Esamen/Karen
· 2 July 2004
· Chapter 37: Arrival at Brandy Hall
He didn’t mind for himself—indeed, he had both skipped meals and gone to meals dirty on many occasions in his time living under Brandy Hill, and might have been labelled a runaway had anyone ever noticed how often he was missing—but he knew tongues would wag, and he hated the gossip. He did not want it said that Bilbo wasn’t raising him properly.
Obelia, this is wonderful. I absolutely love this story. I can't wait for another update. Reading your work inspires me and soothes me at the same time -- you must be gifted to make both those things happen at once! Please, please keep on writing . . . it sure is a gift to the rest of us too.
Author's reply
Aw, thank you! You are so kind. I have plenty more to write in this story, so I'll keep the updates coming. :)
Valerie
· 1 July 2004
· Chapter 37: Arrival at Brandy Hall
Very good! Pippin is SUCH a doll; I can hardly stand it. I got over excited when I saw that you had updated, and now with the prospect of an update next week?! I can hardly contain my glee! Keep on writing; you're the best!
Author's reply
Sorry for the delay, I had no computer for awhile. Hee hee, little Pippin is a cutie, isn't he?
GamgeeFest
· 1 July 2004
· Chapter 37: Arrival at Brandy Hall
Wow, an update! That *was* fast!
Aw, I love shy Pippin and the fact that it's Frodo's eyes that make him relax around him. Now he's older, he'll be able to remember Frodo better. And it didn't take Frodo long to visit Poppy. She was a good friend to him while he was living in Brandy Hall and that wasn't something he was going to forget. Nice insight on how Bilbo, being an old bachelor for so long, may not know how important it is to hug children every day. Especially a child that's been through so much insecurity as Frodo has.
Author's reply
That's right, Pippin will remember a lot more of this meeting than the last one! And Frodo will be doing something very nice for Poppy on this visit, I can tell you. :) She definitely deserves his friendship in return.
Hai Took
· 20 June 2004
· Chapter 36: Waiting for the Bagginses
I bet Frodo didn't forget about Poppy, Frodo is more thoughtful then that! The terribley lady! Pyrimidine and Iris sharing gossip, not only about a poor little orphan but the Mistress of the Hall as well! That is terrible! It was good of Merry to rescue Pippin from him mother and sisters like that! Pippin not wanting buttons on his waistcoat was cute! I like that he wanted to know if Hobbiton was further then the stables! Can't wait for Frodo to arrive! Looking forward to more!
Valerie
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 36: Waiting for the Bagginses
That was a very nice chapter. I love your characterizations of...well, everybody. The skill you have with writing is amazing. I'm looking forward to the next chapter, which I'm hoping will not be too far away :)
Valerie
· 17 June 2004
· Chapter 36: Waiting for the Bagginses
Auntiemeesh
· 15 June 2004
· Chapter 36: Waiting for the Bagginses
This story continues to be very entertaining! I was glad to see Merry and Pippin put in an appearance and I'm looking forward to seeing their reunion with Frodo. You're doing a lovely job :)
Author's reply
Thank you! :)
shirebound
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 36: Waiting for the Bagginses
Your Merry and Pippin are just as darling as your Frodo! Leave it to Merry to know that Pip needed "rescuing". And "past the stable" must seem like the other side of the world to little Pippin!
Author's reply
Considering I don't even know any little kids in real life, it's kind of funny that I like writing about them so much!
RogerGamgee
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 15: Applesauce
LOL...so THAT'S how Pippin got his nickname. A clever way to introduce that little tidbit, I must say. The little fellow is already showing folks what kind of person he's going to be...inquisitive, curious, and all that. Well done!
RogerGamgee
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 7: Secrets
This was great...I just love seeing how protective Sam is of Frodo at such an early age. To know how that protectiveness will carry over into later years only makes it that much more special. Wonderful job!
Author's reply
Thank you! That bond between Frodo and Sam is my favourite thing about Tolkien's work. I love to think about how that might have started. :)
RogerGamgee
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 4: Winter Fun
Oh dear...an old fashioned snowball fight. I haven't seen one of those in ages, since I left Germany several years ago. What a great story! Who knew hobbits could have so much fun?
Author's reply
Oh, I don't know. I bet hobbits have a lot of fun. The Shire seems so happy and carefree, how could they not?
