Reviews (82)

harrowcat · 14 January 2016 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Good. It would serve them right. I hope their father soundly thrashes them, though knowing him, I doubt it. Someday I’ll make up for that.” Pippin looked at Merry in surprise. “That sounds like a promise.” And, since I am rereading your work in the order that you published it here I already know how Merry kept his promise. It hurts to read but I applaud the complexity you put into the father/ son relationship here..and carry it on through to post quest. Btw...I am making up for my years of lurking and not reviewing by making 2016 the year when I leave an appreciation for everything I read online. Please don't feel stalked or obliged to reply every time! Although, it is nice to know that you have seen the comment.

AspenJules · 27 January 2008 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Oh, that was good. I kept meaning to leave reviews at the end of the chapter, but even knowing how it eventually turned out, I couldn't resist just clicking next at the end to keep reading. It's nice to get the details of this story finally. And I liked Frodo standing in for Merry's parents... I'm glad that Merry and Pippin were able to have the time together. So touching his chin to his chest would stimulate swallowing? I never knew that... And how does the burnt toast thing work? Kind of like charcoal? Isn't there a charcoal-ish remedy for poisoning? And what was the green liquid at the end of reviving him? Is it something specific and real or something general and vague that you created? LOLOL, I guess enquiring minds want to know. Great story, Barbara!

Queen Galadriel · 10 April 2006 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Oh, Pippin! Dear me, what a thing to do! I can see why Merry would be angry, but I can't bring *myself* to feel anything but pity for him. Now, that's hard (the punishment), but I know he deserves it. And it was splendid of Paladin to allow them the time to say farewell, and to allow them to keep in touch. Ha! Those rotten Bankses would fit right in with Lotho's crowd! Well, I have the satisfaction of knowing they and their father got what they deserved. A very interesting tale! God bless, Galadriel

SlightlyTookish · 6 April 2006 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Thanks so much for linking me to this! I've been meaning to read this for ages now, and I had a general idea of what it was about since I'd seen references to it in your other fics, and it did not disappoint. Those Banks brothers are awful! Just as bad as your Hyacinth - are you sure they really aren't *her* children? Lots of lovely Pippin h/c here, and I'm glad Paladin finally relented at the end and allowed Merry and Pippin to make up. Thank goodness for Frodo's intervention. I also liked seeing how resourceful Pearl was. I enjoyed this very much :)

Gryffinjack · 9 December 2005 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

I know I have reviewed this powerful story before, but I wanted share a real life experience that just happened. Hopefully, this will help bring out just how serious and deadly alcohol abuse can be. A week ago, we found out that my twelve year old niece's father was in trauma intensive care in the hospital for seizures and bleeding of the brain caused from too much alcohol over the years. Although he started to respond to treatment, his body was toxically poisoned and he had extremely bad sclerosis of his liver caused by the alcohol's effects over the years. I am sad to inform everyone that my niece's father passed away last night. I hope that this story helps bring home the all too real dangers to anyone thinking that alcohol is nothing serious and makes them think twice about drinking.

Lindelea · 26 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Just as Pippin’s first thought when he was troubled was to find Merry, Merry’s first thought was to find Frodo. (I love these hints you drop about the cousins' relationships.) He found him in the first place he thought to look--the library. (How well Merry knows Frodo.) (Good for Paladin! He makes his missteps, as we all do, but in the scene with Clodio he's magnificent!) Frodo knew the proprieties. (I love this intimation that there *are* proprieties, and properly-brought-up hobbits know them. It adds such a feeling of depth.) Paladin was reminded very much of Bilbo, who could look just so, when he thought he was right. (I like this bit of resemblance being noted. ) “If you send Merry away now, without giving him a chance to mend things with Pip, he is going to fret himself sick. I mean this.” (Is there a story behind this? Is it silly of me to be curious, and want to know more about how Merry frets himself sick? Or is it just that I am always ready to read more Merry h/c?) And Merry sounds quite vengeful... I don't remember if he carries out his promise in another story or not. I meant to ask, what is Hyacinth's maiden name? Thanks for a good read, very diverting, and I'm up past bedtime but at least I wasn't interrupted in the reading!

