Antane
· 5 June 2015
· Chapter 80: Dealing with Bullies
That's rather chilling to think Frodo was physically capable of harming or even killing someone when you think of how the Ring could have later twisted his heart into wishing and doing that. Good he was rather freaked out by the idea and deliberately restrained himself which the Ring would have had to fight through and defeat first before it would have its way with him.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo has an additional level of protection about him against the wiles of the Ring, in spite of having acquired a skill It could perhaps think to exploit.
Thank you so very much, Antane!
harrowcat
· 1 June 2015
· Chapter 80: Dealing with Bullies
A long awaited and very satisfying read Larner. All the best to you and yours.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, and love to you, your family, and the dog from the pups, Lydia, and me!
Tari
· 1 June 2015
· Chapter 80: Dealing with Bullies
Way to go Frodo.
Author's reply
It is always delightful when people realize they can protect others as well as themselves! Thanks, Tari!
UTfrog
· 1 June 2015
· Chapter 80: Dealing with Bullies
A very satisfying story in all senses. Thank you.
Author's reply
Am so glad you find it so. I suspect Frodo is glad to realize he can indeed protect himself and others. Thanks!
Tigger
· 28 April 2015
· Chapter 50: Enlightenment
Have been re reading this particluar group of stories the last few days, but tonight an idea came to me while re reading this one...Call it a reaction to emotions about the various Rosamundas around me and how I have no way in Real Life to at the very least vent about it are building up again and...Anyway...
I know Merry has to be careful when it comes to that piece of work that is his Mother in Law and her various "opinions" about Frodo and Bilbo that she spews, just due to her being his MiL, but Pippin? Pippin is The Thain, but is also The Took and Rosamunda is a Took by birth, therefore, does that not give Pippin a bit more...Authority I guees is the right word....to be able to, at the very least, warn her of what could happen due to her venom towards Bilbo and Frodo, and also the Cottons too. She did show a bit of bitterness it was them, a lowly Farmer's Family IIRC, who smuggled food to them during the Troubles and were the ones who nursed her Freddy in another story of yours on here. Them, not his beloved Mummy, but Them.
I know you've said Rosamunda is one of those kinds of people who think they know it all and needs a thick and hard slap down to see sense. If it ever does, but by this time maybe while it was hearing what the Children said that brings this about, there are more issues caused by her behaviour that are far more serious at play..
You already had Freddy decide to move into his own smial due to Rosamunda's refusal to believe the truth about what had happened to him and The Shire, perhaps by this time Freddy won't have much of anything, other than only what is expected when it comes to relations between his Family and his Mother. Not to mention how it has affected her relationship w/Estella, Merry and their Children.
Considering Frodo was considered a Son of the Hall and Merry's Big Brother, visits between the Brandybucks and Rosamunda can't have gone smoothly. Especially since Rosamunda can't seem to go w/out some sort of snotty remark being said at some point.
Anyway....This came to me as I was re reading this one and decided you really needed a Plot Bunny to hop into your lap. :oD. It's just I can so see Pippin thinking enough is enough and it's long past time Rosamunda Took Bolger was sat down hard and given a good talking to about her behaviour. Especially what that behaviour is costing her.
A pity there's no Conference or something happening at Rivendell, as I have this image of the conceited twit in a room where Arwen,, her Ladies & various well known Friends have gathered to work on whatever Crafts they're doing and gossip and at some point, the predictable takes place. I can so easily image silence coming down on the room like a Thunderclap, followed By Rosa looking around at the various expressions on certain people, confused by the anger and shock felt in the room and Arwen, w/her eyes flashing, stands up very slowly and in a very low tone says, "Get. Out. *Now*!!"
