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Second Mum by Larner	15 Review(s)
Calien	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/2/2018
Our beloved Frodo is so honest! Somehow I'll miss the Rascal of Buckland, but I'm glad that he decided to make amends for his mistakes. And now he is doing well and his joy is catching. Little Sam overcomes Dirna, wow! A real gardner ;-) I'm sorry for Bell Gamgee... She will dead soon, I fear :-( And poor Will Whitfoot, who loses his son. It's terrible! I love the conversation among Maggot, Bombadil and Radagast... and Esme's picture upon the grass, while she admires the flowers.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/27/2007
(I have a suspicion that our Sam will be quite a surprise to the Shire one day, when all of a sudden all realize that this is nowhere as simple a soul as they think.) More foreshadowing! I love it. And Sam's flowers winning the prize too. I also found Frodo's dreams while ill about he and Merry being chased by horses for likely in light of Frodo's gifts. It's a wonder he didn't see Pippin in there somewhere without actually knowing who Pippin was! And the conversation with Tom and Maggot! This had a bit of everything and seven signatures in red ink!

elanor winterflowers	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/24/2007
Oh, I loved this! Especially the dingle full of violets--I was quite honestly transported by that. And vastly impressed by the order and logic of the adoption ceremony. What a great scene. Also loved 'hearing' Tom and Radagast and Maggot in conversation. That was magical! And I adored Miss Dora's letter, which was just like her and a wonderful Homage to Dreamflower's Dora. And I was very touched by the stories of Frodo's 'making amends' for his youthful indiscretions--what a lovely boy! Sorry to be tardy in commenting--I must have missed it when it was first posted, as it has another chapter right behind it today. But I'm awfully I caught sight of it today--wonderful chapter! Author Reply: Am so glad you like the violets--it's almost a foreshadowing of a clearing Frodo visits on Tol Eressea in "Lesser Ring" that I wished to bookend, if you will. Tolkien tells us that for all their simplicity, when it comes to contracts and such Hobbits are very thorough and have their seven witnesses and red ink and all. This seemed to speak to me of a people that felt it necessary to see to it that as much as possible all bases are covered whenever possible; and in doing a formal adoption as much as possible they'd try to make certain everyone was agreed. We know Bombadil had high regard for Maggot, and in "The Ties of Family" I have the incident in the byre from Frodo's point of view. Now it was time for Radagast's POV, I felt; and I felt Esme needed to realize that there were those who already saw Frodo as being special and in some way set apart. Dora's letter is indeed patterned on Dreamflower's Book of Manners, and I'm glad she approved. Nor can I imagine Frodo doing anything by halves, not even reforming. And I, too, am glad you realized it had been updated twice. So glad you did!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/23/2007
I always wondered about Farmer Maggott and Tom bombadil.It is nice to see them here, Author Reply: Tolkien made it clear they knew each other, and I found I needed to have them part of this tale.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/23/2007
Frodo seems really happy and settled in his new life. And he has grown up a lot! Everyone - well, apart from the Sackville-Bagginses - wish him well. I think I can agree with some of the limitations set on the wandering propensities of the Baggins family, though. Frodo needs to grow up where he belongs to develop that strong sense of ... harmony. And isn't young Sam doing well! Author Reply: Yes--a good deal of maturing has taken place within young Frodo, and am glad you agree about the restrictions set by Frodo's Brandybuck kin. And I certainly agree about the S-Bs not likely to wish him well. As for Sam--yes, doing very well indeed! And he thanks you for your notice.

Lily	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/22/2007
It seems Frodo has finally found a place to bloom and prosper. I wonder what else you have in store. Author Reply: Am working on it, although it looks as if the next chapter will be posted tomorrow instead of today.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/21/2007
Oops - caught in my ignorance! Although I did wonder why they were lumpy and sewn into a sack. g Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filbert" The word 'filbert' is used regionally in Oregon to refer to hazelnuts in general. Use in this manner has faded partly due to the efforts of Oregon's hazelnut growers to brand their product to better appeal to global markets and avoid confusion. So perhaps it might be more English to say hazelnuts but it does add to my education to use different terms! And I always feel that your lovely, long and detailed chapters deserve an equal effort in return - when I have time. grimace Jet sends you a woof. Am thinking of a friend of mine who is going to have to take her dog to the vets tomorrow and say farewell to a faithful friend of 15years. To Benji - the eternal Border Collie Puppy! If our dogs don't end up in heaven then I am not going either!!! Author Reply: I thought it was yet early in the season for mushrooms it being late March or early April, as I've not seen any here yet, and we're almost through May--and we're further south than you are! Didn't think when I wrote that part that hazelnuts might be more easily recognized--grew up calling them filberts, after all (I live, after all, in Washington, the next state north of Oregon!). Having grown up in the midst of a working kennel, I've known my share of losses of companions over the years. Rosie and Laddie are buried out on the west border of the property. My prayers are with your friend in her loss.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/21/2007
Actually I read this chapter yesterday. Then I hit the refresh button - and the chapter was gone! Did you change anything? In my opinion it was perfect already :) I loved it how Frodo secretly helped the farmers with their work, and how they in return left him little treats. The conversation between Maggot, Radagast and Bombadil was great. I like the fact that the wizard and Old Tom shared Maggot's opinion that Frodo was a very special hobbit. Bilbo's imitation of Aunt Dora was splendid! And Menegilda finally found out that she was doing wrong. “And it’s about time the family Baggins got some responsible leadership!” LOL!!! Poor old Bilbo! But this is just too funny! So, Frodo is now officially declared Bilbo's heir! The S.-B.'s will be fuming! I'm looking forward to reading more about Lobelia's reaction. Author Reply: Sorry about that--in reviewing the chapter yesterday I accidently hit the "Hide" button, something I've done only a couple times over the years, thank heavens! Sorry about that. Revealed it again, but I estimate it was hidden for about ten minutes or so before I realized what I'd done. Need to go back in and change "filberts" to "hazelnuts" and it should all be well. Never realized "filberts" was a regional term. Oh, well! Frodo was likely one to throw himself wholly into whatever he did, even reforming! And I suspect that some who watched him try to redeem himself found themselves feeling for him. Having known a relationship with Tom Bombadil, I suspect that Maggot kept him apprised over the years with tales of the most significant and unusual Hobbits in the Shire of whom he was aware; and I suspect that realizing he'd likely terrified that Baggins lad he would have discussed the situation with the Eldest. Therefore, if Radagast made a visit to Eriador, he was likely to learn something as well, even if he never thought of the land of the Halflings as "the Shire." I'm certain Bilbo would enjoy mimicking his cousin, no matter how much he liked her--her reams of advice given over the years must have been too good a target to avoid. Menegilda DOES learn from her mistakes, and Bilbo gets twitted in his turn, which he deserves at least from time to time, don't you agree? And Lobelia and Otho won't be positive for years yet--HAH!

