This was a brief but beautifully poignant chapter.
"There were moments, too, when Frodo could tell they were both leaving something out--they would look each other in the eye, and seem to skip forward in the story, as though by agreement certain things should not be said."
Unfortunately, Frodo will become all too familiar with giving and receiving that type of look and skipping of parts of a story of adventures.
As he felt the familiar swell of the dark sorrow beginning to surge, the door cracked open. A tiny form padded over and clambered into Frodo’s bed. Merry placed his hand on Frodo’s cheek and brushed away the tear.
“I love you, Frodo,” he whispered.
“I love you too, my Merry,” and the darkness rolled back.
*sigh* This brief scene, with no explanation, perfectly captures the special relationship that Merry has with Frodo. Just, *sigh*.
"In a time long past, in the West, he had been reluctant to take up his task. And it had so far been a long and thankless one, with no end in sight.
But it had been worth it all just to have known the friendship of hobbits."
I like this part - it is one of the few times we get to explore how Gandalf felt about his task. It could not have been easy to leave his home and go amongst strangers who knew not how much good he really was doing for them. I imagine that Aragorn feels much the same way.
Are you really only about twenty? To be able to write this well at such a young age is a special gift.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you picked out some of my own favorite bits to quote back at me. This little chapter is one of my favorites anyway. I had not intended it at first--but somehow, I thought the eventful day needed a bit of rounding off. And I was quite pleased with how it came out.
*TWENTY?*
*excuse me*wipes eyes*
Thank you. I needed that.
Seriously, whatever gave you that idea? I'm an *old* lady!
It's Gandalf! I look forward to reading what he has to say. You do well to capture that special perceptiveness that Frodo seems to have of people and the future - the way he and Gandalf immediately recognise that they will be one of each other's greatest friends. Shades of things to come.
I'm so glad that Frodo was happy that he would be living at Bag End with Bilbo. I don't think it is solely to escape the Brandywine and the hussle and bustle of Brandy Hall, but also because of his love and fondness for Bilbo. It does give me pause, however, that even though he thought of how he would miss his Merry, he did not have any similar thoughts of how he would miss Uncle Sara and Aunt Esme, who not only have been raising him, but have treated him like a son. I'm sure he will miss them, but perhaps it was just that his immediate thought was to the one he would miss most, his Merry-lad who had been his saviour all these years.
Do you honestly worry that you do not provide enough description in your writing? If so, then you are as much of a needless worry-wart as Merry! Your writing is so vivid with details and vibrant imagery that I can easily picture many lines and even scenes in my head, which makes it quite tempting to break out my sketch book and pencils. Rest assured, your descriptions are spot on. I wouldn't change a thing.
"If Frodo did get sad, what would he do without his Merry to say he loved him?"
Forget about Merry wanting to cry, this line makes *me* want to cry!
Author's reply
I do think that there would have been a special spark of recognition between them.
Yes, his thought did of course fly first to Merry. And he *will* miss not only Saradoc and Esmeralda, but his Uncle Rory and Aunt Menegilda, and many of his other Brandybuck relations. Still, in some ways, though Frodo dearly loved Sara and Esme, he never quite lost his awareness that they were *not* his beloved parents. In some ways, they were part of the reminders he needed to escape from. And part of it also is his age: as he enters adolescence he is less likely to be thinking first of his parent-figures and more of his friends.
Bilbo, at this point in his life is still more a friend than a parent, although that's about to change.
Well, I do try to be descriptive, but I suppose it's just that it does not seem to live up to many writers whom *I* admire--especially JRRT himself. I just sometimes feel my prose lacks an emotional edge. I'm glad that you like it though.
*here*have a virtual hankie*
You know, I like the way the box for leaving a review opens in a separate window as opposed to ezboard - it makes it much easier to refer back to a chapter or to copy a line for inclusion in a review, such as my two favourite lines from this chapter:
“Well,” said Saradoc, “I am Merry’s father, and I am not at all averse to a little pot stirring.”
Esmeralda stood up, Merry in her arms. “Frodo, just how ‘splendid’ was that bloody nose? I should like to have seen that.”
