Between Green Door and Gold Ring by Larner
Soledad · 22 June 2010 · Chapter 8: A Pretense at Civility
Go, Lalia! I'm so glad you decided to give her a chance to shine! Being "civil" indeed - I bet you could drive Lobelia mad with *that*!
Author's reply
Oh, I suspect the two of them will drive one another mad as time goes on, although I think Lalia will retain the upper hand for some time. Heh! Thanks, Soledad.
harrowcat · 21 June 2010 · Chapter 9: Planned Snack
Aw! Poor ponies. I glad that the planned Bilbo snack could also go into 'never happened pile of stories!
Author's reply
This was right out of "The Hobbit," so I had no choice but to see Smaug get the ponies, sorry to say. But of course, Bilbo was the snack that got away! Heh! Yes, a "Never Happened"! Heh!
Antane · 21 June 2010 · Chapter 9: Planned Snack
Think again, Smaug! :) :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, indeed so, Antane! Heh!
Kitty · 24 May 2010 · Chapter 8: A Pretense at Civility
*grin* Equals among themselves, huh? Really enjoyed the thinkly veiled bragging and insulting! Must have been a lot of fun to watch these two and to listen while they pretended to be civil to each other.
Author's reply
Oh, but it was great fun to fulfill the request to picture the first meeting between Lalia and Lobelia--two dragonladies indeed! Heh!
Kitty · 24 May 2010 · Chapter 7: The Research Project
*snicker* Ferumbras certainly doesn't understand one bit why such absurd details can be of high interest, now, does he? (And btw, after reading the description of his study, maybe mine doesn't look as bad as I thought ;-))
Author's reply
You haven't seen MY room lately, Kitty! Books all over the place! Thanks for the giggles!
Antane · 2 May 2010 · Chapter 7: The Research Project
Ah, another reason Bilbo is a kindred spirit to me - loves research! *hugs him* Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Linda Hoyland · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 8: A Pretense at Civility
Just delicious!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you think so, Linda! What better than two ambitious, two-faced ladies being their worst at one another's expense? Heh!
Sunny · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 8: A Pretense at Civility
Neither of those two are really very nice people, are they? An excellent picture of two nasty bitches pretending to be pleasant ladies, using etiquette as a weapon in their warfare.
Author's reply
It was my pleasure to write this, Sunny. Thank you so! And who better to be two-faced something elses, each pretending to such civility, than Lalia and Lobelia together! I'm so glad that Celerits suggested the topic, and that it fit the B2MEM prompt so well!
Linda Hoyland · 23 March 2010 · Chapter 7: The Research Project
I can just imagine Bilbo as a rather absent minded scolar!
Author's reply
At times Bilbo might indeed appear so, Linda. I doubt he expected others to appreciate what caught his own interest, but he would, I'm certain, be filled with wonder at a world he was just truly awakening to full curiosity of. Thanks so!
Celeritas · 22 March 2010 · Chapter 7: The Research Project
*snort* Bilbo is such a nerd. :)
Author's reply
And we love him for it! Heh! Thanks, Celeritas.
Dreamflower · 22 March 2010 · Chapter 7: The Research Project
*grin* Bilbo the geek, LOL! I admit, I've thought of him more as a language geek than a science one, but I can buy this. Love the choice of Ferumbras as POV character!
Author's reply
So glad you approve! ET loved it, too! Heh! And who better than Ferumbras? Thanks so, Dreamflower.
Kitty · 20 July 2009 · Chapter 6: Final Considerations
Nice look at Thorin's last moments. I was always glad he made up with Bilbo before the end.
Author's reply
Oh, I do agree so, Kitty! That he gave over his pride and fury to acknowledge Bilbo's compassion and integrity always meant a great deal to me as well! Thank you, Kitty!
Antane · 19 July 2009 · Chapter 6: Final Considerations
Fitting blessings! Love it. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, you are so very right, Antane. Indeed, very much proper blessings! Thank you so!
Soledad · 13 July 2009 · Chapter 5: A Mother's Day
Oh, lovely! It seems I've missed this chapter. I so love Bell Gamgee and the stories featuring her. She's such an underappreciated character.
Author's reply
I love including Bell when I can. In my-verse she lived a few years after Frodo's coming, so was one he also thought of as a surrogate mother for himself, alongside Esmeralda. Thanks so!
Lindelea · 12 July 2009 · Chapter 6: Final Considerations
I think the final blessing came true. Nice summation of Thorin's thoughts as he lay dying.
Author's reply
I do believe it did, Lin. See you this week.
harrowcat · 12 July 2009 · Chapter 5: A Mother's Day
I loved all of this one Larner. Bell will make good use of this treasure trove much more than she would of gold and jools.
Author's reply
Oh, yes--a more tangible treasure this for such a one as Bell Gamgee! Thanks again!
harrowcat · 12 July 2009 · Chapter 4: Changing Views on Wisdom
Thanks goodness that Bilbo was influenced by both his parents. Open house can be difficult to maintain with obnoxious relatives nearby! A hobbit after my own heart, (and waist-line!)to retreat to comfort food. No wonder he has vivid dreams. Being packed off home might have been the more comfortable route but not for the future of Middle-Earth! I've always loved the initial conversation Gandalf has with Bilbo in the Hobbit. I'd bet that Bilbo didn't feel very wise with such a miserable cold. As I know very well myself at the moment. To be a practising copyist seems to be an honourable occupation but, I suppose, not for a gentle-hobbit. A very wise question from Bilbo. I would love to hear the answer. The ring coming to one of the Sackville-Baggins' would make a very dark and short AU. The ring is a strong influence. But against TWO stubborn Baggins'? Not a chance!
