Dreamflower's Mathoms II by Dreamflower
Fire · 5 June 2006 · Chapter 11: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Looks can indeed be very decieving. But for most of us readers it must be pretty obvious at reading the mans description just who he is. I like the way you let Bilbo find out though.
Author's reply
Yes, it was pretty clear to everyone except poor little Bilbo, LOL! But Bilbo soon learned the truth... I'm glad you enjoyed it.
AspenJules · 5 June 2006 · Chapter 11: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
I read this one on the challenge page, Dream, and loved it. Bilbo's first glimpse of Aragorn... and his determination to repay the elves kindness by warning them, though it was repayment of a different kind. I think I'd be interested in seeing more of this time period as they strengthen their acquaintance and then friendship. What a wonderful glimpse into the origions of Bilbo's poem about Aragorn.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I had a good deal of fun. I do think that Bilbo's time of settling in at Rivendell has a good many possibilities for fic. I'd love to see more myself.
Elflingimp · 5 June 2006 · Chapter 11: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Well that was really a heartwarming story,I salute your skill in writing! You captured Bilbos personality to the tee.
Author's reply
Thank you. I do so love Bilbo, and there just aren't enough Bilbo stories to suit me.
Baggins Babe · 3 June 2006 · Chapter 10: Birthday Present
Awww! That's so sweet. Looks as though you and I have been nibbled by a similar plot bunny, as I've just finished a birthday mathom for everyone. This story was wonderful and I loved the easy banter between Frodo and his cousins. How typical that Pip names pets after food - except for the two named after the Rivendell twins! *giggle*
Author's reply
Yes, now I've seen your story, and know what you mean! Isn't it funny how sometimes several different writers will suddenly get the urge to write on a similar theme or topic? It's like little bunny brothers and sisters are attacking all at the same time, so you just get a flurry of fics about kitties, or babies, or whatever all at once! I think the cousinly banter is one of my favorite things to write--I don't suppose they ever really got over that. Pip also has a cat named "Haldir"--he's the kittens' father in this story, LOL!
SurgicalSteel · 2 June 2006 · Chapter 10: Birthday Present
This is still absolutely and completely sweet. Frodo and kitties, and just lovely!
Author's reply
Thanks. I really needed a bit of fluff after finishing with "Cousin Calla".
Elemmírë · 2 June 2006 · Chapter 10: Birthday Present
Very cute! This was line was my favorite: “Didn’t Uncle Bilbo teach you never to insult the cook?” .... that's such a hobbity-type thing to say! LOL! (along with naming cats after various foodstuffs. I hope Strawberry continues to bring poor Frodo some comfort & cheer in the long days to come. Merry gave this birthday gift wisely. P.S. You also inspired me to add an idea for a plot bunny to my growing list. :D
Author's reply
I figure that is one of the first lessons little hobbits learn! (And Pippin is famous for naming his animals after food, LOL!) I am sure that she will; a furry friend will help him a lot. Kitties to bunnies? What is this, a menagerie? *grin*
Queen Galadriel · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 10: Birthday Present
Oh, this is priceless! “You look a fright, Pip,” said Frodo in passing. “Why thank you so much, cousin,” he replied wryly. “Didn’t Uncle Bilbo teach you never to insult the cook?” Frodo grinned and gave him a cousinly swat to the back of his head. “I know you--you could never bring yourself to spoil good food, whatever the provocation!” “Did you hear that, Merry? He thinks he can provoke me with impunity!” Pippin’s attempt to sound indignant was rather spoiled by the twitch of his lips. “Well, of course he can,” was the response, as Merry turned out the new-baked loaf onto a tea towel. “He’s right you know." LOL! Barliman was right when he said they wanted looking after! JK. But really, this is just like the way close cousins act. :) Unfortunately, the other one kept climbing, right on up into Frodo’s hair! Its little claws were sharp. “Oi!” Frodo cried, reaching up one hand. “Leave off you! I’m not a tree!” However, his efforts were useless, as the kitten had thoroughly entangled itself in Frodo’s dark curls. He tugged with both hands causing it to yowl. This also unbalanced the other white kitten, which grabbed the sleeve of his forearm with its claws and hung on--yowling also in its turn. Frodo felt ridiculous, and not a little alarmed. He wondered if his hair would be pulled out from his scalp. He was thoroughly annoyed then to hear both his cousins laughing at him. They had come out to see what the commotion was. “You great lumps,” Frodo cried, torn between laughter and vexation, “don’t just stand there laughing--get