Reviews (81)

Lily the Hobbit · 27 February 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter 5

This was so beautiful it made me cry. You have the gift of perceiving the characters just as they are. Sometimes your stories make me wonder if not Tolkien himself would have written it just that way and this one is just one example. I guess there is no need in telling you that I loved every bit of it, but I will anyhow :)

pipinheart · 27 February 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Pippin is at Merry's bedside helping him recover. Merry is disturbed by a feeling that frodo is different now. Pippin convinces him it is nothing,but as Pippin sits with his pipe there is worry he hides. Frodo, knows he has changed and even Gandalf knows things will never be the same. Visions come to light ones Bilbo had years ago,and one frodo had of Merry. He knows he won't be with them long, he accepts this ..... Please continue,this gets better and better...

Bodkin · 26 February 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Even in a moment of crisis, Merry can see further into a brick wall than most. Although I don't think that this is the moment when Frodo would choose not to follow him to safety, he certainly would sacrifice himself to ensure the survival of these cousins. He feels bad enough about having dragged them into danger in the first place - as if he could have stopped them!

Hai Took · 26 February 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Oh, I loved Merry waking up to Pippin. The conversation they had and Merry feeling like Frodo wasn't all there anymore. Like he wasn't himself was very well done. How sad to feel like you have lost someone yet they are still there, just not the same. I'm glad Frodo told Gandalf about his vision. And Bilbo told him as well, now Gandalf got to see this vision fulfilled of sorts. What Sam's Gaffer said was very nicely said, he his a wise old hobbit. How sad for Frodo! He must think he is going to die, although that isn't the case it must be a rather disturbing idea. But I do love the idea that when you think of someone they can see you, very nice! looking forward to more!

Inkling · 25 February 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Ah, the story takes a more mysterious and contemplative turn…Frodo’s dreams and visions are such an intriguing element of LOTR and nice to see you exploring them here, and suggesting Bilbo had a similar gift. This was very poignant: “He had perhaps a score more of years, at best…It would be enough time for a good life. He could do much with it.” Poor Frodo, not knowing that the reality will be both better and worse than that… The interaction between Merry and Pippin was lovely too: “He was very weak and as tired as if he had been on a forced march, but he would wake himself for Pippin.” Also loved the effect of Sam’s humor on Frodo: “Like the grip of a well-known hand, it comforted him and he laughed out loud.” My favorite chapter yet!

Lily the Hobbit · 25 February 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

What a heart-rending chapter. I loved every bit of converstation and if Merry's words had not moved me to tears, Frodo's thoughts certainly did. Merry had been thinking of him while standing in that golden field and his remembrance had been touched with loss. Irretrievable loss. The kind you would only feel for one who was gone beyond any hope of meeting again. The kind you felt for those who were dearly loved but who had long since died.

Larner · 25 February 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Again, very beautiful and gentle. Thank you.

Cuthalion · 25 February 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

"The only part of him that's left is like a memory of what was, and yet I am so terrified of losing even that little bit that I couldn't duck into the hearth before him." He looked up again. "I didn't know if he’d have followed me." This gives me the shiver. Incredibly good. And this, of course: Merry had been thinking of him while standing in that golden field and his remembrance had been touched with loss. Irretrievable loss. The kind you would only feel for one who was gone beyond any hope of meeting again. The kind you felt for those who were dearly loved but who had long since died. Wonderful. Melancholic, true, and yet full of a strange peace. Great. Ariel. Simply great.

Larner · 24 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Love the gentleness of the story, the obvious love between the Hobbits and their companions, the closeness of Aragorn.

Larner · 24 February 2005 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Again, well written and beautiful. Lovely images.

Larner · 24 February 2005 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Well written and enjoyable. Love the image of Frodo seeking to protect and comfort Merry here.

lovethosehobbits · 24 February 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Oh, so bittersweet and sad...cried, you know. I love your fics....can't wait for more, my dear. tree

Lindelea · 24 February 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Ah, Merry and Pippin together... how well they understand one another! Beef liver sandwiches? And he goes along quietly? Goodness, he's braver than I thought! I have expressed that same thought on previous occasions... that our loved ones are never completely gone as long as someone who loves them remembers. One good thing about having no working word processor is that I can use writing time for reading instead. Or dusting and vacuuming. Decisions, decisions.

