Andrea
· 3 July 2007
· Chapter 22: Penny Buns or The Straw Hat Chronicles Part I
"Wilful?!" Merimac bristled. "She's gormless and hoggish!"
LOL!!! Hoggish indeed! Because like the famous truffle hogs Mac's pony is able to find mushrooms.
I agree with Saradoc that Minx is his brother's perfect mount ;-)
So this is the beginning of "The Straw Hat Chronicles"? That sounds very promising!
The first that came into my mind when I read Straw Hat, was Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn! Young Mac is not so very different from those two, now is he? ;-)
Author's reply
*grins*
Yes, truffle hogs were what I had in mind while writing this - the reason why Saradoc has to take Minx with him to find more mushrooms :)
In fact, the straw hat already appeared in Master's Heir, Master's Son and I have at least one story where the straw hat will appear again - though it isn't yet written. But then, Mac is a tween for more than ten years - there will certainly arise more situations full of mischief and the straw hat :)
I must admit, I never read Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.... but I know them, of course. Mac, as bad as those two, though? REALLY? No wonder Old Rory isn't pleased.
Andrea
· 15 June 2007
· Chapter 21: Precious
Wow! What a girl! Apparently, Esme frightened Merimac that much that he swallowed the ring. Poor boy, he must have been terrified ;-)
On the other hand, Esmeralda is a Took, and if you take a look at Pippin and his impulsiveness, it is no wonder that Esme reacts that *drastically*!
Through the years and her marriage to a Brandybuck she might have calmed down considerably, but if you read Larner's story "Second Mum", you can still see glimpses of that temper, especially when Esme is confronted with Lobelia ;-)
Nice chapter, Lily! Thank you very much!
Author's reply
Ah, yes... Esme has a temper and Larner caught that really well with her story. If Esmeralda in Schicksalsjahre is only half as well described as her Esme I would be very happy indeed. Larner described just the Esme I always imagine (and she will be there more often in future chapters).
Merimac was indeed desperate or he would never have swallowed the ring. Thankfully all went well and nobody had to stick fingers down anybody's throat :)
Larner
· 12 June 2007
· Chapter 21: Precious
Poor lad--what a thing to do! And poor Esme, wanting to take out her disappointment on someone, causing such an incident! Two days? Oh my goodness!
Author's reply
Well, Merimac was desperate. Who wouldn't be when cornered by a furious Esmeralda and an interfering Paladin? As for the ring, well, it's two days at the most. It needs to be digested after all :)
I think, in the end, Esme was even angrier with herself than with Merimac or her sisters. And she was frightened, but she would not say that, not in front of everybody.
demeter d
· 30 May 2007
· Chapter 3: Tomp Tomp
How delightful! I just finished the story about little Bluebell, and thought i would re-visit a few of your earlier ones. Every child needs such uncles and cousins around to grow up with. In our family, my mother did the walk on her feet trick. it always made me feel like I was taking big, grown-up steps, too. The rebellious Rascal of Buckland is far in the future at this point. So, too is the kind of trouble that Frodo could not easily share.
Author's reply
I missused my cousin for the feet trick just like Frodo. However, I don't have such good a relationship with my cousin as Frodo has with Merimac or Saradoc later on.
Frodo might be rebellious in the future and unable to share his sorrows, but he has cousin who will always look after him and care for him.
demeter d
· 30 May 2007
· Chapter 20: Among Family
Nellothiel! That sounds very melodious, indeed elvish. Families needle you about things like children because they care. It is always amusing to see once wild lads of any culture grow up and become fathers, especially fathers of pretty little maids! Frodo still thinks fondly of a lass from his past. But by now, he has lived with Bilbo and the ring for long enough to have his spirit darkened by it. But he could never tell his relatives about that, could he? It is pleasant to see Frodo in happy moments. Lovely little story.
Author's reply
But he could never tell his relatives about that, could he?
Well, I doubt he knew. He's only just 33 and might not even be aware of the Ring's effects. And if he were aware, I doubt he would have associated that with the Ring.
As for Merimac... well, let's just say, Esme is right about him :)
Bodkin
· 24 May 2007
· Chapter 20: Among Family
Ahh!
Sweet baby - and Frodo really could do with his own family. With lots of children. But, unfortunately, we know he won't get it.
Merimac, having been such a flirt, will be a very protective father of his little Bluebell.
Author's reply
*grins*
Yes, Merimac will be very protective - and he will teach Berilac to be the same :)
Andrea
· 19 May 2007
· Chapter 20: Among Family
"Besides, he isn't exactly ugly," Merimac went on, oblivious. "There have to be some lasses attracted by him."
