Hyacinth is so petty-mindedly spiteful - and just clever enough to try to pull a veil over people's eyes. (Reggie should definitely have put a foot on her neck earlier. It's all very well sneakily trying to overcome her plots, but he allowed a miasma of evil to spread around her - and damaged his daughters irrevocably.)
Poor Pippin. But at least he's giving Pearl something else to think about - and keeping his father on his toes. I don't know that Paladin needs to be exhausted when he's trying to deal with all this, though. He might find himself out-manoeuvred while he's trying to shake off sleep.
Author's reply
You have described her perfectly.
Reggie, of course, is hampered by any number of things, story-internally. (And story-externally by an author who needs him for the plot.) First of all, with the way hobbits regard marriage, he finds the idea of actually putting her aside repugnant; second, of course, would be the scandal--which would touch not only him, but his daughters as well; third, of course, is the fact that he is bearing this completely alone. He really has no one in whom he can confide the extent of Hyacinth's perfidy, and so he struggles alone with his burden, and does what he thinks is best. Yet you are absolutely right in what the result is--"miasma of evil". And Hyacinth's "miasma" has been encouraged to grow by the very similar "miasma" that Lalia brought to the Great Smials. Under another sort of person--for example, Eglantine--Hyacinth's attitudes and gossip would have been nipped in the bud.
Yes, poor Pippin--he is proving a distraction it is true. But he will also be proving something else entirely to Hyacinth.
A temptation.
Andrea
· 10 May 2006
· Chapter 12: Chapter 12
But instead, Reggie, the fool, had found the legal papers drawn up by Gerontius.
So that's what Reggie did! I had wondered!
Poor Reggie! I pity him. He fell in love with Hyacinth long ago and did not know the true nature of his wife. And that love has not yet died completely.
However, he is a good guy and hopefully he will gather enough information to unburden Pearl.
And poor Pippin! That must hurt a lot. I like the way how his family keeps watch over him. Sometimes it's quite enough to be simply assured that you are not alone.
Author's reply
Yes, Reggie does not really want to be Thain either.
Poor Reggie realized Hyacinth's true nature, but being a hobbit, it is almost unheard of to break up a marriage. And he does love his daughters dearly, though he seldom has a chance to show them properly, as Hyacinth does her best to undermine him with them. But he is a good guy, and very intelligent. And he *would* make a good Thain--if he were married to someone else.
I am sure he does hurt a lot. But hobbits would never allow a sick or injured family member to be alone.
Pearl Took
· 9 May 2006
· Chapter 12: Chapter 12
Politics are politics are politics. Doesn't seem to matter when, where, or with whom.
Have you written about this personal grievance between Lalia and the Whitwell Tooks?
Poor Paladin! I'm sure he feels awful for falling asleep.
Eagerly awaiting more :)
Author's reply
Yes they are. And no fun.
I've not written it yet, although the backstory has begun to take form in my head--it has to do with Adalgrim Took and his wife Periwinkle Goldworthy.
I am quite sure he does.
There will be more as soon as Lin is feeling up to beta-ing. She's a bit under the weather right now.
Oh, poor Pippin--he must begin to think he'll never get better. I can only imagine how uncomfortable that must be.
"A fine foot of fur..." that's a very interesting and Hobbity expression. :) It makes sense, I've just never thought about it before. I can't believe Reggie *ever* admired Hyacinth!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, itchy and miserable, and just well enough to be antsy, poor baby.
I just figured that nice curly foot fur would be considered attractive by hobbits.
Reggie *did* love Hyacinth to begin with. I think she was probably a rather attractive hobbit in her physical appearance, and she knew just the right things to say to him. He loved her right up until she unwittingly revealed her true nature to him when Pippin was born, and then the blinkers fell off and he understood how she really was. Of course, she never really loved him at all, though she made him think she did.
Lindelea
· 9 May 2006
· Chapter 12: Chapter 12
Nice scene between Paladin and Pearl. Sounds as if they understand one another well. So much said in so few words!
Woodruff and chicken soup, eh? Sounds wonderful... and I'll pass a bowl on to Pippin, for quicker healing. (Can you rub it on sunburn?)
Sorry. Delirious. Toddling back to bed now.
Author's reply
Poor dear. *pats on head, guides back to the bed*
Take it easy, and I really do hope that you are soon feeling better. (Maybe I should have sent Ent-draught instead...)
