Anso the Hobbit
· 31 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
This has been such an enjoyable story! I hope Pippin get some prize for his wheelbarrow if he doesn't win 1st prize. I was wondering what it was with Merry and all those apples, but of course - when it comes to Estella Merry just can't keep away.
I had to laugh out loud at Frodo's "accident" with Berilac, lol. I bet Merry and Pippin would like to know how he knows. :D It was also very nice to see Pippin's sisters and Saradoc there.
Author's reply
Anso! So glad to hear that you liked this chapter. I think you'll agree that Merry had an excellent time at this fair. He's full of apples, but he's had a great day and I suspect that Estella Bolger has made a nice profit with her apple booth.
Frodo had the last laugh on Berilac this time. I let Merry do a bit of subtle tormenting with Tunnely, but I just had to let Frodo get even with Berilac. Glad you enjoyed that.
I wanted Pippin and Sam to have a large audience for the competition and so I had some of the family come to the fair. I would have had more of them stop in, but it would have been hard to give everyone something to say or do without making this chapter even longer. LOL
Thank you so much for reading this one and for all of your lovely reviews. You have been very encouraging and I appreciate it. I am looking forward to more of "Master In Training".
Imrahoil
· 31 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
Auuw, nice. And a fluffy cliffhanger. Now, to the ribbons. First place for Pippin, please, come on, he deserves it, and a honourable mention for Holly at least. Frodo should buy the wardrobe to complete Pippin's cosy little room and Sam should get his wheel barrow at last. *slightly menacing voice* He does get it, doesn't he?!
Author's reply
A fluffy cliffhanger? LOL I didn't realize it but I guess that is exactly what this was. I hope to have the next chapter up very soon with the answers to all of your questions. (Love the slightly menacing voice! Very impressive indeed.) Thank you for reviewing and I do hope you like the outcome!
pipspebble
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
Oh, that sneaky Frodo! Never underestimate a Baggins, especially when a loved one has been wronged. I love how he handled the whole Berilac affair, and I laughed out loud every time Merry went after another caramel apple! Wonderful little touch, great idea of Pippinfan's. I just love how this has all come together. I'll be sad to see it end.
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo finally got his revenge for a long summer with the younger cousins. Berilac made things so much worse, but I doubt he'll do that again! LOL I just had to let Frodo get even since he had been the one to deal with Pippin's mystery-sleeping-problem and Berilac's so-called joke was rather hurtful to Frodo.
Pippinfan1988 did my a big favor by asking for toffee apples. That just went perfectly with this chapter. She is great at suggesting little improvements and plot lines.
Thank you so much for all of the lovely reviews that you have left for this story! It is always easier to write if you know that someone is reading and enjoying! Thank you!
Larner
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
Marvelous performance by Pippin, I must say. Very, very well done indeed.
And it does indeed appear that Frodo knows, and Berilac is getting his comeuppance without Merry having to beat him half to death.
Wonderful!
And how Pippin described Sam's teaching is wonderful!
Author's reply
Pippin did a good job in his judging, didn't he? He let Sam shine in all of it and I am sure that he meant to because without Sam he would never have made it to the competition.
Frodo got the last word on all of this and I think that's only fitting. He has had a very long summer with his younger cousins and part of that was due to Berilac's mischief. He got the point across and did Berilac a favor by saving him for Merry. LOL
Thank you for all of your lovely reviews. It is always nice to know that someone is reading and that they are enjoying it. I am also thrilled that you wrote that wonderful story about Frodo building Sam a hobbit-size stool with a reference to this story in it. "Gifts and the Benefits of Scholarship" was so much fun to read! Thank you again!
Pearl Took
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
Does it have to end? This has been so good. :) I love Merry enjoying the toffee apples ;) (Thank you Pippinfan), I like Holly and her project, I like Frodo saying "Oh! That was close!"
I eagerly await the last chapter. :)
Author's reply
I'm afraid that we are about at the end of the line on this one. If I don't end it soon it will become as long as Brandybuck and Took. LOL Pippinfan1988 really gave me a fun idea with her comment about wanting to go to the fair and get a toffee apple. Her idea fit in so well with the story and I do think that Merry enjoyed the apples. Holly was a last minute idea. I suspected that lots of hobbits learned carpentry from family rather than from tutors and I wanted someone in the contest who had done just that.
I shamelessly stole one of Pippin's movie lines for Frodo and I am glad to see that you enjoyed it. It fit so perfectly that I just had to do it!
Thank you for all of the reviews and all of the kind words. They are much appreciated!
