Between Green Door and Gold Ring by Larner
Linda Hoyland · 4 January 2011 · Chapter 14: Scandal Overheard
What a madam Lobelia is! Brilliantly written.
Author's reply
Lobelia was in truth quite the piece of work, and I love thinking that not only Bilbo and Frodo found themselves fighting back against her vindictiveness. Thanks, Linda.
Teresa · 4 January 2011 · Chapter 14: Scandal Overheard
Now that's putting Lobelia in her place! I bet that story made the rounds before she made it back home! If that was the final straw that made Primula and Drogo decide to move to Buckland then Lobelia bears some responsibility for their accident. I wonder if Lobelia made sure that any victim of her malice was out of earshot from that point on........ She really was a nasty piece of work! I'd say that Frodo received a good bit of his mother's firey personality; combine that with the Baggins determination and you would have a hobbit to be reckoned with! Thank you for this glimpse of Primula! :)
Author's reply
Oh, I do think that Frodo was a wonderful mixture of his complicated pedigree, and that he indeed was his mother's son as well as his father's. Yes, Primula produced indeed a Hobbit to be reckoned with! And thank you, Teresa!
Dreamflower · 3 January 2011 · Chapter 14: Scandal Overheard
Oh my word! What a scene! I would have loved to be there to applaud Primula for telling Lobelia off! Hmm...wonder what Dora would have made of that scene?
Author's reply
Yes, we do sort of find ourselves being flies on the wall from time to time, don't we? And is that a challenge? Maybe I'll write to that--eventually, of course! Heh! Thanks, Dreamflower.
shirebound · 3 January 2011 · Chapter 14: Scandal Overheard
And this from the one who chased after Bilbo for a year or better, and so sought to capture the attention of Drogo Baggins that he fled to Buckland to escape you, and who then put the dessert before the meal with Otho? What a comeback! Primula is a strong hobbit when she needs to be. Poor Frodo, the subject of hatred and gossip even at such a young age.
Author's reply
Indeed, although I suspect he will take the fury and embarrassment known by his mother more to heart at this age. Thanks so, Shirebound!
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 January 2011 · Chapter 14: Scandal Overheard
I do hope Iris is able to smooth things over with Primula!!
Author's reply
I suspect that Primula feels she has suffered more than enough at the hands (or rather, the mouth) of Lobelia Sackville-Baggins. How it was she and Drogo reacted is described in the first chapter of "Second Mum." Thanks so, Kaylee.
Andrea · 28 December 2010 · Chapter 13: Well Named
Wise child indeed! And at that age! Our Frodo was always a special hobbit :-)
Author's reply
Oh, he's already starting to take the measures of others. Heh! Yes, always special, even when but a toddler!
Lindelea · 27 December 2010 · Chapter 12: Home from the Sea
I love this reunion! Little sisters do grow up, they do indeed, especially when your back is turned.
Author's reply
And he's had too many years of having his back turned while he was away at sea!
Lindelea · 27 December 2010 · Chapter 13: Well Named
Well named, indeed! No wonder he caught Bilbo's attention early on. I love finding a well-turned drabble in my inbox to enjoy with my lunch... I can gobble it hastily (with the food) and not fret about getting called away in the middle.
Author's reply
So glad, then, that I could manage to supply just the appertif needed, Lin! Heh! Love to the little Hobbits, Zoe, and the interloper as well!
Kitty · 16 August 2010 · Chapter 12: Home from the Sea
Our dear Isengar seems quite surprised that life in the Shire has gone on while he was away. After two decades or more, there have to be a few changes, after all. But I know it can be difficult when you have known someone as a child and then see him or her again only after they are adult - it takes time to get used to that huge change, more so than with people who had already been adult when you have seen them last.
Author's reply
Yes, I've seen it myself. The last time I'd seen my cousin David he was five years old and playing drum major with a wooden spoon for a baton. The next time I saw him he was an adult with a relationship of his own. It seemed somewhat disconcerting! But life didn't stop just because Isengar wasn't there--it never does! Heh! Thanks so, Kitty!
Soledad · 15 August 2010 · Chapter 12: Home from the Sea
Aww, Isengar is back! How typical for Belladonna to take him in with open arms again.
Author's reply
And I agree! Loved finding a reason to write a story in which he has a place again.
Andrea · 15 August 2010 · Chapter 12: Home from the Sea
It seems that Isengar has just realised how long he has been away! for the past two decades or better That IS a long time, especially for a young hobbit lass like Belladonna. And now young Bilbo is going to meet his famous uncle for the very first time. There will be a million questions, I bet ;-)
Author's reply
Isengar was quite a bit older than she, as I remember it, so she could have done a LOT of growing up while he was gone, I think. And there may well be questions from Bilbo! Heh!
GamgeeFest · 11 August 2010 · Chapter 11: A Father's Duty
Adorable! Wee Bilbo is very huggable here.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you agree, GamgeeFest. And I hope your birthday fic will be posted tomorrow or Tuesday. Hope you like it!
Antane · 7 August 2010 · Chapter 11: A Father's Duty
Sweet! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thanks so. I am beginning to find myself intrigued with questions about how Bilbo was as a child! Heh!