I know...Not happening, but it would be fun to see happen. ;o)
On that note, I want to read a few mor stories before calling a night. Just wanted to send along that Plot Bunny. :oD
Antane
· 26 April 2015
· Chapter 78: One Final Boat Ride upon the River
Oh, how I wish they had paid attention to Frodo's fears! Though I understand, of course, why they didn't. I wonder if this is the first or one of the first stirrings of the Second Sight that he had. And Primula's story - such a tale any loving mother could have made up to star her beloved son but whoa, so close to reality and that vision she had of his hand was interesting too. Drat that Gollum. I hope he wasn't involved and this was just a tragic accident. I ache already and once more for Frodo.
Author's reply
Oh, but I so agree. I suspect that Frodo has always had his own degree of foresight, much as is believed to have run through the Tooks and the Fallohides. After all, he is descended from the Old Took. Yes, drat that Gollum--or SOMEONE, at least. Heh! We all ache for Frodo.
Andrea
· 18 April 2015
· Chapter 79: The Curse Lifted
That is a nice turn of events and makes it much easier for Frodo to leave!
But "Bingo Baggins-Boffin"? That would be indeed too much :-)
And although it is some days over now: Happy belated birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day!
Author's reply
Oh, yes, much too difficult! After all, before the Master settled upon "Frodo" he'd long considered naming Bilbo's heir Bingo Bolger-Baggins, but rejected the Bolger part as being too alliterative! Heh! But at this point Frodo needs some reassurance that good has come to his own family as a result of what he chose to do in taking the Ring to Mordor.
And I had a delightful birthday with friends.
Antane
· 14 April 2015
· Chapter 79: The Curse Lifted
Wonderful that Frodo has some joy and the reason for it too, a gift from Gollum that he did not even know he was giving. :) Le hannon for your gift too in sharing this with us. Happy birthday!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, he needed that reassurance that his family also benefitted from his choice to become the Ringbearer.
And my birthday was indeed delightful!
Tari
· 14 April 2015
· Chapter 79: The Curse Lifted
Thanks for telling me about Fiondil. I suspected something like that happened. I'm still trying to absorb that he's really gone and that his story won't be continued. You are right, we have lost too many great writers. I hope you don't stop. I look forward to finding new chapter alerts on my computer.
Author's reply
You are welcome. A great loss to all of us. I am glad Nilmandra allowed Alassiel and his other beta to finish posting at least that last story he'd been posting. They'd thought to post the next one he'd been writing, but so far it's not been done.
Lindelea
· 14 April 2015
· Chapter 79: The Curse Lifted
Happy birthday!
Beautifully done! I had never thought about the Baggins family dying out... but it does make sense. Ricc is an interesting character, very perceptive, and gives the reader a new perspective of Frodo than a very close cousin, or a very distant one, might. Happy birthday!
Author's reply
When you read the family trees you see that Frodo and Lotho appear to be the last Bagginses of the name born to live to adulthood. I'm not sorry Lotho didn't apparently reproduce, but have long regretted Frodo didn't leave any progeny of his own, causing me to postulate the two hidden twin cousins from Westhall. Thank you so, and for the beta as well. Rico appears in "The Tenant from Staddle," another story I must get back to eventually!
And thank you again for the beautiful scarf and for the beta and the visit. Pandora is nearly through her heat, and will soon be restored to her brother's company. Brendi has consummated his relationship with Mocha, and in two months we will see what the two of them throw in her first litter. She is a cute little dog and should throw one or two beautiful pups. She has much the same confirmation as Brendi does, and is truly a mocha coloring. Her owner is ecstatic that she was just at the right point in her heat when we got back from your direction.
Tari
· 13 April 2015
· Chapter 79: The Curse Lifted
In my humble opinion Frodo is definitely worth compassion, etc. from others. He is a very special Hobbit.
By the way, do you know what happened to Fiondel?
Author's reply
Thank you so very much, Tari.
Fiondil underwent heart surgery a few years ago at Eastertide, and apparently that heart gave out a few months ago. He was found in his bed, apparently having died in his sleep. The world is the poorer for his loss as well as that of Terry Pratchett, creator of the Diskworld, who died a few weeks ago.
