shirebound
· 13 September 2005
· Chapter 3: Gifts and the Benefits of Scholarship
What a delightful scene between King and hobbits! I love their easy familiarity with one another, and the fact that Pippin simply wouldn't let his King slip away alone, into who-knows-what mischief.
Looking quickly to Lord Frodo, he realized that the slender Hobbit was not trying to deal with distress so much as struggling mightily not to laugh out loud, and that his eyes, which were too often sad and distant, were full of a mighty delight and humor.
Wonderful!
Author's reply
Glad you like it. I love to think that now and then something happened in Minas Tirith to get Frodo laughing, and that all were mightily glad of it. And after reading Bodkin's and the Grey Wonderer's latest efforts this one was just waiting to be told--the inexperienced trying to put together a simple bench....
You ought to read the chapter on archery practice and Shire cooking in my new story--I think that you will appreciate what Pippin and Isumbard come up with for dinner.
Baggins Babe
· 22 August 2005
· Chapter 2: Stricken from the Book
This was such a painful and sad story to read, to think of Frodo feeling that much self-hatred that he would strike himself out of the Book of Baggins. Poor, poor Frodo! I really hope that when he is restored to the book, he has recovered enough in the West to be pleased. A great wrong has been righted and he is loved by so many.
A terrific story, Larner. *mops keyboard*
Author's reply
In my "universe" Frodo is pretty much restored to equilibrium before Bilbo leaves Arda, sometime in the spring of 1422, and that he had been experiencing the gift of healing from the moment he took ship at the Harbor of Mithlond, although as I've envisioned in The Choice of Healing even then not all was easy for him. But I think anyone in Frodo's position and condition would have found that their faults, including the fault of self-criticism, would have been magnified by the possession of and by the Ring awakened over such an intense period. I just rejoice that the gift of healing was given him, and am certain he was himself restored by the time Fosco and Forsythia came of age to right the wrong properly. I also tend to envision him realizing that some small burden had been lifted from him on the day he was restored to the Book of Baggins, even if he had no idea what was happening back in the mortal lands.
What was more indicative of his true nature, however, was that Frodo never imagined striking Lotho from the Book of Baggins--that even after Lotho's betrayal of the Shire and eventual murder he would not forbid him the ties of family which mean so much to Hobbits.
Armariel
· 21 August 2005
· Chapter 2: Stricken from the Book
How poignant..........Frodo should really think better of himself, what? Well, maybe not as much as he deserves or he'd be insufferable, but......but........well, you KNOW what I mean!!
Author's reply
Tolkien wrote that Frodo both over- and underestimated himself before he quitted Middle Earth, and so I tend to look at how he did the latter. He was definitely his own worst critic, which was anything but fair, of course.
I am glad you found it poignant. And thanks for both reading it and responding. I so love your work.
Andrea
· 21 August 2005
· Chapter 2: Stricken from the Book
Oh my! He struck himself out of the family book? The feeling of guilt must have been overwhelming! But he really was a hero. No-one else could have accomplished what he did.
And when Fosco and his sister think the time is right to restore his name with all his titles in the book, then I think Frodo is finally in peace and the feeling of guilt has gone. I really hope so!
And I'm glad there's friendship again between the Bagginses and the Bracegirdles.
Author's reply
The Bracegirdles had their faults, but I don't think they were all bad. That one of them should come to respect Frodo and to feel empathy for him I felt ought to be explored.
And I certainly hope Frodo's unrealistic feelings of guilt was relieved once he accepted the gift of healing offered him.
Thanks for the feedback.
Julie
· 21 August 2005
· Chapter 2: Stricken from the Book
Beautifully written!! I've enjoyed this "series" you've created and this fits in perfectly. This was quite an emotional piece, especially with Frodo striking himself out of his family's book. I love the concept of the family book as well, it is reminiscient of family trees being recorded in the cover of Bibles, etc. Obsessed as the hobbits are with geneaology, I can easily picture them keeping a book of this sort.
I noticed one small accidental error, however. At the end in The Book of Bagginses, you list Bilbo's parents as Drogo and Belladonna. Bilbo's parents were Bungo and Belladonna.
I eagerly await more tales!
Author's reply
That's what I get for finishing up a story so late at night. I'd been good at putting Bungo in there right up until the end of the story, and then I screwed it up. I also noted I'd put Aunt Dora at the final ceremony when I'd meant to reference sister Daisy.
