So much good stuff in this chapter! The recognition that our lads aren't mad and that there was much to learned from the King. The fun of the dice game. Pip's progress with the dimpled Miss Diamond. And Pippin's aunt and Pippin with their concerns for Frodo. Wonderful yet again!!
Author's reply
Lavender is a cautious sort of healer. She wanted to hear as much close to first hand as she could, and being a healer, she knows quite well whether someone is mad or not. I thought it would be neat if Paladin did that when he came to visit Pip--something I could easily see happening, as he would take advantage of Egalantine's and Frodo's absence.
Pip is beginning to make progress, but we have a way to go yet.
I have some things I wnat to bring in with Pip's aunt later in the story. This was kind of a warm-up for it.
Thanks for the review; I'm happy you like the story!
good_one_pip
· 27 October 2004
· Chapter 7
It's good to know that Merry's such a good husband. Estella should be quite lucky. oh, yeah, in response to one of your responses to one of my reviews (geez, that's confusing), don't be fooled by my Screen name. I AM a girl, if a slightly (ok, more than slightly)hobbit-obsessed girl (especially with Pip...he's my favorite!)LOL
keep writing, I can't wait to read more!
Author's reply
Yes, Merry is going to be a good husband, how could he not? I agree, lucky Estella!
I'll keep it up. But updates will probably slow down after tomorrow. I have to work this weekend.
good_one_pip
· 27 October 2004
· Chapter 8
Ah, I remember the conversation at "the end of all things" way too well. I'm glad Sam finally made that decision. He and Rose were so perfect for each other, don't you think?
I think you're right. Pip's going to have to show Diamond something special before he really wins her over, though it looks like he's already in the process of doing so.
It's a good thing Lavender didn't question Frodo and Sam about their adventures too much. I can't imagine the horrific memories they would have to deal with. You can read the LOTR books and mentally experience the adventures and terrors again and again, but when you close the book, normal life is still going on around you. I couldn't imagine physically going through all that and the almost unbearable scars it would leave.
Author's reply
Oh yes, I absolutely do--those two were meant for one another just as much as Arwen and Aragorn.
Well, our Pip's pretty special himself, isn't he.
Lavender was concentrating on Pippin's injuries and the anomalies of his rapid recovery, so she was not intent on probing Frodo and Sallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Author Reply: Sorry about that. My hand slipped on the keys! I meant to say "Sam" of course! How embarassing!
Bodkin
· 27 October 2004
· Chapter 8
Interesting how the old knee treatment is so much less effective when applied by someone who is less nubile than the lovely Diamond.
Someone ought to take all the healers in the Shire to one side and give them all the information in one go so they can stop asking questions.
Merry the mother hen. Yep, good description.
Author's reply
*chuckle* it is interesting, isn't it? *grin*
Well, that might work; on the other hand there would always be the ones who were sure that they just neede a little bit more informattion...
Thanks. I thought it fit. 8-D
Lindelea
· 27 October 2004
· Chapter 5
A couple of nice glimpses into Frodo's character:
Frodo laughed. “It doesn’t do to have the healers have things all their own way, now does it?” (Frodo! You're such a Took about healers!)
Frodo chuckled. “I don’t think so, Sam. There’s only one reason Merry would be paying so much attention to the lovely healer’s apprentice! So she’s caught Pippin’s eye, has she?”
(Frodo knows Merry, and Pippin, so well.)
Ah, *that* round robin! I was thinking of the current one, but yes, you used it very nicely indeed.
And this was worth a laugh:
“I don’t interfere!”
Frodo and Sam frankly goggled at him.
Author's reply
Frodo's more of a Took about them than Pippin is right now. Of course, Pippin has a healer he wants to impress, LOL!
Frodo does know them very well indeed. To me it's all a part of what I think of as the "cousinly connection".
Yes, that one, the first one, which I think came out very nicely. I wish that the new one would get going. It's just been languishing, poor thing.
Yes; I thought that little piece of denial was worth a goggle or two, didn't you?
Thanks for the reviews!
Lindelea
· 27 October 2004
· Chapter 4
I like Diamond's sense of humour:
“Very well, ‘Bibbid‘,” she laughed.
The wordless conversation was priceless, and shows the depth of understanding between the two cousins.
I like Merry's protectiveness towards Pippin...
Author's reply
A sense of humor would be vital for a future wife of Pippin, I would think.
I'm glad that you liked the little wordless conversation. Those two don't always need words, do they?
Merry's protectiveness towards Pippin is so much a part of him, but sometimes he gets a bit carried away.
Kitty
· 27 October 2004
· Chapter 8
Sorry, I had no time to review because you are updating so fast now - by the time I have some spare time and an idea what to write there is a new chapter, and I go to read it and start thinking anew ;-)
It is quite funny to watch how Pippin reacts to Diamond *grins* He will have her eventually, and it will be interesting to see this relationship starting and developing. Poor little apprentice, she has no chance to escape at all after this stubborn Took has made up his mind.
