Bitsay
· 2 October 2015
· Chapter 43: Author's notes
Thank you so much. This was delightful! I love the in depth explorations of the relationships between those who Frodo loved so dearly, and whom he left behind. That they were beloved by Frodo, and loved him often deeply in return, it makes sense that they would forge strong bonds with one another. I have been reading your works for over 18 months and decided, that as you have given me so much pleasure, I should let you know! There is something about Frodo that touches my heart deeply and I love your explorations of him.
Author's reply
I think that there is something about Frodo that touches most people of good will. Thank you so very much! I love hearing that others still read my older stories and continue to enjoy them so!
Szepilona10
· 16 January 2011
· Chapter 20: Morning Encounters
“I have a mind to see him married. I hope that the Lady Lothiriel has brought with her some strongminded maids.”
Aragorn is such a matchmaker! Do all the Northern Dunedain have that trait or is it just him and Halladan?(he's very enthusiastic about Alvric and Dendra? in "The Tenent") Every time I read that part I get Matchmaker stuck in my head! I agree with Aragorn though, Hardorn needs to get married! Who are the Dunedain women who came with them?
When was Gilthor in Dol Amroth? Around when Aragorn was born?
Anyway...don't ask me why I've started to read this story when I still have two exams to study for! I think I'm hoping that it will help me with my English exam...at least that's what I told my mom. :)
Off to read more!
~Szepilona~
Author's reply
Get you through your English exam? Hehehehehe! Hope you did well with it!
Will have to write Gilthor's visit to Dol Amroth one day. It's mentioned both here and in "The King's Commission," after all. And I think there's a good deal of the romantic in most good-meaning folk, don't you?
Thanks so for a nice laugh to start the week. Have been fighting the after-effects of the flu I entertained over Christmas, and it was getting me quite down, considering how awful I was feeling over the weekend. Hopefully I'll be quite done with the persistent cought it left me with soon!
Eluthaun
· 17 July 2010
· Chapter 43: Author's notes
I relish reading your stories very much. Wrapping myself in the layer upon layer of the characters that might stand present in the scene, because I really do love them. I find refuge and comfort in the humanity expressed. I willingly follow your story, being gently steered from the keen emotional heights, to a sensation of deeply rooted and grounded hobbit-sense.
In a perfect world I would like to own the printed copy of this.
My thanks, you have added to my life and pleasure.
Eluthaun
Author's reply
And I thank you, Eluthaun. Frodo could not have grown up in a vacuum; there had to have been many among his far-flung family ties, who cared deeply for him and who wished to better understand just why he left the Shire both when he left with the Ring and again when he left for good.
I wish I could have some of these formally printed, but the Tolkien Estate has decided otherwise. And I, too, love the Hobbits of the Shire dearly!
Thank you again, so very much!
Szepilona10
· 27 August 2008
· Chapter 43: Author's notes
I loved this story! I wish it never ended! I have now read almost all of your stories, so please update "The Tenent" soon!
God Bless!
~Szepilona10~
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked it, Szepilona. Am working on the next chapter of "Stirring Rings" at the moment, after which I'll return to "The Tenant" once more. I have much of that chapter worked out in my head, actually. Am fighting headaches that appear to be the legacy of the new medication they'd just put me on. Yesterday they took me off that one, and I'll be on a different one as of this evening. Hope it's not more of the same, for headache is listed as a possible side effect for both medications.
Szepilona10
· 25 August 2008
· Chapter 7: Brandybuck Lawyer
Was that Aragorn?
God Bless!
~Szepilona10~
Author's reply
No, not Aragorn. Think who is known to have worn brown. More is said of this encounter in "Second Mum." You are reading along pretty quickly, I see!
Szepilona10
· 24 August 2008
· Chapter 3: The Story Tellers
Who's Silver Sword? Halbarad? Great chapter!
God Bless!
