Reviews (166)

Author's reply

I don't quite understand the psychology of those whose complaint is, "But it doesn't say that in the book." I've received that more than once on one site where my stories are reviewed, in fact. Well, if it says the end result happened but doesn't tell you the details as to the particular situation that led to that result, can't we, as individuals seeking to fill in the blanks, do so at our own discretion with a degree of license to create circumstances that fit within the constraints of the times and peoples involved as much as we've been allowed to see? I mean, that makes great sense to me, but not to some others. And on occasion I laugh when someone says that to something that isn't touched on in LOTR itself but is covered in the Appendices or Tolkien's letters and so on. Had a couple people inform me that there was no way Merry and Pippin had any idea as to the Elves' knowledge of the nature of the Undying Lands and Tol Eressëa, in spite of the fact these were friends with Legolas; Sam and Pippin at least had had access to Bilbo's translations of Elven writings, histories, and legends; Merry did research in Rivendell's libraries; and all had the chance to ask questions of Elrond and Galadriel during their journey north from Gondor and later were able to consult with Aragorn and Arwen, the twins, Glorfindel, and Celeborn and any other Elves they might meet over the years. (Much of that is from the Appendices, btw.) So, I wrote that Pippin gave as part of the reason why he was abandoning the Shire after his wife's death the fact he recognized he and Merry were suffering from bouts of the Sea Longing from having consumed lembas, this effect having been described in one of the Master's letters; and after seeing Éomer off he and Merry wanted to be by Aragorn and Arwen, who would understand how they felt. I even gave what I felt was a fully plausible reason how he could have come to the point of diagnosing the condition in himself. The response that allegedly this wasn't supported by canon was amazing. I then took the question to the HASA list and TheOneRing.net to ask opinions there on whether or not this was possible, and the concensus was that my theory was not only possible but likely. Whether or not the two who so authoratively questioned my premise were aware of the debate they generated I don't know, but at least I felt exonerated from the accusation I was exceeding canon. In writing LOTR Tolkien gave our heroes a rather sketchy background, family, land, relationships, physical descriptions. We, as fanfic writers, are giving more depth to the situation out of which they rise than he did. I can write Esmeralda as warm and loving and perhaps a bit overprotective; someone else can write her as bitter and standoffish; another person as a vapid individual who had little to do with the running of the Hall or Buckland's business, and we all stand an equal chance of being right or wrong or anywhere in between. And if I happen to like the idea that Frodo had dark hair and startling blue eyes and bitten nails a la Elijah Wood while someone else chooses lighter than normal hair and brown eyes a la Bakshi and another choses something more middle-of-the-road, that's OUR choice and it's not someone else's place to criticize UNLESS and UNTIL we start openly plagiarizing. So, I have the families given a bit of warning; and I loved Baylor's story in which she indicates Merry did have a bit of a talk with Merry before he left, realizing Merry was planning something and assuring himself his son had reason to do whatever it was he was planning to do; and I have them leaving letters, with Paladin and Saradoc receiving theirs but not the Gaffer, who after all lives just down the Hill from Bag End and Lotho when they're due to be delivered. So--you're getting a bit of an essay--sorry about that, but that question of "But it's not in the book" is one that has meaning to me. And am so glad you like the use of these vignettes. I'm not trying to do in depth--just sufficient moments to give a feeling for how the families are likely to have reacted. Thanks so much for your comments and your patience.

Author's reply

Ten pages of ideas already? My heavens--you are thorough! I've read a couple views, and felt enough time had elapsed since they were posted mine wouldn't be construed as possibly a criticism of theirs. But it's fun to see how different people view the same time period or deal with the same situation. Considering the depth you've given to the characters of Merimac, Saradoc, Berilac, and their situation there in Brandy Hall, I'm certain it will be one that will feel very real. And thanks so for the view on this chapter. I wanted it to give a pretty thorough feel for that entire thirteen month period.

Author's reply

Thank you, G.W. This was at one and the same time one of the easiest and most difficult chapters to write. Considering Maggot's characterization by Tom as one who's wise in the ways of the land and the people amongst whom he lives, I can't see him as being purposely cruel (in one story I read quite a while ago he was downright sadistic); and considering his treatment of Frodo on finding him in his fields he appears to have had a fairly decent opinion of that Baggins rascal to begin with. That he'd be one of those who carried word the four were started on their journey seemed logical. Tom, being Eldest and living almost isolated, wasn't likely to pay attention to calendars, but rather to changes in weather and the rhythms of vegetation and the seasons, and so I chose to describe him this way--more an Elvish outlook rather than a mortal one. And I can't see Tom taking Old Man Willow's vindictive behavior too seriously--I think he'd have more concern for the wights' predations. So glad you found it enjoyable. And thanks for the comments.

