When Winter Fell by Lindelea
nancylea57 · 23 March 2014 · Chapter 0: Maunderings of a Mad Uncle
are you aware that chapter three seems to be missing?
Author's reply
Oh, my! Those silly chapter numbers... evidently they've been misnumbered for a long time, and you're the first to notice! You take the prize for sharpest eyes today. Thanks for the good catch! I'll put it on my list of fixes.
Larner · 19 March 2014 · Chapter 31: A Night to Remember
There are many who need to be remembered this day, it appears, many who were not from the Shire who yet touched the life and heart of Isen. I rejoice that Bungo has that special gentleness that allows him to empathize so with his brother-in-law and love in this way. Bless the four of them, the Bagginses and Tooks as they are, as they allow Isen to offer his memories back to the Sea from which they came.
Author's reply
Beautiful sentiment, yes, "offer his memories back to the Sea" rings true. Bungo may not have grown up in this tradition, but he has the heart to understand and honour it.
shirebound · 18 March 2014 · Chapter 31: A Night to Remember
What a compassionate, and very moving gift. Dear Isen, he's seen worlds and lived events that only he will ever truly understand. Somehow the wildness of the wind was stirring the Tookish part of his blood I love that line. :)
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm sure Bungo must have observed at least one Remembering Day at the Great Smials, perhaps more. He'd realise that the Tooks would not be likely to allow Isen to honour his lost crewmates... But a part of being able to move on from grief is to be allowed to grieve in the first place...
Larner · 8 March 2014 · Chapter 30: Golden Days
What a delightful interlude! Yes, this is the kind of upbringing I've envisioned for Frodo as well, being brought up to be kind and thoughtful and helpful, the quiet support for all who might need him, and I'm certain Bilbo helped him become that way! Isen is a wonderful individual!
Author's reply
I imagine that Bilbo did! I love Isen as he's pictured here -- I'm sure he was quite an influence on Bilbo, in more ways than one (and not just going off to have adventures...) Thanks!
shirebound · 8 March 2014 · Chapter 30: Golden Days
What an absolutely delightful tea. Isen is such a good friend for Bilbo. I love little details like, "...the Widow, being lonely for company, went on chattering, releasing all the pent-up words she’d been saving."
Author's reply
I love little details, too, which is why I love to read your stories, and so many of the others posted here on SoA... I'm so glad to have reading (and some writing) time again! Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to say hello.
Larner · 22 February 2014 · Chapter 29: To Give is Better than to Receive
And I definitely recognized Frodo's thoughts from FotR on Caradhras!
Author's reply
Good!
Larner · 22 February 2014 · Chapter 29: To Give is Better than to Receive
Hmm. The fact that Isen wears an eyepatch when he isn't blind in that eye, merely to hide the scar, indicates he has a greater appreciation for other people's opinions than he might think he, as a Took, would feel, and displays he is definitely Frodo's relative! Love the conspiracy between Bungo and Bilbo regarding the exercise squeeze ball! Yes, way to go, Bagginses!
Author's reply
Ah, conspiracies! They can really save the day! Very insightful comment, regarding the eye patch. Thanks!
shirebound · 22 February 2014 · Chapter 29: To Give is Better than to Receive
Such wonderful gifts! Bilbo's loving, teasing relationship with his parents and uncle are a joy to experience.
Author's reply
A little love goes a long way. It is a joy to write Isen's healing... Thanks!
Dreamflower · 22 February 2014 · Chapter 29: To Give is Better than to Receive
Bilbo's so thoughtful, and so is his father!
Author's reply
Gotta love those Bagginses... at least, that particular branch of the family. I left off a note of thanks in the chapter, that I meant to include. It's there now, and reads: Thank you to Dreamflower for supplying the quote, when I could not find a single copy of the three sets of LOTR we own... Just wanted to let you know, since you'd already read the chapter and therefore might not see the note. Have to give credit where it's due!
Larner · 12 February 2014 · Chapter 28: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Definitely a dreary time in both weather and activities. Poor child!
Author's reply
Horribly dreary time, and what's worse, all the rain means that the winter crops can't get planted. The soil's too wet! Grandfa is grim and the farmers are grimmer... Thanks!