It's so good to see the way Saradoc will stand up for his son and the way Esmerelda has a Tookish sense of humour! Merry is quite fortunate to have such splendid parents.
It is interesting to note that although Frodo did not exhibit signs of melancholy while at Bag End before Bilbo gave him the ring, he did exhibit them after he was in possession of it when the ring was trying to gain possession of him and afterward. The ring must have tapped into his deep-seeded sense of melancholy and made him feel as alone as when he had first lost his parents and to such an extent that his one refuge, Bag End, no longer worked as a place to escape his sadness enough to continue living in the Shire, especially now that Sam, Merry, and Pippin now had their own nightmares to deal with and might even be a reminder of what had happened (not that he needed any such reminder).
Lotho really is a git, thinking he would be able to get away with lying to his parents about what really happened. And Otho is quite shrewd in his assessments and handling of matters.
I am glad the frequent long visits are being set up between Frodo and Merry. They are closer than many brothers and need each other.
Author's reply
You know, it took me the *longest* time to figure out I could do that. I'd hit the wrong button, my review would vanish, and I did not realize it had simply shrunk and I could get it back. I got quite frustrated until I figured it out quite by accident one day. I used to be amazed at people quoting--from memory I thought, LOL!
My Merry does have splendid parents.
Yes, the Ring did use that melancholy against him; during the Quest, while he still had his task before him, and people to protect, and no sense of "failure", it could gain no purchase--because his love was stronger than his sorrow. But afterwards, even though destroyed, it ate away at those defences he had built. And Bag End at that point provided another reminder of his so-called failure--it was where Lotho had ruled as "Chief" and Sharkey had made his headquarters.
Well, yes, Lotho *is* a git, and a twit, and a bully and a jerk and a wretch and a villain and erm...I'm running out of polite words here. Otho was shrewd, and had more patience and ability to dissemble than his wife and son. Lobelia was too single-minded. Her obsession with Bag End overcame her intelligence. And Lotho had inherited only the worst characteristics of both his parents.
I can't imagine they would not have visited frequently, and it's all there between the lines in canon. How else would he have known those so much younger than he so well otherwise? But also, I set the frequent visits up for my own convenience. Buckland and Tookland, in spite of what some fics would have one believe, are not just a hop,skip and a jump away. If I wanted to have Merry, and later Pippin, in my pre-Quest stories, then there had to be a *reason* for their presence in Bag End. By the time Bilbo leaves the rhythm is well established: Spring in Bag End for all of them. Then Pippin visits Merry at Brandy Hall until the Lithedays, and Merry finishes the Summer with Pippin in Tookland, before they go to Bag End for the Birthday, then Frodo visits Merry at Brandy Hall in the Fall for a few weeks, and then both he and Bilbo visit again at Yule. After Bilbo leaves there are occasional changes in this schedule, but it still holds in its general outline. It's why almost all my pre-Quest fluff is set in the Spring. Of course, there are the occasional exceptions for special events, but that's the general outline of things.
Three cheers for Frodo! This scene really shows how protective both Frodo and Merry are of each other, albeit for different reasons. While Frodo protects Merry because he is younger and also just because he is his Merry-lad, Merry protects Frodo not only because he is his Frodo-lad but because he had assigned himself the responsibility of watching out for Frodo since he first felt Frodo's special sadness and need.
I wonder though if Frodo would still have punched Lotho had this occurred during the Scourging of the Shire after the Quest, when Frodo wanted nothing but peaceful solutions and was more apt to pity, forgive, and use words as his weapon. Of course it is still his Merry (who by then was more than able to take care of himself), but would Frodo do to Lotho what he had not done to Gollum or Saruman (Sharkey)?
At any rate, I really liked when Frodo told Lotho that he would not touch his cousin again. It much reminded me of in the movie when Frodo told Gollum that he would lead them to the Black Gate and I imagine the same icy blue glare as then.
Lotho never did have any brains, did he? Not too bright to pick on a Brandybuck, let alone the grandson of the Master. It's a pity some people never learn their lesson.
Author's reply
Yes, you have caught it exactly. Merry, I think, was Frodo's born defender.
