Healed by shirebound
PSW · 27 November 2015 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
Very sweet. :-) All sorts of happiness, and I like to think of them all happy -- hobbits and elves and Gandalfs alike... ;-)
Author's reply
"All sorts of happiness"... my favorite thing for our sweet friends from Middle-earth. Thank you for reading!
PSW · 27 November 2015 · Chapter 4: Earth and Sea
Of course Yavanna appeared to Sam. Why would she not?? :-) I love playful, happy Elrond...
Author's reply
It's such a joy to imagine Elrond carefree and joyous.
PSW · 27 November 2015 · Chapter 1: A New Life
Well this is an unexpected solution! Interested to see where it goes...
TortoisetheStoryteller · 17 April 2014 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
Great story! I really enjoyed it. You really captured the joy of toddlers. However, toddlers also have tantrums and meltdowns and they don't share very well. I honestly think the hobbits were acting more like five or six year olds. ~Tortoise
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed this rather unusual story, Tortoise. LOL, my very first story more than ten years ago ("The Breaking Point") began with Frodo having a tantrum. It was fun to write. :)
whisperer · 22 March 2013 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
now now now, i enjoyed the journey with those toddlers hobbits.. so cool and unique :)
Author's reply
Thank you! It was great fun thinking about this unusual way for the hobbits to reunite and heal in the West.
whisperer · 20 March 2013 · Chapter 1: A New Life
aye, i don't know how to describe this, but i enjoy reading your story. :)
Author's reply
Thank you so much. It's the gentle, healing stories that make me happiest.
Queen Galadriel · 19 April 2006 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
Wow, Shirebound! How'd you come up with this one? I don't think I've ever read a more unique AU. I must admit to being a bit unsure at first, but it grew on me very, very quickly and I love it! They deserve to have a new life, without all the bad brought to their first by the Ring and Sauron and their experiences, and it was so cute to see them all as toddlers! :) They seem so different from their former selves, yet their personalities didn't suffer for the change. And I love seeing Celebrien healed, and she and Elrond acting as parents to their darling little hobbits. What a precious family! :) Very well-done, my friend! :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you for giving this a try, QG. I know it's a quite unusual storyline, but I had a wonderful time with it. I'm so happy you enjoyed it. :D
Linwe · 5 July 2005 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
Thank you so much. Your story is so happy and lovely. I love this idea of a "happily ever after."
Author's reply
Thank you so much. So do I! Our sweet hobbits deserve all the "happily ever afters" we can give them.
Mysterious Jedi · 3 July 2005 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
Awwww <>< Saved from sin through Christ, mj
Author's reply
*grins* :D
Andrea · 2 July 2005 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
A wonderful Epilogue, Shirebound! Somehow, I knew, that Frodo would be the first one to recognize, that there was a life before. Gandalf's explanation was very gentle, including all, that really counts and leaving out the bad parts, which should best be forgotten. And now they really are forgotten! "..but your spirit now sings from these shores as well. When others hear the Music, even in Ages yet to come, you will be forever a part of it." I just love that sentence! Thank you!
Author's reply
Gandalf's explanation was very gentle, including all that really counts I'm so glad! That was the hardest part to write. Thank you so much, Andrea.
Larner · 1 July 2005 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
Beautiful explanation and images.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner. :D
Baggins Babe · 1 July 2005 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
Oh my! I'm a thoroughly melted little puddle now! Little hobbits rampaging round Tol Eressa, each one different and gifted in his own way. I adore this story, Shirebound. Only one thing - where can I get a little hobbit? :-))
Author's reply
Oh, I do love the word 'rampaging'! Can you imagine how slow-paced and fairly uneventful life on that island was... until now? Thank you so much, BB. If I find out where we can get little hobbits, I'll be sure to let you know. :D
SlightlyTookish · 1 July 2005 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
This is still my favorite story of yours. And it's not easy to pick a favorite when everything is so wonderful! But I love seeing all the hobbits happy and carefree and together again :)
Author's reply
Oh my, thank you! I could never bear to write about hobbits (especially Frodo) in the West unless they found joy and healing. (And you'd be wonderful at writing Pippin swimming with dolphins... maybe at a Gondorian seashore, or even in this 'Healed' universe?) :D
Dreamflower · 1 July 2005 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
Oh, how sweet and beautiful! What a gentle and dear explanation. Thank you so much for this lovely story.