Auntiemeesh
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
I always seem to be reading these chapters first thing in the morning and run out of time before I'm able to leave a comment. Good thing you posted on the weekend this time!
Pippin was so cute, sticking so close to his wheelbarrow and so very happy just to have something entered in a contest.
I absolutely loved Frodo knocking Berilac into the cow patty, though. That was the best moment of the chapter, with him driving the lesson home. I just hope Berilac is smart enough to realize that Frodo's comments were pointed. :)
Author's reply
Oh, I think Berilac is too smart for his own good. His trick on Pippin was rather clever even if it was mean-spirited. I think he will have no trouble figuring out what Frodo's message was. LOL I also thought that it would be more effective coming from Frodo than Merry or Pippin.
Pippin has enjoyed the fair even if he doesn't win. He's just been thrilled to see his wheelbarrow on display among all of the other projects especially since Tunnely had him convinced that he couldn't build anything. It has all been good for his confidence.
Thank you for reveiwing this one! You've been so sweet!
Dreamflower
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
OMG! GW, this chapter is perfect!
Everyone is wonderfully in character. Merry and the toffee apples was just priceless, Sam's nervousness for Pippin's sake was so sweet, and the pride showed by Frodo, Pippin's sisters and his Uncle Saradoc was lovely.
I loved the way Merry was able to startle Tunnelly with the apple--he's still a bit obvious, but he's learning a few things about subtlety. Perhaps after several years he'll be almost as good as Frodo, so that no one will be *quite* sure if he is *really* exacting his revenge--brilliant, totally brilliant.
I also loved the way Pippin was enthusiastic over the other children's entries--it's quite clear that he's simply proud to have made something good enough to enter, and that winning would simply be icing on the cake for him. I do hope that this year Tunnelly's entries are shut out completely.
The only thing I'm sorry about is your announcement of only one chapter to go. *sigh* I know, I know, all things must come to an end sooner or later, but I'd be perfectly happy if this one was much later...
Author's reply
So pleased that you've liked this one. I've had a great time writing it. Merry will need some practice if he is ever to be as subtle as Frodo in the revenge department. In a way, Berilac got off much easier than he might have if Merry had planned the revenge. I suspect that Berilac will be puzzling this out for a while. It might keep him from going too far in the future with his little pranks. Pippin is just so happy to be in the contest that he isn't too worried about prizes, especially since he knows that his sisters are going to make his celebration dinner either way. Mister Tunnely is basically a coward and Merry has his number. It seems there was enough revenge to go around this time. LOL
Thank you so much for reviewing this story. You have been so supportive and it has really helped me along. I have mixed emotions about ending it also, but I do think it's gone about as far as it can go. Thank you again!
GamgeeFest
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
LOL, Frodo's method of punishment was very fitting, and if anyone deserved to get back at Berilac for that story, it was Frodo. Merry and the toffee apples was classic. That lad would buy anything if Estella were selling it, lol. I loved the fair in general and Pippin's demonstration was delightful. Pippin's so proud of his project and I don't think he's concerned about it winning or not. I just wish Sam wasn't so nervous. He has a knack for carpentry, if he built that hope chest by himself; he shouldn't doubt himself so much. This has been wonderful and I'm sorry to see there's only one chapter left. This story has to be one of my favorites of yours.
Author's reply
I appreciate all of your lovely reviews on this one. You've made me feel much better about my version of Sam. As you know, I was dreadfully nervous about him in this story! Your encouragement helped this one get finished. I thought that Frodo deserved to get even for everyone with Berilac. Also he is more subtle than Merry. Berilac may never to sure but he will certainly be more careful in the future. Estella has turned quite a profit on her toffee apples this year at the fair thanks to Merry.
You're right about Pip. He's just thrilled to be in the contest no matter how things turn out. Sam may get a chance to relax before too long but I suspect he will be worried until he see that Pippin is all right with the outcome of the judging. Thank you again for your help and for all of the wonderful reviews!
shirebound
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
"What if I don’t win anything?" Pippin asked.
"Then we shall celebrate the splendid job that you did with the judges and the wonderful wheelbarrow that you built," Pearl said.
Pippin grinned at her. "And either way, we have to eat."
what a wonderfully optimistic young hobbit! And Pippin said everything just right to the judges.
Author's reply
I thought Pip gave Sam plenty of credit and I did think that Sam deserved his day in the spotlight after all he'd gone through to get Pippin to the fair. Pippin is just happy to be there and a celebration dinner is always a good thing for a hobbit! Merry may be full, but everyone else will be starving! Thank you for reviewing and for sticking with this one.
