Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

A Shire Sketchbook by Baggins Babe	8 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/29/2005
giggles Good old lad! What a sweet story, BB! Brought a huge smile to my face! :-) God bless, Galadriel

Mirkwoodmaiden	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/9/2005
My dear BB! Such a sweet little story! Well thought out and a delight to read! Rufus such a brave little cat, momentarily misunderstood! The description of late summer, early fall in the shire was lyrical, my dear. Wonderfully rendered. A hungoverwasp?? Was it drunk on Barleywine perchance? Hmmmm! Where have we heard that one before? Love the description Rufus getting four legs caught in the silver ribbon and "sheepishly looking for rescue" LOL wonderful little story. MM Author Reply: Hello MM I think the wasp was just hungover on fermenting fruit - not sure if the hobbits make barley wine, but it's a nice thought. Glad you liked the story - poor Rufus, frustrated and misunderstood! Thank you for your kind comments about the descriptions of the Shire - I always imagine Oxfordshire or the Cotswolds. :-))

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/7/2005
Rufus certainly is a brave kitty! But I am not as soft hearted as Frodo and Sam--nor as brave as Rose. I am afraid that one glimpse of the snake, and first I would have let out a shriek to rival the one Bilbo made at the Unexpected Party, and then I would probably either have run like the Nine were after me, screaming "Kill it!", or I would have passed out cold. (This is judging by my previous reactions to snakes a lot less dangerous than an adder.) But subject matter aside, I dearly loved this, with its beautiful descriptions! That first paragraph was sheer poetry: Summer was lingering in the Shire, reluctant to leave after being made so welcome. The days were warm and golden, the fruit gardens still groaned under the weight of their bounty, the grapes on the Southfarthing vines grew sweeter and fatter as the starches turned to sugars, roses blossomed and all birds, beasts and insects made the most of the glorious weather to fatten themselves for the winter. Wasps fed on fermenting fruit and buzzed tetchily, reeling drunk and hungover, tumbling in and out of the flowers and gorging themselves until they could barely move. As I've said to you before--good as a vacation in the Shire!! Author Reply: Oh dear! Perhaps I should have anticipated this reaction - as with Tigger, who also has an aversion. I just felt that the hobbits, living so close to the natural world, would be less alarmed by something like this than we in our modern world. And adders in Britain are relatively harmless in comparison with snakes in some parts of the world - I know someone who was chased by a snake in Australia! Adders in Britain are very shy and retiring and normally only cause problems when they are startled or stepped on. They don't seek confrontations. Whe I was little, my father often took me to the zoo, and the first call was always the reptile house! :-)) Then I became a veterinary nurse and had to be prepared for anything. I'm so glad you enjoyes Rufus' part in the story though, and that you liked the descriptions of the Shire - a holiday in the Shire sounds perfect!

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/6/2005
Okay...This is a mixed emotion review m'dear because you had Rufus saving the little ones from the one thing on this earth that terrifies me more than anything. I can't even talk about them, that's how terrified of them I am. So, forgive me for scanning over the details after Rose realized what Rufus was trying to do. Other than that...This was a lovely story. Arwen's cushion for Rufus though...Oh, that was perfect. I can so see it too. Pampered and loved by all, that's our Rufus. Indeed the Bravest Cat In The Shire!! W/Yule coming up...I'd love a story about Aragorn getting a little furry one of his own and take it from there m'dear. Don't think I've ever read one as a stand alone. Larner's got The Royal Family of Gondor w/cats in her stories, but that's different as they aren't the focal point of the stories. Would love to see Aragorn being given a pet of his own for Yule, from Arwen, w/some help from our beloved hobbits. Just think about it, please? Looking forward to the ongoing adventures of Birthday Surprises. There's a night of drunken singing coming up, isn't there? Hmmm.... ;o) Author Reply: Well I'm flattered that you read the story if you are that terrified, and you are forgiven for simply scanning the details. I'm lucky - my parents encouraged me to handle all sorts of animals and my mother had no fear of spiders etc. so I grew up without any terrors in the animal kingdom - it's why I became a veterinary nurse! We had to deal with all sorts. :-)) Hmmmmmm. A Yule present for our beloved King? I shall see what I can do with that one. Yes, there will be lots of drunken singing in the next chapter of Sam's birthday story. I'm looking forward to it as much as you are!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/6/2005
Yes, queen and hobbit both will laugh joyfully over this one. Author Reply: I think Rufus will appreciate his soft cushion cover, especially in the winter. How nice of Arwen - but then it made a change from working on clothes, or banners for her beloved. :-))

frodo16424	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/6/2005
Hooray for the bravest cat in the Shire! Rufus is quite the hero - and gets a reward made by the elven Queen herself. Tho he should really watch out for those ribbons - just don't det too wrapped up in them, LOL! Rufus is quite a character in his own right. I certainly do enjoy his adventures. Author Reply: Not many cats can boast that they sleep on a cushion embroidered by the grand-daughter of Earindil! Still, Rufus deserves it after his hard work. :-))

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/6/2005
Can we all say a big thank you to Rufus please? And what a lovely present. Author Reply: I shall pass on your thanks to our favourite feline.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/6/2005
"Oh Rufus! You've signed your name on Aragorn's letter now" What an adorable idea. I wish I had thought to have Scamp do that! And just as I was settling back to bask in the fluff, Rufus saves the children's lives! Oh yes, bring on that roast beef reward. And omigosh, a royal cushion cover! What a delight, BB. Thank you for giving our happy family such a dear friend and attentive guardian. I love him dearly. beams with joy Author Reply: Thank you for nudging this particular plot bunny in my direction. :-)) The idea has been niggling away at me for some time and I really enjoy writing Rufus stories anyway. Couldn't resist the cushion cover - I thought Arwen would enjoy doing something for our favourite feline. Glad you enjoyed it.

Return to Chapter List