Dreamflower
· 7 April 2008
· Chapter 4: There and Back Again, Part II
Oh my! This was beautiful--I loved reading your descriptions of Taniquetil and the far mountains. They put me in mind of that lovely poem in Book of Lost Tales, "The Shores of Faery".
You show the deep and gentle love between Frodo and Bilbo so perfectly, too, dear. I love how Frodo still thinks of his Uncle Bilbo as "the most remarkable hobbit who ever lived."
Author's reply
Thank you! I think I spent weeks trying to imagine what the hobbits would see, and how they might react.
I truly believe that Frodo admires Bilbo more than anyone else.
Antane
· 29 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
What a lovely, loving tale! Sam couldn't resist Frodo's eyes, and I doubt Frodo could resist Sam's, so knit they are.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Indeed, these two are forever-friends.
Antane
· 29 March 2008
· Chapter 1: The Tol Eressëa Lending Library
This is partly why I love Frodo - a bookworm like I wish I had more time to be. I live right behind the library too! I love that the first look we have of him in the films is that he is reading. I love him for so much more, but his joy at surrounded by books is so me - I love having him as a kindred spirit. I can't remember who said something like, "I imagine paradise to be a kind of library". I hope to one day find him among those aisles.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I love that the first look we have of him in the films is that he is reading.
Me too! Isn't that marvelous?
Thank you, Antane, I'm glad you enjoyed this.
lbilover
· 16 March 2008
· Chapter 3: There and Back Again, Part 1
I smiled at Frodo's list of things he was happy to see they had in Tol Eressea. And I'm glad they did have them, as what would life be like without butter, honey, sweet cream, cheeses... :) I'm very much looking forward to part 2!
Author's reply
Thank you, lbilover! I couldn't bear it if our hobbits were deprived of foods or comforts that would help the West feel more like "home".
aprilkat
· 15 March 2008
· Chapter 3: There and Back Again, Part 1
This is delightful - Frodo's getting together a little cruise!
Will there be shuffleboard? :)
Author's reply
Heee, I forgot I wrote about Aragorn as the Middle-earth shuffleboard champion! Surely the elves have invented it by now. :)
Baggins Babe
· 15 March 2008
· Chapter 3: There and Back Again, Part 1
How nice to see Elrond so cheerful. Lovely that Frodo is enjoying his food again too (although I can never bring myself to eat lobster, crab and similar poor unfortunate creatures who have been hurled into boiling water. I always feel too guilty.
Time-wasting kitties utterly delightful. :-)
Author's reply
Yay for the delights of time-wasting kitties!
I think it would be such a pleasure for Frodo to enjoy simple things again like new tastes, new friends, and new vistas to explore.
Grey Wonderer
· 14 March 2008
· Chapter 3: There and Back Again, Part 1
I like this one. I can just imagine Frodo and Bilbo exploring and making their maps. It's fun trying to imagine what it must look like there.
Author's reply
Thanks, GW, and... I agree! What is life on that island like, for elves *and* hobbits? It's such fun to imagine the possibilities.
Rhyselle
· 14 March 2008
· Chapter 3: There and Back Again, Part 1
Frodo closing his eyes as he took his first bite of the lobster was just the same thing I remember doing the first time I tasted salmon--and my reaction was quite like his too! :)
His list of things that he wants to know and explore was lovely to see--the Frodo of the last few years at Bag End wouldn't have had this level of enthusiasm or desire, I think, and this shows how much he has healed by coming to the Blessed Realm.
I love how you told us so much about Tol Eressean society in Celebrian's brief explanation of the different craftsmen, and we get another taste of how different elves are to mortals when it was pointed out that elves don't need maps for themselves because they remember every step they take.
I look forward to the next part of the tale, to see what sailing around Tol Eressea will be like.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Rhyselle. (And wasn't it exciting to see your name in one of Larner's recent chapters?) I love to imagine Frodo healing, and becoming the person he was always meant to be.
harrowcat
· 14 March 2008
· Chapter 3: There and Back Again, Part 1
A trip around the island sounds like fun. Can I go too? Please!
Author's reply
Let's all go! I think we can find some kindly elves to show us the sights. :)
Andrea
· 14 March 2008
· Chapter 3: There and Back Again, Part 1
The mariners will be pleased to see how many guests will join them on their next turns along the coast line :)
And I'm glad that Bilbo and Frodo found so many familiar things (well, food mostly) on Tol Eressea, they already knew from Middle Earth.
It's always wonderful to see Frodo that happy!
Author's reply
I'm so pleased you're enjoying this. It really is such a pleasure to surround Frodo with food, friends, and new (gentle) adventures.
Dreamflower
· 14 March 2008
· Chapter 3: There and Back Again, Part 1
It's so delightful to see Frodo brimming with curiousity and enthusiasm once more! I do hope we will be treated to seeing some of the voyage!
