Guiltridden by daughter of Apollo

Reviews (22)

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demeter d · 5 May 2006 · Chapter 4

..."meditate over your misdemeanors"... There's another one! Again, we have grown-up Pippin looking after his troubled cousin. And telling him he tried to do something too foolish even for "a fool of a took" to have tried. Again, you leave us at an interesting point, with a mystery. Was it the trees protecting him? or, as another reviewer said, there are other characters it could be. It is now May. The date line said you last added to this story back in December. I hope you have not had to abandon writing after such an enjoyable, promising start. I hope that Real Life and your Muse will co-operate and allow you to write more, this story or others, very soon. Good Luck to you!

Author's reply

Hi Demeter! I don't know how to begin...your reviews are so, so nice and kind! Well, first of all, I wanted to tell you that I love your names, both the pen-name and the real one! As you might have guessed, I love Roman and Greek mythology too :)) Regarding my description of Rivendell, I was given the idea especially by the scene between Elrond and Arwen in the last movie. I thought this sequence in the film was an excellent way to show something that's more explicitly told in the book: the world and the Era of the Elves is fading anyway, even with the destruction of the Ring and of Sauron. Then, your question about the dream: yes, it is a re-working of the same one, as they all originate from the same guilt complex. I love the connection you made between Merry's and Ichabod's ride! I wasn't thinking exactly about Sleepy Hollow when I wrote that scene, but there are so many similar examples in literature, and I was probably being inspired by a mix of them all :))) Finally, I want to thank you once again for the very, very nice feedback, and at the same time I want to apologize for my late answer to it... As you have already guessed, I am having some troubles with my Muse, and real Life is not co-operating at all. But don't be afraid: I am absolutely NOT abandoning this story. I had another final chapter planned since the beginning, and one day, hopefully soon-ish, it will take a coherent shape. Thanks again!

demeter d · 5 May 2006 · Chapter 3

Again, wonderful pictures! The quiet ride home in the dark reminds me of Ichabod Crane and his bony old horse making their tipsy, nervous way home through Sleepy Hollow. The image of the crowd in Brandy Hall is nice, and I like your alliterations. Not just that "fiends of the family" one, I noticed some others, too. And now his frightened pony runs home without him? Very nice place to hang us up to wait!

demeter d · 5 May 2006 · Chapter 2

Another dream, or is it a re-working of the same one? I very much like the picture of a very grown-up Pip now taking care of his cousin the way Merry has always taken care of him. I like thew way you have Merry say that he no longer feels guilty for what happened to everyone else, but he continues in his dreams to try to keep all of the blame. You have written a thoughtful look at how they all changed.

demeter d · 5 May 2006 · Chapter 1

greetings, Daughter of Apollo. i missed your story as a new posting, I do not get the time to read on a regular basis as much as I would like. I found you scrolling down the author list looking for someone else, and I am glad I did. My first taste of fantasy stories came from my English teacher mother's love of Greek and Roman mythology. Hence my pen-name, and my real first name. I enjoyed the powerful images you wrote here. At the first i really felt like I was on that battlefield with Merry, seeing, hearing and smelling, and feeling the terror of just being there. I like your description of Rivendell as feeling like autumn lingered. I will enjoy reading the rest of this.

Larner · 12 December 2005 · Chapter 3

Actually the alliteration I liked so well "friends of family and families of friends" was in THIS chapter, but somehow I hit next instead of review. Poor Merry, realizing his own folk aren't concentrating on the proper things. Lovely! Thanks!

Author's reply

OMG, your reviews are so nice! I am glad you liked the plot development and the characters insight. And even that little alliteration :) I was hoping to convey the idea of a very crowded Hall, with some sense of irony too. Thank you!

Larner · 12 December 2005 · Chapter 4

The image of the trees themselves wanting to cover Merry, to protect him, is a wonderful one. Love the alliteration used also.

Larner · 12 December 2005 · Chapter 2

The same nightmare, blaming him each time for the evil to befall a different one, the realization this is left from the Black Breath, and the further realization that Frodo has been through worse, much worse. Excellent depiction.

Larner · 12 December 2005 · Chapter 1

The nightmares would continue to some extent, and who can guess the trigger each time? Am glad I went back and found this one. Been a quiet day in many ways. But I'm not surprised Merry is having nightmares or that Pippin is now adult, awake, and properly concerned, not just curious. Too bad the predictions about home weren't true.

