Dreamflower's Mathoms I by Dreamflower
Queen Galadriel · 24 April 2006 · Chapter 46: Fatherly Advice
LOL! That's cute! Pippin always knows what to say. I can't say why, but I like reading scenes that take place just before weddings, and it's always sooo great when the groom is nervous! *wicked grin* God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
It's fun to imagine what be said behind the scenes, that's why! And trust Pip to know just the right thing!
Queen Galadriel · 24 April 2006 · Chapter 45: Worth the Wait
“That’s entirely up to Diamond. Not that I would ask her right now, you know.” *smirk* Wise Hobbit. That is interesting that the pattern would carry on like that: Paladin with three elder sisters, then Pippin, now Faramir. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, I wanted to carry on the family tradition, LOL! Of course, I was pushing it a bit--their oldest had to be born almost right away, and then the next two were twins--because they marry in 1427, and Faramir is born in 1430. I'm not sure Diamond is happy with my family planning skills. *grin*
Queen Galadriel · 24 April 2006 · Chapter 44: Homecoming
A beautiful, peaceful little scene. It was really very thoughtful of Frodo to give them that house; it's just perfect for both of them: private, cosy, not too far from Merry's family in case of an emergency... I love homecoming scenes! :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
They really did need a place of their own at that point in time, and Frodo was wise enough to realize that. I enjoy homecoming scenes a lot myself!
Queen Galadriel · 24 April 2006 · Chapter 43: Last Look
That is one of the most poignant things to imagine for me-that last look. You capture it beautifully. The mixed emotions, the pain and peace, the dread of the final farewells, and something else I can't really describe. Yes, he did it all for them, and the Shire was better for what he--and they all--did. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you--those are exactly the feelings I wanted to convey in this one.
Queen Galadriel · 24 April 2006 · Chapter 42: Standing at the Bow
A lovely first glimpse of Valinor through Bilbo's eyes, and so wonderful to see Frodo healing! Tol Eressea must have been more than beautiful, and I always thought it was so sad that only three of our five favourite Hobbits could go there. But it's satisfying to think that Merry and Pippin found peace by their king. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
I know; I've always thought it a bit unfair that Merry and Pippin did not go. One of my friends wrote a lovely AU where they do sail West many years later, it's so sweet. But at least Aragorn had them with him for many long years.
Queen Galadriel · 24 April 2006 · Chapter 41: Test Results
Absolutely beautiful! :) Yes, that is what she would find, and for that I'm glad. You know, I didn't realise how many of these I'd read till this morning when I looked in my inbox. I guess I got carried away, and time passed unheeded. I didn't notice that I *should* be tired till one-thirty in the morning! LOL! I agree with Pippinfan when she called this collection (and your whole page) a library. It is that-there's always something to enjoy, no matter what one fancies at the time! :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, I think so. I know that some people have written AUs where one or more of the other hobbits try to get the Ring, but for me that requires far too big a suspension of disbelief. These four loved one another dearly, any one of them would have died for any of the others, and very nearly did--I can see the Ring wearing them down slowly to the point where they might despair of going on, but I can't see it ever really making any of them abandon Frodo or betray him--ever. It's so fun to see all these reviews--I do enjoy them so much!
Queen Galadriel · 24 April 2006 · Chapter 40: The Pact
*snickering* Is there anything more fun than innocently tipsy Hobbits? Or men, for that matter. LOL! Pippin knows how to enjoy himself, doesn't he? And I'm afraid my poor Frodo might not feel so well in the morning, but it's wonderful to see him having some fun! The end is chilling, but shows again just how loyal Merry is. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
"Innocently tipsy" is lovely. And Merry's and Pippin's pact keeps them from anything more serious. Yes, Frodo and Sam both might be a tad under the weather, but Sam knows the Gaffer's remedy for that, LOL! You know, I'd had a different ending planned, where Pippin comes in, to end the evening with the others, but this other just kind of hit me.
Queen Galadriel · 24 April 2006 · Chapter 39: Captain Freddy
Oh, poor Freddy! I haven't even read "For Folco" yet (I'm a little worried about that one, as such things tend to turn me into a basket case in a matter of minutes), and still the thought of him being killed for who knows what unjust, cruel reason just breaks my heart. *wipes eyes* God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
*sniff* I've often wished I had not had to write "For Folco". But once the idea took hold, I could not shake it. Poor Folco.
Queen Galadriel · 24 April 2006 · Chapter 38: On the Blessed Isle
*hugs Sam* Of course he would miss his Rosie still; a journey across the sea isn't going to take that away. But I'm so glad he has his Frodo and all his other friends around him to help him heal. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, it's so true. Yet often I read fics where Sam arrives in Tol Erresea, and once he sees Frodo, it's like Rosie never even existed! I think that is why I wrote this one, to kind of counteract that.
