Reviews (113)

Grey-Orc · 24 April 2017 · Chapter 2: Unlocking the Past

I'm not sure whether I'm correcting an error or about to learn something, but I'm a little puzzled by the use of the word "receipt" in your stories. It's in this chapter and the next one at least. Where I'm from, a recipe is a set of instructions for cooking and the receipt is what you're given when you pay for the ingredients, so a "receipt" box full of cooking instructions seems like an odd term. Puzzlement aside, this story needed a tissue warning. I found my eyes getting misty a lot and I wanted to give Merry, Pippin and Sam great big hugs. I think I can only admire your patience with legal language when you go through and write up all the wills and renunciations and such. I could never do it. Refer to them in a tale if I ever wrote one, perhaps, but never write them and have to deal with all the "be it known", "where as this and whereas that", etc. I love reading your stories, again and again. I'm rather looking forward to the completion of Fatty's adventures in Gondor (unless I'm confusing you with Lindelea there -- I re-read hers often enough, too). I can only admire those of you with the imagination and confidence to write about such well-loved characters.

Larner · 16 April 2017 · Chapter 8: Epilogue

Ah! At last the epilogue! How that chain would have shocked them all, even as pictured here! As for the letter Merry is considering--it sounds well deserved. Thanks for bringing this back once more.

KathyG · 15 April 2017 · Chapter 8: Epilogue

I love it! I didn't know that the story was incomplete, and I'm so glad you've posted the final chapter--the epilogue! Are there going to be any authors' notes to the epilogue as well, or as that it as of now?

Robbie · 9 October 2012 · Chapter 3: Hidden Treasures

That's a very touching story. I keep picturing Frodo as he looked through that box for a last time and thought of the Sam, Rosie, Merry and Pippin looking at the things in it once they found it. Also very interesting is that mention of Sam getting saved from drowning by Frodo. I'd love to read that in detail. Maybe that was the start of Sam hating water?

Bodkin · 23 October 2006 · Chapter 7: A Task Completed

Elanor is a little poppet - sweetness and light. It's not just Frodo to whom she brought happiness. I love the very feminine way of setting up the taffy pull, too! Make them feel they're getting away with something, when you planned it all along.

GamgeeFest · 23 October 2006 · Chapter 7: A Task Completed

*snickers* Poor Pip will have to walk around with hacked up foot hair for a couple of months. Rose and Estella came up with the perfect idea for cheering up their husbands and Pippin, and I love that they were able to arrange it that the lads didn't know it was *their* idea. No better to avoid the clean up, if you ask me! I'll be interested to see what Sam and Merry are going to tell their wives about the chain, if at all. And I feel sorry for Strider when Merry and Pippin get to him, but really, he should have known better than to give that chain back to Frodo. He never would have known that it survived Mt. Doom if Strider hadn't done so.

PIppinfan1988 · 22 October 2006 · Chapter 7: A Task Completed

Why is it every time you write in a meal or making sweets I get a craving for food?? LOL During my "bad dental days" I kept wondering if I had missed the next update to this most wonderful tale. I've been feeling better this past week and thought to go cruising in your library to investigate that matter. I was so happy to see this update--and sad, too--knowing it would be the final one. Everything about this tale was beautifully written, and I eagerly awaited the next chapter. As you well know, and I like to remind you every now and then, of how much I love your world of hobbits--and this tale in particular. Each chapter was an adventure into the lives of our favourite hobbits, in both a casual nature and how they coped with the aftermath of Frodo's leaving Middle-earth. I think finding the strong box helped our lads to put closure to that dreadful chapter in their lives and move on to more pleasant pastures. Thank you--to you and Gryffinjack for writing such a magnificent and delightful tale! Pippinfan

cookiefleck · 21 October 2006 · Chapter 7: A Task Completed

I enjoyed this chapter, especially the Green Dragon. I like the mix of melancholy and love of family/friends in this story. I also have enjoyed all of your authors' notes although I don't know if I have left comments there. Thanks for all the hard and good work.

