Reviews (58)

Lindelea · 1 April 2025 · Chapter 19: In the Darkness

"Well, I daresay you might be too little in your mother's kitchen, but you wouldn't be too little in mine! Oh gosh, every child's dream: a living space built to their scale. Kaylee's mother is going to be quite surprised at her little daughter's acquired skills with Bilbo as her cooking teacher! Cream of mushroom soup? (As an interpreter at a historic site, I learned to cook in an 1840s kitchen. Bilbo's kitchen sounds very familiar!) Leave it to Boromir to be exasperated at a cave troll. “Here’s a pretty hobbit-skin to wrap an elven-princeling in!” has always been one of my favourite speeches of Aragorn's. (And now I'm wondering just how AU this story might be. Will Gandalf still fall in Moria? Drat. I got my answer already.) That scene after they escape from the mines, with hollow-eyed Frodo walking aimlessly, grieving Sam, and a devastated Merry cradling a guilt-ridden and heart-broken Pippin, has haunted me from the first time I saw the film. It was incredibly well-staged and acted, so much so that it still feels real to me all these years later.

Lindelea · 31 March 2025 · Chapter 18: Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?

Oh! Bilbo telling Kaylee the story of The Hobbit! What could be more perfect? (Oh, but further along in the chapter, it doesn't sound so great in Kaylee's case...) This part of the story is difficult to revisit, especially so soon after I'd been working on this part of Bill's account. "Joseph McCloud!" Kevin said sharply. "Behave yourself!" That sounds so familiar! And if he had to ratchet it up a notch, I imagine he'll include his brother's middle name. Right? (What are parents thinking when they don't give a child a middle name? LOL) But good of Joey to defend poor Bill. And how lovely of Frodo to understand how important the children's request was to them. Uh-oh. And now I'm getting worried about Joey's ability to jump those wide cracks! I love the protectiveness the kids display towards each other when the "snakes" emerge. Hmmm. And now I'm wondering if an "emergency" will come up where they need to use their flashlights? Kevin has a lot of good food for thought by the end of the chapter! (Here's hoping I can carve out some reading time tomorrow for the next chapter!)

Lindelea · 14 March 2025 · Chapter 17: Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

I love Tip and Tulip being remembered both by the Walkers and Bilbo at about the same time! It seems to bring them closer somehow, in spirit if not in body. (And nice to hear that Merrylegs is doing Bilbo proud in providing a gentle beginner's mount for Kaylee's riding lessons! Kevin looked at his sister. "All that way for nothing," he said crossly. Yup, pretty much. I must admit, I get that same feeling every time I re-read this part of the book. It's wonderful to have the chance to revisit DF's works by way of their inclusion in this story!

Lindelea · 11 March 2025 · Chapter 16: When You Wish Upon a Star

Another thought: I'm really glad that I finished writing the chapter in All Work and No Play earlier this week, where Ferdi explains Hobbit developmental stages to Haldoron, their Ranger-guide for Farry and Ferdi's quest to retrace the Fellowship's journey to Gondor, or I'd worry about accidental plagiarism! (I always try to give credit where credit is due when I incorporate ideas I've read in other authors' fanfic works.) Of course, DF and I have a lot of similar ideas, and some of that comes from the discussions we've had about hobbit ages and comparisons with men. (I miss those discussions with DF, with Dana, and others... I still get to immerse myself in Middle-earth ponderings with Larner on the phone [or in person! What fun!] on occasion, which is a blessing.) DF was/is brilliant in deciphering JRRT's hints and assumptions! Her nonfiction works, analyzing Tolkien's works, are invaluable references for fanfic writers. Please give her my regards (again) and let her know I think of her often.

