Garnet Took
· 1 January 2006
· Chapter 9: A Change in Plans
Ewww! Ferumbras is to proctor their test. That is dreadful.
I really like the way Paladin is concerned that Pippin doesn't feel jealous, and how he plans to talk to him about it at a time that is always only between parent and child. Bedtime really is a great time for heart-to-heart talks.
Poor Miss Hemlock. Hope she get over this one soon.
Thanks. Looking forward to the next chapter, and the test.
GT.
Author's reply
LOL, I've gotten some nice reactions like that about Ferumbras proctoring the exam.
Thank you for the complimen on the jealousy thing; I don't imagine Pippin truly becoming jealous, but because he's still somewhat of a child, the possibility is there, and Paladin becomes aware of this while he and Saradoc are speaking to the lads. He initially asks Pippin to leave, but then relents on the assumption that little "seeds"--like excluding Pippin--might serve to take root and make the lad become jealous. Plus...this will also serve as a vehicle to have a lovely little Pippin & Paladin moment. :-)
Miss Hemlock will survive...wait and see. ;-)
Thank you for reading!
Pippinfan
Dreamflower
· 1 January 2006
· Chapter 9: A Change in Plans
Ferumbras, hmm? I know he's a prat, but I hope he is an honest and fair prat.
And I loved the bit of horseplay at the beginning with Pearl, Merry and Pippin! (Of course both of them know Pippin's the better musician, but it wouldn't do to admit it and let him get a swelled head, LOL!)
I really look forward to the next update.
And poor Miss Hemlock. I'm glad that nothing underhanded was going on, but migraines are no fun, poor lass.
Author's reply
Well, lol, we'll see about honesty and fair in the next chapter. ;-) LOL, 'prat' you say? (snorts laughter) True, he is, but I also think of him as little more than a worm(tongue).
I do love to put Pippin & Pearl or even Merry & Pearl together. I rarely get the chance to write them all together, so I capitalized on the opportunity after Pippin and Pearl's duet. In my imagination, I'd say *at this point*, Pippin and Pearl are equals in fiddle playing only because Pearl has a few years on her little brother. Soon, however, and because we both know how bright our laddie is and of his passion for music, Pippin *does* exceed his older sister. Pearl doesn't mind; its the tie that binds them together as siblings.
No...migraines are not fun. While resarching on the subject, I discoverd that I may suffer from them from time to tome, thinking they're sinus headaches (because they can last up to a week and rarely go away without 800ml of ibuprophen).
Thank you for reading!
Pippinfan
Anso the Hobbit
· 20 December 2005
· Chapter 8: Counsel Meets Wisdom
Oh, the tutor never came? This is a new development. I wonder what kept her.
Merry can be anything he wants I think, and he would do great as a tutor if he had the opportunity to do so. I also like to see how good friends Saradoc and Paladin are in this story. Very much looking forward to more. :D
Author's reply
LOL, you'll see what kept her soon. I apologize a thousand times for not responding to your review sooner!
Yes! Merry *can* be whatever he wants--if he wasn't already designated for Master, that is. Looks as if your "Merry radar" is working very well these days. :-) Actually, I don't think I've left much to guesswork as for what I want him to do in this story. Oh, well.
I've enjoyed bringing Saradoc and Paladin together; we may see them interact a little more before the end. :-)
Thank you so much for reading!
Pippinfan
Anso the Hobbit
· 20 December 2005
· Chapter 7: Merry Takes Counsel
*happy sigh*
Such love and devotion! And Saradoc agrees with Merry too. I wonder what that peom was and why it made him react like that. They are all getting a few lessons in this story I think. Not only the children, but the grown ups too. :D
Pearl Took
· 18 December 2005
· Chapter 8: Counsel Meets Wisdom
Aw!! thank you so much *happy smiling blushing* (regarding the fiddle)
I'm so glad that Saradoc has helped Paladin :) I'm glad the lasses in the kitchen were on Degger's side.
I so needed your encouraging story tonight, thank you :) :) :)
Author's reply
Yikes!! I'm so embarrassed for not replying sooner!
