Comments | talechallenge38: Falling Into Shadow by Marigold

talechallenge38

Falling Into Shadow by Marigold

Mar 10, 2007 07:57

In which the third time very nearly pays for all…

Falling Into Shadow

By Marigold

Many thanks to the inestimable Llinos for the beta and all sorts of helpful poking, additions, comments and criticisms! : )

In which the third time very nearly pays for all…

"Merry?" Pippin questioned softly. "Are you all right?"

Merry looked at him mutely, and then ( Read more... )

Comments 20

pippinfan1 March 11 2007, 02:29:20 UTC

You know, I'm glad that you expounded upon Merry's encounter in Bree! I believe all the attention is given to the Black Breath he suffered in Minas Tirith, but I often think about how the Bree incident possibly affected Merry as well. You did a fantastic job. :-)

PF

marigoldg March 11 2007, 02:44:58 UTC

Thanks T! I really do think that the effects of the Black Breath might be cumulative - Merry doesn't *seem* to have any ill effects in Bree (that we know about anyway), but then there was Weathertop and the Ford...and, I thought, it could all add up.

And later, the Nazgul flying over them on the Anduin and in Rohan may have had a small effect; all of these brushes leading up to Merry's almost fatal encounter with the Witch-king that needed the King's Healing hands to counter.

I also realised that folks never say anything about Pippin and Sam being exposed close-up twice before reaching Rivendell, and I think that they must have been touched by it too.

Thanks so much for reading!

dreamflower02 March 11 2007, 02:29:54 UTC

Oh, Marigold! This is wonderful! You are quite right--it could easily have been a bout of Black Breath to take Merry after such a grueling journey! And Glorfindel would certainly have been able to deal with it!

*grin* And thanks for the plug. I haven't forgotten your bunny, not at all.

marigoldg March 11 2007, 02:51:04 UTC

Thank you Dreamflower! Your mention of Merry fainting at the Ford has been driving me to distraction for months, to the point where I actually had to write something down myself or go mad from the need to know more about what happened! After all, he had been very closely exposed twice before already, and was worried sick over Frodo, and then pushed to his physical limits by Aragorn and Glorfindel - he would have had very little resistance at the Ford.

I am still frantic to read *your* take on this! Don't you dare forget that bunny, lol!

shirebound March 11 2007, 02:45:27 UTC

Oh my, how wonderful. Glorfindel is so gentle and wise, and yet able to draw on a power almost beyond understanding. I hope you do continue this!

marigoldg March 11 2007, 02:54:31 UTC

Thanks Shirebound! I am glad that Pippin chanced upon the one elf that would know immediately what to do! Luck of the Tooks!

I have one or two more chapters planned, so hopefully there will be a bit more : )

grey_wonderer March 11 2007, 10:12:30 UTC

(“Is that all? There is nothing I would not do for Merry.” Peregrin looked as if he wished that there were a handy dragon to slay on this kinsman’s behalf.)
I love that line! So like Pippin to want to do whatever he can for Merry. I like the way you show Pippin's fears that he will be unable to help while showing how determined he is to help. Loved it!

marigoldg March 12 2007, 02:05:28 UTC

Thanks GW! I think that Pippin is the sort that would welcome a tangible foe rather than an invisible and insidious enemy. For example I think that it must have been difficult for him to deal with Denethor's madness, but then when Denthor actually did something tangible for Pippin to take action against, he didn't hesitate. Did that make any sense, lol?

I am so glad that you think I captured Pip's determination despite his fears! He really will do whatever it takes to help his Merry! Hopefully it will be enough : )

I had a lot of help from Llinos with this story! It is far better now than my original concept!

llinos March 11 2007, 13:09:21 UTC

Poor Merry! Poor Pip! Poor Glorfindel as well, having to deal with happy hobbits is one thing, but sad and poorly hobbits?

I'm glad this ended up as it did, even though it just sets the scene for the part you really wanted to write. You did an excellent job so your orginal bunny will be even better! And it certainly inspired a mass of hobbitty debate! Which has to be a good thing!

marigoldg March 12 2007, 01:50:05 UTC

It really did go a different way than what I originally wrote didn't it? But this first part really needed to be told just this way, and I really appreciate your help in putting it all together!

You will have to poke me for a change, so that I actually write the next bit!

Thank you again for all of your terrific input!