Pearl Took · 18 April 2007 · Chapter 33: Spring Chicken
A very tasty tale, Dreamflower! Now I have to try to find something interesting to eat!
Author's reply
How about roast chicken and asparagus? 8-)
Dreamflower's Mathoms II by Dreamflower
Reviews (788)
Queen Galadriel · 18 April 2007 · Chapter 33: Spring Chicken
Such a nice pleasant read, very relaxing in the middle of a hectic week. I haven't seen too many stories about Sam and Pippin, but I've always wondered if they didn't have some kind of special connection because of their obvious friendship in the books. Of course there are bonds between all the Hobbits, but there seemed something about them... God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
There are a few nice stories about Sam and Pippin. I do like to write them together from time to time, for I like to explore *all* the relationships between the four hobbits--not simply Frodo and Sam or Merry and Pippin, but Sam and Merry, Sam and Pippin, Frodo and Pippin, Frodo and Merry, Sam, Merry and Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Frodo, or Frodo, Merry and Pippin, and all four of them together as well, at all the different stages of their lives. I think it's easy to infer a special friendship between Sam and Pippin: after all, Sam's daughter marries Pippin's son!
Larner · 18 April 2007 · Chapter 33: Spring Chicken
I read this just after you posted it, and just before the connection went dead again. Oh, it gets so frustrating! I see you and I agree about the frustration not being allowed to pay for things could cause. And love that no matter how unobtrusive they are Sam is all too well aware they're being followed by guards and tries to pretend they aren't there. So Sam! I love roasting chicken myself. Anyway, thanks for this one and the recipes.
Author's reply
Ever since they came to the City, people have been giving them things. The vast majority of the people, simply out of pure gratitude to the hobbits for saving them--though a few, such as the vegetable seller, also have in mind that the "publicity" of giving the hobbits something will help their business. But modest and unassuming as hobbits are, they're not very comfortable with the arrangement--my hobbits only go along with it because Aragorn asked them to allow the people to show their gratitude. It's a really *good* roast chicken--moist and flavorful from the inside out!
Agape4Gondor · 17 April 2007 · Chapter 33: Spring Chicken
Delightful tale - I don't usually read Hobbits, but the mention of Minas Tirith brought me here - and I'm glad I came. I loved the marketplace and the kindness of the people of Gondor to these two...
Author's reply
Well, I'm so glad you came as well. It's always nice to have Men or Elf people drop in! The Gondorians are grateful to those who saved them, and they *know* who saved them. Most of the people, like the poulterer simply want to show their appreciation for that, even though the adulatiion makes the hobbits a bit uneasy. But how can they turn down gifts offered in gratitude?
elanor winterflowers · 17 April 2007 · Chapter 33: Spring Chicken
This is a very pleasant, comforting little story; I liked strolling through the market with Pippin and Sam and watching the cooking afterwards! The recipes (especially the asparagus) sound wonderful. I'm going to try them soon!
Author's reply
Pleasant and comforting was exactly what I was after, so thank you very much! *grin* And I hope you let me know how they turn out if you try them!
lovethosehobbits · 17 April 2007 · Chapter 33: Spring Chicken
This sounds lovely. I think I will make it tomorrow night for dinner. ;D
Author's reply
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! *grin*
Telpethoron · 17 April 2007 · Chapter 33: Spring Chicken
I absolutely loved this - Sam's discussion of roast chicken reminds me of his talk with Frodo in "The Two Towers" about the salt in his pack. Here they are on the way to Mordor, and Sam is thinking about roast chicken. The priorities hobbits have! All of the hobbits seem uncomfortable with all the attention being given to them - the preferential treatment, the desire to please - it must all be disconcerting to people who normally tend to keep to themselves, as a rule. The recipe for roast chicken sounds delicious - I'm going to have to try that one out myself here at home. Thanks for an excellent tale!
Author's reply
It seems to me that a race with a metabolism requiring six or seven meals a day would have a very visceral obsession with food. It's very high on their priority list! Hobbits are a modest and unassuming race for the most part. To be the object of adulation probably disconcerted them very much--but in my universe, Aragorn has asked them to allow the citizens to show their gratitude, and so they cope with it as best they can. But it's especially hard for Sam and Frodo, for differing reasons. It is very good--it's my favorite way to roast a chicken--using the lemon and onion in the cavity makes for a lot of moistness, and of course the flavor cooks all the way through. I think I'll go get a chicken out of the freezer right now...
