shirebound
· 9 January 2010
· Chapter 38: A Visit for Yule
"I don't know about anyone else but I can think of nothing but food," said Finrod.
Oh, that made me grin!
What a joyful, wonderful peek at our beloved friends, east and West, every one of them loved and happy. Somewhere, somehow, it's all unfolding exactly this way.
Author's reply
Ah Shirebound, you've done it again. First review - you win a dish of Frodo's special spiced mushrooms!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it - I would love to think that something like this is unfolding somewhere.
I suspect that Finrod, like Glorfindel, would have been re-born, since he redeemed himself by his honour and loyalty to Beren. Thought I'd introduce him to our beloved hobbits. :-)
Started writing this before Christmas and RL got away from me again!
Antane
· 10 October 2009
· Chapter 37: No Place Like Home
Yes, Frodo has quite an extended family doesn't he? I love your tales. Would that it could have this way, but he had joy in the West also, and his Sam in time.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I think Frodo's extended family and his beloved Shire are the most important things in his life. Just wish I lived in the Shire, but at least I get to play there.
Kitty
· 5 October 2009
· Chapter 37: No Place Like Home
That sounds so homely! They are right, there's nothing better than home. At least when home is Bag End with Sam and Rosie there and a healed Frodo!
Oh, and I hope you will tell us about the visit of Erithain and his sons to the Shire! I really like that one.
Author's reply
That's what i was aiming for - homely and hobbity. Thanks Kitty.
I intend to write the story of Erithain and his sons visiting the Shire but I really must finish Aragorn's birthday story - RL keeps getting in the way!
shirebound
· 5 October 2009
· Chapter 37: No Place Like Home
"His family" indeed! I love this peek into Frodo's time on his own, and especially everyone's joy when the whole family is reunited.
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed it - I think Frodo would have enjoyed his time alone but was equally happy to have everyone back home.
Andrea
· 5 October 2009
· Chapter 37: No Place Like Home
How beautiful! There's no place like home, indeed!
Sam might have had his doubts, but Frodo was perfectly able to care for himself while being alone. And why not? He was raised at Brandy Hall, without his parents. And I'm sure he learned many things there, not only plotting pranks, but also caring for himself, including cooking.
But what made him most happy that day were doubtlessly the Gamgee children who simply adore their uncle Fro :-) Wonderful!
Author's reply
Yes, I am sure that Frodo was perfectly capable of looking after himself and no doubt enjoyed his independence. However, he must have been happy to welcome his family home again and the children were obviously thrilled to see him. No matter how nice it is to see other places there really is no place like home.
Many thanks for the review.
Dreamflower
· 4 October 2009
· Chapter 37: No Place Like Home
What a warm and lovely story for a chilly afternoon! I really enjoyed watching Frodo taking care of himself quite competently in the Gamgee's absence. They may enjoy spoiling him and taking care of him-- but it in no way means he is not perfectly capable of taking care of himself as well, whatever some may think, LOL!
And the meal sounds yummy, especially the desserts!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I get really annoyed when Frodo is portrayed as a totally helpless bookworm (pre-Quest) or a feeble and helpless invalid. I'm sure he was perfectly capable of looking after himself without falling ill, forgetting to eat (he is a hobbit!) or burning the smial down! :-) I like to have a little peek into Bag End to see how he's doing.
Ah yes, blackberry and apple pudding with cream........ *sigh* I must put a hobbit recipe story together some time - trouble is I never measure ingredients, I just go by look and feel.
Larner
· 4 October 2009
· Chapter 37: No Place Like Home
Ah, a sweet day and a sweet reunion.
Author's reply
I think Frodo would have enjoyed some time on his own but he was obviously delighted wo welcome them back.
I see Frodo as a very competent individual and he was a hobbit so he was bound to be able to cook.
Thanks for the review, Larner.
Mirkwoodmaiden
· 2 September 2009
· Chapter 36: It's Only a Game..........
Lol!!!! That pippin's a scamp! Granted "the Shane Warne" of the Shire deserved it. I loved all the wicket discussion it made me wistful. Saradoc declaring at 126...he must have known that Frodo was on a hot streak!! 26 all out. Hot d@mn! I would loved to have been @ that match. Now that you mention it Cricket is a sport that should have been invented by Hobbits. In fact I think you're onto to something!!!! LOL!!!
Author's reply
How wonderful to hear from you, my dear MM!
Bwahahaha! Berni as the 'Shane Warne of the Shire' - I love it! *snert*
Yes, sometimes in one-day cricket you have to declare on that sort of total - and I didn't want to give the Brandybucks an impossible lead. I'd have loved to have seen this match - I once saw Derek Underwood achieve this feat in a Test Match after it rained at lunchtime. Cannot remember if it was Australia or the West Indies but it was fabulous to watch.
I'm sure cricket was invented by hobbits - all those meal breaks and silly fielding positions! :-)
Thanks, MM. Great to hear from you.
