Reviews (113)

cookiefleck · 2 August 2006 · Chapter 12: A Conference in Bywater

Just discovered your story and read through to the most recent chapter. Lovely story... full of Sam-love, which warms my heart. I like your characterization of Rosie... "Get along with you." And I particularly liked the idea of the gardens for Boromir and Smeagol/Gollum; very moving. Glad that Sam had such a loving, wonderful party surrounded by family and friends... he deserves the best because he is the best. Thanks for a great read.

Andrea · 1 August 2006 · Chapter 12: A Conference in Bywater

"Don't know about exorbitant, my lord. All we ask is a fair price." "If only all my dealings were with hobbits," the King murmured. I agree! Dealings with hobbits would be a pleasure! But who is Murdo Bracegirdle? It sounds as if he is no danger anymore. But, let's wait and see. Last, but not least: Rosie is great! Even the King of Gondor does obey to her orders. Maybe, he's just afraid of the tea towel ;-)

Kitty · 1 August 2006 · Chapter 12: A Conference in Bywater

Aragorn and Nibs together was lovely, BB! Obviously Nibs is coming to see the King the same way as the Travellers do if he would follow him everywhere. It is good to know Aragorn has this effect on him - and probably not only on Nibs. Oh yes, I can imagine the rangers and particularly a certain ranger will visit the new Rangers and Shirriffs Post very frequently and soon become oversized but well feed hobbits *grin* Hm ... I wonder why Aragorn asked about the most unpleasant Hobbit in the Shire ... is he planning something? Otherwise I am very satisfied with the way you handled the ban of Men in the Shire. I was never truly happy that Aragorn even included himself in this and hadn't any chance to visit the Shire. One of the reasons why I love this story - I always wanted him to visit there. And I loved the anecdote of Pippin's "diplomatic skills" *rofl* Not to mention his last remark. Oh yes, I can see the faces if Aragorn tells these diplomats dinner is much more important than they!

Tigger · 1 August 2006 · Chapter 12: A Conference in Bywater

What a lovely update. Aragorn's right. If only more people lived and saw things the way hobbits do, it would be a much better world. I loved how the Men pooled their resources into a gift for Rose. Won't she be shocked and surprised. :oD I hope the next chapter/update won't be too long in coming. I really do love this universe where there's a happy and healthy Frodo after the Quest. :o)

Dreamflower · 31 July 2006 · Chapter 12: A Conference in Bywater

What a delightful chapter! I love the way the hobbits are so impressed with Aragorn's "hobbit-sense". It's so good they got a chance to meet him first as "Thorongil", so they could get to know him as a person before they found out he was King. And, as usual, Pippin had the last--and best--word!

shirebound · 31 July 2006 · Chapter 12: A Conference in Bywater

the hobbits were left relecting on the contrast between Sharkey's 'gatherers and sharers' and the King and his fellows, who spent their coin freely and insisted on paying the proper price for everything. ... all the Men went into a huddle and then bought a magnificent bolt of woollen velvet in a deep lavender, as a gift for Rose. The shopkeepers and stall-holders of Hobbiton and Bywater had earned more in one afternoon then they sometimes took in a week. That all gives me such a happy feeling! The thought of the Shire and its inhabitants working together in prosperity and mutual respect is the best healing I can imagine. I do love your Aragorn, and his Men, and... well, everyone!

EstellaB · 21 July 2006 · Chapter 6: Gardening, Cookery and Talking With Trees

Oh, that's cute... Rosie giving Bergil courting advice! And it fits *perfectly* with the way I see their characters!

Mirkwoodmaiden · 13 June 2006 · Chapter 10: Picnic in the Party Field

Review II My dear BB!! I loved the footie match and all the discussion about it and during it!! I loved the mention of footie being suspended due its interference with Archery practice!!! LOL!! My those hobbits can be sneaky little players!!! LOL!!! Faramir underestimating them!! When will he learn? :-) I really liked the last bit of lounging around after a hard footie match!! I really liked the way you ended it >All the Free peoples united in friendship. Sauron would be appalled to see >such harmony and to learn that all his schemes had come to naught. The whole story is a wonderful illustration this, that last Paragraph summed it all nicely! MM

demeter d · 9 June 2006 · Chapter 11: A Long - Remembered Party

Now I remember why I was not even going to start this one just now, it is a long one, and I am trying to cut back on my reading just now, and pay a bit more attention to "Real Life". This was well worth the diversion, however. As another reviewer said, to start quoting my favorite lines would re-write the whole thing! Such an amazing guest list! I think the only ones of my favorite people who were not there were Arwen and Eowyn. Oh, and Eomer. But you did even have him send a gift. And Hobbits behaving like Hobbits. Such beautiful, well-developed pictures of the plants, the people, the land and the food ! Reading this really feels like being there. And, I might add, being in your story feels like being in one of Larner's. You have the same wonderful character development as my favorites of hers, and an overall atmosphere of light and joy. Now I quess I will have to go back and read the whole thing. Well done!

