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Second Mum by Larner	11 Review(s)
Calien	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/26/2017
I suspected that Menegilda's treatment and orders were... what can I say?... too much for Frodo. Now he seems quiet, too quiet, and I think that he isn't very happy. This time I completely agree with him – about the pranks, the other lads provoked him, after all. Bilbo is welcome at every moment, in my opinion :-) I wonder what Frodo is doing that he's only told Bilbo about... Oh, I'm sure that our lad is not doing anything wrong, but I want to find out more! Few words about Tumnus: I didn't mentioned him in my other reviews, but I like him, I like his wisdom (and obviously, I read "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" :-)) On the contrary, Dirna and Gomez's mother are quite unpleasant. That's all, for now.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/26/2007
It seems no matter how hard Frodo tries, someone always gets in his way. I love that Bilbo refused to give up the secret that Frodo told him. I also like the fact that only Merry gets a smile out of him. After all Merry loves him dearly just as he is while some are trying too hard to change or control him. This is wonderful by the way! : ) Author Reply: At this time it seems that Frodo can't win for losing, can he? And of course Bilbo will keep Frodo's secrets for him--he knows how important trust can be, I'd think. Yes, he'll smile for Merry, and so glad you like the way I'm showing the lad. And am so glad you're enjoying the story! Thanks so much!

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/20/2007
Sorry, I did not realize I was so behind on this story, been so busy. :( And before I forget again, I didn't mention in a previous chapter, about Frodo's joy in seeing his first Elf and Bilbo's satisfaction about that. Now in this chapter, the most touching thing was our dear lad giving a gift to the aunt who is choking the life out of him, still he gives a gift. I do wonder what he is doing that he's only told Bilbo about. I am anxious for that adoption to take place so he can get away from this stifling coddling and spread his wings and his joy once more. I am so glad Merry is there to help his heart some and of course Bilbo's visits. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Menegilda does love him, he knows; it's hard to hate love even when it stifles the life out of one. You'll learn in a few chapters what it is he's doing, and I think you'll approve, and it's as the adoption is finalized that all concerned come to appreciate it, embarrassing him terribly, of course. And he does have his Merry and Bilbo.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/19/2007
Dang, woman! You update faster than I can read, especially at the end of the quarter. I like all the little glimpses of everyday Hobbit life that you get in this chapter. Nothing earth-shattering, but lots of wonderful little character studies, and all the details about ribbons and schoolrooms and foaling, and the Free Fair, and all . . . it's the sort of chapter that you just want to look at, for a long long time. I also liked the little bit at the beginning about how attached to Bag End Bilbo was. It really makes you realize what a wrench it was for him to decide to pack up and leave the Shire. Author Reply: Am trying to update every two days. Had hoped to have this finished by Mothers Day, but it was not to be. I like to make the world of Middle Earth realistic, and admit I've been watching the BBC/Masterpiece Theater version of "Emma" and was inspired for the scene with the ribbons by that. But that's the world of the Shire as I've imagined it and as Tolkien himself appears to have seen it, the inhabitants almost straight out of nineteenth century English rural society. I'm honored you appreciate the character studies, and hope you enjoyed todays short in "Moments in Time" as well. It was fun to write. And I think that Bilbo must have been deeply attached to his own home. But when the time went I suspect he went without looking back--mostly.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/17/2007
Well, I think it's high time for Bilbo to take Frodo with him to Bag End! "He needs to get out of here, Bilbo Baggins--without meaning to, Gilda will end up devouring him." Tumnus is definitely right! I enjoyed Frodo's dancing with all those pretty lasses - and their reactions, especially those of Pearl and Narcissa! This is the beginning of it all! That prank with glueing the pages of Frodo's precious book together was really mean! But he did pay it back. I can't recall the prank with the mice and rats, so it would be very nice of you if you could show me the way. It was somewhere in "Reconciliation", wasn't it? Last but not least, you said in your answer to harrowcat that farmer Maggot's name "Ellis" was a tribute to E. Pargeter (aka Ellis Peters)? Really? That is great, because I love reading Brother Cadfael stories :) Author Reply: Yes, this is the beginning of several relationships that led nowhere, I fear--or at least not on Frodo's side of the equation. I, of course, love the idea of Frodo as a dancer, and would imagine even as a youngster he was inspiring others. And it's indeed coming near time to get Frodo out of there--you and Tumnus have the right of it. But there's one last disagreement left to face, and a crisis to surmount. Yes, the pranks of glued book and the retaliation of the rats and mice was first mentioned in "Reconciliation" where Brendi is letting Bard know how devious Frodo could be at times. As for your deduction as to the origin of "Ellis"--you're completely right, of course. Tumnus for Lewis, Albus Sweetwater for Rowling, Jonkenton at Aunt Lilac's place for Merrit, Gwynhumara and Artos for Sutcliff--I do like to include my tributes to many of my favorite authors in my stories.

