cookiefleck
· 9 June 2007
· Chapter 32: Vocabulary Lessons
Very nice. I best liked the interchange between the man and Sam, and then with Frodo... and the payoff scene where realization finally dawns was fun. Good points made, too.
Author's reply
Yes, Sam has this ones number double quick, and finds no patience for his self-centered world view. Nor is Frodo much more capable of retaining patience with him. And it was fun to see his pride properly punctured. Now he has a chance to actually learn how true nobility expresses itself.
Thanks so for the response!
Lindelea
· 9 June 2007
· Chapter 32: Vocabulary Lessons
I am interrupted at this point (will include the quote where I stopped, in a minute, partly because it's where I stopped and partly because it's *wonderful*!) but just had to say this is glorious!
It so nicely fills in some of the background of the time that JRRT barely sketched in, the behind-the-scenes that *has* to be there but that the reader seldom sees.
I am so looking forward to reading to the end, later.
In the past few weeks their new Lord had made it plain that he would see all serving within the Citadel treated ever with honor, and that he honestly was both grateful for the service rendered by all who labored to keep this great edifice functioning properly and respectful of the work they performed. And here came one who resented being greeted by such as himself when the King and his folk all were courteous and expressed thanks regularly?
Just so--this is so very apt a characterisation of Aragorn, who laboured as long as the lifetime of a lesser man, a servant himself in many ways, before he came into his own.
Author's reply
"He who would be greatest among you, let him be as the servant of all." I certainly see this in Aragorn and in those who came with him as well, particularly the Hobbits.
I'd always felt this was the kind of King Aragorn would be, which is why I wrote that one of the first things Aragorn did after the coronation was to arrange to meet with the Citadel's staff to indicate this was precisely the type of situation he wished for them, and included similar images both in "The Acceptable Sacrifice" and "Lesser Rings," in which Aragorn and Arwen both help cleanse poor wretches rescued from a slave ship.
Am so very glad you appreciate this, Lindelea. Love to the hubby and Hobbitlings, and a pat to the writing companion until I can see you hopefully next week.
Armariel
· 9 June 2007
· Chapter 32: Vocabulary Lessons
Love the last paragraph. I rather liked the spoiled brat somehow and hoped, nay, knew the King wouldn't be TOO hard on him. He's just a kid after all, and couldn't have had such a great example set him. I like how he was given a second chance while being told like it was.
~~~{~@
Author's reply
The King is offering the young man a chance to grow and change, and he indeed offers a much better example than the boy's father. And Aragorn would indeed tell it as it is, I think.
Pearl Took
· 9 June 2007
· Chapter 32: Vocabulary Lessons
This is an excellent story, Larner!! A good lesson indeed, I hope the young man learns it well.
Author's reply
I'm certain that taught as publicly as it was this one had a good chance to hit home, and I suspect Ivormil will surpass his father as a lord of the realm.
So glad you enjoyed it, Pearl.
Raksha The Demon
· 9 June 2007
· Chapter 32: Vocabulary Lessons
Well, somebody certainly needed comeuppance!
Actually, I felt rather sorry for the stupid young Ivormil. He'd obviously been over-sheltered, and his father seems not to have offered a very good example of fortitude (I'm thinking of poor Denethor, who was not exactly a marvelous father, and who failed his Stewardship in the end, but who did fight the Dark Lord personally for decades, and sent his own sons into peril, rather than staying safe in some provincial bolt-hole).
But there's hope, at the end, that Ivormil is still open to becoming a better lord than his father. I loved the line where he looks at Frodo's feet and thinks of those bare feet walking through Mordor; there's the beginning of shame and reverence and understanding there.
I wonder what Aragorn and co. would have done with Paris Hilton...
Author's reply
Yes, someone needed a comeuppance, and the plot bunny for this one has been gnawing at the dog pen for months, insisting on recognition. I had to deal with it or the dogs might escape up to the road or get into the chicken pen or something equally dire.
