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| Jewels by Lindelea | 223 Review(s) |
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| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 5/21/2025 |
| Lin! Estella Bolger?...Doesn't she marry Merry...Wait a minute here I sense an interesting storyline coming! I like it. "Estella asked to meet Merry and Pippin's ponies. 'You can tell so much about a hobbit from his pony,' she teased. Meeting each pony in turn, she ran her hand down the shining neck, took a carrot from her pocket to offer on her flat hand, and murmured an endearment in words that only she and the pony understood." Hmmm...I'm liking Estella...as Esmeralda says. This situation isn't her fault. "The north-Tooks arrived with a little less than their usual jollity. Farmer Took looked quizzically at Pippin, standing beside Estella as they waited to greet the arrivals with all the rest in the welcoming party. Pippin turned his eyes away from the hurt in Diamond's." Yes that is all Pippin needs right now, seeing Diamond's hurt along with his own troubles. *sigh* "'I must go and explain to Pearl and to Diamond. I'm afraid they've had reason to think hard thoughts about the lad since the invitation for the handfasting arrived, though they didn't want to believe it of him.' He sighed. 'Well, it's not the lad's fault, nor the lass's, either.' He shook his head. 'It's a bad business.' Saradoc could only agree." Paladin can be so unreasonable!!!! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: A long time ago, when I was fairly new to fanfic, I had a friend who was constantly wanting me to throw Pippin and Estella together, in part because the two of them are so similar in terms of their inclination to mischief. (I don't remember if her fascination with the topic came about because she read this story, or if this story came about because of her hints! She certainly cheered me on as I was twisting canon relationships all out of whack before working out the tangles I'd introduced and putting them back together the way the family trees say they should be.) Unfortunately, I lost contact with a lot of people when I went back to work, and she was one of them. How I miss our conversations! I hope she is well but I have no way of knowing. Estella is supposed to be one of those frankly exasperating (and even exhausting) people who, nonetheless, you can't seem to help liking. She has a lot of energy, so I take her in small doses. For someone like Merry, who can be Entirely Too Serious sometimes, she's probably the perfect match (he can tone down her impulsivity, and she can distract him from his worries). Alas, poor Paladin. He's dragging a heavy load – facing all the demands of overseeing Tookland while lacking most of the necessary resources. Gaining access to Estella's fortune wouldn't solve his problems, but it could help, at least in the short term. He should just come out and admit to everyone that Tookland's treasury disappeared under the previous Thain. The volatile Tooks would probably not blame him and banish him for making such an admission because of all he did in keeping Tookland free from Lotho and his ruffians. But he can't trust that. In my early stories, I didn't do a good job of portraying him as someone saddled with unexpected responsibility who is trying to do his best while blindfolded and with his shoelaces figuratively tied together and one hand tied behind his back. So he comes off as unreasonable and tyrannical for no reason. I did better at revealing the underlying circumstances in the stories that came later. I think I came to understand Paladin better along the same timeline as Pippin coming to understand him better, if that makes sense? It's like this whole timeline of the Fourth Age Shire in the back of my head was spontaneously generated in one piece and has been slowly revealed bit by bit as the Muse (that creative impulse I can't explain) has spun these interlocking stories one or two at a time. I think I can pinpoint the ignition point as Chapter 25 of this story, when the person who was answering my medical questions told me that such severe symptoms as I was describing while writing the aftermath of the ice storm would result in permanent lung damage (and they went on to describe what life with such damage would look like for Pippin). At the same time I was pondering their feedback and trying to decide what to do next, I was idly reading through the Tale of Years and was reminded of Sam's trip to Gondor. As the idea of him bringing back the "cure" occurred to me, everything fell into place, including the impact of Pippin's chronic illness on character development for Pippin and all the people around him. I suddenly had a