Tigger
· 15 March 2005
· Chapter 7: A Glimpse of Paradise and a Riotous Evening
Oh *my*!! This had me crying!! Both bittersweet at the beginning and then tears from laughing too much. I wish I could see all of them singing "Nineteen Nights in Nobottle"...Especially the Twins and Legolas!! I do believe our four favourite hobbits just corrupted Gondorian society as we know it. Hee!! :oD Oh and then for the Ladies to realize just how powerful payback could be to their men and friends. Arwen is indeed a wicked, wicked woman. I would have done the same thing!! LOL!!
Great chapter and I'm looking forward to more!!
Author's reply
Glad it made you laugh. They're a mischievous bunch, those hobbits, and Arwen has a naughty side too. :-))
shirebound
· 14 March 2005
· Chapter 7: A Glimpse of Paradise and a Riotous Evening
"Isn't this wonderful?" Frodo leaned back. "I cannot believe I'm here, and with all my friends about me."
"To see you here, my dear friend, warms my heart and makes me happier than I can say," said Aragorn softly, hugging Frodo. We have so much to catch up on. And in September you will see how we celebrate your birthday. The people of the city have been awaiting your presence on the day and they are all overjoyed. It will be very special."
Sam said little, but his look of contentment spoke for him as he gazed around the room. "I don't think it could be any better," he said.
And I don't think this story could be any better. What a wonderful tale.
Author's reply
Thank you. One of the joys of putting this story on such a site has been the feedback. Hopefully you will enjoy the rest of the story.
Dreamflower
· 14 March 2005
· Chapter 6: A Shire Summer
What a lovely chapter, full of both humor and sorrow!
I love that his March anniversary passes without his even noticing, and that he is able to treat his nightmares like normal nightmares now.
The scene with the Bracegirdle female was a hoot! And I'd love to find out about the "Virgins from Staddle"!
The Gaffer's passing is sad, but scarcely unexpected, and so it seems to be leading into us finding out some of what really happened with the Valar...
Author's reply
The Gaffer's year of death is given as 1428 in the family trees so I had to put it in, sad though it is, and it does lead in to Frodo's experiences.
Larner
· 13 March 2005
· Chapter 6: A Shire Summer
Again, nice and fluffy, and you've had me laughing a time or two--or four. Like the ending for the chapter.
shirebound
· 13 March 2005
· Chapter 6: A Shire Summer
What a lovely healing you're showing for Frodo -- slow but steady, with many wonderful perceptions. It's marvelous that he's able to tell the Shirefolk one of the strongest lessons he ever learned -- that "monsters were not fell beasts or fire breathing dragons, but those who abused their power to the detriment of others."
Tigger
· 12 March 2005
· Chapter 5: Convalescence and a Royal Intervention
"No need for such modesty. Who do you think sponged you down when you were ill? Stop fussing! I'm averting my eyes."
"Pity," said Merry. "It's very entertaining watching someone try to protect their modesty with a bar of soap!"
Oh my!! That had me hooting w/laughter!! Great update and I loved Aragorn's Proclaimation. Little did he know he was setting the Gamgee's up w/food for life...LOL!!
Lovely update. Looking forward to the next installment. :o)
Author's reply
Well, I suppose hobbits equate everything with food so that is probably how they would convey their feelings. Hope to have the next installment up later.
Larner
· 12 March 2005
· Chapter 5: Convalescence and a Royal Intervention
Very cute. Poor Frodo--and enjoy the King's Intervention here.
Author's reply
I thought Aragorn would be so frustrated, down there in Gondor and unable to do anything, until he had a bright idea. Glad you enjoyed it.
Andrea
· 12 March 2005
· Chapter 5: Convalescence and a Royal Intervention
Oh, that chapter was wonderful! I totally agree to everything Dreamflower said before, but what really made me laugh was this line:
"I think I know who to ask!" - "Us?" Pippin squeaked. "Why would you think we'd know anything?" That was perfect! I'm still giggling, can't stop it.
It's really a relief after those dark moments, that Frodo is himself again.
Thank you for your story!
Author's reply
Merry and Pip are such fun to write - they almost write themselves. Thought we needed some light relief, even if I did have to hoover the fluff out of my keyboard as a result! :-))
shirebound
· 12 March 2005
· Chapter 5: Convalescence and a Royal Intervention
What a wonderful story you're crafting. So full of love and healing and deep perceptions. Passages like this are quite amazing:
"You have to forgive yourself, dear boy. Others have forgiven you because there is really nothing to forgive. Each of us can only do our best and hope it is enough. You did more than your best, and it was more than enough. Let it go now." He sighed gently and relaxed, slipping slowly towards sleep. He remembered his mother's voice telling him how proud she was and he knew he was deeply loved by his parents and would see them again one day. He had often wondered where hobbits went when they died and now he knew beyond any doubt that Iluvatar, who sang the world into creation, had ensured a place for them. He had been given a glimpse of something very special and he knew he must accept it as a gift from the Valar.
Author's reply
I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. I wanted Frodo to feel he was loved and that healing was possible.
Dreamflower
· 12 March 2005
· Chapter 5: Convalescence and a Royal Intervention
I have been sitting here reading this chapter with a grin on my face the whole way through, and now my jaw hurts, LOL!