Author's reply

So glad that you found it moving, as I did, also. This must have been the most horrible year most Hobbits of the Shire ever lived through; but now it's over and Master and Mistress are renewed with the hope of it as they realize all within the Shire shall know rejuvenation along with them. A friend on one of my discussion lists also lives in England and was complaining of 46 straight hours of rain. As we live in a similar climatic zone here in the Pacific Northwest I can empathize. Our week has bounced between breezy, sunny, sprinkling small amounts of precipitation, and today downright hot for the state of Washington. Typical Washington weather--don't like it? Wait--it will change. Car goes in for its new bearing--finally--tomorrow. Am so glad to see it fixed. Work's been mad, and one of my clients has been driving us crazy with her shifts of mood. But all should go well enough, I think. Dogs are asleep about my feet, and I need to get up and move a bit. It was a relief to finally get this posted. Hughes has been going up and down at will, and it's been difficult to get anything updated on any of the sites I post on. Anyway, love to Jet and your folks. Another pressure sore? No fun for her, I know.

Author's reply

Yes, I rather thought the Valar themselves would be watching and finding a way to take a hand, even if it was inspiring Gollum to bite off a finger to remove the source of Infection. A most terrible amputation, but a necessary one. That year must have seemed almost more than any could bear while it lasted.

Author's reply

Windows is playing games with the file--it took the initial paragraphs of most sections and put them at the end of the blasted file, and then each time I try to install the new chapter at FFN it won't save the changes. I don't know WHAT'S going on. It's on here properly edited, of course. But, REALLY! Sorry I had to hide the chapter from you, but at least now you can read it as it was intended, not that gross thing that Windows or the editor here reduced it to! Gads!

Author's reply

Oh, I am, too, although I had a couple relatives who were anything but warm and supportive. Mine were more foolish than actively destructive, though. And Frodo does indeed know Sam's worth.

Author's reply

Yes, it was here that Pippin and Sam came into the story; and unfortunately Frodo feels he can't return Narcissa's love and caring, fearing that if he tries that monster he believes within himself will get out and destroy her. So glad you had time to read.

Author's reply

Esme and Lobelia both show some growth in this chapter, I think. Esme knows Frodo, and knows that although he might have taken part in raids on pantries and gardens and so on, he'd not take things that actually mean things to others, which is a good part of why he stopped raiding when he did, once he realized that doing so took food from other folks' mouths and pay from other people's pockets. Yes, Pippin has realized that in a lose-lose situation, the only way to truly win is to find the way that allows you at least some pleasure along the way; and he's showing his own determination early in life. Frodo's as responsible to all his family as he is to those of the family name; in fact he's already showing he cares for those beyond family, as you point out showing he is indeed likely to be one of the best ones to ever serve in the Mayor's office. He's even able to continue to feel compassion and to show it to those who have been his worst enemies, another thing far too many aren't able to accomplish. I'd not thought of the correspondence to Aragorn giving over Eowyn to her brother's care, but now you've pointed it out it does seem very obvious. My thought was that this showed indeed that Frodo is able to let go a relationship he realizes has ended, and accept that Pearl has found the right one for her. To realize that one has been worshipping a dream and not truly loving another as he is is something a good many folk never learn to do. And where Menegilda learned from her mistakes and learned to let go, Lalia became merely more grasping and controlling as time went on, although even she managed to keep enough humanity to accept the advice given by Pearl--at least part of the time. We begin to see the effects of the Ring more openly now, although no one realizes as yet what it is that is causing Frodo to doubt his own integrity. And Frodo finds he can open up a little--a very little, at least. And in the end the Adventure is begun, and all will return home profoundly changed. Sara has an idea indeed, but not a great one--just enough to hope that Merry's right that this is truly needed. It's going to take a great deal of faith for him and Esme to see this through.