Andrea
· 20 August 2009
· Chapter 36: It's Only a Game..........
and all the Shirefolk were agreed that the Tooks were the most inventive players
Yes, indeed ;-)
Well, Pippin was not exactly a player but his inventiveness taught Bernigard a well-deserved lesson!
I also liked it that the Bagginses perfected the art of playing "wickets", and I especially enjoyed Thain Ferumbras' comments!
Author's reply
I think the Tooks would have been very inventive, and great fun. I think cricket is a very hobbity game and I like to think the Bagginses would have made a huge contribution.
Thain Ferumbras just popped in and demanded to be included! :-)
Kitty
· 19 August 2009
· Chapter 36: It's Only a Game..........
Loved that! The idea of all these folks playing cricket, even the Elves in the West, is just too good! And matches between Greenwood and Erebor lasting five days – now *that* I can imagine! :D
The Loathsomes? *lol* Ah yes, Lavinia seems to fit in with Lalia and Lobelia very well! And her Berni isn't exactly likeable, either.
Ha, from the moment Pippin got the first ant bite I had a suspicion, and I was right! :D Though I have absolutely no knowledge of cricket, I had a lot of fun with this story. Really enjoyed it that it was Frodo who saved the game, and how things turned out for Berni! That whole story was just hilarious! Thank you!
Author's reply
I had such a vivid picture of Gandalf and the Elves in the Blessed West, playing cricket, and I had to include it. I'm glad someone else can see it too.
What a trio - Lalia, Lobelia and Lavinia! Good for Esme. And Berni is a mummy's boy so he wouldn't be very nice.
Pippin is a naughty young hobbit but I think his sense of sportsmanship was offended and he decided to teach Berni a lesson.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Dreamflower
· 18 August 2009
· Chapter 36: It's Only a Game..........
ROTFL!!!!!!!! Oh my word! This is just hilarious! I don't know much about cricket except what I've seen in British TV shows, or read in old British mystery novels, but your picture of the event was so clear I could just imagine it! Ants in his pants, indeed!
Oh BB, you really outdid yourself with this one! This was just hilarious! *grin*goes back to read again*
Author's reply
Thanks for the kind words - glad you enjoyed it. i've watched a lot of cricket and read a lot of P.G. Wodehouse, which probably influenced this story!
Couldn't wait to give Berni his come-uppance.
eiluj
· 18 August 2009
· Chapter 36: It's Only a Game..........
You're absolutely right: it *must* have been hobbits who invented cricket.
Author's reply
Yes, it does seem to be a 'hobbity game' doesn't it? Not to mention all those meal breaks. :-)
shirebound
· 18 August 2009
· Chapter 36: It's Only a Game..........
That was such fun! I love Frodo's skill, and the respect and affection (almost) everyone holds for him. And "Sit down, Lavinia! You're blocking the view"!! *giggles*
Author's reply
I once saw an England bowler take all ten wickets in a match in the 1970s under similar conditions (not the ants, but the rain). It was very exciting.
I suspect Lavinia was on the way to becoming another Lalia - something to make Ferumbras shudder!
Glad I made you giggle!
Larner
· 18 August 2009
· Chapter 36: It's Only a Game..........
Now, I don't pretend to understand the playing of Cricket, but this was very entertaining, to say the least! Heh! Wonderful!
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed it, Larner. Cricket is quite a complicated game I admit, but it can be entertaining.
Erulisse
· 6 August 2009
· Chapter 35: Joyful Innocence
Delightful. Every elf could benefit from finding his/her inner hobbit. And the vision of Haldir helping Rosie in the kitchen - well, just too droll for words. Glorfindel is, of course, one of my absolute favorite adjunct characters and I'm sure that a balrog slayer could do justice to the growls of a dragon. All in all, a very fun and full few minutes of my life was spent in the Shire and I only wish it was a longer time. Valar valuvar. - Erulisse
Author's reply
How lovely - another review! Thank you for your kind comments and I'm glad you liked the idea of Haldir in a kitchen. My Rose is always recruiting Elves to help around the house.
I like glorfindel very much - he's one of my favourites I have to say. Such a fascinating character. He has no problem finding his inner hobbit, I'm sure.
Andrea
· 5 August 2009
· Chapter 35: Joyful Innocence
What a wonderful story! I enjoyed it a great deal!
He was definitely discovering his inner hobbit, he thought.
The "inner hobbit" - I like that very much :-)
And I, too, would love to see Haldir in a kitchen (including the tea towel, of course!)
Author's reply
I think everyone should find their inner hobbit! :-) And yes, the thought of Haldir in a pinny, helping Rose in the kitchen, is very entertaining, isn't it?
Glad you enjoyed your little visit to the Shire.
Kitty
· 4 August 2009
· Chapter 35: Joyful Innocence
It's great that you are posting again!
Oh yes, Glorfindel is one very likeable Noldor, isn't he? He's still one of my favourite Elves.
