Lyta Padfoot · 22 March 2004 · Chapter 16: Rule Breakers
Another wonderful chapter, I hope your writer's block breaks soon.
While We Dwelt in Fear by Pearl Took
Reviews (226)
Grey Wonderer · 21 February 2004 · Chapter 15: Rules
Love the Gaffer! I am so sad for all of them with all that has happened. Was glad to see new chapter of this one as I have realy enjoyed it so far. Even knowing what happens doesn't keep me from worrying about these Shire-folk.
Pervinca · 21 February 2004 · Chapter 15: Rules
This was probably the saddest chapter so far. I just know that Bell isn't going to make it through the winter. I like the way you manage to give all of the characters in this story an equal role. Please continue soon, sister! I hate having to wait :P
Lyta Padfoot · 20 February 2004 · Chapter 15: Rules
You've captured the horror of it all without descending into melodrama. I hope the next chapter follows this one soon.
PIppinfan1988 · 20 February 2004 · Chapter 15: Rules
Goodness...makes me want to cry. Poor Gaffer and Bell. So dispirited and broken...no wonder they lost all hope. Another grand chapter, Pearl! You're doing great! Pippinfan
Arwen Baggins · 20 February 2004 · Chapter 15: Rules
You're not going to kill Mrs. Gamgee, are you? And thank you for including the conversation between Gandalf and the Gaffer! Can't wait for the next chapter!
Lindelea · 27 January 2004 · Chapter 1: Gone
A promising beginning! Looking forward to reading more (tomorrow, I hope)! I especially liked this part: "and the Took in him would be off with Pippin on a lads' adventure"
Pervinca · 23 January 2004 · Chapter 14: Chaos, Deceptions and Deals: The New Shire
This just keeps on getting better! I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through Paladin's meeting. That scene was done brilliantly - with him giving into anger and pointing out that *he* is the rightful Thain. I'm hoping that dear Master Fredegar will make an appearance soon, especially since the Lockholes have now become operational!
Grey Wonderer · 22 January 2004 · Chapter 14: Chaos, Deceptions and Deals: The New Shire
This is fasinating! I laughed when I read how Paladin was sure Sam could take care of all of the traveling hobbits! Sam is so down-to-earth and everyone sees the common sense in him. I love Paladin's talk with his wife before he meets the men and Hobbits in his study. (Good enough for Gandlaf so it's good enough for them!) Wonderful story! Continue soon.
shirebound · 22 January 2004 · Chapter 14: Chaos, Deceptions and Deals: The New Shire
Pearl, how are you doing this? Your story is making me realize that the *Shire* is as beloved a character to me as any person in the Trilogy. Seeing her violated and overrun by ruffians and greedy folks.... grrr. This continues to be a masterful story.
PIppinfan1988 · 22 January 2004 · Chapter 14: Chaos, Deceptions and Deals: The New Shire
Poor Saradoc! Go, Paladin! Go, Paladin!! Release the hounds! You never disappoint, Pearl! Great stuff! Pippinfan
PIppinfan1988 · 22 January 2004 · Chapter 13: The Last Journey
Let me get a hold of that Yegen!! Like Pipkin mentioned, I'd like to hurt the jerkwad who messes with my hobbits! I'm so happy to see new chapters--you've been busy! PF
Arwen Baggins · 22 January 2004 · Chapter 14: Chaos, Deceptions and Deals: The New Shire
Oh, poor Saradoc! I can't believe you actually had him faint though...that was a nice touch. And way to go Paladin! That's the way to get rid of those bad Men! I just had an idea. Maybe you should bring Bill Ferny in and have him recognize the resemblence between Merry and Pippin and their fathers. And whatever happened to Merry's ponies in FotR? Maybe Bill Ferny could bring them to Buckland for selling, and Saradoc would recognize them as his own and...well you get the idea. Tell me what you think of the idea. Please? And maybe, instead of re-doing part of the story to include Gandalf and the Gaffer's conversation that I told you about, maybe you could just have the Gaffer (or his "representative") write a letter to the Brandybucks or the Tooks. Or maybe, you could do it where Sam taught one of his older sisters how to write (since his brothers both moved away) and have one of them write the letter. Or maybe you'll just want to do a whole different story with the Gamgees, and the Gaffer being moved out of Bagshot Row and... okay, you get the idea. I'll stop tying now. If you have any questions, just drop me an e-mail. Wow, that's a long review! By the way, have you read my new "Frodo & Pippin" chapter yet? You see why it takes me so long to write my own chapters? I start writing, and then I get a thousand ideas and it takes forever to organize them into a concise chapter. And then 3 chapters later I realize that I left out something important so I have to go back and change the middle of the story. Kind of like what I'm doing with "Mithril" chapter 3. Only I just have one thing...one IMPORTANT thing...that I forgot there. So don't worry, I won't be changing the whole story around, just that one little part. Okay, NOW I'm done. No, really, I am. Bye now!!!!!...until the next update that is... then you'll here from me again. Okay fine, I'm going, I'M GOING!! Sheesh!