Lindelea · 11 March 2025 · Chapter 16: When You Wish Upon a Star

I've often wished I had a solar. We actually had something like one in the desolation that was a Wisconsin winter. My parents enclosed a large porch and added a gas fireplace. On summer evenings, they'd open the glass louvers and enjoy the breeze coming through the screens that kept the mosquitoes at bay. In cold and even freezing weather, with the louvers firmly shut, the glass was thick enough to contain the heat, allowing us to eat on the porch with glass on three sides, letting the bright winter sunshine in. (And man, that winter sun was incredibly bright, seemingly growing ever brighter, the lower the temperatures plunged below freezing!) (I'm really glad that Kaylee's evening "ritual" uses the gentler version and not the old "if I should die before I wake" that traumatized so many children of an older generation, from the stories I heard.) As to youth and slang, I am hopelessly behind. "cool" is about my speed. He wondered what it would be like to see such marvels as "teevee" and "moo-vees" and "net-flix" and "yew toob". I am suddenly reminded of Shirebound's amusing anecdotes on LJ of visiting hobbits wreaking havoc in her office, if I'm remembering right... The "agreed-upon" hand signal(s) makes sense. I have to say, it's a good thing I've almost come to the Doors of Moria in Bill's story, or I'd have to leave off reading this story until after I'd got past that point in finishing the final draft of that story. Speaking of summer evenings... "Star light, star bright" brought back memories of crickets chirping and fireflies flitting about... Formatting question: I understand that italics indicates text from the original, but what's the underlining supposed to convey when the Ranger shouts his warning about Crebain? Ah yes. "Nothing further happened that night." That always jumps out at me nowadays ever since the first time it tugged at my sleeve and whispered there was a story to tell...

Lindelea · 8 March 2025 · Chapter 15: Days in the Sun

Bagginses as Tooth Fairies! How delightful! O my. The boys' plan sounds like something out of Tom Sawyer. And Bungo is so wise. (And I wonder if Bilbo has a farthing to give Kaylee one of these days...) I love that Shire-folk have a version of "99 bottles of beer on the wall"! (And I laughed when they started singing it, remembering my Anachronos story, where Frodo and Merry serenaded the rest of the Company with that song after accidentally ingesting muddlewort.) "Nob o' the Lea" sounds like something Tolkien might have written. Menelcar! (Am I right?) The Yule celebration is lovely! What a thoughtful gesture on the part of the Company. I still don't know what Joey's monster mask looks like, but evidently it resembles something frightening in Middle-earth. (An Orc? A Troll?) And here, Aragorn reminds me of the teacher in A Christmas Story.

Lindelea · 6 March 2025 · Chapter 14: Following the Leader

Hah. Pippin and Merry sound like typical (annoying) younger cousins here. Also, "up to our ankles in briars" sounds so very hobbity! Bless Bilbo! He's no fool. But my heart lurches every time I read, '...when you get back...' in this part of the book. Oh poor Bill, having to leave Lucy behind! Alas, I think Legolas is right about coming face to face with reality, and probably sooner than later. "rod" – now that's a familiar term I haven't heard in a while! When we traveled by canoe in the Boundary Waters, the portages we hiked overland from one body of water to another, carrying our canoes and everything else, were measured in rods. Gandalf seems to have a talent for keeping entertaining squabbles going... somehow, I am reminded of how he distracted the trolls until the sun came up in Bilbo's time.

Lindelea · 1 March 2025 · Chapter 13: Be Prepared

Ah, hobbit party fare! We already know that Bilbo knows how to throw a great party! Joey's thoughts on how much hobbits eat are interesting. However, I'm seriously wondering if maybe Kevin eats as much as a hobbit? That's my experience of teenage boys, anyhow, always eating, and managing to put away astonishing amounts of food, and having a huge impact on the grocery budget, much as JRRT described tweens' impact on their families' pantries somewhere. (I know I read it, but I can't find it.) I have to say I wince every time Kool-Aid is mentioned. I cannot stand the stuff. It may be because my mom always made it up with half the sugar called for on the packet. I have never liked beer, either. Pear juice sounds refreshing! Gandalf laughed, and said, "My dear Bilbo, if they broached the beer casks as often as you preferred, you would soon be an avowed tippler!" I have to tell you, I thought he was going to end this speech by saying, "My dear Bilbo, if they broached the beer casks as often as you preferred, the cellars would soon be empty!" Hmmm. I wonder what the story is behind Pippin's first time drinking in excess? ...but what a treat, to get to listen to Bilbo tell stories! Somehow, when Elrond knocked at the door, I was suddenly reminded of dorm parties in my long-ago college days. Someone would have a birthday, and more and more people would come knocking at their door, and people would be coming and going so you never were sure just how many partygoers there had been by the time the festivities ended. The gift-giving scene is fun. And this detail is so wonderfully real: Kaylee took it and looked up with a broad smile that showed all of her front baby teeth. But alas, poor Jennifer! I've had days like that. Thankfully, Elrond is the soul of kindness.

