Seeing the Forest for the Trees by Lindelea
PSW · 5 January 2016 · Chapter 99999: Note to the Reader
This was a good story, I enjoyed it (though not quite as much when poor Pippin was getting roughed up by orcs who wanted to eat him). Thanks for writing, I'll have to go look at some of your other stories... :-)
Author's reply
Thanks for reading and pausing to share your thoughts!
Nienor Niniel · 30 August 2006 · Chapter 99999: Note to the Reader
Really somewhat darker than the others, but very enjoyable. Although in the books, Merry and Pippin never really mention their time with the Orks, it is probably safe to assume that it troubled them afterwards like it does in your stories. Poor Pippin! I like the fact that the trees aren't as evil as the Hobbits perceived them before the quest. Of course they have met real evil, and also they may understand trees a little better since they were in Fangorn. The truce between hobbits and trees is a nice rounded ending! Nienor
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad you liked the truce at the end of the story.
Cuthalion · 21 February 2005 · Chapter 6: Storm's End
And now I've inhaled this tale, too, and it's very very good (and I have discovered that there are still two tales of you still on my translation list - and so much more I should add... *sigh*... and not enough time at all!) But Flames will have to wait until that Mount Doom of bedsheets, duvets and pillowcases is mangled. Silly household!! *sighs again* *hugs* Cúthalion
Dreamflower · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 99999: Note to the Reader
Great story! But I am left with one burning question? Where has Tom Bombadil gone? I cannot imagine he would have allowed Orcs into the Forest if he were still there...
Author's reply
My thought is that he was in the northern part of his realm, taking care of spring cleaning or whatnot. The Orcs had only been in residence a week or so. I'm sure Tom would have caught wind of the trouble sooner or later. What do you think he might have done? ...or perhaps he knew the Forest would take matters into its own... limbs once it got stirred up enough. JRRT said Tom set boundaries beyond which he did not stir. Do you have any idea what those might have been? (I remember researching it while writing "Jewels" but don't know where those notes are now.)
Dreamflower · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 6: Storm's End
How nice! A treaty between Buckland and the Trees. Hopefully Old Man Willow is still asleep. I do not think his malice would abate for the difference between hobbit and Orc.
Author's reply
I wonder how long Old Man Willow slept after Tom's lullaby. Someone in one of Marigold's challenges wrote a breathtaking story from Old Man Willow's viewpoint; did you ever read that one?
Dreamflower · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 5: A Glimmer of Sunlight
And this is the chapter that got me started. Makes a good deal of sense in context.
Author's reply
Hope it makes some kind of sense out-of-context too.
Dreamflower · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 4: The Breaking of the Storm
I love the systematic ways of the Brandybucks, just as I've always imagined, they plan their searches for the lost, whether in the Forest, the River, or old tunnels... And of course, Pippin more or less rescued himself before they could begin. It's very much of a piece with the way he rescued himself and Merry on the Quest: a quick use of wits, and speedily taking advantage of any luck that came his way.
Author's reply
Isn't it funny how JRRT set up his story and we draw on that for characterisations? Merry the organised one, Pippin the curious one, Sam as loyal-to-the-death, Frodo... (no, not cowardly or sickly, but steadfast and determined and wise beyond other hobbits, by the end) And yes, I drew heavily on the "Uruk-hai" chapter from TTT when I wrote this story. Thanks!
Dreamflower · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Lightning Bolt
No way Merry would ever forget the sight of an Orc arrow! I love the way Merry described Pippin's skills as an arguer: "the sky green and the grass blue", LOL! that's our Took. (And he should probably know from the number of times Pip's done it to him.)
Author's reply
No, I bet he still dreams of orc arrows on bad nights. I wanted to find a hobbity simile to "could sell ice cubes to the Eskimos" but that was the closest I could come at the time.
Dreamflower · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 2: Approaching Thunder
Whoa! This is really good! I love these stories set when Pippin was Steward in Buckland. How many of them did you do?
Author's reply
I don't remember! Jewels, and To Get to the Top, and the one where Merry is caught under a tree during a flood come to mind. After that I started writing things from the perspective of Tookland and hardly ever got back to Buckland except when Pippin visited, of course.
Dreamflower · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 1: Gathering Storm
Well, I thought I had better read this before I start the new story. I was under the impression I'd read it already, but apparently not. This is great! So suspenseful, and the brooding atmosphere perfect for the Old Forest...
Author's reply
Thanks! So you hadn't read it? This was the first "dark" writing I ever did.
Grey Wonderer · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 99999: Note to the Reader
Makes perfect sense to me. It also made for a very entertaining tale. Bilbo would have been proud!
Author's reply
Thank you! I had a reviewer at a juried archive turn the story down because they thought it too improbable; that's why I added this note to the end of the story, just in case anyone else had the same problem.
