demeter d
· 7 September 2007
· Chapter 12: My Little Miscreant
Hmmm. I wonder, if Lotho had had a Mother more like Bell than the one he had, might the time of The Troubles have turned out differently? Interesting to wonder. As it was, Bell's son became loving, loyal and strong. Had to come from somewhere!
Author's reply
I think the Shire would have been much better off had Lotho had loving and caring parents as opposed to Lobelia and Otho. Certainly, he might have been much better prepared (and willing) to resist the promises of Saruman. Though that doesn't negate that someone else would have stepped forward to take Lotho's place if that had happened. We'll never know, will we?
Sam is every bit his mother's son. He may have only had a few years with her, but he soaked up all the love and care she had to offer.
Thanks for reading!
Queen Galadriel
· 28 August 2007
· Chapter 12: My Little Miscreant
Thank you so much, GF! *smiles* Poor Fred, always in trouble. Haha! That’s really very hard of Hamfast not to speak to him, but characteristic, I guess. I’m glad Bell has so much sympathy for him.
I also love your little Sam, so cute!
I’m fascinated by your portrayal of Lotho; I really wonder what he’d have turned out to be if not for being spoiled too much and having no one to stop that mean streak we all have in us from thriving and growing until it was bigger than he was. He might have been all right. But I’m glad to see him behaving like a true lad here, so obviously lonely, poor thing.
This was lovely! :D
Author's reply
You're welcome, Queeny! I'm glad you enjoyed your present! :D
Fred does have a way of biting off more than he can chew - must be that insatiable appetite of his! The hardest punishments would be when his father didn't talk to him, that would have just cut right through him. But it would have been difficult for Hamfast as well; he would have to keep reminding himself that it's for Halfred's own good to be strict in order to keep himself from giving in too soon. Bell accepts all her children as they come and she would trust to time and life experience to tame Halfred when he got older.
Wee!Sammy is a darling, isn't he! ;)
I'm one of those rare, hard-to-find, Lotho Sympathizers. I don't make excuses for him, but I do try to see past the power-hungry Chief to the "poor" (in Tolkien's and Frodo's word), and really, naive hobbit hidden beneath that hard exterior. His mean streak is there and already being fostered, but there is that humane side too. He does empathize with people, but he's also bitter for being treated the same way as his parents, when no one really bothers to get to know him. He is being rather kind to let Halfred off the hook, but I think he also just wants to get rid of the lad! He had counted on Fred running away as soon as he was caught! Imagine his surprise when that didn't happen. ;)
Baggins Babe
· 27 August 2007
· Chapter 12: My Little Miscreant
Your Bell is just as I imagine her - practical, wise, loving and patient. I wonder what she would have made of her little Sammie becoming Mayor? Poor Halfred - he does seem to have a nose for trouble!
Interesting to wonder what Lotho might have turned into if he'd been shown some proper maternallove and not just been spoiled.
Author's reply
She had no choice but to be patient! If she wasn't patient before she had children, she certainly learned the art quickly enough. Mayor Samwise would have made her proud and exceeded even her wildest imagings. She would have happily bragged about her son coming up in the world to such a respectable position. After all, she gave him a name to keep *him* humble, not herself. ;D
Halfred does seem to stumble over trouble more often than not. But at least he means well. :)
I tend to have a more forgiving view of Lotho than most people. He's not a bully, per se, just misunderstood and shunned in general because of his parents. Bell's right that he shouldn't be treated in such a manner, but that unfortunately won't be changing. It's just one of the many things that will ultimately lead him to become "Chief Shirriff" one day and betray his own kind.
Grey Wonderer
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 12: My Little Miscreant
There's at least one in every family! I loved this. Oh, and this line:
(((((He’s a special one, my Sam, and I can’t wait to see what he’s going to become once he’s grown up.)))))
Just so interesting to wonder what she would have made of Mayor Samwise.
Author's reply
There is at least one. My family had two! I had to be the good kid to make up for my brother and sister. :|
Bell always knew her Sam was meant for bigger and grander things than she could possibly imagine. She would have been very proud of Mayor Samwise and would have started all her sentences about him 'My son the Mayor'. :D
Larner
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 12: My Little Miscreant
Lotho obviously isn't accustomed to being treated kindly. I find myself wondering why he wouldn't pull his hands out of his pockets, though. That appears rather odd.