As for the fiddle--that was my wee homage to your own hard work in learning how to play! I can't wait to hear you play. :) Besides, I don't put Pippin and Pearl together nearly enough as I should--and would like to. This was my change. It was also my chance to pay back Saradoc for all the stuff I put the poor hobbit through in ealier fics.
Thank you so much for reading!
Pippinfan
Lovely surprise! A new chapter! I liked the way Saradoc counciled Paladin in this one. His advise was so wise and his experience was a great help to Paladin. Also enjoyed the musical part of this. Now, I am very worried about Miss Hemlock! I wonder if she has left after all of the trouble. I don't think she understands exactly what's been going on yet so she may see it as her own failure. Or maybe she's ill? I hope the next update comes soon!
Author's reply
Thank you, G.W.! I thought that it was time for Saradoc to show what he is made of. I will say that you gave me a bit of inspiration in regard to Miss Hemlock...it will be in the next chapter. :-D Stay tuned! *wicked laughter*
Pippinfan
Garnet Took
· 17 December 2005
· Chapter 8: Counsel Meets Wisdom
Oh, there were some really great exchanges in this chapter. The disagreement between Degger and his friend was well done. Why do I have the feeling that we haven't seen the last of that?
Pippin and Pearl giving a recital was sweet. The discussion between Paladin and Saradoc was nice,too. They really do have a wonderful understanding of each other and an appreciation of what each is going through.
Now I'm wondering what happened to the tutor. I'm suspecting that Carlan may have had a hand in it, or, worse yet, the Thain.
Oh, please don't leave us hanging for too long.
Author's reply
LOL, You have good intuition, my friend! Degger is not without his own good virtues, either. I just sort of gave a turnabout; Pippin or Merry has come to Degger's defense with their peers, so I had Degger come to Pippin's defense with *his* peer(s). For all that are rooting for him to succeed in life, there are those who are jealous of him and his good fortune.
I figure Pippin has some sort of connection with each of his sisters; Pervinca is close in age to him, so she is a good friend/schemer/playmate (sometimes, lol), he and Pimpernel like to have a battle of the wits, but with Pearl, I came up with "musical pair" while writing Courtship. This is the thing that they actually enjoy doing together--playing their violins/fiddles. There are plenty of other things that the siblings like to share, but those are for other tales. :-)
You'll see what happens to the tutor soon. Well, you won't have to wonder *too* long if I can get the time to write, lol. Like everyone else--and you--I have waited until the last minute to do my Christmas shopping!
Thank you so much for stopping by to read!
Pippinfan
Uh-oh.
I'm guessing that Degger made a mistake in altering his tea-time--either that or perhap someone spiteful sent a message to her, saying her presence wasn't needed?
I don't think Paladin will be very amused at this turn of events.
And I *really* like the talk between Saradoc and Paladin.
And finally--it was very nice to see Pippin and Pearl playing their fiddles together!!
Author's reply
Hmmm...all of these are good guesses...maybe you're warm--maybe you're on the cool side. :-D Amused or not, Paladin may not have a say in the matter, but we'll see what happens soon. :-)
Yes, I am paying the dear hobbit back for all things I put him through before. I rather liked the idea that if Paladin was once able to offer Sara advice about parenting, why not have Sara give Paladin advice on how to deal with Ferumbras? Rory, or even to some extent, Saradoc, has had to deal with him in some fashion. I thought perhaps his expertise would be welcome by a fledgling Paladin.
I couldn't help myself again! :-) Regardless of his musical *RL* "alter ego", lol, I feel this is how people entertained one another. Some family member was usually coerced into playing for visitors--although coersion was never an option with the all-too-willing Pippin!
I thank you very much for stopping by to read!
Pippinfan
It was good to see another chapter up and I so enjoyed Merry's talk with his parents. Saradoc seems to have an excellent idea and I hope he is able to make it work. Love Pervinca's worry over her father and the way she hurried and made him tea. That was sweet. I like your Pervinca very much. Great chapter!
Author's reply
As I told another reader, these wee moments between Merry and Saradoc are paybacks for all the stuff I put him through before. At this point in time, they've made amends and are building a relationship.