elanor winterflowers	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/17/2007
Oh, my! Bilbo needs to make his move soon, I think. Wonderful characterizations here: Bilbo, the various gossiping ladies, the very interesting Brendi, and of course Frodo himself, growing up and inward and chafing as much at his restrictions as at his freedoms, it would seem, and also at himself. Esme remains a steady, watchful presence and the social structures you have created for the Hall and for the Shire continue to dazzle me! There is much of a fascinating nature here! Author Reply: Brendi's mentioned glancingly from my first story, "For Eyes to See as Can," although he doesn't garner a name or true identity other than "Frodo's Brandybuck Lawyer" until "The Choice of Healing." And as my stories continue he gains more and more presence. He truly comes into his own in "The Ties of Family," which focuses mostly on Narcissa Boffin and the second family of Frodo's Uncle Dudo, and is a staple once Frodo returns from Gondor in "The Acceptable Sacrifice" and a few other stories. I love the observation that Frodo's chafing as much at his restrictions as at his freedoms--a lovely choice of wording as well as so true; and he's finding out what his limitations are. Considering how much you've brought Merry's family to life, I am honored at your appreciation of the structure of the Hall as I've written it. Thank you SO much! One listmember on the HASA list characterized all original characters as "Mary Sues" of a sort; I disagree completely. Original characters ought to add to the richness of Middle Earth, each showing his or her own strengths and weaknesses; this is certainly what I've sought to do with Brendi, Ruvemir, Isumbard, Bartolo, Alvric, Tribbals Broadloam, An'Sohrabi, and the other characters I've added to Arda, and those like Merry's little Daisy and Theo and Tansy and Jamy you've brought to life. Am so very glad you find mine as delightful as I've found yours, and that we both delight to speculate on the society that spawned the likes of Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Otho, Lobelia, and Lotho.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/17/2007
Oh my, I can't wait for Bilbo to get Frodo out of Buckland, and to Hobbiton where he belongs... and will thrive. Author Reply: Yes, the time is coming when Frodo indeed needs to be out of here. He's lost the one teacher that had any hope of challenging him there in Buckland, and he needs the freedom to do and become all that he can in the time given him.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/17/2007
I hope Bilbo can soon help poor Frodo. Author Reply: It's coming, Linda. But there's no question Frodo's about due for a change of scene.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/17/2007
I love it that Farmer Maggot actually HAS as first name! Have you found it somewhere or is it invented? I have always loved Tumnus. I would love to see a bit more of him. And so Frodo has become aware of Pearl has he!! g And she has noticed him too. Poor Narcissa! The more I read of this the more I want to get hold of Gilda with both hands! Bilbo will have to stand in line for his battle! Although I do understand why she is as she is! Oh, I can think of one or two people that Dirna reminds me of -- worse luck. She is delightfully awful but she is serving a good purpose. It is good to hear that reading and writing was taught to all at the Hall, very enlightened. I am glad that there are good-hearted and right-seeing people about to counter the likes of Dirna and Sackvilles etc. I do love it when you slip in links to other bits of the tale like Frodo's arm going to sleep becase Merry lays on it and the way you have sprinkled dragonflies around in in previous chapters. I grieve for the book. That is truly a nasty prank! But a grand payback! And all the clues there for how it was done - Great stuff. And pigs better than children? Poor hobbit - teaching is not a vocation for everyone after all! I have printed this out and now caught up with all the chapters properly. There