nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 17: A Father's Work - Sam
some things need explained before you let little ones come help, he got a nice second chance with sammy and saved the day beautifully; but i must say i really really liked goldies impulses, her come back fishy could be a classic watercolor if someone had the talent.
Author's reply
Hamfast wouldn't have thought about needing to explain the Balance of Nature beforehand. After all, that wasn't how his own father had done it and neither he nor his siblings were traumatized by the experience. Neither had been Hamson or Halfred. Things were somewhat different with Sam, but he did save the day rather well - proof that he's grown quite comfortable into his role as single parent, whether he realizes it or not.
Goldie was just trying to help the fish. How was she to know that fish don't speak Hobbit? ;) Seems Gaffer should have had that talk with her beforehand too!
nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 16: A Father's Work - Hamson
i realize that the imphasise was on gaffer and hamson, but i like how you work the others feelings into the weave and make it so rich and textured.
Author's reply
This was a first parting for all of them, after Bell, and so emotions were rather higher than they would have been had Bell still been with them. They all had their own emotions to go through; it was important they all have their moment to say good-bye.
nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 15: A Father's Work - May
your comment on fickle muse says you have a hard time hurting your hobbits:
maybe true but you sure know how to make them all better.
Author's reply
Every day domestic hurts and sickness is one thing. Putting them through the reamer, and for no real reason, is quite another. I can do the first. It's the second I have trouble with - unless I can find a reason and make it as much as the first as possible. ;)
And making them all better is the best part. The 'hurt' part of my h/c is always over quite quickly, with the 'comfort' taking its sweet time. :D
nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 13: A Father's Work - Halfred
was so ingrossed in gigggling intao the tissue i missed the review button; its bedtime for me.
our little klutz, once again ggod idea, bad plan, and ow now my nose throbs too,
Author's reply
He's kind-hearted and never does *mean* to cause trouble. He's just one of those people; things just sort of happen to him. Glad this gave you a giggle. :D
nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 14: A Father's Work - Daisy
i like that you had her place and not win, too much is made of making everyone a winner. sometimes it seems that americans are heading to a point where everyone is going to need to take home a trophy so let's find a way to say competed but not dead last at the finish line. gaffer is wise teaching her that if it was her best effort then she should be happy that it was well recieved, and placed.
Author's reply
Give her a few more years, and Hamfast is right, she'll be better suited to compete. Not just in skill but, thankfully to the Gaffer, in attitude as well.
nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 12: My Little Miscreant
poor fred life is just one mishap after another and some of them have the best thought just not the best planning.
Author's reply
He is certainly accident-prone, but happy nonetheless, as he has such a loving family to care for him, despite the Gaffer's use of silence as punishment. Though it's probably best he's not one for planning mischief, as he finds it so well without even looking! ;)
nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
momma's know these things.
sweet and adorable. i like gaffer and hamson struggling to stay awake on the couch waiting to get to see the baby.
Author's reply
Bell would have thought the same of all her children, but if she feels it especially strongly for Sam, it is for good reason, as we know.
Hamson feels himself responsible for this bairn, as he had to stay with his mother while Hamfast fetched the healer. He would want to be awake to greet his new baby brother. :0)
nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 10: A Kingly Discussion
this far and already i have five to add to tommorws wish list you keep listing stories. and ill keep reading.
am tickled by some of the views expressed by this farmers and rustic folk about people they have no concept of. how strange we must seem sometimes if they were to walk in and hear us rant and rave over technology.
Author's reply
Hobbits wouldn't understand the need for technology in the slightest. They saw no point in Lotho "improving" the mills and they were right on that count. Their concept of Men is colored by the ruffians, but enough time has passed and they've heard enough stories and rumors about the Travelers' adventures to be curious about the men they met along the way. This was a great opportunity for some of those misconceptions to be clouded up even further! ;)
nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
the things we do for love, we really have no choice if we are going to protect some people, i have a frodo like person in my life and i hate the little ways i use to get info. but if all is good in the end i will call it a day.
