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A Mid-Year's Walking Trip  by GamgeeFest 7 Review(s)
EstellaBReviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/10/2006
But Sam and Merry *do* have something in common! Sam doesn't have Rose and Merry doesn't have Estella!
Sorry.
Just had to point that out.
I'll go now.

Author Reply: So for not responding to this sooner! *blushes*

It's true that neither lad is courting (yet) the lass of their choice, but as they aren't exactly on speaking terms this isn't something that will bridge the gap between them as they wouldn't be talking about it to each other in the first place. They will eventually find something that *will* give them the perfect reason to reforge their friendship.

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy the rest!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/5/2005
I had to leave for work this morning and didn't get to leave a review.

I loved this chapter. I loved seeing how Merry and Pippin complemented one another's abilities--Pippin's quick mind thinking of how to tell the direction, Merry's more methodical and retentive mind remembering the map, and how best to find a way around the hedge.

And I could *so* see Pippin getting distracted by baby squirrels. (Distractibility must be a Tookish thing: remember how Bilbo got distracted by the butterflies when the Dwarves sent him up a tree in Mirkwood?)

I'm enjoying Sam's confession to Frodo. And his acknowledgement that friendship needs something in common. I hope he soon comes to see that what he and Merry have in common is their love for Frodo.

And I'm worrying about Pippin's scratch. If it's worsening, perhaps he's having an allergic reaction...

Author Reply: Merry and Pippin would be lost without each other - even though they were technically lost together here, lol. But together they found their way much more quickly than they would have alone. We all know Pippin has no mind for maps, and Merry's afraid to climb trees. They need each other and they know it.

Pippin is very easily distracted, and baby squirels would be too irresistible for him. At least he didn't get himself bit, lol, then he really would have something to worry about. And no, I don't remember the butterflies. I've been needing to read The Hobbit again, but I just keep getting distracted.

There are many reasons why Sam's hesitating to be Merry's friend again, and that is just one of them. He needs to have a practical reason for being friends with someone above his station. He has one for Frodo, but at the moment he's missing one for Merry. But Merry will soon be providing that piece of the puzzle.

Thanks for reading!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/4/2005
I'm glad Pippin made it back, but I hope Merry hasn't got lost.

The thick hedge reminds me of Sleeping Beauty. Merry and Pippin were very sensible about finding their way back - the squirrel babies were cute.

I hope Merry manages to overcome Sam's scruples and get back on an easy footing with him - but I can see Sam's point. Merry can choose to be friends with Sam - when he wants to - but Sam only gets to accept or reject what Merry offers.



Author Reply: No, Merry's sound and whole and will be back shortly. Not that that's necessarily a good thing. ;)

Sleeping Beauty? I haven't seen that movie in years and years. Pippin is so distractable as times, I imagine baby squirrels would be irrestible to him.

Merry has to overcome more than just Sam's reservations. There are things Merry has been denying and repressing for years and he's going to have to let it out before he can hope to get anywhere with Sam. It won't be easy for him either and he's likely to back out of it if he can. Fortunately, his friends won't let him do that. :)

Thanks for reading!

Elf FriendReviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/4/2005
Yay! Pippin made it back, and automatically asked for food. So like him. ^^ I was half afraid the smoke they saw would be from another campfire or something and they'd get into even more trouble. Someone else in the woods!!! AAAAHH!! Wow, okay, I think I should go to school now before I'm late. And hopefully Merry gets back to camp okay too. He needs to run faster!! Okay, I'm really going now. ^^ Can't wait for the next chapter!!

Author Reply: Pippin doesn't waste time when it comes to food. It's the first thing he asks for after arriving at Minas Tirith and meeting Beregond. Good to see some things never change. ;)

They'll be getting into plenty of trouble without adding any other characters or twists. But there just might be someone else in the woods. ;)

Merry will be running plenty fast in the next chapter, lol. Thanks for reading!

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/4/2005
Merry is right behind him right? I hope that he isn't about to get lost, stuck, or captured or some such thing.

I liked Pippin climbing the tree and getting distracted by the baby squirrel! They didn't pretty good finding their way back to the path. For getting lost they made pretty good time of getting back!

Maybe Frodo will be able to help Sam think differently. Of course maybe Merry's apology will help as well but I am looking forward to seeing their frindship developed. I am curious as well as to why Pippin doesn't sneak food when Sam tells him not to.

Looking forward to more, hope it's soon!

Author Reply: LOL, don't worry. Merry will be coming along shortly. Whether that's a good thing or not is yet to be seen. ;)

They fortunately didn't get too horribly lost, thank goodness. But it was good fortune that they found the path again. With hobbit devouring bogs lurking out there, and them without their walking sticks, it could have been messy. :P

Sam's thinking is just fine. He already offered part of the solution to Frodo, but Frodo didn't have an answer for him. He just doesn't see what Sam and Merry have in common that would transcend the social barriers between them. There's also the trust issue, which will be up to Merry alone to mend, when he figures out how.

The great food mystery will be revealed, to you gentle readers at least, before the story's over. ;) Thanks for reading!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/3/2005
Well written as always, and good characterization.

One day Merry will breach Sam's reserve, and that will be a good one.

Author Reply: That day will be coming very soon, to the relief of both. Neither of them are much enjoying the strain and distance between them. But Merry's stuck on how to make amends and Sam's stuck on finding a pratical reason to be friends again. Right now, there doesn't seem to be a solution, but with a little help from their friends, they'll find one. Thanks for reading!

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/3/2005
Where's the food? LOL So very Pippin. Seems Frodo is having a very hard time arguing against Sam's reasoning for not being able to become friends with Merry. That Sam is so practical that I should imagine that he would have made an excellent debator. Looks like Merry has a great deal to over-come on this trip if he hopes to restore his friendship with Sam. I am beginning to wonder if he will be able to pull it off. Smart of Pippin to figure out how to find the directions using the sun, but I do wonder about that itch. Seems to be hanging on a bit. Looking forward to more as always.

Author Reply: Yep, Pippin's all about the food, just as any good hobbit, lol.

As for Sam, it's not really Frodo's agrument to make. He can only do so much, but this little chat with Sam will help him to advise Merry later on. Merry just needs to change his approach. He's trying to make up with Sam the same way he would with Pippin and Frodo, which is clearly the wrong way to go. He'll figure it out. We know they make up eventually, what with the Conspiracy and all. This is just a first step. And certainly, Sam's practicality was part of what made him such an excellent mayor. :)

That Pippin's a smart one, sometimes. If only he would use that intelligence to figure out why scratching an itch only aggravates it more. ;)

Thanks for reading!

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