Baggins Babe
· 9 November 2005
· Chapter 77: A Night to Remember
This was a wonderful peek at a part of the story we don't usually see - the events at Crickhollow after our Travellers leave. Poor Freddy, feeling that he did not do enough - and thinking he might have confronted them! *shudder* This is our brave Freddy, who later took on the role of leader of the resistance. I know he is one of your favourite characters and I'm glad because he does tend to be a bit neglected or depicted as a bufoon. As the Professor says he was one of Frodo's friends and a regular visitor to Bag End I don't think he was anything of the sort. I'm glad you're giving him the exposure he deserves!
How sad that Frodo won't be at Merry's wedding. *sigh*
Author's reply
Well, you have Marigold's starter to thank for that! She does know how to find just the right bunnies for people.
Freddy *is and was* brave; but he did not always see it himself--pre-Quest, he had rather "put on" a sort of buffoonish persona, though one easily seen through by anyone who cared to look. He didn't want the reputation of being seen as "queer" or "unusual" that followed Bilbo and Frodo for their interest in things Elvish. In a way, I was rather influenced in my development of Freddy's character by such literary models as Lord Peter Wimsey or Albert Campion or the Scarlet Pimpernel, who allowed people to think of themselves as silly upper class twits, while all the time hiding a keen intelligence and remarkable courage--the old "alter ego" thing. Frodo, of course, would be perceptive enough to see behind the mask, and Merry too came to realize Freddy had more to himself than he allowed people to see. Pippin wsa young enough to be taken in by it until the Conspiracy formed, and then he too, came to appreciate Fredegar's staunch reliability and bravery.
It's quite sad. It's tempting to have them wed before he leaves, but I think that's stretching canon gaps too much. If Merry had been married *before* Frodo left I am very certain it would at *least* have been mentioned in the Tale of Years.
Kitty
· 8 November 2005
· Chapter 77: A Night to Remember
How nice to have a glimpse at the events at Crickhollow! It's true, Freddy was very brave, no matter what he thinks about his flight from Crickhollow. He would never have survived an encounter with the Nazgul. I think the Travellers do understand only too well what it was like, to see them creep up to the house and feel the nameless terror they send out. They can appreciate Freddy better than everyone else in the Shire.
This is quite soon before Frodo departs for Valinor, isn't it? It is truly sad he couldn't stay long enough to attend at least Merry's wedding.
Author's reply
Yes, they do appreciate him very much. And I wanted Odovocar to see how much they appreciated his son.
It is. This is late spring. He'll be leaving in the fall. Merry's wedding is not until Yule. *sigh*
Larner
· 8 November 2005
· Chapter 77: A Night to Remember
The leaving will be too soon, I know. And it shall be a shock and yet anticipated when it comes.
Love the look inside the Bolger house that night.
Author's reply
Yes. It's late spring-early summer after the birth of Elanor. Frodo has made his decision now, though he still has a few doubts remaining to work out.
At least the betrothal party is a joyous occasion he was able to be there with Merry for. He already knows that he'll not be standing with Merry at the wedding, one way or the other.
Larner
· 8 November 2005
· Chapter 76: "Learning Curve"
Aha--very satisfying for both lads. Poor Siggy--having to try to compete with Bilbo. And am so glad he liked the desk set in the end.
PS--loved the mushroom paperweight going back to its source.
Author's reply
Well, Siggy turned out to be much brighter than he had given himself credit for, and it took a good teacher like Bungo, and a friend like Bilbo with faith in him to bring it out--I think that's why he liked the desk set, it showed Bilbo's belief in him.
*grin* It seemed to me to be a rather hobbity thing, that mathoms would make the rounds and eventually end up where they started.
harrowcat
· 8 November 2005
· Chapter 77: A Night to Remember
Oh I did so enjoy this Dreamflower. I haven't read many pieces about Freddy and Crickhollow and this was great. I loved the reactions of the other Travellers as he told his story for the first time.
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.
Freddy is a somewhat neglected character, but he's a favorite of mine (as if you hadn't guessed) and Marigold's bunny was perfect for me.
