Reviews of Unnatural Appetites?

non · 23 December 2012 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Thank goodness for such a story as this. I love how in-character you made all the interaction and reaction. I really don't understand the idea of pairing people up just because they're even remotely in the same room and I thought this a great rebuttal.

Author's reply

I know. I've not understood all of the equating of the love those in the Fellowship knew for one another for sexual love myself. Am so glad you enjoyed this! I do think that Frodo in particular would have been upset by such rumors.

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 25 April 2010 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

O Larner! What a wonderful rebuttal to those...*ideas* about Frodo and Aragorn. This is well done indeed and it was most entertaining to hear about Frodo's past...especially at the end when he realizes he's been called on to instruct, rather than to learn. But...oddly enough, my favorite scene was Frodo attacking the cheese. I once wrote a poem about grating cheese in a blender, from the cheese's point of view...yes, okay, that was strange, but the Muse does what the Muse will. Whirling blades of death...LOL. Anyway. Well done! Kaylee

Author's reply

I am so glad you appreciate it, Kaylee. And I had to have Frodo in a true temper at least once! Heh! Thanks so!

KatherineBaggins · 3 February 2009 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

I feel so bad for poor Frodo. I get what Aragorn was doing, but it seemed so, wrong of him. Will there be more to this piece? I hope so, I greatly enjoyed it! Thanks so much!

Author's reply

Oh, heavens--it's been a time since I checked this one! There is more to add to this story, but life has been too full and at times cruel lately, and I find I have too many irons in the fire at the moment. I hope to one day add on the other chapters, but have only two more done and a few more to write. Thanks so much for the feedback.

Grumpy · 11 October 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Graet story, from the guard who now smokes downwind, and Frodo's learning that olives grow on trees and not bushes. I imagine the pots are getting another beating from Frodo when he gets home.

Author's reply

Thanks so, Grumpy--and I strongly suspect you are right! Heh! But the next chapters will be coming up probably starting next week, as I have two chapters now being worked on, one each for Stirring Rings and The Tenant from Staddle, and have just finished two challenge pieces. Again, thanks for the feedback.

lotrgirl1415 · 11 October 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Is it wrong that I LOVE angry!Frodo? The Ringbearer’s expression went very still and proper, and he looked, Aragorn thought, every one of his fifty years. D8 Poor Frodo… This story is wonderful so far! Wow. It’s been SOOO long since I’d been on SOA. I’ve slipped into the HOUSE MD fandom… Then the last few days have missed LOTR…so here I am reading LOTR fics again! :-D! DO you have a LiveJournal where you post your stories or any LJ LOTR fic community recommendations for me? So I can follow you updates more productively? Thanks so much! Looking forward to your next update! ---Katie

Author's reply

I have a LiveJournal, but don't post much in the way of my LOTR fics there, although a couple have been posted there. I do take part in the A_Long_Expected_Contest and the LOTR Community challenges, the latter being a monthly posting of a single story or two, and the former being much the same but being anonymous until the weeks of competition are through. Both of those are hosted at LiveJournal. All my work is eventually posted here, at FanFiction.net, at TolkienFanFiction.com, and as Henneth-Annun.net. I have an account at TheLastShip.com, but don't have much posted there, and some of my works are archived at West-of-the-Moon.com, although that archive stopped accepting postings last winter. It's basically just a read-only archive at this point, but as all that's posted there is posted elsewhere, it's rather foolish to go there to read what could be read here or at FF.n or TTF. I'm tempted to look into the House stories, as I truly like the irascible diagnostician; but haven't done anything to date as my mind is working overtime with LOTR still. I do have a friend who has begged an HP story, so am considering writing one for him that would probably end up at FF.n, but I doubt I'd join any HP-only archive at this time, so it would probably only be posted there as a public veue. I'll be working on this particular story again probably next week. Am working right now on chapters for "Stirring Rings" and "The Tenant from Staddle," for the next chapters for these two stories are intertwined. And I have an angry-Faramir story to match this one to write for Raksha the Demon, who asked this for her birthday, although I think that one might end up being written to add to this series. I suspect that each of the chapters that go into this "story" will be able to stand alone, but together will describe the entire situation--or maybe not. My mind has several scenarios working within it at the moment, and how precisely each will manifest I'm still not certain. And I, too love to see angry-Frodo from time to time, obviously, and it was fun to let him have a bit of a temper-tantrum here! Thanks for the feedback!