Grey Wonderer · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 6: Storm's End
A truce between the forest and the hobbits! I loved how you managed to show Merry's nervousness during the aftermath without actually showing it. Works well. And finally: 'Now we have united against a common foe,' Saradoc continued. 'I wish to proclaim a truce between the Forest and the hobbits of Buckland.' He nodded to Merry, who stepped forward, raising a large axe above his head. The feeling of tension and breathlessness increased, but Merry swung the axe high and brought it down, to bury the head in the path. 'We hereby swear that the hobbits of Buckland will cut no more living wood from this Forest,' Saradoc said. 'We ask only the right to collect fallen branches, to clear out underbrush to lessen the risk of fire, and to have safe passage through the Forest at need.' Such a great scene and I could see it all as I read it! Wonderful image. Now if only they could locate those pesky "Ent Wives" in ther somewhere. Great story and I look forward to the rest of the other one. Especially since it lead me here. Glad to see someone is still writing and posting and that it is you.
Author's reply
Yes, and I need to work Merry's nerves into the new story; thanks for the reminder. Well, I will keep posting so long as people keep reviewing! I hope that doesn't sound dumb. Isn't that funny? I will keep writing nonetheless, but typing the stuff into the computer is just that much more work... Feedback is so motivating.
Grey Wonderer · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 5: A Glimmer of Sunlight
So much to love about this one. Diamond and Estella trying to be brave as they waited. The banter between Merry and Pippin. The banter between Pippin and Diamond. The banter between the healer and Pippin. Oh, did I mention the banter? LOL Just love how it reads. Started to do a cut and paste and then realized that I was taking the entire chapter! Also thought Pippin reaction once he was alone with Diamond and was again having Orc dreams was very well done. Your Diamond and Pippin do fit so well together!
Author's reply
O the banter, yes, I think you might perhaps have mentioned that. *g* Always nice to hear when things work.
Grey Wonderer · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 4: The Breaking of the Storm
Poor Pippin! This is like a terrible return to his time with the Orcs on the quest only without Merry by his side. Pippin's humor and his desperate wish for all of this to be over quick rang very true. Seems he was able to keep Merry from being tied up, but not so lucky himself in all of this. He was aware that Socks had stopped, and looked up to see something bright ahead. Socks took a step or two closer, and Pippin could make out his sword, of a wonder tangled in hanging vines. He merely had to reach out a hand to take it. It was probably just a fancy of his fevered brain, but he muttered, 'Thank ye kindly,' aloud, and the leaves rustled in reply. Loved this image of the trees returning his sword and of Pippin thanking them for their help. I still don't know who I managed to miss this little gem of yours. Good thing I am on a bit of a break and was just up late poking about. Your story alert caught my attention and has lead me here. Hope others find this!
Author's reply
I have a friend who is always trying to get me to tie Merry up. Part of the reason this story came about was because I was teasing her by tying Pippin up instead! *g* Poor Pippin: his wish for it all to be over quick is desperate indeed, remembering what he does... as will come out in the new story, in a series of nightmares. (Of course he is remembering something that is embroidered onto the original LOTR. I certainly hope it sounds plausible and as if it fits seamlessly into the original material and doesn't look like an obvious add-on. Please let me know what you think!)
Grey Wonderer · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 3: Lightning Bolt
'You took the words right out of my mouth,' the Master admitted. 'He argued me into letting him go.' 'He could argue a farmer into calling the sky green and the grass blue,' Merry said in frustration. His father chuckled. 'That he could.' He sobered. 'Perhaps he can argue the trees into helping us catch whatever's hiding in the Forest.' Loved this bit. Merry hadn't wanted Pippin to go in, but he completely understood why his father had allowed it. He knows all about Pippin's charming ways. LOL Also thought you did a wonderful job with Merry's reaction to the Orc arrow. I could feel his panic when I read that. Now, I do wonder how much trouble Pippin is in. Thankfully, the entire story is here and so I can find out.
Author's reply
I just see Pippin as a charmer, able to argue others into having his way, sometimes without their even noticing it. Wonder if that comes from canon or fanon? Thanks!
Grey Wonderer · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 2: Approaching Thunder
I was very glad that Pippin and Saradoc refused to let Merry be tied down. I can't imagine a worse trama for him due to his experiences during the quest. I also like the way Pippin seems to be taking charge a bit in this story. It shows Saradoc's respect for Pippin knowledge. I hope Merry is better now. At least he seemed to be resting a bit. I do hope that Pippin plans to let someone know before going into the forest. I just know he's going in. Looks like more trouble ahead.
Author's reply
Something about Pippin and Orcs and taking charge... straight out of the Uruk-hai chapter in TTT. Going to be drawing heavily on that chapter (and embroidering upon it too, hope JRRT wouldn't disapprove) in the new story. Sounds like you know Pippin well.
Grey Wonderer · 3 February 2005 · Chapter 1: Gathering Storm
Explain to me exactly how it is that I missed this one? I love how the old forest seems to be allowing Pippin and the others to locate Merry. I also like how Pippin looked around and observed that others were also having trouble breathing in the forest. That was a nice connection to his troubles from other times. I did think I had read all of the yound steward stories until I found this thanks to your recent prologue.
Author's reply
Don't know how you missed it but lots of people did! You are right. The Forest did what it could to protect Merry and the forester from the Orcs, and it wasn't so sure about allowing more hobbits into the Forest but when they were determined and pushed their way in, the Forest decided that helping them find Merry would be the quickest way to get rid of them! Can a Forest think in such a complex way? Hope so.
Miriel · 4 September 2003 · Chapter 99999: Note to the Reader
Very good story that kept me on the edge of my seat for some time. I am glad to see that there is an alliance with the Old Forest, after all these years!