Where Roses Grow by PIppinfan1988
Pearl Took · 5 November 2004 · Chapter 44: Alone in the Dark
Lovely and fun! Your scene-setting is wonderful. Everyone fussing over Pippin's wee princess. Paladin tucking his dear son into bed. Wonderful :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Pearl! Its always nice to get feedback from you. I'm eagerly waiting for more Fear! :-) Pippinfan
Grey Wonderer · 4 November 2004 · Chapter 44: Alone in the Dark
I am so very glad that the title was not what I thought it was going to be. Nasty scare, but it turned out to be alright. I love birthday parties and I could just see the little ones covered in cake. Once again, the description of Rose-Bud's party clothes was so vivid. Next chapter worries me though. Maybe you better post it now so I can check it out? LOL
Author's reply
Yeah...I'm mean; I did that with the title on purpose. Silly me--how could I go on with the story without celebrating the child's first birthday? You said you have your tissues...keep them handy. ;-) Thank you so much for reading Roses, and for your encouraging words. :-) Pippinfan btw, got your email--thank you very much for the help! :-)
Connie B. · 4 November 2004 · Chapter 44: Alone in the Dark
Poor Pippin. I guess this is a shining example of the adage about sometimes a good intention.... Pervinca hadn't meant for Pippin and Merry to do what they did. The scene where Pearl and the girls take Rosebud was cute. So was the bath scene. I hope nothing happens during the night. If it does, Pippin will never forgive himself. Looking forward to the next chapter. Connie B.
Author's reply
Thanks, Connie :-) There is a method to my maddness in these last few chapters, but I really can't say beforehand. Something happens in the morning, but not what you might think. I'd like to update again before Sunday, because that's when I'm moving. Thanks for reading Roses and for taking the time to leave a lovely response every time. You're terrific! :-) Pippinfan
Pervinca · 31 October 2004 · Chapter 43: A Peculiar Place
Awwwwwwww! This chapter was so sweet! You nearly had me in tears again, but for an entirely different reason. I wonder if Pippin should be annoyed that Rosebud said Mey-mi before Ba-ba, :P I saw my little nephew last week, who's about Rosebud's age, and everything you've said about her was exactly what James did. I immediately thought of your story, hehehehe. - Pervinca
Author's reply
Hehehe...I like to think that she'd been saying it first, however, this was the first time Pippin tuned into it. Merry's "name" would be right in there among Pip's--even more so than Pimpernel's (I feel) because he's been a major caretaker for her since Lilas' death. Some of the upcoming angst is going to have Merry's name on it. ;-) I love to watch little ones at their age--James and Rosebud--they're so funny! I remember observing my niece when she first started walking--I was rolling! She'd be a little Twinkle Toes and then whomp! flat on her diaper. I'm happy to learn that my research hasn't been in vain. Thanks for reading! :-) Pippinfan
Rosie-Ann · 30 October 2004 · Chapter 43: A Peculiar Place
*huggles ickle Rosebud* Beautiful! Love it! And I have a haunting suspicion I know where Pippin and Rosebud were in that dream, though...*sniff*
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it--where do you suspect they were at? ;-) There is a method to my madness. :-) Thank you for reading Roses! Pippinfan
Beruthiel · 29 October 2004 · Chapter 43: A Peculiar Place
What did Rosebud say that grabbed Pippin's attention like that, I wonder? Her first word? How did baby-gibberish remind him so strongly of a dream conversation with an eight-year-old? Beginning to dread the next chapter, knowing angst must be coming soon. Fortunately my tissue supply is well-stocked. Excellent chapter!
Author's reply
Well...there are some things Rosebud is on time with, and with others, she's a bit behind. That is a fact with most Preemies, if not all. She most likely would have muttered the gibberish earlier, but I jumped forward a bit. However, I wanted the readers to experience his first recognition of her calling him 'papa'. And that is what prompted Pippin's memory of the "dream child"--it wasn't so much the baby-gibberish that did it. (did you see that the child in the dream was indeed Rosebud?) There is a method to my madness! ;-) Thanks for reading, Beruthiel! Pippinfan
Grey Wonderer · 29 October 2004 · Chapter 43: A Peculiar Place
Uh-oh, here it comes. sniff sniff... You already have me on the edge of tears. I am going to stop off on my way to work tomorrow and restock the kleenex because I have a very bad feeling. Loved how Ev helps Reg move things. hehehe Loved that it was Merry who was baby-minding while Pip was away. The dream was very vivid and I can see that dress that you discribed. I shall be bracing myself for the next chapter. Wait until tomorrow until I have my kleenex, ok?
