What a wonderful gift to give - new life! And that gift from Primula, Frodo and Bilbo will indeed come in handy. Love most that Sam is not old for snuggling - thank God he never outgrew that! What a sweet thing for him to say, that he's better now that his mum is with him.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, a wonderful gift to share, and especially when that new life is conceived in an environment of mutual love and trust with the support of family and friends to see to it that new life is always supported. The Gaffer and Bell gave the Shire so many wonderful and capable children, all of whom enriched it, I am certain.
Sam was three when Marigold was born, according to the family trees, so it's a joy to think he'd be talking and wanting to be seen a proper lad, but still was glad when Mummy was there to see to his owies! Heh!
And Nerdanel's tools find a new keeper....
Thank you so, Antane!
6336
· 12 May 2009
· Chapter 5: A Mother's Day
Oh, what a lovely gift for Bell, for her last little flower for the Gaffer!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Am so glad you like it, Lynda! Thank you so!
shirebound
· 12 May 2009
· Chapter 5: A Mother's Day
"It’s a treasure as ye’d give her--a treasure fer one as is more’n a treasure fer me!”
There's so much love in this story. What a delight.
Author's reply
Well, I had to write a sequel of sorts for both "Dancing the New Year In" and "The Craft of the Elven Smith," after all. Yes, I'm certain that there was a good deal of love there in Number 3, Bagshot Row.
Thanks so, Shirebound.
Dreamflower
· 12 May 2009
· Chapter 5: A Mother's Day
I love this! I've always imagined Primula as gifted with a needle and well-known for her knitting, embroidery, etc. The idea that her workbox could go to Bell seems like a wonderful one! How delightful!
(And of course, Bilbo had to say it wasn't a birthday gift because it was after lunch, but we know, don't we? *grin*)
Author's reply
I, too, have thought that way as well, as you know, Dreamflower. And as I'd written part of this into "The Craft of the Elven Smith," I just had to do a sequel of sorts and tell how it was some of those wonderful things had come into the keeping of the Gamgees, with a crochet hook wrought by Nerdanel ending up crafting the shawl Merry commissioned from Marigold for his mother Esmeralda and perhaps the dragonfly blanket used by Frodo and later by Elanor as infants and toddlers.
Although technically it's just lunchtime, as Halfast is just preparing it in the kitchen as she and Bilbo speak! Heh!
Antane
· 5 May 2009
· Chapter 4: Changing Views on Wisdom
I love these - esp. Drogo's reaction in the first, Bilbo's dream of fireworks and turning over the Arkenstone, but I am most intrigued with what Elrond would have said about Frodo's heart - perhaps you could do more with that? :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
The turning over the Arkenstone to Bard was what made me love Bilbo. Here is this fussy little guy who is hired to serve as a professional burglar, and he's doing his best to stop a needless battle! He had more integrity than even he'd dreamed about! Now, that is someone with class!
And maybe I'll do something about Elrond commenting on how to deal with heart murmurs one day--but I keep being attacked by such virulent plotbunnies any more! Do I have room for yet another? Heh!
I'll think on it.
Kitty
· 4 May 2009
· Chapter 4: Changing Views on Wisdom
Rather fitting chapter title, Larner. Oh yes, the wisdom Bilbo brought with him back from his adventure was quite different from the one he had when he left. He learned so much while he was away in the wide world. He left Shire-wise and returned World-wise, so to speak - can't find a better way to express it.
And you managed to show this wisdom very well in these short pieces.
Author's reply
Glad you think so, Kitty! Yes, Bilbo's wisdom is changing to become that he teaches to Frodo, helping his heir to develop the great wisdom he will one day display! Thanks so!
Dreamflower
· 4 May 2009
· Chapter 4: Changing Views on Wisdom
Wonderful use of a drabble series to show the progression of time--and experience-- on Bilbo.
I love the beginning of it, with it's hobbity echoes of hobbit "Manners" and protocol, and the way in which Bilbo ceases to be dependable in a predictable way and gradually becomes more dependable in other ways.
And the end is both stark and hopeful. Indeed, It never quite had the hold It thought It did on the Bagginses...
Gandalf's own wisdom shines here as well...
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad I was able to convey that, and particularly the last one both concern and hope, as I'd intended! As for Gandalf's wisdom--well, that goes without saying!
Thanks so very much, Dreamflower!
