SharonB
· 19 February 2005
· Chapter 23: The Lady's Gift
She would be so concerned about them. How sweet to give Sam the box her daughter had given here. And she knew just what would be appropriate for each of them, probably from visions in the mirrors and reading them when she welcomed them to the Golden Woods.
I've got a bit of catch up reviewing to do havig been out most of the week.
Author's reply
Yes, between her probing of the members of the Fellowship when they arrived, and the viewing in the Mirror, she had a good idea of what she could do to help.
Anso the Hobbit
· 19 February 2005
· Chapter 24: In the Style of Ogden Nash
lol! Wry and funny. That`s my sense of poetry! Thanks for sharing these - very to the point. Ì have to check the original out now then :)
Author's reply
Oh, do! Ogden Nash is wry, hilarious, looks at things from a very odd but accurate perspective, not to mention concise. Ever heard the old saying "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker."? Most people don't know it, but that was originally an Ogden Nash.
Bodkin
· 18 February 2005
· Chapter 23: The Lady's Gift
The little box that had contained a gift from her daughter - that is very touching. It is so typical of the things mothers keep. I'm quite surprised that she could bring herself to give it away - although Sam is a most worthy recipient.
Samwise Gamgee - the heir of Galadriel.
Author's reply
Yes, it is rather typical. You'd be surprised at some of the mathoms I have around here, just because they came from my son.
But I think Galadriel knows that she will soon be seeing Celebrian. For she passed the test, and may now go into the West. I don't think she'd keep the little box for its own sake, when it might serve another purpose now.
And I think Sam would indeed be a worthy heir.
lwarren
· 17 February 2005
· Chapter 23: The Lady's Gift
"'G,' she murmured. 'G for Galadriel, for Gamgee, for gardener, for gift, for grace, for good, for green, and for growing...'"
"And though the Three might fail, and Lothlorien fade, yet still all would not be gone, nor the Golden Wood forgotten when a lone mallorn made its home in the blessed Shire."
What a beautiful little story with so much emotion - hope, love, loss - the whole gamut! The two lines above have to be my favorite, tho', and certainly dash the illusion of an aloof, uncaring Galadriel. Wonderful, Dreamflower!
linda
Author's reply
Thank you.
I've never felt that Galadriel was aloof or uncaring. Remote, yes, because of her power and her ancient age, she is in some was not really easily understood by mortals or even by some Elves. But just look how kind she was to the Fellowship, from the first moment they set foot in Lorien. It was, after all, her *kindness* and not her Elven appearance, that melted Gimli's heart.
Hai Took
· 17 February 2005
· Chapter 21: Under the Lilac Bushes
That was SO adorable! That Sam would paly in the first place, then Merry joining them (despite his feelings on lasses ;) Very sweet! I liked that Gandalf handed them the food through the window! It was so cute! thank you!
Author's reply
Well, she was his little sister, and he was supposed to be watching her; Merry just joined in out of fellow feeling for Sam, I think.
I'm sure Gandalf got a kick out of them thinking that he knew everything.
Hai Took
· 17 February 2005
· Chapter 20: Three Nights Out of Bree...
Dear Sam, to get lost and then not want anyone to know he had really gotten lost. Very good of Strider to cover for him. At least they found a few things to dose Pippin with! It certainly would be a bad thing to fall ill on such a trek. Thanks for the story!
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it. Yes, Sam would have been a bit embarassed; it was nice of Strider not to give him away, but after all Sam did help him find the herbs he needed.
Anso the Hobbit
· 16 February 2005
· Chapter 21: Under the Lilac Bushes
What an excellent and fun story! Of course, I love your little Merry - he's adorable, but you knew I would love him. :) I also love your Sam and how he and Merry is sort of embarrassed by playing a girls game and how Gandalf just makes their day with handing them the sandwiches and tea seemingly out of nowhere. Just lovely!
Author's reply
Thanks, Anso! Yes, I knew you would love little Merry. I enjoy stories about Merry and Sam being friends as young children. At that age there was none of that "Mr." business to worry about.
They would probably have been terribly embarassed for any other lads to find out, LOL!
I did think it was funny with Gandalf and the sandwiches. I toyed with the idea of him actually using real magic to do it, but it seemed a bit OOC, and besides, to the children it seemed like magic anyway.
Bodkin
· 16 February 2005
· Chapter 22: Lesson Learned: Spring Flood, 1433
Merry is a good study, so I expect the value of the lesson will stay with him! And he might not master the Brandywine, but he might control the people who want to dig smials on the flood plain.
Author's reply
Somehow missed the alert on this review!
I would imagine that it will as well. And I can see the wheels turning as he makes plans for the next flood. And you are right about that last, too, I expect.
Lamiel
· 15 February 2005
· Chapter 10: Yule in Hollin
This is sweet, and a nice reminder that even the heroes of the Fellowship need a little home comfort now and then. I particularly liked Bilbo's gift of the handkerchiefs. Hee!
