Postcards From the Shire by SlightlyTookish
Pearl Took · 15 June 2006 · Chapter 58: Home Again
Beautiful, ST!!! I'm teary. Totally beautiful. **applause applause**
Author's reply
Thanks, Pearl! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. (And tears! I like those too! *grin*) I liked writing from Paladin's POV for a change :)
Larner · 15 June 2006 · Chapter 58: Home Again
Hooray! The Thain and his son, together again after a year's absence. Wonderful!
Author's reply
This was my first time writing Paladin's POV so I'm really glad you liked this! I love the reunions between the Travellers and their families. Thanks for reading!
Larner · 15 June 2006 · Chapter 57: At the River
Oh, lovely imagery here! Frodo gaining confidence with water, surrounded by those he trusted.
Author's reply
Thanks Larner! I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I had such a clear image of that day at the river, I had to write it :)
Bodkin · 13 June 2006 · Chapter 57: At the River
Cloudless. Yes. And sometimes lightning splits apart cloudless skies. Lovely golden moment of childhood innocence - just Frodo dipping his toes in the water, while surrounded securely by the love of his family.
Author's reply
Thanks, Bodkin. I'm so glad you enjoyed this. It was bittersweet to write.
harrowcat · 13 June 2006 · Chapter 57: At the River
What a lovely, family picture this makes. Only marred by what we know of future family events.
Author's reply
Thanks, harrowcat! Yes, it is bittersweet, but I'm glad you enjoyed their happy day at the river :)
shirebound · 12 June 2006 · Chapter 57: At the River
Wee!Frodo happy scene! *glee*
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks :)
pipspebble · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 55: Stories and Tales
And those not written down by Cousin Frodo were *told* by Cousin Merry. *loves*
Author's reply
Exactly! Farry was in good hands. :) Thanks for reading!
pipspebble · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 56: A Yule Visit
Oh, such a bittersweet story, you can really *feel* the angst of all three cousins. I love the idea of the storybook and can easily see it as something Pippin passes onto wee Faramir one day. Lovely!
Author's reply
Thanks so much, Pips! I'm glad you enjoyed and felt the angst - I was hoping that would come across! And I'm sure that Pippin will reat to Faramir from that storybook someday. In fact I have a couple of ficlet ideas that I hope to write about it... :)
Bodkin · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 56: A Yule Visit
A very comforting ending for Frodo - taking him back to the time before... Well done, M&P. The longer they can keep him there, the better. There is a definite tinge of bidding farewell here - but if anyone can offer comfort, it will bee M&P.
Author's reply
Thanks, Bodking! Yes, I imagine that revisting past happy times he spent with his cousins when they were younger helped Frodo again here. I'm so happy you felt that "tinge" of farewell. I really wanted to show that :)
Pearl Took · 31 May 2006 · Chapter 56: A Yule Visit
Those were two sweet story stories, ST :) I loved the affection and concern M&P have for Frodo, Pippin sensing that Frodo is planning something again. Very Well Done :)
Author's reply
Thank you very much, Pearl! I'm so glad you liked this one. I think that both Merry and Pippin would have suspected that something was up with Frodo - not necessarily that he was planning on leaving again, but maybe more like they saw him falling ill too often, and thought perhaps that he would die. That's what I tried to capture here, and I'm so happy you liked Pippin sensing that :)
Pearl Took · 31 May 2006 · Chapter 55: Stories and Tales
"Once upon a time . . ." They were the stuff of legends in their own time! Well done :)
Author's reply
They certainly were! Thanks, Pearl :)
Elemmírë · 30 May 2006 · Chapter 56: A Yule Visit
I can just picture Frodo, sitting in between Merry & Pippin. First, as an older cousin, with a young Merry on one side, and a wee Pippin on the other. Now, thanks to the Ents, Frodo is the small one sandwiched between his younger cousins, yet bigger cousins. I love Merry & Pippin's bantering & Frodo's storybook is a fantastical idea. I simply love how it came to be ... & yet it is so bittersweet, knowing it will be the last time Frodo reads out of it. I just know that Frodo's stories of Pippin's marvelous adventures will be passed down to Faramir Took, who will one day learn of his father's _real_ adventure. Well done!
Author's reply
That's an excellent point that now Frodo is the smaller, older cousin. It must have been a strange thing for him to cope with, especially since there are so many references to Pippin being the "small" hobbit in the early part of LOTR that I think seeing him suddenly grow so much would have been a shock to Frodo. Another reminder of how much things have changed. I'm so delighted that you liked Frodo's book. I wanted Pippin to have a special keepsake of Frodo's, something full of memory. And yes, I'm certain that at some point it became Faramir Took's storybook. I think it must have been part of that great library Pippin kept as Thain. :) I'm so happy you liked this. Thanks for your thoughtful comments!
