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When the King Comes Back ( Brandy Hall )  by Dreamflower 52 Review(s)
EstellaBReviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/15/2006
I love it! I seem to remember having read this sometime before-is it posted elsewhere? At any rate, I really like it :)

Author Reply: I believe that the only other archive I've posted it at is "Inseperable"; I don't *think* I've posted "Brandy Hall" at West of the Moon, though the "Great Smails" one is posted there. And you also may have read the "Great Smials" one--since some of the scenes and dialogue are the same in both stories, especially at the beginning.

At any rate, I'm so glad you like it! 8-) It's always lovely to get new feedback, especially for one of my very earliest stories.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

vinca_bReviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/17/2006
I think I might actually like this one better than the other one, but it's hard to say. I'll just try to pick out my favorite bits, again. Merry's protectiveness (is that even a word?) about Frodo to that Chubb who was mouthing off about the Bagginses (and, slightly off-topic, I felt so very sorry for Frodo here, realizing with Merry that there will be no more Bagginses, and the hardships Frodo had to deal with *after* the Quest were just made that much more present to me). The fact that the Travellers *need* each other, and only each other, after what they've experienced. Pippin sensing that Merry needed him. The comment from Paladin that "no Brandybuck would step foot in Tookland until the king comes back" really stopped me dead in my tracks, just imagining the repercussions such a statement might have had, when coming from the Thain to the Master of Buckland. My goodness. Although Saradoc's remark about it was hilarious! Berilac is such a sweetie, and I kind of feel bad that he's left out of the loop, as it were. And then the very end, with Aragorn and Faramir, just made me feel warm and fuzzy. :-) I've probably left out a good deal, but I loved it a lot! Thank you!

Vinca

Author Reply: *grin*

Oh, "protectiveness" is a word, all right, and it practically *defines* Merry Brandybuck! That scene with the Chubb and Merry telling him off was so very clear in my mind from the start of the story, and it was one of my *own* favorite bits. The part with his realization about the Bagginses dying out was based on a discussion I had in another Tolkien forum. A close look at the Baggins family tree shows no convenient "gaps" or "loopholes" where "extra" Bagginses would fit, unlike that of Tooks or Brandybucks--I think it was very deliberate on JRRT's part, in paving the way for Frodo to leave Bag End to Sam.

The Travellers *do* need one another very much--no one else in the Shire can understand what they've been through. And, at least in *my* Shire, all three cousins can sense things about one another, but most especially Merry and Pippin, and vice-versa.

Yes, Paladin's remark was very high-handed and hasty, and borne out of anger and grief and pride. But as Saradoc said, Paladin was honest, and his sense of honor meant he had to eat his words. Fortunately, he had, without even knowing it, left himself a "loophole", LOL!

I like Berilac a lot, myself, and he plays a more prominent role in a couple of my later fics.

And I'm glad you got "warm and fuzzy" from the ending. 8-D

So very glad that you liked these two fics so much. They are my very earliest stories, and the foundation for almost everything else I've written.

Thank you so much for your kind reviews!

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 16 on 12/26/2005
*applauds* This was a real treat to read again. You are truly a master at exploring the relationships between the four hobbits as well as their relationships with the rest of the Tooks and Brandybucks and the rest of the Shire.

How sad that the Party Tree was no longer. You know, in a way, that Party Tree is like the White Tree of Minas Tirith. One tree standing alone, symbolising the hopes and happiness of its peoples. The difference is that in Minas Tirith, those hopes have suffered far longer than they did in the Shire, thanks in no small measure to Aragorn and the other Rangers. And now that the king has come back to both places, there is a new tree which bloomed quickly in Minas Tirith and there soon will be a similar tree in the Shire, thanks to Sam and Galadriel.

The official letter from the Thain, Master, and acting-Mayor was wonderful. It really sets up "A New Reckoning" very nicely.

"It is to be hoped that trade may take place between the Shire, and the rest of the restored Kingdoms, to the mutual benefit of all parties. In particular, we are anxious to re-establish the trade in pipeweed, which was disrupted by the troubles in the south."

Did the Hobbits used to trade with the South, particularly pipeweed? If so, then why was everyone so surprised to see two barrels of Longbottom Leaf in Isengard? My impression is that the Shirefolk pretty much had cut themselves off from the rest of Middle Earth, with the rare visit to Bree and Bilbo being the only exceptions.

