Fiondil
· 28 July 2012
· Chapter 9: In Ships Made of Dreams
Too bad Bilbo and Frodo never thought to collaborate while they were both in the Shire. Oh, the songs they could have made together! At least they get to do it here. A lovely, gentle tale as always, Shirebound. Thanks for sharing. It's good to see you writing again.
Author's reply
Thank you, Fiondil. I hope you're feeling much better.
It's very good to *be* writing again, especially to add another peaceful scene to the hobbits' lives in the West.
obsidianj
· 28 July 2012
· Chapter 9: In Ships Made of Dreams
This is such a beautiful story. It warms my heart and made my day. Thank you.
Author's reply
Oh my, you just made *my* day! Thank you very much.
eiluj
· 28 July 2012
· Chapter 9: In Ships Made of Dreams
This is how I like to think of Frodo's and Bilbo's years in the West: happy, delighting in beauty, and all the while cherished by their elven friends.
I don't know if you intended it, but your verse contains the four elements:
Set sail through the Music so long ago sung. (music is of the air)
There's no growing old, while the Sea is still young. (water)
Through starlight we fly in fiery streams, (starlight is of fire, and its reflection in the water resembles fire)
Past mountains of crystal in ships made of dreams... (earth)
Author's reply
I did *not* intend or realize it, and I appreciate you pointing that out!
I'm so happy you enjoyed this. We imagine the hobbits' years in the West the same way. :)
6336
· 28 July 2012
· Chapter 9: In Ships Made of Dreams
Oh, that was beautiful, very, very nice.
It is good when Frodo and Bilbo collaborate on poems and music, it so much a part of their lives.
Good one Shirebound.
Huggs and Scrits,
Lynda
Author's reply
Thank you, Lynda. I'm so pleased you enjoyed this.
JennieM
· 5 October 2009
· Chapter 8: For the Wizard Who Has Everything
Shirebound,
I can't tell you how much pleasure your series has given me.
I love the gentleness of it, and the love that is expressed without the slightest hint of slash.
I think that the small touches are what make this series so compelling, such as 'we;re only giving her a peach crumble for her birthday'.
Thank you again.
Jennie
Author's reply
Oh, I appreciate your kind words! It's very important to me that the hobbits are healed, happy, and respected in the West. Thank you very much for letting me know that you're enjoying these stories.
Sitara
· 27 September 2009
· Chapter 8: For the Wizard Who Has Everything
A very moving ficlet, shirebound. You chose a very interesting paragraph for this story, a paragraph that is not only revealing in respect to Gandalf's true identity but also depicts something so beautifully sad: the longing for the world that was and now is forever lost. A longing that is not only the Eldar' but also the Ainur's.
I would love to know Gandalf's reaction after "unwrapping" his gift, although...alas! I'm afraid he'd have wished to receive that peach crumble instead.
Congratulation, shirebound, not only for this vignette, but also for all the writings posted here.
Sitara
Author's reply
Thank you very much, Sitara. I'm so happy that this piece moved you. We're so fortunate that the Professor left us so many hints and gaps to explore!
Grey Wonderer
· 24 September 2009
· Chapter 8: For the Wizard Who Has Everything
What an interesting idea! I love this as a gift for Gandalf. Oh, and I laughed out loud at the conversation about the peach crumble!
Author's reply
Thanks, GW! Seeing Stones may come and go, but food is forever. :)
Baggins Babe
· 24 September 2009
· Chapter 8: For the Wizard Who Has Everything
Love the title, Shirebound! What a wonderful birthday gift from our beloved Bagginses to our favourite wizard.
Loved Shadowfax rearranging their hair. And the prospect of explaining to Galadriel why she is only receiving peach crumble.........
I feel all warm and fuzzy - and rather hungry for peach crumble!
Author's reply
Awww, thank you. Warm and fuzzy... two of my favorite things!
Heeee, I like the idea of Shadowfax amusing himself with the hobbits' hair. :)
Inzilbeth
· 24 September 2009
· Chapter 8: For the Wizard Who Has Everything
A delightful birthday story, Shirebound, and what better gift than a glimpse of the lands where he laboured for so long. Hear, hear to a sequel!
Author's reply
Thank you! I like imagining Frodo and Bilbo planning this, and that they're also starting to plan how to "top it" for next year! Dear hobbits.
harrowcat
· 24 September 2009
· Chapter 8: For the Wizard Who Has Everything
A positively inspired birthday gift, my boy," I totally agree!
And I back Antane's plea for the Galadriel sequel.
Author's reply
So glad you enjoyed this. LOL, you gals are bad/good influences!
