talechallenge22 ([info]talechallenge22) wrote,
@ 2005-11-03 09:23:00
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Choices by Slightly Tookish
Pippin has to make some choices along the way...

Title: Choices
Author: Slightly Tookish
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing!
Rating: G
Summary: Pippin has to make some choices along the way.
A/N: Thank you to Dana for the encouraging read-through. Written for Marigold's Challenge 22, in which I had to answer the following questions: When did Pippin first become aware that Merry was forming the Conspiracy and what were Pippin and/or Merry's thoughts watching the other fight during the Battle of Bywater?

*****


"It's your choice, Pip," Merry said, leaning across the table. "No one will force you to go. You can stay, and no one will think any less of you. I won't think any less of you."

Pippin took a long swig of ale, peering at Merry over the rim of his mug. "And if I want to go?"

Worry momentarily clouded Merry's face before he smiled brightly, relieved. "I don't know if I'd rather leave you behind or keep you close, so I can look after you," he admitted.

"Good thing you've left the decision to me," Pippin said, grinning.

* * *

Between the mist and the bulky shapes of the Uruk-hai crowded around, Pippin could not see Merry. He wondered if he was plotting their escape, as he had planned their leaving the Shire. It was the sort of thing Merry would do.

The night grew long and the Uruk-hai ran faster. A persistent image of Strider gave Pippin doubts, and he thought perhaps he, and not Merry, was to plan their escape this time. When the orcs ahead disappeared into the gloom he saw his opportunity.

Squirming away from his captors Pippin ran, his feet pounding against the wet grass.

* * *

"Do you really mean to go?" Merry asked, drawing the blankets tighter around his shoulders, his face nearly as grey as it had been when Pippin had found him wandering through the City. "No one will think any less of you if you stay."

"I would think less of myself," Pippin whispered, feeling as if his heart was being torn out, piece by piece.

Squeezing his hand, Merry nodded, understanding as Pippin knew he would. "Well, I don't suppose you'll need too much looking after, now that you're a soldier of Gondor."

"I suppose not," Pippin replied, trying to smile.

* * *

In the end Merry and Pippin had to come home to stand together in battle.

Watching Merry spout strategies and bark orders, Pippin supposed that his cousin wanted to make up for lost time, to fight at last after being forced to stay behind for so long. And so when they charged the ruffians, Pippin thought it best to leave the leader to Merry. After all they were both alike in a way, spoiling for a fight, though it was Merry who emerged as the victor.

When it was over Pippin met Merry's eyes and grinned, glad of his decision.

(22 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]shirebound
2005-11-05 11:29 pm UTC (link)
In the end Merry and Pippin had to come home to stand together in battle.

What a wonderful line! Everything really led up to that final battle for their own homeland, didn't it?

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[info]slightlytookish
2005-11-06 02:41 am UTC (link)
Everything really led up to that final battle for their own homeland, didn't it?

It did! And the hobbits had to fight for their homeland on their own, with no help from kings or wizards. What an accomplishment!

Thanks for reading!

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[info]pendora_lass
2005-11-06 03:43 am UTC (link)
It was very nice how the four sections all fit together so nicely, each tying in well.

I loved how Pippin assumes that Merry would be planning their escape, but then when he realizes he isn't, he steps up and takes the lead. It's always nice to see Pippin being the leader.

Worry momentarily clouded Merry's face before he smiled brightly, relieved. "I don't know if I'd rather leave you behind or keep you close, so I can look after you," he admitted.

That was very sweet. Seems just the sort of thing Merry would be torn in two over :)


Squeezing his hand, Merry nodded, understanding as Pippin knew he would. "Well, I don't suppose you'll need too much looking after, now that you're a soldier of Gondor."

"I suppose not," Pippin replied, trying to smile.

Oooo, the poor dears! Merry doesn't want to be left behind, or to see Pippin leave his sight, and Pippin has become such a brave little thing.

I'd better stop now, or I'll quote the entire story. Very nice work!


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[info]slightlytookish
2005-11-06 10:59 pm UTC (link)
Thanks so much for your lengthy comments! I also enjoy seeing Pippin take the lead, and the Uruk-hai chapter is such an integral part of Pippin's growing-up. You're right about Merry, of course - these were all decisions that he couldn't make, and I'm sure it was a struggle for him. I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Thanks again! :)

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[info]periantari
2005-11-06 03:46 am UTC (link)
These are precious~ i love them so much~


Squirming away from his captors Pippin ran, his feet pounding against the wet grass.
ooo please expand upon this~ you can so do it with more thoughts as he let go of his clasp and then he gets captured again and then and then... just his thoughts but not necessarily in 1st person or anything.. just the omniscient 3rd as you prefer. ;)

"Do you really mean to go?" Merry asked, drawing the blankets tighter around his shoulders, his face nearly as grey as it had been when Pippin had found him wandering through the City. "No one will think any less of you if you stay."