And Halfred does sound a handful! Heh!
Author's reply
Oh, I'm sure Lobelia spoils him plenty, but that's not the same as loving and caring for him. As for his hands being in his pockets, that was just a protective stance, an attempt to mask his awkwardness and uncertainity. He wouldn't have known what to make of Halfred. Most lads or lasses caught in the S.-B.'s garden would run for shelter. Halfred just sort of froze and then started panicking. Lotho was just glad to get rid of him!
That Halfred does keep things interesting! Maybe sometimes a little *too* interesting. ;)
elanor winterflowers
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 12: My Little Miscreant
Poor lady! She does have her hands full!
A warm, rich voice that lets you know what a good person Bell was, and what kind of example she set for her family. No wonder Sam was such a trooper and so empathetic. I loved poor Fred, especially when his dad wasn't speaking to him--I can just see the Gaffer blowing gaskets on a regular basis! My brother was like that--everything he touched turned to trouble, poor guy.
Lovely story! I know the birthday girl will love it!
Author's reply
Bell certainly is kept hopping with all those children to tend too. But a little bit of excitement from time to time never hurt anyone. ;)
Sam does inherit quite a lot of his mother's nature and he absorbs all her goodness and kindness while he can. He might not remember her very much, but the imprint she had on his earliest years will be there with him forever.
Fred is a joy and nuisance. Sam gets a good bit of stubbornness from his second eldest brother, also. ;) Of all the punishments Halfred had to endure, Hamfast not talking to him would be the worst. At least his mother knows he means well.
Thank you for reading!
Pearl Took
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 12: My Little Miscreant
Wonderful, GamgeeFest! An interesting look at the Gamgees and even more so at Lotho.
Very well done!
Author's reply
Thank you Pearl! It's always nice to visit the Gamgees. They're such a loving bunch, even if one of them gets a bit rambunctious from time to time. :)
Lotho hasn't quite become the sourpuss who will be ruling the Shire one day. He's still got some potential to turn out all right, but as we know, that won't be fostered with parents like the S.-B.'s.
Glad you enjoyed the story!
Julchen11
· 11 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
I love this story, it's so sweet and amazing. It touched me so much I can't tell you.
“He’s going to be special, Ham,” Bell said in hushed whisper. “He’s going to be important to a lot of folk. He's a gift to the world.”
Perfect, simply perfect!
Thank you, sweetie, for this wonderful treat.
Author's reply
You're most welcome, Julchen! Bell understands how important her son will be, and she's fully prepared to rear him towards that end. She may only have a few years to do that, but she'll use them to her full advantage.
Thank you for reading!
Bodkin
· 11 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
Ahh! Sweet little Sam. Keen to arrive in the world in time to enjoy the spring. But not making too much fuss about it!
Author's reply
The gardener in Sam just couldn't wait, but he didn't want to inconvenience anyone (especially his mother!) too much by his early arrival. Of course, he had another reason to be born that day, but I'm sure the Spring had much to do with it also. It would have been half over had he waited! ;) Thanks for reading!
lbilover
· 10 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
Bell really knew, didn't she? This was a lovely story, gently humorous and warm. Thank you!
Author's reply
Bell was blessed with a bit of Prophecy here and she acted accordingly. She's a wise hobbitess indeed, and the perfect mother for our Sam. Thank you for reading, Lbilover!
PS - your Golfing Fever-inspired chapter of Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Hobbits has spawned a little subplot that I've just now been able to resolve in the last two chapters, if you're interested. ;)
Antane
· 9 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
"He's a gift to the world."
Indeed. And I love that he was born to love another of Iluvatar's greatest gifts. Happy Birthday, dear Sam!
Namarie, God bless you, GamgeeFest - and them!, Antane :)
Author's reply
Mother's always know, and in this case, Bell was instrumental to Sam being who he is later on. He may not remember her much, but she was very influential to him for the first few years of his life.
Thank you for reading! I'm so glad you enjoyed this so much!! :D
Althea
· 9 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
Thank you so much for this. I love stories about Sam's family. He's such a loving and giving hobbit. He must have learned the qualities from his family, so it's always a treat to read stories that explore the dynamics of that family. This one celebrating his birth is absolutely lovely. It's interesting to think that his mother would know at once that he would be important. I also like Bell's explanation for his name. I've wondered why anyone would name a child "Half wise" or "Half Wit." It's always a pleasure to visit the Gamgee home.