Linda Hoyland
· 3 May 2009
· Chapter 4: Changing Views on Wisdom
A perceptive look at how Bilbo matured into greatness.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you find it so, Linda. Thank you!
shirebound
· 3 May 2009
· Chapter 4: Changing Views on Wisdom
Gandalf was humbled. Bilbo saw to the heart of the situation--there should be no such quarrel here, for were Thorin and the other Dwarves not caught in the spell of the dragon sickness they’d recognize the validity of the Men’s claim.
I like seeing this 'overview' of Bilbo's growth and inner nature.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you do, Shirebound! Thank you!
Queen Galadriel
· 27 March 2009
· Chapter 3: Dancing the New Year In
Awww so sweet! *grins*
Author's reply
Am so very glad you think so, my Lady!
And I ask your prayers for my friend Elizabeth, who has been found to have brain tumors and is going through difficulties as a result.
Queen Galadriel
· 27 March 2009
· Chapter 2: A Useful Gift
Miserable selfish thing. I find it hard to imagine that she could feel grief for the baby...but I guess that's harsh, since she did change later.
Author's reply
She may have been as self-centered as possible, but in the end she did find redemption. I am just so glad for both hers and Frodo's sakes that she did! And it was just plain FUN to imagine the original source of that umbrella of hers!
Indeed. I've always imagined the Ring had something to do with the decline of the Baggins family! No, he never knew.
Thanks so very much!
Kitty
· 15 January 2009
· Chapter 3: Dancing the New Year In
Wonderful look at Sam's parents and the deep love they share!
Author's reply
I am so glad you liked this, Kitty! To have given the world Sam they had to be special folk themselves; and who better to learn how to love his spouse and family from than Hamfast and Bell?
Thanks so very much!
Celeritas
· 14 January 2009
· Chapter 3: Dancing the New Year In
Hurrah for underappreciated pairings! Thank you so much for writing this; I love seeing hobbits in love.
Author's reply
Originally written for the A_L_E_C December challenge, to truly be anonymous it's probably best to touch on situations I've not examined before. There are three divisions in the A_L_E_C challenges, for General stories, stories that focus on Heterosexual pairings, and then for stories with slash elements. I tend to find most slash stories involving characters given heterosexual relationships by the original author to be offensive unless they are satirical in nature or MOST delicately written indeed. Therefore when I do put a decided sexual theme into a story, it tends to be between those characters I am reasonably certain HAD such a relationship to start with. And I truly believe that Sam Gamgee had to have had a marvelous example in marital love on all levels in his own parents--don't you agree?
Am so glad you enjoyed this!
Linda Hoyland
· 13 January 2009
· Chapter 3: Dancing the New Year In
I liked the way you portrayed the Hobbit enjoyment of children and other homely pleasures in life.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Linda. There must have been such love between these two!
shirebound
· 10 January 2009
· Chapter 3: Dancing the New Year In
her heart filled with her love for him
It's wonderful to see the Gamgees enraptured with one another, and wanting to fill their household with even more children to love.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you like it, Shirebound. And we know that Sam had to learn love from example, after all!
Thank you!
Soledad
· 12 August 2008
· Chapter 2: A Useful Gift
You beat me with the Bilbo's return story - and will I ever manage to continue Elf-root? - but my, was this funny! I loved everyone giving Lobelia the cold shoulder... and how her thievery has brought unexpected fruit, after all.
How on EArth do you manage to write so much? I so envy you for this gift.
Author's reply
Well, will you manage to complete Elf-root? Come onn! Write it!
I just write too much, although the two challenge pieces have been finished for almost a month, just sitting there, and I had to write the first one posted here cuz I had written the second one....
I need to get back into edit mode now....
Thanks, Soledad.
Antane
· 12 August 2008
· Chapter 2: A Useful Gift
Second, he no longer seemed to think he was required to be predictable.
I do love Bilbo! Frodo is my soul-mate but Bilbo is a lovely role model too for me. :) I do long to be unpredictable and have adventures.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Just make certain to keep your integrity intact as Bilbo did! Heh! That will see you through!
Kitty
· 12 August 2008
· Chapter 2: A Useful Gift
Well, Bilbo did lose his good reputation after his adventure, but he didn’t deserve *these* relatives, no matter how disreputable he was in their eyes (I’ll not mention that I see the matter a bit different ;-)). I can’t help it, but every time I see her sneaking around and stealing or slandering someone, I’m practically fuming. Well, at least she got caught this time – yay for Bess having no qualms about searching her bodice! But I’m not happy about the spoons in the umbrella.