"We suggest that any Men who would come to the Shire must have the approval of the Thain, the Master and the Mayor, before being given permission to enter. Elves and Dwarves, are of course, another matter altogether, and may continue their passage through our land as always."

Now here is something I have not seen explored before, Elves and Dwarves passing through the lands of the Shire. Canon though it may be, you get the feeling that the only Dwarves to visit the Shire were those the dozen that accompanied Bilbo on his adventure. If Dwarves and Elves visited the Shire, then why would the Hobbits always be in such awe of the Elves and act as though they had never seen one before? Unless the Elves remained hidden from the Hobbits, which is a distinct possibility given their predilection to remain hidden from others. But then how would the Hobbits know that the Elves were amongst their lands? And would not the Elves or at least the Dwarves bring with them some news of the goings on outside of the Shire?

There you go, making me think again while reading your stories! But that is nothing at all unusual and is one of the things that makes your stories such a delight to read. I enjoyed reading this story as much the second time as the first, if not more so.

Here's one:

“You have traveled a long and weary way. Go find yourself some food and some rest, you are dismissed for today.”

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story with us! And thanks again for replying to most of my reviews! I do so enjoy your feedback on my comments about your stories.

Happy writing!

Author Reply: Oh, I very much like your comparison of the Mallorn in the Shire to the White Tree in Gondor! It's not a parallel I would have consciously drawn, yet given JRRT's predilection for parallels, I would venture to bet it was one *he* consciously drew! Brilliant deduction, Gryffinjack!

Not sure that there was a great deal of trade *to* the South for pipeweed, but any at all (even that in the North)would still have been disrupted by the War. And Dwarves did travel the East-West Road with great regularity, for purposes of trade--including I am sure, that of pipeweed. I would think most of them would have kept to the trade route except for those who visited Bilbo, so that except for Hobbiton where Bilbo lived, and the villages along the Road, Dwarves would still have been relatively rare. As to Elves, their way seemed to lead through the Woody End, apparently, and they did keep themselves hidden. Most hobbits would not have known of their passage, but the new King most assuredly did, and I think the Master and the Thain would have known as well. (Not so sure the Mayor would have before, but he does now, LOL!) I think there probably were always *rumors* of Elves in the Shire (remember the conversation in "Shadow of the Past" Sandyman's response when Sam speaks of the Elves sailing?) Nothing new--but nothing anyone had seen, either.

Oh, I love responding to your reviews! And I've had great fun today--it's almost been like a real conversation!

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/26/2005
What a lovely, light little exchange:

"Merry had to help him into his armor. “For goodness’ sake, Pip, you’ve been in front of kings and princes and Elven lords and wizards and Ents. You’ve slain Orcs and a troll. What is there to be frightened of from a bunch of Tooks?”

“Because they *are* Tooks.”

“You have a point there. Ah, see, I made you smile.”

Pippin made an effort to put the corners of his mouth down. “Did not.”

“Did so.”

“Did not.”

Frodo stood at the door with his arms folded. “Well, I must have come to the wrong place. I was looking for a couple of warriors from the South, and see I found the nursery instead.” He was glad to see them in good spirits. No dreams for Merry the night before."

I so enjoy seeing the three of them play together! All three of them share that same wonderful sense of humour.

"Necessity made him a warrior, destiny made him a King, and his heart made him a healer. When the healer is needed, he puts warrior and king behind him in an instant."

What a powerful statement you have written, Dreamflower! and how perfect for it to come from Frodo - so elegant and insightful. A masterful piece of writing that had the desired effect on the Thain and the Master, as they are now ready to discuss ideas with Frodo about Aragorn's letter.

Although Frodo is divesting himself of some of his property by offerring it to Merry and Pippin, this time it is out of love for them rather than out of preparing for leaving the Shire, as he does later on. Can you imagine how difficult that must have been for Paladine and Eglantine to allow their underage son to move so far from home after they have just got him back from a year's absence during which Paladin thought him dead? At least for Saradoc and Esmeralda, Merry will not be far away at all. But for Paladin and Eglantine - the burdens and sacrifices demanded of many by the Ring still continue.

The way Pippin takes right to the idea, I do wonder if he had any regret at all about leaving his parents and sisters so soon after just having come home. Now that he and his father had worked out their differences, and still being a tweenager who does love his family, I should think that some part of him would want to remain at the Great Smails with his family, even though he knew that he and Merry both *needed* to do this.