SlightlyTookish
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
Yay! Berilac got his well-deserved punishment. I only hope that Frodo wasn't too hurt by what Berilac had been saying. The fair was great and I love how Pearl and Nel managed to come and support their brother. The scene with the judges questioning Pippin was great too, and I think it was a good choice on your part to do that all in dialogue. I always love hearing your Pippin talk becaus eyou never know what he'll say :D
Author's reply
Thank you! I was hoping that the way I did Pippin's judge interview wouldn't be too distracting. I wanted to make it mostly dialogue but I also wanted to be able to put in those little reaction bits like (points to Sam) and that sort of thing without making the chapter longer than the rest of this story! It's nice to know that it worked. I did think that some of the Tooks might turn up for the fair and that Saradoc might come for the livestock anyway. I did have to have a way to get Berilac there! Thank you for all of your lovely reviews and for reading this one! You have been so sweet and it is much appreciated!
Bodkin
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
Phew - that went well! I was a little concerned that Tobias Tunnely might have tried to put a cat among the pigeons and suggest that Sam had done the work. But if he's a hobbit who can be scared off with an aggressively wafted toffee apple, he's clearly not one to take risks!
Pippin is delightful - so excited and proud. I don't really think he cares if he wins or not, just as long as everyone knows he did it himself and that Sam is a great teacher. I love the coat-stool. (That's youthful confidence for you!) And the wardrobe - and its maker. It's delightful the way Pippin's sisters and Saradoc turn up . . . and bad Berilac. And if Estella is selling toffee apples, it's not surprising that Merry has eaten at least a dozen.
And Frodo knew! Or if he didn't know it all, he knew that bad Berilac was responsible for Pippin's distress. Very handy that the cows and their - er - products were there. I daresay Berilac is one who doesn't mind making others look foolish, but won't much appreciate the outcome. (Although various other pranks come to mind.)
What a shame this is nearly over. But I'm looking forward to the outcome of the judging. And the celebration supper.
Author's reply
I think Tobias knew better than to try and imply that Sam had built the wheelbarrow other than his snide remark to Sam. Not only would he have to worry about Merry, but he might also have to face that Gaffer.
Glad you liked the coat-stool. I thought that more than one rather inventive hobbit carpenter might turn up at this contest. Pippin had his extra wheels and this other lad, well, he had a coat-stool!
I wonder if Merry will have room for a celebration supper? He's got to be full of those apples, but I bet Estella has a nice profit on her day at the fair.
Frodo is a very sneaky hobbit isn't he? Berilac had no idea who he was messing with on this one.
Thank you so much for revieiwng this story and for reading it. It's so nice to know that someone enjoyed it!
Baggins Babe
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: Part 19
This just made my day! I was so thankful nothing dreadful happened to Pip's project, and he answered the judges perfectly. How sweet that he gave Sam so much credit.
*gasp* *snigger* I was hysterical at the end - Frodo knew all along! What a brilliant was to get back at Berilac. Wicked, wonderful Frodo! I love it - and to take revenge so beautifully that not even Berilac is certain it was deliberate. Brilliant, GW!
Now can I wait to find out if Pip has won a prize............
Author's reply
So glad you liked this and if Pippin won or didn't win will be revealed in the next chapter. Pip wanted the judges and Sam to know how grateful he was for Sam's help and I think he managed to get that across. Glad you thought so too. Frodo is very tricksy isn't he. Sometimes it's the quiet ones that you have to watch. Thanks so very much for all of your reviews and support! One more chapter to go!
Lindelea
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 2: Part 2
This is truly inspired. Truly.
“You’re eating too fast even for a Took,” Merry teased.
(what a lot this tells about Tooks in so few words!)
it would hardly be fair to turn a grouchy Brandybuck loose on Hobbiton without someone going along to smooth things over a bit.
(such a picture!)
The Gaffer’s foot guards were more than a little too large on the lad and Pippin walked a bit like a duck in them.
(I can see this perfectly well in my mind)
Come to think on it, a shield might be nice.
(I'm laughing here. Dwarf helms, and shields as an afterthought.)
He couldn’t believe that the lad had actually nailed his own shirt to the practice board.
(Somehow I knew this was coming, from the way you introduced it, but still it made me chuckle)
“I was just sayin’ we should give it another go,” Sam said.
(Clever Sam. Reminds me of a rendition I heard of "Jack and the Beanstalk" where Jack mutters something under his breath, I forget what, and the Giant's wife asks him what he said, and he says something completely different, like "I said, I'm too hungry to go." And so she feeds him.)
