I love that Sam overlooked the construction of Ted's new home. That separates him from that lesser hobbit forever. Ted would not have done the same. He also will not understand what Frodo did or why Sam can now walk with his master become brother as an equal. Love the touch of his hand over Frodo's.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, as we are told Sam oversaw the rebuilding and repair of homes, I'm certain he oversaw that of Ted's own home. And if Frodo lost a Ring and the finger that had worn it, then Sam in wearing the new signet of Lord Perhael more than overwrites that loss. Equals indeed; and soon Sam will be recognized as Master in his own right; in seeing Frodo to the Mountain and back he has wrought his own masterwork.
Author Reply: Yes, as we are told Sam oversaw the rebuilding and repair of homes, I'm certain he oversaw that of Ted's own home. And if Frodo lost a Ring and the finger that had worn it, then Sam in wearing the new signet of Lord Perhael more than overwrites that loss. Equals indeed; and soon Sam will be recognized as Master in his own right; in seeing Frodo to the Mountain and back he has wrought his own masterwork.
Andrea
· 12 June 2011
· Chapter 31: Spite Scorned
Well, well, Ted Sandyman again!
This time he got *no* reaction and was left alone, not only by Frodo and Sam but also by all the other onlookers. Very clever of Frodo and Sam!
I also noticed that Sam left out his obligatory "Mr" when addressing Frodo, not as his master this time, but as his friend.
Author's reply
Oh, but it's SO much fun to poke at Ted, after all!
It's always hard when a would be provocateur is unable to get the rise he wants from others; but to be simply ignored by everyone else as well must have been more than he could stand!
And Sam is, after all, now Frodo's peer. Thanks so, Andrea!
Teresa
· 10 June 2011
· Chapter 31: Spite Scorned
Hmmmmmmmmm........... I'd say that the two Lords would indeed take no notice of Ted's words! No doubt he wished that he hadn't drawn an audience when he was put down with such finesse! But then, as you show in other stories Ted never did learn how to avoid causing trouble......... sigh. Many thanks for this, it was a bright spot in a dull afternoon! :)
Author's reply
So sorry the day was dull, and glad this brightened it up for you.
I love poking at Ted now and then--he's so nice a foil to set up, after all. But he's the sort that just doesn't learn.
Linda Hoyland
· 10 June 2011
· Chapter 31: Spite Scorned
Ted never learns does he? Good for Frodo and Sam!
Author's reply
No, he doesn't! And on this day they made certain he was right and properly snubbed! Heh!
Antane
· 4 June 2011
· Chapter 30: Leave-taking
Yes, go well. At least he has a little hope of healing. But indeed it must have been horrible knowing the leaving was necessary, all the little and big goodbyes, all those he did not want to say. Love most the idea of the Elves watching him and his parents. Love also the plea for the stars to look over him, for, though Peace does not know it, the Star-kindler has and will continue to look after him. Also interesting why does he does not wish to use a bit. A great gift to us for Memorial Day.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I imagine there is always a bit of the divine to be discerned in those special ones who have ever been chosen to achieve the most important goals, and passing Elves would be likely to spot it even in a distantly glimpsed child with his parents.
And I can so easily imagine Frodo foreswearing rings and anything that has a scent of compulsion to it.
Thank you so, Antane, for the comments and the MEFA nominations.
Teresa
· 3 June 2011
· Chapter 30: Leave-taking
Sighs........ at least Frodo did have people like Pease who truly understood how ill he was and that his journey wasn't frivolous! Some at least realized that he and the others went on that trip and paid its cost so the other hobbits would be safe. Hopefully that acknoledgement helped Frodo through the last days before he left the Shire. At least some realized that Frodo and Bilbo weren't crazy, and that the two of them always had the well being of others at heart. It was nice to see how Bilbo's gift gave Pease comfort after he said good bye to Frodo. Many thanks! :)
Author's reply
No, it wasn't frivolous, and I agree--this must have heartened Frodo to the change he now anticipated. And so wonderful to think that this is what that book did--give comfort as well as food for the imagination.
Thanks so, Teresa.
Linda Hoyland
· 31 May 2011
· Chapter 30: Leave-taking
It must have been so hard to make all these farewells for Frodo, a very poignant tale.
Author's reply
Oh, indeed it must have been. Thanks so, Linda.
Andrea
· 31 May 2011
· Chapter 30: Leave-taking
Then he looked up at the distant stars. “Watch over him, please, for him’s one of your own.”
A wonderful story! I'm glad that there were hobbits like Pease who respected what Frodo had done and who accepted his leave-taking.
And I very much liked the image of Frodo and his family looking at the stars and being watched by Elves (and Pease)!
