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Twice Twenty by Dreamflower	8 Review(s)
Etharei	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 3/2/2006
Such a sweet bonding moment for the Fellowship! My heart goes out to poor Pippin; trust the Took to take the blame on himself. I also like the detail about Boromir delivering the news to Faramir. Merry's words made me tear a little- "I just was remembering him when he was just our Gandalf". It just brings to home how differently the Hobbits regard Gandalf compared to the rest of the Fellowship; first and foremost, he's like their big grandpapa. At least they're healing together. Lovely piec, dear! Author Reply: I think Pippin would have felt guilty, thinking that he had wakened the Balrog. Truth is, I don't see how any of the Bad Guys could have slept through the racket the Watcher made when he tore up the Gate. But it might have been hard to convince the lad of that. And it's canon that Gandalf know Denethor's sons, and was especially close to Faramir ("wizard's pupil"). In fact, it's not a stretch that Gandalf had previously known every member of the Company--he was clearly a familiar figure to the Elven-king's court in Mirkwood, and I don't see how he could have been familiar to Thorin and Company without Gloin's son having met him before. But his bond with hobbits, and with those hobbits in particular, seems very special. He does behave with them much like, as you said, a big gruff "grandpapa".

pipspebble	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/17/2006
choke Oh, that was lovely; a fitting tribute to Gandalf the Grey. Author Reply: Thank you. I know that when I read that part of the Lothlorien chapter now, I just want to tell them--"it's all right, dears, he's going to be back." They must have been mourning so hard.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/16/2006
A beautiful look at one of the most moving moments in 'Fellowship,' Dreamflower. Gandalf was so fond of his hobbits, and they of him, and he was like a grandfather to them. No wonder even Aragorn and Boromir are moved to tears. So was I. Author Reply: Oh thank you! What kind words! This had to be such a painful time for the Company--they've no idea that their beloved leader will return, and at this point, all seems very nearly lost. And the hobbits were so fond of Gandalf--yet, in varying degrees, every member of the Fellowship had known Gandalf before they met in Rivendell, so of course all of them were grieving as well.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/16/2006
I love Merry's perception of him as 'our Gandalf'. It must have been a pleasure to the wizard and ringbearer to go off to the Shire - where he was looked on as a grumpy old grandfather with a talent for fireworks. That time in Lothlorien must have been so difficult for them all. I'm glad Galadriel hung on to them all for a time to give the wounds time to scab over. Author Reply: Just exactly the idea I wished to convey; Gandalf loved the Shire, and I think a good deal of the attraction (besides the lovely company of hobbits)was to be able to set aside important tasks and vital missions, and simply be an eccentric old conjuror of fireworks. I know that it had to be. All of them had, in one fashion or another, known Gandalf since their childhood/youths. I had known this, but not really realized this, until I came to write this story. His lose had to be extremely painful. Galadriel understood this.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/15/2006
And so it is that here the Hobbits are able to lead in the healing which must come. I am strongly reminded of Baylor's "The Care and Feeding of Hobbits" in the chapter set in just this setting, as there, too, the Hobbits lead the grieving and the remembrance of the good times as well. Very lovely. Author Reply: "Care and Feeding" remains near the top of my all time favorite fics. It was one of the first I ever read, and that this reminds you of it I find very flattering indeed. I think, because they are so open about their feelings, the Hobbits are able to lead in the grieving--Men, Dwarves, even Elves, are taught to appear untouched by their feelings, whatever their true state of mind might be. To show one's pain openly is to appear vulnerable. But Hobbits know they are vulnerable, and see no need to pretend to be something they are not, nor would it appear sense to them to deny their grief.

Pearl Took	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/15/2006
I'm teary myself. This was such a great loss for all of them and you have captured it well. Beautiful! Author Reply: It was indeed. I still remember my own grief, and how stunned I was by Gandalf's fall the very first time I read the book. I had no idea then that he would return, and I was so shocked that JRRT had killed him off.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/15/2006
Oh, how very poignant! I like seeing these moments through Aragorn's eyes. Beautiful-it makes one feel the grief with them. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: For some reason this one wanted to be in Aragorn's first person POV. I've only done that a very few times, yet I felt that we needed to see how he felt, dealing with this aftermath of Gandalf's loss.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/15/2006
I always love this bit in both book and film. I, too, want a translation of what the elves are singing but Frodo's poem with Sam's addition is lovely and very hobbity. I felt my own tears starting with Aragorn's and felt the weight of the trust of the Fellowship settle onto his shoulders along with Frodo while he was musing on what he knew of Gandalf's plans. I had never thought of that aspect of the Fellowship leaving Lothlorien - that it needed to be safe both for them and for the inhabitants of the Golden Wood. Lovely writing as usual Dreamflower. Author Reply: Well, you know, I realized that Aragorn would know what the songs said as well as Legolas did. I actually checked the lyrics of the songs as they were done for the film, and was surprised to discover that the English translations were rather unimpressive and prosaic. Hence why Aragorn says the true meaning is lost--the Sindarin has nuances that a literal translation does not capture. Frodo's and Sam's verses really touched me--especially poor Sam's; as you said, very hobbity and heartfelt. Yes, Frodo had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and Aragorn had the weight of Frodo on his. I think that their sojourn in Lorien must have been as long as it was for the same reason as their lengthy stay in Rivendell. The movements of the enemy had to be accounted for, and it had to be safe for both them and for Lothlorien, when they did leave.

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