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The Life of a Bard by Dreamflower	7 Review(s)
PIppinfan1988	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/4/2006
Awesome! You capture every nuance and expression in the joy of making music, or singing a song. It is very evident that your Pippin has such a passion for music--and whose love of music is equalled only by the author. My Pippin, too, has a passion for music, but "his" writer is a bit cheeky; she loves music, but has absolutely no talent when it comes to music, lol! So, she lives vicariously through both our lads. :-) And once again, I was sitting in the smoky room with the hobbits watching Pippin (and Menelcar) in their element, playing the most beautiful songs. I am really enjoying this--I haven't read too much on Pip's talent as a singer. Pippinfan Author Reply: Well, I have to say, really, it is just the way Pippin is to me. I am sure that I've been somewhat influenced by Billy Boyd's obvious talent and sweet voice, but it just revealed to me something I think I was sure of all along. I think I've been captivated by Pippin's joy in song from the first time I read of his singing in the bath at Crickhollow, and the clear delight he was taking in not only the bath, but the song. As for my talent, well, I play a couple of instruments, rather poorly, but I dearly love music. I just wish more authors would include song and music in their fics--it was so important to JRRT, and such an integral part of his world.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/21/2005
"Pippin very quickly forgot about Menelcar as he was caught up in the joy of the music. (H)is face was flushed with pleasure." Now this is how I envision Pippin. His love of music quite fills him up. The lyrics to "Nob o’ the Lea!" are delightful! Did you create this or did Tolkien? The tune practically sings itself and I can imagine hobbits dancing or even step dancing to this lively tune. I wish there were sheet music available. As for the dwarvian song, it's wonderful the way a tiny hobbit like Bilbo has such spread his influence through such diverse cultures. "Pippin’s sweet voice faded away on the last mournful note, and he looked up gratefully as the innkeeper handed him a full mug. His eyes held a question as he took it. “It’s just cold water, Mr. Pippin,” muttered Dodd quietly, “but I’m thinking you’re thirsty.”" Master Dodd is very thoughtful and Pippin has such a gentle sweetness to him. Even had the mug been full of ale, I doubt that Pippin would have drunk the entire thing without Merry. Pippin and Menelcar really seem to be developing a very nice relationship here. Is Menelcar from Gondor? Something about him makes me think he is and I wonder if Pippin would see him again while in Minas Tirith. Author Reply: Yes, music is as much as food and drink to him, and just as essential. "Nob O' the Lea" is mine. I didn't have a tune in my head when I wrote it, but I discovered afterward that it scans to the tune of "The Campbells are Coming", LOL! I'm so glad you like it! I could see Bilbo's songs, just spreading out through Erebor, and drawing the attention of a wandering minstrel. You are right about Pip. Master Dodd only knows that Pippin sticks to his alloted half, and doesn't really know why, but he's glad. Yes, Menelcar is from Minas Tirith; I have the sequel where Pippin finds him there in beta with Marigold. It's called "Chance Encounter", and as soon as all the bugs are fixed, I'll be posting it here. One of the things I am going to have to change in this story is how long Menelcar's been on the road. I have to shave five years off to make it fit correctly, so he's only been gone for 25 years instead of 30.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/27/2004
less chance of it coming to his father's ears Ah, Pippin, why does this remind me of my brothers when they were teens? The innkeeper's estimation of Pippin is a nice little character sketch. "No use wasting music on an empty room." ...not going to throw all caution to the wind. Very hobbity and practical! Menelcar sounds quite like a few other professional musicians of my aquaintance, with his eye for the crowd whilst keeping up a pleasant conversation. Pippin's songs are lovely and very Tolkienesque. I looked up the one from The Hobbit; did you write the other? Brava! I like the picture of Pippin on the table, and then the Man taking his place there. Author Reply: Probably for the same reason he reminds me somewhat of my son as a teen. LOL! I'm glad you liked that. The innkeeper is sort of an impartial observer here, seeing things about Pip that his father, for example, would not see or appreciate. Thank you. Master Dodd is a very practical hobbit. It's a habit a professional would definitely get into, especially after thirty years on the road. Yes, "Nob o' the Lea" is mine. I had a lot of fun with it. (By the way, though I did not originally intend it to, it scans to "The Campbells are Coming") I think in the absence of any proper sort of stage, that the table would be appropriate.

Budgielover	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/25/2004
Couldn't I just see Pippin's sweet face as he sings... I had forgotten the song from "The Hobbit" - I will have to go back and read it. I wonder if you have ever read a wonderful song that I am "sure" Pippin must have written - Willow-wode's "Not a Happy Camper." Look it up on her website - it is hysterical. Author Reply: I know I could. sigh There are a great many nice songs in The Hobbit. And though most of them are described as Elven or Dwarven songs, I think it safe to say that whatever the songs were the first time Bilbo heard them, by the time he got around to writing them down, they would become his words in the end. Most of the time it in fact says something along the lines of "There was much more of it than this, but this is how Bilbo remembered it..." I went back and looked it up. I remember that! It's a hoot. Can't you just see Pip making that up, and singing it to Frodo in Minas Tirith in front of the whole Fellowship? Someone ought to ask her to write that up as a fic! 8-D

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/25/2004
What a delight! If Pippin had been the one to start singing in Bree, the whole Tale might have unfolded differently! (Did you write that first song???) Author Reply: Oh my goodness, that would have been AU! LOL! Yes, the first one "Nob o' the Lea" is mine.

esamen	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/24/2004
Pippin’s sweet voice faded away on the last mournful note, and he looked up gratefully as the innkeeper handed him a full mug. His eyes held a question as he took it. “It’s just cold water, Mr. Pippin,” muttered Dodd quietly, “but I’m thinking you’re thirsty.” This is delightful! And very well written! I just love reading it! Please update soon. I am really curious to find out where this minstrel's quest for songs is going to lead him . . . is it to our hero's door, at Bag End? Thanks for writing and I'll be watching for the next chapter! Author Reply: Thank you so much for the kind review, I am glad you are enjoying it. Now, don't be peeking over my shoulder...

RogerGamgee	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/24/2004
This was a great chapter...perfect way to end my work day. I haven't read 'The Hobbit,' so I wasn't familiar with the songs. But I remember listening to Pippin sing in ROTK and wishing that we could have heard more. He (Boyd) has such a beautiful voice, that I've listened a number of times. I even uploaded it from my ROTK CD for the folks in the Sean Astin group on Yahoo to listen to. It seems that Pippin doesn't share the feeling about his singing that others do, from the reference to his wanting to hear a 'real' minstrel. Or perhaps I'm reading more into it than there is. In ROTK, he tells Denethor 'I sing well enough...at least for my own people.'. Could this just be youth talking? An excellent chapter...I look forward to seeing what Menelcar comes up with. Good work! Author Reply: The first song, "Nob o' the Lea" is mine. The second song is Bilbo's interpretation of a song the Dwarves sang in Beorn's house. I, too, would have loved hearing "Pippin" sing more in the films; I agree about Billy Boyd's voice, marvelous. It's not necessarily a lack of confidence in his own ability, as it is eagerness to see what someone like Menelcar can do; he knows he can "sing well enough for his own people" as you said, but Menelcar is from Outside and a professional, and therefore more interesting and fascinating to the tween. Kind of like a modern youngster hoping to break into the music business meeting someone who actually has a recording contract--awesome in both the colloquial and literal sense.

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