"I would think less of myself," Pippin whispered, feeling as if his heart was being torn out, piece by piece.

ooo love this too~!!! I love love love Pre-going to the Black Gates Merry and Pippin~ so much angst could be wringed out of that yet so much hope and mutual caring that could be thought of as well.

these are so huggable drabbles and it'll be cool to write whole bunny story upon it. :D
good job, dear Jen!!!! =)

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[info]slightlytookish
2005-11-06 11:00 pm UTC (link)
Thank you very much! I'm happy that you enjoyed these! I felt badly about submitting drabbles for the challenge, but it was really all I could manage as the Muse wasn't being very cooperative this month. But I would like to expand on a couple of these - omniciently ;) - someday :)

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[info]pipspebble
2005-11-06 05:49 am UTC (link)
Ohh, dearie, these are terrific; all fitting seamlessly into their appointed slots.

*"I don't know if I'd rather leave you behind or keep you close, so I can look after you," he admitted.

"Good thing you've left the decision to me," Pippin said, grinning.*


Very sweet, very Merry and oh so very Pippin in response. Lovely drabbles they are!

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[info]slightlytookish
2005-11-06 11:02 pm UTC (link)
Thanks so much, Pips! I'm so happy that you enjoyed them, and that you thought the lads were in character. That's always a wonderful thing to hear! :)

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[info]grey_wonderer
2005-11-06 07:09 am UTC (link)
These are excellent! I could just hear Pippin speaking in that first one and see Merry wondering what might be the right choice, if indeed that was a right choice. As always with your writing, this was very entertaining!

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[info]slightlytookish
2005-11-06 11:03 pm UTC (link)
Wow, thank you! That's a lovely compliment! I really appreciate it, GW, and I'm very happy that you enjoyed this :)

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[info]apple_pi
2005-11-06 07:30 am UTC (link)
I really enjoyed these so much! Especially that line in the final drabble:

In the end Merry and Pippin had to come home to stand together in battle.

Beautiful! And quite bunny-inspiring, too, may I say. *g*

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[info]slightlytookish
2005-11-06 11:04 pm UTC (link)
Thank you very much - I'm so glad that you enjoyed them! Bunny-inspiring, huh? I'm looking forward to it! :)

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[info]danachan
2005-11-06 04:08 pm UTC (link)
I still like these, you know. And the change that you see, from beginning to end. And Pippin! Oh, Pippin.

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[info]slightlytookish
2005-11-06 11:05 pm UTC (link)
I'm glad you still like them, Dana! Thank you again :)

Pippin Pippin Pippin....

:D

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[info]pearl_took1
2005-11-06 10:23 pm UTC (link)
Well Done, Slightly Tookish! So much of life is the decisions we make and then who we handle the results.

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[info]slightlytookish
2005-11-06 11:07 pm UTC (link)
You're absolutely right, choices and their consequences are such a part of life, and that is found throughout LOTR. I'm very glad you enjoyed my take on some of Pippin's choices here. Thank you, Pearl! :)

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[info]pippinfan1
2005-11-06 10:30 pm UTC (link)
"I would think less of myself," Pippin whispered, feeling as if his heart was being torn out, piece by piece."

That was beautifully done! All of these scenes were absoulutely touching, just the two of them sharing a tender moment. Thank you for sharing! :-)

PF

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[info]slightlytookish
2005-11-06 11:13 pm UTC (link)
Those moments they shared were certainly difficult but I think they must have clung to them, especially as they became increasingly aware of the dangers out there, and began to understand that they were risking their lives. I'm very glad that you enjoyed these. Thank you for reading and for leaving such lovely comments :)

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[info]dreamflower02
2005-11-06 11:08 pm UTC (link)
And that was what the Quest was really all about for those two, though they never knew it--to get the skills needed to rally their people and drive the enemy out of the Shire. They went for love of Frodo, never knowing that what they learned would be put to use at home. Wonderful!

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[info]slightlytookish
2005-11-06 11:20 pm UTC (link)
Yes, absolutely. All of Merry and Pippin's time spent in battle and amongst soldiers prepared them for this moment. They learned how to fight and how to lead, and their roles in the Scouring of the Shire were affected by this.

Thanks for reading! :)

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[info]lbilover
2005-11-08 04:13 pm UTC (link)
All four of these are wonderful, but I think the third one hit me the hardest, especially this line: "I would think less of myself," Pippin whispered, feeling as if his heart was being torn out, piece by piece.

In so few words you've shown how the Quest changed both Merry and Pippin and prepared them to save their home. Wonderful job!

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[info]slightlytookish
2005-11-09 12:45 am UTC (link)
I'm delighted that the third one was your favorite, as it was my favorite to write as well. Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! :)

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