Lindelea · 26 October 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Poor Pippin! Thinking Merry is furious with him! And poor Merry! Not able to set things right... “If that had happened, there is *nothing*--and I mean *nothing* that would have kept you from being flogged, marked and banished for causing a wrongful death! (and they didn't learn their lesson, it seems...) He drifted finally into sleep, chasing after the funny and sweet memories of the two cousins he loved like little brothers. (what a lovely image you paint here) The messenger nodded, but did not look at him directly. Instead he fixed his gaze on the rug in the front hall... The messenger spoke to the shrubbery at the side of the front step. “I can’t say, sir, I’m sure.” Which meant he had not been given leave to say, not that he didn’t know. Everyone in the Great Smials knew by now, he was sure. He stood there briefly, just long enough to make Clodio know that he was aware of the lapse of courtesy for not asking him in for tea, not to mention failing to offer the customary tip. Not that he expected one. The Mistress’s brother was known to pinch his coppers till they squeaked. “Well, sir,” he said to the doorpost... (I chuckled at your messenger, got quite a lot of personality for a simple walk-on part) Having Pip alive and able to experience his first hangover was lovely. (how true--everything is indeed relative)

Lindelea · 26 October 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Whew. Y'know, I think Cado is probably the brightest bulb in the room. At least as long as the two brothers are alone together. All too often it is easier for a younger sibling just to go along with an older one. *sigh* Just goes to show you need to train the older one(s) up properly, to set the right example.

Lindelea · 26 October 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

O no! I'm certainly glad this story is finished and I can go on to the next chapter. What an awful cliffhanger! (Take it from me...) I like your healer, Poppy. Is she the same as is on the "Road to Edoras"? Pardon me for being particularly vague tonight. I took something for a migraine and while the floating sensation is not unpleasant, the muddled thoughts are a bother.

Lindelea · 26 October 2005 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2

The sad thing about this is that it wasn't all that long ago I heard on the news about a lad dying because of a similar fraternity "prank".

Lindelea · 26 October 2005 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Have just started reading this for the first time, after Dana mentioned it the other day. I love the way you draw the relationships between the cousins! Those Bankses are a real piece of work. It sounds as if they've grown up under a bad influence. Who is it? And yet, even here, in this very early story, I can see the seeds that grew into "Road to Edoras". Clovis is a thoroughly unpleasant chap, and seems to be the instigator of most of the mischief, while Cado seems less than whole-hearted about the whole miserable business. I think he'd actually like to be friends with Pippin, if he were let alone.

Gryffinjack · 20 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Clodio is plum awful! The apple does not fall far from the tree, I see. And that nickname he has for his sister - yuck! I sincerely doubt he will give his sons the punishment they deserve, and any punishment they do get from their father will not be because he thinks they were wrong, but for embarassing him and making him go all the way to Tuckborough to bring them home in disgrace. Once again, Frodo is amazing in his care, compassion, and diplomatic skills. He was absolutely right - Merry would have fretted himself sick had he not been able to set things to rights with Pippin before leaving. Frodo is an excellent "older brother" to both Merry and Pippin. I'm so glad Merry and Pippin were able to see each other one last time before Merry left. Merry needed to apologise for yelling at Pippin and he also needed to hear Pippin admit that what he did was a stupid thing to do. It shows a lot about the strength of Pippin's character that Merry knows that had he promised, Pippin would never drink again. It also shows Merry's wisdom in not making him promise such a thing. The promise they made to each other will be difficult enough to keep, but there is not doubt they both will keep it. No doubt neither of them realises right now the full implications of that promise. It's also something that can bring them even closer together, if that's possible. Merry will also keep his promise to one day punish the Banks brothers as they deserved. Anyone who knows his resolve and his total devotion and love for his Pippin know that. Merry will make the Banks brothers pay for what they did to Pippin. I would *not* want to be them when Merry does get even. You should be very proud of this story. It is one of the finest fan fiction stories I have ever read. It not only deals with a very troublesome and real problem, but it does so responsibly and with love for the characters, dignity, and compassion. The only thing I am sorry about is that I have now finished reading it. I'd read it again right now, except I have so many more stories of yours to read again first, including my other favourites, A New Reckoning, It Takes a Took, and both versions of When the King Comes Back. I really am totally enjoying reading these again! Having read them once and now reading them in chronological order adds even more meaning to them. I'm so glad you've written all of these stories and are sharing them with us!

Gryffinjack · 20 October 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter 5

"But this day looked to have a more hopeful ending. Pippin would live, and his Merry would not have to know the kind of grief and loneliness that had blighted his own life. And Pippin’s bright spirit and great heart had been spared to them. In his fear for Merry’s sake, he had kept his own fear for Pippin at bay. But he knew what it would have meant to him to lose that precious little Took." Poor Frodo! How he must have been silently suffering as he watched Pippin's life ebb away, hoping that it would return, and knowing what it would do to Merry as well. My word, I want to give him a hug! That messenger must have really enjoyed delivering that message to Clodio, especially in the face of his rudeness. How Clodio could be related to Eglantine, much less to be her brother, is beyond me. Merry at first was glad to see Pippin awake in the morning. He even seemed to enjoy to some extent the fact that Pippin had a hangover, probably considering it to be a well deserved punishment. Why else would he have been smiling as he opened up the drapes to let the sunlight in? What got Merry so upset with Pippin was not just his fear that he could have lost him, but that Pippin did not seem to even understand or care that he almost killed himself in his foolishness and was instead proud that he had topped his nasty cousins. It really is at times like this that Frodo understands Pippin and is able to help him more than Merry. How like Frodo to put aside his own fears and hurt to help and comfort both Merry and Pippin. The more I see of Frodo, the more I like him. I'm proud of Paladin for standing firm in what he had to do when he could have easily given into his son's pain and tears. It wasn't easy for him to do. Yes, he should have let Merry and Pippin at least say "goodbye", but he did stand firm on the one punishment that would really effect Pippin in a way that he would remember and learn from. I wonder if Paladin got the idea for the punishment from his brother-in-law, Saradoc. At least *he* let the two of them say "goodbye" to each other when Merry was punished. Poor Merry must be crushed, to be torn away from his Pippin before he could explain or make up with him. Furious he may be, but he still loves Pippin with all of his heart and very being.

