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Number Three, Bagshot Row by GamgeeFest	8 Review(s)
nancylea57	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/5/2008
poor fred life is just one mishap after another and some of them have the best thought just not the best planning. Author Reply: He is certainly accident-prone, but happy nonetheless, as he has such a loving family to care for him, despite the Gaffer's use of silence as punishment. Though it's probably best he's not one for planning mischief, as he finds it so well without even looking! ;)

demeter d	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 9/7/2007
Hmmm. I wonder, if Lotho had had a Mother more like Bell than the one he had, might the time of The Troubles have turned out differently? Interesting to wonder. As it was, Bell's son became loving, loyal and strong. Had to come from somewhere! Author Reply: I think the Shire would have been much better off had Lotho had loving and caring parents as opposed to Lobelia and Otho. Certainly, he might have been much better prepared (and willing) to resist the promises of Saruman. Though that doesn't negate that someone else would have stepped forward to take Lotho's place if that had happened. We'll never know, will we? Sam is every bit his mother's son. He may have only had a few years with her, but he soaked up all the love and care she had to offer. Thanks for reading!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/28/2007
Thank you so much, GF! smiles Poor Fred, always in trouble. Haha! That’s really very hard of Hamfast not to speak to him, but characteristic, I guess. I’m glad Bell has so much sympathy for him. I also love your little Sam, so cute! I’m fascinated by your portrayal of Lotho; I really wonder what he’d have turned out to be if not for being spoiled too much and having no one to stop that mean streak we all have in us from thriving and growing until it was bigger than he was. He might have been all right. But I’m glad to see him behaving like a true lad here, so obviously lonely, poor thing. This was lovely! :D Author Reply: You're welcome, Queeny! I'm glad you enjoyed your present! :D Fred does have a way of biting off more than he can chew - must be that insatiable appetite of his! The hardest punishments would be when his father didn't talk to him, that would have just cut right through him. But it would have been difficult for Hamfast as well; he would have to keep reminding himself that it's for Halfred's own good to be strict in order to keep himself from giving in too soon. Bell accepts all her children as they come and she would trust to time and life experience to tame Halfred when he got older. Wee!Sammy is a darling, isn't he! ;) I'm one of those rare, hard-to-find, Lotho Sympathizers. I don't make excuses for him, but I do try to see past the power-hungry Chief to the "poor" (in Tolkien's and Frodo's word), and really, naive hobbit hidden beneath that hard exterior. His mean streak is there and already being fostered, but there is that humane side too. He does empathize with people, but he's also bitter for being treated the same way as his parents, when no one really bothers to get to know him. He is being rather kind to let Halfred off the hook, but I think he also just wants to get rid of the lad! He had counted on Fred running away as soon as he was caught! Imagine his surprise when that didn't happen. ;)

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/27/2007
Your Bell is just as I imagine her - practical, wise, loving and patient. I wonder what she would have made of her little Sammie becoming Mayor? Poor Halfred - he does seem to have a nose for trouble! Interesting to wonder what Lotho might have turned into if he'd been shown some proper maternallove and not just been spoiled. Author Reply: She had no choice but to be patient! If she wasn't patient before she had children, she certainly learned the art quickly enough. Mayor Samwise would have made her proud and exceeded even her wildest imagings. She would have happily bragged about her son coming up in the world to such a respectable position. After all, she gave him a name to keep him humble, not herself. ;D Halfred does seem to stumble over trouble more often than not. But at least he means well. :) I tend to have a more forgiving view of Lotho than most people. He's not a bully, per se, just misunderstood and shunned in general because of his parents. Bell's right that he shouldn't be treated in such a manner, but that unfortunately won't be changing. It's just one of the many things that will ultimately lead him to become "Chief Shirriff" one day and betray his own kind.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/26/2007
There's at least one in every family! I loved this. Oh, and this line: (((((He’s a special one, my Sam, and I can’t wait to see what he’s going to become once he’s grown up.))))) Just so interesting to wonder what she would have made of Mayor Samwise. Author Reply: There is at least one. My family had two! I had to be the good kid to make up for my brother and sister. :\| Bell always knew her Sam was meant for bigger and grander things than she could possibly imagine. She would have been very proud of Mayor Samwise and would have started all her sentences about him 'My son the Mayor'. :D

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/26/2007
Lotho obviously isn't accustomed to being treated kindly. I find myself wondering why he wouldn't pull his hands out of his pockets, though. That appears rather odd. And Halfred does sound a handful! Heh! Author Reply: Oh, I'm sure Lobelia spoils him plenty, but that's not the same as loving and caring for him. As for his hands being in his pockets, that was just a protective stance, an attempt to mask his awkwardness and uncertainity. He wouldn't have known what to make of Halfred. Most lads or lasses caught in the S.-B.'s garden would run for shelter. Halfred just sort of froze and then started panicking. Lotho was just glad to get rid of him! That Halfred does keep things interesting! Maybe sometimes a little too interesting. ;)

elanor winterflowers	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/26/2007
Poor lady! She does have her hands full! A warm, rich voice that lets you know what a good person Bell was, and what kind of example she set for her family. No wonder Sam was such a trooper and so empathetic. I loved poor Fred, especially when his dad wasn't speaking to him--I can just see the Gaffer blowing gaskets on a regular basis! My brother was like that--everything he touched turned to trouble, poor guy. Lovely story! I know the birthday girl will love it! Author Reply: Bell certainly is kept hopping with all those children to tend too. But a little bit of excitement from time to time never hurt anyone. ;) Sam does inherit quite a lot of his mother's nature and he absorbs all her goodness and kindness while he can. He might not remember her very much, but the imprint she had on his earliest years will be there with him forever. Fred is a joy and nuisance. Sam gets a good bit of stubbornness from his second eldest brother, also. ;) Of all the punishments Halfred had to endure, Hamfast not talking to him would be the worst. At least his mother knows he means well. Thank you for reading!

Pearl Took	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/26/2007
Wonderful, GamgeeFest! An interesting look at the Gamgees and even more so at Lotho. Very well done! Author Reply: Thank you Pearl! It's always nice to visit the Gamgees. They're such a loving bunch, even if one of them gets a bit rambunctious from time to time. :) Lotho hasn't quite become the sourpuss who will be ruling the Shire one day. He's still got some potential to turn out all right, but as we know, that won't be fostered with parents like the S.-B.'s. Glad you enjoyed the story!

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