Missing by TopazTook
Grey Wonderer · 16 May 2007 · Chapter 6: First Light
Oh no! I can't help but worry now. I wonder what has happened and what Paladin might be planning for the search? This is very good and I will be waiting for more.
Author's reply
Thank you! It is always good to make readers wonder what happens next.
Dreamflower · 16 May 2007 · Chapter 6: First Light
Oh dear! Poor Merry and Frodo! And what's *happened* to Pip?
Author's reply
Yes, as if Merry and Frodo didn’t have their *own* problems in this story... I’m guessing we’ll have to wait for the next chapter to get an inkling of what’s happened to Pip....
Garnet Took · 16 May 2007 · Chapter 6: First Light
Poor Merry. He has got to be even more miserable and worried than ever. This chapter was too short.:) I wanted more.
Author's reply
I know it’s too short.:) That’s just where this chapter wanted to break.
Larner · 16 May 2007 · Chapter 6: First Light
Ah, a sad awakening indeed.
Author's reply
Yes, a pretty sad chapter. Thanks for reading.
Larner · 25 April 2007 · Chapter 5: Shadows
Swaying dark? Someone has found him, then, and is carrying him away, perhaps in a wagon or cart? Very interesting!
Author's reply
Hmm, good guesses. We shall see. :)
Grey Wonderer · 24 April 2007 · Chapter 5: Shadows
First I have to thank you for this line: (he whipped the blankets back to reveal a large stuffed sheep,) I laughed out loud in the middle of all of the distress and the search when I realized that a sheep had slipped into the lovely story. Poor Pippin! I do hope he is found soon. I also hope Merry isn't feeling too guilty. He was trying to help Frodo and he certainly has his hands full there. I liked the way you aluded to the RING in this part with Frodo glancing over at his trousers as he mentioned how Bilbo had never married. Nicely done as the RING just begins to take hold.
Author's reply
Those Sheep: they’re wily. Thanks for noticiing the Ring connection -- there are begining to be some foreshadowings of darkness, even in the Shire. Plus, that has a lot to do with the title of this chapter. I don’t think Merry is going to take this lightly: he feels responsible for *both* cousins.
Dreamflower · 24 April 2007 · Chapter 5: Shadows
Oh dear! Where *is* poor hurt little Pippin? Everyone's frantic now--you showed that so well. I did like the interplay between Frodo and Merry at the beginning. I loved that Merry needed reassurance that Frodo *did* have fun after all. But he should not have pushed things. And the way Merry was at first merely puzzled at Pippin's absence from his bed was so realistic--we never do think a child's *really* missing, do we? We always assume they are with someone else...
Author's reply
Thank you; yes, I do think Merry needs to hear reassurance (a la Sally Field -- you liked it? you really liked it?). And it would have just seemed so “off” after a pleasant hobbit party to think that something could really go wrong and Pippin be missing.
Garnet Took · 24 April 2007 · Chapter 5: Shadows
For some reason, I thought I'd been reviewing this story. I've been reading, but I haven't left a review. This is really good. I know Merry would be quick to blame himself for Pippin's disapearance. He wasn't being as attentive to him as usual, but he was rightfully concerned with Frodo. Hope you update soon.
Author's reply
Thankyou. Yes, Merry is feeling responsible for both Pippin and Frodo here -- although I think there’s a little more guilt associated with his feelings for Pippin, since he is younger. I hope I can update soon, too. We shall have to see how my life goes.
Andrea · 2 April 2007 · Chapter 4: In the Twilight
Oh, dear! Poor Pippin! That sounds as if he will have to wait a very long time before help arrives. I loved the chapter in which Pippin "looked after" his Grandmama, a very nice hobbitess. When Frodo and Merry are now dancing with the others, Merry might have succeeded in cheering Frodo up AND Frodo might have forgiven Merry that he did not mention the birthday party! But still, someone has to find little Pippin, as soon as possible!
Author's reply
Well, we'll see what happens to Pippin in a little while (I realize the title of the story does give a *wee* hint of a clue...) Thank you for the comment on the previous chapter. I rather like Violet as well. Frodo and Merry are at least having some fun at this party. (They like dancing with pretty lasses, although Pippin's not so thrilled with the concept yet.)
Grey Wonderer · 1 April 2007 · Chapter 4: In the Twilight
Uh-oh. Looks like Pippin has found trouble. It also looks as if it will be a while before anyone looks for him. I was glad to find more of this one and now, a cliff-hanger! I will be anxiously awaiting more.
Author's reply
Pippin does seem to have a knack for finding trouble, doesn't he? This would be a key cliffhanger chapter. I'm hoping to have more up relatively soon.
Larner · 31 March 2007 · Chapter 4: In the Twilight
Poor lad! He's lost his biscuits and, apparently, consciousness as well. Hope that it's not a wild dog coming. Poor Pippin!
Author's reply
Yes, poor Pippin -- not only does he get injured, but he also loses the food! Hmm, well so far we know it's an "animal's" whufflings...
Dreamflower · 31 March 2007 · Chapter 4: In the Twilight
Oh dear! Poor baby! I hope he's found very soon...
Author's reply
Yes, poor Pippin: he certainly suffers a lot in fanfic.
Pearl Took · 31 March 2007 · Chapter 4: In the Twilight
Oh no! Poor young thing! I hope someone finds our lad soon. So beautifully written, Topaz!
