JULES6
· 29 January 2004
· Chapter 11: Home at Last
I really like this Finbar character - the more I read further down the chapters - the more I like him.
And thank God that Merry finally admitted why he didn't want Frodo to leave.
Good to see Finbar being strict with the health issue - that little darned hobbit we love would be out of bed and hurting himself again no doubt if he didn't have someone to watch out for him.
Bilbo's reactions and actions were just right too - I hope he meets up with Frodo again soon so they can talk about him going to live at Bag End.
Sorry for the lateness of the review.
JULES
Author's reply
OMG! How can I forget to reply to this! While you have been very nice to comment on the work...
Well, Bilbo will not meet Frodo yet, but someone is on the way.
Thanks again for reviewing!
Pervinca
· 28 January 2004
· Chapter 11: Home at Last
This is a very interesting idea. I haven't seen all that many stories that deal with how Merry would have reacted to Bilbo adopting Frodo. You've also addressed the reasons for Frodo *wanting* to leave Brandy Hall. I have never much been a fan of Frodo, but your story has made me feel so sorry for the little guy. Finbar is a wonderful addition to the story - almost setting up why Frodo was so quick to trust Aragorn. I hope that you continue this soon. It's a very touching piece of work.
Author's reply
I'm very honored you even tried my story although you knew it would be about Frodo. Another story gave me this idea and i thought, why not? As a little kid, i could be envious so I thought it was possible for Merry to feel the same way. I like Finbar too.
I hope everyone is patient enough for the continuation. Thanks!
Grey Wonderer
· 28 January 2004
· Chapter 11: Home at Last
Thank you! A new chapter of this wonderful story. So glad that Merry told Bilbo the truth. Now, what will Frodo do next? What will Bilbo do? It's driving me nuts! LOL
Author's reply
And I forgot to reply to this one, too! Forgive me. Bilbo? Oh, he would do anything he could to find Frodo!
bobo baggins
· 13 January 2004
· Chapter 10: Winding
I have to agree with Grey Wonderer. I can't wait for the next installment! How will Bilbo find Frodo? Is Finbar one of the rangers that rides with Aragorn in Return of the king? Etc., etc. So much anticipation! Please ask mu beta to hurry!
Author's reply
Oh, I don't know! I haven't seen ROTK, y'know - being too far from the centre of excitement. *sniff* But of course thanks for your encouragement!
JULES6
· 9 January 2004
· Chapter 9: Baffled Minds
A very heartwrenching question for our dear hobbit:
Frodo turned his face away in an attempt to hide the tears that were suddenly threatening to spill over. It hurt so much that he could not even answer the simplest question: Where is your house, Frodo Baggins?
I am glad that Bilbo was understanding about how much Merry was going to miss Frodo. The part about him softing when he saw Merry crying was really nice.
I like the complexity of this character Finbar - looks rough but then his words give the impression of caring and compassion. Not unlike our Mr Strider I should think - but with blond hair and blue eyes maybe not.
Keep up the really great story - I am liking this and I hope by these few words that I am telling you why and not just to say I like it.
JULES
Author's reply
I'm thankful for all kinds of reviews but really appreciate those that give more insights to the story, such as yours! I'm quite stunned so many people read this. I just hope the ending parts will not disappoint anyone.
JULES6
· 9 January 2004
· Chapter 8: Sour and Sweet
I read this paragraph and was just cheering for the dear old hobbit:
“I refuse to hear such silly excuses!” Bilbo pronounced his words clearly and even more loudly. “Frodo is under your care as long as he’s here no matter what! Don’t give me ridiculous stories of someone forging my writing only to fool him and make the lad run away. Frodo is not that foolish. And it is your job to make sure something like that does not happen. How can Frodo flee from under your nose without you knowing it!?”
GO GET EM BILBO - but then I remembered it was Merry and didn't want anything too bad to happen to him - maybe just a few angry words from Frodo and Bilbo - his actions were driven by his sense of despair of losing Frodo as a friend.
JULES
Author's reply
Yes, yes. MBradford my beta reminded me the things Bilbo might do to Merry, considering how Merry and Bilbo are like. It's not likely that Bilbo will be so harsh because of the reasons you wrote and Bilbo's character itself.
JULES6
· 9 January 2004
· Chapter 7: Journeys
This paragraph just made you feel butterflies in your stomach it was so good and angsty.
Through the wet surroundings, soggy land, leaves with water clinging on their pointy tips, and damp yet refreshing air, the hooded figure was carrying Frodo along through the night. Sometimes cradled in the man’s arms and at other times draped gently against his shoulder, Frodo was warmly wrapped in the human’s spare blanket, leaving only his face unhidden.
