The Making of a Ringbearer II: Anchored by Henna Gamgee
shirebound · 27 December 2004 · Chapter 43: Summertime
You've given Frodo such wonderful friends! But what a shame that Fatty has fallen away from his former playmates. And ooooh, your Sackville-Bagginses are wonderful. I like how you distinguish between pettiness (Lobelia) and cruelty (Lotho).
Author's reply
Well, thank you. I do put a lot of thought into my Frodo-tormenting characters... 0:-) Makes the Frodo-tormenting more believable, I find. *whistles innocently*
esamen · 27 December 2004 · Chapter 43: Summertime
Yay! Yay! (Dances around computer) A new chapter of Anchored! And this one's better than ever! I was worried that you had left, never to return. This is GREAT. I can just see the expressions flitting across Frodo's face as he spends time with friends and foes. Ooo, that Lotho is so nasty . . . he's going to do something bad to our hero, right? and Fatty is going to have to come to his senses sooner or later, right? And poor Frodo is going to end up passed out and being cared for by Bilbo and Sam? Oh, that would be the best Christmas gift ever. Meanwhile, I'm just looking forward to the next conversation between Bilbo and Frodo in Bag End's kitchen. Are you going to include an illustration of tiny food? I can smell supper cooking already. Merry Christmas, and thank you, wonderful Obelia . . . My best wishes to you for a great winter vacation, and many happy hours spent visiting Middle-earth . . . I do hope that you grace us with a huge helping of your own imimitable Frodo-Bilbo h/c. No one does it as well as you. I just love that good old-fashioned bedside manner. It makes me smile all over. Love across cyberspace, and please update soon, esamen
Author's reply
Oopsie, I didn't realize I never replied to these ones! :-O Lovely to hear from you, as always. :) Fear not! I have no plans for leaving-and-never-returning. What would I do without my (sort of) monthly hobbit-writing fix?! Grad school would drive me insane, that's what. And yes, Lotho has plenty of nastiness in store for our hero. And actually, there will be some h/c that may please you in ch. 46 or so...
esamen · 27 December 2004 · Chapter 43: Summertime
cpsings4him · 23 November 2004 · Chapter 12: Breakfast
LOL! Oh no! More Daisy!!! :p This was another purry chapter! I love Bilbo loving on Frodo!
cpsings4him · 23 November 2004 · Chapter 11: The Wrath of Mad Baggins
*applaudes Bilbo!* He's become a real parent to Frodo! *loves Bilbo for loving Frodo so* A question, though...you said that Frodo had been "starved for affection since he was 8 years old..." - why eight? Didn't his parents pass away when he was 12?
Author's reply
Ah, good catch!! I have changed it to 12. Thank you, oh eagle eyes. :P There is in fact a reason that happened; when I started writing the story, I changed Frodo's year of birth to 1372 because I was young and foolish and I didn't like it that he was so much older than his cousins and Sam. Around the time of writing, oh, chapter 30 or so, I figured out a new way to (mentally) relate hobbit age to human age that I could live with even using the canon birth year of 1368. So, I changed. :-\ I went back and edited all of Adrift, plus Anchored up to about chapter 13, to reflect Frodo's correct age. Since this is chapter 11, you found something that I should have caught when I edited. I'm glad you noticed! :) Anyway, when you get to chapter 14 you may notice all mentions of Frodo's age are suddenly off by 4 years, and continue that way until chapter thirtysomething. That's just because I haven't gotten that far in my editing yet, so just try to ignore it. ;)
cpsings4him · 23 November 2004 · Chapter 10: Second Day of Yule
Oooh! Those S-B's are gonna get it now! Go, Bilbo, go! :p
cpsings4him · 23 November 2004 · Chapter 9: A New Seed is Planted
QUOTES: ~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Frodo was too distraught to answer immediately, and Bilbo quickly pulled the quilt off the bed and wrapped it around the quivering hobbit. Then he sat down beside Frodo and pulled the unresisting child into his arms. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Sam kept his gentle brown eyes focused on Frodo’s pale face until long after the tweenager’s breathing had evened out in sleep. Eventually, Sam noticed that Frodo’s packet of ice had slid off his chest. Sam picked it up silently and laid it on the nightstand. He didn’t want Frodo to catch a chill, and anyway the ice was nearly all melted. Sam laid back down beside the older lad and closed his eyes. Soon after, he joined Frodo in sleep. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~* “There is actually one thing that I do regret, involving your adoption, I mean,” Bilbo said softly. “What’s that, Uncle?” Frodo asked sleepily. “That I didn’t adopt you years ago.” Bilbo smoothed back an errant dark curl and placed a tender kiss on the lad’s forehead, then got up and left the room, closing the door softly behind him. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* THIS WHOLE CHAPTER MADE ME PURR!!!!!!!!! :D Frodo wrapped in blankie and being snuggled make CP happy! :-)
Author's reply
Aww, yay! :)
cpsings4him · 23 November 2004 · Chapter 8: Various Visitors
Ahhhhhhgggghhh! So frustrating! Bilbo knows, but he doesn't KNOW! I'm glad the Gaffer at least clued him in that there had been a fight. Off to see how this turns out!
