Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 15: What Grows in Sam's Garden
You are weaving such a wonderful story, Pipkin. I'm loving it so. VWD (ask Lin ;) )
The Bee Charmer by Pipkin Sweetgrass
Reviews (62)
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 14: Of Wishes and Squirrels and Round Doors of Green
uh oh . . . sounds as though the dear man's condition is acting up. I hope he'll be alright.
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 13: Fireside Tales and Moonlight Dances
aaahhh! love is in the air :) :) :) Well Done Well Done
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 12: Of Mewlips and Mysterious Nightmares
Poor dear Boromir . . . and poor Pippin as I'm sure he is feeling badly for reciting the poem. Mysteries waiting to be solved. :)
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 11: What Friends Do
Those clever hobbitesses!!!! A wonderful chapter indeed!!
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 10: Candles and Matches
"Yes, life was…matchless." ROFL!!!! Wonderful! Wet rat eh? I wonder where I've heard that before ;)
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 9: Great Trials, Great Smials
“But it is no bad thing to lead a simple life, and I have found grace in it.” True words aptly spoken :) Well done!
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 8: Brandy Hall
Neat song that Boromir sings :) Poor dear man, clunking his head at Brandy Hall. I would supposed he's in for more of that at Great Smials ;)
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 7: Of Beehives and Battle Scars
*applause* Well done! Such bright sons Merry and Pippin have, just like their fathers ;) Dear Boromir!!
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Aimlessly Wandering, Wondering to Myself
All very well thought out and plausible :) Wonderful!! So very well done :)
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 5: When I Was a Wild Child
The many partings that make up our lives. This is such a moving and heartfelt tale. :) So very well done :)
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 4: As I Lay Dying
"The Voice asked what it was I wanted to know, and so I said, "What are the voices I hear? What is this singing?" And the Great Voice said, "This is the sound of Creation Unfinished." Beautiful, simply beautiful.
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 3: You Have Some Explaining to Do
"It was the comfortable silence of old and dear friends, and there is no thing anywhere like it, for in saying nothing at all, everything was said." They would have that, that comfortable silence. It is a rare and wonderful thing. Well done, m'dear Pipkin!
Pearl Took · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 2: In a Cabin in the Old Forest
"Hoy! So there you are, you truants! About time, I say! You woolly-footed little rascals have nearly missed luncheon! What will you be about next, missing tea?" He does remember how to handle his friends, doesn't he? LOL
Pearl Took · 28 October 2005 · Chapter 1: Of Honey and Battlefield Dressings
Well done!! “Well, he said his first name was Boromir,” said the lad. “Just like your friend from the quest, Papa! Isn’t that funny?” But Pippin wasn’t laughing… No, I don't imagine he would be laughing.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for reviewing here, I really like this place! And congrats on all your MEFA winners, I knew you'd rack 'em up! I know you're going to love the next new chapters, lots of romance is in the air!
Larner · 28 October 2005 · Chapter 16: Bywater and After
Ah--so wonderful to find this chapter after the long wait, and well worth it as well. The growing and thinking, and the unfolding spirituality of Boromir is fully worth it. And I find myself if a certain Prince might also receive an invitation to meet with two old friends after the harvest.... Bless all of them.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! Yes, this is a very spiritual story, I'm so happy you're enjoying it! The next chapters are very promising, and the next update will come soon!
storyfish · 14 August 2005 · Chapter 15: What Grows in Sam's Garden
Oh, wow! What an amazing story! I clicked on your name when you reviewed my challenge story over at Marigold's, and somehow I ended up here. What a treat! It's so satisfying to see a healed Boromir, and I especially love this last chapter. I'd never thought about what might have happened if Boromir hadn't been tempted to take the ring--Sam's description of the events that might have come to pass is so chilling! And there's so many other beautiful moments in this story...Boromir and Pippin looking to the West together, the wise sayings of Boromir's "teacher" (sorry, forgot his name!), and your descriptions of the Light are lovely. What I love most about Tolkien's books is how well they show the character of God's love for us, and give us insight into the sacrifice of his Son. You've accomplished that in this story, as well. Bravo!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your kind review. These things feed our muses, do they not? I have to give Lindelea a great deal of credit for the fantastic editing she does. She seems to have a natural gift for it and is a great storyteller in her own right. I also owe credit to my husband, to Pearl Took and to Pippinfan. They have been supportive of this effort from the beginning. Boromir is actually on the greatest journey, the Journey of Life, the path of which must, by nature, eventually lead to that undiscovered country of which he was graced with a glimpse of true and eternal beauty. This is very much a story of heart and spirit. I very strongly believe in the story as it reflects my personal beliefs. In his weakness, Boromir finds strength, in his wounds, both physical and spiritual, he finds healing. And he has some fine times on that journey. I hope you will keep him company as I'm sure you will find him a capital fellow and a good companion. (grin) So many people feel Sam and Frodo would not forgive Boromir, when in fact I think they would have done so with dizzying speed. Unlike some, Frodo and Sam know that forgiveness is one of the ultimate forms of love, for others and for themselves as well. We in the real world would do well to be more hobbit-like in spirit, for they are representative of the grace and nobility found in the humble. In their compassion, they are elevated; in their understanding, sanctified. Again, I thank you for your encouragement. It means so much to me! Keep writing...I'll keep reading. hugs, Pipkin S.
