A Rocky Beginning to the New Year by Grey Wonderer
Reviews (23)
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GamgeeFest
· 4 February 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
*snickers* Pippin really doesn’t think things through very well. For a moment, I was afraid the stone wasn’t a stone but something else, though I suppose then Legolas would have refused to touch it. ;) Still, Pippin’s attempts to get Gandalf’s boot and his dismay at finding the boot too small for his stone were very cute and amusing. Seems the lads had a grand New Year, despite being in the middle of nowhere – or, rather, on the road to Hollin. :D
Author's reply
I could just see Pip concentrating hard on the perfect wishing stone, and being a hobbit and having very little experience with shoes, forgetting that *size matters*. hehehe Thanks for reviewing and for the laugh I got out of your latest story here!
cathleen
· 4 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
Loved the Gaffer's words of wisdom that Sam imparted to Pip! Very entertaining, GW, as usual!
Author's reply
Thank you! For some reason I have always loved the Gaffer! Thank you for reading and hope you're having a very happy new year so far!
Althea
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
The disclaimers had me smiling. The story made me laugh out loud. Your characterizations are delightful. What a wonderful New Year's treat.
Author's reply
Thank you! I like it when people get a smile or two and laughs are very much appreciated. I mostly write hobbits and it is nice to hear that the whole group came off well in this. I haven't much practice at all with Legolas or Gimli or Boromir. Thanks for reviewing and I hope you have a very Happy New Year!
aprilkat
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
What a delightful story. I love fic where the Fellowship share stories and talk about their different cultures. This was a lovely way to give your friends a gift while letting us see the Fellowship become a community too!
Author's reply
I rarely risk writing Quest fiction and so I don't usually have the whole Fellowship together. I enjoy it but I am forever worried about the canon when I'm writing Quest fiction. So glad you enjoyed this one and I hope you have a wonderful New Year!
Pearl Took
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
I love this! You came up with wonderful customs for everyone, and I like that Pippin wanted to make a big wish ;-)
Thank you GW!
Author's reply
I did enjoying trying to make up traditions and I don't write on-the-Quest very often but I did like having all of the Fellowship together. I think that a hobbit with a big heart like Pippin would have had a very big wish to make. Happy New Year!
Larner
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
Such a lovely collection of traditions, and so like Pippin not to take thought as to how large a boot might be needed for a wishing stone!
And love seeing this from Sam's POV. Lovely!
Author's reply
Thank you! I suspect hobbits might not give much thought to shoe size at any point and Pippin, being excited by the wishing part of it all, would most certainly not think much about the size of the shoe. hehehe
I am starting to enjoy writing Sam, finally. It has taken Gamgeefest all of this time to get me comfortable with him but I think she has managed it. I hope to write him and his POV more this year!
Larner
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 0: Warnings, disclaimers and wishes! Oh my!
Quite a mixture here, between The Wizard of Oz and Legalese! Heh!
Author's reply
It was a crossover prologue. It was "The Wizard of Oz" meets "Perry Mason"! First crossover prologue ever!
Neilia
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
Love the 'tongue-in-cheek' title. Enjoyed the story very much.
Author's reply
Thank you! Titles are usually my worst thing. So glad you enjoyed this one and the story. Thank you for the lovely review and for reading. Happy New Year!
Neilia
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 0: Warnings, disclaimers and wishes! Oh my!
This opening chapter is just as amusing as the next! *grinning*
Author's reply
I am thinking of just writing prologues only this year! It would be different and I don't think anyone else is doing it! *wink*
Baggins Babe
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
Oh my! Pip's explanation as to why he is in the middle of nowehere and why he does not need to study maps was just so very Pippish! I love the way you write him - and for someone who found writing Sam a bit difficult you have him down perfectly.
I think we would all wish those things for Frodo and Boromir - at least that they bot went back to safety and happiness and a warm welcome. such a shame those things were not to be.
Author's reply
I just love writing Pippin because sometimes my own thoughts run that way! (You couldn't tell, could you? hehehe)
I was so afraid that I would make Sam sound all wrong and so for ages I avoided him altogether and then Gamgeefest, who writes Sam beautifully, started giving me pointers and making suggestions and encouraging me and now Sam and I are old friends. I like writing from his POV because he isn't at all judgemental and he sees things with a practical eye and is willing to give folks the benefit of the doubt when they make a mess of things. He's rather like Pippin with a sense of practicality and lots of common sense! I am so glad you enjoyed the way I wrote him. I still worry with Sam but not quite as much as I once did.
Those were actually two of my many wishes for Boromir and Frodo that I used in the story. I would have loved to see Tolkien give both of them better. I understand why he did what he did but it doesn't make it any less sad.
