cathleen · 20 May 2008 · Chapter 16: The Last Dance
This is absolutely lovely, and a little sad too. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Hobbit Tales by PIppinfan1988
Reviews (79)
Garnet Took · 18 May 2008 · Chapter 16: The Last Dance
Oh what a sweet and loving story. This is so true of couples who really love each other. They have bad days, they may even quarrel, but they always make up in the end. It is so obvious that your Pippin and Diamond are maddly in love with each other. It is a love to envy, in the best sense of the word. All through this story I kept thinking of "May I Have This Dance for the Rest of My Life" and the song on Pearl's sight fits perfectly with it. Both are perfect for this story. Great job once again.
Author's reply
Hi, Garnet! Oh, I am a firm believer in that Pippin and Diamond had their *bad* days -- all couples do, but they were just as you said, "madly in love with each other". I suppose even I'm envious, too, in the worst sense of the word, lol, but I think you know what I mean. ;-) Yes, both of those songs were inside my head when I wrote this. :-) Being that we're talking on phone, lol, I will reply to you more on this on the phone. :-) Thank you for reading and leaving words of encouragement!
Mum's the Word · 18 May 2008 · Chapter 15: Grandmum's Button Box
What a lovely snippet of hobbity family life! All of the details make this scene easy to visualize, and of course the family love just shines. Your story brings back so many happy memories of my own great-grandmother's and mother's button boxes -- and now my own box. Not only were there stories with many of the buttons, but from the time I was about three, my mother would string a large, blunt needle for me and let me "sew" buttons, stringing them together in whatever pattern I might want, while she sewed by hand or machine. After the string was full, either I'd "unstring" the buttons one at a time, or we'd snip the end of the string and delight in watching the buttons shower back into the button box. I've passed that pastime down to my daughter, who now loves needlework as much as I do. Kudos to Eglantine for sharing her memory treasures, and kudos to you for writing such a wonderful story! Hugs and blessings, Mum
Author's reply
Hello, Mum -- nice to see you! And thank you for the sweet compliments! I have been so tickled and delighted to know so many readers have shared in this experience, with buttons or other needlework, mothers, grandmothers, and daughters -- and I have very much enjoyed each and every story that *I’ve* been told in response. I love it! Rummaging through my own grandmother’s button box had been long buried beneath layers of adulthood: stress, worry, responsibilities...you get the idea. For whatever reason, they resurfaced back in January and the Muse would not let me alone until I wrote a story around it. It pretty much wrote itself, lol, but I’m glad it came about -- I love your happy story and how much it has touched you and now your own wee one. Thank you so much for reading, and replying with your own tale. I hope to hear more as time goes on, as they add warmth to my own memories. Many, many blessings back to you! :-)
Grey Wonderer · 18 May 2008 · Chapter 16: The Last Dance
This is lovely. Such a romantic story. I'm so glad that you've posted it here. You brightened my day with this one. Thank you!
Author's reply
Whatever I can do to contribute to brightening your day, please let me know! You poor exhausted lass! I've been meaning to send you another one of my emails soon. :-) Thanks for stopping by to read -- knowing the weight you carry upon your shoulders makes me appreciate your words of encouragement that much more. :-)
Larner · 17 May 2008 · Chapter 16: The Last Dance
Romance can be difficult to slip in when one becomes a public figure; I'm so proud of our Pippin for managing it!
Author's reply
Oh, I totally agree! Paladin and Eglantine had been coordinating the Yule Feast for so long that it looked effortless to Pippin and Diamond. They -- at least, Pippin -- had forgot the struggles his parents faced initally. I like to imagine Pippin loved his family with all his big heart and soul, and would most certainly make sure he managed it. :-) Thank you so much for stopping by to read!
Dreamflower · 17 May 2008 · Chapter 16: The Last Dance
What a wonderful look at an important day through Diamond's eyes. I really like their little family, and their more extended one. I have a feeling Merry knew what the problem was when he asked her to dance--he'd know she was feeling frazzled and alone. He probably nudged all those other relatives to ask her when he realized that Pippin was going to stay tied up! And I loved the ending, Diamond and her Knight, dancing together finally--just beautiful! Be interesting to see a story where Diamond finally gets the best of hateful cousin Saffron! *grin*
Author's reply
Thank you! Yeah, Pippin had a couple scenes, but generally, this was indeed from Diamond's perspective. Glad you like the relatives! I like to think Merry was quite the perceptive lad as well. I probably didn't convey that like I truly wanted, thus it appears I'm not a very good beta. :-P That entire scene is what I saw when I listened to Pearl's elemental song. The rest of the story builds up to what I saw/felt in that scene. I had hoped *something* of that would show through. LOL, someday you just might see the "human/hobbit" side of Saffron, but we'll have to see. I'd hate to keep her a bitter lass for the rest of her "life". ;-) Thank you for reading and leaving a kind word. :-)
cathleen · 19 January 2008 · Chapter 15: Grandmum's Button Box
Oh, this is so sweet! And it brings back wonderful memories of my own dear granny's button box. Thank you for that.
