Reviews (138)

Author's reply

This was challenging to write, though not for the emotional upheaval. I couldn't pin down what the story was supposed to be *about*. It eluded me for the longest time and it didn't help that my free time to write was pretty non-existant at the time. Obviously, it did finally come together. I'm glad you enjoyed the result!

Author's reply

Thank you! I'm glad you liked this. I was a bit worried about this jump in time and place, but it seems to have worked. Thanks for reading!

Author's reply

Merry's a baby and baby's are always patting people's faces and pulling their hair, especially when they see someone is distraught. :) Yes! I made you cry! Now you can't say you've never cried reading a fic! Muahahahahaha! *clears throat* :D

Author's reply

The theory is that the couples put so much pressure on themselves to have a baby that they pretty much doom themselves to *not* have a child. Once they've adopted, the pressure and stress are off, and here comes Junior nine months later. :) That question, and more, is answered in "The Usual Suspects". ~_^ As for the book, the Gaffer might be more of an authority on the Bagginses than other hobbits in Hobbiton, but he doesn't necessarily know what happened to cause Frodo to come to Bag End. I mean, in "A Long-Expected Party", he goes on and on about Gorbadoc Brandybuck and how he ran the Hall, but if you look at the family trees, Gorbadoc died before Frodo was even born.

Author's reply

I think I overdo the foreshadowing at times in my stories, but I just can't help myself. This one though was very much intentional, as were most of the others. In fact, I think there was only one unintentional foreshadowing, and that was Frodo's words to Gil after getting out of the forest, about how "all he did" was go somewhere everyone else had the sense to stay out of and how that isn't courageous. Frodo never could see or appreciate how strong he really is. The Cirith Ungol song is easily my favorite, and is obviously where I got the title for this story from. It was only fitting that it be included here, especially since it was Sam who was to be Frodo's protector.

Author's reply

I never had anyone review backwards before, lol. That was kind of fun! :P Gil's taunt was the final straw, in many respects. It would, eventually, have come to something like this, if not quite so dire. Frodo could only have buried those feelings for so long before it got the better of him. But it all came out for the better in the end. ^_^ I reread parts of "The Old Forest" chapter in LOTR before writing this, and it helped me to anchor it down. I didn't want to go too above what Tolkien had described, but I did want it to be more frightening, simply because we were seeing it from Frodo's perspective. A child is going to see and experience things differently from an adult, and they often overexaggerate what is really happening (another reason the forest seems more mild and tame when the searchers go through).

Author's reply

At least Frodo learned a valuable lesson (one of many). He won't be popping mysterious fruits into his mouth again. He'll take care to look at what he's eating. Suspense just seems to come to me most easily for some reason. Maybe because I like it so much. ^_^ This was actually inspired by that old movie "The Bear" about the bear cub who's mom is shot by hunters. There's a scene in that movie where the cub eats poisonous mushrooms, and it's actually pretty cute. This is the Stephen King version of that, lol - or, should I say, the GamgeeFest version of that. And of course it couldn't be mushrooms because any hobbit would know in a heartbeat if a mushroom was safe or not.

Author's reply

Perfect? Oh, my. *blushes* Frodo has suspected for quite a while that it was Sam (perhaps that's why he caved and let Sam come with him to Mordor?), but to have it confirmed in that moment, his darkest hour thus far, did much to give him back a bit of his strength and resolve. Look for Fendi and Morti to make appearances in my next story, and Gil will get an honorable mention. I do have plans to bring at least Gil back, and Edon and Piper will have roles to play if I ever get around to writing that Quest fic I've been talking about forever. I've become quite attached to them as well, and I'll be looking for ways to bring them back. Thank you so much for reading this and for your wonderful support throughout! I'm glad you enjoyed it. ^_^

Author's reply

Thank you! The little boat was a last minute addition. The first part of this chapter was originally the epilogue, but as I said before, when I added the song earlier in the story, I then wrote a new epilogue and turned this into a full-fledged chapter. I'm glad I did it, if only to give Frodo this much-needed moment of closure. He's such a thoughtful young hobbit, and he finally, with the help of his friends, figured out what he needed to do to help his parents. He couldn't go to them, but he could send them another boat. I'm sure that Merry did eventually learn much about Frodo's years in Brandy Hall once he was older. These are things Frodo would want him to know, but he would also want to make sure Merry was old enough to understand before he sat him down and spoke to him about them.

Author's reply

It *felt* like writing two chapters in one, lol. Gil was the perfect person to help Frodo with the last of his worries. He young enough to not be an authority figure, yet old enough to be seen as wise by Frodo. Gil is quite the story-teller; it was his "My Friend Tim" story that started this whole mess in the first place, if you recall. You're right that it will help him and Frodo to bond all the more. Edon received his own lesson in courage. To speak, not only to Gil, but to all those he had wronged, was no easy task for him. All three lads had the same lessons to learn, but had to learn them in different ways and for different reasons. Now, they'll be able to help each other see their lessons through to the end. Once Piper got through thinking things over, she likely made quick work of making her father see the light, lol.

