Thank you very much for this, it has been delightful from beginning to end, and although I haven't reviewed, I have never failed to keep up with the updates ;) I'm positive that it you ever decided to write Merry's wedding I'll be the first person to make the hit count go up, :)! Thanks again for a very pleasant, sweet, happy story!
Author's reply
Well, I've done a drabble about Merry's wedding *night* and a double drabble about Sam and Rosie helping the couple get ready for it, but the actual *wedding* itself, not yet. Someday, maybe. But I have a few other stories to get to first, alas.
pipinheart
· 5 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
Lovely...It's been a great story from begining to end... Very well done..
A letter frodo left for both of those he loved... You could feel his love for a little cousin he would not see again..
Very well done...
Author's reply
Thank you, and thank you for all your reviews. I am glad that you have enjoyed this story!
Amaniel
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
Thank you so much for your story. I greatly enjoyed it, especially the fact that it was clean and free from all the mess so many others have wound into them. You did a very good job portraying Pippin and I like the impression I got of Diamond. Again, thank you and I look forward to your next story!
Author's reply
Well, thank you very much for the compliment! I mostly write G rated stories, with the occasional PG or PG-13 for mild violence. I'm not comfortable writing sex scenes, and don't very read much of it either. I'm glad you like my Pippin, and also my Diamond. I think Pippin deserves a happy marriage.
Thank you for reading and reviewing it!
SharonB
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
Oh dear, you made me sniffle along with Pip and Diamond as they read the letter from Frodo.
And, oh heavens, did I see Sam not use a Mr. before Pippin's name. Did those two finally get to him or is he more at ease since he's now the Mayor? Or maybe both of those things.
This has been a great story, I like the way you moved Diamond into Pippin's life.
You did hint that you will be writing Merry's wedding soon, we hope. ;-)
Author's reply
It was a little sad, wasn't it?
Merry and Pippin started to rebel at the "Mr." shortly after Frodo left. By the time of Pip's wedding it's been five years, so he doesn't forget too much any more. But I think he still might slip up once in a while.
I like the idea that the two young couples shared Crickhollow for a while, so I alluded to it here.
I'm not sure how soon. I have a scenario in mind. But it hasn't yet resolved into a full-fledged bunny. Sooner or later, though.
Ariel
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
Awww... nicely done, friend. Very nicely done! I congradulate you on finishing this very long story. If you are anything like was, you are as proud of your accomplishment as you are glad that it's over!
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Ariel
Author's reply
Thank you very much. It is not as long as "New Reckoning", but it's longer than I thought it would be by some 20 chapters.LOL! I am pleased with how it came out though, and relieved that it is finished.
Thank you for reading and reviewing. And thanks for the loan of Cousin Dody.
(He'll also be in my Challenge 12 story, by the way.)
Andrea
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
Thank you for this beautiful story!
And Frodo's foresight to write a letter for this special occasion - "the best hobbit in the Shire" indeed.
And to end it all with this song (one of my favourites): wonderful!
Keep on writing!
Author's reply
Frodo used his foresight to cheer Sam up: telling him about his children and that he'd be Mayor. I think he might have left such letters for his cousins, not knowing that they'd be at the Havens to see him off.
And that's one of my favourites, as well.
Thank you for the nice review! I am glad you liked the story!
Pearl Took
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
*Applause* Bravo, Bravo!! wonderfully well done. I've enjoyed it immensely :)
Author's reply
*blushes* Thank you!
Viresse
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
Re-reading this I noticed Diamond's kiss on Gimli's brow -- "the only non-hairy spot she could find." That's a great line.
Also read all the other reviews of this chapter, and noticed this in your reply to Bodkin: "I have a new Marigold's challenge story coming up this weekend, and I'm beginning to get things together for "The Road to Edoras"."
This might not be the *proper* place for this, but can I put in my request for a long story with this one too? After all "A New Reckoning" was 70+ chapters and its timeframe wasn't anywhere near the time needed for a trip to Edoras(!) Please? Please?
Author's reply
Yes, I thought that would be how Diamond would do it. Hobbits are just not used to beards.
Well, I honestly don't know what to tell you. "A New Reckoning" was supposed to be about 20-25 chapters long, LOL! Most of my fics are never the length that I imagine that they are going to be. (I thought this one would be maybe 10 chapters?) I do expect it to be one of my longer ones, however, just because we have such a long trip ahead. But I will definitely keep your preferences in mind, *grin* I'm still not sure how many will stick with a story that's mostly minor canon characters and OCs...but I'm going to give it a shot.
