Baggins Babe
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 83: Tom Cotton
A lovely look at one of the lesser-known characters, and such a sweet glimpse. Sam is obviously still fond of the Cotton lads but only Merry and Pippin truly understand - just as war veterans returned from the front unable to talk to their closest family, because how could they ever describe what they had witnessed? And yes, for the three veterans there was always an empty seat at the table.
Seasonal greetings to you, Dreamflower!
Author's reply
You get the picture perfectly. Yet Tom is such a good friend that he's not jealous of Sam's friendships with the other two, for he knows he could never understand as they do.
And to you, BB!
(By the way, my own "happy AU" will be making a return in my January Challenge story!)
PIppinfan1988
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 83: Tom Cotton
Awwww! *sniffle* Until now, I really never gave poor Tom a second thought as for his friendship with Sam, though the Professor is explicit in Sam conveying how close a friend he is to Tom and his brothers as they return to the Shire. As usual, you have this beautiful knack of drawing out tears and tugging the heartstrings. Thank you for a wonderful tale!
Pippinfan
p.s. Its been such a busy weekend for me--I do mean to read those backstories of yours from the Challenges. :-)
Author's reply
Yes, hardly anyone gives poor Tom a thought. Yet it's clear from "Scouring of the Shire" that they're very good friends, and Tom marries Sam's sister--making any of their children double cousins! But there is no way they could have been as close after Sam's return as they were before he left.
Frodo Baggins
· 25 December 2005
· Chapter 19: What I Did This Summer...
Hey Dreamflower!! This was wonderful!! I can just see dear little Pip getting in trouble and writing Merry and Frodo. All those little letters were so Pipish! It's very, very cute!! Hannon le, for such a wonderful story to bring a smile to my face! Namarie, mell min! God Bless and Merry Christmas and Happy Yule! God Bless, Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
Yes, my Pippin tends to write rather short letters, LOL!
I hope that you have had a Merry Christmas and a Happy Yule as well. And thank you for your reviews; they were a lovely Christmas present.
Frodo Baggins
· 25 December 2005
· Chapter 13: One of the Lads
Oh Dreamflower!!
This is really funny story. Interesting, I never thought of how the other company would respond to the Hobbits, particularly Merry and Pippin. But it is very realistic, and of course Hobbits are impossible not to love(with, of course, a few exceptions). Hannon le, mell min! Namarie! God Bless,
Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
Well, the rest of the Fellowship has to get used to Hobbits, and Hobbits have to get used to them. Merry and Pippin have never encountered other races before, so it just makes sense they'd treat them just as they would other Hobbits.
Frodo Baggins
· 25 December 2005
· Chapter 3: Neither Have I Wings to Fly
Oh Dreamflower!!
THis was so touching and sweet!! In that little ficlet was said so much and contained so much feeling. I loved it!! You are a wonderful author. I am so happy to find yet another Christian author. Hannon le, mell min! God Bless, Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
This particular vignette just came to me, in Merry's voice. I have felt for a long time that he would be especially hurt by Frodo's final departure, for he knew his cousin so well from the time he was a baby.
mews1945
· 24 December 2005
· Chapter 58: Waiting for Bilbo
I'm very glad you left links to your Yule fics. It's fun to read them on this Christmas Eve morning. I love Cousin stories, and this is such a gentle tale that it makes a body feel warm and loving.
Author's reply
I'm very glad you enjoyed them. I love to show young!Frodo and wee!Merry in Brandy Hall before Frodo moved away. I'm glad it made you feel warm & loving--that was just the mood I hoped for, in spite of the cold and frost!
Queen Galadriel
· 18 December 2005
· Chapter 27: All You Have to do is Ask
Awww! What a sweet little story! I love little Pip, and poor Merry. You portray him so well. And that song...LOL! Very clever variation I must say, and it has the same effect! *groan* :-) I loved this so much! God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked this little bit of fluff. My challenge was that some part of the story had to take place in a waggon--and I just thought of a waggon load of little hobbits singing...it went from there.
And I'm so glad to see these reviews for some of my older stories. Your review of this one gave me just the bunny I needed for another one of my 20_ring stories! Thank you very much!
Queen Galadriel
· 18 December 2005
· Chapter 20: Three Nights Out of Bree...
Wow! Sam's character is so well done here, Dreamflower! An interesting little episode, and a good lesson for Aragorn. :-) God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you. At this point, Aragorn is just beginning to know these hobbits a little bit, and Sam of course, is still getting to know him. It's a start.*grin*
Queen Galadriel
· 18 December 2005
· Chapter 16: A Gift for Frodo
Awwww! How sweet, Dreamflower! Yes, a restful sleep with a happy dream...exactly the thing. :-) God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you! I thought after all his fright with the Watcher in the Water that he deserved a real break.