Baggins Babe · 21 October 2006 · Chapter 7: A Task Completed

Aha! I've been waiting for this - was only wondering what had happened to it a couple of days ago. Poor Pip - taffy in his foot hair! Hope the Gaffer's black soap does the trick. They really needed that afternoon at the Green Dragon and it did them good. Interesting to think that hobbits would make any throwing and aiming games more difficult - hadn't thought of that before but it makes sense. This has been an incredibly well-thought out story and you've both gone to so much trouble with all the things. That chain! *shudder* Give yourselve a pat on the back and a good helping of 1420 for all your efforts. BTW, did you get the chance to look at the latest chapter of 'Old Scores'? I know your computer was playing up when I posted it. Technology!

Pearl Took · 20 October 2006 · Chapter 7: A Task Completed

Ah, a great relief!! Beer, munchies and good friends have been know to cure a lot of ills :) ;) "Sam did not know, even Frodo had never known, that Merry and Pippin were silent partners in the inn since they had returned from their journey." I very much liked this :) Well done, Dreamflower!

Pearl Took · 20 October 2006 · Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."

I feel drained . . . hollow. What a precious and horrible moment . . .

Andrea · 20 October 2006 · Chapter 7: A Task Completed

Great chapter, Dreamflower! I was wondering this whole chapter long what "taffy pulling" might be! (My dictionary was no help at all, I can assure you!) But now I think I can imagine very well the fun of making sweets that way :) Our three hobbits just needed some time away and on their own, it seems. After that they felt much better. And little Elanor's suggestion to come and see the kitties was wise indeed. As was the "taffy pulling conspiracy" of Sam's and Merry's wives ;-) I can imagine that somewhere on Tol Eressea, Frodo was watching them, with lots of doubts about letting them find the chain, but in the end laughing with them and admiring Sam's sweet little daughter!

harrowcat · 20 October 2006 · Chapter 7: A Task Completed

Hmm... What a lovely and tasty way to get over some awful trauma. Now, since I am sure that virtual Taffy is both sugar AND calorie free how about asking the hobbits to share a few pieces with the rest of us!?!

shirebound · 20 October 2006 · Chapter 7: A Task Completed

"I don’t know about Sam, but making a mess in the kitchen always puts Merry and Pippin in a good mood!" What a wonderful chapter! The wives are so quietly clever and wise. And Pip and Merry taking such delight in the Green Dragon's recovery (and not taking any of the profits). And the hobbits' amusement at Men aiming for the *center* of a target (the very idea!). And... The two cousins caught one another’s eye, and gave equally mischievous grins. Each rapidly pocketed the letter he was holding. It was clear that they would be able to entertain themselves with this particular argument for weeks on end. Sam shook his head. They did love a good wrangle. Oh gosh, I just love it all.

Larner · 20 October 2006 · Chapter 7: A Task Completed

These are women who know their menfolk very well indeed! And now poor Pippin has candy in his hair! Poor Hobbit! Soak it long enough it MIGHT come out, of course.

Queen Galadriel · 8 September 2006 · Chapter 146: Author's Notes: Chapter Six

Oh, wow. Oh, wow. *shudders* What a horrible, horrible thing to find in that box. No wonder poor Sam was sick. I'd be too, if I'd watched the Ring and the thing it hung on wounding my dearest friend for so long. And the blood and hair...oh...Part of me really wants to know what that chain looks like, and the other part wonders even if it were possible, if I could bring myself to find out. I think *I* need a drink now-but not of Brandy. And now I'm going to backtrack. It seems I missed a lot. I love all the author notes-very well thought out! How sweet that Frodo's "little lad and lasses" get to have some of his parents' things. He'd be so pleased. And the impromptu dance was great, and just what was wanted! Now I want to learn the mouth harp! I'd have to find some kind of guide on how to play, though-those things look so complicated! Yea! We get two more chapters! *cheers* And I have to agree with Elemmire; the tale of the chain would be very fastenating to read in more detail. I'd love to know what went through Frodo's mind when presented with such a decision, heartbreaking as it must be, and what the one who discovered the chain thought when he (or she...but I'm assuming there probably were no female healers around at that point) thought at that moment. God bless, Galadriel

Antane · 4 September 2006 · Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."

