. It's wonderful the way you captured young siblings - not taking any notice of what the others are going through. I also like how Eglantine overlooked Pippin's use of a mild oath, making allowances for her son. Did she know what was in Merry's letter? I wouldn't be surprised if Saradoc or Esme had written to let Paladin and Eglantine know what was happening. Poor Merry is not finding being an adult all that it is cracked up to be. With privilege comes responsibilities that cut into playtime. However, Merry is a most responsible hobbit and wouldn't dream of letting someone else complete a task assigned to him. He's far too stubborn and practical to allow that. To borrow from Sam, it just wouldn't be *proper*. The letter from Merry was great - the tone and familiarity was just right for a letter to his favourite cousin. Menelcar - is he your own creation or was he a minor character in canon? Either way, I look forward to finding out more about him. It looks like he and Pippin will meet up at The Leaping Hare and like we will all be entertained with some lively music. Does Pippin really think he can escape his future responsibilities to run off and become a bard? "He rolled over and reached under the bed for his fiddle in its case, and took it out. He began to play a mournful song to go along with his bleak mood." I know I've said it before, but I love the way you have Pippin express himself through his music. He has such a passion for life and feels things so deeply, that I am sure that his heart aches and that he feels quite frustrated with not being able to express all of what he feels inside him. I really do think his musivc is his most effective outlet for being able to actually express himself completely so that he can rest. Author Reply: Well, a bored Pip is a dangerous Pip. (I believe I've mentioned before that Pippin's tweenage troubles were slightly inspired by my own son, who when bored would find the most apalling ways to entertain himself. He wasn't *bad*, it's just that as soon as he had an idea, he'd act on it without thinking it through.) And without his best cousins there to anchor him, he's quite adrift in a sea of boredom... No, Merry is finding the increased responsibilities a bit of a trial; but you are right about how he would handle it. He's far too dutiful to give less than his best effort to a job, and too stubborn to give up on it. Menelcar is an OC. I am going to have to make a slight adjustment in his backstory, due to a sequel I have in beta with Marigold--we found a timeline problem, so he's only been out of Minas Tirith 25 years instead of 30. I just haven't edited it yet. And yes, he and Pip will be meeting at the inn... I am so glad you like my characterization of Pippin, especially his love for music. It just seems to *fit* him somehow. There are, to me at least, many hints in canon--his singing in the Shire when they camp in "Three's Company", his bath song in "A Conspiracy Unmasked", he just seems meant to make music. But of course, I was also greatly influenced by Billy Boyd's beautiful singing. | |
| budgielover | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/25/2004 |
| I thought you captured our Pip so well here - generous of heart, intensely loving and loyal, a little sneaky and a not-yet adult tweenager. I liked how you described how he felt about Merry having to beg off his much-looked forward to visit (the bit about having to repair the ferry was inspired), and how he translated his disappointment into music. The little bit of movie-verse of Pip playing the fiddle was delightful. I look forward to more. Author Reply: I'm so glad you like the way I wrote Pip. That was just what I was aiming for. I just thought that might be the kind of job Saradoc would entrust to his son when he had come of age, and that Merry would take it very seriously indeed. My Pip is *very* musical, I guess that is a bit of movie influence. | |
| Auntiemeesh | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/22/2004 |
| Pippin unwisely rolled his eyes, showing his opinion of his other cousins. He slouched angrily out of the room. There were other ways. Ah, you gotta love those awkward tweenage years. No longer a child, but not allowed (or ready) to be an adult yet. Poor Pippin, I hope he doesn't get into too much trouble down at the Bouncing Bunny. Looking forward to more of this. :) Author Reply: Oh, yes, and doubly miserable, because he's without his Merry! Notice how he doesn't even think of going with someone else if Merry's not there. Don't you feel for poor Eglantine, having to put up with it? 8-) | |
| Anso the Hobbit | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/22/2004 |
| Poor lonely Pip. I hope Merry comes to his "rescue" soon :) Great start. Author Reply: You might be surprised! | |
| Hai Took | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/21/2004 |
| Uh-oh, I hope Pippin doesn't get into too much trouble, but I am looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds! Very sweet of Pippin to spend his money on Pervinca I liked this "It *had* seemed to make her happy, but in a soppy, weepy kind of way that Pippin could not understand.", funny! Looking forward to more! Author Reply: Well, you know our Pip! Trouble does seem to find him. Yes, well, I've always thought of him as a good brother. But face it, guys just don't understand the benefits of a good happy cry! | |
| pipspebble | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/21/2004 |
| Oh, goodie! Another goodie from Dreamflower! I love the beginning already; can't wait for chapter two! Author Reply: Thanks! I'm working away at it. | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/21/2004 |
| This seems interesting. Where did the idea come from? Poor Merry having to be stuck working instead of visiting his cousins. Responsibility sucks that way. Author Reply: Actually, the idea came from a song on a tape I listened to during the interminable drive to get away from Hurricane Ivan the Terrible. Yes, Merry has come of age, and is finding out that it's not really fun and games. But don't you know he would take the difficulties with refurbishing the ferry as a personal challenge? | |
| Viresse | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/21/2004 |
| After a crappy day and a half at work, there's a new Dreamflower story and life is good. I want to see Paladin's reaction to Pip's desire to be a minstrel! I can just imagine... LOL If Menelcar has been a wandering minstrel for nearly 30 years, he had to have developed some skill with weapons, even if he had no real talent for them? I mean, orcs and ruffians *are* around, and I would think they are not at all likely to have that much respect for a bard! But I also have difficulty seeing him with a sword in the Shire at least. That would not go down well at all with our hobbits. I look forward to his story as well. Author Reply: Menelcar has developed some survival skills over the last 30 years, mostly consisting of avoidance--he's very good at hiding and at running away, which is wise when someone has no particular aptitude with a weapon. And he's learned to throw a knife, use a sling, and how not to cut himself if he should *have* to use a sword. He's not had too much trouble with ruffians, since he possesses nothing of value aside from his instrument, and he has managed to avoid orcs for the most part. I'm not sure how much of his adventures will be revealed, though. Paladin will not be amused, I daresay. I hope things get better at work. 8-) | |
| Elenar | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/21/2004 |
| Nice story, I am really enjoying it. I like how you connected it to your other stories. I can't wait to find out what happens when Pippin meets the bard. Author Reply: I'm glad you like it so far. Thanks for letting me know! | |