Dreamflower
· 7 August 2005
· Chapter 4: Lesson Four
Hmm...not how I expected this chapter to go at all!
And that's good! I like surprises! I can't wait to see how you resolve it all! This has been absolutely wonderful!
Author's reply
Yes, this is why I really must start working on my post-Quest fic, lol. This is canon, in that Merry and Estella do eventually wind up together, I just have a different idea of how that happens than I've seen most authors use. Glad you liked the surprise, at any rate, though I can't promise that anything gets resolved here. Estella will remain with Gordi, Merry has pretty much lost her, and Pervinca is about to be distracted by the biggest distraction that there is. ;)
Hope you enjoy the conclusion, for all that it will leave several - if not all - strings hanging.
Bodkin
· 6 August 2005
· Chapter 3: Lesson Three
Such fun. Poor Pervinca - so determined to make things go the way she wants them to, and so frustrated.
Everard would (perhaps) get on better without the baying friends in the background. She might notice what he's saying then - or perhaps not.
And Merry is being very noble and dim. To whose advantage will it be to have Estella marry unhappily, because he feels he cannot speak? He is not helping her by pushing her into going along with her mother's machinations! That's a fine way to make them all unhappy.
Still. He's distracted. And he may have done enough in his bone-headedly noble way to make her decide to wait for him anyway.
Author's reply
Pervinca has seen better days. It's been some time since she had one of her plans backfire so horribly on her and it's thrown her for quite the loop.
Everard knows what he's doing, perhaps better than Vinca does. The friends were just the distraction he needed, lol. Not that Vinca was really taking him all that seriously to begin with. He at least got the information he wanted from her though. ~_^
Merry had accepted long ago that he lost Estella, and he is hoping that Estella will go on and find someone she can be happy with, whether that's with Gordi or not. This will undoubtedly prompt her to come to a decision about her life, rather than sit back and let everyone else decide things for her, Pervinca included.
Everyone seems to be distracted from the real point by one thing or another! Merry is missing the mark because of his fears for Frodo, Pervinca is clueless about Everard because of her concern for Estella, and Estella is missing something of importance as well because of her constant pining over Merry. Now that Merry is out of the picture, perhaps everyone will start seeing things more clearly. ;)
Thanks for reading!
Nina the powerwriter
· 5 August 2005
· Chapter 3: Lesson Three
*hops* I'm enjoying this story so much! I love how pervinca is so determined to get Merry and Estella together, and also clueless to who Everard is talking about. Such a lovely mix of story. I was on the edge of my seat when Estella confronted Merry. I knew something like that would happen, and I think it panned out perfectly. Pervinca and Everard's exchange...wonderfully entertaining! *applauds* Please do continue soon :)
Author's reply
Estella probably should have waited, but the result would have been the same. There's simply no way Merry could have declared himself at this point in his life. He knows he can't tie himself down, and he knows that it will likely mean losing Estella for good. To have to then be confronted by her and have to lie to her, breaking both their hearts in the process, is the most difficult thing he's had to do.
Pervinca sees Everard as she's always seen him - an annoying friend of her kid brother's. She isn't ready to see him as anything else (or so she thinks) and she just can't wrap her mind around the fact that Ev is talking about her. She'll learn soon enough though. ;)
Thanks for reading!
Andrea
· 5 August 2005
· Chapter 3: Lesson Three
Well, the trouble with love is, if you are busy trying to bring two people together, you are totally blind for your own environment ;-)
Has she really not realized, that the girl Everard is speaking of, is herself?
LOL! I'm curious to know, what's coming of this.
I truly understand all the reasons, why Merry is reacting this way, but he must feel as miserable as Estella now. There must be a solution to lessen their pain! I'm counting on Vinca, and maybe Pippin?
Author's reply
Vinca is rather dense here, isn't she? lol For someone who knows everthing there is about love, she certainly is missing the point. She can't really be blamed though. She does have quite a lot on her mind, and considering that Ev is always willing to poke fun at her expense, she wouldn't be inclined to take him seriously here.
Merry isn't any better off than Estella at this point. Both of them are quite miserable. Vinca will think of something to help Estella, I'm sure, and Pippin is likely doing everything he can think of to cheer up his friend.
