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| It's Nothing Really... by Dreamflower | 15 Review(s) |
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| Robert | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/2/2016 |
| When the Gaffer finds out what happened, from Sam or Frodo, I suspect he'll share the story with his friends down the pub, and both Noakes and Longhole will get what they deserve. Noakes's name will be mud, but Longhole's will be golden. Even if the Gaffer tries to avoid explicitly naming Noakes, or stays quiet altogether, word will still circulate. Too many hobbits know what happened for it to stay secret, starting with all those who saw Merry set off without Noakes. Soon enough, half the Shire will know that Noakes can't be trusted but Farmer Longhole has the respect of both Frodo Baggins and the Thain himself, respect that is worth more than mere gold. | |
| Rachel Stonebreaker | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/28/2006 |
| It's Nothing Really ... HA! Of course it was something! Poor lads. All of them. I enjoyed the repeat of your title from different people. That's a very good touch. You wrapped up the story nicely, not dragging it on, yet explaining a few things to tidy it up and all. I think Sam could have taken it on himself to mention something to send to Longhole, though perhaps not. The farmer might have taken offense, you're right. Thanks for the good read! ~ Rach Author Reply: Yes, of course--it *always is* something, really, when people say that. And yes, poor lads--Frodo worrying about both his younger cousins, Pippin worrying about Merry, Merry suffering the pain, and Sam anxious about all of them. I like to play little experiments like that once in a while. It's a common enough phrase, so I thought I'd see how often I could slip the tag line in, and still make it sound natural. It didn't need a lot of dragging on--once Merry was tucked up safely at Bag End, it seemed a logical stopping point. Sam well knew, I think, that the farmer would have been insulted to have been offered money. On the other hand, if sometime down the road, Frodo should happen to send him a small and practical gift of some sort, he might be gratified. But he would not like to have it thought that he had been helpful out of hoping for some sort of reward. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It was a fun little story to write. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/30/2006 |
| Aww, love this one! Poor Merry! I can very well see these two in such a situation. Now for the count. I know I'm too late, but I decided to try anyway. That was a piece of work, Dreamflower! But a delightful one. :) It's so easy to miss that, especially when you're listening, not reading, and at this hour of the night. :) I'm not supposed to be reading now anyway, but... Now then: You used the title three times in ch. 1, not at all in ch. 2, once in ch. 3, once in ch. 4, and twice in ch. 5. And that adds up to seven times altogether. Is that right? I hope so, because I read every one of those chapters three times! :) This stuff is fun-I'll have to do something like that...:) God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Yes, you are quite right! Seven times, not counting the title. And it *was* fun! | |
| Gryffinjack | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/1/2005 |
| What a lovely story! No wonder Pippin didn't know the way to Mistress Salvia's house - he's used to being the patient, not the one running to get the healer. I really enjoy it when one of the other characters pops up in one of your stories, like Mistress Salvia. Although not mentioned in the books, they have become a part of the Shire. So Pippin's finally able to let out all that worried bottled energy he's been storing since Merry got hurt. A regular chatterbox, that one. The praise from the healer about how he did just the right thing is quite a reward for Pippin, who needs constant praise and attention. It's not easy being the youngest, especially when your peer group consists of those so much older than you, as in Pippin's case. He's not your typical child or tweenager who is always associating with others his own age. At last Merry can get the proper rest and medical attention that he needs. It must have been a welcome relief to all of them when they arrived at Bag End, especially Merry. He really has been a very brave, uncomplaining hobbit. I don't like seeing Merry in pain. I prefer to see him cheery and, well, merry! This was, as always, an excellent story about our dear hobbits. Now please let Merry heal swiftly so he, Frodo, and Pippin can enjoy their visit together. Author Reply: Mistress Salvia is my healer in Hobbiton, during the years that Frodo is with Bilbo, and then afterwards when Bilbo leaves for several more years. I like to keep a certain consistency with these things. Glad you caught the bit about why Pip didn't know the way to the healer's. I kind of wanted to be subtle about that without coming right out and saying it, LOL! Yes, Pippin tends to chatter on and on when he is excited, whether good or bad. But the healer did need to hear what had been done for Merry, and the praise she gave him was well-deserved. Pippin does seek validation quite often; it's not so much a lack of self-esteem or confidence, but just, as you said, always being the youngest, he needs reassurance from those with more experience that he has done the right thing. I like seeing Merry being merry as well, but sometimes it's nice to give him a bit of coddling. I guess the idea of h/c is to provide an excuse for some TLC. At any rate, it was Anso's prize! Oh, he'll heal up quickly enough, being a hobbit and young and healthy. And the three of them will have more fun at Bag End than they would at the Great Smials anyway. Thanks for all the neat reviews! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/21/2005 |