I like the dream sequence where Frodo thinks he is back with his parents and then that dream is shattered in the blink of an eye - just adds to the tension he is feeling and the cautiousness when he wakes in an unknown place with strangers at his door.
JULES
Author's reply
And butterflies in my stomach to read such thorough reviews.
I remember when thinking about what I wanted to write in this chapter, I closed my eyes and really wanted to feel how Frodo actually felt. And I did that in a cab on the way to work. ^_^
JULES6
· 9 January 2004
· Chapter 6: Midnight Woes
I just love this paragraph:
Apprehension was clear in his face. Sara seldom gave him any punishments, but once he did, Merry had not been able to sit for days. And child? That was not a good sign.
It's like when you got called by your full name when you were a kid - you knew you were in trouble - now I do it to my own kids.
You can really feel the pain that Frodo is in and the misery he is experiencing walking until exhaustion in the rain.
Bilbo's new mission has a sense of urgency about it without him even being aware yet that Frodo is missing and hurt.
Just love it - great stuff.
JULES
Author's reply
O-oh, you've your own kids? And all this time you're a teenager or tweenager. Sorry! :)
I'm so glad you love it. I can't help it making Frodo in misery. He's just so great in that kind of stories.
JULES6
· 9 January 2004
· Chapter 5: A Blanket of Memory
It took a until the third time I read this to realise that it was Merry who wrote the letter that Frodo read - just me being a dodo - but I loved it all the same.
The whole idea of Frodo walking alone in the pouring rain and storm is just great - for me anyway. Hope that ankle isn't too painful for our dear hobbit.
I also like where he is wondering if Bilbo will change his mind if he turns up at Bag End - could you imagine the look on Bilbo's face - now I am giving myself ideas - tsk tsk.
Keep the great writing going.
JULES
Author's reply
I'm trying to do justice for you by replying your reviews one by one as you've been so kind as to leave me so many words. :)
Oh! I wish I'm not unclear about Merry being the letter forger. I know sometimes I'm not that sharp about writing anything. And about the twisted ankle, thanks for mentioning it! You might not believe me but I almost forgot about it. :) I wrote too many things. Ha ha.
JULES6
· 8 January 2004
· Chapter 4: Flight
I love this chapter - the whole idea about if the going gets tough - then runaway. Not that I recommend that - but for Frodo - it is perfect.
The fact that you added a storm, rain and his sense of self-doubt just add wonderfully to the angst. Great work. That's the evil person in me talking.
JULES
Author's reply
JULES... JULES... JULES... JULES...
Four times pay for all, I wish. LOL. But great thanks for all the lovely words from you. And the time that you spared me. Thanks, thanks, thanks.
I'm just so in love with Frodo. He inspires me so much that I can come up with all my stories.
Keep writing yourself, girl. I'll be waiting for your tales.
Shinta
JULES6
· 8 January 2004
· Chapter 3: Another Letter from Bilbo?
I really like this passage in this chapter:
Frodo sighed again when he came to the library’s closed door. He would rather hide himself again behind the piles of books than face the aggravated eyes of his uncle or the leering faces of his cousins. Frodo felt somewhat tired of facing them all, tired of feeling hated, abandoned, and tired of feeling – alone.
And I think that in the beginning of his life - this was very Frodo like - to shut himself away if he felt threatened or the walls closing in around him. He would prefer to experience the pain alone than to share it with others.
As his journey progressed then we see a little stubbornness and self-worth creeping in at various intervals in small quantities - just enough for us to see that this usually passive and generous hobbit who grew so much because of what was happening around him.
I love any references to Farmer Maggot - I am going to have a scene in my story revolving around the corn fields from the movie and having reference to him also - I love the idea of the angry farmer chasing the hobbits through his fields.
Onto the net part.
JULES
JULES
· 8 January 2004
· Chapter 2: Ungrateful
I have to agree with Frodo - if there is one theme throughout most writers personification of Frodo it is that he is the most unselfish of all hobbits.
The fact that you had Merry calling him ungrateful would have really hurt him. Frodo was never one to speak out and demand anything from anyone, or so people would like to think. I love that the anger from Merry continued from the first chapter and then escalated as soon as the next chapter began.
Frodo doesn't realise that Merry is hurting almost as badly as him, but for different reasons.
Looking forward to the next part.
JULES
JULES6
· 8 January 2004
· Chapter 1: Hidden Feeling
Hi Iorhael,
I really like the idea that Merry was feeling a little more than sad about Frodo leaving Brandy Hall. The emotions were well described - from Frodo's excitement and anticipation to Merry's thoughts about what his cousin had missed out on in Brandy Hall and towards the end - a little anger starting to creep into his reply.
