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The Brandy Hall Incident by Dreamflower	6 Review(s)
Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/17/2005
I forgot to mention on the review of chapter one - it seems a bit strange that when Pippin was visiting Brandy Hall, Merry was the one who would give him his lessons. I would think it would be someone a bit older. Poor Pippin! It's all his fault for going where he knew he wasn't supposed to, but he must be scared half to death! I don't think his little adventure is going quite as he had planned. Is he even old enough to be allowed to light a lantern or is this another way in which he was doing something he knew he oughtn't? It doesn't look good if he's in the end of the tunnels with the fallen beams, cool damp air, and dampness on the floor. I hope nothing caves in on top of him. I also hope that he doesn't get sick from being in all of that cold, damp air for so long, especially since he has weak lungs and is susceptible to colds and illness. And he's already getting damp, feeling cool, crying, and coughing a little. "Saradoc came in with Merry. Rorimac’s first thought was that the lad had done some transgression that warranted his punishment by the Master instead of his father. It had happened once or twice, after all." Ooh, when? When did Merry get in so much trouble and how? Is that a plot bunny waiting to be hatched? I'm glad you included Berilac in this story. I like the lad and am sure he would like Merry to play with him sometimes when Pippin is around, even though he realises how special Merry and Pippin's relationship is. He probably felt the same way about Merry's relationship with Frodo, especially when Frodo was still living at Brandy Hall. Beri is probably asking himself, "What is it with Merry? He's about the same age as I am, but he'd rather be off with a cousin who's twelve years older than he is or eight years younger than him! Can't he play with someone his own age?" Fortunately, I think it only bothers Beri a little bit. After all, there are so many other lads around Brand Hall with whom he can play. "Merry was as taut as a bowstring. He hoped they found Pippin before Merry snapped." This is an excellent description of Merry if ever Frodo or Pippin were in any sort of danger. Really, I think it could be used for any one of them if either of the other two were in danger, but especially Merry. Poor Merry! How awful for him to hear Pippin scream his name in terror and have it echoing around him and not be able to go to his Pippin and rescue him! It's Merry's worst nightmare come true. Author Reply: About the lessons: Pippin is still young enough to be taught by Merry. He's just learning the basics right now of letters and numbers and reading. In another couple of years he will be getting slightly more advanced lessons. In my version of the Shire, the younger children are taught their basics by their older siblings (or cousins if a brother or sister is not available). Of course the oldest child or only child gets his or her first lessons from the parent. As they grow older, the hobbits in the more affluent families would go to a certain uncle or cousin for more advanced study, (as Bilbo once did, or as Dinodas does in this story). If they need to learn something specialized, such as art or music, again, the lessons are taught by a relative. In my Shire there are no such things as schools or professional tutors. Education is strictly a family affair, with the occasional exception of a working class hobbit receiving instruction from an employer (as in Bilbo and Sam). He's probably barely old enough for that. Remember that hobbit children learn to cook before they learn their letters, and that the cooking is done either on a woodstove or a hearth. It's been in the back of my head for a long time. I mention it briefly in one of my very early stories, "In the Frying Pan". Berilac's a good lad, and he would like to be more of a close friend to Merry. I am sure that the bond his cousin has with Frodo and Pippin must cause him occasional puzzlement, but more as to why he's never been part of it, rather than why they are. I'm glad you liked that bit of description. It's one of my own favorite lines, so it's neat to see you pick it out. It is indeed one of his worst nightmares come true. Lots of Merry angst to come.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/14/2005
Rorimac raised his eyebrows at the sight of the little “retreat”, but did not say anything. How children love such little hideaways! I remember such a place from my childhood, and the little ones are following in my footsteps. uh-oh, no dust where Pippin is... no footprints to follow! uh-oh, dangerous, to boot! "Great" in the context you use it sounds rather American to my ear. Somehow "Lovely" or "Glorious" sounds more likely, dunno why. Merry taut as a bowstring, "before he snaps"--such an evocative metaphor! Author Reply: In the back of my mind is the idea that probably Rory and Sara were aware of the little hideaway, and had chosen not to say anything, as it was merely a place for Frodo to get a little privacy. But Sara kept very close tabs on Frodo while he was his guardian and I don't think much got past him. That's right--the portion of the tunnels he's finally ended up in are too damp to get very dusty. That's also why they are so musty and moldy smelling. And dangerous, of course, which is why they were abandoned and declared off-limits. Took a look at that; I'm not sure about the American part, but it does sound a bit modern. I think I will change that as you suggest. I'm glad you liked that metaphor. I always imagine a worried Merry as being very on edge, and on the verge of snapping when he cannot do something for the object of his worry.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/13/2005
I'm glad Merry had the sense to go for help rather than trying to fish Pippin out on his own. Then there would be two lost hobbits! Author Reply: Merry lives at Brandy Hall, and not going in there has been drilled into him all his life. Merry knew what would happen if he went in on his own.

Hobbit Lass21	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/12/2005
eyes wide Oh my...what's gonna happen? Dear me, I'm all tense. puts on best 'good girl' face More, please? desperately PLEASE??!! Author Reply: Oh now, I can't resist wide eyes! Take a look: Chapter 3 is up! 8-D

Saoirse	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/12/2005
Oh, this is marvelous! 'Merry’s voice grew a bit sad, as it often did when he spoke of Frodo before they had ever known him, before they had even been born, when he had his own parents and his own life. ' How sad and touching... If I were to copy and paste all the things I loved about this, I would probably end up copying the entire thing! This was so lovely..and I just...eep! love it! I especially liked how you added Berilac in, and his feelings towards Merry and Pippin's relationship, and how he knows that Merry would choose Pippin every time, it really shows how much Merry loves Pippin. Alos, I just loved, loved, loved the ending of chapter 2, with 'if not for his grandfather's grasp' Merry would have run to him, how poignant! I can picture that perfectly. I also love this whole situation Pippin has gotten himself into... the poor lad, and it only gets worse in years to come ;) Do update soon, ^_^ ... oh and one more thing, I love the title to this one: The Brandy Hall Incident, lol something tells me Pippin won't be living this one down for a longgg time. hehe. Thanks for another wonderful story! Author Reply: What a lovely review! I do think that the idea of Frodo's life before he lost his parents was especially sad to Merry, who was aware of Frodo's melancholy from the time he was a tiny infant. My Berilac is a good lad, and a good friend to Merry, but he is just the teensiest bit jealous and a little wistful of the close bond Merry has with Frodo and Pippin. He doesn't resent it so much, as regret that he is not a part of it. Yes, it would take a very firm grip indeed to keep Merry from dashing off when he heard Pippin scream! Yes, at eleven (which is about the same as seven for a human child) not only is his curiousity in full bloom, but he is beginning to develop an independent streak as well. It doesn't bode well for the future, does it? Well, really, I couldn't think of a better one: this is the incident I referred to in "Conspiracy of Hobbits" and "The Dare", and I've had more than one request to tell it in full, so here it is.

good_one_pip	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/12/2005
Oh, what a horrible way to end a chapter! What a cliff-hanger! Poor little Pip. No matter what age he is or place he's in, this always seems to happen! And they're still young yet. They'll have tons more scrapes (many of them even more dangerous) before those two ever learn to stay out of trouble...if ever LOL Author Reply: Well, Pippin and trouble pretty much seem synonymous in the Shire, LOL!

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