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| The Life of a Bard by Dreamflower | 17 Review(s) |
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| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/5/2006 |
| I enjoyed reading the meeting between Frodo and Menelcar, though I believe Frodo is quite seasoned in the manner of Big Folk due to Bilbo's tales. I meant to ask in my review for the last chapter if Pippin and Paladin's row was the big "explosion" you mentioned to me a while back. You may not remember it, but I think we were discussing the relationship we each carved for the pair. I didn't get to finish the next chapter, so I will wait to comment on that, but there *is* something I came across in today's reading that I just have to share with you more privately. You know me--can't leave something unsaid. :-P Pippinfan Author Reply: Yes, I tried to show Frodo as not particularly concerned about a Man visiting him--not really blase about it, but his excitement was more due to the possiblity that Menelcar was bringing word from Bilbo. He's pleased to entertain him, and interested in him, but not overawed. After all, in the past, Gandalf was a frequent visitor. This is the row I had in mind. This particular episode was the low point of Pippin's adolescence and his relationship with his father, and though I am sure it did not improve 100% overnight after this, it did rather level off a bit, until he took off on the Quest. I saw your email awaiting me. I'll check it out when I finish here. | |
| Gryffinjack | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/22/2005 |
| Strange - my personal review page that lists all of the reviews I have left here at SoA for you does not list the review of chapter six that I left last night, yet the review appears if you click on the list on the chapter list. Did you get notification that I left a review? As for chapter seven: Bilbo's influence is tremendous on Frodo's life, journeys, and education. Even after these fourteen years, Frodo misses him something fierce. I'm so glad he will be able to see his Uncle Bilbo again in just a few years. It's very interesting when Frodo says that he thinks he would know if Bilbo were no longer alive. Is this connection because of the ring? I believe there is a connection between all of the past and present ringbearers where they all would feel if one of them had died. Or is this a connection Frodo feels because of his close relationship with Bilbo? Frodo's pride in and love for Bilbo is quite evident in his discussion with Menelcar. Naturally, Frodo, ever the gracious host, would be anxious to share his hospitality with someone who appreciates his cousin. Bilbo has had such an influence over the music and stories of many races in Middle Earth. For a Man to come in search of him, wanting more information on him or to even meet him - Menelcar must be one of the first groupies! Not bad at all for a little hobbit! Poor Merry! He's being so conscientious and responsible with his first assignment as an adult. He has the right of it, of course, about how Pippin feels. Those two definitely have a special connection, although Frodo also feels that something is amiss with Pippin. How like Merry to, depsite his own troubles, worry about Pippin and to even blame himself for the way Pippin is feeling so lonely and bored. This is one time where the large age difference between the two lads is a huge gap that is not as easily bridged. It is not for Paladin to say whether Pippin would be a hindrance to Merry were he to visit Merry in Buckland, not after Merry suggested a visit. If Paladin had a different reason for Pippin not visiting, then that would be different. But he has no right to usurp Merry's rights as an adult to make known what he wishes and how he feels. Paladin was doing a grave injustice to both his son and his nephew, even though he meant well. "There’s a young hobbit who is of a mind to travel with me and try the life of a bard. I met him in Tuckborough. He sings very sweetly, and plays the fiddle more than passably well, so I agreed." Gee, I wonder who that could be! It's a good thing Frodo set Menelcar straight about Pippin's not being an adult yet and his future career as the Thain. I don't think Pippin realised just how much trouble Menelcar could have got into had the two of them gone off together. The reprecussions just would not have crossed Pippin's mind. All he knew was that the two of them enjoyed making music together and could be good travelling companions on the road of the bard. Thankfully, Frodo was there to think of the reprecussions for the tweenager. You know, I do like how you incorporate the various forms of an individual's name in your storiesm, especially the use of all three of Pippin's names - Pip, Pippin, and Peregrin. You do so at appropriate places rather than a random and haphazard spraying of the various forms of the names. For example, having Paladin usually calling him Peregrin but having Merry and Frodo call him Pip or Pippin. You do the same thing with the other names as well, like for Merry, Beri, Esmerelda, Eglantine, and Freddie. It add feeling and a level of understanding to the relationship between the characters as well as to the action which is occurring. I look forward to seeing how Frodo is going to clean up Pippin's latest problem. If anyone can make Pippin understand and feel better about his situation, it would be his cousin Frodo. Author Reply: My inbox was overfull, or something, and I had some bouncing mail. It's fixed now though. Yes, Frodo does still miss Bilbo. I think he has a connection to him, similar to his connections to his other cousins, although not nearly so strong. I think he does believe that he would know if Bilbo died. And I interpret Frodo's remark to Gandalf in "Shadow of the Past" to indicate that he did have letters from Bilbo from time to time. I am sure that passing Dwarves or other merchants would have taken messages to the Shire, though the only one Frodo could entrust with a message *to* Bilbo was Gandalf. Just my personal opinion. And I could so easily see Bilbo's songs and stories spreading so. Menelcar I think of as somewhat a collector of songs and music. Merry's not one to miss the signs of something wrong with Pippin no matter *how* busy he is, and you are also right about Paladin's reaction. Of course, Paladin meant well, but really he had no idea. Frodo of course could hardly miss the fact that it *had* to be Pippin. And yes, he would naturally set poor Menelcar straight. Yes, you are the first one to spot that use of names. Merry and Frodo are the only ones, really, who call him "Pip"; everyone else calls him Pippin, unless they are being serious or angry. I try very hard to be consistent in it, just as Frodo is the only one who calls Merry "sprout", or Pippin "dearest". Yes, Frodo is going to try and get to the bottom of it all. | |
