shirebound
· 1 February 2026
· Chapter 37: Seeing the Old Year Out
What a beautifully-written blend of lighthearted celebration and deep thoughts. And feasting and traditions and family interactions!
I'm greatly enjoying Bilbo's observations and ponderings. It brings us much closer to understanding him.
Happy February, my friend!
Author's reply
It has been rather fun to write mostly-fluff with just a little bit of disquietude. (Is that last word actually a word?)
Happy February back at you, dear friend! Can you believe it's time to change the calendar already? I'm only halfway through January. At least, it feels that way.
Thanks!
shirebound
· 11 January 2026
· Chapter 36: Growing Up
You give such a wonderful description of this marriage, and especially what a wise and good father Bungo was. How terribly Bilbo must have missed his parents when they passed on.
Author's reply
I was shocked to find out how young they were (and how relatively young Bilbo was) when they died! (It was also a surprise to discover that Uncle Isen would still have been alive when Bilbo returned from his adventure... Just imagine the conversations he might have had with his uncle afterwards...)
Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts! I do appreciate it.
shirebound
· 4 January 2026
· Chapter 3: From the journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
the intricasies ideosincrasies workings of grammar.
LOL!
Author's reply
It can be so frustrating to be able to use long words in speaking yet not be confident of spelling them correctly... but young Fortinbras is figuring out how to work around what he wants to say but cannot quite spell. LOL, indeed!
Mirkwoodmaiden
· 18 December 2025
· Chapter 1: From the journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Lin!
LOL!!! A snarky young Bilbo!!! I can see it now!!!
(((Hugs)))
MM
Author's reply
Bilbo seems quite articulate in The Hobbit, even when he's rather at a loss for words! Perhaps he inherited his talent for finding the right words from his great-great-grandfather Fortinbras?
Thanks!
Author Reply: p.s. and (((Hugs))) !
I'm off to read your birthday mathom now!
Author Reply: Oops, I just realised that the chapter title got left off this chapter, leading to understandable confusion! So I've fixed it.
Thanks! I wouldn't have noticed the issue if it hadn't been for your review.
(((hugs)))
Mirkwoodmaiden
· 18 December 2025
· Chapter 0: Maunderings of a Mad Uncle
Lin!
About the explanation, this is one of the things that I love about your writing. You make wonderful stories but they are also always find a niche in the Professor's world. You make sure that it does fit into the world. It is what I think fan fiction is all about. We are playing in Tolkien's world.
As for the prologue, wonderful as always. You paint such a vivid picture of the world of Hobbits. I love the passage about how Tooks generally do not find themselves in libraries except when it is raining and that would be the children playing on the ladders! LOL!
Must dash!
(((hugs)))
MM
Author's reply
MM!
I'm glad the explanation makes sense and suits the purpose behind posting it. I try really hard to write "true to cannon", and I also hate having to do any extensive revising. (I'd much rather be moving ahead than looking behind. Good thing I'm not Gandalf, or Bilbo and the Dwarves might have become the Trolls' supper!)
Yes, I think you're exactly right – we are playing in Tolkien's world, and long may playtime continue! I once heard someone describe fanfic as "playing in Tolkien's sandbox". It really feels that way sometimes! Even when I'm writing something angsty, because I am always writing towards a good outcome, I find respite from real-world problems in the process. That said, I seem to be incapable of writing a story with a sad ending; bittersweet is about as far as I can go in that direction. Contemplating a story that leaves me sad paralyzes me, and I can't write anything at all for several days. Thus, I've put my "Marcho and Blanco" story on hold until I can figure out just how to end it on a high note. It's my own fault, too, because Tolkien doesn't say what happened to the brothers. The notations made 20-some years ago on my timeline of Shire people and events, as to their birth and death dates, must have been my own invention after seeing how their founding of the Shire fit into surrounding events in the Tale of Years.