Eruviluieth
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
Wow. An incredible ending to an incredible story. I love how Sam sounds so lovingly henpecked, even though we know he's not. It's a shame Aragorn couldn't make the wedding, but I loved Legolas and Gimli's attendance. The letter was perfect, just simply perfect. Very Frodo, in tone and in thinking to write the letter at all. The song at the end is the perfect ending to the story. It's just what Pippin would do! Thanks for sharing this story.
Author's reply
Thank you.
Sam enjoys being married very much, but he's not above a bit of humor.
I would love to have had Aragorn at the wedding, but couldn't think of anything plausible that would not have added another 5 or 10 chapters of explanation. But I cannot imagine Legolas and Gimli missing any of their weddings. They were at Sam's, after all. I've not shown Merry's wedding yet, but trust me, they were there.
I'm glad you liked the letter. Frodo left a bit of his foresight with Sam, as comfort when he left, and I can imagine that he would have done the same for his beloved cousins.
And yes, I thought it was appropriate for Pip to finish off with a song!
Thank you for faithfully reading it, and for your lovely reviews. They always give me a warm feeling.
pipspebble
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
Oh, how sad and how sweet and how wonderful that they are so happy in the end, and especially with the blessing of dear, dear Frodo! Thank you so much for this fabulous story! It has brought many a smile to my face, often lifting me up on down days, and I am going to miss the steady updates. Please revisit these beloved characters often, and soon! :-)
Author's reply
Yes, it does seem that with LotR, happiness and sorrow are all tangled up together. As Haldir said in Lothlorien "though in all lands love is mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."
Frodo's letter was one of three parts of the story I knew from the beginning. I am so glad that my story gave you a bit of happiness.
I will keep on writing these stories as long as they come to me.
pipspebble
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 32
...in the tenderest of kisses -
Awwww, such a lovely, sweet moment! So perfect for their first kiss!
Author's reply
Yes, I wanted that first kiss to be very sweet and chaste. I'm glad you liked it.
Viresse
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
Oh, dear. I do love this one. But now I am trying to hide my tears at work. Shouldn't have opened this up here, I knew it was going to make me cry when you said that the end would be Pip's wedding.
Oh, and what a shock! Sam said *Pippin* not Mr. Pippin! Definitely the age has changed.
Author's reply
Oh, don't cry at work! That can lead to messy questions! *here, here's a virtual hankie!*
Yes, you are the first one to catch that. Merry and Pippin started trying to break him of that right after Frodo left. So after over five years, they've been mostly successful. (I would imagine in a stressful moment, a Mr. might still pop out.)
FantasyFan
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
I always get teary when someone slips Frodo into one of these fourth-age stories, especially when I (like Pippin) don't expect it. I'm glad you included this epilogue, which finished off the story nicely. I love happy endings.
Author's reply
I knew from the start that I would have this epilogue. When I started the story, I only had three particular scenes in my head: Pippin coming back to consciousness and seeing Diamond's face up close, the scene in the last chapter where they finally kiss, and the letter from Frodo. Everything else was just filling in.
I love happy endings, myself! LOL!
Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Kitty
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
*sniff*
A very touching end - I had to dry my eyes a few times while reading Frodo's letter. It was so thoughtful of him to think about Pippin's wedding and to write this last greeting. He was special, indeed.
Thank you for this story! I have enjoyed it so much!
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo was special. I cannot imagine him, knowing how his cousins would miss him on their wedding days, not leaving for them what comfort he could.
Thank you for reading it, and for all your lovely reviews!
Kitty
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 32
Honestly, I love Saradoc! His method of taming Rosamunda was great *giggles*
What a pity Aragorn visited the Shire only when Pippin was Thain and Merry Master of Buckland - this means probably their fathers didn't live then any longer. I would have liked Saradoc and Paladin to meet Aragorn.
It was so nice Pippin could dance with his Diamond at this Yule celebration! Even if it was only one dance. It would have been sad if he had to look only how others had their fun with Diamond.
Author's reply
Yes, just a little word in her husband's ear that her over-zealousness in the matter of her daughter was likely to result in the opposite effect of what she intended.
I wished that they could, too, but haven't found any practical way to do that. However, I do have them at least corresponding with him in a couple of my other stories, so I guess that will have to do.
Well, he's very nearly healed, but Cousin Dody knew that if he wasn't *very* specific, Pippin would have been hopping all about, and undoing a lot of the good. One nice slow dance filled the bill.
