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The Brandy Hall Incident by Dreamflower	45 Review(s)
Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/23/2007
Re-read this, following the link from the "archives" story. Y'know, it gave me a shiver, at the end, Merry's anger, and Pippin's promise. Was thinking of the Palantir, of course. Author Reply: How lovely! It's nice to know that sometimes folks re-read! Well, so was I really--but at least the lad had the sense to say he'd try not to scare Merry anymore. And of course, he did, at least three more times--in "The Dare" and with the palantir, and after the troll. Still, over the course of a lifetime, not a bad track record--and at least that last time was unavoidable and not entirely his fault.

Pendora	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/27/2005
This was awesome, Dreamflower! I'm supposed to be working on my story for Tale Challenge 23, but I just couldn't stop reading! There were so many sweet moments, and a lot of clifflhangers, too. I was terrified right along with Merry for a while. Thanks so much for this wonderful story :) Author Reply: I'm so glad you enjoyed this; it's always a pleasure to get a review for a story that's been out a while. This one is one of the three incidents when Merry was angry with Pippin before the Conspiracy. Thank you so much for reading, and for stopping to comment!

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/17/2005
What a fantastic story! I really enjoyed reading it all over again. I made sure I had the time to read all of it today, as I knew I would not be able to put it down, it was that engaging. I did have one slight problem though, to nitpick: "Esmeralda and Frodo fussed over Pippin, and tucked him up. But the lad kept looking past them, seeking in vain for the beloved face and grey eyes. “Where’s Merry? I want my Merry!” His mother and Frodo exchanged a puzzled glance, wondering themselves at the absence of the usually solicitous Merry." This line confused me for a second, as it made it sound like Pippin's mother, not Merry's. "Merry lay awake for a very long time, trying to sort through his feelings of resentment and betrayal. He had never been this angry at Pippin before in his life, and the unaccustomed emotions twisted in his stomach and made him feel sick." This description of how Merry would have been feeling was spot on. Although he had been furious with Pippin before for going so high in the tree and scaring him so badly, he had not felt betrayed or like he couldn't trust Pippin that time. "He climbed out of his bed and padded into Merry’s room, and made his way into Merry’s bed. Merry woke up. He stiffened, but lay still, and didn’t say anything. As soon as Pippin was asleep, he got out of his own bed, and made his way to Frodo’s. Frodo didn’t wake up. He seldom did when Merry joined him, but would automatically turn in his sleep to put a protective arm over his younger cousin. Merry finally relaxed in Frodo’s presence." Yikes. For Merry to stiffen at Pippin's touch and then to voluntarily leave him - shivers. And, of course, Merry finds his comfort with Frodo. I am so glad you had Frodo in this story. Merry truly did need him in more ways than one. I'm sure Frodo slept well that night and took comfort in Merry's presence as well. “Merry, please don’t hate me! Please! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to disobey you! Oh, please, please love me again!” He put out a trembling hand, but did not quite touch his cousin, afraid it would be rejected if he did. The tears rolled down his face. Who could remain angry at Pippin when he's like that and it comes from his heart? I couldn't and I'm glad that Merry couldn't either. “I still love you, Pip. But don’t scare me like that, ever again--please.” “Oh Merry, I’ll try ever so hard not to scare you again.” It's a good thing that Pippin didn't promise not to scare Merry like that ever again. Pippin knows his shortcomings and knows that he is likely to get into some sort of trouble again and frighten Merry. It's a good thing that Pippin leads such a charmed life! This was one of the stories of yours I was looking forward to reading again the most. Well done! Author Reply: You are right; I was referring back to the mention of Merry, but Merry was not the subject of the previous paragraph, even though he was mentioned last. Perhaps I will go and edit that to make it clearer. This was very much an issue of trust with Merry; he had never thought that Pippin would disobey him in that way before. Of course, before this Pippin had always simply accepted Merry's answers to his questions as the final word. It is a part of the growing up process that happens sooner or later with all children, especially bright ones. The bed shuffle: I thought that it might work that way, Pippin seeking Merry, and then Merry seeking Frodo, since he was too angry to be around Pippin. And of course Merry couldn't stay angry at his Pip, he loves him far too much. It will take a while though for him to trust him again the way he used to. And fortunately, Pippin does realize that he can't truly promise "never". (Poor Pippin wouldn't need such a charmed life if we writers weren't so fond of him, poor dear--we do like to put him in peril, don't we?) I'm glad you enjoyed it again! I'm having a blast with your reviews.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/17/2005
They found him! How appropriate for it to be Merry who is able to rescue Pippin from the rubble. Exactly how high up on a rubble pile was Pippin? He must have been fairly high for Saradoc and Frodo not to be able to reach him. That makes me especially proud of Merry, since he did not even think twice about his feqr of heights when he went high up in order to save his Pippin. At least Pippin was safe from the rats up there. It would have been much more dangerous had they been able to get to him. I hope Rory and Saradoc get rid of the rats and then fill in those back tunnels immediately. I liked how Frodo carried Pippin and how Saradoc carried Merry out of there, realising how exhausted his son is. Poor Merry. It's no wonder he's so exhausted after being as worried and distraught as he has been for so long. He deserves a nice long rest. Then he can go yell at Pippin. Author Reply: I am thinking it was about five or six feet high--not too high for a human, but pretty tall for a hobbit. Also, it was wide--probably at least eight or ten feet wide. The main reason Saradoc and Frodo couldn't do it was the instability of it. (I was reminded of just how unstable a pile of rubble could be the other day, when I tried to climb one myself, and took a tumble. I know now that my description was pretty accurate.) Yes, poor Merry! Of course, it a way it helped that it was dark--made it difficult to see much if he looked down. I'm glad that the lathe and stuff blocking off the rats worked; I was afraid people would think it was just too convenient, but it was one of the earliest pictures in my head in this story. They do start to fill them in right away after this, but the jobs not finished in either of their lifetimes... Saradoc realized that Frodo would be the quickest to get Pip out, and he would have been so proud of his own son, as well as knowing how tire he was.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/17/2005
I'm so glad Frodo and Merry's grandfather are keeping Merry from falling apart. It's like Frodo was meant to be there to help his Merry and to help in the search for little Pippin. It makes sense that Frodo and Merry would go not to Merry's room, but to Frodo's at a time like this. Merry is feeling awfully frightened, as is Frodo, and so they go back to what they knew best when both of them were living at Brandy Hall. This was the room that kept Frodo safe and where Merry would go almost every night for the comfort of his Frodo. So Frodo's room is where they belong now. Even though Merry is able to get to sleep, poor Frodo will find no solace anywhere now. Here he is back at Brandy Hall, in his old room, worried that the very river that claimed the lives of his parents will also claim the life of one of his two favourite cousins. I'm sure he is thinking about how those rooms have been known to flood or cave in due to the Brandywine. It's no wonder he cannot get any rest. I like how all of the relatives are helping in whatever way they can. Really, it's at times like this that a family pulls together. Chalk this one up as another one of my favourite stories. Author Reply: I think you are right that Frodo was meant to be there, and not by the author either, LOL! I truly had intended to write this without Frodo in it, yet when I got to the part of the visitors coming, there he was. I tried to talk him out of it, as it was the wrong time of year for him to be there (since he usually visits in the fall) but that stubborn Baggins just would not listen to me, and insisted on being in the story, LOL! I'm glad now. I can't even recall how it was to go originally, but I can't imagine it without him any more. That was defintiely my reasoning for the way it fell out. Both of them seeking comfort in the familiar. And of course, it is the hobbit way. Family first and foremost.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/17/2005
