Dreamflower's Mathoms I by Dreamflower
Grey Wonderer · 26 March 2005 · Chapter 31: Tea and Talk
Now that was very good! I don't think I could have done that in a million years. I am amazed at hoe it fit together and still followed the challenge.
Author's reply
Thanks! If you're not on the PippinHealers list, you might want to check out what Marigold, Llinos, and Piplover came up with. I think they're brilliant!
Lindelea · 26 March 2005 · Chapter 31: Tea and Talk
Amazing! You rose to the challenge magnificently!
Author's reply
Thanks! It wasn't too hard as I started out, but got more difficult as I went. A few others have done the challenge, and I hope some of them post their stories here as well. Marigold's was terrific!
GamgeeFest · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
LOL, Paladin is even worse than Pippin! There's nothing like an older sister to set him straight. Very amusing story.
Author's reply
Primrose is not going to be in the least intimidated by her baby brother's growls--Thain or no Thain. I figure that Paladin is where Pippin got it from. But Pippin learned his lesson (in the tea-and-tonic story) and his father never had to.
Anso the Hobbit · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
Ow! Now I suddenly feel the desire to brush my teeth, lol. I love stubborn Paladin! He is just like any sick Took, lol and I love how the family and healers treat him, Thain or no. :)
Author's reply
Yes, by all means avoid Paladin's fate! Just like any sick Took: exactly! And he's not used to that at all, LOL!
Anso the Hobbit · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 29: The Taste of Strawberries
Oh, how wondreful! I love your Rosie and how easy she is with Frodo, kissing him on the head and treating him like a brother. And I love how Frodo gives in to her coaxing and eats. :) Lovely. Now I want strawberries too... :)
Author's reply
I think that Rosie would have to have been comfortable around Frodo, knowing how much Sam loved him; and since she was never in a relationship of being his employee, she would not have been stuck in that "proper" frame of mind that gave Sam so much trouble. Strawberries--they've been in season here for a few weeks. When do they come in season for you?
Anso the Hobbit · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 28: Comfort Food
Poor Pippin! I`m glad he found some food he would like though, It`s not easy to take liking in food when you`re sick and everything tastes bad. I`ve never made noodles (or pasta) but with this recipe I might try, even if I don`t have a pastamachine. :)
Author's reply
It is hard when you are sick and your mouth tastes nasty (as does mine right now, yuck!) to want to eat anything; but comfort food helps.
pipinheart · 23 March 2005 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
Love this one... A tooth ache turns Paladin into a whinning child,refusing any help for it. Giant Pink Rabbits,lol... Now that I'd love to see... His own sister even had to get after him,a stubbron Took for sure.... Nice job..
Author's reply
Well, to be fair, toothaches are no fun, especially if you have a fear of your teeth being worked on, and especially if the tooth gets infected. I don't think Paladin was very often ill, either, which also makes a difference. Big sisters are good for a few things, LOL.
Hai Took · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
A lovely bit of comedy yet some drama. I like that it was Paladin's older sister who actually seemed to be able to rule it over him best. I don't think it matters to most families, not matter how their siblings succeed they are always just that; siblings. Nicely done!
Author's reply
And in hobbit families even more so, where being the oldest really puts one up in the pecking order. And my Primrose is quite a bit older than Paladin--since no DoB is given for those 3 older sisters, I have it that they were in their late teens before Paladin and Esmeralda came along.
Hai Took · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 29: The Taste of Strawberries
That Frodo would know about Rosie was wonderful! The whole "taste of strawberries" thing makes me want to cry everytime I watch/read it anywhere! You did a great job with it! Thank you!
Author's reply
I think that after all his experiences, Frodo was gifted with a bit of Elven foresight to be able to know that kind of thing. I'm glad you liked it.
Hai Took · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 28: Comfort Food
Macaroni and Cheese hobbit style! My favorite food! Very sweet of Frodo to make Pippin some since that was only thing that sounded good to him! And this was a very good little exchange “Frodo, I can never decide whether you are lying just to be nice, or whether you simply forget all the trouble I am when you get worried.” Now Frodo chuckled. “I did not say you were ‘no’ trouble, just that you were not ‘too much’. And I think I am the best judge of what is too much for me.” Very sweet! Thank you for the story, and the recipe! It certainly soudns tasty, one day I might even get around to trying it! ;)
Author's reply
I'm pretty fond of it myself; like mushrooms, there can never be too much cheese! Frodo loves Pippin, and is willing to go to a lot of trouble for him. Glad you liked the story, and if you ever try out the recipe, let me know how it comes out.