Kitty
· 18 December 2005
· Chapter 82: Sweet Memories
That was a sweet ficlet! It is so touching to see Merry even now, after all his experiences, going there and reading the old book to himself to held up the memory of the cousin he loved so much and lost too soon!
Author's reply
I am so sorry for not responding to this sooner! I just came across this review--I must have missed the notification. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!
Armariel
· 17 December 2005
· Chapter 82: Sweet Memories
Very lovely. “Once there were best cousins…” oh yes. *sniff* Perfect!
~~~{~@
Author's reply
I apologize for not answering your kind review! I just now found it! Thank you very much!
Bodkin
· 17 December 2005
· Chapter 82: Sweet Memories
Ahh. Now all Merry needs is a little Merry to join him and perpetuate the tradition.
Such a sweet story - and a good thing that Pippin was there to explain to Estella.
Author's reply
I am so sorry I didn't see this review sooner!
Yes, a little Merry or a little Perry, LOL!
True, Pippin would understand--none better. And Estella would have understood as soon as she heard the explanation!
Gryffinjack
· 16 December 2005
· Chapter 26: Proposal
Such beautifully poetic language!
This is a wonderful setting you have, full of unspoken import. For I think Frodo has already started to feel separated from the Shire and those around him; he already feels like an observer looking through a window at the living as they go on with their lives. Although he will still have some moments when there is a crack in that window and he becomes part of the Shire again, they are just cracks easily tightened, and once again Frodo will find himself no longer a part of Shire life anymore. And so his life for now is that of a watcher, living vicariously through those he loves and observes.
Author's reply
To me, that is the essence of post-Quest Frodo, not that he can experience no joy, for he still loves, but that he can only experience it vicariously *through* those he loves, since he feels they deserve happiness and he does not. Very symptomatic of his frame of mind.
Gryffinjack
· 16 December 2005
· Chapter 31: Tea and Talk
Our lads are back! Huzzah!
This was a wonderful response to the challenge. What those poor parents must have gone through, not knowing where in the world (literally) their sons were and if they were all right. I'm sure many parents in such situations think the same as Paladin, that their son or daughter is dead. It must make it a bit easier to handle in some ways. However, it is those that keep hope alive that show true strength.
Author's reply
*grin* I had almost forgotten this little challenge! It had some nice responses on the group. Marigold and Piplover wrote especially nice ones.
It had to have been so hard on all of them--not only their sons missing, but all the dire happenings in the Shire as well.
Gryffinjack
· 16 December 2005
· Chapter 47: Heart's Desire
Nicely done! We see how Arwen first gets an idea of the pain and torture that Frodo still endures. It's sad how Frodo cannot forgive himself for his own moment of weakness at the hands of the Ring, yet he was willing to forgive it in Gollum.
Author's reply
Yes, her first real conversation with him after arriving, and she can, I'm sure see just what her heart's desire has cost the one who gave it to her...
Frodo has ever been harder on himself than on others, something often found in people of high integrity. They expect so much more from themselves than they do of others.
Pearl Took
· 16 December 2005
· Chapter 82: Sweet Memories
Aw, so sweet. And yes, I feel thta neither Merry or Pippin would have wished things had been otherwise. I think they would always appreaciate who they became because of the Quest. I'm glad Merry found his book :)
Author's reply
They do, very much appreciate what the Quest meant to them, and how they grew because of it. Not that I'm sure they don't sometimes regret a few things--Boromir's death, and Theoden's, Gandalf's leaving, and of course, the cost to Frodo. But I don't think either of them ever grudged the cost to themselves. They became who they became because of it, and they found a new and dear second family among the members of the Fellowship, and other dear friends they met along the way.
Julie
· 16 December 2005
· Chapter 82: Sweet Memories
This was just so adorably sweet!! It was very good of Pippin to know & understand how meaningful the day before his birthday was to Merry ... & to explain to Estella.
How endearingly creative of Frodo to not only write, but also illustrate, the cousins' very own adventure! Of course, their own turned out to be quite different from their imagined one in childhood.
I must say I was impressed ... you not only incorporated all of your given elements in the first paragraph, but also most of them in the very same sentence!
