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The Ties of Family by Larner	7 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/7/2006
I really like this so far. You write young Frodo very well. I've seen some stories in which he is unbearably saintly; I kind of like to think of him being a part of a group of wild teens, though it certainly wasn't the best decision he ever made. I like how you show the way the Ring went to work on him almost at once. That Frodo could no longer be interested in girls says a lot for why Bilbo never married. Perhaps it had much the same effect on him. Not that I'd expect Bilbo to marry anyway. You never cease to amaze me with your original characters! I love Fosco and Forsythia! Fosco reminds me a little of a friend of mine: clever and perceptive...and they used to have about the same amount of vision; my friend has lost a lot though. It's really too bad they didn't have Braille in the Shire. And Forsythia would undoubtedly be an interesting person to know: sharp, quick-witted, obviously as independant as she can possibly be, responsible, and considerate. I hope Fosco gets to land that punch on Beasty! :-) Great nickname, by the way! Looking forward to finishing this tomorrow perhaps. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I've been working with, teaching, and living with blind folks for all my adult life, and teach braille as well as orientation and mobility (otherwise known mostly as cane travel). You'll notice a few blind and nearly blind characters in my stories as you go along. Wait till you see Ririon, the boy from the Inn of the Dragon's Claw in Minas Tirith, a few years down the road in "The King's Commission." No, I don't think Frodo would have been all that saintly, any more than any kid in his early adolescence. But he'll get his warning to stop in a difficult way from Maggot's dogs and a stranger in brown, as you'll find later on in the story. As for Fosco landing a punch on Beasty (and glad you like his nickname), wait till you see the circumstances under which it is given.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 6/5/2005
Loved Frodo's secret meetings with his young cousins and the final visit when he told them he was leaving. I liked thinking that he had confided in someone. Forsythia seems to have his insight into things. I wonder what his coming visit with them will bring or if he will visit again now that he is no longer quite himself in some ways. Author Reply: I suspect that Frodo had a good number of secrets from everyone else over the years, and that keeping the twins among them gave him a feeling of semi-wicked delight in many ways. And I think he needed to have confided in someone at least a bit before he left, someone he knew would not blab it around and wouldn't feel honor-bound to advise others. The twins and his lawyer must have felt rather burdened, I think.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/23/2005
Goodness! I find myself enthralled by the way Frodo dealt with the existence of his young cousins. It appears that the Gravellys did love the twins, but they also appear to have been somewhat acquisitive. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next. Author Reply: Trying to figure out how to handle the existence of these two must have been somewhat troubling, not wanting to expose them to the poison of Lobelia's tongue, not wanting to take them out of an environment which appeared to be mostly supportive and loving, not wanting to disrupt their lives too much, but at the same time needing to develop and maintain a good relationship with them both to satisfy both his personal and social requirements. And, face it--NO parents are totally perfect, not even the best.

NiennaTru	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/23/2005
What a charming chapter! It makes me happy to think that while Frodo could not have children of his own, he cared for those around him as if they were indeed his own. Fosco and Forsythia are lovely characters, and I enjoyed reading about the time they spent with Frodo. I'm looking forward to Iorhael's return to them in the spring as well. Author Reply: If he's up to going to see them in the spring, of course. Glad you enjoy the two of them, and that you enjoy their growing relationship with Frodo. I've always seen Frodo as one who would want to see other folks' needs met however it could be done. Must have been extraordinarily frustrating to find himself unable to do for others and connect properly any more after his return from Gondor.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/23/2005
Very lovely! Thinking back how you describe Frodo I think he would've looked for the twins not only out of duty as the head of the family, but because he truly cares for the little orphans. Especially after he lost his parents, too. They must have looked forward to his visits. It is a pity he remained not long in the Shire after his return from the Quest - they will miss him greatly. I hope someone looks after them a bit - be it Sam, Merry or someone else who knows Frodo well. Somehow after reading this I would have liked for Fosco and Forsythia to meet Ruvemir. Author Reply: Meeting with Ruvemir is a distinct possibility, once he comes north to do his commissions for the Elves and the Dunedain. Yes, he would have probably had a lot of sympathy and empathy for their situation, recognizing the love they were getting, but increasingly realizing they need more than their foster parents can give them. Thanks for the feedback.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/23/2005
Your picture of the Shire in the time of the troubles is great Larner. And I really enjoyed seeing Frodo as the head of the Baggins Family; so responsible and yet sinsitive to the situation too. He must have bee sorely tempted to have the twins live with him. The effects of the ring on Frodo and those around him make me cross/angry/cold every time! Author Reply: The One Ring--the one artifact that has never existed physically but is there forever inscribed on our hearts and imaginations, it and the effects of it on those we have come to love even if, they, too, only exist in the same places. The characters we love, the artifact we abhor. Yes, the responsible nature of Frodo has always been a part of my understanding of him. Thanks for the feedback.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/22/2005
Such a complex and fascinating tale! You're making me reflect on Bilbo and then Frodo as "head of the family", which I never thought about before. I'm glad the children found out who Frodo was, and that someone cared about their welfare. Author Reply: Yes, what family head means in the Shire would be the question; but I see it as being the one in charge of seeing to the needs of the particular family members, no matter where they are in the Shire. And I have always though Frodo would be very responsible in seeing to his duties. Thanks for the feedback.

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