harrowcat · 4 June 2006 · Chapter 11: A Long - Remembered Party

Oh dear, how could I have missed reviewing such a wonderful chapter as that BB? Thanks for the heads up. It is actually quite nice to be missed! I have to blame RL - it is my busiest time of the year and visiting parents means that I am often catching up after midnight on Fridays. If I were to quote my favourite bits I would be repeating the whole chapter! But... Strider covered in hobbitlings....The speeches....the revealing of the King and of course... Gandalf's fiery message of love. Happy Birthday for Thursday my dear BB.

Mirkwoodmaiden · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 10: Picnic in the Party Field

First of all Happy Birthday you silly goose!!!!! "She certainly is," Sam agreed. "You have to watch her, 'cos she'll creep up on you and bite you in the backside!" Molly managed to look completely innocent, despite this slur upon her character. Her tail swished lightly as she munched some sweet grass and pretended that Sam was talking about another animal altogether. Love Molly's reaction!!!! "I reckon being a king is a bit like being a shepherd," Tully observed. "He has to look after his people the way I look after my flock. They all need looking after but some are sweet and obedient and do as they're told and some are stubborn old besoms who need a poke with a stick afore they'll do anything!" MM

Kitty · 30 May 2006 · Chapter 11: A Long - Remembered Party

That was truly a wonderful birthday for Sam! From the gifts and the guests to the food and the firework at the end everything was perfect. Who’d thought even Radagast would come? And even Gandalf contributing something to the party was great. So the hobbits now know who the Lord Thorongil is. They took it very well. And I loved the image of Aragorn, practically buried under little hobbits, telling stories. It is nice to see them treat him so familiarly, even after they knew who he truly was. He was right to remain incognito in the beginning, so they’d not be over-awed of the High King and react more natural to him, of that I am certain. Jolly’s reaction to the revelation just *whom* he had stolen the ball was proof enough *grin*

Dreamflower · 27 May 2006 · Chapter 11: A Long - Remembered Party

Happy, happy grin! I am grinning all over my face! Thank you for this lovely bit of happiness for Frodo, and all his friends! *happy sigh*

Andrea · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 11: A Long - Remembered Party

The children don't mind, do you?" he enquired as the little ones crowded round. They smilingly shook their heads. "Can we have another story, Uncle King Estel?" they chorused. Oh, I love hobbit children :) That was a perfect birthday party, from the blooming mallorn tree over the uncovering of Thorongil's true identity to the wonderful display in the sky, sent by Gandalf. Just wonderful. BTW, it just occured to me that a tea towel is a fine instrument to teach someone respect. And it should not only work with family members, but also with colleagues, male colleagues of course. Perhaps I should give it a try ;-)

Elemmírë · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 11: A Long - Remembered Party

This was perfect ... utterly perfect. I felt like I was walking out of Bag End's round door with Aragorn & seeing the blooming mallorn for the first time myself. I'm sure that special tree enjoyed a very long, peaceful life in the Shire & flourished under the attention of the nature-loving hobbits. I always grin whenever you write of Rosie & her tea towel. Uh-oh! Sam better keep tabs on that book of herbs from the Master of the Houses of Healing before Merry spies it! That's so cool that you had Radagast come to visit Sam on his birthday. He's one of the characters that as a reader I always wondered, 'whatever happened to him?' I really like how you have created his task to be helping in the healing of Middle-earth. As a nature-lover, I'm sure Radagast had much to heal after Sauron & Saruman's reign ended to make Middle-earth's lands & animals whole again. I also really enjoyed the hobbits' reaction to learning Thorongil was truly their King returned, along with Gandalf's shooting stars in the shape of a giant mushroom! You made me feel all warm & happy inside with this chapter! (sighs contently) Thank you, Baggins Babe!

Larner · 25 May 2006 · Chapter 11: A Long - Remembered Party

Well, of course I love the firework display from the West the most of all--Olorin himself seeing to it that Samwise son of Hamfast knows just how much he is loved and honored from afar. Lovely, BB.