this cat off my head!” Amid much hilarity, Merry took the kitten that was dangling from Frodo’s jacket, while Pippin carefully disentangled the kitten from Frodo’s hair. “Goodness! This is worse than getting Boromir out of the bramble-bush,” Pippin chuckled. “Be still, Elladan! I’m not going to hurt you!” Feeling the kitten coming free, Frodo said in astonishment “Elladan?” “Yes,” said Merry. “The white ones are Elladan and Elrohir.” “I might have known!” *guffaws, clutching sides* Oh, oh, that is just *hilarious*! LOL! "I might have known!" Hmmmm, makes me wonder what the twins have got up to when Frodo was around! LOL! Strawberry is so adorable. I'd ask to borrow her, but I think Frodo needs her more. :) Frodo cuddled Strawberry, and buried his nose in her warm fur. “What Rosie will say to my coming home with a kitten, I daren’t guess.” But, truly, he knew Rose and Sam would love this furry little lass as much as he already did. Awwww! *melts* God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Oh, a delicious review full of quotes. *basks* I do enjoy writing cousinly banter; I am quite sure they would never get over that! I would not be surprised if he had not been witness to a few things during his acquaintance with them. And I'll bet good old Strider told a few stories on them as well, LOL! I myself would not mind having a kitty like Strawberry. We are, alas, kitty-less for the time being. Our dogs are rather the jealous sort, and I'm afraid they'd make short work of any feline intruder in their territory. *sigh*
Larner · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 10: Birthday Present
Aha--how we all see kittens entering Bag End. Wonderful! And this one is the perfect one of the four for Frodo. Love the names for the rest, of course.
Author's reply
Somehow it does just seem right, doesn't it? And Frodo would want the gentle little lady, wouldn't he? As to the names, blame Pippin for that. It's just one of his quirks, LOL!
Grey Wonderer · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 10: Birthday Present
I love the kittens! It was fun to see Frodo having a good time in this one. Kittens are simply the most fun! A purrrr-fect story. (sorry, I just had to go for the pun there.)
Author's reply
Kittens can cheer just about anyone up! (And why resist a good pun? *grin*) Glad you liked it, GW!
Lindelea · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 10: Birthday Present
(stealing time away from responsibilities) Awww, so cute. I love the deft little touches that round out the story--the easy conversation between the cousins, the descriptions that paint a complete picture in a few words. I felt a pang, though... unless this is AU, Frodo will likely be leaving Strawberry behind him. I also wished, seeing how he ate better than usual, and was able to laugh and relax, that somehow he'd move into Crickhollow as well and let his cousins pamper him into better health. I particularly liked this bit: “Why thank you so much, cousin,” he replied wryly. “Didn’t Uncle Bilbo teach you never to insult the cook?”
Author's reply
Thank you so much! It's not AU. But you will be seeing a little more of Strawberry in an upcoming fic I am co-writing with Gryffinjack. She will have a full life ahead of her with Sam and Rosie. That would be a nice AU. A very nice one...awfully tempting...but, sadly, no. This is before his next spring illness; he's not quite given up yet, and still has his good days. This is one of them. I would think that would be a mainstay of hobbit ettiquette, don't you? LOL!
AspenJules · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 10: Birthday Present
Lovely, dreamflower... absolutely lovely! I love the picture of tousled Pippin in the kitchen in his tatty dressing gown, and the teasing between them all was so natural and gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. And the cats!!! LOL, having just been the object of a mischievious kitten's attentions the other day, I can say it was very life-like writing. And honestly, who can blame little Elladan-kitten... wouldn't we all like to tangle our fingers in those curls?
Author's reply
I am so happy you like this bit of fluff. I have just finished a very long and angsty story for Marigold's upcoming Challenge 29, and I felt the need of something very sweet and fluffy to take the bitter taste out. I just had to have kitties in there. I've shown Pippin's cat Dumpling (and the kitten's father, Haldir) before, in a couple of other fics: "At Crickhollow" and "Surprises" in my first set of mathoms. It just seemed like it would be so fun to cover Frodo in kitties!
Bodkin · 11 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Old Sorrows
Hobbits need hobbits. I love Merry's decision to over-ride Frodo and Aragorn - and offer the care that Frodo needed. Gandalf, Aragorn, the elf, the dwarf - they do their best, poor things, but they're handicapped by their ignorance. They have cottoned on to the importance of food, though!
