Dreamflower's Mathoms I by Dreamflower
Lindelea · 18 March 2005 · Chapter 28: Comfort Food
yum! I know how Pippin feels... when I have a bad cold I simply want to be left alone and sleep, with maybe a sip or two of unadulterated tea... but Frodo's idea of pampering doesn't sound too unpleasant. *g*
Author's reply
Well, you of all people know how worried everyone gets when Pippin won't eat! *grin*
pipinheart · 18 March 2005 · Chapter 27: All You Have to do is Ask
Lovely story..From begining to end... Nobody even that old grochy farmer can resist Pippin when he smiles with those big green eyes... Nice read..
Author's reply
That's our Took, irresistable! 8-D
GamgeeFest · 15 March 2005 · Chapter 27: All You Have to do is Ask
LOL, I love the apple pie song! Did you make that up? So typical of kids. And how adorable is little Pippin, even getting that old farmer to smile. A fun story all around. Oh, and the Cottons live in a house, not a smial. :)
Author's reply
Yep, it's an original; I wanted something that would be the Shire equivalent of "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall", LOL! Wee!Pip *is* so adorable, especially when he's all hyper and earnest at the same time, *grin*. Only Bankses and Sackville-Bagginses and Hyacinth are immune to his charm. Went and checked. Yup. You're right. I'll have to fix that. Thanks for the heads up! Author Reply: Finally got a chance to go in and fix that small mistake! Thanks again!
Bodkin · 15 March 2005 · Chapter 27: All You Have to do is Ask
Has Farmer Cotton thought about suggesting that they can a) stop singing or b) walk home? Only Pippin, you could say. Only Pippin could approach the old curmudgeon as if he was his best friend. Only Pippin could leap up the tree so coolly. And, of course, only Pippin is the son of Paladin Took the gentlehobbit-farmer. Yet more proof, if Sam needed it, of the importance of social class and the need for propriety.
Author's reply
*snicker*snort* I think that's one of those things parents complain about, but put up with for some unaccountable reason. Perhaps because they remember inflicting those kinds of songs on *their* parents, or because it gives them something harmless to complain about. Or maybe it doesn't really bother them as much as they think it does? Yep. Only Pippin. 8-D Of course, the farmer didn't *know* Pip was a Took when he let him scramble up the tree. And you will notice that Sam took a sort of proud glee in informing the old coot of the fact--he's already aware of that importance, and what it will do to set the old fellow down a peg.
Kitty · 14 March 2005 · Chapter 27: All You Have to do is Ask
Somehow I am glad I hadn't to watch Pippin as a child. It must have been quite exhausting, although he was a cute lad and quite irrestible, I assume. After all he charmed the old farmer into smiling instead of scolding. Had to grin about the Gaffer and his 'proper' adressing of Merry and Pippin. It reminds me so of Sams week without saying this word in 'Reckoning'. Since I have read this, the word makes me smile wherever I see it, remembering this part of the story.
Author's reply
I'm sure it was exhausting, though to be fair a lot of what he does in this story is *Bilbo's* fault--after all, Eglantine *did* warn him about the sweets. But Bilbo can afford to spoil Pippin, because when he gets to be a handful, he just turns him over to Frodo and/or Merry. And he is charmingly irresistable--he just likes everybody and expects everybody to like him. Works on everybody, too, except for Bankses and Sackville-Bagginses. In my Shire, Sam and Merry were springtime playmates from the time Sam was nine and Merry was seven. At first, when they were so young, it didn't matter that he just said "Merry", but now that he is old enough to be working with his father full-time, the Gaffer thinks it is time for the honorifics to be used. And I am sure he had it drilled into him.
Lindelea · 14 March 2005 · Chapter 27: All You Have to do is Ask
Laughing in delight! The entire story was wonderful, but somehow for me this was the capper: “I hope he doesn’t fall and break something,” said Folco cheerfully. “It’s an awful long way up there. I wonder how he does that?” chortle! And then that Freddy came forward, saying, "I was a bounder too..." So very practical! What an enjoyable tale! And now I'm ready to get back to the demands of Real Life.
