Dreamflower
· 18 November 2004
· Chapter 32: The Most Important Thing
How lovely! As eager as I am for Frodo to return, I am glad you had this chapter. It's so seldom that *Sam* gets a bit of well deserved comfort. So lovely to see his sisters, friends and father rallying around him, and seeing to his needs, and tending him so sweetly. We see the gruff side of the Gaffer all too often, it's lovely to see his fatherly side for a change. ( And I guess I'm going to have to go back to the fight chapter again, as I don't seem to recall that rag.) Beautiful bit of h/c!
Author's reply
I love it when Sam gets to be taken care of for a change. It so rarely happens. He's always the one looking after everyone else. It's easy to forget that he has needs of his own. His friends and family will do anything to comfort him, even though they are upset themselves to see him like he is. Gaffer may be gruff on the outside, but he's really a big softy when it comes to his kids. When it comes right down to it, he'll do whatever he can for them.
(And you don't remember the rag because it wasn't mentioned before. It was only briefly mentioned at the beginning of this chapter that Sam had cleaned up at Bag End, showing how dutiful he is even when he's so injured he can barely stand. I figured everyone would know where the rag came from without having to concentrate on it too much.)
Thank you for the praise!
Grey Wonderer
· 17 November 2004
· Chapter 32: The Most Important Thing
Seems I am on line at the right time, all of my favorite authors are posting. Was glad to see a new chapter of this one up. Poor Sam is really having a time of it in this one. I hope Frodo arrives soon. That ring will take every advantage until he does and I don't know how much more of this Sam will be able to stand. I can completely understand the Gaffer's reaction to the news at the Ivy Bush. He is very worried about more rumors upsetting Sam again. It will be interesting to see what he tells Sam about this, if anything. Or if someone else delivers this news instead before Frodo can arrive. Waiting for more!
Author's reply
Sam's pretty close to the breaking point right now, poor little guy. Relief is on its way, thank goodness. The Gaffer has a lot on his mind right now, just worrying about Sam and trying to figure out who hurt him. He'll be having to apologize to Goodheart though. ;)
Dreamflower
· 14 November 2004
· Chapter 31: Homeward Bound
Oh for heaven's sake, I don't know how I'm going to be able to list all the really good things in this chapter!
I love the tender moment with Esmeralda, and her telling him he's the best hobbit in the Shire, and his realization of just how much Sara and Esme love him.
I was tickled at all the banter between the reunited cousins--they are almost giddy to be together again, and you can tell.
I was gratified to see you call the Bolger home Brock Hall, and Frodo's recounting of his adventure there to his friends. His shock at realizing what had been thought of him rang so true.
I was pleased with Paladin's handling of the gawkers at the Floating Log.
I giggled at the account of Pippin causing the mudslide.
And finally, Merry's and Pippin's own resolutions to never let Frodo down again rang so true.
Congratulations on a great chapter; now all you have to do is get Frodo home to Sam, and get Bag End back from Lotho. Looking forward to it!
Author's reply
Frodo realizes just how much he means to his family now. He won't make the mistake of thinking they don't care about him again.
They are giddy, they're on hyperdrive, they're so giddy. :) Brock Hall - one less thing I had to think about, I just lifted the name out of your story, hope you don't mind. Unless it's really supposed to be called that?
Frodo would have found out about the rumors sooner or later, and Merry and Pippin would have had to face the music eventually. The longer it was withheld from him, the more hurt he would have been by it, so Folco helped by blurting it out actually.
If any hobbit can disperse a crowd, it's Paladin. Whoops, Pippin didn't cause the mudslide. He was in Tuckborough causing his own form of trouble. :)
This story really is setting up things that will come into play during LOTR: Lotho's devilry, the Conspiracy (notice that it was Frodo's suggestion to have Sam "spy" on him, lol).
Thanks so much for the praise. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Larner
· 14 November 2004
· Chapter 31: Homeward Bound
It HAS grown in the telling, hasn't it? Looking forward to the final chapters with anticipation.
