love when sam has to acknowledge his own worth... merry seasons.
Author's reply
Yes, he does have to do that sometimes!
Some people have said they think that if Frodo stayed in the Shire, Sam and his family would never have risen to prominence. But I don't agree. I think if Frodo had stayed, and been healed, he would have liked to return to a quiet scholastic life. He would have been glad to turn his responsibilities over to Sam.
Oh, there are worse things to have running through your head than that! At least it's not the apple song, lol! I did enjoy the hobbits' dilemma over what to call their meals.
Author's reply
No, at least it's not the apple song--the rest of the Fellowship won't encounter *that* one until Lothlorien, LOL!
I just see that argument as the sort of minutiae that hobbits just love.
*ROFL* How like the hobbits to argue over how to call the meals properly when they are resting in the day and walking during the night! Of course, that was a most pressing problem to solve!
And of course Sam had to be offended about the all too tiny portions the men, elf and Maia took. No way that could be a proper meal by hobbit standards.
It was good to see them in such high spirits, even if there was no tea.
Author's reply
Most certainly it was. Or, well, if not, it at least provided an entertaining conversation, LOL!
As far as hobbits are concerned, Big Folks just don't eat enough at all! I had long ago referred to Merry and Pippin feeding the others a "suitable portion" in my story "One of the Lads", so I decided to show how that got started! *grin*
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Kitty
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 56: Surprises and Secrets
Poor Frodo, what a bad way – and timing - to hurt himself!
Aunt Dora speaking in Capitals was just hilarious – and seems to be rather typical for her *lol* But her gift for Frodo was lovely. I am sure Frodo appreciated it very much.
Bilbo’s presents for Frodo were great, too. I can see Frodo’s pride at being trusted with the key to Bag End. And Bilbo even decided to tell him the truth about the Ring? Wow! That’s certainly a honour!
Author's reply
Yes, it was! But the poor lad had no choice, since that was the request I had!
I can't imagine Aunt Dora speaking any other way, now, actually! But she has a good heart, and she loves Frodo dearly.
I know that at some point, Bilbo would have given Frodo a key, and it's canon that he told Frodo about the Ring--I just had to imagine when and how the revelation took place!
Of course it matters! I love the innocence of these dear ones who are going to for as long as possible have fun on this Quest and not let it get to their hearts and when it does, they are still going to keep going. The four are keeping the Shadow at bay for all the Company and for us too. God bless them. He chose them well.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, they are going to do their part, and pull their weight, but they are not going to allow circumstances to change their essential hobbity nature!
GamgeeFest
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 56: Surprises and Secrets
Poor Frodo, laid up and injured on his birthday. I used to hate getting sick on my birthday, but at least he has plenty of friends and family around to make the time go by. And so Frodo learns of the Ring...
Author's reply
Yes, I hated to do it, but that's what my recipient requested! But it was fun to figure out how his loved ones were going to cheer him up. And it seemed an appropriate time for Bilbo to spill the beans, so to speak.
GamgeeFest
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 54: A Much Needed Holiday
Heh! Good to see Merry and Pippin on the other side of a conspiracy. Though Sam always seems to end up being on the scheming side - an ironic position, for such a "proper" hobbit. Loved this series of letters and am glad the lads have realized that while duty is important, all work and no play make for some very crabby hobbits.
Author's reply
Yes, Sam's always been an excellent conspirator! LOL!
I think those first couple of years after their fathers died and they took on their responsibilities must have made for a very difficult time for them, and for their wives as well. Hobbits, and especially *those* hobbits, do need to have some play time as well!
Socrates399
· 15 October 2008
· Chapter 21: A Passing Troll
So....macabre! (And at the same time, so humorous!)
:-)
Author's reply
Well, it was sort of an in-joke. Bodkin had kept joking during comments on "A New Reckoning" and "Consequences of a Fall" that Hyacinth would make good troll-fodder, and that she should be eaten "by a passing troll", and so one day in a fit of mischief, I decided to indulge her.
I was amazed at how many people loved this little bit of naughtiness!