What rotten timing! If Pippin had only stayed conscious, he would have heard his Uncle Saradoc calling him or seen the light and been able to respond and been rescued. But now - the poor lad! His lantern has gone out and he is caged in with all of that debris. I remember having been in caverns when they turn out all the lights and let you experience true total blackness - very scary feeling. And he's coughing more and hasn't had anything to eat or drink for almost an entire day. Poor Pippin! Thank goodness Frodo arrived! He is probably the best one to comfort Merry until Pippin is found, although Esmerelda was doing pretty well at it. I sure hope they find Pippin soon. I don't think Merry can take much more of this. This is such a well written, supsenseful story! Author Reply: That was a pretty scary moment, and I remember at the time I wrote it wondering if it was a little over the top; but my original description of this incident was that Pippin was lost for two days, so I couldn't have him found so soon. This story really is just as much Merry angst as it is Pippin h/c, I do believe. I'm so glad that you liked the suspense.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/17/2005
I forgot to mention on the review of chapter one - it seems a bit strange that when Pippin was visiting Brandy Hall, Merry was the one who would give him his lessons. I would think it would be someone a bit older. Poor Pippin! It's all his fault for going where he knew he wasn't supposed to, but he must be scared half to death! I don't think his little adventure is going quite as he had planned. Is he even old enough to be allowed to light a lantern or is this another way in which he was doing something he knew he oughtn't? It doesn't look good if he's in the end of the tunnels with the fallen beams, cool damp air, and dampness on the floor. I hope nothing caves in on top of him. I also hope that he doesn't get sick from being in all of that cold, damp air for so long, especially since he has weak lungs and is susceptible to colds and illness. And he's already getting damp, feeling cool, crying, and coughing a little. "Saradoc came in with Merry. Rorimac’s first thought was that the lad had done some transgression that warranted his punishment by the Master instead of his father. It had happened once or twice, after all." Ooh, when? When did Merry get in so much trouble and how? Is that a plot bunny waiting to be hatched? I'm glad you included Berilac in this story. I like the lad and am sure he would like Merry to play with him sometimes when Pippin is around, even though he realises how special Merry and Pippin's relationship is. He probably felt the same way about Merry's relationship with Frodo, especially when Frodo was still living at Brandy Hall. Beri is probably asking himself, "What is it with Merry? He's about the same age as I am, but he'd rather be off with a cousin who's twelve years older than he is or eight years younger than him! Can't he play with someone his own age?" Fortunately, I think it only bothers Beri a little bit. After all, there are so many other lads around Brand Hall with whom he can play. "Merry was as taut as a bowstring. He hoped they found Pippin before Merry snapped." This is an excellent description of Merry if ever Frodo or Pippin were in any sort of danger. Really, I think it could be used for any one of them if either of the other two were in danger, but especially Merry. Poor Merry! How awful for him to hear Pippin scream his name in terror and have it echoing around him and not be able to go to his Pippin and rescue him! It's Merry's worst nightmare come true. Author Reply: About the lessons: Pippin is still young enough to be taught by Merry. He's just learning the basics right now of letters and numbers and reading. In another couple of years he will be getting slightly more advanced lessons. In my version of the Shire, the younger children are taught their basics by their older siblings (or cousins if a brother or sister is not available). Of course the oldest child or only child gets his or her first lessons from the parent. As they grow older, the hobbits in the more affluent families would go to a certain uncle or cousin for more advanced study, (as Bilbo once did, or as Dinodas does in this story). If they need to learn something specialized, such as art or music, again, the lessons are taught by a relative. In my Shire there are no such things as schools or professional tutors. Education is strictly a family affair, with the occasional exception of a working class hobbit receiving instruction from an employer (as in Bilbo and Sam). He's probably barely old enough for that. Remember that hobbit children learn to cook before they learn their letters, and that the cooking is done either on a woodstove or a hearth. It's been in the back of my head for a long time. I mention it briefly in one of my very early stories, "In the Frying Pan". Berilac's a good lad, and he would like to be more of a close friend to Merry. I am sure that the bond his cousin has with Frodo and Pippin must cause him occasional puzzlement, but more as to why he's never been part of it, rather than why they are. I'm glad you liked that bit of description. It's one of my own favorite lines, so it's neat to see you pick it out. It is indeed one of his worst nightmares come true. Lots of Merry angst to come.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/17/2005
Uh-oh. Pippin's acting like a Took again. Merry should have known that the only way to keep Pippin from going back into the forbidden tunnels was to get him to promise that he wouldn't, especially after seeing that Pippin had a real interest in them. After all, "He was a Took, and curiosity was not an itch he liked to leave unscratched." I've used the same type of wording that Pip did for the same technical reason that he did. Merry should have known what would happen when he got an answer like "I understand." Of course, it was entirely Pippin's fault that he went in there. Merry told him that it was dangerous, unsafe, and a hazard. He even told him not to think about going in the tunnels. He should have forbidden him from going back there instead, which I am sure is what he had meant. But Pippin chose to listen to him literally, and it was already too late not to think about going back into the old tunnels and enterred the tunnels since Merry hadn't forbidden him from doing so. Yep, Pippin reminds me of me. Still, Pippin knew what Merry meant, knew what it meant if something was dangerous and unsafe, and was wrong for going back there. Nothing good can come from this and Merry is going to be furious. Author Reply: In Merry's behalf, I will say, this is the first time Pippin has disobeyed him even in spirit. Up until now, Pippin has been young enough that his curiousity has been satisfied with asking questions and getting answers. But he is now at the age-equivalent of a seven year old human, and he is beginning to get the urge to experiment and to have first hand knowledge. Not always a good thing. When he got the impulse to climb too high in the tree a few years back, no one had forbidden him to do so. If at that time, Merry or Frodo had told him to stay put, well he would have fidgeted and complained, but he would have stayed. It's true that Merry should have been more specific, but he will know after this. And Merry should have known about the "I understand" because he himself has used it and will again.

