A New Kind of Courage by Auntiemeesh
SlightlyTookish · 11 December 2004 · Chapter 21: The Feast
I've just caught up with the latest chapters and I just want to say that this is such a wonderful story. I really like what you've done with it and I'm glad this isn't the final chapter. I can't wait to read more :)
Author's reply
There's one more chapter to come (I hope to work on it this weekend) and then it will be finished. I'm so glad that you've enjoyed this story. :)
pipinheart · 11 December 2004 · Chapter 21: The Feast
Real nice... Pippin and merry each serve thier King,but have little time at first to see frodo and sam... Finally the little group are together again,and they each tell their tales of what befell them. It is an emotional time,but one that helps because they are together again. Very good...please continue...
Author's reply
Thanks. :)
Mistarry · 10 December 2004 · Chapter 21: The Feast
Uh-oh, is this over? No! I really don't want it to be! This is (was?) a remarkable story, I've said it before, but I think it deserves saying again, that I supremely enjoyed every last word. But I think, that is, is it safe to say now that Merry is over the shadow (yes, i know you won't answer, but at least I tried ;)....)? Lol, well, if this story is over, and I hope that it is not, I would like to say that it is brilliant! =) ~Mistarry
Author's reply
It's not over yet. There's one more chapter to go, so once again, I can't tell you if Merry is over the Shadow or not, lol. However, I'm very glad to know that you've enjoyed this story so far. :)
LongCleeve · 5 December 2004 · Chapter 20: Recovery
love the story! i cant wait for frodo and sam to wake up :D
Mistarry · 3 December 2004 · Chapter 20: Recovery
I love this story! Along with Recaptured, it's one of my favorite fanfiction stories I've ever read! Excellent! Like Sam, I don't like to give up, so I must ask you, yet again, is Merry over the shadow yet? Lol, =), and great job!
Author's reply
I love your persistance. You don't really expect me to answer, though, do you? What would be the fun in that? I'm honored that 'Courage' is one of your favorite stories. Thank you. :)
Hai Took · 3 December 2004 · Chapter 20: Recovery
Wow! The excitement in the camp over the recovery of the Ringbearers was done well! you could feel the excitement of while you read! I'm so glad they are all almost together! Well at least Merry is able to realize which dreams are Shadow tainted. Hm, I'm wondering how this whole fighting the dreams things is going to work. It is good for him to learn it while he is still with the King and his healind hands, eh? Well looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.
pipinheart · 3 December 2004 · Chapter 20: Recovery
Really nice... Poor merry,his nightmare's are of the shadow effect,but he now can tell the difference in them and the ordinary nightmares. Aragorn is still worried,and says he will teach merry how to fight these. Sam and frodo are soon to awaken and pippin is on the way to his full strength. Pippin is plotting, I wonder what of. A good story keep up the good work...Update soon...
Author's reply
Thanks, I'll try to get another chapter up as soon as I can. :)
pipinheart · 20 November 2004 · Chapter 19: Turn and Turn About
Real Nice! Finally on there way to there picnic... Merry get's a headache and I was wondering if it wasn't a sign of him getting ill. Legolas and Merry playing draughts,of course Legolas being an elf was no surprise he couln't beat him. A nice place for a picnic,all the nice wildflowers and butterfly's about,nice vivid images... Of course pippin is getting better,can walk better,they had a nice picnic,yet merry has a terrible nightmare. Perhaps the shadow has returned in his dreams,hi hand is cold,and he is trembling. Pippin is there to care for him this time,and merry is luled back to sleep with pippin singing a lullabye... Aragorn will want to see to merry in the morning.... A great story..Update soon...
Author's reply
You are right, Aragorn will want to see Merry in the morning and he is certain to be concerned about that dream. I'm glad you liked the imagery from the meadow. I'll update as soon as I can. :)
Lindelea · 19 November 2004 · Chapter 19: Turn and Turn About
I loved so many things about this chapter... the memories of the beech grove by the Water, Pippin knowing Merry so well (and are the headaches significant?), the game, the picnic, the nap, why, even the nightmare (actually, the comfort afterwards). Ah, Pippin, I'm afraid you fight unfairly--humming a lullaby, indeed!