| Ah, yes, "Nothing, really." Nothing really my eye, poor Merry. Loved the detail and the nervous spillage from Pippin as he finally has the chance to give over the responsibility to Mistress Salvia. Ah, the dear lad! Thanks for a wonderful short tale. Author Reply: I've often found that phrase to be rather more ironic than the person speaking it means for it to be. "Nothing, really" usually means "something, really" as Lindelea pointed out. Yes, now that Pippin has found someone who he can unload on, he does so thoroughly. He is a sweetie, isn't he? And thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you enjoyed it. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/21/2005 |
| Ooh poor Merry. Why is it that all healers seem to have to cause pain before they can relieve it! And grown up Pippin who doesn't know where the healer lives because it is usually him in the sick bed! As for the challenge it is midnight so I really can't stop to count - much as I want to! Author Reply: I don't know, but it does seem that way, doesn't it? Especially with injuries. And *now* he *does* know where she lives! That's quite all right, dear. Kitty and Imrahoil tied, right away, both their emails logging in at the same minute. Maybe I'll do it again sometime, or something similar. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/21/2005 |
| Very cute! Sorry I didn't sign on in time to be in the running for the ficlet! But I have been over-doing in the face of a cold (no choice, really) and today I paid the consequences, sleeping until nearly 10:30! (Thankfully the dc know how to make breakfast, seeing as cookery lessons are a part of our class schedule, and they were very happy for the half-holiday today.) “Oh, you’re no end of trouble, you silly goose, and worth every moment of it! It’s nothing really…” (I love this! And Pippin and Frodo watching the splinting as if the foot and its attendant pain belongs to both of them!) Author Reply: Well, I thank you for the idea, anyway, LOL! It certainly seemed popular. I hope that you are feeling much better. Colds are really the pits. I'm so glad you liked that line. It was one of my favorites.*happy grin* Pippin and Frodo are both very empathetic personalities. I would imagine they felt like cringing at every little wince Merry made. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/21/2005 |
| I love the way Pippin has to be told where the healer's house is. I'm sure he's only too well acquainted with Mistress Salvia, but mainly from the point of view of the injured! His stream of consciousness chatter is probably very illuminating to her and she is delightfully reassuring. He is so caring towards Merry too - little touches and pats. Just the right kind of attention. And Sam's comment that Farmer Longhole would have been insulted by the offer of money is very good - and so true. Sam knows, Frodo. And all's well that ends well. Except for poor Merry of course. Author Reply: I thought that might be the case, LOL! Yes, she's gleaning the information she'll need to treat Merry's injury, as well as letting the youngster know that he did the right things. That's Pippin. I see him as very much one for needing to have and give reassuring touches. And with Merry that works both ways, for example when he was smoothing Merry's curls that night while they were alone, it not only helped Merry, but also helped Pippin to relax as well. Yes, Sam definitely knows how a working hobbit would feel about something like that. Poor Merry! But it could have been a good deal worse... | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/21/2005 |
| Sometimes I wished there was no time difference ;-) I enjoyed this story very much, especially brave little Pippin. He could have simply asked Marigold to fetch the healer, but insisted on doing it on his own. And the constant chatter on the way back to Bag End - very Pippin :) I can imagine that the healer was very amused. Thank you, Dreamflower! Author Reply: Well, Frodo had asked him to--probably to make it easier to get Merry settled without Pippin's nervous presence. And it made Pippin feel as if he were doing one more thing to help his Merry. Besides, I thought it was about time he got a turn to fetch the healer, LOL! Pippin does get talkative at times, whether he is excited for a good or a bad reason. I'm sure Mistress Salvia found his report both informative and entertaining. Glad you liked the story! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/21/2005 |
| Oh, I hadn't thought to be the first! *beams* Poor Dreamflower, I hope it is not too much to write two ficlets! I would love a bit of Frodo comforting, preferably with Aragorn, Legolas or one of the other Hobbits, if that is okay with you? Author Reply: Oh, not at all. It will probably, as I told Imrahoil, be a week or so until a good bunny bites, but I'll let you know when it's ready. Frodo comfort is good. 8-) Author Reply: Hullo, Kitty! At long last I have finished your prize story! It's posted at "Dreamflower's Mathoms" #96, "Comfort Between Friends", Legolas and Frodo, as requested. | |