More Than Meets the Eye by shirebound
PSW · 12 December 2015 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
I really liked this last bit, especially the blessing. Nice moment between father and son...
Author's reply
Thank you. I really enjoy imagining scenes like that, especially with characters I don't write about too frequently.
layne · 15 April 2014 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
I really love this conversation between Gloin and Gimli. “Are you saying that Frodo appears unnaturally young? That when we see the Ring to its destruction, he will age before our very eyes?” I'm kind of glad that we didn't see that in the movies :) I've quite forgotten, did Frodo appear older in the book after the ring was destroyed? I know he was sick but did look much older?
Author's reply
Frodo isn't mentioned in the book as having looked any older. The poor dear had enough to deal with as it was!
layne · 14 April 2014 · Chapter 3: A Memory of Song
Poor, poor Kili. I love Fili for taking good care of Kili, and oh, Bilbo singing! :D
Author's reply
Thank you. I know Fili would have taken good care of his young brother.
Linda Hoyland · 12 April 2014 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
I love the insights these two have into Bilbo and Frodo and also their loving father and son bond.
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda. Even when stories are small, I still do a lot of research, and they end up teaching me quite a bit.
Dreamflower · 12 April 2014 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
This is absolutely wonderful! I love seeing Gloin's pride not only in his son, but in his old companion. Beautiful!
Author's reply
Thank you. When I began writing this chapter I thought it was only going to be Gloin reminiscing about Bilbo, but (of course) it had a mind of its own. :)
Garnet Took · 12 April 2014 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
What a wonderful way to end this little story. Gloin and Gimli both got to travel with the best of all hobbits and in their own way in their own story they were blessed as well as being a blessing.
Author's reply
I feel the same way. I really enjoyed writing these scenes, and thinking about how the lives of certain remarkable hobbits and dwarves intertwined.
Armariel · 12 April 2014 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
Oh dear, this is all? Very nice wrap-up chapter, but I would have loved to see more from other dwarves. Very enjoyable overall!:) ~~~~~~{~@
Author's reply
Thank you very much. Maybe I'll eventually be inspired to write more. :)
Larner · 12 April 2014 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
Oh, how wonderful! I truly love this, with Gimli begging his father's blessing and Gloin invoking Mahal as he does. Two special times when Dwarves and Hobbits assist one another! Excellent! Thank you for this one, Shirebound!
Author's reply
Thank *you*! the 'blessing scene' just flowed naturally, which makes me feel that it might have been true to these characters. Gloin has had a lot of time in Rivendell to observe and reflect, and I thought he might have come to some interesting conclusions.
addie71 · 12 April 2014 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
What a loving and heartwarming story.
Author's reply
Thank you. This was a pleasure to write.
Andrea · 12 April 2014 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
“And perhaps the Elf and I will refrain from throttling one another in front of the hobbits,” Gimli muttered, only half in jest, and Gloín laughed heartily. LOL!!! He doesn't know yet, but he's so right with that statement ;-) I found it very interesting that both Gimli and Gloin recognized the effects the Ring had on Bilbo and Frodo concerning age. That shows high intelligence. And I liked it how proud both dwarves were that Gimli was chosen as a member of the Fellowship!
Author's reply
I'm sure Gloin spent quite a bit of time with Bilbo in Rivendell, and had a good chance to observe him, and think about what might have happened to the old hobbit since seeing him last. Tolkien never states whether Gimli volunteered to go with Frodo, or was asked by Elrond (or maybe Gandalf) to go, but I like to think that he volunteered partly because of the stories he heard about the courageous Burglar Baggins. It was interesting imagining what his parting from his father might have been like.
Lindelea · 12 April 2014 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
Oh, but this is perfect! (And leaves me wanting more, something like some book or other that we both know and love...) Burglar Baggins! I love it! I like the fragile-seeming, elegant chair that is stronger that it looks, and deceptively comfortable! Sounds a bit like a description of an Elf, on closer acquaintance. Gloin is so wise and perceptive. He might not have had the benefit of Gandalf's thoughts on the matter, but his conclusions are well-thought-out and shrewd. His sorrow at the possible consequences for Frodo is well-drawn and does him credit. LOL to Gloin's thoughts on Gimli's future, and Gimli's down-to-earth response! The father's blessing, and his pondering after his son's departure, brought tears to my eyes. *sigh* I do hope your Muse stirs up more stories. Have really enjoyed this one.
Author's reply
I truly loved writing these small scenes, and observing hobbits through the eyes of Thorin, Gloin, and others has been a happy challenge. "Wanting more" is such a compliment. *beams* Thank you so much.
lavendertook · 12 April 2014 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
Oh beautiful! So loving and tender and right. Such a hard parting like Bilbo and Frodo's that we did not get to see. And such proper background for Gimli--the pride and hope and pressure he bears. A very fitting ending for this series of Dwarvish meditations on hobbits.
Author's reply
Thank you. This is one of the partings I've always been curious about, and was happy to find a place for it as the conclusion of this story. "Meditations on hobbits" would have made such a good title for this story!
Fiondil · 12 April 2014 · Chapter 4: A Father's Pride
It's complete? *sniff* Ah, well, this is a great treasure, Shirebound, however long or short. Love the entire concept and this last is quite poignant with father and son speaking to one another on the eve of the son's departure with the Ringbearer and the others. <“And perhaps the Elf and I will refrain from throttling one another in front of the hobbits,” Gimli muttered, only half in jest, and Gloín laughed heartily.> LOL! This was too funny and so ironic considering what actually happened between them. Anyway, thanks again for sharing this with the rest of us. Hope to see something else from you someday soon.
