S
· 14 July 2024
· Chapter 72: Farewells and a New Beginning
I think I was about Bergil's age when I first read this fic and I'm in my 20s now so it's been a staple in my imagination for half my lifetime. I just finished rereading the trilogy and when the need for hobbit fluff and politcking came over me, I still remembered where to go to find it. I've returned to many a fic I read in my youth and a lot of them aren't as good as nostalgia would have you remember, but this one is. It hit all the emotional beats I was looking for how and when I wanted it to. I'm so glad you're still around and writing so you can see how much of an impact your writing has had on a stranger even so many years later.
KathyG
· 22 April 2022
· Chapter 64: The Embassy Grows
Yes the delegation is complete: 6 hobbits, then the 2 hobbit healers, and the 4 prisoners--making 12 hobbits heading out of the Shire at the same time!
Twelve hobbits heading out of the Shire and going to Gondor? Yikes! What would Aunt Dora say, if she were still alive? =)
KathyG
· 14 August 2021
· Chapter 60: Picnic in Pincup
I wonder if Opal ever did get married and start a family? It would be so nice if she did! Of course, hers would have to be a husband who was willing to live with a healer's unpredictable schedule.
I hope that Opal did get a wooden leg! It would be rather difficult for her to perform a healer's duties if she had to hobble about on crutches all the time. Too bad modern prosthetic legs didn't exist back then!
KathyG
· 26 May 2019
· Chapter 40: A Matter of Precedence
Oh, my! I love how the 4 hobbits were announced! I can't help but wonder what Hyacinth and Rosamunda thought of Sam's announcement, given their snobbish attitudes. =) Too bad you didn't include their reactions! [g]
There's just one thing I'm wondering about Pippin announcememt:
"Sir Peregrin Took, Knight of Gondor; Kinsman of Frodo the Belovéd; Peregrin of the Nine Walkers; Guard of the Citadel; Warrior of the Siege of Minas Tirith; Warrior of the Morannon; Trollsbane; Heir to Paladin, the Thain of the Shire.”
Shouldn't "Guard of the Citadel" immediately follow "Knight of Gondor" in Pippin's list of titles? After all, as a knight, that was Pippin's job in Minas Tirith.
KathyG
· 25 May 2019
· Chapter 1: Echoes of a Bad Time
I hope you have no objections to receiving a review after all this time! =)
I've read the other reviews to this chapter, and they certainly provide us all with much food for thought (as the chapter itself does! =)). Among other things, a very valid point was made about Frodo not being the only one to suffer after the Quest, especially during anniversaries. And Gryffinjack made a good point about Sam also having borne the Ring. He not only carried it until he had rescued Frodo (and wore it part of that time), he actually carried it throughout that time right on the edge of the very area where it would be at its strongest! He had to have suffered his own effects from that, if not right away. Kate's Aunty has written a wonderful post-Quest story about that very issue: "Concerning Sam." I know you've read that story, Dreamflower, as have I, but there may be other readers of this story who haven't.
KathyG
· 11 June 2018
· Chapter 5: Four is Company
Poor Sam! He feels so bad about leaving Frodo alone on that day. Pippin really does not need to scold him; he's already been doing a thorough job of scolding himself.
Hey, what if Merry and Pippin actually had been able to accompany Frodo and Sam all the way to Mount Doom?! I think that someone should write an AU story in which they do exactly that! One fanfiction writer has already written a story in which Legolas accompanies Frodo and Sam. Why not an AU story in which Merry and Pippin do so? =)
PSW
· 18 November 2016
· Chapter 72: Farewells and a New Beginning
This was such a fun story. I so appreciate all the time you put into it -- very enjoyable! :-)
harrowcat
· 17 January 2016
· Chapter 72: Farewells and a New Beginning
This is one that I have on my e.reader and have spent many a (happy?) hour with It in doctors waiting rooms etc. When I was first reading it e.readers were a scarce commodity and Kindles etc had not been invented! On a couple of occasions you also helped me to introduce someone to the concept of fanfiction. Way before and a lot more wholesome than 'Fifty Shades...'
I especially like the development of lesser known characters in this. Do I start doing a Pippin over certain unfinished epics? *opens eyes wide and flutters lashes*
Imhiriel
· 15 July 2013
· Chapter 72: Farewells and a New Beginning
I've recently found my way back to Tolkien fanfiction again, and have embarked on a re-read of my favourite stories, before I'm going to try to catch up on what I've been missing. I noticed I hadn't left a review for this story of yours, and it's time and past time I remedy this to let you know how much I like this story and thank you for sharing it, seeing as this is I think at least my third time reading it.
