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Chance Encounter by Dreamflower	13 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/20/2006
The conspirators continue to conspire for good causes, and a loving Elf is caught at his good deed. Bless him for it anyway. Author Reply: He most certainly did mean it as a good deed, and I am sure the hobbits do bless him for it anyway. It really was a gesture that came from the heart.

PIppinfan1988	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/20/2006
LOL! I loved following Sam around, giving his delectable gifts out to those he loved, or felt gratitude for. Everyone taking a turn at keeping the byrding busy until all was ready was too cute. I forgot to mention in the last review that I also enjoyed your details of the byrding traditions! Excellent. :-) I had a wonderful time at Sam's birthday party--all the singing and dancing. To see Frodo lead the Tangle dance was pure delight. A glimpse of the "old" Frodo, but not to stay for long, sadly. Pippinfan Author Reply: Well, we don't get a lot of details from JRRT except some tantalizing info in Letter #214, but it's fun to flesh out those few details to come up with more of a tradition. My Frodo is not quite so physically spent immediately post-Quest as the Frodo of some writers. I feel that his physical decline did not begin to accelerate until the first anniversary of his Morgul-wound. JRRT (also in Letters) indicates that the first year Frodo was home, he still had hopes of being able to eventually recover and retrieve his old life, and that he didn't entirely discard that hope until after Elanor was born.

Mysterious Jedi	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/16/2006
I like the backstory that you put for the part in one of your other stories that said Legolas could and was willing to stave off their dreams for the rest of their lives. I had read he was willing to, but I didn't realize he had actually tried to! <>< Saved from sin through Christ, mj Author Reply: Well, he did try for a while, until Gandalf caught him. But he made the offer, anyway, LOL! Ever since I had put that bit in, in my second story, I wondered about the backstory for it--and so decided to flesh it out here. I'm terrible about giving myself bunnies.

Garnet Took	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/13/2006
A hobbity birthday party; that's what I want next year. That just sounded like so much fun. Poor Legolas was so busted. Gandalf's right, though, and I think Legolas knows it, but he has as big a heart as any of the hobbits. Can't wait to see what's up with the plotting scum that's following the hobbits around. Looking forward to the next chapter. GT. Author Reply: Oh, wouldn't I love to have a hobbity birthday party! Especially with lots of hobbits... Legolas does have a big heart. He loves those little guys, and hates so to see them suffer that he fails to see the big picture. Of course, part of that is his Elven sense of time--he really does not quite understand yet the mortal way of looking at things. We shall soon see what the plotters are up to!

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/12/2006
Such a perfectly hobbity birthday, with all those distinguished guests, gingersnaps and lots of food. This was wonderful, and lovely to see Sam so confident. He is not the hobbit he used to be. I loved Merry and Pip trying to get rid of Sam! And the pleasure Aragorn and Faramir must have felt, being in on the surprise. Aragorn's nonchalant "Fancy that! Is it really?" made me roll about! Oh, the song! So touching and beautiful. I was travelling through the English countryside last Summer and looked out of the train window and thought I was in the Shire, and that song described it so perfectly. Author Reply: A hobbity birthday was just what was called for, really. They are all beginning to get homesick--but they have come to love all their other friends as well. Sam has gained in confidence and awareness--you are right that he is no longer the shy and diffident gardener he once was. Yes, keeping it a surprise was quite a conspiracy, wasn't it? I am glad you liked the song. I wanted something that would convey the hobbits' longing for their homeland--I'm so pleased you think it fits the bill.

Etharei	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/12/2006
Now, on one hand I CAN'T BELIEVE I only started reading this delightful story today, but on the other it has lessened the cliffhanger angst a bit. A teensy bit, anyway. I'm ashamed to say that I have yet to read the prequel story to this, but nevertheless I found this story highly enjoyable. Your hobbits are wonderful and lovable, as always, but you took the time to develop the other canon characters further. I especially enjoyed Eowyn's flashback. Menelcar is a well-developed and believable OC, and I can't wait to see how his presence changes the court of Minas Tirith (hopefully for the better!) Author Reply: Well, I am so glad that you are enjoying it! Menelcar was very popular in "Life of a Bard", and I was so fond of him myself--it was inevitable that he and Pippin would one day meet again. I am so glad that you enjoyed Eowyn's flashback. This was the first time for me to write of her, and I was a bit concerned about getting her right. Thanks for stopping by to read and review! Now, I'm eagerly awaiting more of "To Follow an Elf".