Bodkin
· 4 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
Lovely story - I liked the development of Diamond's character. The letter from Frodo was a lovely final touch. Of course, because their courtship started so early, he knew Diamond, which was nice - he would have known that Pippin would be all right.
(I'm glad that Gimli and Legolas made it to the wedding. Only a shame that Aragorn had banned himself. Hobbits really could do with seeing a few nice Men every now and then, or they'll never get over their prejudice.)
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next.
Author's reply
I'm glad that you like my Diamond. I got pretty fond of her myself over the course of the story.
Having Frodo know Diamond was one reason I tinkered ever so slightly with her age. I wanted him to have a chance to meet Pippin's future wife. And of course, his foresight also helped.
Of course Gimli and Legolas were at the wedding. And having the hobbits meet some nice Men before the ban went into effect was the whole reason behind "A New Reckoning". But I think that ban or no ban, it would have been difficult for Aragorn to have attended the wedding; alas, one of the burdens of teh crown.
I have a new Marigold's challenge story coming up this weekend, and I'm beginning to get things together for "The Road to Edoras".
Roger Gamgee
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
OMG...this was absolutely beautiful. It's funny that I should be reading one of your chapters today - I was reading "The Two Towers" earlier, and realized where you got your name "Dreamflower" from - the Westron translation of 'Lothlorien'.
The letter from Frodo to Pippin nearly brought tears to my eyes. I could almost picture him writing that letter, thinking of the hobbit Pippin would become and knowing that he wouldn't be there to see it in person. I can understand Diamond's reluctance at first to read the letter, since it was obviously so personal. But Pippin apparently thought that since Diamond would share his life from this point on, she should also share in his love for Frodo...to know, even in some small measure, just what kind of hobbit Frodo was and what he meant to Pippin.
Sam's discussion with Merry had me laughing...
"Sam grinned. “Makes no never mind what I’d mind. Our wives have their hearts set on a visit. We two will just have to make the best of it.”"
That's our Sam...always the practical one! *grin*
Well done, as always! Looking forward eagerly to the next chapter.
Author's reply
Yes, that is where I got it from.
I know that when he was leaving, Frodo shared some of his foresight with Sam--about his children and his future as Mayor. I imagined him doing somewhat of the same for Merry and Pippin, leaving them letters for the day they wed, knowing that on those occasions they would be missing him mightily. And you are right about Diamond. Pippin is her husband now, and wants her to be a part of everything--including sharing what he has left of Frodo.
Sam's nothing if not practical, LOL! and it's not like *he'd* be looking forward to a nice long visit from his old friend Merry, uh-uh, not him...*grin*
Auntiemeesh
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 9999
Ah, you've nearly got me in tears here. No fair! This is a beautiful end to the story. It seems that those six years did indeed go by pretty quickly, after all.
Pippin sat up and blew his nose, and pulled out a clean handkerchief for her. His eyes were still watery, but he smiled through his tears.
It's amazing how much we can miss those who've been gone for years, but time really does heal that sort of pain, and you've shown that for Pippin, although this wound still hurts, he has a wonderful healer to help ease the pain. :)
Author's reply
Well, we kind of skipped them, anyway, so at least they went by quickly for us, if not Pip and Diamond.8-D
Pippin and Merry will miss Frodo for the rest of their lives. A lot of fanfics talk about how Merry and Pippin are a part of one another, but I think that you can't really leave Frodo out of that equation--he was a part of them, as well. But as you said, time can blunt the edge of that kind of pain. And now he has Diamond to help him with it.
GamgeeFest
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 32
Yay, smoochies! This is just what the doctor ordered. What a fun chapter, what with the dancing and Celandine, lol. Bits of sadness over missing Frodo, and some bittersweetness hearing Merry's plans for his wedding. We already know Frodo won't be there.
Author's reply
Yes, Pippin and Diamond finally get to kiss!
I thought a Yule celebration would be a nice way to tie up this story; Celandine had her part to play as well.
Missing him at Yule is just a foreshadowing of what is soon to come; it's so hard to have to remind myself that even though I know what's going to happen, the characters do not.
Lindelea
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 32
Here you've announced this story is nearly over and I cannot remember the last chapter I reviewed! And no time to go back and look, for the little ones are chafing at the bit to go and spend their Christmas gift cards... But I wanted you to know that as soon as I do get some time for reading I'll be catching up on this delightful tale...
Author's reply
I do understand. I am luckier than most, where time is concerned. My kid is grown and out of the nest, my DH works full time, but I only work part time, and with my mom now in a nursing home, I've lots more free time. Of course some of that is in the middle of the night with insomnia. Still, I can remember how hectic it was just a few short years ago.