ROTFL!!! Oh my! Mac is just wonderful, even if he is indeed *a little* blunt ;-)
Well, from your German story I know that Frodo had at least one girl-friend, if that is a suitable expression for hobbits.
Some people say that it was due to The Ring that he never married. What's your opinion?
If there was something in LOTR I could have wished for, it would have been a family of his own for Frodo!
Author's reply
Clover, in fact, is borrowed from my German story. Nelke in English doesn't sound nice so I changed it to Clover... and Mac knows about the two of them even in the German story .... and will know even more as the years pass by :)
I agree with the common opinion that the Ring is one of the main reasons why Frodo never married. I can't think it really "allowed" him to love.
He would really have deserved to have a family of his own though.
BTW: Have you been looking at my homepage lately? There is a new drawing of Merimac.
Larner
· 19 May 2007
· Chapter 20: Among Family
Nelothiel, is it? I'll have to remember that one!
And there is nothing at all wrong with Bonnie (after all, that's my given name! Heh!) It would have suited her well!
Love the argument and the admonition for Frodo to find his own love and begin his own family. I often wish he had done so.
And poor Mac--surrounded by womenfolk and poor Frodo. And, yes, this also is Frodo's home.
Author's reply
I'm not sure about Nelothiel. I made it up with help of an Elvish dictionary and it had a nice ring to it :)
It would have been wonderful if Frodo had a family of his own. He would really have deserved that. But well, at least he has one family who will always be there for him - in spite of the teasing :)
Thanks for reading.
Bodkin
· 1 May 2007
· Chapter 19: Between Leaves
Poor Merimac - one way or the other, it's always his fault. Good thing his shoulders are broad and his affection for his cousin is constant.
Author's reply
His affection is constant and I believe he secretly likes being the bad influence :)
Larner
· 25 April 2007
· Chapter 19: Between Leaves
Ah, love this moment between the two cousins as they find one more reason to bond together.
I knew there was a reason I had Frodo turn to Mac as the one to teach him how to defend himself and others. Heh!
Author's reply
Thanks a lot!
And which story might that be where you have Frodo turn to Merimac as to one to teach him how to defend himself. Merimac has offered the same thing to him in my German story but Frodo declined - or rather, Merimac declined after finding out that Frodo could very well defend himself in a fight.
Andrea
· 25 April 2007
· Chapter 19: Between Leaves
Wow! This is great!
I did read a couple of stories where Frodo was the one to rescue a young cousin (mostly Pippin, I think). But never before have I seen a story in which Frodo was rescued from a tree!
And, my, could she kiss!
LOL!!! Mac had a lot of practice before he finally married! But I forgive him, he's really a charming hobbit.
"You should have taught me how to climb down as well," the lad declared. "You can't just show me how to climb up, you know. If momma knew about it she would rip off your head."
So, Mac was Frodo's teacher? Well, he should have known...
"But you caught me," Frodo pointed out and flung his arms around him as soon as Merimac scrambled into a sitting position. "You're my bestest cousin!"
And this is of course the "bestest" compliment Merimac could have wished for :)
Thank you very much, Lily! I enjoyed this story a great deal :)
(BTW, I saw your Merimac icon and I think it's really lovely!)
Author's reply
stories where Frodo was the one to rescue a young cousin
I thought about that as well, but then - knowing some of these stories myself - I decided that Frodo must have known out of experience that young hobbit-lads sometimes end up on trees and don't dare to come down :)
Mac had a lot of practice before he finally married!
In kissing - yes :)
So, Mac was Frodo's teacher?
Of course he was. Nobody else is so close a cousin to Frodo and willing to teach all kinds of nonsense. Well, Saradoc might be but at this time he is busy courting Esme :) Merimac should have known perhaps, but then he didn't climb up to the very top with Frodo and the last few steps were no problem anymore for Frodo.
Aren't they lovely icons? I need to make better screencaps, as soon as mom sends me my DVD, and then I might be swamped with Merimac icons :)
Bodkin
· 15 April 2007
· Chapter 18: Pets
Poor Merimac! What potential for disaster - mice under the bed! I love the way he galvanises Saradoc into action and they both seize on Aunt Primula's strength of mind to save them from their mother. (Not to mention the brotherly sniping at each other.)
But even escaping this pit can't stop the lad! I just hope his mother likes rabbits.
Author's reply
First Rorimac must agree to the rabbits, then they have to build a hutch and finally they still need to catch one. The rabbit will probably be far too wild and scratch the poor young boy after which Merimac will quickly lose interest :p
The brothers love each other fiercly - especially because they have someone to tease without getting into too much trouble :)
Larner
· 12 April 2007
· Chapter 18: Pets
Ornery pair, Saradoc and Merimac Brandybuck. Cute--very cute.
