Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Birthday Present  by Lindelea 9 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/23/2004
Oh, this is a wonderful start, and in Merry's POV. I love the way he just stood back and watched while Frodo dealt with Sanco! And Merry's voice--I'm assuming that this narrative is taking place much later when he's already an adult,as he sounds very mature. Maybe Post-Quest?

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/15/2004
Enjoyed the eviction of Master proudfoot very much. I am now looking forward to more so will read on. Save some tea for me. I'll be back.

BudgieloverReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/11/2004
What a joy to see this favorite section of canon so faithfully presented from Merry's first person viewpoint! I love how he ignored Frodo to go make the tea. Those little flashes of humor are so Merry-like. I look forward to seeing this story develop!

Author Reply: Thank you! It is developing nicely and, provided I have time to write, ought to be finished sometime this week or next.

AuntiemeeshReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2004
Very fun! I love getting Merry's perspective on that eventful day.

I told them he’d taken all his treasure with him, but they looked at me with a sceptical air. I must practice, I suppose, if I’m to tell a convincing falsehood...

He's already in training to become a conspirator, I see:)


Author Reply: Ah, yes, you have the right of it.

Thanks!

esamenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/9/2004
I served him his belated cup of tea and slipped out the back door. I trotted down the long sloping path, jumped over the low place in the hedge at the bottom, and took to the meadows for a wonderful ramble in the golden autumnal sunshine.

Oh, I'd love to be your Merry, and live at Bag End and make tea!

I absolutely love the story. Please write lots, lots, lots more! And don't forget to throw in some good old hurt/comfort for us to enjoy!

Seriously, I really enjoy your writing. It just crackles on the page. I can't wait for the next chapter! Stop whatever else you're doing ang hurry back to your keyboard! Thanks for sharing your vision with us . . . I just can't get enough of our favorite hobbits.


Author Reply: Thanks! I can't get enough of them either, it seems.

Anso the HobbitReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/9/2004
Good start! I can`t wait to see what you come up with. My own feeble attempt at that bunny will only be one-chaptered though. I`m glad you`re making a longer story of it.

Author Reply: I am so looking forward to reading your version. You have a sure grasp of relationships, and a way of writing that brings the reader into the story alongside the characters. Hope your beta works quickly!

My version was supposed to be one-chaptered, but I have a hard time with length--either I write much too much or I write a drabble. In between is difficult territory for me.

Meldewen IlceReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/9/2004
Lindelea, great beginning but one small thing and this may be considered a nitpick - I quote the follwing passage:

I heaved a sigh, as I said, and Frodo straightened immediately, from long practice the protective older cousin, though I’m only eight years younger. Will he still be protecting me when we’re old gaffers together?


Um, as I said this maybe a nitpick but isn't Merry 14 years younger than Frodo instead of only 8?

The reason I ask is because Frodo was born 1368 in the Shire-Reckoning while Merry was born in 1382 of the Shire-Reckoning...

Um anyway, I am looking forward to more of this as this sounds like a great plotbunny mellon-nin!

Author Reply: Yes, Connie noticed as well. Must admit I was distracted while writing. (not supposed to be writing this time of day when everyone's up and about, but could not drag myself out of bed before they got up, for some reason)

Changed "eight" to "a dozen or so", which could be read as 14 with a slight exaggeration. I think it would be likely that Merry would keep minimizing the difference in age, while Frodo, whenever he was playing the "older cousin" role might possibly maximize it...

ConnieReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/9/2004
Nice beginning.

I like the relationship between Frodo and Merry. I always picture them as more like brothers than cousins. Frodo was Merry's first friend, at least I would think he was. One little nitpick, though. Merry is 13 1/2 to 14 years younger than Frodo. You had him eight years younger.

Merry watching Frodo battle Sancho was great. Part of being friends is letting a friend fight his own battles, and then teasing about it once a safe amount of time has past.

Really looking forward to see where this one is going.

Connie.

Author Reply: Thanks for the catch. Was thinking of Merry and Pippin as I so often do...

changed "eight" to "a dozen or so", which could be read as 14 with a slight exaggeration.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/9/2004
What a marvelous filling-in of this scene! I'm eagerly awaiting Chapter 2!

*shoos away bunnies, who are staring at the monitor and preening in their newfound fame*

Author Reply: Yes, not to mention that the bunnies might possibly mix and produce yet more bunnies...

Return to Chapter List