Queen Galadriel · 25 May 2006 · Chapter 11: A Long - Remembered Party

Yea, an update!! :) Oh, what a wonderful, beautiful party! Fun, family, and dear friends are all that's needed to make these gatherings pleasant and unforgetable. Oh! And food, especially in the case of Hobbits! :) "Had you known their true identities you would have all been on your best behaviour, and that would never do!" Haha! I love it! Jolly Cotton gazed at the Man, so full of kingly dignity, and glared at his brother-in-law and his unrepentant sister. "You knew he was the King! And you let me steal the ball away from him yesterday! How could you, Sam?" Sam allowed his mirth to spill over. "You should see your face! You're not going to be flung into the Lockholes you know. Strider don't mind - he praised you for it, didn't he?" "I'd never have done that if I'd known," said Jolly. "Exactly!" said Aragorn, who had overheard the conversation and was very amused. LOL! Oh my goodness, I laughed so hard over this! Finally, the long-awaited inescapable reaction! LOL! As always I love the children-Persimmon is so cute! She reminds me of a couple of little girls I go to church with. :) "Mistress Mischief"--aww! :) The speeches were very touching, especially Frodo's, and the gifts were very thoughtful. I always thought Sam had a bit of the healer's gift. Maybe it's that natural ability to care for and nurture, to comfort simply by being a firm, steady presence in the face of trouble. Fireworks! How lovely! And how wonderful that Radagast could come and that dear Gandalf could give his own contribution, which, to me, was the highlight of the party. Wonderful, BB! God bless, Galadriel

shirebound · 25 May 2006 · Chapter 11: A Long - Remembered Party

I can't imagine a more perfect birthday, either! "I thought Ithilien was beautiful but the Shire is perfect," murmured Faramir. It certainly is, and made even more beautiful and beloved under your skillful pen, dear BB. What a lovely, wonderful story. It fills me with such joy. Radagast! Rufus! Uncle King Estel! Feasting! Hobbit archers! Gandalf's gift! :D

Tigger · 25 May 2006 · Chapter 11: A Long - Remembered Party

Talk about perfect timing. I was re-reading this lovely story when the e-mail notice came into my Inbox and w/great delight, I headed to this newest addition. I *loved* this... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Uncle Estel!" a small voice cried, and Persimmon hurtled across the grass and threw herself at Aragorn. She wrapped her arms tightly around his calves and beamed up. "You've growed !" He laughed and swung her into his arms. "I doubt I've grown since you last saw me, Mistress Mischief!" He did indeed look very tall and noble in a dark blue velvet tunic embroidered in silver thread with the White Tree and seven stars. His suede boots and breeches were the same colour and his hair was lightly braided at the sides in the Elven style. Everyone smiled to see the Man with the little hobbit lass. Within minutes he had attracted more and could be seen walking around the Party Field with a following of younglings. Baby Lily squealed when she saw him, crawling across the grass at a rate and sitting on his boots until he picked her up. When he sat down he completely disappeared as they all clambered over him and settled for a story. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I could so see that in my mind's eye. Aragorn covered w/hobbit little ones. What a lovely and fluffy picture that is. This was just perfect in so many ways. From the revelation of who the Lords Cirion and Thorongil were, to Radagast showing up, to the fireworks...Just everything made me feel so warm and fuzzy. Which considering Mom shared her cold from Mordor w/me is exactly what I needed. Now don't be so long in the next addition to this wonderful story, although I have a sad feeling we're getting near the end of it. :o(

EstellaB · 4 May 2006 · Chapter 10: Picnic in the Party Field

*giggles*

Kitty · 8 April 2006 · Chapter 10: Picnic in the Party Field

Ah yes, I can see the horses playing! Our ponies do much the same, only we have no water pails to play with, but Gipsy loves to upset the wheelbarrow. Much more effective, and the fuller, the better. It’s much more fun to have his humans complaining while they shovel the muck back into it, isn’t it? The thought of the people protecting the sensibilities of the High King was so much fun! Although you’re absolutely right, it has to be this way. Most Kings would probably find it perfectly right, but Aragorn, who has lived as a Ranger in the wild for so long, has to think a bit different, I suppose. For him it must be refreshing to be around hobbits who doesn’t stand on so much ceremony and don’t treat him as something delicate, easily breakable. The privy in crimson velvet was simply hilarious! Loved the football game! Not even Sam said anything about it being too much for Frodo! And Rosie is right, it’s fun to imagine their faces when in the end someone tells them *who* Lord Thorongil really is! *giggle* Truly, I look forward to this! You found an interesting way to deal with Angmar. A pity it’s not that easy in our days to settle wars! And I’m sure Rufus has approved of Isumbrand’s dressing-down for the Angmarians *gg*