~Szepilona10~
Author's reply
I've still not decided who Silver Sword was--I intend one day to do that, and to figure out a plausible reason one Ranger wore a sword that was not sheathed as was true of all others, including Aragorn.
And am so glad you enjoyed it!
Soledad
· 18 January 2008
· Chapter 18: Journey South
Oh, you've brought back Radagast! How delightful! He's such a misunderstood and unused character. I always thought he'd get along with Hobbits beautifully.
Author's reply
I agree--somehow Radagast and Hobbits seem to go together; and they would indeed get along famously. First the brief meeting in the Shire between him and Frodo, and now with the rest on the edges of Fangorn. Now that the Enemy's gone, he'd be active I'm certain in helping heal the lands.
Soledad
· 18 January 2008
· Chapter 7: Brandybuck Lawyer
Oh, very mysterious meeting! It's Radagast, isn't it? It certainly sounds very much like him. :)
Author's reply
The meeting is better explained in "Second Mum," and, yes, it's Radagast. Glad you appreciate his presence.
Antane
· 25 February 2006
· Chapter 15: Tales for Bairns
And that’s what I did, doing my best to hold his hope so he could have it again after.
That's my Sam!
Author's reply
Yes, that's our Sam, who was necessary to the success of the quest for the part he played.
That Frodo couldn't fully accept all his hope back until he left was a tragedy, but it was yet a triumph in the end, I think.
Antane
· 25 February 2006
· Chapter 14: Summer's Progress
They’ll have some idea of what true courage and dedication is...
Thank you, Sam! Though you deserve great credit too for the same.
Interesting in last chapter about Frodo leaving the note to Narcissa and her reaction to it.
Loved to see Fosco dance! He had a good teacher. :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
In many ways Frodo untouched by the Ring, I think Fosco is. He is worthy to be the Baggins now.
And Sam would want folks to begin appreciating. He's the keeper of the Red Book, charged with letting folks know what the world was like; and I think he'd want to let the Shire know that not only has Middle Earth lost some of the great Elves and the magic of their Rings, but the brightest soul he's aware of that the Shire ever produced.
Antane
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 12: Final Business
I find that--that being in the physical process of dying is rather distracting.
Oh, darling...
Author's reply
Certainly my husband expressed similar sentiments. At least we know Frodo was--somewhat premature?
Antane
· 23 February 2006
· Chapter 11: Settling Affairs
Oh, Frodo, how do I love thee, let me count the ways and add asking your lawyer to represent the wayward hobbits.
Author's reply
Frodo does a good job at picking those who will continue to represent him after he leaves Middle Earth. And Brendi is a worthy Hobbit.
Antane
· 23 February 2006
· Chapter 8: Spring Leads to Summer
Nice to hear him sing and his closeness to Sam and the twins.
Antane
· 23 February 2006
· Chapter 7: Brandybuck Lawyer
Very interesting chapter at the end there, meeting with the stranger and the foreshadowing of the torment of the Ring and the beauty of Sam's love. Love the idea of him working secretly too on the farms. I'm glad to be getting to know my beloved Iorhael better. Hannon le!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I discussed Frodo working on the farms of the Marish and Buckland in "The King's Commission" when Ruvemir is discussing the troubled teen years Frodo endured.
I've thought of the stranger as possibly Radagast, or perhaps another, lesser Maia who is sent to try to talk sense into Frodo at this point.
But the love Frodo will know surrounding him at the time of need will come from many sources as well as through Sam--his aunts and uncles and cousins, the other Travelers, Aragorn and Arwen, the Elves who have come to love and honor him, small Elanor, and more than he yet realizes.
So glad you liked it.
Antane
· 23 February 2006
· Chapter 5: Unrequited Love
Poor Frodo! And I could say poor Narcissa too!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, the two of them are both experiencing bad times and are having their happiness curtailed by the legacy of a Ring.
