Armariel
· 4 May 2007
· Chapter 2: The Biddable Child
Ah, a new story, wonderful.....I like seeing these glimpses of Frodo's childhood. I like seeing different authors' takes on it, and feel like I should try my hand at it sometime;);) Well maybe in the distant future....
~~~{~@
Author's reply
We all seem to try it at one time or another. As Mother's Day is coming up--second Sunday in May for the U.S., for those of you who live elsewhere in the world, I wanted to do a tribute to the mothers and second mothers I've known over the years. And Esmeralda's POV just seemed to fit right in.
Baggins Babe
· 4 May 2007
· Chapter 2: The Biddable Child
I've always thought that the relationship between Frodo and Esme must have been a very loving one, although I have read some where she is horrible to him. This I find impossible - Merry is such a great character that I'm sure his mother would never have been cruel, and just because Frodo moved to Hobbiton, it does not mean that he was badly treated in Buckland.
A lovely story, Larner.
Author's reply
I've tried to make it realistic as to why Frodo felt unhappy in Buckland, although he plainly loved his relatives there dearly. Not horrible treatment, but missapplied love backed by stubbornness, too much pride on Menegilda's part, and a bit of possessiveness. And I suspect that he truly loved Esme and Sara very much, even as he felt increasingly exasperated with them.
Linda Hoyland
· 3 May 2007
· Chapter 2: The Biddable Child
It seems that Frodo somehow senses his destiny lies over the sea.
Author's reply
I like to think that Frodo already had some degree of prescience and that he was also beginning to manifest the King's Gift as well.
Thanks so much for the comments.
Linda Hoyland
· 3 May 2007
· Chapter 1: For the Love of a Child
Frodo must have been a lovely baby.
Author's reply
Oh, I do suspect he was indeed a beautiful baby, and that Bilbo became besotted with him from his birth.
French Pony
· 3 May 2007
· Chapter 2: The Biddable Child
Tumnus? Now I have an interesting image of a faun-Hobbit in a red scarf teaching Frodo. Highly amusing, yes it is.
Menegilda seems so intent on overprotecting Frodo from anything that could possibly be a physical stress, but somewhere in there, he learned to dance. Did he learn before this, or do we get to see him finally get an outlet for all of his bottled-up energy?
Author's reply
Lessons Master Tumnus first made his appearance in "The Choice of Healing," and now that I'm describing that time we actually get to see a bit more of him. He's the first one to encourage Frodo to write out the frustrations he didn't wish to speak aloud, leading Bilbo years later to purchase the stationery box that is featured in For Eyes to See as Can and subsequent works, and then to insist Frodo must write out his own story, using the fact he can't stay awake for very long any more to encourage Frodo to describe what happened to him and hopefully help work a lot of the lingering effects of the quest out of his system. And I wrote that before I knew Lewis would finally get put on film. I'll admit the use of the name was a deliberate nod to Tolkien's best friend for many years.
If you'll note, Frodo danced with his father at the Free Fair the last summer before his parents died. Drogo, Bilbo, and Primula undoubtedly all worked together to teach him to dance before the boating accident, and Bilbo kept it up afterwards, although that will be covered in the coming chapter.
Another nuzgul with ears on this one turned out to be! Heh!
shirebound
· 3 May 2007
· Chapter 2: The Biddable Child
Three things that gave Frodo joy that could ever put his doldrums to flight--telling a tale, the company of Bilbo Baggins with his sheer delight in the life given him and the world about him, and the smile of little Merry, whose own face lit up as much as that of Frodo when they saw one another anew.
It's lovely how you're moving us forward through Frodo's childhood as if we're all sailing onwards on that Sea of which he dreams so often. I'm so happy (along with Frodo) that Merry is in his life at last.
Author's reply
Am so glad you like how it's being told, Shirebound; and at last Frodo has his Merry to hold and cherish and keep him grounded--for a time, at least.
Thanks so much for the review.
Dreamflower
· 3 May 2007
· Chapter 2: The Biddable Child
I'm loving the way you are weaving in all the wonderful little bits and bobs from your other stories, giving us a closer look at many of the anecdotes we've seen in them, and fleshing out some of the characters we've hitherto only seen secondhand.