Author's reply
I believe you saw the dream so vividly because you and I pretty much have the same eye for the hobbits/Shire. I think that having Merry help out a tad with the baby was in the back of Pippin's mind the whole time. Yes, he didn't really want to be alone, but he must have realized that raising a child is easier with two people sharing the responsibilities. Hehehe...I threw Ev and Reg in there to lighten up the drama a bit. There are a couple other readers stocking up on their tissue, too--so between the three of you, hopefully somebody will remember to pick a box up for me! :-P Thanks for reading Roses! I'll be dropping by your library tomorrow morning. :-) Pippinfan p.s. Update will hopefully speed up some. :)
Meldewen Ilce · 28 October 2004 · Chapter 43: A Peculiar Place
Oh my dear, I did not think I can take it if Pippin loses Rosebud too... I mean it was hard enough to read when Lilas died - but the thought of Pippin losing his sweet little baby girl is almost more than I can bear to think about... Oh please don't let her die too! Update soon PLEASE!
Author's reply
Writing Lilas' death and Pippin's subsequent turbulent emotions had an affect on me, too. To tell the truth, I didn't expect it to. So, I'm approaching the next turn of events a bit differently. Updates should be a bit quicker... Thanks for reading Roses! :) Pippinfan
Connie B. · 28 October 2004 · Chapter 43: A Peculiar Place
Wow! I was surprized to see an update tonight. I hoped for tomorrow, but thanks for the pleasant surprize. I needed this after the week I've had. It's not been the best. Like I told another author, life and art have been imitating each other. Medical crisies have befallen more than one friend this week, one seriously. Well, things are starting to become all too clear. Now I'm starting to think that when the worst does happen, Pippin is going to blame himself since Rosebud has his weak constitution. Oh, I know I'm going to need the tissues again soon in this story. Oh, now I'm going to be anxiously waiting for the next installment. Thanks. Connie B.
Author's reply
Poor Connie! I'm sorry about your terrible week--I hope your friends are recovering nicely. :-/ You shan't wait for too long--as soon as I get them written, they're going up. Thanks for reading! :-) Pippinfan
Pearl Took · 28 October 2004 · Chapter 43: A Peculiar Place
Aw, our poor Pippin. And Merry not much better. Wearying themselves and worrying so. Dear wee Rosebud. I love her Daddy calling her "Muffin". You are doing so wonderfully with this story. I love it.
Author's reply
Thanks, Pearl :-) I like to imagine Merry as being a loving and caring father--just like his younger counterpart. He's every bit the tender Daddy while she's his little girl. Thanks again--I'm eagerly waiting for your next upadate on Fear! Take care! Pippinfan
Rosie-Ann · 25 October 2004 · Chapter 42: Happy Yule
Beautiful! Ter, I am constantly amazed at the beauty of your stories - this is a wonderful gem! I love it I love it I love it! And I'm praying for the closing on your house! <3, Rosie
Pearl Took · 24 October 2004 · Chapter 42: Happy Yule
Well done again, my friend! It is so sweet about her loving her mama's dolly. And the "fun" game of 'Watch the adult pick up what I've dropped!' Very well done :)
Grey Wonderer · 23 October 2004 · Chapter 42: Happy Yule
I love the wooden spoon that the child is carrying around. So cute! I also think that it's funny that Pip got tossed from the Yule meeting. I imagine that when he was little he managed to get several folks tossed from various places. LOL A wonderful chapter! I worry about Merry and Estella going off because I am afraid that means that the bad stuff is coming.....I feel safer with Merry there. I will be brave, though, *I think, I will.*
Author's reply
Perhpas I'm just spoiled in this modern age, but when I did research on baby toys for this, I discovered that rattles "back then" were--get this--made of metal! They weren't necessarily meant for a baby to cut his/her first teeth on, but what happened when no one was looking? Yikes--a METAL rattle! So, I improvised with the wooden spoon--much softer and kinder to baby's gums, however one has to be careful of the wee splinters. I couldn't help myself with Baby Rosebud helping her father get sacked from the annual meeting. :-P Babies are carefree and don't have grown-up worries--so what if I got my dad kicked out? Big rotten deal! I think Rosebud keeps her tweenaged papa in line, though. No need to worry about Merry being gone--Pippin and the baby get on just fine. You're right in that Pippin was an adorable baby--his own babyhood (told through his mother) is what he's drawing on now in learning to care for his own little one. Keep a stiff upper lip! Hehehe... Pippinfan
Beruthiel · 23 October 2004 · Chapter 42: Happy Yule
Awwwwww! How sweet! How can you make us all love Rosebud so much when we know what's going to happen, you mean, cruel, evil person? I like that the Broadhammers came all that way to give the baby her Yule gift, and that Pippin tells her he loves her every night, just like he promised. He really is a great father. (How can you kill poor Rosebud? Pip will be devastated! Evil!!) Looking forward to the angst, but hoping for more fluff before then. :)
