Library of the Lesser Smials by Pipkin Sweetgrass
Pearl Took · 9 November 2008 · Chapter 4: Sons Of
Bravo! Bravo!! Bravissimo!!! A lovely tale. I love the understanding of boys and the burdens they bear as they become men. Yes, let them have their silliness, their tussles and their ill-said words while they may. A wonderful story, Pipkin!
Larner · 8 November 2008 · Chapter 4: Sons Of
Ah, how darling! From Elboron's description of how the poop deck came to its name to the reunion with the children's fathers, to the naming of the small ship... And it was such a pleasure to see Stevenson's poem here! Yes, a lovely tale to read (and read again!)!
Celeritas · 7 November 2008 · Chapter 4: Sons Of
Wow! This was exceedingly well-written, and the first Lothiriel-pov fic I've come across that's not shippy! The notion of Elboron taking to the Sea just as thoroughly as Eowyn rejects it was highly amusing, as well as Elanor's "perspicacious" comment: she does seem to be the type that would try to use Big Words as soon as possible, if not sooner! And Pippin, managing to slip nuggets of wisdom amid all his mirth, was perfect (though possibly not that comment at the end, *grin*!). So there were so many different little things that made this entire tale enjoyable. Thank you! ~Celeritas
shirebound · 7 November 2008 · Chapter 4: Sons Of
Such are halflings... indeed! What a lovely tale, Pipkin.
shirebound · 7 November 2008 · Chapter 3: Concerning the Curious Healing Properties of Soup
Ohhh, what a lovely, soothing story! I love Fellowship stories where they all work together to accomplish something each person could never have done on his own. And this... “Some day, if we succeed in our effort, perhaps the cradle songs for your own young ones will be brighter and happier songs."... It came true after all, didn't it?
cathleen · 7 November 2008 · Chapter 4: Sons Of
Pipkin, as lovely and poignant on the second read! Thank you!
nautika · 11 February 2007 · Chapter 3: Concerning the Curious Healing Properties of Soup
I thought I'd reviewed this, but I didnt see it when I checked. I am so glad to see Boromir so well featured. I'm sure no one expected him to be quite so handy to have around for his needle and peppers! Now that I've found your stories, I hope you have lots more out there about 'my guy' and his little ones.
Author's reply
Thanks so much, sweetie! Matter of fact...if they don't have Boromir, I don't do 'em, except for Theif of Hearts. All others either have Boromir or at least a sense of his presence. When I think in terms of writing Tolkien fanfic, I think about Boromir and Pippin, usually with a bit of Merry, too. Thanks so much for the review! It means so much to hear someone liked a story!
nautika · 11 February 2007 · Chapter 0: Shells
I've never seen Ioreth quite so kindly done. Grin. I just cant imagine taking something as simple as crab and turning it into a Boromir story. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Larner · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 3: Concerning the Curious Healing Properties of Soup
Yes, a proper song to sing to remember the son of Denethor. And quite the story to tell, of young Pippin getting sick and the snipe soup.
Author's reply
Thanks so much! I need to post some more here...
Larner · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 1: Thief of Hearts: How Pippin Stole Merry's Heart
Did I read this on FFN? It's a wonderful tale, after all, of Merry coming to realize there's something special about this new cousin of his. Am glad to read it again, I know.
Larner · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 0: Shells
I read this in the collection you folks put together, and I do love it, and love it still. Yes, we're soft inside, like the crabs. Love to turn over rocks on the beach and find the little Dungeness crabs scurrying for new cover.
Andrea · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 1: Thief of Hearts: How Pippin Stole Merry's Heart
Awww! What a sweet little story! Merry is so careful with the baby - but after all he's a big lad now ;-) And he was enchanted from the first moment on. That I can understand! "Enchanted" is just the right word for it. Thank you!
Author's reply
Thank*you*! It was my pleasure!
Antane · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 3: Concerning the Curious Healing Properties of Soup
Yes, happy songs are much better for the cradle than the other. Love your ending! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you very much for your kindness and attention! It means so much to a writer to hear from a reader, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.
Antane · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 1: Thief of Hearts: How Pippin Stole Merry's Heart
Love at first sight! How sweet! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Indeed! Who could *not* adore Pippin, much less a wee baby Pippin? Thanks so much for the kind words.
Dreamflower · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 3: Concerning the Curious Healing Properties of Soup
How lovely to see this here! You know, I forgot to mention something when I reviewed at the Challenge site: I'm with Pippin--Why *aren't* there any wild chickens, I wonder?
Author's reply
Hmmmm...maybe hobbits ate 'em all? Thanks for the review. I always feel good after getting one!
SlightlyTookish · 6 February 2007 · Chapter 1: Thief of Hearts: How Pippin Stole Merry's Heart
Eeeee, this is so delightful!! I love how Pippin was able to win over the most reluctant of Merrys :) Of course Merry wants "this one" - I'm so glad he came around to realize it! This is such a lovely story!