RogerGamgee
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 3: A Gamgee Interlude
Obelia,
I found this story earlier today while browsing the StoriesOfArda site, and I have to say I'm very impressed with what I've seen so far. You've done a marvelous job capturing Frodo's thoughts and feelings here, and it shows. I couldn't help but laugh at how Frodo reacted to the Gamgee sisters and their obvious attraction to him. It makes for a very light hearted story. I look forward to seeing how the next chapters turn out. Well done!
Author's reply
Thanks so much for your review! I don't know why I keep forgetting to reply to reviews on this site, but better late than never I suppose... Anyway, I'm so glad you enjoyed this. I love writing the light, funny parts. :)
JULES6
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 3: A Gamgee Interlude
Frodo's first meeting of Sam's family, especially Daisy was funny to read and enjoyable.
"Frodo was sure his face was beet red. He clutched his sack of flour and fled up the hill as if a dragon was hot on his heels."
The last line of this chapter finished it off nicely and Frodo's uneasiness around girls. Wonder what Sam would have said or did if he was there when his sisters met Frodo?
JULES
Author's reply
I don't know, but I suspect practical Sam would have been rather disgusted with his sisters... :)
JULES6
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 2: A Seed is Planted
The dreaded first meeting of Lobelia for Frodo and deliciously different, although confusing and nervous for him no doubt.
She is just so awful right from the very beginning you can't help but want to protect such a wonderful hobbit as Frodo who is not so accustomed to meeting people like her.
Yes, the seed of doubt has been planted, and so expertly so by the author.
onwards and down the road to the next chapter we go.
JULES
Author's reply
I don't think I've read many first meetings for Frodo and Lobelia, actually. Too bad! I have a certain fondness for Lobelia and her nasty ways... ;)
JULES6
· 14 June 2004
· Chapter 1: The Troll Under the Bed
Hello Obelia,
I know this review is very late compared to when you wrote it. But I wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed reading this story so far.
The unsureness of Frodo coming to a new home just sets up the scene wonderfully.
Just how someone coming to a new land would feel.
I felt as though I was getting a grand tour of Bag End with Bilbo. Your descriptions made me want to become a hobbit and move in.
Sam and Frodo's first meeting was very inventive and fun to read. A nice gentle way for two friends to meet, not knowing how important that friendship and bond of trust will become in later years.
On to read the next chapter. See you there soon.
JULES
Author's reply
This may have been late compared to when I wrote it, but you'll notice I'm replying even later! :-\ I keep forgetting to reply to reviews on this site... Anyway, I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter. I thought a lot about how Frodo and Sam should meet. And I'm not sure why I got so interested in the layout of Bag End, but I eventually wound up not only drawing a floor plan, but now I'm building a doll house of Bag End! My obsession knows no bounds. ;)
Hai
· 8 April 2004
· Chapter 35: Faramond Rushlight
I liked the little bit with Aragorn! I hope they catch those Ruffians before they can do any more harm! Looking forward to more! I can't wait for Frodo to be back with his cousins! Thank you for such a fun read!
Author's reply
I'm afraid you'll have to use your imagination to decide what happens to the ruffians, but Frodo will be back with his cousins next chapter, I'm happy to say! Thanks for reading.
Valerie
· 8 April 2004
· Chapter 35: Faramond Rushlight
That was excellent; definitly worth the wait. Well, I hope that you are feeling better, and that the next chapter will come soon (although I mean not to rush you; take as long as you need). Frodo is such a sweetheart! I love all of your characterizations; they're all spot on! Thank you for this new chapter (just in time for my birthday: 6 April :D)
Author's reply
Aw, happy very belated birthday! Thanks as always for your comments. My classes are over for the summer now so hopefully I'll be updating every 1-2 weeks. :)
Faramond marvelled at how Gandalf could remember an insignificant boy from an insignificant town in the North, let alone be fond of him. “I come with word for you from my mentor,” Faramond said finally, figuring he should get down to business.
Ah, yes . . . must be Aragorn . . . and it is!
Oh, lovely work! You have woven in so many threads -- Strasser and Chattin, and Adrift's story as well. The history is so rich! And Faramond just gets better and better. I hope you will bring him back. He is so wonderful--capable and romantic--is he single? does he have a phone number?