"“It’s Merry. Ever since before I can remember, Merry has always taken care of me, protected me, watched out for me. While we were gone, Frodo had all three of us watching out for him, and then he had Sam; I had Frodo and Merry the first part of the trip, and then I had just Merry. But Merry--well, I didn’t take very good care of him.” Pippin hung his head. One of the things of which he was most heartily ashamed was that it had been his foolishness in the matter of the palantir that had allowed him to become separated from Merry. “I know that it all worked out for the best, but I should have thought more of him."

Oh, Pippin! (((((hugs))))) I never thought of it that way! How right you are that Pippin would have felt awfully guilty and horribly miserable about having to leave Merry. He would have felt as though he had abandoned Merry when Merry needed him most and would have hated himself for it and beaten himself up over it. Oh, Pippin! As sensitive as he is and as much as he loves Merry, Pippin's heart must have broken over what he had done to his Merry in his foolishness - and he would have been right. His pain must have been unbearable. That three day ride to Minas Tirith must have been worse than I had imagined. Thank you so much for bringing this forward - your writing is so insightful!










Author Reply: I'm glad you liked the bit of play. I don't really care how much trauma they have been through, seeing one another well just has to lift all their spirits--and it's especially going to do Frodo good to see the two of them playing about like children again.

I am glad that you liked the part about Aragorn. I get so tired of the debate about "movie" Aragorn and "book" Aragorn, and how only movie Aragorn was reluctant to take power, and how book Aragorn was eager to embrace his destiny. I think that JRRT makes it clear that in *his* world-view of M-e, an eagerness to be in power is a *flaw*--and this was *not* a flaw Aragorn had. No, he was not as conflicted or doubtful as in the movie, but nor in the book was he jumping at the chance to take over. Look at how he refused to come into the City for fear that there would be a conflict with Denethor. He only agreed to come for one reason: he was needed as a healer. This showed more than anything his true priorities. He did not doubt his destiny was to be King, and he did want to be able to marry Arwen, but the main reason he wanted to be King is because it was part of putting an end to the Enemy. His true calling as I see it was as Healer, and one of his many names as King was "Renewer". *puff*puff*rant over*sorry*read something earlier that pushed my buttons*

It does have to be very hard on Paladin and Eglantine. They've only just gotten their baby back, and now they must give him up again for his own good. I don't think it's that hard on Pippin at this point, because, really for years he has spent much time in Buckland, and he's never really been all that comfortable at Great Smials. He will miss his parents, sisters, and the aunties, but he's not really going to miss all the other Tooks very much. In fact, he may feel relieved to be away from them.

Oh, I think that was a good deal of his guilt and suffering over the palantir incident--not only betraying Gandalf's trust, and perhaps endangering Frodo and Sam, but allowing something to happen that would tear him and Merry apart. It had to be agonizing for him to realize that the seperation was entirely his own fault. And it's a bit of guilt and shame he would not get over easily, for it was far more a deliberate act than impulsively throwing a stone down a well.

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/26/2005
I'm so glad that Paladin and Saradoc have made up. Those two families really should not have any ill feelings between them.

"As they approached, they saw a tall figure sitting on the gate. Much as he had done when he was a small lad, Pippin jumped down and ran to meet them, putting on an imitation of his childhood self by leaping up and down and shouting “Merry! Merry! Merry! Frodo! Frodo! Frodo!”

“Pip, you goose, you’re the largest seven year old I’ve ever seen!” laughed Merry, as he slid down from Stybba to enfold his cousin in a hug."

How very Pippin to try to cheer Merry up and make him laugh, knowing inside himself how much Merry needs it right now. This is one instance where Pippin did not make a fool of himself because he is a Took, but did it for his love of his cousin.

It's so strange to read of a "tall figure sitting on a gate" when referring to a Hobbit! Yet, that is precisely what Merry and Pippin are to the rest of the Hobbits.

"“Frodo, I need to talk to you.” His face was quite serious.

“What is it, Pippin?”

“Let’s get away from prying ears.” He tugged at Frodo’s sleeve and drew him over toward one of the Smials side entrances, where the door formed a small alcove.

“All right, we’re alone now, Pip. What is it?”

“Frodo, is Merry having nightmares again?”

“Yes, he is. Are you?”

“No. I was having the one about Denethor, but it stopped when I got things settled with Father. But two nights in a row, I woke up thinking Merry needed me. I couldn’t think what else it could be. Which one is it? Is it the one about--me?”

“Yes.” Frodo did not question Pippin’s knowledge. Merry and Pippin knew these things about one another, as anyone close to them was aware. “Pip, his parents saw, and Berilac.”

