Another Moment of your Time by Larner
Antane · 31 January 2024 · Chapter 100: Comfort Needed
A sweet story! Hope you are well. I keep thinking I should drop by and see what else you've written and finally remembered to do it. Happy 2024! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
And now it is 2025. I hope that the second half of the year works out better than the first half did. I pray for our nation.
UTfrog · 20 November 2023 · Chapter 100: Comfort Needed
Simply beautiful
Author's reply
Thank you again!
Kitty · 19 November 2023 · Chapter 100: Comfort Needed
Larner, this is beautiful, and so touching! When Sam and Rosie wake up, they will be so comforted to find the blanket and the flowers there and to realise that Frodo heard them and still cares for them so much, as they do care for him.
Author's reply
I am so glad you find it so, Kitty. How is life treating you? I hope that you still are able to be surrounded by your beloved books.
KathyG · 14 November 2023 · Chapter 100: Comfort Needed
I love it that Frodo was somehow able to comfort Sam and Rosie! I hope they felt it when they woke up in the morning, especially when they discovered the unfamiliar blanket covering them and the roses and elanor in the vase on the table.
Author's reply
I'm certain that the blanket and flowers confirmed their realization that Frodo had sought to reassure them that he was aware of their grief and good wishes for him. There was obviously a strong tie between Frodo and Sam, and it needed to be affirmed. Thanks so, and give my love to Dreamflower and Linda Hoyland.
UTfrog · 12 November 2023 · Chapter 100: Comfort Needed
Made me cry
Author's reply
I reread all my stories aloud, usually several times, before I post them, and I found myself crying, too, as I reread Sam and Rosie's tales to the pillow. That you would have the same reaction and mirror my own response to the story as it unfolded honors me greatly! Thank you so, UTfrog.
Lindelea · 9 November 2023 · Chapter 100: Comfort Needed
Oh! So much to love. It could merely be a comfort-story, the homely scene with its birthday delights (frosting in the tot's golden curls, ah, yes) and the descriptions that bring Bilbo's smial to life as a home built by a hobbit (Bilbo's father? Who built the smial for Bilbo's mother? I forget and must go back and look that up) who knew what comfort was and was not parsimonious in applying his knowledge. (Pardon the big word(s); I have been editing and am still shaking off the editor's mindset. Some of my clients sound as if they have swallowed a thesaurus, and I have replaced many a grand mot with a plainer, more serviceable substitute this week. But the big words sometimes linger for a time... something like an editing hangover?) And thoughtfulness abounds. Rose's mother comes (for the birthday, I imagine) to stay overnight and helps out, along with the neighbour. Sam takes Ellie off to the bath. Frodo reassured Rose before he left that he would not be taking Sam with him (or perhaps that he would not allow Sam to accompany him? Even if the poor, torn-in-two gardener should make that choice?). That means Rose knew Frodo was leaving for some time before Sam (on their way to the Havens, wasn't it) even suspected, much less found out. But from Sam's reaction on that ride to the Havens (poor Sam, for he thought that Frodo was only going to Rivendell, undoubtedly only to visit Bilbo and then come home again to Bag End), Rose did not share Frodo's secret with her husband. (I wonder if they had a conversation about that later? I would love to be a fly on the wall, perhaps in the stables, in Bill's presence, for I can hardly imagine a fly on the wall of well-kept Bag End.) And poor Sam, missing Frodo so deeply, trying to find comfort in whispering an account of the day's happenings to his Master's pillow in the aching, forever-absence of his heart-companion. And Rose, understanding, and her dream... And then magic. Such a lovely ending. A shiver went down my back (a good one!). I went away to ponder and brew a cup of tea, and then I came back and read the whole story a second time. Beautifully done.