Author's reply
I always enjoy getting to see Sam surrounded by his family and watch the way they interact. Even when they're annoying each other (which is admittedly rare) they are loving towards each other.
Well, I think Bell, like all mothers, thinks that all her children are special. But in this case, she had an extra little hint and she knows that he will do great things over the course of his life. Bell would want to keep him as grounded and humble as she could, knowing what his future held, and his name was one way of doing that.
Thanks for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed this little glimpse into the Gamgee home. :D
Queen Galadriel
· 9 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
Awww! This is so sweet! Only such an experienced mother as Bell could be so calm, I think, when her baby came early. And I just love her words to Sam:
“Don’t you listen to them, Sammy. You are going to be important some day and don’t you go forgetting
it.”
So like her!
I wanted to do something for Sam's birthday, but things kept coming up...thank you for this, I love it!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Bell was probably even relieved that Sam was early! I doubt she wanted to go through the experience of carrying a baby two weeks past term again!
Bell is a very loving mother, and that shows in the way Sam is so protective and loyal in his friendships.
Thanks for the review!
elanor winterflowers
· 9 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
"What's crying?" (I loved that!)
This is such a sweet little story; I think it's one that will stick with me now when I think of Sam. I so like that his mother knew how special he was and would be, since she wasn't going to be there to see it later. And I liked meeting Sam's elusive older brothers, and seeing his Gaffer as a younger man, so fond of his wife and children. Quite an enchanting experience!
Author's reply
Well, it's been some time since May has cried like that, so it's only natural Daisy would be wondering what all the racket was about, especially since she left May asleep in bed. ;)
Halfred and Hamson are featured in a couple of other stories in this series, and I do have plans for them for later stories. It's just a matter of finding the time to write those stories. Too many plot bunnies, too little time. ;) The Gaffer has always been a big softie at heart and we really get to see him in that capacity here, before the loss of Bell.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this story! I'm quite honored that it has effected you so much! Thank you for the review. :D
mews1945
· 9 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
This is lovely. Bell knew her Sam would be special. I loved the childrens' reactions to the new brother.
Author's reply
Thank you Mews! Bell is a very special hobbit in her own right and Sam has so many of her traits, it's really no surprise that Sam would be special also. She would have been so proud had she been there to see him home from the Quest.
The Gamgee children would have been very excited about having a new baby brother or sister. I'm sure the lads are quite pleased that they now outnumber the lasses! Though they would have been more pleased had Sam waited until they were awake to be born. ;)
Thanks for reviewing!
Grey Wonderer
· 7 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
(“He’s going to be special, Ham,” Bell said in hushed whisper. “He’s going to be important to a lot of folk. He's a gift to the world.”)
Mother's just know these things. That was so sweet. A very lovely Birthday fic for Samwise.
Author's reply
Yes they do, and Bell is insightful enough to be blessed with that little glimpse of what's to be. I imagine she'll be quite proud when she sees that Sam fulfills his destiny. Thanks for reading!
Periantari
· 7 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
::melting with the cuteness: omigosh! I loooove Newborn Sam!
“He’s going to be special, Ham,” Bell said in hushed whisper. “He’s going to be important to a lot of folk. He's a gift to the world.”
That is such great foreshadowing and is oh so true!
“Don’t you listen to them, Sammy. You are going to be important some day and don’t you go forgetting it.”
Sam yawned again in his sleep and, if Bell wasn’t quite mistaken, nodded his head.
I melted and am grinning from ear to ear. :D
tiny, pink, smelly, swash-headed son
lol! i could imagine Samwise not looking so great when first born 3 weeks early... all newborns seem like that at first, don't they? :)
eee i love this ficlet! Thanks fro writing this, dear! It's perfect. :)
Author's reply
Premmies do have a sort of not-finished look about them. Sam will grow up to be very adorable though, as we all know full well. :D Wee!Sam, even if he's not quite ideal looking yet, is still very precious and it's only fitting that his mother would be able to see what the others can't yet. Mothers just have a way of knowing these things. ;)
I'm so glad you enjoyed this!
