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| Second Mum by Larner | 16 Review(s) |
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| Calien | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/27/2017 |
| Well, I'm trying to leave an acceptable review! I've already written something about chapter 1... yes, little Frodo is cute! And I add that his crying appears strange and particular! Esme notices it immediately; she is very sensitive and I am touched by her desire of motherhood. Bilbo is fantastic. I like to imagine the loving uncle who changes Frodo's nappies. Lobelia is very malicious and her rumors are terrible. I love your description of Frodo's interests and life... and his sensibility towards Esme and Saradoc is remarkable! I love also the idea that Frodo was born in Hobbiton: it's the sign that his real home cannot be Brandy Hall. Poor Primula who lose all those children! But she is stubborn! Menegilda has a great level of authority and I know she take care for Frodo; but Bilbo is right... "wrap him up in wool batting"... The death of Frodo's parents makes me so sad :-( Chapter 2 Well, I saw Jade Took and Narcissa Boffin and Fred Oldbuck. I have to read the list of your original characters, Larner! Uhm, Esme and Menegilda are too protective: I'm sorry that my poor lad cannot live like the others! I'm surprised that Frodo's dreams are about the Sea! So early?! And the rest... well, I admire his courage and his intelligence. Beautiful story, I will continue it! Author Reply: Again, I've been most remiss by not responding earlier. Tolkien made it plain that Frodo had true dreams of the future, so I suspect they were even more common when he was a child. I know that was true for me, and my mother said it was true of her, too. Tolkien also made it plain that Bilbo had a special love for Frodo, the one of his relatives who showed real spirit--as well as sharing his birthday. Thank you so very much for your lovely responses, and again please forgive me for not responding earlier. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/26/2007 |
| So very much in this chapter! Poor Frodo being over-protected all of the time. I don't blame him for being angry since he doesn't even know what they are protecting him from. And now he has displayed his gift of sight and rescued folks from danger. It does seem that everything in his life makes him stand out from the others. Author Reply: I, too, would be frustrated and angry if I were being treated like this, and I certainly can see how in the end he'd get more than a bit defiant. Yes, he's knowing foresight and displaying his talent for seeing things set right. And that he's an unusually responsible soul is being made clear. Do take a look at "Raiding" in "Moments in Time"--I think you'll appreciate it. | |
| Lily | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/7/2007 |
| I'm so excited over this story and I can't tell you which part I liked best. Frodo's Sight... is that his Tookish heritage or his very own insight? I had to think of Paladin and some of my planned stories when I read of this. Wilwaryn... it's a very fitting word for Frodo, isn't it? It is one of the few words in Elvish I know and somehow I have always associated it with Frodo. It's wonderful that Esme should do the same. And I wish that they would finally let him out and play like a normal lad. You know, my German story covers Frodos life from 11 to 33 and he has just the opposite problem after moving to Bag End. In the Hall he was allowed to help while in Bag End he is considered as "Mr Frodo" - at least by other folk, not by Bilbo - and he's completely confused over it. A delightful arrangement of glimpses into Frodo's life. And I like your Esmeralda, Saradoc, Merimac, and... well... I like your Brandybucks :) Author Reply: Am glad you like it. Am trying to finish this by Sunday, but suspect I won't quite finish in time--I will be working toward that end, though. As both himself and a child of the Tooks with a good deal of Fallohide to him, I suspect Frodo knew moments of foresight all his life--certainly that's how I tend to write him. As butterflies have ever been symbols of purity of heart and rebirth as well as the human psyche and spirit, I also have tended to see butterflies and Frodo as being closely related, which is part of why they keep turning up in my stories about him--butterflies, dragonflies, and caddis flies. It's going to take some doing to get Menegilda to give over her overprotectiveness, although she will take it up again. But to become "Mister Frodo" and accept that change in status would definitely take some adjustment, I'm certain; although I've always written Frodo once he returns to Hobbiton as reverting to the pattern of helping others I've seen him experiencing as a child growing up in his parents' home. And am so glad you like the Brandybucks. May they always be worthy of much honor! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/6/2007 |