Mysterious Jedi · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
Goodness! It wouldn't surprise me if he switched tonic and tea. Might teach him a lesson!
Author's reply
Well, it certainly taught Pippin. You will notice that Primrose holds the lad up to his father as a good example, LOL! I don't think his family knows all the story behind that. Somehow, I don't think that's a story Frodo or Merry would ever have told Pippin's parents.
Saoirse · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
And even after all that he wouldn't take his medecin! I know how Paladin feels with the pink rabbits (except for me it was sailboats) lol. Well, Tooks are surely a stubborn lot, what more can be said? Great job! :)
Author's reply
Well, to be fair, Shire healers make a point of medicine tasting bad. The pink rabbits were inspired by my poor husband--that is the exact hallucination he has when he has a high temperature: giant pink rabbits trying to take the roof off the house. He gets very worried about it.
Kitty · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
So, that is where Pippin's stubbornnes comes from? *grins* Poor Eglantine, to have to put up with *two* of them! At last she has her sister-in-law Primrose - loved how she tamed the Thain! And Paladin seeing pink rabbits ... *giggles* One can only hope Pippin's sisters aren't so bad as the menfolk!
Author's reply
Yes, that's the famous Took stubborness. Eglantine has learned through the years how to cope among the Tooks. She can be quite devious if she has to. It might not have been a coincidence that Primrose just *happened* along then... Glad you liked the pink rabbits!
Andrea · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
Another story with Lavender in it! I really like her style. And the effect of Primrose on Paladin was remarkable. Maybe, I should try this with my "little" brother too, when it's time? I'm not so sure of the outcome, though ;-)
Author's reply
Glad you like Lavender. She's really getting to be a favorite of mine. In hobbit families, age is very significant, and Primrose is not going to let Paladin forget it either. Try it and find out, LOL!
Lindelea · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
LOL--a very deft blend of humour and angst. Well done!
Author's reply
Thanks! When the ficathon challenge was for h/c, I decided to cut our lads a break and go for the older generation, LOL!
Bodkin · 21 March 2005 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
So that's who Pippin got it from! Shame he can't really remember the experience - although Tooks are not noted for improving with experience when it comes to accepting their limitations. Poor Eglantine. Not only did she have Paladin; she had to watch Pippin developing his Tookishness as well. (I love the way big sister Primrose was still able to subdue him. I wonder if Pearl will have the same effect on a middle-aged Pippin. Probably.) Diamond should take note.
Author's reply
Well, they always blamed it on Tookishness... Paladin is a pretty bad patient. In some ways Pip's more mature than his dad--my Pip learned young not to avoid his medicine, and he had plenty of experience being a patient at Cormallen, and finding out that it doesn't do to defy the healers. But Paladin, thankfully, is rarely ill. In hobbit families, age is pretty important in the pecking order; I would imagine one day Pearl just might light into Pip the same way Primrose did with Paladin. I'm sure she did!! Of course, at this point in time, she has yet to even meet Pip.
pipinheart · 20 March 2005 · Chapter 28: Comfort Food
Poor pip...So sick with only Frodo to tend to him. All he wants is Frodo's Noodles and cheesse. Nice story,and the recipie sounds good too..
Author's reply
Yes, poor Pip. But I think it might be rather pleasant to have Frodo to tend one while one is sick...*grin* I'm glad you like the story--maybe you can try out the recipe!
pipinheart · 20 March 2005 · Chapter 29: The Taste of Strawberries
Really nice... Rosie has news and it seems Frodo has the forsight of this. He is thrilled at the thought. He is isolated but not so much as he can't enjoy things. A nice story...
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo knows; actually knew before Rosie did, if truth be known, and is happy with it. They've not been home quite a full year yet, and at this point, before the second anniversary of Weathertop, he is still able to enjoy many things. He has already begun living vicariously through his friends, most especially Sam and Rosie. For even though he can't seem to enjoy much on his own account, he is still able to take delight in the happiness of those he loves.
GamgeeFest · 19 March 2005 · Chapter 28: Comfort Food
Mmmmm, mac and cheese! Too bad he didn't have any paprika to sprinkle over it. Frodo shouldn't be too worried about Pippin not eating though. Once he starts feeling better, he'll be eating him out of hole and smial to make up for lost time. :)
Author's reply
Well, yes, he probably will--and wanting things a lot less nourishing than Frodo's homemade noodles and cheese! But you know hobbits, and how worried they get when one of them is off his feed!
