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| Moments in Time by Larner | 16 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Eirinn Leigh | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 7/26/2015 |
| I've been wanting to hear this story. This was lovely! Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. And there is a sequel of sorts to it in one of my other collections. Thank you! | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 2/22/2007 |
| We have pretend weddings here to,how sweet that Merry should twice marry his true love ! Author Reply: I think most little girls play at weddings--certainly we did. And this would be the one way in which Frodo was able to be a part of Merry's wedding, something I'm certain he'd always looked forward to. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 2/21/2007 |
| I am feeling distinctly miffed Larner. This is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful and I nearly completely missed reading it! My thanks have to go to His Magnificence, KnittedMerry. *Glares very grimly in the direction of the 'Author alerts gremlin and threatens it with the sword!* Am off to drool over motor-homes at the boat and caravan show in Birmingham tomorrow. *Firmly tells self that dreaming is allowed but signing pieces of paper is not allowed, really NOT allowed!* Author Reply: Author Alerts gremlins can be unreliable, I've found. Perhaps the Sword might just work on it! One never knows. And am so very glad you like it. I'll one day get another motorhome, but can't afford it now, of course. I so miss having one. But certainly understand the having to tell oneself not to sign pieces of paper. Yes, really NOT allowed for me right now, either. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 2/20/2007 |
| Although I knew they played at wedding back when they were rather young, now I am surprised how seriously they took it, and how much they tried to get every detail right, with cake and dresses and marriage contract and everything. And I am sure that Frodo, even if he felt a bit awkward and too old to play along, was glad to have it done back then so many years later when he knew he would not be able to stay until Merry's and Estella's true wedding. I think it must have given him the feeling to have been there nonetheless in a way, and it was a lucky coincidence that at the pretended wedding he was the one to officiate the ceremony. Maybe it made it easier for Merry to have Frodo not there at the real wedding, too. Author Reply: Hi, Kitty. When we played at weddings we tried to make them authentic; and considering Merry's painstaking personality I think he would have made certain this wedding was as authentic as possible, considering he was roped into being the bridegroom and he already found himself liking Estella Bolger. And I do think that the idea that his father was now only officially confirming the marriage Frodo performed so long ago would indeed have been one Merry would have entertained and been glad of. To not have Frodo physically present for the official marriage must have been very sad for him--there we agree. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 2/20/2007 |
| Delightful - the family conspired to make Merry's first wedding to Estella as memorable as his second. And possibly even more treasured by those who loved Frodo. Author Reply: Oh, I so agree, Bodkin. To not have Frodo there in person must have been a wrench, and this memory must have been a comfort. Thanks so for the comments. | |
| Elemmírë | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 2/18/2007 |
| How very wonderful, Larner! I'm glad to see that you decided to expand the idea of the hobbit children playing at Weddings into a longer, detailed piece. It was a total surprise as I was not expecting such from the title. It was all very touching, especially the childrens' attention to all of the right details from their manner of dress, to the sword, to the steel pen Frodo used. Yet, the end was so very bittersweet as well--but at least Frodo was able to attend one/perfom one of his cousin's "weddings." I'm sure that Estella was remembering her first "wedding" to Merry as well during the real one years later. And Brendi ... writing his first marriage contract, albeit and unofficial one. (I wonder if he kept it and maybe gave it to the happy couple for the real wedding gift?) I enjoyed Saradoc and Bilbo as well ... it's very nice to see that they did not tease the children in any way and Frodo received such high praise for being able to perform such an adult ceremony with such grace. I also very much enjoyed Old Rory, especially how he decided to take a page out of old Bilbo’s book and just enjoy life while he could. Menegilda had been upset at first as she watched her husband bit by bit throw protocol out the window, yet she’d also found her life with her husband had regained some of the freshness and excitement she’d known when she first married him, all those long years ago. Well done! ~Elemmírë~ Author Reply: How did I miss responding to this one, Elemmire? Now and then something I wrote elsewhere niggles until I find myself expanding on it, and the play wedding of Merry and Estella was doing just that. Why would the children seek to do such a thing then? And if Merry and Estella were a bit on the older side, how would they be convinced to take part? I've always seen Merry as the meticulous one, and I think most of us see him as the one who thinks things through most of the four of them as far as planning for the future, or at least the equivalent of Sam, who tends to look at what he can carry on his back while Merry has both the experience and means to think of adding ponies to the expedition, even if they