I have laughed and shed tears over this precious gem of a story. So, the Tooks run to what we (rather unfortunately, I believe) would call ADHD, or at least extreme impulsivity, as well as, perhaps, giftedness in Pippin’s case, and Frodo used his natural discernment and his love and ability to interact well with children to be, in effect, his paraprofessional/classroom aid. ADHD runs in my family, went unsuspected until I couldn’t deal with it anymore and began to look for answers, and now I would pay dearly to have been productively taught to stay! on! task! in childhood rather than struggling to learn now in my thirties. I’ve been in Frodo’s role as well with my own youngest brother. At least, for Pippin, the issue was caught early, and look how far he went, literally and figuratively!
Everything about this story is so, so true to real, lived experience, and that alone is so encouraging. This is one to save and reread and share!
Author's reply
I missed this post, I fear. As a special ed teacher I've had to work with such children several times. Am glad this hits home and truly for you. Thanks so much for your affirmation that I've got this one right.
Galadriel Gardner
· 26 January 2023
· Chapter 100: Shall I Sing?
This is so beautiful! Very well written, very singable at a first look, very Sam with touches of Pippin. Very poignant and descriptive of Frodo. Praise them with great praise, and the true poet, also! Well done!
Author's reply
Am continuing to find your comments, my Lady. This song worked at me until I got it all written out. Am so glad it struck home with you as it has.
Teresa
· 30 December 2017
· Chapter 35: Jewels of Light
I think that the entire Fellowship were being shaped that way. Boromir s was darkened briefly; but his strength and light held at the end. I wonder how Legolas and Gimli s lights blended? Starlight and firelight perhaps? They were also brothers of the heart and soul. Many thanks for posting this! :)
PSW
· 7 February 2016
· Chapter 3: Gifts and the Benefits of Scholarship
Fantastic! The idea that there's something Aragorn *can't* do is quite endearing. And, there's no need to hammer a bench together w the same force you'd use to sledge a stone wall down, your Majesty... :-P
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree! I loved writing this one! Thanks so!
PSW
· 5 February 2016
· Chapter 1: Thinning
That is a good metaphor! Transplanting...
I enjoyed this little look into Frodo's thought processes. Very nice, thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Thank you! I do believe Frodo liked it as a metaphor.
OGSQYrM9l8w3
· 11 January 2016
· Chapter 15: Unbelief
So much info in so few words. Tosolty could learn a lot.
Author's reply
I have to laugh at the idea of this being "so few words," seeing it is one of my longer short stories! But certainly Tolstoy did tend to write long books!
Thank you.
I've been wanting to hear this story. This was lovely!
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. And there is a sequel of sorts to it in one of my other collections. Thank you!
Eirinn Leigh
· 25 July 2015
· Chapter 15: Unbelief
Loved this chapter! One thing I'm confused on is at what point in time the slave ship is liberated and the proceeds from it split among the survivors. Is this typical Gondorian policy? Because it sounded at first to me as if this girl was a child when she was liberated but then I remembered the other time this circumstance is mentioned in 'the lesser ring' I believe, which takes place quite a few years /after/ Frodo sails west.
Author's reply
As I imagine it, any Gondorian ship, merchant or navy, that managed to capture a slave ship would free its prisoners and give them the ship and whatever remaining cargo and treasure that was found aboard it to help them get home. However, when there was no home left to return to or no family to offer protection to a female or child slave, she or he might find a place within a Gondorian home as a an adoptee or as a foster placement. Popea was enslaved long before victory against Mordor and thus before the time of the slaves told of in "Lesser Rings," and as no one could determine where the rest of her family might have been disposed of she was adopted by Marcardion's family and had dwelt with them for several years.
Again, I apologize for the delay in answering your question. My shoulder has limited my time working on the computer for a few months now, and it's only now beginning to let up!
KathyG
· 14 June 2014
· Chapter 95: The Gaffer's Watchdog
Obviously not a box turtle! LOL! =)
Author's reply
No, not a box turtle necessarily. Heh! So glad you enjoyed it. I'm not certain what turtles, if any, might live in the Shire, but I remember bringing home new "pets" fairly frequently back when I was quite small and we lived in Tulsa, as well as the ones Mom encouraged people to bring her when the family relocated to Arkansas after I'd moved out on my own.
Sorry for the delay in answering--my shoulder has been aching abominably, and I've had to limit my time working on the computer at all for the last few months.
estelnalissi
· 31 January 2014
· Chapter 100: Shall I Sing?
Because I can't bear it that Frodo sailed from Middle Earth, I shy away from your stories, but your love for Frodo and the honor you do him and the Hobbits in your heartfelt, complexly imagined, deeply layered writing draws me irresistibly back to read and admire and cry a few tears. Sam's song with Pippin's tweaking is a bittersweet sketch of Frodo's life abbreviated to a dense concentration of detail and emotion. I am especially moved by the verses in which you show Frodo deciding again and again to put the well being of others before his own, eschewing his own happiness and comfort until he's lost the Hobbit's instinct to dwell in cozy community. I brailled this poem, to get it out of the computer so I can read it any time, anywhere to celebrate the profound nobility of Frodo and The Lord of the Rings.
