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Second Mum by Larner	13 Review(s)
Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/20/2007
Back to this at last! Our lad is not just older cousin but brother in all the love he gives. Cute that he's not at first aware of all the appreciative, shall we say, gazes the lasses give him but Bilbo teases him about. Love little Pippin. Most interesting is Bilbo's talk with Esme before he leaves and that he doesn't want Frodo affected but heartbreakingly leaves the one thing to him that will affect him, but again, it was all meant to be. Poor Narcissa, who has this brief joy that is not to come again. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Yes, Frodo's found his place in the family at last and is reveling in it, even if he's not yet aware of how the lasses are seeing him, save poor Pearl. I really suspect that Bilbo wouldn't wish for Frodo to be affected by whatever has been affecting him; that it's the Ring Itself is something I suspect he's convinced himself couldn't be true. Glad you like Pippin--I always have loved the lad. As for Narcissa--she finds her own joy one day, at least.

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/2/2007
“No, Sam--don’t be ashamed when you want to cry--that shows you’re alive and that you’re able to feel things. The time to be ashamed is when you don’t want to, for that shows your spirit is more dead than the one you’re missing--like a tree where the sap can’t rise any more. My Aunt Esme told me that, you know.” A lovely scene by the grave. Rosie's possessiveness of Sam is very cute. And Menegilda's death scene was surprisingly touching. But poor Narcissa...she'll never have her heart's desire...... Author Reply: Am so glad you like it, Armariel. I would think that Frodo aided Sam a good deal in adjusting to his mother's death, having been through it himself. And I've always suspected that Sam and Rosie's love for one another went back a good long way. But, unfortunately for all who had an interest, Frodo doesn't appear to have developed a loving relationship within Middle Earth--it takes a sea spirit to capture him completely, I understand. (Heh!) But love does find Narcissa--here, and happiness comes again to Brendi, in part due to Frodo's desire both should know joy.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/29/2007
It is nice to see Pippin and Sam, poor Narcissa doomed to unrequited love. Author Reply: Yes, it was here that Pippin and Sam came into the story; and unfortunately Frodo feels he can't return Narcissa's love and caring, fearing that if he tries that monster he believes within himself will get out and destroy her. So glad you had time to read.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/28/2007
The Gaffer reminds me very much of my own Dad. Sam wouldn't dream of speaking less than respectfully to his 'elders and betters' in spite of a great deal of self-respect, especially when on his own territory and when speaking of what he knows. Esme is going to be a great Mistress of the Hall. Well able in her own right. I am so glad that you got Gandalf entertaining Pippin and his farm animals into this! It really sets us up for his exasperated fondness for Pippin later. Frodo and the children is lovely and the 'water worms' in more detail! Yipee. Bilbo makes a wonderful Guardian and would probably have been a great Father but what would have happened to Frodo if that had been the way it happened. One thing that always fascinates me about LOTR is the way every tiny thing is inter-linked and the out-come relies on each thing happening and at the right time. I know exactly how Frodo feels about ponies but in my case it is dogs. I would love one of my own but life and circumstances mean I have to enjoy them in short bursts. But parting with Jet each Friday evening is very hard! I love the whoe graves episode and I had to smile when Sam produces a handkerchief - learned to keep then handy from Bilbo no doubt! I like how Frodo is experienced enough to get Pippin a plate of food first to keep him busy! g I am glad that Gomez has grown up and that Frodo has learned to use his Punch. And you fitted in Frodo's arm going to sleep under his cousins. Brilliant! What a lovely peaceful end for Menegilda. Many will mourn her in spite of us wanting to throttle her at first! The dancing scene is lovely, especially that Rosie has set her heart on Sam so early! Trust Esme to sense what is going on with Bilbo. And also that her thoughts are about how it will affect Frodo. Of course Narcissa would have been a better match for Frodo but this isn't the first heart-ache the Ring has caused. Great chapter as usual Larner and I hope to get round to reviewing the next one tomorrow. I have a few days off and WAS going camping but the weather has turned very wet, cold and windy. Not a good combination for a tent! So I got a ticket for LOTR - the Musical showing at the Drury Lane Theatre. The staging was wonderful and the special effects fantastic- especially the Balrog, the spider and the Orcs. The latter came up into the audience during the second interval! But the Prof should be turning in his grave over the story line. I know it is impossible to put it into 3 hours but you do not need to combine Theoden and Denethor into one character! Nor do Tolkien's Elves fly! I overheard two women as we were waiting in a queue for you know where. One had neither read the book nor seen the films and was understandably confused! And this was supposed to be a birthday treat for her! I suspect they left after the first act. Glad to have seen it for the staging but still fuming over the editing! Author Reply: I didn't wish this story to go into the depth I put into "For Eyes to See as Can" (not that it was supposed to reach the length it has, either, of course--I find these persistent little nuzguls that masquerade as plotbunnies very diffiuclt to deal with at times, as I hate leaving off and letting them sit there and eye me while working on other things, as their expressions can be most difficult to deal with), so went with the idea of small vignettes, many of which have yet become more involved than I'd originally intended. I felt we needed to see Esme's growing impressions of Frodo and his relationships as they develop, as she begins to appreciate those who will mean the most to him as he matures. Baylor's story of Gandalf playing at making byres for Pippin out of china and cutlery is here referenced, of course, and indeed presages the special relationship the Grey Pilgrim is to know with this Fool of a Took; and we see how Frodo is in