Reviews (37)

Author's reply

*coughs* yes we do learn from experience *coughs* You can bet that Frodo (and myself) never did that again and now think twice when curiosity tries to get the better of us. (although thinking twice still doesn't always work ... even now, as an adult) You can also be sure that Frodo made darn sure that Merry and Pippin never tried disproving that particular old wives' tale, either! Thanks for reading and leaving a review, Larner! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Hi Dreamflower! Yes, it's very reminiscient of 'A Christmas Story' however, I had never seen the movie until after I had tried the validity of this particular old wives' tale myself. If I had seen the movie first, I don't think I would have let my curiosity get the better of me. LOL! While searching for info on metallurgy regarding freezing iron and sticking tongues, I came across some sort of religious site where the priest or whoever had a "sermon" comparing the freezing flagpole scene in the above mentioned movie and life. I enjoyed reading it so much, that I paraphrased the advice/conclusion at the end of the it to be the main body of Bilbo's little speech to Frodo. Thanks for reading/reviewing and I'm glad you got a kick out of Frodo's (and mine) youthful mishap! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Hi Antane! Bilbo's words to Frodo were paraphrased from a Christian website I came across when researching specifics of the wet tongue on freezing pole theory. It may have been Catholic, but I'm not really sure. I was looking for specifics on the metallurgy involved with the freezing pole and one of the hits was on this page where the religious leader had a journal/sermon of some sort posted. It was a good read and I really loved the end of it, so I paraphrased it into Bilbo's speech. If I come across the site again, I'll email it to you. Believe it or not, but the tongue doesn't really hurt until afterwards because the freezing cold pole numbs it. I, like Frodo, am curious by nature and this was just one of those things I'd heard a hundred times but just had to test out on my own to see if it really was true. Also like Frodo, I was smart enough not to place my entire tongue against the pole, but just the very tip in case I did get stuck. LOL! It's funny because years later when I revealed what I did all, I was met with such disbelief that a smart intelligent girl would have done such a thing. But curiousity can be a powerful thing at times. Hannon le for reading/reviewing! Namarie, ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Hi Lily! Aren't January babies just the best?! ;) Actually, it didn't really hurt until after I ripped/yanked it off the pole because the freezing pole and the cold winter air made it numb. I had only placed the very tip of my tongue on the pole (I wasn't that stupid in case the old wives tale really was true). It hurt after through and it did bleed. Sometimes I'm just too curious for my own good and that was one of those times. I, like Frodo, had heard this "warning" many times but wanted to know if it was really true. I mean, whoever was the first to discover this anyway? I've never heard the tastbud bit--it would make sense, but they do grow back. Thanks for reading and thank you also for the birthday wishes! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Thank you, Harrowcat! I used to crunch on ice too, until I some major dental work done and I was on a soft food diet for over a month; that broke the habit for me unfortunately. I totally agree! I've done that too with ice cubes! Glad you liked it! And thank you also for the birthday wishes! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Thank you, Shirebound! I'm glad you liked it and found it to be sweet. Ermm ... Bilbo may have possibly tried that in his youth. Then again, he was a predictable, boring Baggins just like his father who never did anything unexpected or went on any Adventures ..... until he was 50 at any rate. On the other hand, I can't entirely discount it either. :D (maybe Belladonna was one of the lasses who did) ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Thank you, Lily! Merry Christmas to you as well, along with a peaceful and prosperous New Year! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

LOL! I couldn't remember if that was what the Fox in FOTR called the hobbits when they were leaving the Shire ... and I was too lazy to go look in my book. I'm glad you liked it, Grey Wonderer, and thank you for reading/reviewing. Happy Holidays what ever you may celebrate, and may you also have a wonderful New Year! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Cool! I can't wait to read your story, Antane! I wanted to express that comfy cozy feeling after a long day of joyous celebration ... you know, when all the gifts have been unwrapped, the dishes are piled high in the sink, and the family can finally relax. May you and your family have a Blessed Christmas and New Year! ~Elemmírë~ p.s. If you haven't seen 'The Nativity Story', I highly recommend it. I took my father to see last week and we both enjoyed it.

Author's reply

So he does! He smelled all that good food up at Bag End and had to go investigate. I wanted to write a warm, cozy scene after a long day of festivities, but I wanted to do it from an outsider's pov. So, I got to picturing the fox standing on his hind legs and peering into the windows of the smial. Young Frodo cuddling with his beloved uncle always melts my heart. I know I am not alone when I say that, LOL! Thank you, Larner! May you have a beautiful New Year! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Thank you, Armariel. I'm glad you enjoyed. Perhaps Bilbo was kind enough to place some of the scraps from the Yule feast outside for the animals to enjoy .... Merry Christmas to you as well, and here's to a good New Year! Cool candle! Thank you! :D ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Thank you, Shirebound! Young Frodo and Bilbo always melt my heart (and yours too, I know. LOL!) I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday and here's to a peaceful, prosperous New Year! ~Elemmírë~ p.s. I don't have a LJ account yet, but I'm going to see if I can perhaps post this to the Hobbit Holidays site.