“Oh, no! poor Merry. He’ll hate that.” Pippin shook his head sadly."

Yep, Pippin's all grown up now. Not at all the silly goose he pretended to be on the gate. When there's something serious about, he gets right to the point but now has enough sense to be careful as to who might be around to hear. I have a feeling that Pippin knew very well that Merry's nightmare had been the one about him. The bond between them is that strong. And, of course, once Frodo told him that they knew, Pippin would understand how upsetting it would be for Merry for his parents to know of the night terrors.

Thank goodness they have arrived at the Great Smials - maybe now that Merry has seen Pippin, he will not have any nightmares. Merry and Pippin really do need each other.





Here's one:

"The travelers were eager to get on their way to Tookland, and prepared to leave right after first breakfast."

And another:

"Saradoc’s grin and gesture included all three of the returned travelers."

Author Reply: No, they really should not, LOL! And now they know it--well, now Paladin knows it, though the rest have known all along.

Pippin's going to cheer up Merry and Frodo as well--and it's a chance for him to also work off some of the nervous energy he's probably built up by waiting on them most of the day! I am sure it brought a smile to all of them to remember how little Pippin used to greet them so exuberantly!

Yes, Pippin and Merry are indeed, "tall figures", comparatively speaking. Though I'm sure that is one thing they had trouble adjusting to. They'd not been "tall" for nearly a year, spent among Men and Elves and even Dwarves.

Pippin does indeed know now when to set aside light-heartedness and be solemn. He's been worried about Merry for a couple of nights, and he's not going to wait any longer than he has to, to have his fears confirmed. Of course he knew, but he would want to hear Frodo say so.

They do indeed need one another, now more than ever.

Author Reply: "Travellers" all fixed now, thanks!

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/26/2005
Frodo has such a wonderful relationship with Esmeralda and Saradoc, it's always a pleasure to see them interact. Poor Paladin really did have cause for being so upset and thinking Pippin had died. Given his son's tender age, I can see where he would lash out and blame Merry, Frodo, Saradoc, and Bilbo. Thankfully, he is honourable and will admit when he is mistaken.

Poor Merry! To go through these night terrors the rest of their lives! Yet, Frodo is right that it is a small price to pay. But now not only do Merry's parents and Berilac know, but so does Rosie. I'd wager that poor Rosie's thoughts turned to her Sam and the terrors he must have gone through and still be enduring. Of course, as well as Rosie knows her Sam, I'm sure she cottoned (aha! Tolkien's reason for her last name!) on to how horrible it must have been and continues to be for him, but seeing Merry like this must have made it all the more clearer and immediate.

Even though Pippin does, as Sam said, bounce along easier than Merry does, I do wonder if Pippin did not have some of his own troubles sleeping without Merry these few nights they were separated, and not just because he felt Merry's distress.

This is one of the real purposes of fanfic, to give us a greater appreciation for canon and what our hobbits went through. And you do that very well, indeed.

Here's an "Esmerelda" in this chapter:

"Frodo led Saradoc and Esmerelda from the room."

And another:

"It was only by a miracle that Pippin did not die in Merry’s arms. I think he clung to life only because he would not leave Merry alone.” Esmerelda gasped in horror, and Saradoc went pale."

Author Reply: Yes, given his previous history with Pippin, it would have been hard for him to sustain the faith that his son was alive. And after he had trusted Frodo with his son for so many years, he must have felt doubly betrayed when seemingly it was *Frodo* who'd lured Pippin from the Shire. In his grief and anger, he lashed out and laid blame.

But, yes, he is honorable, and he does love his family. I would imagine that once the first painful flush of his anger and grief had abated, it had been mainly his pride that kept him from admitting he was wrong; Pippin's return gave him all he needed to make that admission.

The nightmares will never go away completely, any more than the scars will. And I thank you for pointing out what Rose may have thought--that had escaped me altogether! I love reviews!

It's quite possible. I think Pippin's nightmares would be less frequent, but more intense when they do occur. But he definitely picks up on Merry's distress.

And thanks for the "Esmerelda"s. All fixed now!

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/26/2005
"Sam shook his head. “Mr. Frodo’s not happy with me right now; he’s that kind-hearted, I think sometimes he’d even feel sorry for Sauron himself.”

“He probably does,” replied Merry. “But isn’t that one of the reasons we love him?”"