Thanks for the heads up, and I believe I have the errors corrected now.
As for the Family Books--like you I'd thought each family would keep their own bits of genealogy in such a fashion; and I'll admit I was partly inspired by the thought of the Thain adding and striking folk to Old Yellowskin as described in other works I've read here and elsewhere, including Lindelea's works as well as certain others--I'm sorry--can't remember all the authors.
I just imagine Frodo in one of his fits of depression and illness one night trying to do psychologically what he'd not done physically--a sort of figurative self-execution, if you will.
Dreamflower
· 20 August 2005
· Chapter 2: Stricken from the Book
Oh my! *sniffle*.
What a sad and perfect addition to your universe.
Author's reply
Am so glad it moved you, Dreamflower. I am honored, and honored you appreciate my universe. Thanks.
lindahoyland
· 20 August 2005
· Chapter 2: Stricken from the Book
Poor Frodo to have so much to deal with when he felt so ill and to strike himself from the book !You portray his suffering well.
Author's reply
Thank you for the feedback, Lindahoyland. I suspect that the two years in the Shire would have been quite mixed for Frodo, sometimes doing well, sometimes and increasingly feeling weakened and depressed, and at times hating himself while at others hating everyone else, and the rest of the time horrified to find he was capable of such hatred toward anyone.
Kitty
· 14 August 2005
· Chapter 1: Thinning
Very good idea to post here such little fics which don't belong to or fit in with the longer ones!
This one was beautiful, even if a bit sad. I think it was very like Sam to plant the removed bulbs somewhere other, and it was so nice how it gave Frodo a new view of his situation. He needed the reassurance, and I think it brought him some peace as well.
Sam's father had probably often no easy time to explain to little Frodo what he was doing - Frodo was not the type of child which was content with a short, simple answer. He wanted to know every little detail and a lot of 'why', which is not always easy to explain.
Author's reply
Nor do I think Frodo's "why" would be pointless just to keep attention fixed as is true with that of many children I know. I suspect his why would be heartfelt.
And Frodo did need some reassurance that he was making the right choice. It would have been difficult for him without having a more positive image to take with him as he made his choice, I think.
Thanks so much for your response.
Radbooks
· 14 August 2005
· Chapter 1: Thinning
I enjoyed this very much, Larner. I was different than I thought it was going to be, but I like the idea of being transplanted. It touched me becuase of some personal things I'm dealing with. Nicely done!
Author's reply
Glad it moves you so personally, then. And hope your own transplanting, however it might affect you, ends up positive.
Baggins Babe
· 14 August 2005
· Chapter 1: Thinning
This is such a thoughtful story, wistful and sad but with a great hope for the future. How like Sam not to throw away the bulbs but share them with the rest of the Shire. What a wonderful way to look at Frodo's departure too - a transplanting.
Beautiful, Larner.
Author's reply
For Sam this would be a natural response--when one finds too much, share rather than dump. And Frodo needs a positive context in which to put his decision.
Thanks so much for responding.
harrowcat
· 14 August 2005
· Chapter 1: Thinning
I'm glad that you have found a place to share with us the bits that don't fit - In a way I hope there are lots to come but on the other hand you need the bits to fit to make your wonderfully crafted longer stories!
This is lovely in it's own right and the metaphors of thinning and transplanting just perfect for Frodo. Not everyone can bloom where they grow but thinning is hard to do without damage to both those left behind and those being moved. In his depression I think Frodo may be understimating the pain his leaving will cause for all. But it has to happen for all to thrive and grow.
Author's reply
I think there would have continued to be emotional and spiritual growth in Sam's family even had Frodo stayed, but I doubt he'd have been able to grow where he was planted. I know I've gone from the idea that Frodo's physical as well as his spiritual and emotional health were impaired by his experiences, and here I'm working from the reality of the experiences of many who've survived severe trauma such as Holocaust survivors. But, even had his physical health remained stable, still Frodo himself was most likely withering away spiritually due his inability to openly deal with his experiences, he reluctance to share them, the inability of the others to realize they needed for him to be shared for him to turn the corner and grow himself.
He needed the transplantation more than Sam and his family needed thinning, I think.
Thanks for the response.
