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In Deep Water  by Grey Wonderer 19 Review(s)
Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/18/2008
Wow! A totally engrossing story!

I thought it was excellent that you had it be Merimas who rescued Pip and that it then worked out well because he was also not one of the strong lads, so Pippin could relate to him. And I loved the ending - Pippin did get to be a rescuer, and his sisters could finally be glad of his ability to swim.

Most Excellently Well Done, GW!

Author Reply: Thank you for reading and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/18/2008
I loved the story of your coming here and ending up being one of our best Hobbit authors. Pippinfan is a dear, as are you, and I'm glad that you two have each other as good, close friends. May your friendship never dim!

Hugs to you both!
Pearl

Author Reply: I am hardly one of the best Hobbit authors. I just have fun with it but thank you all the same.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/30/2008
Well, I would have loved to quote all my favourite parts in this story, but then it would have been the whole story. And since the story is already presented in italics and therefore "quoted" (in a way), I'll just leave it like it is ;-)

The first part was very suspenseful and I liked it that Merimas was Pippin's rescuer, not Merry or Frodo. That's something new!

I very much enjoyed how Esmie won the argument with her nephew.

Pippin gulped. Never argue with a Took lass when she is angry.

Very true :)

I also loved how Merry played along with Pippin's illness. Tricksy Brandybuck! But in the end poor Pippin was frightened even more.

Merimas' approach was more successful, because he showed Pippin that he was not alone in doing something for the very first time and that it was never wrong to be prepared.

And that last part proved that he was right! I don't think Vinca is too old to learn how to swim, but I think Ivy should learn it as soon as possible. She's just like her uncle!

Thank you very much G.W.!

Author Reply: LOL Those italics would NOT do what I wanted them to do. I only wanted them for the first paragraph but they insisted on being used for the entire story or none of the story. I am not a format expert it would seem.

I didn't realize that Merimas was to be such a huge part of this one until it sort of came to me during the writing of this one. I had planned for Frodo to be the one to save Pippin. Now that it's turned out like it did, I'm glad it was Merimas. I'm glad you enjoyed that too.

Merry did get carried away with his group of healers didn't he? LOL

I am quite certain that Ivy will get her swimming lessons if Pippin has any say in it and Pervinca just might want lessons after this experience.

Thank you for reading as always!

Primula_Baggins at LJReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/29/2008
Thanks for this delightful and touching story. I loved how clever little Pippin was in arguing with his cousins about why he "couldn't" swim! And I was touched by how he saved Ivy when he was grown.

Prim

Author Reply: Thank you so much for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed Pippin's logic as well as his rescue. Thanks so much for the lovely review.

PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/29/2008
Don't feel bad, GW -- I'm proof that even the Beta needs a beta. And I rather like the Italics!

I have to tell you, the first time I read through this exquisite story (in two sessions, lol), I couldn't have quit the first half even if my flat was on fire! The suspense was gripping, intense. I felt like Merimas by the time I could peel my eyes away from it, lol. I realized towards the end of that scene that I'd been holding my breath!

Speaking of Merimas, as you know, I've peppered my own tales with my version of his character, but I really love how you've portrayed him in this story (and others, too!). I absolutely adore your Merry -- but this was a nice change in that the "hero" was someone other than him. I know Merry is always ready to protect that which is dearest to him, but it is sweet to know our beloved Pippin has other friends who care about him, too.

And then the middle part where Pippin does his utmost to manipulate his Auntie and Uncle to do his will was pure delight. Pippin concentrating on making himself look ill was hilarious -- and he is so innocent in believing he truly could do it. I'll say it many times over: I LOVE your Pippin and Merry.

And for the last part -- the part that brings it all to full-circle. Now *Pippin* is the Rescuer, saving his own niece from drowning and advocating swim lessons for his sisters. More gripping suspense! But it was all so GOOD!

I fell in love with your world of hobbits from the very first story I read of yours -- "Thinking of You", and it grew from there. Don't balk! I love each and every one of those tales! You have a special talent for suspense and making readers laugh, my friend. And that is a gift, just like your friendship. :-)

Author Reply: Hey, the Italics turned out to be impossible to get rid of so I am very glad you liked them. LOL

I am so glad you enjoyed this but next time, breath while reading and whatever you do, don't ignore fire! That could be worse than drowning.