Jess	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/16/2005
Great job on this story. Loved the Merry-angst, and that last little bit, with Merry mad at Pippin, and Pippin trying to apologize, was so touching. Pip's line: "Oh, please, please love me again" actually brought tears to my eyes, it was so heart-wrenching--I could just picture little Pippin's tear-stained face, looking miserably at his cousin. Great interactions! Author Reply: Yes, poor Merry was very angry at Pippin. In fact, it was only the second time in his life that my Merry had actually been angry at my Pippin (the first is my mathom "A First Time for Everything" and the third time was "The Dare"; the fourth time was when Merry discovered Pippin was dealing himself into the Conspiracy, though Merry had been trying to protect him, and of course, the last time was with the palantir.) And poor little Pippin, only beginning to understand how much he frightened Merry, and hurt him. But they don't deal well with being angry at one another, and it doesn't last long, they love each other too much.

Hai Took	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/31/2005
Whew! That was something! I felt bad for Merry and Pippin! It was splendid that Frodo happened by, seems he was best able to help Merry. Poor Merry, feeling so angry but not sure why. Yet afraid because he felt he hadn't protected Pippin well enough. The story was tense and exciting, but I'm glad everything turned out all right! Thank you for the story! Author Reply: I'm so glad you liked the story! You know, everyone is so glad Frodo came, but it's funny that I had not planned that originally! Well, now everyone knows about the second time Merry got mad at Pippin! Thanks for the review!

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