Dreamflower's Mathoms I by Dreamflower
Nina the powerwriter · 1 January 2005 · Chapter 11: Wedding Night
Please don't get me started! For as short as it was, I loved it :P
Author's reply
I'm glad you did! I've not done many drabbles; believe it or not, this one was the hardest to keep at 100 words.
Bodkin · 1 January 2005 · Chapter 15: An Appeal to Family
Poor Drogo - imagine being the victim of Lobelia! Although it sounds as if she and Otho were thoroughly deserving of each other. I always rather felt that he had probably been henpecked into submission, but really, I would rather imagine him deserving his 'trouble and strife'. Good for Bilbo.
Author's reply
I know that I read a lot of fics where Otho is a kind of hen-pecked wimp, but not otherwise so bad. But I think of him as sort of in the same mold as my OCs Clodio and Dago--greedy and unscrupulous, and willing to cut corners to get what he wants. In FotR, it's *Otho* who makes nasty insinuations about Frodo and demands to see Bilbo's will, and offers "bad bargain-prices" for valuable items. We also have JRRTs word in Letter #214 that Otho was ambitious (not a very hobbity trait) to be the head of both the Sackvilles *and* the Bagginses. So I would say he probably deserved Lobelia. That meant that Lotho got a double helping of bad genes. But thank goodness Drogo was able to keep out of her clutches and meet Primula. Otherwise, where would our blue-eyed lad be? *grin*
Kitty · 1 January 2005 · Chapter 15: An Appeal to Family
A nice ficlet! So this is how Frodo's parents met - Bilbo had a hand in it! :-D This is so like Lobelia, to use rudeness as a weapon. I can imagine it! What a pity nobody seems truly able to shut Lobelia up! It would be interesting to listen (or read)!
Author's reply
I thought perhaps Bilbo had a hand in it. And at Sam's wedding, Esme told Tina that Lobelia had once fancied Drogo before Primula came along... Yes, Lobelia is incredibly rude: look how she barged in on Frodo before they moved into Bag End, and the remarks she made. I think that she actually made a point of being rude--it's a crude but effective way to get your own way with people who are a bit more accustomed to politeness. Hmm...someone who could shut her up? (shoo...shoo...get away from my ankles, bunny!)
Hai Took · 27 December 2004 · Chapter 13: One of the Lads
I loved this! The way you described the way Merry and Pippin treated each member of the Fellowship was great! All the relationships, if I can use that term, were perfect! lol, I loved the end as well "They simply treated them all like large hobbits. And it was rather nice, if sometimes disconcerting." Perfect! Thank you!
Author's reply
Relationships is the perfect term, as Merry and Pippin have decided that these Big Folk are relations of a sort! LOL!
Pearl Took · 27 December 2004 · Chapter 11: Wedding Night
"A Merry one, at any rate." Very well done :)
Author's reply
Thank you!
Pearl Took · 27 December 2004 · Chapter 1: Brandy Hall, Hearthside at Yule, S.R. 1349
A wonderful glimpse at the older generation of our dear hobbits!! I loved it :)
Pearl Took · 27 December 2004 · Chapter 14: Rest
Aw! This is so sweet! I can just see this crowd of people gathering to look at the hobbits sleeping. Well done :)
Author's reply
I have to say, if I saw two hobbits sleeping in the garden, I'd certainly stop and stare--wouldn't it be a lovely sight? And all these people are so grateful to the hobbits, I guess they can't get enough of them.
pipinheart · 26 December 2004 · Chapter 14: Rest
Nice.. Merry and pippin out for a picnic,and Merry recalls the time frodo made pippin a kite. Pippin had the night watch and falls asleep at Merry's side. An adience is crowder around them as they sleep,and frodo and sam are quiet put out by them crowding around. Even Aragorn takes one last look as they sleep, befor returning to his work... A nice story,of the bond between them all...Keep up the good work....
Author's reply
Thank you for the lovely review--the bond between them all, isn't that what all of it is all about? The love and the friendship.
GamgeeFest · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 14: Rest
Sleepy hobbits! How cute! And I loved the audience. This one made me smile. :)
Author's reply
I know if I saw a pair of hobbits sleeping I'd certainly stop and stare--at the very least!
GamgeeFest · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 13: One of the Lads
I love this one! Merry and Pippin with all their "big" hobbits. You've got the relationships stated so perfectly. It's easy to see why they all took such a strong liking and affection for the hobbits. Well done.
Author's reply
I'm glad that you think I got the relationships down well. I've put a lot of thought over how the hobbits relate to one another and to the Big Folk. And it's hard *not* to like someone who likes you. Thank you very much!