Yes, Pervinca is generally sweet, but she can bare her claws when the moment calls for it. I was going to have that happen in this tale and have yet to make a firm decision on it. I do like my Pervinca--but you do know that I love yours, too, and your *entire* world of hobbits! :-) Take care, and thank you for reading!
Pippinfan
I am SO enjoying this Pippinfan. Now I must go and tame my own 'bed-head curls'.
Author's reply
Oh, let them run wild for a wee bit. :) I am glad that you're enjoying it! I'm enjoying writing it. Thank you for reading!
Pippinfan
Garnet Took
· 11 December 2005
· Chapter 7: Merry Takes Counsel
Your Paladin is such a great parent. He doesn't hesitate to lecture his children, but with a point. Wonderful. I like the way he is encouraging all of them to "think" for themselves and not just "regurgitate" someone else's beliefs.
That ending was so sweet. Great minds do think alike.
Great job. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you, Garnet. :-) Paladin isn't a perfect father, but with a rambunctious lad like Pippin, he gives it his very best. My Paladin loves to tell stories, so lectures are the next best thing when raising Pippin (and sometimes Merry).
The last part between Merry and his parents was sort of a payback to Saradoc for all the stuff I put him through in earlier years. :P I still have to write a tale that has him and Merry making amends. Since nothing is forthcoming at this time, little moments like this will suffice until then. :) Thank you for reading!
Pippinfan
Pearl Took
· 11 December 2005
· Chapter 7: Merry Takes Counsel
Poor weary Paladin :( He still is handling his children and nephew wisely though. And good for Saradoc saying he'll help out by ginving Merry more "punishment" LOL Well Done as always :) :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Pearl! I was hoping it came across that way. Yes, Saradoc is going to help out his son in any way he can, but the story isn't too close to the end just yet. :-D Thank you for reading!
Pippinfan
Awww...Paladin and Saradoc are such good fathers. No wonder our lads all turned out so splendidly!
Author's reply
Thank you! Well, Merry and Saradoc had a bit of a roughspot some years before, however, at this point they've worked through most of that and are quite amiable now. And yes, they did turn out rather splendid! Thanks for reading!
Pippinfan
I am highly pleased and impressed with Merry's honesty, perspicacity, and responsible nature. Love it! Excellently presented. Both he and Pippin are to be commended for their social awareness as well as their inventiveness, and am glad that Saradoc comes to the same decision as Merry had.
Bless the lot of them! Heh!
Author's reply
Thank you! And if I might add, you are a very astute reader! I (and many other authors) portray Pippin as a very intelligent lad, but Merry is no less so. He is just more quiet about it. Pippin eventually learns to be quiet about it, but not at this age, lol. As for Saradoc, I think by this time he can read his lad fairly well; doesn't mean Merry's wish will come true, but Saradoc is willing to go the extra mile for his son. Thank you for reading!
Pippinfan
Larner
· 9 December 2005
· Chapter 6: Revelations
More power to him, bless Paladin's heart! He got the truth out of the children, and let Ferumbras know not to give authority and then take it away like that. Excellent Hobbit, Paladin Took!
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner! There is much more to the Paladin & Ferumbras story, but that is...lol, another story that I'm developing right now. Thank you for reading.
Pippinfan
Anso the Hobbit
· 7 December 2005
· Chapter 6: Revelations
Yay for Paladin speaking up, but no more story? :( Please update soon? Or was this the end?
Author's reply
Oh, yes--lol, there is a bit more story, though I'm still musing on it. I had most of the story all written out until I decided to give more detail--and add Ferumbras. So now I've run out of principle story and having to muse again. Now that I've finished my challenge tale (with help from Marigold), I can move forward with this tale. I hope to have another update this weekend. Thank you for stopping by to read! :-)
Pippinfan
Anso the Hobbit
· 7 December 2005
· Chapter 5: Trouble on the Horizon
LOL! Merry and Pippin are in for it now! They do have a tendency to get in trouble and although Merry plans he isn't always planning far enough or thoroughly enough. I am guessing that this will bring them other trouble than they hope for. And why, pray tell, is Merry so tired?