One can see that this is still an early work of yours, because it's still a bit rough at the edges, particularly concerning the flow of the narrative, and the jumping of PoVs.
But the most important things are right there: an engaging plot, vivid descriptions that bring the Shire fully to life, and most especially wonderful, wonderful characterisations and interpersonal relationships. And it seems that a part of the reason for the points of criticism I mention above is that you're just so brimming over with invention and character moments of your big cast that they couldn't be contained in an more "streamlined" narrative, which somehow manages to contribute even more to its charme.
When you have a bit of time on your hands, you might want to correct some persistent spelling errors of yours:
- Mundberg -> Mundburg (although IIRC, that happened only once in this story)
- Odovocar -> Odovacar
- Esmerelda -> Esmeralda (not always, but quite a few times)
- Pellenor -> Pelennor
- You also have some places where you call Freddy's mother "Rosemary" instead of "Rosamunda"
Thanks again, Dreamflower! I'm off to the next story; I likely won't comment all that often, but I might pop up from time to time to leave a review.
Author's reply
Thanks for the heads up on the spelling errors--I'll have to see if I can locate them.
The "Esmerelda" was so persistent in early stories because somehow without realizing it I had accidentally programmed the incorrect spelling into the autocorrect on my word processing program at the time! I don't know if I will EVER get all of those out. But I'll keep an eye open for the others!
Also, I doubt if I will ever stick to just one POV in a long story. I am quite fond of multiple POVs. I know the conventional wisdom nowadays is to have one single narrative voice (preferably first person, or a very tight single narrator) but while I can do that, and usually do in shorter pieces, I much prefer to explore all my characters! I also like to experiment with POV, such as showing two or more POVs of the same events. If it's a flaw, it's one I'll have to live with.
I'm so pleased that you re-read my story. That's always a lovely thing for a writer to hear--and especially about an older one like this that *is* a little rough around the edges!
(((hugs))))
Pegueng
· 15 May 2013
· Chapter 15: Luncheon with the Men
Awright... 9 years overdue.. but after these first 15 chapters of this particular story i must say. Fantastic. It seems you have a real knack of telling stories in a lighthearted but penetrative way that makes one to just continue reading all the way through. As i learned from "It takes a Took" i really love the personification of the "sidecharacters" from the original books and how they come alive... Must stop now.. have more reading to do... // Slaintë/ Pe
Tallis Keeton
· 4 October 2011
· Chapter 42: Interlude on the Terrace
Hello :)
I have 2 questions about this text. Why Gandalf did not go with the envoys to the Shire? Well, I suspect that he was at this time in Rivendell or Gondor so whatever was for him more important than visiting his friends again? Rivendell was emptying, Gondor was safe and has got a king - so where was Gandalf all this time? Has he stayed with Tom? But I suspect that not all this time? I enjoy all this part with "Jewelery". :) I don't know the victorian literature very well - have just seen some movies, but in Hyacinth I'd like to see some connection to Miss Bennett - a mother hysterical about her doughters prospecs :) I know that in XIX c. that was very importand becouse a lot of women could not get any job or have any proprieties so they have to get into such frenzy about well marriage simply to not starve or living on the street. But of course Miss Bennett is imo a kind of satire about such society. Hyacinth seems so similar in her ambition and her way of educating her children. I know she is horrible I know she deserved her punishment for making the lasses so spoiled and being cruel for them as well for her husband and for Pippin but don't you think that banishing her before her daughter get well is too cruel? I did not expect such a thing from Than and Frodo. Esp. not from Frodo.
I like all kinds of fanfictions but mostly the ones with crosscultures topics cultures or societies making friends with one another, knowing each other better. I like the Shire fanfics and I like the Post-War or 4th Age fanfics.
And I like the Gondor or Rohan post-war. Anyway that story is all of those things so I love it :)
Author's reply
Hullo Tallis!
I've not written about what Gandalf was doing at this time much, but in my head he has some loose ends to tie up. I envision him making a visit to the east to see Radagast, Beorn, the Eagles, the Dwarves in Erebor and the Elves in Mirkwood and some other friends before he prepares to leave M-e. I did write one drabble about him seeing Radagast and realizing that the Brown Wizard was not going to return to the West just yet.
I find it interesting that you connect Hyacinth to Mrs. Bennet, a figure from Jane Austen's Regency literature because I rather envision the Shire as being sort of Regency in many ways (You may have noticed this from the description of some of the ballgowns-- the high-waisted dresses and so forth). But originally Hyacinth was meant to be a humorous character. I think I was as surprised as anyone else when I discovered that she was actually cruel and not funny at all! Sometimes our characters can surprise us!