This is your best chapter yet! How heartbreaking, but completely plausible. How it must have wrenched Frodo's already shattered heart and soul to not be able to part even with the bloody chain and to know his brothers would find it. I applaud him for the strength to leave it behind, that shows he was already healing, though it must have been difficult to do so. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

PIppinfan1988 · 3 September 2006 · Chapter 146: Author's Notes: Chapter Six

Wow...awesome! You ladies have illustrated this brilliant story so very well! I would love to read the tale where Gandalf and Aragorn discover the chain around Frodo's neck and discuss (with Frodo) what to do with it. :-) Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 3 September 2006 · Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."

*sniff* :'-( This was so sad to read! I think the image of a broken, bloody chain would bring to light any doubts I had as to *why* Frodo left. Yes, the movies helped, but this chapter of your tale drove the reason home in my own heart. I loved how Frodo called them all his "brother" in his letter, and I know Pippin and Merry welcome Sam with open arms. I hope this wasn't the last chapter! Will we get to see the threesome recover a bit and the cousins take their leave of Bag End? Have I told you and Gryffinjack how much I love this tale????? I do! :-) Pippinfan

Andrea · 3 September 2006 · Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."

I wish that I could bring myself to discard it--yet I find that I fail at that just as I failed in the end to discard what else needed discarding. Do what you will with it. I could not abide to look at it, yet casting it off was impossible, just as the other task was impossible. In the end, I am leaving it behind me, for it has no place where I go now. Wow! That letter is awesome! It's so sad to know that Frodo's lust for the Ring was not ended with It's destruction, sad but true. I can very well imagine that he was not able to destroy that chain and instead kept it as a constant reminder of his failure and a kind of substitute for the Ring. With all those dark memories and mementos healing was impossible in Middle Earth, and so the journey to Tol Eressea was his last chance. I am leaving it behind me, for it has no place where I go now. And now at last he is able to leave it behind, because he will start a brand new life, which holds no place for sad memories. That's a wonderful thought. Sam reacts as I had expected. I wonder if that is the very hearth in which Frodo tried to cast the Ring at the beginning of LotR.

Kitty · 3 September 2006 · Chapter 145: Author's Notes: Chapter Five

You and Jackie did go through a lot of trouble to produce all this, and I am very impressed, Dreamflower. There would be very few people who would work out all of this if it was not absolutely necessary to insert in the story itself, I think. Some more personal parts of Frodo's last will brought tears to my eyes, but then I had to laugh about him leaving his pipe to Legolas and the leaf to Gimli to persuade Legolas into smoking. That was sweet, though I doubt Legolas will give in. Well, our dear elf will treasure it nonetheless.

Kitty · 3 September 2006 · Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."

Don't truly know what to say. I had never, never expected the object in the box to be *that*! The image of the chain digged so deep in Frodo's neck that it remained there is so horrible and left me shuddering. Poor Frodo! But thinking back to the pictures in the movie, of the deep wound, crusted with blood, it seems only too possible. Now I feel so sorry for all of them, and I can only say I am very glad the three threw it in the fire to destroy it as far as possible. I am sure none of them could've endured it to have this chain in the house one moment longer than necessary.

Kitty · 3 September 2006 · Chapter 5: A Morning of Memories

Merry looked puzzled. "Where is Pip? It’s not like him not to be in the kitchen at the first smell of breakfast." That's right. I'd expected Pippin to show up *long* before the cakes were ready. But I can see that his dream somehow disturbed and distracted him. “Besides,” added Pippin, “how do you know he didn’t send *dozens* of letters? If they had to go through old Butterburr at the Prancing Pony, Frodo’d never have known, would he?” *giggle* Poor old Butterburr will *never* live it down, I fear. It is good to know the cousins knew the contents of the box so well that they could say with certainty Frodo had taken some of them with him. I think it must be some comfort to them to know he has some mementos of the Shire and the people he loved so much taken to the Undying Lands. I can see them feeling better after dancing around - it lifted the mood considerably. A pity Pippin made the wrong connection after Merry's remark about touching things he shouldn't touch. I am sure as soon as Pip could walk on his own *nothing* was sure from his hands and his curiosity! The end was something of a cliffhanger. I truly wonder just *what* could raise such a reaction?