Lindelea · 28 February 2025 · Chapter 12: The Bare Necessities

It stands to reason that even the Elves' weapons would be beautiful. Deadly, but decorative. I wonder, if the children return to their own place and time eventually, if everything will seem like a dream, or if they'll retain the knowledge they've gained and clear memories of their experiences? I'm glad to see Arwen so competent. Apparently Liv Tyler was a bit of a klutz; she described how Arwen was supposed to do something with a sword, I think? ...and how she nearly injured herself in her awkwardness. I'm also remembering how C.S. Lewis equipped Peter with a sword and Susan with a bow. (I don't remember what he gave Lucy besides the healing potion.) The blades are named "Truth" and "Justice"? For some reason, Wonder Woman comes to mind, though I've never seen the movie and have almost no memory of the TV show. Yes, watching skilled fighters is very much like watching a dance with choreographed moves! (Although in mock battles, of course the choreography is designed to avoid injury rather than inflict it.) (What does Joey's monster mask look like?) Levis for the win! (in terms of sturdiness) I wonder if Elves really do have to cut their hair, or if it simply stops growing when they will it to? Younger with her braid, eh? Reminds me of when my best friend got carded in a bar at age 30 or so. Her braids made her look much younger! Frodo's story sounds like quite an adventure!

Lindelea · 27 February 2025 · Chapter 11: That’s What Friends Are For

This morning when I signed in to do a bit of reading, I looked down the list of chapter titles. Even though I'd already read this one, I wanted to look up the song because it's one I didn't remember. Although I found (and listened to) the Disney version, the song of the same title that has been playing in my mind all morning is the Dionne Warwick version (with Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight), like a walk down memory lane. I just have to say, thank you (even if it was an accidental coincidence of song titles) for stirring this wonderful memory.

Lindelea · 26 February 2025 · Chapter 11: That’s What Friends Are For

"The children are going..." What a perfect excuse to send Merry and Pippin along! Faring much better together than apart sounds eminently logical. Ah, those short-tempered Tooks... That's how I've always imagined them, anyhow. Quite stubborn, too. Poor Merry and his memory of his grandfather's scolding! (Was one of the pies for Pippin?) I can just picture them hugging and dancing in joy when the news had sunk in. "Well, my lads," said Bilbo, "you are well and truly in the frying pan now. I hope that you may keep out of the fire." This sounds just like Bilbo. I went to the link for DF's story and read that one, too. I'm not sure I've seen it before? I didn't leave a review on it in the past, anyhow. I see it was posted to ffnet in 2012, during the time I was mostly away from fanfic, so it would make sense that I didn't see it. While I know that Elrond in the book said something about sending Merry and Pippin back to the Shire with a message, I never quite got the idea that another messenger went back. I was much crueler than you are (were letters from Bilbo, Merry and Pippin in one of DF's stories?); I left Paladin forced to name his successor, Saradoc to insist his son was still alive, and Rosie Cotton to have to go by her sudden feeling (was that in the Spring? I don't remember, exactly) that Sam was coming home. Oh, Freddy might have said something to the exasperated fathers, but it still stood that their sons had disappeared into the Old Forest. I don't know yet if any Brandybucks visited Bree during the year the Travellers were gone and discovered, at least, that they'd made it safely out of the Old Forest as far as Bree. (It's a question on my outline for the story The Farmer's Son, which has been quite politely insisting that other WIPs go first whilst it sits happily on the shelf.) He is probably worried about his son by now. That might just be the understatement of the year...

