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The Life of a Bard  by Dreamflower 121 Review(s)
GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/22/2005
"You will *not* slip out the window and go haring off to Buckland. Your cousin Merry has responsibilities now, and he does not need to be distracted by you hanging about and getting in his way when he has a real job to do, nor does he need to be burdened with having to be your nurse-maid."

I don't think Paladin could have said anything that would have hurt Pippin more. To say that Pippin would be a distraction and would only get in Merry's way? And Pippin has all day to think about how his Merry doesn't really want himm around and has more important things to do. Not a good thought to put in Pippin's sensitive and impulsive head.

“I. Do. Not. Want. To. Be. Thain!”

And Pippin knows how to sting Paladin to the quick as well, however unintentional.

Like father, like son.

“What you want hardly matters. What is, is."

From "Moving Day": “You *will* do this, Paladin Took, or find yourself and your family homeless. This farm still belongs to the Took family, and not to you personally.”

If only Hyacinth knew that neither Paladin nor Peregrin really wanted to be the Thain and the Took! lol! No, really - what a horrible thing that is - to wait in the wings your whole life knowing that you will only get the important job when your father is dead. What a horrible burden to put on Pippin or Merry! No wonder Pippin wants to escape it.

The bit with the funeral march dirge on the Tookland pipes was inspired! Was this another section where your son came in handy as a model? Or perhaps your own experiences? Whatever it was, this bit is brilliant. Pure Pippin, too, expressing himself the only way he knows how and in the only manner that he can express himself to his family under the circumstances. Pretty intelligent thinking, actually.

"Whatever you did, I hope it was worth it, because I think you will be in trouble for some good long time to come."

I love that line of Vinca's. I can see Pippin weighing things in his mind sometimes - "Is it going to be worth all the trouble I'm going to get into to do this?" So like an adolescent. Pimmie and Vinca were both wonderful in this chapter, their love and fondness for their little brother shines through. It's always great when siblings stick up for each other when they are in trouble.

It's such a pity that Paladin and Pippin do not get along at this stage of their lives. They are more alike than either of them cares to admit. We tend to think of Pippin as being so sweet, cheerful, mischievous, impulsive, and charming. It's easy to lose sight of the fact that he had to go through the difficult tweenager years, learn to accept responsibility, and learn who he is and where his place on this Middle Earth really lies. Even when he leaves on the Quest, he still has to struggle with this and is forced to grow up earlier than he otherwise would have. Those awkward years are not easy for anyone, especially someone who has been spoilt as the charming baby of the family who craves the love and attention of others. Pippin will have to learn how to somehow balance it all out.




Author Reply: My email was bouncing yesterday, so I am only just now finding these reviews.

Paladin, unfortunately, even after all these years, does not quite understand the true dynamics of Merry's and Pippin's friendship. He sees that *Pippin* needs Merry, but it has not quite penetrated that *Merry* needs Pippin. He knows they love one another deeply, true, but not that they need one another equally so. He truly does think that Merry shouldn't have to entertain his young cousin when he has other duties to fulfill. Of course, story-externally, it's essential to the plot that he plant these seeds of doubt in adolescent Pippin's mind, because as we have already seen, normally the thought of Merry would keep Pippin anchored to the Shire. Once those doubts are planted, he then gives the lad all day to think them over. As you said, not good.

And you have penetrated the secret behind these clashes: in a good many ways, father and son *are* alike.

I think that *in general* most hobbits would find the idea of such a position unappealing (with clear exceptions, such as Lotho or Hyacinth) for one thing we are often told is that hobbits are not seekers after power, which of course is why they are so resistant to the Ring. That such hobbits as the Thain or the Master have such positions, they take them on as a necessary duty. For Pippin this normal hobbity reluctance is also overlaid with the other fears, as well as his lack of confidence which is often found in youngest children.

And of course it's dreadful to think that one's destiny in life is dependant on the death of a beloved parent.