Author's reply
Thank you so very much! This was inspired by the immortal "Ernil i Pheriannath: Pippin's Darker, More Serious Side" thread at the now-defunct billyboyd.net. I owe so much to the regulars at that long-ago forum. Thanks again, reviews mean so much!
Kitty · 4 December 2006 · Chapter 1: Thief of Hearts: How Pippin Stole Merry's Heart
Wonderful ficlet, Pipkin! You caught Merry's feelings very well - the fear now the attention of everyone would center around his little cousin and he himself would be forgotten, his jealousy at their arrival as it happened exactly as he had feared. Then the decision not to enjoy the day, and after that his first encounter with Pippin, fascinated more or less against his will. This encounter was so cute! Merry was so obviously enchanted from the very first sight of the baby, and I think as soon Pippin is a little older, he will have his cousin savely wrapped around his little finger. Somehow I doubt Merry will be able to deny him much. I look forward to more. *hugs* Kitty
Author's reply
Thanks so much! I'm very pleased you liked my fic and hope to read more reviews soon!
Pearl Took · 3 December 2006 · Chapter 1: Thief of Hearts: How Pippin Stole Merry's Heart
"How could they take on so over a little baby when there was such a fine lad like himself around? Could they not see that a big eight-year-old lad must be more fun than a baby?" Very true, big lads are more fun than a baby in many ways . . . LOL! I love this story :-) Merry and Pip are both so precious!
Author's reply
*hugs you*
shirebound · 3 December 2006 · Chapter 1: Thief of Hearts: How Pippin Stole Merry's Heart
Peregrin looked up at Merry and made a small, soft, happy sound. And so it had begun. Wonderful! This is a precious scene.
Author's reply
Precious indeed! As are your words! Thank you so much!
SlightlyTookish · 30 November 2006 · Chapter 0: Shells
This is a delightful story. I loved Ioreth's tender care of Pippin and the story she told of young Boromir and Faramir. Lovely work :)
Author's reply
Thank you so very much! But thank Lindelea too, it was her bunny!
Larner · 29 November 2006 · Chapter 0: Shells
I don't see much of a hard shell around Pippin ever--I fear he's very much a soft-shell crab in my own estimation. But I love the story and love the image of the old nurse leaning down in spite of her arthritis to kiss Pippin's cheek.
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked the story! I think what I may have missed in getting the point across is the "tough as old roots" thing, which Tolkien himself said. Plus, Pippin did grow up a lot during the quest. After all he did threaten to give a bad guy a taste of that troll's bane during the scouring of the Shire... Anyway, that was my point. I hope my explaination helped you to see what I was trying to do. Thanks again ever so much for the kind review!
Kitty · 29 November 2006 · Chapter 0: Shells
Imrahil is right, I think; the shells are a fitting comparison. And Boromir was so sweet, wanting to take care of his little brother even at his own tender age. I think Boromir took his duty very seriously and protected Faramir until the fateful trip to Imladris. It seems they have never the obvious favouritism of their father allowed to get between them. Though I disagree with Ioreth about the 'lambs'. They are nice, all three, of course, but lambs? A wolf in sheep's clothing, more likely. They're warriors, after all - even Pippin has become one. Just accidentally discovered your 'Beecharmed: Missing scenes' at ff.net. Do you plan to post them here, too? Reviewing is so much better here at SoA.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked it! Oh, I didn't mean that I thought they were lambs. With Ioreth, however, I wanted to show how very protective and even biased we can be about our loved ones. I imagine a nurse would be very protective of her charges. Especially in regard to two orphaned boys and an irrepressible little charmer like Pippin... Also, the shells are a coming-of-age thing. A crab must shed its shell to grow, you see. I had great fun with this fic and I hope you'll visit the Lesser Smials often. The missing scenes will find themselves in the new Beecharmer. I just think they'll fill it out. And watch for some real surprises. And I mean doozies, too. hugs, Pipkin
Pearl Took · 29 November 2006 · Chapter 0: Shells
“A lamb, I tell you,” Good lessons learned in this sweet tale. Boromir and Faramir have a rougher life ahead of them than anyone guessed, I'm sure, and their shells grew to be quite solid. But it is clear from LOTR that they kept their soft spots. Especially when hobbits were involved. Wonderfully done, Pipkin!
Author's reply
*hugs you*
shirebound · 29 November 2006 · Chapter 0: Shells
Too soon you will have shells of your own to protect you, when you grow to be men. Yet when you are grown to manhood, do not forget, you may be hard on the outside, but inside, keep a soft spot or two, for those whom you hold dear.” What a perfect analogy between the vulnerable boys (or injured hobbit) and the crabs. This is wonderful. Dear Ioreth -- all her charges will always be her "lambs", won't they? :D
Author's reply
Thank you so very much! Yes, they will always be her lambs! After all, one such as she is bound to be a bit biased! And in some ways she is right, they were lambs, even if not *all* the time, LOL! hugs, Pipkin