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| Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil by Larner | 14 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Periantari | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/28/2007 |
“I’m glad now as you never paid me no heed, for I see now as where mixin’ with your betters took you--made you and all of us the better for havin’ knowed ’em, it has. You’re no ninnyhammer as I was, lad. And I’m the one as is honored to have ye as my son.” You have the Gaffer's voice written so well and so canon-like. And i totally adored the paragraph about the Gaffer seeing his children all grown and successful-- especially loved the part about Sam. :) Wow what a touching, loving and beautiful scene you've described. This was amazing to read. :*) Author Reply: I'm so glad you like it, Periantri. I find I have a soft place in my heart for Hamfast Gamgee. To see what his children grew into would be a blessing for the old Hobbit. Thanks so much for the feedback. | |
| cookiefleck | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/18/2007 |
| Just got around to reading this, and it made me teary. You know how much I like Sam. I like to think of his happiness after the quest, surrounded by his loving family. The Gaffer understanding and appreciating the full measure of his son's worth was satisfying to read. I also liked his observation that Sam was one who grew even closer to his family as a result of his wanderings and accomplishments. I saw your comment about imagining that Frodo adopted Sam as a brother. I've never seen it that way but it's an interesting idea. Perhaps back in M-e they didn't have to specify the "relationship" of the adoption. And I've always wondered why Gamgee gave way to Gardner. Author Reply: Bilbo doesn't appear to have adopted Frodo as a son specifically--just as an heir. And so I figured that as Frodo appears to have done similarly with Sam, who was only twelve year younger, it made sense to me that if Frodo specified any relationship it would be as a brother, rather than as a son or anything else. Yes, I know how you love Sam, and I'm glad I could give you a story in which the Gaffer saw his son with the respect Sam deserved, while receiving the respect he himself deserved for giving the Shire such wonderful Hobbits for its enrichment. And, from what I've seen of Sam, he never forgot his roots, or tried to pretend he'd never been but a humble gardener. No, he may be the Master of Bag End and the Hill now, but he's also the Gaffer's son. And as Frodo told Sam he'd be the most famous gardener in the history of the Shire, I always thought that new last name came from there. So glad you enjoyed it, Cookiefleck, and hope you got a laugh out of the "Not Gonna Happen" as well. Thanks so much for the comments. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/18/2007 |
| Delightful images of Sam's beautiful garden. I'm glad his father comes to appreciate him fully. Author Reply: Oh, I'm so very glad you appreciated this one, too, Linda. Yes, the Gaffer has a good deal to be proud of in his children, especially in the person of his youngest son. Thanks so much for the comments. | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/14/2007 |
| Sweeeeettttt!!!! How lovely that the Gaffer finally acknowledged his son's greatness. A little pearl of a tale. ~~~{~@ Author Reply: As the father of Sam, I think that there must be some ability to see beyond the parochial to the Gaffer; and I think both needed that moment of recognition of what Sam has become from "mixing with his betters." | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/14/2007 |
| Ah pure and joyful satisfaction in reading this! Beautiful Larner. Author Reply: So glad you approve, Harrowcat. Thank you! | |
| Elemmírë | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/14/2007 |
| Aww! How very wonderful for the Gaffer to 'reap what he sowed.' Now this is the epitome of what Father's Day should be. A very warm tale full of love, Larner. I'm happy to see the Gaffer surrounded by all his family in the garden he helped to maintain, but I especially liked how he recognized Sam at long last. ~Elemmírë~ p.s. I've always liked too, how you write sisters-in love, etc. It just sounds so much more hobbity and loving than 'in-law' does. Author Reply: Oh, what a wonderful metaphor and so appropriate to the Gaffer. And you're certainly right it's what Fathers Day ought to be. And the Gaffer must have realized just why Frodo so befriended him to making him his heir. The "-in-love" title is now part of fanon, I think, and I didn't originate it. Nor do I always use it consistently; but for this family I think it IS meant. As I've said before, I love to incorporate much that is from the best of what others have written as well. It does sound more Hobbity, doesn't it? | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/13/2007 |
