Only a Second or Two by Larner
Agape4Gondor · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 4: I Want to Be Just Like ...
Ah - good old Belladonna - and her da.... Delightful tale!
Author's reply
Yes, in the end more responsible for Bilbo's character than any might have dreamed--other than a horrified Bungo, of course! Heh!
Lindelea · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 4: I Want to Be Just Like ...
Awww. I love the descriptions. Belladonna sounds fun! Hmm. It seems as if Bilbo had buried that adventurous spark pretty deep by the time Gandalf came a-knocking, 30 or 40 years later... but it's nice to see the seeds of it growing in the early days. Thanks!
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree that Belladonna does sound fun. We know that Bilbo had limited himself to vicarious adventures through reading as of the arrival of Gandalf on his doorstep to be greeted with several different meanings of "Good morning!" But indeed the seeds were still vital! And thank YOU!
shirebound · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 4: I Want to Be Just Like ...
LOL, "Your son"!
Author's reply
Glad this is giving giggles. And at moments like this, when Bilbo was being most Tookish in his play, he must have seemed very much Belladonna's son, after all! Heh! Thanks, Shirebound.
Cairistiona · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 4: I Want to Be Just Like ...
Hee hee! Bravo! Love that last line!
Author's reply
(Larner walks center stage and gives a most wonderful curtsey and accepts the bouquet!) And that last line was one of those that just wrote itself!
Kitty · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 4: I Want to Be Just Like ...
Very appropriate way to play for a young Hobbit, if you ask me *lol* But who would have thought Bilbo would end up not only playing that, but *living* through exact that sort of adventure? ;)
Author's reply
Oh, I agree. Except for prosaic Bungo at times both his wife and his son must have appeared almost frighteningly imaginative and spontaneous! Heh! And then for Bilbo indeed to have had precisely that adventure in real life--that would have been very alarming, of course. But we have to hope that somehow Bilbo did get some practice in before he went out into the real world! Heh! Thanks so for the comments, Kitty!
Kitty · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 3: An Unexpected Gift
How very thoughtful of the Gaffer's family to send that book to Frodo! No doubt he would appreciate it more than any other Hobbit, save maybe Bilbo and Sam with his penchant for Elves. And it's really sweet of your colleague to give you that book! :)
Author's reply
Oh, but I do agree with you, Kitty--Sam would undoubtedly have liked it as well. Then they could have kept it in the family--although it WILL come back to Sam again eventually, of course! And I've rarely been so surprised and touched by a gift before!
Kitty · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 2: From a Guardsman's Letter Home
Have to agree with the guardsman. That must have been one of the most boring duties one could find in the whole of Gondor ;) I wonder if it was a bit better with the new White Tree and under the King's rule?
Author's reply
Obviously it was the most boring, tedious job I could imagine. But I suspect that with a living Tree that reacted to those about it somewhat he will find it then a good deal less tedious. Good question, Kitty!
Kitty · 4 March 2009 · Chapter 1: Reasons During the Quest to be Grateful
Dear Bilbo - he can't have known back then how very useful and important this lesson would be for Sam so many years later!
Author's reply
It's possible he might have had an inkling, of course; but mostly I think he would have just learned that such skills were indeed useful, and one he picked up himself because he had to during his journey with the Dwarves.
Queen Galadriel · 3 March 2009 · Chapter 3: An Unexpected Gift
Oh what a wonderful gift for Frodo - and for you! The Letters are a treasure, what a privilege to get those glimpses into Tolkien's brilliant and very human mind. :) I'll certainly never forget the person who went out of her way to help me get a copy, long before it was available on Bookshare. :) Happy reading!
Author's reply
Aren't people wonderful, what they'll do when they're inspired? And am glad all appreciate the unexpected gift for Frodo.
inzilbeth · 3 March 2009 · Chapter 3: An Unexpected Gift
What wonderful gifts - for both Frodo and yourself. I hope you enjoy!
Author's reply
Thanks, Inzilbeth. And I AM enjoying mine!
Andrea · 3 March 2009 · Chapter 3: An Unexpected Gift
That was the perfect gift for Frodo and it shows how much the whole Gamgee family likes him! Apropos Gamgee, now that you are a proud owner of Tolkien's Letters you should read Letter #184, which is also a very unexpected one :)
Author's reply
Indeed, Andrea. And thank you so very much. I will do that as soon as I can.
Agape4Gondor · 3 March 2009 · Chapter 3: An Unexpected Gift
You do know, of course, that all we write is because Elves wrote it and Tolkien found the book! Bless you - this was delightful and what an incredible gift for you!!!
Author's reply
Ah, so you believe in Elvislushion, do you? Heh! Thank you so very much, Agape. And I agree--very much an incredible gift for me!