That's a good question. Really, Frodo at this stage of his life and Frodo post-Quest are almost two different creatures, at least in regards to something like this--even later, he thought Bilbo should have killed Gollum. And during the Scouring, he felt pity for Lotho and that he needed rescuing. And you have of course, the fact that even if he'd survived the coming of Sharkey, there is no way in Middle-earth Lotho would have lifted a hand to a hobbit as fromidable as Merry had become then. But I think Frodo would have defended Merry in a different way. I think any effort to lay hands on one of Frodo's loved ones at that point in time would have died a-borning at a stare from Frodo. By that time he was one of the Wise, and it would have been like trying to resist a stare from Gandalf, Elrond, Galadrial or Celeborn. But giving his erstwhile S.B. cousin a bloody nose then, i will agree would be highly unlikely.
Yes, Frodo was just as fierce in defense of those he loved, and could be ruthless when he needed to be. I think of that bit where Sam is surprised at Frodo's ruthlessness towards Gollum in the matter of the Ring, thinking Frodo's kindness was such that he must be a bit blinded to the malice of others.
No, not really. And what brains he did have were constantly falling out due to his big mouth.
"Merry could not sit still for worrying."
He'd better get used to worrying since he tends to do a lot of it! lol!
I'm glad the bed arrived before Gandalf did so he can enjoy a full-sized bed. He will be so surprised by the room and the bed!
So now Frodo and Merry know that there are some nice Men in the world. I wonder if they meet any more before they go on the Quest.
Author's reply
Yes, here we see an early indication of another of his character traits, LOL!
I think you will be pleased with Gandalf's reaction.
Yes, this is their first exposure to Men, and it's a positive one. And in my Shire, actually, they do meet at least one more, in about twenty-six years, in "Life of a Bard".
Typical male to forget about the bedding linens. lol! Well, it was quite thoughtful of him to begin with to create a larger room and to remember that a larger bed would be needed. I wonder, though, what is the relationship between the widow Grubb and Bilbo's attorney, Mr Grubb?
It is difficult for a mother to realise that her little one does not need her as much as he or she used to. What a wonderfully bubbly little lad Merry is, spouting out to his mum all that he has been doing without stopping to catch a breath. I do wonder how Bilbo, Frodo, and Merry knew Esmerelda would be coming on that particular day when she had told them when she left that she would be back in three to four days. I guess it must have been the fourth day, so they figured she would be arriving, since I cannot imagine them sending a messenger all the way from the Great Smials just to tell them she was coming.
I'm sure Bilbo is much relieved that nobody took Merry up on his suggestion for the relatives from the Great Smials to come stay at Bag End. Children are so delightful in the simplicity of their thinking.
Author's reply
LOL! Yes, it seemed to me the kind of thing that might escape Bilbo's mind!
Given the intricacies of hobbit genealogy, I would not be surprised if she should not be the widow of a cousin or some such. But "Messrs. Grubb, Grubb and Burrowes" were Bilbo's lawyers from "The Hobbit". (At least I assume they were his lawyers, since they had been given the right to conduct his "estate sale".)
Merry does live up to his name most of the time, doesn't he? And yes, it's been four days. They probably had waited for her some the day before as well. I am thinking that they probably expected her sometime in the morning, and if she had not arrived by then, they would just wait another day.
I'm sure he's relieved as well. Children do go for the simplest solution, don't they? Especially if it's one that suits them.
By the way, I took your second suggestion for a title for my PippinHealer story, and gave you the credit. I am afraid I misspelled your name though, 8-(
You know, when we were little, we used to do the same thing - watch the workmen as they made repairs or improvements to our house. What an appropriate childhood action to include in your story.
Now this is how I like to see a young Frodo, playing in the dirt with his cousin like any other boy. It is so good to see Frodo enjoying himself. Between being at Bag End and having Merry there, it's no wonder he is doing better.
“Why did you only bring the Gaffer and your brother half a pie?”
LOL! I can just picture such a young lad wondering about that and asking that question. It shows Merry's sunny disposition that he was able to laugh along with Sam once he found out what Belle had really meant.
So Sam showed Merry around the gardens and pointed various herbs out to him, eh? Is this where Merry's affinity for plants and herbs stems from? Is this what led him to writing a book on herblore later on?