Author's reply
Ooh--a response to each of the drabble! Thank you! Yes, Bilbo's understanding of "wisdom" changes as his experience is stretched and as he finds new responsibilities, and as he brings Frodo into his life. And indeed, the Ring has met Its match with TWO Bagginses against it! Thanks so!
Dreamflower · 12 July 2009 · Chapter 6: Final Considerations
Worthy last thoughts for a worthy Dwarf, who had allowed himself to get sidetracked by dragon sickness. But Bilbo was just his own honorable and humble self, and ended up the true hero of the whole expedition. Thankfully, Thorin was able to recognize this at the end as the scales fell from his eyes.
Author's reply
I was so proud of Thorin there at the end as he acknowledged that Bilbo had been right throughout the confronation with the Lakemen and the Wood-elves. Yes, he saw so much the more clearly in the last moments! Thanks so, Dreamflower!
harrowcat · 12 July 2009 · Chapter 3: Dancing the New Year In
This is so delicately and beautifully done Larner.
Author's reply
Thank you. I enjoy thinking Hamfast and Bell were well matched and able to be happy with one another.
harrowcat · 12 July 2009 · Chapter 2: A Useful Gift
The weeks after Bilbo's return must have been difficult indeed. I love the liberation I sense in Bilbo giving up being conventional, predictable and overly responsible! Taking Frodo as his heir seems to have brought back a little of each.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, Harrowcat. Bilbo has realized just how restrictive his life has been and has determined to give that over. Bless him! And if he regained some of his old traits at Frodo's arrival, yet it was now, I think, a positive rather than a negative step. Thanks!
harrowcat · 12 July 2009 · Chapter 6: Final Considerations
A blessing that bore good fruit indeed. BTW I am watching a programme that featured morrells. It reminded me of you!
Author's reply
Indeed, Harrowcat. And am glad that Angrepain and the morels did stick with you! Heh! Blessings to your parents and Jet, and hope things are going better with the siblings.
Kitty · 16 May 2009 · Chapter 5: A Mother's Day
Poor Bell! I so can see her excitement at the thought to tell Ham just this day that another baby is on the way, and then she can't be sure, and when she returns from the healer, pretty much everything has gone wrong at home! That's not how one imagines his birthday! She felt him stiffen. “Too big fer faunt!” he declared. Smiling more broadly to herself, she stroked his hair from his eyes. “And are ye now? Too big fer laps, then? Too big fer snuggles?” She could feel his alarm at the thought. “No, Mummy--not too big!” Oh, that was cute! Oooh, what a birthday gift for Bell! (Even if was not a birthday gift, strictly speaking *grin*) Dear Frodo and Bilbo, to give that to Bell! It was just the perfect gift for her - she must be quite overwhelmed to own such a treasure now. And it seems the little one wanted to celebrate with his Mum, too ;) Quite the emotional turnaround, from disappointment to happiness. And a lovely story, Larner!
Author's reply
Yes, I think Marigold-to-be is quite glad to share the happiness of her mother. And I'd think Bell would feel very relieved and joyful at that moment of awareness! And I haven't met a child yet who liked being addressed as a baby or toddler, even when they were! So glad you like the interaction here between Bell and our Sam! As for the gift--I wanted to explain how these items got into Bell's hands to end up eventually in the hands of Marigold and Daisy. Thanks so very much, Kitty. A tribute to mothers everywhere!
Linda Hoyland · 15 May 2009 · Chapter 5: A Mother's Day
How quickly things can change! You truly brought Bell to life here.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you feel I helped give substance to her. And you are certainly right about how quickly things can change! Thanks so, Linda!
Sunny · 12 May 2009 · Chapter 5: A Mother's Day
Logic – you may love it or hate it, when you respect it, matters are more likely to make sense than when you don’t. Once upon a time, you wrote a story of Nerdanel making tools and gemstones. Those tools would certainly have been of superior quality, so how would some of them have come into the possession of someone of very modest means, like the Gamgees? Bilbo making a present of them would certainly not have been unreasonable. :-) And apart from that, this is a very charming little story.
Author's reply
Yes, those gems and tools Nerdanel made, as well as a good deal more also made in the spirit of love and hope and defiance of the dark, keep finding new holders who will use them well. And here a Hobbitess of modest means finds herself with a good deal more than she could ever hope to obtain on her own, and some of this will go on to still other holders yet! Am so glad you like this, and particularly hope you enjoyed seeing our Sam when he was yet a small child. Thanks so!
Andrea · 12 May 2009 · Chapter 5: A Mother's Day
She felt him stiffen. “Too big fer faunt!” he declared Smiling more broadly to herself, she stroked his hair from his eyes. “And are ye now? Too big fer laps, then? Too big fer snuggles?” She could feel his alarm at the thought. “No, Mummy--not too big!” Cute! I like little Sammy! Bilbo's (and Frodo's) gift was perfect for Bell, and somehow it's typical of Bilbo to fear at first that she might not like it. In fact it was a treasure! The happiest moment of Bell's special day, however, was when she finally could *feel* the newest addition to her family :)
Author's reply
You are right there, Andrea. Feeling her coming Marigold making her first independent movements would have been the most delightful joy of all. Am so glad you feel I caught Bilbo right, and I can so imagine responsible little Sam wanting to think himself too big to be a faunt until he realized it's the right of a faunt to be cuddled! Thanks so very much!