Shire Yule by Dreamflower
Antane · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 7: Light the Yule Log (the Tuckborough Carol)
And so I hoped the four of them sang this to themselves or each other during the Quest and remembered who and what it was they were fighting for. Lovely, loving song. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, thank you for that thought! Perhaps they did!
Antane · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 6: The Snow-Hobbit
And this innocence and love was another thing the Rangers protected. Love these three together. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane
Author's reply
Yes, it was! I'm glad you see the connection! And I adore cousin-fic, both writing and reading it!
Antane · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 4: The Moon on the Breast of the New-Fallen Snow
"Somehow, I know in my heart that one day our careful watch over them will be rewarded beyond all our expectations.” Indeed it was. Three cheers for the protectors and the protected. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane
Author's reply
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! 8-D
Antane · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Out of the Dark: First Yule S.R. 1380
The poor lad! :( That would have been a very hard Yule for him but Bilbo's there and he had a good cry which would have helped too. Namarie, God bless, Antane
Author's reply
It had to be hard for him, but Bilbo knew what he needed! And yes, in spite of what some people say, a good cry *can* help!
Antane · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 1: Frodo's Very First Yule
So continues a lifelong love affair - so sweet! Happy Yule! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, Bilbo was captured by that lad from his very earliest days!
Bodkin · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 10: Sleigh Ride
What a lovely sleigh ride! I love the Gaffer pursing up his lips and disapproving. (And it's just as well Rosie and Sam are sensible - or they'd have had two dozen children!) I like the substantial picnic, too - hobbits wouldn't be hobbits if they didn't attend to the inner person!
Author's reply
Well, of course, mostly because it's his daughter out there, LOL! But he also has his crusty reputation to maintain. Lily's an old friend though, and she knows how to handle his "disapproval". Of course they had a good-sized picnic hamper! No hobbit would set out on an excursion without one! *grin*
AspenJules · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Out of the Dark: First Yule S.R. 1380
Ahhhh, heartbreaking! A brilliant depiction though, Dream. Of course it was Bilbo who was able to bring him out of it, Bilbo who understood what it was to feel truly alone, even in the midst of a crowd. Bilbo who didn't have any responsibilities to which he *should* be attending who was able to simply come in and be there with him, instead of inviting him out where he couldn't bring himself to be. Such a wrenching picture of him sobbing in Bilbo's arms, but warming as well. You brought out those two conflicting emotions very very well.
Author's reply
Yes, Bilbo understood. And you are quite right in why he was able to offer the comfort. More than that, Bilbo was willing to take the risk of pushing. Saradoc and Esmeralda are almost *too* careful in their handling of Frodo's grief--they are afraid to make things worse by intruding. As much as they love him, they fear his reaction. Bilbo has the wisdom to know that sometimes you have to take that risk.
Bodkin · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 9: The New Year Baby
Ahhhhhh! Babies! How sweet of Pippin to want to stay home and wait for Pimmie's baby to be born. (Even if it does mean that Merry has to have a relatively ale-free Yule!)
Author's reply
Yes, well Pippin's quite enthusiastic about the idea of becoming an uncle! At last he'll be the older one, and can take care of someone younger! Not only that, but Merry and Frodo are only children, so they will never be uncles, other than honorary or by marriage. It won't hurt Merry to stay sober--even if he thinks it's not that much fun! LOL!
AspenJules · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 10: Sleigh Ride
Oh, how nice that sounds! Living in a snow-less place, and having grown up in an snow-less place, a simple sleigh ride and winter picnic with dear ones sounds quite magical. I also loved the depiction of Mari as a flirt, and Tom settling her down. Both Rosie and Sam agreed on that, LOL. And how characteristic of Sam to be "careful of his Rose." They are as much the great love story of the Lord of the Rings as Aragorn and Arwen. Lovely little vignette, Dream.
Author's reply
I've never lived where they had much snow, either. But I love the image of it, and the other day when I heard an arrangement of "Sleigh Ride", I thought what a very *hobbity* sort of song it was--so naturally that made me think of fic. I immediately thought of these two couples, courting. Marigold is just a bit flirtacious, but she does love her Tom very much. Sam's a responsible lad, and very deeply in love with Rose. He *knows* he can wait. I agree. JRRT himself said that about them--that theirs was an important love story to the book!
AspenJules · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 9: The New Year Baby
Now why do stories of births always make me cry?? That was really sweet, Dream! I liked how it showed over the course of the year the unfolding of events, and I liked how Pippin's playing, for the sake of calming him down, was of help to Pimmie as well. It was sweet of her to tell him so, to let him know that his presence was, after all, needed.
Author's reply
Yes, I wanted to show how it affected everyone over the course of Pimmie's pregnancy. I'm glad you appreciated that about Pippin's playing--of course, Aunt Peridot knew, but it was a revelation to Pippin.
Pearl Took · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 10: Sleigh Ride
A gentle, sweet story! Thank you, Dreamflower :-)
Author's reply
You are most welcome! 8-)
Pearl Took · 29 December 2006 · Chapter 9: The New Year Baby
Very lovely, Dreamflower! I liked you doing it in little vignettes. Well Done!
Author's reply
Thanks! When I posted it at LJ, I posted each one separately, but I wanted them to all appear together here.