Have I told you lately how much I enjoy your stories?
Author's reply
I think that an almost universal childhood experience is a fascination with watching adults at work, especially if they are either making something or demolishing something, LOL!
He's with his little Merry, and would have had a good time entertaining him. I confess myself to being about the same age in human terms as Frodo, and going with a cousin of my own to a nearby building site, where we used the dirt and scrap lumber to build our own little town. I would have been embarassed to do such an activity on my own, but my younger cousin gave me an excuse. And I'm a girl, LOL!
I got a kick out of that little line myself. It seemed like the kind of thing a child might say, and as you said, it showed Merry's merry side. Of course, Sam also has a paternal uncle Halfred as well, but he lived in Overhill, so I doubt that Sam saw much of him. (My Halfred is an OC.)
I wouldn't doubt that had something to do with it at all. Merry probably went through a number of hobbies and interests, but I think perhaps he came back to this one through his friendship with Sam.
Yes, you have, and I will never get tired of it. I thank you so much!
May I please hug little Merry-lad now? He is so adorable! I felt so bad for him (and for Frodo) when he thought that Frodo didn't love him anymore.
How appropriate for Frodo and Merry to think of Gandalf in terms of fireworks and trolls. I daresay they will learn in due time that there is much more to the wizard then they first imagined.
Author's reply
Please do give the little one a hug! He's such a sweetie, isn't he? I'm not sure if he *really* believed Frodo didn't love him, but at that age seperation is very difficult, and it had to make him wonder.
Of course they will learn there is much more to Gandalf. But I thought it would be what would stick in young hobbit minds the most--fireworks and Bilbo's stories.
I thought that Frodo always visited Bag End in Rethe, since that was his most difficult month due to the deaths of his parents.
My heart goes out to Saradoc and Esmerelda, first for having to worry every time their almost-son goes near the river in a melancholy mood, fearing that he will try to rejoin his parents, and then for having to give him up to someone else, even though they know it is in his best interests. Their pain must have been nigh unbearable, and exceeded only by the pain of Frodo's Merry-lad.
Merry is quite the responsible and intelligent young hobbit-lad to realise how Frodo was feeling near the river and to know that it was important to report it to his parents. I'm glad you gave him those traits which he demonstrated on the quest later on.
I also have been thinking of your comment that Merry is the "linchpin" amongst the cousins and find that I agree. Certainly, he is in the middle as far as his age. Without him, I think the age difference between Frodo and Pippin would have been to great to cross. It also seems that Merry understands both Frodo and Pippin better than anyone else does and that they both respond to him better than anyone else, although Pippin always listens to his cousin Frodo. I can see that the closeness in age between Merry and Sam would also make it much easier for Sam to approach Merry if anything is amiss with Frodo, especially considering how often Merry is at Bag End.
But I digress. I love the way Merry-lad calls his favourite cousin "Fro." The poor lad will be crushed when Frodo leaves.
Author's reply
Do you know, you are the first to catch that? It should have been *Astron* instead of Thrimmidge. My idea is that his parents drowned the last day of Rethe, and so he always leaves Buckland prior to that date, although he might not necessarily arrive until two or three days later, depending on how he journeys. And the most difficult time for him to endure are the days between 30 Rethe, and his mother's birthday in the middle of Astron. (I can't believe *I* never caught that in all this time! Thanks ever so, I'll go in and fix it ASAP!)
I'm glad you like my reasoning about their relationships. I put a lot of thought into it; you might say the intricacies of their friendships are an obsession of mine.
I'm really liking this story already! How wise of Bilbo to consult his attorney as to how to disinherit the S.B.'s. I wish Frodo had been able to keep Bag End from falling into the hands of the S.B.'s, although I tend to think that since Sharkey and his men still would have come to the Shire and still had their dealings with Lotho, then the S.B.'s still would have ended up in Bag End had Frodo held onto it.
I'm glad Bilbo would want Frodo to be his heir anyway rather than just to disinherit them. Saradoc and Esmerelda are not going to be happy with this, let alone Merry. Poor Merry will feel abandoned!
