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The Ties of Family by Larner	6 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 2/4/2006
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually pity Beasty Bracegirdle for being stricken from the family book. I can't say why, after everything he did; I suppose because what comes closest to home for me, what I can most identify with, is his low meanness to Fosco...and that, of all his wrongdoing, is the smallest. I love the way you write Sam telling the tales--with a kind of humble pride. And I'm so glad the Shire has that model. Author Reply: For a Hobbit the loss of family ties is the worst punishment of all, worse probably than even death might be. That you feel empathy for him says much of your own emotional maturity. And I, too, see Sam particularly with that native dignity that makes him such a wonderful Hobbit to know and a worthy successor to Frodo in all ways. You're right--the Shire needs that model before it as it establishes its place in the outer world.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 6/16/2005
Oh, I just love it, when Sam tells stories! He's very good at it, isn't he ;-) You brought back to me the moment, when Smeagol gently tried to touch Frodo, but was abruptly stopped by Sam, who had just awakened - and destroyed the magic of the moment! Of course, Sam is not to blame, he only wanted to protect his master. I like the idea, that Smeagol saw the light in Frodo and tried to cling to it - until Gollum came back! At that moment, when Smeagol reached out his hand, everything could have been possible! I also liked it, that Emro was allowed to stay at the farm, which once was his own! Gambling can be very dangerous, but he recognized, that he did completely wrong. And I think, he will never do it again. Seems to me now, that it was Lilac who was most afraid of losing the twins, for Emro now lets them live their own lifes.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 6/14/2005
Wow...This was so satisfying in many ways. Glad Emro won't lose his home. It's one thing when something like that happens through someone's own actions and completely another when they've been tricked into doing it. I feel sorry for the poor old hobbit. Glad to see he'll be among family to help him. I am truly amazed Ted Sandyman was not banished. I mean, he's more than proved himself to be a hobbit of no good, so...At least Beasty will not only be banished, but also be getting a taste of the King's Justice. I'm very interested to see what Aragorn will do once he gets an accounting. Would like to finish this, but there's thunderboomers going off... Author Reply: Yes, computing in storms can be problematic at best. So far, Sandyman has been a follower. Had he proven to be a leader in the plan, I suspect he would have gone out to see the King's justice himself. Good luck in your storms.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 6/14/2005
Some of the Bracegirdles have had quite mild judgement, but I think the main perpetrators have gotten what they deserved. I look forward to see Beasty in Rivendell before the King. I doubt he will dare to be so overbearing any longer. And I can't wait for the twins to meed Aragorn. The story told by Sam was wonderful - I truly love all the details about the Quest woven in this fic. However it was so very Sam to tell only about what Frodo had done and how Frodo is honoured in Minas Anor. Luckily Freddy and Narcissa were there to remind him of his own part in Frodo's success and to talk about Merry and Pippin. Sam is way too modest. It is so reassuring to know the four travellers are now honoured in their own homeland, too. Author Reply: The realization of what all was involved in the Quest would probably have taken years for the Shire to realize in full, I think. And Bedro Bracegirdle before Aragorn is something I, too, have anticipated with a regretable level of pleasure.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 6/14/2005
I do love it when Sam tells the Tale, and the hobbits hear more of the story filled in. It's important for them to know that hobbits played such an important part in the winning of the War. The clothes themselves are preserved as Gandalf told us would happen, in crystal cases made by the Dwarves, hanging in the Hall of Memorials How I would love to see that myself! Author Reply: I find myself wanting to go through the Hall of Memorials myself, as well as the Mathom holes in Michel Delving. Primsong on FFN wrote a description of a harp to be found there that was fascinating, and Baylor has written some lovely descriptions of its contents as well. Oh, I'd love to see them!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 6/14/2005
This was just lovely. So much of it made me smile and tear up at the same time. This exchange really moved me: Saradoc sighed and shook his head. “No, I think you have the right of it there. Far too decent a Hobbit, Frodo was.” Narcissa gave a wry smile. “Just look who taught him everything he knew about fairness and decency, though,” she said. The Master smiled. And then to see Sam get his due: Fredegar smiled gently. “Two of our own are honored there, equally, Sam, and with reason. Let our children know about both.” He then bowed deeply toward Sam, and the others who had made the journey to Gondor did the same while Sam continued to flush, but stood his ground. And of course, Merry and Pippin recieve their due as well, thanks to Narcissa, Fosco turned to look into Narcissa’s face, holding his own face near so as to examine her expression carefully. “So, it is true, all four a heroes?” She smiled, her eyes filled with pride. “Yes, they are all four heroes, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. Each and every one of them.” It is so good to see them getting the recognition at home--at least from their nearest and dearest--as they got abroad. I am very much looking forward to seeing Beasty before the King in Rivendell. I can just imagine him having to look into those grey Numenorean eyes and then try to justify himself. It should be interesting. And I am really looking forward to Aragorn's reaction to seeing Fosco, if the resemblance to Frodo is so strong as you suggest. Author Reply: Yes, I think Beasty is in for a shock, particularly when he realizes he can't easily lie to the King. And Aragorn will be pleased once he really gets a look at the twins. As for Saradoc and Esmeralda, I suspect that basically they were very loving foster parents for Frodo, and assisted him in developing his character; but that at the end he and Bilbo truly saw the need for the two of them to serve as a family together, that their own likenesses in temperament and interests would offer the balance Frodo needed to fully become what he was to become as a fully adult Hobbit. But what he received in character training from his younger days, first with his parents and then fostered in Brandy Hall would also serve to assist him to become as decent an individual as he was. I like to offer some tribute to the Master and Mistress of the Hall who helped him grow and recover after the deaths of his parents.

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