Antane
· 22 February 2006
· Chapter 4: Dudo
I love discovering all this backstory your other pieces have mentioned. What a love you have for Frodo, a gentlehobbit in the truest sense. Love idea of him dancing that dance with his father - what a shame it couldn't happen, but I can see it as clearly in my mind's eyes as if it happened. Love him as teller of tales and his friendship with Sam and Merry and Pippin, so loving and nurturing like they were of him. Well, that's it for tonight.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Frodo is one of the nurturers of the world, I think, which is part of why he ended up developing his primary friendships with those so much younger than himself. And he deserved to know that love and joy, helping give him a foundation for wanting to give of himself to see the Ring destroyed and to aid him in accepting the final healing offered him.
Antane
· 22 February 2006
· Chapter 2: First Summer in Bag End
This is going to be fun - lovely, innocent, carefree Frodo. Love the idea of him dancing as a child in his parent's hole. Cute! Love seeing Merry and Sam too.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Frodo's fairly innocent, but has finished with his rebellious stage and now has the chance to find full acceptance as he is. And we get to see him with Merry and Sam as they were at the time, and how it is a nearly grown tween would continue relationships with them when he does have relatives a lot closer to his age.
And I do think his dad and mum would have gotten him started dancing, myself.
Antane
· 22 February 2006
· Chapter 1: Seeing Love
So I've finally go around to starting this. What a wonderful dancer and lovely smile - and not even winded! Of course he was 30+ years younger. Seeing love indeed!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, young Frodo as I see him is a pretty gifted individual who has a lot to give in his life. And now he has at least two lasses who will do about anything to catch his attention.
Endaewen
· 18 February 2006
· Chapter 42: Grace Expressed
A beautiful ending to a beautiful story. I'm enjoying making my way through the archive of your stories here.
Endaewen
· 18 February 2006
· Chapter 21: Memorials
That was beautiful, the leaving of the gifts of remembrance.
Author's reply
There's always the desire to bridge the gap somehow--through flowers, stones, teddy bears, flickering candles, and in this case with birds for the one who flew away.
It never fails-the last chapter of your stories always bring me to tears, or nearly...even the Author's Notes. *hugs* I'm not eloquent and don't pretend to be, so all that I can say in words is this:
You have added a depth to these beloved characters that would make any writer of any book proud, I think. You yourself are reflected in part in the way they are portrayed here, especially Frodo. And through your stories, you've impacted me, very greatly, rousing in me a stronger desire to press on in writing and many other fields, even when it's hard and I can't seem to get anywhere. I won't forget the countless little lifts you've given me, consciously and unconsciously, and they always seem to come when I need them the most. Thank you for all this, and for such a wonderful story that so beautifully illustrates the meaning and depth of love.
God bless you always.
Galadriel
Author's reply
I am honored and humbled, my Lady. Thank you. It is heartening to know these stories are indeed adding to the happiness and heartening of others.
Oh, how wonderful to see Frodo dancing again! :) And how like him to get up a celebration with the children! :) Maybe by now he no longer looks the same, is mostly a being of light, but he's still our Frodo. And this hits the nail right on the head:
"... Now that was gone, yet he had the need yet for family; the need to give and receive love. And so it
was he made all he came to know his brothers and sisters, from his many cousins to the gardener’s lad, and eventually extended that love also to a wizard,
an Elf, a Dwarf, and two Men who traveled with him, two of his dearest cousins, and his gardener."
That is the escence of Frodo; not perfect or saintly as I've seen him portrayed (no one is), but full of love, taking delight in helping others simply for the joy it brings to all and for the sake of making things brighter in times of darkness.
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo is healed and waiting for Sam to join him so they can go on together. And no, he was no saint, but an individual placed by fate in an impossible situation to which he rose with singular grace. And now that he CAN dance again, he does so, unwittingly reflecting the dancing done before the OTHER white tree.
Am hoping to get the desktop fixed soon so I can get back to posting. This one is a pain to work with.