SharonB · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 14: Rest
Oh how funny. Out for a nice picnic and end up sleeping the rest of the day. I can understand Pip's tiredness. I never could get the hang of switching shifts back when I had to do it. At least the current job doesn't demand it. I'm glad that Aragorn took the hint though and dispersed the crowd.
Author's reply
Yes, poor tired Pippin! But a nap in the sunshine's not so bad. And it would have been hard *not* to take Frodo's hint--he wasn't exactly subtle, was he? *grin*
Lindelea · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 14: Rest
I love the little touches you add to a story: “And you are entirely too bright and chipper for someone who’s never been to bed at all. What time did they send you down from the Tower?” (I'd agree, had I not had six weeks of Third Watch, myself, and in a tropical paradise into the bargain. Who needs sleep? I would go to work just before midnight, get off at 1 p.m., spend much of the afternoon on the beach (did get a little dozing in, there on the sand under the sun), ate dinner, saw a show or caught a nap, and went back to work. It was easier to do at Pippin's age, I suspect, than it would be nowadays.) Merry had just taken a large bite. He rolled his eyes and pointed to his mouth, as he chewed and swallowed. He took a sip of tea before replying. Pippin went to change out of his livery, while Merry packed up a large basket with bread, cheese, fruit, some boiled eggs, some hard sausage and a bottle of wine. They went out into the sunshine of an early summer morning, and made the leisurely trek to the grounds of the Houses of Healing. There was a spot there in the gardens that the hobbits had found made for lovely picnicking. A stone wall broke the wind that was a constant so high up, and all along it small fruit trees had been planted and trained to grow flat against the wall. There were beds of sweet smelling herbs scattered about, and low growing thyme made for a fragrant ground cover. Merry and Pippin found a spot beneath a blooming pear tree, and sat with their backs against the sun-warmed stone of the wall as they dug into their provisions. Finally, sated, they put the remnants of their meal into the basket, and Pippin leaned companionably into his cousin’s side, as they watched the clouds. Why don't I just quote the whole story, LOL! Wonderful details! Now they stood there amid a small crowd which had gathered at a respectful distance, apparently with nothing better to do than to stare at two sleeping pheriannath. "nothing better to do"--human nature! All this fuss over two sleeping hobbits. Very "Sam". All your characters sound wonderfully in character. Thanks for the comforting read.
Author's reply
Thank you for the wonderful review. It's always a delight to know what parts of a story the reader liked best. I'm glad everyone seems to be in character. In some stories that is easier to do than in others. This one rather seemed to write itself. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I had a lot of fun writing it.
esamen · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 13: One of the Lads
After the third day out, he had complimented them on their helpfulness, and Pippin had carelessly said, “Oh, that’s what family’s for; we love you, after all.” And Merry had nodded absently, as though such were taken for granted. He had shaken his head at this artless answer, and realized that the affection went both ways. He had pondered on it since, and he finally realized how the two had dealt with being among all these strangers. They simply treated them all like large hobbits hello again -- you are probably sick of me by now -- but I have to tell you how much I enjoyed this chapter. I most enjoy stories about love, but right now I have so many family members visiting for Christmas that I have had to retreat to the peace and quiet of the workplace in order to stay sane. This chapter is inspiring to me. I'm going to go back home and treat everyone like large hobbits. Thanks! Bless!
Author's reply
I would never get sick of reading such lovely reviews. It's like having a nice little visit with someone who shares my hobbity tastes. I think if everyone in the world were to treat one another like hobbits, it would be a far more peaceful and delightful place. Have a Merry Christmas, and enjoy your family!
esamen · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 11: Wedding Night
Mmm, mmm. (Happy grin) I'll just tiptoe away and leave them alone to enjoy their Merry night. Darling.
Author's reply
;-) Sshh...they'll never know we were there...
esamen · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 10: Yule in Hollin
Sam sat forward eagerly, and Pippin relaxed into Frodo’s embrace. "Relaxing into Frodo's embrace" would almost make the tramp through Hollin in winter worth it. Almost. Anyway, it's nice to enjoy it by way of Pippin! Feeling cuddled, esamen
Author's reply
Nothing like cuddly hobbits, is there? 8-D
esamen · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 9: At the Inn in Bree
Merry, what’s wrong?” Merry gave him a sardonic look. “Aside from nearly being murdered in our beds, having my ponies stolen, and having to go off into the Wild with a stranger because Gandalf is nowhere to be found?” “Yes,” said Pippin simply. Darling, absolutely darling. You nail them both. Great character writing. I love it! Awesome!