Author's reply
It truly has grown, far more than I ever thought it would. The original outline I have for this story looks likes for a completely different story! Hm, I guess I could still write that other story then couldn't I? I'll have to put that on my list. :)
I should be getting the next chapters up fairly quickly. I want to get Frodo home to his Sam! Thanks for reading.
Larner
· 14 November 2004
· Chapter 30: The Treachery of Bag End
Oh, WONDERFUL! Have been following this for months on FFN, and am thrilled to find it's now here as well. Poor Lotho--anyone deserves more than he got out of his parents! Amd then to have the Ring working on him....
Author's reply
Yes, I post at both sites, thanks for following it. Lotho did get stuck with some pretty lousy parents. I think he actually could have turned out decent if he had more supportive and understanding parents.
The Ring knows how to pick its targets. Lotho was ripe for the picking, so to speak. Thankfully, Sam was there to diffuse the situation before Lotho could get his hands on it.
shirebound
· 14 November 2004
· Chapter 31: Homeward Bound
After so much wonderful suspense and angst, we get a chapter of such wonderful teasing and lightheartedness! Frodo will never feel neglected again, or wonder if anyone would miss him if he went away.
Author's reply
I know, I finally got to right a chapter with fluff in it! I loved it. ;)
lol, no Frodo will never feel neglected again, mostly because his cousins will be hounding him night and day. He won't be able to go away to be missed; they'll be riding his tailcoats. Thanks for reading.
Was very glad to find a new chapter of this one up today. I am so anxious for Frodo to get to Bag End before anything else can go wrong. Love all of the teasig between the three cousins in this chapter. I also liked that Frodo had to ask Esmeralda about his dreams as a child. A lovely moment between the two of them though Frodo learned nothing new. Looking forward to more of this one.
Author's reply
Just like you, I need to put some lightness in amongst all the drama, especially after that last chapter. It's far past time for some fluff. :) Merry and Pippin are overjoyed to have Frodo back and they're on overdrive, so to speak. Frodo's happy to be back also and willing to put up with the teasing (for now anyway).
Frodo may not have learned anything new, but he did get to clear things up with Esmeralda a little bit. He won't be so hesitant to ask for help anymore, and Esmeralda knows that Frodo appreciates everything she and Saradoc did for him.
shirebound
· 11 November 2004
· Chapter 30: The Treachery of Bag End
I've never seen the Ring's "personality" and motivations written better. Fascinating! And what an amazing tour of Bag End -- I could see every inch of it through Lotho's eyes.
Author's reply
Thank you! After the Ring caused all this trouble, I thought it would be nice to get into its "mind" a bit. I also wanted to pinpoint the real villain of the story before I transitioned over to Lotho, who is little more than a pawn in the Ring's game.
Lotho isn't the first person I would chose as a tour guide for Bag End, but he's so jealous of everything Frodo has, he would pay extra attention to all the little details.
Grey Wonderer
· 10 November 2004
· Chapter 30: The Treachery of Bag End
Now that was some amazing chapter! I love seeing the first of this from the ring's pov. I also love how the ring describes everyone, the angry one, the greedy one, the happy one, the simple one. Great job. The fight was impressive also. I loved how Lotho just fell under the ring's spell and then how Sam would get to the truth of Lotho's pain. This was very entertaining and I can't wait for more. I wonder what the gaffer will say to all f this?
Author's reply
Thank you! I've been saying all along that Ring was up to no good, and now we know what exactly it was scheming. Actually, I find the Ring to be a bit optimist, it doesn't let any of its failures to get it down, lol, it just goes onto the next plan. It would not bother to learn the names of its lesser masters, but it would find some way to distinguish between them.