Antane · 3 March 2009 · Chapter 3: An Unexpected Gift
What a wonderful gift for Frodo! And for you! Abraham Lincoln said something like my best friend is someone who gives me a book I haven't read. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Indeed, Antane. I have so MANY books, and it's always a joy to get a new one I want!
Lindelea · 3 March 2009 · Chapter 3: An Unexpected Gift
Aw, lovely! What a thoughtful gift! (in both cases) I remember you mentioning the "Letters" on your last visit, and so I smiled with delight to hear of your unexpected blessing.
Author's reply
I was going to save part of my income tax return to acquire a copy as my birthday present to myself, my birthday coming next month--and one fell right into my lap! I am most pleaed, and have done my best to let those at work know just how pleased I am! So, in trying to translate that joy into Middle Earth Frodo gets an Elvish picture book! Heh!
shirebound · 3 March 2009 · Chapter 3: An Unexpected Gift
What a wonderful gift for Frodo... and for you!
Author's reply
Oh, indeed, Shirebound! Both Frodo and I are most thrilled to have such an unexpected gift from such an unexpected source!
Cairistiona · 3 March 2009 · Chapter 3: An Unexpected Gift
Touching vignette! And how kind of someone to have left you Tolkien's Letters! Wow, that is cause for a happy moment. :)
Author's reply
Amen, Cairistiona! I am all kinds of happy, and found I had to let Frodo share my joy!
Lady_Roisin · 2 March 2009 · Chapter 2: From a Guardsman's Letter Home
Oh larner, this made me giggle. I really liked it. Do remember that song "Hello Modduah, hello faddah"? This drabble reminds me of that song! I can almost feel the guard's boredom. This is so much fun reading your drabbles for the B2MeM challenge. Keep up the great work.
Author's reply
Yes, I found myself thinking of that once I started rereading what I'd written. Now to see if I can keep this up for the full month. Now, check out Cairistiona's story for today--and get ready to laugh again. I think both of us had similar thoughts at the prompt!
Lady_Roisin · 2 March 2009 · Chapter 1: Reasons During the Quest to be Grateful
I liked the little bit of humor in this. I also liked how wrote in a way that really felt like Bilbo talking too. This was fun to read. :-)
Author's reply
I'm so glad you like it. And to know you think I managed to be true to Bilbo's voice is a blessing! Thank you! I think I'll probably put these on LJ, but will do it a week at a time so as not to have a bunch of little posts floating around.
Agape4Gondor · 2 March 2009 · Chapter 2: From a Guardsman's Letter Home
Oh my gosh! This is such fun! The poor man - sounds very young too! I guess even being a beacon watcher would be better than this!
Author's reply
Yes, he does sound young. And a beacon watcher at least gets to look around! Heh! Thanks so!
Antane · 2 March 2009 · Chapter 2: From a Guardsman's Letter Home
I hope the guard later realizes why he is doing this because I think that is a neat thing from the movie to see that guarding as a sign of hope that the king and the tree would return. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I agree, but still think standing still on guard over something no one is likely to try to disturb would have to feel like a most tedious job for a young Guardsman! Heh!
Dreamflower · 2 March 2009 · Chapter 2: From a Guardsman's Letter Home
LOL! I've often wondered how those who guarded the dead Tree felt about their duty. Was it an honor or a punishment? Well, we know one young guardsman's opeinion now!
Author's reply
Yes, we know THIS Guardsman's opinion indeed. There may be another reason--they might have chosen the guards according to those who could fit the particular armor. Heh!
Cairistiona · 2 March 2009 · Chapter 2: From a Guardsman's Letter Home
Oh my goodness, this is priceless! I can so see a guard feeling this way... guarding a dead tree. It may be an honor, but in reality, how boring! Very amusing!
Author's reply
Glad to give a smile or even a giggle or two.
Queen Galadriel · 2 March 2009 · Chapter 2: From a Guardsman's Letter Home
LOL! This poor man! Yes, boring indeed, oh my. I think I would eventually long to look for other work, or run the risk of doing something desperate and stupid just to relieve the tedium.
Author's reply
I agree, my Lady! Yes, he may not be fit to this particular honor, or so I suspect. But I can't think of anything more tedious, and particularly in especially bad weather, whether too hot, too cold, or too damp! Heh@
Vilwarin · 2 March 2009 · Chapter 2: From a Guardsman's Letter Home
That's blasphemy! LOL It seems as if he needs a lesson in history. This post seems to me like a great honour! I'd like to read another letter when he's a few years older. ;)
Author's reply
I suspect you are right, Vilwarin. He does appear to be quite young to me, too.
Lindelea · 2 March 2009 · Chapter 2: From a Guardsman's Letter Home
Ha. The guardsman sounds very young... If his grandfather were around, he'd give the youngster a stern scolding.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm certain you're right, Lindelea! Heh!