Happy New Year!
cookiefleck
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
That was very sweet, and funny. I thought I had it figured out that Pippin had found a M-e cowpie (wargpie?)! Glad it was just a larger stone. :o)
Author's reply
Oh, now the Middle earth wargpie never occured to me! I really should have thought of that! Pippin is probably glad that I didn't. Glad you enjoyed this and Happy New Year to you!
Andrea
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
“You might want to make a smaller wish next new year,” Merry snorted.
“Or find a bigger boot,” Frodo offered between laughs.
“Well that’s no help at all now,” Pippin said sounding very put out with all of them.
Poor Pippin! Why do they always have to tease him?
I believe him that he really did not think about the size of the boot. He was just too occupied with his *big* wish ;-)
And I loved Boromir's wish for Frodo! That's what I would have wished for him, too!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Author's reply
I could see Pippin putting all of his efforts into his very big wish and completely forgetting the boot size. After all, Hobbits are not used to boots and shoes. And the wishes for Boromir and for Frodo were real ones of mine that I put into the story. I do wish that both of them had got what they really deserved. Happy New Year to you and your family also!
Andrea
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 0: Warnings, disclaimers and wishes! Oh my!
First New Year's resolution: Never forget to comment on G.W.'s disclaimers ;-)
So far, so good...
I love your disclaimers!
So, this is legal English? It sounds like the stuff we have to place at the end of our e-mails at work (in German AND English). But yours is much more entertaining :)
Author's reply
I too work for a company that is very big on disclaimers. So far we only have to put them in English but I do think a recording of the disclaimer in Spanish plays on our phone system! It's a great thing. You can lie all you want because you've been covered by a disclaimer!(that is the New Year's first sarcasim!)
Thank you for reading the prologue and I shall resolve not to let you down with a boring prologue in 2008!
shirebound
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
“But we don’t make wishes with shoes in Minas Tirith,” Boromir objected.
“You aren’t in Minas Tirith,” Pippin grinned. “Ask Merry and he’ll tell you. You’re on the way to Hollin
“At some point on this journey Gandalf just may forget that Pippin is rather important to Frodo and Pippin may be sorry about that,” Merry said with a long-suffering sigh.
Oh GW, I have a big New Year's grin on my face because of you. May all *your* wishes come true this year, you wacky, wonderful girl. Long may your hobbits continue to delight us.
Author's reply
Awww, I wish I were there to see that New Year's grin! Thank you for reading and for always leaving a wonderful review! That puts a wacky grin on my face! May we all write lots of hobbits in the New Year!
Dreamflower
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
GW, this was perfectly lovely! You did not "step in any canon", it's just right, and could very easily have happened just that way.
I love Pippin's logic (?) about "the middle of nowhere", and the way he acted stunned at the thought that Merry might not miss him at once if he fell off the path, and Merry relenting at once--if they'd been at home, he might have teased a little longer, but they aren't and he knows Pip's feeling a bit vulnerable, so he doesn't. And I loved how Pippin was openly admiring of Merry telling him where they were, and his explanations for why *he* paid no attention to maps, LOL!
I loved Boromir's reactions to things, and the way you have him single-mindedly focussed on getting to Minas Tirith--that, I think, is very true to canon-Boromir!
I love the talk of the various customs, and of Pippin's instantly latching on to them--even though hobbits don't wear shoes. Only Pippin could have persuaded the other members of the party to part with their footgear, LOL! And I loved how mischievous Legolas and Frodo were about Pippin's ambitious stone, er, rock. (And your Legolas was very Legolas, also, so you needn't have been nervous about him--he was splendid!)
I love all the tiny, yet important, hints of foreshadowing, some of them sad and some not. (“I wish that the White City of Minas Tirith would welcome Boromir home in the new year as a hero and they would shower him with gifts and wealth.” *sniff* Poor Boromir!) And I have a hunch that Pippin's big wish was for them to succeed on the Quest, and find themselves safely home again--I'm sure that was at the back of all their minds when it came to wishing.
Most of all, I love that you had it in Sam's POV. It was just right to see all this through Sam's eyes, as we see his affection not just for Frodo, but for Frodo's cousins, and his growing affection for all these other curious folks among whom he'd found himself. It was beautiful, and you had Sam's voice just right.
I don't know if one of your New Year's Resolutions was to write more Quest fic or not, but if it is, I hope you keep it, because this is really wonderful!
Happy New Year, GW!!
Author's reply
As you know I do worry about stepping in canon so I am glad to know that I didn't this time!
Pippin's speech came to me before I know what the story was actually about and it nearly ending with Merry putting his arm around Pippin as they walked on. Funny how it just kept going after that.
I have always wanted to write more Boromir but since I mostly avoid canon he hasn't been able to turn up in most of my fiction. I'm very glad you enjoyed him.