Author's reply
Sorry for the late reply! I'm glad Eglantine's button box is evoking so many nice memories for us all. Thanks for reading!
harrowcat · 13 January 2008 · Chapter 15: Grandmum's Button Box
What a sweet picture you paint PIppinfan. I love the little touches of family life. What a shame that in today's throwaway society so few children will know this joy.
Author's reply
My apologies for this late response! You said it very well -- and thank you for the sweet compliment! Thanks for stopping by to read!
Garnet Took · 9 January 2008 · Chapter 15: Grandmum's Button Box
Oh, Pippinfan, I love this story. What a neat way of preserving treasured memories. The children are adorable, as usual. Bonnie's comment about little plaits all over her sister's head was priceless. Can you imagine the kinky mess her hair would be after that? Pippin is such a good husband and father. I bet he actually enjoyed the chance to put one of the children to bed. Daddy daughter time, ahhh. Nice story behind the story, too. I have a quilt that my mom gave me that her mom made, and she used to tell which outfits the pieces had come from. It was a small way of getting to know the grandmother I never met and my mom only remembered from a little girl's perspective. Sorry to be so slow to review. RL has been "interesting".
Author's reply
Glad to see you! Yes, I've read just how interesting. :-P I think the quilt is just as fabulous an idea as buttons boxes. It runs off the same idea; pieces of quilt or buttons that once adorned a favourite garment giving a pleasant memory to someone. It was nice that your mom passed those memories on to you. Thanks..and well, I think Bonny is going to prove to be a handful for her parents. I just have a feeling that "Parents Revenge" is going to rear its ugly head in this little lass. :-P I imagine that Pippin, like his father, enjoys each of his children; there *are* more to come, lol. Heather isn't the last! In my fantasy world of hobbits, I like to imagine the parents having the luxury of making quality time for their brood. Thanks for stopping by to read -- I know its been hectic for you.
Larner · 8 January 2008 · Chapter 15: Grandmum's Button Box
We'd do the same with the button boxes my grandparents kept, and for a time I had such a collection as well. Similar to patchwork quilts made from garments that had been especially beloved, and for me certain of my books, there are so many memories that can be tied to such things. Lovely, very likely story. Lovely, Pippinfan.
Author's reply
I am just over the moon with how many folks keep/kept a button box or jar. As I've said, I never once thought my own great-grandmother was the sole person to keep one, but I am just as pleasantly surprised. Yes, I can see why most people would keep buttons; for practicality, of course, but mostly for the wonderful memories attached to the garments they once adorned. Thank you for stopping by to read and for the sweet encouragement.
Pearl Took · 7 January 2008 · Chapter 15: Grandmum's Button Box
A truly wonderful story, Pippinfan, and I love that it comes from your own life. I could see it all so clearly. Beautiful. MEWD!!!
Author's reply
Hello, Mentor! Sorry about my tardy reply. :-( I'm glad you enjoyed the story. :-) I don't know why, but the memory niggled at the back of my head all day Saturday, and now you've read the results. I wrote this in one sitting, and we both know that rarely happens with me. Your encouragement means the world to me, so thank you, Pearl -- and thank you for reading!
Pearl Took · 7 January 2008 · Chapter 14: Journey to the Crossroad
A very beautiful story, Pippinfan!! I don't know that I've ever seen a story about this point in their lives. And I love that you have Pippin being an intelligent lad who is interested in studies.
Pearl Took · 7 January 2008 · Chapter 13: Thougts About the Old Forest
A wonderful job of exploring what each hobbit might have been thinking on that last night in the Shire. Even to Freddy feeling so relieved that he was staying put. MEWD!!
Pearl Took · 7 January 2008 · Chapter 12: Flying Snails and Dragon-flies
Bravo! How wonderful of dear Gandalf to give Pippin a Dragon-fly of his very own. A smile on a gloomy day :-)
Grey Wonderer · 6 January 2008 · Chapter 15: Grandmum's Button Box
My grandmother had a button box or two also! I can see those in my mind now after reading your story. Thank you. I loved this one. And this line, (Winter’s chill was never a respecter of persons; when it left the Shire, it would take many elderly, young children, and the feeble along with it.) was so interesting. I really enjoyed the way you worded that. Anyway, thank you for brightening my day and bringing back a few memories!
Author's reply
How cool! To know some of us share the same bits of childhood like this is great. :-) I certainly didn't think that my great-grandmother was the only one to possess such a box, but I'm pleasantly surprised nonetheless. I'm glad that I was finally able to brighten *your* day. You've done it so many times for me through your storytelling. Wow -- thank you for the lovely compliments! And thank you for stopping by to read. :-)
shirebound · 6 January 2008 · Chapter 15: Grandmum's Button Box
What a dear, sweet story. My mom had a button "jar", which I never tired of exploring.
Author's reply
So then you understand the story behind the story! Splendid! Jar, box, sack...the memories would be the same. :-) Thank you for the kind review, and thank you for reading!