Author's reply
Had I taught much in high schools I'm certain I'd have had the same response to essays that had been assigned. But my few essays into high school English were in special ed, or with my one young lady I followed and brailled for over four years. She was too busy trying to understand higher math and reminding herself of her childhood Spanish to embroider her essays, at least. Yes, Bungo had Bag End excavated in preparation for his marriage to Belladonna Took. I suspect that they'd hoped and expected to have as large a family as her parents had, but ended up with only one living child. How disappointed they both must have felt to have only Bilbo to live in their grand home. I remember that in The Hobbit Bilbo had used many of the empty rooms to hold his vast collection of extra clothes. In many ways I suspect that Frodo saw that as too great evidence of conspicuous consumption to follow his nominal cousin's example. In one of my stories Frodo assures Rosie the day before he and Sam left Bag End that he did not want Sam to go with him, and he tells her to kiss Sam in such a way that her husband would find the desire to return to her to be stronger than his desire to stay by Frodo's side. In another I have Sam recalling that kiss for Frodo and telling him that it had been filled with promise, which was why he returned to father so many children and finally fill Bag End with family at last. That Frodo had handed Sam his will and the deed to Bag End shortly before that fateful birthday indicated to me that he did not plan to return to the Shire, and that Sam undoubtedly had hoped that Frodo had chosen to remain in Rivendell with Bilbo. That would have been okay by Sam, I'm certain. It was a journey he could make with at least his older children and his wife, after all. And I suspect that Sam realized all too well that Frodo needed to be with the Elves due to worsening physical and emotional breakdowns. I love writing times when Frodo was allowed to know what was happening back home in the Shire, and to have some interaction. And somehow Elanor's name-flower had to make its way into this tale. So glad you like it. And do look at its predecessor when you have time--nowhere as gladsome, but I'd like your response to it.
shirebound · 8 November 2023 · Chapter 100: Comfort Needed
This is so absolutely lovely I don't have words to describe my feelings! :)
Author's reply
I'm so glad that this struck you in this way! Thank you so for this review, Shirebound!
Garnet Took · 21 June 2023 · Chapter 99: Importuning and Accusations
Very good story. I really don't like the Diggles. I hope her will is so screwed up that no one will honor it. Love Isumbard and his gentle way of dealing with Frodo but his authority in handling the situation. I love your character development and your strong plots. Yor are definitely one of the authors I admire most.
Author's reply
In today's atmosphere we see too many people who are convinced they know better than everyone else, who are so certain their own beliefs on how the world works are right that they are willing to push their own idea of reality on everyone else as Alyssum Diggle seeks to do here. How would someone with Frodo's level of PTSD find himself reacting to one of these fuzzy-headed ideologues when they are running their madness especially down his throat? Am so glad you like my character development. I love investigating different personalities and how they interact. Certainly I love seeing how Frodo deals with different individuals. Thanks so for your response. It helps inspire me to keep writing.
UTfrog · 20 June 2023 · Chapter 99: Importuning and Accusations
Beautiful story and well written. Thank you
Author's reply
Am so glad you like it!
shirebound · 19 June 2023 · Chapter 99: Importuning and Accusations
It eases my heart (and yours, I know) that Frodo continues to "find friends upon your way when you least look for it", as Elrond foretold. Dear Bard. :)
Author's reply
I think it was Gildor Inglorion who foretold that Frodo should meet friends in unexpected places and by unexpected means rather than Elrond, but I certainly take your meaning. Isumbard finds he is drawn to seek to protect the one Hobbit he'd long thought of as his chief rival. I doubt he'll fully understand Frodo's reactions to the Diggles until he reads the Red Book and discusses things with the three remaining Travellers, but at least he's accepting that Frodo has reasons to leave the room as he does, and even nearly collapse in front of his dad's sideboard. I find I appreciate Bard more the more often he walks into my writing.
Lindelea · 17 April 2023 · Chapter 98: Until Daddy's Home
Happiest of birthday wishes! This story was beautifully done, as always. I so love the little details that bring the scene to life, like the green blanket with the dragonfly. Frodo was so understanding and compassionate, and he managed to offer so much comfort despite his own failing frame. This made wonderful comfort reading, yet the ending was both a shock of cold water and painfully poignant. I loved Frodo's wondering what Sam would think, and then Sam's actual reaction! Lovely! I hope that you came safely and uneventfully to your door once more. That birthday cake was a rare treat!
