Nina the powerwriter
· 8 November 2004
· Chapter 13
Got all the way through to chapter 12 then saw you had updated! I was glad b/c chapter 12 was a cliffhanger. It's very clear that the bond between the four travellers is there, and very strong I might add. It's a wild idea that Merry can feel Frodo's pain. They both have felt the icy cold of the Witch-king, so I can understand they'd share pain. Loving the story! I know you'll continue, so I don't have to worry about that :P
Author's reply
Yes, I'm afraid I am a bit obsessed with the connections between them. Given Merry's single-mindedness, as well as the encounter with the WK, I thought this would not be too far-fetched.
I will definitely be continuing, but I have a lot of RL going on this week, so I may be a bit slower than usual.
Hai Took
· 7 November 2004
· Chapter 13
Wow! The description of why Merry is feeling Frodo's anniversary is rather frightening! I hope that he is able to "loosen the chords" with out casuing harm to himself! Poor, Merry, so is he going to be going through Frodo and Pippin's anniversaries as well as his own?!
Dear, Sam, he must be terribly upset with himself. And the how frightening to see Frodo so lost so to speak. I hope all is well for him as well. He does so much yet I think he gets onto himself too much.
Looking forward to more, hope it is soon!
Author's reply
Yes, it is a bit frightening to think that he has entangled himself so thoroughly into his cousins' hearts. I am hoping to explore a bit more this theme of Merry needed to "loosen up", although it may not all occur in this story, which is, after all, about Pip & Diamond. Merry and Pippin were together at Crickhollow for their own first anniversaries of bad memories, so they rather experienced them together so to speak. But JRRT says Frodo's painful episodes increased in intensity with each re-occurance. This one, for example, is worse than the one he had before in the spring, which was worse than his first anniversary of Weathertop. So it makes sense that the worse it gets, the more pain there would be to resonate to Merry.
Sam is very much upset with himself. I was surprised that he forgot again, myself, but JRRT said he did, so that's that.
RogerGamgee
· 7 November 2004
· Chapter 13
You've done it yet again! I got wind of this update when I checked my mail earlier today. It makes sense, in a way, that all four hobbits would have such strong ties between them, even to Merry being able to sense Frodo's distress. I wonder, though, if the reverse would also be true. Could Frodo pick up somehow on Merry's 'illness'? Food for thought, that...
I like the way you foreshadowed Frodo's impending departure, as cords becoming slowly untied. As bright as Pippin is, he might pick up on that...or at least wonder about it. Since the healer didn't tell him what she saw, that's up in the air.
Well done, as always. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Author's reply
It's quite possible, though so far it is moot. Frodo has two anniversaries, and the one in the spring is so close to the one Merry himself has, that he might not be able to tell from whence his distress was coming. Merry on the other hand, only has one anniversary, so even if his own troubles hid Frodo's in the spring one, he would still pick up on it in the fall. I like to think though that if Merry were in distress otherwise, Frodo *would* pick up on it. In a way he has, understanding Merry's disquiet over Pippin, for example, and knowing when Merry needed to be distracted.
I don't believe Lavender is going to mention it; Diamond is not yet experienced enough to see some of the more subtle patterns, and so I don't think she spotted it.
Bodkin
· 7 November 2004
· Chapter 13
Lavender is a pretty perceptive healer. Merry needs to learn how to let go - although his bulldog characteristics have served him pretty well so far.
It's good to see Pippin protecting Merry - and probably remarkably attractive for a certain young trainee healer.
Poor Frodo / Sam. The master / servant relationship does get in the way of the support they can offer each other still. Merry / Pippin are able to be close because of their cousinship in a way that is impossible for F / S.
Author's reply
Merry's tenaciousness is what kept him going on the Quest, and sent him off with Dernhelm when he'd been told to stay behind. But it is making it very difficult for him to return to a normal life as long as he cannot get over the fear he has of losing those he loves.
Pippin is now mature and experienced enough to return Merry's protectiveness--and you're right, it's going to give Diamond a lot to think about.