Elemmírë · 2 September 2006 · Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."

WOW! Now that's cool and creepy as well. I never thought about what happened to that chain. I guess I thought it fell to the sharp, rocky ground of the Sammanth Naur. No wonder Sam was so upset. And poor, poor Frodo. Hating the Ring, yet lusting after it and all he had was the horrible memories and the Elven chain that chafed severely into his neck across Middle-earth. The chain was indeed, caught in Frodo's hair, and the matted blood where it had cut into his neck. Of course, when he was brought back to the healers, it was removed, and put aside with the other things they yet had. Gandalf and Aragorn questioned what was to be done with it. Aragorn thought it should be disposed of without Frodo ever knowing, but Gandalf thought Frodo deserved the chance to choose what he wished done. He hoped that Frodo would also choose to dispose of it, and thought that giving Frodo the chance to *make* that choice would help him. However, Frodo decided to keep it, and Aragorn provided him with the small box to put it in. Now that would be an interesting tale to read in more detail: Frodo's healing with Aragorn and Gandalf discovering the Ring's chain embedded into his neck. Their reactions to seeing it like so and their discussion. Giving it back to Frodo and seeing how he kept it from the other hobbits during their stay in Minas Tirith and their journey home. I would love to read more about Frodo's thoughts regarding the chain (as would others, I'm sure) :D So, possible future plot bunny for one of you Ladies?? Looking forward to the next chapter! P.S. That is a very eerie and realistic picture of the blood-stained chain with Frodo's hair, Gryffinjack. It definitely speaks of the emotion that all the hobbits felt--Frodo at not being able to get rid of it, and the others emotional reaction to seeing it after all that time. Gives me the chills.

Elemmírë · 2 September 2006 · Chapter 5: A Morning of Memories

Eeek! I seemed to have missed this chapter! Merry was fairly certain Frodo had not kept *all* his aunt’s letters, though, or they would have filled the box by themselves. LOL! How very true! Dora's letters would have needed their own trunk. Aww, Elanor and Sam making pancakes together. Very sweet. (I picture Sam being a very patient father as described in that scene. He'd have to be with 13 children, after all.) Merry took out another small bundle of letters, and after a glance, exclaimed “Aha! I knew it! I *knew* Bilbo must have written to Frodo.” “O’ course he did,” replied Sam. “He never said nothing to his kin about it though--said if Mr. Bilbo wanted them to know, he’d write them too.” Yeah! I'm glad to see I'm not alone in my theory that Bilbo wrote to Frodo after he left. There's a line in FOTR where Frodo says to Gandalf, "In Bilbo's last letter ..." --Bilbo had written to Frodo about the Ring, to keep it secret if I remember correctly, but it's never mentioned as to when Bilbo wrote this letter. I've always liked to think that Bilbo wrote to Frodo at least once after leaving the Shire and his lad forever, perhaps when he got safely to Rivendell. “I allus thought it meant that ‘if onlies’ was useless.” I couldn't agree more. 'If onlies' only serve to cause bitterness and despair over what might have been. The trouble is, sometimes it's difficult to avoid that line of thinking. The part with Drogo's skipping stone is so loving and so bittersweet, as it is now a remnant of a couples' never-ending love for each other. I very much like how it's included that Frodo demanded the stone be given to him as a child. Even as a young child he knew what this special stone represented. I wonder what Frodo did with the stone when he left the Shire with the Ring. Did he take it with him and leave it in Rivendell? Did he leave it behind? Ahh, another similiarity in our stories! In my upcoming Dora tale, there is mention of Drogo's pocketwatch, although it's portrayed and received quite differently. :D I really liked how Sam, Merry, and Pippin all continue to comfort each other in both the absence of their beloved Frodo and also when unpleasant memories of their journey come upon them. I also really loved how the children received some of the their honorary uncle's treasures. I think Primula and Drogo would have been very pleased to see such. Well done, Ladies!