Author's reply
Thanks so much for your insightful comments, Lindelea. The dragonfly blanket reappears at odd moments in my tales, and I so want it to have been passed on, down through Sam and Rosie's brood. Sam knows both his wife and his brother of the heart so well I'm certain he would see the situation as Frodo did, rejoicing that Rosie whn exhausted would ascribe the help and comfort she received as being from him, and that Frodo was willing to foresee what Sam would have done had he been home at that minute. As for the ending, how the realization he would probably leave Middle Earth must have haunted him if (when) Sam might have spoken of a future Frodo himself suspected (knew) would not happen. Yes, an uneventful return trip, and back to work on Tuesday. The solar system got its finishing touches today, and we await the replacement of a single panel and the final inspection prior to the switch being turned on, at which time PUD starts buying power from me for a change. Thanks for sharing the cake with me!
Galadriel Gardner · 15 April 2023 · Chapter 98: Until Daddy's Home
First, a happy, happy birthday, and many more! May God bless you in the coming year. This is so sweet! It’s endearing that Frodo has learned to recognize Elanor’s different cries as well as her parents have. I chuckled over poor tired Rose mistaking him for Sam. Love the way Frodo speaks to Elanor like a person who is perfectly capable of understanding what he says, as she undoubtedly is. The reunion at the end is sweet and a little sad, because indeed he won’t be there always. But I do believe he loved her always, her of all the thirteen children, as the one he was able to know. I love the detail in this story, as in all of yours, but especially the blanket made for infant Frodo and now passed on to Elanor, the nearest to a daughter he will ever have.
Author's reply
In one ficlet I wrote Frodo is given his mother's hope chest. She'd filled it with items intended for each child she conceived, most of which hadn't graced the child originally intended to receive it. Now Frodo gives it to Rosie and Sam that their children might fulfill the hope worked into each gown, cap, blanket, quilt, and garment. I suspect each and every item was well loved and worn. Of course he speaks rationally to his niece, and she understands the love he gives her in each syllable.
shirebound · 13 April 2023 · Chapter 98: Until Daddy's Home
What a precious and unexpected experience for Frodo, to care for a baby and be part of a loving family... for as long as possible.
Author's reply
Yes, for what time is left to him, here in the Shire. How he must have loved the Shire and the family it gifted him with!
Galadriel Gardner · 26 January 2023 · Chapter 1: A Time for Truth
Yes, the time for truth indeed, and past it for some of these thick-headed ones. That’s how it is, though. Every generation, among Hobbits or humans, has its hangers-on that are resistant to a way of seeing things different from what they’ve always known. I love the weaving of gentle humor throughout this serious story. The mushroom story had me laughing, as did Merry and Pippin’s banter. Apparently the Thain hasn’t outgrown the sheer cheek to take something without permission, but what a good decision it was! Writing all over it… well, he’s very good, so I’m sure Sam didn’t mind in the end! Now I must go and read the full text of this song!
Author's reply
Oh, but I missed this comment, and I apologize! I suspect that Pippin never gave over his love of mischief, and this time he was right--in his way. Thanks so!
Kitty · 5 August 2022 · Chapter 97: Verification
Always nice to see Pando and Cyclamen again :-) Turin's story certainly was depressing. Never really got properly through the Silmarillion, to be honest. Too much gloom and doom. Frodo's conclusion surprised me, too. I remember Artanis, but am not sure if I forgot Altariel and Nerwen, or if I never knew these names. Anyway, it's nice that Sam stumbled over this particular book.
Author's reply
Gads, so many stories you reviewed that I'd missed! I wish that Frodo had married, as I'm certain he would have been a most devoted Dad. I like to see him with children about him, I find. Names in the Undying Lands are confusing, as the individual starts out with at least two, one from Dad and one from Mom. Then other nicknames get added as time goes on that often become the "official" names for the individual. I'd be rather insulted to be dubbed "Mannish Woman" by my mother, I think. I don't reread the Sil much, and sometimes I have to go back to the Encyclopedia to remind myself of what parts of it means. Thanks so.