Dreamflower · 6 January 2008 · Chapter 15: Grandmum's Button Box
How sweet! And it is just the sort of old-fashioned and family-oriented sort of evening I could imagine hobbits enjoying! It's sad to imagine Eglantine getting old and passing, but that is, of course, the way of things--and she still seems pretty spry in this story! And I love this glimpse of Pippin and Diamond as fond parents!
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm so glad you think so! I'd be lying if I had said that you have not inspired me in some fashion over the years. So, I do thank you for that! :-) Yes, it will be very sad when that day comes and Pippin finds himself the head of the family. Right now, Eglantine is still a bit spry, but many elderly folk decline in health quite fast after becoming ill. Then again...Eglantine just may surprise us all and give Bilbo and the Old Took a run for their money! Thank you for stopping by to read!
Larner · 19 December 2007 · Chapter 5: Tea for Two
Ah, the loneliness of the displaced youngest child--and how well Frodo Baggins understands being overlooked and ignored--or too much of the wrong type of attention lavished on him! Lovely indeed.
Larner · 17 June 2007 · Chapter 14: Journey to the Crossroad
It was a momentous question to contemplate, and a necessary one. But I never thought to wonder WHY Isembold's descendants were ignored. I know Dreamflower's story of a disaffection causing them to build their own family home elsewhere; but that his like would take precedence over Adalgrim's son just never struck me. Interesting. Thanks for giving me more to think about.
harrowcat · 16 June 2007 · Chapter 14: Journey to the Crossroad
It may mot have mattered too much to the Quest if Pal had decided otherwise but we would have lost one of the wonderful complexities that the Prof wove into his book. I have always loved the idea that Pippin is the heir to the Thain of the Shire who keeps it in Stewardship 'until the King comes back' and is the one who ends up in service to Gondor and her King. What a wonderful father figure you paint PF. Concerned to take into account the thoughts and feelings of his children.
Author's reply
Thanks, harrowcat! I so agree with you on your first point! I do like to put those two together, and because I imaging them so close, it would be hard for Paladin *not* to know how his children feel. :-) Thanks for reading!
Antane · 6 June 2007 · Chapter 12: Flying Snails and Dragon-flies
What a sweet tale! I love Pippin's inventions and all the thought he put into them and how serious he was about it and Gandalf's gift to him. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
harrowcat · 6 June 2007 · Chapter 13: Thougts About the Old Forest
I love disclaimers. They just make me realise that I can't be in my right mind as I would willingly offer a number of Authors on this site renumeration for the joy they offer me. But it is just as well that money isn't allowed to change hands as I couldn't afford it! Best I can do is be faithful in reviewing and it is a delight when Authors respond! This is different and I enjoyed all the different points of view. Merry is so efficient and responsible. Oh Fatty! The last thing Pippin needed is scary stories but it won't daunt his determination. Clever Sam! At least getting him to lay downmight mean that Frodo drops off to sleep even if it takes some time.
Author's reply
LOL! Same here! I like to respond; saying Thank You here doesn't cost a dime. :-) Well, if you don't count the ISP, the telephone line (I'm on dial-up), the electricity.... This was my first attempt at various points of view. I've seen others do it and do it very well, however, I wanted to try my hand at it. That's right; no scary story is going to daunt Pippin and his blossoming courage. Not even the Dark Lord and his Palatir. Truthfully, I don't think any of them got a good night's sleep -- after all, Pippin rose up before the dawn. His nerves alone had to have kept him awake most of the night. :-P Thank you so much for reading!
Larner · 6 June 2007 · Chapter 13: Thougts About the Old Forest
At least he has one night of rest before they head off into the unknown. And he was wrong about there being no friends in the Old Forest, for which he'll undoubtedly be grateful soon. Poor lad. And Freddy regaling Pippin with tales of hobbit-eating trees! And when they meet Old Man Willow Pippin will be certain Freddy knew what he was talking about! They're a dear group of plotters and planners, they are.
Larner · 6 June 2007 · Chapter 13: Thougts About the Old Forest
At least he has one night of rest before they head off into the unknown. And he was wrong about there being no friends in the Old Forest, for which he'll undoubtedly be grateful soon. Poor lad. And Freddy regaling Pippin with tales of hobbit-eating trees! And when they meet Old Man Willow Pippin will be certain Freddy knew what he was talking about! They're a dear group of plotters and planners, they are.
Author's reply
I wonder how that glitch happened, lol? I rarely get two identical comments. ;-) I think I'll answer this one, though. :-) I'm sure he'll be grateful soon, but for now he has no idea of Tom Bombadil. Perhaps Farmer Maggot should have passed that bit of imformation on to the lads. ;-) LOL, I don't think Freddy really knows what he's talking about, but it was just sheer fun for him to terrorize the youngest memeber of their group. Yes, they are! Thank you for reading!
Larner · 6 June 2007 · Chapter 12: Flying Snails and Dragon-flies
I, too, suspect that the move would be to rejection, but it's still wonderful the innovations that Pippin has suggested. But the unicorn's horn to hold a feedbag? Hilarious!