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A Took by Any Other Name  by Lindelea 8 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/6/2005
Of course this would be Merry's reaction--that he should have stayed by Pippin's side the whole time, beyond reason (and if it had be reversed, I daresay Pippin would have had the same reaction)--but Pippin was right. This, in a way is very much an echo of the Quest in more ways than one. Merry and the horn-calls of Rohan came in the very nick of time to the Siege of Minas Tirith as well. It seems that Merry's rightful role is to "ride to the rescue" rather than be there on the spot at the time, but it's not something he will easily admit to. Separation from his cousin does not sit well with him. I hope that his family is able to deal with this touch of the Shadow that seems to have come on as a result of all this.
It's possible that Merry and Pip might need to have a little private heart-to-heart. Wonder how Sam's going to react to this news?

Author Reply: Ah, yes, Sam. I'd imagine the messengers ought to be reaching Hobbiton about now.

I hadn't thought of Merry as always riding to the rescue, at least not consciously, but you are right! (And sometimes the tables are reversed, and it is Pippin who rides to the rescue. But more often Merry, it seems.)

Thanks!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/6/2005
I think Merry is in need of a bit of care and attention too. He does like to have the cares of the world on his shoulders.

Listen to your cousin, Merry. If you had been by his side, you would both have died - stop feeling guilty.

"‘You look like something the cat dragged in.’

‘Bless her heart,’ Pippin said. ‘At least she didn’t leave me lying about in the yard.’ "

Well, Pippin can manage humour, so maybe he is beginning to recover - although worry for Merry will probably bring him round more quickly.

(The tip of the ear kiss - as the only place he is not too injured for it to be painful. Is it Indiana Jones that reminds me of?)




Author Reply: Yes, the tip of the ear kiss is a tip of the hat to Indiana Jones. Fond memories, those.

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/5/2005
Poor Merry, feeling a bit guilty about not being taken to supper was he? I hope he isn't affected too much by the what-ifs!

I did like your description of the argument between Merry and Pippin about Merry being with him. Saradoc finding it a bit amusing and all. Looking forward to more!

Author Reply: O those dreadful what-ifs! No wonder there's a hobbit proverb about them bringing one's head down to an early grave.

Thanks!

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/5/2005
Merry is so full of guilt and fear that he is nearly in worse shape than Pippin at this point. I am very glad that Saradoc is watching him so closely. I suspect his dreams will be as dreadful as Pippin's will. Loved Saradoc's reactions to Pippin's fussing over Merry and trying to reassure him. This is another good chapter so naturally, I am anxious for more. Greedy, aren't I?

Author Reply: I suspect Merry's dreams *would* be dreadful if he'd let himself sleep.

Ah, how I love a greedy reader. Especially when they use feedback to spur me on to further effort. Go ahead, crack that whip. I'm a glutton for punishment.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/5/2005
You write so well!

Poor Merry, cursed with such a strong sense of responsibility even when he's done what was needful to begin with.

Author Reply: Thank you. Guilt is a funny thing, always ready to oblige even when not wanted.

Connie B.Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/5/2005
Merry has really got to lighten up. He is so hard on himself. Yes, he's always been the protective older cousin, but there are limits to everything. He can't spend the rest of his life rescuing Pippin's butt from every trouble he lands himself in. Saradoc knows this, and so does Pippin, I think. Now it's just getting Merry to see that fact. I know it takes several years for this fact to sink through that thick Brandybuck skull.;)

Thanks for a chapter that really got involved.

Connie B.

Author Reply: Ah, yes. He really doesn't learn to let go until "Rope", and even then he doesn't really let go, he just holds himself back so that it *appears* he's let go.

Am I making sense?

Thanks.

Author Reply: p.s. forgot to say that Pippin will be doing some protecting of his own in this story. Turn about is fair play, as they say.

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/5/2005
‘My thanks,’ Pippin said, and Merry nodded and lifted the cup to his cousin’s mouth for him to sip, watching closely that he should not tilt it too far and inundate Pippin or spill the tea.

I love "inundate"!!! wonderful word.

I have the feeling that something is flowing just below the surface here and that it will soon bubble up to the surface. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.

VWD!!!!

Author Reply: Ah, thank you. I had a different word but then "inundate" came to mind; one of those moments of serendipity (if that's how it's spelled).

You're right about something flowing just below the surface. It will surface in dreams (already has, as a matter of fact, as Esmeralda has already told Saradoc).

SaoirseReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/5/2005
Oh Lindelea, yet another wonderful tale from you. I just loved Merry in this chapter.

And I also loved the way you described the Tookish lilt to Esmeralda's voice, and in a chapter before this how you had Esmeralda scolding Pippin to not fall out of the bed again, just as if he were once more a tween. What a mess that was! lol Great job. :)

Author Reply: Ah, thank you. It was indeed a mess!

It is fun to look at Esmeralda a little more closely. I find her and Saradoc to be fascinating characters.


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