Thanks for reading!
Isilhen Daegol
· 5 August 2005
· Chapter 3: Lesson Three
Oh, Vinca, Vinca, Vinca. For all your schemes and wiles, you really are quite dense. That was a lovely little sidenote with Everard there. But, that's the trouble with love.
Oh, my. This chapter was heartbreakingly exactly as I expected. Of course I know why Merry refused, and I knew that he would refuse, and his heart is probably in no better condition than Estella's. And all Vinca was trying to do is help! Sometimes it amazes me how real you can make the characters. You have an extraordinary gift for dialogue. This is the work of a genius, and no, I don't mean Pervinca.
Author's reply
This very "simple" matter of love has become more complicated than Vinca could have prepared herself for. No one is having a good time of this. Merry and Estella are in shambles, and Vinca is ready to mangle whoever comes in her way. And yet, she doesn't, lol. Everard comes under her radar and manages to get away unscathed, and with a good deal of knowledge besides, lol.
I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter so much. I was rather nervous about it, but it played out the only way it could. Now we can only wait and see what happens.
Anso the Hobbit
· 5 August 2005
· Chapter 3: Lesson Three
Merry! Oh, poor Estella! Poor, poor Estella - and Merry. Now you slmost made me cry. More please! :)
Author's reply
This was a difficult chapter to write. I wanted very much for this to have a happy ending, but that just couldn't happen at this point in time. Merry is simply too preoccupied with Frodo to think about anything else; he knows this is going to be far more serious than anyone can begin to guess. Estella is completely in the dark, not knowing anything about Merry's intentions. All she knows is her lad doesn't want her. She has some hard decisions of her own to make now.
Thanks for reading!
Anso the Hobbit
· 5 August 2005
· Chapter 2: Lesson Two
I am enjoying this very much, but now it seems things are more difficult than ever for them! Someone has to do something, quick! :)
Author's reply
This "simple" matter of love is getting quite complex. Vinca is quite prepared to deal with this, and neither is anyone else!
Dreamflower
· 5 August 2005
· Chapter 3: Lesson Three
I don't see at all why anyone would be cross with you for this chapter. This is *exactly* how I would have *expected* Merry to react to such a declaration from Estella at this particular point in his life. Just goes to show you know him pretty well.
As to Pervinca and Everard, I was nearly rolling by the time it was over. That lass may be shrewd when it comes to others, but when it comes to herself she is as thickheaded as it gets, LOL! I do look forward to her downfall.
And I do like your Everard a very good deal--that lad's got nerves of steel to set his sights on Vinca!
Author's reply
Thanks for the reassurance. :)
Merry couldn't have made any other choice and he knows it. Pippin knew it as well, which is why he tried to confront Merry somewhere Pervinca wouldn't overhear them. This is a horrible case of bad timing. If it had come sooner, then things might have ended differently, but with everything starting to get serious and Merry's natural worry for Frodo in overdrive, he simply cannot allow himself to become sidetracked.
Ah, Pervinca. You hit the mark exactly. She who knows everything hasn't got a clue when it comes to herself. She likes to think she's in control of these things and that she will be the one to decide when and how a lad will fall in love with her. Her inevitable downfall will be forthcoming. ;)
Everard is her kindred spirit - just as wily, sneaky, scheming and analytical as Vinca is. He can hold his own against her. lol
Grey Wonderer
· 5 August 2005
· Chapter 3: Lesson Three
I love Pervinca. For all of her knowledge about Merry and Estella, she seems to be missing out on her own love life completely. Everard is playing with fire there. I hope he knows what he's doing. LOL
Author's reply
Everard has some guts to approach Vinca in such a mood! He seems to know what's he doing though. He's still intact, at any rate. lol
Vinca is quite clueless at the end of this. She so convinced Ev is just having a joke at her expense (and to a certain extent, he is) that she doesn't even bother to notice or figure out who he's actually talking about. She'll know before too long though. ;)
Isilhen Daegol
· 30 July 2005
· Chapter 2: Lesson Two
Oh, dear. Of course, we know what Pip and Merry are talking about, and with the letters and all. Well, at least Vinca's plan worked the way she wanted it to, if a little delayed. Love is a tricky business. Hmm.... Maybe Vinca should open a matchmaking business. I'd hire her.
