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| If I had a Hammer by Grey Wonderer | 246 Review(s) |
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| Anso the Hobbit | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/1/2005 |
| Oh, yay! Happy ending! *grins from ear to ear* I just love how generous Pippin is and the Gaffer is just the perfect person for getting this wheelbarrow. I am also very happy that Sam won becuase he certainly has done a marvellous job helping Pippin. :D Author Reply: I love a happy ending and I'm glad that you do too. I wanted everyone to wind up smiling and together in the end and this time I decided to write it that way. The Gaffer was so much fun to write in this story and I had a great time with him. Actually he wound up with Pippin old bed and the wheelbarrow and lots of apple cobbler so I do think he had a good time too. I thought Sam should get his own reward after all of his hard work. I know that Pippin's father was paying him but I still thought it would be nice if he got recognized properly at the fair. Thanks for reading and for all of your reviews! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/1/2005 |
| *big fat happy grin* I WAS RIGHT!!! HE GAVE IT TO THE GAFFER!!! *err..excuse me*clears throat*sorry about that* What a wonderful way to wind this up. Tunnelly did learn his lesson, and ended up being a good sport after all (though I suspect if he had not, then he might have found himself with fewer students). Berilac learned his lesson--Frodo might have been subtle, but Beri clearly knew it was because he had been out of line. I think my favorite lines were these: "Splendid!" Pippin crowed. "I have to go see if Holly can come." He dashed off. "That one has a very forgiving nature," Mister Tunnely said. "That is just one of the reasons why we are all so protective of him and so very proud of him," Frodo said with a smile. It's so good to show that large-hearted generosity and forgiveness that is such a part of Pippin. I was so pleased that Holly won--I suspected she might. The boat was a surprise, but should not have been. Pippin winning for his innovation, and Sam's win as best tutor could not have been better! The impromptu feast was fun, and I loved the touch of Pippin buying the coat-stool. Well, if it had to be over, it ended with just the right notes. But I will say I would love for you to do some more stories with Frodo more prominent, as you did him marvelously in this, and I would also like to see some more Sam/Pippin interaction--maybe not so long as this, but I can see Sam teaching him a few other things a lad needs to know. I loved Larner's little story that incorporated yours. I'd also love to see you do a little something post-Quest, where maybe Sam and Pippin talk about this particular summer and what it meant to Pippin. What great fun this has been? Now what will I have to look forward to from you? Author Reply: Fuuny thing but I thought more folks would guess that the Gaffer was getting the wheelbarrow but most thought it was going to be Sam. Congratulations on your guess! I did want things to end on a positive note in this one and I figured that if anyone could reform Mister Tunnely it would be Pippin with help from Merry and Sam. As to Berilac, I suspect that his was just a prank taken a bit too far. As you know this one takes place a couple of years after that wild summer of pranks in Buckland so Berilac may have just thought his idea was more of the same not thinking how hurtful it might be to Frodo. No longer than she was in the story, I got attached to Holly and I did think that even with Sam's help, as unskilled as Pippin started out, there was little change that his would be the best project there. In fact, I almost gave him honorable mention. LOL Then I decided that would be an excellent time for Tunnely to put his foot in his mouth one more time. I could see Pippin buying the coat-stool and I knew Merry couldn't buy it for him. He'd spent all of his money on toffee apples! Wow! Plot bunnies? More Frodo? More Pip and Sam? Certainly not this long! This got way out of hand on me. Glad you enjoyed it and as to what might be next, I've no idea. I am thinking I might just read for a while and maybe the ficathon stories. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/1/2005 |
