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Moments in Time  by Larner 11 Review(s)
Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 69 on 12/17/2008
That...is...absolutely...gorgious.

To read about that special, blessed joy of music and singing and dancing (well, okay, so I've never gotten the dancing bit except vicariously, having two left feet) makes me feel it, almost, a welcome thing this time of year.

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you like this one, which was written for the WeeHobbits community. I had to work in the book title Soul Music into it, one of my very favorite Terry Pratchett Diskworld stories. It was a great one to write, and allowed me once again to indulge in the image of Frodo dancing!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 69 on 11/21/2008
Sorry to be reviewing so late - read this a few days ago and just getting around to reviewing - ah, he's dancing again and no wonder Pearl doesn't want to babysit anymore when she could be dancing with him! And how nice to see "Fatty" dancing too and all of them so innocently enjoying the time.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)


Author Reply: The beat can take us at times, I've found. I wanted so to become a dancer, but never had the gift for it--not particularly flexible; not quite a foot full of great toes, but not particularly graceful, either. To think of Frodo as a dancer has always pleased me, ever since that one scene of him dancing at the Party in the movie.

And at this time in his life Frodo is happy, and with reason.

Thank you so, Antane, especially at this time when things have felt uncertain, I'm certain, for you and your family.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 69 on 11/19/2008
*snicker* I'd love to visit the Shire, but I have to admit, I'd not want to do that just when Folco is practising on his viol! ;-)

Great description of the young hobbits first playing and then some dancing as well! That was so beautiful, Larner! Particularly seeing Frodo shine so much!

Author Reply: Reason to avoid Overhill during poor Folco's practice hour, right? Heh!

And you already know how much I love the thought of Frodo Baggins dancing! Thank you so!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 69 on 11/17/2008
“It’s as if the music were the soul of the Shire itself--singing!”

Beautifully written, Larner!

Is that jealousy somewhere hidden behind Pearl's angriness?



Pippin watched, his eyes wide, shaking his rattle in time to the beat

Cute :) Even wee Pippin contributes to the music!

Author Reply: Yes, there's a good deal of jealousy behind Pearl's anger, as Narcissa simply put herself first. To have one she sees as a rival do something she's not done yet must have been galling, don't you think?

And I had to have little Pippin contributing as he could. He's not quite two now, so would still be in rattle mode, I'd think.

So glad you enjoyed this one. Thank you so much!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 69 on 11/17/2008
I can just picture this.Hobbits just love music and dancing.

Author Reply: I'm so glad you feel you can, Linda. I just wish I had turned out to be the dancer I'd wanted to be as a child. I guess that's why I love having my David and Frodo dance in my own stories!

SoledadReviewed Chapter: 69 on 11/16/2008
Oh, but this was beautiful - to see them in their youth, when they were still happy. Special thanks for treating poor Fatty with respect... we fat people are usually not treated that way. The drum must have been a marvel to look at... and poor Folco, forced to play an instrument he hated so much. I can certainly relate, having tormented the piano for ten years or so.

(Sorry I haven't commented earlier on the other updates - work has been insane lately.)

Author Reply: Yes, it was wonderful to work in Frodo's youth and the childhood of the others.

I think Fatty deserves this respect, personally, for he managed to surprise even himself with his courage and determination in the end, I think. And considering I, too, am now too heavy for my height, I am not one to denegrate heaviness. This is particularly true as one of the most graceful people I ever met was my husband's oldest sister, back when she was grossly overweight. She could move so beautifully!

I play the piano some--had years of lessons but mostly play by ear. Was raised in a home where my stepfather had a nine-foot concert grand as he'd once trained to be a concert pianist but gave over his dream to work in aeronautics instead--for thirteen years he tested components that went into each and every Boeing airplane that came out of their Seattle Plant 2 building. I'm only good enough to truly appreciate those like my dad who are truly excellent at it.

My younger half-brother was our second musical prodigy--picked up a bugle for the first time and was immediately playing recognizable tunes. Also played drums, trumpet (I gave up at my first blow at that blasted trumpet; Big Bro was okay at it and younger Sis was awful!), violin, and I'm not certain how many other instruments.

The "Soul Music" prompt was a fun one to work with.


ElflingimpReviewed Chapter: 69 on 11/16/2008
Larner, after reading this I swear I could hear the music!!! Hugs Deb the Imp

Author Reply: I am thrilled at how vivid folk appear to find this one. Thanks so, Deb. I am truly honored! (I do love dancing Frodo!)

CeleritasReviewed Chapter: 69 on 11/16/2008
*grin* IMPROMPTU JAM SESSION!

No, seriously, this made me ridiculously happy not only because it reminded me of similar moments among friends and acquaintances but also some of the "song and dance numbers" in old movies where one or two people quite innocently start playing and then slowly everyone joins in. Which is quite amusing since the jazz that usually supplied moments like that is the modern equivalent of folk music since it calls for improvisation.

It was lovely taking such concepts and applying them to the Shire, which is rooted so much more deeply in such traditions than our own locale.

Author Reply: Oh, I agree, Celeritas. Frodo as sort of "Lord of the Dance" for the Shire is rather a recurring theme of mine, I fear; and when I was challenged to do a story for the Wee Hobbits LJ site and work in the book title "Soul Music" by Terry Pratchett (who's one of my favorite authors, and which book is one of my favorite books in the Discworld series) this was, I suspect, inevitable, particularly as the book title brought to mind the forming of "Buddy's" band and the creation of "Music with Rocks In"!

That one scene in the FOTR movie where Frodo's doing a dance step while admiring Hobbit maidens look on has so inspired me!

Just start with a bunch of Hobbits gearing up for a big party the following day, a drum, and some instruments, and I think this HAD to happen, particularly remembering the dancing of the Springlering by the young Hobbits who attended THE Party!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 69 on 11/16/2008
I feel as if I was right there, hearing the beat and watching the children dance for the sheer joy of being young, and carefree, and... hobbits.

Author Reply: Thank you so, Shirebound! Yes, young, carefree, and Hobbits! Am so glad this chapter seems vivid to so many!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 69 on 11/16/2008
The music of the Song reveals itself in the Children. Lovely Larner. I could see the dancing and hear the music.

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad it was that vivid for you! Thanks so much!

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