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Birthday Surprises  by Baggins Babe 14 Review(s)
AntaneReviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/23/2007
What a glorious birthday for our Sam! Yes, indeed, dearly beloved.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

MirkwoodmaidenReviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/2/2006
Hit the wrong button and the review was sent before I was finished!! As I was saying...I loved the festiveness you portrayed.

I can see Sam really appreciating the Book of Healing that was the present from Aragorn and Arwen. Very nice touch!

Ah! "Mount a rescue!!" LOL!!! I see Mrs. Bracegirdle the remarkably full figured, has made an appearance again in the story LOL!!! I think Aragorn emerged unscathed from his encounter w/ her. Only just though!

Again your description of food leaves my mouth watering!! Mmmmmmm!!! Yum!! I miss England and all that lovely food!!

"Native Common Sense!" Yep, isn't that Truth!! Sam even resisted the ring's empty promises while in Mordor!

I loved the Fireworks that both Aragorn's and later Gandalf's (Or Olorin, I should say)were a lovely touch. Nice way to celebrate lovely Sam's birthday who suitably abashed! Wonderfully written!

MM!

Author Reply: At last, a review! Although you reviewed this chapter already! *deliver virtual whap*

Yes, Sam is full of native common sense - every home should have a Sam!

Thought you'd enjoy the food! :-))

MirkwoodmaidenReviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/2/2006
My dear BB!

I loved this last chapter the recounting of the party was highly enjoyable. The festive atmosphere was wonderfully rendered.

MirkwoodmaidenReviewed Chapter: 11 on 8/3/2006
My dear BB!

I truly enjoyed this chapter!! not only are we treated to your wonderful ability to write about the Shire in such an evocative way. The picture that you paint with words I think captures the essence of the Shire and the hobbits. Warm, friendly. People who enjoy the joys of living and appreciately what they have been given. I think the Professor would have been proud! Lovely the way you've allowed the whole Sandyman family to find happiness and contentment and how they've begun to flower in ways Ol' Teddy Sandyman would never have allowed.

The archery competition was fun and along with mention of Hyacinth's large bosom! LOL!!!! Loved that! Also it was really an interesting bit to have Radagast showing up and telling part of the story you don't often have that happen in fan fiction. Nice touch!!

A delightful chapter!

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 11 on 6/9/2006
Now I remember why I was not even going to start this one just now, it is a long one, and I am trying to cut back on my reading just now, and pay a bit more attention to "Real Life". This was well worth the diversion, however. As another reviewer said, to start quoting my favorite lines would re-write the whole thing! Such an amazing guest list! I think the only ones of my favorite people who were not there were Arwen and Eowyn. Oh, and Eomer. But you did even have him send a gift. And Hobbits behaving like Hobbits. Such beautiful, well-developed pictures of the plants, the people, the land and the food ! Reading this really feels like being there. And, I might add, being in your story feels like being in one of Larner's. You have the same wonderful character development as my favorites of hers, and an overall atmosphere of light and joy. Now I quess I will have to go back and read the whole thing.
Well done!

Author Reply: Thank you so much for all your kind words - I love Larner's stories too.

I thought about bringing Eomer, but in an earlier chapter I explain why he has not come to join the party. Perhaps he'll pay a visit of his own............

What a guest list for Sam's birthday, but the dear hobbit deserves it. Who wouldn't want to be at such a part, eating wonderful food prepared by hobbits? I love my visits to the Shire and I am sure others do too. I hope you enjoy the whole story.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 11 on 6/4/2006
Oh dear, how could I have missed reviewing such a wonderful chapter as that BB? Thanks for the heads up. It is actually quite nice to be missed! I have to blame RL - it is my busiest time of the year and visiting parents means that I am often catching up after midnight on Fridays.

If I were to quote my favourite bits I would be repeating the whole chapter! But... Strider covered in hobbitlings....The speeches....the revealing of the King and of course... Gandalf's fiery message of love.

Happy Birthday for Thursday my dear BB.

Author Reply: Hi there! Glad you found it after all, and glad you enjoyed the birthday celebrations. Had my own last week too, although I would have liked the hobbit archers and some fireworks courtesy of Gandalf! Thank you for the good wishes.

