The Mathom House by Baggins Babe
Neilia · 18 February 2008 · Chapter 5: Hope Remains
I have just finished reading the whole of 'Mathom House' that is presently posted. I find this set of stories so entertaining and emotionally uplifting that I am looking forward to further chapters. Love, Neilia
Author's reply
I'm very glad that you enjoy these stories. I love writing them and looking at the different characters. This story popped into my head at 3am the other morning and would not go away.
Pearl Took · 18 February 2008 · Chapter 5: Hope Remains
Absolutely fantastic Baggins Babe!! Encouraging. Loving. A touch creepy. A marvelous story! " The other fact which troubled him was that at no point on their journey, even as he watched the Man ride away, could he remember the sound of hoofbeats. His departure had been totally silent, just like his arrival. I travelled with a ghost, he thought. And that ghost saved me from being robbed - or worse." MEWD!!
Author's reply
I'm delighted that you enjoyed it, Pearl. Even friendly ghosts can be ever so slightly creepy - ot at least other-worldly. I remember reading an account by someone who saw a horse and rider on a lonely road and only afterwards did he realise that they rode past him in total silence, which is probably the most eerie thing about it. By the way, what does MEWD mean?
shirebound · 18 February 2008 · Chapter 5: Hope Remains
"His heart lay always in the Shire." Oh my, what a moving story. I can't think of any destiny 'Strider' would choose than to forever guard his beloved hobbits and their lands.
Author's reply
I hope Strider spent some of eternity with his wife, family and friends, but I think he would have appeared when needed, and guarding his hobbits would have been both a duty and a joy. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it. You win one of Rose Gamgee's fruit cakes for being first yet again! :-)
Dreamflower · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 4: That Which Was Lost.................
I do love stories in which OCs come to know and understand about the canon characters! Azarafti is a very good character for that--I'd love, though to see more of his reunion with his long lost brother!
Author's reply
Oooh! You're back! I hope you enjoyed your trip to Scotland. Glad you enjoyed the story - you may have sent me a greedy little plot bunny there. Perhaps another tale will come out of this.
Pearl Took · 29 September 2007 · Chapter 4: That Which Was Lost.................
A truly beautiful tale, Baggins Babe! It is such a positive tale. I love this man discovering the joy of a place ruled by a caring ruler, and the joy of finding his long lost brother. Most excellently well done!
Author's reply
Glad you liked it. This plot bunny has been nibbling away at my ankles for weeks. I like to think that life under our caring King was a very positive thing.
grumpy · 27 September 2007 · Chapter 4: That Which Was Lost.................
Glad that Azarafti has found his long lost little brother. The king and queen do have a way about them. I bet Elessardoes drive his guards crazy by going into places that they think are not proper for him.
Author's reply
I'm sure Aragorn drove his guards mad. He had spent years as a Ranger, dropping into inns, wandering in the wild. The restrictions of royalty must have been difficult to cope with sometimes.
Kitty · 26 September 2007 · Chapter 4: That Which Was Lost.................
Azarafti got an interesting lesson about the nature of ruling and how to treat prisoners of war. Hearing other Haradris talking about ‚Our King’, learning that Elessar welcomed even former enemies in his city to live there in freedom, because at home they would have been executed, has to be quite a shock. Ha, when Shefir and his vanishing was mentioned while Azarafti was on the way to this shop, I guessed who this shopkeeper was, and I was right! That was a touching reunion, BB. I absolutely loved it. You know, that calls for another sequel – now I want to know how the relationships between Harad and Gondor play out in the long run, and if what Azarafti learns now on this mission is going to change Harad!
Author's reply
I think the overload of ideas must have been quite a shock for Azarafti, but by the time of 'Centenary' he has had time to absorb these things and appreciate them. At least now he has a reason to appreciate Gondor and its King. We will see more of Azarafti in 'Centenary' and that will include his relationships with the King and with the hobbits who are there for Aragorn's birthday.
SurgicalSteel · 26 September 2007 · Chapter 4: That Which Was Lost.................
This was absolutely lovely! Just marvellous. The brothers meeting in Minas Tirith was fantastic.
Author's reply
Delighted to know you enjoyed the story. I wanted to give Azarafti some back story before writing him in to 'Centenary' and this plot bunny has been very persistent.
Larner · 26 September 2007 · Chapter 4: That Which Was Lost.................