Author's reply
Thank you! I was thinking of the handkerchiefs Bilbo forgot when he left on his own Adventure...
lovethosehobbits
· 15 February 2005
· Chapter 21: Under the Lilac Bushes
I loved this! I really needed a bit of levity today and you, my friend, have given me a fine story that made me chuckle. Well done, and so sweet. tree
Author's reply
I'm glad I was able to brighten your day! Thank you for telling me, it brightened mine!
TopazTook
· 14 February 2005
· Chapter 21: Under the Lilac Bushes
Awwww.:) How sweet, under the lilacs. I especially liked Marigold's bossiness ("Merry, if you come into my house, you have to have tea, too!") and Bilbo and Gandalf's silent, amused spying that they got Frodo to join them in.
Author's reply
I could just see Marigold as one of those bossy little girls who has her big brother wrapped around her little finger. Merry, of course, has experience of cousin Pervinca to know what can happen when bossy little girls don't get their way, LOL!
I think Bilbo and Gandalf would have gotten a kick out of hearing the "tea party."
Mysterious Jedi
· 14 February 2005
· Chapter 22: Lesson Learned: Spring Flood, 1433
LOL, well you can't blame a hobbit for trying. Thanks for cross-posting!
Author's reply
Yes. And he *would* have to at least give it a try, wouldn't he, or he wouldn't be a Brandybuck?
SharonB
· 14 February 2005
· Chapter 22: Lesson Learned: Spring Flood, 1433
Ah, yes. Sometimes there are those thing to remind us that we will never be in total control. Nature is usually a good one to do that. So much Merry has learned and been able to conquer but not nature. ;-)
Author's reply
Merry longs to be in control of things, most especially of things that could harm those he loves. But he's learned that's not always going to happen... and that there *are* those things of which *no one* is in control.
Saoirse
· 14 February 2005
· Chapter 22: Lesson Learned: Spring Flood, 1433
My, this is so lovely. I didn't see this over around the way at Marigold's. Must have slipped my sight. But I am so glad I found it here! I loved this:
'And on the Quest, I learned that plans go awry: that hope may suffice when plans do not, determination may suffice when hope is gone, and success may come when least expected.'
Well said Meriadoc! How very true, and somehow poignant and beautiful at the same time.
Author's reply
Paring things down to 100 words, I sometimes worry that the meaning behind the meaning will not come through, if you know what I mean. I am glad that it had the effect I was hoping for.
Thank you for the lovely review!
GamgeeFest
· 12 February 2005
· Chapter 21: Under the Lilac Bushes
How adorable! The lads playing tea party with Marigold - and getting hungry for real! I love that they don't even realize why Gandalf could hear them. It must never have occured to them that the lilac bushes are right under the kitchen window. And while I'm thinking about it, what is the formula you use for figuring out the human ages of our hobbits?
Author's reply
Well, with her sitting there reciting all the pretend food she was offering, it was no wonder their little hobbity appetites kicked in, not to mention that it was getting on for elevenses...
At that age, it is easier to believe that it was because he was a wizard than it was in something more mundane. And their hideaway was supposed to be secret, LOL!
This came up in a discussion at the Stories of Arda yahoo group some time ago. The guidelines we have from Tolkien are that coming of age is 33, and toddlerhood starts at age 3. This is *almost* a 2/3 ratio. Topaz Took came up with the figure of .64. Using her figure and a calculator, I made a chart, rounding the ages up or down by a half-year if necessary. I posted the chart there and at PippinHealers group as well, so it should still be in the archives.
Now this is using the human coming of age at 21. I feel that would be closer to canonical than 18, because it was the coming of age during JRRT's generation. But some people do use 18, which makes everyone even younger. Others simply ignore the differences, and treat hobbit ages the same as human.
Personally, I think the formula is close to what it should be. It helps that this means that physically and emotionally the four are closer in age than they are chronologically. For example in human terms, the difference between a 21 year old Frodo and a 7 year old Merry is closer to that of the difference between a 13 year old and a 5 year old.
Anyway, I hope that's helpful. Because some people are unaware of the differences, I always post childhood ages on my stories and the equivalent ages.
SharonB
· 11 February 2005
· Chapter 21: Under the Lilac Bushes
LOL, "He's a wizard, he knows everything!" .... sounds like he's a good eavesdropper. And who took afer him eavesdropping himself years later? ;-)
Such cute little hobbits, so I'll claim this as my birthday present. As really it was a nice one when I got time to snitch a read beofre I got started at work this moring. I just didn;t have time to post a review then.
Author's reply
Happy birthday!
I'm so glad you liked this little piece of fluff. Can't get much fluffier than little hobbits having tea-parties.
Have you seen the announcement of Shire Kitchen's Recipe Fic challenge?
Elendiari22
· 11 February 2005
· Chapter 21: Under the Lilac Bushes
This is so adorably adorable that I'm grinning from ear to ear. Love it!