Kitty · 5 August 2022 · Chapter 96: Longo's Game
That Ultimo is quite a piece of work, isn't he? But he certainly tried to cheat the wrong person out of his shares. Should have remembered who Frodo is related to - and that Merry and Pippin went with him. At least now he's properly educated, if he wants to or not. Anyway, it's obvious how Frodo takes way too much in stride when it goes against himself, but gets really angry when any attacks are turned against people he loves, like Aragorn. I really hope the other Travellers will keep an eye on that hobbit; I don't trust him at all. And I can't blame Frodo for wanting to curse him, because I wanted to have him slapped down hard for his insolence. Glad Merry and Pippin were there, he'd not dare to do anything stupid with them around. Sounds like Ultimo thinks he can get his claws into Frodo's shares and maybe more when he passes, or is related to someone who is? He was way too happy that Frodo is not supposed to have an heir.
Author's reply
There were some who refused to acknowledge Bilbo after his adventure, and I wouldn't be surprised if some who blamed Frodo for Lotho's transgressions tried the same with Frodo. Not that Frodo could foresee what Lotho would do, of course. Nor was Frodo aware of Saruman's awareness of the Shire and his corrupt association with Lotho. Ultimately does not appreciate how lucky he was that the Ring is gone. Thanks so!
Kitty · 5 August 2022 · Chapter 95: A Dream of Peace
If Frodo had really healed and stayed in Middle-earth, I wonder how many years he'd have argued with Sam and Rosie about calling him 'Master'. He's not the only stubborn Hobbit, after all. That dream was rather prophetic, wasn't it? We know it came true, after all. Interesting he did have it such a long time in advance. It might have influenced his final decision, too, who knows?
Author's reply
Too true, Kitty. Thanks!
Kitty · 5 August 2022 · Chapter 94: A Star's Light at Midnight
Such a sweet story! I love how Frodo helped from so far away to bring this little family to safety.
Author's reply
I enjoyed writing this story. So glad you enjoyed it, Kitty.
periannore · 9 May 2022 · Chapter 96: Longo's Game
Wow, Pippin has really grown up and he has certainly earned that maturity. Sam's sensitivity to what haunts Frodo and his open, affectionate support is golden. You have treated the aftereffects of Frodo's quest in such a way as to show its implications in practical, believable terms. Dear, Wise Frodo has devised a caring use for his shares Aragorn is sure to appreciate. As always your story enhances my visions of Middle Earth infusing it with reality I know isn't true but love to believe in my imagination and heart. However I still pick and choose what to make permanent in my personal M.E. and mean hobbits like Ultimo aren't welcome. what's with Ultimo's hatred of Frodo? I miss points more often than I like to admit but why would he hate Frodo? Is it just that he wants to keep Frodo's shares for himself? Please keep writing.
Author's reply
Not all Hobbits were inherently nice, unfortunately. Bilbo's cousin Otho Sackville-Baggins, his wife Lobelia Bracegirdle, and their son Lotho are cases in point. Otho's father Longo married the heiress to the family head for the Sackville clan, and by joining her family name to his own he joined her as family heads to the Sackvilles. Otho had expected that as Bilbo's closest male relative he would inherit Bilbo's roles as Master of Bag End and the Hill as well as becoming family head to the Bagginses, making him the first Hobbit to head two clans at the same time. Otho was unnaturally ambitious for a Hobbit, Lobelia is generally disliked and a petty thief, and Lotho is a lout who wants to be the boss of all. They appear briefly in the movies, Lobelia calling through the door, and her and Otho striding aggressively into the Party Field while Bilbo and Frodo hide behind a tent. In The Hobbit and LOTR they play far larger roles in the books, with Lotho and Lobelia (Otho had died by the time Frodo left the Shire) buying Bag End from Frodo and Lotho subsequently bringing in a small army of Mannish thugs to make himself the tyrant of the Shire. The thugs were loaned to Lotho by Saruman, by the way. I suspect that there were some Hobbits who blamed Frodo for the Time of Troubles, as the period of Lotho's terrible rule was called, and that Ultimo was one of these. It was this that motivated him to pretend that Frodo wasn't himself rather than greed for Frodo's tobacco shares. Bilbo faced a period when several people within the Shire refused to admit he was himself, particularly when he found himself having to demand the return of items from Bag End Uncle Longo, Otho, and Lobelia had auctioned off after Longo had Bilbo declared dead as he'd been gone for a year and a day. I write more slowly than I once did, but then I'm growing older and have too many calls on my time and energy. Am contemplating retiring, but I have a floor to install first. Thanks again for your response to this story, and I hope you like the one I just posted. Yes, Pippin has grown a great deal during the time they were gone--and the presence of those swords intimidated Ultimo to stop the pretense.
