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Out of All Knowledge  by Budgielover 131 Review(s)
shireboundReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/18/2003
Oh Budgie, you can't imagine how happy I am every time I see that you've updated... ANYthing! Bilbo continues to be such a pillar of strength and practicality. You write him beautifully.

I particularly love---

"The young hobbit’s hands trembled; he was so exhausted that it frightened him, and he did not want the others, especially Pippin, to see."

"...six pairs of eyes tracking the spoon’s progress..."

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/15/2003
How wonderful that Sam sees Elrond as something out of legend. And as it turns out, he is a legend capable of sending them from the room if they distract him or his patient. Bilbo rings true to me. He speaks like a parent who has seen his child in many frightening moments.

Author Reply: Hi Daw! Can you imagine how Sam felt, seeing fairy-tales come true before his eyes? All the stories he had heard about the Master of Rivendell and his sons and the Evenstar true. And then to have his heart's desire achieved in such circumstances - the joy and the terror and the fear must have almost torn him apart.

(I do have to wonder what Elrond was thinking - that hobbits were harmless no doubt. These four might turn his dark hair gray before they leave Rivendell.)

Thank you for your comment on Bilbo - he is such a complex character to write. Above all, his love for Frodo has to shine through. You'll see a lot more of him as this story progresses.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/15/2003
This had me from the first paragraph. The details of the horses and so on gave it such a sense of reality that I was swept into the story far more than I expected to be. (I am usually an elf-girl and don't read many hobbit stories.) The reminder of Glorfindel's power was also striking. It made him seem very elfy - fey and wise and dangerous.

Author Reply: Hello, Daw. "Fey and wise and dangerous..." what a wonderful description of Glorfindel. I just might have to borrow it (with credit to you, of course!).

I am flattered that the story is powerful enough to draw in an elf-lover - be assured, there will be plenty of Elves in this story. Thank you!

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/11/2003
You caught Bilbo perfectly! That was him; I could hear him speaking!

“I nursed that boy through sickness and silliness and ridiculous accidents like falling out of the roof-tree at Bag End. I won’t allow him to die when he’s just started acting like a responsible adult. Buck up, Samwise. Gandalf, open that door.”

I like your elves as well - Elrond is grace and dignity, timeless and ageless; and his sons are helpful, not bumbling idiots.

Bilbo seeing Merry reduced me to tears. This scene reminds me of the one in Little Women, when Marmee comes just as Beth is fighting for her life, and how the girls endured those long days and nights, and finally that comoforting figure appeared. In this case, the young hobbits came to Bilbo and the elves, and they are still weary and so fearful, but you see the glimmer of hope.

Author Reply: Nilmandra, thank you for your comments. I love Bilbo, just as much as the Fab Four. I've been wanting him to make that comment about Frodo falling out of the roof tree at Bag End for a long time, as a precursor to a short story. I'll have to read "Little Women" again - it's been years. Now that you mention it, I can see many parallels between the girls and the hobbits - in character, in writing them, in the relationships. I hope there will be happy moments in OOAK to make the tears up to you.

fliewatuetReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/11/2003
Did I ever tell you that I just love those missing-scenes fics? I've always wondered about what happened during the arrival of the Hobbits' in Rivendell and Frodo's waking. And I really appreciate that you have picked Sam's point of view to tell it.

Author Reply: Hullo Fliewatuet! You did mention that you like missing-scene fics - so do I. I want to incorporate all my favorite missing scene fics together with canon and have every moment accounted for. Of course, what is more fun is reading all the different versions of the same event. I read Ariel's "Thicker Than Blood" and think, yes, it must have happened just like that. Then I read Willow-Wode's "Ring Bearer" and know that's exactly what occurred. Fascinating, that we can accept and enjoy so many different viewpoints.

The viewpoints will be shifting from hobbit to hobbit some, but for the most part the story does follow how THEY feel. But I have to confess, I have a special affection for Sam.

Thank you!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/11/2003
This is great. And I do love your Bilbo, Budgie! He's a force to be reckoned with, and no mistake. “I nursed that boy through sickness and silliness and ridiculous accidents like falling out of the roof-tree at Bag End. I won’t allow him to die when he’s just started acting like a responsible adult. Buck up, Samwise. Gandalf, open that door.”

Author Reply: Yes, isn't Bilbo a joy to write? He's old enough that he can say what's on his mind and not have to bow to propriety. He sees himself the equal of any Elf or hero or hidden heir of Kings. Such a wonderful, strong, and yet accessible character.

SunhawkReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/10/2003
Hullo, it's me! Since SoA actually bothers to upload the story when they say they will, I'll probably be reviewing here from now on.

And--oh! I loved this chapter! The interactions between Bilbo and Sam, and especially Bilbo and Merry and Pippin--so wonderful! I've always wished that Tolkien had filled in this bit of the story for us, and I look forward to many more chapters :)

Author Reply: Hi Sunhawk! I agree with you - this site has FF.Net beat hands down. It's SO much nicer here.

Thank you - I'm glad you are enjoying the story. I have up through Chapter 6 done and awaiting receipt from the esteemed Marigold. This is the first time I've crafted a story to fit a very definite time period, and that's proving a challenge. A fascinating challenge...

pebbles66Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/29/2003
Budgielover,
Another wonderful beginning to a wonderful story! I love your stories - love the way you write about the hobbits. And I agree with everyone who thought that this tale needed to be told. Another great gap-filler. Can't wait for more.

Author Reply: Hello Pebbles. Thank you so much for the compliment. I love Elves and Dwarves and Rangers and Wizards and all other members of Middle-Earth (even orcs, in their place) but Hobbits own me. One glance from Frodo's blue eyes and I'm putty in his hands. Which does not explain why I mistreat him so ... it's not me, it's the Ring, I keep saying...

jodancingtreeReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/29/2003
What a marvelous beginning! More, more!

jo

Author Reply: Hi Jo! More is coming, very soon. Thank you for your kind words.

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/29/2003
I am sitting here in both awe and tears!

I love seeing the hobbits through the eyes of Glorfindel. Seeing Glorfindl was just a pleasure, as his role was limited in the book and non-existant in the movie. His fatigue, his concern - just wonderful. How he saw the courageous hobbits was even better.

You are right, this tale does need to be told. Those poor hobbits - wondering if their cousin/friend would survive through those long days and nights. I am so looking forward to this.

Author Reply: I am honored by your review - thank you! This is a hard one to write, more emotionally involving that the straight action/adventure of many of my other stories. Thank you for the words of encouragment.

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