PSW · 3 January 2016 · Chapter 11: A New Adventure Begins
This was a good story, definitely an interesting look at this time of Frodo's life. Thanks for writing!
The Making of a Ringbearer I: Adrift by Henna Gamgee
Reviews (40)
Luthoriel · 29 December 2012 · Chapter 1: A Strange Place
I really liked this story. You did a very good job on Frodo. Thank you for the Hobbit age system, I was a little worried about Frodo being fifty when his adventure started.
Imladris · 23 December 2012 · Chapter 11: A New Adventure Begins
Fantastic! Just fantastic! I loved your take on Frodo's Brandy Hall days, how he grew up there, and the kinds of relationships that developed (little Merry is the sweetest thing). The serendipitous meeting with Elrohir, Aragorn and Legolas was pure brilliance. Can't wait to read the others too; I know I'll love them just as much!
Agape4Gondor · 29 February 2012 · Chapter 11: A New Adventure Begins
Wonderful tale. Really great fun. Looking forward to more of Frodo's adventures. By the way, I loved how you handled poor Merry's sorrow.
Agape4Gondor · 29 February 2012 · Chapter 10: Culmination
You did that quite well - laying the groundwork for the obvious decision. Nicely done. Great chapter.
Agape4Gondor · 27 February 2012 · Chapter 2: The Long Awaited Visit
Had to swish away the heated smoke from my anger before I could comment. I know a house with many inhabitants can be chaotic, but this borders on cild endangering. Shame on the Brandybucks! Poor dear Frodo.
Agape4Gondor · 27 February 2012 · Chapter 1: A Strange Place
A month and a half IS a long time I'm waiting as impatiently as dear Frodo. The sight of the little one rolled up in a small ball, seemingly forgotten, was difficult to read.
lotrgirl12 · 20 February 2010 · Chapter 11: A New Adventure Begins
I absolutely loved this story! It was so great! I loved how your details were all consistent with the book, and I really liked the story when Frodo meets Legolas, Elrohir and Estel. It was amazing!
Larner · 19 June 2008 · Chapter 11: A New Adventure Begins
Nice ending. And I'm glad Merry in the end was able to reconcile to the loss of his Frodo.
Larner · 19 June 2008 · Chapter 10: Culmination
Yes, the proper way to ask that important question. And I'm so glad Frodo will go with him.
Larner · 19 June 2008 · Chapter 9: Saradoc's Idea
Nice that in your story's cae it is Saradoc and Esmeralda who realize solution to the problem first. Nice.
Larner · 19 June 2008 · Chapter 8: Recovery and Retribution
How wonderful to know love of this sort.
Larner · 19 June 2008 · Chapter 7: Homecoming
Lovely! And I'm proud he already knew that phrase.
Larner · 19 June 2008 · Chapter 6: The Big People
A plausible first meeting. I have them meeting with Aragorn leading a troupe of Dunedain quickly through the Shire from the Bridge toward the Sarn Ford on a report that unknown Men had been seen approaching the Shire from that direction. Now, what will Frodo remember some thirty-five or so years from now?
Larner · 19 June 2008 · Chapter 5: Adventure and Peril
Poor lad has been caught! Now, if only it's Rangers that have found him, good will come out of this.
Larner · 17 June 2008 · Chapter 4: Admonishments
Good--caught in his own machinations!
Larner · 17 June 2008 · Chapter 3: A Merry Occasion!
He is indeed being ignored a bit too much, and Saradoc thinking that Bolo taking Frodo outside is a good thing is itself a bad thing. And now Merry's born--at least one good thing to come out of this period of time.
Larner · 16 June 2008 · Chapter 2: The Long Awaited Visit
Ah, how sweet!
Larner · 16 June 2008 · Chapter 1: A Strange Place
Somehow Bolo doesn't strike me as the type of cousin I'd have room with someone like little Frodo. And he's looking forward to Bilbo's coming? Good!
