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Pippin's Pack of Pickled Pipers by Dreamflower	13 Review(s)
Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/23/2012
I've been going through the stories of some of my favourite authors lately and tonight I decided to take a looksee through your archive M'dear. This looked like an interesting little story and it did not disappoint!! A couple of things... Pippin stopped laughing immediately. “In charge, Father?” he squeaked. “In charge,” Paladin repeated. “And I expect something impressive.” Oh dear...Our poor Pippin. I think he did rise to the occasion however and w/great creativity too. That is until... “We should be able to think of at least three more,” said Ferdinand. “Ah! Gil Chubb from Whitfurrow!” Merry and Pippin looked at one another. Merry scowled, and Pippin said “That troublemaker? I don’t think so, not unless we get desperate.” “He’s a good piper.” Ferdinand was not sure why the younger hobbits objected. “But he’s a loudmouth, and not too bright,” said Merry. “Trust me, we’ve seen enough of him to know.” The boys certainly know Gil Chubb better than Cousin Ferdinand does, doesn't he? As events would eventually show... For once, Pippin was too nervous about the present day to suffer much over the past. His nightmares now were of showing up at the Bridge before his King, with no pipers, and his own pipes unaccountably playing out of tune. And then his clothing would vanish, and he would find himself trying vainly to protect his modesty with his pipes. Or all the pipers were there, but had completely forgot all the songs, and instead played “One Hundred Apple Pies”. Badly. Our poor Pipsqueak and how can I sympathize. Before my High School Graduation, I kept having a recurring dream where both the Gown and my skirt went flying over my head and me mooning everyone. It was either that or that happening and me falling flat on my face afterwards. Then there was the time I was meeting a very special and famous lady that is no longer w/us and I kept dreaming my knee gave out on me at the exact time I sank into my curtsey to her. Which considering I was waiting on getting my left knee operated on and it was in a brace, wasn't exactly something that far out of the realm of possiblity. Thankfully it didn't happen, but the dreams of it actually taking place!?! So...Poor Pippin!! And then...Having to actually end up using that dingbat Chubb after all. No wonder Pip was having nightmares about this going off well. And sure enough... Carl Roper called for a toast to Samwise Gamgee, who had made the Shire green again. As all the rest drained their tankards, Gil Chubb shoved his away, muttering “Nothing but a gardener, married to a jumped-up farmer’s daughter, pretending he’s gentry--” Oh no he didn't... Unfortunately his mutters came during a lull in the conversations, and was all too clear to the rest in the room. Oh no...He did!! I'm pretty sure it's Baggins Babe who has in her AU Sam's sister Daisy saying that either Lotho or Sandyman "has no more brains than a potato!!" Fits your Gil Chubb too. Which makes this... He suddenly found Jolly Cotton staring at him, inches from his face. “What did you just say?” ...and what's about to happen to the idiot, all too deserving. A shame Jolly ended up w/that lump, but...Yeah, I know. Rarely does only one person or hobbit end up being the only one w/lumps, bumps and bruises after a bar brawl. It's a good thing that Sam doesn't bear a grudge and made up his Gaffer's Special Remedy. Although...I think I would have had Gil Chubb endure the Remedy, but then told to take his pipes and himself somewhere else. Sam may be forgiving, but I have a feeling that Pippin and more importantly the Thain will not. This won't be forgotten me thinks. Yeah, I know...If you'd done that, then the number of Pipers would be thrown off and then wouldn't work at all for a 12 Days of Christmas challenge. However, like Pippin and Paladin, I have no patience w/people like that and if it's a dear Friend or Family, I do hold a grudge. Not to mention how it would have looked to those of the King's Court if the Gaffer's Remedy hadn't done it's usual excellent job of reviving the near dead. However, it did and thankfully, the Shire wasn't embrassed in such a manner. I love how you've given Tookland the Tookland pipes. I'm of Scottish descent and there's nothing like the Pipes to stir the soul IMO. Plus the image of a wee Pippin trying to learn such a large and unwieldly instrument makes me smile whenever I think of it. I can't think of a better way to welcome the King to The Shire. Now I just wish we could be there when Strider learns just why the majority of the Pipers have wet heads. Me thinks that Aragorn won't be the only one laughing over it all. I can see Pippin, maybe, seeing the funny side of it all too. At least I'd hope so now that it's all over and done w/. Love, love, love this. I've got an appt in Toronto next month to see my Foot Surgeon and it's usually a two to three hour thing. I'll have to print this off to join the other stories from around here in the binder I've got for just such a purpose. When you've got to wait that long, you might as well try to enjoy yourself, right? :o) Speaking of stories I've fallen in love w/by you...I finally read for the first time what I'll call "The New Reckoning Trilogy" and find that when I do my daily check here, to be disappointed not to see a new chapter for the third part. Especially as the Prisoners were about to be visited by the other hobbits and I'm guessing it doesn't bode well for them at all. I'm also wondering how Cado's doing and if his arrogant and resentful brother's had any sense knocked into him yet in the Kitchens? Or should that be scoured into him considering all the pans and pots he's got to clean? ;o) At any rate...I've so fallen in love w/that story and really want to know what's happened next. Especially when it comes to Beri and Viola, but I'm also looking forward to Mistress Poppy's interogation of Aragorn and his healing hands. I rather like how single minded she is when it comes to her profession, as she only wants to bring back something to the Shire to improve the training of any and all healers there. I also wonder when she'll find out that Arwen is also a bit of a healer as well. I just can't think as the Daughter of Elrond, she wouldn't have recieved the same training as any other healer in Rivendell and therefore... I can hear you screaming "Enough!! Enough!!!" so I'll stop there. Believe me, I know how things can go thanks to Real Life butting in. The stories I've been working on will have to take a back seat for a bit, as my Niece informed us that there'll be a new addition to our Family in June, therefore I need to get started on my little Great Niece or Nephew's Baby Blanket and all of the yarn. I think I've got the knitting needles for the pattern I've picked, but need to double check that. I'm actually turning a wrap made up of alternating strips of different knitting patterns into this baby blanket. It'll be baby green and white since we don't know if it's a girl or a boy, so... Anyway...On that note, I need to end this and get to bed. I really, really loved this little story of Pippin's Pipers Piping and the image of Hobbits piping for their King is one I hope will spark a lovely dream for me tonight. Thanks again for sharing this w/us and I'm sorry if I came across as pushy w/my questions about the other stories. It's just...After reading them all back to back to back over the space of two weeks, I really fell in love w/the little Trilogy and want to know how they're all doing. Oh and I really hope you tell us Opal's story someday too. And now I think I'd better start running for ground cover before you start lobbing things at me. :oD Sorry for the epic review, but once I got started...There was so much to say. (((HUGS)))