Well, the part with the music was rather inspired by my own teen angst, when I would find myself playing the same sad song over and over until my mother was ready to scream; my son used to do the same, except his wasn't slow and dreary, but loud and angry. Of course in a day before recordings were possible, one made one's *own* mood music, which really must have been even more satisfying, LOL!

Pippin and his sisters get along well enough for most of the time. And he does know how to play on their sympathies, LOL!

I think adolescence is very difficult most of the time for fathers and sons; when a child has the kind of volatile personality as does Pippin, and as seems to be a Tookish trait, it can be even more difficult.

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/22/2005
I like the way Paladin usually addresses Pippin by his real name, especially when he is angry with his son. How very like a parent. Do hobbits have middle names, too? Usually when someone's in trouble, they get addressed by their called on the carpet by their full first and middle name.

Interesting comparison between the two cousins and how they treat Pippin when he runs away to them. Merry lets his mother do the admonishing while he is the friend who does the comforting. Since Merry doesn't actually say that Pippin is wrong, it's no wonder that Pippin does not come back repentant, only a bit cheered from having been with his Merry. I daresay that Pippin goes to Merry most when he wants to be bolstered and told that he is correct rather than shown where he might be wrong.

But with Frodo... now Frodo not only really understands the workings of the young Took's mind, but he also has the clarity of wisdom, patience, and compassion to know how best to get through to Pippin. It also doesn't hurt that Pippin looks up to Frodo and respects his opinion so much. Pippin will go to Frodo if he has doubts inside himself about whether or not he was correct or is having trouble understanding something. Of course, Frodo knows that in order to get through to Pippin, he has to first get passed the impulsiveness and anger in order to reach Pippin's reasoning abilities. Frodo is not even in this story yet, and already I really like him in it.

Paladin ... is a Took. In his anger at Pippin for deliberately disobeying himself and more importantly, his mother, Paladin is deliberately and stubbornly staying in his son's room so he can scold him. He is acting on impulse rather than thinking through what the best way to get through to Peregrin is. Paladin understands what makes Pippin repent when he speaks with Frodo. Yet, instead of trying to use the same tactic himself to get through to his son, he stews in his son's room, seething with anger and ready to pounce on him as soon as he comes back. I'd wager that Frodo and Paladin could give Pippin the same lecture in substance, yet Pippin at this age would rebel against Paladin while he would give serious thought to what Frodo said and probably repent.

It's a natural set-up for the undecided Pippin to fly in the face of his own reasoning. The very thought of leaving his Merry behind, his very rock and anchor in this world, was enough to and make him "sicklied o'er by the pale cast of thought" and would have resulted in "enterprises of great pith and moment with this regard, their currents turn awry and loses the name of action." However, with the inevitable confrontation with Paladin looming ahead of him, I can see the lad rebelling against his father and fleeing to join his new friend, Menelcar for what seems a care-free life.


Author Reply: As far as I know, hobbits do not use middle names. But it's handy that Pip's full version of his real name is so long and formal sounding. Paladin uses it that way when angry, but also when he's being serious with Pippin, or when talking about Pippin to others, unless they are close family.

You pretty much have the dynamics nailed. Merry will give Pippin a sympathetic shoulder and some companionship, but not much in the way of correction--indeed, Merry is likely to find whatever Pippin did to draw his parents' ire as amusing. Frodo's an adult, however, and brings an adult perspective to his advice. It's not objective--he loves Pippin too deeply for that--but it *is* informed, and can see the parents' side of things as well.

Yep. Pippin *is* going to decide that, and really, it's Paladin's own fault, for if he hadn't accidentally planted the idea that Merry would be better off without him, Pippin would never consider leaving him behind. (For I don't think Paladin actually thought his words about Merry through to their logical conclusion--he's being rather Tookish himself at this point in time.)

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/21/2005
Marvelous use of the songs in this story to advance the plot - it's like the old Broadway musicals. Songs are used too infrequently in art these days and our society suffers from it. We are missing something - the joy that the average common man can create through his own voice and playing.