And I loved how Frodo's catalog of the familiar things he and Bilbo were glad to find were mostly all foods! So hobbity!
Author's reply
Thanks, Dreamflower. I think Frodo would be more "himself" than ever in the West, finally free of all burdens, and surrounded by such beauty and new experiences.
Larner
· 14 March 2008
· Chapter 3: There and Back Again, Part 1
Ah--how joyful, although I personally couldn't join him in appreciating lobster. (Most fish and shellfish, unfortunately, turn my stomach--I love clams but gag at the scent of lobsters or crayfish or crab, and as for oysters! And was I disappointed to find I couldn't tolerate salmon!)
But to see joy growing in our lad! Yes! Now to hear of the sail about the island.
Author's reply
"Growing joy"... yes, that's it! And I just had to share my love of lobster with Frodo. There are some shellfish I don't enjoy, but lobster is a delicacy from my childhood.
SurgicalSteel
· 14 March 2008
· Chapter 3: There and Back Again, Part 1
So much to love about this - Frodo experiencing delicious new foods, of course (lobster! So yummy!). Celebrian having spent her time studying with a Master Chef. Frodo deciding to make maps of his new homeland, and wanting to go sailing... just lovely!
Author's reply
Awww, thank you. It's such fun imagining what new experiences the hobbits might enjoy, and also what the residents might delight in sharing with them.
Linda Hoyland
· 14 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
Lovely !You are making me yearn to visit the coast! I think I must have a bit of Elf in me as I suffer sea yearning!
Author's reply
Thanks, Linda. I hope you can visit the sea often in the years to come!
Baggins Babe
· 5 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
A beautiful and insightful look at our beloved Ring-bearers in the peace of Tol Eressa. It just shows Sam that it is never too late to learn something new.
I love your stories, Shirebound. They make me feel warm and happy.
Should have reviewed before but I'm having my time wasted most delightfully, watching a letter of kittens as they play and grow and explore their world.
*squeeeeee!*
Author's reply
Your *reviews* make me feel warm and happy, BB. Isn't it lovely to imagine Frodo and Sam like this?
New kittens!! I'm thrilled for you and your new 'family', and who knows what they might inspire you to write... :)
Lily
· 3 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
The sea and it's magic. And of course Sam cannot resist Frodo :) Who could?
Author's reply
Frodo only grows more irresistible with time. :) Glad you enjoyed this, Lily!
Grey Wonderer
· 2 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
Dear Sam and water. I love this and it is so very much how I like to think of Frodo.
Author's reply
Even Sam has a few things left to learn in life to make him completely 'whole'. I love imagining these two continuing to share and teach one another.
Gershwhen
· 2 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
You wrote, "He was finally himself. Perhaps that’s what healing really was, when you came right down to it." WOW, that really hit home. Your stories are always so emotional and touching, but Sam's view of the world really spoke to me. Thank you for sharing this scene and for making the beach (one of my favorite places in the world) such a great setting :-)
Author's reply
Frodo has grown in many ways, but so has Sam. I'm very happy this resonated so strongly with you.
Larner
· 2 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
Oh, what a marvelous image of Frodo healed and teaching Sam that trust! Wonderful!
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner. It makes my heart happy to think of our beloved hobbits enjoying the warm Sea, soft sand, and being together again at last.
biinfc@optonline.net
· 2 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
I adore this story more and more every time I read it. It's one of my very favorites!
Author's reply
What a lovely thing to say! Thank you.
Andrea
· 2 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
He had become who he was born to be... not the Orphan, the Master, Mr. Frodo, or the Ringbearer, but simply... Frodo. He was finally himself.
That was beautifully said, shirebound!
Thank you very much :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Andrea. I'm fascinated by the many paths Frodo's healing may have taken.
cookiefleck
· 2 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
Awwwww, so sweet! Do you love the sea as much as Frodo does?
Author's reply
I certainly do. Does it show? :)
SurgicalSteel
· 2 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
I love this so much - Frodo simply being Frodo, and Sam learning to swim. Lovely!
Author's reply
Thank you. I love imagining moments like this, which show that their journey West was a fulfilling one.
harrowcat
· 2 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Never Too Late
Ah! *happy sigh*
Author's reply
Yay, I'm glad. :)
obsidianj
· 26 February 2008
· Chapter 1: The Tol Eressëa Lending Library
Oh, I love this. You addressed one of my puzzling questions about this notion of a peaceful heaven for the elves and whoever is allowed to go there, where everything seems to be provided for. What in all the world are they going to do? Opening a library with texts from ME is a great idea.
Author's reply
What in all the world are they going to do?
Thank you! And I'll be pursuing that question in a future chapter, I think. Glad you enjoyed this. :)