Gryffinjack · 20 October 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Pippin is very lucky to have such a fine healer as Poppy tend to him. It gives me the chills to think how close he came to dying. The time you spent researching the details for this story is evident. Although I've never heard of burnt toast as a remedy for alcohol poisoning, it does make sense. I remember watching an emergency vet program where they poured liquied charcoal into the dog's stomach to absorb the poison someone had given the dog. I imagine the burnt toast works very much in the same way. It's a good thing Reginard used his Took intelligence and thought to guard the Banks brothers to make sure they stay where they were instructed to wait. “Clovis don’t be any more of an idiot than you have to be.” I really am not certain that Cado is totally evil or cruel. To me, he seems more like a follower who has fallen in with the wrong crowd. The cruel or bad ideas seem to have been primarily Clovis' rather than Cado's, including this stunt. However, this is not to say that he does not take any cruel or bad actions on his own. But Cado has enough intelligence to understand that it is wrong and what the reprecussions are. It is most unfortunate that he does not use that intelligence to refuse to follow his brother. I'd like to think that there might be a bit of hope for Cado later on in life - say, *after* ten years in a story of yours that is currently still in the process of being written. "Clovis stared at Cado in shock. His brother had never spoken to him like that before." Shades of Merry getting so upset with Pippin here. Frodo's quiet strength is something I really enjoy in all of your stories. The strength and understanding is there, but it is very quiet and controlled, which only makes it stronger. It is how I picture him as well.

Gryffinjack · 19 October 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Breathe, Pippin, breathe! You sure do like to torture the poor lad! I don't like to see him like this! This chapter was quite frightening to read and you captured the anxiety and suspense magnificently. Thank goodness Frodo took charge of the situation. Poor Merry was quite beside himself and unable to think clearly of what needed to be done. I could just picture that steely glare that Frodo gave Clovis. That poor excuse for a hobbit had no chance against one of those glares from Frodo. I also really enjoyed when Merry took the Banks brothers to task in the hallway. It's a pity Paladin had to call him off. And this was before the Quest. Can you imagine what Merry would have done to them if this had been *after* the Quest and he really knew how to fight? Three cheers for Poppy! She's fantastic, the way she handled the situation and correctly reminded Eglantine that Pippin knew better and bears a lot of the blame for his state. “Oh dear me,” said Hyacinth with a gleam in her eyes, “I wonder, is it serious?” I hate her! Can't we use her for Ork-bait? "Paladin looked at the two brothers. “Go to my study at once, and wait for me there, no matter how long it takes.” They looked at him, not moving. “I said go at once, or I will allow Meriadoc and Frodo to escort you there!” They glanced at Merry, who gave them a mirthless grin. “Please, let us do that, Uncle Paladin.”" This was a great exchange! I can picture the scene very clearly in my head. And Paladin is fantastic in this entire chapter. “You know, I feel like it’s my fault. I should never have let him go off with those two.” Does Merry always have to be such a Merry? Can't we get him to understand that not everything is his fault? “I should never have allowed those horrible nephews of mine anywhere near Pippin!” Oh, great. Now Eglantine is acting like Merry, too! They're quite a pair! This is not at all a pretty chapter to read - most responsible of you to allow us to see the dangers of alcohol abuse in all of its ugliness.