Frodo would be all too happy to dispense with the master/servant stuff altogether; Sam on the other hand would not. And you are right, it does make a difference. But Frodo, and Merry and Pippin as well do think of Sam as family, even though they do not share even a twig with him on the family trees. It's a bit harder for Sam to admit, but Rosie has it down: "Mr. Pippin is like kinfolk, even if he is gentry."
GamgeeFest
· 7 November 2004
· Chapter 13
"Lavender saw the realization dawn. She carefully did not say what else she had seen: that the cords to Frodo were already beginning to fray."
How lovely and sad this chapter was! The bonds between the four are strong indeed and Merry does tend to hold on rather tightly to those he loves. Especially after all they've been through, and thinking once already that he might lose them all, this is incredibly trying and exhausting for him. Letting go is not something he's used to doing and it will be hard for him, but for his own health he has to do it. Pippin will be alright, and so will Frodo too, though it will be difficult for them to say good-bye when the time comes.
Sam's reaction to forgetting again was perfect and I love that he will so willingly bear the pain for the both of them, just as he did so many times on the Quest.
Author's reply
I had a lot more that I originally was going to have Lavender say about Merry and his ties to those he loves, but I realized it would be taking the story even more away from the Pippin/Diamond focus. I will probably have some of it come out more gradually.
Of course, none of them yet realize that they now have less than another year to spend together. *sigh*
I would not have had Sam forget, but it was canon, so I had to do it. I know he would have been very hard on himself afterwards.
The little paragraph in RotK dealing with this episode is so very sparse. It really does read like Frodo wrote it himself, and was trying to say as little as possible.
SharonB
· 7 November 2004
· Chapter 13
Sigh, sniffle. Poor Merry, he's the one who saw in you "new Reckonings" that Frodo was not getting better and he doesn't want to let go. I wonder though if there isn't a bit more connection since he is the one who slew the Witch King. After all it was the Witch King to struck Frodo. Seems like he might be more sensitized all around in his love for Frodo and his act on the battlefield.
I'm glad that Lavender and Diamond got to see this side, even if it was hard for them to cope with. It will make their care of Pip easier to undertake knowing more what they are dealing with.
I think at this point Merry and Sam do realize down deep that Frodo will not stay with them but go to the west. We know it's inevitable but still it's hard to see it coming.
As an aside I can't wait to see what all they leave in or take out with the FOTR part 1 on the TV tonight. Hmm, Weathertop will be in the scenes tonight.
Author's reply
I do think the fact that he tangled with the WK too, also has somewhat to do with the *way* he is reacting, but I think even without that he would know at the very least when something was wrong. Letting go is not something Merry is familiar with.
I especially wanted Diamond to see some of this. She is going to have to realize just what she will be letting herself in for.
I'm not sure that they realize he will actually physically leave them to go West. But I am sure that they see him slipping away from them in spite of his efforts to hang on.
I wonder which version is being aired: TR or EE?
Kitty
· 7 November 2004
· Chapter 13
It is quite clear the four travellers have formed a very strong bond after all they have been through together. This is an interesting turn, however. I hadn't thought before to see it expanded to this extend, but I think it quite possible. They had shared a strong bond even before they left the Shire, and after all that happened, they know each other and their problems too well to not to be affected by it. I can understand why Lavender is so curious about this connection - I am not much better, although I do know so much more about their adventures than Lavender will ever know.
And I think this happening will Pippin make quite interesting for Diamond. This is not only interesting for the healer in her, but for herself personally as well. I look forward to more!
Author's reply
I don't see any of it as too much of a stretch in JRRT's M-e. I think what made me explore down this avenue was the remark of Faramir's about "night oft brings news to near kindred". So often people in his stories say they "know" something in their heart. No one questions this. It is simply taken as one more peice of legitimate information. So I do think that after so much has passed between them, these four *do* have such a link.
And yes, you are right, this does give Diamond something else to chew on. It's why I wanted her to see it.
pipinheart
· 6 November 2004
· Chapter 13
Great!
Frodo didn't want to bother sam,but that is something sam wanted to help with,unfortunatly frodo's pain is something in which he cannott heal.
merry, has closed the strings on both frodo and pippin, he is to aware of thier presents. What will happen to merry when frod gets worse, if he dosen't do something he could be lost.
