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The Usual Suspects  by GamgeeFest 49 Review(s)
Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/22/2006
Wow! What a story! These difficulties seem very real, and Frodo's heartache brought tears to my own eyes. You know, I've got to wonder how many times something in one of your stories has brought tears to my eyes during the past three days or so. :) But I like to cry over a good story. Anyway, I love the talk with Bilbo, the birthday presents, and especially that the story ended on a happy note. This has made me want to work on my own "Young Frodo" saga, the tiny fraction of the first part of which ought to be hidden as it's in shambles. Dear me. *sigh* But I do love stories about Frodo during this time period, and there aren't enough, in my opinion. This is one of the best I've seen. I'm giving maximum angst a rest for just a little while (that won't last long), but I'm eager to read "In Darkness Buried Deep." I like Piper; she's very sensible. And that Posy sounds like a caution all right. I take it she had something to do with "A Night to Forget." You really have quite an interesting universe, and I very much admire your creativity.

Oh, and I just *LOVED* all the revelations Frodo made, and the story about the salamanders! LOL! Imagine that! Just like young boys! Now off to find more! :)
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: This was a rarity to write, because for once, it actually wound up being shorter than I thought it would be, rather than longer. I was planning seeing more of Esme's investigation, but I just couldn't think up enough scenarios. Still, it works better this way. It needed to end on a happy note, considering that Frodo would soon be leaving Buckland and his Merry for good.

Oh, Posy. :D That's really all that can be said about her. Piper is a favorite of mine. She's sort of a Sam-type character, so Frodo's relationship with her is a sort of precursor to what he will eventually have with Sam, and it explains why he's so comfortable telling Sam things that he doesn't tell anyone else. You'll get to know Gil better in "Darkness". :D

When Frodo bares all, he really makes it an art form! I thought of making that longer, but then I didn't want to exhause Esme and Sara. lol

Thanks for reading!

Isilhen DaegolReviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/1/2006
Hrm... Merry and Frodo with a mysterious box of... something. Whatever could be going on? I do like the stories of the kids, especially the one about the salamanders! I wonder what it was that they really did? And the bit about the water moccasin as a water monster. That was just the sort of thing Bilbo would say to a little kid. Good job!

Author Reply: I actually manage to answer all the questions in this story, of which I'm very proud. :) Fendi and Morti are the resident tricksters. Every generation has to have some and they're it. Merry and Pippin are good successors to them. ~_^

Bilbo would make up water monsters just to impress Merry - and make Saradoc look more like a hero in his son's eyes than he already does. Merry's at that age where his parents (and Frodo) are everything to him and he would likely believe that Saradoc was the one who went and slayed the dragon if Bilbo told him it was so. :)

Isilhen DaegolReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/1/2006
Of course they need a meal. What self-respecting hobbit would tell a tale without food on the table? And speaking of food... *looks about suspiciously* it seems we've a sweets-snatcher on the loose. So long as (s)he stays away from my english toffee. That stuff is good!

Author Reply: Hobbits, food and tales - what more could you ask for? Despite rumors of his madness, Bilbo is quite sensible about such things. You can't tell (or listen to) a story on an empty stomach. :) lol, I'd secure your toffees if I were you. This particular thief is quite sneaky.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/31/2005
You wrapped this up nicely. I was very glad that Frodo didn't go off with hard feelings. Bilbo was, as always, very clever and wise about it all. This has been a wonderful little story to read to see the old year out on. Now, I am looking forward to more of your stories in the NEW YEAR. (Big giant hint.)

Author Reply: Bilbo chose a good year to come for a visit. Had he not been there, things would have turned out *very* differently. And Menegilda was right, way at the begining of the story: if Frodo will listen to anyone, it will be Bilbo. His long years and his many adventures have given Bilbo the experience and wisdom to know just what to say to Frodo to convince him to give his guardians another chance.

Hint taken. *picks up notepad and scribbles away*

Thanks so much for reading and I'm glad you enjoyed this! Happy New Year! (hugs)

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/31/2005
It's all so awkward between them all. I felt very sorry for all of them. I do think I know what the answer will be though. (small smile.)

Author Reply: It's bad enough being upset, but to have to pretend to be happy and carefree at a birthday party while all you can think about is how upset you are is just about the worst possible situation to be in. Frodo rode it out though and however ineffective their conversation may have been, at least Frodo heard them out.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/31/2005
Oh, this chapter was so very sad. I can see how Esmeralda much have felt since the idea that Frodo and Merry might have been responsible was placed in her head earlier and she was trying so hard not to fail in her task, but poor Frodo! And poor Merry! Misunderstanding can be so harmful and I do wonder how all of this will settle out even with apologies. Frodo is so easily hurt at this point.

Author Reply: Esme has been steadfastedly denying the whole while that Frodo might have something do to with all this. Once others started saying it though, her suspicions became too much for her to ignore. The misunderstanding in and of itself might not have been so damaging had the relationship not been so fragile to begin with. Now it will be twice as hard to work things out, if they ever truly can be. There might very well always be a bit of mistrust on both sides.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/31/2005
The part where Sam checks to see if Frodo is still breathing fits all of your stories so well. Even at that age, Sam was looking after Frdodo just as Frodo's parents would have wanted. Now, I wonder what Merry and Frodo are up to? LOL That has always been a dangerous combination right there. Poor Esme is still not getting very far in her efforts, is she. I enjoyed Posy! Oh and very smart of Frodo to use Fendi and Morti as a distraction.

Author Reply: Sam is such a dear. He may have only done so at first because of his Gaffer, but he would have soon made it a habit just for his own peace of mind. Sam is always looking out for his Frodo. *grins*

Merry and Frodo may not have been as formidable as Merry and Pippin will later be, but it's a good indication of things to come. And Frodo is such a good older cousin, teaching Merry all the tricks of the trade. ^_^

Posy is such a prat! Why, oh why, did Esmeralda ever think it would be a good idea to set Frodo up with her later on is beyond me. LOL Esme must have been reaching the bottom of the barrel by that point.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/29/2005
It's me again, stealing a minute or two for another wonderful chapter. I laughed out loud at poor Esmeralda's efforts to find the truth! This is so very good. I do feel sorry for Bilbo in this one but I am guessing that things will work out before too long. Merry is adorable and he is having such fun in this. I am enjoying myself too. I will be back for more over the weekend!

Author Reply: Esme's going to hear some interesting stories with this assignment, lol. She knew it would be difficult, but it'll prove harder than she thought to get to the truth of the matter. Bilbo's having fun, though he does miss Frodo's company. He too is encounter something he didn't quite expect to. He understands that Frodo's at that age where he's starting to pull away from guardianship, but it doesn't make it any easier, especially since he sees so little of Frodo as it is. Wee!Merry was fun to write. He's such a good friend and companion to his cousin and understandably wants to be just like him. ^_^

Thanks for reading!

Elanor SilmariënReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/29/2005
I was wondering what Frodo and Merry were up to! Great story so far!
Elanor : )

Author Reply: They were up to something, but not what anyone would have suspected. They must have been working on that gift for a long time.

Thanks for reading!

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/26/2005
Nice to see Gil again. And Merry on a sugar high? Hysterical! Finally getting time to read the first chapter and will be back to read more, but right now I have some after-company straightening to do. Back later!

Author Reply: I thought it would be interesting to see Merry on a sugar high for a change. He does get wound up, but he's still more manageable than Hyper!Pippin. ;) Have fun with the clean up. Hope your Xmas was wonderful!

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