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Hark! How Blithe the Throstle Sings!  by Dreamflower 7 Review(s)
GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/30/2009
I'm so glad that Frodo-lad got to spend time in the garden and had such a lovely surprise visit with his dad. Sam was wise to leave Rosie at home. ;) Rose wouldn't have delivered that message quite so kindly or politely.

Author Reply: *grin* Probably not. But then, she'a mother.

And I think she still would have forgiven Aragorn-- but not without the scolding!

I had a lot of fun writing of Sam's visit with his son, and he'll be able to reassure Rose that Frodo-lad is doing just fine now!

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/23/2009
How lovely! I felt as though I was there, seeing the spring bursting forth, as it is at the moment here in England.

I loved how Frodo-lad is so excited to see Sam, and his wish that his father could see him in action as a page.

I enjoyed the mentions of some of your other wonderful stories too - the one about Lady Haleth, Good King Elessar...... I must go back and re-read that one.

I was listening to a thrush yesterday outside the window where I work (in a Tudor building which stands in a park). Everywhere looks so beautiful at present.

Author Reply: We seemed to have skipped spring and gone straight to summer! A couple of days ago, it was so cold we had the heater on and a fire in the fireplace. Today it's so hot the air conditioner is on.

But the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing, and that's the important thing!

I'm so glad that you enjoyed the story!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/23/2009
"Drosselmeyer"? That's a funny name!

Well, Meyer or Meier is a very common German surname, which is also often found with a prefix.

The original meaning of "Meier" refers to someone who is the tenant of a (large) farm. It's an old word and isn't used any more, only as a surname.

So, in English "Drosselmeyer" would be something like "Throstlesmith" ;-)

Author Reply: Thanks for the info! I think that is so interesting!

VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/23/2009
I was charmed by your descriptions of the sights and sounds and smells of springtime. The walled garden in particular seems like just the kind of place I'd love to be! And yes, I can totally understand how one wants to get one's hands dirty on a fine day like that. ;-)

Author Reply: Thank you! Spring really is a favorite season of mine, and I'm glad you liked the way I described it!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/22/2009
A sweet story, my dear! I love that Frodo-lad was disappointed that his father couldn't see him 'in action' but I also love that he was elated to be with his Sam-dad. Sam wouldn't ever acknowledge his own instrumental role in the War but it's very good that others do. Love the reaction of father and son to the song. I'm sorry that I'm getting behind on Trotter, but I will catch up one of these days!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)


Author Reply: I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Frodo-lad was so happy to see his father, he wouldn't be disappointed for long! But it's only natural for a youngster to wish to "show off" for a parent, LOL!

Sam much preferred to think he hadn't "done anything much", but we know better, as does Frodo and so do the other people of Gondor!

I'm sure that song would have touched Sam, to remember that time and to remember Frodo as he was back then.

Thanks for reviewing dear!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/22/2009
What a wonderful story!

Frodo-lad's homesickness was effectively cured when his father arrived and Uncle Strider allowed him to work in the gardens.

His happiness at the end of this story is perfectly mirrored by the song of the throstle.

In my neighbourhood you can listen now every morning to the song of the blackbirds. They belong to the same family as the song thrushs and their song is also very nice.
In German a blackbird is called "Schwarzdrossel". By comparing the words "throstle" and "Drossel" you can see that English and German are sometimes very close to each other :)



Author Reply: Thank you, dear!

It certainly did cure his homesickness, though I expect it will occasionally come back once in a while--after all, he will miss his family again. But you are right that after this it will be much less sharp and painful, especially knowing he can "work it off" in the gardens.

I was so pleased by the introduction of the bird, because that was exactly what I needed to finish this story--I had become rather stuck!

That's fascinating! So, in the "Nutcracker", is that why "Drosselmeyer" is usually shown with a beaky nose? If "Drossel" is derived from "throstle" what does the "meyer" mean?

*is curious*

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/21/2009
Yes, I can see this indeed, with Frodo-lad missing his gardening as well as forgetting himself once his father showed up! And the Hornblower must have been taken aback to see the Mayor upbraiding the King no matter how obliquely or lightly, and to see the King acting as if the upbraiding was deserved as well!

Am so glad you got this done for this challenge.

And I'm certain that Frodo's namefather is right proud of him, although it took no prophecy to know that the first son born to Sam and Rosie would be named after himself--Sam certainly had made that abundantly clear!

Lovely piece!

Author Reply: I always imagine young Frodo as taking very much after his father, with his modesty, common sense, loyalty and strong work ethic. And since it was he who among Sam's children earned the name "Gardner", I imagine him taking after his father in that as well! He would miss very much being busy in a garden at springime! And he would have been thrilled to see his "Sam-dad" once again!

Aragorn was well aware that Frodo's parents would feel obliged to say something about that little Yuletide "Adventure". He'd be expecting it, and feel it was a parent's right. And, as you say, it was rather "oblique" and probably a good deal milder than he expected. But once Sam had seen his lad safe and sound and mostly happy (except for a bit of homesickness) he knew he needn't say very much.

Yes, that's true--but Frodo Baggins also predicted his place in the family line-up as well! I don't believe I've ever mentioned it except briefly in one small ficlet, but I've always believed that the guardians of the Stone of Elostirion would have made it available to Frodo anytime he wished to check up on his kith and kin.

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