In this instance, it's easy to see how young Pippin is seduced by the bard's song of a life free of all routine and responsibility. Being constantly reminded that you are going to be Thain one day and must act accordingly cannot hold a candle to the life of the bard that Menelcar wove into the song, not for tweenage Pippin who is fighting his father and the acceptance of the responsibility that being an adult brings with it.

That song of the trees does indeed remind me of Frodo - sad, but gently and quietly full of beauty and tranquility.

How delightful that Menelcar and Pippin both knew the words to the same song and were able to sing an unexpected duet! Yep, that mind of Pippin's is whirling with ideas of becoming an apprentice to his newfound friend.

The hobbits truly are amazing, the way they are giving Menelcar a chance and making him feel welcome.

Author Reply: I love the way JRRT uses song. It always puzzles me the people who say "Oh, I always skip the songs and poems," because they *do* have an importance to the plot. And they are not out of place (except for *one*--I always thought Boromir's funeral song was a bit OTT, since they really needed to get after the Orcs, LOL!) The other thing is, that in a pre-recording technology society, the only way to have music is to make it oneself, or pay someone to play it.

I was listening to the SCA tape last year, as we fled Hurricane Ivan, and when that song came on, I just flashed on a image of a young Pippin listening to it, enraptured by the thought. I started plotting the story out in my head then and there.

I thought of Frodo when I read that one.

This is definitely giving Pip ideas all right!

Well, this is pre-Ruffians, so they've not really learned to be fearful of Men yet.

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/21/2005
"Pippin very quickly forgot about Menelcar as he was caught up in the joy of the music. (H)is face was flushed with pleasure."

Now this is how I envision Pippin. His love of music quite fills him up.

The lyrics to "Nob o’ the Lea!" are delightful! Did you create this or did Tolkien? The tune practically sings itself and I can imagine hobbits dancing or even step dancing to this lively tune. I wish there were sheet music available.

As for the dwarvian song, it's wonderful the way a tiny hobbit like Bilbo has such spread his influence through such diverse cultures.

"Pippin’s sweet voice faded away on the last mournful note, and he looked up gratefully as the innkeeper handed him a full mug. His eyes held a question as he took it. “It’s just cold water, Mr. Pippin,” muttered Dodd quietly, “but I’m thinking you’re thirsty.”"

Master Dodd is very thoughtful and Pippin has such a gentle sweetness to him. Even had the mug been full of ale, I doubt that Pippin would have drunk the entire thing without Merry.

Pippin and Menelcar really seem to be developing a very nice relationship here. Is Menelcar from Gondor? Something about him makes me think he is and I wonder if Pippin would see him again while in Minas Tirith.

Author Reply: Yes, music is as much as food and drink to him, and just as essential.

"Nob O' the Lea" is mine. I didn't have a tune in my head when I wrote it, but I discovered afterward that it scans to the tune of "The Campbells are Coming", LOL! I'm so glad you like it!

I could see Bilbo's songs, just spreading out through Erebor, and drawing the attention of a wandering minstrel.

You are right about Pip. Master Dodd only knows that Pippin sticks to his alloted half, and doesn't really know why, but he's glad.

Yes, Menelcar *is* from Minas Tirith; I have the sequel where Pippin finds him there in beta with Marigold. It's called "Chance Encounter", and as soon as all the bugs are fixed, I'll be posting it here. One of the things I am going to have to change in this story is how long Menelcar's been on the road. I have to shave five years off to make it fit correctly, so he's only been gone for 25 years instead of 30.

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/21/2005
Master Dodd is a masterful creation. One of the things that makes your stories so enjoyable is that all of the characters, both canon and O/C, are fully fleshed out individuals. You also have use the same trick that Tolkien himself employed - not having to give a complete visual description of an individual to make him or her fully realised. I can see and hear Master Dodd in my head, as I can Menelcar. Menelcar is an O/C? Incredible! Your O/C's are so well done that I do not even realise they are O/C's. The delineation between canon and O/C characters is blurred by your masterful quill.

It was very wise of both Master Dodd and Pippin not to divulge to this strange Man that Pippin is the son of the Thain, although they each did it for two completely different reasons. While both reasons were equally valid, they demonstrated what was of most importance to each. Master Dodd was protecting the Thain's son from a stranger while Pippin, being his ever-trusting self, only wished not to put the Man ill at ease.