Tigger
· 13 August 2005
· Chapter 1: Thinning
Oh Larner...This was lovely. I can so see Frodo as one of those precocious children who is forever asking questions. Really liked how you had the Gaffer explain to Frodo what he was doing and why. I can also easily see Frodo grieving for the beauty that wasn't allowed to come forth. Also liked how Sam told Frodo he had transplanted all those bulbs he had thinned that morning and why. It gave Frodo some badly needed peace and in turn, brightened Sam's day as well.
All around a wonderful read. Thanks for sharing it!!
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo was undoubtedly precocious and caring from the start, I think. So glad you appreciate the imagery and heart of the story so. Thanks so much for respondig to it.
Dreamflower
· 13 August 2005
· Chapter 1: Thinning
Oh how perfect! That is *just* how Frodo would have thought of his decision--taking himself away so that he wouldn't crowd Bag End with his sorrows. I'm so glad that Sam was able to give him the information he needed to put a more positive spin on his decision.
What a wonderful metaphor it was, and so appropriate to Frodo and Sam!
Author's reply
I'm only sorry that Sam wasn't allowed to know until it was too late what Frodo's decision was, to offer his own aid int he transplanting to come until they were riding to the Havens. Here he was thinking Frodo had chosen to go to Rivendell, and instead he was going so much further, and to not be able to even visit from time to time! It must have been so sad for him, for all he accepted Frodo needed it at the time. But it would perhaps have been easier had Frodo been able to share earlier.
Armariel
· 13 August 2005
· Chapter 1: Thinning
Dear ol' Sam, I just KNEW he wouldn't toss out those lily bulbs! That's my kind of gardener. In more ways than one.
Author's reply
No, Sam wouldn't do such a thing, particularly after his trip to Mordor, I think. He'd value each bulb just as his master would, and would seek, as he did with the grains of dust from Galadriel's gift, to make each one count. And Frodo would find reassurance not only for his own future, but for the future of the Shire at Sam's hands.
Thanks for reviewing.
Alassiel
· 13 August 2005
· Chapter 1: Thinning
What a lovely tale! Indeed, Frodo did transplant himself—and what a garden he grew in! Thank you.
Alassiel
Author's reply
He needed the transplanting, and to accept it was a transplanting as well. And probably all of Arda was the more beautiful for it, the mortal lands with his memory and his legacy, and the Undying Lands for his presence and the example of humility, obedience, and reward as reflected in a mortal.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
lindahoyland
· 13 August 2005
· Chapter 1: Thinning
This was very sweet and touching.Frodo is so noble and I like the reasons you give for his decision.
I have seen father spelled both Ada and Adar .Are the terms interchangable ?
Many thanks for your kind review of my story.I'm honoured to be posting here too and it is thanks to your advice I decided to post my long stories too !
Author's reply
Adar is "father" while Ada is "Dad" or possibly "Daddy." One the more formal, one the familiar. Naneth and Nana are what I use for "Mother" and "Mom." Am not fully certain that's right, but--oh, well.
Yes, Frodo is noble, but also needs the spiritual reassurance that he is still acceptable in the Creator's eyes that he can't fully accept in Middle Earth itself. He does need the trip to Tol Eressea for his healing and acceptance of Grace.
shirebound
· 13 August 2005
· Chapter 1: Thinning
Those bulbs as I’ve transplanted, they’ll put down new roots, grow deep
How lovely, Larner. Sam's plain hobbit sense is exactly what Frodo needed. And "transplanting" is so much more positive an image than "thinning". Lovely.
Author's reply
Yes, I think Frodo needed that positive image.
Thanks so much for the review.
Grey Wonderer
· 13 August 2005
· Chapter 1: Thinning
That was wonderful. I loved Frodo's thoughts about the plants and how sad the thinning had made him. Leave it to Sam to make Frodo see it all in its proper light. I also enjoyed the look back at little Frodo with his Uncle Bilbo. You should do this more often.
Author's reply
Oh, I'll try, now and then, when the little plot bunnies slip up on me.
Frodo as a child with his Uncle Bilbo must have been a wonderful thing. And I think Frodo's questions would have been harder to deal with than those of most children, for I doubt he'd have been easily fended off with a "just because" sort of answer. He'd have given the adults he met an intellectual workout, just trying to keep up with his curiosity.