At the End of His Rope by Lindelea
Grey Wonderer · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 26: The Mayor Steps In
May I say that I just love Sam in this story! He is the one with all of the answers when everyone else falters. Go Sam! I'm off ot sleep for the night, but I will be back by the weekend to this one. I intend to finish this a second time only with proper reviews.
Grey Wonderer · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 25: Idle Talk
I do like the idea of Merry and Pippin both stepping down and going off on adventures or just taking their families and enjoying the shire.
Grey Wonderer · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 24: Picnic by the Spring
A lovely day! Pippin could use more of those and so, I think could Merry. Sam always seems to find time for the things he enjoys. I think that's because of his background. Merry and Pippin never had the chance.
Grey Wonderer · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 23: Heart to Heart Talk
He felt, for the first time in a long time... free. Love this chapter and loved Sam and Diamond for finding a way to make it happen. Fredi and Regi can be very restricting at times. Sometimes folks just need the company of very good friends. I loved this!
Grey Wonderer · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 22: Like Old Times
Still hate that Sam and Merry have no time alone with Pippin to just talk things over without the Thain's staff standing guard. At least Merry and Sam still have a bit of private life even if poor Pippin is saddled with his Thainship and no life of his own. It is a shame to see the happiest and most light-hearted of the three with the least freedom left both due to illness and most of all position.
Grey Wonderer · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 21: The Steward and the Mayor
Loved Sam in this chapter, but I do hate that the Tooks are able to keep Sam away from Pippin and that distance has come between Pippin and Merry in all of this. So sad for all three of them as they only have each other with Frodo gone. They should not be separated by anyone or anything in times of trouble. I remember that Sam, at least see to this later on if not now.
Grey Wonderer · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 20: Thain of the Shire
Now that was very neatly done. I was so glad to see Sam and Merry in all of this.
Grey Wonderer · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 19: Tying a Knot
I've been wondering about a cain or crutches and here the cain is. I do wonder what Regi is up to now, though.
Grey Wonderer · 22 March 2005 · Chapter 18: Signs of Life
Couldn't help thinking of two of your other tales while reading this tonight. When they mention the lamb for supper, I thought of "Thain" when Pippin said, 'Poor lamb,'. Also made me think of that old saying "lamb to the slaughter" and thought that fit Pippin's role in Thain. Then while teasing with Diamond in this chapter Pippin says, 'They drive me worse than a company of orcs.' and it seemed his humor had returned since your tale "A Took by any Other Name". Interesting how it all comes together.
Grey Wonderer · 7 March 2005 · Chapter 17: Making Plans
Good ole Sam! I am glad to see him getting into it all. He sometimes has more sense than the others and worries less about what is proper and right and more about friendships. I have forgotten much of this between the first reading and this one and so I am enjoying the suspense of it all. I have to stop for now and get ready for a day at my evil job, but I will be back!
Grey Wonderer · 7 March 2005 · Chapter 16: A Raft of Letters
More for Merry to worry over and seemingly littel he can do about any of it. Not even comfort Pippin over it all or get any details other than the rumors. I do wish things could have been different for them.
Grey Wonderer · 7 March 2005 · Chapter 15: Halting Steps
I do like Regie in your tales. He has a great dela of common sense and he knows Pippin so very well.
Grey Wonderer · 7 March 2005 · Chapter 14: Tremors
This is the hard part for me. The change in Merry and Pippin's relationship from the "young Steward" stories. I do think that is why I prefer them. I completely understand Merry's reasoning and I do think with gossip the way that it is, he is correct, but I hate what titles and responsibilities have done to the cousins's relationship.
Author's reply
I love writing in the "young Steward" portion of the timeline for that very reason. The cousins can practically finish their own sentences, and they're working together to solve all the problems that may arise, and they can relax together during quiet times. It's a wonder Pippin actually left Buckland and went back home to become Thain. Well, maybe not, since the Brandybucks also instilled a strong sense of duty in him while he was in Buckland. (Not that Paladin had no influence on Pippin's character formation as he grew up, but his years as Buckland's steward really served as his training ground to become Thain, as I've written it.) Author Reply: I meant "the cousins can practically finish each other's sentences" but instead described them as some kind of half-wits, or something. Sorry about that! Author Reply: Or maybe it's hard for them to finish their own sentences because the other cousin is always jumping in and interrupting and finishing sentences for them?
