Eleventy-one Years: Too Short a Time by Dreamflower
Andrea · 3 September 2013 · Chapter 29: Fireworks and Forgetfulness
But I think that the Tookishness is just below the surface, ready to burst forth if the right occasion comes along. Old Gerontius was quite right with that remark! And I like Aunt Citrine :-) Let's hope Lalia won't pay her back!
Andrea · 1 September 2013 · Chapter 27: The Wedding
LOL!!! That was just perfect! The prank worked out nicely, with no actual harm done. The wedding was perfect and Bilbo and Siggy found the courage to ask the lasses for a dance. Last but not least, Chop was able to pay them back, which is only fair, I think :-)
Antsne · 24 August 2013 · Chapter 30: Learning to Teach, Teaching to Learn
It's then me a long time bit I am finally here ad I read the next chapter too. I am glad to see Bilbo excelling as a teacher, though concerned about his father's health. Liked the song in the next chapter too. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you! The song has appeared in some of my other stories as well! I wrote it first for "Trotter". I took the canon mentions of Bilbo teaching Sam and Frodo a step further, to deduce that most hobbits were taught by family members, or if they were working hobbits, by their employers.
Larner · 6 August 2013 · Chapter 31: A Ramble Under the Stars
Oh, dear, it would appear there will be no chance this visit to seek to court the fair Pomona, does it? The trip sounds lovely, though. Wish I could have walked alongside him!
Author's reply
I like to think that his fondness for walking under the stars was a youthful inclination. Very unlikely that he will have a chance to court her. She's going to be an apprentice for a several years, and as you know in my Shire, the healers only rarely get married (though it becomes more common in the Fourth Age), and usually when they do, it is often much later than most hobbits.
shirebound · 5 August 2013 · Chapter 31: A Ramble Under the Stars
I'm always so happy when a hungry hobbit sits down to a delicious meal. :) Poor Bilbo, he won't get to see Pomona after all.
Author's reply
Yes, poor Bilbo. Of course, we know from canon he remains a bachelor, so his dreams remain just dreams...
Larner · 30 July 2013 · Chapter 30: Learning to Teach, Teaching to Learn
Oh, I can see him now as the family tutor! And it's wonderful that Tolo found his help to be such a good preparation for Bungo's final examination! Poor Bungo--definitely beginning to fail, but not gone yet, thank Eru.
Author's reply
Yes, this is how it began! Bilbo definitely had his father's scholarly nature, and a good example of teaching before him. I thought that even though the two were close in age, he'd still want help in preparing for that last test. And I can remember late nights in the college dorm, as classmates crammed for finals together. There was always an element of comraderie in the situation. Poor Bungo! The Fell Winter was hard on both Bilbo's parents, but harder on Bungo than on Belladonna. And Bilbo still needs his father's guidance yet a while.
shirebound · 29 July 2013 · Chapter 30: Learning to Teach, Teaching to Learn
What a marvelous introduction to Bilbo-as-teacher. How the young ones must have loved him. But oh, how heartbreaking to see Bungo's health fail.. and his beloved son able to do nothing about it.
Author's reply
Sadly, Bungo's health (and to a lesser extent) Belladonna's as well, has never been the same since the Fell Winter. I've long felt that perhaps having to take on responsibility so young due to his parents' health might explain why Bilbo had become such a homebody before his adventure. And I'm glad you like this first glimpse of Bilbo teaching. For hobbits, this is truly an avocation, not something done for pay. A hobbit of scholarly habits will share his knowledge with the younger generations of his family--and I know that this is something Bilbo is proud to share with his father.
Antane · 25 July 2013 · Chapter 29: Fireworks and Forgetfulness
What a neat chapter! I am sorry that it took me so long to get to it. I love the insights about Bilbo the Old Took and Gandalf have and the foreshadowing there. Glad the old hobbit got to see fireworks once more before he accepted the Gift. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I'm glad he did too! Foreshadowing is one of the most important elements in fanfic--not because it hints to the reader what might happen, because the reader already knows that, but because it lends depth and resonance to the canon connection.
Larner · 23 July 2013 · Chapter 29: Fireworks and Forgetfulness
Oh, and as for Lalia--what can we say? She appears to always have preferred imagining disasters to dealing with life as it really was!