But stairs--inside a hole? Hmm.
Author's reply
They are a very quarrelsome pair, indeed. Thanks for reading.
The stairs, for me, are an exception in Brandy Hall and maybe the Great Smials. Since it is said that several hundrets of relatives lived there I imagened that there was need of a second floor otherwise Buckhill would have seemed more like a dam than a hill to me. And they wouldn't be very steep or long stairs anyway.
Andrea
· 12 April 2007
· Chapter 18: Pets
Really, sometimes I wonder who is worse of the two of you.
Yeah, I wonder that myself ;-)
Merimac tried his most pleading and devastated look on his brother. His eyes were wide as saucers, his lips trembled, and if he concentrated hard enough he might even manage a tear or two.
LOL!!! Last week I watched "Shrek 2". And if you have ever seen that movie, you'll certainly remember the cat. It was a real master in giving *that* look.
Well, I think Mac and his auntie both learned something that day. Mac decided to build his rabbit a bigger hutch (if he gets one, that is). And Primula is now prepared for that look, which she will see often enough on the face of he son ;-)
Author's reply
Yeah, I wonder that myself ;-)
So do I. Saradoc might be the responsible adult and respected Master of Buckland but his child-self is having quite a will of his own. Quite... Merimac, actually :p
Of course I remember Puss! And, thinking about it, yes, Merimac might have looked just like that. Now, everybody go "awww" please for the poor child :)
And Primula is now prepared for that look, which she will see often enough on the face of her son
Can one be prepared for that look? *goes "aww" all over again*
Thanks for reading, dear!
Andrea
· 10 April 2007
· Chapter 999999: Explanations on this Series and a List of Stories
Either Frodo is sneaking into the Merimac stories…or Merimac sneaks into what would be a Frodo story.
LOL!!! It's funny how often that happened (as far as I know, that is)!
But let me tell you that I like stories with Mac and Frodo very much :)
So, please continue in that way!
And I would like to read a young Esmeralda story. I don't think I've ever seen one.
Author's reply
Oh, I do enjoy Merimac and Frodo a lot. Merimac brings on a completely different (and very interesting) side of Frodo.
I actually intend to write a Saradoc/Esmeralda courting story one day - all I need are some ideas :)
Larner
· 10 April 2007
· Chapter 999999: Explanations on this Series and a List of Stories
A lovely collection, I must say. I now have at least three collections, and didn't bother putting them into any kind of order, although my post "Timeline" indicates roughly where each fits into the time scheme of LOTR.
Thanks for this intense look at Merimac.
Author's reply
Thanks a lot, Larner. I knew from the very beginning that I wouldn't have any order in the stories so I thought adding at least the year would be a good idea. Now that this project turns out to be far bigger than I intended I think it was in fact a very good thing to do.
I'm very happy you're enjoying these glimpses on Merimac's life. I never thought that so many people would read them after all Merimac is not exactly a known hobbit.
Bodkin
· 30 March 2007
· Chapter 17: A Little Rest
So sweet! As a jolly 'uncle' Merimac is much better positioned to offer comfort and understanding to Frodo - and he recognises that little Merry is even more likely to help the lad. I love the picture of sleeping Frodo, sandwiched between his two care-givers.
Author's reply
Saradoc is very happy to have a brother like Merimac (who is in such matters so unlike himself) and a son like Merry. It makes living with and caring for Frodo a lot easier.
Thanks for reading!
Andrea
· 28 March 2007
· Chapter 17: A Little Rest
That was perfect, Lily!
"I can all but hear you thinking, scallywag. Why don't you just leave your concerns and see what the afternoon has in store for you? I'm sure that mind of yours will welcome a little respite. It must be hurting being as busily occupied as it is."
That's exactly what keeps Frodo awake: he just can't stop thinking! I know that problem myself. And when it occurs, sleep is simply impossible. Fortunately, it doesn't happen very often ;-)
I liked the way Mac tried to help Frodo relax, with a different approach than his older brother would have tried.
Saradoc has much more responsibilities than Mac and so decisions can not be so easily made. Therefore he isn't able to speak so "freely" to Frodo as he would like to do.
Mac is right: The one who will help Frodo to confide in others again is little Merry, just by being there and loving his cousin! And he has made good progress so far.
"You're as much the scallywag as he is, little one, do you know that?"
LOL!!! That's definitely true!