Grey Wonderer · 7 March 2005 · Chapter 13: Naming Day
Lovely ceremony and even though I knew the names, I was holding my breath with Diamond. LOL you never know what Pippin might decide to do.
Author's reply
LOL, IO was answering a new review on this chapter and noticed I never replied to this? Or if I did, SoA wiped out the replies somehow. I think that could happen. But don't know for sure. Anyhow, thanks!
Grey Wonderer · 7 March 2005 · Chapter 12: Whispers
Nice chapter. Love the rumor-control. Just wonder if it will work.
Author's reply
Ah, rumor-control at the Great Smials. Sort of a Sisyphusian task. (How does one spell that word, anyhow?)
Grey Wonderer · 7 March 2005 · Chapter 11: Changes
'If there's to be a Paladin III, I'm not the one to perpetrate the deed,' Pippin said, taking a cheese puff. I think that speaks volumes about Pippin and his father. Very true to their relationship in life. I love that they moved Pippin to a window. He desperately needed to see out. I am enjoying this through the second time a great deal.
Grey Wonderer · 7 March 2005 · Chapter 10: Waiting
I was just over reading "A Took by any other name" and had to laugh at the chapter I'd stopped on in "Rope" What I just read was Merimac's last words to Pippin over in "Took" which include the names of all of his future children so I am guessing by this chapter of "Rope" that Pippin does not wake rememberig all that Merimac said to him. LOL Love how tolerate Pip is of Faramir's pranks on the kitchen staff.
Grey Wonderer · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 9: Consultation
So now they have to pretend his leg is broken? This is becoming complicated for them all. I do love your healer by the way. She's a real charmer and a match for all of these stubborn Tooks.
Grey Wonderer · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 8: Playing the Part
Poor Pippin! So many responsibilities and appearances to be kept up that he can't even be sick like other hobbits. It is a good thing that all of them are fine actors or they might never get through their days.
Grey Wonderer · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 7: Morning After
I love Pippin and Diamond together in your stories. they tease one another in much the same way that Pippin and Merry do. Looks like Pippin may have a problem with that one leg, though at least so far he doesn't seem to have the 'gaffer's friend'.
Grey Wonderer · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 6: Farmhouse Hospitality
It's so sad to think that this sort of thing would not be done in today's world. Who would allow injured travelers into their home for any reason these days? Strange the things I think about when reading these. Oh, I noticed that everyone in this chapter got cleaned up and put to bed except the 'midwife', Faramir. As I read, I found myself wondering if anyone had seen to him after all of his efforts to keep everyone else taken care of.
Author's reply
A very belated reply to tell you that I went through this again and realized you are completely right! No one was looking after Faramir. That was definitely an oversight, so I revised it just now. (Yes, very belated. Such is life. But I'm glad you said something, way back when, and I'm only sorry that it didn't hit me between the eyes until now.)
Grey Wonderer · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 5: More Guests Arrive at the Party
Love drunken Pippin and drunken Diamond is very funny too! Now, I do fear that the trouble is coming. The fun is over and once Pip sobers up I imagine that he is going to be in some pain. This is a great story and I am remembering things as I read.
Author's reply
Stopped by to answer a review and found this one too! Much belated thanks. I hope this finds you well.
Grey Wonderer · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 4: Campfire Tales
Faramir has the Took gift for story-telling I see. he also is very good at trying to help his parents remain calm. It seems as if he has done this sort of thing before. It's a great deal of responsibility for one so young but he handles it well.
Grey Wonderer · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Getting Acquainted
I love how determined Pippin is to name his new lad after Merry. I also remember Ruby and so that fits quite nicely. I love how they are all sitting around drinking and trying not to think about the trouble that they are in just now. I do wonder where help is at the moment. It has been quite a while and they might run out of brandy. Oh, and the reference to the Orcs in the Shire works so well since I am reading your latest about the attack.
Grey Wonderer · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 2: Special Delivery
'Don't worry, Mother, I'm just going to pretend you're a pony for the time being.' My new favorite line during a birth! I love how well Faramir handles it all and the slight blush that Diamond had at telling him he would have to raise her skirts. This has an old west feel to it just now, with the over-turned coach and the birth out in the middle of nowhere and the brandy to stay warm which they always did in a good western. Leave it to these Tooks to have twins in the middle of the road!