Menegilda fascinates me. Her worry and concern for Frodo are clearly motivated by love for him, but the way in which she seems to feel that only *she* knows what is best is very prideful. Her insistence on keeping him wrapped in cotton when it's so clear to everyone else that it's no longer necessary makes me wonder *why* is she so very *certain*? Why does she reject the advice of others who also love and care about Frodo?
I have a feeling that she and Bilbo are really going to butt heads before long.
I also like the way that you show his prescience as being a life-long thing--the dream of the Sea, his premonitions of harm to others--that's something I've also always thought would be.
Author's reply
You know how much I try to weave my stories together, Dreamflower, and am so glad you appreciate me doing so now. It is fun to look at some of these characters.
Menegilda isn't exactly exhibiting Munchausen's by proxy, but is somewhat close to it. She knows Frodo has shown symptoms of a heart defect, and not only is trying to protect him--somewhat inconsistently--from stress but even from the knowledge of the condition to begin with, leaving the poor lad confused and frustrated, and imagining who knows what in his heart to explain why he's not allowed to do all the things other people do.
Have had parents of my blind students who do similarly, pushing their children to do more than they can in one area where they really need more specific training to be successful simply because they know successful adults who are blind tend to excel at these skills, and babying them on other very simple tasks because they can't imagine how they'd do these things without seeing. One individual ended up being terminated from a pre-college program because she'd never put on her own underware independently in her life and was demanding a housemother be added to the program to help her dress; and a student who graduated with a perfect 4.0 grade average had NEVER learned to open a car door. It seems inconceivable to me such things will happen, but there you have it.
There will be more arguments between Bilbo and Menegilda, I fear.
I tend to think Frodo probably experienced prescience throughout his life; I still have some such dreams, although they are nowhere as common as when I was a child and adolescent. And I suspect that the King's Gift, which is actually a form of psychic empathy, would have begun manifesting itself about this time in Frodo's life as well.
Thanks so much for the response.
Antane
· 3 May 2007
· Chapter 1: For the Love of a Child
I was most impressed that Frodo offered to clean out his mother's chamberpot - that's love. It just sounded like a neat thing for him to say and offer, his nobility already showing. I've written much of my life also - I love seeing this part of him that is so close to me. Can't draw beyond stick figures and happy faces myself and not even all of the latter turn out well. But I paint with words - I am grateful for God's gift in that! Intriguing mention of a half-hobbit creature seen near the water. Poor Frodo's disbelief that his mother could be dead despite the fact of being able to swim.
Namarie,
God bless,
Antane :)
Author's reply
To not be allowed to help one we love dearly can be such a shaming experience. A friend's wife is facing cancer surgery, and she doesn't want him at the hospital due to his own physical condition, which is not particularly good. He understands, but also feels closed out.
I had a foster child who at age three was starting to draw letters and recognize them as we read together; he would probably have been reading before he entered school had he been allowed to remain with us instead of the state deciding his birth mother needed him--but that is a very painful subject still after so many years. Frodo's reading and writing is my tribute to Ben, wherever he might be; and the artistic ability is my tribute to my most artistically gifted older brother.
And it is hard to accept that someone who could swim as well as Primula probably did might have drowned in such a simple accident. She ought to have survived, I think.
Socrates399
· 3 May 2007
· Chapter 1: For the Love of a Child
Is it implied by this story that Gollum could have had something to do with the upset boat?
Author's reply
Actually, it is. I've just spent several fruitless minutes trying to find the story I wish to reference, for I was certain I read it here; but I can't find it now. Anyway, shortly after I became enamored of fanfiction I read a posting, I thought on this site, in which the story was told of a secret visit by a water-loving creature who visited the Shire by night in search of word of his lost treasure, who came upon a boat on the river and saw to it being turned over.
It's my habit to weave ideas from stories written by others into my own. It's a reaction to Tolkien's own idea summarized in this quote from one of his letters that is featured at the Tolkien FanFiction site: "All the tales of the Valar and the Elves are so knit together that one may scarce expound any one without needing to set forth the whole of their great history."
We know that at that time Gollum was seeking the Ring; could he possibly have followed Bilbo's trail to the Shire before heading south and east toward Mordor? There's no way to be certain, of course.
I hope the idea doesn't upset you or confuse you. There's no proof one way or another, after all. Just felt I'd like to write the idea into this story.
