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Moments in Time by Larner	11 Review(s)
Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 7/1/2008
Love that the Gaffer now at last understands that tremendous love between his son and his son's master - thank God Sam did tie his heart to Frodo's. Love that Frodo called his son "an extraordinary son" and that the Gaffer saw that love so strongly and proudly displayed. Two extraordinary sons really. Sorry to be so very late in reviewing this - so terribly busy. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: The Gaffer is at least accepting that by being willing to go beyond his station in befriending his Master that Sam was not being hurt or patronized but being raised to the proper level for his potential. Yes, we have several extraordinary sons in this story--and that's partly why we love it so! And it's NEVER late when commenting on something that moves you, Antane.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 6/17/2008
A delightful way of getting to know the Gaffer better.We can see where Sam gets his wisdom and courage from. Author Reply: Indeed, Linda! The Gaffer did a good job of providing a proper example for his son.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 6/17/2008
“Mebbe my Sam saved yer life as you say, and mebbe him’s truly the wise one ye call him; but him’s bigger, I think, ’cause he’s been by you and learnt all as ye and Master Bilbo have ever sought to teach him. I doubt as he’d of been half the Hobbit he is t’day if’n it hadn’t been for you. And I thank you fer that--and fer seein’ to it as he’s come home again.” Good old Gaffer! He's a wise one, too. For somehow he knew that it was right to give his Sam more time with his master than would have been proper. It never occured to me before that after Saruman's arrival Hamfast and his daughter were indeed in great danger. The travellers arrived exactly at the right time, it seems. Thank you very much for this little story. I enjoyed it a great deal! You're always welcome to adopt a plot bunny :) Author Reply: I've always thought that those who were close to the four as well as the Tooks and Brandybucks on principle were in danger of particular abuse, and especially at the last when Sharkey came. He had reason to want to particularly hurt and terrorize the four Travellers--Merry and Pippin for having witnessed his demotion and loss of status, and Frodo and Sam for having seen to the destruction of that which he so desired for himself. And thanks for the little bunny--I'm just happy it seemed happy to join in here.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 6/16/2008
Another fabulous gap-filler, Larner! I had not thought how the ruffians might use the Travellers' loved ones to exert pressure on them. shudder So the Gaffer begins to learn just why his son is so respected and loved. His conversation with frodo at the end was very moving. Those remarks of his about digging up Bagshot Row and'ruining my taters!' and not holding with ironmongery have always made me giggle, and they gave Frodo a much-needed laugh too. Author Reply: When folk cannot be manipulated by fear for their own safety, all too often they can be intimidated by threats to others, and evil ones always seem to realize this early. I'm so glad you found that conversation moving; and there's no denying Frodo especially needed and deserved a good laugh. I'm so glad Tolkien included the remarks about taters and metal weskits. I've always loved those remarks, too!

Tracey C	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 6/16/2008
I liked this story you told about the post-Ring war in the Shire, and especially liked the view from the Gaffer's viewpoint and the winning over of Lurtz - I like that you can take a character one would be inclined to hate and turn them a) human and then b) worthy of respect... Thanks for always writing good stories. T Author Reply: I was given the quote from "The Scouring of the Shire" that starts the story to work with as MY element, perhaps because I've written some looks at the relationship between Sam and his father before in "The Gaffer's Day," "Contrasts," and "The Farewell in Gondor." That homecoming must have been overwhelming for the Gaffer. It doesn't say anything up front about Marigold being home when Sam went off to find his dad--in fact, the story fails to mention any of Sam's siblings--we have to go to the family trees to find reference to them or their mother. So, if Marigold wasn't home, then where was she? And I did so wish to see at least one ruffian find his salvation through an encounter with the Ringbearer and Samwise Gamgee. Even villains need to have a positive character trait or two, or they won't be realistic. It was fun to find them in Lurtz. Am so honored by your accolade. Thank you.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 6/16/2008
“He’d spent his Light, Master,” Sam said. Oh my, what a perfect thing to say... especially since Sam can see who's filled with Light, and who isn't. This is a marvelous gap-filler. Author Reply: Ah, yes, Sam's held the Ring and has learned to see truly, a result I'm certain Sauron didn't fully appreciate. He'd already been able to see Frodo's Light for some time, our Sam; and I'm certain that he'd come to appreciate Aragorn's fully by the time they headed north, delighting in it as well. But now to see the lack of Light in one who ought to have held it in quantity and quality must have been somewhat of a shock to him. Thanks so, Shirebound! Am so glad you appreciate it!

