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Twice Twenty  by Dreamflower 7 Review(s)
AspenJulesReviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/2/2006
Aha... so here's the story with the 'watching' vs. the 'helping'! I like how they were allowed to *keep their hands busy* while they were watching, LOL. Good old Gaffer... managing to keeping things proper while still understanding the realities of young boys. *grin*

And I loved the interaction of Sam with the two cousins, showing once again how their own relationship built even without Frodo's immediate presence (though in reality his *presence* permeated all of Bag End, I'm sure.)

And while they were missing old Mr. Bilbo and reminiscing, Frodo was also missing him, and in his own beautifully thoughtful style, did his best (and how good it was!) to fill his shoes. Really beautiful piece, Dream!

Author Reply: Yes, this is one of the places it is mentioned.

It's true. In spite of Sam's efforts to keep things "proper", he was developing a close friendship with these two of Frodo's cousins. Of course, he'd begun to do so with Merry when they were both a little too young to understand the whole "status" thing, and Pippin--well, really, who could resist little Pippin at his most charming? Certainly not Sam, and certainly not when he knew how fond Frodo was of the child.

That's exactly the feeling I was after--that Frodo had begun to hold the role of Master of Bag End, though for hobbits, I'm not sure what metaphor could replace "filling someone's shoes", LOL!!

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 12 on 5/9/2006
Awww...Pippin is so sweet. That's so funny, about watching and helping. :) And are the events of the year the Dwarves came in "Ho, ho, my lads"? I must read that one! :) Hobbits with their foothair all up in curl papers! LOL! Now that would be a sight!
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: Yes, that took place during that visit, although the part with Bilbo's little fibs...er, jokes, is not mentioned there. But the other part, with the Dwarves chasing Merry and Pippin is recounted. That was a fun story to write--Marigold and I had a blast with it!

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/18/2005
My, you've combined so many little bits of stories of earlier in their lives here! It's always fun to look back and reminisce, isn't it?

"...he lowered his voice and attempted to imitate Bilbo’s rolling tones “-- ‘Peregrin, my lad, how you’ve grown! Soon you’ll pass the Bullroarer’” He glanced at Sam slyly. “I know that wasn’t really true, but I liked him saying it just the same."

And a little bit of looking toward the future, eh? Not that anyone would have believed that Pippin or Merry would grow taller than the Bullroarer back then.

"The lad sat sideways on the bench, and drawing his legs up, wrapped his arms around them, leaning his pointed little chin upon his knees. “Do you ever miss the olden days, Sam?”

Sam’s eyebrows raised, and his eyes twinkled, but he kept his voice level. “The ‘olden’ days, Master Pippin?”

“Yes, back when I was just a child,” he said."

The olden days, indeed! lol! How like a child to think that a few years ago was the "olden days." Sam did well to keep himself as composed as he did.

How progressive of Sam to allow Pippin to call it "helping" instead of "watching." lol! I don't think the Gaffer would approve at all if he knew. It's so great to see the interaction of Merry and Pippin with Sam. They all get along so well, especially Merry and Sam since they used to be playmates.

Thanks for this look back at memory lane.

Author Reply: Don't know how I missed replying to this one and the next! I must have missed seeing the notifications...

I had a good deal of fun writing this little trip down memory lane; it was quite a challenge to think of "nostalgia" with such young hobbits. But of course, then I started thinking, what if it were the youngest of them who was feeling nostalgic. These themes have been a real challenge to me.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/17/2005
Watching and remembering and honeycakes--quite the combination for the day!

Author Reply: Thank you. That's just what it was, just some nice reminiscing.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 12 on 4/17/2005
I like the idea of Frodo filling in the gap, that Bilbo left when he went away.
Frodo has another talent in common with Bilbo, and that is storytelling. So I can imagine, that after those lovely honeycakes there might be told a story ;-)

Author Reply: I'm sure there would be! Of course Frodo did fill the gap in one way, and yet, not in another, for Frodo had his *own* place to fill in their lives.

trishetteReviewed Chapter: 12 on 4/16/2005
Oh, I like these little ficcies? Please, do write more! The fluff is awesome =o)

Author Reply: Well, I had 20 themes to start, and this one was number 12, so I've eight more to go with the young hobbits. Then I have 20 different themes to do with the Fellowship, which may not all be quite so fluffy, but there will be forty stories in this grouping when I am finished.

MarigoldReviewed Chapter: 12 on 4/16/2005
Oh, very nice! I love these little glimpses of the lads. I think that you should write at least one per day!

I especially liked the bit about the Gaffer - it's so obvious that his bark is worse than his bite - and of course the reference to our story, and the bit about the curling papers (I think that Pippin might remember that and use it someday) and that Frodo was becoming Bilbo in a way, by making honeycakes for his young guests.

Write more!

Author Reply: Oh, I will! Trust me! I can't tonight--Jim and I have traded computers for the evening, and I don't have any story files on his. I don't go in to work tomorrow until noon, though, so I might get a bit done.

I'm glad you liked this one. When I thought of Pippin and Merry waxing nostalgic, I thought that visit of the Dwarves had to be one of the highlights of their young lives. And I think you are right about the Gaffer.

Yes, Frodo in some ways has taken on Bilbo's position--he's the Master of Bag End now, after all. I thought the honeycakes would be a symbolic way to show that.

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