Kitty
· 5 August 2010
· Chapter 23: Origin of the Species
Oh yeah, sounds very like hobbits in general would do - don't think about a mythical past, live in the now and here. Only some more philosophical and educated ones like Bilbo would ever think about it. Of course, the rabbit theory isn't to be taken seriously ;)
Hm, true, hobbits were supposed to be close to men, but one has still to wonder about the details.
Author's reply
*nods* Of course that is the way most hobbits are. And even for Bilbo and Dinodas, the discussion was more for their own entertainment than anything that bothered them. As for the rabbit theory, I'm sure Bilbo had a lot of fun making that one up!
My own personal take is that hobbits were created *as* hobbits-- their kinship to Men being spiritual rather than physical.
Kitty
· 5 August 2010
· Chapter 22: A Logical Conclusion
Frodo's right, the Ainulindalë doesn't say anything about hobbits. No wonder he was wondering if they were made out of necessity. And he's certainly putting the facts in a way that things look suspicious.
Author's reply
Well, of course, story-externally, JRRT had not even thought them up yet. And a story-internal examination of the history of the Third Age certainly looks suspcious, doesn't it?
And yet,knowing that Eru had all of the Music in mind from the beginning, I cannot imagine that such delightful creatures as hobbits would be left out!
Kitty
· 5 August 2010
· Chapter 21: Frodo Takes a Walk
Ah, good, it looks like Gandalf is going to give him some answers. I really hope he can give Frodo his peace of mind back.
Author's reply
He will certainly try.
Kitty
· 5 August 2010
· Chapter 20: Gandalf Considers
Good reasoning on Gandalf's part why Frodo reacts so differently than Bilbo. He's right in his assessment, I think.
Author's reply
Indeed!
Kitty
· 5 August 2010
· Chapter 19: Time Out
Well, Frodo, who went through so much, has probably more reason to be upset than Bilbo. Let's see if Gandalf can help here.
Author's reply
He did go through much worse than Bilbo did. But I also think that Bilbo's nature was much less prone to introspection than was Frodo's. Which is not to say he was less intelligent, but that he was much less prone to self-examination. (I see him as a good deal like Pippin in that regard.)
Certainly Gandalf can help.
Kitty
· 5 August 2010
· Chapter 18: Memory
Yes, that was what I thought Frodo might be feeling when he left so abruptly. When one puts these quotes together like he did, he *had* to feel like a pawn.
Author's reply
Yes, I am sure that he did. In truth, these are questions that readers of LotR also ask. I've read more than one fic in which either Gandalf or the Powers are accused of manipulating Frodo's life. I thought I might deal with that subject here.
Kitty
· 5 August 2010
· Chapter 17: Troubling Questions
Leave it to Frodo to notice and ask the tough questions. Considering not only his intelligence, but his personal history, it's not so surprising that he thinks along that line, isn't it?
Author's reply
Yes, he would ask the "tough questions" and expect the true answers as well! And you are right, his personal history definitely contributes to the sort he's asking!
Antane
· 4 August 2010
· Chapter 28: In the Beginning
That's so neat that Frodo and Mirimë are able to give each other some enjoyment and begin to heal from long held pain.
(Did you get my request for the August challenge? I haven't received anything.)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Indeed, I always intended it to be mutual!
(I was puzzled by your question. I thought I had sent it-- checked my email, and it was still in my draft folder! I never hit "send". You should have it now!)
Andrea
· 3 August 2010
· Chapter 28: In the Beginning
Wonderful! By talking about happy childhood memories they help each other heal!
This line about Tuk reminded me instantly of Pippin:
Perhaps it was the lightness of his spirit, which refused to be quenched by adversity.
Like (fore-)father, like son!
Author's reply
They will help one another a great deal!
*grin* Yes, I'm sure it did! Pippin was the quintessential Took!
Larner
· 3 August 2010
· Chapter 28: In the Beginning
I love how each is helping the other remember without the burden of the pain of loss. And how wonderful that in the lonely years when Bilbo is gone on, Frodo will have one here who will know just what it means to be a Hobbit! Even she cannot fully appreciate the full meaning of mortality, but has a closer understanding than anyone else, save Gandalf.
Author's reply
She will be of an immense help to Frodo and to Bilbo, as will they be for her!
No, she has never been mortal, but she has borne mortal burden.
Lindelea
· 3 August 2010
· Chapter 28: In the Beginning
Ah, but Tûk reminds me of Bilbo, and Frodo, and Pippin...
Author's reply
*grin* Uh-huh...
Larner
· 2 August 2010
· Chapter 27: An Eye-opener and No Mistake
And knowing Gandalf, he is most smug about being able to share this news now and amazing Elrond, and most humble about having been in the know.
Elrond must be shaking his head in shock--and with a certain sense of deja vu! Heh! What news?
