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A Deck of Heroes  by Larner 8 Review(s)
GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 20 on 3/15/2010
LOL! It must have taken the Gaffer a time to wrap his head around that - his Sam, Master of Bag End! Oh, the gossip down at the pub!

Author Reply: Oh, indeed! Things have changed completely, and the familiar order overturned as a second Prince of the West takes over the duties as Master of the Hill! The Gaffer's going to be popular down at the Green Dragon--no mistake there!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/22/2009
What a lovely moment for Hamfast and Rosie!

Author Reply: The Gaffer approves of his son's taste in women, I think--certainly I envision a warm relationship between him and Rosie and the children born before the old fellow died. But to learn that Frodo has left Bag End to Sam had to have been quite unexpected!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/21/2009
That was a surprise for old Gaffer Gamgee (or should I say a shock?)!

What Frodo did turned Hamfast's view of the Shire upside down!

It will take him a while to adjust to the new position of his son. But after that he will be able to fully appreciate it.

Author Reply: Oh, I so agree, Andrea! Definitely a shock to the old fellow's worldview! And a surprise to realize just how high in Frodo's esteem his son is. And you're right--he will come to appreciate it in the end.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/21/2009
That was a bit unexpected for the Gaffer *grin* Would have loved to see his face when Rosie told him who was now Master of Bag End!

Author Reply: I bet it was a study indeed, Kitty. So good to hear from you!

VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/21/2009
I'm glad that you're highlighting this aspect of the story. It's one of the things that trouble me about LOTR, that after all the upheaval, the sacrifices and the unbelievable efforts to overthrow evil, the class structures of Middle-earth's societies and the associated inequality remain entirely unchanged. It is *only* Frodo who - albeit in a completely private context - changes that in any way. Thanks for bringing this aspect to our attention.

Author Reply: Actually, there are at least three major changes in social status I am aware of within the story. Sam goes from servant class to gentry due to Frodo; Beregond goes from lowly guard to Captain of Faramir's guards and troops due to Aragorn, and Eomer goes from dependent kinsman to King of Rohan, a role I doubt he ever considered possibly coming to him as long as his cousin was alive.

But there within the Shire it is Frodo alone who actively and openly seeks to change things, as you note--although in my-verse Frodo follows Bilbo, the Thain, and the Master of the Hall in offering education to all who desire it so that hopefully those who do wish to better themselves will be able to do so.

Also, in my-verse, the Bagginses receive the first fortune that marks the family as prominent and "rich" from an ancestor of Sam Gamgee, who chooses to give the treasure given him by Aranarth at the end of the war with Angmar to the widow and child of his late Baggins patron as wereguild for Longo's death. In this way, I have that blessing returning full circle back to Sam's family.

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/21/2009
Very nice, and heartwarming.

Author Reply: Am so glad you think so, Cookiefleck! Thank you! Frodo had a good deal of love for Sam, I'd think, and particularly by this time.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/20/2009
I can imagine Hamfast's astonishment. In his view of the world, the classes didn't change-- I can believe he'd be stunned to realize his son has been gentrified.

Author Reply: It must have been a great shock indeed, Dreamflower! Yes, Sam is no longer merely a gardener, but a person of true importance not only within the Shire but throughout the outer world besides. Thanks so for the comments.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/20/2009
adopted him as his brother

What a perfect way to describe it.

Author Reply: Frodo left Sam to do what he could not do within the Shire; how better to accomplish this than by adopting Sam as his brother? Am so glad you approve!

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