It Takes a Took by Dreamflower
pipspebble · 30 November 2004 · Chapter 18
Oh, the drama! I can feel it building. I look forward to plunging head-long into your web. :-)
Author's reply
My web? Oh, my! Am I spinning a web? I guess so. As long as you are having as much fun as I am...
Hai Took · 30 November 2004 · Chapter 18
Oh, my! Poor Diamond is really in for it! And she hasn't had it before so there is I'm sure a great chance of her getting it in this story. I'm glad she went to Eglantine, I'm sure she will be sensible and will most certainly be able to help out. The bit with Rosamunda and Primrose was priceless! It was great that she was able to shut her up, but that she used the same tactics on Estella was amusing as well. Merry and Pippin trying carefully not to laugh was great! I'm looking forward to more! Hope it is soon!
Author's reply
Oh, you can pretty much count on her getting spotted fever in this story! Of course, it was the proper thing to go right to the Mistress of the Smials--this won't be the first outbreak Eglantine's had to deal with. Primrose takes full advantage of the fact that she is the eldest female in the Took family--she enjoys using her authority to puncture Rosamunda's pretensions, but she is not going to allow Estella to get away with dissing her mother, either! Merry and Pippin are smart lads--they know what would have happened if they opened their mouths. It is going to be very soon.
Kitty · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 18
*lol* Estella is right, it was priceless how Primrose handled Rosamunda! And it was very brave of Merry and Pippin not to laugh - I have done it!
Author's reply
It was very wise of Merry and Pippin not to laugh. Those two lads know better than to get involved in lasses' business!
Pearl Took · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 18
Oh, this is so exciting and nerve racking!! Diamond is doing so very well. I adore Primrose!! Looking forward to more :)
Author's reply
Diamond is far more in her own element, even when overwhelmed with work, as a healer, than she is when it comes to romance. I'm rather fond of Primrose and Peridot myself.8-D
Kitty · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 17
I am glad Diamond has talked with Estella. She needed someone to help her sort out her feelings. And it is a good thing if they become friends - as future wifes of Merry and Pippin they should be able to go along with each other quite well. Maybe it will liften Diamond's heart a little bit - it seems she will have much more to do than expected with the fever spreading through the Smials, too. Then it doesn't help if she is so troubled about Pippin! And Estella is right - Merry should tell her everything. She needs to know it if she has to put up with his nightmares and memories, and I think she is strong enough to bear this. It is nice of Merry to try and protect her from the bad part of his experiences, but this will not help her to understand him and his problems. The bit about Primrose and Primula is quite sad, but I loved it nonetheless. It explains something about Frodo's sadness. Maybe it is one of the reasons he was not able to recover from the Quest totally and had to sail West. Now I look forward to the talk between Lavender and Diamond - I am curious what Lavender has to say about the whole problem.
Author's reply
Well, I can't see their future husbands letting them be anything but friends, after all. 8-D Diamond is just about to have her hands a *lot* fuller than she expected! Estella is just as determined to get it out of him as he is to protect her. I think he is beginning to understand, and sooner or later will tell her what she needs to know. I think it had a lot to do with it, that he was melancholy long before the Ring got hold of him. In some ways, it helped him to deal with the way the Ring tried to get at him. But it hampered him later, when he needed to put it all behind him and couldn't. It's going to be a while before she's going to get a chance to have that talk, but it will be coming.
Bodkin · 29 November 2004 · Chapter 17
Oh no - the spotted fever's reached the Smials. All we need now is to have Pippin, Diamond, Merry and Estella isolated with cases of spotted fever! Auntie Prim's story was sad and will mean much more to Pippin now he has so much more experience of the world.
GamgeeFest · 28 November 2004 · Chapter 17
An update! Yay! I'm glad Diamond has a friend now, but what a taxing experience for her, to be so confused over her feelings for Pippin and then being left in charge at the Smials, and now this outbreak. She's getting a good taste of her chosen occupation. Lovely talk between Primrose and Pippin.
Author's reply
Oh my yes! The trials and travails of a medical student! I am enjoying the chance to let Pippin interact with some of the minor canon characters and OCs in his family while he convalesces. There is such a long gap in age between his father's older sisters and his younger one, that I'm thinking Primrose and Peridot fill almost a grandmotherly role for Pippin.