Author's reply
Well....because it's drama. ;-) I wanted to write more about the Broadhammers, but the chapter was getting a bit long. Yes--angst is on the way, but perhaps one more lighter chapter before plunging into darkness and despair once again. :-P Take care! Pippinfan
Connie B. · 22 October 2004 · Chapter 42: Happy Yule
Oh, this was such a sweet chapter, but with what I know is coming, it's also sad. I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Wish I had a more hobbity expression for that. I had to smile at so many moments in this one though. I remember the drop it so momma or dadda has to pick it up stage. I also remember the seperation anxiety stage. I was fortunate, my daughter wasn't nearly as bad as my best friend's daughter. Mine seemed to dread seperation more as a toddler than an enfant. Well, it does appear that Rosebud has her father's fragile health. That has to be so hard for a parent to deal with. The irony of this for me is that while I'm reading about Rosebud coughing, my own child is doing the same thing. She has a dreadful cold from too much time out in the rain last week on fieldtrips. At least I know she's going to be fine. I only wish Pippin had that same assurance about his beloved girl. You close on the house on November 12. I will try to keep that date in mind and pray that all goes well. Hope your stress level returns to normal soon. Now I'm going to be a nervous wreck until the next update. I love this story and these characters so much that I find myself worrying about them almost as though they were real. I want to make everything all right for them. Oh, and I'm glad Merry asked Estella to marry him. Lilas would have been overjoied. Nice touch having Lilas' parents bring the baby Yule gifts. I'll stop rabling now. As many typos as I'm making, I think I should drag myself to bed. Thanks. Connie B.
Author's reply
Poor lass--I'm sorry to hear about your own little one! The responsibilities of being a parent--and of course, cute moments, was exactly where I was going in this chapter. The things we grown ups--or older children even, take for granted are absolute wonders to toddlers and infants learning or seeing them for the first time. Yes, poor Pippin, but we'll soon see how he deals with Rosebud's health. Don't be a nervous wreck!--it won't be two weeks between updates like this time. ;-) Thanks for the prayers, and I'll be praying for your wee lass. And you are NEVER rabbling! I didn't notice your typos until replying to your comment--it's nice to know someone else out there loves the backspace key as much as I do! Thanks for reading Roses! Pippinfan
pipspebble · 22 October 2004 · Chapter 42: Happy Yule
This was so sweet, so true to life - I had flashbacks of my own babes at that age and they were happy ones so thank you for that - I enjoyed every single word of it. And it's nice to see Uncle Merry's devotion to his Pippin's little girl. Bravo!
Author's reply
Thanks, pipspebble! I think babies, in general, are so cute! Glad the Yuletide brought back those happy memories for you. :-) Thanks for reading Roses. Pippinfan
Pervinca · 19 October 2004 · Chapter 41: Pippin's Day Out
I feel so bad - I haven't reviewed in such a long time. I hope you'll be able to forgive me. I've been really busy recently. But now to catch up. Very sad the way Lilas passed on, but I liked the way that you didn't dwell on the actually death, more focussing on Pippin (and everyone else's) grief over their loss. Rosebud is certainly going to be a spoilt little lass, :P I can just imagine the look on Pippin's face when she's all grown up and he has to meet her first potential suitor... I'm beginning to suspect that Diamond may be making an appearance in coming chapters, but I can't be certain. I hope she will, because Pippin deserves to have someone to look after him :) - Pervinca
Author's reply
Don't feel bad! (Especially since it took me this long to respond to you!) You've told me before that you're in University, taking a medical course, so I pretty much had it figured out what happened to you. As I've said, school comes first--you can always come back to fanfic, but good grades are made only once (twice--if you're a glutton for punishment!) :-P Yes, I had already took readers through her illness, so I didn't want to drag them through her death as well. Whether it came through or not, the angst affected me, too! Hence, the Pippin's Day Out chapter. I *had* to lighten it up a tad. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to read Roses. :-) Summer break should be comin up soon for you...hope to see more of you in the coming months. :-) Pippinfan
Pearl Took · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 41: Pippin's Day Out
This was a good breather. A bit of fun and family banter. I liked the lass coming onto Pippin, in that I think there would be many like her at their age; no understanding that he was hurting and that he wants his daughter around. Well done!!!