timeline stretching from Merry's birth until he and Pippin rode South! Later, the timeline kept extending further and further back until it reached all the way to the Fallohides in the Vales of the Anduin. (The Muse has remained fixed on Hobbits, however, and has not strayed into stories about Elves and Men and Dwarves except as they relate to Hobbits. I'm not sure why my brain has been oriented that way. It may have something to do with Hobbits' innate nature, as opposed to the kinslayings and rebellion and corruption that form such a large part of the histories of other races in Tolkien's creation. While Hobbits have plenty of conflict to deal with, for the most part, it seems to come from outside forces.) Sorry, I'm rambling again. I had better go in search of some protein to clear the fog from my head. | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 5/21/2025 |
| Lin! "Though he had less time for riding these days, yet daily he took Jewel out for a long ride--where, he never said, but sometimes the pony was muddy and sometimes he was lathered, or dried sweat clotted his coat.Merry would bring the pony back cool and breathing easy, the ostler was glad to see. If the pony had run hard, he'd been properly cooled out before returning. There would be another long grooming session, a last treat from the young master's hand, a pat and a wordless farewell." At least Merry had Jewel, time alone with one's horse is very important and he knows how to treat her. Did he have knowledge all along or was this also from his time spent with the Rohirrim. "'He hasn't lost himself, Nob. He's only lost his way.' 'Can he find it again, ye think?' 'I hope so.' Merry repeated the thought to himself, and to Socks, in that wordless language that only he and the ponies understood. I hope so." *Heart pang* I hope so too. Both Merry and Pippin have been through so much! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: MM! I've found a lot of solace in alone-time with a horse or dog or cat over the years. Though I must admit, I never practiced night riding, and I don't know how doable or advisable Merry's habit of riding after dark might be. (Is this a time to say, "Do not try this at home?") Merry will do everything in his power to help his cousin, and for those things that are beyond his power, he'll stand staunch at Pippin's side. Thanks so much for reading and pausing to share your thoughts. It's so heartening to hear from you! (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: I forgot to answer your question: Did [Merry] have knowledge all along or was this also from his time spent with the Rohirrim? I started out with the detail about how he met the others as Farmer Maggot was driving them to the Ferry. Merry was riding in dark, foggy conditions, carrying (but not using) a dark-lantern. (The text says he uncovered the lantern to shine it on Farmer Maggot's face when the farmer challenged him in the dark.) I think those conditions would be quite risky for a casual rider or someone unfamiliar with ponies. He also had procured ponies before they set out from Crickhollow, implying he was somewhat knowledgeable about what to look for in ponies intended for a long-distance venture. I'd imagine he added to his knowledge of equines when he was among the Rohirrim. Perhaps part of their embracing him had to do with a shared interest or even passion for ponies/horses? The thought brings me a smile, anyhow. I have Ferdibrand Took similarly discovering common ground with the Rohirrim in general (on his trip south with Farry) and with Éowyn (because of horses) and Faramir (because of archery and the M-e equivalent of guerrilla warfare, I think?) in particular. What fun it is to discover kindred spirits! (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: Shoot, and now I want to write a short story where Merry shows one of the Rohirrim some practical solution that Shire-folk use with their ponies. But I can't think of anything off the top of my head that a hobbit would know (in terms of equines) and that would be a new idea for the Rohirrim who are practically horses themselves... (Like coal to Newcastle, as they say?) | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 5/20/2025 |
| Lin! So sad that Pippin has been brought so low. Not eating!!! *sigh* (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: You know a hobbit's in trouble when he stops eating. But things will get better, I promise. (((hugs back))) Lin | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 5/19/2025 |
