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A Tale That Grew in the Telling  by GamgeeFest 4 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/22/2004
Finally! Finally Frodo is home where he belongs!

I loved this chapter. As you well know the dynamic between the cousins is one of my very favorite things to explore, and I love the way you have done that in this story. This chapter in particular, with Frodo and Merry having their conversation, Merry finally coming to realize a little of the grief Frodo must have been living in since his parent's loss, and then Merry's and Pippin's little talk afterwards, was absolutely spot on.

I like the way Jolly was able to live up to his name, and cheer Sam up a bit, and I hope that they are now able to confirm the suspicion that Lotho is the one who beat up Sam.

The Gaffer is in for the shock of his life.

Sam? I wonder. Hope that you update soon--I'm eager to see his reaction. Is he even going to believe it when he sees his Mr. Frodo?


Author Reply: Thank you! Merry has gained a whole new level of respect for Frodo after this. Now that he understands how difficult grief can be, he will not only understand the way Frodo acted throughout so much of their youth together, but he will also be able to appreciate just how strong and resilient Frodo is.

It's difficult enough for someone like Merry to apologize. Add onto that a devious Took who won't let him do it and you get a very frustrated Merry. :) But for all their teasing, they respect each other deeply.

I doubt Jolly would say anything to Gaffer about his suspicions. He would expect Tom to do the talking, but Tom would need some proof before pointing fingers, especially at one of the gentry.

Gaffer is in for quite a shock isn't he? ;)

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/20/2004
Horray! Frodo is going to Sam now. I hope he's in time before Sam does something foolish in his grief. I enjoyed the little talk that Merry had with Frodo and then the other one where Merry tried to appologize to Pippin. That conversation was priceless. I look forward to poor Sam finding out that his Frodo is alive. More soon I hope. Great story!

Author Reply: Sam's pretty well knocked out at this point, thanks to the healer's medicine. He'll wake up to quite a shock though, won't he? ;)

Merry's still trying to make sense of things. This was his first experience with 'death' even if in the end it turned out to be a huge misunderstanding. He has a new appreciation now for what Frodo went through. And of course, you can always rely on Pippin and Merry to lighten the mood. I'm not often in the position where I have to apologize to people, but it doesn't make it easy when the other person won't let you get a word in edgewise. Merry of course has plenty of practice in this area, but even he can get frustrated by it, though as Pippin said, that's part of the fun.

Thanks for reading!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/20/2004
Wake up, Sam! Quick!!

This is wonderful, btw: "And then there was you. You came and I was part of a family again."

Author Reply: The reunion is almost here! Poor Sam has been through so much, Frodo will hardly recognize him, both in appearance and behavior. It will take Sam a little while to realize what's going on.

Merry's birth would have given Frodo some sense of security. Frodo finally had something he could do to contribute and help with the household by taking care of Merry. He had the role of big brother now, rather than just being - in his mind at least - a burden to his aunt and uncle.

Thanks for reading!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/20/2004
Thank goodness. Sam is in desperate need of seeing Frodo - but I think he'll be in so much shock he won't know what to do with himself.

Good to see Merry and Pippin getting over their stresses - and Frodo's description of how Merry's birth was the only thing to pull himself out of despair was lovely.



Author Reply: You're right about the shock. Sam's not exactly going to react as Frodo would expect, not at first. Pippin can never stay mad at his Merry for very long, but he does enjoy hearing his friend's apologies.

Frodo was very much adrift before Merry came. He was thrust into his aunt and uncle's home and care, and never really felt like he belonged. Merry's birth really could have made that feeling even more poignant, and I'm sure it did to some extent, but at the same time, Frodo now had someone to turn to who didn't know how things were before. As far as Merry would have been concerned, Frodo had always been a part of the family and belonged there with them. Esmeralda would have encouraged Frodo to look after Merry because of this.

Thanks for reading.

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