Larner
· 4 October 2006
· Chapter 70: Dancing at the Wedding
A lovely wedding celebration, and then the perfect ending, with Frodo's eyes shining with love as he sees his Sam finally complete for his coming life in Middle Earth.
Author's reply
Yes, for Frodo, this is his true delight: to see those he loves happy and fulfilled as he himself will never be on this side of the Sundering Sea. I think that is what shows his greatness of heart--that he can still appreciate happiness for others that he cannot experience for himself.
Larner
· 4 October 2006
· Chapter 69: And the Bride Has Music
Lovely choice of songs. Just right for this wedding!
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked them. That one song, "Love Will Find Out the Way" struck me as so *very* Middle-earthy when I saw it; yet, I knew, with all the references to death that it was not an Elven song. But it seemed just the right sort of sad love song the Dunedain might enjoy.
Larner
· 4 October 2006
· Chapter 68: Well Wed
And so Elanor's coming is foretold by the cake! First time for everything, Lily!
Author's reply
*grin* I just could not resist letting Sam find the penny, LOL! And after all, Frodo *had* been invoking blessings on them...
Larner
· 4 October 2006
· Chapter 67: Here Comes the Bride
At last--it has come--THE wedding! Hooray!
Author's reply
Yes! At last!
Larner
· 3 October 2006
· Chapter 66: One Day to Go
And trust the Gaffer to face openly what the others still hope to deny, that Frodo won't linger all that long.
It's a time of joy, but with the hint of the grief to come.
And I do love Poppy and her attitude.
Author's reply
The Gaffer is old enough to be able to see clearly, and his nature is less optimistic. He also has a bit more distance--true, he does love Frodo also in his own way, but he does not have quite so much of his heart invested as the others, and denial is not really his way.
As with all of Middle-earth, joy and pain mingled.
And I'm quite fond of Poppy myself.
Larner
· 3 October 2006
· Chapter 65: Duties of a Best Hobbit
Yes, Frodo needs to be gotten out once in a while. And life wasn't fair to Frodo--not at all. As for the thought the Creator was especially preparing Hobbits to bring forth Frodo Baggins, I certainly understand that.
Author's reply
No, it wasn't fair at all, really, that he bore the brunt of everything and got nothing out of it himself.
It's a thought that is both comforting and troubling at one and the same time.
Larner
· 3 October 2006
· Chapter 64: The Embassy Grows
And one last Hobbit is added to the list going South. Good transition chapter.
Author's reply
Yes, the last one!
Larner
· 3 October 2006
· Chapter 63: Meanwhile, Back in Tookland
The only one of the three Bankses with a hint of true sense, much less integrity, although not enough to disavow his dad and brother's actions. But he's botched it already, poor Cado.
And his mother deserves all the help she can get after putting up with Clodio the clod all these years.
Author's reply
Cado's more intelligent than his father and brother. But he's got years of conditioning to overcome.
She does, poor Beryl.
Larner
· 3 October 2006
· Chapter 62: Preparations
The "Baggins" clause did it for me. and I can understand why Pippin was upset when he read Frodo's original will. Poor lad!
And the company headed south is coming together.
Author's reply
Yes--that's what Grubb and company have come to call it. When Bilbo did make his will at Frodo's adoption, he included the language that would let it go into effect if he should declare an intention to leave the Shire permanently. (In fact, thanks to Gryffinjack, the entire text of Bilbo's will and Frodo's adoption papers can be found in the A/N to "Testaments of the Past") Frodo was careful to maintain that clause himself in his various wills, as he wished to leave himself free to follow Bilbo one day. The actual circumstances of his leaving never occurred to him, of course!
And poor young Pippin--it scared the bejeebers out of him!
Yes, it is!
Larner
· 3 October 2006
· Chapter 61: Back in Bag End
Each gift is so very appropriate both to recipient and givers. And I do think that the aparness Frodo ever experienced after Bilbo's leaving was due to the effects of the Ring. It wouldn't want a happy marriage between its bearer and a love, I think. But now there can be an arrangement with Sam and Rosie there, fellows now and not servants.
I hate the effects of the Ring, you know....
Author's reply
I think a good deal of it *was* due to the Ring, although "my" Ring was more quiescent at the time than yours, It still had Its effects. But there will always be a certain amount of doubt on the subject with those who knew Frodo and Bilbo. Bilbo was apparently a solitary hobbit by nature before he ever went on his Adventure, and when he returned, it was several more years before the Ring took enough hold of him to be at all noticeable. But I don't believe that Frodo was as solitary by nature as Bilbo had been; he's always going to wonder, and never really know for sure. Just another bit of doubt to cloud his already troubled mind.
And he's looking forward to having Sam and Rose as family. There are probably a lot of hobbits who are going to think Sam and Rose are there as servants--but those who know them well will know better.
So do I. It was a nasty, vicious thing, thoroughly imbued with the malice of Its maker.
Larner
· 29 September 2006
· Chapter 60: Picnic in Pincup
Frodo always tended to be a loner, and it's becoming worse and not better as the years pass. Poor Frodo--having not the hope of full healing now. But he does know and recognize the love with which he's surrounded, and that sustains him while he remains.
And LOVE the bubble pipes.
Author's reply
Well, he's not yet admitted to himself that there's no hope of remaining, but I think it is gradually beginning to become inescapable. But he does know love, and you are right--it's living vicariously through his loved ones that makes his life at all bearable at this point in time.
I'm a bit of a bubble fanatic myself. I thought it might be something fun for Bergil to introduce to the Shire children!
Larner
· 29 September 2006
· Chapter 59: Closing the Convocation
The Shire's justice is short and sweet, and in this case well merited.
Author's reply
Very well merited. It's quite handy that representatives of the Kings were handy to give them over to, actually.