Hai Took · 28 November 2004 · Chapter 17
Estella certainly seemed to know just what to say to Diamond! I'm glad they were able to have such a good chat and that Diamond gets to speak to Lavender soon! It was very interesting to hear about Frodo's parents' death from one who knew and loved them. It must be terrible for Primrose to remember that day and very sad indeed for her to see Frodo so sad now. Oh my, it sounds like Diamond may be a little busier than expected, if someone has already broken out with the spotted fever, I'm guessing this is something like chicken pox? Anyway, hope that goes well for her! Looking forward to more! I hope it is soon!
Author's reply
Estella's just enough older than Diamond to have more perspective on romance; at Diamond's age, it's an "all or nothing" mindset. But Diamond's talk with her mistress is going to be sidetracked just a little bit. For some time, I wanted to write a story about the friendship of Frodo's mom and Pippin's aunts, but I just could not whip it into shape, so here it is as a little anecdote. I picture the friendship as having been a very strong one, much like Frodo/Merry/Pippin,and Primula's death would have been a terrible blow. I'm thinking "spotted fever" is more like measles, and yes, poor Diamond is going to have a lot more on her plate than she anticipated. Now that I have gotten some shorter fics out of the way, I'm hoping to get back to updating fairly quickly.
Pearl Took · 28 November 2004 · Chapter 17
wonderful!! I loved the talk with Estella, and Estella wanting more information from Merry. I enjoyed Diamond jesting a bit with Pippin by calling him "Sir Peregrin" Wonderful!!
Author's reply
Merry just wants to protect Estella (big surprise there 8-D) from the harrowing details. He seems to think that just telling her the bare facts is enough--but of course that won't account for the nightmares, or his annual bout with the Shadow. She knows that he's got to open up a bit more, and is being remarkably patient with him. I'm sure that woke Pippin up a bit, and maybe gave him some hope.
Lavender Took · 28 November 2004 · Chapter 17
Wow, this is a great story, and very well written. I have really enjoyed reading it. I can't wait to read the next chapter and find out what happens! Very good job, and I'm looking forward to the continuation. :)
Author's reply
I'm glad that you have enjoyed it so far! Hope that the rest will live up to your expectations!
Auntiemeesh · 28 November 2004 · Chapter 17
I'm looking forward to seeing Diamond's conversation with Lavender. Estella is very wise in her advice and I hope it helps the situation. I love that Pippin is getting to know more, not only about Frodo, but the rest of his family as well, while he is laid up. I always hate to come to the end of one of these chapters, and this one was no exception. Good work!
Author's reply
Poor Diamond's going to have to wait just a little to talk to her mistress, unfortunately. Estella's a pretty sharp cookie! She knows very well that the usual "games" will not go over with Pippin, and that he would like to know just exactly what Diamond is really thinking. Pippin is having lots of time to talk to family. Hobbits don't leave family members by themselves when they are convalescing, unless the healer orders it, so he's having time to talk to lots of people. I'd had the bunny about his aunts and Frodo's mother for a while, but had no luck in shaping it into a stand alone story, so it just came out as an anecdote here. Now that I've gotten past Thanksgiving, and also have gotten a flurry of short fics out of the way, I'm hoping to get back to my usual updates. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
good_one_pip · 20 November 2004 · Chapter 16
Ah, the future sister-in-laws are already comforting each other. That's so sweet! Did you write a story that includes Opal or her accident? If not, that could make a good story! And if it is the Bankses fault, I hope they're punished mercilessly! LOL Keep the updates coming!
Author's reply
Yes, the story of Opal and her accident is one of the sub-plots in my long story "A New Reckoning", which takes place in the spring after the Travellers have returned, just before and up to, Sam's wedding. And the Bankses are definitely being dealt with. Working on the next chapter now!
pipinheart · 20 November 2004 · Chapter 16
Great... Estella is there nd merry is sure glad of it... Estella's mother didn't like it that she hadn't informed her of pippin's accident... Merry should consider telling estella more of his troubles,she dosen't seem the type to be left in the dark. Opal visiting pippin, it was nice to see her mingle with him. She is a character I like. But Diamond seems almost hurt in a way with his involvment with his little niece.. Estella finds Diamond crying,maybe she can help ease her thoughts,and take a chance on pippin...
