Quarantined by shirebound
Mirkwoodmaiden · 24 March 2026 · Chapter 20: Epilogue: The Gift of Belonging
Shirebound! This has been a lovely story! I am so glad I stumbled upon it!! Gandalf's gift to Aragorn is similar to my story "In the Forest" when Estel is twelve and gifted the memory of his father's love for him! This was wonderful to read! I can see why it holds a place in your heart. :-) (((hugs))) MM
Mirkwoodmaiden · 24 March 2026 · Chapter 19: Samwise's Grandest Adventure
Shirebound! "Turn around,” said Bilbo softly. Frodo turned to find himself face to face with a kneeling Aragorn. The young hobbit threw himself into the Ranger’s arms, and wrapped his arms about the Man’s neck." Heart melting....*sniff* Love this chapter! I love the early relationship between Aragorn, Frodo and Sam. "“There are no Elvish drinking songs,” said Aragorn firmly. He busied himself with his soup, then looked at Gandalf. “Are there?” And "“There’s no way I slept through any singing, Elvish or otherwise,” declared Aragorn." I love this! A doubtful Aragorn, wondering how heavily did he sleep? Sting! So good to heard about Bilbo wielding it once again! thanks! (((hugs))) MM
Mirkwoodmaiden · 23 March 2026 · Chapter 18: All in the Family
Shirebound! Eeeeek! (that is for the last chapter, but I had to rush to what would happen!) Bilbo is quite wonderful in a crisis! Taking charge like a general!!! love this chapter. Everybody trying to take care of each other! ((hugs))! And then of course Gandalf arrives! As Aragorn says Gandalf does arrive at the oddest and best times!! “Of course. You’ve become more than a friend,” Bilbo said. “Frodo has come to think of you as a member of his family.” He smiled at the Ranger’s startled expression. “Have you a large family?” “No. Hardly anyone.” “You do now. I hope being an honorary, disreputable Baggins doesn’t displease you overmuch.” “On the contrary,” replied Aragorn. “I am honored.” LOVE THIS!! (((hugs))) MM
Mirkwoodmaiden · 22 March 2026 · Chapter 15: Buried Treasure
Shirebound! I love the pipe present with the seven stars upon it and how Aragorn loves it! Nice detail there. And I love how you have painted Sam and Frodo's beginning relationship, lovely foreshadowing! (((hugs))) MM
Mirkwoodmaiden · 8 March 2026 · Chapter 12: Plain Hobbit Sense
Shirebound!! I love this introduction of Frodo and Sam and his good Hobbit sense!! Sunshine 🌞 indeed!! Lovely to see the relationship take seed. (((Hugs))) MM
Author's reply
Thank you for the hugs, and for your delight in this Tale!
Mirkwoodmaiden · 3 March 2026 · Chapter 11: Remember Me
Shirebound! Love the weaving of the history of the years preceding the Ring War weaving through the story. Wonderfully done. Frodo's reason for remembering Estel, because it was close to Estella had me snorting. Lucky I hadn't taken a sip of coffee just before! (((hugs))) MM
Author's reply
Thank you, sweet friend. This was one of my favorite chapters to write. (((hugs)))
Mirkwoodmaiden · 3 March 2026 · Chapter 9: Safe
Shirebound! Awwwww!I love your recounting of when Bilbo asking Frodo if he would like to be adopted and to live with Bilbo! *happy tears* I love it! And also in the earlier chapter when Frodo is protecting Bilbo from Gollum! Heartbreaking! "What love can do..." I flashed I guess forward to when Frodo is crawling to Mt. Doom and then Sam picks him up! All the feels! :-)) (((hugs))) MM
Author's reply
You're bringing back all my joy in writing this story, thank you! (((hugs)))
Mirkwoodmaiden · 1 March 2026 · Chapter 8: A Hidden Gift
Shirebound!!! I love this part. Aragorn discovering his ability into another's mind like he with Faramir in the Houses of Healing in ROTK. Love it!! Also the use of Sindarin!! Nicely done!! (((Hugs))) MM
Author's reply
Thank you so much for reading, and for bringing back to me the joy of writing this tale. It was a wonderful time in my life. (((Hugs)))
Mirkwoodmaiden · 1 March 2026 · Chapter 1: A Wizard's Mistake
Shirebound! I am only reading now after you reviewed "All else can wait" I was trying to the Rohirrim story you wrote about until this caught my eye. Lovely first chapter!! I can just hear Ian McKellen's voice in Gandalf's words. Onwards! (((Hugs))) MM
Author's reply
Thank you, my friend! I loved writing this story (and all its sequels!) so very much. (((Hugs)))
PSW · 14 November 2015 · Chapter 20: Epilogue: The Gift of Belonging
What a fun story! I really enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to the follow-ups. More little Frodo and Sam fun to come, hopefully! :-)
Author's reply
Hobbity fun is my favorite thing. I never dreamed that "Quarantined" would spawn so many sequels! Thank you so much for your reviews, and I hope you continue to enjoy the tales. :)
PSW · 14 November 2015 · Chapter 18: All in the Family
So it's not embarrassing enough that he got stuck in a pond and had to be rescued by hobbits (and only one adult hobbit, at that), but Gandalf caught him at it ... heehee ... :-) He'll never live this down (but he will live, which is I suppose the point in the end) ...