Dreamflower · 10 February 2014 · Chapter 28: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Weather can be much of a sameness, sometimes--whether rain--or snow--or even heat! But when it's pleasant we pay no attention. Only when it keeps being unpleasant. It's cold again here, and more snow in the forecast, though possibly it will be pleasant by the weekend!
Author's reply
Very true! Rain is pounding here, and lots of rain forecast every day in the foreseeable future, but somehow it's not so bad. It's a great improvement over ice and snow! I'll be glad when the last of the wintry mix melts and the sidewalks are merely wet, and not treacherous and tiring to walk upon.
Dreamflower · 9 February 2014 · Chapter 27: Of a Birthday Breakfast
What a wonderful birthday for young Bilbo! I just loved it--especially Uncle Isen's gift! So wonderful to see this story updated!
Author's reply
Thank you! Isen's gift was actually a direct result of Miss Dora Baggins' etiquette advice, so it worked out beautifully. Was the pipe a Tolkienism, by chance, or was it fanon? Unfortunately I cannot find a single scrap of Tolkien here in the house. Oh, all right, I can find The Hobbit and the Sil, but nothing else, not my Letters, nor Peoples of Middle Earth, and I'm especially bereft not to be able to find any of the THREE copies of LOTR that we have. *sigh*
Larner · 9 February 2014 · Chapter 27: Of a Birthday Breakfast
Another tale updated that we've been waiting for! Lovely, lovely! And what appropriate gifts he's received! Am looking at the snow that has been accumulating on my doorstep since I got home at nine, and the pups have already left their doggy trails in it. Makes me glad to not be in the Shire during that Long Winter, although once again, in spite of heat tape, the pipes from the pressure tank have once again frozen. It is getting too much to constantly face such hazards! Gonna build an insulated room around the pressure tank when the weather is better--gotta be done! Love to the hubby, animals, and young ones!
Author's reply
We made maple syrup candy this evening, boiling the syrup and pouring it over clean snow. Sticky but good. We were going to make snow ice cream, but I think the candy maxed out our sweet tooths (teeth?). Sorry to hear about the frozen pipes! Our garage door is frozen shut, and someone left the light on when going to fetch the snow shovel, early in the storm, and no way to get inside to turn off the light. *sigh* Thanks for the good words. Glad to hear you got home safely ahead of the storm.
shirebound · 8 February 2014 · Chapter 26: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
What an interesting, and thoughtful view of Gandalf. I wonder if wizards *do* fall ill?
Author's reply
I wonder, too! (What an interesting speculation... I imagine he would not be the most patient of patients...)
shirebound · 8 February 2014 · Chapter 27: Of a Birthday Breakfast
lifting the carven wonder carefully in his hand Such a joyous, wonderful Birthday! Your descriptions of everything -- food and love and gifts -- made me feel as if I was there with them.
Author's reply
It was a lot of fun to imagine and write out, as well. Been ripening long enough, whew. Finally got the inspiration to continue this story because of the amazing snowstorm that has blanketed our area and brought everything to a stop for the past three days. Now ice is falling, so we'll be stuck inside again tomorrow. It is amazing to look out on the winter wonderland. It hardly ever snows here. (It was a treat to be "stuck" at home today. Actually didn't feel guilty, sitting down and writing out a chapter or two, and reading a bit as well. What fun!) Thanks!
Larner · 29 March 2010 · Chapter 26: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Ah, perfect! Poor Gandalf, somewhere out in the wilds, and blessed Fortinbras, worrying about him. And thanks to our Dreamflower, figuring out the proper name for the equinox! Well done!
Author's reply
Yes, Dreamflower is a treasure! Thanks!
Dreamflower · 23 March 2010 · Chapter 26: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
You can really feel how young Fortinbras is in this entry, and yet you can also see his compassion, as he worries about Gandalf out in the pouring rain. I too, wonder, did Gandalf ever fall ill? After all, one of the conditions under which the five Maia became the Istari is that their physical forms would be subject to all the physical infirmities of their appearance, with the exception of getting older (than they were to begin with), and clearly as we learned with Gandalf, they could even die. Yet we don't see any indication that Gandalf was ever sick or ill... And thanks for asking me that question! It was a fun thing to speculate on, and now I have a name for it as well!