Author's reply
Sam will do whatever he has to in order to keep his Master safe, including lie to him and spy on him. Frodo might open up to Sam about a lot of things, but he keeps just as much back. It must have been a relief to them both when Gandalf caught Sam under the window.
nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 8: A Mother's Work
i believe the film makers and writers of the world call it the joys of motherhood....nyself i wonder if it isn't a tst for sainthood?
Author's reply
There are plenty of joys to motherhood. Bell had to remind herself of that plenty this morning, which was anything but joyful. ;)
nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 6: Scavenger Hunt
i adore that you have these children look out for each other so well, to stay with younger siblings instead of going with the girl friends and gossiping and carrying on. resposible little gamgees all.
Author's reply
My Gamgees are a tightly knit family and they always do the hunt together. So much of their days are spent separated, as they go about their daily work. This is always a great way for them to spend a whole day together and have fun all the while.
nancylea57
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 7: To Learn His Letters
goody sams going to get to read.
Author's reply
Which Hamfast will have to admit is quite useful at times. ;)
nancylea57
· 4 December 2008
· Chapter 5: Nibbler
group pouts, thats classic. and don't you just hate when they start to kneal on your body and wrap those little claws around your heart, theres no going back from there.
Author's reply
The Gamgee children only use the group pout in emergencies, and this certainly constituted as one! I can just see the Gaffer showing the cat where to knead out all the knots and tender spots! ;) Nibbler certainly knew which family to adopt and how.
nancylea57
· 4 December 2008
· Chapter 3: My First Camp Out
hit the wrong button, oh well i's back
first cmping trip and no real mistakes, that has to be a record. but its hard when you know your friend is playing along to make you happy. and you know that if he'd just let go it would be fun. and too young for that hard stuff as they evidently already know.
Author's reply
I'm sure Tom and Robin enjoyed themselves plenty. This is something they will have to do over and again as they grow up with Sam, accommodating his queer notions but secretly enjoying themselves all the while. I imagine wanting to "travel" as a reason Robin later became a Shirriff - and all because of his childhood spent listening to Sam's stories and playing his games.
nancylea57
· 4 December 2008
· Chapter 4: Bell
i like your take on sams background i had never seen his fathers courting days and now i wish there was more.
Author's reply
There is next to no Hamfast/Bell stories out there, which is unfortunate. They're such a loving and affectionate couple, to have raised such wonderful children.
nancylea57
· 4 December 2008
· Chapter 2: Pork Chops and Apple Sauce
a birthday picnic supper, how hobbity and the song and games very very useful learning tools hidding there, but most important gaffer laughs with them. what a good gift.
Author's reply
Hobbits do know how to entertain themselves. And the Gaffer is as good-humored as any, for all his cragginess. He could have scolded them, but then just would have ended up laughing anyway. Better instead to join in the fun. ;)
nancylea57
· 4 December 2008
· Chapter 1: A Hectic Morning
single parenthood is tough and you begin in a convincing way. very gafferish if i may, love but strong love, and applied evenly as can be.
Author's reply
No matter what the circumstances, doing the job of two people is daunting. The Gaffer does the best he knows how, though most times he probably finds this highly inadequate. I imagine he wanted to pull his hairs out this morning!
nancylea57
· 4 December 2008
· Chapter 21: Bilbo's Blunder
such a thing for a batchelor to learn and with one as quiet and unassuming as sam. what a task listening, and as absentminded as most of us think of bilbo? wow the trust of gaffer.
Author's reply
I don't think of Bilbo as absent-minded. He does get lost in his writing, as we all do, but he's mindful enough of his responsibilities. However, he's simply not used to having a little one in the smial. It's understandable that he forgot about wee Sammy, who really should have had the decency to cry when he woke up like any other child would do. ;) Bilbo will be more mindful in the future of his charge, and the Gaffer's trust will not be misplaced again. :)
Thank you so much for reading, and for all your lovely reviews! That was quite a pleasant surprise to come to at the end of a long day. :D
RenaissanceGrrl
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 21: Bilbo's Blunder
Aww! Poor wee!Sam! This was sweet. =)
Author's reply
Yep, poor Sam doesn't get to sleep in late any more. :)
Thanks for the review! *hugs*
marta
· 22 November 2008
· Chapter 21: Bilbo's Blunder
Oh, this was a fun story! I love Bilbo, but it's good for him for things not to go smoothly every now and then. You captured him quite well, especially his relationship with the Gaffer. And Sam was so cute, his head bumping on the Gaffer's shoulder.