Queen Galadriel
· 2 May 2007
· Chapter 1: For the Love of a Child
The infant appeared puzzled, pursing his lips and turning his face in search of the milk he’d been enjoying but seconds before. ... A soft noise caught their attention; the bairn Cousin Primula held had screwed up his face, having decided not having his mother’s breast was
a mortal insult, and was working himself into a cry. When it came, however, it wasn’t the loud, shrill, insistent shriek common to most newborns, but
more of a soft, almost musical note that nevertheless communicated frustration.
Awww! This is so Frodo, even so young.
Yes, I can definitely see Frodo getting into the ink and making such a mess all over everywhere! *grins* And leave it to him to choose ink to do it with. I say Lobelia deserved what she got. :)
“Tell you what, Primrose, you
go on and tell Primula I have her son and intend to spoil him terribly, but will be there within the hour."
How auntlike! :) I think I'll do that--let my brothers and sister have the kids and just get the wonderful job of spoiling them rotten. :)
"And little Frodo was with you this time, was he? Usually I find just him and he tells me you just went off to the privy or to visit the Bunces or Carnelian or something.
Although I’ve noted that when I can’t find you I can’t seem to find Sara, either.”
She cast a quick glance at the child, and he secretly gave her an impudent wink before reverting to a perfectly innocent expression
when his mother looked down inquiringly into his eyes.
LOL! Oh, I love it, I love it! To think of Frodo protecting them with his own innocent charm--adorable!
“Oh, Frodo-mine,” she whispered, “I’ll do my best to see to it that nothing ever hurts you like that again, I promise dearling, upon all that’s
good and right in this world. Never again should you suffer.”
And as he lay there, he seemed to shine somewhat in the growing dark in the room. A special one to whom she’d be a second mother. Again she
stroked his brow, smiling at him.
It's a pity Esmeralda couldn't keep her promise. And yet I know from your other stories that she and Saradoc went about it the wrong way, and if it had been kept, the Shire--and Middle-earth--would have turned out very differently in the end.
This whole chapter is written with such tenderness. I like it very much and I can't wait to see what comes next!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
My younger grandson when born sounded just like a kitten, and even his cries weren't true infant wailing until he was at least a month old. I suppose infant Frodo was based on that kitten-like noise; and I doubt Frodo would ever be typical.
I was trying to find a way of bringing out that once he was aware of the lie of the land between Saradoc and Esmeralda Frodo would do his best to see the two of them happy, and this was what came out. Merry apparently received his apprenticeship at matchmaking from Frodo himself! Heh!
And if Esme overprotected Frodo, it was because of the lead of Menegilda, I think. It is too bad in some ways they did so; but in others perhaps it was best, for in the end Bilbo overrode them and saw Frodo at last properly prepared for the day he must leave the Shire for his own adventure, before leaving again for a far more gentle one.
But as Elanor Winterflowers in her current story points out, it's far too much the nature of parents to overprotect their young, often to the ill of all involved.
So glad you enjoyed this one, my Lady.
shirebound
· 2 May 2007
· Chapter 1: For the Love of a Child
This is just brimming with love. :)
Author's reply
Am so glad you find it so, Shirebound. I agree.
Andrea
· 2 May 2007
· Chapter 1: For the Love of a Child
Brilliant, indeed!
There are lots of little details that make this story vivid! Frodo's melodious crying for example and the fact that he liked to draw (on walls) and "write" at a very young age. Also the little details that showed how much he loved Esme!
And last but not least, the rumors of a hobbit-like creature that was seen near the Brandywine, just before the boating accident of Frodo's parents happened! Was it Gollum? Well, he was searching for "Baggins" at that time, so I think it is likely for him to have come there. But if so, what happened on the Brandywine that night?
I'm looking forward to reading more chapters! And I'm especially interested in the first meeting of Frodo and Merry :)
I'm glad that I never read a fic where Esme is shown as "cold and scheming" - that's definitely not how I imagine her. And besides, could a "cold" woman have such an endearing son ;-)
Author's reply
I can't imagine Frodo ever was exactly typical, even as an infant. I drew on walls, as have most intelligent small children I've been aware of--certainly Frodo, with the artistic temperament and proclivities I've ascribed to him, would have done so.
There is a marvelous short fic on this site about how Gollum came to the Shire itself seeking the Thief Baggins and found a boat on the river at night; can't remember the title, but it was among the first I read here and is one that has stayed with me; and again I've woven a thread of someone else's fic into mine. I'm so glad most have appeared happy to recognize their work reflected in mine.