So many excellent writers have been lost to us in the past year!
harrowcat
· 13 April 2015
· Chapter 79: The Curse Lifted
Happy Birthday my dear Larner. Thank you for your gift. I had to grin over the secondary growth of three inches! I love the way that you catch and elaborate on the wonderful snip it's that the Prof sprinkles through the Work. I am currently rereading and more fully appreciating Murder most foul.
Happy birthday again.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Harrowcat, and how delightful to hear from you! We know from the Master's letters that Merry and Pippin became the two tallest Hobbits ever, and since they had two chances to drink Ent draughts I thought it very possible they might grow some more after their first growth spurts. For Pippin to be the smallest of the four when they left the Shire and to grow to be one of the two tallest Hobbits produced by the Shire with enhancement from Ent draughts, I'd think it might well take some time for the last of the growing to take hold. I just reread Murder Most Foul myself, and find myself rejoicing that Jason, Damien, and Jessie are at least free of unjust imprisonment.
Joy to you as we enter May!
shirebound
· 13 April 2015
· Chapter 79: The Curse Lifted
What wonderful news for Frodo. The Shire is now indeed healed, in more ways than one.
When I can find strength I—I do what I can.
May we all do our tasks as well as our beloved hobbits. Happy Birthday, my friend! Thank you for your wonderful tales.
Author's reply
Indeed, may we all find it within ourselves to be as true as did four small Hobbits from the Shire! And I thank you! My birthday was delightful.
UTfrog
· 13 April 2015
· Chapter 79: The Curse Lifted
Lovely story. Thank you.
Author's reply
And I thank you, UTfrog.
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 13 April 2015
· Chapter 79: The Curse Lifted
O Larner, how wonderful!! (Not what's happening to Frodo, of course, but the end of the story, I mean, of course. And it's *all* wonderfully written. :) )
I'm glad Rico understands better now what's happened to Frodo. And I'm *very* glad the curse on the Bagginses has been lifted!
Thank you so much for this mathom! (I've a birthday present for you too, over on the Yahoo group, and I managed to make it on time for once, LOL! :) But I can't swear to it being as wonderful as this one. I hope you like it, though!)
Hugs! Have a wonderful birthday!
Kaylee
Author's reply
Thank you again for the story you wrote for me and for the thoughts on this one. Rico appears in "The Tenant from Staddle," which I need to finish one day--it's languished even longer than has "Stirring Rings!" But then, I went six years before I finished "Murder Most Foul" after beginning it. One day I WILL finish "Tenant" and "Or Perchance," I swear it!
Andrea
· 6 April 2015
· Chapter 78: One Final Boat Ride upon the River
No, my precious, not the right Bagginsss!
Oh my, it never has come to my mind that Gollum might have caused the deaths of Primula and Drogo! But it is very plausible - and scary!
According to Primula the story she told Frodo about his future was just made up. Did she really think so?
Author's reply
Well, Primula was also descended from the Old Took and may well have been subject to Took Sight. How it might have shown itself in Primula is the question.
I can't remember just who it was who first suggested Gollum might have been there at the time of the deaths of Drogo and Primula, and I've found myself imagining how that might have happened so often.
Thanks so very much, Andrea!
Tari
· 30 March 2015
· Chapter 78: One Final Boat Ride upon the River
Bittersweet comes to mind when reading this tale. Frodo's mom had a premonition of his future life just as he had a premonition of his parents fate. Sad all the way around.
Author's reply
Indeed, Tari. Alas that this was the last evening he should know with his parents.
Tigger
· 29 March 2015
· Chapter 78: One Final Boat Ride upon the River
You know, I have wondered about this very thing the last few years and...*shivers*. So very well done my friend. Although, I don't think even this will make it tough for me to fall asleep tonight as it has been a long emotional week, but for all the right reasons for a change.