(Deep, dark secret: I was once a small child playing with my brother on the rolling ladder of a floor-to-ceiling library in someone's "great house" on a rainy day. The novelty and downright fun was well-worth the scolding we got afterwards.)
Thank you so much for reading and for taking the time to share your thoughts! I come away feeling encouraged and energized. (And believe me, any energy that comes my way these days is very welcome!)
(((hugs)))
Lin
shirebound
· 16 December 2025
· Chapter 35: Homecoming
(For clothes that have been folded in trunks must be hung up to air for a day, to be fresh and unwrinkled before they are suitable to be donned by gentlehobbits, as everyone probably knows.)
That's a delightful detail. :)
Author's reply
Hobbits are such delightful folk overall! (Yes, I get that they can be provincial and narrow-minded and rather frustrating at times... we all have our good and bad days...)
Thanks for reading and pausing to share your thoughts!
Erulissé
· 16 December 2025
· Chapter 35: Homecoming
Yay! An update!!! I can't quite decide on a favorite story, but I could almost say this is my favorite! (Don't tell Ferdi! I said almost) I've been eagerly awaiting this update, to find out what happens to Isen at last! Thank you!
Author's reply
I'm so glad! (And I promise not to tell Ferdi if he happens to drop by for a mug and a chat. Of course, he's the type to leave the room when people start talking about his exploits, so maybe he won't even notice.)
For some reason, it has been easier to edit the draft chapters of this story into final form now that winter weather is hitting the Northern hemisphere in the real world. (Of course, finding a solution to the timeline mismatch has helped immensely!)
p.s. You're very welcome! Thanks for reading and taking the time to send me some encouraging words.
Erulissé
· 29 July 2025
· Chapter 4: From the journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
"But I am not short-sighted at all! Not even for all my reading, though you say I shall ruin my eyes."
This line made me crack up again! And the one about it being too hot for grandsons. The innocence and blissful ignorance of youth.
Author's reply
Ah yes, along with the often-seen literal-mindedness that can be so humorous from an adult perspective...
"Innocence and blissful ignorance" is a good way to describe Fortinbras at this point in his journey.
Thanks!
Erulissé
· 29 July 2025
· Chapter 2: From the Frying Pan into the Fire
"I shall personally see Bilbo to our quarters, provide him with pen and ink, and watch over him, blotter in hand, until he has finished today's entry.' Behind his hand, he whispered, and I'll make sure your spelling is satisfactory into the bargain. Bilbo gave a sigh of relief."
This moment made me love Bungo. Everyone should have a Dad like this. It gave me all the warm feels!
Author's reply
I see this review posted twice – it happens sometimes, both in reviews and review replies. In any event, I'm grateful to have had the chance to hear your thoughts. Reviews can be quite encouraging, I've found!
Erulissé
· 29 July 2025
· Chapter 2: From the Frying Pan into the Fire
"I shall personally see Bilbo to our quarters, provide him with pen and ink, and watch over him, blotter in hand, until he has finished today's entry.' Behind his hand, he whispered, and I'll make sure your spelling is satisfactory into the bargain. Bilbo gave a sigh of relief."
This moment made me love Bungo. Everyone should have a Dad like this. It gave me all the warm feels!
Author's reply
I'm so glad!
(Thanks!)
Erulissé
· 29 July 2025
· Chapter 1: From the journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
"This is the dullest, most tiresome pasttime that was ever invented. Yes, Grandfa, I know you will be reading this!"
This made me crack up so hard!!! I did practically the exact same thing when I was the equivalent of this age when I was forced to, you guessed it! Keep a journal.
Author's reply
Horrors! Forced to keep a journal!
LOL, then this story hits home for you, and I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Thanks!
Erulissé
· 29 July 2025
· Chapter 0: Maunderings of a Mad Uncle
"H-how did you know?' Bilbo stammered, forgetting that he was talking to a mad hobbit, for Isengar was making a wonderful amount of sense with his shrewd guesses."