Author's reply
Oh yes, Gandalf is quite smug here.
And yes, he's quite shocked. Imagine, he's gone through two Ages of the world thinking that his family are all quite special due to their descent from Melian and now he learns that nearly all hobbits are descended from another Maia! LOL!
Andrea
· 2 August 2010
· Chapter 27: An Eye-opener and No Mistake
“A hobbit.” Elrond sighed. “So much for the pride of the peredhil.”
*Grins*
I would like to see an astonished Elrond. Or maybe "flabbergasted" is an even better word?
Hobbits are very special! Why else would we like to spend so much time with them :-)
Author's reply
Oh yes, flabbergasted works well.
Hobbits are very special! Why else would we like to spend so much time with them :-)
*nods*grins back*
GamgeeFest
· 2 August 2010
· Chapter 27: An Eye-opener and No Mistake
An eye opener indeed! *We* always knew there was something special about hobbits, but this is unexpected to say the least. I enjoyed Elrond's speechlessness as much as Gandalf did.
Author's reply
Of course we did, LOL!
It's not often that Elrond can be surprised. *grin*
Larner
· 31 July 2010
· Chapter 26: On the Sea-strand (part two)
Well, of course she does! How perfect that dual realization--that she and Gandalf are indeed akin, and that she loves being a Hobbit! Perfect!
Author's reply
Adamanta/Mirime and Gandalf are alike in many ways-- the most important, of course, is in loving hobbits! But also, both are attached to the bodies they have inhabited, and are willing to allow those bodies to have and show the frailties common to the Secondborn, in order to enjoy the feelings and sensations of those bodies.
Larner
· 31 July 2010
· Chapter 25: On the Sea-strand, (part one)
How beautiful the encounter--the Maia/Hobbit and the wistful Ringbearer, himself hardly more substantial in his white trousers and shirt of finest lawn than the foam of the sea.
Author's reply
I knew Frodo was going to come along-- I was quite surprised at his attire! I hadn't expected *that*, but the picture was quite clear in my mind.
Andrea
· 31 July 2010
· Chapter 26: On the Sea-strand (part two)
She sounded so much like his mother.
And I'd say she also *looked* like his mother would have looked if she still had lived at that age.
Frodo's urge to ask questions is now stilled. So, I wonder if he will allow Adamanta to be like a mother to him. For that would also contribute to his healing.
Author's reply
Perhaps-- I imagine her as looking like a number of the female relatives Frodo knew, his mother included-- but not exactly like any of them.
Well, he will still have an urge to question, but not the same sorts of quetions that were troubling him. More the sorts that are sheer curiousity! And Adamanta will try to mother him, at any rate!
Antane
· 30 July 2010
· Chapter 26: On the Sea-strand (part two)
Yes, it would be nice to be one, so close to nature and feeling it physically and spiritually and all that. No wonder she likes it! :) And thank God for his Tookish curiousity.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I think hobbits have a much more earthy nature, as well, than do Elves! And Tookish curiousity is quite a blessing!
Antane
· 30 July 2010
· Chapter 25: On the Sea-strand, (part one)
So young and so beautiful! :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Indeed!
GamgeeFest
· 29 July 2010
· Chapter 26: On the Sea-strand (part two)
She would have loved to have met Pippin! Tooks really do ask a lot questions, don't they?
Author's reply
I think she and Pippin would have gotten on just fine! He's got the full bump of Tookish curiousity!
Soledad
· 18 July 2010
· Chapter 24: The Truth Shall Set You Free
Hmmm... Gandalf still seems to have the bad habit of raising more questions than the answers he gives - if any! I'm curious how you're going to entangle this particular web.
Author's reply
Well, of course, by now you have seen. But you are quite right-- Gandalf's always been cagey about giving answers!
Soledad
· 18 July 2010
· Chapter 19: Time Out
Heh! A jewel among Hobbits indeed! I knew there was a reason why I fell for him nearly thirty years ago!
Author's reply
Oh, I know! I was so taken with Bilbo when I read The Hobbit! He really is a wonderful hobbit!
Soledad
· 18 July 2010
· Chapter 18: Memory
Ouch! Not exactly pleasant considerations. I can understand Frodo, though. The Powers are way too manipulative sometimes for us, lesser beings.
Author's reply
Well, taking the facts of the history of the Third Age into account, it seems an only too logical conclusion to come to...
Soledad
· 18 July 2010
· Chapter 17: Troubling Questions
Oh-oh. Frodo is seriously ticked off. That can't be good!
Author's reply
Yep. Not good. But only to be expected at this point in time.
Soledad
· 18 July 2010
· Chapter 15: Encounter Among the Trees (part 2)
Oh, they shall see Elves again all right! Even Silvan Elves, aplenty. *g*
Author's reply
They will. It's canon that they learned a lot from the Elves!