Agape4Gondor · 6 October 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

I read this late at night, really enjoyed it, but found myself too tired to even say Great! Now it's 3am and I'm definitely ready for bed, but I HAD to stop and say - wow and this was great. I truly loved poor Frodo's discomfiture... and the growing bond of friendship. I truly hope Aragorn did not sever it too badly. Great tale!

Author's reply

Am so glad you did enjoy it. I tried to make the situation as true as possible. Thanks so, even if you were tired. I've been sleeping erratically, and so have been up reading at odd hours, too.

Baggins Babe · 4 October 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

I love the description of Frodo in a temper! Sounds most impressive and no wonder Pip refused to go in and find out whu the Ringbearer was bashing pots and punishing that poor inoffensive piece of cheese! Sneaky Aragorn to find such a clever way to smother the rumours but I don't envy him. I just hope the remaining pots and crocks survive.

Author's reply

To have Frodo in two such snits in two days--that might just be more than the guesthouse might expect to survive! Heh!

Andrea · 3 October 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

From what we know about Frodo from the books he must have been a good-looking gentle-hobbit, "fairer than most" as Tolkien puts it (although in the German translation "fair" becomes "blond", referring to the hair colour, which I simply don't believe :)) So naturally there must have been lots of lasses who fell in love with him, or believed they did. And Frodo as I imagine him returned their attention. As you already know I would have liked to see Frodo marry Narcissa. Finally, I agree with the other reviewers, Aragorn will be in great trouble!

Author's reply

We know from "A Knife in the Dark" that Frodo's hair was brown and probably a rather distinctive brown as when they found the brown mat that matched his hair color they brought it to show him before using it to serve as the hair for the dummy Hobbits put into the beds in the Prancing Pony. Then the next morning that mat was found to have been torn to shreds when it was proven it wasn't Frodo's hair after all. "Fair" can mean "fair-haired" OR it can mean "fair-skinned" or both, or it may mean "fair to look at," or particularly handsome. I tend to suspect he had both fair skin and was rather good looking, so I agree with you. And you know I suspect many hobbit ladies and girls were drawn to him, and perhaps a woman or two he might have met in Gondor--maybe even an elleth or two! Oh, yes, I suspect Aragorn is indeed in trouble! I'd intended this originally as a single-chapter story, but it's working at me! But I'm NOT posting any more of it until I get the next chapter of "Stirring Rings" posted. I'm working on it.

Linda Hoyland · 2 October 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Poor Frodo and Aragorn to be the subject of such disgusting and slandererous gossip.I had hoped the people of M-e were better than modern scandalmongers. Aragorn's plan was very clever.

Author's reply

There have always been those who see the worst possible in any situation, and the one in the goldenrod cloak is one of those. At least he's now been disabused. Am so glad Aragorn's plan worked, although now he has to apologize to Frodo.

Grey Wonderer · 1 October 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

This is very interesting. I am certain that Claudia is really enjoying this one. I do like thinking that Frodo was much sought-after by the young lasses of the Shire. I love it when the members of the Fellowship exchange histories and stories.

Author's reply

She was most vociferous with her delight, so I get the feeling Claudia is very pleased with it. (With a wink and a grin!) And I've often felt that as Master of Bag End and the Hill Froro would have been seen as most eligible; and as one who'd been orphaned early in his life he would have wished to form a happy family of his own as is true of most in his situation I've dealt with over the years, including my own adopted daughter. That the Ring would have had something to do with him remaining a bachelor just still seems likely; and with his character that It would have tried to make him a pervert and he fought that and so avoided attachments from when It came to him seems so possible a scenario! Am so glad you like the thought of the members of the Fellowship opening up now!

Antane · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Unnatural indeed and right for Frodo to be so furious. The poor cheese though. That little chat was sneaky of Aragorn but certainly cleared the matter up all right, though he is going to have a bit of a problem calming Frodo down this time perhaps. Why can't people just accept that true love exists outside the sexual? It would have never happened otherwise. Maybe they are just jealous and wish they could be loved too in a natural way but don't know such can exist. Cute crushes of Aragorn. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author's reply

The cheese has been abused, hasn't it? Now, if Aragorn can win Frodo's forgiveness.... And am glad you enjoyed Aragorn's crushes--I felt he deserved one or two of them.

Anonymous · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Oh, Aragorn's going to be in such trouble...

Author's reply

Oh, yes--I rather suspect he is. Heh!

