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Moments in Time  by Larner 8 Review(s)
Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 85 on 6/8/2009
A truer word was never spoken! I was a good day when Sam came to work for Frodo!

Author Reply: You have hit it right in the gold, Linda! Thank you so!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 85 on 5/9/2009
Nice nod to that pest Lobelia ;) And it was good to see Frodo was not having to fight her off alone.

Was grinning a bit about the Gaffer's insistence of keeping the proprieties. Very typical. And equally typical of Frodo and Bilbo to have already set something up to pay the Gaffer a pension, so he has nothing to worry about when he retires.

“I know as him’s been your man since him was but a little’un and you first come here t’Bag End. He’ll do ye proud, just you wait ’n’ see!” Oh, the Gaffer can't know how true that proved to be, can't he?

Author Reply: Thanks so, Kitty. Frodo isn't the only one on the lookout for Lobelia's mischief, at least! And I'm certain Bilbo would have made provision for the Gaffer before he left.

And indeed Gaffer had no idea how much he'd understated the situation between Sam and Frodo Bagins! Thanks ever so much!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 85 on 5/7/2009
Wonderfully done!

Not only Fatty Bolger, but also the Gaffer and "Master Frodo" himself have to adjust to the new situation. All three of them are a little nervous, but that makes the situation the more funny :)

What I liked most in this story was the Gaffer's accent! Just great, although I had to read some of his sentences twice to understand them ;-)

And last, but not least: I totally agree that Frodo would never ever have to regret it that he made Sam his gardener!

Author Reply: The whole Shire needs to accept the new order on the Hill in Hobbiton, I think. It wasn't precisely anticipated by most folks that Bilbo would leave when and as he did.

Am so glad you like the Gaffer's accent. And there's no question that Frodo never regretted THAT decision.

And it was fun working Fatty into this one! He was still young then, and about the same age as Sam. He must have felt rather strange, helping to screen Frodo from the fools out to empty Bag End!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 85 on 5/7/2009
“I know as him’s been your man since him was but a little’un and you first come here t’Bag End. He’ll do ye proud, just you wait ’n’ see!”

Your hobbit, you mean. :) Love this. I am writing a paper on Sam for the upcoming Tolkien Society Seminar and it has given me new appreciation for how wonderful our Sam is. *hugs him*

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Here I was using "man" more in a generic term as one who has chosen to devote himself to another rather than as a racial identifier. I used such terminology in my first fic when Sam first decided to accept Frodo as his personal "master," and felt I ought to remain consistent here as well.

But Sam had to always be wonderful, I'm thinking! Now, to get my Mothers Day fic written....

And I'll join you in hugging our favorite gardener!

njomoReviewed Chapter: 85 on 5/6/2009
Hi Larner. I just wanted to let you know that I think you've done a marvelous job of writing in this story. You've not only written a wonderful portrayal of the Gaffer as well as Frodo and Fredegar, but you've also done a good job of writing in a “voice” that fits very well into canon. I could easily imagine this story as an adjunct to the main FOTR story-or maybe as another piece of the appendix! Thanks so much for bringing this scene alive.

One funny note--a joke on me, really. It took me a moment to realize who “Mr. Bolger” really was!

Joanne

Author Reply: Thank you so much, Joanne. I've found I enjoy writing Sam's family, and particularly the Gaffer, who has appeared in quite a few of my stories at this point, both my longer fics dealing with Frodo's occupancy of Bag End and shorter fics as well. There are several, in fact, in this particular collection as well as in Between Green Door and Gold Ring and 'Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil. He even appears in a humorous short vignette in Only a Second or Two as well. You are not the first to feel I have managed to capture his "voice," and it is very satisfying to know so many appear pleased with how I portray him.

I supposed I ought to have had the Gaffer thinking of Fatty as "Master" rather than "Mister" Bolger, as he was the same age as Sam, and thus still in his early tweens when Frodo came of age. However, I suspect that as Merry, Pippin, Fredegar Bolger, and Folco Boffin are all of the gentry the Gaffer has a tendency to address them all as "Mister" when he encounters them behaving quite properly and responsibly, as they would be doing in helping screen Frodo from the throngs of bargain hunters in the aftermath of the Party and Bilbo's disappearance.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 85 on 5/6/2009
A wonderful look at a moment in time that *had* to have been, somewhere along the line-- very good voice for Hamfast! I do like the way you portray him!

Author Reply: Thank you so, Dreamflower. We know this decision was made--it was just delightful to imagine it. And I'm so glad folk like how I portray the Gaffer! Thanks again!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 85 on 5/6/2009
"I will miss seeing you up here every day, but I will always know you are there and helping with the vegetables and quietly inspiring your son to your own standards of excellence. And I do thank you--for myself and for Bilbo, who always respected you so.”

What a wonderful (and respectful!) conversation. Proprieties are so important to these folk. I like thinking that the Gaffer had a pension, and that he thought so highly of his Sam.

Author Reply: I can't imagine Bilbo would ever have forgotten about the Gaffer's possible needs. We know he left seed potatoes and linimint for the old fellow; wouldn't he be likely to foresee the need for a pension fairly soon? We know that Sam took over the gardens on his own shortly after Bilbo left the Shire, which indicates that the Gaffer undoubtedly felt he could handle the job and should be given the chance to try.

Thank you so, Shirebound. This was a delight to write.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 85 on 5/6/2009
Loved it Larner. I think you have the Gaffer just right. He does remind me of my Dad!

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad, Harrowcat. He reminds you of your dad? Oh, I'm glad--your father sounds such a delightful fellow!

Thank you!

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