Reviews of First & Last Series

Febobe · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 5: On the Giving of Pipes

Ah, Elemmire, this is beautiful. . .it brought tears to my eyes. (And as an asthmatic with pulmonary damage from Hodgkin's treatment, I also am definitely no smoking advocate, but I know just what you mean! It's about the story, and the story's a separate matter entirely from our world. :) ) Oh, but this was lovely. Thank you.

Author's reply

Hi Febobe! It's a pleasure to hear from you again! I'm so very glad you enjoyed this tale too. As I wrote to another reviewer, I simply can't imagine Tolkien's Shire or the hobbits without the pipeweed. I like to think it's a magical sort that does not cause lung cancer, emphysema, etc. or even contain the hightly addictive nicotine. If it did, poor Sam and Frodo would have been suffering nicotine withdrawal along with all their other hurts from their long journey. (Now there's a story that hasn't been covered yet in FrodoHealers, LOL!) Considering what I do as a Respiratory Therapist I find it ironic and comical that I actually wrote this. But it's the love between Bilbo and Frodo that takes precedence in this tale, not the actual smoking of the pipes ... and as you said, it's a separate matter from our world entirely. ~Elemmírë~

Febobe · 19 December 2006 · Chapter 4: A Piece of the Pie

Elemmire, I must say that this is one of the most delightful tales I have ever had the pleasure of reading. :) I especially liked your description of Frodo's pizza and of the hobbits each with their own pies, plus Legolas and Gimli's expectations! Brava! A well-told tale, m'dear. You should be very proud of yourself. :)

Author's reply

FEBOBE??!!! Wow, it's an honor to hear from you, as you were one of those whose tales inspired me to start writing down and sharing my own!! I'm very delighted to hear that you enjoyed this one so. Can you really picture Frodo eating anything other than his beloved mushrooms on his pizza, especially if he knew they were available as a topping? LOL! And given the hobbits' hearty appetites, I simply couldn't imagine them eating nothing less than their own individual pies ... 16-slices each, of course :D Again, I'm so happy you enjoyed this little story and I hope you continue to read my tales in the future. I definitely look forward to reading more of yours! ~Elemmírë~

Queen Galadriel · 2 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Out on a Limb

Finally catching up on these, too. I think I read this one before, But I didn't have time to review. Ooo, poor Frodo! I *hate* heights, and I've never had the option of looking down even if I wanted to--which is just fine with me! Just the feeling of being up so high makes me dizzy and afraid to move. And little do they dream now that one day a Mallorn will grow in the Shire. This is completely off-subject, but I was wondering, are you aware that no chapters show up in "Tales From the Garden"? God bless, Galadriel

Author's reply

Hi, Queen Galadriel! Unlike you and the hobbits, heights don't bother me ... it's the falling from the heights that bother me! LOL! Everyone always writes of how Frodo isn't scared of heights, but nowhere does it specifically state that in Tolkien's work. He states that most hobbits are scared of heights and since Frodo is so different from the rest of the hobbits in many other ways, I wanted him to experience something that was "normal" for a hobbit. Little does Sam know that he will get his wish come true ... and by his own hand at that. Gee, maybe Galadriel heard of his desire for a mallorn in the Shire and that's why she gifted him with the seed, knowing how hobbits loved the earth and all it provides. I know there are no chapters posted for 'Tales from the Garden'. Yet. It's another story I was working on over the summer, but I've stopped for now because I've been concentrating on getting other tales posted. I suppose I really should delete that out of the story list. I had no idea that the title would show up even if no chapters were posted, but know I know. Thank you! ~Elemmírë~

Antane · 12 August 2006 · Chapter 5: On the Giving of Pipes

A very nice story! It would have been hard for Frodo, but it's right that Bilbo would have been the perfect one to hand down the tradition. Love the epilogue. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane

Author's reply

Thank you for such wonderful comments, Antane. This tale just depicted one of many situations that would have been hard for Frodo, growing up as an orphan. But there was always someone there to help him through the rough times, most especially Bilbo. Glad you also liked the epilogue! My orginal version ended with Bilbo and Frodo, but then just before I was going to post it, I was compelled to continue wanting to know what happened to such treasures when Frodo sailed into the West. God bless you, too. :D

harrowcat · 7 August 2006 · Chapter 5: On the Giving of Pipes

I just plain loved this Elemmire. In the dvd of the EE of the film it is suggested that PJ filmed the first few scenes with Gandalf having just given up smoking. Even though I, too, don't approve of smoking I couldn't imagine Tolkien's Shire without pipeweed.