She did not seem to care about her daughter's well-being, and was actually kind of making things worse with her self-centered hysteria. I have a feeling that Eglantine could not have borne to have her around much longer, which is why Paladin banished her-- Frodo did not have anything to do with that decision which was strictly Took family business. She would not have been good for Opal's recovery-- I can see Hyacinth sitting around and complaining to her injured daughter that she had brought it on herself by running away and so forth and making poor Opal feel worse instead of better.
I'm very fond of the cross-culture sorts of stories myself-- of course, I like hobbits best, but I enjoy showing them as they interact with the Big Folk of Gondor and Rohan. I love the Shire of course, and I enjoy the Post-war and 4th Age; but I also like the Third Age as well, especially during the times when Bilbo was there and when Frodo and the others were growing up.
Since you like the 4th Age Shire, have you read any of Celeritas' stories here? She tends to write mostly about a later time, long after the Travellers have all been gone. If you haven't, you might enjoy those!
Tallis Keeton
· 2 October 2011
· Chapter 42: Interlude on the Terrace
Hi :)
I want to thank you for your great beautiful elegant stories and just say that the New Reckoning is one of my "all time favourite" in fanfiction :) On my list you are at the same level as Larner, shirebound, Arathlitiel, FBoBE, Illyria, werecat99, jodancingtree, Mary Borselino, citrine, cuthalion, Primsong, Oselle.
THX :)
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/242280/Tallis_Keeton
Author's reply
Why thank you very much for your kind words, Tallis! Many of the writers you mention are ones I admire very much myself, and many of them I count as good friends! It's an honor to know you think I am good enough to be in such company.
Mîdhaer
· 27 April 2010
· Chapter 30: An Evening with Friends
In this song he did all sorts of improbable things, like ride with Gandalf when he chased away the Nazgûl or light the beacons ( “It didn’t happen that way” he muttered. “The beacons were already lit!” This earned him an elbow from Merry and a giggle from Fredegar.) To top it all off, the song had him single-handedly shoving Faramir from the pyre, and Denethor jumping from the seventh level of the city as he burned.
Hmmm... What does that remind me of?...
It's always funny to see a characters reaction to their own stories.
Author's reply
*grin* I had fun with that part of this chapter! It tickled me to tweak the movies, while giving them credit at the same time.
One of the things that PJ said on the DVD Extras was that he treated the story as more of an historical movie than a fantasy, giving the 1964 movie "Zulu" as an example. Well, it was a great movie, but it wasn't dreadfully historically accurate-- they mostly followed the popular versions of the events, rather like early movies about the Little Big Horn in the States made Custer the hero, because that was the way the popular stories went.
So, I could imagine that in Minas Tirith after the War, there would be many minstrels who didn't know the whole story, but wouldn't mind making things up to fill in the gaps, and their versions of things would become popular. And somehow PJ got hold of some of *those* sources as well as the Red Book.
LOL! Of course, that's just *me* making things up to fill the gaps as well.
Mîdhaer
· 24 August 2009
· Chapter 41: The Ball Begins
Clodio and Cado had cut in to a few sets, and quickly been cut out again. Neither of them were very nimble dancers.
Don't you mean Clovis and Cado?
Great story, just thought I should point that out.
Author's reply
Thanks! You are the first person to ever spot that! I will have to go in and fix that when I have the chance!
Glad you are enjoying the story!
Mîdhaer
· 12 August 2009
· Chapter 7: A Joyful Reunion
But it was only an instant before it was a six way hug.
That doesn't make sense. I thought it was Bergil, Legolas, Gimli, and four hobbits. That's seven. Please explain, or fix.
Thanks,
Mîdhaer
Author's reply
LOL! I had to go back and look at the chapter, so I could remember myself!
Somehow both Merry and Pippin managed to hit the ground running, followed only slightly slower by Frodo and Sam. Pippin hit first, propelling himself into Gimli’s arms, while simultaneously pulling on Legolas. But it was only an instant before it was a six way hug. Targon and Éothain stood by looking amused and chagrinned. They had perhaps had some dignified speech they were supposed to present, but the moment was definitely lost. Pippin pulled away from Gimli and Legolas to grab young Bergil by both hands, all the while laughing and asking non-stop questions which he gave the lad no time to answer.
The scenario was that the four hobbits all flew instantly to Legolas and Gimli first-- that's the "six-way hug". Then Pippin pulled away from Legolas and Gimli, and went over to greet Bergil by himself. *whew!* I hope that explains it a little better.
Szepilona10
· 25 June 2008
· Chapter 29: To Tuckborough
This was a very good chapter! I expesaly(sp?) liked the first part. It was very well writin and very interesting and funny!