But how do you sever a bond of close love without loosing yourself....
Love this! Keep up the great work...
Author's reply
Frodo knows Sam can't help, and thinks to spare him. Even after all they have gone through, he still has a hard time realizing that Sam would rather share his pain, even if he can't relieve it, than be shut out.
Merry must learn to let up, give a little slack. There is no way to sever these bonds of love. They are too strongly twisted. He must learn to trust to the strength of the bond, and not to pull so hard. For him, something that will be more than a little difficult.
I thank you for reading and reviewing.
pipspebble
· 6 November 2004
· Chapter 13
But that’s all right, he thought. I have enough pain for the both of us.
Oh, my God, that line is just *wrenching*! Lovely, lovely chapter! My heart aches for all four of them. *sigh*
Author's reply
Yes, all four of them have so much to overcome, to process, and to learn to live with. I am afraid everything I write about them is colored by the foreknowledge that Frodo cannot do it, and that he must leave his beloved Shire and his dear ones behind. *sighs along with you*
Beruthiel
· 6 November 2004
· Chapter 13
Um, slight mistake in this chapter. The battle against the Witch-King of Angmar was only *one* thousand years ago.
Author's reply
Ooops! Just my bad math! I'll fix that in a minute! (Shouldn't try to do mental math when I am as tired as I am tonight!) *blushes*
Author Reply: Meant to say "thanks for the heads up!"
Auntiemeesh
· 6 November 2004
· Chapter 13
“He is holding on very tightly to those cords. In fact, he has pulled them as tightly as he can, especially the ones to you, and to Frodo Baggins. It is putting a strain on him. He is fearful of losing both of you. This makes him pull even harder. He is reaping the result of this; he is more aware of both of you, even when you are not present. But if he does not learn to loosen the cords, he will be lost when they inevitably break.”
Ah, poor Merry. He's so determined to hold on to everyone, as if he can make all their problems go away if he just clings tightly enough to them. It's going to be painful for him to learn to let go a bit. I love this explanation for why he reacted so strongly to Frodo's anniversary. :)
Author's reply
I see Merry as very single-minded and determined. These can be good traits, and stood him in good stead on the Quest. But the downside of it is that these traits can lead to a bit of difficulty in personal relationships. You are right: he thinks that if he holds on tightly enough, it will fix everything. Unfortunately life doesn't work that way.
Pearl Took
· 6 November 2004
· Chapter 13
A deeply touching and meaningful chapter. Wonderfully done :)
Author's reply
Thank you; I love writing about these four and their connections to one another. I find it endlessly fascinating. I am gradually groping my way to an understanding of the nature of those connections.
good_one_pip
· 5 November 2004
· Chapter 12
I was right! Something was definitely wrong. Just the last word of the chapter - weathertop - oh, it gave me shivers! Oh, does Sam have to go through this agian. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: Poor Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin! You have to feel for them. Great way to build the suspence though. And nice allusion to the "honeycakes" incident!
Author's reply
I am afraid that Frodo did have to, JRRT said so. I suppose it was cruel of me to have Merry stricken as well, but I have an explanation of that.
I thought a little happy memory would lighten up the mood just a bit.
Thanks for reading and reviewing! 8-)
good_one_pip
· 5 November 2004
· Chapter 11
Maybe I'm also being overly cautious, but Sam and Merry's anxious feelings have caught on to me. What's wrong? Is something bad going to happen? Wait, don't answer those questions now. Hurry up and write them so I can find the answers myself! LOL
Author's reply
Well, I guess you know the answers, now, LOL!
Hai Took
· 5 November 2004
· Chapter 12
I liked the way you described the friendship bonds between Fredegar and Folco! That is such a good idea and that the Travellers would have a kind of bond like that only stronger is great!
Pippin being upset about the healers questioning Frodo and Sam seemed very characteristic. I would think after everything they went through that all four of them through their mutual understanding would feel a certain amount of protectivness for the others and you wrote it very well.
