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In the Fading of the Year  by Lindelea 6 Review(s)
harrowcatReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 5/11/2009
I had forgotten this piece Lindelea. It is so hopeful. Thanks for reminding us of it on LJ

LarnerReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 5/27/2005
Oh, I just found this one. The ending is perfect, neither lasting beyond the other--or not by much. Was surprised Pippin went first, actually. But to be there with Frodo and Sam at the last.......

Author Reply: Goodness, just now saw this review! Thanks for stopping by.

Elf FriendReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/4/2005
Wow....just...wow. I have nothing else to say. *utter amazement*

Author Reply: Thanks. Appreciate the reviews you've been leaving as you work your way. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 5/4/2004
How did I manage to miss this story! I think this is the third/fourth time you've visitied the theme of Merry and Pippin's death, and I like this one the best of all. The dreams are marvellous, and you almost sucked me into thinking it was Merry who was dying first, but I remained skeptical and so I wasn't too shocked to see it was Pippin after all. It really helps that they both died peacefully, without pain, and the happy ending (with a nod to movie-verse) eases the heartache that is inevitable thinking about the end of these great hearts.

I do wonder where the idea of Merry and Pippin dying within a day of each other came from. I too remember reading it somewhere, but maybe it's just that I've read it in fanfiction before (more than once). But whether it's canon or not, it surely seems fitting, and Merry's "right behind you" is exactly perfect. Merry says, "you'll never grow old," and that's sadly true, but he also says, "you'll live forever" and I can be satisfied with that.

Author Reply: Huh, was re-reading this story (don't ask me why, even I don't know why I do what I do while waiting for the Nyquil to kick in) and realised I never answered this review. How rude!

I firmly believe that they did live forever, even if their mortal shells were laid besides the King's... think of it, an eternal Feast!

CitrineReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 4/23/2004
Man, this hurts. I tried to leave a review at Marigold's website, but the internet wouldn't cooperate. This is beautifully done, as always, with your usual excellent writing and well-drawn Merry and Pippin. I had forgot how this hit me in the gut the first time I read it, and now here I am again, weeping over my keyboard.(It probably didn't help that I was listening to my ROTK soundtrack as I was reading. Your story and 'The Steward of Gondor' are a deadly combo.) I know even the best of friends must part eventually, and no matter how much you love someone you can't keep them in the world with you forever, but this still smarts. It does ease my heart a bit to think that they weren't parted for long, and I thank you for the ending-it was the only thing that saved me from the consolation of a half-gallon of strawberry icecream and a quart of Pepsi.

Author Reply: Bad internet, I hate it when that happens.

Thanks for the encouraging review. Hmmm, must admit I avoid listening to LOTR soundtrack while writing. Beethoven is great background for angsty hobbit stories, have you ever tried it?

Marigold told me that Merry and Pippin died two years after going to Gondor, and that they died a day apart. I don't remember where the information comes from. While I'm sad they didn't have much time in Gondor, I'm glad they were not apart for long.

Ooo, caffeine and sugar, very comforting indeed. My secret vice is chocolate-chocolate chip ice cream, the *good* kind, if you catch my drift.

ConnieReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 4/22/2004
Oh how sad and hopeful and sweet.

I've read this twice now, and it took me until this second reading to fully realize that when Merry dreams about the orc attack along the anduin, it's Pippin who gets killed. I don't know why, but the first time I read it I was thinking it was somehow Merry. I think I was thinking of the scene in the book where he almost gets shot in the hand. Once I figured this out, the dream into waking moment made perfect sense.

I always seem to have to read stories about Pippin and Merry's last days, even though they alway make me sad. The idea that Pippin is the first one to pass on is kind of different. I think most of the stories I've read have Merry going first. Having them die on the eve of Ring Day is also quite touching.

For some reason, maybe because he's younger, I alway pictured Pippin outliving Merry. But considering everything that happened to him in his younger life, maybe it's not surprising that he would not live to be as old as Merry Yes Merry suffered trauma in his life, but his was mainly mental and emotional. Poor Pippin was unfortunate enough to have the blasted troll fall on him, and that would probably have done a lot to age him prematurely.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Connie.

Author Reply: Actually, the dream of the River is deliberately ambiguous, and I don't blame you for being confused. The reader is supposed to think that it is Merry dreaming (and dying), up until just after the King says "Merry..." --which *could* have been what he'd say, looking into Merry's face if Merry had died, but the next line gives you the clue that it's Pippin who's passed on, and then you are supposed to realise that the dream was Pippin's... but if the story works for you, thinking it's Merry's dream, that's fine. Like I said, it's deliberately ambiguous.

I have written one scenario before this one where Merry went on before ("Sunsets"), and one where Pippin goes first ("Coming, Merry?" in the last chapter of "Jewels"). This story came about because Marigold was talking about having read somewhere in Tolkien's writings that Merry and Pippin died within a day of one another. Someone came up with the year of their death, as happening two years after they arrived in Gondor, I think, and the story came together from there.

Thanks so much for your faithful reviews. You don't know what an encouragement they are!

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