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/12/2006
That was quite a birthday party! So many guests, both expected and unexpected. How nice of them to invite some of the men of Gondor and Rohan to the party as well. And to see them all having such a great time! Well done! I enjoyed following Sam around as he passed out his gifts of ginger snaps to his friends. Sam really is coming into his own. He's no longer just the gardener and servant of Mr. Frodo. Oh, no. He now can actually talk to not only the gentry, but the highest lords of the land including the high king, without hesistation or shyness. Sure, Sam may still feel a bit of shyness and awareness at how far he has come and what his Gaffer would think of it, but he counts the highest of the titled gentry as his friends nonetheless. But when they get back to the Shire, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Sam fell right back into his ways of thinking himself below Mr. Frodo, Mr. Merry, and Mr. Pippin, although he will find them more approachable and a certain bond of friendship with them, especially Frodo. What a conspiracy this was! Very well orchestrated manouevres to watch over Sam and make sure he returned at precisely the right time! Thoroughly enjoyable! Those were such lovely words set to "The Road Goes Ever On"! Where do I buy the DVD of Pippin singing it, and all of the other birthday party music, too? "Sam laughed. "Mr. Pippin, I'm the byrding! You just tell Mr. Frodo and Mr. Merry I said you can have two pieces--two mind you, not three!"" LOL! "Legolas placed a hand in front of his mouth, as if to suppress a yawn. Gandalf looked at him sharply, and this time the Elf flushed.... Legolas shrugged. "I would do it for them the rest of their lives if necessary to spare their suffering." He looked up with a glint of defiance. "They have suffered enough already, I think."" You can't fool Gandalf! He is a wise old wizard and knows precisely what Legolas has been doing. I'm glad he called Legolas on it and will bring it before the hobbits to decide. Despite Legolas' good intentions, I don't think he really understands the problems with what he has surreptitiously been doing. But I really loved that glint of defiance in Legolas' eyes - very in keeping with canon and very telling of his love for and devotion to these hobbits. This was a great birthday party. But now that it's over, it's time to catch those two oily men and teach them a thing or two about trying to take advantage of our hobbits! Author Reply: Our Sam's come a long way--a year earlier, and he probably would have been too tongue-tied to even speak to any of these folk, much less give them cookies and regale them with stories of hobbit gift-giving customs, LOL! I don't think that his outward manner with Frodo, Merry and Pippin will seem to have changed much, but Sam does know that they and he are friends and on a certain level, equals--however, he's never going to admit that out loud. Wouldn't it be cool if someone could entice Billy Boyd into making an entire CD of hobbity songs? grin And can't you see the skeptical look Frodo and Merry are going to give Sam when Pippin does claim his cake--giggle Gandalf knows. Legolas still has much to learn about mortals and how they think of such things--he's really not seeing the problem from the perspective of the hobbits, he only knows that it distresses him a good deal to see and hear their suffering when he knows he can relieve it. Their comeuppance is upcoming. 0:-)

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/12/2006
Good party. I'm sure Sam enjoyed himself thoroughly. Although, thinking of it afterwards and remembering how many gentle-persons were there to help him celebrate will bring on an attack of the Gaffer. Gandalf has a point about the singing elf. But I would have thought that Strider would have prescribed some Legolas music if he had only thought of it. The hobbits do need some sleep - even if not 'drugged' sleep every night. The baddies are very slimy. I look forward to them getting their comeuppance. Author Reply: He did seem to enjoy it. I certainly hope the birthday boy enjoyed having his party as much as I did giving it to him. "An attack of the Gaffer"--LOL! I do love that phrase! And just how it would have been, too, his father's voice in the back of his head telling him he's getting above himeself. But of course, he's truly grown far beyond all that now. If Aragorn had realized, he very well might have, although I tend to think that's the sort of thing that must be volunteered. They do need some sleep, and the occasional offer of Legolas' help might have been appreciated--but to slip in secretly and do it every night--not the best idea in the world, no matter how kindly Legolas meant it. The Elf still has a good deal to learn about how the mortal mind works. "Slimy". Yes, they are slimy, aren't they? I find myself quite looking forward to it as well...

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/12/2006
They did work very well together to get Sam out of the way. Though Éomer may've regretted to have asked about hobbit birthday customs :D The smell of food was as good as an alarm clock for Mr. Pippin. Oh yes, I can imagine! And probably for Merry as well. While I should probably copy Legolas' eating customs ... sigh Really, I want to know how the Hobbits do it - to eat so much without getting more broad than high! That was a wonderful party. And I can't help but think what the Gaffer would say - not only gentlehobbits throwing a party for his Sam, but as guests two Kings, one Princess, and a Prince of Men, an Elven Prince, and two Elven Lords one could probably call Prince, too! grin Author Reply: Yes, they did. Quite a conspiracy, you might say, LOL! It's a measure of how far Sam has come: he seldom gets a chance to "natter on" to Big Folk without the presence of the other hobbits. A year earlier, he would have been too shy to even offer his gifts, much less accept a breakfast invitation, and too tongue-tied to carry on a conversation like that. But he's had a lot of seasoning, and however much he might think about what the Gaffer would say, it's no longer stopping him from forming friendships, or from speaking his mind. chuckle Marigold and I had a discussion as to whether or not hobbits would have alarm clocks, and came to the conclusion that they possibly would have had the wind-up kind. But of course, a hobbit's stomach is the best time-teller of all. I'd love their secret as well--one could make a fortune on it! Oh my! giggle I can't see Sam ever mentioning this party to the Gaffer, LOL! But Merry and Pippin might,in a spirit of mischief. And wouldn't his reaction be priceless!! snicker

GamgeeFest	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/11/2006
What a lovely party! I loved that everyone was in on it and were keeping Sam distracted and busy so his cousins could prepare. I could just imagine them restraining themselves from tossing him for the house. I loved that he writes letters to Rosie (or tries to) to make himself feel closer to her. The song was very pretty and solemn and reflecting their journey well. I wondered how long Legolas would be allowed to continue to tend to the hobbits. While Legolas means well, they need to get on with their healing and they won't be able to do that without the dreams unfortunately. And I'm extremely curious to find out what Strider's plans are for those thugs. Author Reply: I'm glad you liked the party! Yes, everyone was in on it, and it wasn't easy to get Sam out of the way. Thank goodness Aragorn had the foresight to send Bergil down there. I am sure that the hobbits made attempts to write letters while in Minas Tirith. I don't know that any of them got sent, and if they were, it would have made no difference, as Lotho had stopped the Post (though they were not to know that). But I am quite sure Sam tried to write his feelings out to her, just to think of her and of home. "Legolas means well." He does, he really does, but his perspective on things is not quite the same as a mortal would have, and he doesn't quite get that they do need to work through those dreams themselves--and though his help might be useful from time to time, it shouldn't be imposed on them without their say-so, night after night. You will be finding out about the scoundrels as soon as I get just a bit more back from Marigold...

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