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GamgeeFest's Keepsakes  by GamgeeFest 12 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/24/2007
Oh, what a wonderful tale! I see what all the breaks in service have cost me, and am eager to catch up now. Thank you so much!

Author Reply: Thank you Larner! I'm glad you enjoyed this!

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/12/2006
Oh, wow! So that's why! Poor Sam! And poor Frodo, not knowing all those years. You did this beautifully, and I'm glad it's resolved at last. Wonderful!
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: I've often wondered how that would work, with Sam naming his first son after Frodo. Of course, he would want to honor his master, but the name holds so many memories, both good and bad. Now that Sam is willing to take this step, perhaps he'll start remembering more of the good memories attached to that name and not just the last few years. And now that Frodo-lad understands, he'll be more patient and encouraging of his father.

I'm so glad you enjoyed this!!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/16/2006
I just love this. Rose and Sam are such a wonderful and mature couple, loving their huge brood of children all equally well, and yet sensitive to the signs of distress in each individual.

Rose's encouragement was beautifully done, not overdone but just struck the right note.

And Sam's stricken reaction to learning *why* Frodo was upset, and *how* he had caused that upset was so perfect. Of course he would be horrified to realize that his lad felt himself unworthy of his name. And it would be that which would cause his confession, more than anything else.

A beautiful examination of the little things that can trigger strong reactions.

Author Reply: Sam and Rose are well-tuned to their children's needs, as well as each other's. Rose is as sensible and practical as Sam. They both knew that Sam would need to talk to Frodo eventually, Rose just made sure that he didn't dither around about it any longer.

It was a confession long coming and this gave Sam the perfect opportunity to give it. He never would have suspected that Frodo thought himself unworthy, not only of his name but by way of extension, his father's favor as well. Without meaning to, Sam made a mess of things, and once Frodo realized what was going on, it would have been too late for anyone to bring it up in casual conversation. It's a blessing they were able to finally have this talk and get it all out in the open. Now both lads can begin to heal.

