Reviews (32)

Pearl Took · 31 March 2007 · Chapter 5: For Frodo and Sam!

"It is his right," Éomer replied, "and he is now under my command, so there is no more to be said." He turned back to Merry, "Knight of Rohan, get you to the armourer at once and report back to me when you are suitably attired as befits your station." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Once again, Go Eomer! This is such a good gap filler, Llinos! I love Merry's stubbornness and good logic. Most Excellently Well Done!!

Pearl Took · 31 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Thain Pippimus, King of the Haystack

"I am hungry. What is the time?" "Merry!" Pippin almost shouted in joy. "Trust you to think first of food." "You should not be so surprised Peregrin Took," Gandalf gave a knowing wink to Éomer and Aragorn. "It is practically all you have spoken of to your cousin since I arrived here." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Perfect! I loved all the wonderful things Pippin spoke of to Merry. Perfect!

Pearl Took · 31 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Will He Find My Grave?

Bergil is a good lad. Those two soldiers . . . and yet, how were they to know who these pherinnath are.

Pearl Took · 31 March 2007 · Chapter 2: But I Was Not Alone

Go Eomer!! These are all such valiant people, and the hobbits as much as the rest.

Pearl Took · 31 March 2007 · Chapter 1: I'll Manage Somehow

I do love Shadowfax! And dear Pip wondering how he will get Merry to the city is so touching.

Golden · 26 March 2007 · Chapter 5: For Frodo and Sam!

I was like hopping up and down in excitement when I found out that you go on with that story. *g* Enjoyed reading it very much, especially that last Chapter. Great! It portrait Merry very well.

PIppinfan1988 · 23 March 2007 · Chapter 5: For Frodo and Sam!

Wait! Idiot me just noticed the "The End"! Really??? Does it really have to be so?? I don't think so. But...*you* are the author... (yes, I'm trying to guilt you into more!) Did it work? :-D If indeed it is the end...it has been a *very* lovely tale and I *very much* enjoyed every word. :-) Thank you for writing it! PF

PIppinfan1988 · 23 March 2007 · Chapter 5: For Frodo and Sam!

Beautiful chapter? *That's* an understatement! I am so in love with this tale; it's the perfect marriage between the books and movies. :-) Frodo and I grew up as brothers; Sam has been my friend for many years and Pippin… Pippin is the twin of my soul. How could these words NOT sway Éomer? Here again we witness the true courage and deep love of Merry. LOL, and cheeky Merry giving Gandalf a wink at his victory - that was cute. :-) Absolutely wonderful! PF

Larner · 23 March 2007 · Chapter 5: For Frodo and Sam!

Yes, for Frodo and Sam he will risk much! And for once Eomer gets to trump Aragorn! Wonderful indeed! Heh!

shirebound · 23 March 2007 · Chapter 5: For Frodo and Sam!

it is not for me that I wish to fight; it is for my own kin. Frodo and I grew up as brothers; Sam has been my friend for many years and Pippin… Pippin is the twin of my soul. "For Frodo and Sam!" "Aye," Pippin squeezed Merry's hand, his love and admiration for his brave cousin grown even greater than he thought possible. "For Frodo and Sam!" Ooooh, wonderful. This is the intelligent, resourceful, articulate Merry -- with the respect of his friends -- we so rarely got to glimpse in the films.

PIppinfan1988 · 21 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Thain Pippimus, King of the Haystack

*Finally* I got here! This was blessedly sweet! I must have pondered how Aragorn called Merry back from the black breath a thousand times, but none of them ever resembled your flawless rendition. For as much as I loved the previous chapters, I think this one was my favourite. :-) The whole imagery of the Houses of Healing was fantastic; a room overlooking the corridors...brilliant. My--er, *our* beloved hobbits were absolutely perfect! And that warm bread with butter and honey - that's my most favourite thing to eat with tea in the summer, so I was salivating just a tad here. :-P and I'll run and pick you a posy of red poppies and blue cornflowers, just as I did when I was little, and you laughed as you wove the flowers into a crown to place on my head. You called me Thain Pippimus, King of the haystack; do you remember Merry?" Is this a story I missed, or is this one yet to be written? PF

Grey Wonderer · 21 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Thain Pippimus, King of the Haystack

Long live Thain Pippimus, King of the haystack! I adore that. Almost as good as Pippin's Gondorian title. Better in fact. A King is better than a Prince isn't he? That was so very sweet and Gandalf was right; Pippin's discussion of food just had to make Merry hungry. It made me hungry.

Larner · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Thain Pippimus, King of the Haystack

Thain Pippinmus it is, then! How wonderful, and I love Gandalf's words here--all of them!

Bodkin · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Thain Pippimus, King of the Haystack

Well - now you come to mention it, Gandalf! (What better way to convince a hobbit of the Shire that he's still in one piece than to coax him back to life with thoughts of apple harvests and haymaking feasts?)

MarigoldG · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Thain Pippimus, King of the Haystack

This is, without a doubt, my favourite chapter. It is just stunningly beautiful and Pippin's descriptions of the Shire and his memories of lazy, peaceful days spent with Merry are so vivid that I can smell the hay and flowers. This chapter really brings home the depth of the bond between these two, and all that they willingly left behind to follow Frodo. The image of a laughing Merry weaving a crown of flowers for little Pippin as they lay beneath the haystack brings tears to my eyes every time that I read it; it is just such a lovely, joyful image, and that they will probably never be quite so innocent and carefree again is very poignant. The descriptions in this chapter bring the Shire, and Merry and Pippin, to life. '...no one knew Merry's heart quite as well as Pippin himself did.' That is absolutely true, and I thought that it was so fitting that Aragorn was not able to bring Merry back until Pippin had been the one to actually reach him. A wonderful chapter, and I will never forget the beautiful imagery!