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/31/2005
I've been looking back through your stories and discovered this one! I've been giggling so much I had to thank you. I love the whole thing - Pip being in charge, the 'hobbity' hobbits and the wonderful description of the hungover group the morning after. I can just imagine them. Good old Sam, to produce the Gaffer's remedy. And I loved the inn name - the Leaping Hare being called the Bouncing Bunny!! LOL! (Bit like the Black Swan in Stratford, which is known as the Dirty Duck). Author Reply: I'm glad it gave you a chuckle. It was a bear to write, and I know now why GW insisted on giving the bunny back to me, LOL! But it was fun too, to imagine Pippin's panic at his father putting him in charge of something so important. I came up with the inn in Tuckborough when I wrote "A Conspiracy of Hobbits", and it's played a role in several of my stories. I'm glad you liked the inn name--I had a bit of fun with that! grin

Hai Took	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/22/2005
So Pippin was put in charge of getting together a welcome for the King! It amused me to see him so stressed about it! I think his Dad rather liked putting Pippin up to it. Things were going really well! Some people just don't know when to stay quiet! I'm glad that Jolly got him though, good thing Gil didn't say anything bad about anyone else. It could have been worse for them! Very kind of Sam and the lasses to step in with the Gaffer's remedy! Pippin's welcome was nearly ruined! Thank you for the fun! Author Reply: Yes, the Thain was sort of putting the pressure on his son, to see how he handled it. Yes, well someone had to shut the idiot up, and so who better than Rosie's twin brother? Gil Chubb has no idea of when to keep his mouth shut, especially when he's had a few too many. The home brew didn't help, of course. Of course Sam and Diamond would help Pippin out--what are friends for, after all? grin

GamgeeFest	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/19/2005
Oh, this was great! And very hobbity! Poor Pippin, after all that hard work to nearly have his worst dreams realized, but good ole Sam came through like always. I loved Strider's amusement of the hobbits' wet heads. He'll be laughing uncontrollably when he hears the story. Author Reply: Yes, poor Pippin! But of course his friends came through for him! Strider will definitely get a big kick out of the whole thing, I'm sure, although I would not want to be Gil Chubb if his remarks get around.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/17/2005
I loved it! This is the sort of response to a challenge that I enjoy seeing. I knew Pippin was in for a rough time of it the minute I read this: (Pippin stopped laughing immediately. “In charge, Father?” he squeaked. “In charge,” Paladin repeated. “And I expect something impressive.") LOL I loved how hard he worked in organizing it all and the nods to your other stories such as the mention of the "Apple Pie" song. But the image which will stick with me the longest and which gave me the best laugh was this: (For once, Pippin was too nervous about the present day to suffer much over the past. His nightmares now were of showing up at the Bridge before his King, with no pipers, and his own pipes unaccountably playing out of tune. And then his clothing would vanish, and he would find himself trying vainly to protect his modesty with his pipes.) LOL That bit was glorious! I could see that and I do thank you for bringing it to mind. Loved the hobbity way that Ferdinand reacted to a bit of gossip and how Diamond let Pippin know that his letters had been missed. Sam to the rescue with the Gaffer's remedy was also so very in character. Loved how he called Pippin 'mister' and then corrected himself. I do hope Aragorn got his story about the bruised and beaten hobbit pipers later. I am sure that when he did he enjoyed it as much as I did. Thank you! Author Reply: Pippin has never made a secret of the fact that he does not like to be in charge of things. Of course, his becoming Thain eventually is a bit ironic on that score! But at least with Strider's example, he knows his duty. Yes, I thought it would be fun if his usual anniversary nightmares were for once supplanted by more mundane worries! And suddenly being left naked in public has got to be one of the world's more humiliating dreams! Glad you liked all the little details, and that you enjoyed it. I still think it would have been funnier from you!