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/14/2006
Just lovely...very touching! A clever idea and beautifully realized.

~~~{~@

Author Reply: Thank you so much! I love stories about Sam and his kids, and lately his kids have been crowding my brain, telling me stories left and right. :) Expect more, though probably not soon. :)

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/14/2006
I'm glad Rosie put her foot down and had them settle this. Frodo is old enough to understand - and Sam is striving to put aside some old nightmares. This should help both of them.

Author Reply: Rose is a sensible lass. She might not have known what exactly lay behind the problem, but she knew there was one and she wouldn't rest until it was settled. She looks after Sam in much the same way Sam looked after Mr. Frodo.

Frodo's understanding is exactly what will help Sam through this. There will be times that Sam will choke on the name, but knowing that Frodo knows why and doesn't judge him for it will make those times easier to deal with. And knowing that Sam never judged him at all will help Frodo to come out from under his father's shadow and really begin to bloom in his own right.

MaidenofValinorReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/13/2006
Oh my...where can I begin?
Simply beautiful...poor Frodo. To have that kind of weight on you must be hard.
And it must have been so hard for Sam to tell anyone that, especially his son.
I love this scenario, I'm always playing around with it a bit myself. Once I thought about it, I was a bit surprised that Sam would want to name his son after Frodo. I would think it would be too painful, and it seems too much like he is naming him to remember, like he'll never see Frodo again. Haha...am I rambling?
Oh, well, amazing job. Beautiful and tear-jerking, and I don't mean my eyes just got a little wet, I mean I had big, fat tears rolling down my cheeks.
:) Lovely. (good title, too.)

Author Reply: To think that you are less than what your parents what you to be has to be the worst thing for any child. Now that Frodo understands the truth, he'll be able to help his father through this transition.

Sam likely wasn't even aware how badly he needed to tell Frodo about that incident until after he had told it. He's so used to bearing his memories that he really doesn't notice that little things like this can add a huge weight, until that weight is lifted.

Sam couldn't dream of *not* naming his firstborn son after his beloved master, but like you, I always thought that it would be difficult for him to say and hear the name every day. Maybe now he can finally start to get past the hurt.

*hands over tissue* :D

Thanks for reading, and thanks for the praise on the title. It was originally going to be "What's in a Name?" but I decided on this other line instead. It sounded more fitting for some reason (less Shakespearean, I suppose, and more in tune with the theme of the story) but I still wasn't entirely sure about it. I'm glad you approve. :)

Lynn HReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/13/2006
Perfect. Just perfect. Of course that's the reason! And it's a very good story written backward - you had to have figured out just how Sam would have felt about the name before you could set up the problem!

Author Reply: Hello Lynn and welcome! I've always felt that it might have been difficult for Sam to say Frodo's name. The memories attached to it are so intense, not like with Merry and Pippin, or Bilbo or anyone else his children are named for. It did take me awhile though to pin point why exactly Sam had difficulty saying his name. I'm glad that Sam and Frodo were able to resolve this and clear away all the misconceptions and (with time) the hurt.

Thanks for reading!

RenaissanceGrrlReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/13/2006
Timer? Did they have wind-up timers or something in the day?

...darn tears. You did it again.

Author Reply: I don't see why they couldn't have mechanical timers. They do have clocks and it's more or less the same concept. Plus, I figure the Travellers would have things like that, that the other hobbits wouldn't have. I'm sure Rose puts it to good use. Allows her out of the kitchen to get some chores done. ;)

*hands over tissue* :)

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/13/2006
Oh this is wonderful GF. And I can just imagine it happening. I am glad that their relationship is close enough that they can discuss it.

Author Reply: Frodo knows his father loves him, there was never any doubt about that. It was just a matter of *how much*. Feeling like you've disappointed your parents, for whatever reason, real or imagined, is such a strain for a child. Frodo was probably glad, deep down, that his father finally asked him why, as it's not something Frodo would bring up on his own. Certainly, the result made the telling worth it. Both father and son were able to heal.

Thanks for the review! :)

PeriantariReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/12/2006
Wow..i'm in tears.
I could quote the whole story since i love it so much and it moved me so but i think you know what you wrote yourself.
I love the interaction in the beginning between Rosie and Sam. I love Sam/Rosie scenes and i can never read enough of them being there for each other in such a loving manner.

But wow, that dialogue between Frodo-lad and Sam... reduced me to tears. So profound, so poignant, so true and i love how you expanded upon your incredible drabble.

Some bits that i just totally loved:

The last thing Frodo wanted to do was talk again about his father one day leaving them all for the Sea. He wanted to think about that as little as he could.
It'll be interesting to know what/how all the Gamgees thought of that actually... i mean knowing that Sam's fate/destiny is to ultimately go to Valinor and not be with them must be kinda tough. :/

“You say everyone else’s name but mine, and that can only be because I’m not like him. I’m not good enough to have his name. I’ve shamed you somehow and I don’t know why.”
Frodo-lad's voice is written so well in here.

I couldn’t be more proud of you and if Mr. Frodo had known you, he’d be just as proud to have you for his namesake. You’re the best hobbit to carry his name there ever was.”
awwww~!!!! :*( :*)

“You’re not a coward, Dad,” Frodo said. “I could never think that.”
“My dad, the stout-hearted,” Frodo said, grinning proudly in turn.
“My lad,” Sam said and hesitated. He drew in a breath and let it out slowly before cupping Frodo’s face and saying softly, almost whispering, “Frodo.”

I love this scene and the relationship you have written between them. I so cherish this fic.

Thank you for giving me a wonderful bedtime story. :)

Author Reply: Hello Peri! Thank you so much for reading and for your lovely review!

There aren't enough Sam/Rose fic out there which is a shame, because they're such an adoring couple. There's no doubt how deeply devoted and connected they are to each other.

In my universe, only Elanor, Frodo and Daisy (and Rose of course) know that Sam might one day sail over the Seas. Elanor knows, for Sam told her many secrets he didn't tell the other children. When Elanor wed and left, she told Frodo, the next eldest, so that he would understand the reasons behind his father's wistfulness and so be able to help him through it. Daisy knows because she overheard Elanor tell Frodo. :) The others will eventually find out of course, and I imagine they will all be sad that they won't be able to keep their father with them, but happy that he'll be with Mr. Frodo again and with the Elves that he loves so much.

Sam and Frodo-lad will grow all the closer after this. Now that everything's out in the open, there will be no need to hold back any longer. Frodo won't be afraid to ask any other questions that come to him and Sam will know that his lad will be able to handle the honest truth. :)

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