harrowcat
· 23 September 2006
· Chapter 3: Master of Bag End
The scene at Crickhollow where the conspiracy is unmasked is one of my favourites in the Book. Merry is so organised and Sam seems so bashful yet confident that he has done the right thing.
I love the balance you have beweenthe amount of Frodo's writing to Sam's. Is this deliberate?
Author's reply
It's one of my favorites in the book too - esp. Merry's words to Frodo. As far as the balance goes, I am merely the humble translator of the way the original authors wrote it. :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane
Queen Galadriel
· 23 September 2006
· Chapter 3: Master of Bag End
Wow, I don't know what to say. This is so deep, so moving, and Sam's plea that Frodo wait for him tugs at the heart.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
So glad you are enjoying, ammelda!
Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)
harrowcat
· 23 September 2006
· Chapter 2: The Party
I hadn't really seen the symmetry of Bilbo leaving Frodo and Frodo leaving Sam before. You have highlighted it well Antane. And I love Sam's detirmination that he will hear his Beloved laugh again!
Oops, I caught a typo!
You helped me so much, dear Sam, that night, determined that I enjoy myself and Merry and Pippin were even {more} determined, though ignorant of what trouble lay upon my heart.
Author's reply
I hadn't realized the symmetry either until I came across this missing text. Interesting though, isn't it? I'll have to fix that typo!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
harrowcat
· 23 September 2006
· Chapter 1: Farewell
Oh Antane you make me want to hold all three of them tight and never let them go!
Me? like angst? Now what ever gave you that idea? *g* Truth be told I only read the angsty bits for the comfort and caring that go with it.
I also only tend to read AU's from Authors that I know I like a great deal. Generally I prefer those that stick to Canon or fill in gaps.
Queen Galadriel
· 22 September 2006
· Chapter 2: The Party
Oh wow! So heartbreaking and full of so much love. The writing of all this had to be part of the healing for both of them. I especially love Sam's part here. And how like Merry to contrive to keep Frodo busy and laughing and use poor innocent Pippin for it! LOL! So sweet. Of course, Pippin would enjoy every minute of it. :)
God bless,
Galadriel
P.S. "So tell me, what did you really think of it..." Hahahahaha! as if it wasn't obvious! LOL!
Elanor Silmariën
· 22 September 2006
· Chapter 1: Farewell
Yes, school has kept me very busy! I'm doing two very difficult classes that take up sooo much time! (but I get to read Beowulf, which, I know, was also in Tolkien's repitoir of books! *is happy*) Oh, dear, this is probably my favorite of your works so far! Hearing the story from both sides as it is, and seeing how all the events fit together. It's so beautiful!
God bless,
Ellie
Larner
· 22 September 2006
· Chapter 1: Farewell
And love needs to be expressed....
Larner
· 22 September 2006
· Chapter 0: Prologue and Historical Notes
And I see that the stationery box lives on, with a second one for Sam alone, two carrying much memory, much grief, and the love of two souls, each for the other.
Author's reply
Indeed it does! It's wonderful how you found out Bilbo's ever-so-useful gift to the son of his heart, isn't it? :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane
Queen Galadriel
· 22 September 2006
· Chapter 1: Farewell
Wow. Frodo *did* leave a lot out. Sorrows, indeed. Of course the love is wonderful, and I really appreciate the subtle details woven beneath the narrative that make this tale so alive. Tucking Frodo in and then both him and Bilbo ending up in Bilbo's bed are so obviously things done to bring back sweet memories and hold onto them, if you know what I mean, as well as being for the comfort of both. And even had Frodo not said they'd made dinner together so many times, it's obvious from the ease with which it was done. You capture the escence of preparing to say farewell and be left behind so beautifully and painfully well. I fought back tears all through this chapter.
And then there's this:
And suddenly I just wanted to hold you because you looked so sad and lost. I would have too, but I held back. My Gaffer had drilled into
me fine how I should regard you now that you were going to be master. You smiled at me a bit wearily and I smiled back and your smile grew a little. I
didn’t think it was my place to stay and the garden awaited. But how I wanted just to hold you...
Ah yes, we see Sam's loving heart and his head knowledge of class distinction arguing here. Wonderfully done! I don't like class distinctions, you know, but it's such a part of Sam that he's mindful of his "place" and what's "proper". :) Even up to the end, when he and Frodo both realised without ever really saying it upfront that they were more like brothers than master and servant, Frodo still remained Mr. Frodo to Sam. And odd as it seems, that very deference, and the fact that Sam sees himself as one meant to serve, helps to bring out the beauty of his incredible, humble, loving loyalty.
Well, I hadn't *intended* to write a miniature essay when I started! :) I'm still extremely excited for more! :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Glad you are enjoying so much, ammelda!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Armariel
· 21 September 2006
· Chapter 1: Farewell
Oh nice...a new piece from you, and the beginning looks quite intriguing!
~~~{~@
Author's reply
I hope it remains so! I forgot to tell you in my last review of Light, how cute it was that Frodo was sleeping with Frodo-doll and Sam-doll and Bilbo-doll. :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Elanor Silmariën
· 21 September 2006
· Chapter 0: Prologue and Historical Notes
Gah! Love it! To think that the Professor missed something... Please continue soon!
God bless,
Ellie
Author's reply
Hannon le, my dear! I am so glad to hear from you. I was wondering if you had fallen off the face of the earth or something, but probably just busy with school! :( I can say right back to you, please continue The Latter Days soon!!!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
harrowcat
· 21 September 2006
· Chapter 0: Prologue and Historical Notes
A brilliant start to this Antane and I love the tribute to the mysterious Galadriel!
Author's reply
Hannon le, my dear harrowcat. Glad you are enjoying! And you told Galadriel you didn't like angst - could have fooled me! :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane
Althea
· 20 September 2006
· Chapter 0: Prologue and Historical Notes
What an intriguing first chapter! The background history of the documents was so well conceived and well written that the story feels absolutely authentic. I am very curious to find out what Frodo left out of the Red Book and what Sam felt compelled to write, but not to share. You can bet that I will be checking for updates. It's always a treat to come across something as interesting and finely crafted as this story promises to be.
Author's reply
Thank you very much! I did want to write something that sounded authentic - I'm glad it passed the test! So far at least. :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane
Queen Galadriel
· 20 September 2006
· Chapter 0: Prologue and Historical Notes
Wow! Very deep. I said this before, but hey it's been a long time so I'll say it again. I love the depth of this, the "realness" of it. I'm about to burst with sheer excitement, and as I don't want to entirely let the restraints off while I'm online (I'm worse than Pippin when I get hyper LOL) I'll just say this is so so so so so so so AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) :) Whoa...sorry. I just can't wait! :)
God bless,
Eccstatic Galadriel
Author's reply
So tell me, what did you really think of it? Don't be shy... Hee hee hee hee.
Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)