Kitty · 6 August 2010 · Chapter 11: A Father's Duty
Sweet little piece. Sadly Bilbo was never able to be the same caring husband, but at least he did a great job with Frodo.
Author's reply
I know. I wonder what kind of Hobbitess he might have been drawn to? But, as you note, he did a wonderful job finishing the raising of the finest Hobbit the Shire ever produced!
Kitty · 6 August 2010 · Chapter 10: A Favor Asked
This has to be the first story from the POV of a giant I have seen, as far as I can remember. Nice to see how they helped Gandalf and how he was able to return the favour.
Author's reply
It was fun to revisit the Mountain Giants again. And I'm certain that Gandalf would want to help see to their needs, now that they'd helped with his. Thanks so much!
Kitty · 6 August 2010 · Chapter 9: Planned Snack
While I am glad Bilbo didn't end as a snack for Smaug, I still don't have forgiven the Professor for the way he disposed of their horses twice. That's no way to treat these poor beasts! Hope Smaug (and the Orcs) got at least a nice stomach ache from them.
Author's reply
I know--Tolkien appears to have been particularly careless with good ponies, it seems, just as he saw to the deaths of far too many mothers. Poor beasties! Along with you, I hope the orcs suffered from their meal, and we already know that Smaug didn't last long after his! Nyaah at him!
Kara's Aunty · 4 August 2010 · Chapter 11: A Father's Duty
Hello Larner, Bilbo as a lad - aww! Hard to believe this frightened wee boy will grow up to face trolls and dragons - and live to boast about it! Very sweet, indeed. Talking of sweets, I'd like one, too. Has Grandfather got any left? A strawberry bonbon would go down nicely ... M :)
Author's reply
Finding himself alone with old Gerontius for the first time must have felt a bit intimidating. But I'm certain the Old Took would have approved of Bilbo's father's concern for his wife--after all, Belladonna was his oldest daughter! I don't know if Gerontius has a strawberry bonbon, but he did have some butterscotch disks last I looked....
Tari · 20 July 2010 · Chapter 10: A Favor Asked
What an interesting idea; giants in Middle-earth. Why not what with all the other creatures roaming about. They certainly would have been a big help in the final battle, a real foil for the Cave Trolls. Only someone like Gandalf could have gotten close to them.
Author's reply
Tolkien described the creatures in "The Hobbit," after all, so I like to see them at play now and then. And I'm glad that Gandalf was able to convince even these to help stop up the goblin's most recent back door. Thanks so, Tari!
Andrea · 16 July 2010 · Chapter 10: A Favor Asked
What an unusual POV! So, even the Mountain Giants disliked Orcs and (after some thought) were willing to help get rid of them. It only needed the "Small Grey One" to arouse them. Just imagine a Mountain Giant using Gandalf's staff as a toothpick :-D
Author's reply
Who WOULDN'T want to get rid of orcs, do you think? This was a fun one to write, Andrea. Glad you enjoyed it!
Antane · 16 July 2010 · Chapter 10: A Favor Asked
Now isn't that a twist?! Gandalf being called a Small One but I suppose we would all be that way to a giant! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Well, from the Giant's point of view, that's right, isn't it? Heh! This was such fun to write.
FantasyFan · 16 July 2010 · Chapter 10: A Favor Asked
A very cute story from an unusual point of view. There is that one throwaway line in The Hobbit, and you've created a couple of unique characters from it. It's interesting that even the mountain Giants, who are perhaps not the brightest bulbs in the package, know that of other sentinent races, Orcs are the only ones to be stomped on with impunity. And I love it that Gandalf seems to be the only one in middle earth who recognizes that the Giants are part of the free peoples, able to be approached and asked to do their part against evil. He also recognizes that they have feelings, and is compassionate toward the sister who has been scarred by her experiences with that evil. Go Gandalf!
Author's reply
I've often been intrigued by the creatures and peoples who only merit a few lines at most in Tolkien's work, so it's fun to bring them to life. Am so glad that Maeglin asked for a story of "nonstandard" sentient beings. And I do suspect that they were as aware that orcs were simply brutal toward anyone as all other sentient beings in Middle Earth. Thanks so, Fantasy Fan.
Dreamflower · 15 July 2010 · Chapter 10: A Favor Asked
What a perfect gapfiller! I love it! Good old Gandalf! And I really like having it from Barrgh's POV, too! How delightful!
Author's reply
Trying to imagine the whole thing from the POV of a giant was great fun. Am so glad you and so many others appear to have enjoyed this one, Dreamflower. Thanks!
shirebound · 15 July 2010 · Chapter 10: A Favor Asked
What a creative and delightful gap filler!
Author's reply
Thank you. Maeglin asked for tales of non-standard sentient beings within Middle Earth, and once again the Mountain Giants asked for my attention!
harrowcat · 15 July 2010 · Chapter 10: A Favor Asked
Ooh, this is great Larner. One good turn deserves another. Would love to hear more about the stone giants
Author's reply
They do seem to be insisting on some recognition now, don't they? Heh! Thanks so.
Soledad · 15 July 2010 · Chapter 10: A Favor Asked
Yay! A Giant story! I never read a giant story before! Larner, you truly have the best ideas! And I liked the Giant names... *g*
Author's reply
I've written one story and one drabble now featuring them. Although they slip into tne margins of other tales now and then. So glad you like their names!