This is the first time the Merimas has really had much to say to me. I was surprised when he became so talkative. I've always enjoyed your version of him but I never suspected that he would turn up in one of my stories other then in a very minor way.

I could see Pippin believing that he had made himself look sick enough to frighten Merry. I like to think that Pippin has quite an imagination.

Most of the time I don't do gripping suspense so I was glad it turned out. Sometimes when I go away from humor it just doesn't work at all. I'm glad to know that this was suspense-ful. (Beta that, will you?)

As always, you are entirely too good to me. Thank you for your friendship and the beta and for just being you! Happy Birthday!

Garnet TookReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/29/2008
This was fantastic, GW. Poor Pippin sinking beneath the water was frightening, and Merimas coming to the rescue, wow!

The whole exchange at Pippin's first swimming lesson was priceless.:)

I somehow suspected that Pippin might get the chance to put the lessons to good use. It was very sweet that it was his neice that he saved. She'll be hero-worshipping him for a long time.

Author Reply: Thank you so much for reading. I know how busy you are with work now. I'm very glad that you enjoyed it.

I started to write the actual swimming lesson but I decided that the build up to it was more my style and most folks know what a swimming lesson is like. My hobbits just have to talk and it's hard to talk while learning to swim. : )

There was actually a bit more of this after the rescue but it just didn't work with this part and it was running on too long. As my beta pointed out, it was really a second story and maybe, at some point, it will be.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 9/29/2008
Grand prologue, G.W.!

My thanks to you both for your wonderful story additions to this precious little kingdom!

Shouldn't it be "and they WROTE happily ever after" ;-)

And now to the story...

Author Reply: Thank you for reading my prologue! And perhaps it should really be "and they wrote happily every after" but they also 'read happily ever after' and some of the really nice ones, like you, 'review happily ever after.' : )

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 9/29/2008
Another GW prologue arrives in my mailbox, and of course I must drop everything to write a review.

I'm not reading fanfic at the moment, but I'm storing it up on my "want to read" list for when life slows down, if only a little.

What a treat to read this, even in a stolen moment. Honestly, your prologues are just as fun to read as any other chapter...

Author Reply: Real Life kept me away from writing and reading for a while there so I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes we have other, more important things to see to.

Thank you for stopping by to read the prologue. It's lovely to hear that you enjoyed it as much as you might a chapter. I keep telling people that I might just quit writing the story portion altogether and become a prologue writer. I wonder if there is such a thing as a 'stand-alone' prologue?

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/29/2008
Where ever Merry was taking him would be fine. He was safe now.

Awwww, I love little moments like that. This is such a wonderful story, full of wisdom and love.

Pippin nodded and then began trying to unbutton his shirt. “What I really want to learn is how buttons work,” Pippin said absently. Buttons were stubborn and were probably invented by a Brandybuck. They didn’t work properly at all unless you struggled with them and worked hard at lining them up.

Awwww. :)

Author Reply: Even though Merry didn't do the actual rescue, I couldn't resist letting him carry Pippin back to the Hall. Glad you approve.

Pippin's button issue, which I have mentioned before in one or two other stories, comes from real life experience. I'm not willing to say, whose real life experience, but it is actually based on something that I, er, that someone I know experienced. hehehe

CeleritasReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/29/2008
This story was loads of fun to read, from the tense rescue to Merry's evil streak and amazing deadpan (while Frodo and Berilac, as well as most of your readers, lose it!).

Plus a hundred bonus points for not mentioning eyecolor! (Describing book characters according to movieverse always throws me for a loop when I read, which means that fics that don't do that are always more pleasurable for me. Just a personal thing.)

Author Reply: I was hoping for a bit of laughter with Merry's evil streak. I'd let things get a bit tense there during the first bit and so I did want a few laughs along the way. I'm very glad you enjoyed it. (I know Frodo and Berilac did.)

Really? Bonus points? I didn't know I could get bonus points! It's funny what will throw a person out of a story but I do think that everyone has something like that. I'm glad you enjoyed this one and I thank you for my bonus points. I don't think I've ever received a bonus before!

Thank you for the lovely review too!

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