GamgeeFest
· 29 September 2008
· Chapter 53: The Token
This is lovely. I had never thought that Arwen's gem might have been handed down to her from someone else, and that you chose her mother is quite fitting. Celebrain had also been tormented and ruined by Sauron, and that Frodo should inherit her gem to carry back to her, perhaps one of the few elves in Valinor who would understand his pains, is quite appropriate.
Author's reply
I always assumed that there was something special about that gem, and the way it was described made me think of Frodo's phial. Perhaps, it too, had been made by Galadriel? And that made me think of Celebrian.
And that was exactly the reasoning I used in having the gem come from her in the first place.
Yes, I do see this as a likely reason Frodo would have taken such desperate actions. It would have been only too easy for him to continue to delay leaving if he could remain safely tucked inside Bag End. Whereas, once he left his home, it was a simple matter to just keep on going.
Author's reply
Exactly! And knowing that he'd left the SB-s there would have been extra incentive not to look back.
GamgeeFest
· 29 September 2008
· Chapter 51: Now You See Him...
LOL! Poor Holman. Thankfully, he chalked it up to Bilbo's friendship with the wizard and didn't dig further for an explanation. Now I wonder if Hamfast ever saw Bilbo's disappearing trick? It seems fairly certain that Sam never did.
Author's reply
I wonder. But I'm guessing that Hamfast would have tried to rationalize it the same way that Holman did, unless he actually saw it happening directly, as Holman did.
And I think, after Gandalf's warnings, that Frodo would have been a good deal more discreet--in fact, it's rather implied (though not said in so many words), that Frodo never used it himself before the Quest.
Antane
· 23 September 2008
· Chapter 56: Surprises and Secrets
Poor Frodo but he's well taken care of and dearly loved and obviously still having a happy birthday so all is well, even with that little shadow there right at the end, but they don't know exactly what they have there so don't even see the shadow as it should be, all should be happiness and smiles on birthdays. Love the gifts and Sam and Merry. :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, I really hate to hurt Frodo any more than he's already hurt in canon--but I had a very specific request to fill, so I tried to make it something minor enough that he could still enjoy the love and company of others.
And you are quite right about that shadow--*we* see it, but to them it is not a shadow at all, just a bit of family history that Frodo needs to know about the useful little ring his uncle carries.
And Frodo still has a good many happy years before the shadow of that trinket grows large enough to be noticed.
Andrea
· 23 September 2008
· Chapter 56: Surprises and Secrets
“I was sorry to hear of your mishap, Nephew. But I am very impressed with your Kindness. It is always Proper to Help One’s Neighbors.”
LOL!!! She even speaks in Capitals :)
Anyway, I loved Aunt Dora's present to Frodo. It was a real "mathom", but not *some* mathom but a present that tells how much she loves Frodo - and his parents.
In fact all presents Frodo received showed how much he is loved, and trusted. So that Bilbo finally tells him about his Ring.
Last but not least, I'm always happy when Frodo calls Merry by his special nick-name: sprout :)
Thank you very much!
Author's reply
Yes, she speaks very much in the same didactic and sententious way that she writes, LOL! And you are quite correct about the gift--I'm sure she knew how much her nephew would appreciate something his father had made!
If such a fluffy little story can have a theme, this one is about trust, and Frodo realizing how much his Uncle Bilbo trusts him and believes in him.
*grin* Merry will always be Frodo's "sprout". Always and forever.
Celeritas
· 23 September 2008
· Chapter 56: Surprises and Secrets
Was going through this when I happened upon Dora Baggins' speech mannerisms and nearly fell out of my chair with astonishment and glee.
And the end was quite nice as well--hunkering down for a momentous conversation that is just alluded to and then leaves you off thinking. I can hear the Impending Destiny Violin Chorus in the background...
Author's reply
*grin* That's my Aunt Dora! I have a little work here on SoA called "Miss Dora Baggins' Book of Manners" in which you will see that she writes just the way she Speaks. And vice-versa. I'm very fond of Frodo's Aunt Dora, whom I imagine as being very prim and proper and conscious of The Right Thing to Do, and yet at the same time very warm-hearted, generous and sensible underneath her spinsterish attitude.
