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| Buckland Celebration by Baggins Babe | 29 Review(s) |
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| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/11/2005 |
| Oh, I've waited for this update! Your idea, that Merry took pictures during the quest of people, buildings and landscapes, is wonderful! I can imagine that. And his regret, that he was not able to show all the beauty of Arwen and Galadriel, made me smile. That's my Merry! And Pippin did not think, that Frodo would make it through the maze? Well, it was Frodo who taught Merry to read maps and I remember a situation, where Merry was able to guide himself and his little cousin through Fangorn Forest, which I believe Pippin had never heard of before! I liked the conversation between Frodo and Cornflower. He's always gentle. And the prospect of another little one named "Frodo" is wonderful! "Goodness me! All these little Frodos running about!" ;-) Thank you! Author Reply: I suspect Pip was just teasing Sam about Frodo's sense of direction, and Sam called his bluff. That's our Pippin! ;-)) Poor Cornflower - she must feel quite out of her depth in that family, but she's a sweet soul really. Thought the prospect of a little Frodo Bolger was quite cute. Really glad that you enjoyed it. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/17/2005 |
| What an absolutely delightful chapter! I am so in love with this story, and with this AU! Some of the things that just give me pleasant chills are the way Frodo can now speak freely of the sad facts of his past, such as his loss of parents and of the terrible experiences of the Quest, and the way, even though he is now well, Merry and Pippin and Sam are still so protective of him. Pippin's expression for early morning cracked me up! The "crack of sparrow-fart" indeed! LOL! I also love the way the motherly types still mother Frodo to death--and the way the lasses are still attracted to Frodo. ( I will go against the tide, though--I know several readers want you to have a romance for Frodo, but I like the way you have made him happy without a wife or child. He *has* family: Sam, Rose, their brood, his cousins...I too, believe that could have been enough to fulfill him. If you *do* decide to, it's going to take some convincing for me!) I see that you also like to make Pippin musical (the lute and mandolin for your Pip, huh?) And the dances--"Gathering Peascods" I'm familiar with, but not "Lilac Time"! I am also familiar with "Watkin's Ale" and you are right it is a very naughty song--*tsk*tsk*tsk*. ( I love the version by the Baltimore Consort.) This chapter was fun!fun!fun! And I look forward to the next update! Author Reply: I had a friend who always used that expression to describe an early start!:-)) Yes, 'Watkin's Ale' is a very naughty song - I first heard it on the UK's classical music station and later bought the cd 'Nutmeg and Ginger - Songs from Shakespeare's London' so it is a good bawdy Elizabethan ditty. I really think Frodo is very fulfilled with his extended family and at present I think that is enough. I think the women in his family like to fuss over him, and Esme, like any mother, still thinks of him as the little orphan lad. Glad you enjoyed it. Working on Chapter 5 now! | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/14/2005 |
| "You're so bloody modest you each insist the other one was the bravest. Save me from stubborn Bagginses and Gamgees!" That's so true. Merry has always been a good observer, when it comes to Frodo. It is good to see Frodo so happy again, but I'm not giving up hope yet, that there might be a Mrs Baggins some day! Author Reply: Yes, Merry knows his friends very well and has been observing Frodo for years. You never know what plot bunnies may attack me - there are dozens of the little dears! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/13/2005 |
| What a marvelous, love-filled celebration. But I love the gentle teasing the best... "This time you're going to light the beacon." Pip thrust the torch into Frodo's hand. "Me? Why?" "To celebrate the fact that you're here to light the beacon, you blockheaded Baggins!" Author Reply: As Merry says to Aragorn in the Houses of Healing, hobbits cover their true feelings with humour and light-hearted coments, so I think the teasing covers all their emotional feelings about Frodo being with them. Glad you enjoyed the celebration - and the teasing. | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/27/2005 |
| dear BB! I loved this chapter! You wrote about a young Frodo encountering his parents death so well, so movingly! I can just a young Frodo reacting in just that way, screaming at the horrific scene in front of him. I'm glad of the way you describe Prim and Drogo when they've been dragged from the river and having that be what Frodo himself was seeing. it shoots a bit of realism into the idyllic world of the Hobbits. Children do see horrific things and pretending they don't in stories is to not be true to the world you are detailing through words. From the way you write it you can tell those images stayed with Frodo for a very long time. Loved the cat stories. Mischief and Rufus, hmmmm! Wonder where you go those names? I miss all your little kitties! Wonderful story. More please. MM (PEF) Author Reply: My dear MM! Thanks you for the thoughtful review. Yes, children do see horrific things and I think Frodo was an intelligent and aware child who would have known something was going on. No wonder he seems to carry so much pain inside him. You've found me out on the cat names! BB | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/19/2005 |