Bodkin · 12 March 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
Enthusiastic is a very good word for Pippin! And how can anyone fail to respond to it? (Although they might need a week in bed once he has gone home...)
Author's reply
Can't believe I missed seeing this! Everyone *does* respond to Pippin's enthusiasm--he's just such a happy child, they can't help it. (though I suspect you may be right about the week in bed, LOL!)
Baggins Babe · 10 March 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
I love the way Pippin just jabbers on and on without taking a breath - he must be exhausting company. A lovely look at our favourite hobbits.
Author's reply
I'm sure he was! Excitement or nervousness would bring that out in him, and at that age, nearly everything was exciting--especially getting to see Merry and Frodo!
GamgeeFest · 9 March 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
LOL! Sam must have breathed a sigh of relief when Merry and Frodo showed up to take his 'help' away from him. ;) And wee!hyper!Pippin is always such a treat. *hugs Pippin*
Author's reply
I imagine that he did, although I also think he probably enjoyed himself as well--a nice change from weeding the flowerbeds, LOL! I know! I think you are as fond of hyper!Pippin as I am! *grin*
Frodo Baggins · 7 March 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
Oh my! I do believe that Frodo and Merry would get a bit frusterated after a while! LOL! Poor Sam! But he is ever so patient. :) I love this story, as I do all your stories. :) Hantanyel, mell nin! Namarie, God Bless, Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
I think Merry and Frodo are rather used to Pippin's chatter by now, LOL! And Sam does have quite a lot of patience for little Pippin, doesn't he? I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Mum's the Word · 7 March 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
Heeheeheee! So cute! Little Pippin reminds me of my baby sister at "that age," when she talked nonstop on a trip we were taking. When we stopped for lunch after about four hours, she suddenly cried, "My mouth hurts!" -- from all that talking. (Thankfully, after a nice, filling lunch, she slept for much of the afternoon part of the drive.) Exhausting -- but too cute! Very well done, dear Dreamflower!
Author's reply
Have you seen the car commercial, where the Daddy buckles his little girl into the back seat, as she talks non-stop, and just continues as they drive away? So adorable, and so like some children. They are so full of enthusiasm!
PIppinfan1988 · 7 March 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
That was so cute...so sweet - and very lovely! I always enjoy your glimpses into the relationships between the cousins and Sam when they were growing up. :-) I think *I* felt a little breathless there for the wee hobbit lad! PF p.s. Alphabets are popping up everywhere, lol. It's late now, but I shall get to them soon.
Author's reply
I did want to convey that non-stop breathlessness--it was why I didn't use any commas, LOL!
Larner · 7 March 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
Delightful! Bless the chattering Took!
Author's reply
Indeed, bless his little heart!
harrowcat · 7 March 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
Are you sure that he even stops then? :)
Author's reply
Possibly not, LOL!
Queen Galadriel · 7 March 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
LOL! Pippin is just too cute! LOL! Reminds me of my little brother when he would talk on and on and on until he was going so fast that he stammered! :) And the ending was sweet too. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it. Some children really are that way, they just let all their thoughts just pour out of their mouths like a fountain, LOL!
Andrea · 7 March 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
LOL!!! Great story, Dreamflower. I think, the comparison of "enthusiatic" should be irregular: enthusiastic, more enthusiastic, Pippin :) BTW, this story goes very well with the current SOA quote: 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf...
Author's reply
He didn't change much, did he, over the next quarter-century, LOL!
Pearl Took · 7 March 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
Dreamflower, this was a delightful continuation of the other story! Pippin's such a bright little person. A fun read indeed!
Author's reply
He is, isn't he? He just has so much to say to the ones he loves!
harrowcat · 13 February 2007 · Chapter 31: And So It Begins
A great chapter Dreamflower. I do hope we are going to see more of this.
Author's reply
I don't know how much more--depends on the bunnies! But I thought it would be enlightening to look at this from Merimac's POV.