Dreamflower · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Thain Pippimus, King of the Haystack

This is a nice continuation of what you began in the challenge! I like the way you have managed to cover the "movie-verse" bases, while yet managing to get in the spirit of "book-verse". I love Eowyn's and Eomer's concern, and Pippin's anguish and fear. This last chapter is just lovely. You have caught Aragorn's speech patterns wonderfully, giving him dignity and warmth. And Pippin's reciting the memories to Merry was so very touching--it kind of reminded me of the scene in Mordor when Sam tries to get Frodo to remember the Shire in spring. Very nicely done, indeed!

MarigoldG · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Will He Find My Grave?

Pippin's dilemma here is very well done, and the two litter bearers are so appropriately blasé - they have seen so much death and suffering that it is hard for them to feel moved by yet another wounded soldier. That Trwystan's focus is more on Shadowfax than Merry really bears this out. I love the way that Éomer has taken Merry to his heart as a Rider of Rohan - he is truly noble and wise for his years; now, having been proven wrong about Merry's worth, nothing will stand in the way of his finding this hero of the Rohirrim healing and the honour that he deserves. From your portrayal of Éomer it is easy to see why Merry remained devoted to Rohan even though Théoden is dead. This was just chilling: "Will he find my grave at last?" Tears trickled down Merry's face, "I have longed for it to bring me peace. Do not let Pippin grieve, for he is of the living and I belong with the dead." That sums up the state of Merry's suffering so completely! It was very nice to see the interaction between Pippin and Éomer in this chapter; we don't often see them interacting, but they both share a common fear here, and I especially liked that Éomer did not try to ease Pippin's fears with empty assurances, but spoke to him like an adult. That is something that is very noticable in this story - Merry and Pippin *are* adults, and you write them as such. So many fanfics portray them too childishly in an attempt to emphasise their differences to other races, but you manage to write them as the adults that they are and yet don't lose the hobbity quality of their innocence. Well done!

MarigoldG · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 2: But I Was Not Alone

Éowyn's despair is captured so well here, it's very intense and powerful. I really like the way that Éomer is at first so dismissive about Merry and then finally begins to realise that he was wrong about him - that really irked me in the film, that Éomer ridiculed Merry's abilities going by his appearance and cheerful nature alone. You are so right that this gap was begging to be filled! It's wonderful to finally see the process by which Éomer learns that he was wrong. Aragorn's insistence about the fortitude of halflings really shows that he has no doubt about their true worth, and I love this glimpse of Éomer being brought to the same mind!

MarigoldG · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 1: I'll Manage Somehow

Goodness but I love this story! If I should have to choose what aspect I like best about this first chapter,I think that it must be the depth of love that is so obvious between Pippin and Merry; Pippin's care for Merry is perfectly described. Merry needs Pippin to be the adult now, rather than the other way around, and Pippin more than rises to the occasion - he thinks things through and uses his wits, and he is comforting and calm, which is just what Merry needs. I love this line so much: Pippin smiled down, "Yes Merry, the haymaking is all finished and we have to get home." Despite his own fear and turmoil nothing is more important to Pippin at this moment than easing Merry's heart and mind. Pippin's thoughts about climbing to light the beacons being a breeze compared to this were great! And Gandalf's praise of them both was wonderful to read - we know that he thinks this way about his hobbits, but to actually hear him say the words! I could easily see Pippin momentarily rendered speechless! I really liked the way that both Gandalf and Pippin felt more at ease when Gandalf became sharp with him once more : ) Wonderful descriptions and dialogue throughout, and the image of Shadowfax picking his way across the battlefield towards the City with the two hobbits on his back was so easy to imagine. Terrific first chapter, thank you so much!

shirebound · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Thain Pippimus, King of the Haystack

he ran across the room to take Strider's hand I love that very hobbity, spontaneous gesture. "But now is the time for pleasant thoughts and sweet memories. Speak to him of those things again Pippin, for your words may bring healing too" As Pippin spoke the greyness started to leave Merry's face and he finally murmured, "Yes Pip, I remember" *happy sigh* What a wonderful gap-filler. Dear hobbits, dear Strider.

Anonymous · 19 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Will He Find My Grave?

Another great story beautifully written. I look forward to reading more of it. Blossom

harrowcat · 19 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Will He Find My Grave?

I am loving this Llinos. Can't wait for more.

Larner · 18 March 2007 · Chapter 3: Will He Find My Grave?

Yes, Eomer sees to his debt to Merry, and reassures Pippin at the same time. Now, Aragorn, get that athelas ready for one more suffering from the Black Breath....

Larner · 18 March 2007 · Chapter 2: But I Was Not Alone

Oh, I love young Eomer more than ever, I think! Honorable are those of the House of Eorl!

Larner · 18 March 2007 · Chapter 1: I'll Manage Somehow

A wise wizard indeed, and very clever of Pippin to find a way to let folk know where they were. As for Shadowfax--a wonderful steed, as he always is! Well given is his allegiance.