I think Gandalf would have wanted to send his own message to Sam and his beloved Shire. Aragorn covered in little hobbitlings........ what an adorable picture that makes!

From your name I imagine you are somewhere in north-west London. I'm not very far away, so enjoy the sunshine!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/30/2006
That was truly a wonderful birthday for Sam! From the gifts and the guests to the food and the firework at the end everything was perfect. Who’d thought even Radagast would come? And even Gandalf contributing something to the party was great.

So the hobbits now know who the Lord Thorongil is. They took it very well. And I loved the image of Aragorn, practically buried under little hobbits, telling stories. It is nice to see them treat him so familiarly, even after they knew who he truly was. He was right to remain incognito in the beginning, so they’d not be over-awed of the High King and react more natural to him, of that I am certain. Jolly’s reaction to the revelation just *whom* he had stolen the ball was proof enough *grin*

Author Reply: I just had to get some wizards in there somewhere! :-))

Ah yes, Aragorn buried under little hobbits - what an adorable picture that conjures up. I think the hobbits will always remember this visit.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/27/2006
Happy, happy grin! I am grinning all over my face! Thank you for this lovely bit of happiness for Frodo, and all his friends! *happy sigh*

Author Reply: Ah, I was wondering where Dreamflower had gone! So pleased that you enjoyed this and I can imagine you grinning! Just like Sam!

Now I just have to do a mathom for everyone for my birthday on Thursday.........

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/26/2006
The children don't mind, do you?" he enquired as the little ones crowded round.

They smilingly shook their heads. "Can we have another story, Uncle King Estel?" they chorused.


Oh, I love hobbit children :)

That was a perfect birthday party, from the blooming mallorn tree over the uncovering of Thorongil's true identity to the wonderful display in the sky, sent by Gandalf. Just wonderful.

BTW, it just occured to me that a tea towel is a fine instrument to teach someone respect. And it should not only work with family members, but also with colleagues, male colleagues of course. Perhaps I should give it a try ;-)


Author Reply: Yes, hobbit children are adorable, aren't they?

I'm pleased that you thought the birthday was perfect - trust Gandalf to send a few fireworks! I wanted Sam to know he is loved in the West too.

I think you should definitely give the tea towel a try! In the next chapter you will find out were Rose learned her tricks with the tea towel...........

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/26/2006
This was perfect ... utterly perfect.

I felt like I was walking out of Bag End's round door with Aragorn & seeing the blooming mallorn for the first time myself. I'm sure that special tree enjoyed a very long, peaceful life in the Shire & flourished under the attention of the nature-loving hobbits.

I always grin whenever you write of Rosie & her tea towel.

Uh-oh! Sam better keep tabs on that book of herbs from the Master of the Houses of Healing before Merry spies it!

That's so cool that you had Radagast come to visit Sam on his birthday. He's one of the characters that as a reader I always wondered, 'whatever happened to him?' I really like how you have created his task to be helping in the healing of Middle-earth. As a nature-lover, I'm sure Radagast had much to heal after Sauron & Saruman's reign ended to make Middle-earth's lands & animals whole again.

I also really enjoyed the hobbits' reaction to learning Thorongil was truly their King returned, along with Gandalf's shooting stars in the shape of a giant mushroom!

You made me feel all warm & happy inside with this chapter! (sighs contently) Thank you, Baggins Babe!

Author Reply: I'm so happy that I've left you feeling warm and fuzzy! Hobbits have that effect, I've found. :-))

I think the mallorn would have flourished under the care of her hobbits, and to see the Shire I just have to go into the English countryside (and hope the planning orcs don't concrete over it in the near future!).

Yes, I've always liked Radagast - Saruman clearly hated him, which means he was probably a nice old wizard. He was Gandalf's friend after all. I think he would have wished to stay and help the animals and birds and heal the wounds caused by evil. (Perhaps he can deal with the planning orcs........).

I'm sure Gandalf would have wanted to make a contribution to Sam's birthday, and fireworks seem the best idea.

Will try not to take so long with the next chapter.

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