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Dreamflower's Mathoms II  by Dreamflower 14 Review(s)
Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 24 on 4/4/2013
Aww...*sniffle* I love this first-person present tense POV and the interactions between Frodo and Bilbo. I haven't read the books in a long time and need to again, but they feel very right.

Author Reply: Well, we know that book-verse Frodo was quite well aware of Bilbo's plan, but it did not mean he had to like it. I think that at some point they had to have had a conversation like this.

Obelia medusaReviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/18/2007
Aww. What a lovely mathom! I hadn't seen this before.

*sniffle*

Author Reply: Thank you! I'm sorry I hadn't seen this review before, either! I'm glad you liked it!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/28/2006
It must have been very difficult for poor Frodo that Bilbo went away, leaving him back, particularly after he had already lost his parents, and even if he came of age this day, he still was very young. I think you've caught his feelings quite well here. Although I understand *why* Bilbo had to go away, I'm still not happy with him for that. Frodo loved him so much, and going to inherit Bag End is no true consolation. And all the trouble and commotion Bilbo's vanishing caused didn't make it better at all.

Frodo's gift to Bilbo was a wonderful idea, even more so as he didn't know what was to come when he ordered it. In the end it proved very fitting, didn't it?

Author Reply: You are right about how hard it was on Frodo. But I think by the time it came to the point of his leaving, Bilbo was no longer quite thinking straight. The gradually awakening Ring had begun to affect him, and he did not understand what was wrong with him. All he could think of was a need to go away. And I think, he honestly thought Frodo was mature enough to handle it. (Which he did turn out to be--but it still hurt him.) And you are right about the little trick of his vanishing the way he did, as well.

It did, didn't it? *grin*

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/28/2006
Ohh! What an interesting take as to Frodo's POV on why Bilbo left the Shire. It has so much more depth to it than Bilbo leaving Frodo simply because he is of age at last.

I can tell from his manner all is not well with him: he cannot settle to his translations; he is not eating well; he is not sleeping well; and he is suffering from ill dreams. More than once I’ve been awakened by his soft cries. He is dreaming of the dragon, the spiders, and most often of the Gollum-creature. “I’m no thief,” he whimpers, “no, thief!” I do not know how to comfort him, and he is embarrassed that I know of them.


But our coming parting weighs on me, and it is going to be very hard to present a smiling face to the world today.

It's so very sad that on what should be a very happy day for Frodo that he is instead sad and agrieved. Bilbo knows his lad well though, and it was heartened to read of his private conversation with Frodo.

How sweet of Bilbo and Frodo to take turns every year on who gets to open their present first. And such perfect, thoughtful gifts for each hobbit! I especially loved the pocket-watch with the painting of Bilbo and Frodo inside. A picture is worth a thousand words, after all.

The look on his face is one of quiet determination. “Frodo, don’t you see--that is precisely the *reason* I want you to have it all. Because you *don’t* want it; because people are more important to you than things.”

It is no wonder that Gandalf and Bilbo both think Frodo to be the best hobbit to be found in all of the Shire. While others can be kind and generous, Frodo is truly a rare one that has such a pure heart.

But I want you to know I love you just as much as if you were my own son.”

This is not the first time he has told me this. But I am keenly aware that it will be the last time I will hear it, and I am nearly undone.


Awwww. And I dearly love the ending where Frodo looks out the window and sees all those who remain and love him still.

Very well done, Dreamflower!

~Elemmírë~






Author Reply: There *was* more to it: we know the Ring was beginning to take hold of him at last--his admission to Gandalf that he was old, and that he felt "like butter spread over too much bread" was a sign of that. I think that he began to feel an all consuming *need* to get *away*--partly the still dormant, but stirring, Ring wanting to get to Its Master, and partly Bilbo's own realization that *something* wasn't *right*. But what he actually needed to get away from was the Ring Itself, and he rather defeated It merely by the action of leaving it with Frodo. If It had been completely awake, he never could have done that.

I am sure that they had a private conversation at some point--after all, Bilbo tells Gandalf that Frodo was "in on" the joke--which means to me that he must have known for a goodly time. Whether or not it went *this* way, who can tell? But I'm certain it took place.

Frodo has such a large and generous heart, and he truly doesn't want anything for himself; he's utterly unselfish in that way. Of course he was the best hobbit in the Shire!

I had to leave it on a hopeful note. Frodo *will* be more or less happy for nearly seventeen years.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/25/2006
Bilbo needed to go - but it was hard on Frodo to be left behind just like that. Thank goodness for Sam. And Merry and Pippin.

Author Reply: Yes, he did and it was.

And one day, Frodo would need to go, and leave behind Sam, and Merry, and Pippin.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/24/2006
“Frodo, don’t you see--that is precisely the *reason* I want you to have it all. Because you *don’t* want it; because people are more important to you than things.”

I loved that line! So very wise and so very Bilbo! A lovely birthday story!

Author Reply: That's really the point of so many events in LotR: the ones who are *worthy* of having/being something are those who do *not* seek it, whether it is worldly treasure or power, those who grasp after it are unworthy--like Lotho or Saruman--and those care about others and are unselfish are the ones who are worthy--like Frodo or Sam or Aragorn.

I'm glad you liked it. It wasn't what I planned to write, but Frodo wanted his say!

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/24/2006
I've always thought how difficult it must have been for Frodo to go through that party, knowing that Bilbo would be leaving. He must have been torn between wanting Bilbo to be happy and feeling abandoned all over again. You captured this perfectly in this story.

Author Reply: Thank you! That's exactly what I hoped to get across in this fic--that Frodo wanted what was best for Bilbo, and that Bilbo wasn't simply abandoning him on a whim. And yet, still, it had to hurt.

In a way, it's kind of a parallel to the Grey Havens--Bilbo can find no rest in the Shire. He doesn't know why, of course. But with the Ring beginning to stir, and take hold, he had to get away from It.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/23/2006
For there will still be a few who love me in the Shire.

And many more who love you and haven't even been to the Shire but in their imagination! Happy birthday!


Namarie, God bless, Antane :)


Author Reply: Yes, many more! Good point!

RowanReviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/23/2006
I love Frodo and Bilbo stories, especially ones that express their love for each other. Thank you.


Author Reply: So do I. I know that they loved one another dearly--this had to be a wrench for both of them.

good_one_pipReviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/23/2006
Every year, I remember Frodo and Bilbo's birthday. My friends laugh at me. But it's nice to see all the hobbit-hearted people on this site who post birthday stories, each celebrating the double birthday in their own way, carrying on the tradition. Sept. 22 happened to be my due date (which should have been a clue to how hobbits would become a part of my life), though I wasn't born until 4 days later.
I have my own coming-of-age party today. I am turning 16, and it seemed somehow appropriate to get on hear and read one of Frodo and Bilbo's stories. It definitely was a good way to start the day.

Author Reply: Happy Birthday, dear! I'm glad you enjoyed the story!

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