Author's reply
Actually, Rosamunda had a point. But Estella probably thought her mother might insist on seeing Merry's letter, so she just said nothing. No, Estella's not going to be content to be left in the dark at all. Opal is a lot more likable now than she used to be, she just needed to be out of Hyacinth's influence, and something to shake her up. Diamond is touched by Pippin's affection and way with little Flora. Just something else to make her like him more, and she can't really stand it already. I think Estella may be of some help.8-D
Hai Took · 19 November 2004 · Chapter 16
Yay! I'm glad that Diamond (it seems) is going to confide in Estella! What a perfect person for that kind of trust! I hope Estella is able to get Merry to tell her everything that happened on the journey, that would probably make it easier on their relationship. Stories that eventually pick up this sort of thread I am usually perplexed by: some they always have things being kept back and I think "they are trying to protect those they love", others have them reveal everything and I always feel that presents a better foundation for their relationship. I am looking forward to seeing which way you take this! Good of Pimpernel and Flora to keep Pippin company! I have enjoyed the way you write Pippin, especially with his nieces! I can see why Diamond finds that attractive! Looking forward to more, and hope it is soon!
Author's reply
I believe Estella will be a good confidante. I know that I am frustrated by fics that have the Travellers come home and never talk about what happened at all. I don't think they would have told everything to everyone, but I do believe that there would have been those closest to them who would have insisted on the whole story. That's the way I dealt with it in the When the King Comes Back stories--both Merry and Pippin told their parents everything as soon as possible, to get it over with. And they have the occasional friend, such as Fredegar and Berilac, whom they have also told everything to. Pip's clearly crazy about his little neices, and spoils them rotten!
Pipwise Brandygin · 19 November 2004 · Chapter 16
Oh no! What a cliffhanger! I'm dying to find out what Diamond is going to say to Estella - but I'll try to be patient! This is such a wonderful story, Dreamflower. I love how you've woven in so many different themes around Pippin's recovery. Thank you for it :)
Author's reply
I didn't really think of this as a cliffie, LOL! but I guess it is, kind of. I'm glad that you are enjoying it. I'm not a "one-hobbit" person, so just about any story is going to have something of the others in it, in one way or another, I just can't seem to help that.
Pipwise Brandygin · 19 November 2004 · Chapter 14
Ooh, I like where this is going. Confiding in Estella would definitely be the best way for Diamond to find out where her place in Pippin's heart might be! I'm glad Estella will be coming for poor Merry's sake, too - he definitely needs her around.
Pipwise Brandygin · 19 November 2004 · Chapter 8
This is my new favourite chapter... I love seeing Pippin and Sam together, and Sam giving Pippin advice about lasses is even better! I'm almost as excited as Pippin that DIamond thinks he has a smile "like the sunshine", and the last couple of scenes were also very touching. I really felt for Frodo and Sam - it's so sad to see them confronted with disbelief when they talk about what they went through, especially when it's such a painful subject. But at least it has brought home to Diamond something of what it was actually like for them, beyond the mystery and excitement of their tales of Elves and Kings. I hope she soon gets to find out more :)
Pipwise Brandygin · 19 November 2004 · Chapter 7
I had tears in my eyes when I got to the end of Merry's letters! They capture how he's feeling perfectly, and I love that though he tells his mum and dad not to worry, and mentions Pip's accident so casually in the second letter, he is finally able to pour his heart out in that beautiful letter to Estella, and tell her everything. His love for both Estella and Pippin couldn't be more plain, and I think that because Merry spends so much time worrying about the others and doing the right thing, it is lovely that he can say everything he needs to say when it comes to her.
Pipwise Brandygin · 19 November 2004 · Chapter 6
I got quite behind on this story, and it's such a treat to have so many chapters to read all at once! I'm enjoying it so much, and I liked this chapter especially - I can't get enough of moments like the conversation between the lads and Mistress Lavender about the King and Lord Elrond - you always capture so well the hobbits' amazement and wonder about who the Travellers met, and where they went. I also loved the sweet moment at the end. Pippin is adorable when he's in love! And the gentle teasing coming from the others is lovely, especially since underlying it is so much love and support.
melilot hill · 19 November 2004 · Chapter 16
I'm glad Estella came to help Merry. I hope he'll be able to talk to her soon. And Diamond and Pippin, they better talk to each other about their feelings :) Great chapters!
