Postcards From the Shire by SlightlyTookish
Pearl Took · 4 January 2006 · Chapter 37: At the Brandywine
It's a gitft to be able to not be discouraging :) Good for dear old Merry :) :)
Author's reply
Merry is a wonderful older cousin. Pippin is very lucky to have him! Thanks for reading, Pearl!
Pearl Took · 4 January 2006 · Chapter 36: Bedbugs
Hehehehe! Actually, no laughing matter. I think I was attacked by bedbugs on the sleeper train from London to Glasgow this past summer. Well done, as always :)
Author's reply
You know, I always thought that bedbugs were a myth, but a few months ago a co-worker told me a horror story about bedbugs in a hotel she stayed at. They sound awful! No wonder Frodo got so worked up :) Thanks so much, Pearl! I'm glad you enjoyed it and that it made you laugh!
Pearl Took · 4 January 2006 · Chapter 35: A Took by Any Name
No, that they won't. That seems the way of it. Once the youngest, always the youngest. Nicely done, ST :)
Author's reply
Pippin is doomed. He'll just have to accept it! ;) Thank you very much!
Pearl Took · 4 January 2006 · Chapter 34: In the Grey Twilight
A lot of changes for those two to handle. :( :) Well Done
Author's reply
Over the course of the Quest Merry and Pippin changed so much. I'm sure they didn't realize it in themselves, but it must have been startling to see it in each other. Thanks so much for all your feedback, Pearl. I really appreciate it! :)
Lily · 2 January 2006 · Chapter 36: Bedbugs
I must tell you again how much I love this story. Oh, Pippin must have had difficulties to keep quiet in the end. Thank you so much, my twin! *hugs*
Author's reply
You're very welcome, my twin! I'm so glad you enjoyed this, because I really loved your request and I wanted it to be perfect for you. I'm sure Pippin had trouble keeping quiet but when there's a chance to tease Frodo one must take the opportunity :D *hugs*
harrowcat · 2 January 2006 · Chapter 37: At the Brandywine
Yes, just the right words at the right time to build up and not destroy. A New Year resolution for us all!
Author's reply
You're right, that would be a great resolution to make! I'm glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for reading! :D
Dreamflower · 1 January 2006 · Chapter 37: At the Brandywine
What a sweet little moment. I can just see them doing that together. And of course we know who taught Merry how to fold a paper boat, don't we? I especially love the way Merry doesn't criticize, but just shows Pippin how well it can float. A wonderful little vignette!
Author's reply
Of course it was Frodo! :) Merry always knows just when Pippin needs that extra bit of encouragement or praise. He really is a great older cousin. I'm very glad you enjoyed this. I just had the image of two young hobbits sitting on a dock with their legs dangling over the water and this is what came of it. Thanks for reading! :)
Pearl Took · 30 December 2005 · Chapter 33: Trust to Friendship
Bravo!! I like the idea of keeping a Took where one can keep an eye on us ;) Well done, ST!
Author's reply
Thanks, Pearl! That line turned out to be more popular than I thought it would be! But of course Gandalf is right :D
Pearl Took · 29 December 2005 · Chapter 6: Better Than Tonic
I just finished the prequel - this is delightful! Short and Sweet :)
Author's reply
Thanks, Pearl! I'm glad you liked it. I love writing these "postcards" :)
Bodkin · 28 December 2005 · Chapter 34: In the Grey Twilight
After a dreadful experience, one of the worst shocks is that some things are still the same as they ever were. Then comes the distress of learning what is different.
Author's reply
Yes, exactly. I'm sure that so many of the characters discovered that along the way. Thank you for reading :)
Bodkin · 28 December 2005 · Chapter 33: Trust to Friendship
"I have always found it best to keep a Took where I can see him." Great age has taught Gandalf caution! This is a wise precaution.
Author's reply
Years spent among hobbits must have taught Gandalf some very important lessons! Thanks for reading :)
Larner · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 36: Bedbugs
Turnabout is wonderful! It backfired and got the WRONG imagination working! Heh! And perfect description of a mite living in ones bedding, after all! Heh!
Author's reply
Thanks, Larner! I'm glad you liked this one. I love writing mischievous Frodo getting his comeuppance. Hee! :D
Larner · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 35: A Took by Any Name
Once the youngest, ALWAYS the youngest, after all. You never quite catch up, after all. But at least Pippin is starting to get some respect.
