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The Blessing  by Pearl Took 13 Review(s)
Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 26 on 3/5/2008
Really lovely chapter. I had hoped that a further draught of the entr drink would mayhap have healed Pippin - but I guess not. Though the love of his friends will help him through anything.

What a glorious farewell you wrote!

Author Reply: Thank you :-)

No, that sort of healing isn't in his future, but there are many sorts of healing. I'm so glad you enjoyed the farewell, Agape :-)

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 26 on 1/25/2008
I was so happy to see an update! This story holds me enthralled! I loved this little scene with Strider and Pippin. A very nice little "connecting" moment. Good of Pippin to share everything with Strider and I liked how he let Pippin come to his conclusions on his own. He is certainly very wise, Gondor's King :)

Oh I just can't bear good byes. You guys wrote the Fellowships parting very well! I don't think I have ever read a better one. Gimli puts on such a tough front and I really like how you have written him this entire time!

I still wanted to take the "easy" way out and thought maybe the Ent Draught would cure Pippin but it seems he will indeed return home with it. Oh well I'm still looking forward to them all being home and seeing how Pippin handles having the falling sickness when he is home, or perhaps more nerve wracking how his family and the ones he loves handle the falling sickness. Either way looking forward to more. Thank you so much!

cathleenReviewed Chapter: 26 on 1/24/2008
Pearl, this has to be one of the most emotional chapters of all. You have truly outdone yourself! Your characterizations are tremendously done, as are your descriptive details, and both add an unfailing sense of reality to this tale.

When a writer touches the reader's heart with such a depth of feeling, she has achieved her purpose and even gone a bit beyond it. In the telling of the story it has ceased to be a mere 'story' and has become a real world for the reader. And this reader was able to enter your creation and live the story to its fullest. And that, my friend, is the mark of a true artist.

I felt the emotions as if I were there with the characters and part of the scenes, as I have all the way through this wonderful story. Thank you for an extraordinary experience!


PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 1/22/2008
This was a fantastic gap-filler! Pippin and Strider talking upon the battlement at Helm's Deep was true to the moment and just lovely. Their tones, emotions, very much in character and not over the top. It was all very well spoken, very perfect.

You certainly have Gimli's character nailed, and Legolas, too. I loved your glimps into the Many Partings and farewells. Loved the scene of Pippin renewing his Vow of Service to the new High King. I especially loved the scene of Aragorn lifting his ring into the rays of the sun in farewell to his friends. Awesomely done!

Author Reply: Oh, thank you so much Pippinfan!

I'm so glad you liked it all and that it all felt true to you. It's been awhile since I've worked on this and I'm so relieved that it is like the rest of the story has been.


AndreaReviewed Chapter: 26 on 1/22/2008
Great chapter, Pearl!

First of all, I think it's very understandable that Pippin - and Frodo - might have considered staying in Minas Tirith at Strider's side. And I believe him that he was rather torn in two, because he also wanted to see the Shire and his family again. And as we know, he is needed there!

I very much enjoyed the parting scenes, especially Gimli's hugs for the hobbits. And I loved it that they recited Bilbo's poem about Strider and Pippin's alteration of the last line.

I'm looking forward to reading more!

Thank you, Pearl and Golden!

Author Reply: You are welcome Andrea, and thank you :-)

It has to be hard to face the familiar people and places when you yourself are so changed.

I'm glad you liked Gimli's hugs!

We're glad you are enjoying this and looking forward to more

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 26 on 1/22/2008
Oh that is such a great improvement on this scene in the book! How do I explain crying over my keyboard at work!

Author Reply: Thank you so much harrowcat, from both of us :-)

I hope your keyboard still works ;-)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 26 on 1/22/2008
Ah, a peaceful parting; and I so appreciate Pippin thinking of remaining, as I've thought he would think possibly a good thing for Frodo to do. No--the folk of the Shire aren't ready for the changes; but will need the four of them. And once the Battle of Bywater is fought and won, Pippin will have shown himself most worthy of being the next Thain, and more will be willing to learn disabilities aren't necessarily as awful as they first appear.

Author Reply: I don't blame him either for considering staying in Minas Tirith. We'll have to see what going home will bring.

Thank you so much for reading and responding Larner! :-)

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 26 on 1/21/2008
Pearl, you have outdone yourself with this chapter. From Pippin and Aragorn's heart to heart talk on the battlements to the final farewell, you didn't hit a single false note.

Each person's leavetaking was very much in character--I loved the hobbits saying a final farewell by reciting Bilbo's verse, and Pippin's renewing his allegiance to Gondor.

And I may be wrong and just imagining things, but, well I'm wondering if I saw a glimmer of hope for Pippin's recovery (at least partially) in this chapter...


Author Reply: Thank you so much Dreamflower, nice to hear that it all rang true and that the characterizations were good.

The part with Bilbo's verse was a nice gift from my muse, it was just there when that moment came.



pippinsgirlReviewed Chapter: 26 on 1/21/2008
Your welcome! Yeah I have people tell me that I misspell words some of the time so I try to let people know when they spell something wrong. yeah if I was in Pippin's suitioation I would probably choose the easier path too. but for Pippin, it would mean that Merry might not go with him (I'd highly doubt it but you never know what that tricky Brandybuck has up his sleeves) Pippin does have alot to go through, and it would be hard to choose.


Ah! g2g (but I don't wanna) haffta go to bed!! Me be a good Pippin ( since that's my nickname!!!)

elanor winterflowersReviewed Chapter: 26 on 1/21/2008
Oh, Pearl! This was quite beautiful, so very touching and layered, and so neatly interwoven with canon text. I think you captured the maturing Pippin perfectly; his dialogue was excellent, and the little scene in which he reasoned out his fears of going home, and then his fears of not going, was really impressive.

I have to admit I nurture a childlike hope that the parting Ent-draught proves magical!

A lovely chapter; thanks so much!

Author Reply: Thank you so much elanor :-) I'm very glad you enjoyed it and found it all to ring true.

It most likely won't have what you're hoping for, but it may have other effects. We'll have to see as there is much we don't know ourselves yet.

You are most welcome :-)

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