Author's reply
Well, as understanding as Estella usually is, if she's anything like I was as a newlywed, it would have been hard not to take her husband's wish to be alone personally. But she's really very sensible, so when Pippin explained the significance of the book, she would be fine with it.
That is an idea I've had for some time, about the book Frodo made Merry. The bunny was just waiting for the right moment.
Well, good to get them out of the way, you know, as soon as possible...
Larner
· 16 December 2005
· Chapter 82: Sweet Memories
This one has me weeping a bit, Dreamflower. Yes, Frodo would have shared that with Merry for as long as he could, and that the book was found and Merry could use it to remember that special gift, truly a gift of self from Frodo to himself....
Thank you.
harrowcat
· 16 December 2005
· Chapter 82: Sweet Memories
oh this is just lovely Dreamflower. And how clever of you to get all the elements in within the first paragraph!
Author's reply
Thanks! As soon as I saw the pear tree and the book on the list, it rather wrote itself really, for I'd had the idea for some time that Frodo had once made Merry a special storybook.
Oh goodness! What a sweet stroy - although I was blinking away tears by the end.
I love the bond between Merry and Frodo, and it is true that a book like that would bring back memories. Sometimes the memories of our childhood have such a piercing clarity, triggered by a small thing like a picture book. Merry must have trreasured it because Frodo made it, and for the innocent tale it told. If only the innocence could have been unmarred, and the real adventure had been so simple. Poor Merry - and good that Pippin managed to convince Estella to let him have a day to himself.
Beautiful, as always.
Author's reply
Merry and Frodo had a very special relationship, and something Merry could hold, to remind himself of those earlier, uncomplicated days would have been so precious to him. And yes, innocent ideas of adventure are so far from the reality.
Pippin knew, none better, what it would mean to Merry to rekindle some pleasant memories, to take some of the sting out of more recent, bitter ones. And Estella is pretty sensible--once Pippin explained. But young brides don't always understand their husband's occasional needs to be alone.
Thank you.
Sam-comfort is a rare treat, and I enjoy it. This is very nicely done! God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you! I have a few Sam h/c, mostly because of requests from the remarkable Rabidsamfan. But I agree, it is a treat to see Sam get a bit of well-deserved TLC.
Gryffinjack
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 14: Rest
" “And you are entirely too bright and chipper for someone who’s never been to bed at all...."
I always said that Merry was intelligent! I suppose someone has to do it, but such hours! I hope Pippin doesn't have that third watch for that long.
"Pippin had been horribly afraid they would order Merry to go along, but he had held his tongue, knowing that if they did, it would be hard enough for his cousin without him adding his whining into it. But nothing had been said, and finally Merry had screwed up his courage to ask. The young king of Rohan had smiled and shaken his head."
I love how the cousins always look out for each other. And it's quite clear that Pippin has grown up, caring so much about Merry that he doesn't use those big green eyes or his other tactics to make Merry feel guilty about something beyond his control.
Although I certainly would have stopped to watch these two hobbits taking nap, I would not have liked the audience had I been one of the "sleeping pheriannath." They must have looked so adorable! A well earned nap for both of them. When Frodo and Sam joined them, it reminded me so much of your story about "the day after the night before" when they all fell asleep outside at Bag End. Were Fatty and Folco with them in that story? Anyway, a truly delightful image of our dear hobbits. I imagine that special bond between the four of them made it even easier for the four of them to all find peaceful sleep together in that garden.
Sleep well, dear hobbits!
Author's reply
Yes, the "graveyard shift" is not much fun. But, as you say, someone had to do it. I am sure that Pippin could probably have gotten out of it, but I am equally sure that he would have done no such thing--he'd want to prove he could do all the duties the Men did.
I could see Merry worrying about his conflicting duties to his liege and to his family--but of course, Eomer would not have done that to Merry. And yes, Pippin has grown a good deal. Time was, he probably would have been asking Merry to the point of irritation whether he had to go or not, but not any more.
I know *I'd* stop and stare at the cute little sleeping hobbits, LOL!
Funny thing is, this story was written a good while before "Morning After", and I worried a bit about them being too similar. But yes, in the (chronologically earlier) story, Fatty and Folco were there as well. But I love sleeping hobbits--there can't be too many such stories to suit me, *grin*!
Gryffinjack
· 11 December 2005
· Chapter 17: The Steward and the King
What - no hobbits? lol!
It wasn't until I was halfway through this drabble before I realised which king this was, Eomer or Aragorn. I suspect you did that on purpose - very clever.
This was well done and seemed very much in character for the two men, both the way Eomer told Faramir that he had his blessing to court his sister and the way Faramir let Eomer know how much affection he has for Eowyn.