Author's reply
My idea is that Lalia thrives on drama; if she can't see any happening around her, she'll make it up. And she wants to be the center of attention--so being the predictor of bad news brings that to herself. She can never leave well enough alone.
Larner · 23 July 2013 · Chapter 29: Fireworks and Forgetfulness
Oh, so perfect to see him conversing with his grandfather that one last time. I grieve he couldn't do so again. And love Gerontius's evaluation of his most Tookish of Baggins grandson! As for Gandalf and his foresight--well, he can't say he was quite that surprised when he found Bilbo smoking on his doorstep! Heh! Love it!
Author's reply
It was important that I show this part of Bilbo's life; Gerontius had played a huge role in his grandson's life, after all! No, I daresay he wasn't. And he took care to be sure that his future adventurer did not run off somewhere else in the meanwhile.
shirebound · 22 July 2013 · Chapter 29: Fireworks and Forgetfulness
Gandalf laid a hand on his head gently, and bent down to look into his eyes. “Never is a long time, young hobbit. I think that you will forget for a time--but when the time is right, you will indeed remember!” How interesting. :) What a splendid way to introduce us -- and Bilbo -- to Gerontius and Gandalf's friendship, and include us in saying farewell to this remarkable old hobbit.
Author's reply
Thank you! It seemed so odd to me that Bilbo could have so completely forgotten a figure that must have loomed large (in every way, LOL!) in his childhood and youth. Did Gandalf have a feeling that perhaps it was necessary for Bilbo to forget about wizards and adventures for a little while in order to get on with his life in the Shire? It might have been. Yes, it was sad to say farewell to Gerontius, but he had a wonderful run, and his life had been rich and full.
Larner · 19 July 2013 · Chapter 28: Cousins and Calamities
Oh, how predictable young Hobbits are in their desire to get honey with little thought as to how the bees are likely to react and how many stings they and their companions might receive! It does sound like a wonderful time was had by all in spite of the misadventure, and love the appearance of Farmer Cotman!
Author's reply
Yes, young Hobbits in the presence of a possible treat will sometimes lose all sense, LOL! Having already shown that Mistress Rose Greenhand is a contemporary of Bilbo's parents, I thought it might be fun to have her future husband make a cameo.
shirebound · 15 July 2013 · Chapter 28: Cousins and Calamities
Awwww, wee Drogo and his sister Dora. It's such a delight to imagine all these hobbits as children. Children who find adventure whether they want one or not! :)
Author's reply
And we'll be seeing more of both Drogo and Dora in future chapters! All our hobbits were once wee hobbits, and it's so fun to imagine what they might have gotten up to as little children, or even as tweens!
Larner · 8 July 2013 · Chapter 27: The Wedding
A good wedding, wonderful courage shown by Bilbo in approaching Pomona, and a lovely, just reward for the prank! And loved seeing another Pando in the Shire! Heh!
Author's reply
Thanks! Bilbo was pretty brave, wasn't he--even if he did need a tiny push from his mum. Pando is in the list of hobbit names found in Tolkien, even if not in LotR--I think it works pretty well, both in your 'verse and in mine. ;)
shirebound · 8 July 2013 · Chapter 27: The Wedding
This chapter left me with such a warm, happy smile on my face. What a lovely, loving ceremony... and I'm so pleased that all of our worthy, courageous, wonderful hobbits now have enough food and to spare to enjoy a feast such as this.
Author's reply
Yes, the Shire has recovered from the Fell Winter, though some things (such as the health of Bilbo's parents) will never be the same. But now they can move on into their future, and new generations of hobbits!
Antane · 5 July 2013 · Chapter 26: Highday Before the Wedding
I love that song! Sam could have sung the chorus (in a non-romantic way of course) about his beloved master who he loved and followed. It reminds me of his thoughts on the Quest while watching Frodo sleep and earlier what he said to the Elves in Gildor's company. But I love it as a song sung by lasses as well. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I had not really thought of that application--you could be right! Of course, in the context of this chapter, it's clearly romantic! I'm glad you like it!