Just the tiniest bit of foreshadowing for us readers--we give a bit of a shudder, because we know what's coming. But to Bilbo and Frodo at the time, it's just a useful little trinket, special because it enabled Bilbo to save his life and that of his friends.
Larner
· 22 September 2008
· Chapter 56: Surprises and Secrets
Ah, and Bilbo has given him the greatest gift of all--his trust. And Frodo appreciates, I think, just how dear and true a gift it is.
And I'm so glad that Dora gave him the box Drogo made for her! How wonderful and personal a gift that is--and for Sam to give him the aggie! Ah, bless him, our Sam!
So sweet a gift.
Author's reply
Yes, Bilbo's gift to Frodo was all about trust, and the key was the least of it.
I almost did not include Aunt Dora; she was rather a last minute addition, as it suddenly occured to me that she'd most certainly make a point of giving her nephew his gift at the "proper" time!
And I thought little Sam might figure that aggie was so beautiful, it would be the perfect gift for his young master.
Grey Wonderer
· 22 September 2008
· Chapter 56: Surprises and Secrets
This is great, a story that ends with the beginning of yet another story! And what a story it is. I enjoyed how everyone fussed over Frodo and the way he was determined not to spoil anything. He was very sweet in this. Happy 22nd!
Author's reply
Same to you, GW! I couldn't help but remember yesterday how much fun we were all having at last year's Birthday!
I'm glad that you enjoyed it--and you are right, it does begin another story, as Frodo learns the truth of his cousin's Adventure!
Thanks and ((hugs))!
eiluj
· 22 September 2008
· Chapter 56: Surprises and Secrets
Almost a perfect story (too brief). I particularly enjoyed learning that Aunt Dora *speaks* in Capitals.
Author's reply
It actually came out longer than I'd originally planned, LOL! I think that Aunt Dora would sound quite as sententious and ponderous in person as she does in her letters and advice *grin*, and I could not think of a better way to show it. (I've known some people who do seem to "speak" in captitals!)
Antane
· 21 September 2008
· Chapter 55: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Sorry it's taken so long to get to this! :( But that is cute about Bilbo's Tookish side being commented upon - thank God for it!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Believe it or not, I only just now found this comment! Thank you--I appreciate it!
Kitty
· 20 September 2008
· Chapter 55: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Old Gerontius was right about the Tookishness of Bilbo, as we all know.
So movie!Pippin and Merry weren't the first to try and steal fireworks from Gandalf *grin* Yes, I can see Bilbo trying that! And I think the way you described his memories fits in well with the beginning of the Hobbit.
Author's reply
Yes, he certainly was!
Actually, it's my own theory that PJ heard of the Bilbo incident, and mistakenly thought it was Merry and Pippin instead! LOL!
I wrote about it in detail in "The Knight Has Been Unruly"--
http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=3043&cid=15174
Virtuella
· 19 September 2008
· Chapter 55: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Lovely. I've never read a story about young Bilbo before. It's refreshing to see him as the youth and somebody else in the role of the wise old hobbit.
There's a typo in the third last paragraph: Biilbo.
Author's reply
*facepalm* I will get in there and fix that. I can't believe I missed it...
I've written a few about Bilbo as a youth or young child or even as an adult before his Adventure. And there are a few others out there by other people--but they are very hard to find.
I think there is just so much possibility out there for finding out why Bilbo was the perfect hobbit for Gandalf to use.
Andrea
· 17 September 2008
· Chapter 55: A Midsummer Night's Dream
I'd say that both hobbits, old Gerontius and young Bilbo enjoyed this magic night immensely. Gerontius was once again the center of attention. Was Lalia even there? Who cares ;-)
“Never is a long time, young hobbit. I think that you will forget for a time--but when the time is right, you will indeed remember!”
Good old wizard! He knows much more than he tells. It looks like he had already chosen his "burglar" a long time before he actually told him.