Author's reply
Thank you for your much-appreciated review. In a few weeks I'll have been writing LOTR fanfic for 12 years, and am so grateful to still be able to contribute bits and pieces to the Professor's epic tale. With luck, we'll all be happily doing so for many more years. :)
Periantari · 9 April 2014 · Chapter 3: A Memory of Song
oooo i loved that! The h/c was awesome! And i love how you mentioned Kili fell asleep thinking of Bilbo's singing voice! That was written so well! :D
Author's reply
Thank you! After reading such an inspiring quote, could h/c be far behind? :)
lavendertook · 6 April 2014 · Chapter 3: A Memory of Song
It's nice to hear Bilbo get more gratitude for his daring rescue of the dwarves, and nice that it's Gimli's dad. Lovely closing image.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. Now that I think about it, quite a few of my stories were inspired by wanting hobbits to get more gratitude and respect. :) Gimli's dad (and Gimli) are the focus of chapter 4. I'm having a wonderful time writing it.
Andrea · 6 April 2014 · Chapter 3: A Memory of Song
“Perhaps Bilbo will sing to Smaug, and enchant him into giving up our treasure willingly,” he murmured. That would have been great if it had worked ;-) Unfortunately Bilbo is not a powerful Elf Lord who might have known a special song for such a purpose. He's not even a master burglar, but he's on a good way. For now, he has deeply impressed the dwarves with his singing while getting rid of the spiders and their rescue.
Author's reply
I do think the dwarves grew more and more impressed with Mr. Baggins the longer they traveled together. He was more creative, courageous, and resilient than he (or they) thought he could be, and perhaps more than even Gandalf foresaw.
Fiondil · 6 April 2014 · Chapter 3: A Memory of Song
Excellent, Shirebound, and a lovely thing to wake up to on a Sunday. A clever way to integrate Book!Kili and Movie!Kili but definitely within the context of the book. Another powerful visual. You do that so well with so few words and I love how you end it with Kili dreaming of butterflies (always a significant symbol for me),sunlight and clean air and Bilbo singing from within a mountain of gold. I am afraid it is the only good dream the poor Dwarf will have, given what happens to him in the end.
Author's reply
Thank you. And yes, poor Kili... the only way he'll have a happily-ever-after is in the land of AU fanfiction, which is always a nice option for authors. I'm very glad you like how the chapter ends. :)
Linda Hoyland · 5 April 2014 · Chapter 3: A Memory of Song
You really brought it to life for me how horrible this ordeal must have been. Hooray for Bilbo!
Author's reply
Bilbo was amazing! I know the Dwarves would have been incredibly grateful to him; they all would surely have died here if 'Burglar Baggins' hadn't been with them.
Dreamflower · 5 April 2014 · Chapter 3: A Memory of Song
Oh my! This was really VERY nice, very nice indeed! Poor Kili, but at least he got a lovely dream at the end...
Author's reply
Thank you! When I re-read that chapter recently, I was reminded of how sick the dwarves really were after that horrid encounter with the spiders. I couldn't wait to dive in. :)
Lindelea · 5 April 2014 · Chapter 3: A Memory of Song
Awww. Such a gentle moment in the midst of a nonstop adventure (well, practically nonstop. I know JRRT said something about not writing about the slow and peaceful times, as they're not as exciting as the other times). I loved Gloin's sentiment, and the agreement from the others (lovely turn of phrase!): “As did I,” said Gloín. “My compliments, Master Burglar. If you steal nothing more than all of us from those loathsome beasts, I will be content.” There was a murmured assent from many voices.
Author's reply
Thank you. Small, gentle moments like this can help us glimpse how a group is getting along, and how they relate to one another. Author Reply: And thank you for highlighting Gloin's sentiment there. Dear Bilbo needs to hear some appreciation once in awhile. :)
addie71 · 5 April 2014 · Chapter 3: A Memory of Song
I love Fili taking care of his brother and it's sweet that Bilbo's song wove it's way into Kili's healing sleep. Lovely, me dear.
Author's reply
*beams* You know I can never pass up a chance for h/ccc. The Hobbit is a whole new playground.
Larner · 5 April 2014 · Chapter 3: A Memory of Song
A delightful glimpse of Bilbo from Kili's POV. How difficult it must have been to waken from that poison and to find oneself so sick.
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm really enjoying these little scenes. I didn't realize until I re-read this chapter how long the Dwarves were cocooned, and how sick they all were.
Cairistiona · 5 April 2014 · Chapter 3: A Memory of Song
Aww, this was lovely. Brotherly care from Fili for poor Kili... I enjoyed every moment of this! I loved the image of him falling peacefully to sleep in his brother's arms.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I could picture a scene like this so clearly, and hope there could be a time of comfort and levity after such a terrible experience.
Cairistiona · 5 April 2014 · Chapter 2: Musings on the Doorstep
A restocked larder really would be the wealth of a hobbit's dreams! That gave me such a smile. Balin is a real treasure himself, and you've done him justice with this little snippet. Thorin as well--you've captured his dour character wonderfully. I love how you show Balin basically running rings around his every grumbling protest.
Author's reply
Thank you! It's interesting to imagine what strengths the different Dwarves bring to this venture, and I like to think that Balin would be a calming anchor for Thorin's impulsive (and often dark) thoughts.
lbilover · 4 April 2014 · Chapter 2: Musings on the Doorstep
As always you have keen insights of your own (does the blood of Durin flow in you??) and I especially love that you focused on Balin in the second vignette, for he is most definitely my favorite Dwarf in The Hobbit. He is so kind and such a good friend to Bilbo. Thank you!!
Author's reply
Dear Balin, I really enjoyed writing about him for the first time. Thank you so much! I'll try to keep tapping in to my 'inner Durin'. :)