That was the first fight I've written, and I hope it's my last. I don't like writing fights really, especially this one. I hated to see that happen to Sam, especially after everything he's been through already, but there was no way around it. Lotho was under the Ring's spell as you said, and he would really have no choice but to react the way he did. Thankfully, Sam did know what was really bothering him and that defused him enough that the Ring's hold slipped.
Bodkin
· 7 November 2004
· Chapter 29: An Unexpected Return
Yes!! At least Merry and Pippin know the truth.
Now rush back to Hobbiton, Frodo. Sam needs you to help him save Bag Eng and its contents from the obnoxious Lotho. Vite, vite, mon ami!
Author's reply
Merry and Pippin will rest easy tonight. They'll not be letting Frodo out of their sight any time soon though.
The situation with Lotho is a bit more complex than just him wanting Bag End. Sam will have to handle this on his own unfortunately.
Thanks for reading!
Grey Wonderer
· 7 November 2004
· Chapter 29: An Unexpected Return
Lotho! The combination of the ring and Lotho sends chills through me. I think Frodo is right. Something wicked this way comes. Can't wait for more of this. I was very happy that Frodo showed up before Merry left. Enjoying this very much!
Author's reply
*shivers* That's not a good combination at all is it? The Ring is up to something, and we'll soon find out if it's successful or not.
Well, I couldn't let Merry leave. Then they'd have to look for him and there we go all over again, lol! Thanks for reading, I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Dreamflower
· 6 November 2004
· Chapter 29: An Unexpected Return
Whoosh...big sigh of relief for Merry and Pippin! Now he has to hurry back to Sam. I have to admit I'm *really* looking forward to Lotho's disappointment when Frodo turns up, though I'm sorry for what Sam will have to go through in hte meanwhile.
Author's reply
Yes, Merry and Pippin are happy now. And notice that they didn't leave Frodo's side once? They'll be feeling quite a bit possessive and protective of Frodo for awhile.
I wish it were as simple as Lotho being disappointed. He's not really the villian of this piece, though this is part of what sets him down that path. As for his reaction, I do have a very specific, little, scene in mind for him, but anything more than that is unlikely.
shirebound
· 6 November 2004
· Chapter 29: An Unexpected Return
Saradoc blinked and everyone paused to look at the bounder blankly. “What?”
Wow, what a chapter! Now Frodo has to hurry hurry hurry home... quick!
Author's reply
Thank you! Frodo will be heading home none too soon, but Sam still has to contend with Lotho.
Dreamflower
· 1 November 2004
· Chapter 28: Desperation
Goodness! Frodo had better hurry: Let's see there is (1) Merry getting ready to take out after him, even though he has no way of knowing where his cousin is (2) Pippin still grieving (3) Sam on the verge of complete collapse, (4) the possibility of having to oust the S-Bs from Bag End again, and (5)last but not least, that pesky (*mumblemumblebadwordsmumble*)Ring sitting there all alone and tempting.
*Frodo, Get Home and Don't Waste Any Time!*
Author's reply
That is an excellent recap! Frodo's hurrying as fast as he can. The question is, will that be fast enough?
Bodkin
· 1 November 2004
· Chapter 28: Desperation
Get that Frodo back to Sam before the poor lad disintegrates.
Though perhaps it would be wise for him to grab Merry and Pippin on the way.
Author's reply
Frodo will be stopping at Brandy Hall first, so he'll at least see Pippin there. And he will hurry home at all haste once he finds out what's been going on in his absence. Thanks for reading.
Grey Wonderer
· 1 November 2004
· Chapter 28: Desperation
Merry going it alone? This could be more trouble. I wonder if Pippin will keep his secret or if he will tell. Either way I think we are in for another desperate search. Looking forward to more of this.
Author's reply
Things are pretty messy right now. Some will improve, some will get worse. Thanks for reading and I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Grey Wonderer
· 1 November 2004
· Chapter 27: The Prophecy
I loved the dream interpertations. She is very good and very close to the mark I think. I only hope that Frodo gets back in time to keep Merry from setting out to find him along with Pippin. Also, I do believe that the ring is up to something by the tone of that last dream. Great story!