I love this line, it seems to me the first moment, truly just a split second of a moment, where Bilbo (and the reader) has an inkling that Isengar isn't 'crazy'. Poor Isen truly reminds me of an old seafaring Captain, not a Hobbit who is still relatively 'young' (not old). I absolutely love this scene because he seems truly like a normal uncle who's enjoying a chance to rib his nephew for a bit, but also provide some quality entertainment and ideas.
Author's reply
You probably told me you'd left reviews on this story, but I just discovered them the other day, and so now that I'm back at the laptop, I'm enjoying the chance to hear your thoughts.
You're right in noting that Uncle Isen is not as old as Bilbo perceives him to be! Why, at this point in his life, Isen is not yet 50 years old – thus, still somewhat younger than Bilbo was at the beginning of The Hobbit!
But then, elementary-aged children tend to see newly minted teachers (in their 20s?) as ancient, while teens may think of anyone over the age of 30 as "old"... And so it makes sense that in this story, from Bilbo's perspective, Isen seems old, at least early on, before his healing at the hands of Bungo and Belladonna begins to have an effect.
The way the timing works out in how I've set up his story, Isen would have been a fairly young tween when he ran away to Sea (as in "said to have gone to Sea in his youth"). Thus, he missed some valuable developmental experiences that he would have had as a tween in the Shire. Hopefully some of Isen's tweenishness when he's with Bilbo (a little later from this point in the story) is understandable – Bilbo and his parents, with their understanding and acceptance, allow Isen to fill in some gaps, bringing him additional mental and emotional healing along with the more visible physical healing that also takes place.
(Thanks for listening!)
Larner
· 7 March 2015
· Chapter 34: A Dusting of Snow
I am glad they are involving Isen in the discussion. And they will undoubtedly make it to the Great Smials safely, although the way home might prove blocked.
Author's reply
Isen is growing stronger... All he has to do is to hold his tongue sufficiently at the Yuletide celebration. Easier said than done.
Thanks!
shirebound
· 5 March 2015
· Chapter 34: A Dusting of Snow
I get a few of those 'weather aches' myself! I know Bilbo will enjoy traveling in the snow.
Author's reply
Ah, weather aches! Do you suppose they might be more accurate than meteorologists? (I had a good friend who was a meteorologist. Fascinating field of study. My favorite part of a newscast is always the weather, fancy that!)
Bilbo's young enough to enjoy travel in snow... I wonder what he thought about it in later years?
Thanks!
Dreamflower
· 5 March 2015
· Chapter 34: A Dusting of Snow
Such a light dusting of snow--just a harbinger, I suppose.
I love the bit at the end! "Cheep cheep"! :)
Author's reply
Ah, yes, there may well be heavier snows in their future. I'd say the chances are good. :)
Thanks!
Larner
· 15 April 2014
· Chapter 33: Yuletide Journey
Quite the roundabout route to Tuckborough, I must say. And the Hobbits must have been in great delight with so much good food to enjoy along the way!
Author's reply
Definitely the scenic route! And our long car trips can resemble that journey somewhat, at least in the amount of snacks the tweens pack for their comfort... but then you can never quite fill up a tween. I'd love to be so organized as Bella and pack hampers of real food. (Though they wouldn't fit in our little car, not with all the baggage one must take, to a tournament or on a camping trip, and when the pup arrives, that'll be one more body and bag of supplies to contend with!)
shirebound
· 14 April 2014
· Chapter 33: Yuletide Journey
Bilbo liked to look into the windows of the buildings they passed, almost like illustrations from a book, little slices of life.
His true nature is revealed here, as a reader, writer, poet, and observer of life. I like this little detail very much.
And now I'm *quite* hungry for my own breakfast!
Author's reply
I hadn't thought of that! Lovely insight, thanks.
I know, coffee is not enough of a breakfast.