Oh dear, Frodo and Merry being rather down with the same thing is frightening! Is Merry affected because he killed the Witch-King? There have been varying stories about Merry's arm going icy on the anniversary of the day he killed him but I hadn't heard one like this before, but it makes since if that is the right thing. It is a good thing that Aragorn sent them home with athelas tea! I hope it helps!
Looking forward to more! Thank you!
Author's reply
I think of Freddy's and Folco's friendship as a sort of mirror of Merry's and Pippin's, and Freddy's grief a way of exploring what *could* have been if either of them had lost the other on the Quest. But of course their bonds are even stronger.
Yes, one of the things that has come about as a result of Pippin's experiences is that he has grown up to the point that he feels protective of those who are older than he. All his life his cousins have protected him, but now, he feels protective towards them as well.
Merry killing the WK is only a part of it. I hope to explain a bit in the next chapter. I think Aragorn and Elrond would have sent our lads home with every bit of help they could give. Athelas leaves and tea would have been something they would easily have supplied them with.
Thank *you* for reading and reviewing!
Auntiemeesh
· 4 November 2004
· Chapter 12
I like the way you built up to Merry and Frodo's trouble. I was trying to see what the date was, but you cleverly didn't have it listed. Sneaky you. :) I think it's interesting that Merry's wound is bothering him on Frodo's anniversary, and that he was subliminally bothered by it all day without knowing what was wrong.
Author's reply
I tried leaving a couple of little hints, but I guess I was *too* subtle, LOL! I mention that it's more than a week since Frodo's birthday, and a couple of things about the weather, and so forth, but I don't think anyone caught on. On the other hand, I thought it would be kind of a sledgehammer to have one of them saying "Oh, by the way, it's the sixth of Winterfilth, isn't it?" and would defeat the purpose of them forgetting it. *grin*
I have some interesting theories about Merry and his connection to Frodo. I touched on it just a little bit, in the discussion of family bonds in the last chapter. I'll probably explain it a little more, but I don't want to get too sidetracked away from Pip and Diamond.
SharonB
· 4 November 2004
· Chapter 12
Ah, you weave your story so nicely in and around actual LOTR scenes. Pip is quite concerend about both Merry and Frodo. At least each of them have someone to watch over them and take care to help ease the hurt.
LOL, yes males will be males when it comes to medicine. But I am Damond feels confidant enough to tell Mistress Lavender about Pip's concerns over her quesitoning Frodo. And good that they realize the conneciton those 4 have with each other. And now Diamond and LAvender see jsut how close those 4 ae bound to each other. I'm sure that's a real schock to them.
Author's reply
Well, I knew I would have to deal with this. And it makes a nice little reversal to have Pippin taking care of Merry for a bit, in the middle of a story about people taking care of Pip; Merry and Frodo will always have someone who loves them to watch over them.
Diamond is a confident person, or she would never have decided to be a healer. The conneciton between the Travellers, and between the cousins in particular, is one of my favorite things to write about. Lavender and Diamond are seeing a bond stronger than they have ever seen before.
GamgeeFest
· 4 November 2004
· Chapter 12
Ah, I thought it might be an anniversary thing. This is the second time Sam's forgot, though he does have other things on his mind. I suppose Merry's having sympathy pains or something like that. Poor hobbits.
Author's reply
Yes, indeed. I knew at the start that having this story take place shortly after The Birthday meant that I would also have to deal with the Weathertop anniversary. I wish I could have handled it a bit differently, but I'm trying to stay mostly canon here; actually, I find it difficult to believe that Sam *would* have forgotten again, but JRRT said so, and I have to deal with it. This way, he sort of remembered sub-consciously, but was unable to make the connection until it was too late.
Sympathy pains is more or less what it is. I'm hoping to give a bit more explanation of Merry's reaction in later chapters. But it's a sub-plot, so I don't want to get too side-tracked.
Nina the powerwriter
· 4 November 2004
· Chapter 5
Aww...I reallyed liked this chapter! Oh boy, an obsticle with Diamond being a healer, but I don't think that'll hamper anything too bad :P I only got up to this chapter last night, but I'll read the rest in a couple days! I'm curious to see what happens!