I am one of those people who like the "c" part of h/c better than the "h". This is so lovely, from the way they all fuss over Frodo, to his embarassment in the bath. ("Why didn't you just put a bathtub out in the Party Field and invite the whole of Hobbiton?!")
The interaction with the children made me sniffle.
And I loved the account of Yule, and Pippin kissing everyone in the room including the cat.
And the whole idea of Aragorn sending a rather stern proclamation to the Shire! I could just imagine that!
This story just makes me warm all over!
Author's reply
I've been thinking of you reading, with a grin on your face. So pleased you can see Aragorn sending a stern letter to the Shire. I couldn't resist it! :-))
Tigger
· 11 March 2005
· Chapter 4: A Gift From the Valar
Oh my...What a chapter!! I love this. Like many others, I often wonder what might have happened if Frodo had been able to go on in ME after the Quest. This is wonderful!! I can't wait to read more. :o)
Author's reply
The last two chapters were very difficult to write - almost too traumatic, even for me. So glad you liked it though.
Dreamflower
· 11 March 2005
· Chapter 4: A Gift From the Valar
Oh my! So Gandalf and Galadriel moved the Valar to intervene!
I loved all your description of the grief and fear that Frodo's loved ones were undergoing, followed by such joy! Talk about a eucatastrophe!!! This is a very plausible AU!!
Author's reply
I was worried it was too sad, but as you say, the eucatastrophe is there.
Hope you enjoy Chapter 5, which details Frodo's gradual recovery. Don't worry, you'll find out exactly what happened to Frodo in a later chapter.
Larner
· 11 March 2005
· Chapter 4: A Gift From the Valar
Very sweet.
Larner
· 10 March 2005
· Chapter 3: A Shadow of the Past and a Descent into Darkness
Well thought out. Yes, consistent with experiences today.
Dreamflower
· 10 March 2005
· Chapter 3: A Shadow of the Past and a Descent into Darkness
Oh so very angsty! Poor Frodo, poor everyone! I am so glad that you are doing this with flashbacks, so that we know there *is* a light at the end of the tunnel...I don't think I could bear it otherwise.
Author's reply
I think that was why I did it as a flashback, otherwise it would be too terrible. Poor Frodo goes through such horrors but we can comfort ourselves that while Rose is telling the story he is just along the corridor, getting drunk!
Quiet Infinity
· 9 March 2005
· Chapter 2: A Gathering of Friends
Oh, this is very good so far. I've enjoyed reading the first two chapters this evening. They weren't too long nor too short, and very entertaining. You've got everything to make this a great tale. I hope to see the next chapter soon!
Dreamflower
· 9 March 2005
· Chapter 2: A Gathering of Friends
The first part of this was so delightful--the gathering of everyone, all their friendss that are left in Middle-earth, the cheerful banter, and the children, such a warm cosy glow.
And then the angst and the h/c in the second part. I am very eager to see how you resolve this, and what measures were taken to bring Frodo back to health and happiness. You have kept everything except his leaving so faithfully in canon, too, which I appreciate.
By the way, if you are at all interested, my own happy AUs are archived here: Eucatastrophe, and Eucatastrophe II. I wrote them for the same reason you did--I had just had my fill of a miserable Frodo, and was ready to give him a little joy.
Looking forward eagerly to more of this.
Author's reply
Thanks you so much - I'm so relieved that you feel I've kept everything in canon.
I read your stories and love them - what an original idea!
shirebound
· 9 March 2005
· Chapter 2: A Gathering of Friends
This continues to be such a delight of a story! And it's almost as if you gave us the "happily ever after" at the beginning, so we could bear the story of Frodo's illness.
"It was impossible to be miserable in the presence of happy hobbits."
:D
Dreamflower
· 9 March 2005
· Chapter 1: A Journey and an Arrival
Goodness me! I *do* love a happy AU, and have dabbled in one myself. This one so far is just lovely, and I look forward to more of the same. I don't know why most AUs seem to be miserable, when a good one is so much more fun!!
Author's reply
Oh, I despaired of finding a happy AU and decided Frodo had had enough grief and misery for a while. :-))
shirebound
· 9 March 2005
· Chapter 1: A Journey and an Arrival
Ohhh, what a wonderfully light, happy, teasing, marvelous story! And now I'm just full of questions about Ring Day, and whether Aragorn ever set up a display containing Frodo and Sam's Orc-gear, and what Rosie would think if she saw it, and whether Aragorn and Frodo (and maybe Faramir) will have some quiet talks, and...
"Just because you're Frodo Baggins doesn't mean you're necessarily safe from the dreaded tea towel, you know!"
Love it!
Larner
· 8 March 2005
· Chapter 1: A Journey and an Arrival
It is pretty, light, and nicely fluffy so far. Love the frog in the pocket--they were a staple of my childhood, growing up surrounded by drainage ditches and ponds. And that Eowyn, as with my mother, did not find them distressing was hilarious.
Author's reply
Don't worry, it gets darker! I just wanted a story where Frodo was happy.
Yes, my mother was totally unfazed by the wildlife she found in my pockets.
Glad yours was the same.
Mysterious Jedi
· 8 March 2005
· Chapter 1: A Journey and an Arrival