I can't imagine Esme as cold and scheming, either.
As for Frodo meeting Merry--well, that's coming.
elanor winterflowers
· 2 May 2007
· Chapter 1: For the Love of a Child
I am astonished, as always, at the amazing breadth of kith and kin you bring to these stories, and the depth that it imparts. Superb! This is a wonderful portrait of Brandy Hall and the folk who live there, and a sensitive and revealing biography of Frodo in his formative years. Some excellent character studies-Esme, Bilbo, the loathsome Sackville-Bagginses--and an intriguing glimpse of Rory and Gilda. Too bad they never knew the fully adult incarnation of Meriadoc the Magnificent or, for that matter, the splendid Frodo Baggins!
Author's reply
I am honored, Elanor. Frodo must have been an active, curious lad, and obviously he enchanted his relatives when he was little.
And am so glad you like the character studies. And you are right--Menegilda and Rory failed to see just how wonderful Frodo and Merry and their other cousins were to become.
Thanks so for the comments.
Lily
· 2 May 2007
· Chapter 1: For the Love of a Child
A lovely beginning, dear. I very different Esmeralda than the one I know, at least where her relationship with the Bagginses is concerned (mine didn't have much to do with them until after her marriage), but still a wonderful second mother to Frodo.
Is this turning into another epic?
Author's reply
As Esme and Primula were cousins and as Frodo was related to Esme both as second cousin and in time first cousin's wife, it made sense to me that there would be a relationship between Primula and Esme similar to the relationship Frodo developed with Merry, as sort of a surrogate big sister. But I can also see your scenario as being possible, which is why I love it, too.
Tolkien left us with so much scope for our imaginations, after all.
Hopefully not an epic--it's planned as three chapters, but we'll see. As with "Go Out in Joy" it originally represented itself to me as a single-chapter story I was going to put into "Moments in Time," but again this turned out to be otherwise than it first showed itself when it crept out from behind my rocking chair. Heh!
French Pony
· 2 May 2007
· Chapter 1: For the Love of a Child
This is a wonderful story. Not that all of your stories that I've read aren't wonderful, but I really enjoyed this one. I loved the little vignettes, the sense of how the time passed, and how the characters grew and changed, all in those little flashes. There's not a word wasted here, all the themes tightly woven together. And, of course, you have a fantastic way with Hobbit voices. They're real, living people here, and so much fun to read about, in all their joys and sorrows.
Author's reply
I'd started to write this merely as flashes, but decided it would be better done in dialogue and interactions, so this has undergone significant rewriting as I've worked it through; and I wanted to so to show hints of some of the incidents I've written into my long story line to make them more real.
Am so very glad you find these glimpses into the lives of Tolkien's characters so compelling. And am so glad you like the voices they have as well. Thank you SO much!
Dreamflower
· 2 May 2007
· Chapter 1: For the Love of a Child
Larner! This is brilliant! I'm so glad you are doing this, and doing it *right*! It's the sort of thing I've wanted to see for years, to replace all those dreadful fics where Esmeralda is cold and scheming. I've never understood that. Your Esme is kind and caring and a good friend. I'm very much looking forward to the next few chapters, as she does her best with Frodo, and as Merry comes along to be the little brother Frodo needs to have.
Also I love your hints about the accident. That's also a bunny I've had from time to time. It's certainly the sort of thing he could have had a slimy hand in. It's great to see that someone else thinks it could have been a possibility.
Author's reply
I'm borrowing from a fic I read here where it was obvious that someone had come into the Shire seeking Bagginses and thieveses, oh yes, my Preciousssss. And you already know I tend to work other folks' themes into my own stories. But that a sighting might have been made and dismissed and forgotten seemed at least possible, so I hope whoever wrote that short fic doesn't mind I added to it. But no one can hold true ownership of the idea, I think. I'd love to see your take on it.
I've not seen cold and scheming Esmeralda fics, I'm grateful to say, although I've seen some that have pictured anything but a loving marriage between Pippin and Diamond, a situtation I have difficulty imagining.
But as close as Frodo came to be with Esme's son, it was obvious he had to truly have felt a familial bond to the Master's Heir and his wife. And that's the way I tend to write it.