his element as guardian and nurturer and guide--to the point as you note he knows that if Merry's going to be able to eat his own meal without grave discomfort Pippin needs his own attention fixed on a decent meal. And even had Bilbo married (which I suspect wouldn't have happened until after the trip to the Lonely Mountain), I suspect that there would have been a way provided for him to still find himself embracing the needs of his young cousin, although I suspect the Ring Itself would never have allowed Bilbo to seek a wife. It's on the foundation built by those from whom we've learned most that we ourselves build our own lives, and Frodo and Sam have both known the loss of at least one parent by the time LOTR starts; that Frodo would have sought to comfort his friend in his own ongoing grief seemed right, as did the idea that the young Hobbits would respond to the graveyard by seeking to make tidy when they can do no more--the one form of comfort they can give and take, even if they have no direct experience with loss as yet. Gomez has grown since he nearly drowned and suffered hypothermia, while Frodo has dealt his warning blow to Tolman Smallburrow, who failed to learn his lesson in the end, I fear. I DO love twisting new stories into the web of former ones, after all. Menegilda still foresees Frodo is likely to suffer in the future, but at least she has grown wise enough not to seek to rob him of NOW any longer. And I suspect that Sam and Rosie have known an understanding from EARLY on. I always loved that allusion Tolkien gives us of Sam and the Cotton lads and their sister Rosie paddling along the Water, you know, and the way she declares herself when he shows up at the Cotton's doorstep to face that pitchfork. Now, if only that Ring hadn't itself robbed Frodo of so much. The description you give of the musical is wonderful, and I SO wish I could see it, although I'm livid they have the Elves flying and have further bastardized Theoden and Denethor! Oh, good grief! WHY? Not needed! Hope you like the next chapter, and hope to have another posted in a day or two. Getting the wheel bearing replaced this week and the car serviced next week if I can. Sorry about the no camping--we had HOT weather this morning (for our region, at least) followed by a distinct coolness not an hour later, and now all is clear and bright with a comfortable breeze; but any tent set up yesterday would likely have ended up being blown away. Ah, well--such is life.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/27/2007
(Bilbo shrugged as he looked thoughtfully toward the door, his hand automatically slipping into his vest pocket. )Can I just say how very well you include little nods to the up-coming events in the lives of all of the characters without losing the context of your story? You do, you know. They fit in seemlessly and remind us all of what lies ahead. I thought Bilbo's description of how he was feeling and the fact that someone wanted him to be angry was an excellent description. Loved Frodo leading the children about and dear, dear, little Sam. I nearly cried over Belle myself. Oh, and Pippin and the thorns! Author Reply: Thank you, GW. It makes sense that the Ring would have been exerting a subtle effect on Its bearers all along, even if they don't recognize it. We know that apparent changelessness of first Bilbo and later Frodo was due to the effects of the Ring; and we have Bilbo's outburst that Gandalf wants It for himself to gauge just how deeply It had sunk Its claws into the Hobbit's psyche at the time. That Bilbo might begin realizing there is a will quite outside his own trying to manipulate his moods at times seemed probable, particularly as he looks closely at leaving the Shire. For the children to have grown up so close to Frodo, it just seemed likely that Frodo must have cared deeply for them as children and must have taken on himself babysitting duties from at least time to time. There's every indication that by the time of the Party the Gaffer was a single parent; and due to that I wrote the death of Bell a few years after Frodo's arrival--long enough for him to have developed a relationship with her, and to have displayed his gift of empathy to Sam. In this the two have known similar grief, in that both have lost at least their mothers, and at much the same age; and Frodo's able to reassure Sam that there is life after such loss. As for Pippin and the thorns--that was sheer fun to write. Thanks so.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/26/2007
Once again a wonderful chapter with detailed insight into Frodo's life through Esme's eyes! I just loved the scene in the Bag End dining room with all the lasses being jealous of Pearl - and Frodo being oblivious of the whole matter! Gomez has changed a lot, it seems! Now he treats Frodo like an equal. And Mac finally taught Frodo that particular blow! Frodo used it to help another one. That's so typical! "Again--the lad in question won’t be trying it again soon." Hah! I think, Frodo's right! Menegilda had a peaceful end with all her loved ones around. That is wonderful. And her dream showed much that really happened later on, but not everything. It might have happend though, had not Frodo chosen to sail West. I loved how after Bilbo's birthday party Merry, Sam and Pippin each tried to help Frodo with the situation. All three have come to love Frodo, and in the near future they will show him that he can not leave as easily as Bilbo did ;-) Author Reply: I hope that today's portion is as well accepted as the previous one. I've seen young guys who were totally oblivious of the fact the girls were really attracted to them and were giving them the eye--and had to write that here, with young Frodo, oh, so mature and yet so unconscious of what the girls thought of him. Yes, Gomez has grown up a lot, and has a proper perspective on things--including Frodo--now. And this time it's a different one who's picking on people, and Frodo is now in a position to do something about it to stop it when it happens. Menegilda has stopped trying to forestall the future, but realizes perhaps this is meant to be; and you're certainly right about the ship to Tol Eressea. She didn't foresee that, not that the idea wouldn't have horrified her if she had, of course. But she was well loved, and deserved a good ending. Bilbo had friends among Dwarves and a certain ruthlessness Frodo never knew--he might survive on his own, but Frodo was more vulnerable--as well as more given to duty, I think. Anyway, thanks for the response, and a happy Memorial Day weekend if you're here in the States.