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 6/16/2008
To be honest, Saruman having to stay in one of these shacks instead of Bag End made me smirk. Serves him right! (Well, I'm not Frodo and not so forgiving!) And it was very reassuring to know they would not get their hands on the Gaffer in time while reading through their plans to use him against the travellers. It was so mean and cowardly, to try and use this old man, because Saruman and his bullies are afraid of four hobbits! Hm ... I see Ferdi did pretty upset Saruman with his remark that his light of being was spent! But of course, Saruman would never have admitted that his actions had any negative repercussions for himself! And for once, I felt a very little bit of respect for Gríma for telling Saruman to leave Frodo and Sam be. Maybe there was a tiny rest of honour in him; one has to wonder how he felt, the more he got to see what his precious master did to others. Well, at least one of the ruffians seems to have had a change of heart - good. Though I have to admit, every time I see the name, I see the movie Lurtz, the Uruk-hai, drawing his bow to shot Boromir, or licking his sword. Larner, that was such a wonderful Fathers Day tribute to the Gaffer! His conversation with Frodo at the end was touching. It was such a nice compliment to Frodo, also. And the old hobbit was so proud of his son in the end! Author Reply: It's the second time my Father's Day tribute was expressed through the Gaffer--well, maybe the third as he also appears in "Contrasts." The Gaffer never realized his own great nobility, I'm certain; at least Sam came to know that at heart he was a Prince among Princes; the Gaffer's nature was hidden behind gardening, mugs of ale at the Dragon, and liniment for his aching joints--and his aphorisms! It was wonderful to find a reason to invoke Ferdi perceptions of Sharkey. And the Grima who liked to go out and look at the stars at night must have begun regretting the alliance he'd made. Maybe there was something, deep inside him, that was worth saving. I was trying to think of a name for this ruffian, and Lurtz insisted on being memorialized through him--I'm not certain why, as he was quite the opposite of this one! And that image of him pulling the curved knife Celeborn gave Aragorn out of his leg and licking it is one that has always struck me as particularly repulsive! But surely at LEAST one of the ruffians must have had a change of heart! It was satisfying to let it be Saruman's own lieutenant. And it was a chance to allow Frodo and the Gaffer a quiet, private talk, so that Frodo realizes that the old Hobbit doesn't condemn him for sneaking his son away as he did. And who wouldn't be proud to have a son like our Sam?! Thanks so much!