cpsings4him · 23 November 2004 · Chapter 7: Secrets
*sniff-sniff!* My poor baby! *pets Frodo gently* Off to the next chapter!
cpsings4him · 23 November 2004 · Chapter 6: Consequences
*glowers* Oh, what I wouldn't do to that Lotho if I could just get my hands on him! Poor Frodo!
cpsings4him · 23 November 2004 · Chapter 5: Undesirable Encounters
Hurrah for HERO!Frodo!! He did a great job taking care of his Sam! Oooh! But I smell trouble brewing for him from the Lamentable Lotho! By the way, I don't at ALL mind leaving reviews of each chapter...as long as you don't mind receiving them. But don't feel that you have to reply to each one. :-)
cpsings4him · 23 November 2004 · Chapter 4: Winter Fun
Awww! Poor Frodo! Misunderstanding Bilbo's moods. Poor darling's worried he's gonna be sent away at any moment. Heheh! Snowball! Right in the puss! :P Funny!
cpsings4him · 22 November 2004 · Chapter 3: A Gamgee Interlude
Heheh! What a cute chapter!
cpsings4him · 22 November 2004 · Chapter 2: A Seed is Planted
Aww! Poor Frodo! He doesn't quite understand yet that he doesn't have to earn Bilbo's love. Nasty SBs!! I figured it would be just a minute before they came round!
Author's reply
LOL. The SBs just can't stay away for long in this story. 0:-)
cpsings4him · 22 November 2004 · Chapter 1: The Troll Under the Bed
Squeee! This is as sweet as I knew it would be! What a wonderful start! Quote: “Sleep well, dear boy,” Bilbo said, placing a kiss on Frodo’s forehead. He laid the book down on the bureau and left the dark room, closing the door softly behind him. Frodo smiled in the darkness. He had wondered for so many years how it would feel to have someone read to him and tuck him in at night. Awww! *reads to him and tucks him in*
Author's reply
Yay! You made it to part II! :D
Auntiemeesh · 31 October 2004 · Chapter 42: Helping and Parting
Frodo the Matchmaker! Now that his five minutes of tweenage rebelliousness is over, he's ready to return to being the sweet, delightful boy he usually is. I love that he wanted to help Poppy before returning to Bag End! And I loved seeing some of the story through wee!Pippin's eyes. :)
Author's reply
LOL, yes, well, at least I gave him 5 minutes. 0:-)
bobo baggins · 30 October 2004 · Chapter 42: Helping and Parting
That was so cute! I had felt bad for Poppy, wishing she could make some time for Alar. But now Frodo made time for her! That was so sweet.
Author's reply
Thanks! :)
Hai Took · 30 October 2004 · Chapter 42: Helping and Parting
Bilbo delt with Frodo's misdeeds very well and I really can't think of much to say on that other than it was perfect for the situation and the hobbits involved. I like that Maggot seemed to respect Frodo even though he had stolen from him. Frodo's little bit of match making was great! What a sweet lad! I hope he does tell Bilbo what he did, I am sure that Bilbo would find it amusing and all. Poppy and Alar just needed someone to get them hooked up! Thank you for the next installment!
Author's reply
Thanks for reading! :)
esamen · 29 October 2004 · Chapter 42: Helping and Parting
Frodo opened it to find a parcel of very fine writing parchment. I always smile when I think about how Tolkien gave his heroes Bilbo and Frodo a love of reading and writing. Now we pen-and-ink types have our very own role models, and our special niche in the heroic universe, plying our trade amongst all the others who are enlightened enough to understand that some good writing paper is absolutely the best gift of all. Well, I am happy to see that Poppy got her man. She deserves a wonderful marriage. Are you going to do something with Alar's promise to Frodo? I am glued to the monitor waiting for your chapters with noble angst, h/c, and loving Gamgees. Please write fast! Congratulations on another wonderful chapter.
