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| A Conspiracy of Hobbits by Dreamflower | 7 Review(s) |
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| Periantari | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 1/28/2006 |
| How Merry turned away Lotho wasmagnificent! I loved every bit of reading it and was thinking how smart Merry was in doing that. :D And the MErry and Frodo scene... that was so touching. And I love the wee bit of Frodo angst and melancholiness you're writing about as well because it sounds plausible that he would feel out of sorts with selling Bag End and hearing all these rumors about him... Author Reply: I always love a chance for Merry to stick up for Frodo, and I always love a chance to give Lotho a hard time, so it was every bit as much fun to write as to read. Frodo was subject to melancholy (what we call depression) from time to time since his parents' death. But he had mostly gotten over it since moving into Bag End. With everything now hanging over his head, and being forced to sell Bag End to the people whom he knew Bilbo would loathe having it, it just brought it all crashing down on him. But Merry knew just what to do, to cheer his big brother/cousin up. | |
| Gryffinjack | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/7/2005 |
| It's Meriadoc the Magnificent! Bravo, Merry! I'm sure he got quite a lot of satisfaction out of helping Frodo by chasing off Lotho. Sure, Sam and Pippin are there to back him up, but it's so like Merry to actually take action to protect his Frodo. Long quote: "Frodo was sitting in the middle of the floor, his face as bleak as winter. Pippin was frightened. He had never seen Frodo look like that before. Merry had; but not since he was seven years old. Would what worked then work now? “Pip, go on back out, and see if Sam can find something for you to do,” he whispered. Pippin nodded, and went back the way he’d come. When Merry was but a little lad in Buckland, he would sometimes find his Frodo looking just so, usually sitting by the Brandywine, staring at the river that had stolen his parents away. And he would comfort his cousin as best he could. He hoped it would still work now that they were grown. He walked over and sat down next to Frodo, and put his arm around him, and whispered in his ear: “I love you, Frodo.” And Frodo gave a shuddering breath, and returned his embrace, and ruffled his hair. Merry could feel the sorrow draining away from his cousin, who whispered back, as he always had, “I love you, too, my Merry. Thank you.”" My heart goes out to all three of the cousins here. Poor Frodo is just so overwhelmed by all the turmoil in his life, which has just been turned upside down. Thank goodness Merry was there and recognised the signs and was able to give the only thing that might help his lost cousin. Merry's heart must have skipped a few beats to see Frodo in such a manner after all these years. It must have brought back some awful memories and, knowing Merry, worried him to no end as well as made him sick and angry to see Frodo like that. I liked when Merry used to comfort Frodo in this manner when Merry was little and I really like that he does it now. Pippin must have been terrified. He's never seen Frodo like that and is used to Frodo always being calm and in control of all situations. To see him scared and lost like that - it must have come as quite a shock to the young tweenager. Did Merry come out afterward and talk to Pippin in private? I expect he probably did, knowing how frightened Pippin would be. Merry must have at least had to explain to Pippin that Frodo was all right now. But I see him as also explaining to his younger cousin how Frodo used to get in such a state when Merry was little and Frodo was trying to cope with the death of his parents. It would be one of the few moments when they were talking about Frodo during this summer that their relationship would not be restrained by the events surrounding the ring. Merry would be explaining honestly, knowing how frightened and sensitive his younger cousin was and how much he needed an explanation just then. Not because of his Tookish curiosity, but because of a love and deep concern for Frodo that is matched only by Merry's. Would you please, please, please write that scene? Hmmm... is that challenge still going on over on your LJ? The stump the author challenge? If so, that's the scene I'd want to see, although I guess I'd have to stump you first. And what would Frodo's reaction be to Merry the next day? Would either Merry or Frodo make mention of it or would Merry pretend as if it hadn't happened, much to Frodo's relief. And Pippin? I expect he would take Merry's lead in how to treat Frodo on this occasion. I want to know more! - Gryffinjack, whose feeling quite Tookish right now Author Reply: Oh this review is just music to my soul! I love that you quote my favorite part of it, even more than Merry chasing Lotho off, was Merry bringing Frodo back to himself. I'm quite sure it *was* a shock to Pippin. He is so young that he's never really seen Frodo in that sort of grief--by the time he came along, his cousin was happy with Bilbo, and settled in at Bag End, and it was hard for him to even remember sometimes that Frodo had ever *had* parents, though I'm sure Merry had talked to him of it more than once, he'd never *seen* it. You know, I'll have to think over your bunny, and let it percolate. You don't have to stump me, if you don't mind that it waits in line behind a few other bunnies... | |
| Ariel | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/18/2004 |
| I haven't finished this yet, (but hopefully will this evening) but I did want to tell you how much I am enjoying this piece. It is well detailed and researched and you show the kind of attention to your canon details that I really like to see. A very entertaining story. I am glad I found it! These are the kinds of little gems I missed the first time they came around and am only now rediscovering as I work my way back through archives. Thank you for making the digging so rewarding! | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 3/30/2004 |
| Exactly! I often depict the harvest *and* it's workers (incl. Merry & Pippin) much the same way. Merry's my hero! Bless him! But say it isn't so--this isn't the end is it?? Pippinfan Author Reply: No, not nearly the end, but I've had to slow down a bit, let my beta catch up, and take time for a few little details of daily life. | |
| Pervinca | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 3/30/2004 |
| LOVED Merry's treatment of Pimple! That is just so like him. This story is getting even more interesting now that the date of the move is approaching. Have you decided on when you plan to finish it up? There are so many points that it could work, but I hope that you keep it going for as long as possible! I love this story :) And, by the way, I agree with your thoughts on Fredegar. Offering to act as Frodo and keep up the idea that he was still at Crickhollow was incredibly brave, especially when he *knew* that there were bound to be people coming after Frodo. People don't give him enough credit :P Author Reply: Yes, I thought it was time to give loathsome Lotho some comeuppance, and Merry was just the one to do it. Frodo feels too guilty for selling Bag End to him in the first place, besides being too polite, Sam can't do it without Frodo's say so, and Pip's too young. But Merry is perfect for the job, and enjoyed it a lot, I'm sure. I know where I *want* to finish up, but the closer I get to the move, the slower it goes, as I don't want any conflicts with canon if I can avoid it. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 3/30/2004 |
| I'm up way past bedtime and I work tomorrow but it was well worth it when I found that you'd posted another chapter. Love Merry chasing off Lotho! I am also glad that he was able to help Frodo. If I stay up even later will there be more? hehehe Author Reply: Get some sleep if you can, you need your rest! I sometimes have insomnia and post in the wee hours, but last night, I had to wait on a load of laundry to finish, so got in one more chapter. | |
| eiluj | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 3/29/2004 |
| Yay, Merry! Author Reply: Yes, Merry has his moment to shine. It was fun letting him give it to Lotho with both barrels. | |