Reviews (131)

PIppinfan1988 · 21 May 2006 · Chapter 7: Spending Time

I hope Merry doesn't wear himself out between watching Frodo and Sam and keeping a recovering Pippin abed. Poor little guy. :-P Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 21 May 2006 · Chapter 6: (Not) Getting Up

'If he'd just put the energy into healing that he puts into bedevilling he could be up in a week or a few days more,' Aragorn said. LOL, I couldn't have said that better, myself! Loved the sweet bantering with Pippin, Merry, and Beregond. :-) Pippinfan

Bodkin · 21 May 2006 · Chapter 10: Mustering Courage

This is going to make Merry ill if they're not careful. He appears to be suffering more than Beregond. Still, nice, when you think you're off to an execution, to find that you're about to be knighted for your efforts. And using Merry as the tailor's dummy was probably a good move. He is dandy enough to be able to keep still, whereas I imagine that Pippin, even at the best of times, is as twitchy as a hobbit on an ants' nest.

Dreamflower · 18 May 2006 · Chapter 10: Mustering Courage

Every time I read this chapter, it leaves me with a grin. *sigh*

Andrea · 18 May 2006 · Chapter 10: Mustering Courage

Oh my god! Such a tension! Surely, Merry will be most glad to see that his suspicions were wrong. But in his eyes they are only delayed. For what time he does not know. Poor Merry! I wonder if Aragorn has had a word with Beregond yet. Wow! He really impressed me in this chapter. I don't find any better words, so I'd like to quote Shirebound: "grace and nobility" - that's it! Pippin, however, oblivious to the tragic secret Merry and Beregond share, had a great time that day, and well-deserved, I'd say. 'and now let us drink to the start of a new age, but let us never forget the friendships of the old one.' Well said, indeed!

Larner · 18 May 2006 · Chapter 10: Mustering Courage

A grief that Merry has anticipated so long what did not come that day, and that he must hide such from Pippin. That Beregond gave thanks Pippin had saved his life in the toast must have been almost more than Merry could have borne, as well as appearing most ironic in nature. But I rejoice that the honors given here were given as they were. And an officer's uniform? Of course, you fool of a Took!

Pearl Took · 18 May 2006 · Chapter 10: Mustering Courage

Huzzah!! Huzzah!! Huzzah!! Though this only puts off what Merry is dreading. Bless his dear heart, he's carrying a lot of grief, for Beregond and for Pip. Boots for a Hobbit? How absurd! LOL

shirebound · 18 May 2006 · Chapter 10: Mustering Courage

I can 'see' all this so perfectly, Lindelea because of your writing. And you write Beregond with such grace and nobility, we can't help but love him.