We got all of the World Figure Skating Championships livestreamed from Shanghai, China this week and...well..Let's just say I *hate* the time difference between NE Ontario and anything being covered live in Asia bigtime!! I'd finally managed to get things somewhat back tp normal after the live coverage of the Aussie Open too and then three major Skating and Curling Championships one after the other from mid February till now and all in Asia. I do not want to think about how overtired I am right now, but it was fun and...AND...:oD
The first time I ever saw Megan Duhamel skate, it was at a local Club Competition for the little ones and I was there to watch my cousin Sarah. She was 6 and Megan 7, but even then you knew she had that something special in her. As the years have gone by I watched and cheered her on. After winning the Canadian Jr Title, I thought she was on her way, but it wasn't meant to be in the Singles in the end. That final year I swear Megan went through more injury wise than most athletes go through in their entire careers!!
However she had also been competiting in Pairs during this time. When she decided to do it full time and also paired up w/Craig Buntin after the 2006 Olympic Cycle ended, who at the time was the reigning and 3 time Cdn Pairs Champion, I was really excited and thought good things were headed their way and... Not only did it seem like they being held back by "something", but they missed the Vancouver Olympics by a very slim margin. Craig retired and Megan came close too, but then a good, and also from NE Ont too, friend Eric Radford was in the same position. His partner retired, he wasn't after all his almosts sure if he wanted to go on either, but if Megan was willing to give it a shot, then...
I *knew* when watching that first grainy training video of them on YouTube something special had just been born and each year they've been building on that, the last two years brought two World Bronzes and Olympic Silver in the Team Event In Sochi, then an undefeated Season going into Worlds this past week and...and... :oD
I think I went through half a box of Kleenex Thursday morning between the moment it was official and Megan burst into tears backstage to the Medal Ceremony, Oh Canada and seeing the Maple Leaf in the middle going up to the rafters. :oD. Then another four or five earlier during the coverage of the Gala. Hearing her and Eric introduced as the 2015 World Pairs Champions...
I am so going to be such a mess in May when I go to the Toronto Stars on Ice show , but it'll be a really good mess. :oD
Sorry for taking over the review, but I know you know what Skating means to me and after the last few months, it's lovely to share a HAPPY emotional thing happening for a change and thought you'd be haapy to hear about it too. :o)
Once again...A very chilling story to fill in one of those, "Hmm...I wonder if...?" gaps the Professor left open for us to ponder. Very well done indeed.
Oh and I saw your reply to my review of the story before this anvd if a cute innocent sweet wee plot bunny escaped from the Hatch, I had nothing to do w/it at all. ;oD
Author's reply
So glad that the recent past hasn't been as traumatic as more distant happenings. I don't have TV reception where I live at the moment--may give in eventually and have the satellite reception restored, but not yet. My budget is still rather tight.
Anyway, so glad you feel this story was well written. And there are so blasted many plotbunnies breeding again in the back yard that I'm going to have to ship a few off to Shirebound or something to get through them! Heh!
Thank you so, and hope that the Toronto Stars on Ice performance is tremendous!
KathyG
· 28 March 2015
· Chapter 78: One Final Boat Ride upon the River
There's just one little problem with this. According to canon, Gollum never made it to the Shire, so he wouldn't have been on hand to murder Frodo's parents. Is this an AU story, then?
Author's reply
We're not really told where all Gollum wandered in the nearly seventy years between his loss of the Ring to Bilbo and the day he bit Frodo's finger off in order to recover It in the Sammath Naur. We are told that sometime around the year of Frodo's parents' deaths he ended up in Cirith Ungol and made Shelob's acquaintance, and that he was captured sometime afterwards and taken to Barad-dur for torture and questioning, eventually being allowed to "escape" in hopes he might lead Sauron's creatures to the Ring.