Spot on brilliant summation. Frodo really is a special hobbit with an unusal amount of love and compassion. Although Gandalf may have helped him along in this by pointing out how Bilbo had taken pity on Gollum and spared him, I think that Frodo would have found his own compassion for Gollum when he had actually met and seen the creature himself. For Frodo to have this same compassion for Grima Wormtongue, Saruman, and now Ted Sandyman... the people of Minas Tirith had the right of it to bow to him, and not just because he saved Middle Earth.

Poor Ted Sandyman... thinking of him turns my thoughts once more to On the Road to Edoras... *sigh*. Frodo was right in his compassion.


Author Reply: Oh, I agree, definitely. Frodo's remark about it being a "pity Bilbo did not slay him" was made off-hand out of irritation at the results, not anything he actually *meant*. And certainly, when he came upon the creature, he soon did pity him. One of the reasons I make Pippin so forgiving and compassionate is to reflect this same quality of Frodo's.

Yes, poor Ted. Yet Sam was right, the miller *had* planted what he reaped. That is so often a sad thing to happen.

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 11 on 12/26/2005
What a deliciously angsty chapter!

You worked the sleeping arrangements out very nicely. But four grown hobbits in one hobbit-sized bed? Small hobbits may be, but that small?

I am glad for the talk between Frodo and Esmeralda. She really does fit the mother role for him and he needs that sometimes, especially now after his journey. Poor Frodo, still missing his parents so - his injuries and the Ring must have made him think of their loss all the more.

Beautifully executed dream sequence! Nice and concise, yet full of emotion and import.

"Screaming his cousin's name in anguish, Merry suddenly awoke to an unfamiliar darkness, as around him voices began a familiar litany.

“It’s all right, Merry,” Frodo’s voice, gentle and calm, his arms finding Merry in the dark to hold him. “It was a dream. Come back to the light.”

“We’re here, Mr. Merry, don’t you fret,” Sam’s voice, confident and kind.

“Merry?” That *wasn’t* Pippin’s voice! It was supposed to be *Pippin’s* voice. Where was Pippin’s voice?

“Pip?” Merry whimpered, as Frodo rocked him, making soothing sounds. “Pippin?”

“Strike a candle, Sam,” said Frodo.

“What’s wrong with Merry?” said not-Pippin."

This was a brilliant sequence! It shows how normal it had become for one of the four travellers to have a nightmare and the other three to comfort him. And what a comfort those other three were. It is not just the comfort of anyone they seek, but the comfort of the other three travellers.

"Merry opened his eyes to see Berilac peering at him in confused concern, while Frodo and Sam still held him close. “Merry, are you all right? What were you dreaming?"

Suddenly Berilac found himself the object of three reproachful gazes. He felt alien, an outsider, who had stepped where he didn’t belong.

“What?” he said defensively, “My mother says you should always speak an evil dream to keep it from returning.”

Merry gave a bitter laugh.

“I’m sorry, Beri, but this dream has been spoken before,” said Frodo softly.

“And it’s not the only dream’s been spoken,” added Sam, “nor Mr. Merry the only one to have them.”

Berilac sat down abruptly, stunned at the implication. “Oh.”

Frodo looked at him, blue eyes full of pain. “It’s just part of a price that had to be paid.”

*Part* of a price? thought Berilac. His eyes strayed to Frodo’s right hand as it patted Merry’s head soothingly, and not for the first time that day, he wondered."

Poor Berilac, he had no hope but to feel like an outsider desperately wanting to be let in.

That connection between Merry and Pippin is so powerful! For Pippin to feel Merry's troubles through such great distance, they really do share a soul. I love the relationships you have created between all four of the hobbits. And the rest of the Fellowship as well.

This was a really brilliant chapter that was a pleasure to read again!




Author Reply: Since I think the idea that hobbits sleeping alone is a relatively recent social development, I think in rural families the beds would have been fairly large to accommodate three or four hobbits at a time. Only in wealthy families like the Brandybucks and Tooks would such things as guest rooms with only a small bed sleeping single be found. This is part of my personal take on the reasoning behind the so-called hobbitpile. And it's not too far off. When I stayed at a farmhouse with my own cousins, the beds were very large, and we always slept three or four to a bed. Occasionally even more, though that often resulted in a lot of silliness and horseplay.

His parents' loss was Frodo's first great trauma. Nothing that came after, no matter how horrible would ever change that. In some ways, the depth of that loss I think, rather enabled him to be able to bear all the other losses he had later on: the Ring had a hard time threatening him with worse than he'd already known.