FantasyFan · 11 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Pondering

I have deliberately not gone back and re-read this story while you are posting it here, and this chapter is one of the ones I didn't remember very clearly at all. The first thing that struck me was how Merry was surprised to see Sam thin. I think Merry's spent so much time since even before the quest started worrying about Frodo, and lately so much energy worrying about his other cousin, that he naturally hasn't had much of his mind focused on Sam. Plus Sam has always been the steady sort, always there unobtrusively in the background taking care of things, and not often doing the unexpected, and not requiring Merry to think about him much. So now Merry's seeing Frodo for the first time, and he's grieved by his injuries but not really surprised, I imagine. For Sam to be thin, however, means something else. Even as often as the hobbits had to make do on short rations while travelling, I doubt that Merry can begin to imagine what it would be like to actually starve, to have no food at all but to have to keep pushing on, to spend the last resources recklessly on getting to the mountain and to be forced to accept that there will be nothing for a return journey. I'm sure Merry has always been respectful of Sam before, because Merry is just like that, but here's the start of the admiration that will be so obvious between the three of them in later years. The next thing I think of is storytelling. Merry has heard Bilbo tell the story so many times that he can re-tell it so convincingly that Legolas thinks Merry must know of the wine of his countrymen. I think of Pippin's gift of storytelling, and how he passes it on to his son, and how Farry becomes as good at telling the stories of the Elf and the Dwarf, as Merry is here telling Bilbo's tales. And then I think of how the story of the Lord of the Rings is part of the stories that we tell. It's so familiar in my family that everyone can recognize the random quotes that get inserted into everyday conversation, not only of Tolkien's original words but of some of the cherished fanfiction stories as well. We are truly part of the ongoing tale, which makes me smile. Finally, there is this: Merry sat a long while in front of his unfinished dinner, pondering the words of the king. Merry's original loyalty was to Theoden, whom he loved like a father, but I think that he has great respect for Eomer also at this point. Merry has been to busy surviving to really spend a lot of time thinking about all the evil he has seen so far. Now, he's starting to turn it all over in that agile mind of his. Later on, we're going to see the results of this introspection. Eomer has a rather casual attitute toward the 'mopping up' campaign. Merry knows 'war is different,' but he still has to be uncomfortable with the routine was Eomer, Legolas and Gimli are going to go out and slaughter. And although Eomer is serious about his remarks about posting a guard on the Shire, that Merry has to explain several ways that hobbits take life seriously and don't murder, before Eomer grasps it, points up even further the differences of his people from men. He's going to spend more time thinking about it, and still ahead is the experience he will have watching hobbits lose some of their innocence as they have to fight to free the Shire. Eventually, he is going to take the concept that Eomer almost casually introduces here even further, and really push for keeping the hobbits as innocent of the evil of men as possible, to the point of arguing with Frodo about how much to include in the Red Book. Yet, here is the beginning of it. Another beginning. It's great to read this knowing what will happen so many stories later, and see the little seeds.

Bodkin · 11 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Pondering

I rather love the thought of Legolas carrying Merry, Pippin and Sam to visit Mirkwood and take part in Wood-elf celebrations... The healing hands and voice of a hobbit - it's as if Aragorn called Frodo and Sam back from the gates of death, but it is Merry who is drawing them back to life. Oh dear - the idea of banning Men from the Shire came from Eomer, did it? Actually, it sounds rather like a simple Rohirric cause and effect solution. Does Rohan have weregild, though? Where - under the right circumstances - life can be paid for other than with life? Merry is still under a lot of stress ... some ups, but some downs, too.

Andrea · 10 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Pondering

'That's all for the moment,' he whispered to Frodo and Sam. 'Don't go anywhere; I'll be back to tell you more, later.' Aw! "Don't go anywhere". As if they could! It's fascinating to see Merry's carefree way of speaking to Frodo and Sam on the one hand, and to know on the other hand that he has a lot to worry about. What a hobbit! (Maybe, I repeat myself ;-)) 'But now I see that we must guard you as well against the contagion of the violence that is a part of our kind, not just that which might be used against you.' If Eomer had known how true his suspicions were! Lotho and his helpers are the best examples of hobbits "infected" by men!

Mysterious Jedi · 10 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Pondering

Excellent, as always

harrowcat · 10 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Pondering

I am quite surprised that Merry only writes a herbal later - perhaps he should re-write all these stories for the healers of Gondor! This writ of exclusion is truly double-edged as Eomer observes but I am not yet sure that it was such a brilliant idea. Born out of care and love for the hobbits yes but is it also a little patronising and dangerous? You don't help children to grow up properly and healthy by keeping them wrapped in cotton wool and away from all risk. The hobbits are not children and have already proved to be more resilient than men thought. I know that you are working with what the Prof gave us but sometimes I wonder whether this was for the best.

Larner · 9 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Pondering

How wonderful that Eomer himself feels that the Shire should be protected from learning violence and hatred and internal warfare. Fascinating!