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/17/2005
Yeah! The pipers! I am really looking forward to this one. I fear that had I written this, I could never have done the musical portion of it justice. I am so glad that you will be handling that as I consider that to be one of your strong points. (one of many) I express my thanks to 'ficsharing' for giving me the chance to return this bunny to its rightful owner. I am also very pleased that you can't resist a challenge! Now, I am off to read!

TopazTook	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/17/2005
Such fun with that pack of pickled pipers Pippin picked! I enjoyed it, as I do all your stories, but a couple of your statements about the writing of it leave me with questions: 1. What exactly was it that G.W. asked for? 2. If this is AU, and yet you have obviously written it as part of the "Dreamflower" universe of stories, does that mean that this AU element will now be considered as part of "Dreamflower canon" within them? Or is this AU to your stories, too? [Waits patiently for answers.] Author Reply: 1. When GW was making her way through the 12 Days of Christmas Challenge--which was done brilliantly by the way, she requested a plot bunny for the "pipers piping" verse. I sent her this one, but by the time she got it from me, she had found her own bunny, and asked for me to write it myself. I was sure I could never make it as funny as GW would, but, oh well... 2. The AU element of the non-canon visit north will be just for this story, and any sequels to it I might get roped into. It doesn't really fit in any other way to my stories, although all the other elements are the same. It's not nearly so AU as my "Eucatastrophe" universe. But I couldn't see making up a whole new set of circumstances just for this one little thing.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/17/2005
Oh Dreamflower, that was amazing! I enjoyed all the references to your other stories, particularly the one were Merry was forced to play also ;-) I would really like to hear the Tookland Pipes someday. And the Gaffer's remedy, that was great! I don't now how often I have written this now, but: the Gaffer is a wise man, indeed! Thank you for this story! Author Reply: Yes, even though it was AU, I tried to stick with the other things I have written. If you want to hear the Tookland Pipes, just get yourself some good bagpipe CDs. There's also a cool site called "Best of Bagpipes" that has hundreds of tunes on MIDI. I'm sorry I don't have the URL handy, as I'm using my husband's computer at the moment. Yes, the Gaffer's famous hangover remedy, needed after a night with the Gaffer's home-brew!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/17/2005
I like the Gaffer's treatment. And they deserved it. 'Pippin stopped laughing immediately. “In charge, Father?” he squeaked.' A speechless Pippin - an interesting sight. And I'm sure Aragorn was very honoured to be greeted by bruised hobbits playing Tookland pipes. Just as long as they don't wake him up every morning. And Gil Chubb! Pippin was right to have his doubts about the sense of including him in the party. Author Reply: They did, didn't they? Nearly messing up Pip's big moment! And I can imagine Aragorn's amusement when he finds out the rest of the story! I think he probably enjoyed it all very much. I agree about the waking up part--much as I enjoy bagpipes, I don't think I'd care to wake up to them first thing! That loudmouth idiot Chubb; of course I needed a catalyst for the little brawl the night before, and since I had a perfectly good idiot sitting on the shelf, well, waste not, want not.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/17/2005
snickers That sounds like a lot of fun! Poor Pippin, I can imagine how he has felt in the morning, seeing his pipers! And I am sure Aragorn will somehow discover the whole story and will be quite amused. Btw, I don't mind if this is AU according to the 'Tale of years'. First, because in my opinion the only one thing that counts is if the story is good. Second, as I think I have explained in a review back there to "Reckoning", I always regretted Aragorn never visited the Shire as long as your Paladin and Saradoc still were alive. It seems I get my meeting between them at last. So I look forward to the rest of this fic. Author Reply: shuffles foot embarrassedly That's all there is to this one. But if the right bunny attacks, there could be a sequel. I have a feeling that Merry and Sam will take great joy in regaling their Strider with all the details!

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