God Bless!
~Szepilona10~
Anonymous
· 24 June 2008
· Chapter 10: Guests
Did Aragorn really put a lizard in Mithrandir’s hat?
God Bless!
~Szepilona10~
Author's reply
Yes, he did indeed! This was a mere anecdote, but I later on expanded it into a ficlet, along with the anecdote about Pippin getting Boromir out of the thorns, LOL! The ficlet about the lizard is "A Conspiracy of Comedy" and is number 27 in my "Twice Twenty" collection here on SoA. And Pippin and Boromir is "A Thorny Problem", number 36 in my "Dreamflower's Mathoms I" collection.
Szepilona10
· 24 June 2008
· Chapter 8: Gifts
"Good old Strider and his beautiful queen" That is so Sam!
God Bless!
~Szepilona10~
Author's reply
*grin* Thank you! It's very nice to see a new reader for this story!
Claudia
· 28 January 2007
· Chapter 20: Departing Buckland
Paladin's grief and feeling disturbed about his son is so palpable. How bewildering it must be for him! And I just adored that domestic scene with Frodo sleeping and Legolas and Pippin singing. Very nice! :-)
Author's reply
It *is* very bewildering to him indeed--it's far beyond his comprehension. But he's made up his mind to understand as much as he can.
I thought a scene of family coziness was in order, and I'd had this image in my mind of Frodo, with his head in his aunt's lap, and Legolas and Pippin singing to him that had been looking for a home--it seemed to fit right in here, LOL!
Claudia
· 27 January 2007
· Chapter 15: Luncheon with the Men
It's just marvelous how much honor is being bestowed on these hobbits from the Men from Gondor. And okay, my heart melted at Aragorn referring to Frodo as the most honorable person in all the Kingdoms. And poor Pippin when remembering some of his events with the troll! It's interesting how their family is able to come more to terms with all they've been through because of these visitors... :-)
Author's reply
The Men know there is absolutely no way to repay the debt they owe to the four hobbits--it's priceless. So all they can do is try to show their gratitude as best they can.
I thought it might not be unrealistic for Pippin to have a flashback to that awful moment, when he heard his young friend recounting it.
Sometimes it takes a third party, from outside, to help family members put changes in their loved ones into perspective. We so often take for granted the way we have always seen them that we can't always understand when they change.
Claudia
· 27 January 2007
· Chapter 10: Guests
aww...what a fine reunion of old friends! Yay for Bergil. So cool that he came.
I adore how you refer so tenderly to the friendship between Frodo and Aragorn. I have a special soft spot for that, and I love the mutual trust they have from afar.
Author's reply
I just *had* to let Bergil come and see Pippin and his friends in the Shire, and get a chance to visit the Shire before the Ban was put in place.
I do love their friendship as well--I think that in many ways, they were "brothers at heart" in much the same way Frodo was with his cousins and Sam. And they both know how trustworthy and honorable the other is.
Claudia
· 27 January 2007
· Chapter 5: Four is Company
I really love the friendship between the four hobbits here. Also how many ways that they have changed. THe little things, like Frodo waking so easily or them just setting a watch.
Author's reply
It's in the little things that the changes are going to be more profound, I think.
Claudia
· 27 January 2007
· Chapter 1: Echoes of a Bad Time
Be prepared to be spammed by me, lol!
Okay, I adore how you've set this up. It would never have occurred to me that Merry, too, might get anniversary illnesses! Makes total sense. Poor thing!
Author's reply
I like being spammed, don't worry!
It just seemed to me that his reaction to contact with the W-k might have had a similar effect to that of Frodo, though not as severe. I'm glad you think it makes sense.
Larner
· 4 October 2006
· Chapter 72: Farewells and a New Beginning
And the end of the visit is come, and the goodbyes said, and Frodo begins to know that in the end he will be taken by the sea longing himself.
Author's reply
Yes, the visit is over for those who remain in the Shire. Frodo is still at *this* point in time striving to deny his sea-longing, not yet ready to admit defeat, and at the same time, in his heart he is also beginning to prepare for that last goodbye. He is starting to understand that striving to stay in the Shire may be a losing battle. And at least, to Legolas, he can admit his fears, for Legolas does understand that part of it at least.
Larner
· 4 October 2006
· Chapter 71: Outward Bound
And the goodbyes are begun, and the former Banks deflated as is deserved.
Author's reply
Yes, the farewells are being said. Of course, for *these* Travellers, is the assurance of protection by doughty Men, and a time set for the return home!
And the Banks is about to realize that his life as he knew it is well and truly *over*, and he will deflate very rapidly.