Author's reply
Hobbits need hobbits. Indeed. That is the linchpin to me, of my whole concept of hobbits and the Shire and their role in the story. They do very much *need* one another. When Frodo is out of the picture, Merry automatically takes charge--especially when it concerns Frodo's well-being. The rest of the Fellowship are "family", but they are *not* hobbits. Food? Oh yes indeed! *grin*
Larner · 9 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Old Sorrows
Oh, a most appropriate sorrow for our beloved Frodo, and a most appropriate comforting of him and the rest as well. His Merry indeed knows how to ease it. And love that in the end it is Gandalf who sits by him and soothes him back to sleep.
Author's reply
Yes--the events of the Quest, and dealing with the malice of the Ring had suppressed Frodo's usual reaction to his grief, so that it was far worse when it did awaken. But *this* grief is something Merry has always known how to deal with. I'm glad you liked the part with Gandalf at the end. It felt appropriate to me to have him be the one to lull Frodo back into rest.
shirebound · 8 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Old Sorrows
“I wish I would’ve realized what it was bothering Mr. Frodo,” said Sam sadly. Pippin shook his head. “No, Sam. That particular grief of Frodo’s has always been Merry’s job to handle, you know. I’ve heard it told often enough, that it was his job even when he was a baby.” Ohhh, that's so dear and heartwarming. I just love this story -- the way the hobbits defy the King (very logically), and Frodo is surrounded with love, and how perceptive all the hobbits (and Aragorn and Gandalf) are regarding Frodo's needs.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and found it heartwarming. No one can really comfort a hobbit like other hobbits, but the rest of the Fellowship of course, are like family as well. And of course, I had to have lots of "Frodo spoiling" for Febobe!
harrowcat · 8 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Old Sorrows
Oh poor Frodo. I always did think that the Prof was expecting a bit much of Frodo and Sam when he put two big feasts so close to them waking up. And of course Merry's logic is impeccable about not being aware of the date. But that doesn't always make things better. I know, having just totally forgotten the birthday of a close friend! So goodtiming on this Dreamflower - thanks.
Author's reply
Yes, well JRRT was not a trained medical person, and I think that he may have slightly overestimated hobbity toughness at times, LOL! Merry knows it's not the logic that will comfort Frodo, though it may help to calm him, but his own presence there as he has always done. It is easy to forget dates, it really is--but Frodo would have taken it extra hard because he had never done so before, and also because his conscience is still extra-sensitive, due the Ring constantly exacerbating his sense of guilt.
Queen Galadriel · 7 May 2006 · Chapter 9: Old Sorrows
*smiling widely and delightedly* Oh, Dreamflower! I love it! For all you say you'd rather Frodo *be* the caregiver, you do Frodo h/c exceedingly well--better than many. You don't overdo, you keep it realistic, you capture the characters as perfectly as ever. I wish I was this good at what I call "regulating" when I do h/c. My biggest weakness is getting entirely too carried away; and then I blush when I look back at it later. Comes of being very melodramatic, I suppose. :) Poor Frodo! Yes, that would have upset him to think he had forgotten his dear parents' death, and that cursed Ring made his sense of guilt overactive, I think. It's a good thing the twins found him; it would have been a splendid fix to get lost in such a place looking for the proper chamber--I've done such things more times than I'd like to admit to, and it is *not* fun. But how exactly is this AU to your other stories? Is it the date of Primula and Drogo's death? I'm familiar with the Shire calendar, but not enough to use it, and the usual date doesn't come to mind at the moment. Oh, Frodo is so lucky to have such devoted cousins and friends! I loved Merry going in and comforting him, and Pippin and Sam refusing to leave the doorway, and the breakfast was great! I imagine that was disconcerting for Frodo to be waited on and fussed over so. And the end was just perfect--sweet and soothing, and left me smiling. :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Well, thank you so much for your very kind words! I really prefer to be restrained in my h/c, and I'm glad you think I accomplished it. I try to use just as much "h" as is necessary for the plot, and not one smidge more. As for this story, well since it was written for dear Febobe, I had her preferences in mind while writing it, so of course Frodo had to have lots of TLC. No, the only way in which it is AU is that there was just no *time* for this story to take place in "my" universe; other elements are the same, such as the date for Frodo's parents to drown and so forth. But my story "Chance Encounter" simply leaves no room in the timeline for this story--yet it seemed the perfect setting to fulfill Febobe's request. So that's why the AU label. All who know Frodo love him and will show their devotion--but the other three hobbits especially know what kind of comfort he needs! And I could not see Pippin and Sam going off to their own beds when they were still worried about Frodo! As for the breakfast, well, there again--that was for Febobe, but I really rather enjoyed it myself! And I'm glad you liked the end--next to the other hobbits, I love Gandalf asserting his position of "grandfather figure" in order to watch over Frodo.
