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In Empty Lands by Larner	9 Review(s)
Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/22/2009
But do not underestimate my Frodo. He has a core of mithril to him, you will find--light and shining, but harder and more enduring than dragons scales. Old Bilbo knows his lad very well! I found it very convincing that Bilbo's resolve to give Frodo the mithril coat was a result of this conversation. He gave Frodo the best protection possible. One might call it a compensation for the evil he gave him with the Ring. It was all he could do and I hope it made his heart a little lighter. I can always blame Gandalf, I suppose grins Gandalf might be blamed for many things, but he's not responsible for Bilbo finding the Ring, I think. And that's what started it all. Author Reply: Oh, I love the conclusions you draw from this, Andrea. Thank you so! And indeed someone far higher than Gandalf led Bilbo to find the Ring. Thank you so!

Celeritas	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/19/2009
This chapter did not quite do it for me, I'm afraid. Bilbo opening up to Boromir like that and expounding on family history (though I could easily see him talking endlessly about the subject once given the opportunity) so soon in their acquaintance seemed off. That and the family history, particularly Drogo's fostering, had me thinking, Really? That's terribly convenient! at the most inopportune times. I'm only leaving you this review because I know you can handle it, my dear. As always, the chapter itself was very well written, and Bilbo's affection for Frodo shone through quite well. Author Reply: Thanks. Was trying for something that didn't sound like a knockoff of the one Primsong did recently in which Bilbo was appearing deliberately "elderly" and "confusticating" to poor Boromir, and I obviously achieved that goal! I have indicated elsewhere the Dora, Drogo, and Dudo did spend a bit of time at Bag End, so it wasn't something I made up just for here. Am so glad that Bilbo's affection for Frodo shone through--that, I think, was what I most wished to communicate to Boromir.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/18/2009
Ah, that was a great insight into the S-B's and what Bilbo thought about them. Couldn't agree more. Anyway, that was a lovely bit of family history, giving Boromir a good idea who and what Bilbo and Frodo are, I think. And what Bilbo said last proved to be true later, didn't it? Boromir did consider it quite mad to take the Ring into Mordor to try and destroy it instead of taking it to Minas Tirith and use it ... Author Reply: That Frodo would even consider abandoning the rest of the Fellowship so as to spare them what he saw as his inevitable death and so that they might have the chance to survive would have horrified him even more, I think. And you're certainly right about Boromir's own thoughts on what ought to be done with it. And now Boromir has some better idea as to what he's dealing with in the person of Frodo Baggins--IF he can be induced to keep it in mind!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/18/2009
How fascinating to get a peek into Bilbo's thoughts and evaluations of his dear Frodo. He still has so much guilt and fear, but also great faith in "the best hobbit in the Shire" -- his beloved nephew and cousin. Author Reply: Oh, but you are so right--no one appreciates just how great a person Frodo is in his own right than Bilbo, not even Sam, I think!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/18/2009
A fascinating insight into Frodo's family tree and all the qualities he inherited. Author Reply: Oh, and thanks so for the feedback, Linda. Yes, he's the sum of his parts and more! And we know how he showed himself in the end. Thanks so, Linda.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/17/2009
Wow - I think I should save this link for if I ever have to write about Hobbits - the lineage is great! And not the least bit boring - dear Bilbo! I wish the ending were not the same... Boromir's heart is good..... Author Reply: Boromir's heart is good; but words can be slippery. Just as Smeagol swore to serve and not hurt the Master of the Precious, the Ring can find ways to make it appear one is serving the letter of what has been sworn but not necessarily the spirit of the oath! Thanks so, Agape.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/17/2009
So Boromir learns the danger of asking whether one hobbit is related to another! :) But he seems to have followed it with any problem which is rather amazing and his words pledging to protect Frodo are bittersweet knowing what we know but he doesn't yet. Love the way you show Bilbo's grief over the burden unwittingly given, but fearfully and willingly accepted by his heir and the words that show how proud he is of that Tookish mind of his lad! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: He's already had one lesson, but now he's getting to the heart of the lesson--just why Bilbo Baggins loves his younger kinsman so. And although he has pledged to protect Frodo, look at the wording he's used and think how the Ring can look to twist those words. And I think Bilbo would be rightfully proud of his lad's keen intelligence and sensitivity.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/17/2009
A very important conversation between Bilbo and Boromir--I think that Bilbo would have every one of "his lads'" companions under very close scrutiny in those days before the Company left. I also enjoyed Bilbo's tale of his history with Frodo and Frodo's family--I see that you too think Lobelia may have cast her net for Drogo at one point. Thank goodness Drogo had too much sense to fall into it! And of course, Boromir now has that much more to chew on. Poor man, he is soon going to be suffering from information overload. (And I love the way the ending of the chapter fits into your drabbles for today--obviously Boromir did not take all of Bilbo's advice!) Author Reply: Oh, yes, information overload; and he's not certain just what to believe or not, of course. Bilbo is going to try to make certain that Frodo's companions are worthy, and that they are best likely to accept Frodo as he is. The idea that Lobelia might indeed have thought of Drogo first as the "perfect husband" is such a delicious one, so it was a fanon I was rather glad to try to work into my own stories. But I do think that the first time Drogo tried to do one of his carved boxes or sideboards she would have been all aghast, as in her world she cannot accept furniture that is meant to be illustrated! And that this chapter should have managed to reflect the drabbles is mere happenstance--I think! Heh!

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/17/2009
Ah Bilbo does know his Frodo-Lad. And I loved seeing how Bilbo came to decide to give him Sting and the mithral coat. Am enjoying your March series too but want to find time to sit and read/review the entire series. Author Reply: That he does. And I wanted to find a logical way in which he might have realized these should indeed go with Frodo. Thanks so. I hope things are calming some at home.

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