Author's reply
Thanks, Pearl! I needed the break as well--drama-wise and because of...you guessed it--the house. Take care and see you Sunday night. :-) Pippinfan
melilot hill · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 41: Pippin's Day Out
I haven't left as many reviews as I should've, but I'm still very much awed by this story. You describe the characters and events so well :)
Author's reply
My apologies for not responding right away--I've been stressed about the house this past week... I do thank you for reading Roses--and for your lovely replies--when you can. I understand that folks have RL Pippinfan Author Reply: Good gracious me! This thing cut me off at "RL"! I stated that 'I understand that folks have RL going on, as do I.' :-) Pippinfan
pipspebble · 11 October 2004 · Chapter 41: Pippin's Day Out
Our Pippin has become quite the doting da, hasn't he? I love your descriptions of him taking care of Rosebud, and I like how he minded his manners, even when dealing with that Larrea wench. :-)
Author's reply
LOL...why is it that no one likes Larrea??? She's a stink weed, thats why! And thanks for the compliment of Pippin taking care of Rosebud. I feel most any author would write our Pippin as a doting da. He's such a sweet, loving hobbit--how could he not be? Thanks for reading Roses! :-) Pippinfan
Rosie-Ann · 11 October 2004 · Chapter 41: Pippin's Day Out
“I thought we were done raising our children, Tina.” *giggle* Joyous, Ter! Wonderful, beautiful, spectacular! I'm so glad to have a chance to wash my hanky before I need it again. ^^ Keep up the wonderful work. ~Rosie PS Homecoming went wonderfully, did I tell you? And he asked me to be his girlfriend on Wednesday! *dances*
Author's reply
LOL...is that the only hanky you have??? :-P Thanks, Rosie! I'm dancing right along with you!! That is sooo cool! I'm happy for you both! :-D Pippinfan
Beruthiel · 11 October 2004 · Chapter 41: Pippin's Day Out
What a sweet chapter! So nice to see Pippin have a good time for once, without too much angst. Although knowing that more tradegy is coming up still makes this a little sad, somehow. Does Pip have to deal with lasses like Larrea on a regular basis? Poor guy, I feel sorry for him. Pippin's devotion to his daughter is very touching. He loves her so much, I really can't imagine how he's going to make it through this story. What horrible things lurk on the horizon now? I shudder to think. (Of course, that won't stop me from checking obsessively for updates.) I'm getting some ideas for my sequel. I'll e-mail you shortly. Cheers, B
Author's reply
Hello, B! Yes, I had to give myself a tissue break! Those last few chapters had an affect on me, too. No--Larrea is one of a kind. Hehehe...I told someone else that I chose her name for the common name of the flower/herb she was named for: Stink Weed. As for future chapter...stay tuned. ;-) Great! I'll be looking for it! Thanks for reading Roses. :-) Pippinfan
Grey Wonderer · 10 October 2004 · Chapter 41: Pippin's Day Out
Loved how Rosebud wants to eat even though she has no teeth. Very hobbit-like! This was a very nice chapter, but I fear it is the calm before the storm. I am glad that Merry is helping out and Pimpernel too. Looking forward to more. Oh, and now, for some reason I want tarts!
Author's reply
Thnanks, Grey Wonderer! Rosebud's desire to "eat" really stems from her teething...plus I wanted to be a bit dramatic. :-P The storm ain't a' brewin' for at least another couple chapters. I need a humor-break. Tarts, really? To go with that chicken stew?? ;-) And how 'bout the apple cider? (wicked laughter) Thanks for reading! Pippinfan
Connie B. · 10 October 2004 · Chapter 41: Pippin's Day Out
I'm glad to have enspired you.:) As soon as I saw that line I thought of that comment I had made. What a nice, sweet chapter. Rosebud certainly is getting interested in food at a young age. The image of her waving around a caramel apple is priceless. The teasing they gave Pippin about taking candy from a babe was wonderful, too. What a brat that lass was who was after poor Pippin. He handled her very well though. I love his whole attitude about focusing on raising his daughter. I can so relate. I've told several people that if I ever got back into dating it would have to be a "love me, love my kid" thing. We're a package deal, at least for the next nine years. I'm really looking forward to the next chapter. I couldn't help but wonder if you were hint-dropping again. All the mention of Rosebud getting chilled and having her father's frail health makes me wonder if she is going to develop some illness like he used to, only without the positive outcome Pippin always had. Thanks again. Connie B.
Author's reply
Thank *you*! :-) Yes, Rosebud is indeed quite the bright, precocious child her papa is! Well, he's not a child, but you get the idea. I did stretch the solid food thing just a bit...I wanted her to interact a bit more with Pippin. LOL...yes, Larrea *is* a little stink-weed! In fact, that's the "vulgar" name of the flower/herb she is named for. I chose her name for the meaning of it! You go, girl! Stick to your guns about the package deal--children are so in-tune with who loves them--and who doesn't. You'd be surprised. As for the last part of your review...you'll just have to stay tuned. ;-) Thank you so much for reading Roses! Pippinfan
MysteriousWays · 6 October 2004 · Chapter 39: Dearly and Beloved
oh God this hurts