Author's reply

I didn't wish this story to go into the depth I put into "For Eyes to See as Can" (not that it was supposed to reach the length it has, either, of course--I find these persistent little nuzguls that masquerade as plotbunnies very diffiuclt to deal with at times, as I hate leaving off and letting them sit there and eye me while working on other things, as their expressions can be most difficult to deal with), so went with the idea of small vignettes, many of which have yet become more involved than I'd originally intended. I felt we needed to see Esme's growing impressions of Frodo and his relationships as they develop, as she begins to appreciate those who will mean the most to him as he matures. Baylor's story of Gandalf playing at making byres for Pippin out of china and cutlery is here referenced, of course, and indeed presages the special relationship the Grey Pilgrim is to know with this Fool of a Took; and we see how Frodo is in his element as guardian and nurturer and guide--to the point as you note he knows that if Merry's going to be able to eat his own meal without grave discomfort Pippin needs his own attention fixed on a decent meal. And even had Bilbo married (which I suspect wouldn't have happened until after the trip to the Lonely Mountain), I suspect that there would have been a way provided for him to still find himself embracing the needs of his young cousin, although I suspect the Ring Itself would never have allowed Bilbo to seek a wife. It's on the foundation built by those from whom we've learned most that we ourselves build our own lives, and Frodo and Sam have both known the loss of at least one parent by the time LOTR starts; that Frodo would have sought to comfort his friend in his own ongoing grief seemed right, as did the idea that the young Hobbits would respond to the graveyard by seeking to make tidy when they can do no more--the one form of comfort they can give and take, even if they have no direct experience with loss as yet. Gomez has grown since he nearly drowned and suffered hypothermia, while Frodo has dealt his warning blow to Tolman Smallburrow, who failed to learn his lesson in the end, I fear. I DO love twisting new stories into the web of former ones, after all. Menegilda still foresees Frodo is likely to suffer in the future, but at least she has grown wise enough not to seek to rob him of NOW any longer. And I suspect that Sam and Rosie have known an understanding from EARLY on. I always loved that allusion Tolkien gives us of Sam and the Cotton lads and their sister Rosie paddling along the Water, you know, and the way she declares herself when he shows up at the Cotton's doorstep to face that pitchfork. Now, if only that Ring hadn't itself robbed Frodo of so much. The description you give of the musical is wonderful, and I SO wish I could see it, although I'm livid they have the Elves flying and have further bastardized Theoden and Denethor! Oh, good grief! WHY? Not needed! Hope you like the next chapter, and hope to have another posted in a day or two. Getting the wheel bearing replaced this week and the car serviced next week if I can. Sorry about the no camping--we had HOT weather this morning (for our region, at least) followed by a distinct coolness not an hour later, and now all is clear and bright with a comfortable breeze; but any tent set up yesterday would likely have ended up being blown away. Ah, well--such is life.

Author's reply

Esmeralda is a Took turned Brandybuck and has had the example of Menegilda for several years to learn how to deal with folks; I think that having spotted that locket she'd have been moved to particular eloquence in bringing Lobelia to her well-deserved comeuppance. So glad you approved. I had a former boss who was just the type of personality I've ascribed to Lalia--could NOT be pleased; and one of my grandmothers was very similar. Had family members and friends who couldn't wait to get away to a far different environment once they were able to get out on their own, and Pearl is patterned on them. And unfortunately the Ring is coming vaguely awake and doing Its best to awaken the basest It can find within Its range, particularly within Its bearers. I always felt that there would be problems with that chair that led to its and its owner's mutual destruction; and according to Tolkien's own letter there was a fair amount of gossip that Pearl herself was to blame for the accident; that Ferumbras's own manner of presenting that string of pearls might add to the rumor mill seemed likely. After all, Lalia didn't do much to assist her son to reach the heights of his potential. Yes, Narcissa later finds happiness in marriage to Brendi, but never the perhaps more intense joy she might have known with Frodo, much less the joy he might have known from a marriage to her. He did deserve to know that joy, of course; it's still a grief that he didn't have that experience while living as a Hobbit of the Shire. No, a few days before she and Sara realize that Frodo has fled the Shire, and their son and nephew and Sam with him. I hope I can do that realization from Esme's POV justice.

Author's reply

I'd think, as you have made so clear in your own stories, that from the youngest age Pippin has managed to worm his way into everyone's heart, and that all tend to indulge him and find charming in him behavior that in others would lead them to smack their heads with frustration--yes, Pippin logic at work, and all just fall to and accept it. Of course Esme remains a Took in the depths of her heart--glad it gave you a laugh. I'd not thought of that consciously, but you are right--Merry is the one who plans consciously for the future, once he has an idea as to what Frodo's general plans are--Merry's the one to think in terms of seeing to it the specifics are appropriate to the need. Thank you for bringing that out. And I agree--Merry's folks are beginning to be aware, and Sara perhaps more so as the next chapter makes clear, although it's not yet ready for posting. A day or two, I think.