PSW · 14 November 2015 · Chapter 16: Unquenchable
What about elevenses? Lunch? Afternoon tea? He knows about those, right? ;-)
Author's reply
Those are all very important indeed! :)
PSW · 13 November 2015 · Chapter 15: Buried Treasure
Yes, but that's partially the key -- there are a *lot* of them in Buckland. It's harder to give individual attention when there are so many running around. Easier for Bilbo, who's on his own with no one else to look after ... What a fun little get-together. And only in LOTR can a child -- pardon me, tweenager -- give a pipe as a gift. :-) I was so happy that the movies didn't strip all the pipes and smoking out -- it's such an integral background piece of ME, and of hobbits in particular ...
Author's reply
I'm happy you're enjoying Quarantined. This was a very special story for me.
PSW · 13 November 2015 · Chapter 12: Plain Hobbit Sense
Aww ... little Samwise. :-)
PSW · 12 November 2015 · Chapter 11: Remember Me
Hobbit birthdays! The real way to party ... :-) Glad they got through that. Hope Aragorn can make it back for the birthday(s), it will be a fun treat for him. I see there are still plenty more chapters, so I look forward to whatever mischief they can still get themselves into ... :-P
Author's reply
Thank you so much for discovering and diving in to this story! Imagining Frodo and Aragorn meeting and having adventures pre-Quest filled me with joy, and ideas for many stories. :)
PSW · 12 November 2015 · Chapter 5: A Precious Life
Aragorn might be reserved about forming friends, but this is a cute little hobbit kid -- pardon me, tweenager. I suspect that takes care of more than half the battle right there. :-P You know ... I knew that Bilbo adopted Frodo and brought him to live at Bag End, but for some reason it never really occurred to be about Frodo growing up there. (Maybe because Frodo's grown when FotR starts.) It's true, though--he wasn't even actually an adult until the birthday when Bilbo left. Very interesting ... a definite point to ponder. Enjoying, thanks for writing!
PSW · 12 November 2015 · Chapter 4: What We Most Fear
Well, this sounds like just a fantastic illness ... Good times will be had by all, it seems.
PSW · 12 November 2015 · Chapter 3: Entwined
Of course Frodo got sick. What kind of story would this be if he didn't? :-P
PSW · 12 November 2015 · Chapter 1: A Wizard's Mistake
Quarantined, et al. I'm going in... ;-)
ReaderKit · 7 January 2015 · Chapter 20: Epilogue: The Gift of Belonging
This story is so sweet! I've read the others in this series, and the progression is believable and endearing. Thanks very much!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, ReaderKit! Quarantined is so full of my heart and soul and joy that I'm thrilled folks are still discovering and enjoying it.
Rhyselle · 7 October 2012 · Chapter 20: Epilogue: The Gift of Belonging
Dear shirebound, I've had a need to escape the vagaries of so-called "real life" and immediately thought of your sweet and gentle stories. So now I'm doing a re-read of all I can find on any archive that I know about, and thoroughly enjoying being reunited with your lovely vision of the loving friendships between Frodo and Bilbo, Gandalf, Aragorn and Samwise (and all of the other characters that you write so well). Truthfully, when I'm immersed in your tales, like QUARANTINE, I feel like I've finally FOUND the real world, and I love being there. Thank you so much for blessing us with these stories. Well done!
Author's reply
What a pleasure to hear from you, my friend! I'm so happy that my gentle stories bring you pleasure, escape, and renewed joy in our sweet hobbits. I'm so happy you let me know you're still enjoying these tales, especially my beloved Quarantined universe. (((YOU)))
Rangerofthenorth · 16 August 2011 · Chapter 20: Epilogue: The Gift of Belonging
Lovely. I would like to see a follow up during WOTR or post, though.
Author's reply
Thank you. This story is very special to me, and I'm so happy it's still being discovered and enjoyed. "By Chance or Purpose" is the only sequel that at least gets us to Rivendell. :) Author Reply: I'm just poking my head in to let you know that my latest story (in progress), "The Rings of Evendim", is a "Quarantined" sequel that takes place post-War of the Ring. :)
lovethosehobbits · 4 July 2011 · Chapter 6: In the Mind's Eye
Yep, re reading again...can't get enough on these nights. Sometimes all I want is more, more more...I never apologized to you for using this idea in my fic Labyrinth. I couldn't remember if I asked your permission first or not and have always wondered if I had overstepped badly on that. If so I do so apologize. It was such a wonderful take on an addled mind...to take a blade and not even know it was cutting you. I suppose I was so in awe of you and your lovely idea that I did what I always do...act without thinking. I suppose it could be taken as a compliment, but still I am sure you thought I was an awful plagerizer. So again, I am sorry after the fact. Now back to more of your lovely fic. :D
Author's reply
Goodness, I don't think it ever crossed my mind! I liked "Labyrinth" very much, as you know. I'm very glad you wrote it. Thank you for letting me know you're re-reading and enjoying this fic. "Quarantined" is so special to me. *hugs you all up*
Mîdhaer · 27 July 2009 · Chapter 13: A Letter from Bree
Frodo grinned at him. “He certainly has a lot of names, doesn’t he?” Frodo, you have no idea how many. Love this story.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! "Quarantined" will always be very special to me. :)
Leeah of Gondor · 2 September 2008 · Chapter 20: Epilogue: The Gift of Belonging
This is so indescribable. Beautiful. Thank you so much.
Author's reply
I really appreciate that, Leeah. Thank *you*, for taking the time to let me know that you enjoyed this story.