Shire Yule by Dreamflower
Neilia · 22 December 2007 · Chapter 2: Out of the Dark: First Yule S.R. 1380
oh, *sniff* this is so poignant (sp). Frodo knows it's okay to cry with Bilbo holding him.
Author's reply
Yes, he's finally able to let go. Bilbo knows when it's right to insist, and when it's not.
Neilia · 22 December 2007 · Chapter 1: Frodo's Very First Yule
I am reading this series through for the first time and find that Frodo's Very First Yule is enchanting! I love how Bilbo loves his little cousin so much all ready.
Author's reply
I think there must have been a special connection between them from the beginning!
Larner · 21 December 2007 · Chapter 18: Good King Elessar: Part 2, A Good League Hence
Yes, I, too, have Dunedain explorers bringing these back from a different continent! Now, when are they going to need those extra blankets, we wonders? Heh!
Author's reply
Well, we *know* from JRRT that was what he intended for pipe-weed, so I just extend it to a few other botanical species. ;-) *grin* Heh!
Larner · 21 December 2007 · Chapter 17: Good King Elessar: Part 1, Hither Page and Stand by Me
He hides if Hobbits are seen? That has me curious, I must admit. Now, how will the two seek to succor the soul, and who will he turn out to be? Will be following this one.
Author's reply
Those questions will be answered, believe me! It took me a while to work out, before it came to me who and what he was.
harrowcat · 21 December 2007 · Chapter 18: Good King Elessar: Part 2, A Good League Hence
aHa! So that is how a field of maize got into PJ's Shire is it? I was listening to Dickens' Christmas Carol on the way to and from my parents today. Could easily imagine a ME version of that too.
Author's reply
Yep. It sure is! Someone did write one with Denethor as the Scrooge character. Hmm...can't remember the name or author, but it was a very cute AU!
Andrea · 21 December 2007 · Chapter 18: Good King Elessar: Part 2, A Good League Hence
The King says we will be back by suppertime. It is his idea. LOL!!! Even the King does not always know what the future will bring. Let me guess: Much more snow than expected? But they have a sled and two blankets and food! They are well prepared, or so I hope!
Author's reply
Well, snow's pretty much a given, LOL! considering the inspiration for the story! Be prepared. Strider was a Ranger, not a Scout, but I'm sure they had much the same mottos!
eiluj · 21 December 2007 · Chapter 18: Good King Elessar: Part 2, A Good League Hence
"It is only a league, you say. Why we can be there and back by suppertime!" -- O, what could possibly go wrong? (Frodo apparently expects *something* to go wrong, since he makes no bones about blaming the King in his letter. I note the snow is increasing....)
Author's reply
"What could possibly go wrong?" Right up there among such famous last words as "Trust me" or "Wait right here until I get back" or "I have an idea..." Igrin*
Linda Hoyland · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 17: Good King Elessar: Part 1, Hither Page and Stand by Me
This is just so delightfully heartwarming and I can well imagine Aragorn as "Good King Wenceslas."
Author's reply
So can I! It really does seem the sort of thing he would do.
PIppinfan1988 · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 17: Good King Elessar: Part 1, Hither Page and Stand by Me
This is so warm, awesome, and inviting! I am really enjoying this wonderful, wintry tale and am eagerly awaiting Part 2! Love the title, btw. ;-)
Author's reply
I'm so glad you are enjoying it! Well, since the song was stuck in my head, the title was pretty much inevitable, LOL!
harrowcat · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 17: Good King Elessar: Part 1, Hither Page and Stand by Me
Oh this is great Dreamflower. Can't wait for the rest. I could see it starting a trend - ME versions of other folk tales. After all, Elessar came before Good King Wenceslaus! So who got the idea from whom?
Author's reply
Well, your humble scribe got the idea from Wenceslaus, but it's quite possible Wenceslas was following the example of another king from long, long ago! Who would know? *grin*
eiluj · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 17: Good King Elessar: Part 1, Hither Page and Stand by Me
Ah, there's nothing like a hobbit contemplating a well-stocked larder! A league from here. The forest eaves. And Lost Lamb Spring! *snicker* What a shock for poor Bergil if he returns to find his king missing....