Author's reply

Thank you, Harrowcat! I too, cannot imagine Tolkien's Shire without pipeweed either. I like to think it is of a sort that does not cause lung cancer, emphysema, or other respiratory ailments. I also like to think it doesn't contain the highly addictive nicotine ... if it did, the minute they woke in Ithilien, Frodo and Sam would have been demanding a smoke on a pipe. LOL! At first, I couldn't believe I wrote this and I now find it ironic and comical seeing what I do for a living. But, it is the tradition in this case and the love between Bilbo and Frodo that takes precedence in this tale, not the actual smoking of the pipes. I'm very happy that you enjoyed, Harrowcat, and thanks for reading and reviewing as always! Namarie

Antane · 22 July 2006 · Chapter 4: A Piece of the Pie

They *each* had 16-inch pizza pies?! Dear me, I knew they had big appetites, but wow. Frodo and Sam will certainly be putting on all their lost weight in a hurry, won't they? :) Namerie, God bless, Antane

Author's reply

I know people that can eat a large 18-slice pizza in one sitting by themselves. (no, I'm not one of them. 2 or 3 slices is enough for me). Since Hobbits love to eat and fill in their corners, so I kept them at a medium-sized pizza which is usually 12 to 16 slices, depending on the pizzeria. LOL! I hadn't thought of it that way, with Frodo and Sam, I mean. They will certainly be getting a well-balanced meal with grain, dairy, veggie, and meat. :D (I don't picture them eating as much as Merry or Pippin, however. Those two have unfathomable stomachs to begin with and are 'growing lads' since the Ent drink) Namarie, Antane and thank you.

Lindelea · 22 July 2006 · Chapter 4: A Piece of the Pie

Come to think of it, our favourite pizza place is called New York Pizza. Their pies are delicious, come in an amazing variety of flavours, and you can watch the chef tossing and stretching the dough. The wee hobbits had the same question: What if he drops it? But he never did!

Author's reply

Hello again! I think that's a universal question. LOL!! If you're ever in Connecticut, try either Pepe's or Sally's in New Haven. They boast some of the best pizza around. Legend goes that the original owner of Pepe's was the first to open a pizzeria in America. Pepe returned from WWII in Italy, where he had experienced pizza. He went back to Italy to learn from a master pizza maker, then came back home and started his own business. The documents stating the history of pizza are on his walls of the pizzeria. There is also another story though. Supposedly Lombardi of NYC was the GI who went back to Italy, then opened a pizzeria, and Pepe learned the art from him. (The CT legend states that Lombardi was the one who learned from Pepe). I'm sure I've just bored you with all that history, but the point is, if you're ever in CT try a local pizzeria for some of the best pizza you will ever taste. :D Thanks for reading and reviewing, Lindelea!

Lindelea · 22 July 2006 · Chapter 4: A Piece of the Pie

Well done! Glad shirebound recced this in her LJ. Somehow you managed to make this plausibly fit in, an amazing feat. Pizza sounds like a good idea right now. LOL!

Author's reply

*Takes a bow* Thank you, Lindelea. I know what you mean about making pizza plausible in Middle-earth--when I first saw the Shirebunny I laughed ... but I just had to do it being the pizza-lover that I am. It was actually easier to write than I thought it would be and the words and ideas just flowed. It's so nice when a fic does that. LOL! It seems I've made a lot of readers hungry for pizza by this little tale. (Sends the hobbits over to your table with a pie to share)

Elanor Silmariën · 20 July 2006 · Chapter 4: A Piece of the Pie

*teehee* That was absolutely histerical!!! All their favorite pizza's are exactly the kinds I can see the hobbits eating. (Peperoni, my favorite!) But what's funny is that I was thinking Sam would be a cheese pizza guy before you said that! I LOVE how the pizza got it's name in Middle-earth. Very good! God bless, Ellie

Author's reply

Thank you very much, Elanor!!! Glad I could make you laugh. Pippin and pepperoni just clicked together, and Frodo with mushrooms was an obvious given. Yes, our practical Sam would be just a cheese only hobbit, wouldn't he. :) As I wrote to another reviewer, I can now picture Gimli and the dwarves running around Middle-earth making a lucrative practice of building the stonework and masonry bricks for pizza ovens. LOL! :D Thank you so very much for reading and reviewing, Elanor!!! (Pippin offers a slice of his pepperoni pizza to share with you)

Glory Underhill · 20 July 2006 · Chapter 4: A Piece of the Pie

Ah, this was so cute! Just the right amount of 'corn'. I loved the pizza chef!