Aha! Another inspired to look at how this city and this King surpass the expectations of their peoples. And Aragorn realized that Azarafti would find his brother here within the White City itself, did he? Wonderful! And a good use of those former POWs who knew that to return to their own lands would lead probably to their deaths, to give them appropriately responsible positions there in the camp at Cormallen and then within the realm itself. Yes, our responsible King at his best!
Author's reply
I thought you would enjoy this one, Larner. I'm sure Aragorn knew that Shefir was Azarafti's brother and set events in motion like the wise and wonderful ruler he is. I just love responsible Aragorn!
Tigger · 26 September 2007 · Chapter 4: That Which Was Lost.................
Sigh...That was so utterly snuggy and perfect. I wonder how many other Haradrim families could tell the same tale after the War. This was wonderfully told and perfect for a cool Fall night. Thanks BB!! :o) PS....Yea, I know. I owe you an answer to your e-mail. Have been having another bad patch of pain again, so... BTW, go over to my LJ (It's tiggersk8) and you will find some of my own stories over there. Not all of them, but maybe a third of them are up. Hope you enjoy. :o)
Author's reply
Oh I'm glad you enjoyed it. I wanted to write this before doing the birthday chapter of 'Centenary' as Azarafti will be in that too. Any chance you can send me the linkie for the LJ? I'm such a technophobe and wasn't sure where to type in what you gave me. I'd be interested to read your stories. Hope you're feeling better.
Fiondil · 25 September 2007 · Chapter 4: That Which Was Lost.................
Hi Baggins Babe. I've been enjoying these stories and hope you continue them, especially Azarafti's adventures in the White City. I'm sure he will have many, not all of them pleasant either (not everyone is going to be happy that Harad and Gondor are allies, after all *hint, hint*). Can't get enough of Aragorn either. Just one linguistic note (simply because I can't resist): "Cormacolindor" is plural. The singular is "Cormacolindo", so you might want to change the pronoun to "them". After all, Sam was a Ringbearer as well, if only for a short time. I look forward to reading more.
Author's reply
Glad you're enjoying the stories. I realised I had to write this one before completing the next chapter in my longer tale 'A Centenary of Special Significance.' I'm sure there are many factions unhappy that Harad and Gondor are coming to an understanding. Some people never are happy about this sort of thing (weapons manufacturers, for a start!). Both Azarafti and Aragorn will no doubt have to deal with some troublemakers. No, who can possibly ever have enough Aragorn? I thought I had put 'them' - will go back and change it. I had a rather distracting day yesterday, which probably explains it.
harrowcat · 25 September 2007 · Chapter 4: That Which Was Lost.................
This left me with a gentle smile of joy on my face BB.
Author's reply
What better praise can an author receive? I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Did you catch the latest two chapters of 'Centenary'? I always expect to see your name and was surprised not to. Perhaps the reminders are lost in cyberspace!
Theresa Greenfalcon · 25 September 2007 · Chapter 4: That Which Was Lost.................
This is a charming set of short stories. Thanks for writing them. Tracey
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm really glad you're enjoying them. Of course Frodo being alive and well in Middle-earth is part of my AU, which started off as one long story and, like Topsy, just growed!
shirebound · 25 September 2007 · Chapter 4: That Which Was Lost.................
"You ........admire him?" Rulers in Harad had always been feared, not loved. "I would die for him." And you amply show us why! What a wonderful look at post-Quest Minas Tirith, with everything coming true that everyone fought so hard to gain. And how wonderful that the hobbits are known, respected, and will be remembered.
Author's reply
Ah! I can always rely on Shirebound to be first! I'm sure not everyone approved of improving diplomatic relations and no doubt there will be trouble in some quarters, but for now Azarafti is on a fairly steep learning curve (or 'bendy educational thing,' as one of Terry Pratchett's marvellous comic creations calls it!).
Linda Hoyland · 18 August 2007 · Chapter 1: The Dangers of Hobbit Ale
Just hilarious.A cautionary tale for our King and Steward !
Author's reply
A very cautionary tale! Glad it made you laugh. I just had this picture of our favourite King and Steward talking nonsense and sleeping on the floor. :-)
Raksha The Demon · 15 August 2007 · Chapter 1: The Dangers of Hobbit Ale
Oh, this was so funny - Aragorn and Faramir getting totally soused and charmingly silly on hobbit ale. Sneaky hobbits! The poor King and Steward, tall noble Dunedain that they are, can't make it past the second pint without falling prey to the hobbits' usual spirits.. Their friends (and wives) will never let them forget.
Author's reply
What a lovely surprise to find your review this evening. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the story - love your description of the King and Steward as 'charmingly silly'! They are really, aren't they? I think the wives and friends will tease them for years over this one!
