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| Hobbit Aid by Dreamflower | 14 Review(s) |
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| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/8/2021 |
| This is an extremely belated review, I know! I don't know of anything about the rest of the story that others haven't said better, so I'm going to focus on this one detail. I'm so glad that Opal has become a healer! Her father must be very proud of her. Just a couple of questions. How is Opal able to perform her healing work, leaning on crutches? Seems to me that would be rather hard to pull off. Also, did she ever get married and have little hobbit children, or did she remain single for the rest of her life? And with that said, one other question! When did Paladin die? At least Pippin was back in the Great Smials when that day arrived. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/23/2006 |
| I am proud of them all. Poor Merry--just as cursed with responsibility as Frodo was, and taking all to heart just as Frodo would. But they've pulled together, and even folk from Rohan, Arnor and Gondor have helped as family should. Yes, proud of all of them! | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/16/2006 |
| That was a hard lesson to learn. I loved Pippin's determination to get across the river to Merry and all the little notes and references to previous stories. It's lovely to see that Angelica and Freddy, and Berry and Viola do get married as we knew they would, and that Opal succeeded in her training as healer. All the other details added in were great and really brought this story to life, and through it all, I could just see how the experience left Merry in a sort of disbelieving dazed state - sort of what I felt after 9/11 and what so many in your part of the country felt like after the hurricanes, or even here in SoCal a couple of years back after the Cedar Fires which, as horrible as that was, doesn't begin to compare to Katrina. Even when you know the dangers, you always think you're safe until the worst happens. Author Reply: A "disbelieving dazed state". That is exactly the feeling I wanted so much to convey, and I am so glad that it came across. I have really been pleased with the reaction to this story. It was completely "raw"--I mean, I seldom use a beta, but I proof-read, re-write and correct most of my stuff a good deal before I post. But this one just kind of came out of me the way it is, and I couldn't bring myself to mess with it. I was not sure how good it was, so the feedback has been very reasurring. This story was written more as therapy than anything else. One *does* always think the old "it can't happen here" bit--even though you know in your head that it *can*, you never believe it until is *does*. | |
| Etharei | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/3/2005 |
| Sorry for the very belated review, but I just wanted to say that this is such a touching little piece, made even more significant by the real-life context in which it was written. They are saying that this year has seen the deadliest bouts of hurricanes and major storms in a long while. I particularly like the ending in this; whilst an axe, on its own, seems like a very minor detail in a host of things that could be improved with regards to disaster prevention, when tragedy does strike it may be the deciding factor on who survives and who doesn't. I just feel that it was a nice touch to a story that's very relevant to recent events. I'm a big fan of Pippin and Merry, and I like how they really shine here and take responsibility for the people under their care (especially Merry). However, it seems that there are times when Merry can be more stubborn than Pippin *g* and a Took prove wiser than a Brandybuck! Yet another beautiful piece! Author Reply: I am very glad you found this story touching. It had rather a hold on me, and demanded that I write it. It is one of the least previewed and revised stories I have ever posted. The story of the axe, that my husband told me, really affected me. I found myself wondering if there was anyone out there this time who was saved by that man's foresight. I like to think and hope that there was. And it seemed exactly like the kind of practical thing that a hobbit like Merry would think of. They are both very strong-willed and determined hobbits indeed. And they take their responsibilities to heart. Thank you for the lovely and insightful review. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/8/2005 |
| Sorry, I am quite late in reviewing, due to RL interfering in my computer time. What can I say about this? A very touching fic. It is obvious you know only too well about what you write, and I am so sorry you had yourself to go through this. This fic brings home in a very personal way how terribly these floods are (not only Katrina). I can understand so well how helpless Merry felt because he couldn’t do more and wasn’t able to save everyone! But you know, what I loved most was how determined Pippin was to cross the river and get into Buckland, flood or no, because he knew how desperatedly Merry needed him. I am so glad he was there for Merry! Author Reply: Well, I'm sorry to be late in replying, but I only just now came across your review. I think the notice must have been sent to my husband's computer. Happens from time-to-time. This story is pretty raw. It just came to me and demanded to be written, and I guess that's why the personal touch shows up. All of us felt very helpless indeed here. As to Pippin: he was going to get to Merry, no matter what it took. Was there ever any doubt? | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/4/2005 |