Author's reply
I am so touched by this tribute! There is no question that Frodo Baggins is a most extraordinary being, no matter what his race or native inclinations, and it is his willingness to put others before himself that makes us love him so very much. And I am so honored you brailled this! Somehow I've lost my Duxbury program, or I'd have many of my stories translated into .brf format for those who want to read them using a braille display or other paperless braille device, or have them ready to print to a braille embosser. Again, thank you so much. I, too, grieve that he felt it necessary to leave Middle Earth, but have always felt that it was needed at the time.
Thank you so very much!
Oh my, Larner. This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read, I'm in tears.
Not only are the voices of the individual characters clear and very moving, but the words themselves and rhythm echo Tolkien's poetry so well! I have always had a soft spot for Frodo and what he went though; and I don't think he could have been given a more fitting tribute. I'm going to have to bookmark this, and re-read it whenever I need to have my LotR-heartstrings tugged at.
Thank you, for spending hours on it, and making it perfect.
Thank you.
Author's reply
And thank you for letting me know how it moved you--that is one of the greatest tributes I can get as a writer. Thank you so!
Linda Hoyland
· 24 November 2011
· Chapter 81: Honor Avenged
What a delightfully amusing story! Poor Aragorn didn't even know he'd taken Frodo's helping!
Author's reply
No, he didn't. And now he is learning the error of his way! Heh! Thanks so, Linda!
Armariel
· 6 October 2010
· Chapter 15: Unbelief
A most unexpected and stunning ending. Perfect!
~~~~~{~@
Author's reply
Good grief--I really missed this comment you made way last year after the remix challenge. I'm so glad you liked the way Marc turned out in the end, and I do rather wish he'd had the chance to see Frodo once more.
Lindelea
· 4 October 2010
· Chapter 74: Comfort Unexpected
Did I not review this one when you posted it?
This was absolutely charming. Pippin is so very... Pippish. Middlest said he sounded like about an 8yo, and if this took place not too long after Bilbo left, that would be about right (she uses the 1.5 conversion human-hobbit age, which works for me as well, though others have other opinions, of course).
Anyhow, we laughed our way through this one. Sam's "welcome home" snowball was the perfect capper to a delightful story.
Author's reply
Yes, you read it on the LOTR Community site, if I remember correctly. Glad you both enjoyed it now. You might recommend "Gifts and the Benefits of Scholarship"--it's one of my favorite funny ones. And, yes, Pippin was about that age developmentally at the time.
Anyway, must get on with things--missed my appointment to swim today.
Lindelea
· 4 October 2010
· Chapter 73: Vengeance is Reggie's
LOLOLOL!
Thank you for the link!
So now I must ask...
Why was Frodo so angry yesterday? And why would Isumbard be a suspect?
Got more stories for us? (For Middlest was reading over my shoulder, and laughing, and shouting some of the parts out loud as she read, and having a lovely time.
Author's reply
Well, if you remember the drabble, Linden spilled food on Lalia and got a severe dressing-down in front of everyone in the smial, which happened to include even Frodo and Bilbo. Isumbard is angry on behalf of his sister, and Reginard because he really likes Linden. I thought this would serve as a most appropriate revenge for the lass! Heh!
So glad that Middlest enjoyed it, too! Love to the family and the beasts! Hope to see you once the family is finally in their own home.
Lindelea
· 2 October 2010
· Chapter 15: Unbelief
Finally, I can leave you a review on this one... I first discovered it when Dreamflower asked me to beta-read her re-mix for the LOTR Community challenge. Of course, it was all a secret, who was writing for whom, and I didn't want to take any chance at all of hinting at the work going on. (We have a young make-believe friend who's infamous for such statements as, "Charlie, I'm not going to tell you that Violet got you chocolate for your birthday...!" (Charlie answers, with a grin, "Oh, you're not, are you?" "No! I'm not!" "I can't even tickle it out of you, can't I?" Delighted shriek, and, "No! You can't even tickle it out of me! Don't you dare!" "Well, then, there's no point in even trying to guess what Violet got me for my birthday, I s'spose...") Charlie and Violet and their little sister and other siblings and cousins are a regular bed-time story around here.)
Wonderful story! It was a pleasure to make the acquaintance of young Margil and Valdarion. And the ending was so skilfully wrought, it left me dabbing at my eyes and swallowing down a lump in my throat. Well done. Very well done.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you finally had the chance to read it, Lin. It's been so long since I wrote it at first I didn't realize the remix was written for my own story, if you'll believe it! I was so honored to find Dreamflower did such a wonderful job of expanding upon it!