One quick question: were the biscuits meant as cookies or as American biscuits (think Pillsbury?) I don't have little kids so I don't know and want to be clear in my mind.
Author's reply
Thank you, Marta! Bilbo has always been a bit elusive to me, for some reason. But I do know what it's like watching a wee one, so I can more than understand Bilbo's desire to let Sammy keep on sleeping. He hasn't been around kids much, and while he would naturally do a fine job keeping them entertained, the other more homey details such as naptime would need to be learned. Thankfully, he has a patient teacher. :)
Ah, the biscuits are cookies, though American biscuits would probably be easier for kids to make than most of your cookies. It always confused me when I started reading fan fic, why hobbits seemed so fond of their biscuits, as naturally I was thinking of American biscuits. I finally found out that 'biscuits' actually meant 'cookies'. Then I was told that they don't even have an equivalent of American biscuits in Britain, which just seems wrong to me, lol.
Thanks for reading!
Antane
· 21 November 2008
· Chapter 21: Bilbo's Blunder
Sweet! Especially that Sam lad was found curled up on Frodo's bed, like he already knows where his heart is most comfortable.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you! Indeed, Sam was meant for his Frodo, and Frodo will find he has a new playmate the next time he comes to visit. :)
Larner
· 20 November 2008
· Chapter 21: Bilbo's Blunder
Ah, but we ARE learning! And it will stand him in good stead in a few years when it is Pippin who will be coming for visits! Heh!
Wonderful that Sam chose THAT bed to feel comfortable on. Nice foreshadowing there.
Author's reply
Bilbo wouldn't have had much exposure to younger children. Growing up he was an only child, and in adulthood he's a bachelor. And while he might have any number of guests over at any given time, the chidren's parents would be there to care for them! He does have a lot to learn, but he'll learn it quick enough - just in time for Pippin. ;)
And in my universe, Sam wouldn't have even met Frodo yet, though he will soon enough. Seems Sam knew even then where he should be. :)
Dreamflower
· 20 November 2008
· Chapter 21: Bilbo's Blunder
This was just adorable! I think you did Bilbo very well indeed!
I think that the situation you described, with Bilbo taking care of Sam at this point in time, seems very realistice. And while it would horrify Hamfast to think of it this way, I am sure it went some towards making "Mr. Bilbo" seem more like "family" to Sam than merely his father's employer. (And Bilbo would find that very gratifying.)
I also liked the touch that the bed wee Sam found to nap in was the one Frodo used.
Author's reply
Thank you, DF. I trust you when it comes to Bilbo, so I'll take your word for it!
The Gaffer's description of Sam being more "in than out" of Bag End, along with the fact that Bilbo taught him his letters, always gave me the impression that Sam must have spent a good deal of his childhood in Bag End. My solution as to why was always the passing of Bell and Sam's need to be near his father. This "temporary" solution will end up lasting for a quite a long time, but what Hamfast doesn't know now won't hurt him later. ;)
Seems Sam always knew where he was meant to be. ;)
shirebound
· 19 November 2008
· Chapter 21: Bilbo's Blunder
Such natural dialogue! Poor Bilbo feeling so guilty, and practical-and-loving Hamfast gently reintroducing to him concepts such as naptimes and how to care for a young lad. A very gentle and sweet little tale.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm sure Bilbo will get used to "losing" his wee charges! lol. They do move rather fast and as they're hobbits, they'll be even more quiet than human tots. Hamfast has much to teach him about taking care of little ones, as I don't think Bilbo would have much, if any, experience. He'll catch on quick. :D
Thanks for reading!
harrowcat
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 20: Sammy's Ouchie
Agh poor Sammie. And well done Mum!
he’s not quite over his little scar yet (? Did you mean scar or scare?)
Author's reply
Sammy might not be accident-prone like Halfred, but he's still a lad. And Bell is plenty used to such things by now, enough to keep the more common medicaments on hand! ;)
Ah! Another typo! Thanks for pointing it out! It's already fixed. :D