I'm certain there were minor lordlings who holed up; and I felt they ought to be addressed, and you're certainly right about the contrast to even Denethor, who put the realm first until the last madness. But Ivormil is young, and as you note there is hope. He may not have heard of Hobbits, but he's certainly heard of Pheriannath, and it's hitting home now; and he's learning the lessons Aragorn desired to see taught. And after reading a few stories speaking to the damage those two pair of feet must have suffered in their long journey through the black land and up the slopes of Orodruin it just seemed right that they ought to be mentioned here.
Thanks so for the comments, Raksha.
Linda Hoyland
· 1 June 2007
· Chapter 31: Raiding
Nice to see Frodo being one of the lads for once. Poor kitten and Beri !
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo's definitely one of the guys during the raiding years; and he's able to use whatever means come to hand to affect his diversions, even small children and smaller kittens! Glad you enjoyed it!
Grey Wonderer
· 27 May 2007
· Chapter 31: Raiding
LOL That was priceless! I loved Berilac and that kitten. Frodo did an excellent job of planning on this one. He used everything to his advantage without causing any harm to anyone.
Author's reply
I KNEW you'd like this one, GW. Yes, now we see the kitten in action, and Frodo displays just how well he has Beri, Sprite, and the farmer and his wife all figured out, conspiring to bring them together in just the right way to get away with those tomaotoes! So glad you got the chuckle out of it!
Bodkin
· 23 May 2007
· Chapter 31: Raiding
Sneaky. Very sneaky.
Incredibly sneaky.
That's a hobbit as would be able ... plot the defeat of the Dark Lord or summat. Without him even noticing until it was too late.
Author's reply
Yes, very, very sneaky, and tricksy as well, wouldn't you say? Deserves the epethet from Gollum, he does!
So glad you approve! Heh!
Andrea
· 22 May 2007
· Chapter 31: Raiding
LOL!!! I just found this little example of Frodo's masterfully performed raids!
It was perfectly planned, including all the details!
Poor little Beri, though! Being left alone like that! At least he got his trout and almond cake, and maybe some tomatoes before that ;-)
Author's reply
So glad it gave you a laugh, Andrea. Wrote this for Dwim's birthday challenge, and we were to have original characters interacting with a canon character, and as I've been writing "Second Mum" this just naturally flowed. Glad you like it!
Indeed, poor Berilac, and poor Sprite! But it worked out for our lads, didn't it? Heh!
Pearl Took
· 20 May 2007
· Chapter 31: Raiding
Wonderful, Larner!! Absolutely wonderful!! A perfectly executed diversion :-)
Author's reply
I truly think that of all people within the Shire, when Frodo lead a gang intent on raiding the farms of the Marish he'd do it with flair. Glad you enjoyed it!
Kitty
· 20 May 2007
· Chapter 31: Raiding
It’s easy to see how you came to write this ficlet – the raidings in ‚Second Mum’ had to spark enough ideas. And it was fascinating to watch them at work in detail. Frodo knew little Beri and his preferences obviously very well and how to use them.
Now I wonder if and how the other lads continued after Frodo stopped raiding and later moved to Bag End.
Author's reply
One of the birthday challenges this month was to write a story in which an original character interacts with a canon character; so I put in three--Gil and Brendi Brandybuck (and a farmer, his wife, and a kitten), and Freddy Oldbuck. And yes, the plotbunnies do congregate! Heh!
As for how the other lads will continue after Frodo's reformation--well, I'll leave that to someone else to imagine at this point.
elanor winterflowers
· 20 May 2007
· Chapter 31: Raiding
How the lads must have missed Frodo when he moved to Hobbiton--he must have been legend for years!
Quite fascinating--writing-wise--to see the legends being broken down into ever more detailed histories. And great fun to see young Frodo enjoying himself immensely! Well done!
Author's reply
Oh, I agree--the tales of Frodo's exploits must have truly stimulated the imaginations of Hall lads for years! And I love looking more closely at some of the situations I've mentioned elsewhere and expanding on them.