| "You cried for a lot of things, I expect, not just for your parents. You cried for the little boy you were, for all that has happened to you since, the life you lost, the people who have gone beyond our sight one way or another, and all the pain and torment you've had to endure." Of course Gandalf was right: not all tears are an evil! And Rosie is a wise hobbit lady. She seems to understand Frodo even more, than her husband does. I loved the flashbacks and links to your other story. Frodo has endured a lot in his life and I'm glad you gave him back the joy in his life. And I would like to repeat it: There should be a woman in Frodo's life. Give this plot-bunny a chance! I know you can do it :) Author Reply: I really love writing for Rose - she is wise and warm and funny. Glad you enjoyed the flashbacks and links to other tales. I think it should all join in a cohesive way. As for a lady for Frodo - we shall have to see. :-)) Could be interesting! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/19/2005 |
| Oh what a delightful chapter! I love the altercation between Merry and Pippin, and Frodo in stern senior cousin mode, laying down the law. The visit to his parents' grave was also very insightful; I love the way Rose makes him realize that his grief is for more than just his lost parents. Poor Freddy, stuck with an airhead for a wife! I've known a few space cadets like that, and they are sweet as they can be, but totally frustrating to talk to. They are worth putting up with, though, as their full hearts make up for their empty brains. (Fredegar must attract those types; your Cornflower reminds me of my poor Folco.) And the story about Frodo's kitten and Gandalf was utterly inspired! More! More! Author Reply: Yes, I enjoyed the 'stern senior cousin'act of Frodo's. Just wanted to show that there is some fire in him and he's not always over gentle. The bit about the kitten is and will be part of my ongoing story 'Childhood Shattered, Innocence Lost' about Frodo's youth and the loss of his parents. I do like to keep the universe as connected as possible. I've also seen kittens hide up chimneys before, and washed out the soot! Still giggling at the description of Cornflower as an airhead! Love it! :-)) | |
| Breon Briarwood | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/18/2005 |
| "the sight of Frodo covered in small hobbits." Oh dear! I can't bear it! I do hope you write him finding someone to love soon. That hobbit needs a wife and babies of his own! *sigh* Author Reply: I think of Frodo as being very good with small children, who are probably attracted by that inner light of his, but I think the Ring destroyed his ability to love in that way. However, I think of him as content to be uncle to Sam's tribe and all the assorted Tooks and Brandybucks. He has (in this universe at least) found a sort of contentment which he thought he would never have. There are other kinds of fulfilment. Having said that, you never know what plot bunnies may bite me on the ankle one day! :-)) | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/18/2005 |
| What a gifted storyteller you are! (I've probably said that several times already, haven't I?) A wonderful chapter, but my favorite part was the beginning -- with the Sausage Wars and Frodo the peacemaker. :D Author Reply: Having food snatched off his plate is enough to annoy any hobbit, but I couldn't resist the temptation to have Frodo intervene, as he no doubt had to do in his teens and tweens. I like the idea of him being stern with them. :-)) Glad you enjoyed the chapter. | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/16/2005 |
| Dear BB! I loved this chapter! I was touched by the scene at Frodo's parents grave. It was full of warmth and love and just the right touch of sadness. Poor Sam. Bless. He's always so worried about Frodo. The depiction of Hallowe'en night was wonderful I think you capture the essence of the holiday the way that it would be celebrated in the Shire. Excellently well-penned. You could feel the joy of celebration and the warmth of hearth and home. I loved how the Hobbits kept harkening back to when they were children on Hallow's eve. The story was suffuse with warmth and memory. You have a talent for writing HObbits. A few lines that particularly struck my fancy: "The effect of this was to produce more giggles, until even 'Woo-woo' was beyond the little spooklets." Love the image of little spooklets! "I was absolutely mortified when Gandalf turned up! He took one look at me, roared with laughter, and spent the rest of the evening calling me his 'fellow wizard.'" I can so imagine Gandalf calling a Small Frodo this! "All the lamps had been snuffed and the only light came from turnip lanterns high on small shelves, the grotesque faces casting weird shadows on the curved walls, which caused much shrieking and delicious terror in everyone, from the oldest to the youngest." This really creates a wonderful image of the Great Hall during the Celebration. wonder evocative imagery. "The tables were full of pies, breads, baked potatoes, spiced mushrooms, soup in vast tureens, and huge bowls of punch and mulled wine and cider. In the centre was a big barrel full of water for the apple-bobbing, and there were flaming bowls full of raisins for games of snapdragon." Again wonderful imagery, and also knowing me I love the listing of the all the wonderful foods on offer. Every Hobbit's desire! The impressed MM (PEF) Author Reply: Thank you for that, my dear MM. I know you enjoy the foodie descriptions - as someone well in tune with hobbit eating habits, you would! :-)) Gotta love the spooklets! Wouldn't it be fun if we could just hang out with the hobbits? *sigh* | |