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A Place for Gandalf by Dreamflower	7 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/9/2008
I love the taking it in turns to play the goblins! So very Sam! As for Merry--he's a delightful child! Author Reply: I have so much fun writing about the childhood friendship of young Merry and Sam, before they were old enough to understand a lot about the social differences, which put a little distance between them as they grew older. I'm very fond of wee!Merry! grin

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/13/2005
"That's all right! After I got over being boggled, it gave me quite a laugh. It's always flattering to be taken for younger than one is, but I wonder what I could have said to make you think that?" First, to answer your question: "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." You see, before that reply, I had indeed thought you to be much older, more like my own age of forty-one in human years. Your writing skills and understanding are more advanced and mature than I would think for a twenty year old, with few exceptions. But as Frodo is but twenty in this story, I took your comment to mean that you were as well. It was quite shocking to discover (incorrectly) that you were but half the age I had thought. Thank you for setting me straight, as it makes much more sense. Now for your review "proper" (which now makes me laugh and think of Frodo's order to Sam in your "A New Reckoning" any time I hear that word, thank you very much): A tweenaged Frodo is a delight to read, full of embarassment when he is the centre of attention amongst adults, yet still able to hold his own and do himself credit. You know, I had imagined that the talk would have been the other way around - that people would say that Frodo was the fortune-hunter because he would thus stand to inherit Bag End and all of Bilbo's remaining hidden treasure from his adventure, yet it makes sense that Frodo would have money of his own from his parents. How wise of Bilbo to let Frodo have some pocket money each year so he learns fiscal responsibility. As for Merry and hobbits in general not liking heights but Frodo's not minding them and even climbing trees (and Pippin later on) and Brandybucks being the rare exceptions that like to swim, are these your own creations or do they stem from canon? I do remember that in the books, Sam is afraid of the water. I well recall seeing Frodo in a tree in the movie version of FotR, but do not recollect anything on this subject in the books. If these are your own additions, I quite like them, as they help to round out the characters more. With Bilbo adding that contingency clause in his will, does that mean he was thinking of one day leaving all the way back then? It was quite fortuitous that he adopted Frodo when he did, otherwise he may well have gone with Balin to the mines of Moria. Were that there was a way we could stop Balin from going. It is a fine reference to future events, as is the sweet scene of Merry and Sam pretending to fight goblins. Author Reply: Ah, I see. My fault for careless wording. First of all, I meant that I was an adolescent, as Frodo is in this story--I was about 13 at the time, which is the equivalent of a hobbit at 20. I forget that not everyone has that little converter in their head all the time the way I do! And of course, it was lo, those many years ago, clearly! But still, a lesson to me to be more clear in what I write! Well, the S.B.'s would have loved to have started gossip of that nature, saying that Frodo was a fortune hunter, but letting it be known Frodo had his own inheritance would nip that in the bud. (I can just see Lobelia trying to say something along those lines, and then the person she's speaking to saying "Why that can't be right! The lad has a fortune in his own right!" Which of course would tick Lobelia off even more.) I have read a number of fics where Frodo is depicted as penniless, but I simply don't buy that. Primula was the daughter of the Master of Buckland, and Drogo was a Baggins, whom I have always had the impression were very well off as a family, and not just Bilbo. The part with Frodo and Pippin liking to climb trees, and Merry's fear of heights, well, the fear of heights for hobbits in general is stated in canon. The idea that Tooks would not mind climbing as much is "fanon" instead, and I believe has its roots in an excellent story by Baylor, called "The Care and Feeding of Hobbits". I think perhaps it may have had its inspiration in Bilbo's climbing the tree in Mirkwood. I've expanded a bit on it, by making Brandybucks swimmers as well as boaters (for Brandybucks boating is canon) since I think a people who spent a good deal of time in boats would also learn to swim. I don't think that Bilbo was consciously thinking of leaving again, but I do believe it was always in the back of his mind. The clause would seem reasonable to anyone who knew all the difficulties Bilbo had when he returned from his first journey. I am glad you got the foreshadowing of Balin, for I've always been fascinated with the AU possibilities of Bilbo there with the Ring. And you are the first to note the subtle foreshadowing of Merry and Sam at play.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/22/2004
Love how you've included Balin in all of this and your fore-shadowing is perfect for what happens in Moria later. I liked that Gandalf warned him. Looking forward to the Hobbit signing party and the look on Lobelia's face when she gets the news! Author Reply: Of course, I had to include Balin, since he helped inspire the story to begin with! LOL! But seriously, if he came to the Shire before he went to Moria, he must have had a reason. I can't really think of any other reason he would have had than to try and recruit Bilbo. I mean it really is a good deal out of his way, otherwise. Lobelia? Maybe a tad unhappy, you think? LOL!

Auntiemeesh	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/22/2004
I've never given any thought to the possibility of an inheritance coming to Frodo from his parents but you're right, there must have been one. Good job including that! I'm really enjoying this story and looking forward to reading more of it :) Author Reply: Yes, I just never cottoned to the idea that the grandson of the Master of Buckland and the son of a Baggins would be a penniless orphan. I've always felt that he would have had a good-sized inheritance from both parents--it was not a financial need that Bilbo filled in his life, but an emotional one. I'm glad you like this story; it's very nearly done.

GamgeeFest	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/22/2004
Well, it's a good thing Bilbo decided to adopt Frodo when he did. Imagine if he had gone to Moria? shudders That would have devastated Frodo, especially when he never returned. Wonder who the 7 witnesses will be. Cute scene with Gandalf and Merry, and Merry thinking Frodo's brave for climbing trees. Author Reply: Well, that would definitely have been AU, wouldn't it? Wonder how that would have changed everything? Bilbo would have taken the Ring with him into Moria, of course... Yes, it's definitely a scary thought. There will be quite a party on Highday, plenty of witnesses will be there. I just wanted a bit of Gandaf-little Merry interaction. I love Gandalf with hobbit-children.

Meldewen Ilce	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/22/2004
This is a lovely story - I have been meaning to leave a review and let you know just how much I am enjoying it! You know I did not think about how special the room Bilbo had built for Gandalf would be to the wizard - but yeah when you think of it Gandalf never made a home for himself anywhere, he always was wandering (and thus the reason he was called the Grey Pilgrim). Anyway, when I realized how touched he must have been by the room, I was as well! Again lovely story - Please DO update again soon! Author Reply: I am very glad that you are liking it, since I am enjoying writing it! You get the feeling from various things Gandalf says, that he felt very at home in the Shire. Now, even given that he is very fond of hobbits in general, there must have been a bit more to it. I think his friendship with Bilbo and Frodo made him feel a bit like he had family. I came up with the room when I did Conspiracy--it just felt right, that Bilbo would do that.

Hai Took	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/22/2004
At least Frodo is well off because of his parents, then Bilbo once he leaves. That Balin would want Bilbo to come along for hte Moria trip is a frightening thought! Good thing hedecided to adopt Frodo! It is good that Merry is allowed to be play outside again, it can be difficult to keep a child inside! Looking forward to Frodo's adoption being finalized! Author Reply: Some fics have it that Frodo was left penniless. I can't buy that. Primula was the daughter of the Master of Buckland, no way she would not have had money; and Drogo was a Baggins, who are generally depicted as very well off, also. I think they would have seen to Frodo's being provided for. This is the year Balin went to Moria. If, as some think, he made a trip to the Shire that same year, he must have had a good reason. After all, it's a good deal out of the way. Bilbo had proved to be very useful in the sneaking and reconnoitering area, and perhaps Balin thought he might like to come and make himself useful again.

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