In my story-line, following rumors of "Baggins" Gollum ends up in Buckland, which technically isn't in the Shire, in mid- to late-spring, and returns swiftly to the mountains, then heads further southeastward as the nights grow longer, drawn by the siren call of Sauron drawing all beings with an evil nature to himself, arriving in the tunnel of Cirith Ungol in the late fall or early winter. It is a possibility, after all. And it adds more chill to the story.
Yes, possibly AU. But then, by following Lindelea's theory that Frodo was beginning to suffer congestive heart failure, I'm going against the Master already, who indicated failing health had little or nothing to do with Frodo's decision to sail when he did. However, with what we now know about the often progressive nature of untreated PTSD and the physical conditions now tied to snake, spider, and tick bites and how they often manifest years after the original bite, I question that Frodo was not suffering from long-term degenerating health problems most likely on several fronts.
Face it, the Master left us probably more leeway for invention than he'd intended. Certainly those who write slash stories are taking advantage of that fact. I hope that this doesn't disturb you too much.
harrowcat
· 27 March 2015
· Chapter 78: One Final Boat Ride upon the River
There you go again Larner. Another flash of genius. Very plausible and I love the foreshadowing. Very dark but brilliant.
Author's reply
Oh, but I'm truly honored, Harrowcat! Thank you so! I've always felt that the boating on the river was something that Primula cultivated in her husband, finding it romantic; that such an incident should turn deadly seemed a likely reason, and how could anyone else know how it came to be that the boat turned over? And I found I had to work the foreshadowing into the tale Primula told her beloved son.
Again, thanks so much! (And I hope you look into "Stories Familiar and Rare" below this one!)
Freyalyn
· 27 March 2015
· Chapter 78: One Final Boat Ride upon the River
Oooh, shudder.
Author's reply
Shudder indeed, Freyalyn! Thanks so!
frodo16424
· 27 March 2015
· Chapter 78: One Final Boat Ride upon the River
How chilling! Never would have thought of Gollum being anywhere near the Shire! Believe you've outdone yourself with this one!
Author's reply
It has always been at least a small possibility, I've thought since the years somebody else considered something like this happening. Thank you so, Frodo16424.
Tigger
· 20 March 2015
· Chapter 77: A Place to Work and Work to Do
Oh how lovely that Frodo not only appreciated the choice made, but also just what went into the making of the desk and chair. Then again, as the son of a Master Carver and Furniture Maker, he would be able to recognize such quality..
I love this peek into just how the scene Aragorn watched in a prevous ficlit came into being. He and Faramir were always to me, and to borrow from another beloved book series of mine, Kindred Spirits and I'm sure spent many happy moments together sharing not just knowledge, but also tales of growing up and scrapes they got into. I am more than sure by the time came for the Hobbits to head home, the Prince of Ithilien knew all about the Rascal of Buckland. :oD
Sigh...I do love a good Frodo and Faramir story and this is both lovely and charming too. Just what I needed for a chilly and snowy Evening. Un huh, you read that right. First Day of Spring and we're getting snow and just our front yard was about 75% clear of it too...Bleck!!
Author's reply
While we here in the Pacific Northwest are watching the daffodils preparing to bloom and are sweeping fruit blossoms off our porches and decks!
Faramir as the guardian of the memories of Frodo Baggins, the Rascal of Buckland! Heh! Now you've done it! Heh!
Antane
· 13 March 2015
· Chapter 77: A Place to Work and Work to Do
I love the idea of Frodo and Faramir working together, two kindred spirits. I wish there had more of their time together in the Red Book. I wonder why Frodo didn't record anymore.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I suspect that more wasn't recorded for the same reason Merry's proposed discourse with Théoden about the smoking and cultivation of pipeweed got pulled--doesn't push the story forward. Heh! But you are correct--two kindred spirits indeed! Thanks so!
shirebound
· 12 March 2015
· Chapter 76: Fish to Fry
It must be such a pleasure for Frodo to know how to care for his young friend.