Author's reply
I always tend to over-explain things to children, who usually only want to be reassured about a concern they have. It was a challenge writing such a short response on Gandalf's part! :D
Auntiemeesh · 1 July 2005 · Chapter 6: Epilogue
What a nice surprise, to get to visit this story again! It's so lovely to see Frodo young, healthy and full of life, wondering about his life before but not wrapped up in the past. I think I'll just join the hobbits for a bit of a swim now. :D
Author's reply
Thank you! I've always wanted to read a fic about Frodo swimming with dolphins -- maybe on the voyage West. Let's all join the hobbits in their happy swim... :D
Baggins Babe · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 5: Now and Always
As something of a newcomer here, I've been catching up on other people's work, and I really loved this one. It is a beautiful and unusual story, highly original, and full of happy hobbits, which sounds perfect to me. Thank you, Shirebound, for this wonderful tale of our favourite hobbits, healed and loved in Valinor.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Baggins Babe! I knew this story would be QUITE unusual, and was gratified that folks liked it. I need happy endings, even if they're a bit out of the ordinary. (Another you might enjoy is "Sing Me Home".) And thank you for giving us another of your lovely stories!
Avalon Estel · 2 March 2005 · Chapter 5: Now and Always
Aww!! That was so...cute! I don't know what else to say! (recovers) All right. I'm coherent now. First, this was a beautiful, beautiful story with amazing writing and an incredibly original story. I cried a couple of times. Wonderful. I loved the whole concept of it, and the Elves treating them as their own, and the cuteness... (melts) I want a little Hobbit! Thank you for such a beautiful fic. This is on my fav. list.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I wasn't sure what anyone would think of this rather unusual story, but I like to think that the hobbits would be loved and valued no matter where they were. I really appreciate your lovely words. I had a wonderful time writing this story, which evolved far beyond my original plans for it. :D
Andrea · 11 December 2004 · Chapter 5: Now and Always
Thank you for this story and the beautiful images it created in my mind, full of light and color. Even if this is a very good ending for this story, I would like to see it continued. So, if your muse shows up again, give it a chance!
Author's reply
I'm so happy you enjoyed the story so much. And if I'm inspired to continue... I certainly will!
Giu · 9 December 2004 · Chapter 5: Now and Always
WOW!!! Sweet ending! I loved it! great job (((you)))
Author's reply
Thank you!! :)
Grey Wonderer · 9 December 2004 · Chapter 5: Now and Always
Lovely, and it does look like the perfect place to leave them for now. All happy and hobbity and among friends. Great story!
Author's reply
Thank you. "All happy and hobbity" is my favorite place to begin -- and end -- any story!
Pearl Took · 8 December 2004 · Chapter 5: Now and Always
No, my dear shirebound, this isn't the end of this story. It just doesn't feel finished. I think your Hobbits just needed some time to see where they are each headed in this wonderous realm. "I don’t know where these ideas come from, but I hope they keep a-coming." shirebound "We are writers, and we never ask one another where we get our ideas; we know we don't know." Stephen King They are given to us as gifts, that is why we so often do not know ourselves where the story is headed nor who will show up to bring it to life. Tolkien felt it was when we most showed that we are made in God's image. God created something from out of the void, we use everything he put around us and in us to sub-create. Thank you again for your happy hobbit stories. Thank you for the love and care you give all your (Tolkien's) characters. Thank you.
Author's reply
Thank *you*, dear Pearl. I'm still as excited and awed to be contributing even the tiniest bit to the Professor's world as I was when I first started. *hugs you*
Larner · 8 December 2004 · Chapter 5: Now and Always
Yes, I see Frodo, too, as the nurturer, the one who delights in greeting and enriching life. Thanks for the story.
Author's reply
Thank *you*! :)
eiluj · 8 December 2004 · Chapter 5: Now and Always
A wonderful story, particularly for stressful days. Not that I want to give you ideas or anything, but what happens when Merry the Loremaster (or one of the other hobbits) reads or hears of the events of the end of the Third Age in Middle-earth?
Author's reply
Thank you. And if I ever feel inspired to continue, I will! (I suspect that the hobbits would take the full story of the Third Age in stride, especially when they understand that they all *chose* to live this "new life" in the West.)
Connie B. · 8 December 2004 · Chapter 5: Now and Always
Aaahhhh! It's over...at least for now. :( All the images in this story was so sweet. I loved it. I really do hate to see it end. I thought Elrond's concern that the hobbits might lose their enate hobbitishness was a nice touch. Just how much of their personalities were enborn and how much was developed? I think Gandalf is right, they will always be hobbits deep down inside. I wish we could watch them grow up in the Blessed Realm. Maybe at some point. Thanks for sharing this with us. I like AU's a lot, and this one was great. Thanks again. Connie B.
Author's reply
Thank you, Connie. I hate to see this end, too! :)
Lily the Hobbit · 8 December 2004 · Chapter 5: Now and Always
I agree with Gandalf! They will remain hobbits, no matter how many elves are around them. I really hope the muses for this story visit you again.
Author's reply
Thanks, Lily! I never know when the Muse will come a-visiting. :)