But the end of the chapter has worried me. Lavender seems a bit too inquisitive - I hope it will not have a bad effect on Frodo, he doesn't need more nightmares. I am glad the four travellers are together just now - if it goes ill Frodo is at least not alone.
Author's reply
The updates will probably slow down after tomorrow, as I have to work Fri, Sat, and Sun.
Well, we *know* from the Appendices that she has no hope of escaping, after all. But hopefully she will find her fate a pleasant one.
Lavender, like many healers, is single-minded when it comes to information about her patients; also, like many healer, she would believe that it might help to "lance the wound" not knowing the true depth and horror of that wound. But Frodo is going home in one more day.
SharonB
· 27 October 2004
· Chapter 8
Oh heavens they noticed each other. Poor Diamond seems in quite a dither as to what to do but Pippin seems quite happy with himself. "you have no time for this sort of nonsense! Even if he did have a smile like sunshine". She is hooked now too. Good thing that Sam bolstered Pip's confidence in getting Diamond after all, LOL.
I bet Lavendar has no idea how she upset Sam and Frodo in having them recount all of Pip's injuries. It brings up so many bad memories for them.
BTW, you have a missing 't' in one of the last sentences ... "you have o ask Mr. Merry" when Sam replied to Mistress Lavendar.
Sharon
Author's reply
Well, let's say she's taken the bait. He's not set the hook yet, *grin* She's going to dither a bit more; after all, she has thought for years that she was going to be like most healers and not marry--she cherishes the idea of independence that gives her, and won't be giving that up without a fight.
I think Lavender knew they were upset, though probably not to what extent; however, like a lot of doctors, she is pretty single minded in getting information that she thinks is necessary for the sake of her patients.
Thanks for letting me know about the typo! I thought I had fixed that, I must have forgotten to hit the edit button. I'll go fix it right now!
Pearl Took
· 27 October 2004
· Chapter 8
Well done! Merry fussing too much over Pippin. The wearying stream of well meaning visitors. His old injuries and oddities. Poor Sam and Frodo having to rehash everything. I'm so glad to find out that Diamond is not immune to those magical green eyes and sunny smile ;)
Author's reply
Merry is having problems of his own right now, as you can tell. And yes, it is so tiring to be laid up and have people tromping in and out, and sometimes being less than tactful in their conversation! And Sam and Frodo will soon return to Bag End and get away from the healer's probing.
How could she be immune to them? How could *anybody*? He just had not felt well enough to turning them on before this.
pipinheart
· 27 October 2004
· Chapter 7
Very well done! I loved the mixture of all the family getting together,and the announcments of the coming children. Really liked the letters merry wrote,you can see his personalaity come to life on the page. You can tell merry is very upset about pippin getting hurt....
Diamond watching him as he sleeps,really can feel her curiosity coming out. His nightmares still plague him, I wonder can she help him in some way there..... Lovely story,can't wait to hear what comes next...
Good job....
Author's reply
I think hobbits have lots of little mini family re-unions anytime there are visits. Merry's letters were an attempt to show just how upset he really is. This is going to come out some more soon.
Diamond's curiousity is going to be what hooks her. She is a Took, after all.
Thanks for the great reviews!
pipspebble
· 26 October 2004
· Chapter 7
Such a warm and friendly story! It was nice reading Merry's thoughts in the various letters and the way he expressed himself so differently in each one. Nice to see Sam and Rosie and Marigold and Tom all in the family way at the same time and Sam's shy but proud announcement of their expectations was perfect. What with Pimmie and her babes and Vinca and hers, now the Gamgees and the Cottons, my goodness but these hobbits are a prolific lot! :-)
Author's reply
JRRT states that the year following the Traveller's return was famous for its weddings, and that lots of little golden haired babies started being born!
I wanted to show a little subtle variation on Merry's POV, how his feelings about what had happened to Pippin would express themselves differently to different people.
good_one_pip
· 26 October 2004
· Chapter 6
Pippin really shouldn't worry about getting Diamond to like him. Frodo's right. Pippin's quite the charmer, if sometimes unwittingly so. LOL. I'm glad Pip's not in too much pain. This is nothing compared to some of the scraps they'd been in. However, if this had happened before The Quest, I bet everyone's reactions would have been different. It's amazing what escaping Black Riders, fighting alongside Kings, and fighting giant spiders can do to a hobbit LOL.
Author's reply
Pippin's a charmer, and it's seldom unwitting, but he's never quite needed to be charming in this way before.