Author's reply
Yes, my couples need to do a bit of communicating, don't they? But not too much too soon, or there wouldn't be a story, would there? 8-D
Auntiemeesh · 18 November 2004 · Chapter 16
I'm glad Estella's there. I think she may be able to help a great deal, more than either Merry or Pippin would have expected. Poor Diamond, this whole thing is awfully difficult for her. She's trying to keep her emotions in check and not give in to Pippin's insistent charm, but really, who could actually do that? Thanks for another great chapter!
Author's reply
"Really, who could actually do that?" Not me! Our Took is just *too* charming!
SharonB · 18 November 2004 · Chapter 16
Estella knows her mother well and how to deflate the worst of the tirades. Smart girl, no wonder she's a good match for Merry. She certainly knows how to corner Merry as well. Just as good and stubborn as he. ;-) And she will be a good comfort to Diamond as well. And poor Diamond, what in the world is she going to do? If Lavender had not mentioned anything would she have really gotten as hooked on Pippin as she is. Sigh! All those things like how Pip cares for everyone. This is coming along nicely. But they do ahve a few years before he's of age to court or marry anyway.
Author's reply
Estella is clever and practical, and she's had lots of practice deflecting her mother. And she is just as stubborn as Merry when it comes to certain important things. Oh, I have a feeling she would have fallen for that Tookish charm anyway. But she might have taken a bit longer if Lavender had not said anything. Pip's concern for others is clearly his most attractive trait to a young healer, whose first concern is for others as well.
GamgeeFest · 18 November 2004 · Chapter 16
Poor Diamond! She's trying so hard to ignore her feelings for Pippin. At least Estella's there now and Diamond will have someone to talk to. I imagine they will become fast friends, especially once Diamond gives into her feelings and she and Pippin start courting.
Author's reply
I can't see them *not* being friends--it would be just too difficult, considering how close their future husbands are.
Bodkin · 18 November 2004 · Chapter 16
Pippin being super-uncle! How attractive to a sensible young healer. I'm glad to see Estella and Diamond beginning to build a relationship. Once Merry and Estella are working together, the healer training won't stand a chance. Although, as Pippin is still too young to wed, she could actually finish her training before marrying him. A girl should have a career to fall back on. You never know - being the Thain's Heir's Lady might not be a job for life. I suppose Rosamunda has a point. Estella could have broken the news to her just before they got to Great Smials. Glad to see Opal. She seems a much nicer lass now - Pippin's guilt and not wanting to seem repelled by her was typical of him.
Author's reply
Well, Pippin dotes on his neices, obviously, and obviously seeing how good he is with small children is going to impress her. I think Estella and Diamond are going to get along quite well. Estella has gotten so in the habit of keeping things from her mother that she doesn't always discern what might not be necessary to hide. Opal is definitely much nicer, now that her mother is gone. And yes, it is typical of Pip to feel a bit guilty, even though he really has no reason to.
Hai Took · 18 November 2004 · Chapter 15
Smart of Estella to let her mother thing that it was her idea to go to the Great Smials, although I get the impressiont that she (Rosamunda) may not be to happy that Merry is ther. I am glad that Frodo wrote to Estella as well. Good of him to let the two stay at Bag End when Rosamunda can be a bit snobby. Oh dear Pippin is getting anxious to be up and about again! I'm sure he won't try anything too drastic and at least his dad has given him something to do! Even if it is boring, someone has to do it! Looking forward to more! Hope it is soon!
Author's reply
Rosamunda likes everything "proper" (like the Gaffer) and she doesn't like to be caught unprepared. Of course, Frodo would have written at once, after Rosie gave him the idea. He's too polite to turn them away, and Rosamunda's snobbery is not going to bother him as long as she keeps it away from Sam and Rose. Since Estella warned her, she would have been careful about that. Rosamunda is a snob, but she is a practical snob. Yes, Pip's going to be getting a tad twitchy. He's actually just fine except for the broken leg, so it's hard for him to put up with the inactivity and boredom. And copying records, well, at least it's *something* to do, if not his job of choice.