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A Shire Sketchbook  by Baggins Babe 7 Review(s)
MirkwoodmaidenReviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/1/2006
My dear BB!!

I can just imagine that this would what Aragorn would have to do with the strange and exotic animals that were given to him as presents! Also I think you have captured the Hobbit reaction in the strange and the wonderful animals on display, such as Rosie marvelling that Tigers are larger cats. I love depiction of the oliphant baby. Cute!!!!!

I can well imagine a Minas Tirith ruled by Denethor having bear-baiting and other such nastiness.

Rose seems to having a wonderful time!

MM

Author Reply: Yes, nothing like seeing animals happy and well looked after - went to Longleat yesterday and I reckon Aragorn's menagerie was much like that. And oliphaunt babies are very cute!

I'm sure bear-baiting and other similar activities went on in Minas Tirith until Aragorn put a stop to it.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 14 on 3/10/2006
Ah, we are being bitten by the Oliphaunt as Pet bug, I see! First Agape, then me, and now you! Heh!

Glad others now get to see the animals.

Author Reply: I think a pet Oliphaunt might stand out a bit, especially in Hobbiton! I really wanted Sam and the others to see one, and the children will be wildly jealous.

Bring on more Oliphaunts, I say!

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 14 on 3/8/2006
There is my favorite word, again, but here goes, Lovely mood, lovely description of Ithilien clean and renewed. Seriously, you have drawn a wonderful picture of an enjoyable visit. As the others have said, it is pleasant to watch Sam seeing an Oliphant again, in peace, and sharing the event with his dear Rose. NIce touch to have Rose, my favorite fictional mother, asking about pregnancy in Oliphants. Enjoyable little visit with some of our favorite folks. Thank you for sharing.

Author Reply: I'm glad you like Rose. I think she's wonderful. I like to think of Ithilien cleansed, and I couldn't resist letting Sam see another oliphaunt. Thank you for reviewing.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 14 on 3/7/2006
Ah, so you granted Sam's wish to see an oliphaunt again? Love the idea! And these animals are so much nicer than the war towers we knew in the books. Now I have images of Sam's children walking through Hobbiton with their pet oliphaunt in tow *giggle*
This menagerie is a good idea, although I am glad Aragorn let it be known he doesn't want more exotic animals as gifts. But I know it was pretty usual in earlier centuries to collect oddities, and at least *he* did his best to keep them adequately. And I am so glad he saved the poor bears. Gimli is right, Beorn would approve :)

Oh, and don't fear for the dog of my friend. Of course her daughter only cut the fur - only my friend could not know for sure in the first few seconds, considering the choice of words of her daughter. But I doubt the girl would've truly hurt an animal, she loves them. And the dog was a very nice little thing who used to lie besides me on the couch on her back, exposing her belly and nudging me with her paws until I scratched her belly. As far as she was concerned, this could go on for hours!

Author Reply: You're right that, in earlier times, the royal menageries contained some very strange things. In the Middle Ages in London, the menagerie at the Tower had a polar bear, who was taken out on the frozen River Thames on a leash, to catch his own fish.

I really wanted Sam to see an oliphaunt. Mind you, I keep giggling whenever I think about Sam's children walking through Hobbiton with an oliphaunt on a lead!

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 14 on 3/7/2006
Maybe I'll actually manage to *leave* a review that gets *posted* this time without losing the connection again.

This was very sweet, especially the "oliphaunt!" They're amazing, aren't they? I once had the oportunity to get close enough to pet one (she belonged to a circus and we arrived early). I was very intimidated by her size, but she was remarkably gentle, and *so* intelligent, or so it seemed. I've been blind since birth, and she seemed to somehow know that, for she actually bent her head and reached her trunk down so that I could reach. I was astonished, to say the least, and so was the rest of my family.

It's so much fun to take familiar things from our own lives (in this instance it might be a trip to the zoo) and let our hobbits experience them in their own way, and you've done a lovely job with this one. :)
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: I love oliphaunts! I met a young one at the zoo during an encounter group, and they are absolutely delightful. very intelligent and inquisitive.

I'm so pleased you enjoyed the story.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 14 on 3/7/2006
*grin* There is nothing like a refreshing visit to "Reunion-verse" to relieve stress and bring a smile to the face. What a lovely and delightful little story--I love the Ithilien park, and the "zoo". I'm so glad that Rose *finally* got to see an oliphaunt for herself. Aragorn's such a wonderful king. Why don't we have Aragorn for king in RL? *sigh*

Author Reply: You're right there. A leader who is principled, noble, caring, sensible, modest, selfless............ Now we know it's fiction!

Glad it made you smile.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 14 on 3/7/2006
What a lovely tour of the menagerie! I'm so happy for Sam that he finally got to see another oliphaunt -- and now they're so well treated, and respected.

:D

Author Reply: Ah, I knew I could rely on you to be the first to review! Thank you for that, and yes, I wanted Sam to see an oliphaunt in happier circumstances. :-))

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