periannore · 7 May 2022 · Chapter 97: Verification
From the title I worried this would be a lackluster fic but since Frodo was in it and living in the shire I had hope. It turns out I had the pleasure of spending some peaceful, quality time with Frodo, Sam and the children. The little history lesson went down pleasantly and given the conclusion the title couldn't have been more apt. I welcomed the bits which gave my imagination new fodder for my continuing daydreams about Frodo and the Fellowship. For example: "I had to ask Master Erestor, as keeps Lord Elrond’s library for him, to help make it out." I'm imagining scenarios involving Elrond giving Erestor time off to satisfy Sam's boundless interest in books of tales in Elvish, and maybe to help Merry with the maps. “You did this picture?” He nodded,... “Bilbo seemed to think it was close enough to how he remembered Smaug being, there in the treasury in the Lonely Mountain. I hope I did Glaurang justice.” I like the idea that Frodo has an aptitude for drawing and can imagine so many ways to incorporate it in my musings about him. Last before this review becomes longer than your story I loved what you didn't say. As young as they are the children didn't beg for bites of tangerine. This showed their love for Frodo and their willingness to forego treats in respect for his need. Thank you for packing so much in this little fic.
Author's reply
Pando and Cyclamen Proudfoot first came into my stories while I was writing "The King's Commission," many, many years ago. They return at odd moments, I find. I like to imagine that Frodo was very good with children, and that he'd hoped to form a family of his own in place of the happy family he lost when his parents died when he was only eleven. However, I suspect that once he became keeper of the Ring It interfered with those dreams. I've always thought of him as being both artistic and a fantastic dancer before he went on his quest as well. After all, Frodo was in his way the epitome of the artistic nature of the Fallohides, the resourceful nature of the Stoors, and the steadfastness of the Harfoot part of his heritage. It was the Fallohides that the other clans looked to in order to deal with situations the Hobbits of the Anduin valley found themselves facing, as the Fallohides were most intelligent and intuitive and able to think outside of the box, and thus best able to find solutions. I suspect that after this story draws to a close that Frodo will offer slices of the tangerines to the children, and they trust to his known generosity so that they don't have to beg. Thanks for your in depth expression of appreciation for the story.
UTfrog · 27 April 2022 · Chapter 97: Verification
Absolutely delightful story. Thank you so much.
Author's reply
And thank you so much! Please excuse the tardiness of my reply, as I don't have as much time to read and respond to comments as I used to. I hope to get caught up soon!
Lindelea · 18 April 2022 · Chapter 97: Verification
Oh, but the ending left me laughing in delight! It seems so natural for Sam to seek out more of the old tales while at Rivendell. I can just see them (Bilbo and Frodo) chasing him off after Frodo's recovery to make sure he gets some rest and recreation - "And don't come back until the supper bell chimes!" - as if pretending that they want some private time, but also because they know he'd neglect himself (and had done so) to make sure that Frodo had everything he needed. If anything will help Frodo now, it's Sam's tea and Strider's gift of lemons. Alas, poor Frodo! I'm glad his cold didn't go into lung fever. During a bad stretch, every cold I had seemed to follow the same cycle (which meant it moved into my chest before moving out). But now I'm wondering if Frodo was never sick after Bilbo left because of the effects of the Ring? What a shock his first cold-in-the-head after It went into the Fire must have given him! So looking forward to seeing you later today. (And I'm so glad you're writing and posting!) I have a birthday present story for you, but it's not quite finished, so please bear with my bad manners at not presenting you with the story before noon on your birthday, which is what I believe Miss Dora specified as Proper Birthday Etiquette. (And I can only imagine Miss Dora and all her accumulated advice for dealing with a cold! Hah! I'm sure it would more than fill one of Bilbo's wastebaskets.)