PIppinfan1988 · 9 May 2006 · Chapter 5: Waking Up Again

Again, most excellent dream sequence. :-) I do hope Merry doesn't allow the darkness, the hopelessness, to overwhelm him too much--it is important to watch over kith and kin, but he oughtn't to ignore himself. Lovely chapter! Pippinfan p.s. Yes, I am a Sailor (US Navy-Ret.). You can take the Sailor out of the Sea, but not the Sea out of the Sailor. ;-)

Pearl Took · 9 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Pondering

'There should be a guard set about the borders of the Shire,' he said. 'We ought to protect your people from the evil influence of Man. Would that you were not contaminated by our madness.' Our madness indeed, and as much a part of human kind as our good qualities. Woe to those who forget we have both within us. Like Merry - I sit in deep thought at your words . . .

shirebound · 9 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Pondering

When he entered, he saw his cousin's face for the first time since their parting at Parth Galen What a fascinating concept. And although by the time Frodo and Sam wake, Merry will be used to how they look, Frodo and Sam will be astonished at the changes in Merry and Pippin! And Eomer whispered in the King's ear about the guard on the Shire! :D

Bodkin · 4 May 2006 · Chapter 8: Getting Better

Poor Merry. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders at the moment. He really doesn't need to have to be dealing with the peculiarities of Men's 'justice'. It's to be hoped that Pippin is well enough to offer him some support soon. In some ways, I reckon he shows greater heroism here than he did in battle - sometimes brave deeds are easier than offering endless nurturing and cheerful story-telling.

Larner · 3 May 2006 · Chapter 8: Getting Better

One more worry, and a great one indeed, on behalf of both Beregond and Pippin. How horrible to contemplate that Pippin might be required to watch that beheading, or even perhaps to commit it! Man, am creeping myself out here! Anyway, server is finally repaired--or at least temporarily. I HATE computer problems--HATE them! Hope I might come down in a week or two--will see how the schedule goes. Note the new email address, btw.

Larner · 3 May 2006 · Chapter 7: Spending Time

Good reading of the hands of the three. And love the idea of these princes of Halflings being so honored by the healers. Yes, Pippin is giving fair warning, isn't he? Heh!

Larner · 3 May 2006 · Chapter 6: (Not) Getting Up

Poor Pippin--so wanting to be up and doing and yet not able to follow through properly. At least Aragorn is well advised as to how to deal with him. And love the recognition that Hobbit hand-holding is healing to Frodo and Sam. Now, for Merry himself to begin healing. Not an easy thing with his exhaustion and worry for the others, though. But Aragorn handles that well, too.

FantasyFan · 2 May 2006 · Chapter 8: Getting Better

Poor Merry. I almost feel worse for him than for Beregond. The guardsman has had time to come to terms with what he did and what the cost will be, but Merry is in a strange place, with incomprehensible customs, homesick, heavy with grief over his cousins' and Sam's injuries, and not over his own. He doesn't need another worry. Plus, Merry tends to internalize all his troubles so much. He'll make himself sicker before he's better. I think of his later battles with the Darkness. He hasn't learned yet how to walk in the light - really he's still in shock from everything that has happened. But his courage is never in question, or the strength of his will. Good thing we know it all turns out well, or the sadness would be hard to take.

Pearl Took · 2 May 2006 · Chapter 8: Getting Better

I think I've not been getting my notices about this story, I had no idea I was so far behind. This is all so rough on poor Merry. The only hobbit who is well, and he isn't even all that well. You are dealing so well with his hurt and worries. MEWD!! as always :)

Andrea · 2 May 2006 · Chapter 8: Getting Better

And the burden keeps getting heavier! Poor Merry! I think Wyeth should call for Aragorn anyway! Well, Merry is one of my favourite hobbits, too. He shares first place with Frodo. I simply can not separate them :)

shirebound · 2 May 2006 · Chapter 8: Getting Better

Merry stretched and yawned. 'No, I'm waking up,' he said. 'What time is it?' 'Nearly suppertime,' Pippin said. 'You've slept through elevenses, dinner, and teatime, too.' The guardsmen exchanged an amused look at this quaint Halfling way of telling time. I do love that! Ohhh, poor Merry, bearing so many emotional burdens on his small shoulders.