Edlyn · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Oh, very well written and sneaky, sneaky Aragorn. I loved hearing about Aragorn's youthful crushes and about Frodo's romances before the Ring stole that from him. Pippin's response to the suggestion he go into the kitchen when Frodo is angry was priceless. Only one thing caught my eye in a "bad" way. You said that the merchant referred to Frodo as being Aragorn's "catamount". The term is actually "catamite". A catamount is a mountain lion. I suspect you know that but your word processor didn't and autmatically "corrected" it. Silly computers. You have so much going on in this story without ever falling into the trap of laundry-list descriptions. I really appreciate a writer who can do that. More please? Edlyn

Author's reply

It was rather fun to write this, once it finally got going. I remember reading someone's story a few years ago in which young Estel was writing bad poetry to a blond Elf maiden, and that sort of sneaked up on me and required referencing here. And I think Pippin is a wise enough fool to know when to avoid Frodo! Thanks for the catch on catamount/catamite. I must admit this time it was an internal brain burp. I appreciate that so much. Not silly computers this time--it's sluggish brain! As for continuing on with this thread.... Hmmm. But I am TRYING to get on with Stirring Rings.... Thanks so.

mews1945 · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

A most enjoyable story. I loved Frodo's display of temper, and Pippin's gossiping about Frodo's romances. And Aragorn's rather sly way of instructing the merchants about his and Frodo's true relationship. Very well done.

Author's reply

Am so glad you feel that way, Mews. And if anyone ought to be allowed to have a temper tantrum at least once in a while, it ought to be Frodo! Aragorn is a devious soul--but he WAS raised by Elves, after all. Thanks!

Kitty · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Uh, when troll-slayer Pippin refuses to go anywhere near a angry Frodo, it has to be really bad! To my shame I have to admit that I laughed about the way Frodo treated the kitchen inventory. Poor pots and crockery! Well, I guess it's better he's taking out his fury on these than drawing back into himself and feeling bad. And I loved the matter of the Grove *grin* Pippin really seems to look at Aragorn as at least a honorary, though a bit overgrown, Hobbit to forget he can't understand that without any explanation. Though I have to admit, Frodo has every right to be furious at these men, to mistake his friendship with Aragorn so badly. Really, they could have had the idea that the King might have a lady love somewhere in the North, which he certainly would not have brought with him in the Fellowship *shakes head* That was an interesting talk, though it has to be rather embarassing for Frodo to realise they were overheard by these men - and that Aragorn did that deliberate. Hmmm ... it's not enough. May I hope these guys at least *never* get any orders from the Citadel for their goods after that? It would serve them right.

Author's reply

Oh, I agree--Pippin knows that discretion is the better part of valor. And it was nice to let Frodo have a good, old-fashioned temper tantrum, complete with slamming doors and cupboards and using sharp blades on helpless wedges of cheese! But to have a close friendship labeled an affair like that--it must have been very embarrassing, although to have Aragorn do what he did must have been pretty bad as well. And you're right--the fact it was deliberate could indeed make it worse. At least the one in the golden cloak has now been embarrassed himself. I think he has some big-time apologizing to do. And thanks so for the detailed feedback!

harrowcat · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Wonderfully written and I loved the humour that shone through. I also find myself dreadfully disappointed with Aragorn that he would even consider putting Frodo in the position of having such private things overheard. I think that i am with Gandalf in this. (But it is a mark of your genius as a writer that I am so upset with him. Not with you at all my dear Larner!)

Author's reply

I'm rather with Gandalf, too; but I can also understand why Aragorn did it this way. And that you want to chew out the King is so wonderful! I'm so flattered! Thanks so, Harrowcat--and love to Jet and the folks!

Celeritas · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Hurrah! Now if we can only allow the characters to have such discreet conversations in the presence of modern-day "Of course it's canon!" types...

Author's reply

Am so glad you liked it. It was fun to let Frodo express his anger in this one. As for the "Of course it's canon!" types--well, I've had my own arguments from time to time, although I actually like some odd things I've read, when they are presented very tastefully presented or are intended to be humorous. Most of it just doesn't appeal to me at all, though.

shirebound · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

How very clever of Aragorn, putting an end to rumors about both Frodo's preferences and his own in one artful conversation.

Author's reply

Yes, quite clever as well as done in a manner unlikely to blow up in his face from a public relations POV, although I suspect he'll have a job getting Frodo to forgive him. Thanks so, Shirebound.