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/21/2007
I do love it when dogs make an appearance and what an appropriate name. g One of our dogs was called Penny because Dad said she cost a pretty penny to buy, (she was a pedigree flat-coat.) And I liked the tacit understanding going on between the family(ies) and Frodo. It took two reads to realise why Sara was sneezing! Poor hobbit. You are gradually giving us an education in types of mushroom. Now I will have to go and see if I can find some to try! What a fantastic conversation for Esme to overhear. I love glimpses of Radagast. Tom's poetry is always fun. But you just about broke my heart with the wreath Frodo leaves behind. I think it was a good move not to tell us of his actually leaving Buckland. The reunion is great. It is obviously Very Good for Esme to get away from the hall once in a while, (and for Sara too!) g But then to give her Lobelia to deal with? You are a cruel Author! But she copes very well! It appears that Aunt Dora has been giving you lessons in letter writing! Poor Fenton. You got a lot emotion into such short missives. And there is much more to Gilda than meets the eye too! Someone will have to tell Dirna that a good fume now and then is excellent for the soul! g. I hope the teapot was nearly empty. Good for Sam! What I would love to know is how they managed to transport the blooms to the show without damage. Now that was a brilliant and right hobbity sorting of Frodo's situation and adoption! Another great chapter Larner. Author Reply: Well, in an earlier chapter I'd written that at least part of the reason Frodo hadn't had much contact with dogs around the Hall was due to Sara's allergies, most likely leading folks in the Hall to keep their animals a good distance away from them. Then, at Bag End it would be Bilbo's desire to be free to go off on a ramble or visit whenever he wished that would deter him from having a dog. There had to be a reason Frodo's knowledge of dog behaviors was fairly limited, I figured. And with this couple, as nice and perceptive as they were, I was certain they'd love the joke of naming their new family member after the true cost of having accepted her. I find I rather like them, actually. I'm not terrifically good at poetry, so this took some work to have it scan at least somewhat well; but as Tom tends to talk in rhyme much of the time, I had to find some way of including his singing in his communication. Did I mention mushrooms? Filberts is another name for hazel-nuts. Should I change it in the text, do you think? I just naturally used the more common name for them here in the States, I fear. Frodo had to learn how to give as good as he got in the case of Lobelia from someone, and I figured that Esme herself, having dealt with Margeurite and Dirna, would be an excellent role model. It was Dreamflower's "Dora Baggins's Book of Manners" that gave the pattern for Dora's correspondence, and I had to follow suit as I could. I can certainly imagine the good lady thinking in captital letters! Heh! Radagast was a special wizard, I always felt; and like Gandalf was probably drawn by what he could perceive from a distance of Frodo's own Light of Being, offering him the compassion he needed when terrified by Maggot's dogs. We already know Maggot and Bombadil knew one another, so it was no great stretch to add one more to a meeting the two of them might have enjoyed. And I'm so very glad you appreciated the little wilted crown of violets. I figured that Frodo would have treasured such a gift given him by a younger child, but would have refused to take it onto Hall land where there might be still some who considered him a sissy to begin with and where the little wreath would likely be disparaged and insulted. So, it was gently abandoned at the borders of his uncle's personal holdings.... And for the final adoption--so glad you approve of how I've pictured it! Thanks for the long and detailed examination of the chapter. And love to Jet.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/20/2007
So that was what he was up to - I figured it was something noble but then he did have that reputation of being a rascal too, but don't we just love our lad? And he's met Sam! Yea! Another inseperable brother and piece of his heart. All of this, even the depressing years, helped shaped him and now he'll continue to grow until Iluvatar reveals to him what He created him for and then the growth will accelerate though it will be painful. I just read yesterday about another person who considers him a saint, remarking the Light seen in him is like one sees in saints. Another book I read talking about people rushing to put out a forest fire only to find that the bright glare was not a fire at all but the Light from St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare talking in a glade. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: I doubt Frodo Baggins was one to ever do things by halves, whether it was drawing, dancing, learning, planning raids on the farms of the Marish, or reforming. Whatever he did would leave its impact on those whose lives he touched. Oh, it's so long since I last heard that legend of the glowing light surrounding St. Francis and St. Clare talking together--think we discussed it in Sunday school once when I was a child. Thanks for the memory! My mother's favorite saint was St. Francis, of course, as much as she always loved animals; and I'll undoubtedly one day replace my statue of him. And now Frodo and Sam have come to know and appreciate one another, as is right and proper, of course. Yes, these brothers of the heart are starting the relationships they will continue for eternity.

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