| For Sam had never been seen as but a servant, either. No, he’d embraced the friendship offered him by the young Master, and in the end had been loved and honored as a brother. Yet that relationship had never drawn him away from those to whom he’d been born as happened too often it seemed--it had simply proven to open him the more fully to be the son and brother--and now husband and father--that had ever been there. I have felt at times that Frodo Baggins and not Elanor was Sam's first child or at least as you say helped him become a better father as he had had already some experience as it were in being a parent as Frodo's strength eroded toward the end of the Quest and afterwards. I'm glad you saw that aspect of their relationship also, not just brothers but at times parent and child. I love the way you said 'loved and honored as a brother.' The Gaffer drew Sam down further to whisper in his ear, “I’m glad now as you never paid me no heed, for I see now as where mixin’ with your betters took you--made you and all of us the better for havin’ knowed ’em, it has. You’re no ninnyhammer as I was, lad. And I’m the one as is honored to have ye as my son.” And he was pleased to see his son shine at that, warm and sun-lit--yes, proper to the gardener he was. How wonderful for Sam to hear that and for the Gaffer to see his son's light, to realize that Sam had it right along in 'mixin with your betters'. I think that father and son relationship wasn't always close and Sam didn't always get the love and support that should have been there. But better late than never. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: I've often felt that for Sam, Frodo would be a mixture of father, son, and brother all three, as well as mentor and ward. And in the end it was as his brother I believe Frodo adopted him. I think there was a good deal of love between the Gaffer and Sam, myself, but that there was a bit of a gulf because Sam was MORE than the Gaffer was. He'd been educated by Bilbo and perhaps Frodo as well, he had knowledge and thoughts and imagination his father couldn't share; and I suspect part of the reason he insisted Sam especially mind his place would be so he wouldn't lose him to a world the Gaffer couldn't share. But now that Sam's come back and become so great a one, I think that the Gaffer finally feels the freedom to tell him how proud he is, and how foolish he was for trying to hold him back in the Gaffer's world. I think that as Sam advanced he brought his whole family forward with him, including his dad. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/13/2007 |
| Awww! How absolutely perfect, Larner! Making certain small Rosie was held steadily in his left arm, the Gaffer reached up with his right, clasped his hand about Sam’s upper arm and drew him down where he could look into those hazel eyes that were like brown pebbles under water with the golden sunlight flickering off the ripples. They were as steady as ever, if they saw more than the Gaffer hisself had ever been able to perceive. There was a memory of glory, a memory of loss, a memory of pain, and an awareness of delight there. Oh, his beloved youngest lad bore scars on his heart as well as on his forehead and temple and those hidden ones on his legs and back, not to mention those particularly troubling ones on his shoulders; but as Rosie’d put it, they were scars of honor, proving how worthy he was. “I want to say,” he said, “as just how proud I am of you--of all of you, and how glad I am now as I’ve lived to see this day, and to sit in this garden again.” He looked about, smiling as all smiled back at him. “It’s my day, you say--well, it’d be nothin’ special without each and every one of you, I’m thinkin’. And how proud the Masters must be seein’ all of you and what you’ve come to.” And he saw Sam smile at that, for all his eyes glistened the least bit, and he was glad. For Sam had never been seen as but a servant, either. No, he’d embraced the friendship offered him by the young Master, and in the end had been loved and honored as a brother. Yet that relationship had never drawn him away from those to whom he’d been born as happened too often it seemed--it had simply proven to open him the more fully to be the son and brother--and now husband and father--that had ever been there. The Gaffer drew Sam down further to whisper in his ear, “I’m glad now as you never paid me no heed, for I see now as where mixin’ with your betters took you--made you and all of us the better for havin’ knowed ’em, it has. You’re no ninnyhammer as I was, lad. And I’m the one as is honored to have ye as my son.” Beautifully put. This had me teary-eyed--and smiling, of course. :) I've read fics in the past that have made me want to hear Hamfast make just that admition, but you write it in a more touching way than I ever imagined. This is a jewel. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: So very glad you like it, and good to see you back. After years of admonitions to mind his place, the Gaffer realizes Sam was doing just that and as a result he's found his true place in the love and honor of all, not just his family. Second Mum is finished, and I'm back to The Tenant for the moment, although I've managed to do a couple short stories this time. | |
| elanor winterflowers | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/13/2007 |
| This is just enchanting! Author Reply: Am so glad you like it, Elanor. Thank you so much. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/13/2007 |
| So the Gaffer has finally accepted that mixing with their betters was a good thing in the end – good. His world has been turned upside down, I fear – he’s being celebrated at *Bag End* and his youngest son the Master there. Not to mention he’s friends with the Kings and all these Lords and Princes. Not so easy to accept. Hm ... according to the Appendices Sam was elected Mayor two years after Rosie-lass’ birth. Did the Gaffer in your universe live to see this day? Can't for the life of me remember if you've mentioned this before. In spite of all this nonsense about ‚getting above yourself’, I think he would have been so proud of his son. Author Reply: Yes, a good thing indeed. But as he'd say, all's well as ends better! And in spite of the grief his son knows, he knows more accomplishment and joy, and he knows the love of those whose opinion truly means something. The Gaffer must find that heartening. I've never gotten so far as whether or not the Gaffer made it to see his son elected Mayor. We shall have to explore that one some day. | |