Author's reply
It appears I, too, have had the same bad manners. I just posted my present to you this evening, and I hope you like it. I also love the detail given by the Master that Sam doted on the tales of Elves, and like you suspect that Bilbo and Frodo insisted he indulge himself while they were in Rivendell. The travails of his quest would undoubtedly have impaired Frodo's immune system, as the climes he passed through were largely not healthful for his lungs or digestive system. I, too, suffered from frequent bouts of respiratory problems when I was younger, and it wasn't until my husband spontaneously stopped smoking that the penny dropped, and I realized his chain smoking and the smoking of so many in my life had damaged my lungs. After I banned smoking by anyone anywhere in my house I was much healthier, until someone would decide, the house is so big she'll never realize I'm smoking here! Oh, but I still suffered from their smoking. And pot smoking triggers my asthma even faster than cigarette smoke! I suspect that as Bilbo especially liked to smoke outside and Frodo was apparently physically active outside during much of his youth that he took little hurt from smoking until he was rescued from Mordor. Reports of how the silicas and other chemicals of volcanic activity can affect lung and gastro-intestinal functions are pretty graphically negative. So glad this gave you a laugh. That is delightful to hear!
shirebound · 17 April 2022 · Chapter 97: Verification
What a satisfying realization for both Frodo and Sam. And I love the idea of lemons and tangerines flowing into the Shire, especially when Frodo needs them most. I hope you have a joyous and peaceful Easter.
Author's reply
Please forgive the tardiness of this reply. Chaos has been troubling me for much of the past year, and that's the only excuse I have for letting responses go so long unanswered. Someone wrote a story indicating that Frodo had lost much of his sense of taste as a result of his quest, but that the introduction to oranges and other citrus fruits in Gondor helped increase his appetite because of the intensity of their scents and taste. I found I had to run with that idea! Thanks so, Shirebound!
UTfrog · 20 February 2022 · Chapter 96: Longo's Game
Learner, I was absolutely thrilled to see a new story from you. As one of my favorite authors, I have truly missed you. This lovely story is the same high quality as your others offering great characterization. Thank you so very, very much.
Author's reply
I am finding it harder to focus on a single story as I get older, so it takes me increasingly longer to finish each story. Sorry about how long it's taken to get this posted. Am so glad you like the characterizations--it's always fun to examine how different folk react to the Travellers. Thanks so.
Lindelea · 15 February 2022 · Chapter 96: Longo's Game
What a lovely birthday surprise! You said you were working on one, but I don't remember you talking about what was inside the package, under the shiny paper and sparkly ribbon bow. What a wonderful story. It reminds me somehow of Frodo talking so politely to the ruffian, and Pippin taking offence at the ruffian laughing at Frodo and calling him a little cock-a-whoop and stepping up, standing up to the bully. (I do especially love Pippin in this.) And Sam's quick understanding - ah, but how well he knows, as the only other living creature in M-e who had borne the Ring for a time, how well he must remember the temptation to power that he himself fought off with the help of a dash of good, solid hobbit sense, and yet he also knows that Frodo had carried the Ring for so many years, at the end embarking on a journey where the Ring would have only grown stronger with every step closer to the Fiery Mountain. And Sam must remember all too well how the Ring took Frodo in the end. Such pity as he must have felt for his beloved Master just now at Frodo's confession of weakness. But he doesn't show it; instead, he provides comfort and some of that solid good sense.
Author's reply
Oh, I am so glad that you like it. It took so long to get it written--and to think I used to crank out two or three stories in a single day! Yes, I like Pippin in this, too. We know he grew up a good deal during the quest, and I've always thought he had an excellent mind under all the apparent Took foolishness. Now he's putting together details he'd probably not actively thought about for years, and understands Frodo's frustration immediately. I always loved the idea that some Hobbits refused to accept Bilbo as himself after his return from Erebor, and suspect some people would want to do similarly with Frodo. It was fun to play with the idea. But how long would Frodo find himself reaching for the Ring, only to find the Queen's jewel instead? There must have been times he would want to blast some fools who spouted nonsense or tried to blame him for the Time of Troubles. I suspect he would feel terribly guilty each time he found himself automatically for It. As for Sam--well, he's always been a wonder! Blessings on you and yours. Give them my love. I plan to be down for Holy Week.