Author's reply
Hazel is quite perceptive and Frodo learned a bit about himself during their talk. He needed a wake up call and Hazel sounded it for him. He knows now he couldn't have left his cousins in such a manner.
Grey Wonderer
· 1 November 2004
· Chapter 26: A Very Fond Farewell
The dream sequence was amazing. I had to laugh at Sam building the little piles of samd for Frodo so that he would have them. So like Sam. I also thought that you wrote Berwin's delimma well. I liked the way your healer stepped in and made her orders know but was very glad that Frodo never had to know that she had forbidden his travel plans. I enjoyed his letter very much also.
Author's reply
Hazel didn't forbid so much as delay for an inconveniently long amount of time. :) She's a tricky woman, that healer. She knew Berwin couldn't stay that long, and even if he had attempted, that would only have given her more time to counsel Frodo and the result would have been the same in the end.
That is just like Sam, isn't it? He'll always do whatever he can for Frodo. I'm glad you found the way I wrote Berwin's delimma effective. It was one of the last things I ironed out and wasn't all that sure about it even then.
After all this angst and drama, the story needed a bit of lightness. Frodo's letter was fun to write. Glad you enjoyed it. :)
shirebound
· 24 October 2004
· Chapter 27: The Prophecy
What terrible nightmares! And such fascinating and insightful interpretations.
I really like this: "It is often those who walk a different path from the rest of us who we wind up needing the most. They show us things the rest of us are blind to; they accomplish things the rest of us wouldn’t even attempt."
Author's reply
Thanks for the quote. That was actually a last-minute addition, a burst of inspiration I threw in there as I was giving the chapter a final proof read just before posting. Frodo's heard his whole life how different he is, he needs to understand that it's not a bad thing. If he's different, it's for a reason.
I'm glad you enjoyed the dreams and their interpretations. They were fun to write.
Grey Wonderer
· 24 October 2004
· Chapter 25: Denial
Good for Merry! Now something may get done. I am glad that Merry seems to be on the track of something. Poor Sam. I only hope that he is the one Merry is planning to see about all of this. Sam could use something to do. Also wondering if the ring is pulling Sam a bit from inside of Bag End or if it is only his grief over Fdodo.
Author's reply
No, not good. Merry's gone from acceptance to denial. He is right of course, but as he has no way of knowing that and no real reason to believe it, he's grasping at straws.
Sam could use something to do, but he's not going to be so lucky. He's in the unfortunate position of being the last to know whatever happens.
Grey Wonderer
· 24 October 2004
· Chapter 24: Adrift
Poor Sam! I am glad his family was with him when he got the news. I am also glad that the letter arrived before he heard the news from someone else. Now I wonder what he will do. Enjoyed the swimming hole adventure very much. I was glad that you made Pippin a bit hesitant to swim after Frodo's accident. He and Merry are so torn about what they should be doing and if they should be havign any fun. This is a wonderful story.
Author's reply
Sam wouldn't have known what to believe had he heard the news as a rumor, and the uncertainty would have been much worse for him to bear.
Traumatic events can be incredibly disorienting, that after awhile you just want to get away from them and forget them in anyway you can. But then you remember the tragedy that just took place and feel guilty for wanting to have fun. Their confusion about *how* such an accident could even happen only compounds those conflicting feelings.
Bodkin
· 24 October 2004
· Chapter 27: The Prophecy
Poor Frodo. He is such a lonely person. In a way, (except that it would destroy the whole story), I would have expected someone like Frodo to marry young, possibly unsuitably and quite likely unhappily in his need to find someone to whom he was the centre of the world.
I'm not much into dreams - too many years of listening to my mother's extremely boring nocturnal productions - but they are a useful device. Especially when packed with evil sneering and sinister creatures.
I hope he gets home soon. Merry and Pippin are in a bad enough state and Sam is at the point of collapse.