Author's reply
Thank you so much! It is always good to think I have gotten the characters *right*, I want so much to do them justice.
pipspebble · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 14: Rest
Lovely! So very practical, so very hobbity, so very sweet! Love it!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked it! It was hobbity, wasn't it?
esamen · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 3: Neither Have I Wings to Fly
He takes me in a hug, and I can feel his pain draining away, and he puts his brow against mine. “I love you, too, my Merry.” Oh! Oh! This, to me, is the very best thing about Tolkien and fanfic: the love. It's so wonderful. So few works really go there anymore. Thanks for taking us to the heart of the matter . . . beautiful writing. Very brave.
Author's reply
I think the love *is* at the heart of JRRT's work. And I have very strong feelings about the deep love between the cousins and what it meant to them. There is a bond there that runs deep in the blood, and is part and parcel of who they are, and why Merry and Pippin cared enough to follow Frodo across Middle-earth.
Esamen · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 1: Brandy Hall, Hearthside at Yule, S.R. 1349
Drogo discreetly rolled his eyes. He had heard the tale many a time, and improbable though it seemed, he tended to believe most of it, if only because it *did* make his older cousin seem a bit foolish. Mmmm. Lovely. I am being very bad today and reading all of these at work. It certainly is a nice Christmas present for me! Say, an idea: you might want to take the above sentence and start a new paragraph. It helps the reader understand that the POV has shifted to Drogo. Thanks for sharing this beautiful Yule vision with us. It warms my heart! Esamen
Author's reply
I am so glad that you are enjoying them--even if it is at work. I fixed that--you are absolutely right. *blushes* I'm glad I could make you happy!
esamen · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 2: A Matter of Perspective
“As do I. And as I will worry about all of you. Please, lad, stay safe.” Awww. Nicely done. You stack the whole deck very well. A finely wrought combination of logic and love. I just adore Bilbo-Frodo gapfiller conversations. This is one of the best that I've read. Love it! Thank you! Beautiful!
Author's reply
Frodo was reacting emotionally to his fears for his cousins. Bilbo was able to turn that on its head, by making Frodo realize that the concern cuts two ways. I'm pretty fond of Bilbo-Frodo moments myself. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Bodkin · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 14: Rest
Hobbit-watching as a spectator sport - could be done. Just need to work out a way of charging for entry. Somehow snoozing the day away in the fresh air and sunshine seems much more relaxing for people whose nights are haunted. I think they should wake up thoroughly refreshed.
Author's reply
I'm sure there are an awful lot of folks who'd line up for tickets--and pay premium prices, LOL! I hope they do wake refreshed. A nap in the sunshine was probably exactly what they needed. You will notice that Aragorn seemed rather pleased by it.
esamen · 23 December 2004 · Chapter 7: Sam's Mistake
Oh, beautiful. I must read through all these fics. What a lovely range of topics . . . and you sure can write! Thanks for all your hard work! I'll send more reviews as I work through these . . . please, write more! And keep Frodo front and center, and I'll love you forever!
Author's reply
What a lovely compliment! I suppose it is hard work, but it's work I enjoy, so it doesn't feel that way. Well, Frodo's not necessarily in every fic I write, but he's usually in there somewhere--I'm not a one-hobbit person: my fascination is with the relationships of the four hobbits, and how they interact with one another and with their friends. But I've a few where Frodo is definitely the star.
lovethosehobbits · 22 December 2004 · Chapter 13: One of the Lads
A truly lovely take on how the hobbits accepted and grew on the big folk. I really love the way you write and hope to read many more stories such as these. tree
Author's reply
Thank you very much--I appreciate knowing that others like what I write, and find it very encouraging.
pipinheart · 22 December 2004 · Chapter 13: One of the Lads
Nicely done! A nice story on how the hobbitts treat each other as well as friends. Merry and pippin serving the bowls of stew,saying the big folk didn't serve themself a big enough portion. Pipin told him that is what family is for, and we love you...Treating them like big hobbitts... Nice story...
Author's reply
You've put your finger on it: it's how the hobbits treat one another--they take care of each other, and they are companionable, loving closeness with their friends and kin. Hobbits tend to show their emotions very freely, compared to the other races of Middle-earth.
sleepy_orange · 21 December 2004 · Chapter 13: One of the Lads
oh, that was nice! and funny! i couldn't help but laugh at this line 'they simply treated them all like large hobbits'. thank you for that! :)
Author's reply
I really could not imagine Merry and Pippin doing anything else. They've never really known anyone else but hobbits, so how else would they treat them? But it must have puzzled the others until they got used to it.