Lindelea · 25 February 2025 · Chapter 10: I'll Make a Man Out of You

So much happens in this chapter! For one thing, here's the answer to the language question. These details made me chuckle: He was currently at one side, getting a dipper of water from Sam and being scolded fondly by Frodo and Pippin was steadier against his cousin's more calculated onslaught. And this: Merry raised an eyebrow at the Ranger. "You mean to say you are just now noticing that? His cheek is famous in the Shire." "And yours is not, Mr. Brandybuck?" Aragorn asked with a smirk. Merry grinned. "I taught him everything he knows," he replied. The Elves gave Bilbo a familiar-shaped door! Such hospitality! (And Kaylee must have revelled in the hobbit-sized furniture that would have fit her so well.) When Jennifer mentioned the elves at the North Pole, I had a sudden flash of Fiondil's Elf Academy stories and couldn't help laughing. The thought that JRRT actually visited Middle-earth and simply wrote down accounts of his first-hand observations is delightful. Hmmm. Eight drowned horses. Nine Nazgûl. The math is worrisome. Will Jennifer get to be at the royal wedding? What fun to see cameos from Bill and Merrylegs here! The clearest memory I have from my earliest riding lessons was how uncomfortable it felt to keep my heels down. And yet, that was the key to balance! I wondered if any of the new riders felt saddle-sore, or if their lessons were short enough to avoid that discomfort. The mention of smelling horsey also reminded me of how when I came home from a riding lesson, my mom made me change clothes in the entryway and put my riding clothes in a bag and carry the bag to the basement to be washed. She did not want any horse-odor coming into her house! (Mischievous children in the Last Homely House! Perhaps the Elves should consider hosting summer camps or something.)

Lindelea · 24 February 2025 · Chapter 9: Once Upon a Dream

You said: Now would be a good time to reacquaint yourself with the stories you read long ago! KG ...and that is exactly what I've been doing since I retired! Visiting old haunts, reading old favorites, rediscovering old friends, and exploring new delights! :D I try to divide my "spare time" these days equally between writing and reading. And I'm happily looking forward to more.

Lindelea · 24 February 2025 · Chapter 9: Once Upon a Dream

I had this same thought! In fact, both of them were startled: if Middle-earth was real in this place and time, what if Star Wars and other stories like that were, too? That was almost too much to think about. Jennifer was so gentle with little Kaylee, and Gandalf's use of Narya to help Kaylee find her courage was genius. I liked the little scene with Boromir, too, especially his memories of training Faramir, even when he had to do so in secret. I'll have to check out Dreamflower's story. I may have read it and forgotten (I've forgotten a lot of the fanfic I read long ago, not for any lack on the stories' part), or it may be new. Either way, it will seem like a fresh, new story, I'm sure!

Lindelea · 22 February 2025 · Chapter 8: Jolly Holiday

The first part of this chapter feels like a nice respite. The calm before the storm? ...which Elrond and Gandalf's conversation (and Galadriel's input) seems to confirm. So this is the setup for a "tenth walker" story... I have to admit, I don't remember the first half or two-thirds of the chapters that were posted before the hack, so it's like reading a new story with familiar characters.

Lindelea · 20 February 2025 · Chapter 7: Part of That World

One of my happy memories of Panda is watching her sleep, in the last month of her life, when the cancer was making things more difficult for her and the pain was beginning to manifest – seeing her nose twitch, her paws twitching, and then, suddenly, her tail began to wag. At first, it was tentative... and then she wagged wildly for a few seconds. It was a very good dream. ...and here is the answer to my earlier question about pockets! (Good for you, Kevin! Bilbo would approve the handkerchief, I'm sure.) Interesting food comparisons. My mom used to claim that the boxes had more nutrition than the cereal inside them when it came to boxed cereal. She and my dad believed in oatmeal or farina or, alternatively, eggs for breakfast. noble on the inside, Lady Jennifer. And that is where it counts the most And Boromir is a noble Man... Is this a matter of "takes one to know one"?

Lindelea · 19 February 2025 · Chapter 6: Over the Rainbow

I love how gentle Mairen is with little Kaylee. Somehow, she personifies the Elves' delight in children. Since Tolkien made up this place, Haha! While their ideas about looking up the Two Trees and Tolkien's other works once they have access to the Internet again make a lot of sense, it seems that one of the pillars holding up this story is that JRRT didn't make it all up, LOL! (But that he had either divinely provided insight into the far past, or found some obscure written record, perhaps. I guess another explanation would be that in our world, JRRT made it all up, but there's an alternate (or do I mean "parallel"?) universe where everything happened that he wrote about.)

PSW · 18 February 2025 · Chapter 7: Part of That World

So much to think about and get figured out, and things have barely begun!