Yes, when they are beset with night-terrors, it's one another they want, not just anybody. And Berilac had no notion that he could not offer the right kind of comfort or understanding.

Pippin would certainly know if something were troubling Merry, and even if he did not know *exactly* what it was, he could usually make a fairly astute guess. Miles would be no bar to that, for in M-e, as Faramir said "Night oft brings news to near kindred."

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/26/2005
I love looking at things from Berilac's POV! It is refreshing to see things from one outside the Fellowship, one who did not go through the travails and wants to understand and appreciate it and be a part of that special bond. It really is becoming much clearer as to why Berilac went on the journey On the Road to Edoras. I am so glad I read all your stories through once and am now reading them again in chronological order! I'm really picking up a lot more of your details, set ups for future stories, and characterisations this way and getting a better appreciation for them.

The contrast between Merry's and Berilac's reactions to camping out by the cart are striking. For Merry, it is nothing new and he takes right to it and staying up guarding the camp as easily as Strider had when the four travellers yet were novices inn defending their camp from any interlopers. But for Berilac, it is an entirely new and uncomfortable experience and one he does not care to repeat any time soon. This was a wonderful bit of writing, as was the way Merry was fresh and ready to cheerfully help Frodo and Sam the next day when Berilac was not. It is a measure of Berilac's quality that despite this, he willingly helped Frodo and Sam nonetheless without complaint.

Again, your voices are so spot on! I especially appreciated Sam's voice in this chapter. I could just picture Sean Astin delivering those lines and hear his voice in my head.

I like how you have Frodo helping. So very like Frodo to not shirk work where a spare pair of hands was needed, particularly to clean up and rebuild Bagshot Row. Oh, and the way Saruman had been hardest on the part in Hobbiton near Bag End to punish Frodo further! How right you are! That is precisely what this fallen wizard would have done. This was a brilliant idea of yours.

"“Oh, aye, Mr. Merry. I know what you mean. Cleaning out wickedness, it is, one way or the other.”"

Wonderful line! So full of meaning.

Well done, my dear!








GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/26/2005
Will Merry's and Pippin's rope burns ever go away? They must have been quite fierce to still be so noticeable after all these many months. It is a pity that the natural inclination is to make light or even hide such wounds rather than to show them as the badges of honour that they are that might help other hobbits understand how dangerous it was.

I do so adore your Berilac! I know, I mentioned him just a few short chapters ago, but he is such a great character! We really can see here the beginnings of his contemplations about what went on and his longing to have also helped and been a part of it, not for any accolades, but because he is a fine gentlehobbit. It is a measure of his worth that outside of his immediate family, Berilac is the first hobbit that Merry chose to honestly tell of his journeys, warts and all. Berilac is someone who would appreciate them and not pity Merry or scoff that he was making things up or embellishing.

These two hobbits grew up being close and I think still are, although they lack the special bond that Merry feels with Frodo, Pippin, and Sam. And actually, Berilac is the same age as Sam, no? Yet, when speaking with Merry now, it is as you have indicated and Berilac seems the younger of the two.

This was a splendid chapter!

Author Reply: No, those are scars, and they may fade a bit, but they will still be noticeable to those who look for the rest of their lives. My belief is that the rope burns are the worst *physical* scars, except for the one on his brow, that Merry carries. He was cruelly bound for the duration of their captivity, and unconscious much of that time, so they may have carried him by the arms, making them much worse. Pippin, on the other hand was only loosely bound at the wrists, once he had been able to cut them and replace them "just for show". However, he was more cruelly whipped, because of his escape attempt, so those scars are worse for him, in addition to any he received in battle. Merry's injury from the Witch King, on the other hand, was a psychic blow, and the results from it more dangerous and lasting, even though not visible to the naked eye.

Merry's not quite yet ready to reveal all to more than a handful of people. And you will notice the same reluctance here as with his mother. In spite of his experience with Eowyn showing him how tough the female sex may be, he still is hesitant to share the gory details in front of lasses. And with how sheltered hobbit lasses would generally be, he may have a point. If Berilac had been the only one there, he might have said more.

Berilac is very close to Merry in many ways, though he will never ever share the sort of closer-than-brother bond Merry has with the other three. But he's a good steady hobbit, and very representative of the Brandybuck traits of intelligence and loyalty. And yes, he's about Sam's age. But of course, experience has more to do with that at this point, and so he does seem younger now.

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