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Dreamflower's Mathoms II  by Dreamflower 14 Review(s)
Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 31 on 4/4/2013
Oh yes, so much more trouble than they knew...

Author Reply: And it was just the beginning of the Troubles...

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 31 on 2/13/2007
A great chapter Dreamflower. I do hope we are going to see more of this.

Author Reply: I don't know how much more--depends on the bunnies! But I thought it would be enlightening to look at this from Merimac's POV.

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 31 on 2/9/2007
I enjoyed this immensely, Dreamflower! It's the perfect filler for that particular gap in the Professor's tale. Poor Fredegar! He must have dreadful nightmares too, I would think.

the hobbit who had come to the Boffins’ place must have been Fredegar Bolger--Finch knew Frodo and Pippin well enough by sight

That sentence reminded me of a small part in the book that always made me laugh. Tolkien wrote one or two sentences stating that Frodo left some of his clothes at Crickhollow in order for Fredegar to wear and keep up the ruse of the Baggins living there. Yet Frodo was never a fat hobbit (as those who could recognize him would know) and Fatty was well ... fat! One would assume that in order to disguise himself as Frodo, he must first fit in the clothes! LOL!

You also captured Saradoc's worry for the lads so very well, yet also his role as Master to prepare for what may come. Any sequel in the works? Perhaps what happens in those first days when trouble does arrive? How does the Gaffer take the news?

~Elemmírë~

p.s. I also like that you had Merry leaving his father a note. Perhaps he couldn't tell his father all, but at least he could let him know that he was going to be gone with Frodo and Pippin for a while. It shows his responsibility to his immediate family, as well as the depth of his loyalty to his cousin.

Author Reply: I just figured it was one or two of Frodo's old cloaks--it was, after all, one of Frodo's cloaks found all slashed up later on--and cloaks are sort of "one-size-fits-all"

I don't know if there will be a sequel or not--we'll have to see how the bunny hops...

In my "Conspiracy" story, Merry left his father the note, hidden in his father's account ledger in such a way that it would not be found before a certain date. But Saradoc did just happen to find it a few days early.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 31 on 2/9/2007
While justifying the claim of the Travellers that they needed to get away and help Frodo escape his pursuers, I don't think that the actions of the Black Riders are going to be all that encouraging to those lingering behind and worrying about them. Especially for Saradoc, who knows first hand of the effects of the BR. Paladin and the Gaffer will doubtless dismiss most of the more terrifying effects! - That's the difference between living through a horror story and listening to the telling as you sit by the fire.

It's going to be a long year.

Author Reply: No, and Buckland knows what the rest of the Shire could not understand--these Black Riders were not simply ruffians on black horses, but terrifying creatures out of their darkest nightmares.

In my universe, when word got out to the rest of the Shire, most hobbits attributed the strange invasion to Lotho S.-B.--they thought it had been some of his Big Men hired to make sure that Frodo would never try to return to Bag End.

And yes, it's only the beginning of a very long year.

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 31 on 2/8/2007
Wonderful!! A different look at this indeed! The poor parents and loved ones of out Travellers. And poor Freddy, thinking he would be safe staying behind.

It was a dire time, indeed.

MEWD, Dreamflower!

Author Reply: I've always felt Freddy staying behind was actually quite brave--he *knew* there were Bad Guys looking for Frodo, and he was just staying there as bait...

Thank you!

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 31 on 2/8/2007
A very tense and frightening chapter. I've often longed for more of a glimpse at that incident and what happened at the Hall and you have filled in the gaps wonderfully.

I always cringe whenever I watch the film when that poor hobbit is run down at the Bridge. The servants of Sauron have no feelings at all for mortals.



Author Reply: It had to be a tense and frightening time! We are told so little about it, so it's no wonder we try to fill that gap!

That is a very scary and horrible scene, but it's just the kind of thing a Nazgul would do. They don't care about anything but their master's orders.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 31 on 2/8/2007
Wow! That was breathtaking!

“FEAR! FIRE! FOES! AWAKE! AWAKE!”

The Horn-call of Buckland is thrilling, indeed. And you showed perfectly it's effect on the hobbits of the Hall.

I had nearly forgotten about the letter Merry left his father. And I still think that was exactly what Merry would have done. He would not have left without a word.
Maybe his letter and Freddy's "confession" did arouse the Bucklanders in time to be watchful and try to prevent such horrible accidents as that of young Ned.

Last but not least, thank you for putting Mac into this story. From what I've read about him so far (mostly in Lily's stories) he's a fascinating hobbit!

Author Reply: It would be like being awakened nowadays to a siren or something--you know, instantly, that an emergency is afoot!

I like to think that with this first early experience, the Bucklanders were a bit more on the watch afterwoards.

This ficlet was, of course, at Lily's request, so there is no doubt that Merimac would be in it, LOL!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 31 on 2/8/2007
I do like the idea that the families of Merry, Pippin and Sam knew at least that their sons had left the Shire with Frodo instead of wondering about their disappearances and not knowing anything at all.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: I just didn't think Merry would leave with no word at all. But he had hidden it so that it would not be found too soon.

ViresseReviewed Chapter: 31 on 2/8/2007
Thank you for this, so much. I've wished this part of the tale had been better fleshed out (along with several others - the battles elsewhere in ME during the the War particularly). And now it is here, in our Dreamflower canon. Which, IMHO, is the equal of the Professor's.

Author Reply: *blushes*

Well, I don't know about that! I really don't think anyone can hold a candle to JRRT! But I am glad that you feel my stuff holds up next to it.

But there are so many nice little gaps for us to explore, and this is one of them.

AltheaReviewed Chapter: 31 on 2/7/2007
Wow! I've only just discovered these stories tonight and have had a fine time reading the most recent of them. The tension and fear in this one are vividly portrayed. I've always wondered how or if Merry's, Pippin's, and Sam's families ever knew why their loved ones left. This story seems so right. Thank you for providing such a plausible and interesting backstory. When I have time, I'm going to start reading this series of tales from the top.

Author Reply: Why, thank you! I also have my "Mathoms I" which is an anthology with 100 stories, and a couple of other anthologies as well.

I'm glad you felt the tension I was aiming for in this story--that had to be a truly dreadful night.

In my version of the Shire, Saradoc had the most information--he questioned Fatty, and so learned the truth. Paladin did not understand for he was quite angry and did not really listen to his brother-in-law, and though Hamfast had been informed, I don't believe he truly understood either.

I hope you enjoy them--they range all over the timeline, from the serious to the silly.

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