Author's reply
I'm so glad I made you laugh! That's always nice to hear! My Folco is so cheerfully clueless and socially inept. I do miss him. Well, Freddy had to be the practical one, since Merry was petrified. Real Life? Oh, the errands and the laundry and the housework and stuff...riiiight. (*me too*)
Lindelea · 13 March 2005 · Chapter 24: In the Style of Ogden Nash
Very clever! (applauding) I love Ogden Nash and the way he plays with words. Nice work!
Author's reply
So do I. He's always been a favorite of mine, all the way back to jr. high. And I think, that with his love of word-play, he meshes very well with JRRT, who also loved to play with words.
Grey Wonderer · 13 March 2005 · Chapter 26: Proposal
Lovely! Sam and his Rose and dear Frodo taking it all in. I could see every bit of this.
Author's reply
I always imagine that Frodo began living vicariously through Sam some time before he ever truly thought he would have to leave the Shire. He had always been one to care more about the feelings of others than his own, and after the Ring, I think he finds he is *only* able to find pleasure in the pleasure of others.
Lindelea · 12 March 2005 · Chapter 22: Lesson Learned: Spring Flood, 1433
Very nice! Is it a drabble?
Author's reply
Yes, it is a drabble. For some reason I find Merry's POV very easy to drabble. I suppose he is a bit more succinct than the others, LOL!
Armariel · 12 March 2005 · Chapter 24: In the Style of Ogden Nash
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!! toooooooooo CLEVER!!!!!!!!!! ...in fact I'd say one of the best parodies of LotR and I've read a lot of them and some of them really stink on ice, either lame or vulgar or both, and some are just so-so and others are very cute but this I would say is one of the best.....EVER :P
Author's reply
Wow! That's really high praise! But I think the credit can go to the two great writers who inspired it: JRRT himself, and Ogden Nash. After I wrote these, I got to wondering if JRRT had ever read any of Nash's poems; they were of the same generation, after all. I think he might have appreciated them. I posted these on the rec.arts.books.tolkien newsgroup, and one of the posters there responded with a few more. You might want to check those out.
Bodkin · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 25: Third Thoughts
I think Faramir's talent is being able to look at himself from the outside, so he doesn't drown in sensation. It has disadvantages, but, if you don't want to get sucked into doing things - like trying to take rings of power - it's probably a good thing.
Author's reply
That is an interesting way of describing him. And it is quite probably true. It seems to be the mindset of many "scholarly" persons. Faramir was a character very close to JRRT's own personality by his own admission. I think if he lived today, he'd be just a bit of a geek. I see his nobility as being both innate and determined. His father tells him he always wants to "appear noble", and as much as I dislike Denethor, I think in this assessment he was probably correct. Having made a statement, Faramir considers it as binding as an oath. The poor Ring had not only to try and overcome his actual preference for goodness, but also his ingrained and habitual desire to live out a "role" he had cast for himself. Too much work for a brief exposure--must have been very frustrating for it. First, one brother was able to shake off his momentary giving in to it, and now the other one is too smart for it. I think the brothers must have taken after their mother.
Grey Wonderer · 9 March 2005 · Chapter 25: Third Thoughts
Enjoyed reading a bit of Faramir. I do think he gets over-looked at times. A very nice little slice of his personality in this. There is both humor and doubt on his part.
Author's reply
Thank you. I am fond of him myself. Humor and doubt--I like that summation.
Anonymous · 9 March 2005 · Chapter 24: In the Style of Ogden Nash
Ha! Funness! My personal favorite was "The Council of Elrond." Have you tried reading it out loud? If you speed up on the longish parts to try to make them fit the time--if not the rhythm--of a pair of couplets, it's extremely amusing.
Author's reply
Yes, that was one of Ogden Nash's favorite devices. He would match up these extremely looong lines with *very* brief ones. It is extremely amusing, and very typical of his style. Check out some of his poems!
Armariel · 9 March 2005 · Chapter 25: Third Thoughts
Perfect! It just rings so true. Gotta love that Faramir........:D
Author's reply
You know that Faramir was one of JRRT's favorite characters, even though he did not really plan him in advance? I think the author's love for him comes through, to make him so noble and forthright.