Queen Galadriel · 24 April 2006 · Chapter 35: In The Sitting Room
Oh, I just love the Aunties; they're so sweet and sensible and motherly. Of course Peridot would care about Pippin's friends, just because that's what they were and not because she was curious (as well she might have been). And it's delightful that they could share songs! This renews my burning desire to play the harp, but I think the piano, penny whistle, and harmonica are enough for now. :) I love the way you write about music; I could almost hear it. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, I think the Aunties are rather sweet; certainly Peridot was curious--she's a Took after all! LOL! But her curiousity was based on her caring about Pippin, and not just for purposes of gossip and speculation. The enjoyment of music is something that is special between these two, and sets his relationship with Peridot apart from his relationship with Primrose. The only things I can play are piano and recorder (and not particularly well) and my husband's freenotes chimes, which need no skill. But I have always loved music, and even playing it badly is better than not playing at all.
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 33: Hide and Seek
*beaiming* Aaaawwww! I've never seen wee! Primula before, but she's delightful! Soooo cute! I adore this one, Dreamflower! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
*grin* thanks! I thought little Primula would be so cute! After all, I've always said Frodo takes after his mother in looks.
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 32: A Young Hobbit's Fancy
Ah, clever Bilbo! I wish I could learn under him; it's not often you find such a compassionate teacher. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
I think Bilbo was a natural teacher, and one of the things that he must have missed a good deal after his Adventure. Fortunately hobbits are a lot more sensible than Men about education, and would know that a fine spring day should not be wasted!
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 31: Tea and Talk
Very clever! And I love Esme's confidence, and the ending is great! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Glad you liked it! It was an interesting challenge!
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
LOL! Mercy on us! And I thought Bagginses were stubborn! Good gracious, doesn't Pal know how to act like an adult yet? Glad his wife and sisters know how to handle him. Giant pink rabbits *suppressing a chuckle*; now that would be a sight for sore eyes! LOL! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
The Tooks were also legendary for their stubbornness--especially among the healers! Paladin does know how to act like an adult. However pain and fever rather caused him to completely regress to toddlerhood! The giant pink rabbits trying to remove the roof are an actual hallucination my dear husband gets when he spikes a high fever--fortunately not something that has happened often over the last almost 30 years--but absolutely true nevertheless!
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 29: The Taste of Strawberries
Okay, I'm *really* hungry now! LOL! Oh I just love these "post-quest Bag End" fics! A piece of toast and a cup of tea? *gasp* Uh-uh, not good! That's just plain alarming! :( But Rose knows just how to look after all her lads, be they brothers, husbands, sons, or adopted family members. :) It's so sweet how she's so sisterly with Frodo-I love it! Frodo picked up one of the strawberries, and slowly took a bite. He closed his eyes and ate it almost solemnly. Rose watched fascinated. He opened his eyes and said softly, “Rose, dear, do not ever take for granted the taste of strawberries." This reminds me of Sam's mentioning strawberries in the movie, and of how wistful those words sounded. Before I saw ROTK, I never thought I'd want to cry over strawberries and cream, but I did. :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
No, just toast and tea was not good. But, as you said, Rose has her ways. Yes, this was inspired by that line. I do not write movie-verse, but I do incorporate some of its elements whenever it will not contradict canon, and I loved that line myself! It is so poignant, and could easily have been among the many conversations Frodo and Sam had that JRRT did not make up privy to.
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 28: Comfort Food
This has made me want macaroni and cheese, or even better, the noodles and cheese you gave the recipe for. :) What a sweet, elder-cousinly thing to do! I wish things were as simple as a comfort food around here when someone gets sick. Wow, pollymer clay? I've seen a few dolls made from it, and I'd love to do such things myself someday, but I just don't know enough right now. And I would like to get to the point where I know whether my sculptures are going to be disastrous or not before experimenting. :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Of course, this recipe is a pre-cursor to today's more familiar macaroni and cheese, and it is really very good. A simple comfort food to perk Pippin up was a comfort to Frodo as well, when he feared things might *not* be so simple. My Pippin is not portrayed as being so sickly as some other writers portray him--by this age he has very nearly outgrown his tendencies to get seriously ill--but his previous history naturally puts Frodo a bit on the anxious side. I love working with polymer clay. You don't need to know a lot to do some incredible things with it--it's forgiving and easy to work with and since it doesn't harden until it's baked, you can't really mess it up much. You should experiment a little if you want to. There are some very quick and simple directions on the internet (Polymer Clay Central) is one such, and the tutorials are fairly easy to follow. Also, the TV program "Carol Duvall" on HGTV frequently has directions for very easy polymer projects.
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 26: Proposal
I agree with Gryffinjack; very poignant and symbolic to have Frodo watching through a window. Of course she said yes! Oh, and I meant to thank you earlier for your encouragement on post-quest Frodo. It's very, very encouraging to know that we're both *trying* for the same thing, and to see how beautifully you do. I guess maybe the reason it seems I'm being inconsistent is that I like to center on the inner thoughts. I mean, I've got "A Promise and a Gift," in which Frodo hasn't declined that much yet and is still able to feel joy for himself. Then I've got "The Strength to Go On," which takes place sometime between the last anniversary and Frodo's leaving, and...woooo-hoooo! Mental roller-coaster, my head is spinning. And while both fics need some editing, both can make sense and stay in canon. :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
I was glad it was well-received, and that the symbolism came through! Well, as I said, consistency is not completely necessary--after all, *we* are not consistent, why should our characters always be so? But you do very well, dear, and I hope to see much more from you.