Author's reply

Thank you so much, Glory! Whew! I was about to post it and then had second thoughts, wondering if it was too corny a piece for SoA. I'm very heartened to see that so many have read it and disagreed with me. LOL! If you've ever watched Disney's 'Lady & the Tramp', my pizza cook, Cimino, is based upon Tony from the movie. (and the stereotypical Italian chef in general, I suppose) I'm very happy you enjoyed and thank you for both reading and reviewing!

Tigger · 20 July 2006 · Chapter 4: A Piece of the Pie

Oh, what a delightful little story. I'm working on a Shirebunny myself. Rather dangerous little site to go and visit, isn't it? ;oD I loved this though. Especially the hobbits eyes lighting up at the mention of mushrooms being put on a Peasant's Pie. They wouldn't be hobbits if they didn't. ;o) Thanks for sharing this w/us!!

Author's reply

Thanks, I'm very glad you liked it. Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Shirebound's site is an extremely volatile place to visit as one bunny leads to another ... and another ... you know how it goes. LOL! Hobbits and mushrooms go together like peas in a pod ... well, I think you know what I mean. I couldn't picture Frodo requesting any other topping on his pizza other than a hefty helping of 'shrooms. Thank you so much, Tigger, for reading and reviewing! P.S. I look forward to reading your Shirebunny when it's completed.

SlightlyTookish · 20 July 2006 · Chapter 4: A Piece of the Pie

This is delightful! I love how you called it Peasant's Pie (and how Gimli later mistakenly heard "pizza" pie) and the idea of it spreading from Gondor to the dwarves and hobbits is really charming and in line with the wonderful, lifelong bonds the Fellowship made with each other and with the other races of Middle-earth. I especially loved the image of each hobbit with his own pie! (And a large one at that, no tiny personal pans here!) And now I am SO hungry for pizza! :D

Author's reply

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed. It has been speculated that the original name for pizza was at some point Peasant's Pie, as those were the only group of people in Italy who ate it at the time. I wanted the pizza to 'emmigrate' in Middle-earth, just as it did in RL. It started as a customary meal in one small place then gained popularity and branched outward. Can't you just picture Gimli and the dwarves making a new business of creating the stonework and bricks for the new onslaught of pizza ovens that is bound to occur across Middle-earth? They could make a killing in profits! LOL! Nope, each hobbit gets his own personal 16-slice pizza ... can you really picture them devouring any less? LOL! Thank you, SlightlyTookish! Go enjoy a slice or two! (maybe the hobbits will drop by your table)

shirebound · 20 July 2006 · Chapter 4: A Piece of the Pie

“I’m just happy it’s round!” Pippin said around a mouthful of the slice he had bit into. He thought the dish would fit in well in the Shire, where most things were round, from hobbit architecture to hobbit bellies. “A piece of pie,” Pippin replied in his Tookish lilt, while chewing with a very full little mouth. To Gimli’s Dwarf ears, it sounded like, “A pizza pie,” which is how he introduced the delightful dish to his fellow Dwarves when they came to help repair the White City. This is delightful! The Itali family, love it! And now I'm reaaaaaly hungry for pizza... :D

Author's reply

Thank you, Shirebound! I had a lot of fun writing this one ... and yes, it made me hungry for pizza too as I wrote it. Frodo and the rest of the hobbits send over some pizza to share with you :D

Antane · 16 July 2006 · Chapter 2: Out on a Limb

I like the memory of that climb - I'd be scared too.

