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Shire Yule  by Dreamflower 11 Review(s)
Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/26/2011
What could go wrong, indeed? I like this moment between Sam and Merry! (Also, how does one toast cheese, without it melting everywhere? I'd understand a grilled cheese sandwich, but toasted cheese? *is intrigued*)

Kaylee

Author Reply: They'd been conspiring since Frodo's 49th birthday, when Merry saw signs that made him think Frodo was getting ready to slip the leash...so of course they were conspiring still at Yule!

For some reason in the UK, "toasted cheese" is what they call "cheese toast". And I suppose it makes sense, since when you make cheese toast the cheese is on top and gets toasted as well! (Also, as I learned on my trip to Scotland, they leave the "and" out of macaroni and cheese, and call it "macaroni cheese".)


NeiliaReviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/23/2007
Famous last words: ...'what could go wrong?' Frodo was so fortunate in cousins and a great brother of the heart.

Author Reply: I've always been fascinated by the fact that Merry started the "Conspiracy" *before* Frodo found out about the Ring! It just shows how well they knew him!

GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/1/2007
Famous last words. Everything could - and did - go wrong. Toasted cheese? How do you toast cheese exactly? LOL ;) How Frodo ever thought that Sam and Merry wouldn't notice him acting odd is beyond me.

Author Reply: Yes, "famous last words", like "wait here" and "I'd *never* do that..."

That's exactly what I thought the first time I came across the phrase in a book by a British author. Apparently that's what they call "cheese toast". I like the phrase because it puts the emphasis on the best part: the *cheese*!

I think that from time to time, Frodo may have thought "He seems to suspect something. No, I'm just imagining things because I'm so jumpy." His own secrecy got in the way of noticing theirs.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/31/2006
Frodo was ... delightfully naive if he thought he could dodge the sharp eye of Meriadoc Brandybuck and the loving care of his friends!

Author Reply: He was naive in some ways. But I think that what threw him off was the idea of secrecy. I see his relationship with his cousins as a very honest one, and keeping secrets among them was not something they did--it threw everything out of whack, and made Frodo miss the cues that would have tipped him off normally.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/31/2006
"What could go wrong?"
Oh dear! The hobbits probably haven't heard of Murphy's Law - what can go wrong, will go wrong - but a friend of mine says Murphy was an optimist!
A wonderful bit of foreshadowing here.

Author Reply: Murphy has a lot to answer for. The corollary is "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong at the worst possible moment and in the most difficult circumstances possible." A very optimistic outlook indeed, LOL!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/30/2006
Indeed--what could possibly go wrong? Except, perhaps, almost everything!

Author Reply: Exactly. It would be an interesting AU to see what would have happened if their Adventure had originally begun as Merry and Sam envisioned it...

PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/30/2006
Brilliant glimpse into the pre-Conspiracy "theory". ;-) I'm glad these two were as vigilant as they were. I've always liked the friendship you portray between Sam and Merry.

PF

Author Reply: Yes, a brief glimpse into carefully laid plans that went painfully awry!

Sam and Merry *had* to be friends, pre-Quest. Nothing else adequately explains the Conspiracy. But I am glad you like my version of it!

Frodo BagginsReviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/30/2006
Ooh! I do always love your stories. I love the little foreshadowing in this. "What could go wrong?" Sadly, more than they could ever dream of. If only Frodo had been planning on going on a simple adventure. This was great. :) Namarie! And Merry Christmas a bit late, Happy Yule, and Happy New Year! :)
Yours,
Frodo Baggins

Author Reply: I think, actually, he was planning it--there are all sorts of hints that he might just have been going to do so, when the news of the Ring and the idea that he might *have* to leave changed everything, and made him wish not to leave at all. But sadly, he had no choice.

And a Happy Hobbity Yule and New Year to you, my dear!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/30/2006
What could go wrong? Well...... *wanders off quoting the opening paragraphs of FOTR.*

Author Reply: Uh, yes. Really, that's a question a body ought *never* to ask oneself--even in thought!

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/30/2006
Oh, well done! This is wonderful. :-)

Author Reply: Thanks!

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