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It Takes a Took by Dreamflower	10 Review(s)
PIppinfan1988	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 11/17/2005
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I've been waiting all day to let that out!!! What a beautiful scene of them finally alone togeher. :-D I hope their wedding, or at least, a betrothal party is up next. :-) Now onto other bits and bobs... "With a stealthy skill that would have done a Ranger proud, she spirited the lad out of the Hall. Oy! If that lass isn't careful, she's going to end up like Lilas! I love the names you give your dances! I laughed when I read "the Southfarthing Brawl"...too cute! "Candles" is my favorite, with lit candles adding to the ambience--very beautiful. Before going on to the last part, I do want to say how much I have enjoyed this lovely, and moving tale of Pippin and Diamond. I do have to agree that Pip's life-long partner has to be more than a fashion statement. She at least has to be intelligent (like Pip) in order to challenge him, courageous (like him), and strength of character...like him! All other attributes such as humor, big heart, and appearance, will all fall into place thereafter, though they are also important. Well...sniff, sniff...onto the last one. Pippinfan Author Reply: Thank you! Thank you! I really wanted the build up to that first kiss--believe it or not, that was the second scene I wrote. (The first was Pippin seeing Diamond's face hovering over him when he regained consciousness after the accident.) Ah, yes, Celandine might have a bit in common with Lilas if her mother, father and brothers are not a bit more watchful! But she really served a purpose here, and not just comic relief. I wanted Pippin to be tempted to be a little less than gentlemanly with Diamond, and Celandine was the catalyst for that. But I wanted to give him a chance to reflect on his knightly honor, and how that meant he had to respect his lady-love. Well, the word "brawl" actually comes from the word "bransle" which is pronounced "brawl" but means a medieval circle dance done to a certain type of step. And "Candles" is my favorite dance as well. It is called "John Tallow's Canon" and is absolutely breathtaking to watch, and is good fun to do. I did want Diamond to be more than just a pretty face for Pippin; I wanted her to show all those attributes you mention. That's why I thought of making her a healer, for it's one way a lass could show those qualities.

good_one_pip	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 1/12/2005
YES!!!!!!!!! Finally! A kiss, a most passionate lovely kiss under the stars during the festive Yule season! How romantic! (I'm so glad it was under the stars. That added such a beautiful touch.) They were meant for each other. Did you think of those dances yourself? Or did you learn them somewhere. Anyway they sounded like fun:) Author Reply: The scene with the kiss was actually the first part of the story that I wrote. When I started, I had three things in my head: Pippin waking up to see Diamond's eyes above his face, the kiss scene, and the epilogue. Everything else was filler. The dances are all real dances, except for "Circle of Joy" that I see in my head. But they have different names. "Candles" is really "John Tallow's Canon", and a favorite of mine. "Exchanges" is really "Hole in the Wall", the "Tangle Dance" is the "Tangle Bransle" (pronounced "brawl) and the "Southfarthing Brawl" is really the "Maltese Bransle". They are all dances that we often do at SCA events. And yes, they are a lot of fun!

pipspebble	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 1/4/2005
...in the tenderest of kisses - Awwww, such a lovely, sweet moment! So perfect for their first kiss! Author Reply: Yes, I wanted that first kiss to be very sweet and chaste. I'm glad you liked it.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 1/4/2005
Honestly, I love Saradoc! His method of taming Rosamunda was great giggles What a pity Aragorn visited the Shire only when Pippin was Thain and Merry Master of Buckland - this means probably their fathers didn't live then any longer. I would have liked Saradoc and Paladin to meet Aragorn. It was so nice Pippin could dance with his Diamond at this Yule celebration! Even if it was only one dance. It would have been sad if he had to look only how others had their fun with Diamond. Author Reply: Yes, just a little word in her husband's ear that her over-zealousness in the matter of her daughter was likely to result in the opposite effect of what she intended. I wished that they could, too, but haven't found any practical way to do that. However, I do have them at least corresponding with him in a couple of my other stories, so I guess that will have to do. Well, he's very nearly healed, but Cousin Dody knew that if he wasn't very specific, Pippin would have been hopping all about, and undoing a lot of the good. One nice slow dance filled the bill.