Author's reply
We know and Vinca doesn't. We'll see if the saying "what you don't know won't hurt you" holds up or not. Pippin tried to give his sister the slip, but it naturally failed. Vinca knows her brother a bit too well. All the Took lasses liken themselves to matchmakers. Just look at Esmeralda's many attempts to hook Frodo up. ;)
Nina the powerwriter
· 30 July 2005
· Chapter 2: Lesson Two
Oooo...the plot thickens! I like how you've intertwined(sp?) the conspiracy of the Ring with Merry's reason why to keep his feelings from Estella. Lovely job! Please post more soon!
Author's reply
The plot is just starting to thicken. The forming of the conspiracy is going to complicate things quite a bit. Poor Merry has pressure on him from all sides, and he's trying to keep everything in balance as best he can.
Thanks for reading!
Nina the powerwriter
· 30 July 2005
· Chapter 1: Lesson One
That Pervinca! She knows how to plans some schemes. This looks good so far! I'm always up for a Merry/Estella story ;)
Author's reply
Pervinca is a master planner, and she rarely strikes out. She's been scheming longer than Pippin and knows what she's doing, for the most part. ;)
Thanks for reading!
Nina the powerwriter
· 30 July 2005
· Chapter 0: Author's Note
I knew about Dreamflower's brithday plot bunnies to you before anyone else, but was sworn to secrecy :P
Author's reply
LOL, another conspiracy revealed. :D
Dreamflower
· 30 July 2005
· Chapter 2: Lesson Two
Oh boy! This is coming along nicely! I knew the second you mentioned it that the letter was from Sam. Poor Merry, all conflicted over his plans to protect Frodo and his feelings for Estella! And of course, all this so far as I can tell is *before* they know about It, which will make things that much more urgent.
I *am* glad for poor Estella's sake that she knows now that Merry cares, but of course, Pervinca is not going to let it rest there, is she? Will she now start trying to figure out what's going on with Frodo?
I *loved* her comments in the beginning about how silly people are when in love, and how complicated they make things. Wait till it happens to her, LOL!
Author's reply
Pippin took a lot of abuse over that letter lol, but it is Merry who's suffering most here. He already has his loyalty to Frodo and his duties to his family and Buckland to deal with. Now, this visit from Gordi is putting pressure on him too, because he knows he's in no position to approach Estella. He has a quite a lot on his shoulders also, and his are no more steadier than Estella's. And yes, this is all a month before they know about It.
Pervinca is going to be a bit preoccupied to trouble herself with Frodo too much. Yet. She will be keeping tab on things though, you can be certain of that.
LOL, Vinca thinks she knows everything, but she does have a thing or two to learn. She'll be singing a different tune about the "silliness" of love when it happens to her. ;)
Grey Wonderer
· 30 July 2005
· Chapter 2: Lesson Two
I love how you've set this in the time just before Merry has to leave the Shire to follow Frodo. It makes the entire thing more complex for all involved and makes Pervinca have to work that much harder to achieve her goal. I wonder what she'll pull next?
Author's reply
I tried setting this earlier, so it wouldn't be quite *so* hard for poor Pervinca, but Merry and Pippin were quite emphatic on it being set the month before Gandalf's visit. It does complicate an already complicated situation, and Merry's senses of duty and loyalty are going to be sorely tested.
I wouldn't put anything past Pervinca, lol.
Platy
· 30 July 2005
· Chapter 2: Lesson Two
LOVE CONFESSION! HOT! XD
The plot thickens, indeed! Can't wait for more! You're so good at this, darn you! ;)
Author's reply
Confessions are fun, aren't they, especially when coerced by a persistant younger cousin and a devious, plotting sister. Let's just hope things continue to go according to plan. ;)
Isilhen Daegol
· 29 July 2005
· Chapter 1: Lesson One
Gah! What a place to leave it. I do hope Vinca knows what she's doing. Toying with her friends emotions like that... Though I did laugh at that whole "bairns from Gordi" bit. I'd like to have a "secret language" like merry and pip. The closest I have is choice key words and phrases that bring up memories. Well, I suppose that's good enough. Anyway, great story. I think I'm going to go back and reread the two ficlets that started this...