Larner
· 29 September 2006
· Chapter 58: An Errand Delayed
And so Jolly adds himself to the party going south, and at least Dago's learning to be ashamed of himself. Better and better.
Author's reply
I think some people were surprised about Jolly, but he was one I'd had in mind from the start to go.
Well, maybe. Problem is, will it stick--and for how long?
Larner
· 29 September 2006
· Chapter 57: Volunteers
Ah, dear, our deeds DO tend to come back and haunt us.
Author's reply
Yes, they do!
Larner
· 29 September 2006
· Chapter 56: An Urgent Errand for Merry and Pippin
Lovely calming here, and nice to see our lads able to get a race going!
Author's reply
Pippin would seek to take care of and calm Bergil, much as his friends had often done for him.
It might be annoying to be sent off on an errand in the middle of the night, but when you are young and have a new pony? Well...might as well make it fun!
Larner
· 29 September 2006
· Chapter 55: A Bit of Comfort
Speaking of all this causes Frodo much pain, but is necessary. And he's indeed suffering from melancholy and depression and nightmares. So glad Frodo will share what he's been given with Opal for the lass's comforting.
Author's reply
For me, the central fact about post-Quest Frodo is that while he cannot seem to take joy for himself, he is still capable of taking it for others. And he is at his best when he is thinking of and helping others. He always had a strong urge to help, a selflessness that enabled him to endure his task for the sake of others. And now the Quest is over, but he still thinks of other people first. Frodo's first impulse will *always* be to share.
Larner
· 29 September 2006
· Chapter 54: Two Problems Solved
Now, THAT'S proper planning, it is. And now things are finally getting right with the world, and Dago's taken as is right and proper.
Author's reply
Pearl does know what she's doing! She's a clever lass, she is! And Dago's taken indeed!
Larner
· 29 September 2006
· Chapter 53: Dago's Decision
About time for all of this, it is. Lovely.
Author's reply
Thanks! When I was writing this, I was of two minds about Dago--I really did think about letting him get clean away, and then using him in a sequel. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it wouldn't work. And this way, I got to use him in the sequel anyhow, LOL!
Larner
· 29 September 2006
· Chapter 52: With Friends Like These
Oh, priceless! Now she's not GOOD enough for him? I think she's a bit young yet. Let her ripen, Merry. Dear, dear lass.
Author's reply
It will be a while. Estella's of age, but she's been rather sheltered as the baby girl of the family. But she's clever and devoted and strong-willed--she *will* "ripen" nicely, LOL! (I like that way of putting it! *grin*)
Larner
· 29 September 2006
· Chapter 51: Regrouping
Yes, these are our lads, and our beloved Elf. Glad Saradoc lit into Merry, for he did deserve it, no matter how much the Bankses deserved it, too.
Author's reply
Yes, Merry *did* deserve it. I think he's a bit hot-headed, for a hobbit, and more prone to using physical means. It only comes out when his loved ones are slighted or threatened--but it's there.
I like Legolas--I think of him as very compassionate, and wanting to do whatever he can for the mortals he calls friends.
Larner
· 28 September 2006
· Chapter 50: The Convocation Convenes
And the good begins to be made known. And this is an excellent use of the immediate payment, of course.
I'd have never thought of such a thing--it's an excellent manner of dealing with Saruman's found treasure and guilt toward the Shire.
Now, to find Dago.
Author's reply
Of course, as I said, it only made sense that Saruman would have wealth--he seemed to use it when he was corrupting the Bracegirdles and Lotho. It was only right that some of his ill-gotten gains make their way Shire-ward.
Larner
· 28 September 2006
· Chapter 49: The Morning After
A bit of easing for Frodo. And that horrible, IMproper week over for Sam, and too many selfish Hobbits heading for the King's justice. And Poor Pippin, Regi, and Opal.
Author's reply
It's a little thing, but I think it might help him some. Saradoc knows his foster-son/cousin very well.
Yes, poor Pippin, Regi and Opal.
Larner
· 28 September 2006
· Chapter 48: Revelations
Excellent! Now to find Dago. Too bad for Opal, though. I grieve for what she's been through and what she will know now.
And so this is how Hyacinth left the Great Smials, eh? Very appropriate; and perhaps the lasses will now have a chance to grow up and gain some empathy or something.
Author's reply
Yes, poor Opal. And yet, as I hinted, this might actually be the making of her...
This was what caused her banishment from the Great Smials. Fortunately for her, the depths of her perfidy were not revealed, or she probably would have been banished from the Shire altogether!
Perhaps they will. They are Regi's daughters as well, and now they'll have a chance to learn that.
Larner
· 28 September 2006
· Chapter 47: Insult and Injury
Worser and worser for the miscreants, it is. And I hope they find the Bracegirdle before he quite gets away--I hate to think anyone is getting away with something tonight.
Oh, dear, Merry, that was a fair way to meeting the promise you made. And certainly these are stupid enough to deserve such a promise. Darwin Awards for dumb hobbits?
Author's reply
Well, he might get away for a little while...
*grin* I had great fun allowing Merry to keep his promise. And yes, those two really do need a Darwin Award, LOL!
Larner
· 28 September 2006
· Chapter 46: A Dish Served Cold
Knowing she ended up a troll's dinner doesn't seem bad enough for Hyacinth, Dreamflower. Poor Opal, her potential morals and good sense sacrificed by a selfish, self-centered jerk of a mother.
And to see that these recognize they can't lie to Frodo is wonderful.
Author's reply
Actually, this may be the best thing that ever happened to Opal, and her sisters.
I think that at this point in time, Frodo was one of the Wise. It would be like trying to lie to Galadriel, or Elrond, or Gandalf or Aragorn...not possible for your average liar.