Larner · 12 August 2005 · Chapter 15: What Grows in Sam's Garden
Pain's ease indeed, bless the gardener. And bless Boromir for knowing that in spite of the good that came of it, nevertheless he still needed to speak his need for forgiveness, his sorrow for what he'd done.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for the review! I really wanted to showcase Sam's simple wisdom and empathy, which is actually very canonical, as well as Boromir's desire to do the best at whatever he puts his hand to, which in this AU, happens to be spiritual enlightenment. Main text and subtext shows us a man who desired to do the best he could at everything he did...so I figured that, desiring to do his best on his spiritual quest, he would certainly have rooted out his wrong-doings and sought to set them to rights. Thank you again for reviewing! I can't tell you how much it means to me. This is a story with a spiritual message I strongly believe in, and it's good to know you're enjoying it.
Bodkin · 12 August 2005 · Chapter 15: What Grows in Sam's Garden
This is such a sweet story. I'm sure I've missed bits, and will have to go back and fill them in - but Sam is a star. I love him to bits. Such sense.
Author's reply
Sam is so hard for me to write because he's almost iconic! He's such a sterling character that my palms sweat just trying to capture this wise, wonderful and heroic hobbit. I'm so happy---and relieved---that you liked him. Thank you so much for the review, it means so much to me!
Lindelea · 12 August 2005 · Chapter 15: What Grows in Sam's Garden
Ah, yes, this chapter turned out very well. I love the depth you bring to Sam's understanding, filtered through the lenses of love and loss.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, and don't forget to take some credit for yourself! I could never do this without you, as I've said before. Your love for the source material just shines like a bright star, my dear!
Larner · 3 August 2005 · Chapter 14: Of Wishes and Squirrels and Round Doors of Green
Facing oneself is the hardest task of all. Poor Boromir! And Pippin and the squirrel is just too, too funny! Long ago I had just such an encounter with a squirrel myself, and I'll never forget it to my dying day, though I was but four at the time. They can be ruthless things when they feel trapped.
Author's reply
LOL! Another who has battled squirrels! That happened to my son at the beach when he was 15, and I just had to relate the tale via Pippin! My grand daughters had a cup of pudding stolen by a squirrel as well. Squirrels...they'll take over the world someday, LOL
Larner · 3 August 2005 · Chapter 13: Fireside Tales and Moonlight Dances
Nothing like seeing love to spark the readiness for it in oneself. Love the image of the dancing in the moonlight and starlight.
Author's reply
Absolutely! And everyone loves lovers, after all.
Larner · 3 August 2005 · Chapter 12: Of Mewlips and Mysterious Nightmares
I wonder what he and Faramir saw that time. It must have been pretty bad to be brought out by the Mewlips.
Author's reply
*smiles mysteriously* It was very bad...
Larner · 3 August 2005 · Chapter 11: What Friends Do
No, not a hobbit lass after all, but Bill Ferny's daughter. Poor Saro, having to try to live down what was not her fault. And, of course Diamond and Estella know! Lovely!
Author's reply
The sad thing is that people really do have a habit of judging all the members of a family by the standards (or lack thereof) of the bad apples. It is important to me to write Diamond and Estella as thinking, feeling hobbit ladies. Merry and Pippin wouldn't marry the first lasses that came along, I think. They had to be special. Thanks for the review, and please don't stop!
Larner · 3 August 2005 · Chapter 10: Candles and Matches
What a trick to play! Have been waiting for someone to send him to a healer, and for him to get up his courage to face Sam. Glad it is finally happening. Now, does he fall in love with a hobbit maiden? Am guessing, I know, but am intrigued.
Author's reply
I had a great deal of fun with this chapter. Boromir had a quirky sense of humor in the books, at least to me, and I could easily imagine him taking matters into his own hands in this way. I loved especially writing the interaction between Boromir and Faro. It would take Merry and Pippin to stand up to Boromir and goad him into seeing a healer. Pippin especially wouldn't hesitate to become a sauce-box if he felt it was needed. Thanks for reviewing!