Esquire_of_Rohan	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 6/16/2008
Very good! Excellent! I really enjoyed this. Author Reply: I'm so very glad you do, EoR! Thank you! I love examining the Shire's recovery after Saruman and his folk.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 6/16/2008
Man, I'm not the only night owl, huh? looks at the time and winces Oh, but I really love this one. Perfect for Father's Day. Love the moment between Sam and Frodo in the first section. Excellent portrayal of Saruman here, the best I've ever seen, at least from his POV. I never thought I'd sympathize even remotely with the emotions of a villain, but I did (is that good or bad, I wonder? Good for you, at any rate). The lashing out at Grima because deep down he knows what he's doing is so very, very wrong and he really hates what he's become, but not enough to change. In this context "You're light is spent" sounds very intimidating, even from Ferdi...Of course I don't guess anyone would want to be told that, especially by one's poor prisoner who had been so painfully and brutally battered. But trust Ferdi for that. (Interesting that this should come up on the very night I've just had a really fun and hilarious but ultimately serious conversation about what is seen or not seen by blind people.) Also a good portrayal of Grima. I find I have to pity him, unwillingly, maybe, but he is rather pathetic. I wonder what he would have become if he had chosen a different path when offered mercy by Theoden. Very impressive use of dialect here. I'm still in grammarian mode from doing a good bit of editing yesterday, and just listening to these men makes me think of much-needed desks, pencils, and books. But it's in keeping with them uncorrected, I think. :D A very touching reunion for Sam and his Gaffer...and of course excitement and utter bewilderment on top of everything else to make it so much easier for Sam to explain! :) “It takes some believin’,” the Gaffer said, “although ye can see as he’s been mixin’ in some strange company. But where’s his proper weskit? I don’t hold well with wearin’ ironmongery, ye see, whether it wears well or no.” Sam flushed even redder, while Mr. Meriadoc broke down into a fit of helpless laughter, and even Mr. Frodo was choking on the swallow of drink he’d just taken and had to have his back pounded upon. At last the Brandybuck rose, and the Gaffer realized he hadn’t been sitting on anything, but had truly grown taller--unprecedentedly taller--than any Hobbit ought to be. His face was filled with glee. “I’ll have you know, Mr. Gamgee, that the King himself requested that mail given to him, and it was made originally for the son of a great King, long, long ago, or so I was told when we returned to Minas Tirith. When my cousin tells you that the King himself is proud to call your son his friend, he’s speaking the full truth--our Lord Strider loves and honors your Sam more than almost anyone else in all of Middle Earth.” His laughter was gentling into a glowing pride. “He’s known as ‘the Faithful’ and ‘the Steadfast’ and ‘the Hopeful,’ your Samwise, and his wisdom and courage and determination are honored by Men, Elves, Dwarves, Ents, and Eagles. Goblins fear him, and evil folk quail at his look of displeasure.” The Gaffer feared that if his poor Sam managed to flush any more his hair would turn red! “Now, Mr. Merry, you needn’t say that----” he began. “You know how embarrassed you made that Lord Wasnior from Umbar, Samwise Gamgee.” “Well, him was bein’ right foolish and you know it!” “As you made clear. He’ll be very careful with what he says should he meet another Hobbit, you can believe. You all right now, Frodo?” Mr. Frodo was still struggling with his choking. “I’m all right,” he finally managed. “Oh, that was so funny! Thank you so, Mr. Gamgee. Indeed, Sam wears the mail of princes, and no one deserves it more!” And the Gaffer noted that the great love the young Master had ever borne for his son had deepened during their long absence. “I’m proud to think of your son as the brother of my heart, even as is true of the King himself.” I love it! I'd only ever taken the Gaffer's remark as Gaffer being himself, and wasn't it good that someone could, but it is funny in this light. I can certainly see why Merry would think so! :D And so Lurtz, no longer the ugly creature of the FOTR movie but a man, has a chance at a new life. Wonderful, and even more so for the element of warm surprise. Bless the Hobbits for their mercy and Frodo for inspiring it. And finally the Gaffer and Frodo have a conversation that I've wondered for years if I would ever see written into any story. That's so satisfying, and my favorite part of the story. An extraordinary son, indeed. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I came home and crashed for several hours, then woke and posted this. It's been written for a couple weeks, and was waiting to be posted as the challenge site unveiled it. That comment on the "metal weskit" has always tickled me, and you know I've worked references of it into other stories as well. But when it was first said, it must have truly shocked Sam, Merry, and Frodo, who after all had forgotten that there were lands where such things weren't worn as a matter of course! Talk about OUR spew warnings when we write or make comments--how about these three having the idea that mail is a foreign concept to Hobbits stated in such a way? And Frodo so needed a good laugh about then! Heh! No, this isn't the movie-Lurtz; and it was just satisfying to think that someone who'd gotten close to Saruman had managed to be reformed by a personal encounter with Frodo and Sam. As for the conversation between the Gaffer and Frodo--it was needful, I think. Am so glad you've WANTED to see this conversation written and have had that wish answered!

Soledad	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 6/16/2008
Aww, this was so wonderful! I so love the scenes you write between the Gaffer and Sam! I think the Gaffer, in all his simplicity, is one of the most extraordinary Hobbits, and it really required one like him to raise a son like Sam. Author Reply: Oh, how I agree, Soledad. He seems so simple, but the more I scratch at his surface the more depth to him I find. Thanks so much!

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