Gryffinjack · 19 October 2005 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Shame on Pippin! He knew better than to drink his father's wine and brandy with permission. Sure, he's as curious as a Took comes, but right now he's not only acting like a Fool of a Took, but like a disobedient one. For all that he's my favourite Tolkien character, I am quite disappointed with him right now, and I don't care how much his cousins put him up to it. He knew better. It's the Brandy Hall tunnels all over again with just as much possibility that he could lose his life. He's such a little thing that it's not going to take much alcohol to become toxic to his system and potentially lethal. Merry is going to be ticked! Now, just because I'm disappointed with Peregrin does not mean that the Banks brothers are off the hook. They knew exactly what they were doing and what would happen to their younger and smaller cousin. While I don't think they mean to really injure or kill him, I'm sure they would be quite happy if Pippin ended up with the hangover of all hangovers in the morning. They, or at least Clovis, probably think it will teach him a lesson for going off with that Brandybuck. I'm also disappointed with Pippin for going off with his Banks cousins in the first place. He should have known they were up to nothing but trouble. However, I guess that's to be expected, considering that being Pippin, he wanted everyone to like him, even his cruel Banks cousins. It's not fair when a very trusting soul must pay for having such a good quality. And Clovis and Cado are cruel enough to take advantage of that. I do not envy those Banks brothers once Merry finds out whose fault it was in the first place. Nobody hurts or endangers his Pip and gets away with it. I'm just glad that Frodo is there to help Merry deal with the situation. Merry's going to need him. This is a very important story. The dangers of alcohol abuse, especially among minors, is all too real.

Gryffinjack · 19 October 2005 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Finally! I love this story; it's so well written. In a way, Clovis and Cado Banks remind me of Merry and Pippin - it's the older one, Clovis, who is always getting the younger one, Cado, into trouble. The difference, however, lies in the type of trouble and the intent behind it. While Merry and Pippin just get into a little mischief and Merry gets Pippin out of trouble, Clovis and Cado are nasty, mean-spirited individuals. "Their time at the inn had been a pleasant interlude, and Merry and Pippin had started back to the Smials to be in time for afternoon tea. They were not talking much, but simply enjoying one another’s company without the presence of annoying outsiders." That's the beauty of their relationship - they don't need to talk in order to have a good time together or to understand each other. And I'm so glad Frodo is part of this story, too!

PIppinfan1988 · 30 May 2005 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

LOL...I suppose Merry's revenge can wait a while! I'll wait on it for a bit as I want to read more of your work between here and The Road to Edoras. I did like how Paladin responded to Clodio when he arrived at G.S. Excellent story! Hope you had a great weekend! Pippinfan

yelena · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

WOW!!! This was my *first* story on storiesofarda, and it was brilliant! Well, besides the one a close friend of mine wrote.Good thing there's more (I read some previous reviews for fun.) I, personally, would not be able to take a character already developed and make him or her my own. I prefer to create my own characters.

PIppinfan1988 · 26 May 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Hullo...I took two chapters today. :-) I liked how you had members of the family take turns caring for Pippin; very sweet and realistic. LOL...I also like your Paladin's firmness. In one of my tales, I simmered him down a bit when I brought it from ff.net to SOA, thinking I had portrayed him much too strict. I can't wait to see him react when Clodio arrives! Which story is it that Merry gets the better end of the stick with those two numbskull brothers? I'd like to read that ;-), but trust me--I'm not violent in the least! My sister is a nurse, too--and yes, I've picked her brain on several occasions. Helps to have one of those in the family. :-) See ya tomorrow. Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 25 May 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Get'em, Merry!!! Get'em! I rather like high-pitched songs.... Okay, I'll stop--for now. ;-) I really do hope that this tale will help someone make the right choice if ever faced with this sort of peer-pressure. Folk should never let the inebriated one lie on his/her back, for just the reasons you wrote about. I'll be back again tomorrow. Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 24 May 2005 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Oh, my! This doesn't bode well for my wee hobbit; I've known cases such as this to be fatal. I hope his recovery won't be too painful. I just hope that Cado and Clovis get their just reward. LOL...have you ever tasted Ginger Beer? OY! That stuff is *strong*! At least, the brand I tried long ago was. I thought it was *much* more potent than our Ginger Ale...just thinking about it now nearly gives me indigestion! See ya tomorrow; and maybe with more chapters--I read this one in about ten minutes. I like to savor the flavor. ;-) Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 23 May 2005 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1

I got an idea from you on one of your comments at the Challenge board, so today I took this chapter to work and read it at lunch. The author has done her job: I can already tell you that I don't like those two cousins of Pip's. I hope they get their just reward! Little vermin! Next chapter tomorrow... Pippinfan

Saoirse · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

O, Dreamflower! I *loved* this! What a wonderful, touching, and entertaining tale. Those Banks brothers! ARGH -- But what delightfully wicked characters they were! And poor Pip always trying to find a place in his heart for everyone -- so like him. And Merry's frustration with those brats was right from the startI really liked Frodo's stand against Paladin, and how the Thain reminded him of Bilbo when he had his mind set. I just loved the ending about how they both promised not to get drunk without each other. But, I must say that my favorite part of all was when Merry slammed that dirty, rotten little Banks hellion up against the wall (repetitively) *waves little flag* Go Merry!!! (Too bad Paladin stopped him...) Wonderful job! :)!

MaidenofValinor · 14 January 2005 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1

ooooh...those Banks boys piss me off! They're going to be in so much trouble if anyone finds out what they're up to. The scene with Frodo was great!