Bodkin · 23 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Saucy Merry. I don't think he's in the condition to deliver at the moment! And I don't blame Frodo for wanting to escape the Houses of Healing to get home - although his bruises sound really nasty.

Hai Took · 23 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

I was more than a little worried about Frodo! I'm glad that he didn't sustain too much harm. Poor Sam! How would he feel if they survived Mt Doom only for Frodo to be buried alive, on his way to be rescued no less! Wise of Legolas to go in search of Pippin. It would be terrible to hear a jumbled account of things. I couldn't help but laugh when Merry was waking up! At least he is conscious enough to make a bit of a joke. Looking forward to more and seeing how things progress!

lovethosehobbits (tree) · 22 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Your words are like prose and I felt myself relaxing and listening to Aragorn and Frodo as they spoke, feeling almost a sing-song cadence running thru my head. Lovely indeed. I only wish Frodo had been hurt worst (nasty, nasty tree) so we could endure more h/c with him, but I do also so love Merry and the h/c he will receive. A magnificent story, Ariel dear, so pleased you have shared it with us.

pipinheart · 22 February 2005 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Sam...Always one not to do as he is told...Looking for objects to rescue them. Finally help arrives and Merry is pulled to saftey,though he looks bad. Frodo is pulled after a near fatal accident...Good job...

Inkling · 22 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

It’s fun to meet your adult Frodo after reading “Fear.” I like his dry humor…in fact, the understated, wry comments of all the hobbits is very much in the spirit of Tolkien. And Merry with the healers—LOL! You can’t keep a good hobbit down! ;)

Cuthalion · 22 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

"Easy there, love," he slurred. "Not so eager. Let me wake first…" *big grin* Such a little womanizer! That is a wonderful tale, Ariel... and you met my soft spot for Merry nicely! There's absolutely no reason to "think poorly" of you, and I hope it's as much fun to write as it is to read!

DAYNA · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

I really like this story, Ariel! I'm noticing I'm leaning to "hobbit-angst" this week, and this filled the bill nicely! Very well written, and I can't wait for chapter 4! :)

esamen · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

It wasn't until they began to remove his trousers that he started to feel uncomfortable. "Easy there, love," he slurred. "Not so eager. Let me wake first…" Ariel, you just can't keep your hands out of the cookie jar, can you? Not even in the middle of a supposedly h/c fic? Cute little Merry. He's so darling when he's helpless in bed like that. I guess you couldn't stop yourself. Awesome chapter, especially the part about Aragorn's blazing eyes. That was a lovely sight. I hope that we gets lots of insight about life in the fellowship's Minas Tirith house. That unexplored section of time in the trilogy has always interested me. And Frodo can get a lot of tender attention there. If he's in your fic, he gets lots of it, right? Like he did in the last chapter of Thicker Than Blood? my personal Ariel fav? Love and happy typing, esamen

Elendiari22 · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

I'm glad that Frodo, at least, is doing well. I hope that Belegond isn't punished, although I have some uneasy feelings on his front. Merry in the Houses was a scream! The ladies must have been giggling among themsleves for a long time afterwards. I would have been, anyway. :) Excellent chapter, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Elwen · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Oho! Merry's reaction to the unbuttoning of his trousers was a hoot. And your stubborn but practical Frodo is perfect. Sam is the mother hen, as always where Frodo is concerned. And I'm very pleased to see tbc at the end.

Pipinheart · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

A very good piece of work... Merry and Frodo are rescued,but Merry is hurt and very weak. Frodo is worried about Merry,and sam is anxious about frodo. Pippin will soon find out and be at both thier bedsides. Please continue,can't wait to hear more...

Lindelea · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Hmmm, very interesting indeed! What, no liver? I always torture Merry with liver when he's lost more blood than is good for him. (And how can you lose less blodd than is good?) Hurrah, Pippin! Pip-pip, Hooray! (sorry, couldn't resist the pun) You've surprised me. I was imagining a blow on the head, a slight concussion perhaps, apparently not much damage done, no sign of slow bleeding going on under the surface... With your penchant for Frodo-angst it seemed the most likely course. Hmm, Merry had a blow to the head as well. O the possibilities! But then there is a "TBC" at the end of the chapter, so anything is possible, I suppose. Thanks!