Author's reply
Nothing like it at all. I love hobbits thinking about food--that's what hobbits do, after all! *grin* Yes, couldn't get the mountain in, though. And it took me a while to think of a name for a "fountain"... "Poor Bergil" is not going to be happy, no sirree! Nor are Pippin and Merry! Not to mention Arwen, when *she* finds out--and you *know* she will. I think the King is feeling his oats a bit, LOL!
Lindelea · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 17: Good King Elessar: Part 1, Hither Page and Stand by Me
Yikes! Three reviews on one chapter. I'm very scatterbrained today. Too little sleep for too many nights, and sick little ones on top of it (about to sign off and head to doctor's office). But suddenly I was reminded of a certain Man who removed himself to the area of the Lake (I know, this is not the Lake, and it's your story, so different hermit, of course) and was restored to the society of Men after saving the life of the son of the King... and who eventually became a hobbit friend, rather than villain. But it was nice to imagine that I'd just caught a glimpse of an old friend... even just for a second.
Author's reply
Ah yes! I had forgotten about that period of a certain wanderer's life! And it may be that there is just a little bit they will have in common, but not a lot!
Lindelea · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 17: Good King Elessar: Part 1, Hither Page and Stand by Me
The hobbits living here make do with the Big kitchen. They just put the cutting board on the seat of a chair and chop away, much more convenient height. Ah, had forgotten about Sir Peregrin. Ok. *Two* guardsmen. But, as you pointed out, one of them is in a drugged slumber. And now the other is being sent off as if he's an errand lad. Who's going to protect the unfortunate, vulnerable king? Looking forward to more of this.
Author's reply
Well, seeing as the "unfortunate, vulnerable king" was opportunistic enough to figure a way to slip his escort (and perhaps your Pippin could identify with that--though I assure you, mine is not going to be happy!) I suppose he'll just have to make do with protecting himself, LOL!
Pearl Took · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 17: Good King Elessar: Part 1, Hither Page and Stand by Me
Wonderful, wonderful beginning, Dreamflower!! I eagerly await the rest :-) I love that Strider will always be a King and Elessar will always be a Ranger. Frodo-lad is adorable!
Author's reply
Thank you! I hope to have it all posted by Christmas Day. I think that the two sides of his nature were always mingled, and Sam's astute enough to realize that.
Lindelea · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 17: Good King Elessar: Part 1, Hither Page and Stand by Me
What a lovely start! Uncle Strider! Er, King Strider. There, that sounds more proper. I want a pantry like that. And the hobbits here agree that it would be more convenient to be cooking and chopping if they did not have to stand upon their toes. The mingled smells of soup and Old Toby--brings back memories of my old dad. I get carried back in time, when I smell pipe smoke like the kind he used. Doesn't happen often now. Don't know a lot of pipe smokers these days. I thought at first that this was based on "Good King Wenceslaus" and I'm still thinking about that tune, but the scene in the kitchen reminded me strongly of another king who called for his pipe and his bowl--I was wondering who the fiddlers three might be, and when they'd show up. And Captain Bergil as the King's elite (and private, very private--he's the only Guardsman there??? --bodyguard).
Author's reply
*chuckle* Yes, it's going to be hard for Frodo-lad to keep remembering that. It was fun to figure out a kitchen that could be used by folk both big and small! My DH occasionally, *rarely* will smoke a pipe, or even more rarely, a cigar. Never cigarettes though. I like the smell of the former, can't abide the smell of the latter. *giggle* Yes, it's based on "Good King Wenceslaus"--but I can see your point. No, Sir Peregrin is there! (Unfortunately, the King has drugged him into a peaceful slumber, but he's there!) The lodge was meant to ba place where Aragorn could "get away from it all"--which means a minimum of guards, servants, etc.--and where his hobbit friends can more conveniently visit with him. As you can see, the relative freedom has made him feel very "Strider-ish", LOL!
GamgeeFest · 14 January 2007 · Chapter 16: "Come Now, Good Hobbits..."
What a lovely, hobbity carol!
Author's reply
Thank you!