Saoirse (again) · 9 March 2005 · Chapter 25: Third Thoughts
Even as he admires them both for *their* courage, rather. ;)
Saoirse · 9 March 2005 · Chapter 25: Third Thoughts
O... I really like this one! Especially the part showing that Faramir is being tempted ('…would he not be doing them a favor to hinder it?') even as he admires them both for his courage -- but then shuns it: v. v. good. I loved the ending best though. Good ol' Faramir. Great job! :)
Author's reply
Yes, I was thinking of how Gandalf described the way his own temptation would be--that the way to his heart would be by pity and the desire to do good, but would not stop there. I could see that as one of the Ring's more subtle forms of temptation. ("Poor little hobbits, such a big burden for them, shouldn't you try to relieve them of it?") Fortunately Faramir, like Gandalf, was smart enough to see through that ruse.
Lindelea · 9 March 2005 · Chapter 25: Third Thoughts
Lovely! You say so much in so few words. The last line is the perfect end.
Author's reply
Yes, he knew enough to get himself away from that influence...
Lindelea · 7 March 2005 · Chapter 20: Three Nights Out of Bree...
Nice little story! I like the subtle shift in attitudes in both Strider (hobbits aren't up to the task) and Sam (hard to trust this grubby Man).
Author's reply
Thank you! I thought of this as a little "getting to know you" story. At this point, all Sam has seen is this--as you said, grubby--Man who is pushing them rather hard, and not yet shown any reason to be trusted. And all Strider has seen so far are these small people who did not appear to be taking their task as seriously as he thought they should. It's just a little thing, but now Aragorn has seen Sam has a capable side, and Sam has seen Strider did not betray him as being lost.
Glassadar · 7 March 2005 · Chapter 20: Three Nights Out of Bree...
Your story is realy good! I love the part where Sam gets lost, and Strider (Aragorn) finds him, while Sam helps Strider find what he needs.
Author's reply
I'm glad you like it. Just a little give and take between Sam and Strider, who don't really know one another well yet.
Saoirse · 28 February 2005 · Chapter 24: In the Style of Ogden Nash
I actually really like this. I really loved At The Sign of The Prancing Pony and A Long Expected Party hehe! Good job! :)
Author's reply
Thank you! I did not get a lot of response on "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony", and was disappointed, because I thought maybe it was because it was only Bilbo, and did not have the other hobbits. I'm so glad to know that you liked it. I do love writing Bilbo! Author Reply: Duh. I'm Brain dead. Was thinking of another fic altogether. Thanks, though! I'm *still* glad you liked it, anyway.
Grey Wonderer · 20 February 2005 · Chapter 24: In the Style of Ogden Nash
I love these! I have been a fan of Ogden Nash few ages and this really hit the mark! Great job!
Author's reply
I've always loved Ogden Nash. It's amazing how many of his poem have become common sayings that people don't even know to give him credit. And somehow, I think JRRT might have gotten a kick out of Ogden Nash. They were more or less contemporaries, after all.
Hai Took · 19 February 2005 · Chapter 24: In the Style of Ogden Nash
Wow! Amazing that such a long book can be compacted into such wonderful little verses. I think you covered all of the best parts! The one in Bree made me laugh, so perfect it was!
Author's reply
Thank you. It made me laugh, too. I'm glad to give you a chuckle!
Hai Took · 19 February 2005 · Chapter 23: The Lady's Gift
That was beautiful! I like the idea that the box might have held something dear to Galadriel at one point. The conversation she overheard between Frodo and Sam was very sweet, and I like that it was so touching for Galadriel as well. Thank you!
Author's reply
Thank you. I think that Frodo and Sam *did* touch Galadriel's heart. The gifts for them were so perfect.
Inkling · 19 February 2005 · Chapter 24: In the Style of Ogden Nash
This caught my eye as Ogden Nash is one of my favorites, too. Very charming and clever! I especially liked "Lothlorien"; "Time flies when you're having fun" is an apt way to describe the strange passage of time there. And "Go on the lam. But don't forget Sam." LOL! Hmm, I wonder what could be done with Smaug and Custard the Dragon...?
Author's reply
Smaug and Custard?!? Omigosh! What a hoot!
SharonB · 19 February 2005 · Chapter 24: In the Style of Ogden Nash
Oh how funny and quite like the bit of Ogden Nash I remember from school (ages ago that is!). Great funny wonderful quips about some of the stellar scenes from the trilogy.
Author's reply
Ogden Nash is so under-rated nowadays! But in spite of the humor, he was wickedly accurate in his assessment of human nature, and his priorities in his poems were always just a little askew!