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A Holiday Feast  by Larner 5 Review(s)
FreyalynReviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/29/2014
This has been a lovely little festive series - thank you for sharing it with us.

Author Reply: I rejoice that you have enjoyed it, Freyalyn! Thank you so!

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/26/2014
Ah, Frodo in mischief with Folco! Lovely thought.

Author Reply: I can so easily imagine Bilbo suggesting that Frodo and Folco go visit the older Hobbits who, it would be hoped, wouldn't expect first-footers to come through their doors and so wouldn't be as likely to ply younger Hobbits with too much in the way of drink only to have it backfire on them in such a way. Heh! Glad you enjoyed it. See you next Friday!

UTfrogReviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/26/2014
Love it!

Author Reply: And I'm so glad you have enjoyed it, UTfrog! Thank you so much!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/26/2014
LOL!!!

I think this experience is well-known not only to hobbits but also to men. If only there wasn't the hangover afterwards ;-)

Author Reply: Oh, yes--too well known! Glad it brought a laugh!

Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/26/2014
LOL! So, Frodo is terribly drunk without even a taste of ale? Poor lad! I wonder if you might expand on the tradition of 'first footing' for me - I'm sure I've heard of it before, but I can't place it; is it a Hobbitish tradition or one from our own world?

Goodness, remind me never to accept a drink from Ponto or Iris! Or how to turn them down respectfully, at least...

What a well done series - not that I would expect any less from you, Larner! I will no doubt return to this tale again and again - and it's nearing time for my yearly reread of "Transformation", so you know what I will be doing in eight days' time! :)



Author Reply: This is a tradition I believe of Scotland in which the first visitor to a home after midnight of the new year is believed to bring a blessing upon the house. Traditionally young men go about from house to house, bringing salt, kindling or fuel for the fire, a small amount of oil, bread, and other gifts symbolizing warmth, full bellies, comfort, and freedom from pestilence for the house visited, and the hosts reward them with a drink and perhaps a scarf or other gift to thank them for the blessings brought. Several people have seen this as a sort of tradition Hobbits would appreciate and have written it into their fics, to the point it has become a popular fanon. The Yule Dwarf is another tradition.

And enjoy Transformation when you read it again!

Thanks so much for all of your comments!

(And in my-verse Ponto's home-made mash is quite infamous for causing remarkable things to be done by the most staid of Hobbits from the region of the Hill! Heh!)

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