| The poor kid is being totally stifled by all those determined to care for him. Mistress Menegilda seems to be a bit of a domineering old bat - absolutely convinced that she knows better than everyone. Frodo might need care, but he doesn't need to be made different, except in the ways he can't help. As if the dreaming and the 'sight' weren't problems enough! Author Reply: Stifled indeed! Love can be used as a chain to fetter, and that's how Menegilda is expressing it right now. And she's refusing to accept she's not doing the right thing. Yes, indeed, as if the dreaming and 'sight' weren't problems enough! You have the right of it there! | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2007 |
| The poor lad! Not being able to do anything much at all! Don't they realize that's causing him stress too? I know they are doing it, or so they think, out of love, but man, no wonder he got irritated at times. He has already proved he is more than capable of doing stressful things and coming out with flying colors. I would hope that would open some people's eyes and not have watched even more out of the horror of what he does when no one's around to tell him he can't do it when he's perfectly able to. Love the talk about the previous Free Fair and all the fun had there. Like that you include his dreams of the Sea and even that of what he will encounter as he approaches the Undying Lands. And the way he just lights up when Bilbo is around and now his Merry and how the two already adore each other. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Yes, they're smothering him with misapplied love. For Frodo, the years with his parents must be memories of deepest joy and accomplishment. And he's experiencing the first true stirrings of the King's gift and continuing to know prescience, both of which will be blessings--and banes as well once the Ring comes to him. But he does have his Uncle Bilbo and Cousin Merry to hearten him. Thanks so for the comments, Antane. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2007 |
| Dear Larner, This story is just wonderful! Esme should have listened to the others! Menegilda might be older and wiser than she is, but NOT when it comes to Frodo! Of course I can understand Gilda. She wants to protect Frodo from any harm and stress out of love and out of fear that he might have a heart attack. But he is a teenager and he needs to be together and play with children his age. I liked it though, that Esme did not tell her everything, and so Bilbo was able to take Frodo away to have some fun, more than once I bet! Old Bilbo is great in this story! She looked to her right at where Frodo walked, a blanketed Meriadoc in his arms, softly singing some song in Elvish he’d learned from Bilbo as he walked, his eyes returning periodically to the little face that peered up at him from the midst of its swaddlings. Awww! I love that scene! Merry is the best that could happen to Frodo. A little brother-cousin, like Esme called him! So, the dreams of the sea began when he was but a little child? And they changed, apparently, introducing new elements like the stars and the elves singing. I like that idea! And the gift of foresight! He is a special hobbit, indeed! But I think I have to wait until he comes to live with Bilbo to see his talents develop fully! Thank you very much for this great chapter :) | |
| Elemmírë | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2007 |
| Hi Larner! I'm on my way to work, but I just wanted to let you know that this is WONDERFUL!!!! You have me salivating for more ... the rich details, the expansion of your already lovely tales, young Frodo, Bilbo, Esme and oh the emotion!!! Can you tell I want more? LOL! ~Elemmírë~ p.s. I've always enjoyed writing Esmeralda ... she's just one of those characters that comes to me naturally. I'm very much enjoying reading your version of her as well. :) Author Reply: Am so very glad you appreciate it, Elemmire. I'm trying to capture a variety of experiences and emotions, as you can see, and to give more of a background for the anecdotes I've hinted at elsewhere. And I, too, like Esmeralda very much. I see her as in many ways more intelligent and sensitive than Eglantine, and far quicker to learn from her own mistakes. And I do believe she would always be seeking Frodo's comfort and safety more than her own. Thanks so much for the sentiments of appreciation. | |
| Beruthiels Cat | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2007 |
| Larner, this is absolutely charming! I love the way you've given Frodo such a realistic and detailed backstory...Looking forward to your next update :) BC Author Reply: Thanks, B.C. I find I enjoy looking at how relationships grow and change over years. Hope to have the next chapter up soon. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/5/2007 |