The others knew exactly what he had faced for them, and they very much appreciate the courage it had taken. They are proud of Freddy.
Lindelea
· 8 November 2005
· Chapter 3: Neither Have I Wings to Fly
Hadn't read this one before.
Very powerfully written.
You have left me with an ache in my throat.
Finally, I understand.
Beautifully balanced between love and sorrow.
Author's reply
Thank you very much.
I have a hard time sometimes taking credit for this one. It just presented itself to me in my head, almost as though Merry himself was dictating it to me. And at the same time, in the background, I could hear the strains of "The Water is Wide..." I think of this particular fic as a gift.
Lindelea
· 8 November 2005
· Chapter 77: A Night to Remember
Silly me! I didn't realise that I had already read this over at the challenge! One of the few things I had time to read, what with all the competition hereabouts for the comptuer.
LOL!
I do love Freddy!
Author's reply
*giggle* glad you got to read it again.
I love him too!
Gryffinjack
· 1 November 2005
· Chapter 52: The Morning After the Night Before
Oh, what a sweet Rockwellian picture this story paints!
'They were all still drinking and singing, and he was sure that at the very least, Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin would have been dancing on the tables in a short while.'
Now *that* reminds me of a couple of drinking songs from the movies. But, you know, after starting to re-read the Trilogy again, I could also picture Frodo dancing and singing on the table as well, as he did in The Prancing Pony to stop Pippin from telling the story of Bilbo's disappearance. Frodo could easily have picked something else to distract everyone from Pippin's story, yet his first impulse was to turn to singing. It's the Took coming out in him. After all, Tooks do have strong Fallohide roots and the Fallohides were are skilled in language and song. I wouldn't be surprised if Frodo could also play an instrument or two. Sorry, daydreaming in the middle of your mathom...
'Merry pursed his lips. “We could I suppose. Or we could steal their braces while they sleep.”'
You see? Another instance of Merry trying to get Pippin into trouble! Fortunately, Pippin thought better of it this time. Trust a Brandybuck to try to get a Took in trouble.
'Pippin plopped down, and put his head in Merry’s lap, and soon the both of them had been lulled into sleep by the sun and the sound of bees.'
Now, I am shocked, yes, *shocked* that Pippin would voluntarily fall asleep in the sun again! Apparently, he's not been reading the story you are writing at the Pippin!Healers group. Tsk, tsk.
This is a lovely picture of how close this group of hobbits was. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of Freddy and Folco. It's a pity that the Ring changed things.
Author's reply
Well, you will note that Sam said "at least" Merry and Pippin. He probably left early to spare himself the sight of Frodo joining in, LOL! I am quite sure that Frodo had a strong musical bent--he certainly loves to listen, and he did start more than one song as well in the books. You are probably right about the Fallohidishness.
This time, at least, he kept his shirt on, and they were in the shade of the tree.
I just thought I would put Freddy and Folco in. It's quite clear they were very much a part of things before the Quest.
So very good to have you back!
Gryffinjack
· 1 November 2005
· Chapter 28: Comfort Food
I'm so happy to be able to read your stories again! Even a simple story about Pippin being sick and Frodo making him his favourite comfort food is a pure delight.
For Pippin not to be his usual peppy self and not to be eating, he must really have felt miserable. The poor lad!
Comfort foods work wonders when we are sick, don't they? My personal comfort food is mashed potatoes. I remember when I was little that my Mum would make them for scratch for me when I was ill.
'Pippin gave a weak chuckle, that ended with a cough. “Frodo, I can never decide whether you are lying just to be nice, or whether you simply forget all the trouble I am when you get worried.”'
I loved that line - it's very Pippin, cheekiness and fondness even when he is not feeling well. And the description is so like Frodo, too - tender thoughtfulness.
The recipe sounds delicious and I very much want to try it out, once I am able to find eggs at the grocery store again. But, pray tell, what were you making out of polymer clay?
Author's reply
Comfort food is lovely, isn't it?
I'm glad you liked that line. I really liked it, too! Cheeky and fond was just the effect I was going for.
The recipe is very good, nice and cheesy!