Queen Galadriel · 15 December 2006 · Chapter 8: Yule at Brock Hall
A sweet little moment, and for once poor dear Folco is not in trouble. :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
No, he's not! His music helps him stay out of trouble!
Bodkin · 15 December 2006 · Chapter 8: Yule at Brock Hall
Folco has real magic moments, when he seems almost a faerie child. Freddy must feel as if he knows his friend through and through and then - suddenly, there's a shift and he's a window to another world.
Author's reply
What a beautiful observation! Most people could not quite appreciate Folco, even though they might be fond of him, but a very few, like Freddy, Frodo and Eglantine could see this about him.
harrowcat · 14 December 2006 · Chapter 8: Yule at Brock Hall
Some wuld say 'as mad as a Baggins!' going out in the cold to play the flute. *g*
Author's reply
Some might. I think he just wanted to make music--he probably doesn't even notice the cold.
Larner · 14 December 2006 · Chapter 8: Yule at Brock Hall
Well, at least Folco isn't putting his foot in his mouth....
Author's reply
No, that *is* why Aunt Dora suggested he learn to play the flute, after all! LOL!
Pearl Took · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 8: Yule at Brock Hall
A very lovely wee moment, I can see it so clearly!
Author's reply
Thank you! That's a wonderful compliment!
GamgeeFest · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 8: Yule at Brock Hall
Just like a sister to steal the covers. Sounds like a peaceful Yule morning among family and friends.
Author's reply
Little sisters are prone to do that, aren't they? I love the idea of a peaceful Yule morning!
GamgeeFest · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 7: Light the Yule Log (the Tuckborough Carol)
Aw! What a lovely carol! It's so warm and fuzzy and hobbity! :D
Author's reply
Thank you! That's just the mood I was aiming for! 8-)
Lindelea · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 8: Yule at Brock Hall
Aw, this was so very bittersweet, and brought a lump to my throat, for of course I was thinking of Folco and Freddy's friendship, and what the years would bring. What a lovely picture.
Author's reply
They are such lovely friends, and they've no idea of what fate will one day have in store for them.
PIppinfan1988 · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 7: Light the Yule Log (the Tuckborough Carol)
This is so wonderfully crafted! "Though the world is dark and cold, While we have a hand to hold, And we are safe within the fold, Our spirits may be brave and bold!" I can't think of anything more Tookish than that! No doubt the Bagginses or Gamgees of the Shire would change the wording. ;-) You and a few others make poetry look so simple, but I know it isn't. Well...maybe just a wee bit. ;-) Most excellent, Dreamflower. :-) Pippinfan
Author's reply
Well, yes, the "brave and bold" *is* rather Tookish. But any hobbit can be brave in a pinch, LOL! I'm glad you liked it!
PIppinfan1988 · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 8: Yule at Brock Hall
Oh, I am certainly enjoying Yule through the eyes of young Fredegar. Very lovely scene! Pippinfan
Author's reply
I like to do Freddy and Folco, from time to time--they are often neglected!
Pearl Took · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 7: Light the Yule Log (the Tuckborough Carol)
A most hobbity Yule Carol!
Author's reply
Thank you!
demeter d · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 4: The Moon on the Breast of the New-Fallen Snow
It has been too long since I read this bit...but... somewhere, I think it is in "Fellowship of the Ring", a hobbit or hobbits, (perhaps Frodo) is talking to Gandalf about what might happen if Sauron were to succeed. He indicated that Rivendell and Lothlorien might be able to endure for a time as islands of light in a growing dark. And, Gandalf said that the Shire,also, had a power of its own, which could hold out against the dark as well. Aragorn said often that the Rangers did not grudge their care of the Shire. I rather think the power it held was the power of love for each other, and taking joy in the simple, lovely things of life. We of the complicated modern world love to visit through these stories!
Author's reply
When Aragorn says the part I quote, about "simple folk" in his speech at the Council, it seemed to me not only something he fervently believed, but perhaps something he'd said before, something that helped him through those times when the Rangers were anonymous and unappreciated. I rather think the power it held was the power of love for each other, and taking joy in the simple, lovely things of life. I agree. I think the love of home and family was a potent weapon which all four of the hobbits carried with them, proof against the wiles of the Ring. It's quite clear that the Ring never understood what love was, and had no way to truly counter it. Think about how relatively easily Sam threw off the Ring's blandishments right at the border of the Black Land, simply because of his love for his master, and his good solid common sense and love for his home. And it was Frodo's love for his home and his companions that enabled him to resist it right up to the brink of the Sammath Naur, where it simply overwhelmed him.
demeter d · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 5: Seasonal Advice
I find the advice not to wear purple charming. The over-age-fifty "Red Hat Society" ladies take their chosen garb from the poem which begins "When I am old I shall wear purple, and a red hat that does not go (with it)" or something to that effect. While she would likely chide those ladies for behaving in ways unconventional and scandalous, her strong-minded forthright behaviour would fit right in with them! I suspect almost every family has an "aunt Dora"!
Author's reply
*giggle* I think you might be right about Aunt Dora and the Red Hat Ladies, LOL! On the surface, Aunt Dora seems very prim and oh so proper, but she's got a kind and loving heart, and means very well with all her advice! And for the most part, her advice has a solid core of good old hobbit-sense.