Antane
· 24 September 2009
· Chapter 8: For the Wizard Who Has Everything
What a cute story! Love too Bilbo's words about their gift to Galadriel and Frodo's reply. :) Write a sequel!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you! Leave it to hobbits to value a gift of food so highly. :)
Larner
· 24 September 2009
· Chapter 8: For the Wizard Who Has Everything
And if Gandalf had wished to peek in on a Took or Brandybuck or a particular hole toward the center of the Shire or the White City or whatever, now's his chance! Heh!
A lovely birthday gift from the two of them.
Author's reply
You're so kind to also review here. Yes, Gandalf should take advantage of this opportunity!
Armariel
· 13 September 2009
· Chapter 7: Living Jewels
A lovely set of tales. Very nice language and characterization, and I like the lack of angst;);)
~~~~{~@
Author's reply
Thank you! :D
GamgeeFest
· 24 August 2009
· Chapter 7: Living Jewels
This is marvellous, Shirebound! I love Yavanna using the Three Rings and phial to make a new tree, and that Sam will one day name it. What a fitting gift to her littlest gardener, and Frodo and Bilbo as well.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. The hobbits will benefit from being in the West, so why shouldn't the West benefit from what the hobbits can contribute? :)
Linda Hoyland
· 22 August 2009
· Chapter 7: Living Jewels
What a beautiful idea!
Author's reply
Thank you very much. Thinking about hobbits in the West brings me great joy.
Andrea
· 20 August 2009
· Chapter 7: Living Jewels
What a wonderful idea to create "Living Jewels" out of the Elven Rings!
And Sam being the one who will have the honor (and an honor it is) to name the tree, just perfect.
Thank you :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Andrea. Sam is a Very Important Person wherever he goes. :)
Antane
· 19 August 2009
· Chapter 7: Living Jewels
Of the Tree that would stand here one thing alone she did not know: its name. It would be given by the small one who yet lingered in Middle-earth. Even now, her cherished gardener walked here in his dreams.
I love that last sentence the most! What a sweet double image - that Sam is cherished by the Valar, just as his master is, and that he has already spent some time in the West, still knit to his master's soul as he is knit to the Shire and Rose as well.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, I really like how you say that. May our hobbits live in peace and joy in the West, loved and respected by all who know them.
Baggins Babe
· 18 August 2009
· Chapter 7: Living Jewels
What a beautiful tale, Shirebound.Those gems carried to the West have been made into something even more wonderful - and sam will give this tree a name!
Perfect!
Author's reply
Thank you. I like to think that these hard-working and wonderful jewels could have one more bit of magic to convey. And of course the hobbits will benefit.
Dear Sam! :)
Larner
· 18 August 2009
· Chapter 7: Living Jewels
The imagery here is just so beautiful, Shirebound! What a perfect use to which to put those relics of a world left behind! And so right for Sam to be left to name it!
Author's reply
Thank you so much. How I love imagining ways in which the great Tale "goes ever on and on". Sam knew it all along.
Virtuella
· 18 December 2008
· Chapter 6: The Man in the Moon
Oh, this is a really original idea - that the "seeing crystal" would be nothing magical, but based on optical knowledge. Interesting that you let Frodo look at the moon and wonder about the marks on it - did you mean to refer to Galilei here?
The last paragraph is delightful.
Author's reply
Thank you for reading. I hadn't thought about a parallel with Gallileo! What a joy to give Frodo this 'magical' experience. The amazing Feanor must have been a combination of every wonderful and curious inventor who ever lived.
Virtuella
· 18 December 2008
· Chapter 5: Once Upon a Time
"As the gentle years passed" What a beautiful opening! A sweet and calm story.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I hoped this little story would feel peaceful and calm.
Virtuella
· 18 December 2008
· Chapter 4: There and Back Again, Part II
It must be a grand sight indeed that makes hobbits forget their food. ;-) Lovely descriptions here of the land and sea. And I particularly liked the last passage, it was so very like Bilbo.
Author's reply
I had a wonderful time trying to imagine Tol Eressea, and what Aman might look like from offshore. It's fun seeing everything through hobbity eyes. :)
Virtuella
· 18 December 2008
· Chapter 3: There and Back Again, Part 1
A good idea, that Frodo and indeed Elrond would be glad to see familiar creatures and plants in their new home.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed this. Perhaps Elrond, living all his life in Middle-earth, would be as relieved as Frodo that not everything has changed.
Virtuella
· 18 December 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
I liked the notion of healing meaning to become one with oneself. And Sam learning to swim is just so - appropriate.
Author's reply
Thank you. I think Sam would continue to be wonderfully heart-wise for all of his days.
Virtuella
· 18 December 2008
· Chapter 1: The Tol Eressëa Lending Library
This library is an utterly delightful idea and it also makes perfect sense, both psychologically (Elrond thinking of this as a way to help Frodo and Bilbo settle) and practically, since one indeed couldn't imagine Elrond abandoning all his books.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I really like the idea of Frodo having a place in this society, as well as the delight the elves must feel when something new to read arrives on the island!