Thank you so much1
harrowcat
· 20 May 2007
· Chapter 31: Raiding
Nice to see the expanded version of this Larner. One silly thought because I haven't had breakfast yet - Are trout and almond cakes sweet or savoury? It took me a while to work out that you meant trout first and then almond cakes for afters, (at least I think that is what you meant,) although trout and almonds go well together so perhaps you meant a kind of fishcake - Yummy too I would think. Told you I was being silly!!!
BTW Prayers going up for the situation you mentioned although we haven't heard anything about it over here.
Author's reply
Oh, dear--didn't make that too clear, did I? Although a fish cake with almonds might indeed be good, although as I don't like fish particularly I wouldn't really know from experience! Heh! Glad you enjoyed it. It was fun to imagine how this particular situation went down.
The two documentaries on the West Memphis Three case have been seen by at least some in England, for we have correspondents from Britain on the list and communicating via the board. It's a horrible case, of which you can learn more by visiting http://www.wm3 org . I became aware of it about nine or ten years ago, and it is good to see some progress being made at last. I've been following the board avidly recently to see what progress was being made with the reviews of the physical evidence, and the announcements of the past week have been heartening. Three lives lost; three lives sacrificed out of fear; a murderer and possibly his accomplices running free. I want to see true justice, not scapegoating.
Radbooks
· 20 May 2007
· Chapter 31: Raiding
Laugh out loud funny! Clever and sneaky, Frodo here. Very cute story.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Radbooks. Hope that with the summer coming on you'll find time to continue the saga of Rebecca and Thomas!
Queen Galadriel
· 19 May 2007
· Chapter 31: Raiding
Oh, that's great, Larner! LOL! Frodo's too clever!
Poor little Beri, threatened with missing his lunch. That really wasn't very kind, but it did the trick.
And poor Sprite! :) (And, of course, those who had to wrestle with him.) I can sympathize with Gil, trying to get those tiny claws unhooked without hurting their owner.
The vocabulary of the farmer seeking to
get the animal out of the tree was far wider than any of the lads had anticipated, and they absorbed some colorful phrases that Gil promised himself he’d
use on Gomez back at the Hall, and soon.
*snicker*
And love the last little bit of trickery at the end. "My brother," indeed! :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Glad to give you a snicker, my Lady. Yes, this is the Rascal of Buckland at his finest, and with the best of allies, including a hungry child and a stubborn kitten.
Hope the end of the school year is a relief to you.
Dreamflower
· 19 May 2007
· Chapter 31: Raiding
*snerk!*
Love the detailed account! Poor little Beri, threatened with missing trout and almond cakes!
And I'm so glad the kitten was able to make *his* displeasure know--kitties with stickers do have a way of doing that!
Author's reply
Glad to have given you a giggle, Dreamflower. Yes, Beri can be useful when he fears he might not get his favorite luncheon. And it was fun to involve poor Sprite in this story. We had one cat who used to climb the alder trees, get WAY up toward the top, and be afraid to come down again. I don't know how many times my brother had to climb up to fetch her down. This is my tribute to her. The rest of our cats never climbed anything more challenging than the dwarf pear, but Buffy would be right up there in the biggest alder on the place.
Kitty
· 2 May 2007
· Chapter 30: She Watches
Well, there may be some arguments why Sam could have stayed in Gondor, but I doubt he would've been happy. His love for the Shire, and Rosie, was stronger. And he isn't overly fond of all the honours, if I recall correctly *thinks back to a certain circlet* And after Frodo sailed, I think it was Rosie who kept him grounded.
But I have often wondered how whole and happy Sam truly was, with his beloved Master so far away ...
Author's reply
I, too, doubt Sam would have been happy anywhere other than in the Shire with his wife beside him. What use are honors and lordship if it keeps one from puttering in the garden of Bag End and watching the sunset over the land he knows and loves? Yes, Rosie kept him grounded, as Diamond and Estella kept Pippin and Merry grounded. Once the three wives were gone, however, it must be noted that their husbands all left the land they loved to be with others they also loved in lands far away.
Mostly whole--mostly.
Thanks so much, Kitty.
Baggins Babe
· 2 May 2007
· Chapter 30: She Watches
A beautiful look at Rose and her life with Sam, who was firmly planted in his beloved Shire, even if part of his heart was in the West.