I know that the Tooks wisely leave the child there as often as they can
(poor Pippin! gossip is such an unlovely thing)
Why I was hit in the head so hard I saw stars for two days! He ruined my best work shirt with grease, nailed me to a board, spilt a whole can ‘o red paint into my tool sack, broke one of my best saws off at the handle, and sawed my best work table in half.
(I hope I didn't waken the family, laughing at this list of woes...)
“Least you got other children, Gaffer. I only had that one work table.”
(What a capper!)
Looking forward to reading more another night. Thanks!
Author's reply
That review was such fun to read! I love the way you listed what you enjoyed about the chapter and I thank you for taking the time to do it. I'm glad that you got a laugh or two out of this chapter. That last line about the work table may actually be my favorite line in the story so I am very glad that you liked it. Come back when you get the time and thank you for the review!
GamgeeFest
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 18: Part 18
Interesting... Frodo suddenly has a lightbulb moment about the furniture, right after Merry and Pippin had that talk about it. Seems coincidental enough. It would be horrible if Frodo ever had to find out about that story Berilac told. Loved nervous!Sam. I could just see him pacing about the smial, too anxious to sleep. Can't wait for the fair and the look on Tunnely's face when he sees the wheelbarrow.
Author's reply
Frodo had been trying to work this mystery out for a while and so maybe he just got desperate enough to empty the room? You just never know. So glad that you liked Sam in this bit. I did think that he might be a bit nervous since this is not gardening or an area that he usually gets involved in. Being Pippin's tutor will put the attention on him as well. Plus he is worried about how Pippin might take it if he doesn't do well against the other entries. More soon and thanks for reading!
PIppinfan1988
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 18: Part 18
Awww! I like how Pippin chooses his furniture not because of how it looks--though that would be nice, but for the cherished memories he has of some of them. The part of him oblivious to other children not hiding in the wardrobe because of the warped door is so sweet! So very Pippin.
So sad to see the eerie dreams end, but we do have to move on, I know. Squeee! We're going to the fair!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Pippin has his own style and Frodo let him indulge his own tastes on this one. I think Frodo would have let him do almost anything in order to get him to sleep in his room. I could see Pippin repeatedly hiding in the same place because he liked it and ignoring the fact that he kept getting found. LOL
I will send you a link to an errie story if you like. I have something rather odd that is very Halloween-ish that I posted recently just don't have it up here yet. May do that tonight.
Get ready for your toffee apples! The fair is up next!
Pearl Took
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 18: Part 18
*sigh* That was wonderfully restful :) I'm so glad they didn't have to tell Frodo that awful story. Such a sweet picture you painted of the lads sleeping. Wonderful!!!
Author's reply
Thank you! Sometimes things work themselves out with a little help from older cousins. Frodo is very good at that sort of thing. Glad you liked it!
Andrea
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 18: Part 18
That was really a brilliant solution! It's absolutely believable that Frodo found out on his own, that it had something to do with the furniture.
Like Slightly Tookish, I still have suspicions, but of course, I would be most glad if Frodo never heard the real story! He's such a wonderful older cousin!
I'd like to see Pippin's room. Must be very, well, interesting ;-)
And the fair? Well, let's see! I bet, Pippin wins a prize!
Author's reply
I figured that sooner or later Frodo might decide that it was the furniture. And I don't think he minded allowing Pippin to redecorate. Anyway, the Gaffer had to get something out of this story and now he has a new bed! With any luck, Berilac won't tell Hamfast that story. LOL
Frodo is a wonderful older cousin. We should all be so lucky as to have relatives like that.
The fair will be in the next chapter and I should have that up by the weekend! Thanks for reading!
shirebound
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 18: Part 18
Having finished decorating, the three cousins stood back and surveyed their work. Pippin was grinning from ear to ear and pronounced it the finest room in the entire smial. Merry said that it made him slightly dizzy to look at it for too long and Frodo said that it was certainly the most original room in the smial.
"Thank you for my guest room, Frodo," Pippin said sitting back up straight at the desk. "And for letting me borrow Sam and for not making a fuss over my table manners and for being patient with me and for loving me."
Awwwww! Sweet.
Author's reply
Thank you! You are sweet to say so. I only have a couple more chapters to go and I think I might actually finish this one. Thanks so much for the reviews along the way. More by the weekend!
SlightlyTookish
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 18: Part 18
This was a nice, gentle chapter and so I can't help but suspect that you have something up your sleeve, GW :) But I like how Frodo solved the problem of Pippin's bedroom, and I hope that he didn't overhear what Berilac had said and that he never finds out. Pippin needs comfort more than matching furniture, so I'm glad Frodo and Merry did not try to convince him to choose other furniture. And now for the fair. *eagerly anticipates*
Author's reply
I thought it was about time to have at least one issue resolved. LOL I finally have the sleeping arangements settled and now we have a fair to go to. Thanks so much for reading all of this rather long story. It has been such a help to know what everyone thinks about it all. See you at the fair!