You really get so much into your drabbles!
Author's reply
Yes, this is the *only* thing I've ever written without any hobbits. It's amazing to know I could do that! LOL!
I'm glad you thought it in character. I've read lots of fics where Eomer is resentful of Faramir or dislikes him--I can't see that, I think he would just be glad that his sister had found some happiness!
Gryffinjack
· 10 December 2005
· Chapter 78: Something To Be Thankful For
This is a very poignant story, Dreamflower.
It was very kind and sweet of Eomer King to carry his little knight back to the tent and to explain why he was asleep. His words show how much care and esteem he has for Merry as well as the other hobbits. However, Eomer's quick reassurance to Pippin that Merry was not drunk and had only had one ale makes me wonder if Eomer was aware of the pact between Merry and Pippin. It would not be surprising, considering that in your stories, Faramir and Beregond are aware of it as well as the members of the Fellowship.
"Pippin bit his lip. As tired as he was, he didn’t think he could rest without being sure Merry was all right. And Frodo had begun to look alarmed. Frodo didn’t need any more to worry about. He sighed. “Merry wouldn’t get drunk without me--not on purpose anyway, but you know how Men can be. I’d better go check on him.” He sighed. All he really had wanted to do was go to bed."
Such is the bond and concern between Merry and Pippin that neither of them can rest when worried about harm to the other. I like how Pippin has utmost faith and trust that Merry would not purposefully break their pact, as I'm sure Merry also has in Pippin. I also like how Pippin is worried about Frodo's reaction and wants to minimise his worry if at all possible. To go out to make sure Merry is all right when he is so weary and just wants to go to bed... Peregrin Took most certainly has come of age in all but years spent upon this Middle Earth.
"Pippin’s jaw dropped, and he started to say something angrily..."
I cannot imagine how angry, hurt, and crushed Pippin would have been if Merry had indeed broken their pact and voluntarily got drunk! To Pippin, that would be unfathomable and would have wounded him more than the troll falling on him did. Of course, the same goes the other way around, if it had been Pippin that had broken his pact with Merry, Merry would have been just as crushed. It has nothing to do with alcohol even, but with their voluntary pact to be two halves of a whole when it came to times of celebration and times of sorrow. It was a pact of faith and trust in each other to save each other's live no matter what the sacrifice. It was the one thing they could always count on - each other.
"“I’m thankful.” said Pippin firmly. “Thankful he was worried.” ...
“Sam, hurt as we all were, there would be only one reason he wouldn’t have worried--that’s if he’d been there at the Black Gate with me, and badly hurt--or killed--himself.”"
Now *that* is a chilling thought. Had Merry gone to the Black Gate with Pippin, there is not much hope that both of them would have survived. And if one of them did not survive, then neither of them would have.
Leave it to Pippin to make such profound realisations. His only concern is for his Merry here, not for anyone else. Pippin concentrates on what is really important, that Merry was not badly hurt or killed. And, of course, Frodo understands immediately once Pippin asks what the only reason would be for Merry not being worried.
This story really brings home the character of the three cousins.
Author's reply
At this point, Beregond knows, Faramir, not yet. As to whether Eomer knows, I would imagine that Merry may have said something to him, knowing how the Rohirrim love to celebrate--he wouldn't want to appear rude before his liege. And of course, Eomer would understand the importance of the pledge.
Pippin's not going to just go to sleep without checking on Merry. Right now the hobbits are just glad to have one another together again. No matter how tired he is, he'd want to know.
I was thinking here that Pip might have been more angry at Eomer (remember his remark about "not on purpose" and "how Men are"?) and that Merry might have been induced or tricked to drink more than he meant to. But fortunately Eomer was able to reassure him that things were all right, as far as that goes.
Yes. That is one of my main peeves with PJ, though I do understand *why* he sent Merry to the Black Gate. But the truth is, if both of them had been there, the odds on them both surviving would have been *very* slim indeed.
And Pippin *knows* Merry, and knows the only reason he wouldn't worry...
Gryffinjack
· 9 December 2005
· Chapter 68: Pippin's Promise
As a follow-up and to stress the dangers of drinking too much alcohol not only at one time, but over the years, I am sad to inform everyone that my niece's father passed away last night. The sclerosis of his liver was too severe after years of drinking too heavily.
I hope that this story and The Dare help bring home the all too real dangers to anyone thinking that alcohol is nothing serious.
Author's reply
I am so sorry about your niece's father. Please give her hugs from me.