Eruanna · 19 March 2005 · Chapter 29: The Taste of Strawberries
Oh, I love this. It's so very full of happiness. :) And I love what you say about Frodo being too long among the Elves... I do think that Frodo after his quest had become very Elvish, and was numbered among the Wise. Actually, I think that's almost the reason that he sailed West: not so much because he needed healing but because he had become so Elvish and so wise, and therefore so much a part of the Third Age, which was over. The Elves all had to leave, and so did he... Sorry for that philophical ramble. ;) It is a heart-warming and beautiful story; thank you for sharing!
Author's reply
I do think he needed the healing, but yes, I think that by the time his journey ended, he had become very Elvish and Wise. Don't apologize; I like pholosophical rambling!
Connie B. · 18 March 2005 · Chapter 28: Comfort Food
Oh, I can so relate to how Pippin is feeling in this story. I feel just about the same way right now. I even was craving mac and cheese. So yesterday I made a batch, but it just didn't do the trick. I think I need the real home-made kind, like you described, instead of that junk out of a box.:) Also nice job working the tea and tonic story into this. Thanks for sharing both the story and the recipe. Connie B.
Author's reply
Well, you can always dress up the boxed stuff--I often do if time is a factor: a lot of extra cheese, use canned milk or cream instead of regular milk, and add an egg--stick it in a casserole dish and sprinkle on *more* extra cheese and pop it in the oven for a few minutes--you can hardle tell it's boxed after that. I've worked it into a couple of my stories. I just loved that round-robin! You're welcome!
Bodkin · 18 March 2005 · Chapter 29: The Taste of Strawberries
I think Rosie must have been very good for Frodo. Not quite as good as Elanor - Frodo seemed to need children in his life, but still very good. She has a warmth and practicality - and, being a girl, she doesn't have to be quite as reserved as Sam. I don't expect Frodo'll eat much at the Ivy Bush, though - but I'm glad he's pushing Rosie and Sam into an intimate supper where Rosie can share the news.
Author's reply
I think she was. I like to believe she filled a role for him that might have been if he had had a sister. And you are right about not being so reserved as Sam. No, he probably won't. But at least he had strawberry pie waiting for him at home. He's thoughtful that way.
Bodkin · 18 March 2005 · Chapter 28: Comfort Food
Nothing like pampering a Pippin. “I did not say you were ‘no’ trouble, just that you were not ‘too much’." That's a very perceptive comment from Frodo. (What does SCA stand for?)
Author's reply
It's always lovely to see one of the cousins pampering another, isn't it? And Frodo doesn't often get the chance to pamper--he's usually the pamperee! And Frodo's nothing if not perceptive. SCA--stands for the Society for Creative Anachronism. It's a Medieval re-creation group I belong to. In fact I just came home from a day at the 14th annual Gulf Wars, a little war involving about 3500 good friends and friendly enemies. Our biggest event is Pennsic, in August, in upstate NY, with about 10.000 participants.
lindelea · 18 March 2005 · Chapter 29: The Taste of Strawberries
p.s. Baked strawberry pie? I've never heard of such! But you make it sound yummy. (We do our strawberry pie, baking the shell, letting it cool, laying the luscious, juicy, fresh strawberries within, covering them with a sweet glaze, and serving with whipped cream. Mmmm.
Author's reply
I found the recipe many, many years ago, when I was first married. I've tweaked it a tad since then; it is very popular at our house, and as soon as the strawberries come in season, I start getting asked for strawberry pie. I've had the other kind as well, which is also lovely.
Lindelea · 18 March 2005 · Chapter 29: The Taste of Strawberries
Awww. I feel teary-eyed, remembering that Frodo on the Quest had forgotten the taste of strawberries. The knife that Merry gave Sam--is that in one of your stories? I like the "gift" of foresight given Frodo, always for pleasant things. Seems like a small compensation, the least he deserved, for what he gave in return. (But then he got to go to Elvenhome, which while not being as nice as being completely healed and living a "normal" life, counts for something.)
Author's reply
Yes, that was in the back of my mind when I wrote it. (Was that only movie-verse, or book-verse as well?...hmmm...will need to look that up later.) The knife is mentioned it two stories: "Ho,Ho! My Lads" and "Sam's Mistake" Well, Frodo is mentioned as being more "Elven"-like after the Quest; I feel too, that he ended up as one of the "Wise"--like Gandalf, Galadriel and Elrond. It does seem at least a bit of compensation, anyway. By the way, I took the plunge and added a chronology to my bio page, following your example! (I could not *believe* how many stories I've put up in about a year!)