Lovely, Larner!
Author's reply
Yes, part of his heart was in the West, but the one who held that part of his heart wanted the rest of it there, where he'd been planted, with the one he loved and who loved him so.
Thanks so much, Baggins Babe.
Lily
· 1 May 2007
· Chapter 30: She Watches
This is lovely. I enjoyed Rosie's voice and the fact that she pities "the one waiting there" - even if it's only a little.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you do enjoy her voice, Lily. Frodo has his reward now, but it came at great cost; and it won't be complete until Sam joins him and they go beyond. But Sam's greater reward is here, to find himself where he began and to know THIS fulfillment first; and Rosie has hers for her great patience and faith, and rejoices that this is so.
Lindelea
· 1 May 2007
· Chapter 30: She Watches
Aw, but this is such a lovely sketch!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you do, mellon nin. And love to the girls and Bob.
Bodkin
· 30 April 2007
· Chapter 30: She Watches
It must have been tough on Rosie, actually - despite her love for Sam. Married to a war veteran who is hankering after his long-gone Frodo over all those years. I'm sure he did his best to be 'one and whole' - but he had shadows she couldn't touch.
Female characters don't get enough credit, on the whole. Unless they're acting like men (Eowyn). Lots of picking up the pieces and enduring. And still Rosie is generous-hearted enough to send Sam off to Frodo rather than trying to blackmail him into seeking a grave in the Shire that his family can tend. Although the whole Shire is his memorial, in a way.
Author's reply
She loves him and he loves her; and she's willing to accept him in spite of the obvious fact an important part of his heart and soul belong to Frodo. She accepts what he can give her, and accepts that when the time is right and she's no longer there to hold him he'll probably go off to find that last missing piece to put himself back together before he dies.
And there's no question you're right about the entire Shire being his memorial. What a wonderful observation!
Linda Hoyland
· 30 April 2007
· Chapter 30: She Watches
A delightful glimpse of Rosie
Author's reply
Yes, at times I do manage to actually write short pieces; but this look at Rosie was one that didn't need long explication.
Thanks for the feedback.
Queen Galadriel
· 30 April 2007
· Chapter 30: She Watches
A lovely short glimpse into Rosie's thoughts. It must have been hard for her sometimes, knowing and yet not knowing what her husband went through and knowing that part of his heart was somewhere else. But she was the reason he came back, the reason he healed. And it's so like her that she would feel compassion for Frodo.
For some reason this story has got me singing "The Isle of Innisfree."
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
You can know what someone has done without understanding completely what it truly meant; and this is true, I think, of Rosie Cotton right then. And she can't ignore the fact that there's a portion of Sam Gamgee's soul that opens where she can't fully follow. But you're right that she's the reason he came back and was able to remain rooted in the Shire as long as she remained at his side.
Now I'll have to find this song, for it's not one I'm familiar with.
Glad you appreciated this one. Thanks.
Andrea
· 30 April 2007
· Chapter 30: She Watches
... here where the Creator planted him
Beautiful, Larner! I like this image very much!
What Rosie does not consider is that it was in fact the memory of the Shire, the plain life, the everyday procedures and the images of their loved ones that helped the four travellers to carry on! For "There's no place like home!" :)
And she finds she has pity for the one who waits there--some pity, at least.
Rosie is really a gem!
Thank you very much!
Author's reply
Yes, for Sam, this is where he was planted and where he will thrive most fully. You are certainly right that for Sam the idea that his Rosie was waiting for him must have strengthened and heartened him several times through the time he was laboring through difficult lands far away.
And Rosie is indeed the true gem in Sam's crown. And thank you!
Rowan
· 30 April 2007
· Chapter 30: She Watches
Wonderful! I love fics that look at our heroes from an "outside" perspective, even if Rosie isn't exactly "outside". And I can easily imagine the wonder she must have felt that Sam could be fulfilled with her despite all he had seen and done.
Author's reply
I love such stories, too-obviously! And so many military wives, as noted below, have felt wonder that their husbands would return to them in spite of the wonders and terrors they faced.