Always by Citrine
Andrea · 30 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Never Fading
I think Frodo said: write me long letters. But he'll find that this little letter describes Merry's feelings perfectly! No brandnew gossip from Buckland, no description of what Merry's days are like. Only the essentials! And the last sentence is the most important: "I'm not angry anymore." You captured the feelings of both, Frodo and Merry, perfectly! Thank you for this story, Citrine!
Larner · 30 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Never Fading
At least Merry was able to let go the anger and allow the grief to heal. And he was able to give Frodo the gift he needed--acceptance for the new home. Thanks for a light story that I needed right now.
Author's reply
I'm so glad it did something for you, and thank you, because you nailed what I was getting at in the story:o)
pebbles66 · 28 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Never Fading
Oh, how sweet! I love little Merry's letter to Frodo - straight-forward and to the point. You can almost feel his hurt and sadness. Great follow-up to the first chapter.
cher · 28 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Never Fading
What a wonderful story! You have captured Frodo and Merry very well, and the little letter from Merry at the end brought tears to my eyes. Well done.
Dreamflower · 28 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Never Fading
*Ow!* This hurts in such a beautiful way! You have captured so well the way a child will try to hide pain beneath frantic activity. I found myself tearing up with Esmeralda, as she tried to comfort her grieving lad. And the little letter at the end--so poignant! Perfect, to begin and end, with a letter!
Author's reply
Thanks so much, I'm so glad you were touched by this. I hope it's not a bad sign when an author wibbles over her own story, because I was a bit sniffly, too. I can't stand to see little (hobbit)kids cry, even when I'm the one bringing on the angst, lol.
shirebound · 28 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Never Fading
"He's done a hero's work," Saradoc said, with mingled pride and sadness in his voice. "If he had cried or made any sort of fuss, Frodo might have been too torn to leave. Our boy has grown this day, Essie." Ohhh, dear sweet, brave Merry! He pressed it to his lips and smelled the scent of Buckland: Clean earth and fresh-cut hay, the cool freshness of the Brandywine, and under it all the warmer, sweeter smell of Merry, sunshine and green grass and dust. What a lovely story.
Author's reply
Thanks, Shirebound! Yes, poor little Merry, I kind of hate myself for writing such hurt for him. But that's the definition of little Merry heroism for me: Merry quietly giving up his own happiness so Frodo could be happy. Now that I think about it, 'a hero's work' kind of sounds like the name of a story, doesn't it? Hint hint;o)
Anso the Hobbit · 31 October 2005 · Chapter 1: Always
Oh, squee! Wee!Merry story and with some angst to boot! Reading this made me one very happy hobbit. Bilbo's letter was wonderful and Frodo is so happy but this is a tough time for both him and Merry. More soon, please! :D
Author's reply
I'm workin', I'm workin':o) Just gotta figure out some plot difficulties and kick the muse into gear. Wee!Merry angst, ahoy.
harrowcat · 27 October 2005 · Chapter 1: Always
Aw poor Merry - and how bitter-sweet for Frodo.
Armariel · 26 October 2005 · Chapter 1: Always
Cute, funny, sweet and sad all at the same time.....a lovely little piece. The teasing, the desk, the baby bunnies, and the rain........ ~~~{~@
Dreamflower · 26 October 2005 · Chapter 1: Always
Yes, this is the Frodo and Merry I see, as close as, or closer than, brothers, yet Frodo *needing* to be away from Buckland, and *needing* what Bilbo can give him: undivided attention. It's so beautiful the way you showed Merry's concern for the baby rabbits, tying into the letter that Frodo wrote for him... Lovely; sad, but lovely...
Author's reply
Yes, it has to be that way, Frodo has to 'find his place', but man, that would've been so painful. I can't imagine that Merry would've taken Frodo's leaving very well, and Frodo knows that, too. To me, this is Frodo's final departure from childhood, leaving Brandy Hall and Merry. But that's one of the great truths of Tolkien, isn't it? Growing up hurts, and parting is inevitable. Wow, the profundity, lol. Thanks, Dreamflower:o)
Larner · 26 October 2005 · Chapter 1: Always
Yes, these are our Frodo and Merry, Frodo needing to find his place but fearing the hurt for his brother-cousin, seeking to reassure and explain and protect even then. And love the little rabbits being part of the symbology of the story, and the fear of the separations to come....
shirebound · 26 October 2005 · Chapter 1: Always
This is lovely. The love between Bilbo and Frodo, and Frodo and Merry, just shines off the page. You beautifully show, through dialogue and action, the age difference (mental and emotional) between Frodo and Merry. And this... "Fireworks!" Merry crowed, tugging on Frodo's arm. "What else does it say?" Frodo smiled again and held the letter high over his head, far out of Merry's reach. "He says, be good enough to put that bothersome Brandybuck imp into a sack and throw him down cellar before he arrives. And that you reek like a Marish cheese-" Awwwwww.
Author's reply
Double awwww: Thanks Shirebound! Frodo turned out a bit more sweetly rotten, in a kindly, big-brother sort of way, than I intended. I'm glad to see that it worked and didn't seem too mean:o)