| I am sorry that I haven't been reviewing GW but, truth be told I left reading your story because I was following a number of others and just didn't have time. However, I spent all Sunday evening and a lot of Sunday night catching up with a very happy grin on my face most of the time. Now I have a sore back from sitting too long so can I put myself down for one of the wheelbarrows please! I figured that the reason Pippin didn't want to sleep in that bed was because he had 'borrowed' the bed slats to replace the wood he had cut and ruined for his first creation! Your idea was much more inventive! And the whole story beautifully summed up in the last sentence or two! Loved it! Author Reply: I completely understand how that is. There are so many wonderful on-going stories posted here just now. I am wrapped up in several of them myself. One night I sat down to write a new chapter and wound up reading someone else's story instead. LOL I like your idea about the bed slats. That would have been less work for poor Frodo. All he would have had to do was replace the slats, not redecorate the room! That you for taking time to read and review and I am glad that your liked this. | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 10/31/2005 |
| ROTFL!!!! Oh, weren't you just so funny! There I was, trapped at work and not a toffee apple to be found in the place!! I made a mental note to read this yesterday, but got sidetracked. At least I wouldn't have choked on my jello when Merry started dragging every hobbit in the Shire to the toffee apple wagon--how many did he have? A dozen?? I'm thinking, *she's (you're) doing this on purpose*! All because I said I had a taste for toffee apples--well, young lass, its a good thing I keep an emergency stash of caramel dip in my fridge or I would have been out at the market straight after work buying a toffee apple. LOL, your Merry was making me salivate for one of *his* apples! I actually brought an apple with me to work for lunch, but was afraid to eat it because I thought it was the last one--had to make sure I had an apple for my caramel dip later on! LOL, that darned Merry! I couldn't help it--I laughed my butt off right there in the storeroom; thankfully, stick-in-the-mud was taking his lunch break outside. I have enjoyed this most excellent tale from beginning to end! LOL, that is, all the way to the toffee apples! It is *always* a complete pleasure to read a tale from Grey Wonderer! Now...if only poor little Pip can swing this contest, we'll all be sitting pretty. I am curious to see whom he's going to gift his wheelbarrow to... As usual, a fantastic chapter--thank you for sharing! Pippinfan Author Reply: Hehehe! Check out the reviews. Your toffee apples were the hit of the chapter. I can't thank you enough for suggesting it. Hope you got one too because Merry was going through them at an alarming rate. I'll have to remember to put toffee apples in more of my stories. After all, I recall being hungry for stew for at least a week after reading "Roses"! I could do with a bit of stew even now. The last chapter is finished and I will most likely post it in the morning, as in (wee small hours of the morning) and then you will have your answers about the contest and the wheelbarrow. Hope I surprise you a bit, but not counting on that as you know me too well. Thank you so much for all of your lovely reviews and support for this story! I am always anxious to hear what you think of a chapter and you have been very generous with your reviews! Thank you for that and for the idea of the toffee apples! | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 10/31/2005 |
| Great chapter! I'm still grinning when I think of the toffee apples and their beautiful vendor :) Pippin did a great job in answering the judges questions, and he did that in a very entertaining way! LOL! Last but not least, everything that Frodo did to Berilac was "well-earned", though I'm still wondering how he came to know of it. Author Reply: The toffee apples have turned out to be a big hit. Pippinfan1988 suggested toffee apples at the fair and I am very glad that she did. Everyone, especially Merry, has enjoyed them. Pippin enjoyed his question and answer session with the judges once he got going. I think he put on quite a show and Sam got all of the credit that he'd earned. Frodo probably enjoyed his revenge. I do think he earned the right to get even this time. Berilac is probably wondering the same thing that you are right now. How did Frodo know? Thank you for all of your reviews on this story. They are much appreciated! One more chapter to go! | |
| Anso the Hobbit | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 10/31/2005 |