Author's reply

Hello Peri! I'm so glad you were able to catch up with this story and that you enjoyed it. I love to see Frodo comforted as well, and little Frodo was in great need of comfort in this story. He now can begin to believe that there are others who care for him, and knowing that will help him to heal from his wounds. The nightmares, as horrible as they were, will also help him heal, since he needed to confront the source of his fears. He was in such denial in waking life, that he could only confront those memories while in sleep. Edon and Gil insisted on having their stories told also, and it's a good thing they did. All three of our lads were able to help each other let go the past and look toward the future with open hearts.

Author's reply

Thank you so much! And to think I was nervous about this ending. Thank you again for all your lovely reviews. ^_^

Author's reply

It all comes back to Sam. Frodo's trip in the Old Forest was a sneak peak, if you will, of what was to come later. I'm so thrilled that you enjoyed this, and I hope you let me know what you think of the other stories you read. ^_^

Author's reply

Indeed. Frodo's parents chose well. Not only is Sam steadfast, but he does serve to remind Frodo of why he took up the Quest in the first place. That could easily be lost in the torments of the Ring and Mordor, but Sam's steady presence gives Frodo both strength and a focus. Thank you for reading and for your many lovely reviews. :)

Author's reply

That song is one of my favorites as well, and was the inspiration for the title and theme of this story. I don't imagine it would have taken Frodo terribly long to begin to suspect that it was Sam who was his protector, certainly not once Sam was a bit older and more capable of taking on the role. To have his suspicious confirmed, in what is easily one of his darkest hours, must have been a small beacon of light in the storm for him. Snaga's a punk, lol. Thank you so much for reading. ^_^

Author's reply

I was starting to second guess myself about this epilogue. It's a relief to see that it's gone over so well. This story gave me so much grief throughout, I'm glad to see it was worth it, and to be able to tie it in with both the book and "WODC..." was a bonus treat for me. ^_^ Yay! It's a favorite! *grins* Thanks agains for reading and following this to the end. *hugs*

Author's reply

They left him the best that could have ever been hoped for. Sam was so much more than a protector for Frodo, though it was his chief role during the Quest. I'm glad you enjoyed it. ^_^ *hands over some tissue*

Author's reply

Frodo does have a way of making people show their better halves, and it is his gentle nature that make his friends so fiercely loyal toward him. He is loved by quite a lot of his relations, though he still cannot see it. Still, he has been able to let go his grief, so now perhaps he will be more receptive to the love that others have been waiting to share with him. Thank you so much for reading and for reviewing. Feel free to read my other stories posted here, if you have the time. There will be more to come after this as well. I look forward to hearing from you again. *hugs*

Author's reply

Thank you! They will always share a special bond, no matter how far apart from each other their lives may take them. They will be the type of friends who could go years without seeing each other, but once reunited, start talking as if not a day has passed. They've all helped each other to grow and learn and let go of the things that were holding them back. Most important for Frodo was the letting go of his parents. He can now begin the healing process, which is long overdue. I'm sure Piper has serious reservations about continuing a relationship with Edon after what he revealed, but she's practical enough to see that he is sincere in carrying out his punishment and accepting what he did. They will come through this all the stronger for it, just as Edon and Gil. Whatever the future has in store for them, they will be facing it together. Just one left, and yes, there are more stories to follow. Thanks so much for reading and for your lovely reviews. :)

Author's reply

Frodo knew he couldn't have gone through with his plan without Esme and Sara there with him. That he asked for them to come, though he still didn't really let them in on what he had in mind, was a big step forward in his relationship with them. Yet just like everyone else, they still have a long way to go to forming a mutual and fully open and trusting relationship. It will require a lot of work, and thankfully, they all seem up for the challenge. Frodo's first encounter with the River was not going to be easy, but it wasn't as horrible as he feared it would be. Memories were stirred and heartaches remembered, but he was able to let go in the end. He's beginning to heal at last. Good has come from bad, ten-fold. Frodo, Edon and Gil will share a special bond after all that's happened. Though their lives will take them in several different directions, they will always remember this time fondly.

Author's reply

It's been a learning and growing experience for everyone, most especially for Frodo. He's been needing to accept the truth of his parents death, and twice now he's spoken the words out loud. With that acceptance, he can finally move forward with the grieving process and let them go. He'll now be able to go on with his life, though it won't always be easy.

Author's reply

I do have a prequel in mind, but I don't know when it will be written. The muses have been rather quiet of late, and there are also other stories in progress and/or waiting for posting. If you haven't discovered "The River" by Indigo Bunting yet, you should check that one out. There's some good Sam and Legolas angst in that one. I'm glad you've enjoyed this story so much. It always makes me happy to know that. I've appreciated your reviews. Just one more update to go with this story, but as I said, there will be more stories coming.

Author's reply

Edon's starting to grow up at last. He's realized that his actions have consequences and that he needs to take that into consideration before he acts. His lessons in humility, though a bit harsh, were no less than what he deserved and what he needed to, well, get over himself. Piper's practical if nothing else. That cloak will be rather like his scarlet letter, but he'll wear it with honor rather than shame. Wherever they eventually end up, they'll be happy enough. I can see them making a go of it in either place, but only time will really tell. Frodo's finally "helped" his parents and in doing so, has put some closure on their deaths. He will never completely come to peace with his loss, but he will be able to face the River from here on out and sleep in peace for awhile. Thanks again for reading!

Author's reply

Thank you! I'm glad you're still enjoying it. Frodo and Gil had quite the heart to heart didn't they? Exactly what the two of them needed. Thanks for reviewing!