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A Small and Passing Thing  by Lindelea 3 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 52 on 4/23/2023
So, that'a why he came with them. No, they will wait now until Frodo has accepted it is is his time to leave as well.

Love the dinner invitation.

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 52 on 10/28/2003
The first paragraph is a lovely echo of the lines from The Grey Havens chapter, both in the description of early autumn, when Frodo's restless thoughts turn to travel, and in echo of Sam's words to him before their last journey. Right away, I'm looking for Bilbo and the Elves, though I know it's too early, as later Frodo is shown to be doing. Is there something else, at the end, that he can't quite remember?

Why is Frodo troubled, and why can't he leave for long? Is Freddy really that poorly, or is Frodo unsure of himself? It's ambiguous, especially with Sam's remark in the previous pause that Pippin refused to see the failing. The mystery of a remark like that is what keeps me interested.

You did manage to keep Merry and Estella apart for the wedding. So, Merry's perceptions of her can stay firmly fixed on the farm lass and prankster of the past for a few more years. And Pippin thinks the hobbit that marries Estella will be lucky, while Merry couldn't care less. My how things change.

Frodo ought to hang out with his cousins more often, to get a free meal and some of the accolades shown the Travellers in the Green Hill country. That was sweet to see. Hope Otho's share of Frodo's inheritance was large, if every inn in the Shire is to be rebuilt! They should be coming to the fork in the road soon, where Merry and Pippin will turn towards Buckland, and Frodo towards Hobbiton. It makes me nervous for Frodo to be out there alone. (I'm just too protective of him. He'd laugh at me for sure.)

By the way, it was Raven who caught the duplicate chapter numbers. 13-year-olds are good at that, while old eyes like mine would never have seen it, even though I recognized that the chapter totals plus prologue and notes didn't add up properly.

Author Reply: Yes, deliberate echoes. I always wondered if Frodo went looking for Bilbo that first autumn...

In the next chapter you'll see how poorly Freddy is. Have you read of that controversy in medicine? Here in our state you can get hospice care if a doctor will certify that a patient has less than six months to live, but doctors are reluctant to do so because they've had too many patients die within a few months of such a statement (when the doctor thought they could live as short as a month to as long as five more years, say). Thus needy patients who really are dying don't get the hospice care, their families don't get needed relief. OTOH, patients who refuse to believe they're dying *can* (not necessarily *do*) live longer. Have been through this with two family members with cancer.

Anyhow, Freddy doesn't have cancer, but he does have a "strained heart". Perhaps he had a heart attack some time earlier brought on by stress. Such things are survivable, and with care one can build up one's strength again. However, he must have a positive outlook to survive.

Author Reply: p.s. Way to go, Raven!

(BTW, do you get these "second replies" in your email?)

HaiReviewed Chapter: 52 on 10/28/2003
Looks like things aren't going too good for Freddy! I like how you have described life at Bag End! Frodo always asking questions and helping Rose and Sam with any chores they need to do. What a wonderful hobbit! Good for Rose to make sure he is eating as well! Looking forward to more, thank you!

Author Reply: Yes, Freddy is very ill, but Frodo's going to talk him back to health if he can! I'd love to move into Bag End myself, instead of just visiting. D'you suppose Sam and Rosie would mind?

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