Author's reply
Yes, the youngest is always doomed to remain the youngest forever, but at least non-cousins are beginning to realize that he is growing up. Thanks for reading! :)
Larner · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 34: In the Grey Twilight
That the smile remains the same is the important bit, in the end, of course! Loved this one.
Author's reply
Thanks very much! They really have changed so much, and Pippin realizes it, and that's what helps him step up and be more proactive and responsible. I always like it when he has the opportunity to look after Merry.
Larner · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 33: Trust to Friendship
The clincher is, in this one, the ending itself. Keep a Took where one can keep an eye on him indeed! And now he has THREE, what with Frodo and Merry's own Took streaks! Bless the old Wizard! Heh!
Author's reply
Poor Gandalf is just surrounding himself with Tooks! I'm very glad you liked that last line. Thanks so much for reading :)
Periantari · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 36: Bedbugs
lol so cute! poor Frodo who was the one who really found the bedbug. lol :D very cute scene. :D
Author's reply
Yes, poor Frodo, a victim of his own mischief! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you, dear! :)
Dreamflower · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 34: In the Grey Twilight
I don't think I mentioned it in my review over at LJ, but I just loved the detail about Pippin wanting to wait to bathe his feet until Merry finished drinking from the stream. It's just the kind of little touch that adds realism.
Author's reply
I thought Pippin would be considerate about that! Thank you noticing! I'm glad you like the little details :)
Bodkin · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 32: In Good Company
Yes, I know that Quest-thingies need preparation, but considering the rush and the Council just as soon as Frodo can stand, it did take a long time to wave the Nine Walkers off from Rivendell. Still, at least it gave Elrond the time to realise that hobbits need hobbits even more than they need powerful warriors. Although warriors are useful under certain circumstances.
Author's reply
This was an issue I have wanted to address for some time. It just struck me as strange that they would wait so long, especially with the winter coming on. I'm sure that for the hobbits the wait would have been unbearable, but those making plans probably wished that they had even more time. Warriors are useful but friendship and loyalty go a long way too. Hobbits need to stick together. Thanks for reading, Bodkin :)
Bodkin · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 31: Watching and Waiting
Sam would definitely wait for Frodo to make the first move. He's too shy and respectful to imagine that anyone might want to make his acquaintance - and has been far too well trained by the Gaffer to defer to his betters. Merry, on the other hand, knows that he has no betters. He is confident and secure in the knowledge that everyone wants to know him and be his friend. Perfection probably sits somewhere between the two.
Author's reply
That's exactly how I pictured it. In my mind, Frodo was treated well by his Brandybuck relatives but felt lonely and out of place at times. So I think that he would want to prevent someone, especially a child, from being excluded or denied a friend. Thank you for your comments, Bodkin :)
Bodkin · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 30: Unquenchable
Only Pippin could get pleasure out of being granted the right to be grumpy - and cheer up! He finds it remarkably difficult to manage 'moody' for very long.
Author's reply
Yes, that's exactly right! Pippin has unquenchable cheerfulness - it may be dimmed for a time but never disappears completely!
Bodkin · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 29: Better to Walk With a Friend
I wonder what the Gaffer will think of that!
Author's reply
I'm sure the Gaffer would be proud of Sam for looking after their Master's cousin so well! Sam is nothing if not caring :)
Larner · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 32: In Good Company
Leaving them behind hasn't been an option YET for Frodo; and the world would have been worse off had they stayed behind.
Author's reply
Exactly right! Frodo has no say in the matter, not when Merry, Pippin and Sam already know what's best for him! ;) Thanks for your comments, Larner!
Larner · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 31: Watching and Waiting
Yes, I, too, have imagined Frodo making friends with Sam by joining in the gardening.
Author's reply
I just thought it was a sweet image, and I think it would help Sam open up if they had something in common to do and talk about.
Larner · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 30: Unquenchable
I think we all tend to get grumpy when we are recovering from major injuries and from illness. Glad Pippin himself found a reason to smile in the end, though.
Author's reply
I agree, and I think that even Pippin would be moody at times during his recovery, which I'm sure was very difficult. How wonderful that Merry is so understanding and knows that Pippin's behavior is not meant for him.
Larner · 16 December 2005 · Chapter 29: Better to Walk With a Friend
A wonderful prelude to the long walk the two of them would one day do with Frodo and Pippin.
Author's reply
That is true! That was one journey where it defintely was better to walk with friends. Thanks, Larner!