Elemmírë · 30 May 2006 · Chapter 55: Stories and Tales
Aww! This is so sweet! The listeners eventually grow up to become the storytellers, providing there's a story to tell. Merry must make a fantastic 'uncle' to Pippin's children.
Author's reply
I'm sure Merry was a great 'uncle' to Faramir. He had a lot of practice being a wonderful cousin to Pippin! I'm glad you liked this. Thank you :)
Antane · 29 May 2006 · Chapter 31: Watching and Waiting
A sweet story! I love these stories that show the very beginning of that unbreakable bond. Thank you. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks :)
Grey Wonderer · 29 May 2006 · Chapter 53: Breakfast
Now that was funny!
Author's reply
I'm glad you thought so! Thank you! :D
Grey Wonderer · 29 May 2006 · Chapter 56: A Yule Visit
Love Merry's concern and Pippin's willingness to welcome Frodo without question. So like both of them. I adore the idea of the little book that Frodo made for Pippin. Great story! I must have missed this one too.
Author's reply
Thanks, GW! I'm glad you thought they were in character, that is always important to me. And I'm so happy you liked Pippin's book. I wanted him to have something Frodo made especially for him. I also remembered that Pippin kept an extensive library when he became Thain. Wouldn't it be cool if Frodo's book was the first in that collection? :)
Grey Wonderer · 29 May 2006 · Chapter 55: Stories and Tales
I must have missed this one but I love the way Merry begins his story. This is darling.
Author's reply
Thanks GW! I'm glad you enjoyed. It was fun writing Merry with new young cousin who looks up to him. A mini-Pippin! :)
harrowcat · 29 May 2006 · Chapter 56: A Yule Visit
Ooh, a real catch in the throat on reading this one ST. Lovely warm picture of cousinly love.
Author's reply
I love the three cousins together, they have such a wonderful bond. I'm glad you enjoyed this one, harrowcat. Thank you :)
Larner · 29 May 2006 · Chapter 56: A Yule Visit
The last Yule together, the last sharing of those memories in that way, a sharing all in their deepest hearts know they need. Very gentle.
Author's reply
Thanks Larner, I'm so happy you thought it was gentle. I wanted it to be :)
Larner · 29 May 2006 · Chapter 55: Stories and Tales
Yes, once there were two Hobbits, who had all sorts of wonderful adventures. And of course small Faramir Took wishes to know them all!
Author's reply
Of course he does! I love the idea of children learning from older relatives. Thanks for reading!
AspenJules · 28 May 2006 · Chapter 54: And the World Sleeps
Awwwwww.... how sweet! I love these little glimpses into their relationship. Clever Merry, to come up with answers so quickly for Pippin's curiosity. "Not everything," Merry admitted, stifling a yawn of his own. One hand drifted toward Pippin's head, and he gently stroked his curls. "But enough to answer curious questions." I LOVED that!
Author's reply
Oh I'm so glad you liked that bit! And yes, Merry definitely has to think quickly if he wants to keep up with Pippin! Thanks for reading Jules. I'm so happy you enjoyed it :)
Larner · 27 May 2006 · Chapter 54: And the World Sleeps
A wonderful way to greet a summer evening.
Author's reply
Thanks Larner, I'm glad you thought so! :)
Pearl Took · 27 May 2006 · Chapter 54: And the World Sleeps
What a sweet wee gem, ST!!! It is such a joy to watch your little ones sleeping. And I love Merry's answers :) :)
Author's reply
Thanks so much, Pearl! I'm glad you enjoyed. I also love sleeeeeping hobbits :)
harrowcat · 27 May 2006 · Chapter 54: And the World Sleeps
Ah! Snoozing Hobbits *g* But how do you explain it when you can see both the sun and moon in the sky at the same time? Are they cooperating or arguing?
Author's reply
Heehee, that's a good point, Harrowcat! I'm sure that was the first thing Pippin asked when he woke up! Thanks for reading :)
Andrea · 27 May 2006 · Chapter 54: And the World Sleeps
He was too busy thinking to remember that he was sleepy. *Grin* I can very well imagine that! What a sweet little story! That's how it goes with children. They will come up with all sorts of questions. The trick is to have always a quick, easy and satisfying answer. Merry seems to be a master of that art :)
Author's reply
Thanks, Andrea! I'm so glad you enjoyed. You're right, Merry would have to be very good at answering dozens of questions very quickly if he wants to keep up with Pippin! :)