Elemmírë · 9 February 2007 · Chapter 31: And So It Begins
I enjoyed this immensely, Dreamflower! It's the perfect filler for that particular gap in the Professor's tale. Poor Fredegar! He must have dreadful nightmares too, I would think. the hobbit who had come to the Boffins’ place must have been Fredegar Bolger--Finch knew Frodo and Pippin well enough by sight That sentence reminded me of a small part in the book that always made me laugh. Tolkien wrote one or two sentences stating that Frodo left some of his clothes at Crickhollow in order for Fredegar to wear and keep up the ruse of the Baggins living there. Yet Frodo was never a fat hobbit (as those who could recognize him would know) and Fatty was well ... fat! One would assume that in order to disguise himself as Frodo, he must first fit in the clothes! LOL! You also captured Saradoc's worry for the lads so very well, yet also his role as Master to prepare for what may come. Any sequel in the works? Perhaps what happens in those first days when trouble does arrive? How does the Gaffer take the news? ~Elemmírë~ p.s. I also like that you had Merry leaving his father a note. Perhaps he couldn't tell his father all, but at least he could let him know that he was going to be gone with Frodo and Pippin for a while. It shows his responsibility to his immediate family, as well as the depth of his loyalty to his cousin.
Author's reply
I just figured it was one or two of Frodo's old cloaks--it was, after all, one of Frodo's cloaks found all slashed up later on--and cloaks are sort of "one-size-fits-all" I don't know if there will be a sequel or not--we'll have to see how the bunny hops... In my "Conspiracy" story, Merry left his father the note, hidden in his father's account ledger in such a way that it would not be found before a certain date. But Saradoc did just happen to find it a few days early.
Bodkin · 9 February 2007 · Chapter 31: And So It Begins
While justifying the claim of the Travellers that they needed to get away and help Frodo escape his pursuers, I don't think that the actions of the Black Riders are going to be all that encouraging to those lingering behind and worrying about them. Especially for Saradoc, who knows first hand of the effects of the BR. Paladin and the Gaffer will doubtless dismiss most of the more terrifying effects! - That's the difference between living through a horror story and listening to the telling as you sit by the fire. It's going to be a long year.
Author's reply
No, and Buckland knows what the rest of the Shire could not understand--these Black Riders were not simply ruffians on black horses, but terrifying creatures out of their darkest nightmares. In my universe, when word got out to the rest of the Shire, most hobbits attributed the strange invasion to Lotho S.-B.--they thought it had been some of his Big Men hired to make sure that Frodo would never try to return to Bag End. And yes, it's only the beginning of a very long year.
Althea · 9 February 2007 · Chapter 25: Recycled
This is delightful. The title was perfect for this heartwarming story. I could vividly see the smiling sun and flowers on of the painted chamber pot. It gives me such happiness to think that Bilbo would keep Pippin's and Merry's offerings of love and take them with him when he left. I have a few such treasures of my own.
Author's reply
I think most of us save these special tributes from young children--offerings from their hearts, and given in the sure knowledge that they will be loved. I have a trunk full of things like that from my son, now grown, and from some of the youngsters I have taught.
Althea · 9 February 2007 · Chapter 27: Pippin and the Mask
This is adorable, and Pippin's fear of the mask is utterly believable. One of my daughters was afraid of shoes for a while and none of them liked anything on their heads.
Author's reply
Children *will* take unaccountable notions into their heads sometimes!
Pearl Took · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 31: And So It Begins
Wonderful!! A different look at this indeed! The poor parents and loved ones of out Travellers. And poor Freddy, thinking he would be safe staying behind. It was a dire time, indeed. MEWD, Dreamflower!
Author's reply
I've always felt Freddy staying behind was actually quite brave--he *knew* there were Bad Guys looking for Frodo, and he was just staying there as bait... Thank you!
Baggins Babe · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 31: And So It Begins
A very tense and frightening chapter. I've often longed for more of a glimpse at that incident and what happened at the Hall and you have filled in the gaps wonderfully. I always cringe whenever I watch the film when that poor hobbit is run down at the Bridge. The servants of Sauron have no feelings at all for mortals.
Author's reply
It had to be a tense and frightening time! We are told so little about it, so it's no wonder we try to fill that gap! That is a very scary and horrible scene, but it's just the kind of thing a Nazgul would do. They don't care about anything but their master's orders.