didn't stay with the party all that long. So, any play wedding he participated in as a teen would include an attention to detail that would make it most close to real as possible, particularly once he was made aware of details as happened here listening to his father and the bridegroom. And any excuse to play that would include food and drink and partying would be welcomed by most Hobbit children, I think; so the wedding cake and punch set also seemed likely. Once they realized this play is indeed a "practice run" for the future, I think that Sara and Bilbo would indeed be respectful and keep the teasing to the most mild possible, even managing through it to communicate the pride they feel. And whatever Frodo did of this sort I think would always be done with his singular grace. And am so glad you like the depiction of Old Rory, who at the Party made the comment that at least when Bilbo disappeared so spectacularly he didn't magic the food and drink away also. I think by that time in his life he'd already begun living more in the moment, which in the end would be communicated with Saradoc as well. Thank you so much. | |
| Lily | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 2/17/2007 |
| This was certainly not what I expected when I read the title. It was even better! This is a marvellous story, very much in character and just so... lovely. Merimac lending his old vest, Bilbo being curious and proud at the same time, Frodo very much tween... it all fitted perfectly. I love Saradoc inquiring about their place of living until they are of age. And the ending was... well, it had me in tears. That says more than words ever will. Marvellous! Author Reply: I'm so glad you did find this better than you'd expected. And I'm so glad so many appear to have found it so moving. Thank you so much! | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 2/16/2007 |
| Oh, how very sweet. I had to grin at the youngsters, but I found myself blinking away tears at the end. I'm so glad Frodo had this chance to do for Merry what he couldn't do when the time really came. This brings back lovely memories of the time I was the happy bride (at the mature age of eight) of a play wedding, almost as beautiful and elaborate as this. :) God bless,and a belated happy Valentines Day! Galadriel Author Reply: My younger sister and I had such elaborate weddings for our dolls and imaginary friends (my imaginary friend, really, but ones she accepted for my sake) and occasionally for ourselves. I remember Mom once being concerned because I read the marriage service from my prayer book--she was worried it might tinge on blasphemy, I'm afraid. I doubt God was offended, though. (Heh!) That the children of Brandy Hall might have played at such wedding ceremonies only made sense to me, and that Merry would choose Frodo to officiate at the ceremony also only made sense. And the memories of that first time would have been nostalgic, perhaps somewhat painful, but also comforting, I'd think, for Merry and Saradoc especially. And the stories others were writing made me do this! I swear I hadn't intended to write it now. And a belated Valentines Day to you, too. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 2/16/2007 |
| Oh, I just loved this so very much! The first wedding was so very special and in a way, Merry and Estella were married at that very second. Love the fact that Merry was permitted to use the sword too. But this line, (“Frodo Baggins, if there was ever a Hobbit who ought to be Mayor, I think it’s you.”) and the fore-shadowing put an extra something into the mix. And here the Tooks think they're the ones with the sight. LOL Brilliant and I am going to read it again now. Author Reply: Yes, perhaps they were, married well and truly as Saradoc teased them, although I think there was a level of seriousness to that teasing. But it was a sign for what was to come, perhaps, that the next time they recite those vows they mean them thoroughly, although I suspect that the sword he carried at the second wedding was a bit newer than the Sword. I think all who knew Frodo would have considered him a good candidate to become Mayor, helping to wed the Master and Thain into the awareness of everyday Hobbits across the Shire, being so closely related and familiar with both as family. The manner in which Will decided to make him his deputy so swiftly indicates Will was certain of his level of responsibility and love for the Hobbits of the entire Shire as well. I'm sorry he hadn't agreed to serve as Mayor before, in some ways, although it would have put a strain on him to set that aside in order to go on the quest, I fear. And remember, Took blood does flow in the veins of the Brandybucks, and probably has since they first came to the Shire. I suspect they had a good deal of Fallohide in their background as well, which is one reason I've written it that way in Stirring Rings. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 2/15/2007 |
| Yes, a gem his Frodo was, a marvelous gem, and that gem needed be set off properly So he always was, lit from within. A shame he couldn't be at Merry's 'other' wedding but this was certainly fun for him and of course he would do a great job, no matter what he put his mind to. Reminds me of the other weddings he officiated at as Deputy Mayor and how seriously he took that responsibility. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: I think that performing weddings, as few as he probably performed as Mayor, must have been in some ways satisfying and in others troubling, believing he could never know that joy. I suspect he knew when Merry married Estella, and that his own memory of that childish wedding would have comforted him, knowing it had all been done properly. | |