Reviews of The Great Convocation of 1427

KathyG · 18 September 2014 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

Hmm! I suppose that the Gaffer stayed behind in Hobbiton (or is it Bywater)? What a double surprise he's going to get: Sam has become mayor, and Rosie has given Hamfast another grandchild! Hey, Dreamflower, you ought to write a sequel to this story, covering that.

Author's reply

I suppose we could guess at it. I don't have a copy of LotR handy--they've all been packed away safe from the chaos of painting, but I'd have to check and see is the Gaffer still around when Merry-lad was born. I am fairly sure he was, but not 100% certain without looking to see. At any rate, he'd have known about the Mayor part--that was pretty much a done deal before the Convocation opened: the Thain and the Master wouldn't have left it for chance. They'd make sure they had enough votes before they put Sam up for consideration.

Robert · 29 October 2010 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

Charming story, though the ban could really do with exemptions for medical emergencies and rangers in hot pursuit. If some stray troll wanders into the north farthing, the rangers chasing it shouldn't need to lose time asking for permission to cross the boundary. Likewise, if some ranger patrolling the border suffers a serious accident, its better that they be treated in the nearest home, even a hobbit hole, than in the middle of the wilds. Still, the hobbits have enough sound common sense not to put mere rules over hobbit and human lives.

Author's reply

Thank you very much! It's delightful to get a review for a story that's been up a while, and I enjoyed writing this one a great deal. JRRT did not give us any details of how the Edict was worded, or how it was implemented, so I felt free to make up my own. In my version, there are some built in exceptions, though they are a little inconvenient-- and in fact, I have at least one story in which an injured Ranger is treated by nearby hobbits, and another in which Men are of assistance with a hobbity emergency. Hobbit good sense does indeed win out over "rules". But I do think that the Edict was not a particularly good idea in general.

Longcleeve · 26 April 2008 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

Oh what a perfectly wonderful story! haha, I love Sam's "What have you done!" So cute!

Author's reply

I have a feeling that Sam may forgive Rose, but he's probably going to take every chance he can get to say "I told you so!" LOL!

GamgeeFest · 23 November 2007 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

Yep, babies never do come when its convenient, do they? And of course, Sam will forgive Rose, if it even occurs to him to be upset. ;) I enjoyed this little glimpse into the Hobbit-moot and I’m especially pleased that the name Baggins will not die out. It is certainly too great and old a name not to be carried forth for future generations. This day would have made Frodo very proud for so many reasons. :)

Author's reply

No, they generally don't tend to adhere to a set schedule, LOL! Of course he will. But he might take it on himself to offer a little "I-told-you-so". That's awful hard for a spouse to resist, being right! The idea of renewing the Baggins name had occured to me from time to time--but given that in "my" Shire there were no male Bagginses to carry the name on (as I rather strictly interpret the Baggins family tree), I was rather stuck, until this idea hit me one day. But I needed just the right fic to introduce it, and this one was just right! I think Frodo would have been very proud indeed--of Sam, of his cousins, of Rose and of the Shire-folk in general. I kind of hope that perhaps he was granted the use of the seeing-stone from time to time, so that he could keep track of what was going on in their lives!

Antane · 31 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

A sweet day for Sam. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane

Author's reply

Yes, it was, wasn't it?

Kitty · 30 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

Oh, I love your solution to the problem that Frodo was the last of the Bagginses! It would have been so sad if after Ponto and Porto passed away the name truly did die out. Good old Freddy! And I am sure it reconciled Ponto with the fact that his daughter could not marry Frodo, as he once had wished. Are you sure Rose has not some Baggins blood a few generations back? Her stubbornness would qualify her as a Baggins, I’d say *grin* But she had a rather memorable gift for her Sam for being elected Mayor. Truly impeccable timing! Oh, I can imagine the celebration afterwards - Mayor *and* a new son!

Author's reply

I had begun to think of that as a possible solution a few months ago, but hadn't found the right story to use the idea in, until this one! Although I *do* believe that the Baggins *were* dying out, I can imagine hobbits coming up with this idea! Well, Sam had no Baggins in him--Gamgee stubbornness sufficed for him! And I think Rose would have to be just as stubborn as her husband! I'm sure that *this* banquet will be one to keep tongues wagging for a long time!