Dreamflower
· 14 April 2014
· Chapter 33: Yuletide Journey
I love this little chapter of cozy family travel! Such a nice road trip so far; of course, Bilbo's an "only" so there'd be no sibling squabbles over sitting by the window!
Author's reply
LOL! I hadn't even thought of the squabbles to sit by the window! How funny!
Thanks!
Everlight
· 29 March 2014
· Chapter 32: Yule Preparations
This story is gem! I love this look at Bilbo's childhood and family. Can defiantly see where his courage, kindness, and generosity come from.
Isen seems to be getting a lot better now that he has found a place where he is loved and accepted, probably a bit like it must have been on the Gull for him I imagine. In a way he reminds me of what Pippin might have become had he not had Merry and a place at Crickhollow. Sad some of the things that happen in life.
Author's reply
Thank you! It has been fun to imagine.
Oh, dear, seeing Pippin in that light is chilling! That blithe, bright spirit...
demeter d
· 28 March 2014
· Chapter 32: Yule Preparations
And here all along we thought that Bilbo's Tookish side was the brave, adventurous side. Here Bungo is showing wit, courage and wisdom to rival any Took. And the older Took brother is portrayed as being the one who wants to stay in his "Comfort Zone" of propriety and acceptable appearance. Bilbo was a very fortunate Hobbit. He inherited strengths from both parents!
demeter d
· 28 March 2014
· Chapter 32: Yule Preparations
And here all along we thought that Bilbo's Tookish side was the brave, adventurous side. Here Bungo is showing wit, courage and wisdom to rival any Took. And the older Took brother is portrayed as being the one who wants to stay in his "Comfort Zone" of propriety and acceptable appearance. Bilbo was a very fortunate Hobbit. He inherited strengths from both parents!
Author's reply
You're right! I don't see Bilbo as "only" a Took, though his Tookish side gets him into a real wide-travelling adventure! Bungo has his own kind of courage, the kind that allows someone to stand up to bullies and live life with integrity. I see a great deal of Bilbo's world-saving pity as coming from Bungo.
shirebound
· 28 March 2014
· Chapter 32: Yule Preparations
Bungo is so perceptive, and speaks from an honesty that comes of true love. This was a most interesting conversation.
Author's reply
Thank you! I find family dynamics fascinating. Bungo, as an in-law, might have a clearer perspective than those who grew up in the family, at least in some areas.
Dreamflower
· 28 March 2014
· Chapter 32: Yule Preparations
You have such an interesting take on Isengrim! I'd never thought of him as particularly keen on appearances over heart. But I love your wise and kind Bungo, and his ability to see the Tooks clearly.
I hope that Isengar is able to take up Bungo's challenge and succeed. But this winter is going to be rough on all of them.
Dreamflower
· 28 March 2014
· Chapter 32: Yule Preparations
You have such an interesting take on Isengrim! I'd never thought of him as particularly keen on appearances over heart. But I love your wise and kind Bungo, and his ability to see the Tooks clearly.
I hope that Isengar is able to take up Bungo's challenge and succeed. But this winter is going to be rough on all of them.
Author's reply
Y'know, I read somewhere that "grim" meant "warrior" in JRRT's language background material, so I built up this image in my mind of a somewhat no-nonsense fellow, with a lot of responsibility as "eldest" on his shoulders, and yet, with his father's strong personality, somewhat held-under (and having his own ideas about how to do things right, but not having as much scope for practicing his ideas as he might have liked).
Poor fellow died without issue, and the Thainship went to the next brother. Do you suppose he ever married, or not?
Family dynamics are fascinating!
Larner
· 28 March 2014
· Chapter 32: Yule Preparations
Ah, bless Bungo for his wonderful foresight and ability to appreciate how others think! And love the toast--with toast!
Author's reply
The "toast" came from a real-life incident where grownups were toasting with orange juice of all things (it was a happy announcement that came at breakfast -- which really ought to be against some law or other) and the children, having already drunk up all their OJ, toasted with... toast, logically enough. LOL!
Thanks!