Author's reply
Yes, it is rather nice to have such scholarly heroes! :P And I'm definitely planning to do something with Alar's promise, but not for a loooong time.
shirebound · 29 October 2004 · Chapter 42: Helping and Parting
Very clever! I doubt I'd have the courage to ever try "matchmaking", but Frodo has a good head on his shoulders. One thing he's truly learned, if nothing else, is that it's "not good to be alone in the world."
Author's reply
Yes, yes! :)
Auntiemeesh · 21 October 2004 · Chapter 41: Consequences
Oh, wow. This story just keeps getting better. I'm so glad Frodo has finally told Bilbo how he's feeling. I hope that helps to make things better for him. This whole trip to Brandy Hall has been so painful, and it would be nice if he could finally create a few pleasant memories here.
Author's reply
I agree! Thus, Frodo gets to make himself useful on the last day and do something happy. Thanks for reviewing. :)
esamen · 13 October 2004 · Chapter 41: Consequences
"He did not know his mother’s eldest brother well; he was reportedly tough on everyone, but not unjust." Nice touch there. I didn't realize that Old Rory was Primula's brother. This adds a lovely layer of emotion into this scene . . . "You’ve always been a friend to the less fortunate, and I wish there were more like you,” Rorimac said gruffly. “You must guard against allowing your feelings to cloud your judgement in the future.” " Ahh, a little hint of what is to come in our hero's story. Very, very good! I love it! It's just too sad that he got in trouble, though. I never wanted to see my honey do something so stupid and then have it WRITTEN about and READ by generations of fic-reading fans and forever be mortified about it. Now, I am asking very nicely for double helpings of h/c. No little blushes in the library -- full out, falling-over, between-the-sheets, call-in-the-healers-and-hope-he-doesn't-die type stuff --- I hope you have some such thing up your talented sleeve for the not-so-distant future! Frodo's so sweet when he's groggy. And all those Bucklanders need to recognize what a tremendous guy he is. You can do it. I know you can. Thanks, and good luck with the semester. esamen
Author's reply
Well, think of it this way. Now that Frodo has done something "human" and shown poor judgement, he is free to be absolutely perfect in every way for the rest of his life! :P That's my logic, anyway. ;) And thanks to your urgings, I have reexamined the rest of the outline for Anchored and determined that there is in fact an excellent opportunity for some good old-fashioned Frodo illness a little further along. Even better, it will give me a chance to have the Gamgees take care of him and worry about him... Muahahaha!
bobo baggins · 12 October 2004 · Chapter 41: Consequences
Awww, Bilbo is so sweet! Maybe now Frodo will realize that Bilbo is there for the good times and the bad. With Bilbo's help, he can face his grief full force. I can't imagine what could possibly happen next, but I am looking forward to it!
Author's reply
All sorts of things can happen next! Thanks for sticking with me. :)
bobo baggins · 8 October 2004 · Chapter 40: Mushrooms
At least Frodo is willing to accept the consequences of his actions. Poor Frodo! He needs a hug right now! Thank you for the way you portray his inner tumoil. You are so good at that that I almost want to cry. Please uodate soon. I don't know how long I can stand to be without knowing what's going to happen next!
Author's reply
Ah, if only Frodo were here right now, I'm sure we would all be happy to hug him!
bobo baggins · 26 September 2004 · Chapter 1: The Troll Under the Bed
I'm sorry, but I couldn't seem to get the picture. I would love to see it! And since I'm here, I must say that I am truly enjoying your trilogy. I have read the first part months ago, but I only just came back to them. And if this is only the second part, and it's not done yet, you really must have a novel in your head. Which I know I will love, since many fanfics are too short for me. For being a first time writer, you are very talented at descriptions and how you portray the characters. I am just now starting (trying, I should say) to write my own fanfic, but I know that I am not a writer and have never written anyhting before. But your story and the way you execute it certainly gives me hope. I know I won't be on the same level as you, but I can cetainly try!
Author's reply
Hmm, I seem to have missed replying to quite a few reviews! I'm sorry! :-\ Did I ever send you the picture? If you give me your e-mail address or e-mail me at obelia_medusa@hotmail.com I can send it to you if you're still interested. Anyway, thank you so much for your sweet review. I do indeed seem to have some kind of novel in my head! I can't believe how long this is getting. I'm still hoping to write the third part one day, too. I will probably always consider myself a science nerd rather than a writer, but thank you! If I have any ability with writing it must come from all the reading I do. :) I read tons and tons of fanfic before I started writing any myself, and the only reason I started writing was because I wanted to see a reeeeally long fic about Frodo's youth and no one was writing one that satisfied me! :P I hope you keep working on your own fanfic; I'm not a writer either but I think if you have a story you want to tell then you'll find people out there who are glad you went to the trouble of writing it down. :)