Thranduil discovering his 'inner Hobbit' made me giggle. As did the idea of Haldir helping in the kitchen. At this rate, Rosie will soon have always a few Elves around to enjoy her cooking and to learn from her. Frodo will need help to make enough copies of the Shire cookbook ;)
Author's reply
I love Glorfindel - he's one of the nicest Elves.
Thought it was about time Thranduil discovered his 'inner hobbit.' :-)
Ah yes, the cookbook. Middle-earth's first best-seller!
Thank you, Kitty. It's good to be back. I was working so much and life went crazy last year. It has taken some time to catch up and bring the Muse back from her extended holiday.
Lindelea
· 3 August 2009
· Chapter 35: Joyful Innocence
"Hobbits!" he mttered to himself. Their lives were so short by the reckoning of Elves and yet they delighted in the simple joys - home, family, food, ale, pipeweed, riddles, songs and friendship. They seemed determined to enjoy every minute of their time and that joyful innocence was infectious. Perhaps that was the secret to life - innocent simple pleasures and seven meals a day.
Ah, yes, perhaps that is why I find my imagination trapped in the Shire, seldom able (or wanting, perhaps) to escape.
Thanks for the grin!
Author's reply
I think we all have that problem - I'd spend more time in the Shire but RL keeps getting in the way!
Thanks, Lindelea. Any more news on Bill's journey to Rivendell?
Dreamflower
· 3 August 2009
· Chapter 35: Joyful Innocence
Perhaps that was the secret to life - innocent simple pleasures and seven meals a day.
I wouldn't be at all surprised, Thranduil. But surely your son has already told you that! He's been part hobbit ever since the Quest, LOL!
I loved the musing over Glorfindel's heritage-- this was fun!
Author's reply
I think Thranduil is someone who would prefer to find out for himself - he probably thinks Legolas is embroidering things a little!
The description of Glorfy, and his name, indicate that he had golden hair - somehow I don't think he was Sindar, and the Noldor were dark haired. I've always wondered why he spent his time in Gondolin and it is fun to speculate, isn't it?
Thanks for the review, Dreamflower.
Larner
· 3 August 2009
· Chapter 35: Joyful Innocence
A sweet tale here. Thranduil is unveiling his "inner Hobbit"? Heh! Interesting and charming.
Author's reply
Ah well, everyone should give in to their inner hobbit now and then!
Glad you enjoyed it.
shirebound
· 3 August 2009
· Chapter 35: Joyful Innocence
I just love it when you include the Mallorn (and Rufus, of course!) in your gentle tales. Now the Shire has become as much Thranduil's "happy place', as it is ours!
Author's reply
Thanks, Shirebound. I thought you'd like it. You and I have no problems giving in to our inner hobbit! :-) I like to think that the Shire became a special place for everyone, especially with Frodo remaining in Middle-earth.
shirebound
· 27 October 2008
· Chapter 6: While the Sun Shines
What a lovely tale. I re-read your "Shire Sketchbook" chapters anytime I need a lift, or want to be whisked away into a happy, hobbity place. Thank you again for all your wonderful stories.
Author's reply
How lovely to find an extra review! Glad you like to visit this hobbity place Shirebound, and I hope you enjoyed visiting a sunny Shire.
Pearl Took
· 22 October 2008
· Chapter 34: The Bag End Fairy
Delightful, Baggins Babe! Mr. Pootle is a very good garden fairy, because we all know the garden at Bag End was the best in Hobbiton :-)
What a joy to read!
Author's reply
Thank you Pearl. Yes, Mr Pootle must have been a very good fairy indeed. What an intriguing life he must lead!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Kitty
· 10 October 2008
· Chapter 34: The Bag End Fairy
Lovely fairy tale, BB! And obviously one the Gamgee children could fit in their real life world easily. No wonder they adore the toad so much when they think it’s a disguised fairy! And a 'lad fairy', who would have thought *snicker*
Poor Frodo has probably to make up a whole new book full of tales about the Bag End Mr Pootle now ;-)
Author's reply
Thank you. I think the Gamgee children found a lot of magic in their everyday lives, one way or another. Mr Pootle doesn't realise how wpecial he is! There must be lad fairies, as Elanor says, otherwise where would baby fairies come from?
I think Frodo must have had to write down at least a whole book of stories for those insatiably curious children.
Grey Wonderer
· 8 October 2008
· Chapter 34: The Bag End Fairy
( "There are lad fairies?" Fro and Rosie-lass demanded..
Ellie rolled her eyes and replied with all the superiority of an older sister. "Of course there are, otherwise there wouldn't be any new fairies!" )
I loved that bit. I also like the fact that the children's belief in the creature gave Sam pause when he looked into its eyes. A bit of magic is always nice.
Author's reply
Ah yes, nothing like a bit of magic, and I think the Shire, and Bag End in particular, held magic in abundance.
I am sure there must be some lad fairies somewhere..........