GamgeeFest · 14 January 2007 · Chapter 15: A New Tradition
What a delightful surprise! Pippin must have had great difficulty keeping that one secret, though I always felt that he was better at keeping secrets than everyone gave him credit for. And I'm glad that Merry has decided to stop being grumpy at Yule. :D
Author's reply
Pippin was better at keeping secrets than most people thought--after all, he was in the Conspiracy, and walked all the way across the Shire without Frodo figuring anything out! And Merry has wisely decided that grumpy is unfair to everyone, himelf included--and that Frodo would probably thump him upside the head if he knew Merry was acting that way, LOL!
GamgeeFest · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 14: This Time Next Year
How trying and difficult those days must have been. Having to put on a brave face while fearing the worst couldn't have been easy for any of them.
Author's reply
Well, your note must have worked! I finally got the notice for these reviews! Yes, that had to be a good deal of the worst of it--trying to be optimistic in the face of all that was happening!
Bodkin · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 15: A New Tradition
I like Mistress Moss's voice! And the presence of Legolas and Gimli was probably a dual-edged sword - a delight and a reminder of who was absent. But I'm glad Merry has decided to try to avoid grumpiness at Yule - it'll make Yule in Tookland a good deal more pleasant for the permanent residents.
Author's reply
Nistress Moss has come a long way since she was a new little maidservant the first year Pippin returned (and she had a bit of a crush on him) and she's had years to observe Pippin and Merry and their interactions. Yes, they will be a reminder of those who are not there; but they'll be a delightful distraction, as well. Merry has known all along he was behaving badly, but he's finally resolved to do something about it. And it's never going to make the heartache any less, but grumpiness and fault-finding never made it any less either, and only added guilt to the burden. It's just taken Pippin and Estella a while to get that through his head.
Bodkin · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 14: This Time Next Year
Well - in Buckland, Tookland and Bagshot Row, the hope for next year is postive and an outcome of love. Thinking of and missing those absent. Lobelia, on the other hand! Selfish. And I'm glad she didn't get to be Queen Bee of the Shire.
Author's reply
Yes, it's quite a contrast: the others are sorely missed and worried over. But Lobelia is all wrapped up in her own selfish ambitions, and even though she knows why the others all shunned her and Lotho, she still somehow thinks that they will come around to grovel at her feet.
Bodkin · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 13: The Long Wait Begins
Oh dear. This must have been a time of torment for those who had to stay behind and wait, knowing the danger into which their loved ones had gone. The atmosphere in Imladris must have been very subdued - while Arwen and Bilbo had more in common than you would ever expect of a hobbit and an elf.
Author's reply
That's what I thought. How hard it must have been to watch these dearly beloved ones as well as new friends walk off into mortal peril, knowing the odds! I think that over the course of the Quest, Arwen and Bilbo must have been of much comfort to one another.
Pearl Took · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 16: "Come Now, Good Hobbits..."
"May each hobbit have a hand to hold, And love for all, both young and old! Let the halls with laughter ring, As to the New Year we gladly sing!" Indeed! :-) A good and happy New Year to you too, Dreamflower!
Author's reply
And the same to you, my dear! I've enjoyed all your reviews and your stories this year!
Pearl Took · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 15: A New Tradition
Bravo! "Pippin shrugged. "If it will make you feel any better, I shall try to be grumpy at Brandy Hall next year." " I love Pippin's solutions to life's wee problems, LOL!
Author's reply
He knew how Merry would react to that, LOL! Pip does tackle problems from a very different angle than most folks do--that's what's so adorable about him!
Pearl Took · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 14: This Time Next Year
These are wonderful!! So full of feeling. And I feel sorry for poor Lobelia, for her next year won't be good at all. I was always so glad that Tolkien had her have a change of heart. MEWD!!
Author's reply
Yes, Lobelia is about the have the worst year ever; sadly, it is mostly her own doing. I, too, am glad she repented at the end. Thanks!
Pearl Took · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 13: The Long Wait Begins
Oh! Poor dear Bilbo! *hugs Bilbo*
Author's reply
Yes, poor Bilbo! *joins you in hugging him!*