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GamgeeFest's Keepsakes  by GamgeeFest 9 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 29 on 12/27/2008
Ah--that hat I have being "lost" in a wardrobe in Crickhollow, although I'm not certain who it was who saw to it that it did end up misplaced! And Frodo is most diplomatic!

I'm glad Lotho is a decent Hobbit in this story. Who would have expected it of him to leave loaves of gingerbread? I need to make some--haven't had any for years!

Author Reply: I'm sure no one is mourning the loss of that hat, except Sam and Rosie of course. Frodo has a lot of practice at diplomacy, which came in quite handy for him. ;)

My Lotho does have his decent moments. He does want to be a good hobbit, and he actually accomplishes at times. It makes his downfall all the more bitter though.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 29 on 12/27/2008
Bravo! I am glad to finally get a chance to sit down and enjoy all of these. I just adore the story of Sam's hat. It's perfect. Each one was as entertaining as the last. No wonder Squiggy was in such a hurry to post it all! Milo and Frodo there at the end gave such a nice touch of fore shadowing to it all along with Sam's hat of course. Happy Holidays and thank you for brightening mine this year.

Author Reply: Squiggy has been busy on a sequel about Sam's hat. ;) He should be unveiling it soon.

Sam's spider sense is tingling. I can see this as the start of the Conspiracy, him just writing a casual letter to Merry about Frodo gathering all the Bagginses for Yule, and Merry taking the next logical step. Sam will likely be wearing his hat when he writes it. :P

Thanks for reading!

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 29 on 12/26/2008
Enjoyed these glimpses and especially the comical/touching vision of Sam wearing his hapless hat so proudly!

Author Reply: I can actually see Sam wearing that hat to market, and horrifying Marigold with it! lol! She at least will be happy that it gets lost in the barrows. ;)

Thanks for reading!

nancylea57Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 12/26/2008
i like to see lotho cast as semi decent once in a while thank you for sharing and happy new years.

Author Reply: I don't like to villanize characters, especially the villans. It makes them rather one-dimensional, not to mention boring and predictable. I do think there could have been redemption for Lotho, if he had but lived.

Thanks for reading!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 29 on 12/26/2008
So that's how that hat came to be! :)

Merry Christmas! Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Author Reply: Yes, we finally learn of the making of the hat. Too bad Gandalf never got to see it. :) Thanks for reading!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 29 on 12/25/2008
I am so glad that the hat got a mention or two. All these are lovely GF & Co. I especially like like the finding of the Yule Log and the replanting to honour the tree.

Author Reply: Yes, that hat seems to have stolen the show. lol. Merry and his cousins taking over for the older generation is mirrored by the planting of the tree's daughter. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 29 on 12/25/2008
Frodo blinked at Sam, who stood on the porch wearing a tall shapeless felt bag* upon his head. “New hat?” Frodo guessed wildly.

“Rosie made me a wizard’s hat,” Sam said proudly. “Ain’t it grand?”


This is definitely my favorite moment here! I love finding out the 'origins' of Sam's beloved hat.

Author Reply: Beloved, maybe, but destined to have a very short adventure. He's going to have some explaining to do to Rosie when he comes back sans hat. ;)

Thanks for reading!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 29 on 12/25/2008
What a delightful series of vignettes! I love all these glimpses into the characters of your Shire universe! You really have kept the foreshadowing subtle--there enough to flavor things with anticipation of the coming departure, yet also leaving the characters still oblivious.

I especially loved Everard making Vinca's crossbow! And the glimpse of Willow, happy in her new life, and expecting her first child was a treat!

Author Reply: Thank you, DF! The foreshadowing was a given, but I didn't want to ruin the hobbits' last innocent Yule in their beloved Shire. Still, I do see this as the point where things get started, at least with the Conspiracy.

Everard will be very glad he made that bow for Pervinca, despite his friends' misgivings. ;) Willow and Corbin are a great couple. She might have been dismayed at breaking Merry's heart, but she clearly made the right decision.

Thanks for reading!

Socrates399Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 12/24/2008
I LOVE the etiology of the shapeless felt bag!

Author Reply: I had originally thought to have all the hobbits get gifts they would take on their travels, but the only thing that spoke to me was this odd ornament of Sam's. Glad you enjoyed it!

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