Anso the Hobbit · 7 December 2005 · Chapter 4

I am glad Pippin found Merry and that the trees had decided to cover him in leaves is a great idea. :) Looking forward to more.

Author's reply

Glad you liked it! :) More will come sometime soon

Dreamflower · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 4

Pippin's really going to have to dig to get what's at the root of Merry's troubles, I can see. Poor Pippin, I can imagine how frantic he would have been--Merry's pony, and no Merry, Merry unconscious... But the leaves? I have a tiny hunch about that. I won't say though. If I'm wrong I won't be embarassed, and if I'm right, I don't want to make a spoiler. I certainly do hope for more of this tale soon.

Author's reply

Oh, thanks for all of your very, very nice reviews!! I am truly honored to see that you like my little tale! I hope the next chapter(s?) will still meet your expectations...

Dreamflower · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 3

Oh my! This is a completely unexpected development!! It is so like Merry to fret over the fact that Frodo does not receive the honor he is due. He knows, as do Sam and Pippin, just how much the Shire and everyone in it owe to his poor suffering cousin, who gave his all. Yet even though Merry knows that it is just how most hobbits are, insular and ignorant of the Wide World, he can't let it go. It's no wonder he's taken to walking at night.

Dreamflower · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 2

Poor Merry! Really, he was exposed to the Black Breath more than the other Travellers, and he also was wounded by his exposure to the W-K when he struck him. It is no wonder that he continues to suffer...

Dreamflower · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 1

This is a very intriguing beginning. I am uncertain of what to make of Merry's dream. Is it simply lingering effects of the Shadow, or a foresight? You describe the dream-world very well...

Anso the Hobbit · 28 September 2005 · Chapter 3

Ooh! I want more. :D This is a great story. I am just sad that I hadn't seen it before. I hope you will update very soon.

Author's reply

Oh, thank you very much! Hopefully there will be an update soon :)

Grey Wonderer · 20 April 2005 · Chapter 3

Looks like Merry's in trouble. Will anyone think to look for him there, I wonder. I hope so. Maybe his pony will lead someone back. Very exciting. Hope there is more soon.

Author's reply

You will see, you will see... ;)

Grey Wonderer · 20 April 2005 · Chapter 2

I enjoyed this chapter very much. I like your Merry and I also like the fact that Pippin is doing the comforting for a change.

Author's reply

I am very happy to see that you like my Merry. I was afraid I was going a bit too far with his carachter insight. Thank you so much!!!

Merry_the_Hobbit · 16 March 2005 · Chapter 2

Very interesting idea, and I am very happy to read about that. No body ever tries to go into detail about the way Merry must feel about the Witch King and Eowyn and Theoden. This will develop into a great story!

Author's reply

Thank you for the very nice review! Actually there are some other stories dealing with similar situations and topics, and they are quite good! Anyway, I am glad you liked mine too :)

DAYNA · 13 March 2005 · Chapter 2

WOW Apollo, I'm loving the Hobbit Angst here. Poor Merry!

Author's reply

I am glad you liked it! Thank you!

Larner · 12 March 2005 · Chapter 2

Again, I find myself understanding and accepting this story as part of my own understanding of what the four Hobbits went through. Good use of language and imagery.

Author's reply

Thank you so much for the very nice and kind reviews! It means a lot to me that my portrayal of the hobbits and their feelings rings true to you.

Larner · 12 March 2005 · Chapter 1

A very likely scenario for our two younger heroes. Excellent writing and use of language.

Shieldmaiden of Rohan · 3 March 2005 · Chapter 1

I like this a lot so far. The imagery that you use is very powerful, and I could easily imagine one having nightmares like that after such a battle. I'm also interested to see what the connection is between this situation and Merry's relationship with his father. I hope you continue this soon!

Author's reply

Oh, thank you!! I will continue the story as soon as possible. In dreams, connections are very free, and similar images of people, emotions or situations get easily mixed up...

Grey Wonderer · 3 March 2005 · Chapter 1

I enjoyed this very much. Merry did a good job of glossing over his worries with Pippin in the end and may even have convinced himself.

Author's reply

Yes, he probably convinced himself too. But he will find out how wrong he was soon. Thanks for the very nice review! :)