How fitting that Pippin would not be taken aback by the presence of the Man. As you pointed out, Pippin is friends with a wizard, who would naturally be more impressive that a Man. I expect that Pippin and Menelcar had quite an enjoyable time chatting about tales of Dale. It must have been quite exciting for Pippin to hear tales of that city from someone other than Bilbo, Frodo, Gandalf, or a dwarf.

I'm afraid Menelcar has yet to learn that hobbits age differently than men do. He is expecting twenty-five year old Pippin to look like a twenty-five year old Man, and thus be old enough to accompany him as an apprentice. He's in for one big shock when he learns that not only is this twenty-five year old is the future Thain, but he is also still a minor according to the laws of the pheriannath.

I believe that I have neglected to say in my previous reviews how glad I am that Pippin can play the Tookland pipes. This is an excellent tie-in to the Scottish ancestry of the Tooks, as demonstrated so wonderfully by Billy Boyd's lilting Scottish accent and proven by references found by Peter Jackson to Tolkien's mentioning that the Tooks created the game of golf.

Now do we get to enjoy Menelcar's and Pippin's enthusiasm for their music?

Author Reply: I'm glad you like my OCs. Do you want to hear something ironic? When I first started writing fanfic, I was going to avoid OCs. Yeah, right, LOL! I still have to be careful though. Sometimes an OC will just try and take over.

Yes, two sides of the same coing, so to speak.

I can't see Pippin being intimidated by a Man after he's met Gandalf, LOL! And he's going to be fascinated by Menelcar's tales.

This is a major plot point. Menelcar's ignorance of hobbits over something so simply no one would think of mentioning it to him has the potential of getting him into a good deal of trouble.

It's also because I *love* the bagpipes myself, especially played as a solo instrument. Billy Boyd being a Scot is rather a bonus for me in that regard. But often when I'm listening to a Celtic CD, I envision Pippin playing.

Well, I do include a lot of songs...

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/20/2005
Without Frodo or Merry around, I don't think Pippin is happy unless he is getting into trouble. Disobeying his parents and running out to get a half at the pub - not a bright idea, although quite Tookish.

However, I did notice that although Pippin is now twenty-five years old and allowed to buy drinks all by himself in Tuckborough, he only wanted to buy a half. As usual with Pippin, he has learnt from his past mistakes and is going to honour his promise with Merry not to get drunk without him. So in this regard, the lad has matured.

It's wonderful the way you captured young siblings - not taking any notice of what the others are going through. I also like how Eglantine overlooked Pippin's use of a mild oath, making allowances for her son. Did she know what was in Merry's letter? I wouldn't be surprised if Saradoc or Esme had written to let Paladin and Eglantine know what was happening.

Poor Merry is not finding being an adult all that it is cracked up to be. With privilege comes responsibilities that cut into playtime. However, Merry is a most responsible hobbit and wouldn't dream of letting someone else complete a task assigned to him. He's far too stubborn and practical to allow that. To borrow from Sam, it just wouldn't be *proper*. The letter from Merry was great - the tone and familiarity was just right for a letter to his favourite cousin.

Menelcar - is he your own creation or was he a minor character in canon? Either way, I look forward to finding out more about him. It looks like he and Pippin will meet up at The Leaping Hare and like we will all be entertained with some lively music. Does Pippin really think he can escape his future responsibilities to run off and become a bard?

"He rolled over and reached under the bed for his fiddle in its case, and took it out. He began to play a mournful song to go along with his bleak mood."

I know I've said it before, but I love the way you have Pippin express himself through his music. He has such a passion for life and feels things so deeply, that I am sure that his heart aches and that he feels quite frustrated with not being able to express all of what he feels inside him. I really do think his musivc is his most effective outlet for being able to actually express himself completely so that he can rest.