| Poor Merry. He must have been at the point of despair. He so likes to be in control and to have planned for all outcomes - and yet this is the sort of occasion when it would just be impossible. But at least he has friends - hobbits and men - fighting to get as much help to him as they can as quickly as they can. The stories are heart-rending - and the axe in the attic just makes you stop. But it is such a sensible thing to demand. And people will do it for years, until it has lost all meaning, but it just might save lives one day. Author Reply: Yes, that was exactly my jumping off point for the original drabble. But as the old saying goes "Man (or hobbit)proposes, God disposes." This is indeed the kind of thing that makes all plans fly out the window. Just as I had friends trying to help me. I was just so haunted by that story when my husband told it, and I wondered if anyone was saved by that old man's foresight this time? I don't suppose we'll ever know. And it seemed to me just the type of thing Merry would think of. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/4/2005 |
| I found this a very moving story. Poor Merry's grief and guilt - feeling he should have been able to save everyone - was very distressing and I'm so glad Pip came to him. Both of them will be much greater leaders due to the example set by Aragorn and their experiences on the Quest. I watched a documentary last year about the great flood in 1953 which hit eastern England. One man talked very movingly about how he and his brothers were pushed up onto the rafters while their parents had to stand in the rising water. The power was out and it was pitch black. At one point one of the brothers slipped off the rafter and disappeared into the water. His mother was holding onto the pram which held the youngest child, not realising that the pram was full of water and the baby was drowned. It sounded horrific. This was a beautifully written tale and I am so glad you're safe and sound. Really missed your reviews and stories. Author Reply: Yes, all that they went through prepared them to lead their people with a greater understanding of what leadership meant. It does sound horrific, and is much like some of the things that happened here. Nature is no respecter of persons; young and old, rich and poor, the sick and the healthy--in the face of something so implacable, people are made to realize how helpless they really are. I'm glad I'm safe as well, and am very, very glad to be back reading and reviewing. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/4/2005 |
| This is my second time reading through this one. I found it over on LJ first and read it there. I felt so sorry for Merry with all of his guilt and responsibility but I was very proud of the way that he managed to keep going and the way that his family came to his aid. Naturally, my favorite part was his reunion with Pippin, but so much of this story stands out. Merry's reactiobn to the water coming into the smial, his pain at looking at the flooded lands around him, the deaths of the hobbits, Merry's faith that from his friends would come, and that chilling reminder at the end with the mention of the ax. This time I looked for mentions of your other stories and found that they work their way into this one so seamlessly. I'm so glad that you are still here with us and that you chose to share this story with us. Author Reply: I am so glad that you liked the story. I worried a bit about it--I almost never get things beta'd, and I could see some things in it that might could have used some polishing, but this one rather wrote itself, and I really felt that I *needed* to share it sooner rather than later. I'm glad I'm here, too. There are so many reminders around me that show me what *might* could have happened... | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/3/2005 |
| Read slowly and thoroughly, yes, this story is just as powerful as I thought it would be. The last line, especially, is haunting... Author Reply: When my husband told me that story, I too found it haunting. Especially thinking of my own friends, similarly trapped if the water had gone up only a little bit more. They tend to make light of the experience now, much like certain hobbits of our acquaintance, but I *know* they had to be truly terrified... | |
| Budgielover | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/3/2005 |
| There are so many things I love about this story, I can't began to list them. For all the sad events (the story of the adult hobbits pushing the children through the roof when they themselves drowned was so painful), Merry's strength and determination shines through. I loved the mention of the spyglass from another of your lovely stories, and Pippin's determination, and most of all, how Merry was determined to save his people through sheer strength of will. You capture his desperation and his courage, and the love his people hold for him was simply beautiful. We love him, too, and know he will be all right. Author Reply: I cannot imagine Merry being anything for his people *but* a tower of strength; and we know how dearly he loves his beloved Buckland. He was a leader whose leadership was bred into him, blood and bone, and not someone who had the job because a friend got elected, and not a committee, either. | |