Author's reply
Yes, lol, when the fit hits them, they can do some real damage if they wanted to! Merry is at the place in his life that with *careful* consideration, and a bit of guidance, he can reason extremely well. But what I haven't fleshed out as much, and I aim to fix that in ch. 7, is *why* he is so tired. So, at this point, I can't dig too much into that part. :-)
Pippinfan
Anso the Hobbit
· 7 December 2005
· Chapter 4: Help is on the Way
It is so great to see this "conspiracy" between Pervinca, Pippin and Merry to help Degger. They are really caring about him. :D I really hope he will pass his exam. Still wondering about what Merry did to get this punishment and if he will do something to help Degger further.
Anso the Hobbit
· 7 December 2005
· Chapter 3: The Scheme of Things
LOL! Of course Merry would do mischief just to help Degger. I wonder what he'll do? and why did he end up in the study group in the first place? I suppose you have told it in one of your stories but I can't remember. Unless it comes in the next chapter of course...
Author's reply
LOL, Merry would do mischief to help out any of his friends, though watch out if anyone messes with his dearest of friends. I sometimes see Merry as a Champion, of sorts; supporting the "underdog" when need be. Poor Degger is the underdog in this story because of the Thain.
Pippinfan
Anso the Hobbit
· 7 December 2005
· Chapter 2: Lending a Hand
I just love how Merry makes Degger understand what is going on. I am sure he will take the tutor to task and ask her about why she hasn't given him basic teaching. He really should have had a test of sorts before he started learning to see how much he could, she shouldn¨t have assumed that he knew as much as the others, especially since he is of poor people.
Author's reply
Merry does have a talent with that, doesn't he? I'm glad you noticed that. The only reason why he doesn't take the tutor to task is because he's trying to keep a low profile due to the Thain's opinion of servants being educated. LOL, I'm telling you all this because you've read everything that's posted, so there should be no surprises at this point. The unfortunate part is, is in The Substitute (and I don't mind giving information on the other two tales, because their stories were posted over a year ago, so some may not remember the contents/plots), Paladin was desperate for additional students because Miss Hemlock had a wee clause in her contract that Paladin had somehow missed. Initially, Pippin was the only person to receive lessons, however, in Irrepressible Pippin Merry assists his young cousin in what we call here, "cutting class". As "punishment", Paladin makes Merry take the lessons with Pippin (this is how he comes to taking lessons with his cousin), even though he's a bit old for them, or has already had something of the like as the heir to Buckland. Anyway, now that Miss Hemlock had taken over for Mister Breddo, Paladin scrapes for more kids, so to speak. He enlists his daughter Pervinca, who just happened by on errand for her mother, and Degger, who's busy clearing the teacups and saucers away from the table at Miss Hemlock and Paladin's first meeting. To help out a bit, all three of these tales are happening withing a time period of three weeks, give or take a day because I am just not that good with keeping track of my own dates. I could never be a *real* author, lol!
I hope all of this helped in some way...on to your other reviews. :-)
Pippinfan
Anso the Hobbit
· 7 December 2005
· Chapter 1: Teacher's Dilemma
Yay! Another story that I finally manage to sit down and read. :D I am guessing that the tutor has certain plans with our Merry, lol. He would be a great teacher to keep Pip in place and encourage Degger. Off to read more.
Author's reply
In the beginning, the tutor had no plans other than to get through this course of study with her wits still intact. Now...well, there will be more in chapter 7.
I'm so glad to see you, Anso! I see you've got a lovely story posted on LJ--I'll be making my way over there to read it a little later. :-)
Pippinfan
Bodkin
· 5 December 2005
· Chapter 6: Revelations
Hmm. Paladin might be becoming Thain ahead of schedule - when he polishes off his irritating cousin.
I think things will have to change in the Smials.
Paladin's children will have to learn to behave more appropriately - to a degree - but I like their spirit and courage and their support for their friends. The Thain could learn a thing or two from them.