Author's reply
I think they did! I'm sure that Lalia was there, but people were managing to ignore her. She would not at that time had the position she did later--little Ferumbras would have been a mere faunt of four at the time.
I was imagining him having a touch of foresight as he looked at young Bilbo--not necessarily as a "burglar" but as someone who would somehow be important to his overall mission in Middle-earth.
harrowcat
· 16 September 2008
· Chapter 55: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Two remarkable Hobbits. I am glad that they got to meet. Early influences can have unforseen consequences.
Author's reply
Absolutely! I think that Gandalf must have been a lifelong influence on Gerontius (and vice-versa) as they were such great friends, and this would naturally spill over onto his descendants.
Larner
· 16 September 2008
· Chapter 55: A Midsummer Night's Dream
It is too bad he allowed those memories to fall away from him, although the fireworks certainly impressed themselves upon his imagination! And I'm glad his grandfather had such warm thoughts for him.
As for Gandalf--how many mortals he must have come to know and honor--and see leave this life--during his sojourn within Middle Earth! And so many of those he came to care for most dearly were Hobbits!
Saying farewell to one while truly making the acquaintance of his next--Hobbit project, if you will! How interesting Gandalf must have found it.
Sweet.
Author's reply
Well, I have a hunch that perhaps he was "nudged" a bit to let those memories get a little buried. I think Gandalf had a touch of his own foresight there.
I agree--I think that hobbits had that particular wise old Istari wrapped around their collective fingers. A race that is naturally compassionate (filled with Pity, as JRRT calls it) would certainly attract a former disciple of Lorien and Nienna.
I think Gandalf must have been very grieved to say farewell to Gerontius, and yet, as you say, he had to get used to losing his mortal friends. But Gerontius must have been something special, since Gandalf visited him so often and even gave him a magical gift! I've always felt that was the reason he took such an interest in the Old Took's descendants.
Virtuella
· 20 August 2008
· Chapter 53: The Token
I like this very, very much. It is beautifully written, and the motif of the jewel is so natural and yet so meaningful. The three embraces, too - two that take place and one that doesn't - link the three parts of the story together well. You description of Frodo's feelings after the quest is very insghtful. I hadn't thought about it like this before, but now I read this, it makes perfect sense.
Author's reply
We are not given any clues in canon about the origin of the "white jewel", and it seemed to me that it might have been a gift to Celebrian from Galadriel, a sort of miniature version of the phial that Galadriel gave Frodo. And it seemed that would be a natural thing for Celebrian to give her own daughter on her departure.
I am glad you caught the part about the embraces--and especially the part about the one that *didn't* take place. Thank you for noticing that!
Frodo seems to distance himself emotionally after the Quest, and I tend to believe the fanon theory that he suffered from both post-traumatic-stress and survivor's guilt (over Gollum). It seems to fit in with what JRRT reveals to us about Frodo in his Letters, and also with the distant "tone" of the later narrative, supposedly written mostly by Frodo himself.
TopazTook
· 19 August 2008
· Chapter 54: A Much Needed Holiday
Rose (and Eglantine and Esmerelda, but Rose takes the cake) is brilliant. So glad they all got to vacation together -- they sound much less tense by the end of this fic than at the beginning. And good for Pippin for putting his foot down as it were (hmm...a hobbity expression?) about no newbridge or oldbridge.
I'm glad to see someone else thinking it's feasible that Pippin didn't immediately become The Thain *and* The Took, but that Eglantine took over the second office for a while, at least.
Author's reply
*giggle* I'm sure that Rose knew how Merry and Pippin would react to the idea of "offending" her, LOL!
Pippin knew that if Merry were allowed, he'd just keep on working. He does his best to keep his Brandybuck cousin from being a "workaholic".
In Letters, JRRT says that it's customary for the widow to take over as family head. Yet we don't see much of that in LotR. My theory is that after Lalia abused the practice, it fell out of favor for a generation or two, but it was still "Shire law". After the Troubles, I imagine that there were several widows as heads of family, if they'd lost their husbands and sons to Ruffians.
In Eglantine's case, I think Pippin wanted her to keep on with it for a while at least, as you say.