Dreamflower · 31 January 2008 · Chapter 11: A New Adventure Begins
Hello Obelia-- Having come to the end of Anchored, I suddenly realized that I had never read the first one! I have to say, I really enjoyed this--your Bilbo and your Merry are so delightful here, especially. And I liked how concerned Saradoc and Esmeralda were, even though they did not have the time they'd wish for Frodo. The episode of meeting with Estel and the Elves was well handled, and a lot of fun to read. I was quite glad to see the dastardly Bolo recieve his "come-uppance". And it explained something--I'd always thought your hobbits seemed a bit young for their ages, and I now realize what it is--while both of us use a formula for figuring the maturity of young hobbits in comparison to young humans, you use 18 as the "coming of age" figure, while I use the more traditional 21. So naturally, it makes them all seem much younger than mine! (By the way, I've no objection to the use of a different formula, or even to those who use no formula at all--I just like knowing that the difference is there!) Now that both "Adrift" and "Anchored" are finished, can we hope to see the third story in your trilogy make its appearance? I assume--and hope--that it covers the years between Bilbo's leaving and the Quest. I know that you're finishing up your doctorate this year, which is going to take up most of your time--but I do hope that you'll find a chance to think a bit about hobbits as well!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed Part 1! I'm like you, I like to write with specific age equivalents in mind. :) Not only is my coming of age younger than yours, but since my formula is nonlinear, very young hobbits are equivalent to humans only half their age. The ratio approaches and passes 2/3 as they age. Elderly hobbits end up equivalent to humans 3/4 their age. (100yo hobbit = 75yo human) Weird, yes, but oh well. I am indeed still planning to write the third part! For awhile I thought I should just stop with Anchored, but I have so many ideas for the post-Bilbo-leaving, pre-Quest period, I really want to continue! Anchored ended up being largely about Frodo's relationship with Bilbo; I didn't get to explore Sam, Merry and Pippin nearly enough. Part 3 will undoubtedly proceed at the same painfully slow pace as Anchored has been lately, but if people can tolerate that, I will certainly be writing it. And I'm thinking there will be a post-graduation, pre-new job period in my life, which should be highly conducive to thinking about hobbits. ;)
Queen Galadriel · 14 November 2005 · Chapter 11: A New Adventure Begins
Hurrah! Finished it in a matter of hours! That's how interested I was! But...well, you have someone else who read backwards. No matter, I'm reading "Anchored" again anyway, and reviewing this time. I read it first before I joined SOA, and I was unsure about reviewing. Believe it or not, in spite of the elvish name, I'm a full-fledged Frodo-and-Sam lover! Though, who could help loving all the rest of them as well? I've been planning to write a four-part pre-quest Frodo saga for months and months now, and it's encouraging to read others' wonderful work. Wonderful portrayal, and I absolutely can't wait till Anchored is finished! Namarie, and God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Eeep, sorry for taking over two years to reply to your lovely review. :( I keep forgetting part 1 even exists, so I never think to check! Anyway, just wanted to say thanks, however belatedly. :)
Lily Belladonna Took · 23 November 2004 · Chapter 1: A Strange Place
Yay! I've finished it! My dear, you are an amazing writer. I don't think I've ever seen a more in-character hobbit-centric story (except in the Professor's works). Moreover, your writing style is superb -- I can't wait to find out what happens next! Believe me, there is a reason why I'm leaving this review on your first chapter. I was thrilled to discover that you'd created such an accurate formula for determining hobbit ages, but unfortunately because of the C value, it gets inaccurate for the very young ages (for instance, it doesn't show that a hobbit at 0 years of age would be as advanced as a human of 0 years of age). Ergo, inspired by you, I figured out a new one. It's very similar to yours, actually. You don't need to use it; I just thought you might find it interesting. Y = .0031659882406151*X^2 + .44097693351424*X Anyway, thank you so much for writing such an amazing story. It's definitely one of the best I've ever read, and I look forward to reading more! ~Lily
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your comments! And your hobbit age formula. :D I tried it out on my graphing calculator, and you're right, that does make more sense for the very young hobbits. I had a hard time knowing what to do about baby hobbits, because I wanted 0 to be 0, but I also wanted young Samwise to be old enough to talk coherently to Frodo at the beginning of Anchored. So, in general I just try not to write too much about really young hobbits. ;) Maybe I'll use your formula just for them, if it ever comes up.
cpsings4him · 22 November 2004 · Chapter 11: A New Adventure Begins
Obie! What a wonderful, tearful, joyful, bitter-sweet departure! I can't wait to get to the next part!
Author's reply
I can't believe you reviewed every chapter. :P THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Next one's several times longer, so don't feel obligated to continue the trend, but in any case, you rock! :D
Anonymous · 21 November 2004 · Chapter 10: Culmination
Then he finally thought of something he could say. “You make it hurt less,” Frodo whispered against Bilbo’s shoulder. “What, lad?” Bilbo rubbed the small back gently. “Mama and Papa being gone.” “Oh, my dear boy...” the old hobbit couldn’t continue. He held the small, trembling form as tightly as he could. His course was far clearer than he’d realized; he knew next to nothing about raising a child, but that hardly seemed to matter, when the child so obviously needed him. They would manage, he and Frodo. Ohh! This is so sweet! I'm so happy for them!
Author's reply
I'm glad! :)
cpsings4him · 21 November 2004 · Chapter 9: Saradoc's Idea
Frodo's so excited about Bilbo's visit, poor thing can't even concentrate. I really love the way you are protraying how Frodo's adoption plan came about...not out of trying to get rid of him, and not because he was an 'abused' orphan...he just wasn't getting what he needed at the hall. I'm also glad to see his Buckland relations feeling sorry at the idea of seeing him go. You don't see that much in fanfic. Great job!
Author's reply
Well thank you! I always seem to end up writing Brandy Hall as a mixed bag of cookies. Some relatives ignore him or bully him, but others love him and care about him. I'm always wanting to imagine how Frodo might have grown up in the most realistic (by which I mean book-canon) way possible. Abuse just doesn't fit for me. My rule of thumb is, carrying the Ring has to have been the most traumatic thing that ever happened to Frodo. Nothing in his life before can come close to that, because the Ring is supposed to overshadow all else. I want to explore the formation of Frodo's character, but I firmly believe that a reasonably happy, carefree childhood would be most canon. :)