Author's reply

Uh oh! Gandalf, HELP!!! Harrowcat has melted!!!! Thank you, Harrowcat! Happy Holidays to you and your family, as well! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Thank you so much, Queen Galadriel! I love to fly ... well, perhaps I should rephrase that. I enjoy the view from the window on a clear day, hence this short piece that was inspired. I dislike the cramped seating and overly long flights. Yes, it is wonderful to see Frodo so happy and joyous. It's bittersweet, however, as we all know the Shire is in dire straits and Frodo will never quite be the same hobbit he was. If you haven't read Shirebound's 'Return to Rivendell' yet, it's a terrific story, as all of hers are! Check it out! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Thank you, Queen Galadriel! I had a lot of fun writing this particular challenge ... it was one of those that kind of just wrote itself. And yes, I wrote it in tribute to Marigold and her Tale Challenges. I totally agree, she is wonderful. When Bilbo saw how depsondent and disinterested Frodo had become after his parents' deaths, he wanted desperately to cheer the little lad up. Knowing how much Frodo loved stories, etc Bilbo came up with the idea of writing a silly piece inspired by the challenge elements he demanded from Frodo. The end result became a song that Frodo found very silly and ridiculous, but a song that he ended up cherishing nonetheless due to his uncle's unending love for him. ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

You are very welcome, my dear Queen! I'm glad this one made you laugh when you so needed it. :D Merry and Pippin ... trouble? ... Never. *smirks* This tale too, was inspired by a real life incident involving my aunt when she was a toddler and my grandmother. They lived on my great-grandparents farm in New Jersery, and there was no indoor plumbing yet for a bathroom. There was an outhouse ... and a very large, mean, territorial rooster. Every time someone had to use the outhouse, they had to take a broom with them to fend off the rooster! LOL! My beloved grandparents have been deceased for a few years now, but I'm glad to be able to tell their stories through the hobbits sometimes. It helps to keep their memory alive for me and also heal from their passing. I never met another two people that were so giving and full of love as they both were. To me, my grandparents were angels on this earth. I will always miss them, but I'm happy they're together again and in a much better place. Thank you so very much for reading and reviewing, Queen Galadriel! It's always appreciated and it's also always good to hear from you. Namarie, ~Elemmírë~ ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Really? So that's what a marrow really is. Marigold tried to explain it to me and that they were in the 'Wallace & Gromit, etc.' movie, but I never made the connection that marrows are the same as zucchini. Stupid me kept using a pumpkin patch, forgetting that pumpkins are not indiginous to England nor the Shire. Cool! Thanks! And thank you for reading/reviewing too! It's always greatly appreciated. :D ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Thank you, Larner! Sorry for such a late reply, but I never received notification for this new review or the next you sent in my email. Darn email!!

Author's reply

Thank you, Larner. It's always a pleasure to receive a review from you! As I told Shirebound: I love to fly, especially on clear days and everything below is so tiny. Flying home recently was like that for me, and on the plane I began to daydream of what Frodo and Sam must have thought/experienced during their own flight on the Eagles' backs .... You never know just when or where you'll be inspired to write the next hobbity tale! ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

I had hoped you would enjoy it!! (and not think me of being too presumptuous) But alas, what can I say except that a six hour flight across the country on a clear, sunny day stirred the muse. :D I've always enjoyed flying, especially on days when there's no clouds and eveything looks like a little model below. I then wondered what Frodo and Sam thought while soaring through the air on the Eagles' backs in your tale and so, I started to daydream .... *hugs you back for writing such a wonderful tale to begin with* ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Amen. (grins)

Author's reply

LOL! That's one of my favorites too, along with 'The Man in the Moon Came Down too Soon' & 'The Road Goes Ever On' Compared to Bilbo's other writings, 'A Merry Old Inn,' was quite silly and ridiculous sounding at times. I wondered why he wrote it so ... what was his inspiration to write it the way he did? A melancholy Frodo became that inspiration. I also wrote it in honor of the Tale Challenges issued by Marigold. (You should try one sometime!) Take care, Harrowcat!

Author's reply

HeHe! I saw your 'nothing review'-- I know you had good intentions. Computers. *sigh* :D I'm glad you read them all, Antane, and I hope you enjoyed each and every one! Namarie

Author's reply

Thank you, Harrowcat! Merry's right, Pippin should have doused the rooster. Now _that_ would have been quite the scene for Frodo to walk into. LOL! Glad you enjoyed!