Author's reply
Thanks for the lovely review. Don't worry about the headache, that was just from standing around trying not to be bored all day. That sort of thing always gives me a headache, and so Merry got a headache as well, poor thing. Yes, Pippin is a stinker. He knows Merry well enough to know what it's going to take to make his worrier of a cousin relax, and he doesn't hesitate to use anything in his arsenal, even ancient lullabies. :)
Larner · 18 November 2004 · Chapter 19: Turn and Turn About
Anticipating more of the story. Have enjoyed this one very much.
Author's reply
Thanks!
LinweP · 18 November 2004 · Chapter 19: Turn and Turn About
I am really enjoying your story and thank you for sharing it with all of us Pippin fans! This is one of my favorite gap filler themes for stories. Thanks again. Cheers, LinweP
Author's reply
Thanks for reading the story and thanks for letting me know you are enjoying it. :)
Mistarry · 18 November 2004 · Chapter 19: Turn and Turn About
Oooooooooh! I love this story!! What a great chapter, can't wait for the next! But I must ask you, even though I do think I know the answer, but what's the harm in asking? Is Merry over the shadow, YET? Lol, once again, great story! =)
Author's reply
I love your reviews, lol. Once again, I can't really answer your question, you'll just have to wait and see. I'm glad to hear that you are still enjoying the story - even without the answer to your burning question. :)
girlofring · 18 November 2004 · Chapter 19: Turn and Turn About
Sometimes it is hard to get over nightmares, even when you have family to comfort you. It will take time.
Author's reply
You've got it exactly. These nightmares of Merry's and Pippin's aren't going to go away anytime soon. They will be dealing with their trauma for a long time, but luckily they do have each other there to comfort them when they wake. Thanks for reading. :)
Hai Took · 17 November 2004 · Chapter 19: Turn and Turn About
I guess that beech grove is turning into the naping grove! At least it is somewhere where it seems everyone is able to rest. What a lovely place for a picnic! I'm glad they all had a good time. But it seems the nights aren't about to be easy for neither Merry or Pippin! Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
The beech grove is such a peaceful place and Merry and Pippin are both still recovering and in need of a lot of sleep, so it's an ideal place for them to drift off. As for the nights, Merry and Pippin (and Frodo and Sam, when they wake up) have experienced enough horror to fuel their nightmares for a long time to come. Thanks for reading. :)
Hai Took · 9 November 2004 · Chapter 18: The Morning After
WHew! I am glad that Merry's dreams were just ordinary nightmares! So not all bad dreams will be shadow tinted, if only Merry will be able to tell the difference. Pippin being frustrated because no one had looked in on him in a while made me laugh! I'm looking forward to more, thank you!
Author's reply
Yes, learning to tell the difference is going to be the hard part for Merry, as you'll see in a few chapters. Thanks for reading. :)
Mistarry · 9 November 2004 · Chapter 18: The Morning After
That was great; again! :-p, but I'm still going to ask(again...), NOW is Merry over the shadow? ;)
Author's reply
Lol, I'm not telling! It would ruin all the fun, if I told you everything now. You'll just have to wait and see. I'm glad you're enjoying this, thanks for reading. :)
Lindelea · 9 November 2004 · Chapter 18: The Morning After
Uh, oh. Didn't Aragorn say something about unexplained anger? But then he said the nightmares were just nightmares. Hmmm. The rest of the chapter has a peaceful feel to it, sort of a respite, or a time of healing. Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
It's fun to speculate, isn't it? Is Merry going to have another bad nightmare? Is Pippin ever going to recover his memories? Join us next week for the exciting continuation of the story! It's like a soap opera, lol. Thanks for reading! :)
pipinheart · 9 November 2004 · Chapter 18: The Morning After
Nice... Merry is still having nightmares, and seems tired a lot, is worries keeping him from rest. Pippin is starting to get better,but his memory is still not back to where it should. How do you deal with gaps in your memory, it would be a hard thing. Merry has even snapped at pippin,he seems edgy... Merry is kept busy, and it keeps him occupied,a visit at the stram with pippin may help both of them... great job... Update soon...