Very nicely done part to open with.
JULES
Grey Wonderer
· 7 January 2004
· Chapter 10: Winding
Leave me with another cliff-hanger! Ahhhhhhhhh! The waiting may kill me. Love Merry with Bilbo. I felt so sorry for both of them. And poor Frodo! So much to work out here, you better stop reading this and write more chapters. LOL
Author's reply
Okay, okay. He he. But I have written more. It's just, psst... it's still with mu beta. :) So I hope you'll be patient and how about if I post another of my stories?
JULES6
· 7 January 2004
· Chapter 10: Winding
Hi,
I haven't reviewed the previous chapters yet - but I will. I really like the angsty moment at the end of this chapter. Love that Frodo didn't think Finbar knew he was pretending and then gave himself away.
I am enjoying this story very much - like I said - I will go back and tell you what other parts I liked as soon as I can.
Keep up the great work.
JULES
Author's reply
I'm just so honored by this review though your others of course will not be warded off. ^_^ Hey, I like your story too!
Author Reply: I'm just so honored by this review though your others of course will not be warded off. ^_^ Hey, I like your story too!
Author Reply: I'm just so honored by this review though your others of course will not be warded off. ^_^ Hey, I like your story too!
I hope Frodo's new friend isn't going to accuse him of anything. I don't think Frodo can stand that at the moment. I like this range by the way. He is a very good character. I am also enjoying Frodo's memories of his parents an his home. More soon please.
Author's reply
Thanks again for your review, GW! I really appreciate it. But now that the chapters here have caught up what I posted at ffnet, I think you need to be patient. *blush* So sorry.
I'm glad you like the parts, and don't worry abot finbar. He's a gentle soul.
Love, Iorhael
Shireling
· 8 December 2003
· Chapter 8: Sour and Sweet
Poor Merry. I can just imagine him squirming both physically and emotionally!
I like your Ranger...I'm glad it's not Aragorn-nice to know there are other nice Rangers out there.
Helen
Author's reply
Helen, I thank you for reviewing it again! It's always so encouraging to know people actually acknowledge what you're doing. I myself always try to acknowledge people as best as I can. :)
Grey Wonderer
· 8 December 2003
· Chapter 8: Sour and Sweet
I thought this was going to be Strider! You fooled me. I like this new ranger though and I am wondering what is going to happen next so update in a hurry! I want to know if Bilbo is going to understand what Merry has done or if he will be angry.
Author's reply
I was like asking anyone for the ranger's name but I finally found it myself. I hthought I was going to have Strider, too. But I didn't want it if his character is somewhat different. I imagine this one as Faramir. :)
Glad you get my story this fast! I'm trying to post the new chapter soon!
Thank you!
Grey Wonderer
· 2 December 2003
· Chapter 7: Journeys
Even better than I expected! What a wonderful chapter. I love Bilbo for going to get Frodo and I am very interested to know who has saved Frodo. Can't wait for more.
Shireling
· 2 December 2003
· Chapter 7: Journeys
I am so pleased you have posted your story here.
I really enjoyed your portrayal of both Frodo and Bilbo.I look forward to reading more soon.
Helen
Author's reply
Dear Helen,
Thank you very much for reviewing. This means a lot to me! And thanks for liking my story. I'll try to update as soon as possible! :)
Iorhael.
Thank you for writing another wonderful chapter so soon. This is getting more interesting by the minute. As angry as I was with Merry in the last chapter, I was so sorry for him when he had to take his punishment! But right now I am realy worried about Frodo out in the storm. Don't make me wait too long!
Author's reply
Ha! Thanks to you, I now know how to reply. This is very practical.
Thanks for liking my story. I enjoy writing it, too. I will update as soon as possible. Don't worry.
BTW, I'm building my first website now. Please visit: http://www.geocities.com/rovers04/index.html
Hugs!
Iorhael
Grey Wonderer
· 17 November 2003
· Chapter 5: A Blanket of Memory
I enjoyed this chapter very much. I like the scene in the library where Merry is so sure he will find Frodo. His reaction when Frodo isn't there is very real. I am looking forward to more. Hope Frodo isn't in the rain too long.
Iawen Londea
· 14 November 2003
· Chapter 4: Flight
OH! I feel so awful for Frodo, and for poor Merry. *sighs sadly* What a mess. Poor Frodo. Continue soon, mellon nin! =D
Iawen Londea
· 13 November 2003
· Chapter 3: Another Letter from Bilbo?
Oh poor Frodo!!! I'm trying to feel bad for Merry but after what he just did I'm finding it hard lol. Bad Merry! *Ahem* Continue soon, I want to see how this works out!