Author's reply
I'm glad I brought you a smile. Thank you.
Grey Wonderer
· 10 February 2005
· Chapter 21: Under the Lilac Bushes
LOL Wizards really do know everything! I think Merry was right. This was so much fun. As bossy as Pervinca is she? I loved how Merry and Sam simply did as she instructed rather than upset her. Too cute! I laughed out loud and scared my cat off of my lap.
Author's reply
Yes, they do, don't they?
Most little boys with sisters (or girl cousins) learn early on that it's better to do as they say, rather than argue.
Poor kitty. No fun having a nice warm lap suddenly start shaking...
Glad I could make *you* laugh for a change!
PIppinfan1988
· 10 February 2005
· Chapter 1: Brandy Hall, Hearthside at Yule, S.R. 1349
Wow...splendid! This story is so full of loving warmth...I can picture all the wee hobbits hanging on Bilbo's every word, totally engrossed in the weaving of a good tale. I will definitely return for more! Thank you for sharing! :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Oh, that's nice to get a review for the first one again. I had fun with that little vignette, and imagining the older generation as children. Bilbo was 111 when he left the Shire, and since he had been spending Yule telling stories at Brandy Hall ever since he came back, that's sixty years of little hobbits listening to him.
Grey Wonderer
· 8 February 2005
· Chapter 20: Three Nights Out of Bree...
Poor Sam. I love that Aragorn doesn't give him away to the others and simply makes out as if he needed Sam's help. A great story!
Author's reply
I think he realized how embarassed Sam would have been. And of course, he told only the strictest truth, if you examine his statement. He just left out one little detail.8-)
GamgeeFest
· 8 February 2005
· Chapter 20: Three Nights Out of Bree...
If only Sam knew how useful he was going to become! Good thing Strider found him before he got back to camp.
Author's reply
Yes it is; if he had had to go *back* out into the night to search for Sam, he would have been in Sam's words "mightily put out". As it was, Sam had a chance to redeem himself with his helpfulness, before there was any reason for Strider to get annoyed.
Bodkin
· 8 February 2005
· Chapter 20: Three Nights Out of Bree...
Gardeners are very useful - especially when they're called Sam Gamgee. I'm glad Aragorn didn't let on that Sam had become mislaid - it would have destroyed his mystique.
Poor Pippin - far too sickly for this kind of adventure. And too young. Perhaps he should have been tied up in a sack and sent home. Or maybe not.
Author's reply
Yes, it was nice of Aragorn to not tell, wasn't it? And he's just beginning to learn about hobbits.
Oh, yes, definitely too sickly and too young, LOL! As if either of those things would ever keep our irrepressible Took down. Aragorn's only been in their company a few days, and they admittedly didn't make a real good first impression on him. (talking out of turn, dancing and singing on tables, putting It on in public, taking walks in strange towns at night...) It wasn't until after Weathertop that he began to truly realize how "tough in the fibre" hobbits really are.
But I could see that he would have appreciated Sam's expert help finding the herbs he needed, enough not to embarass him in front of the other hobbits.
Bodkin
· 4 February 2005
· Chapter 19: What I Did This Summer...
I don't blame the family for their response to Pippin learning the Tookland pipes. I'm only surprised they didn't immediately rescind the punishment and send him to stay with Merry.
He must have been bored to write so many letters. But not quite squashed enough to avoid playing tricks on his sisters!
Author's reply
I think telling him to take it outside was sufficient. Bagpipes are pretty much an outdoor instrument even at their best. But I believe that his parents were aware of his musical talent enough to know he would fairly quickly get beyond the "tortured cat" phase. Also the grounds at the Smials are fairly extensive, LOL! Personally, I do not think *I* would care to live with a beginner on the pipes...
Well, his father *did* tell him the letters could count towards his lessons, so I think that was a bit of an incentive. And of course, he really missed his Merry and his Frodo. As for his sisters, that's what little brothers do. It's almost unnatural to avoid it...LOL!
good_one_pip
· 4 February 2005
· Chapter 10: Yule in Hollin
Very sweet. It kind of reminds me of the "Little House on the Prairie" books, actually, and how they made Christmas happy, even if they didn't have much. Of course, LOTR is pre-christmas, but Yule is still a lovely holiday in winter. It's nice that they were able to find some happiness in their friends, even on such a perilous jouney.
Author's reply
Well, this was just at the beginning of the journey, and the first really important thing they were missing in the Shire. But their friends rallied around.
good_one_pip
· 4 February 2005
· Chapter 8: Making Time for Music
oh, I like this one. I love the way that you bring out Pip's musical abilities. And it's nice to have an elf-hobbit moment. I also liked your comment on the Big People getting bored with the hobbits family tree description:)
Author's reply
My Pip's very musical indeed. It's one of the main things he has in common with Legolas.
I can just imagine as a hobbit gets to the part about "second cousin once removed on my mother's side and third cousin twice removed on my father's" that the listener's eys just start to glaze over...