Larner · 4 May 2006 · Chapter 8: A Surfeit of Babies
Hilarious--the one thing left forgotten, and she of course found it! Poor Pippin!
Author's reply
Isn't that always the way of things? LOL! Poor Pippin indeed!
Larner · 4 May 2006 · Chapter 7: In Good Hands
Yes, that loss would be worse than sailing West. Poor Sam, grieving either way; but he will not be alone--never alone.
Author's reply
No, he will never be alone, either metaphorically *or* literally. And yet, even with others to support him there will still be the loneliness of missing Frodo...
Bodkin · 29 April 2006 · Chapter 8: A Surfeit of Babies
I think they need to be left in charge of all the children more often! They managed reasonably well in the end - but their skills need regular reinforcement.
Author's reply
I think you're right. Of course, to be fair, they don't often have that many around who are at the same stage all at one time, either! LOL!
Baggins Babe · 29 April 2006 · Chapter 8: A Surfeit of Babies
I had to laugh at this! Bit like Frodo and Sam in my story, having to baby-sit assorted little hobbits. :-)) They sound a real handful. I rolled about when Diamond found the dirty nappy - trust Pip to throw it out of the back door! Let's hope Billy doesn't have quite such a tough time of fatherhood. Where's the next chapter of 'The Road to Edoras' by the way? I love that story!
Author's reply
Yes, I thought of your little story when I wrote this! The dirty nappy just gave it all away, didn't it? I hope he doesn't either. But little Jack is adorable! I ran into a snag with "Road to Edoras", and am sort of writing backwards towards the last chapter I posted, so of course, I can't post the next chapter until I get back to where I left off. However, I did post a little Mistress Poppy snippet set in SurgicalSteel's AU, in response to one of her comments: http://surgicalsteel.livejournal.com/152868.html?style=mine Just scroll down the comments until you come to it. A little encounter that might or might not take place sometime in the future...
Pearl Took · 27 April 2006 · Chapter 8: A Surfeit of Babies
The poor hobbit *would* forget that nappy, wouldn't he. This was such fun! I hope Billy won't have it that badly anytime soon ;)
Author's reply
Well, I hope not! *chuckle* It was so mean of me to decide that Pippin and Diamond had three daughters before Faramir--it didn't give them much time between 1427 and 1430, LOL! But I decided that Diamond had made up her mind to get it over with as quickly as possible! I certainly hope he doesn't either!! *grin*
Queen Galadriel · 27 April 2006 · Chapter 8: A Surfeit of Babies
*giggling* Oh my goodness, that is priceless! I love to see fathers stuck with babysitting! LOL! Dear me, but I wouldn't want to be one of them! Yes, and they *would* be congratulating themselves just when Diamond discovered the one thing they'd left undone. LOL! Perfect! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
I think under most circumstances, the fathers were probably pretty competent--but that was a lot of babies at one time! Yes, I couldn't quite let them off scott free! *evil gtin*
PIppinfan1988 · 27 April 2006 · Chapter 8: A Surfeit of Babies
Oh, that was too funny! I loved the bit with Pippin defiantly changing Petunia's dirty nappy on the kitchen table...and then chucking it out the door. And a happy birthday to baby Jack! Pippinfan
Pearl Took · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 7: In Good Hands
This was beautiful, it made me teary. It had to help Frodo knowing Sam would be loved and cared for. MEWD!!
Author's reply
Yes, the knowledge that Sam *would* have a life, and those who could help him to live it, and who would love him and take care of him had to make Frodo a bit easier in his own mind.
Pearl Took · 23 April 2006 · Chapter 6: Essay
"You never run out of room when you are talking." I love this!! It is much easier to write about something(one) you love. Well Done :)
Author's reply
I'm so glad you love it! And yes, once Pippin hit the topic of the two people he loved most, he just couldn't stop! Thank you!