| esamen | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/3/2004 |
| Go ahead. Go to The Green Dragon and meet him. Find a table and make sure he is *not* facing the door. I’ll come in and handle it from there. Whew! I'm so glad that Frodo's got things in hand! I knew he'd figure everything out. I can't wait to go read the next chapter! | |
| Mariposa | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/3/2004 |
| I am throughly enjoying this story, and I can't wait to read more! :-) Author Reply: Read on; next chapter up! | |
| good_one_pip | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/1/2004 |
| oh, I hope Frodo isn't to hard on poor Pip. I can understand how it's dangerous to let Pippin be bored. He really just wants someone to hang out with. Author Reply: How true! LOL! Of course, who he *really* wants to hang out with is Merry, but he likes Menelcar a lot, and he's looking with favor right now on *anything* that will get him out of being Thain... | |
| Anso the Hobbit | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/29/2004 |
| As I tend to do, I`ve read a batch of chapters, and oh my is Pip in trouble. But Frodo is clever and knows his cousin well, so I imagine he will handle things wonderfully. Poor overworked Merry though. It`s hard to have to work when your friends are having fun! Can`t wait for more :) Author Reply: Yes, Pip's in trouble, and it's Frodo to the rescue. Poor Merry indeed! Coming of age is hard, isn't it? | |
| SharonB | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/29/2004 |
| LOL, poor Frodo needs that convience of a modern copier for Menelcar so he can get all of Bilbo's songs. Nice to know that our hobbits were getting some reknown even before the War of the Ring. OH, Pip is in big trouble. It'd be amazing that Paladin did not still have him "grounded" when he left to accompany Frodo on the big trip a few years later. He does seem to be avioding certain responsibilities. IT's a good thing Frodo is there to sort him out anda to save Menelcar as well. Pip does sneak out and go to The Green Dragon in the next chapter doesn't he? ;-) Author Reply: Bilbo was indeed a hobbit of reknown outside the Shire, at least in Erebor and Rivendell. Pip is going to find out it's not so easy to avoid responsibilities. That would be telling... 8-D | |
| Nina the powerwriter | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/29/2004 |
| I read through this yesterday. It was wonderful!!! I can just see Pippin going off to be a bard. I wonder why a lot of writers have him play the fiddle? I think it's a perfect instrument for Pip to play. He'll soon regret his words about not wanting to be Thain. I always like the idea of him not wanting to be Thain then after the quest he knows how important the position is. Good story, well written. Write more soon please! Author Reply: Hi Nina! Yes, I could see it, too! 8-D I think perhaps because a fiddle is (a) easy to carry about, and (b) rather hobbity. He will eventually come to realize that being Thain is not such a horrible fate, but it won't be soon. But yes, after the Quest is a different matter. Thanks. I've been busy with a couple of Marigold's Challenge fics, but they are about out of the way now, and I'll be getting back to "Bard" soon. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/28/2004 |
| Found this one tonight and read all that there was. I hope there is more soon. I can see Pippin going off to become a Bard and regretting it in a few days and turning back. Now, if Frodo's plan works, Pippin will be saved the trouble. Looks like he'll be in for another grounding. That must have been one of the very worst punishments for someone with his energy and need to keep busy. Loved the funeral music on the Tookland Pipes! (I also remember the song, "Shades of Grey" that you mentioned in answer to a review and still have copy somewhere. LOL) Author Reply: I'm not so sure that he would change his mind in only a few days. I think it might take him a while for the novelty to wear off and to realize it was a bad decision, and by then, it might be too late to return right away. Also, by then he might realize that he would then be letting Menelcar down. But I don't think Frodo will let it come to that. You remember "Shades of Gray" too? Well, now I don't feel like quite such a fossil, LOL! | |
| eiluj | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/28/2004 |
| Nice plotting -- Menelcar approaching the Shire from Sarn Ford because of the Rangers, which means he'd get to Tuckborough before Hobbiton. I'm increasingly curious about Merry and that ferry. How could it be causing him so much difficulty? Author Reply: Yes, I wanted him to have come that way, but if he had been coming from Dale, it would have been more logical to come through Bree. And I am sure the Rangers would not have approved of a Man just wandering about loose in the Shire, even if he were so harmless a person as a minstrel. The problem was that the docks on both sides were in worse shape than Saradoc had originally thought, because of a particularly wet winter. Merry is finding that he is basically having to have them rebuilt from scratch, something he did not discover right away, as he originally was trying to just replace the bad parts. It meant having to un-do and then re-do, the whole thing. And order new materials. And as it is his first real independent job that his father has charged him with, and as he is a perfectionist, it is taking him a lot longer than he thought. He's allowed himself to get obsessed with the job, and with no Pip around to take his mind off it... | |