Andrea · 30 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

What a wonderful idea to let the name Baggins live on! Baggins-Bolger? That's interesting. Wasn't Tolkien's "first" Ringbearer a "Bolger-Baggins"? I loved it that little Merry wasted no time to come into the world and that Rosie was so stubborn! This way Sam will never ever forget the day when he was elected Mayor of the Shire :) "In a few more years there's going to be a Pippin living in Bag End with a Merry!" Estella and Diamond laughed, but Pearl said "Good heavens! Poor Rose and Sam! I don't know how the smial will stand it. ROTFL!!! Apparently, Pearl speaks out of long experience!

Author's reply

Yes--Frodo was originally named "Bingo Bolger-Baggins"! LOL! I'm so glad JRRT changed his mind on *that* one! No, I'm quite sure this is a day he'll remember forever! She most certainly does!

cookiefleck · 30 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

Reading this story was such a pleasure. Thank you!

Author's reply

I am so very glad that you enjoyed it! You are more than welcome!

Larner · 29 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

There MUST be something in the soil of the Hill that tends to cause extreme--and delightful--stubbornness in those who dwell within it! Ah, Rose--what a gift for the newly-made Mayor! And Aragorn had addressed the letter to Frodo as Mayor? Ahhhhhh....

Author's reply

Well, Sam needed a wife just as er--determined--as he was, I think! *facepalm* Wishful thinking on both his part and mine, I think! (Fixed now!)

Baggins Babe · 29 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

A really lovely look at our favourite hobbits on a very special day for the Shire and for Sam. Nice of Rose to give him a present to mark the occasion. In my universe it's Pip-lad who arrives in a rush, but what can you expect from children named after those two? :-) I love the solution to the dwindling Baggins family - I hope it does increase again and prosper.

Author's reply

Yes, it was rather nice of her, wasn't it? *grin* I think he may make an early arrival as well, perhaps--or perhaps not! But I will bet Rose will no longer be so certain about her children's arrival times! I hope so as well!

harrowcat · 29 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

This is a delight Dreamflower. I was so sad at the slow demise of the Baggins family but it is a good solution.

Author's reply

Well, I'd been sad about it myself for a while. But it was established in my Shire, and truth is, I really think it was intentional on JRRT's part, though there's no absolute proof of that. But thinking about how hobbits did things, I thought that might be a rather hobbity solution to the problem--the old names and old families would be very important, and it wasn't a lack of Baggins' *blood* but a lack of males to carry the name--so it seemed logical to me.

Lindelea · 29 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Great Convocation of 1427

I just love these sorts of behind-the-scenes glimpses into Shire tradition and culture. This fits nicely with the culture JRRT created and expounded on in his Letters. D'y'know, the first few times I attempted to read LOTR I was stymied by all that slow, "boring" material at the start of the book. It was only after I skipped "About Hobbits" and all that other introductory stuff (the Party, Gandalf's visit and long discussion of past events... yawn...) and got into the action (that first glimpse of a Black Rider at the gate, *shiver*) ...oh, and Weathertop, *that's* when I was well and truly hooked. But then, when I started writing fanfic, I found I needed to know more about background. I finally read, rather than quickly skimming, all those chapters, and as the Shire grew in my imagination I found fascination replacing tedium. Can't tell you how many times I've combed those sections for every nuance and hint, in addition to re-reading the whole. Nice to know I'm not alone in my fascination with Shirefolk.

Author's reply

Thank you! I really do try to use what we have in canon to extrapolate the traditions and customs I've made up for "my" Shire--I'm glad you think my suppositions fit well with what we've already been given in canon. Perhaps it's because I began LotR *immediately* after finishing The Hobbit, but I have *always* enjoyed the Prologue and opening chapters, and was actually rather sad when we left the Shire behind. But I was quite enthralled with Bilbo, and wanted more of the same. I got that, though, and much more besides LOL! I do the same, sifting through every word to see what else I can find to give me more hints about our hobbits! Absolutely you are not alone! Hobbits! *sigh* Aren't they lovely?

Reviews (12)