SurgicalSteel · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Oh, I love this very much - the nasty rumors, and Frodo's anger (the cheese! What a phenomenal detail!), and Aragorn's sly way of defusing the rumors (because a flat denial would have only fanned the flame) and Frodo storming back off to do more damage to the kitchen - OH, and Aragorn's boyhood crushes! Wonderful, and I'm sure Claudia will love it!

Author's reply

I agree about a flat denial being more likely to backfire than anything else. This way the men are more likely to believe what they've learned, particularly as they see Frodo going off in high dudgeon. Am so glad you like the cheese, although I'll admit I'd at first thought of an onion or celery--there's something so satisfying about cutting up something crisp when you're miffed! And it was fun to think up the type of person young Aragorn might have been drawn to, of course. The blond Elf was inspired by a story I read some time ago about young Estel writing bad love poems to an elleth with blond hair, and I've finally found a story I could reference that one in--hope the original writer enjoys it. And Claudia was the first to review this, and appears to have truly enjoyed it! Thanks so for the feedback.

6336 · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

A persons preferances are just that, theirs. As long as nobody underage is involved, who gives a flying fig what they do, it is their own buisness! O.K. climbing down from soap box!. What a neat way to deal with this situation, no out right denials were made, but it was made clear that both Frodo and Aragorn have 'normal' tastes! I think a few faces will be red when Arwen makes her appearance! Good tale, More please, Lynda

Author's reply

I agree about personal preferences and predilictions, and have known some very committed gay couples over the years who've been far more devoted to one another than many heterosexual couples I could name. But Tolkien indicated that most of his folk were monogamous and heterosexual, so that's how I write his more blessed races--the Dunedain, the Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits. And the arrival of Arwen will certainly put to rest speculation on Aragorn's tastes! Heh!

Dreamflower · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

This was really well-handled. You diffused the serious content with some really well-placed humor. I just loved Aragorn's surprise at hearing Frodo banging around in the kitchen--and Pippin! Oh, Pippin was delightful in this--I loved his trepidation at facing Frodo in a temper. A troll is one thing, but not an angry Baggins!! LOL! I also loved his fury when he heard what had made Frodo angry--good thing that the slanderer was nowhere in his vicinity at the time. I also liked him "forgetting" that Strider was not a hobbit--something I think he and Merry tended to do about their "Big" friends from time to time. I also loved that both Frodo's and Aragorn's "first crushes" were mainly motivated by food, *grin* Maybe Pippin's not far wrong and Aragorn *is* part hobbit! Aragorn's ruse in getting his and Frodo's conversation overheard by those particular Men was clever, though I thought it realistic to have Frodo angry about it at the end--even if it was done with the intention of setting someone straight, he would not enjoy having an audience for such a private conversation. But he'll get over his temper, eventually, and realize it was for the best. I'd enjoy seeing the slanderer realize that somehow his gossip had displeased the new King. Loss of business would probably teach him to curb his malicious tongue. Perhaps an eventual follow-up is in order, so we can see him get his come-uppance.

Author's reply

I'm so glad you feel I handled the situation correctly. I am honored! This would only work with a fair amount of humor, I thought. And Pippin is sufficiently familiar with what Frodo could do if truly riled to know when it's best to stay away, but would be right there immediately if he realized Frodo has good reason to be upset, and particularly if he feels Frodo's honor has been impugned. The Hobbits have become so close to Aragorn now--of course he'll be seen as a disguised Hobbit at times by them, I think! That was particularly satisfying to contemplate, actually. And face it--little boys do tend to think a good deal with their stomachs! Am so glad you, too, felt it realistic for Frodo to be angry--for so private a person as he is to have his love-life laid open to a boor like the one in the gold cloak must have been excruciatingly painful, I'd think. And the slanderer has had to face the truth, and realize his indiscretions are known to the King. Not a good situation to be in. He must be waiting for the other shoe to fall.... Thank you so for the feedback!

Claudia · 30 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Unnatural Appetites?

Oh, brava, brava!!!! *claps delightedly* What a brilliant king King Elessar is to come up with that idea to diffuse those er...rumours!!! :)) (which of course in a long ago AU in another universe would not just be rumours, haha!) This was very delightful and it also brought to mind your other fic (the one that I started earlier this summer and need to get back to) about Narcissa and Frodo! Thank you so much for writing this for me!!!

Author's reply

You are most welcome! Heh! I find myself with a level of compassion for poor Frodo, though, having his deepest emotions laid out for strangers to see. I hope he didn't fling the next bowl he broke across the kitchen! Heh!

Reviews (22)