Larner
· 9 May 2006
· Chapter 12: Chapter 12
Poor Pippin! So, Bilbo brought that paper to light did he? And Bungo was one of the signers? Excellent.
It is so like Hyacinth to blame Reggie for not following along with her own obsessions. He has far more sense and integrity than she would dream of having.
Bodkin
· 4 May 2006
· Chapter 11: Chapter 11
Petty-minded and spiteful, that Hyacinth. A desert island with Ted Sandyman. That'd suit the pair of them. Throw in a troll for good measure - or a polar bear - and you might have something.
I think Pearl and Pippin have got the better part of the deal there. If only it weren't for the acid-drop. Merry ought to watch it, though. I suppose he's safer in a way. Hyacinth doesn't really want anything from him.
The medicine taking magic still works. Pippin's family will work that out fairly soon, I should think, although the details might remain secret.
Author's reply
Yes, but would that be fair to the troll or the polar bear? ;-)
Pearl and Pippin managed to have a nice evening together, and I'm sure that was a good thing. With the years between them, and so many other family members, I would be surprised if they get to have a lot of one-on-one time together. This was rather a treat for them in a way, if only Pippin felt a bit better.
No, she doesn't want anything from Merry, though a chance to put a flea in his ear about Amethyst would suit her just fine--she is too cowardly, however to want to do it under the noses of his protectors.
Pippin made a promise--and that is something he takes seriously, as we know. He learned about keeping promises from those who keep promises to him.
Larner
· 3 May 2006
· Chapter 11: Chapter 11
The continued bemusement with how well Pippin now accepts his medicine is wonderful--and Frodo has NO intentions of spilling the beans, has he?
Hyacinth deciding to do her cuttings from beside the door sounds just like her, nasty git that she is. Am glad Pearl chose to stay with her brother--a valid reason indeed, and FAR more pleasant than being stared at by all and sundry.
Read this yesterday, but couldn't respond yesterday. Have I told you I hate computers? But I hate those who write worms, trojans, and viruses even more. They've been driving me crazy for days!
Author's reply
No, Frodo and Merry do not intend to inform Pippin's parents of just how ill he had been. They are both very glad Pippin's learned that lesson, but it was a fright they don't much like to think about.
"Nasy git". My goodness, Hyacinth is getting called all sorts of appropriate names!!
Hyacinth is just being petty now that her teeth are pulled. She will rue it sooner or later.
Pippin's company was a good deal more pleasant, I should think!
Oh, I know! I am living in dread of a virus right now, as my Norton has expired and it will be a couple of weeks before I can afford to renew it. 8-(
Hope all your computer woes are soon over!
What a lovely chapter! So sweet to see Pippin and Pearl together and to see the affection between them, and between Merry and his father and Merry and Frodo. Nice to see Frodo in an impish mood.
Cam't wait to see Hyacinth get her come-uppance. I was very tickled to learn that she had been on the receiving end of one of Frodo's icy glares. :-))
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Frodo in an impish mood is always fun.
Well, of course Hyacinth has a way to go before come-uppance time...
Andrea
· 3 May 2006
· Chapter 11: Chapter 11
Merry looked at his cousin’s blue eyes, twinkling with mischief. "But it would be so satisfying to do just that."
"True. But as you can’t do it to *everyone* who deserves it, it would be unfair to favor only one person so."
LOL! Now, that I call a persuasive argument!
I loved the sweet scene between Pippin and Pearl.
And I'm not the least bit surprised that Hyacinth received one of Frodo's famous icy glares. He should give her another, just in case ;-)
Author's reply
*grin* Well, Merry bought it, for a while, anyway, LOL!
I'm glad you thought Pippin and Pearl were sweet together. I think he really enjoyed having her full attention for a little while.
Yes, she deserves as many glares as possible!
GamgeeFest
· 2 May 2006
· Chapter 11: Chapter 11
So, Hyacinth is afraid of Frodo's icy glare too? There doesn't seem to be anyone who comes away from that look unscathed. :) A sweet little moment between Pippin and Pearl. Pip's such a good little brother, it's clear he adores his sisters. I enjoyed the moment between Merry and Sara too. I'm glad Sara didn't try to sugarcoat it and admitted that everyone is, indeed, being two-faced about Lalia's death.
Author's reply
I think Frodo had The Look down to perfection, LOL! *I* wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of it!
I enjoyed Pippin and Pearl. I don't often get to write moments just between Pippin and one of his sisters like that. Yes, he does adore them, just as they adore him.