I make all sorts of things from polymer clay. I've even made a polymer!Frodo and a polymer!Pippin. I hope at some point to have Merry, Sam, Freddy and Folco as well. And I made a polymer!Marigold for Marigold, LOL!
Lindelea
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 76: "Learning Curve"
What a lovely picture of a friendship, and how wise Bilbo's father showed himself, after the first stumble.
Sigismond has come a long way, to welcome the desk set, and to think he became a teacher in turn... and I think Bilbo showed an understanding and insight beyond his years in his choice of Siggy's mathom. (And the mushroom paperweight was a hoot!)
It was fun to read your "take" on young Bilbo (and Siggy!).
Author's reply
I'm so glad you like Bilbo's and Siggy's friendship. Of course, Bungo not being used to having more than one pupil needed a bit of time to figure out how to handle it, but I think all things considered he did all right.
Siggy was pleased with himself, to discover that not doing well at lessons was not necessarily a flaw in his intelligence, but rather the need of different methods of learning. And young Bilbo did want to show Siggy how smart he thought he was.
(I got a kick out of that mushroom paperweight myself--I can just picture it in my head, in fact, and wish I had one, LOL!)
I'm very happy you like Bilbo and Siggy. And I have you to thank for them, because it was doing that chapter for "To Tell a Tale" that made me think of them.
Julie
· 29 October 2005
· Chapter 76: "Learning Curve"
I really enjoyed this little tale about Bilbo as a child. Sometimes it's hard to picture him as such, but you always do a wonderful job. I laughed at his reaction to having to give his little cousin Otho a mathom. I just adore your Bilbo stories and I encourage you to continue writing them.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad! It's a lot of fun to explore and examine the earlier branches of the hobbit family trees!
Anonymous
· 29 October 2005
· Chapter 76: "Learning Curve"
Bodkin
· 29 October 2005
· Chapter 76: "Learning Curve"
I do like Bilbo and Siggy. I hope lots more stories about them are fermenting in your fertile mind!
I also loved (in an ironic way) 'his cousin Isembard has so many students. Sigismond shares his time with at least four other cousins.' So kids working in classes of 30 or more in schools of 600 and more really don't have a chance!!
Poor Siggy - I can see how he feels humiliated and insulted - and it is so difficult for Bilbo to know how to react without upsetting somebody. His father was very tactful - and Siggy and Bilbo's friendship only grew stronger for the time together.
The present could have worked either way - but I'm glad Siggy was happy and took it the way he did. And I notice that his own learning developed sufficiently for him to act as a tutor to the young. I hope he was flexible in his teaching methods!
Author's reply
Thank you so much. Sometimes I feel stories about Bilbo are just being sucked into a vacuum, yet I just love to write about him.
Well, since in my Shire all teaching is done by family, most children would have their lessons one on one, or at the most two. Five to a class would be highly unusual. Also, I don't imagine they spent more than two or three hours a day at their lessons, so a small teacher/pupil ratio would be very important.
Yes, thankfully Bungo was both a wise teacher and a good father/uncle. By allowing the lads to work together, and letting Siggy see that he *could* improve he really bolstered his confidence.
And my idea is that both Siggy and Bilbo grew up to be teachers of the young. I am quite sure that he took his inspiration from his Uncle Bungo, and from Bilbo's patience.
harrowcat
· 29 October 2005
· Chapter 76: "Learning Curve"
You have been busy Dreamflower - two pieces at once - what a treat! And this was lovely.
Author's reply
Thank you very much. I am having a good time thinking about young Bilbo.
Bodkin
· 28 October 2005
· Chapter 75: First Meeting
Sadly, Bilbo is right. Newborns are really only attractive to their besotted parents. But he has the right words to say - and Frodo has made an impression! Very sweet.
Author's reply
Yes, it's true that they usually need a couple of weeks or so to start looking cute and cuddly, and not quite so unfinished. But with those eyes, Frodo *could* make an impression even at such an early stage...
Baggins Babe
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 74: A Summer's Day Ramble
Your wonderful tales are coming faster than I can review at the moment, but I do read them all. This was so sweet - I find Folco an engaging lad, even if he does suffer from foot-in-mouth disease!