Author's reply
Frodo does suffer from loneliness from time to time, but on the whole he's happy with his solitude. Speaking as a single person myself, I do sometimes wonder what it would be like to have someone around all the time, what a comfort that would be, especially during rough times, but then I couldn't imagine giving up my solidarity and independence. I see Frodo's situation similar to that. He is lonely right now, mostly because he's so far from home.
Evil sneering and sinister creatures always make dreams more fun. :)
Dreamflower
· 24 October 2004
· Chapter 27: The Prophecy
What a wonderful chapter! Hazel has put her finger directly on Frodo's weakest spot: his lack of appreciation for how important *he* is to others in his life. This is something that will plague him for the rest of his life on this side of the Sea, the fact that he cannot believe enough in his own worth.
It was very perceptive of Hazel to point out to him that he was doing to his cousins and Sam *exactly* what Bilbo had done to him. It was definitely a way to shake him out of his self-absorption, and make him realize what he needed to do.
The dreams were very well done, and Hazel's insistence on hearing about them gave the perfect way to bring in the foreshadowing involved. All in all an excellent chapter.
Now, get our lad home, and let him wipe his cousins' tears and comfort Sam!
Author's reply
You have yourself to thank for Frodo's characterization here. Frodo was always a bit elusive to me until I started reading your fics. You have such a clear, simple and insightful way of portraying him.
Just as Berwin was sent to Frodo right when he needed him, so too was Hazel. Frodo needed more than just healing from his injuries. He needed a different perspective to make him see what exactly he was planning to do. Or, if you please, a smack upside the head, figuratively speaking of course. ;)
I loved writing the dreams and I'm glad you enjoyed them. They do work as foreshadowing of future events, but actually they're meant to work within the context of this story.
Frodo's going home, and none too soon.
FantasyFan
· 21 October 2004
· Chapter 26: A Very Fond Farewell
Frodo's come to a perfectly logical and acceptable reason for needing to go home, but there's so much more there under the surface. I love the dreams. I love Sam doing for Mr. Frodo, whatever he needs, whether Sam understands it or not, and then walking off into the river to be with him. It is a perfect image of his frame of mind as well as a foreshadowing. Merry lost and despairing, and Pippin knowing he can not take Frodo's place: heartbreaking, as is Frodo's longing for his missing Uncle. This is just a fascinating story (and the mini fic at the end made me giggle.)
FF
Author's reply
There is quite a lot lurking under the surface in his dreams. I'm glad you enjoy them. They're fun to write because you don't have to restrict yourself to being logical, yet at the same time, they also allow you to be ultra-logical in a way. You can explain things the characters wouldn't necessarily understand or come to realize otherwise.
That's a wonderful parellel about Sam and the river. I honestly did not have that in mind while writing it, not consciously anyway, but I love your interpretation there.
I'm glad you're enjoy the story, as well as the mini fic. I try to get those little moments of lightness in where I can to lend some relief from all the angst. Thanks for reading!
Bodkin
· 21 October 2004
· Chapter 26: A Very Fond Farewell
Thank goodness for Hazel. Someone with some sense! She made it impossible for Berwin to cart Frodo off to Rivendell and inevitable that he would return home. And Frodo regained his common-sense, too, and realises that he has to go home and set everyone's mind at rest.
I like Berwin and Hazel and I think the chapters with them and Frodo are my favourites. (Maybe they cry out for a reunion in a future story?)
Author's reply
In her line of work, I'm sure Hazel's seen all kinds of reactions from patients and their family and friends. She's good at figuring people out and knowing what they need, even if they don't.
Frodo does know he needs to return home, but he's not necessarily happy about it. He and Hazel are going to have a nice long chat next chapter that should help Frodo figure some things out.
I am trying to think of a way to bring Berwin back for a later story. I'll see what I can do about Hazel. I'm glad you enjoy my OCs so much. Thanks for reading!