You are right. The Quest gave all three hobbits "a bit of schooling, so to speak" (to quote Sam). Pippin is not being coy or disingenuous or even stoic when he says things like "I've felt worse!" He is simply stating a fact. A mere broken leg, while extremely painful, cannot compare to the agonies endured after the Last Battle. His family cannot seem to get their minds around this, however. The other three Travellers do understand this, but they also know that the broken leg is painful enough, and does not need to be complicated by bad memories!
SharonB
· 26 October 2004
· Chapter 7
So much for Mistress Lavender’s admonishments. It is her fault after all, Diamond is intrugued with Pippin. And how long with it take both of them to notice how the other is looking at them. You could have a quite humorous story here of more missed glances.
And poor Rose, it is hard getting used to a new place when it's the first time you are alone there for long. But good news for Tom and Marigold. And they can stay the night which will make Rosie feel a lttle better about bing in Bag End, she won't be alone.
This has really been a fun story so far, I can't wait to read more.
Sharon
Author's reply
Oh dear me yes, Lavender quite miscalculated when she made her observations known to her apprentice. They've got a few things to get through before glances--and feelings--become mutual. LOL!
Rose has never really been alone at all. It has been difficult for her to even get her mind around the concept. But her brother and his wife arrived at just the right time.
I'm glad you are enjoying it so far. Thanks for the reviews!
good_one_pip
· 26 October 2004
· Chapter 5
"But the need was more Merry's than it was Pippin's." An interesting thought. Frodo observes much in his cousins. An interesting reminder about the fact that He has only 9 fingers. I tend to forget that. I don't blame him for not wanting to discuss it. That "finger incident" occured with Frodo at his lowest point - if you could even consider him "Frodo" at the time, if you take my meaning.
Author's reply
Merry has a strong need to take care of his loved ones; he can get a bit carried away at times.
Frodo is still a bit self concious about the "finger". You are right. It is a reminder of the worst thing that ever happened to him: the way the Ring took control of him, and robbed him of the chance to be himself.
Bodkin
· 26 October 2004
· Chapter 7
Poor Rosie - she's probably never been on her own overnight. And it's quite odd, how a totally ordinary safe house turns spooky at night when you are on your own.
That's it, Eglantine (nudge, nudge, wink, wink), leave Diamond to watch Pippin - he's a curiosity - and curiosity killed the cat.
Have all three jewels turned up now? Here we have Garnet and Opal, but I can't remember if Amethyst has shown herself.
Merry is so protective of Pippin - but only Frodo is allowed to ruffle his hair. There have to be some advantages to being the Ringbearer!
Author's reply
You are right, she never has! Being alone is totally foreign to her experience.
Diamond *is* a Took after all--what better way to her heart than curiousity?
Amethyst so far has only had a bit part; she answered the door when Diamond paid her sister a house call.
I just thought that might be something special between Pippin and Frodo, who is after all, a good deal older than he.
Thanks for the thoughtful review!
Pearl Took
· 26 October 2004
· Chapter 7
Very nice chapter :) Your characters are all well done and interesting. I'm really enjoying this :)
Author's reply
I'm so glad you like it! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
pipinheart
· 26 October 2004
· Chapter 6
Poor pippin,you can see he is in love with her,and she can't see it.... Diamond seems like she is a good healer. I like opal,she has overcome many things.
Diamons was sure casual about saving his brother in-laws,but his sister sure weren't.
Very good story keep up the good work....
Author's reply
She's not ready to see it just quite yet; and truth be told, Pippin's probably not quite ready for that either--he needs to be feeling a bit better before he's ready to cope with her returning his interest.
I think that would be a hard situation to cope with--to know that one loved one was willing to sacrifice for another. I actually find that a bit of a scary thought.
Thanks for the reviews; I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
GamgeeFest
· 25 October 2004
· Chapter 6
Pippin in a swoon, how adorable. And LOL, that was funny! "Diamond didn't notice" Score one for Sam. :D
It was good to check in on Opal and see how she's doing. I'm glad she's got a sense of humor about her leg now, and it's also good to see her sisters getting along with everyone more now too.
Author's reply
Adorable, huh? *chuckle* Isn't Pippin always adorable? I thought Sam deserved to get just a bit of his own back on the teasing he'd endured over Rose, 8-D
We'll be seeing some more of Opal in this story.
Author Reply: By the way, I just read your response to my review for your story. I can't tell you how flattered and gratified I am! Oh, my! You are so sweet!
pipspebble
· 25 October 2004
· Chapter 6
Oh, sweetness and light! Love this chapter, as all of them. I do like seeing this relationship progress. Bring on the next chapter! I'm ready!
Author's reply
I'm not *quite*! Had to work today, darn it, so couldn't work on my update! But I've got it started, so it won't be long. Glad you are enjoying it!