Author Reply: Well, a bored Pip is a dangerous Pip. (I believe I've mentioned before that Pippin's tweenage troubles were slightly inspired by my own son, who when bored would find the most apalling ways to entertain himself. He wasn't *bad*, it's just that as soon as he had an idea, he'd act on it without thinking it through.) And without his best cousins there to anchor him, he's quite adrift in a sea of boredom...

No, Merry is finding the increased responsibilities a bit of a trial; but you are right about how he would handle it. He's far too dutiful to give less than his best effort to a job, and too stubborn to give up on it.

Menelcar is an OC. I am going to have to make a slight adjustment in his backstory, due to a sequel I have in beta with Marigold--we found a timeline problem, so he's only been out of Minas Tirith 25 years instead of 30. I just haven't edited it yet. And yes, he and Pip will be meeting at the inn...

I am so glad you like my characterization of Pippin, especially his love for music. It just seems to *fit* him somehow. There are, to me at least, many hints in canon--his singing in the Shire when they camp in "Three's Company", his bath song in "A Conspiracy Unmasked", he just seems meant to make music. But of course, I was also greatly influenced by Billy Boyd's beautiful singing.



LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/29/2005
I catch my breath at a glimpse of Folco, and wonder if the story of Paladin's becoming Thain has been written and posted yet?

Author Reply: Yes, I try to get a bit of Folco into pre-Quest fics if I can.

Not as such; I've given a few hints here and there, as in this story and in my recent "To Lead His People". A little of the backstory to it will be in my new story for PippinHealers (aren't you on that list?). But the whole of it has not been written yet.

longcleeveReviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/6/2005
oh what a great story! i love all the pippity goodness! :D i have really been enjoying your stories lately thank you so much :)

Author Reply: I just came across your review, sorry for taking so long to respond. I am glad that you liked the story!

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/29/2004
I have been a bit neglectful in reading your stoires. But now of course I have a lot to explore and will be able to take my time reading them, although I probably won't, take my time that is.

I love the way you worked all the different songs in! That you used some of Lindelea's songs was great, it makes the fanfic world not seem to seperate when you can find some of the same thing in different stories!

Frodo certainly seems to know just what to do with wayward cousins! I'm glad that he got wind of Pippin's plans and all. I think that was best for Pippin as well, that way someone listened to him.

It was nice that Gandalf's room was put to use! I like that you mentioned it in this story! Of coursen' Gandalf hasn't been to visit in a while so I doubt he would even know!

Also I wanted to mention that the scene you wrote in the kitchen for elevenses was very hobbity and well done! That both Frodo and Pippin deferred to Sam on what was to be done was great! That the knew what needed to be done with out asking and all, it seemed to fit very well!

Thank you for the story I only wish I had kept up better with it! It was lots of fun!

Author Reply: I understand. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with longer fics, and sometimes it's easy to get absorbed in the story and forget to review, at least for me, anyway. But I always love your reviews, they are so detailed.

I wanted to work in as many songs as were practical. Lindelea was kind enough to offer some of hers, and I took her up on it--I'm so glad I did! I agree, it kind of helps tie the different fanfic worlds together.

Frodo knows his cousins pretty well; he's had a lot of practce at being the wise older cousin, and he not only listened to Pippin, but Pip was willing to listen to him.

This story is 3 years before the Quest. JRRT says that at the time of the Quest it had been 9 years since Gandalf had been to the Shire. And I'm sure he would not mind, even if he did know.

I like to show hobbits in the kitchen. I think that is probably the part of the home where they are at their most comfortable. We are told that young hobbits are taught early on how to cook--I can see them easily learning how to work together, and following the direction of the most experienced cook as a matter of course.

I'm glad you had fun reading the story. I had a lot of fun writing it!


mariposaReviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/20/2004
Oh, I loved this whole story--it was lovely, lovely. All the music was like food and drink to me, and reading about Pippin's talented singing and playing--ah. Just... Ah. Thank you!

Author Reply: I'm so glad you liked it! I wondered a bit about including that many songs; many people I know who otherwise love JRRT complain about the songs and poems, which I love. They say they skip over them! I wish more fanfics included them.
Thanks for the review!

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