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A Place for Gandalf by Dreamflower	5 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/9/2008
The son, unfortunately, they deserve! Heh! Author Reply: Yes, sadly enough, the son they deserved. Nature or nurture? I think in Lotho's case, it was definitely both!

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/13/2005
Three cheers for Frodo! This scene really shows how protective both Frodo and Merry are of each other, albeit for different reasons. While Frodo protects Merry because he is younger and also just because he is his Merry-lad, Merry protects Frodo not only because he is his Frodo-lad but because he had assigned himself the responsibility of watching out for Frodo since he first felt Frodo's special sadness and need. I wonder though if Frodo would still have punched Lotho had this occurred during the Scourging of the Shire after the Quest, when Frodo wanted nothing but peaceful solutions and was more apt to pity, forgive, and use words as his weapon. Of course it is still his Merry (who by then was more than able to take care of himself), but would Frodo do to Lotho what he had not done to Gollum or Saruman (Sharkey)? At any rate, I really liked when Frodo told Lotho that he would not touch his cousin again. It much reminded me of in the movie when Frodo told Gollum that he would lead them to the Black Gate and I imagine the same icy blue glare as then. Lotho never did have any brains, did he? Not too bright to pick on a Brandybuck, let alone the grandson of the Master. It's a pity some people never learn their lesson. Author Reply: Yes, you have caught it exactly. Merry, I think, was Frodo's born defender. That's a good question. Really, Frodo at this stage of his life and Frodo post-Quest are almost two different creatures, at least in regards to something like this--even later, he thought Bilbo should have killed Gollum. And during the Scouring, he felt pity for Lotho and that he needed rescuing. And you have of course, the fact that even if he'd survived the coming of Sharkey, there is no way in Middle-earth Lotho would have lifted a hand to a hobbit as fromidable as Merry had become then. But I think Frodo would have defended Merry in a different way. I think any effort to lay hands on one of Frodo's loved ones at that point in time would have died a-borning at a stare from Frodo. By that time he was one of the Wise, and it would have been like trying to resist a stare from Gandalf, Elrond, Galadrial or Celeborn. But giving his erstwhile S.B. cousin a bloody nose then, i will agree would be highly unlikely. Yes, Frodo was just as fierce in defense of those he loved, and could be ruthless when he needed to be. I think of that bit where Sam is surprised at Frodo's ruthlessness towards Gollum in the matter of the Ring, thinking Frodo's kindness was such that he must be a bit blinded to the malice of others. No, not really. And what brains he did have were constantly falling out due to his big mouth.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/20/2004
I am so glad that Frodo stood up to Lotho in this story. I do like a take-charge Frodo. I also loved how Merry was not backing down either, shades of things to come with Merry later. Lotho has no idea what happened to those Banks lads later on. LOL Author Reply: I like to think that some of their future character has already begun to show. These two are very protective of one another; Frodo because Merry is his little cousin, and Merry because he knows how vulnerable Frodo is. I think Lotho was pretty much always a jerk, a bully, a twit, a villain, a wretch--uh, I guess you can tell I never liked him?

GamgeeFest	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/15/2004
Merry's so brave, even at that early age, already protecting "his" Frodo. If Lotho didn't know who Merry was before, he will once Sara gets through with him. Frodo doesn't attack very often, but he won't hesitate to protect those he cares about. Interesting how you ended the chapter, with Frodo thinking he could never feel pity for Lotho, when we know in the very end he does do just that. Author Reply: Merry would always protect his Frodo. Even as a baby, he protected him from his own dark moods. And Frodo is going to be just as protective of his precious little cousin, just as they both will when Pippin finally comes along. Sara will not be amused. Yes, I kind of put that in on purpose. Learning to feel sorry for the bad guy was a lesson that Frodo could not have known until the Quest.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/15/2004
Merry is such a gallant little mite - even at this size he will fight to protect his cousin. And Frodo will fight for Merry, but not for himself. Lotho deserves everything he gets in later life. Nasty hobbit Author Reply: I think Merry's protectiveness started very early on indeed, maybe before he was even a faunt--I think he always knew how vulnerable Frodo was. And of course Frodo will protect his Merry. Nasty hobbit does not even begin to describe how loathsome Lotho S.-B. was. All the other villians in LOTR--even Sauron himself, had the Ring to factor in as part of a reason for their vileness. But Lotho and Sandyman had no such excuse--they were just evil hobbits, an abomination of nature.

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