On to Buckland . . . I know that you've got something wonderful up your talented sleeve. I can't wait to read it! Lots of your traditional Frodo excellence, angst and comfort, I hope! (I need the kind of Frodo who has strength and integrity in the story, or the angst/comfort themes don't do much for me.)
Thanks for all your hard work! May you be blessed with all A's in your other-life world.
Author's reply
Aww, thank you! I do like weaving in all the threads - this just seems to get more and more complex as I go along, but it's tons of fun for me. You should see how convoluted my story outline is getting! ;) I need the Frodo with strength and integrity too, so you can expect plenty of that to come. As for Faramond... he is rather romantic, isn't he? ;P You really should check out "Always a Silver Lining" by Tathar, if you haven't already. She created him and he has a long and enjoyable role in that story. As always, thanks for reading. I got those lovely A's last semester, but nothing yet for the spring semester. The profs don't seem keen to start marking our papers, for some reason...
Oh! Here is the wonderful Faramond! I'm in heaven! Thanks for the chapter!
Author's reply
You're welcome! Good old Faramond... ;)
eiluj
· 7 April 2004
· Chapter 35: Faramond Rushlight
How wonderful to find a new chapter! Thanks!
Author's reply
Thanks for reading!
Valerie
· 5 February 2004
· Chapter 34: A Wizard's Reassurance
Mid-March?! I don't know if I can wait that long! Well, I guess I will have to, and I know it will definitly be worth the wait. I'm glad I'll have something to look forward to in the coming month!
Author's reply
Heh, sorry, looks like I lied again. I'm just updating now! Non-life-threatening-but-still-annoying health problems really sidetracked me this semester.
esamen
· 5 February 2004
· Chapter 34: A Wizard's Reassurance
I just love Faramond . . . it's so wonderful to meet a man who is educated, outdoor-wise, and tender to young ones all at the same time . . . I hope that he and Frodo become good friends and give us a nice long story. Thanks for the chapter! I can't wait until March for the update!
Esamen
Author's reply
Well, I think Frodo and Faramond wound up with as much of a friendship as they could in the time I allowed them! And sorry, I didn't quite make March for the update. Health problems have been getting in my way this term and delaying all sorts of things. Including reading; I WILL come back and finish reading your Boromir story pretty soon! :)
esamen
· 4 February 2004
· Chapter 33: Ruffians
Thanks for straightening me out about how you are not Shirebound (I can't believe I did that) and THANKS ALSO for all the great moments you have given us through your writing. I love your fics. The reader feels the love and tenderness in your written world, even during the action scenes, and it is a balm to my soul whenever I pick up your work for a read. May Tolkien's world live forever! Thanks again and keep those chapters coming!
Hai
· 4 February 2004
· Chapter 34: A Wizard's Reassurance
I liked Bilbo wodnering that Gandalf did not just wast away as he didn't eat much! Poor Frodo, being frightened at least Gandalf was able to set his mind at ease. I liked Frodo playing with the sword and the name he gave it! Looking forward to more, tahnk you!
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing! :)
esamen
· 2 February 2004
· Chapter 33: Ruffians
Hello dear Shirebound . . . I'm trying to email you and I finally found this route . . . you may not remember me among your crowds of email fans, you fabulous, renowned, much-reviewed fic writer . . .
I'm here to ask you for a little writer advice, because you yourself write so well and correspond so wonderfully with your readers.
I have almost finished my first fic, a Boromir-at-Rivendell story. It's G, with hopefully good plot, characterization, and dialogue. Frodo is fun-loving and forceful, like yours, but he does not get an excessive amount of h/c. I do not have a beta reader for it, because I don't personally know any other LOTR folks who could read and understand it as fans do. Does an author just go ahead and post it on a website? Or is there some preliminary reviewing, etc. that goes on first?
I think that I will post it at Stories of Arda, and maybe Hennuth Annun because of its review-and-select policy. Do you have any advice about which websites give the best feedback?
Thanks so much for your time and attention. I am in love with Scamp and look forward to visiting her again. That hole at Bag End has become a much-storied place, and it gets better as it grows! Wonderful imagination! Thanks!
Esamen
Author's reply
I'm afraid you've reviewed the wrong fic! I'm not Shirebound, I'm Obelia medusa. Please leave your message in a review for "Reflections of the Past" or one of Shirebound's other fics here at Stories of Arda, and you can be sure she'll get it. =)