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Flooding and Glamours by Larner	10 Review(s)
Soledad	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/18/2008
So much sadness. Poor Primula. :( Author Reply: Indeed--the loss of this child must have been very difficult. But it's such a common thing--and I know from first-hand experience how difficult it can be.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/8/2006
I’m not sure it was good for Primula to help to clean up the smial. She seemed to have some little problems before and should have stayed sitting somewhere, maybe then she wouldn’t have catched the cold and lost the baby ... sigh I’m so sorry for all of them. So Bard saw Bilbo and later Sam as they truly were? You know, it’s intriguing how this disc works! Useful thing. I wonder how it would’ve showed Saruman when nobody knew of his treachery. This was an interesting look back at the time when Frodo, Bard and Brendi were children. Author Reply: Whether the exposure to the mold and dampness caused a cold or an allergic reaction or just an upper respiratory infection, the result is the same. The rest tried to keep her calm and quiet; but she's insistent on helping clean up her OWN smial, after all. And now the sneezing appears to bring on the event not even the fright of the flood could cause. Yes, both Bard and Brendi saw Sam and Bilbo (and perhaps Frodo) as they truly were. I'd intended to write later about using the fairy stone, but was moved to do it more quickly when I read "Coraline." After reading that I HAD to write this story now! As for the question of what it would have shown of Saruman--that's indeed an interesting one, and one I may explore. I do have one Nuzgul with Saruman's long talons nagging at me, after all, and we've even done some preliminary plotting of it. Now, to add in the fairy stone somehow....

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/7/2006
“What’s a glamour?” Frodo immediately asked. “A sort of spell to make something appear to be somewhat different than it actually is,” Bilbo explained. I must say, Bilbo's explanation is far the best I've ever heard! As we all know, Primula's miscarriage and Frodo's fainting were the beginning of a very sad story. Sad for Frodo, because everyone wanted to protect him and to look after him and so his life was not as free as before. When Bilbo took him to Bag End as his heir, his life changed completely. So I think it's quite understandable that he wanted his "Brandybuck life" to come to an end. Therefore he put the stone where it belonged, into the mill. Maybe, when he really came to meet Lord Elrond, he regretted that decision! I liked your description of little Brendi, who looked much the same as Frodo and seemed to have the same interests. They must have been close friends in their childhood. Brendi looked through the hole in the stone disk first at Bilbo and then Frodo, then paused and pulled it away. He rather quickly handed it back to his younger Baggins cousin ... What did Brendi see, I wonder? Author Reply: Thanks for the feedback. I think that Frodo might indeed have wished to show the stone to Elrond, but at the same time when he's with Elrond pre-quest he's quite distracted, and afterward is more concerned with making it home than with answering questions as to who might have once carried the aventurine fairy stone or why. So glad you felt Bilbo's explanation was well done--enough information to explain without bogging a small child down with technicalities, I thought personally. And I certainly agree with you on why Frodo in my version would seek to leave part of his Brandybuck persona behind him. As to what Brendi might have seen, I wouldn't be averse to seeing your own vision of that, you know.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/6/2006
At last - a minute to review! A very short tale from you Larner but I enjoyed it very much, especially as it opens up possibilities for more to come! If Frodo's mother blames herself for being the cause of this miscarrage, as seems likely, it is very sad and untrue but, at least, we get to see where Frodo gets the tendancy to blame himself for what can't be helped from. (Woah! Grammar police needed on that sentence!) I got quite a shiver when people started looking through the stone. I think images of the ring and the Eye came to mind. Having them see the truth of a person is great. I like the way that you have turned around the dictionary definition of ' a spell of the eyes that make things seem fairer than they really are,' (Chambers) My own offering of a plot bunny is that I want to know who Frodo looked at through the stone and what he saw! Great stuff Larner and I loved the notes too. Author Reply: It was fun indeed to turn the definition around, so that those looking through the fairy stone in this case were looking at True Shapes rather than physical seemings. The idea of having Frodo look through the stone and seeing the True Shapes of others is an interesting one, and I'll have to think on that one. A couple of people have noted that the fairy stone turns the purpose of the Ring inside out, as it were, and they are right. Yes, we can certainly see in Primula's situation the source of Frodo's own tendency to take unto himself guilt that isn't truly his. And am glad you appreciated the Author's notes.