Larner · 1 July 2013 · Chapter 26: Highday Before the Wedding
Well, and his eyes have been caught by the bride's sister, eh? Could be interesting. Now, to see how the wedding comes off with the groom smelling of garlic and his hair sticky on head and feet!
Author's reply
Yes, Bilbo's got his first serious crush, which may or may not be more than that. His hair shouldn't be sticky; the lads glued the handles of the brushes down to the silver tray so that Chop won't be able to pick them up or use them! Hopefully, he'll smell the pomade before he uses it; and he'll eventually find his spare brushes--but not before he has time to get a little freaked out. Bilbo and Siggy don't want to ruin their cousin's wedding, just give him a little bit of a hard time.
shirebound · 1 July 2013 · Chapter 26: Highday Before the Wedding
Dear Bilbo, smitten with a comely foot and ankle! That was an adorable detail.
Author's reply
*grin* Well, back in the "olden days" when ladies' skirts covered nearly all their "nether limbs", you would often hear of men who enjoyed looking at their ankles; and I thought, "Hmmm...would that go even more so for hobbits, who seem to have a 'thing' about their feet anyway?"
Andrea · 29 June 2013 · Chapter 25: Two Days Before the Wedding
Well, well ... garlic-scented pomade for Chop! That will be funny - at least for Bilbo and Siggy ;-) And of course I agree with Shirebound: Lily is great!
Author's reply
Yep, garlic in the pomade is one of the things. I'm sure that Bilbo and Siggy are wishing they had a way to watch their cousin's reaction, LOL! I'm glad you like her. She's actually the Lily who was the healer's apprentice in the first chapter!
shirebound · 24 June 2013 · Chapter 25: Two Days Before the Wedding
I absolutely love your healer, Mistress Lily. She's so wise and gentle.
Author's reply
I enjoy writing hobbit healers; I think of most of them as sort of motherly, firm with their patients, but gentle as well. My notion is that among hobbits medical care is very holistic--a good healer concerns herself with the total well-being of the patient as well as whatever malady he or she has, and also with the patient's family, since the family takes the brunt of the caregiving.
Larner · 17 June 2013 · Chapter 24: One Eye on the Mirror as You Watched Yourself Go By
So--it's to be the pomade, then? I wonder when it will take effect? Hopefully before Sterday! Although if it doesn't take effect until that day it will help sober Adalgrim for the wedding, I think. Heh!
Author's reply
*grin* We shall see. *rubs hands together*
shirebound · 17 June 2013 · Chapter 24: One Eye on the Mirror as You Watched Yourself Go By
"He's worse than a lass," added Siggy. "You'll understand when you're older, lads," he said. They certainly will! I'm beginning to fear for his dignity, though, with these two lads brimming with mischief.
Author's reply
Poor Adalgrim. But don't worry too much. Bilbo and Siggy really ARE fond of him.
Andrea · 25 May 2013 · Chapter 23: On the Giving of Wedding Gifts
Well, the title of this chapter could very well be found in Aunt Dora's Book, couldn't it? And in the first part of this chapter all participants did their best to follow the rules. Dora would be very pleased :-) But then there comes the prank-planning... I don't know what they come up with, but I'm sure it will be grand!
Author's reply
Yes, I think Aunt Dora would have been pleased with this chapter all the way up to--but NOT including--the prank planning, LOL!
Antane · 15 May 2013 · Chapter 23: On the Giving of Wedding Gifts
Oh, I do wonder what these lads are up to! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
You'll find out before the wedding!
Lindelea · 14 May 2013 · Chapter 23: On the Giving of Wedding Gifts
What's the matter with Bungo? (Ah, must be in one of those chapters I won't let myself read until I'm done with Fell Winter... Will have to hurry it up, I suppose.) I love Bilbo's mum! (And Chop's choice is looking better and better...) Why do I have an uneasy feeling about the prank? LOL! I do hope it's not something that results in a lasting anger. That would be sad.
Author's reply
Yes (to your first paragraph). Belladonna is quite the Took; and young Periwinkle Goldworthy is quite fit to be the grandmother of our Pippin--you will learn a little more about her in the next chapter. I won't make the prank too horrible--it's something that Adalgrim will be able to laugh at--eventually!