Lindelea · 18 February 2025 · Chapter 5: Try a Little Something New

Hmmm. Do elves empty the pockets of clothes before laundering them? Or do their clothes not have pockets? (Do they tie pockets on, instead, if they need one?) And now I'm reminded (very dimly) of some book I read or TV show I saw where someone took pictures in another world, but when they got back to their own world and time, all the pictures were blank. I wonder what would happen if Jennifer took pictures on her iPhone? And there's the pebble again! Red herring, or...? I find myself wishing this might be a Eucatastrophy where Boromir survives... His thoughts about Faramir are interesting, and I find myself wondering if Faramir's suitability in this case (in Boromir's thoughts) is because he's a southern Ranger, while Boromir is a warrior. This struck me funny: It was thought best not to put the Dwarves next to the Prince of Mirkwood. And I love the hobbits' culinary analysis of what they're eating. My mom, an excellent cook, used to do the same thing. The feast sounds amazing! I'm glad the children were encouraged to try a few bites of everything. Otherwise, they might miss out on something delicious that only looks unfamiliar. It was interesting to see the Hall of Fire through the children's eyes.

Lindelea · 18 February 2025 · Chapter 4: Strangers Like Me

(At least, I thought I'd read something in the chapter about Jennifer's watch stopping at 4:44, but now I can't find it. Maybe I imagined it. Anyhow, another thought I had was that the stopped watch indicates that no time is passing back home in Oregon, so their parents haven't even missed them yet.)

Lindelea · 18 February 2025 · Chapter 4: Strangers Like Me

It must be sort of like looking like a picture that's out of focus. You can recognize familiar shapes, but some of the other details remain fuzzy and difficult to discern. Y'know, when she picked up the flat pebble in the first place, I wondered if it might have something to do with the magic that transported them... The animal felt like a Warg to me, too, at the time. *shiver* But Glorfindel is on the job! And there's the quote I was thinking of, the one about evil things not coming into the Valley! Interesting that both sides came to the same conclusion, that some divine influence is at work. It makes me think of what JRRT said: The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. The quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must while the eyes of the great are elsewhere. In the first film, Galadriel says something similar to Frodo: Even the smallest person can change the course of the future. The difference in seasons and time of day is interesting, as is the time on Jennifer's watch. So it stopped at 4:44? I recently learned of the concept of "angel numbers"; the explanation I found for "444" is this: The angel number 444 is a message of support, guidance, and love from angels. It can appear when you're working on a goal, facing challenges, or making big decisions.

PSW · 17 February 2025 · Chapter 6: Over the Rainbow

Yet another day gone without any direction for them - I’m sure it’s difficult to know what to do next or how to accept the time going by. But it *would* be good to know there’s an angel about!

PSW · 16 February 2025 · Chapter 5: Try a Little Something New

I’m so glad you put the menu down at the bottom! When they were eating the pie, I was thinking of a recipe i just found on a historical web site - an apple, pear, raisin, and fig pie. It sounded delightful! I have not even heard of quince … had to look that up. I love coming across such recipes, particularly because so many of them are made without all the sugar found in just about everything (in America, anyway). I’m glad the younger kids tried everything - as they discovered, some things are not so bad if you just give them a chance. (Says I, who like just about everything… ;-) I enjoyed the brief glance from Boromir’s POV - seems everyone is making their appearance!

Lindelea · 15 February 2025 · Chapter 3: Make Me Look Good

Good thing Jennifer's a reader! (And I should think the girls, at least, will feel as if they're playing dress-up and delight in the experience. I know everyone in our family did, whether male or female, when we were re-enacting the 1800s at our local historical site.) Haha, I could hear that theme song in my head when I read the lyrics! A three-hour tour! A three-hour tour! Gandalf was equally cautious in Boz4pm's stories, as I recall. Probably wise of him to take that attitude. O-ho, Kevin watched Snow White last night, did he? Just wait until he gets a load of Middle-earth Dwarves... But this is heart-clenching: None of the characters had ever made it home. Aha. So Joey is a year younger than Bergil. At least, subjectively speaking. (I think I mean "subjectively", anyhow.) The upcoming discussion with Gandalf and Elrond promises to be quite interesting. I will save it for tomorrow and am looking forward to reading further then.

PSW · 15 February 2025 · Chapter 4: Strangers Like Me

No winged monkey or wicked witches, but I suspect the Nazgul and Sauron would make short work of those… :-P I have a feeling that Kaylee’s rock will be coming in handy - we shall see! And in the meantime, everyone just has to hang out and wait to learn what is their piece of the puzzle.