Mirkwoodmaiden · 12 August 2007 · Chapter 3: In Place of a Dark Lord...........
BB! Yes you will need to sit down. I have actually reviewed a story! :-) I loved this story! Kinda makes me wish I could hope a bus to the Shire and partake of Rosie's cooking right now. I love your premise. Rosie does indeed influence all she loves with the love she sends in the form of food. She is Queen of her own world that she fills withe care and attention and that is quite enough! :-) MM
Author's reply
Good grief! Is that you, MM? *grabs smelling salts* Glad you enjoyed it - yes, I think we all wish we could pop over to the Shire for our meals! You have expressed the heart of this story so perfectly. Great to hear from you. Hope to see more reviews.
Kitty · 28 July 2007 · Chapter 3: In Place of a Dark Lord...........
*snicker* This idea is great, BB! All these different people – and even the Valar! - sampling Rose’s cooking was so much fun. Her cookbook will be a bestseller, no doubt. And I can *so* see Glorfindel and Thranduil and the other elves going to the Shire to pay her a visit *grin* Or Bilbo giving cooking lessons to the elven cooks of Valinor! Loved particularly the episode with Faramir and Eowyn. Well, if she’s learning to bake at last, then Rose did a miracle, didn’t she? It’s easy to see the point – Rose could get all these important people to do what she wants, only through rewarding them with her food, or withholding it. Absolutely lovely!
Author's reply
Rose's cookbook will be a bestseller in Middle-earth for years! And she has achieved a miracle if Eowyn has managed to make a cake! Glad you enjoyed it.
Queen Galadriel · 26 July 2007 · Chapter 3: In Place of a Dark Lord...........
*beams with satisfaction* Aaawww! How perfectly lovely! Had to laugh at what Manwe said about Rose being able to wield more power than Sauron if she so chose. Somehow I believe it...:D I meant to say in the last review: the Eater of Souls is a very appropriate name for Sauron. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
There you are! I was wondering where you had gone but I suppose school inconsiderately got in the way? So glad you liked it. Rose's influence would give her an awful lot of power if she wanted to use it.
Queen Galadriel · 26 July 2007 · Chapter 2: Lord Ulmo's Gift
Oh, awesome! I love every bit of it! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
It's great to have you back and reviewing again. Thank you for stopping by.
lovethosehobbits · 26 July 2007 · Chapter 3: In Place of a Dark Lord...........
Oh, I truly enjoyed this. When they say a way to a man's heart is through his stomach I have to agree. Food, especially really, really good food, is such a pleasure (hence my bulging gut) very relaxing and soothing in a way nothing else can be, don't you think?
Author's reply
And there was me thinking it was through his ribcage......!! :-) I'm sure Rose could find her way to anyone's heart with her culinary talents. Certainly food is one of life's great pleasures, I agree.
harrowcat · 26 July 2007 · Chapter 3: In Place of a Dark Lord...........
Yes, dear Rose a Queen among hobbits. It certainly seems true that the way to every male person's heart is through his stomach, although those lavender scones do sound good!
Author's reply
I had lavender scones during a visit to the Norfolk lavender fields and they were wonderful. It sounds strange but they really were gorgeous. Rose is definitely a Queen among hobbits.
cookiefleck · 25 July 2007 · Chapter 3: In Place of a Dark Lord...........
Great idea and it was lovely to read. Thank you!
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed it. I can see Rose's gift being appreciated all over Middle-earth.
Larner · 25 July 2007 · Chapter 3: In Place of a Dark Lord...........
Just perfect, Baggins Babe. And Rosie is happy just being who and what she is--the wife of Mayor Samwise and the best cook in the world of Arda! Heh! And loved Yavanna's reaction to Manwe's suggestion. (Although as Varda is Manwe's consort and Yavanna is Aule's, she's a lesser queen.)
Author's reply
Rose is content with who and what she is - and probably blissfully unaware of just how powerful she might be. I've always felt that, although Yavanna is considered slightly a lesser queen than Varda, her position depends more on her own reputation. She who created most living things (esp. hobbits) must be pretty powerful in her own right, without relying on her husband.
Dreamflower · 25 July 2007 · Chapter 3: In Place of a Dark Lord...........
Now *THAT'S* power! LOL! I did so love this--how wonderful to see Rose's--and the Shire's--influence so widely spread!
Author's reply
Yes, Rose definitely has the power! Remarkable what hobbits can achieve, isn't it? Their influence has really travelled.