| Jade was right, of course. But making Frodo wear normal clothes doesn’t help much if he is not allowed to play or do anything ... And the following proved that she was right. It was frustrating enough to even *read* it; how much more frustrating had it to be for Frodo? It may have been right to prevent him from hard bodily work, but it was absolute nonsense to forbid him anything. I’m rather furious at Gilda just now. Dino was so right ... It really should give them something to think about that Frodo is able to rescure other hobbits from the current without any repercussions to his health; they should understand after that it is nonsense to keep him back from everything. And it is interesting to see how he seems to know when someone needs help. He didn’t wear the Ring back then, after all. To teach a child like Frodo must be quite a challenge – I nearly feel sorry for his teachers, save Bilbo, who was probably the only one to keep up with him. Look forward to more! Author Reply: Prescience, psychologists have found, tends to be strongest in children and adolescence, a fact I've noted was true in my own case; and I suspect that the King's Gift I've written into my take on the characters of Frodo and Aragorn would begin to truly manifest itself at this time in Frodo's life. Actually, the King's Gift is a form of psychic empathy, a gift that appears to manifest erratically with many people, particularly in relationship to ones deeply loved. How many times have you heard anecdotes of individuals who have dreamed of a loved one saying goodbye at the time that loved one has been involved in an accident far away; or have realized that a loved one is in imminent danger? Gilda isn't as sensitive to the fact as Esme is that Frodo is not as fragile as she imagines; her expectations are getting fully in the way of her perceptiveness and are filtering out a good deal of reality as applied to Frodo's capabilities, and right now not only is she not listening to Bilbo but not even to her brothers and sisters-in-law who see the lad every day. Having been considered a "gifted child" myself, I know I gave a few of my own teachers a challenge. Fortunately I managed to draw far more gifted teachers than bad ones in my school years. But you're right--Bilbo would be the one Hobbit fully capable of keeping up with Frodo's curiosity and learning abilities. Thanks so much for the detailed comments! | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/4/2007 |
| Sorry for the blank review. Hit the wrong key, I guess. Oh my word! You've mentioned this overprotection before, but I had no idea! That is pathetic--absolutely pathetic! Gilda ought to be ashamed! Neading bread? Hanging clothes? Sledding?! For pity's sake, let the child *be* a child instead of glaring at anyone who lets him help and saying he's "special!" I know, really know, that such words as "special" (when seemingly meant as "exceptional" for whatever reason) when used in that way (or similarly) can be absolutely infuriating. Yes, Frodo might be special (in a good way), but as he points out, not too special to live normally. Maybe I read too much into that, but it sounds too familiar, and is certainly not at all the thing to say to a justly frustrated kid, that's for sure. Poor Frodo. I know they do it because they love him, but honestly, they're really extreme! But then, if I'd been so frightened for him, as Gilda and the others were, I don't know how much I would do differently, though I certainly hope I wouldn't be ridiculous. I love that Frodo is doing brave things and helping as he can in spite of the odds, though. Of course he would. :) So, he's dreaming of the sea already. I've imagined him dreaming about it in his childhood as well, and especially after his parents' deaths. Love also that he's already showing some of the King's Gift! Sounds like it's a good thing he realised what Greenman was up to, or else it could have been even worse than it already was for his wife and kids. For all I've read and heard about such abuse, I still can't understand how anyone can do that to those they profess to love--if, that is, they profess to love them. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Prescience appears to be strongest for children and adolescents--certainly it was that way for me. Mostly I tend to dream snippets of conversations that are totally meaningless at the time I dream them, and usually pretty lacking in significance when they happen as well. I did dream the Rosary service held for a cousin's husband after he was murdered, and a monologue given by a classmate in Drama class when we were in high school, but mostly it's just conversations--silly conversations. That Frodo would know that gift from childhood, considering his temperament, just seems right. And this would be the time in his life, I think, when he'd indeed begin manifesting the King's gift as well. I thought you would most fully appreciate what Frodo's going through right now. What I've seen well-meaning parents and teachers do to capable kids through skewed expectations has, unfortunately, often proved very frustrating and in some cases quite damaging to the children they'd hoped to nurture and protect. That so many children triumph more in spite of them rather than due to them is a wonder! And Gilda definitely has very inconsistent expectations. Nor can I see Frodo willing to stand by idly when he feels there's something he can do to help a situation. Thanks so much for the review, my Lady. | |