Author's reply
And I'm so glad you liked those parts, Andrea. Thank you so very much!
AzureSkye
· 30 May 2011
· Chapter 30: Leave-taking
A wonderful tale. Its nice to see other Hobbits realizing what they're losing when Frodo leaves.
Author's reply
Thank you so! Yes, a few do appreciate Frodo and what he did for them....
Armariel
· 30 May 2011
· Chapter 30: Leave-taking
Aww.....very sweet...and sad. A lovely tribute.
~~~~~{~@
Author's reply
Some returned home able to resume lives interrupted by war, and others are forever damaged, no matter how well they appear to function. Thank you so, Armariel
Tari
· 26 May 2011
· Chapter 29: Chance Encounter
Maybe Otis made a mistake? There is no maybe about it. Turning on his family and friends is unacceptable. I loved the way you presented Frodo in this chapter. Great job!
Author's reply
Oh, you are so right--he blew it big time! And I like seeing Frodo taking proper charge as well. Glad it made you proud of him!
Tari
· 24 May 2011
· Chapter 28: Ode to a Hopeless Love
Frodo went thru so much tragedy even to the point of being denied the love of one whom he loved deeply. It is sad that even Tolkien denied him the one thing that makes life worthwhile. I wonder if he found any in the undying lands.
This poem touched me deeply.
Author's reply
I am always glad to hear that something I wrote touched others emotionally. I doubt Frodo married in the Undying Lands, but suspect he still managed to turn heads and hearts even there. Thank you so for your feedback!
Antane
· 20 May 2011
· Chapter 27: Waking Thoughts
A very interesting tale covering some of the effects, good and bad, of the being the Bearer of such a fell object - and how neat that some of the effects, like being more open to Gandalf's probing of his thoughts, because of the Ring opening such a portal first, would bring good. This would akin to Sam wearing the Ring and having his hearing sharpened to hear the Orcs fighting in the Tower, the very thing that restores his hope that rescue of his master may be possible. Gotta love all the ways that God can use evil to bring good! Even and especially perhaps that dear Fool of a Took. :) *hugs him*
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, yes--oft the enemy's actions and machinations end up working to his own despite in the end, as the Master noted. And indeed the Ring's ability to sharpen hearing did help both Frodo and Sam. And I'm certain that Pippin loved that hug! Thanks so, Antane.
Tari
· 17 May 2011
· Chapter 27: Waking Thoughts
WOW!!! I am so blown away by this chapter that I can't come up with an appropriate comment other thant to say it is totally awesome.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you think so, Tari. I'm just glad that it managed to come out in response to the prompt. Thanks so!
How delightful. Lobelia portrayed in a more human way than Tolkien himself could manage in the little space she was given in the books. The end, the letter and the beautiful dress, made me smile.
Author's reply
We know that Lobelia, at least, had a true change of heart during the Time of Troubles, and that she not only returned the deed to Bag End to Frodo, but made certain that much of Lotho and her own fortunes were made available to Frodo so that reparations could be made. That these thoughts might be running through her head in those last moments of captivity--the realization that her son indeed was a first rate cad while Frodo Baggins was one of the most gracious and sincerely giving individuals she'd ever known--just seemed so very likely. And that she had a secret love of true beauty and her own femininity she felt free to express only after her release from both the Big Men's captivity and her hatred of the Bagginses seemed in tune with her change of heart.
And any letter sent her by Frodo at this time I believe would be so very gracious.
Am so very glad you appreciated this one! Thanks so!
Queen Galadriel
· 9 May 2011
· Chapter 24: New Moves
Other left...hahaha! Even heros confuse directions. I'll remember that next time.
This is so cool, wonderful, and a little chilling. while Frodo learns to dance, And Aragorn learns to fight.
Author's reply
Oh, yes. And how many times when working with mobility I've had to say that to my clients and students! Heh!
Yes, both are learning to control their bodies, Aragorn to protect, Frodo to express his joy. Thanks so!
Queen Galadriel
· 9 May 2011
· Chapter 25: Concerns
Oh, and how little they really knew.
Author's reply
It will take over a year to find out precisely what the Son of the Hall has been doing with his favorite cousins, but at least they have the idea that something important is going on.
Thanks so for all of the comments, and welcome back, even if it's but fleetingly.
Queen Galadriel
· 9 May 2011
· Chapter 26: Letting Go of Love
I have to admit that in this story, Pearl is hard to like, but at least she's honest with herself and others, and I can understand her, too. Poor Frodo, though.
Author's reply
I have tended to lay a fair amount of guilt on poor Pearl's shoulders over the years, haven't I?
