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| Birthday Surprises by Baggins Babe | 11 Review(s) |
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| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/23/2007 |
| Finally done! Forgot to mention about loving to see the hobbit archers and Frodo among them and Esme too and Sam's joy at Frodo's joy. Yes, that would be the best present those loving hearts could give and get. This is my favorite from this chapter: That shy gardener's lad I met in Bree so long ago was transformed. The best way to put anything to the trial is to test it in the fires, like a sword. The weak will break but the finest will emerge stronger and more beautiful than ever. So it was with our Travellers. All four were tempered in the fires and are stronger and finer than before." "Even me?" Frodo queried. "I thought I broke in those fires." "No, my friend. You endured the fiercest flames of all and were seared to the core, yet now you are full of strength and great wisdom." Aragorn smiled into Frodo's eyes and the hobbit hugged his friend. Their wordless embrace touched all who saw it. Broken but remade into something even more beautiful - yes. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: The old saying 'That which does not kill us makes us stronger' is often true. I know from personal experience that it is not the easy moments which shape us but the difficult times, when we discover just how strong we can be. I'm glad you enjoyed the story. | |
| ShimmeringWater | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/23/2007 |
| The manner in which you write is impresively alike to Tolkien's. This piece has a beauty rarely found. Author Reply: Oh my goodness! Now I'm blushing so much. What a lovely review to find this morning before I went off to work. Thank you so much for your kind words. I just love immersing myself in this beautiful world. | |
| demeter d | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/18/2006 |
| OOOOOOOhhhhhhh! The interchange between little Violet and "Lord Estel" was most charming. It perfectly fits Aragorn's humble character. And the image of him holding hobbit babies is just too darling. Gandalf had said that if the dark had prevailed, Rivendell and Lothlorien might end up as isolated islands of light, but there was also a different kind of power in the Shire, and it, too might long withstand the Dark. I think you beautifully illustrate that power, here, the force of love and light, and being one with Nature and each other. I would indeed like to see you write about a future visit to Anumminas and the Shire by Arwen and their children! A warm, sweet story. Author Reply: I really enjoyed writing that scene between Aragorn and Violet. Tigger pushed the bunny in my direction and once I thought about it it made perfect sense. Yes, the Shire does have its own light and power, with the hobbits at one with Nature and peacefully (in most cases!) farming the land they love. To me it is England as I would like it to be. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/11/2006 |
| Oh, it's over !! *pouts* "Lord Estel, why is my da so nasty and unkind to us? Ellie's da is lovely and so is Mister Baggins. You're a da, aren't you? I'm sure you're nice to your little 'uns." What a heart breaking question! Trust wise Aragorn to have an answer. I am sure they will all be together again very soon - at least I hope so! Author Reply: Such a shame that this story is over but there will be others. I think Aragorn's wise and sympathetic answer will help Violet to understand a little better. What a pity Gondor is not closer - there would be no complaints from the Men, I's sure. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/11/2006 |
| Is it really over? *Sigh* I enjoyed reading this story very much and I'd quote the whole chapter if that made any sense ;-) But *this* was the perfect ending: The morrow would bring partings, but hearts joined in love would never truly part, and the distance between Gondor and the Shire was as a step for the ever-growing Fellowship. The "ever-growing Fellowship" is not restricted to Middle Earth, we are all part of it :) Author Reply: I'm afraid this story is over but there will be others. The next chapter of 'Old Scores' is up, by the way - posted on Sunday if you haven't seen it yet. Yes, the Fellowship has grown and we are all part of it. What a lovely thought. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/11/2006 |
| Thanks so much for letting me know this was up! The alert must indeed have gone astray--(in fact, I suspect it is residing in the spam trap of my *husband's* computer--I found several there a couple of weeks ago. *sigh* I hate it when that happens.)! But this is just a wonderful chapter. Aragorn's little chat with Violet was just beautiful, and I'm sure that it helped her to understand a little more--and that in years to come, she will remember it, and understand even better. And then all the hobbity banter and story-telling and reminiscing were beautiful and fun and sweet! The only thing I'm sorry about is that it means the story really will have to end--*sigh* I'm with Aragorn, Gondor ought to be much closer to the Shire! Author Reply: It is very annoying when things go astray in cyberspace! Glad you've found the update now. Things are never the same without you. Tigger gave me the plot bunny about Aragorn's conversation with Violet and it seemed to work well. It was certainly great fun to write, and I hope the King's wise words will help Vi as she grows. I really wish Gondor was closer to the Shire! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/10/2006 |