Author's reply
That's the great difference between Saradoc and Mac. Saradoc thinks things over (because of his duties and education), Mac just does, rarely caring about consequences. Saradoc sees the "big picture", Mac mostly the moment only.
Thanks a lot!
Larner
· 28 March 2007
· Chapter 17: A Little Rest
Poor Frodo--smaller siblings can be such a pain, as our daughter learned when we fostered a toddler for a few years. He'd do the same with her as Merry with Frodo. And of course the love is there in spite of the griping.
Lovely scene here.
Author's reply
Thanks a lot, Larner. The love between Frodo and Merry is undeniable yet I can definitely understand Frodo's annoyance. It's not easy to share one's room, let alone one's bed after being used to an own room.
Bodkin
· 4 March 2007
· Chapter 16: A Father's Reflection
I can remember only too well the fear of the Firstborn's arrival - and worrying how on earth we would cope! And how much easier that was on subsequent occasions!
Poor Merimac, though - Adamanta is not having an easy time of it the second time round, and she's making sure she spreads the suffering. While Berilac's embarrassment and distaste for the idea of a sibling is just what you would expect - as is his wonder at the sheer perfection of a tiny baby.
Lovely.
Author's reply
I doubt Adamanta is making him suffer on purpose. It just... happened.And Merimac bore it well I must say.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Larner
· 2 March 2007
· Chapter 16: A Father's Reflection
Yes, she was awful! Poor Mac! That second pregnancy was obviously nothing like the first one. But it was worth it, well worth it.
Author's reply
She was a pest but, I think, Merimac will esteem his Mantha (and Bluebell) all the more now. They are a happy little family.
Larner
· 2 March 2007
· Chapter 3: Tomp Tomp
How on earth did I miss this one! How delightful, Frodo on Mac's feet, "tomping" across the lawn. Yes, Frodo would remember, and remember well! Heh!
Author's reply
I like the image a lot... especially since I demanded the same "game" from my own cousin :)
Elemmírë
· 2 March 2007
· Chapter 16: A Father's Reflection
You captured Mac's worries so well here, Lily. As someone who is not yet a parent, I can easily relate to his very valid concerns ... but then I realized that everyone goes through that stage, along with the realization that no one is born knowing how to be a parent. It's good that Mac will still have his own father to rely upon for advice.
You also did an awesome job of capturing Berilac's apprehension of going from a much older only child to suddenly being a big brother protective of his little sister. It would be nice to see something in the future where he is forced to indeed protect her ... perhaps during the occupation of the Shire. :D
I'm also looking forward to the Frodo meeting Bluebell fic, if you write it.
Well done!
~Elemmírë~
Author's reply
Thank you very much, Elemmire!
I'm actually thinking about writing a multi-chaptered Troubles fic so you might be able to see Berilac protecting her.
I think being able to ask his own father for advice is very comforting for Merimac.
Andrea
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 16: A Father's Reflection
Bravo!!!
That was beautifully written, Lily!
I especially liked old Rory's words: "Being a father is like being on a quest."
That's very true!
I loved the moment when Berilac held his little sister in his arms for the very first time. Of course he was fascinated, who would not be?
I remember when I held my little brother in my arms. I was eight years old and I loved him from the first moment on. He's now 26 years old, but he'll always be my "little" brother :)
You are going to write a story about Frodo and little Bluebell? That's wonderful! I'm looking forward to it!
Author's reply
I enjoyed that father-son-moment between Merimac and Rorimac a lot. I didn't give them much chance yet for such intimate conversations.
I like what you say about your brother. I think that's very true... you will always remain your parents daughter/son and a younger sibling will always remain the little brother/sister.
I'm thinking about a story with Frodo and Bluebell. So far it's only a tiny picture in my head and it might yet be months until I write it - but it is in my mind :) I want to discover the little Brandybuck as eagerly as I did her father :)
Dreamflower
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 16: A Father's Reflection
This is delightful!
I love Berilac's adolescent reaction to having a sibling, and how all his embarrassment and resentment completely melt away when he holds her.
I do hope we get to see some of the lass's growing up--her meetings with other cousins, like Merry, Frodo and Pippin, and a few of her other adventures.
And I can just imagine how fiercely protective Berilac will be of little Bluebell--especially as she gets a bit older, LOL!
Author's reply
Berilac will not be the only one fiercly protecting little Bluebell. I think it will be especially funny when she reaches her tweens. Merimac knows tween lads' habits all too well, I fear :)
Ever since little Bluebell first came into my mind I am thinking about her future. I already have a little idea for her first meeting with Frodo. I'm happy you like the little girl. She will certainly be another source for joy (and trouble) for Merimac and Adamanta :)