I like a sneaky Elf and so I did enjoy giving Legolas and Frodo a bit of a secret in this story. I don't know why but I seem to be writing some elves lately. First the twins and now this! You just never know!
The wish for Boromir was, to some extent, actually mine. I do wish that Tolkien hadn't killed him. I know he had to kill someone and I can't imagine him killing any of the others but I still wish Boromir had made it to his White City in the end.
Sam and I have taken a very long time to become comfortable with one another. It's a recent thing. I'm glad you enjoyed his voice in this.
I didn't make any resolutions because I never really keep them but I am considering a couple more if they turn out in my mind. We shall see!
Happy New Year and thank you for reading!
Dreamflower
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 0: Warnings, disclaimers and wishes! Oh my!
*grin* This is a marvelous set of warnings and disclaimers!! Have you been watching legal shows? *giggle* This was done strictly for amusement and if you should fail to be amused we apologize in advance but you have been warned. (See the section above.)
*snerk*
Author's reply
Boston Legal and I work for a company that is obsessed with disclaimers and legal stuff!
ziggy
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
That was a nice New Year treat- made me laugh. Thanks.You don't need all the disclaimers etc- it worked well
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed it and I do love it when these make people laugh! As to the disclaimers, I kinda enjoy writing them for some odd reason. Thanks for the review and Happy New Year!
EstellaB
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
"Sam shook his head as if trying to clear it properly. He wasn’t certain exactly how to reply to whatever it was that Mr. Pippin had just said."
--This is a common reaction to Pippin :D This story is lovely. I love Pippin, and the ever-practical Merry. It wa also lovely to see Frodo not being angsty during the quest, but happy instead (except for after the bit about his marriage). Happy New Year!
Author's reply
Thank you! That one line of Pippin's about the middle of nowhere was actually the only thing I had for this story when I started it!
I am not at all good at writing angst of any kind and I do hate to see Frodo suffer so. I thought that no further along than they were at that point and with Pippin up to his crazy antics that Frodo might be allowed a chuckle or two. Happy New Year!
PIppinfan1988
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
“I plan to make a big wish and so I thought I’d need a very big stone,” Mr. Pippin explained.
LOL! Only Pippin would think like that. This is a wonderful tale of the Fellowship making the best of their situation and learning about each other's customs at the same time. I also liked how it all was from Sam's pov. We rarely get to see a glimpse of what's on his mind during the Quest. An excellent New Year's story -- very well done!
Author's reply
I am getting fond of Sam's POV for some reason. I used to write mostly from Merry's POV but I do like being able to get Sam's reactions to both Pippin and Merry's activities with a look at Frodo as well. I adore Pip but for some reason his POV is the hardest for me. Gamgeefest has helped me with Sam over the years and now I think he and I get on fairly well. Glad you enjoyed this and thanks so much for reading and for your friendship over the past few years!
PIppinfan1988
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 0: Warnings, disclaimers and wishes! Oh my!
ROTFL!!! I do love your Prologues! I wish I was as creative about them, but...well, see your own section 1 above. :-D
Author's reply
I'm into these prologue things in a big way now. Don't know why but I consider it my mission to dress them up and take them out. Glad you enjoyed this one.
harrowcat
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
You had me smiling all the way through this GW and that is not a bad start to a New Year. Some lovely but sad bits too like the wishes for Frodo and Boromir.
Only one typo I spotted - I will do that,” Legolas said formally and he looked over at Pippin and said, “I wish that in the New Year you would (find)each day exciting and pleasant, Peregrin.”
Author's reply
Glad you were smiling and I hope your New Year continues on that way.
Fixed the typo! Thanks for the spot-check on it. My regular betas have been very, very, very busy and I didn't want to bother them with this. Also, since I wrote it all in one sitting last night if I wanted to post it for the New Year there just wasn't time! I am the impatient sort. Happy New Year!
harrowcat
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 0: Warnings, disclaimers and wishes! Oh my!
And my first story of the New Year. I LOVE your disclaimers! Happy New Year folks!
Author's reply
I am honored that you read this first in the New Year! Happy New Year to you also. Come by and read the disclaimers any time! They love the attention.
Iorhael
· 1 January 2008
· Chapter 1: A Rocky Beginning to the New Year
That's a great idea, for the fellowship to make wishes. Oh, Boromir surprised me with his wish.
*hugs*
Author's reply
I didn't want Boromir to make one of those wishes that involved his taking the ring to Minas Tirith because I was certain that would have spoiled the mood completely and I wanted it all to be rather light-hearted at that point. I thought it might be before Boromir was really drawn to the ring. I'm glad it surprised you and thank you for the review! Happy New Year!