Andrea · 8 April 2006 · Chapter 10: Picnic in the Party Field

Lily, eighteen months old, greeted baby Pip with a sticky hug and then advanced on Aragorn. "Hug?" she said, holding out her arms. "Of course, my sweetling." Aw, that's sweet :) I enjoyed the kick-ball game and I'm not the least surprised that the hobbits are much better players than the Big folk and, of course, know all the tricks. Hobbits are very British, and Britain is the "mother of football".

Tigger · 8 April 2006 · Chapter 10: Picnic in the Party Field

Oh me oh my...I'm trapped under a mountain of fluff and loving it!! I would have loved to have seen that kickball game. Willing to bet Aragorn, Faramir and the others from the Northern *and* Southern Realms all learned some new moves from their hobbit friends after that. Then little Lily coming up to Aragorn, all sticky as little ones can get, asking "Hug?" and then after getting it, using our favourite Ranger King as bed for her nap. That image is too adorable for words!! Please tell us you plan on letting us see Jolly's reaction to just who Lord Estel is and just who he stole the ball from in that kick ball game. *snicker* I'm like Rosie...I want to see that too!! Oh and Tully's description of Kingship really was perfect and one of the best I've heard. The hobbits must be wondering just why "Lord Estel" found that so funny. *giggle* Oh and Aragorn's meeting w/little Columbine was lovely and the Twins comments much have given her parents so much relief and hope. I really loved that part of the story. Well, we knew Rosie had learned how to handle her men from someone. Mrs. Cotton taught her daughter well. ;o) I was so happy to see the e-mail alert of a new chapter, I was bouncing in my desk chair. :oD I can't wait for the next one and Sam's actual Birthday Party!!

Dreamflower · 7 April 2006 · Chapter 10: Picnic in the Party Field

Another lovely day in the Shire, Reunion-verse style! I loved the football game, and recognized the historical allusions at once--I was quite gratified to see by the footnotes that I was right! Do you know, in period the games often would range over *miles*? And involve hundreds of players? Another reason it was banned from time to time (aside from archery practice) was the fact that sometimes the players would trample the crops in the fields! But hobbits would be far too sensible to do any such thing, so no danger of *that* in the *Shire*! I loved the picnic, and the description of the food, but I think my favorite thing was the image of Aragorn, with a teensy hobbit lass draped over his arm!

Queen Galadriel · 7 April 2006 · Chapter 10: Picnic in the Party Field

Well, first off, I feel I ought to make an explanation for myself. I read all this before, and loved nearly all of it. But I was very, very shocked by the would-be humour, especially in Ch. 9, and couldn't review then because I just didn't know what to say, and I was afraid I'd say things I would regret. I don't like naughty humour, under any circumstances, but your stories are so gentle and full of so much love and joy that I've overlooked it. But raspberry jam used in that way?! :( And as to the parsnip, I don't know what was implied, but I don't think I want to. I don't mean to offend you or to be rude, and I ask you to forgive me if I've said too much. That said, I really do love the rest of this. The meeting with Aragorn and the others in Bree (LOL!), the visit in Buckland (again you've captured that familial atmosphere that seems to pervade Brandy Hall), the home-coming to Bag End (did I ever tell you how adorable your little Gamgees are? Love that Elanor and Frodo-lad recognised Aragorn immediately), the men being enlisted to take kitchen duty (LOL!), oh, and the anecdotes associated with "Trust us, it will be fun." Uh-huh! :) Just like something Merry and Pip would get into! I love how you show all the horses' personalities here-very cute! I rode for a couple of years (had to stop because I found out that I wasn't alergic to the hay but the horses) and certainly met my share of wonderful and interesting horses. Love everything about the picnic and the party in the evening, particularly Aragorn's apparent ease at playing the role of just another Ranger, the game of kick-ball, and Rosie's wondering how Jollie would react when he learned who he'd taken the ball from. LOL I'd love to see that! And I'm very anxious to know what Merry and Pippin have planned for Sam's actual birthday-I know it's going to be good! :) Maybe they'll redeem the expression they're so fond of? :) God bless, Galadriel