Dreamflower
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 18: Part 18
Aw, this chapter was just perfect. I loved the way Frodo let Pippin choose what he wanted in the room, and Pippin's logical, if sentimental, reasons for his choices.
But my favorite part was this sweet and insightful conversation:
Frodo ignored the growing ink blot on the parchment and said, "I want you to feel welcome here, Pippin. Sometimes I think that you believe that I only invite you because you’re so close to Merry, but that isn’t true at all." He smiled. "You are quite a bit younger than I, but you are very dear to me and I want you to know that."
Pippin’s eyes filled with tears and he leaned over against Frodo who was seated in a chair beside of him with a book in his hands and gave him a hug. "How did you know that I sometimes think that?" Pippin asked.
"Because I know you better than you think I do," Frodo said. "Merry Brandybuck is not the only older cousin who understands you." He returned Pippin’s hug.
"Thank you for my guest room, Frodo," Pippin said sitting back up straight at the desk. "And for letting me borrow Sam and for not making a fuss over my table manners and for being patient with me and for loving me."
"The table manners have been a bit hard to adjust to," Frodo teased. "But the rest has been my pleasure."
Such a beautiful and sweet cousinly moment! *sigh*wipes eyes*
Just gorgeous.
Now, everyone get some rest, so you can go whip Tobias Tunnelly's butt tomorrow!
Author's reply
That little scene was just suddenly there and writing itself. I had made mention to Pippin's feelings before but I wasn't expecting them to turn up in this chapter. I'm glad that you liked this part. I actually teared up a bit while writing that one. LOL Silly me!
Now that the evil bed is out of the house, I do think they will get some sleep and then it will be time to go to the fair! Thanks for the reviews!
Larner
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 18: Part 18
I must say, an excellent solution to the situation. Good old, eclectically minded, non-artistic Pippin. Sounds like quite the room now! His mother would be appalled, but he, at least, is content and happy.
Now, let's see how folks handle Berilac. He deserves quite something.
And I certainly hope Tunnely stays off the Hill tonight, the old goat!
Author's reply
It might be interesting to have Pippin decorate a room or two in my house. LOL Some of the rooms often appear as if he actually did just that! Thanks so much for reading. Stick around because we should be going to the fair by the weekend at least!
Bodkin
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 18: Part 18
Well.
At least Frodo has plenty of guest bedrooms. This particular work of the interior designer's art can be left as Pippin's special room!
Although Pippin is actually quite sensible, considering his emotional reaction, to fill the room with things that contain happy memories. And it worked! He's asleep in his own bed. And they haven't had to tell Frodo what Big-Bad-Berilac said.
The fair. How sweet of Sam to be nervous - but then he is sweet! And his nerves are for Pippin rather than himself.
Such an enjoyable story!
Author's reply
I am glad that you are still enjoying this one. I decided that Pippin might just have rather interesting taste if left to make selections on his own. I thought of this neighbor that we had at one point who allowed her six year old daughter to select her own clothing and she would come out to play in some of the most entertaining things that I have ever seen.
Now, if I can manage to get Sam and Pip through the fair, I think I just might have this one nicely wrapped up. Thanks for sticking with me!
TopazTook
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 17: Part 17
Pippin is so sweet when he's gullible -- which I suspect he never really outgrows. And his imagination *is* powerful, whether Merry wants to admit it or not, LOL!
Glad to have this mystery solved, in a way I never would have thought of (Berilac was just cruel), and looking forward to the next update to this story.
Author's reply
Pippin is a sweetie isn't he? I agree that part of his charm is in his innocent trusting nature. His imagination is a big plus in some ways, like seeing the need for a three-wheeled wheelbarrow, but it is a very big draw back when it comes to spooky things. Thanks for reading and more will turn up before too long.
good_one_pip
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 4: Part 4
It's funny and irritating how evil Merry can be to Pip's face, and then someone else says something the least bit mean about Pip, and they have to deal with the wrath of Merry.
Author's reply
Just like most family and close friends, it's alright for Merry to talk about Pip but no one else better try it. LOL Talk about a double standard!
good_one_pip
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 3: Part 3
I love the character you bring out in the hobbits. Every line I read seems like something each of them would say. You have a real talent for writing, Grey Wonderer.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. That was a lovely thing to say and it is much appreciated. I love writing hobbits and so I am thrilled when someone enjoys when of my stories.