Violet sounds perfectly delightful, and I've had her in my classes a time or two, I've found. Love to the Little Hobbits and Hubby and beasties--I hope to get down as soon as the house is MINE again! Heh!
GamgeeFest
· 27 March 2010
· Chapter 100: Shall I Sing?
I can see Sam at the desk in Bag End’s study, furiously writing this, spurred on by the ignorant comments on his neighbors for not understanding Frodo’s role is securing their freedom. Very poignant, and sounds very much like something Sam would write.
Author's reply
We know he wrote some lovely comic poetry in the song of the Stone Troll, but that Sam would find himself compelled to write such as this just seemed so right! Am so glad you find it appropriate to him as well, GamgeeFest. Sam was so worthy a Hobbit! Thank you so.
GamgeeFest
· 27 March 2010
· Chapter 99: Marred Gifts
Ah, ADHD Pippin! What a handful. If only parents nowadays would take that approach, rather than just giving their kids drugs. *sigh* I’m glad that Frodo was able to help salvage Yule for the Beri and Merry and that he was able to figure out also what was going on with Pippin. Imagine the Quest if this problem hadn’t been fixed! lol!
Author's reply
Oh, yes, indeed. And we can thank Golden for her suggestions that led to the writing of this one. And who better to figure things out than Frodo, right? Although Pippin was always a bit too--spontaneous?--at times, it seems.
Thanks so very much!
GamgeeFest
· 16 March 2010
· Chapter 98: A Yule Communion
The trees serve as a telepathic chatroom! lol! How wonderful that they are able to speak now and then despite the great distances between them.
Author's reply
For me the Elven trees have always been a means of at least empathetic awareness between these who are so far apart physically but whose hearts always beat somewhat in chorus.
Thank you so, GamgeeFest. I always appreciate your feedback.
Kitty
· 24 January 2010
· Chapter 100: Shall I Sing?
Oh wow, Larner, that's great! Admittedly I admire everyone who can write that sort of text - I'm absolutely hopeless when it comes to poems and rhymes. You managed very well to put the whole Quest into these verses!
Author's reply
Thanks so, Kitty. I don't do rhymes often, and have to struggle with them so. I started this poem just before my client RA died in November, and put it away for a time while I dealt with her death. Now, it's finally posted, and I found that the other story needed to be told with it. Was so glad for the excuse to write it, too.
Antane
· 21 January 2010
· Chapter 100: Shall I Sing?
Ignore my last comment about needing to post the whole song - reading this backwards and didn't know you had already posted the masterpiece! I love the most the repeating of the first stanza at the end and the determination that he shall sing. Love it and bless dear Sam for it! *hugs him*
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
And don't forget to thank Pippin for his services as editor and first performer! Heh!
Am glad you found it here. And a joyful day to you!
Dreamflower
· 19 January 2010
· Chapter 999999: Author's Notes
Here's to another 100! *raises glass*
Author's reply
Thank you so, Dreamflower. And I may just reach that many again!
Dreamflower
· 19 January 2010
· Chapter 100: Shall I Sing?
I had every intention of reviewing this right after I read it-- but had to tear myself away to cook supper, and then after supper, my newly upgraded Norton decided to take over my computer for an automatic back-up (thus rendering it so sluggish as to be useless).
Then when I read the first offering of your new anthology, I suddenly realized I'd never got back to this!
This is filled with Sam's powerful emotions of frustration and longing-- I could easily see him pouring his heart out all night long, trying to say what should be said!
What a fitting close to this anthology! I hope you soon fill up your second one!
Author's reply
Oh, I know how it is when computers decide to take on tasks on their own and refuse to answer direct orders! Am glad you got back to this one.
That now and then the pain should return as bad as when Frodo left them only seems normal, as I've certainly found that happens in my life. And that Sam should find himself trying to write out the pain in such a manner also seems likely.
Am so glad you feel this is a good place to stop my first collection; and I found I had to use the backstory for the first of the second one. I'm just glad that so many have enjoyed what I've written.
Thank you so much!
Lindelea
· 18 January 2010
· Chapter 99: Marred Gifts
Oh, this was lovely!
(And somehow it reminds me of my own characters' "None of your nonsense, now, Pip" when Pippin is waxing whimsical... What fun! This bright, inquisitive young Pip of yours could easily grow into a fine problem solver, with a little tempering.)
Author's reply
Oh, it is an honor to think you see our characterizations so closely in tune, Lindelea! And joy to you ever!
And DO check the new story group that is opening. You will see why....
Ainu-Yavanna
· 18 January 2010
· Chapter 999999: Author's Notes
Thank you very much indeed for “Moments in Time”. I am glad to learn that “complete” does not mean you stop. I always look forward to a new story about Frodo and I admire your awesome imagination. Congratulation for 100 chapters!
Author's reply
Thank you so very much, Ainu-Yavanna! I am honored you wish to see the stories continue!