Author's reply
To tell you a wee secret, there is a plot bunny hopping on the horizon about Paladin and Ferumbras. ;-) I really can't go into it too much in this tale because it's more a Merry or Pippin (or Degger!) story--and yes, things will be changing.
I like to think that under "normal" circumstances, the children do behave nicely. They do have spirit--and yes, they are a bit cheeky, too. Thank you for stopping by to read; I thought I had frightened you away with my chatterbox ways in my last reply. I'm behaving myself tonight. :-)
Pippinfan
Dreamflower
· 4 December 2005
· Chapter 6: Revelations
YEEEESSSSS, Paladin!!!! Whoo-hoo!!! You go!!
...erm...excuse me, sorry I'll try to be a bit more coherent. *clears throat*
I liked this chapter very much. I love Pervinca offering to scrub floors so Degger can study, I love Paladin digging the truth out of Merry and Pippin--at least now he knows their hearts were in the right places, even if their methods left, shall we say, a bit to be desired?
But best of all was his telling off of Ferumbras! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Author's reply
LOL! You are too funny, but I am glad that his scene got the reactions that it did. I almost toned him down, but decided to be courageous. :-P
I often imagine that the transition from farm life to the life of an aristocrat wasn't so easy for the children. Plucked up from the only life they knew and then thrust into a "society" that they knew little about. No one *likes* to scrub floors, but I'm thinking that Pervinca is finding a bit of home in her volunteer work. As for the lads, lol, I think Paladin tries to be firm with them--and he does succeed when the circumstances call for it, but right now, he's at his own wits' end because of Ferumbras meddlesome ways. Ferumbras is definitely going to get his payback...but as I told another, I've yet to decide if its in this tale. LOL, I only meant this to be a short story, but look where its gone.
I had the principle story all written out with the exception of the ending chapter, but since I gave more backstory in earlier chapters, lol, I've run out. Now I'll be just as surprised as you when I write out this next chapter.
Well, work is calling me, so the chatterbox has to get ready. Take care, and thank you for reading!
Pippinfan
Grey Wonderer
· 4 December 2005
· Chapter 6: Revelations
Way to go, Paladin! That was a show of force if ever there was one. I love the end of Pippin's poem and it was not at all what I was expecting. LOL (Mind completely in gutter, sorry.) Now, I wonder if everyone will be punished or rewarded for their efforts on Degger's behalf. Paladin has another tough choice to make. Poor Hobbit! Not even Thain and yet everything is one big decision. I am also anxious to hear what Saradoc has to say about all of this and if Miss Hemlock is simply disappointed in her students and worried about Degger or if it is something more serious. Great chapter!
Author's reply
LOL, maybe there was a bit of entrapment in the notition of Pippin's poetry...I kind of figured that's what most folks would do. *wicked grin* However, we can't have young Pippin on the road to becoming a pervert at such a young age, lol. At this point in his life, he's not yet interested much in lasses, but Merry is, so Pippin is sort of mimicking his cousin, and because he's a clever lad, he mimics very well. I'll say that Pippin's eyes were definitely on the beer...Merry's eyes were definitely elsewhere, and this is one of Pippin's ways of teasing his cousin about his "attractions".
I don't think the storm of sudden decisions is what's getting at Paladin. I firmly believe that *Ferumbras* is the reason he had such a struggle in the beginning--he was constantly being set up for failure. Ferumbras was doing everything he could think of to see Paladin fail at whatever he touched. But Ferumbras is going to get his payback...whether its in this tale, I have yet to decide.
LOL, I think all, if not most of your questions will be answered in the next chapter... Thanks for reading!
Pippinfan
Pearl Took
· 4 December 2005
· Chapter 6: Revelations
WOO HOO!!! You go Paladin!!
I loved the end to Pippin's poem :)
A grand and wonderful story :)
I look forward to more!!
Author's reply
Thank you, lol. I truly did not expect the reaction that Paladin's scene got. I fully expected responses to be something like, 'you could have toned him down a bit'. No one has said that at all. I will confess though, that I did enjoy writing that scene... As for Pippin's poetry...lol, I can't say that it was *good*, but it certainly got the job done. :-) Thank you for reading!
Pippinfan