Dreamflower
· 7 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
Aww...wee!Samwise!
This was beautiful--I love how surprised everyone was that he came early! In fact, I don't think I've ever read any fics where *Sam* was early. (Usually it's Pippin or Frodo.)
Very very nice!
Author's reply
I'm not a huge fan of premmie!Pippin and especially not sickly!Pippin (he usually ends up being sickly because he was born early, which can be the case with premmies, but not always). I thought it would be interesting to have Sam be the early one for a change - and for a very good reason, as in my universe, Frodo's parents die the same night. Sam is their replacement of sorts, so he simply couldn't wait those three extra weeks. ;)
*hugs wee!Sam*
I'm glad you enjoyed this!
Larner
· 7 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
So, the name's to keep him humble, is it? Nice touch.
And she's right about how important he's going to be one day--no question about that!
Lovely!
Author's reply
Oh yes, mustn't let his head get too big once it starts rounding out to look normal. ;)
Considering that my Bell won't be there for much of Sam's life, I think it's only fair to give her that little glimpse in Sam's future. She's a very insightful hobbit, after all, and she certainly deserves it.
Thank you for reading!
Larner
· 7 April 2007
· Chapter 10: A Kingly Discussion
I am proud of our Elessar for taking time to write that letter, and loved the Hobbity examination of it and the vagaries of mankind. How hilarious and wonderful.
Author's reply
Elessar knows to listen to his hobbits, so when Sam requested he write a thank you letter to the Gaffer, there was nothing else for it. I'm sure Sam will be writing the King back, telling him all about this! The hobbits might be horrified by the seeming shortcomings of Man, but Elessar will get quite a kick out of it! Thanks for reading!
shirebound
· 7 April 2007
· Chapter 11: The Smallest Gift
Samwise yawned in his sleep and Hamfast would swear, just as he had when each of his children were born, that he had never seen anything so beautiful before in his life.
Awwwww. I think this must have been a very special family to give the Shire -- and Middle-earth -- such a special child.
Author's reply
They are quite an amazing family: dedicated, loyal, hard working and, most importantly, loving. No other family could have raised Sam to be the way we know him.
Thanks for reading!
lovethosehobbits
· 11 February 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
This was a great little series of fics. Very well written and fun to read.
Author's reply
Thank you! This is a story I've been meaning to write for quite awhile now and Dreamflower's request finally got me to work on it. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the results!
Antane
· 10 February 2007
· Chapter 10: A Kingly Discussion
Very nice of Aragorn to write that note. Love the plain speaking hobbit speech too.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Aragorn was more than happy to fulfill this request of Sam's, and the Gaffer now considers Aragorn a friend of the family. And the hobbits of the Ivy Bush now know a whole lot more about Men than they did before. :D Aragorn will be very pleased to learn that the letter was so well received.
Bodkin
· 8 February 2007
· Chapter 10: A Kingly Discussion
Of course, that Elis-bloke is only the King. A letter from him is not quite like getting one from the Thain - but certainly worth taking down the pub ... just so that everyone there can see just how much this person thinks of his son.
I can just see the Gaffer preening himself - and trying to look modest, while attempting not to burst with pride.
Author's reply
LOL! That is very much how Gaffer would behave. I imagine the beginning of this conversation started with the Gaffer acting very put out about receiving a letter that he couldn't even read, and couldn't the King have sent him something useful if he was going to send him anything. But as we can plainly see, he thought quite a lot of it. :D A letter from the Thain - now *that* would be something to talk about for many weeks to come! ;)
Andrea
· 6 February 2007
· Chapter 10: A Kingly Discussion
“Lor’ bless us if we ever elect a Mayor as lived with Elves and wandered about in the Blue.
Haha!!! To this I can only reply: Just wait and see ;-)
That was a funny discussion and very hobbity indeed. I particularly liked the Gaffer's translation of their new king's name: 'Hope strides'! Just perfect!
Author's reply
LOL! Noakes will be in for an eye-opener in a few more years. And the Shire will be blessed to have such a Mayor. ;)
Those hobbits are about as hobbity as they come. They actually remind me a lot of my mom's family when watching a movie. :D And that is a rather fitting nickname for Aragorn, even if the Gaffer doesn't realize it.