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A Place for Gandalf  by Dreamflower 7 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 11 on 8/9/2008
I, too, had thought of him as being somewhat reluctant. But it hasn't been totally thankless, I suspect--and now he has good friends here.

Bless the Hobbits--and the Wizard!

Author Reply: Well, as we are given a few hints in the Silm and UT, it does seem that he was not terribly eager--perhaps that was one reason he succeeded. And I think that JRRT was remembering certain reluctant prophets when he fashioned Gandalf--remember how hard it was to persuade Moses to take up his task?

And I think that the friendship he was able to find among the various mortals he knew was sort of a reward to him for doing his duty in spite of his reluctance.

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/13/2005
My mistake about your age. Had I read your biography at the top of your page, I would have seen that I had misinterpreted one of your earlier replies to one of my reviews. You still have a rather special gift with the written word, however.

Author Reply: That's all right! After I got over being boggled, it gave me quite a laugh. It's always flattering to be taken for younger than one is, but I wonder what I could have said to make you think that?

One of the amazing things about online relationships: the erroneous mental pictures we have of our correspondants.

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/13/2005
This was a brief but beautifully poignant chapter.

"There were moments, too, when Frodo could tell they were both leaving something out--they would look each other in the eye, and seem to skip forward in the story, as though by agreement certain things should not be said."

Unfortunately, Frodo will become all too familiar with giving and receiving that type of look and skipping of parts of a story of adventures.


As he felt the familiar swell of the dark sorrow beginning to surge, the door cracked open. A tiny form padded over and clambered into Frodo’s bed. Merry placed his hand on Frodo’s cheek and brushed away the tear.

“I love you, Frodo,” he whispered.

“I love you too, my Merry,” and the darkness rolled back.

*sigh* This brief scene, with no explanation, perfectly captures the special relationship that Merry has with Frodo. Just, *sigh*.


"In a time long past, in the West, he had been reluctant to take up his task. And it had so far been a long and thankless one, with no end in sight.

But it had been worth it all just to have known the friendship of hobbits."

I like this part - it is one of the few times we get to explore how Gandalf felt about his task. It could not have been easy to leave his home and go amongst strangers who knew not how much good he really was doing for them. I imagine that Aragorn feels much the same way.

Are you really only about twenty? To be able to write this well at such a young age is a special gift.


Author Reply: I'm so glad you picked out some of my own favorite bits to quote back at me. This little chapter is one of my favorites anyway. I had not intended it at first--but somehow, I thought the eventful day needed a bit of rounding off. And I was quite pleased with how it came out.

*TWENTY?*

*excuse me*wipes eyes*

Thank you. I needed that.

Seriously, whatever gave you that idea? I'm an *old* lady!

GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 11 on 6/21/2004
Aw! What a cute, happy, fluffy little chapter! A happy ending to a perfect day for everyone. It will take Frodo some time to get used to not having Merry around though.

Author Reply: Yes, I did have to round off the day. When I started the story, I wanted each day to be a separate chapter; but there was so much I wanted to have happen on the 25th (for obvious reasons, I thought the date important) such as Frodo learning of his adoption and Gandalf's arrival, that it ended up being 3 chapters instead. I suppose I could have just done morning and afternoon, but I really thought I needed to round off the day.

It will take both of them a while to get used to not being together. In some ways, it's going to be harder for Frodo than for Merry.


Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 11 on 6/20/2004
Very lovely story! Such a sweet thing to write about: Frodo's adoption and Gandalf getting a room of his own! Merry not wanting to leave Frodo behing, poor little guy. I like that Bilbo caved first to Merry and Frodo's pleading! The way the boys inquired about Gandalf "Fireworks Gandalf", "Troll Gandalf" cute! I like the little glimpse of Sam, him and Merry playing is wonderful! Merry noticing that Sam liked to use "proper", a little fore shadowing of things to come? Bilbo not thinking to order bed sheets, typical ;) At least someone was able to remind him. Esmeralda being sad that Merry didn't need her as much, very motherly. I loved Frodo standing up to Lotho! That he doesn't on his own account but where Merry is concerned he will stand up to anyone! Very sweet, and one day Merry can return the favor! I'm glad Saradoc and Bilbo confronted the S.B's! Good for them! Gandalf's reaction to the room was very sweet! He now has some place to call him own! Thank you for such a lovely story!

Author Reply: Thank you for such a lovely review.
I had thought of telling about Gandalf's room ever since I came up with it in Conspiracy, And then, in a Chapter of the Week discussion on a.f.t./r.a.b..t., in a discussion of Moria, the idea was brought up that Frodo might have met Balin on a visit to the Shire before he went to Moria the year Frodo was adopted. Well, that all kind of fell together to make one story.

This one won't be too long; two or three more chapters, tops.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 11 on 6/20/2004
Gandalf is so right, it woud be nice to know the friendship of hobbits. This is a wonderful story just like all of your others. I look forward to more.

Author Reply: There's a little bit more, two, maybe three, more chapters. It's not going to drag on forever like a couple of mine have.

Gentle HobbitReviewed Chapter: 11 on 6/20/2004
Ahh, I enjoyed this story, and just loved the friendship between the Bagginses and Gandalf. Very touching.

Author Reply: I just think that friendship is such a deep one, I wanted to explore it a bit.

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