Saradoc is a wise hobbit, clear-sighted and practical. He knows very well that platitudes about not speaking ill of the dead will not cut any ice with his very perceptive and intelligent son. But he also was able to point out the sound reasons for tact and diplomacy.
Awww, what a sweet chapter! I like Merry's reluctance to admit he doesn't much care for the Thain-though I have to agree he seems a bit weak to me-and Frodo's way of calming Merry. His mischievous streak is so rarely seen that it's a treat when it comes out. I was actually fooled, the first time I read Fellowship, when he was pretending to complain about his pack being too heavy. :)
And Pearl is such a wonderful sister! But something tells me that the more time passes, the harder it's going to be to keep Pippin still and in bed.
Poor Begonia, I wonder what will become of her. It's good that *she* knows Pearl isn't responsible, though. My guess is that the brake on the chair broke, and really that was Lalia's own fault for acting like a child and getting into a temper.
That Hyacinth is just determined to be as nasty as she possibly can, and to get into as much trouble as she can, isn't she? Even her punishment hasn't quelled her! She might try to play innocent when it's discovered she ruined the garden, but it won't work, I guarantee.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
You are quite right: Ferumbras is weak--he is not a bad hobbit, but he was never strong enough to stand up to his mother and he's learned to mostly take the easy way out, and to let other people do the hard work.
I like to show Frodo's mischievous side from time to time, as well as his sense of humor.
Pearl's a good sister, indeed. And you are quite right about Pippin--he is going to be very hard to keep down now that he's not feeling quite so bad.
Hyacinth remains just as selfish and spiteful as she has ever been.
Pearl Took
· 2 May 2006
· Chapter 11: Chapter 11
I love Merry still wanting to do something to show his feelings towards those who keep saying things against his cousin, and I love Frodo's advice to him :)
Hyacinth is a b . . . .
I adore Pippin telling Pearl he loves her when he says goodnight, and her returning the sentiment :)
Wonderful :) :)
Author's reply
Well, Merry is Merry, and he's not one to let insults to his loved ones pass; but Frodo's advice is sound, and the humor is enough to distract Merry.
Yes. Well. Yes.
Pippin and his sisters are very fond of one another. I don't care much for fics in which one or more of his sisters dislike him, or are estranged from him. I think that he was probably the adored baby of the family, and he adored them right back.
Of course, it didn't stop him from teasing them and playing jokes sometimes...
Andrea
· 30 April 2006
· Chapter 10: Chapter 10
Haha!!! That was funny! Frodo was a mighty rascal in his youth!
I found it quite interesting that there is a Marroc in this story. I am reading Lily's "Schicksalsjahre" story, in which Frodo has also a cousin of this name. But *that* Marroc is some years older and constantly bullying him.
Now, that Merry told a story about Frodo, Frodo might tell one about Merry, hm?
(I still have no idea who the guest is!)
Author's reply
Well, he *was* "the Terror of Brandy Hall" at one time!
Marroc *is* a Brandybuck name--one of old Gormadoc's three sons, who had "many descendants"--it would seem logical that one of them might be named for him!
Oh, Frodo might!
Keep guessing!
Bodkin
· 29 April 2006
· Chapter 10: Chapter 10
I like the story to keep Pippin amused! And now Frodo has come along, I'm sure he can add to the entertainment. Probably highly necessary as Pippin is now restless and recovering.
Go, Euphorbia! It's pay-back time.
Author's reply
Yes, it's going to be harder to keep Pippin down as he begins to feel better!
Euphorbia is definitely getting her own back, after years of insults.
Pearl Took
· 27 April 2006
· Chapter 10: Chapter 10
Hehehehe This is just so cute! I love dirty Frodo and dirty Merry. terrific :)
Author's reply
Thanks! *grin* I could just see little Merry flying into Frodo's arms, as Frodo sat there in the hearth, black from head to toe!
Larner
· 26 April 2006
· Chapter 10: Chapter 10
Oh, I LOVE the story on Frodo! And it does help Pippin knowing that Frodo had a similar situation to his own, and also due partly to his own fault and partly to situations over which he had no control. Poor Frodo--stuck in the chimney! Until Santa might come and push him down, hmm?
And glad Pippin's getting better quickly.
Author's reply
Yes, it did help a bit to know that Frodo was stuck in bed just like he was!