| Lin! Poor Pippin! He really is struggling! " 'If my brother has done my nephew some mischief, they will indeed have to find someone to be Thain after him because I will wring his neck myself!'" Go Esmeralda, Give Paladin what for!!! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: Esmeralda may seem like a mild-mannered gentlelady, but she has a Tookish heart and temper... (((hugs))) Hope your day goes well. I'm struggling a bit today with energy levels, so I may not get another chapter of Heir Apparent in until tomorrow. It's something to look forward to! | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 5/19/2025 |
| Lin! Ahh! Poppy syrup! It is a fine thing! And finally the Took has arrived. (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: On the cutting edge of medical science and research, I should think! At least as far as the Shire goes. Thanks so much for reading and pausing to share your thoughts and hugs! (((hugs))) | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 5/16/2025 |
| Lindelea! Hello! "'Fear unspoken grows.' --old Shire proverb" Is this Tolkien or you. If it is you it really sounds it could be Tolkien! Pippin ill, the Old Took called for! Eeek!! And Yes I have posted a new chapter in the Heir Apparent. I'm working on Chapter 26 of "Destiny's Child" but it is hard going. *sigh* (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: MM! Most of the Shire proverbs I include in my stories either came out of my head (especially the ones that use food as a metaphor) or are adapted from sayings I heard from older generations. While I might claim that such ideas as "Fear unspoken grows" and "Troubles shared are divided" and "Joys shared are multiplied" are my own inventions, it's all too possible that someone said the same thing before I did, for (as they say) "great minds think alike". (Disclaimer: I am by no means describing my mind as great, LOL. Sometimes it seems to work quite well, but all too often, it doesn't. Such is life.) I SAW THE NEW CHAPTER when I fired up the laptop today!!! I don't remember if I've read any of that story in the past or not... I see you originally began publishing it here around the time JoDancingTree first introduced me to the wonderful world of online fanfic, and I was pretty early on taken captive by hobbits and carried away to the Shire (with a few detours involving Beregond and Bergil), so I might not have seen it. I will start reading from the beginning and work my way through, enjoying the promise of a new chapter (since I think the whole story is new to me) every day for the next few weeks as I work my way to the newest chapter. Anyhow, it's the first thing on my to-do list for today once I finish editing and posting the chapters I had scheduled for today. I look forward to the reading! (((hugs))) Lin (p.s. I hope this reply makes sense as written. My brain is on the mushy side today.) Author Reply: (p.p.s. I came up with my "Laugh, Live, Love" wedding toast about six months or so before "Live Laugh Love" started appearing in stores, or at least that's how I remember the timing... Someone asked me if I'd copied it from the kitsch that was popping up all over, but really, I didn't.) Author Reply: (p.p.p.s. I started by glancing at the reviews for Heir Apparent and see I did read the first few chapters. I probably got slammed by work then, and the story moved off the home page as other authors updated their stories, and I lost track. At least, that's the explanation that makes the most sense to me. So I'll be starting over once again and hoping to get all the way to the latest chapter this time!) (((hugs))) Lin | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 5/12/2025 |
| Lindelea! Oh no! This is where some of Pippin's health problems begin. Well sometimes we are forced to re-evaluate our life choices. Dear Pippin. (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: MM! You are exactly right. A long time ago, when I was still fairly new at fanfic-writing, this was known as "the infamous chapter 25". Arising almost by accident out of a discussion with someone who advised me on medical issues in my stories, it ended up shaping Pippin's character arc on my timeline of the Fourth Age Shire, all the way up to the year Sam travelled to Gondor and back, when the Mayor brought back a miraculous cure from Treebeard. (Whew. That was a long run-on sentence. I hope it's intelligible.) Thus, for a long stretch of years, Pippin has a built-in reminder of the consequences of leaping before he looks. He probably needs it though, for he's impulsive enough even when hampered by ill health that it takes him from this point until a few years after he becomes Thain for the lesson to sink in. All that said, he really is an engaging character... Again, thanks so much for reading and generously sharing your impressions. I appreciate your thoughtfulness! (((hugs))) Lin | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 5/12/2025 |