Author's reply
Now there's a bunny! Gandalf's first-ever cold... (Why do I have visions of hobbits tucking him up, with flannel-wrapped hot bricks for his feet and a mustard plaster for his chest?) Perhaps that's the nature of the pity that excited his interest in hobbits, as it says somewhere, I forget where, during the Long Winter. LOL!
Larner · 6 March 2010 · Chapter 25: Ruminations on a Bitter Morning
I agree--love seeing the nod to Dreamflower's Miss Dora! And how wonderful to see Bilbo grown here to the best of being a Baggins--accepting this sacrifice out of not only Good Manners but out of true love and charity for Insengard! Wonderful!
Author's reply
Yes, I think Bilbo is growing nicely into the kindness and pity that later becomes a Baggins byword. Thanks! Hope this finds you feeling better.
Dreamflower · 4 March 2010 · Chapter 25: Ruminations on a Bitter Morning
How wonderful to see another chapter of this! I love the description of the frosty morning-- so exquisite! And Bilbo's determination to weather his disappointment is a wonderful precursor to the generous and thoughtful hobbit he will become. (And Miss Dora thanks you for your nod to her collection of Advice! At that point in time, she was still very young and not in a position to be of Much Service to her older cousin...though I myself am sure that if he'd asked her, young as she was, she would most certainly have given her opinion!)
Author's reply
Miss Dora is most welcome. "weather his disappointment" -- such a lovely and appropriate turn of phrase, considering the driving force behind this story. Thank you again for your help!
Dreamflower · 25 February 2009 · Chapter 24: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
What a delight to see Fortinbras' Tookishness! He's longing for Adventure! But he may find a different adventure on his own doorstep.
Author's reply
"on his own doorstep" yes! And now I wonder, if he hadn't been in direct line to be Thain (and possibly an only son?), if he would've run off to Sea... Thanks!
Larner · 25 February 2009 · Chapter 24: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Ah, the curiosity of the Tooks--so easily roused, so hard to contain once it is.... And this wonder will be passed down to Hildifons and Isengar, and one of those will never return from the places where his curiosity takes him, while the other will ever be marked.... Wonderful, Lindelea!
Author's reply
Thank you! Ah, yes, it was only natural, I think, considering Bilbo's words to Gandalf at the beginning of The Hobbit. What stories Gandalf must have told, while taking tea with the Thain and his family...!
Larner · 23 February 2009 · Chapter 23: Tickling the Fancy
Ah! A wonderful chapter added! Yes, squeezing a ball can help marvelously! Good for the healer. Too bad no puppy, though....
Author's reply
*sigh* The wee hobbits are doing their best to convince me that we need another Giant Schnoz puppy to keep Zoe company. Thus far I have resisted.
Dreamflower · 23 February 2009 · Chapter 23: Tickling the Fancy
Aw...such a shame about the pup! But Bungo was wise: a working dog needs work. I'm intrigued by the old healer's words--and especially by the discrepency about the pony... Belladonna may have a mystery to solve. And I love Bungo's quiet determination.
Author's reply
Yes, too true, a sheepdog needs sheep to be truly happy. Hmmm, I wonder if the truth about the pony will ever come out...? (This incident was based on a true story of two friends who were out wandering the fields and came upon a field of horses. One of the friends had taken riding lessons and boasted to the other... one of the horses was friendly and allowed itself to be caught and mounted bareback, no bridle, from the fence... and the rest is history) Ah, Bungo is a jewel among hobbits. Bilbo inherited that determination, I think!
Silmerina · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 22: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
This is such a lovely story of Bilbo's younger days. I'm quite enjoying reading about Fortinbras time too. Can I pursuade you to finish it? I quite want to know how things turn out with Isen. Thanks! :D ~Silmerina
Author's reply
Thank you. There's half a chapter finished at the moment, and I keep hoping for more. I appreciate the encouragement--perhaps it'll jog the story from its resting place and onward once more.
Bodkin · 26 July 2007 · Chapter 22: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Tea with a wizard! The advantages of being immediate family!
Author's reply
Yikes, Bodkin, heartiest of apologies for not answering this very old review! How could I have missed it?