GamgeeFest	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 1/3/2005
Yay, smoochies! This is just what the doctor ordered. What a fun chapter, what with the dancing and Celandine, lol. Bits of sadness over missing Frodo, and some bittersweetness hearing Merry's plans for his wedding. We already know Frodo won't be there. Author Reply: Yes, Pippin and Diamond finally get to kiss! I thought a Yule celebration would be a nice way to tie up this story; Celandine had her part to play as well. Missing him at Yule is just a foreshadowing of what is soon to come; it's so hard to have to remind myself that even though I know what's going to happen, the characters do not.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 1/3/2005
Here you've announced this story is nearly over and I cannot remember the last chapter I reviewed! And no time to go back and look, for the little ones are chafing at the bit to go and spend their Christmas gift cards... But I wanted you to know that as soon as I do get some time for reading I'll be catching up on this delightful tale... Author Reply: I do understand. I am luckier than most, where time is concerned. My kid is grown and out of the nest, my DH works full time, but I only work part time, and with my mom now in a nursing home, I've lots more free time. Of course some of that is in the middle of the night with insomnia. Still, I can remember how hectic it was just a few short years ago. I'll be posting the Epilogue tonight, and then this one is finished.

Auntiemeesh	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 1/3/2005
I always hate coming to the end of good stories. And this was a wonderful story! “Estella, I was thinking--why don’t we have our wedding next Yule? We will have been betrothed for a decent interval by then. I don’t want to wait all the way until spring. And by then, surely Frodo will feel up to coming to Brandy Hall. He can’t say no if he’s standing for me at my wedding.” Estella gave a little shiver, this time not at all caused by the cold. It's so sad to see all of Frodo's friends hoping that he will recover, when we all know that he won't. You've worked that thread of sorrow into the story really well. Pippin gave a low chuckle. “I don’t know. When you are not around, I really miss you.” She grinned. “I did rather get that idea.” She gazed up into his green eyes, which were unreadable and glittering. I love your version of the dual courtships of Merry and Estella, and Diamond and Pippin. I hope you write more. :) Author Reply: It is sad. They are going to miss him so much. I know that this was meant to be a Pippin/Diamond story, but in anything longer than one chapter, I can't seem to avoid getting all four hobbits in there. To my way of thinking, not only is there no way to have a Pippin story without Merry, and vice versa, there is no way to do them without Frodo as well. And Sam is probably going to get in there somewhere as well. Well, I've almost finished with the courtship part, but there's still a lot more to tell. But that, as they say, is another story.

Eruviluieth	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 1/3/2005
AWWW! That's so sweet. The dance sounded beautiful, excellent description. Adding Celandine was a nice aside from the main story. Excellent chapter, want more as always. Author Reply: It was kind of sweet, which I'm glad of. The dance really is a beautiful one, and very fun to do, although it is not called "Candles" in real life. Celandine was not completely an aside: I wanted that moment of Pippin being tempted to be "less than gentlemanly", shall we say, with Diamond, and then rejecting it. Celandine provided the catalyst. She also helped to provide the motivation for Rosamunda to leave Estella and Merry alone. I've shown her as a flirt before: in "Conspiracy" and in "New Reckoning". There is only one more chapter left, and it's the Epilogue.

Marigold	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 1/3/2005
This is the best chapter yet I think - I loved the descriptions of the dances, escpecially Candles. It was so easy to see Merry and Pippin and their lasses dancing it. It was just lovely, sigh... : ) This chapter also reminded me that I still want to see poor Merry have to play the tambour as an emergency replacement one day! Author Reply: "Candles" is actually a beautiful dance called "John Tallow's Canon" and in our neck of the woods, is usually danced to the music from "Legend" (the original Tangerine Dream music). I decided to call it "Candles" for a hobbit name, as I have seen it done that way, and also as a play on "Tallow". It is absolutely a beautiful dance, not really difficult as far as the steps go, but since the second couple does their part half a measure behind the first, it's very tricky. splutter I'd almost forgot that bunny! you evil thing you! Poor Merry...hmmm

SharonB	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 1/3/2005
Yes, our little Pip is growing up and assuming the responsibilities that will make him a good Thain. I guess, as said previously that having a troll land on you teaches some patience. ;-) So do the good examples he's seen on the trip that got rid of the ring. It looks as if you've tied in your one drabble about Merry and Estella now with them planing a Yule wedding. At least Frodod should still be there for the wedding. Something I'm sure that Pip will miss since Frodo will be gone before he even reaches his majority. So sweet of Auntie Esmerelda to make Candles special for Pip and Diamond. Author Reply: I think the good examples even more so. His admiration for Aragorn makes the King his role model: Aragorn waited nearly forty years for his bride, which makes six look like a walk in the park. And Pippin was also exposed to many others of integrity and nobility, such as Faramir and Eomer, as well as Boromir. All that is enough to make him want to keep his honor as a knight intact. Which of course, includes the utmost respect for one's lady. Yes, I've known for some time Merry and Estella would have a Yule wedding, but this Yule is their second after the return. Sadly, Frodo won't be there for a third. He leaves in September. Esmeralda is a sweetie, and she has a soft spot for her favorite nephew.

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