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A Place for Gandalf by Dreamflower	5 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/9/2008
Ah, so even then Sam said "Proper" a lot! Actually, I think I remember that, but it was a joy to read it again. And what better occupation for a Hobbit lad than playing in the dirt in the garden? Excavating and growing (then harvesting and eating) things are two of their most fundamental activities, after all! Author Reply: giggle Well, you will always see the future adult in my hobbit children--and Sam, I'm sure, heard "proper" from the Gaffer's knee! Playing in the dirt! That was a fun and delightful scene to write, and drew from my own childhood memories of similar fun with a cousin--though I was the older.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/12/2005
You know, when we were little, we used to do the same thing - watch the workmen as they made repairs or improvements to our house. What an appropriate childhood action to include in your story. Now this is how I like to see a young Frodo, playing in the dirt with his cousin like any other boy. It is so good to see Frodo enjoying himself. Between being at Bag End and having Merry there, it's no wonder he is doing better. “Why did you only bring the Gaffer and your brother half a pie?” LOL! I can just picture such a young lad wondering about that and asking that question. It shows Merry's sunny disposition that he was able to laugh along with Sam once he found out what Belle had really meant. So Sam showed Merry around the gardens and pointed various herbs out to him, eh? Is this where Merry's affinity for plants and herbs stems from? Is this what led him to writing a book on herblore later on? Have I told you lately how much I enjoy your stories? Author Reply: I think that an almost universal childhood experience is a fascination with watching adults at work, especially if they are either making something or demolishing something, LOL! He's with his little Merry, and would have had a good time entertaining him. I confess myself to being about the same age in human terms as Frodo, and going with a cousin of my own to a nearby building site, where we used the dirt and scrap lumber to build our own little town. I would have been embarassed to do such an activity on my own, but my younger cousin gave me an excuse. And I'm a girl, LOL! I got a kick out of that little line myself. It seemed like the kind of thing a child might say, and as you said, it showed Merry's merry side. Of course, Sam also has a paternal uncle Halfred as well, but he lived in Overhill, so I doubt that Sam saw much of him. (My Halfred is an OC.) I wouldn't doubt that had something to do with it at all. Merry probably went through a number of hobbies and interests, but I think perhaps he came back to this one through his friendship with Sam. Yes, you have, and I will never get tired of it. I thank you so much!

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/12/2004
I like the idea that Sam is proper enough and serious enough even at nine to watch out for another child. I love this so far and am thinking I may want to stay in Gandalf's room when he isn't using it. As to the nomination for MEFA, I am glad you didn't mind that I did that. I just enjoyed that story so much, I thought others who don't visit this site much but read fan fiction should read it. I have my fingers crossed that it wins. Author Reply: I think he would have been. I would imagine he probably watched out for Marigold a lot as well, though with her being a lass, it would not have been as much fun. It's too bad we can't. Visit in Gandalf's room, I mean. Mean old Aragorn banning us and all. 8-) And no, I don't mind a bit. I visited the website and saw the nominations. There are some great stories nominated there. I hope I can fix my yahoo problem and take part in the process. And considering the competition, it's an honor to be among them, win or not.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/12/2004
This obsession with 'proper' is very much a class thing, isn't it? Frodo and his extended family can decide to ignore it if they want to, because they are socially exalted - but the decision is theirs. They can accept Sam into their inner circles, but, certainly until after the Quest, the advances have to come from them. Sam and the Gaffer are there to serve, in the way that seems best to their employers - and the Gaffer, at least, never forgets that - and he is aware that what is given can also be taken away. I wonder if he was hurt in his youth: if a friend from the upper classes of hobbits dropped him when they got old enough for the differences in their status to show. Author Reply: You are absolutely 100% correct. The problem is, that this is clear to Sam (and to his Gaffer) but not completely clear to the cousins. Of course, Frodo at least, knows all this intellectually, but emotionally it must still be a bit hurtful to have Sam hold his friendship at a distance. Of course the dynamic of it does change after the Quest, but lifelong habits are harder to break. I would imagine that Frodo was still "Mr. Frodo" even to the Blessed Realm, though I hope and believe Merry and Pippin finally broke him of it as far as they were concerned. You know, you might want to write a story about the Gaffer. That's a nice little scenario you came up with.

GamgeeFest	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/11/2004
Another wonderful story. I'm really enjoying young Merry, Frodo and Sam and the way they interact with each other. And Sam's already overused "proper". Little Merry will take it hard when they have to go back to Buckland without Frodo. Wonder what that temper tantrum will be like? It'll bring the house down. Author Reply: I'm glad you are enjoying my little ones. This is my first attempt at young pre-LOTR Frodo, Merry, etc. so it's a bit different from what else I've done. My take is that "proper" is the Gaffer's favorite word. Sam probably learned it about the same time as he learned to say Mum and Gaffer. We'll have to see how Merry reacts to Frodo's move.

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