Dreamflower · 13 July 2005 · Chapter 64: Berries and Apples
Very nice!
Nothing of Note by Primsong
Reviews (84)
Dreamflower · 13 July 2005 · Chapter 63: Descendants
I am glad now that Bilbo is considering the adoption. I don't know if you are familiar with JRRT's "Letters", but actually in Letter #214, there *is* a discussion of inheritance and adoption, and it does specify that an adopted heir must be of the same last name, descended at least through one common ancestor no further back than great-great-grandfather, and not yet of age. Frodo actually was the only hobbit in the Shire that would have suited Bilbo's purpose. Still, for all practical purposes of your story, it does not matter--what matters, of course is the result. And I do love the way Bilbo has decided to cover all his bases.
Author's reply
I've only recently managed to get a copy of "Letters," and am just beginning to enjoy its pages. I had no idea he had addressed it - thank you for allowing my own imaginings of Shire Law to lead the way. And what fun to know that he covered even that little detail - what a world the good Professor has woven for us to play in.
Dreamflower · 13 July 2005 · Chapter 62: Aftermath
Oh, too, too, funny! So glad that Lotho and his cronies got their comeuppance!
Dreamflower · 13 July 2005 · Chapter 61: The Eyes Have It
Oh golly--I had to read this part straight through! Clever, clever, cunning Bilbo! What do you suppose he will tell the Gaffer about the windowboxes and the crushed bushes? Will Lotho ever find anyone to translate the "will"? Will the Grubbs and Louey learn their lesson about listening to Lotho?
Dreamflower · 13 July 2005 · Chapter 58: Putting a Spin on It
ROTFL! Itching powder! Gunpowder! Sting on a string! Bilbo is having *waaaaay* too much fun, and so am I!
Author's reply
Recognizing that the Hobbits did not have the technology of firepower, he shan't be shooting anyone, never fear, but he may find some other fun things to do with the individual properties of those elements. ;-)
Dreamflower · 13 July 2005 · Chapter 57: Frauds and Flowerboxes
Bilbo, Bilbo, Bilbo! *grin* You are *such* a stinker! *giggle* I do so look forward to seeing Lotho getting his comeuppance! I love the idea of Lotho being allergic to the primulas, and using them as "Lotho-repellent"--kind of like garlic to keep away the vampires. (Comes to much the same thing, doesn't it, the S.-B.s being such blood-suckers.)
Author's reply
When I came across a very real allergic reaction some people have to a variety of primula, I just had to incorporate it somehow. Hee!
Dreamflower · 13 July 2005 · Chapter 56: Hedge Row
Omigosh! Like Bilbo, I was so torn between anger, disbelief and amusement at Lotho's absurd claims that I was not sure *how* to react, LOL! Of course, Lotho is now in for a very nasty surprise, isn't he? *rubs hands in gleeful anticipation*
Dreamflower · 13 July 2005 · Chapter 55: Fare Thee Well
Poor Bilbo, already missing Frodo so much. And what on earth is Lotho up to?
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 54: Embers and Buttons
So, now it's all out in the open, and Frodo knows Bilbo wants him to live there, and Bilbo knows Frodo is not averse to the idea! You know, it's funny, I did, after all, know what was going to happen, but I was still greatly relieved at Frodo's answer. Just shows how absorbed I am with your tale. I am going to have to break off again as it is just about bedtime, but I want to tell you once more how much I am enjoying this. It has been a long time since I found such a long and delightful story which I had not before read.
Author's reply
And I am enjoying your enjoyment - thank you so much for taking the time to let me 'read it along with you' this way. :-)
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 52: Shifting
Trout in the face!! LOL! And it turns out Offal isn't so "awful" after all, and seems a decent sort. Ivy sounds like the classic female victim of abuse, and I hope her brother does talk to their father. You have come up with some wonderful OCs, by the way.
Author's reply
Offal's unlikely name was originally inspired by his appetite for sausages rather than the homonym, though the double-use of it as a play on words for his family entered in also. He's really not a bad fellow at all, he's just a bit young and hungry. I was tempted to follow Ivy's tale a bit, but it was too much of a rabbit trail away from Bilbo, so she will only be mentioned a very little.
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 51: The Picnic Papers
That Ivy! What a little bimbo! I love the way Bilbo is sizing up Frodo's reactions to things, and helping to defuse what could cause him no end of trouble without Bilbo's guidance--even though Bilbo probably would enjoy a chance to be snarky to some of those people.