| Lindelea! Eeeeek Pippin! "Boromir's voice sounded close by. This cold will be the death of the halflings. He sounded worried. Cold? What cold? Pippin was feeling warmer by the moment." So not good!! "'It's naught but a cold,' Pippin said, fending off her questing hand. 'I'm fine! All I need is a bit of brandy!' He poured himself another half a glass and told another story. Not long after, he confessed, 'Come to think of it, I am feeling a little tired. I think I'll turn in.'" Pippin volunteering to go to bed! He is either actually sick...or planning something. LOL! "Pippin kept them laughing with his stories of Yule at Great Smials, and no one noticed that he was too busy talking to eat much." Pippin...not hungry!? Must dash to work! Will finish at break!" (((hugs))) MM P.S. The book came in! Have read a bit. I think it will be a wonderful reference book! Author Reply: MM! Oh! I'm glad you're enjoying the book! I know I have been enjoying it. I've found it hard to read in a straight line – I keep dipping into it here and there as the impulse strikes (or a question, or a thought, or...) You are an astute reader, and your suspicions are well-founded. Thanks so much for reading and pausing to share your thoughts! I'm always glad to hear from you. (((hugs))) Lin | |
| PSW | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 5/11/2025 |
| Dear Sam can always be counted on! He’s an expert at conspiracies, dontcha know. ;-) It’s always fun to see the Gamgees, in any case. Hopefully their urging will just nudge Pippin even more toward Gondor… Author Reply: What is it with hobbits and conspiracies? One can hardly turn around without coming up against some kind of plot or other, whether it's a happy surprise or a more serious matter. I must admit, it was fun when I was writing this story so long ago to imagine the Master and Mistress of Brandy Hall sort of adopting the Gamgees as part of their extended family. They're wonderfully hospitable, warm and loving, at least the way I've imagined them. Poor Pippin doesn't stand a chance, I think... | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 5/8/2025 |
| Lindelea! I love how Merry is astounded that the painting is by Estella Boulger. And I love that he usually knows how to mind his mouth around Mum, but then is so astonished by Estella Boulger's talent to forget it. "'Ah, Uncle!' Pippin exclaimed. 'Can you spare a glass or two of the Hall's finest? I'm that dry, I can hardly get a word out, my tongue cleaves to the roof of my mouth.' " Ah that Pippin! Always cheerful and rapscallion at the same time. Poor Merry! Having to fight every March. Esmeralda's observation on Pippin's effect on Merry is so true; Pippin is such a light bringer! and... "At Merry's skeptical expression, he protested. 'It's true! Honest!' He shook his head, muttering, 'Why don't people ever believe me when I'm being serious?' 'Perhaps because you never are,' Merry answered. 'Come on, help me up. I'm hungry.'" This is also so very Pippin! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: Some of my hobbits' abilities are wish-fulfillment on my part. (I think that's the right term. It might not be.) A few of my Tooks have a rare and special "talent" or inheritance that reflects my wish that I could clearly remember everything I hear and discern when people are lying. (That would have been so handy as a mom, for sure.) My description of Estella's art talent reflects my wish that I could draw and paint the pictures I see in my head. The best I can do in that direction, it seems, is draw pictures with words. My mom had a photographic memory and perfect recall. I have a little of that "gift"; when I was younger, I could close my eyes and see the page of a book I'd read, though it's harder to do so these days. I can replay scenes from films in my head, as well as some RL events that have happened. My ability is nothing like she described, though. She also talked, hauntingly, about the times it was more of a liability than an asset when she'd seen something she wished she could forget but was physically unable to block out. (I cannot watch horror movies or visual media with graphic violence for the same reason, and I've learned to be careful in my reading since I form a mental movie as I read.) You've got to love a cheerful rapscallion who actually means no harm to anyone. I love how he and Merry complement each other so well, and I continue to be amazed at how JRRT sketched these relationships in the middle of narrating an epic tale, such that we could so easily imagine beyond the words he put on the page. Again, thanks so much for reading and leaving reviews. I'm always glad to hear your thoughts. (((hugs))) Lin | |