Pearl Took
· 25 October 2004
· Chapter 6
Wonderful as always! I like Diamond's friendship with Opal, most cool! And Pippin getting weary of getting thanked is most true a feeling as well. Well done :)
Author's reply
I think both of the aspiring young healers would find themselves with a lot in common, and Opal is enjoying having a friendship with someone who doesn't have to constantly compare her current behaviour with her old behaviour.
Being thanked over and over again is tiring, especially when it is for doing something you would have done anyway.
Thanks for the review!
Bodkin
· 25 October 2004
· Chapter 6
Actually, Pippin and Frodo have a good point. Being the victim of excessive gratitude is very wearing. And what can you do? Stand back and make a quick judgment about who it is worth your while to save.
Perhaps sisters + spouses (I think that word should be spice. Although that would make the plural of house - hice. Forget it. That's just silly,) should get all the gratitude and weeping over in one go, so that Pippin just has one afternoon of enormous embarrassment.
I loved Pippin's enjoyment of having his knee rubbed by the lovely Diamond - I think he might have been just a teensy bit over-excited there.
Good to see Opal recovering. (How's the lovely Hyacinth doing?) And I enjoyed seeing Lavender swooning with impressed-ness at the very idea of Lord Elrond, even while her brain is picking up all the sub-text about the level of injury suffered by the Travellers.
Trust Uncle Frodo: he knows. (That's why he's 52 and single.)
Author's reply
Oh they have a point all right! Which is why I cut the scene short with the arrival of Vinca and her husband, because no need to go into it all again. So even if *Pip* has to put up with it three different times, you, gentle reader, will not.
*Grin* I *love* your idea of plurals! (Remember Jinx the Cat: "I hate them meeces to peices!"? No, of course you don't. No one else is that old.)
Pippin was *really* enjoying that a lot, but this *is* a G rated fic! 'Nuff said!
Lavender's curiousity is being sorely provoked.
Oh yes, Uncle Frodo knows...
SharonB
· 25 October 2004
· Chapter 6
Ah, the jewels really have turned around. Good to see Opal taking an interest in her extended family.
And that poor Pippin is going to be devestated if he can't get Diamond interested soon. That is if he doesn't die from embarrassment of family members noticing how head over heels he is. You've made a very nice, efficent hobbitess. Those are certainly characteristics that Pip will need in a wife with his inheriting such an important position. Even if she does not end up practicing her chosen profession those things will be of great importance in helping Pip run the Thainship. I can't wait until you to get to her finally noticing Pip more personally. ;-)
Sharon
Author's reply
Reggie's daughters are thriving now that they are out of Hyacinth's baleful influence.
Oh, poor Pippin indeed. But he hasn't really made any effort yet, he's still processing his own feelings, and he's not very comfortable either,with a cold and a broken leg. He hasn't even begun to turn the charm on yet. 8-D
Diamond has got some other qualities besides efficiency, but she's not yet had a chance to show those, either. We have time...
Auntiemeesh
· 25 October 2004
· Chapter 6
If Frodo said it, it had to be so.
Lol! I love the faith the cousins have in Frodo. It must become a bit of a burden for him sometimes, though.
I love the casual way they each refer to the injuries they received on the Quest and the experiences they had, and the reactions of Diamond and Lavender to these casual comments. :)
Author's reply
I think that this is probably something Pippin has believed all his life. He's always seen Frodo somewhat filtered through Merry's perceptions, and I think both of them simply have utmost faith in their older cousin. And I'm sure that it was sometimes a burden to Frodo, but I hope that it was mostly a comfort, since their faith was rooted in their love.
They talk to one another of what happened to them, and they are a bit less guarded in their speech in front of Lavender and Diamond because they are healers. But they aren't elaborating on anything yet, and as of yet, Diamond and Lavender are not asking questions.
pipinheart
· 25 October 2004
· Chapter 5
Lovely! I like how Diamond Sam, frodo and merry have an outing with each other. Merry is full of questions and wants to protect pippin even when he may not need it. Diamond isn't interested for now,but I am sure pippin will change her mind.
I can't wait till pippin wakes up so I can hear what his sister wants to talk to him about. She wants to thanks him to be sure.
A great story,keep upi the good writing....
Author's reply
Yes, I thought that Merry, Frodo and Sam deserved a chance to get to know this lass that has captured their Pippin's heart, especially Merry.
Diamond does have a little clue, thanks to Mistress Lavender, but she is not quite ready yet to turn curiousity into interest.
Yes, Pimmie has to thank her brother for her husband's life--a scary thought for anyone!
Thanks for the lovely review. 8-)
Pearl Took
· 24 October 2004
· Chapter 5
Why was Pim weeping? Is there a reason Diamond seems so set against marriage? Will Merry interfere too much? I'll have to keep reading . . . won't I?
Author's reply
For the answers to these and other questions, tune in again, same time, same channel...