I don't know that the M-e version of Santa came down the chimney, but poor little Merry was certainly worried that Frodo would never come out!
Well, he's young and a hobbit.
But he's not *completely* out of the woods yet...
Larner
· 26 April 2006
· Chapter 9: Chapter 9
Indeed, very formidable in spite of his mildness, our Frodo will be. Ferumbras is far more astute than perhaps he realizes. And glad he was politic and sensitive enough to wish to speak briefly with Pippin. Speaks well of him as the Took.
And Reggie is himself a wonderful young Hobbit!
Author's reply
Frodo is indeed formidable in any number of ways.
Ferumbras has the potential to be quite astute and a good Thain. But he has his own agenda, and years spent outmanuevering his mother meant he never truly developed that potential. But he's not a bad hobbit, and of course he would be concerned for the little lad.
I'm rather fond of my Reggie, and often regret having stuck him with Hyacinth for a wife.
Larner
· 26 April 2006
· Chapter 8: Chapter 8
I don't think I had the chance to review this before the modem quit, but love the awareness Frodo shows when inducing Merry to eat in spite of himself--and then using his nickname on him! Oh, such a clever Frodo, and so very insightful!
And poor Pearl--yes, things are beastly, but nowhere as beastly as Hyacinth would LIKE them to be. So glad Reggie has his wife's number!
Author's reply
Frodo knows that as long as he's eating too, Merry would automatically accept and eat what he handed him--as long as he didn't really pay attention to what Frodo was doing. And tweaking him with his baby-name was just the old mischievous Frodo coming out!
Reggie's had Hyacinth's number for several years, but he's been at a loss most of the time as to what to do with it. On *this* occasion, however, he actually has something positive he can do to counter her.
PIppinfan1988
· 26 April 2006
· Chapter 10: Chapter 10
I do love that tale about Frodo and the chimney! I like that you portray him as a typical hobbit-child full of mischief. I believe the Professor wrote the Gaffer calling Frodo a "regular warren", so the chimney incident fits perfectly.
LOL, I have to laugh at Hyacinth--will she ever learn?? What goes around, comes around.
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes, Brandy Hall was a regular warren, and full of mischievous youngsters, of which Frodo was most definitely one!
Hyacinth? Learn? Well, maybe a little bit, eventually, but never very much...
GamgeeFest
· 26 April 2006
· Chapter 10: Chapter 10
As soon as Frodo headed for the hearth, I knew what was going to happen. :) Very amusing. But it's going to take a *lot* of stories to keep Pippin from getting bored. At least he's feeling better. (And I have a theory on who the guest is.)
Author's reply
Yes, it was pretty obvious, wasn't it?
And Pippin's feeling better, which will create its own set of problems, won't it?
And we shall soon see if your theory is correct.
So *that's* how Frodo got stuck up the chimney! LOL! Aww, poor Frodo, that was most definitely *not* fun. I was wondering, though, when that story would be told in full; there are so many ways it could have happened.
And yes, it's simply *delightful* to be used as a jungle gymn by hyper kids, isn't it? LOL! I love how you make these stories seem so real!
And Frodo coming in at the end was perfect! :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Well, now you know the "rest of the story". Sooner or later these little bits and pieces I hint at find their own stories--this is one of them.
I can remember being *so* irritated by that exact behavior when I would be trying to read a book on the school playground at recess. *sigh*
Well, he just had to come in and catch Merry telling stories on him, LOL!
Tigger
· 26 April 2006
· Chapter 10: Chapter 10
Ah...So it's comes to Pippin naturally then...LOL!! What a great story and poor Frodo. Sigh...As my Mom always says, you never know what will go through the head of a kid. :oD
And no, I haven't the foggiest idea what she could have meant. *looking innocently away* ;o)
Looking forward to the next chapter!!
Author's reply
*giggle* It must be the Took in them, *grin*.
Poor Frodo, indeed!
Pearl Took
· 20 April 2006
· Chapter 9: Chapter 9
All caught up!!
It is good that Pearl and Pippin have family that loves and cares for them so much.
Hyacinth is such a hag!!!!
Looking forward to more :)
Author's reply
Yes, Pearl and Pippin both have an excellent support system!
Hyacinth is such a hag!!!!
She's pretty bad. I think if she were smarter, she would easily be worse than Lobelia or Lalia.
Pearl Took
· 20 April 2006
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
I'm finally getting this read :) Such a good tale it is too!
Onward!