I'll be posting the Epilogue tonight, and then *this* one is finished.
Auntiemeesh
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 32
I always hate coming to the end of good stories. And this was a wonderful story!
“Estella, I was thinking--why don’t we have our wedding next Yule? We will have been betrothed for a decent interval by then. I don’t want to wait all the way until spring. And by then, surely Frodo will feel up to coming to Brandy Hall. He can’t say no if he’s standing for me at my wedding.”
Estella gave a little shiver, this time not at all caused by the cold.
It's so sad to see all of Frodo's friends hoping that he will recover, when we all know that he won't. You've worked that thread of sorrow into the story really well.
Pippin gave a low chuckle. “I don’t know. When you are not around, I really miss you.”
She grinned. “I did rather get that idea.” She gazed up into his green eyes, which were unreadable and glittering.
I love your version of the dual courtships of Merry and Estella, and Diamond and Pippin. I hope you write more. :)
Author's reply
It is sad. They are going to miss him so much. I know that this was meant to be a Pippin/Diamond story, but in anything longer than one chapter, I can't seem to avoid getting all four hobbits in there. To my way of thinking, not only is there no way to have a Pippin story without Merry, and vice versa, there is no way to do them without Frodo as well. And Sam is probably going to get in there somewhere as well.
Well, I've almost finished with the courtship part, but there's still a lot more to tell. But that, as they say, is another story.
Eruviluieth
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 32
AWWW! That's so sweet. The dance sounded beautiful, excellent description. Adding Celandine was a nice aside from the main story. Excellent chapter, want more as always.
Author's reply
It was kind of sweet, which I'm glad of.
The dance really is a beautiful one, and very fun to do, although it is not called "Candles" in real life.
Celandine was not *completely* an aside: I wanted that moment of Pippin being tempted to be "less than gentlemanly", shall we say, with Diamond, and then rejecting it. Celandine provided the catalyst. She also helped to provide the motivation for Rosamunda to leave Estella and Merry alone. I've shown her as a flirt before: in "Conspiracy" and in "New Reckoning".
There is only one more chapter left, and it's the Epilogue.
Marigold
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 32
This is the best chapter yet I think - I loved the descriptions of the dances, escpecially Candles. It was so easy to *see* Merry and Pippin and their lasses dancing it. It was just lovely, sigh... : )
This chapter also reminded me that I still want to see poor Merry have to play the tambour as an emergency replacement one day!
Author's reply
"Candles" is actually a beautiful dance called "John Tallow's Canon" and in our neck of the woods, is usually danced to the music from "Legend" (the original Tangerine Dream music). I decided to call it "Candles" for a hobbit name, as I have seen it done that way, and also as a play on "Tallow". It is absolutely a beautiful dance, not really difficult as far as the steps go, but since the second couple does their part half a measure behind the first, it's very tricky.
*splutter* I'd almost forgot that bunny! you evil thing you! Poor Merry...hmmm
SharonB
· 3 January 2005
· Chapter 32
Yes, our little Pip is growing up and assuming the responsibilities that will make him a good Thain. I guess, as said previously that having a troll land on you teaches some patience. ;-) So do the good examples he's seen on the trip that got rid of the ring.
It looks as if you've tied in your one drabble about Merry and Estella now with them planing a Yule wedding. At least Frodod should still be there for the wedding. Something I'm sure that Pip will miss since Frodo will be gone before he even reaches his majority.
So sweet of Auntie Esmerelda to make Candles special for Pip and Diamond.
Author's reply
I think the good examples even more so. His admiration for Aragorn makes the King his role model: Aragorn waited nearly forty years for his bride, which makes six look like a walk in the park. And Pippin was also exposed to many others of integrity and nobility, such as Faramir and Eomer, as well as Boromir. All that is enough to make him want to keep his honor as a knight intact. Which of course, includes the utmost respect for one's lady.
Yes, I've known for some time Merry and Estella would have a Yule wedding, but *this* Yule is their second after the return. Sadly, Frodo *won't* be there for a third. He leaves in September.
Esmeralda *is* a sweetie, and she has a soft spot for her favorite nephew.
Pearl Took
· 2 January 2005
· Chapter 31
Ah, young love :) :) :) Pip better keep that bad leg in mind lest he mess things up for himself. *sigh* A good read as always :)
Author's reply
8-D Pip will be careful. He doesn't want Diamond to think of him as a "patient" again.
Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying it. We are near the end: only one more chapter and an epilogue to go.