are so many threads going on. I like it how the Ring is a presence even there and then. The bit that caught at my heart most was the thought that there was something that Bilbo couldn't contemplate, even for HIS lad. A wise person knows his limitations. BTW - Be jealous! I'm off up to a meeting in York on Friday, if the trains cooperate and have scheduled the return train late enough to do a little sight-seeing! Looking forward to being let off the work leash myself if only for a day! Author Reply: I decided to settle one on him, and this is my own little tribute to E. Pargeter. Heh! Yes, Frodo's being noticed and beginning to notice in return, although nothing serious at this time. I'd decided early on that those who worked at the Hall or the Great Smial could count on getting at least a rudimentary education out of it, and that such a beginning would often lead to an individual finding he could now keep books well enough to run a business properly and so on. And I've met my share of Dirna's in my life. It's always a joy to tie this story into others, and I had to revisit the vengeance on Boridoc at some time--I think the first time it was mentioned was in "Reconciliation" when Brendi was telling Bard what Frodo had been like as Esme and Sara's ward. And am so glad you appreciated the dragonflies, of course. There have to be a few flying insects in my stories, you know! Heh! Teaching isn't always easy, I agree. A former colleague once said something like this to me when I asked how raising Scottish Highlander cattle compared to teaching. And Bilbo knows too well where trying to get along with Gilda would be likely to lead. As for being jealous, I AM!!! I wanna go, too! I wanna go, too! If you have time, visit the Jorvik Experience, and maybe go through the Undercroft in York Minster. And if you visit the Roman era museum there in the Minster Gardens, tell me if the child's shoe is still on exhibition. I LOVE that shoe! And walk the walls for me, if you can. Last time I was there I spent SO much money going through bookshops. Bookshops are my downfall! But I found so many Terry Pratchett books.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/17/2007
Menegilda and Bilbo disagreeing about something, and Frodo in particular, that would have been a sight to behold! A pity Bilbo doesn’t want to show us this spectacle ;-( Just thinking – if Gilda would have seen Frodo after the Quest and been allowed to have him in her house, he’d probably not been allowed to even scratch his nose himself. It doesn’t bear thinking. Was so glad Bilbo showed up and encouraged Frodo. Good old Bilbo! It is truly about time Bilbo steps in and takes Frodo to Bag End. The poor lad! Really, I don’t know how he is able to bear Gilda – I’d scratch her eyes out, I suppose. Don’t have Frodo’s patience. Oh, Gomez’ mother is a Sackville? How interesting. And it is explaining a lot - her constant complaining and talking nasty about everyone as much as the behaviour of her son. Was just thinking that Marguerite would get along very well with Lobelia when the other Hobbitess said exactly this grin Nice reminder of the prank with the rats and mices. Hmmm – Esme probably suspects something? But I am sure she won’t tell. Author Reply: There are some major disagreements coming up, but they'll realize that even Gilda can realize that there are limits to what she should do. As for how Gilda would have treated Frodo post-quest--I fear you are all too right. We have about two years before Bilbo chooses to take Frodo, so there is still time for conflict still. Frodo is trying to be patient, but even he has his limits. Yes, great minds think alike, and you find yourself agreeing with Marguerite's unnamed companion. She does sound a reasonable type, at least. I had to look again at Boridoc and the rats and mice--glad you remembered it from "Reconciliation." Yes, I do believe Esme suspects, but as with the whitewash and the chicken feathers I think she'll let it stand as it is. Thanks so much for the comments, Kitty.

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