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 25: Third Thoughts
I love fics like this! Faramir opened the curtain, peered within, where the hobbits lay: Frodo exhausted, shadows like bruises on his pale face; Sam, even in sleep a worried furrow on his brow, an arm flung across his master. He felt a stir of protectiveness and love. So small, so determined, so valiant. I can really see this. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
*grin* So glad you liked it, and that the picture it made is vivid. I think that, like Gandalf, the way to Faramir's heart would have been through the desire to do good--fortunately he was wise enough to see through the ruse.
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 24: In the Style of Ogden Nash
Love it, love it! Especially "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony," "A Long-expected Party," and "The Council of Elrond!" LOL! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
I had good fun writing them! I posted them to the newsgroup rec.arts.books.tolkien, and a couple of people responded by writing a few of their own: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.books.tolkien/browse_frm/thread/73c5aa02a6f5e715/6aae34f36a31d4a1?lnk=st&q=Tolkien+in+the+style+of+Ogden+Nash&rnum=1&hl=en#6aae34f36a31d4a1 Scroll down to the response by "pete gray". (And if you find the URL too unwieldy, just go to Google Groups, and type in "Tolkien in the style of Ogden Nash" and it will take you there.) I loved his version of the battle of the Pelennor!
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 23: The Lady's Gift
*wipes eyes* Galadriel was once my nickname (hence the pen name), though my dearest friends have switched to another now, but it's still special to me to read really good fics about Galadriel, and this is one of them. I like this gentler look very much. Of course that conversation would touch her heart, and that last line was absolutely stunning! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
I am so glad then, that you liked this. Her gentler side is not often shown, and yet, it was not her beauty Gimli fell in love with, but her kindness.
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 19: What I Did This Summer...
Awww! Love this followup to "The Dare!" Pippin made good use of his time. He's just the sweetest Hobbit! And that was a marvellous tribute. Oh, how I'd love to hear that song on the bagpipes! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Glad you recognized why Pippin was grounded! LOL! I didn't want to make overt reference to it, so that people who'd not read it would be able to enjoy the story anyway. Pip is indeed a sweetie! I too, would love to hear it on the bagpipes! I wish some enterprising piper would do a CD of LotR music! I'd buy it in a heartbeat!
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 18: A Special Homecoming
Mmm, I'll have to make that recipe for my family sometime. It would come out perfectly, as there are six of us. That is, unless my Pippin of a sister decides to eat like a Hobbit. LOL! Yes, I imagine it would be difficult for Pippin to live alone. And really the Brandybucks were silly to insist upon a flower name. It had the same outcome either way. Wyn sounds lovely. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
It really is quite delicious! If there are six of you, perhaps you should make two pies, LOL! I don't think Pippin was really constructed by nature to live alone--it would have seemed very unnatural to him! The Brandybuck tradition is one that Marigold had pointed out to me--so many fics do have Merry naming a daughter after Eowyn, and though I could see him defying the tradition, I thought it was cuter to have him simply flout it instead! And just think what a satisfying mouthful "Simbelmyne" will make when she gets in trouble!
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 17: The Steward and the King
Yes, you just know Eomer and Faramir had to have had this discussion at some point. Wonderfully done! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Of course they would, LOL! Do you know, this still remains my *only* "hobbit-less" fic?
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 15: An Appeal to Family
Oh, that was wonderful of Bilbo! Aaaaagh! Lobelia and Drogo? No! Way! Frodo would have never have come into the world, and then what a state all of Middle-earth would be in! I love your letter fics! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Well, but look at it this way--if Lobelia had not been driving Drogo nuts, then Bilbo would never have sent him to Brandy Hall to get away from her, and *still* no Frodo, LOL! So I guess we can give her credit for getting Drogo and Primula together. *grin* (Irony--I love it!) I enjoy writing fics as letters. You can really capture a POV that way!
Queen Galadriel · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 12: Circle of Joy
Dancing, music, Frodo happy, *and* Esme's POV! What a treat! :) I love reading (and writing) about music and dancing (though I'm a disgraceful dancer LOL), and this was beautiful. I don't think I've ever heard "Circle of Joy," but I love Celtic music and so much of it sounds so Hobbity. I love the way you've used this! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
"Circle of Joy" is just so perfectly hobbity, and I can *so* see hobbits dancing to it, every time I hear it! In my minds eye, it is a circle dance similar to an English Country Dance called "Sellenger's Round". It was absolutely lovely to wake up tonight to an inbox full of your lovely reviews, dear! Thank you ever so much! It was just wonderful fun to re-visit some of these fics!