I've always loved your child characters. Love seeing Frodo take part in seeing that justice was done in the Shire as well. :)
Author's reply
And I love writing child characters as well, and Frodo's interaction with them. And this would be one of his first realizations of how the Gathering and Sharing impacted common families, I suspect.
Queen Galadriel
· 9 May 2011
· Chapter 28: Ode to a Hopeless Love
This is absolutely adorable, cute and sweet, in a sad way. Because of Frodo's outbursts in the books whenever Arwen came up or was seen from afar, I sometimes wondered if he might have had a crush, or some stronger feelings for her. This is so precious (not to be confused with Gollum's epithet for the Ring), and I can't believe I'm the first to say so!
Author's reply
This was written for the April challenge on the LOTR Genfic LiveJournal site, and a good many people responded to it there. I'm only pleased that at last it got a review here!
Few mortals had seen Arwen save for those of Aragorn's ancestors who were fostered in Imladris during her times in her father's house; Frodo appears to have been very impressed by her beauty and gracious nature. As you know from "The Acceptable Sacrifice," I've always felt he felt at least a courtly love for her, the beauty beyond compare to whom a knight might dedicate he victories even if he never courted her openly--or could not do so as she was often married to someone else who was very important, such as the King.
And how derisive Frodo might have felt toward his own feelings of attraction and fascination, I've always felt.
Am so glad you enjoyed this one! Thanks so, my Lady!
Queen Galadriel
· 9 May 2011
· Chapter 1: A Time for Truth
Just to skip the awkwardness that generally follows disappearing for a really long time and then showing up again, I have to say that I'm so happy you're still writing. Every now and then, for the last couple of years, I've peeked back at this site and always look for your stories and read at least one, either an old favorite or a new one. This was wonderful and engaging as always, touching and sweet as well. I was grinning and chuckling over Merry and Pippin's banter and the story of the dried mushrooms...how dare Boromir do such a horrible thing! :D And loved Frodo's defense of his namesake.
This pancake recipe sounds lovely! I'll have to borrow my fiance's skillet the next time I visit and try them...above his protests, I'm sure. ;)
Author's reply
You can't imagine how pleased I am to hear from you! Engaged, are you? Wonderful!
The song for this ends my original "Moments in Time" collection, by the way, in case you wish to see that.
Yes, they are all together, and Sam is frustrated that his beloved Master isn't getting the respect he deserves, and writes out the truth of what Frodo had been through--and good old Pippin makes certain that poem-song is made known to the Hobbits of the Shire in the persons of today's Family Heads.
And that Frodo would be upset that the precious dried mushrooms given him by Bilbo were WASTED by Boromir--well, that was simply fun to work in!
Myself, I can't stand the taste of beer, so I won't use the recipe, but my husband would have loved these, I'm certain!
Andrea
· 26 April 2011
· Chapter 29: Chance Encounter
Chance encounter indeed!
The moment I liked the best was when little Dodi finally burned the list of rules!
As for Otis, I'm not quite sure if he really regrets what he has done or if he's just afraid of what will happen to him.
Author's reply
There must have been many such encounters by the Travellers as they settled back into their lives in the Shire, and as they realized just how far-reaching and destructive Lotho and Saruman's policies had proved.
As for Otis, I agree, he was probably mostly sorry he'd been caught and afraid of the consequences rather than truly sorry for what he'd done. This is a story that may be further dealt with in the future!
Dreamflower
· 24 April 2011
· Chapter 29: Chance Encounter
Oh, I like Carnelian and her brother! And I find I want to know more of what Otis faced and what his punishment was. And why he was so unkind to his sister and her family...
Author's reply
I may indeed flesh this out in the future, but NOT NOW! Gaack!
Andrea
· 14 April 2011
· Chapter 27: Waking Thoughts
and the loss of the Ring by Gollum’s violence had been the only catalyst that had been capable of keeping Frodo’s personality intact enough to allow healing afterwards.
Wow, you're right! It was not only the only way to destroy the Ring, but also the only way to save Frodo and make healing possible. I hadn't considered that before.
Thank you for your birthday mathom! I hope you had a wonderful time :-)
Author's reply
And you are very welcome--I'm glad Tallis's suggestion managed to spark me to writing this!
I had a wonderful, if tiring, birthday--worked two shifts not quite back-to-back, so was pretty tired once I got home.
shirebound
· 14 April 2011
· Chapter 27: Waking Thoughts
What a lovely and moving story. Thank you for sharing this gift with us, Larner. I hope you enjoyed your birthday, and that you, too, awoke surrounded by loved ones and with a smile on your lips.
Author's reply
And I thank you so, Shirebound! Am so glad you enjoyed it. I woke up with a purring kitty on either side, at least! Heh!