I love the idea of taking home a little hobbit lass as a gift! LOL!
Author's reply
I do sometimes get a flurry of short tales all at once, LOL!
There's no denying that Folco's a sweetie, he's generous and kind-hearted. But he's never quite learned to put his brain in gear before engaging his mouth.
I think he would have liked to take the baby home--and if Estella liked her, he just might have done that. 8-D
Lindelea
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 75: First Meeting
Awww.
I love the first-person perspective. I hardly ever see Bilbo written this way.
His candid thoughts are amusing, and so true! (Though he'd never say them out loud...)
O my!
Author's reply
You know, I hadn't thought about it. This one just came to me that way.
Newborns are a bit red and raw looking, there's no denying it.
But oh, those eyes!
harrowcat
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 75: First Meeting
Love at first sight! On both sides!
Author's reply
Yes, indeed. In fact, from this time on, they will have their birthdays together.
Larner
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 75: First Meeting
I envisioned Bilbo being there, but this is nice--and at Frodo's first look, either way, Bilbo's heart is thoroughly lost!
Author's reply
I've read a number of takes on Bilbo and Frodo meeting the first time, from stories that don't have them meet until Frodo's parents die, or until just before he decides to take Frodo in, to stories where Bilbo is present at the birth, and one in which he actually delivers Frodo. No matter what the scenario, though, I think it would be the eyes that would tell the story.
Larner
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 73: The Heart of the Conspiracy
For the best indeed! Bless the conspirators.
Author's reply
Yes, four hearts bound together in love. There was no way they could have done otherwise.
Kitty
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 75: First Meeting
Oh yes, Frodo's wonderful blue eyes! Sometimes I wonder if Peter Jackson knows what he did to the fan(fiction) world with chosing Elijah for the role of Frodo! His eyes are certainly the first thing one notes as they are so striking. No wonder Bilbo was so amazed!
Author's reply
I am quite sure PJ knew *exactly* what he was doing--he as much as said that Elijah's eyes were the reason he got the part. And for those who have enjoyed the films, even if they are firmly rooted in book-verse, those eyes have to have influenced their own views of Frodo. I know they have for me. As many times as I had read the book before, I'd not had a clear vision of the hobbits in my head. But the instant I saw them on the screen, I knew they had been captured perfectly.
harrowcat
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 74: A Summer's Day Ramble
I would have loved to see him try but I suppose the baby's parents might have missed her!
Author's reply
Yes, I am very much afraid that they would. But it was a good thing Fatty was with him when they found her, or he really might have tried to bring her home, LOL!
Larner
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 74: A Summer's Day Ramble
Yes, Folco just MIGHT have tried such a thing! Lovely descriptions, and love Estella, the kitten, and the bonnet! Lovely!
Author's reply
He just might. It's not a far step from giving her a kitten, is it?
I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Kitty
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 74: A Summer's Day Ramble
*LOL*
How did you get the idea Folco would gift Estella with a baby? I'd never have thought of *that*! But obviously Freddy, Rosamunda and Daisy could! Wonderful little fic!
Author's reply
Well, if you will recall from "Road to Edoras" Folco gave Estella the scrawny kitten that he and Fatty rescued, and he does seem to give strange gifts from time to time...if he'd come home with the baby and Estella said she liked her, well, that's just Folco, LOL!
Bodkin
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 74: A Summer's Day Ramble
I just love Folco. How he gets away with it! Even Rosamunda tolerates his foot-in-mouth disease. (A form of Tourette's?)
Even Freddy was onto the likelihood of his friend acquiring a small female hobbit as a pet - I'll bet he was relieved to find the child's parents. Probably even more relieved than his mother was!
Author's reply
I figure after all these years, Rosamunda has resigned herself to it. He is Freddy's best friend--that's not about to change. And I think probably Daisy was her best friend or at least a very close one, growing up. So she cuts Folco the kind of slack she never would for anyone else, even her own children.
(I hadn't thought of it being something like that, but it's an intriguing idea.)
Yes, I think everyone was rather relieved to find the parents. Except maybe for Folco, LOL!