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A Dream of Reassurance  by Larner 9 Review(s)
AntaneReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/8/2018
Finally at very long last getting to this lovely piece that's been sitting in my inbox forever until I could read it. What a great dream that is more than a dream and what gifts he receives: that blessed visit, the coin returned, the smell of things not yet in bloom but still present. Sorry it took so long to read this, but I love it. :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/18/2018
A wonderfully comforting read this morning.

“Oh, yes, I was indeed trained by Irmo himself as to how to manage dreams, back in my old life. Perhaps I shall return to such pursuits one day, but not until you have no more need of me, dearest child. Rest, Frodo. Sam will be here soon to see to you.”

and

“Oh, no—he’s still in Lord Elrond’s house. But you know Gandalf—he’s rather good at dreams.”

I wonder if Gandalf will miss being a Wizard amongst Hobbits, Men, and Elves after he sails over the Sea, once Frodo and Sam have gone on to the Feast. He probably won't miss the aches and pains of an old man's body... or would he?

Frodo's dream of his parents is lovely, and so true to dreaming. I dream sort of the reverse, sometimes... I still have a young body that can do all the things I used to do, yet in the dreams my children are grown, and we are all about the same age in the dream. Strange, isn't it?

I love the glimpse of the change in Lobelia. I hope she found her peace.

The description of the smells adds an extra depth to the story. Well done.

Author Reply: Ah! Another plot-bunny--or more likely a full nuzgul!--sent my way.

We know that Lobelia changed as a result of her imprisonment and Lotho's murder. I like to think that Frodo chose to remember her kindly after that. And I do hope she found her peace as well.

Tony told me that when he dreamt he would see a generic body with similarities he knew from the person's build as he'd know from walking with them and what tactile information he got from casual physical contact; but faces of people he did not see before he was blinded would be in shadow, incomplete. I've dreamt I was a child talking with the kids, or the young woman who married Tony talking with him as he was before he died. Our dreams take us to so many times and realms of possibility!

PSWReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/29/2018
What a lovely story! I enjoyed all the different bits — but I really loved the constant flow of scents that wove throughout. I could almost smell the scene myself ... Thx so much for writing!

Author Reply: They tell us that our oldest, most basic sense is our sense of smell, and that it brings back our best and worst memories. I so loved Fiondil's use of scents to indicate the arrival and departure of individual Maiar, and am certain that certain odors became identified in Frodo's mind with particular people. Thanks so, PSW. I appreciate the comments so!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/20/2018
A lovely find for my lunch-break Larner. Logical and fitting that Aragorn's coin would be a new talisman piece for Frodo.

Author Reply: Oh, I'm certain it would become such a think, Liz, and hope it remains so throughout his life. And hope your lunch was pleasant. Love to the dog!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/18/2018
He paused in the doorway for a moment, sniffing the air. "Funny--smells of kingsfoil and roses, it does, not what either is bloomin' yet."

Yes, Gandalf takes care of his hobbits - and their homes! And he does this expertly :-)

Author Reply: Oh, indeed he does! Thanks so!

KathyGReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/15/2018
It would be interesting to learn how Gandalf found out about the shape Frodo's in, seeing as he will never be visiting the Shire anymore. At least he visited Frodo in a dream. Wonder if there's any chance that he'll be paying Sam a similar visit? =)


Author Reply: Ah, but more plotbunnies being shooed my way! Never know, of course. We know that Gandalf apparently paused on the journey to the Grey Havens to set Merry and Pippin on their way to the Grey Havens in haste, so that would indicate he did pass through the Shire, perhaps turning aside from the journey to the Havens with Elrond and the Lady so as to see to it Sam wasn't faced with a solo return to the Shire and to allow for that so needed last farewell. But other than that there is no indication that from the parting at the Old Forest Gandalf entered the Shire again before it was time for the Ringbearers to leave Middle Earth.


"Olor" has to do with dreams, so I suspect that as well as fire Gandalf had an affinity with such things.

Thanks so, Kathy!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/14/2018
But you know Gandalf—he’s rather good at dreams.

This is a lovely dream indeed. Thank you for letting Frodo experience it.

Author Reply: We know Frodo was subject to prescient dreams even before he left the Shire. I suspect that Gandalf did his best to watch over Frodo from afar through such a medium.

FreyalynReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/14/2018
Lovely little story as ever - just when Frodo needs a bit of support to keep going.

Author Reply: I so agree, Freyalyn. Thanks so!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/14/2018
Oh, my dear Larner! I LOVE this. I think that Frodo was often granted special dreams to his comfort--and this one was just lovely.

Good old Gandalf; he always takes care of his hobbits!

Author Reply: Oh, but that he definitely does. Thanks so, Dreamflower!

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