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 50: Gossip's Race
*giggle*chuckle*snort*wipes eyes!* That was just too funny, listening to them go on like they were watching a horse race! What a hoot!!
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 49: The Inn Crowd
I love the way the gossip mill has been running! Some of those were really wild. I certainly hope there will not be too much trouble from Lotho--I'm sure there will be some, but I hope Bilbo can keep it from hurting Frodo too much.
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 48: Have Your Cake
Sam, Sam, Sam! *grin* Your little Sam is quite the most adorable little hobbit ever. I could just eat him up with a spoon!!
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 47: Prolonged Vigour
Yes, definitely the reaction I can imagine from Frodo--delight at the thought that Bilbo cared that much about him, that his place was secured, yet fear also, at the realization of what it means to inherit--that the one who cared that much will be gone...
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 46: Niche
I hope that Frodo's revelations here will finally set Bilbo's mind at rest as to whether he would be happy to stay at Bag End.
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 45: Summer Vigil
Oh, Sammy's just too sweet for words. We are already seeing the responsible hobbit he will grow up to be, as well as loyal, but we see, too, his longing for higher things. And Bilbo feeds that wondrously well.
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 44: Treasure Seeking
All right! Now we are going to get Frodo to Bag End at last!!
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 43: Thrush
Oh golly, I *loveloveloved* the fountain! And the Dwarvish song was absolutely marvelous! But cute little Sam being carried home by a Dwarf, now *that* was adorable! By the way, I ought to tell you that I recommended this story on my LiveJournal! It's just too lovely not to share!!
Author's reply
I have a soft spot for the dwarves -, so generous under their avarice, in their own way. I thank you for the recommendation! Wow!
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 42: Mapping
*Bagin*? Dawdul, Twadul, Grumblin and Umlat? You have a wicked sense of humor! 8-D I've suspected as much when I first met "Offal" and then there was "Egnog Banks". *chuckle*
Author's reply
Hee.... I still think Umlat is a quintessential Dwarf name...
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 41: Law and Love
Nasty Lobelia! Upsetting sweet Bell that way! I'd like to take that umbrella of hers and put it...erm...excuse me, got carried away there. The way Bell sees right through to the heart of the matter is so beautiful--she knows, if Bilbo does not, that he has begun to love Frodo. And now Bilbo can begin to be comforted himself. I am also glad that he was able to set her mind at rest regarding the SoBs S.-B.s.
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 40: Emptiness
Oh my, I got so caught up in the momentum of the story I forgot to review! It really does seem to be building up, of course, to Bilbo's decision to take Frodo on. His indecision and worry over whether Frodo will really want him is so touching and sweet--and of course, we know it is misplaced as well. And what could be the mysterious gift from Balin? It's funny you bringing him in like that. In my own story covering some of this same time period, I actually *do* have a visit from both Balin and Gandalf. Seems the year Bilbo adopted Frodo was also the year Balin went to Moria, and I had Balin thinking about recruiting Bilbo to the venture...
Author's reply
How intriguing! I do hope to be able to read your tale soon. The world is a brighter place with more Bilbo. :-)
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 37: Contentment
Bilbo is definitely getting to see what fine stuff his young cousin is made of. Lovely talk between the two of them. I even liked that Frodo was not too keen on the idea of deserts...
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 36: Wondering
"But when he's older no one will be dragging him along like so much baggage either... I hate to think what sort of damage that much determination packed into one hobbit could do. If he sets his mind to it, nothing stops him no matter how much of a whipping he gets." LOL! What a description of Merry! Oh my--all that determination packed into one hobbit! Your Frodo doesn't seem at this point to be especially close to Merry, as my young Frodo was, but I am enjoying your interpretation... And Frodo's delight at recieving the book from Bilbo just brough tears to my eyes.
Author's reply
My reasoning was while they were still quite childish, (and here Merry is still very young) they were not really a part of his life/friendship except as small children will be to older teens/adults - that is they care for them and enjoy them, but they do not generally reason with or confide in them. Once they began to reason more like adults in growing up they were then a part of a closer one-on-one relationship. Just my own thoughts, of course - I look forward to seeing your interpretation also.
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 35: Starlit Walk
Oh, Frodo! He's just a heart-breaker, isn't he? So full of ideas, and longing, and wanting, yet at the same time content with his lot as far as his physical well-being goes, even though it doesn't necessarily sound the most luxurious. I will be curious now to see your versions of little Merry, of Saradoc and Esmeralda and old Rory...