Queen Galadriel
· 6 February 2006
· Chapter 41: Spring in Angmar
Wow! Incredible...and immensely satisfying! I love seeing the people of a land arise to rid their own land, their own people of tyranny. That is, I can never be glad when it's necessary, even in stories, but when it is, there's an intrigue that I can't resist. :)
Author's reply
So very glad you approve.
Author Reply: So very glad you approve.
Queen Galadriel
· 6 February 2006
· Chapter 40: Signs of Love
LOL! Oh, Larner, Aragorns demand about how patches of pink got into that quilt reminds me so much of something my twelve-year-old brother would say that it made me laugh outright. Imagine that-being able to compare dignified, noble Aragorn to a young boy who shows neither of those qualities! LOL!
Oh, but that was so sweet of the hobbits and Arwen to do. Such a quilt would, I think, be valued more than all the kingdoms and riches in the world.
I do pity the Angmarians-to live in such misery, such fear...
(And as a side note from another review, never worry about confusing me with punctuation--I will never, ever turn that off again. I tried once, and it led to a most...interesting and uncomfortable misunderstanding between a friend and myself. It's funny now, but it surely wasn't then!)
Author's reply
Well, Aragorn was a twelve-year-old once, also, and would have been conscious of his dignity at the time as only such younglings are. Glad this got a laugh as well as aroused the feelings of love and satisfaction intended.
As for those of Angmar--well, you've finished the story by now and so know what happened. It's satisfying to see would-be tyrants bested.
Queen Galadriel
· 6 February 2006
· Chapter 36: Bound in Love
This grows ever more interesting, Larner. It's comforting somehow to know that most of the Angmarians were honourable men, and it's just sad that they were sent for the reason that they were. I find myself thinking of that lot from Umbar in "The Acceptable Sacrifice," and of one in particular whom I don't believe I'll ever forget, and wishing it could have been so for them. But I may need refreshing on that point-I was so horrified with that one that I didn't think very much about the others at the time.
That Sestor (*blush*...sorry again if spelling is wrong; I really should be a little less hasty) thought Samwise's true name was "Sam-dad" just struck me funny. I guess that was the only way he'd heard him addressed, but still...*chuckle*. Sam would have made a wonderful healer himself, and every time I read something such as this I find myself mentally adding that to Frodo's list--and my own: Conspirator, gardener, jester, healer, husband and father (of course!), friend, brother, even guardian-whatever he was needed to be.
And it's so wonderful to see Narcissa and Brendi happily wed by the king himself! I thought they'd come to it sooner or later, ever since Brendi allowed his anxiety over Narcissa's departure to show. :) But at the time I thought maybe I was being a little over-romantic.
And I'm so glad that Aragorn finally truly knows and understands the truth about Frodo and Sam and himself--or at least, he is beginning to understand. I hope he does discuss it with Sam.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Those from Angmar are quite different from those from Umbar, who for the most part wouldn't know decency or honor if it struck them over the head. But you will meet one such Umbari if you read "The King's Commission" and "Lesser Ring," one who eventually decides he wants to teach his people the King's honor.
For one who is not completely fluent in the Common Tongue as is true of Sestor (and you spelled it correctly), and particularly if, as I suspect, "Dad" is a common element only in the Westron of the Shire and its environs, the title bestowed on Sam as "Sam-Dad" (which along with Elanorelle is depicted being used by Elanor in the proposed epilogue Tolkien eventually decided not to include in the book) would be confusing. Do you have punctuation turned on? If not, I wonder if that last sentence will make any sense.
Narcissa found herself shedding her devotion to Frodo, although never forgetting her initial love for him; Brendi found himself taking another chance on love after the loss of his first wife. (What can I say--I'm more than a bit a hopeless romantic myself, I suspect.) And I think Frodo would be intensely relieved to find two he had cared for found joy in one another.
And at last Aragorn has proof that his idea of Frodo and Sam as his brothers isn't only a trick of his imagination. As for discussing the contents of his mother's diary with Sam--I STILL haven't decided on that issue.