Author's reply
Memory loss is a tricky thing, but Pippin is doing better than he thinks he is. Merry's doing alright as well. He and Pippin are starting to get restless and so they snipe at each other, which is pretty normal. I think Merry's mood should improve now that he has other things to do. Thanks for reading. :)
Hai Took · 8 November 2004 · Chapter 17: The Giving of Swords
Oh dear, so Pippin isn't done remembering! I am curious to know what he is dreaming about as well that keeps revisiting him. I hope he will confide in Merry (partly because I am selfish and want to know as well) because it might be better for him to know. I am glad he is confiding in Aragorn at least. So wonderful for Merry to be reinstated as it where, as a knight of Rohan! I'm glad that Eomer took the time to sit and talk to Merry like his uncle had wanted to! Looking forward to more! Thank you!
Author's reply
Pippin will be remembering new little bits for a long time. Memory is funny that way. As far as knowing what he dreamed about, if I ever get this beast done, I'm planning to work on a companion piece that shows events from Pippin's point of view, and his nightmares might work their way into that. At this point I have no plans to have him tell Merry anything. I'm glad you liked this chapter. There should be another one coming in a day or two. :)
Grey Wonderer · 7 November 2004 · Chapter 17: The Giving of Swords
Read and reviewed on LJ, but still think it worth mentioning how much I love Merry's knighting in this one. Merry deserved a bit of cheer at that point and I am very glad that he got it.
Author's reply
Lol...I always enjoying seeing your comments in both places. Thanks again. :)
pipinheart · 7 November 2004 · Chapter 17: The Giving of Swords
Really enjoyed this one.... Poor pippin and these horrible nightmares,. He won't speak to merry about them,but spoke to aragorn,at least he confides in someone. Merry is now back in the service of the king Of Rohan,and with a new sword,he talked to frodo and sam,and is feeling better about may may come... Great story...
Author's reply
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
girlofring · 7 November 2004 · Chapter 17: The Giving of Swords
this is a very good story. of course I missed this because I never gave a Pippin/Merry centric story a chance; I like Frodo centric. Anyways, I have added you to my favorites list on ff.net. I look forward to the next chapter. I found this story by Quill and Ink.
Author's reply
I know what you mean, I'm sure there are many very good fics out there that I haven't read because they are more Frodo centric and I tend to focus more on the Merry and Pippin stories. Thanks for giving the story a try, I'm glad you liked it. :)
Lindelea · 7 November 2004 · Chapter 17: The Giving of Swords
Forgot to mention in review, I liked the last part with Eomer. Too brainless to add any specific comments, but his taking care of unfinished business and then taking care of Theoden's unfinished business as well was a nice touch.
Author's reply
You know, it's one of those many moments that Tolkien just didn't give us. Merry and Pippin were both released from service by their (now dead) lords and yet here they are at the feast, knights of Rohan and Gondor. I like resolving that sort of unfinished business. :)
Lindelea · 7 November 2004 · Chapter 17: The Giving of Swords
My goodness, multiple awakenings in one night! Poor Merry. (Know just how he feels...) Telling time by the light coming in the doorway was a nice touch. I liked the subtle clues to Merry's personality when he was weighing breakfast, tidiness, and sleep. The banter between the cousins was perfectly hobbity. "cusp of sleep" is a nice turn of phrase I've not heard in a long time. Lovely, as usual. Very nice sick-day reading. Thanks!
Author's reply
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the chapter. :)
Mistarry · 7 November 2004 · Chapter 17: The Giving of Swords
Oh, yes! Merry deserved that, no doubt. But I must ask you, NOW is Merry over the shadow?
Author's reply
Ah, I can't tell you that! It would take all the fun out of things, lol. You'll just have to wait and see. :)