| Poor little Violet, I hope Aragorn was able to comfort her a bit. It is difficult to understand, at times even for an adult, why some people only feel good if they are bullying others who are weaker than themselves. For children this is even more difficult to understand, but I think Aragorn managed to explain it in a way Violet was able to take it in. The lass now has the absolute opposite before her eyes, watching a loving father as Sam and the way Frodo acts around children. That was a lovely idea, BB! And that "Oh! I wanted you to be King for a long time." was simply cute. Pip's little namesake has gotten the right name, no doubt. He's already as bad as his uncle, and I wonder how exhausting he will become when he's older. How do they prevent him from doing nothing other than to raid the larders the whole day? What was said about Gollum is only too true. Even if one has pity with him, knowing what he endured, he still was always a very nasty creature. Not everything can be blamed on the Ring, considering how fast he killed Deagol. I am sure he already had a rather nasty character, or he wouldn't have succumbed to the Ring so fast. Hm ... will the visitors need pack horses to carry all the food away the hobbits surely will gift to them for the journey? *grin* It's a pity this story is finished. I enjoyed it so much to have Aragorn there in the Shire, and I hope there will be another story around his year(s) in Annuminas. Thank you for this story, it was so much fun! Author Reply: Pippin's small namesake is very aptly named! He'll be one to watch once he starts toddling! I think it is very difficult for anyone to understand why some people get such a lot of pleasure from bullying others, but Aragorn's quiet chat with Violet will hopefully help her to understand why her father behaves as he does, and perhaps one day she can feel pity for him. The visitors will certainly have a lot of food to carry but I'm sure they'll eat a lot of it on the journey! Wives and mothers may have to do a lot of sewing to alter too-tight clothing too! Glad you enjoyed the story - it was just as much fun to write. | |
| Tigger | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/8/2006 |
| Oh BB, it was my pleasure to send the bunny in your direction. It came to me one night and I thought it would be perfect. Both for Violet to learn not all Big People are evil and for Aragorn to show once again he can be trusted and truly does care for hobbits and The Shire as his own. Even beyond his duty and responsiblity as their King. I got the date for my knee to be scoped down in Toronto, on the 28th, and this story will be joining the ones I want to print out to read while waiting to go to the OR that morning. Even though I think I know the first few chapters off by heart though. :o) Then again, those kind of stories are the best for situations like that. :oD Sad to see it come to an end, but I know it won't be the last visit to this universe. Can't wait for the next installment of Old Scores!! And really...Thank you so much for using my bunny. You really do not know how much that meant to me when I saw that this afternoon. Thank you again for brightening what has been a horrid and confusing 24 and a bit hours. ((((HUGS)))) | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/8/2006 |
| Oh, what a wonderful chapter! As always I love your descriptions. I could almost feel and smell the "soft spring air" and hear the music, and taste the food! :) I love Aragorn's conversation with Violet, and it ties so well into "Old Scores". I wonder, will Ted be redeemed after all? Can he? And Cornflower has taken Frodo's advice to heart I think. It's true what she said. Thinking back to "Reunion," the change in Frodo is amazing! Sam took Elanor and Frodo offered his hand to little Violet, and they joined the throng beneath the mallorn. The morrow would bring partings, but hearts joined in love would never truly part, and the distance between Gondor and the Shire was as a step for the ever-growing Fellowship. What a sweet scene to draw the curtain on, if you will, and what a lovely last line! Bravo! God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Ah, I love spending time in the Shire with our hobbits - it's as good as a holiday. Tigger pushed the tiny plotbunny in my direction about Aragorn and Violet having a conversation, and it was wonderful to write. As for Ted, you will find out in the next chapter what happens. Thank you for all your lovely reviews - feedback is always most welcome, and I'm always pleased to see others enjoying this universe as much as I do. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/8/2006 |
| Knowing this was The End (*sob*), I savored every word. I love that conversation between Aragorn and Violet! And everything else in this story. Thank you for another gem, BB. And now for my favoritest parts... "There you are - Pip likes you," Frodo laughed. "That's the first proper thing he's said. Of course, he's after that biscuit, you know." Esme handed the baby the biscuit, which he sucked enthusiastically. "I seem to remember another little one demanding my biscuits whenever he sat on my knee," she said, smily slyly at Frodo. ****** The lady in question was advancing on them like a ship in full sail. "My lord King." She curtseyed, allowing Aragorn a view which gave him vertigo. ****** Radagast sighed contentedly and relit his pipe. "This is the most delightful experience I have ever had - no wonder Olorin said that everyone should have a hobbit or two in his care." "He said we were unquenchable - and incorrigible!" added Pip proudly. ****** hearts joined in love would never truly part, and the distance between Gondor and the Shire was as a step for the ever-growing Fellowship. Long live the King, and the Shire -- and *our* Fellowship. Author Reply: Tigger begged for some interaction between Aragorn and Violet and it was really fun to write. I love the way you quote your favourite bits - it is nice to know what hits the spot. ;-)) I had such fun writing this - and of course we shall be re-visiting this universe again very soon. | |