Antane · 16 July 2006 · Chapter 3: The Storyteller

I love anything that shows Frodo happy, untouched and like Bilbo and so many wish it could have remained that way, that he could have married and had children and be innocent and carefree forever, but it is but a dream. How much worse off would Middle-earth be if Frodo hadn't taken all it would have suffered into himself? Iluvatar bless him. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author's reply

Well said, Antane! It's stories like these that show what Frodo's sacrifice was all about ... he was an everyday hobbit who suffered tremendously from an early age, but overcame tragedy to grow into a very fine hobbit indeed and with such strength for one so little. And though Frodo may have inherited all his uncle's wealth, looked a little different from your average hobbit, had an Elvish air, etc. he _was_ just an average hobbit in many ways. He loved his people and home enough to want to keep it safe and so he undertook his journey in order to safeguard all he held most dear. He didn't do it for protection of a wife or child, but for _all_ hobbits, which is part of what makes him so special and 'the finest hobbit the Shire has ever seen.' Middle-earth would have been a much worse place if not for hobbits in general and Frodo in particular. I'm very glad you enjoyed this, Antane, and thank you always for your kind words. :D Namarie

Antane · 16 July 2006 · Chapter 1: Of Birthdays

But I would rather share my birthday with this one small hobbit than with anyone else in all of Middle-earth ... or in all Creation. Ah, wee Frodo! And already he and Bilbo are wrapped around each other's hearts. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

harrowcat · 14 July 2006 · Chapter 3: The Storyteller

And making the tales to be told too! Lovely stories Elemmire. A fine successor to the Baggins' you are making.

Author's reply

Thank you as always, Harrowcat ... for both reading and taking the time to leave a review. I'm glad you're enjoying what I've written so far! :D

Queen Galadriel · 2 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Of Birthdays

I love it! So that's how Lotho got cake in his hair, is it? LOL! Go, Frodo! I like how you show this: first Bilbo getting used to sharing a birthday, then Frodo getting used to not celebrating together. And I love how you show their relationship, even from the start. It's obvious Bilbo adores his little cousin from the first. :) God bless, Galadriel

Author's reply

Frodo didn't want the S-B's at his first birthday party, any more than Bilbo did. (Can you really blame him?)Although Bilbo loves Frodo from the start, he is not used to sharing his birthday ... after the cake incident, Bilbo is delighted to have someone so spirited to share the day with, especially as the motions of going through a party year after year, were dulling his senses. I'm sure that Bilbo even made sure his nephew received extra cake after tossing some of his own away. LOL! Frodo has always had somebody to share his birthday with ... so when Bilbo left, Frodo doesn't quite know what to do, how to celebrate on his own. He is suddenly forced to come up with his own tradition to take the place of the that which he lost. Glad that you liked it & thank you for the review! Namarie. ~Elemmírë~

Antane · 19 April 2006 · Chapter 1: Of Birthdays

Oh, I love wee Frodo! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane

Author's reply

So do I! Glad you enjoyed!

Larner · 10 April 2006 · Chapter 1: Of Birthdays

Yes, a wonderful first birthday together and then alone. Love Frodo managing to dislodge the S-Bs like that; and of course Otho would be after the spoons, wouldn't he? Heh!

Author's reply

Those pesky S-B's ... I tell ya!! You can be sure that Drogo & Primula didn't reprimand their son too severely for "playing with his food." :) Thank you!

MithLuin · 10 April 2006 · Chapter 1: Of Birthdays

A neat idea - they are almost like bookends, and really show the differences between Bilbo and Frodo. Interesting, too, that you managed to make them both a bit...uncomfortable in the situations they actually like best. Bilbo *liked* big parties, and Frodo *liked* quiet ones, but there is something more to it. Good job!

Author's reply

Thank you! Yes, they they rather are like bookends. Bilbo loved his big parties, but he was becoming bored with the same thing year after year as he was no longer the "traditional" hobbit after his adventure. And as much as Frodo liked more quiet, sedate gatherings, he was willing to endure the big parties for Bilbo's sake.

shirebound · 10 April 2006 · Chapter 1: Of Birthdays

Very nice. Bilbo's birthdays became so much more enjoyable for him when he suddenly had to share them with a certain lad. :D

Author's reply

Of course! Bilbo's birthdays were never the same since his Frodo-lad came along!! Unfortunately, I don't think Frodo got away with getting rid of the S-Bs like that for too much longer as he grew older! And poor Frodo didn't really know anything other than celebrating his birthdays with Bilbo. I would think it must have taken much adjustment on Frodo's part to suddenly have to get used to not having someone to share his birthday with him--I would imagine it would be like celebrating a holiday for the first time when a loved one has passed on ... and you find yourself remembering how things used to be celebrated while trying to adjust to the person's absence.

Reviews (22)