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A Small and Passing Thing  by Lindelea 2 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 47 on 4/23/2023
That jewel the Lady Arwen gave Frodo is getting a workout. And finally--the long-awaited proposal?

FantastFanReviewed Chapter: 47 on 10/23/2003
Oh my, Freddy's words as Frodo sleeps really caught me off guard (like a big stick right between the eyes). Frodo isn't the only one who speaks a phrase out of turn. “May your dreams be all of peace”, he says, imagining the darkness overtaking Frodo for good. My heart is still pounding and tears are running down my cheeks at the picture in that one sentence. You shouldn't do that to me! (I'm just going to sit here and breathe for a few minutes. In. Out.)


Better now.
So Freddy is summoned to see Lobelia now. I'm at a bit of a loss to think of what else she needs to say. She dies this spring; does she need to see that Freddy lives to make her peace before she goes? Her words to Frodo helped him understand what Saruman did, perhaps she can help Freddy break the spell for good. Or perhaps Freddy needs to say "Thank you." I'm looking forward to seeing her again - she's an interesting mix of wisdom and cantankerousness. And for a bonus, we could also see Alyssum again!

There's a whirlwind of activity in the last half of the chapter. Frodo is barely recovered when the summons comes from Long Cleeve, Sam is back and off again, and then the waggon is arriving from Crickhollow. Maybe you can get it all in with just a few chapters left to go!

The Cotton's and Gamgee's grief over Merry's impending death seems quite genuine, despite the short months they've had to get to know him. I was pleased to see the hobbits of the neighborhood remember Frodo's years of kindness with housewarming furnishings. It didn't surprise me when it was for the Gaffer, but I wondered if the hobbits of Bagshot Row would think Frodo too far above them to contribute their homemade curtains and jars of preserves, and sing the waggon into the yard. I'm glad they did.

We've been waiting a long time with Rose for Sam to speak. Seems like the time has finally come. I love envisioning the Cottons tiptoeing around so as to not 'throw Sam off.' Don't keep a hobbit waiting? After all the time Sam has kept Rosie waiting? Do we get to be a fly on the porch? I hope so - I want to know what finally made it the right time. It had to be more than just having Mr. Frodo's things back in Bag End, and I'd love to see Sam trying to explain. And that's the picture I'm going to firmly fix in my mind tonight, to drive out the first picture.

(Oh, and my daugter Raven says, "EEEEeeeeeek! How could she stop there!")

Author Reply: Hullo, Raven. I firmly believe in leaving something to the imagination!

But seriously. The chapters containing Freddy's visit to Lobelia, and Sam's declaration to Rosie, do not as yet exist. They are "background", as it were, to the continuing story. You'll hear reference to Freddy's visit, it is a major plot point, and of course, you know what Rosie said when Sam proposed, don't you?

OTOH, if there is a great outcry on the part of readers, those chapters may get written and inserted into the story, you never know.

Don't keep a hobbit waiting! (as in, don't give him another chance to put it off!) There's no time like the present, as the Cottons well know. And who knows, perhaps Tom will see that the water's fine and jump in as well... i don't remember seeing a marriage date for him and Marigold, do you?

I'm sorry, there will be high points on the way, but the bittersweet continues to grow...

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