elanor winterflowers	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/24/2007
And so our lad comes into his own, and a generation begins to depart the world, and storm clouds begin to form on some far eastern horizon...this was a delicious chapter, so full of homey details and wonderful characters, and insight. I have for years wondered where Sam picked up the name Goldilocks--and you showed me here. Of course! For his little sister. I like that! I also liked the graveyard scene; the children were so touching. And Menegilda's gentle end. And Sam and Rosie dancing, and Bilbo trying to explain what was happening to him--pretty prescient, he was, even if he didn't get that the cause was right there in his pocket! As always, I am much admiring! Author Reply: Unfortunately as one generation begins taking over it's usually due to the fact the last one is being rapidly depleted. Bilbo's had his talk with Gandalf, and is now thinking more on just what it means to be "like butter scraped over too much bread." Dwarves come through the Shire less frequently, and Elves are passing more frequently westward and not eastward again, going to the Havens ahead of the next rising of the Shadow. Bilbo's realizing he's headed out as the storm clouds gather, and he's realizing he'd best look for shelter while he can; and he hopes the Shire will be sufficient protection for his lad. I've seen folks who have Sam address Marigold as Mari, but I tend to go the other way. Yes, I can see how you feel this led to Goldilocks for daughter number 3. I'd not thought of that myself, but it does follow. Esme is seeing how much already Frodo and Sam are bonding; and I can't imagine most well-brought-up Hobbit children feeling comfortable looking at untended graves. In spite of her obdurance focused on Frodo when he was younger, I believe the folk of Brandy Hall loved Menegilda, and she deserved a gentle passing. Thank you so much for the comments--they always mean a good deal to me.

cookiefleck	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/24/2007
Glad to see Sam in the story. I was really touched by the graveside scene. Thank you. Author Reply: Well, of course he's in the story now! Frodo's in Hobbiton now, and has widened his circle of associates as a result. Author Reply: And I hit the tab accidently before hitting the return. GADS! So very glad you liked the scene by Bell's grave--but Frodo's already been through this himself, and at much the same age. I can't help believe but he'd do his best to comfort Sam as best he could, and Esme would be thrilled to hear her own comfort repeated now, I'd think. Glad to know you're following this, too.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/24/2007
These lovely vignettes beautifully bring us through Frodo's tweens, his emotional growth, and, particularly, his close bond with his family. I'm glad Aunt Gilda was surrounded by her loved ones at the end, as she was in life. And the addition of Gandalf to this chapter was a real treat. Author Reply: The same frustrating Menegilda so many wanted to shake into reasonableness people now weep to see leave us, right? She appears to have been Mistress of Brandy Hall for quite a long time, so I believe she would have indeed drawn many to be by her at the end. According to the family tree she, Amaranth, and Dodinas didn't attend the Party, although we know fully well that Rory did and refused to be upset after Bilbo's disappearance. Gandalf is supposed to have come and gone fairly frequently during the years Frodo lived with Bilbo, and I had to work in Baylor's vision of Gandalf playing at farms with little Pippin, as well as how he must have seen young Frodo interacting with those who'd always been closest to him. How these interactions must have pleased Gandalf, or so I must feel. In some ways I feel I've only skipped through these ten years; yet I have the distinct feeling that if I don't this story would stretch itself on interminably! Am so very glad you liked Gandalf's inclusion--he must have been such an influence on both Frodo and Bilbo, and in other ways on our other lads during these years on Hobbiton.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/24/2007
It's so nice to see Frodo really settling in and finding a place for himself in Hobbiton. Young as he is, he's already turning into a font of wisdom, just as kind and more approachable than Bilbo. It's pretty clear why Pippin and Merry hang on him all the time. And I love his developing friendship with Sam. Author Reply: Yes, more approachable than Bilbo in many ways--how true it is, just as you've noted. Thank you! And for those two and Sam to have become so close they'd set up their conspiracy and choose to follow him out of the Shire to adventures unknown, they must have been very close I'd think for a very long time. And am so glad you appreciate the little I show here of the growing relationship with Sam.

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