Pervinca · 2 January 2004 · Chapter 13: The Last Journey
Yay! I've been waiting for an update of this story for ages! Well, maybe not that long, but still! Very good! Especially the scene in Bree, with the deaths of the two hobbits and three men. I was so impressed when I checked the names you had used! I'll be waiting (probably quite impatiently) for another update soon, dear sister!
shirebound · 2 January 2004 · Chapter 13: The Last Journey
Oh, this chapter is so descriptive of the chill and danger settling over the Shire. I can't wait until the Travellers return and set all to rights!
Lyta Padfoot · 1 January 2004 · Chapter 13: The Last Journey
An interesting look at the events in Bree that Barliman reports. Keep writing!
Grey Wonderer · 11 December 2003 · Chapter 12: A Disturbing Visit
This was worth waiting for! Now, I want more. Getting greedy aren't I? I love the connection between Esme and Pippin and how it helps her to see what's happened to Merry. You've taken the small hint of Fairy blood in the Tooks and filled in the gaps. Excellent!
Tim the Enchanter · 16 November 2003 · Chapter 10: Pieces Moving Into Place
Esme meeting her grandfather was incredible.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I'm always so unsure of myself when doing these more AU type touches that the responses just mean that much more :) Thank you.
shirebound · 16 November 2003 · Chapter 10: Pieces Moving Into Place
Pearl, this chapter is utter poetry. Especially these... "Hearts bound together. Spirits entwined. Cousins brother-like. Nephews son-like. Love binding all together like the strands of a rope, each strengthens the others." "My Tookling will keep his heart light in the dark and remind him of the joy they seek to save." "I will care for my own as best as I am able, and those they treasure with them: you, child of my child, and she who is dear to both you and my young Tookling; my young Tookling who tries his wings and the one he loves as a brother; the one who bears the burden and the friend who gives care to them all." Oh, my. Lovely.
Author's reply
shirebound, Thank you! I'm always so honored that you are enjoying my story as yours are so excellent. I was quite unsure of this meeting between Esme and the Fairy, but responses so far have been encouraging. The story is progressing well at this time and I hope it stays so. Thank you so very much!
Grey Wonderer · 2 November 2003 · Chapter 7: First Yule: Festivity Tainted, Festivity Missed
This almost made me cry. Well, maybe a little anyway. I can't wait for new chapters.
Tim the Enchanter · 24 October 2003 · Chapter 9: Nearly Calm
This is a wonderful story. Poor Esmerelda.
Arwen Baggins · 23 October 2003 · Chapter 9: Nearly Calm
Wow!! I can hardly wait to see what happens to Esmeralda when Pippin is trapped beneath the troll? And besides that, how does Lotho secure control of Buckland? Please tell me, and soon!
Zebra Wallpaper · 15 September 2003 · Chapter 7: First Yule: Festivity Tainted, Festivity Missed
A very good chapter. Very true to life how children often joke about things and don't realize how serious and frightening they can be to the adults. I also very much like Merry and Pippin's little Yule celebration, so touching and sweet.
Zebra Wallpaper · 2 September 2003 · Chapter 6: A Turning at Yule-Tide
This chapter was almost painful for me to read. I hate to see hobbits treated so horribly, but then it underlines the goodness and character of their allies. I felt like cheering for Butterbar and the ranger. I do hope the hobbits remember that there is some kindness in the big people and that in turn the big people don't forget their hobbit comrades as things grow worse. I'm very eager to see more.
Zebra Wallpaper · 2 September 2003 · Chapter 5: Troubling News
I like very much the way you've chosen to illustrate the take-over of the Shire by showing it to us from the point of view of the hobbits experiencing it "in the moment" in that it's not exactly sudden and dramatic but rather gradual yet with bad feeling attached all the way. I'm curious to read on and see if there will be more interaction between Paladin and his sister. I'd be interested to see them come together on their thoughts.