Author's reply
Vinca certainly *sounds* like she knows what she's doing. ;) She's not afraid of being brash is she, lol. Good thing her parents weren't around to hear that!
I had a friend once where we could talk like that. We'd get each other in stitches without hardly saying a word. I figured Merry and Pippin would have the same "language" since they've known each other for so long. They would have many ways to communicate that would require few words, including the use of just a few key phrases.
Anso the Hobbit
· 28 July 2005
· Chapter 1: Lesson One
Oh, very exciting! I really enjoyed this. :) Please update soon.
Author's reply
Thank you! Pervinca certainly makes things interesting, lol.
Update will be coming soon. :)
RenaissanceGrrl
· 27 July 2005
· Chapter 1: Lesson One
I read the two chapters of "OfM&P" that I needed JUST to read this, and I loved it all, but I must say that of all the blasted cliffhangers you've ever created, this is by far the worst! I'll speak to you again AFTER the next chapter is up. ^_-
Author's reply
I didn't even realize this was a cliffhanger, lol. I'd consider this to be very mild, compared to some of the others I've written in the past. And trust me, you ain't seen nothing yet. ^_^
I'm glad you're liking it so far. :)
Grey Wonderer
· 26 July 2005
· Chapter 1: Lesson One
Pervinca is such a schemer. I wonder if she will use blackmail on Pip or if he will help willingly now that he has seen how upset Merry is about it all. I love this so far. Pervinca's POV is so very funny. "Secret language of scamps!" LOL that is such a funny line!
Author's reply
Pippin learned from the best. ;) He had both Merry and Pervinca teaching him how to get into trouble. No wonder he ended up such a rascal, lol.
Vinca? Stoop to using blackmail? No, surely not her. ;) Vinca does have a rather unique perspective on things. She's one of those lasses who thinks she knows what's best for everyone and knows how to fix everyone else's problems, and she's just the slightest bit cynical, which gives it that satirical edge.
Larner
· 26 July 2005
· Chapter 1: Lesson One
Beware lasses with agendas! Good idea to get Merry interested enough to perhaps act.
Author's reply
Beware *this* lass, at any rate, lol. Pervinca is rather merciless when she's on a mission.
Merry has always been interested. That was never the problem. Vinca has that pretty much pegged. The solution, however, may not be so simple to figure out as she is hoping.
Platy
· 26 July 2005
· Chapter 1: Lesson One
Eeeee! This is awesome! And it most certainly doesn't suck or whatever it was you were worried about it doing in your LJ. ;)
More! More! :D
~Platy
Author's reply
Hiya Platy!
Thanks so much! I'm glad this is living up to standard. :)
Dreamflower
· 26 July 2005
· Chapter 1: Lesson One
Oh my gosh, Gamgeefest! This is beyond all my expectations! I *lovelovelove* your Pervinca--such a sneaky little stinker, and so sure she knows *exactly* the right thing to do! I will bet she gives her parents *fits*.
I love her analysis of why Merry and Estella have never gotten together--sounds very accurate to me! Merry's personality is perfect, and so is Pippin's! I adore the way they talk without finishing their sentences--that is *so* like good friends who have grown up in one another's pockets!
If I started to quote all the parts I love, I'd just be highlighting the whole thing!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I am ever so eagerly awaiting some more!
*holding breath*
Author's reply
Pippin did tell Frodo once (in "A Tale That Grew in the Telling") that he and Vinca were forever driving their father mad. Now we know why, lol! Poor Paladin!
You've got Pervinca pegged: an insufferable know-it-all. She's also head strong and has a tendency toward tunnel vision, which makes for a very deadly combination. Once she gets her mind set on something, look out! She won't stop until everyone does exactly as she thinks they should, lol.
Merry and Pippin could just *look* at each other and know what the other is thinking. I've had "conversations" like that myself in the past and they probably did look very much like that to an outside observer, lol. Switching this part from Estella's POV (this section was originally to be her story) to Pervinca's POV was a great way to use this marterial. Vinca is so much more analytical, and slightly pessimestic, in her observations.
You're very welcome. Thank you for the plot bunny. I hope you enjoy the rest.
Dreamflower
· 26 July 2005
· Chapter 0: Author's Note