Author's reply

Thank you, GW. It makes sense that the Ring would have been exerting a subtle effect on Its bearers all along, even if they don't recognize it. We know that apparent changelessness of first Bilbo and later Frodo was due to the effects of the Ring; and we have Bilbo's outburst that Gandalf wants It for himself to gauge just how deeply It had sunk Its claws into the Hobbit's psyche at the time. That Bilbo might begin realizing there is a will quite outside his own trying to manipulate his moods at times seemed probable, particularly as he looks closely at leaving the Shire. For the children to have grown up so close to Frodo, it just seemed likely that Frodo must have cared deeply for them as children and must have taken on himself babysitting duties from at least time to time. There's every indication that by the time of the Party the Gaffer was a single parent; and due to that I wrote the death of Bell a few years after Frodo's arrival--long enough for him to have developed a relationship with her, and to have displayed his gift of empathy to Sam. In this the two have known similar grief, in that both have lost at least their mothers, and at much the same age; and Frodo's able to reassure Sam that there is life after such loss. As for Pippin and the thorns--that was sheer fun to write. Thanks so.

Author's reply

Oh, I love Bilbo, too--oh, so very much. As for Merry--the logic of children, particularly ones who want someone they love to "come home" again! So glad you appreciated that. You're catching up quickly, I see.

Author's reply

At this time it seems that Frodo can't win for losing, can he? And of course Bilbo will keep Frodo's secrets for him--he knows how important trust can be, I'd think. Yes, he'll smile for Merry, and so glad you like the way I'm showing the lad. And am so glad you're enjoying the story! Thanks so much!

Author's reply

I've tried to bring more depth to the characters, giving even the likes of Lobelia a hint of what she might have been had she made different choices; and in dealing with Lalia I found myself thinking of a person I had to deal with whose health has been poor and who as a result tended to take out her own discomfort on others, making her even more uncomfortable to be around most of the time than she used to be. But such people would put Esme's own back up, and she'd find ways to deflate Lobelia effectively. I'd written in "For Eyes to See as Can" that most of the winter after Bilbo's leaving Pippin, as young as he was, nevertheless kept running away from the Great Smial to be with Frodo or Merry, worried at how Bilbo's leaving would effect them; so I had to explore the kinds of reasons he might have given then as to why he'd kept running away. And I'm so very glad you like Esmeralda as I've pictured her, and that you find my writing believable. Thank you so. As for the Ring--It's effects probably started before he left the Shire, and I've always suspected It had much to do with why neither Bilbo nor Frodo ever married, but especially Frodo.

Author's reply

We do come to see that other places displace "home" in our hearts, and I wanted to show this truth in Esme. She and Merry are both able to appreciate much of Frodo's feelings, and I believe that Merry would have found several times when he'd try his best to distract Frodo from his frustrations. And, again, Maggot was respected by Tom Bombadil, and for that to be true, I think he'd be far more understanding than Frodo gave him credit for when he was running in terror from the dogs. Frodo would seek to protect Merry as much as the child would seek to reassure and distract him, I think. Am am SO glad you like the pranks--again, do look at "Raiding" in "Moments in Time" when you have the chance--I think you particularly will appreciate it.

Author's reply

In many ways this whole story is a character study of Esme, of course, and am glad you particularly liked that scene, as it was one that percolated for several days before it sat me down and wrote itself out. These stories do that, I find! Heh!

Author's reply

I'm so glad you appreciated Begonia here--I didn't think you'd mind. I was only trying to add a bit of depth to Ferumbras and Lalia, each in his/her own way. I just felt Begonia as you pictured her deserved to be remembered. Yes, Esme is having her forebodings, as, I suspect, is Sara. Glad you read and enjoyed it, Dreamflower.

Author's reply

Indeed, that must have been a bit of foresight on the part of another family member. And am SO glad you enjoyed Merry here. Frodo must have been so devoted to him.

Author's reply

I, too, would be frustrated and angry if I were being treated like this, and I certainly can see how in the end he'd get more than a bit defiant. Yes, he's knowing foresight and displaying his talent for seeing things set right. And that he's an unusually responsible soul is being made clear. Do take a look at "Raiding" in "Moments in Time"--I think you'll appreciate it.

Author's reply

Well, of COURSE Frodo would find the RED ink and paddle in it. What else would you think he might do? And I suspect even at birth his eyes would be remarkable. So glad you're reading now.