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2006
Ohhh...so THAT's what a glamour is...I didn't even look it up in the dictionary because I wanted to find out through the story...and I don't even know where the heck my dictionary is anyway...tut tut! LOL I was hoping against hope she wouldn't lose that baby but of course I knew better...that's just so sad! The stone is a lovely idea though...sort of an anti-Ring, what? Showing the truth instead of lies? It's the One Ring that makes glamours. But the truth makes free. Thanks for a lovely little piece! ~~~{~@ Author Reply: In writing this I hadn't considered the idea of the fairy stone as an anti-Ring, but I can certainly understand how you and others have made the connection. Yes, the works of the Dunedain in this case are far more useful than the Ring itself. I agree it was hard not to want to root for Primula carrying the child full-term in this case, but that's life, unfortunately. I do wish Frodo had had the chance to know true brothers and sisters. Thank you for appreciating the story.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2006
“When I looked at Sam through it I seemed to see a great lord, his eyes keen and discerning.” Bard nodded. “I saw the same.” Interesting - bet they were surprised! Sorry to hear of the miscarriage. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Yes, through the fairy stone both Sam and Bilbo have been revealed as they are. Glad you find it interesting. And I, too, wish Frodo might have grown up with proper brothers and sisters, as I'm certain he'd wished as well. But miscarriages do happen.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2006
I have to tell you that your description of the flood-damaged hole was all too accurate. In fact, they were lucky to save as much as they were able to. And the getting sick afterward--well, black mold is just endemic to a flooded structure after the water has receded, and it definitely can cause people to have cold/flu-like symptoms. It's so horrible that it caused Primula to lose the baby. Poor Prim is going to blame herself--if she had not insisted on remaining, and then returning--she might not have become sick. It must have made things so horrid for her afterward. Bilbo was marvelous in this. The idea that he might appear as a mighty lord when seen through the hole...just wonderful, for Bilbo is so often underappreciated, yet his true nature was so much more noble than many would ever guess to look at him, or to listen to his often self-deprecating humor. I really enjoyed Bard in this, getting to know him as a lad. I'd love to see a few more stories perhaps with little Brendilac and Frodo--they clearly already had a firm friendship. I wonder how Brendi felt when little Merry showed up, and monopolized Frodo's attention? Author Reply: I tried to write the flood and its aftermath as realistically as possible. It must have been devastating for all of them. And having had floods in the basement of a former home, I've had to deal with black mold and its aftermath and trying to get it cleaned up properly. Yes, in this case it's very likely Primula would end up blaming herself for the child's loss. So glad you appreciated that both Sam and Bilbo were seen through the fairy stone as more than they appeared. I, too, like the glimpses we have from time to time what Bilbo might have been like had he been born to a different race. As for the plotbunny you've just turned loose in my direction--my heavens, but I may get to it one day, after I take care of the several fuzzy critters and nuzguls intent on being put down on the computer! Heh!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2006
Poor Primula. Far enough along to hope this pregnancy would go well - and to know that she has lost a daughter. I love the use of the fairy stone to see Sam and Bilbo as they really are. Very different from the Ring - which made things be what they were not. I seems a very appropriate thing for Sam to carry in his pocket. Author Reply: Yes, far more appropriate that Sam Gamgee carry the fairy stone than the Ring; and love the comparison you've made here. So right on! Thank you, Bodkin!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/4/2006
Oh my! So that was the purpose of the mysterious green stone. Of course that is what Brendi and Bard would see when they looked at Sam through it, and of course Sam didn't suspect a thing. :) I've heard of such things before, and the less practical part of me is tempted to wonder if it works. We've found things similar to that stone on occasion, and it used to be my brother's favourite amusement to look at things through them. But when I asked why it was so fascinating, he'd merely say, "It makes everything look weird." And I can remember once or twice laughing, half amused and half exasperated at his narrow vocabulary, and replying, "Well, that's nice! It says nothing about what you're seeing!" But that's like him--he hates describing or explaining, and that's why we two hardly ever watch movies together--because Mom urges him to describe, and we usually end up answering at the same moment with cries of, "No! I don't know how!" and from me, "No! It's perfectly fine--please don't make him!" I think it baffles my poor mother. :) Oh, I knew Primula was going to lose that baby. But that doesn't make it any less sad. Poor Frodo--I'd faint too, if I saw my mother in such a state and it dawned on me. Oh...I hope he didn't see what the healer was carrying! Oh, poor Frodo, to have to contain his excitement for such a reason! I don't think I would have survived as long as he did under such scrutiny. Bard and Frodo have an interesting story just between themselves. It is so sad that rivalry had to interfere, but it adds more meaning to their later friendship. I'm glad we've had this look at how they met and what circumstances drew them together. This universe just gets deeper and deeper, and sometimes I wonder how deep something can go, but I love it and look forward to more. You asked where I'm going this summer. To the Colorado Center for the Blind's summer program for high schoolers and from there to Texas for the NFB conference, and then back again. I have very mixed feelings--excitement at the change and the prospect of such experiences as I'm sure to have, reluctance to have to pretty much abandon my passion (writing) for five days short of two months, dread of going where I know absolutely no one and very little of the place, and of being without a church for eight solid weeks, excitement at the opportunity to actually have a paying job for three and a half weeks--but even if it isn't everything it promises, and I believe it will be, this summer will most certainly be interesting. I have a friend who went last year, and you should hear the stories he tells! Freezing in the middle of a street and almost being demolished by a trollie (uh huh, sooo bright), getting stuck in a large trash can (LOL! still don't know how he managed that) and something about a diner that's embarrassing even for me...and I wasn't there (not that it bothered him). I look forward to the author's notes! God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I see the response I wrote to this one didn't post. I hate it when it does that! GAACK! Again I must have hit the back instead of the post button. Oh, I wish also your brother had been able to truly describe what he saw through the hole, for it might have been interesting indeed. My experience is that I lose surrounding details that offer comparison for size, distance, and so on, which leaves one with only a cut-off image that just doesn't usually happen when we look at things. I agree with how difficult it must have been for Frodo to always have to moderate his real feelings toward people and events to keep Menegilda from ordering intervention or isolation or unwanted bed rest and the like. He must have felt terribly stifled at times. Am glad you feel my version of Arda is detailed and rich, and hope I continue to satisfy with my tales. Am ACB, as so many of my students and clients have multiple disabilities and the ACB is better suited to their needs as individuals who are blind. Hope you enjoy the convention. Have been to state conventions and one National one. And if you are in Colorado, I may ask my grandson to keep an eye out for you. He lives in Longmont. I, too, would like to understand how on earth your friend got stuck in a trash can! What an experience!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/4/2006
A nice glimpse of frodo's childhood,though it was so sad his baby sister died. Author Reply: Had a friend who went through more miscarriages than I'd dreamed possible, trying so desperately to have a child of her own. In this case Frodo does know what happened, and is old enough to understand and to grieve, and to fear for the condition in which he finds his mother. It must have been terrifying for the child! And I've always wanted to look at Frodo's childhood--and now I have, at least once.

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