Author's reply
Thank you, Pearl! The poor little guy has rather gotten himself into a mess, here...
Larner · 28 February 2007 · Chapter 3: Bed In Summer
I remember both my mother reading me that when I was small, and then my Kindergarten teacher, who loved RLS. I related when daylight savings started, and I'd go to bed when the clock read nine but the sun was still out, there toward the end of the school year. I've never forgiven those who have saddled us with daylight savings time to this day!
Author's reply
I didn't read until an adult (although I do love Robert Louis Stevenson), but certainly can remember the sentiment! (And guess what? Daylight Savings Time starts early this year -- next weekend already! Good grief. And it doesn't end until November.)
Grey Wonderer · 27 February 2007 · Chapter 3: Bed In Summer
So very sweet. I love that Pippin was brave enough to sit on his grandmother's lap even though he hardly knew her. I also like the fact that he knows that not everything he is told by the adults is completely true. Clever Pip!
Author's reply
Like I just said to dreamflower, I like showing Pippin as a child learning about and exhibiting some of the same traits he'll exhibit when he grows up. I figured he wouldn't be one of the shy kids, LOL.
Dreamflower · 27 February 2007 · Chapter 3: Bed In Summer
Aww...Topaz, this is just so very sweet. I love little Pippin's dawning realization that he can be "nice" and be of help to people, and that it is a pleasant thing to do. And it's so lovely--makes me curious about that Banks grandmother, and what the real reason might be that Pippin hasn't visited.
Author's reply
Thank you. It is fun to show him learning to be the kind-hearted hobbit he grows up to be. I think the reasons Pippin hasn't visited has, as Violet thinks, more to do with his and his grandfather's health than his age. Poor Violet is still missing her husband in this story...but she's also finding it an opportunity to get to know her grandson.
Pearl Took · 27 February 2007 · Chapter 3: Bed In Summer
It is quite nice to be kind to others. Pip's a good wee lad. And I love the poem/song! How very true it is. Well done, Topaz :-)
Author's reply
Thank you! He is very kind-hearted. And I love Robert Louis Stevenson.
Grey Wonderer · 30 January 2007 · Chapter 2: Festive Heirs
Poor Frodo. I don't know if he will convince Merry or if Merry will convince him. In either case I think both of them will be hearing more from Pippin on the subject. I'm glad you posted tonight. I needed a bedtime story! I'm looking forward to more of this one.
Author's reply
Well, each of the cousins has his own road to travel in relation to the title. Glad I provided you with a bedtime story. At my house last night, that was "Good Night, Moon" (good night nobody...good night mush...good night air...good night noises everywhere)
Pearl Took · 30 January 2007 · Chapter 2: Festive Heirs
I love Merry's determination! I think Frodo is up against a worthy "foe". Well done :-)
Author's reply
Well, they both do have strong personalities -- according to Merry, anyway, they're both Brandybucks. ;) Thanks.
Larner · 30 January 2007 · Chapter 2: Festive Heirs
Unfortunately, this was not one grief Frodo could spare Merry (or anyone, for that matter). Losing those we love is simply a part of life.
Author's reply
Yes, it is an unfortunate but inevitable sadness that comes to all of us.
Dreamflower · 30 January 2007 · Chapter 2: Festive Heirs
I do like how well you've done Merry in this chapter--his careful planning and managing ways and his over-developed sense of responsibility have already come to the fore. But he's still young enough to not yet realize that *some* things can't be planned for, and that feelings can't be managed in the same way events are. But Frodo at least understands that Merry meant well. His last words were so sad, and a bit of foreshadowing as well.
Author's reply
Thanks -- that's exactly what I was going for with Merry! (Wonder what *he's* "missing" in this story...) Frodo does understand Merry pretty well. He was probably too distracted to let himself realize he was being manipulated into this trip, or he would have caught on earlier. And that foreshadowing...well, I can't help myself with things like that.
Dreamflower · 30 January 2007 · Chapter 1: Many Happy Returns
Poor little Pippin--he's just trying to help! And so is Merry. But I wonder just how much Frodo is going to appreciate that help--I don't think he's ready to give over his sorrow yet.
Author's reply
Yes, I think Frodo would still be in a type of grieving at this point, since it hasn't even been a year since Bilbo left. And I think this may be one of those instances where the age difference between Pippin and Merry does impact how they understand or experience different things.
Dreamflower · 30 January 2007 · Chapter 0
Oh dear! What a start!
Author's reply
Nothing like starting things off with a bang, so to speak. :)
Larner · 19 January 2007 · Chapter 1: Many Happy Returns
Pearl's birthday, is it? And Frodo's reminded of Bilbo's going by smoke, is he? Alas, Frodo--he has his share of grief, but also his share of accomplishment.
Author's reply
At this point, at least, Bilbo's leaving and the party that accompanied it are still pretty recent for Frodo -- it was only a few months ago, in terms of when the story's set. And, yes, it is Pearl's birthday.
Larner · 19 January 2007 · Chapter 0
A good chapter for setting the mood. I see you've chosen a Scottish burr, and set the family of young Pippin within the Great Smial instead of on the farm at Whitwell.
Author's reply
Yes; this is the case in "my" fanfic version of the Shire. See my story "What Child Is This?" for further explanation.