Sometimes I get the feeling Lobelia has stolen together half of her household! Did she send these things back to the true owners after her release from the Lockholes, after getting back what could be saved from the ruffians, I wonder?
This makes me wonder how Aragorn would have dealt with her if things had been different. She’d probably driven even him to distraction *shakes head*
Author's reply
NO ONE deserves relatives like Otho and Lobelia! No one!
We know that those silver spoons went missing--now we know the specifics of it!
As for how Aragorn would have dealt with her, that is indeed a subject for speculation.
Linda Hoyland
· 11 August 2008
· Chapter 2: A Useful Gift
I'm sue Lobelia has a fixation on spoons! I loved the way you descibed the now popular view of Bilbo.
Author's reply
She certainly seemed to have such a fixation. And we know that Bilbo was nowhere as popular after his adventure as before, of course.
Thanks so for the feedback.
A chilling and fascinating look at how the One Ring might have sought to influence Bilbo over those years. And even if It could not fill him with horrible negative emotions then it could still work Its evil will in other ways. That poor baby.
Now I'm starting to have a horrible suspicion that the Ring may have had something to do with the deaths of Frodo's parents. *shudder*
Author's reply
I'm honored, Baggins Babe. Yes, it had to have tried to influence Bilbo, and I suspect this isn't the only baby it sought to destroy. And I suspect it might well have helped in the deaths of Frodo's parents.
Thanks so for the feedback.
Raksha The Demon
· 11 August 2008
· Chapter 1: Curses Fulfilled
That Ring must have been quite frustrated in Bilbo's posession for all those years, not being able to corrupt Bilbo into nastiness, tyranny or greed, or get any closer to Mordor and its maker. No wonder the nasty little bauble lashed out at other hobbits! Now you've got me wondering if it ever tried to corrupt Gaffer Gamgee.
Author's reply
I agree, Raksha. As for how it might have tried acting on the Gaffer or old Holman--that's an idea to be considered, although I loved Dreamflower's story of Holman deciding it was time to retire when he managed to glimpse Bilbo slipping it off when he'd used it to disappear from the S-Bs.
Thanks so much for the feedback!
harrowcat
· 11 August 2008
· Chapter 1: Curses Fulfilled
This is a wow of a chapter Larner. You have caught the menace of the Ring perfectly. Looking forward to tonight to read your next offering!
Author's reply
Am glad you feel that way, Harrowcat. I would think that the Shire would be totally antithecal to Its nature!
Thanks for the feedback.
Kitty
· 10 August 2008
· Chapter 1: Curses Fulfilled
Fascinating story, Larner, to see something of the time between Bilbo's finding of the ring and the Ring War from the POV of It. Oh yes, I can imagine how frustrated the Ring was because Bilbo wasn't so easily influenced as Gollum was and made no move to bring it back to Sauron.
As for Lobelia - it is an interesting and not even so far-fetched thought that It influenced her and enhanced her already bad character. She certainly was at her best worst here! And to think that It tried to touch her child and she lost it as a consequence ... well, I am sorry for the child, but admittedly not exactly for Lobelia ...
Well, at least *one* of Lobelia's and Otho's had the presence of mind to be angry at the fact how she talked about Teron in spite of not being any better herself (not to mention she truly did it, contrary to poor Teron!) Longo's swift calculation was certainly a surprise - and his reaction rather satisfying :D
Author's reply
Thanks, Kitty. It was an interesting exercise, to imagine the reaction of the Ring to being in a place such as the Shire. And am so glad you appreciate Longo's reaction in the end.
I'd written a story for the LOTR Community challenge, and with Dreamflower's help realized I'd made a MAJOR boo-boo in thinking of Lotho's birthdate (and the ages of certain other Hobbits as well--I really need to pay more attention to the birthdates in the family trees at times!). So, I started thinking on what might have happened to the child Lobelia might have carried at the time, and this story is what happened. The other story will be posted this evening, as that's when it will be posted on the challenge site, along with a second story that I wrote from a very different POV.
Linda Hoyland
· 10 August 2008
· Chapter 1: Curses Fulfilled
The Ring must have had a nasty shock when it encountered Bilbo!
The poor baby.Some things never change,alas.
Author's reply
And if it thinks Bilbo's a hard nut to crack, wait until it passes to Frodo! He must have driven it to distraction! Seems in many ways easier to influence, yet with a strength It had never thought to see in Mortals. These Hobbit creatures must have boggled Its precious little golden mind.