Author's reply
It's the one *real* obstacle, and we will have to see how that works out. I am eager to see your new chapter of "Beauty for Ashes" but I am saving it for this evening. Hubby has to go to a seminar, and I think it will be a good chapter to keep me company while I eat supper tonight! 8-D
Nina the powerwriter
· 4 November 2004
· Chapter 2
Oh! You used the stone healing concept! I remember you talking about that when we had lunch.
Author's reply
Yes, I have my healers using their pendulums, LOL! It comes in very handy for stubborn patients who won't admit when they are hurting!
Nina the powerwriter
· 4 November 2004
· Chapter 1
Oh no! Pippin with a broken leg...hmm...that's a cause for trouble. Diamond as the healer's apprentice? I've never seen that done before. Clever move ;)
Author's reply
The idea just came to me when I did "Tribute" and I thought, hmmm, oh the possiblities...8-D
Author Reply: The idea just came to me when I did "Tribute" and I thought, hmmm, oh the possiblities...8-D
pipinheart
· 4 November 2004
· Chapter 12
Merry is worring again,but I think he worries over everything. Sam is worried about something and that something turns out to be frodo...
Ah,my very good.... Poor merry reliving hat happened to frodo,curious as to how his arm got cold again, and frodo is reliving it too...
Great job, keep up the good work....
Author's reply
Merry is one of the world's natural worriers. It comes with the protectiveness. Sam should have realized what it was that was bothering him; of course, Frodo didn't give him a chance.
I hope perhaps, to explain a little bit about the connection between Merry and Frodo.
Thanks. This chapter and next were difficult, having to work into canon, but I'm hoping that after this the plot can move a bit faster.
Bodkin
· 4 November 2004
· Chapter 12
Frodo must be a terrible patient for anyone to try to help. He will never ask for any help for himself. He's one of those who will crawl away into a corner, denying there is anything wrong until it is too late for anyone to intervene. I hope Sam can help him.
Good thing Merry was with Pippin.
Lavender was quite understanding about the slip of Diamond's tongue - and honest enough to acknowledge that she was being curious.
Author's reply
That's Frodo. The Ring and Saruman left his already fragile self-esteem in complete tatters. When the darkness comes over him, he doesn't feel as if he deserves any relief.
Yes, it was. The comfort between these two goes both ways.
Lavender is honest and fair, if a bit blunt and tactless. Haven't you known doctors like that, who are excellent at what they do, but are lacking just a little bit in bedside manner?
Pearl Took
· 3 November 2004
· Chapter 12
Wonderful as always!! I like Merry bathing Pippin, he has the chatty detachment that is proper for such a time. (Reminds me of a M*A*S*H episode with Margaret bathing a patient) The build up you've had to Frodo and Merry's plight has also been great. And I loved Diamond plucking up the courage to talk to her mistress. Well Done :)
Author's reply
Merry's given Pippin a lot of baths in his lifetime, and I think probably several when he was convalescing. I'm flattered to be compared to M*A*S*H, that's one of my favorite shows.
I realized as soon as I started this fic, that due to the time in which I set it that I was going to have to deal wtih Frodo's anniversary illness for his wound from the Morgul blade. I'm glad it came across okay.
Diamond would need to be able to talk to her mistress honestly in order to be any good as healer.
Thank you!
pipspebble
· 3 November 2004
· Chapter 12
This was a lovely chapter, full of tenderness and angst and worriting (I just love that word!) You did a beautiful job of incorporating the Professor's words into your own story. I continue to be amazed at your skill in writing so many characters so very well. Wonderful job! Thank you for making my night a little bit better. More than a little, really, because you made me smile on an otherwise grim day. Hugs to you for that. :-)
Author's reply
I liked the word "worriting" as well. It struck me when I was doing "Conspiracy" and saw Farmer Maggot say it. But the spellchecker hates the word, and always wants to change it, LOL!
It's nice to know that I cheered someone up today. It's not been pleasant for me either. But hobbits are an excellent cure for what ails you. 8-)