| This has been such an enjoyable story! I hope Pippin get some prize for his wheelbarrow if he doesn't win 1st prize. I was wondering what it was with Merry and all those apples, but of course - when it comes to Estella Merry just can't keep away. I had to laugh out loud at Frodo's "accident" with Berilac, lol. I bet Merry and Pippin would like to know how he knows. :D It was also very nice to see Pippin's sisters and Saradoc there. Author Reply: Anso! So glad to hear that you liked this chapter. I think you'll agree that Merry had an excellent time at this fair. He's full of apples, but he's had a great day and I suspect that Estella Bolger has made a nice profit with her apple booth. Frodo had the last laugh on Berilac this time. I let Merry do a bit of subtle tormenting with Tunnely, but I just had to let Frodo get even with Berilac. Glad you enjoyed that. I wanted Pippin and Sam to have a large audience for the competition and so I had some of the family come to the fair. I would have had more of them stop in, but it would have been hard to give everyone something to say or do without making this chapter even longer. LOL Thank you so much for reading this one and for all of your lovely reviews. You have been very encouraging and I appreciate it. I am looking forward to more of "Master In Training". | |
| Imrahoil | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 10/31/2005 |
| Auuw, nice. And a fluffy cliffhanger. Now, to the ribbons. First place for Pippin, please, come on, he deserves it, and a honourable mention for Holly at least. Frodo should buy the wardrobe to complete Pippin's cosy little room and Sam should get his wheel barrow at last. *slightly menacing voice* He does get it, doesn't he?! Author Reply: A fluffy cliffhanger? LOL I didn't realize it but I guess that is exactly what this was. I hope to have the next chapter up very soon with the answers to all of your questions. (Love the slightly menacing voice! Very impressive indeed.) Thank you for reviewing and I do hope you like the outcome! | |
| pipspebble | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 10/30/2005 |
| Oh, that sneaky Frodo! Never underestimate a Baggins, especially when a loved one has been wronged. I love how he handled the whole Berilac affair, and I laughed out loud every time Merry went after another caramel apple! Wonderful little touch, great idea of Pippinfan's. I just love how this has all come together. I'll be sad to see it end. Author Reply: Yes, Frodo finally got his revenge for a long summer with the younger cousins. Berilac made things so much worse, but I doubt he'll do that again! LOL I just had to let Frodo get even since he had been the one to deal with Pippin's mystery-sleeping-problem and Berilac's so-called joke was rather hurtful to Frodo. Pippinfan1988 did my a big favor by asking for toffee apples. That just went perfectly with this chapter. She is great at suggesting little improvements and plot lines. Thank you so much for all of the lovely reviews that you have left for this story! It is always easier to write if you know that someone is reading and enjoying! Thank you! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 10/30/2005 |
| Marvelous performance by Pippin, I must say. Very, very well done indeed. And it does indeed appear that Frodo knows, and Berilac is getting his comeuppance without Merry having to beat him half to death. Wonderful! And how Pippin described Sam's teaching is wonderful! Author Reply: Pippin did a good job in his judging, didn't he? He let Sam shine in all of it and I am sure that he meant to because without Sam he would never have made it to the competition. Frodo got the last word on all of this and I think that's only fitting. He has had a very long summer with his younger cousins and part of that was due to Berilac's mischief. He got the point across and did Berilac a favor by saving him for Merry. LOL Thank you for all of your lovely reviews. It is always nice to know that someone is reading and that they are enjoying it. I am also thrilled that you wrote that wonderful story about Frodo building Sam a hobbit-size stool with a reference to this story in it. "Gifts and the Benefits of Scholarship" was so much fun to read! Thank you again! | |
| Pearl Took | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 10/30/2005 |
| Does it have to end? This has been so good. :) I love Merry enjoying the toffee apples ;) (Thank you Pippinfan), I like Holly and her project, I like Frodo saying "Oh! That was close!" I eagerly await the last chapter. :) Author Reply: I'm afraid that we are about at the end of the line on this one. If I don't end it soon it will become as long as Brandybuck and Took. LOL Pippinfan1988 really gave me a fun idea with her comment about wanting to go to the fair and get a toffee apple. Her idea fit in so well with the story and I do think that Merry enjoyed the apples. Holly was a last minute idea. I suspected that lots of hobbits learned carpentry from family rather than from tutors and I wanted someone in the contest who had done just that. I shamelessly stole one of Pippin's movie lines for Frodo and I am glad to see that you enjoyed it. It fit so perfectly that I just had to do it! Thank you for all of the reviews and all of the kind words. They are much appreciated! | |