Author's reply
I am very much afraid you would have been right. Frodo's absence on the Quest would automatically have been an open invitation to them to pull the same sort of shenanigans as took place during Bilbo's absence.
But my own thought of his sale of Bag End to Lotho was that he did it deliberately, to make it impossible to change his mind. Having the S.B.s in Bag End would have been too painful to contemplate if he stayed in the Shire.
I don't think that Bilbo would have adopted Frodo *merely* to disinherit them, but it rather "lit a fire under him" to get him to move on it and insist on his right as the head of Frodo's family.
Gandalf and Balin are coming to visit? Let's hope Gandalf does not mark the door again. A very nice introductory chapter to perk the interest up. Onward, to chapter two!
Author's reply
Yes. This story was inspired by two things, one, my idea that Bilbo had a special guest room built for Gandalf, and two, the notion which came up in a discussion forum that something Frodo said in Moria indicated that he had met Balin. Since the year he settled Moria coincided with the year Bilbo adopted Frodo, I used that as a jumping off point.
You are very welcome. I am amazed that I was the first to notice it actually. Usually that sort of thing slips right by me as I'm too caught up in the story to worry too much about fiddly bits like that.
I re-read your stories quite a bit. None of my favorite authors, be they fanfic or published, write fast enough for me. So I re-read. And I think I should ask here. Do you mind if I copy your stories to my PC? I like having them available for said re-reading without having to go online. If you would prefer, I'll delete them but I would really rather not.
{Hoping for a "no, you don't need to delete" response :) }
Author's reply
Oh by all means don't delete! I have no problems at all with that; it's for your own personal use, after all. I think that falls under "fair use". I often will print out hard copies of stories or chapters to read at lunch or in bed, or in the bathtub. And I put my stories on the internet to be read, after all! The only thing would be if someone wanted to put them into another archive, I would want them to tell me about it.
I know what you mean about re-reading! Although no one get re-read by me *quite* so much as JRRT! 8-D
I'm glad you enjoy my stories. I certainly enjoy your reviews!
Oops. Please disregard the last one. I hit the enter key too soon.
I read this story some time ago, and have loved it (of course). Last night I was re-reading it and noticed what I think is a small error. The title of this chapter is Hensday, 6 Rethe. Now I have been making up Shire calendars for the past few weeks, and so I find myself noticing dates more than I usually do, as I try to add significant events in LOTR and the Hobbit to the calendar. I think that the Rethe is a Trewsday, not a Hensday (or Hevensday). The other dates are OK, with 9 Rethe on a Highday, etc. Did you want it to be the 6th or a Hensday?
Author's reply
Thanks so much for the heads up! All fixed now, making it the 7th of Rethe. I think I need to make a copy of the calendar and blow it up a bit. It's sometimes hard to keep the rows straight when you have to squint! (and that's *with* my glasses!) You're the only one who's spotted this. Thanks again!
Author Reply: Oh, and I meant to say, I'm so glad you liked the story well enough to read it again! That's always a nice thing to hear!
Anso the Hobbit
· 30 September 2004
· Chapter 13: Highday, 30 Rethe S.R. 1389
What a delight of a story! I loved this so much! I think I read the whole story with a happy grin on my face, lol. I was thrilled to see Wee!Merry, something that always makes this hobbit bery happy. And the scene with Sam and Merry is just as i picture it - the two lads playing together in the garden. And you have put another of my favourite scenes in the story - Merry meeting Gandalf. I don´t think I´ve seen that before. Your hobbits are delightful and it´s so great to see Bilbo in the story too. He´s just as if you´ve taken him out of The Hobbit
Poor Esme :) She want´s her Merry-lad with her(who woldn´t want him, lol) and he has so much fun with Frodo and Bilbo. But Lotho, that brute! I`m glad Merry wasn`t hur worse and that Frodo stood up to him. It was very nice to see a story about Bilbo`s preparations to adopt Frodo. It`s good thogh if Frodo has melancholy spells that he can stay at Bag End.
You write all the hobbits with such love and respect and you are excellent with details that makes everything come to life.
*happy sigh* Wonderful, just wonderful! :)
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I love to get a review for a story that's been out a while! I would expect you to like this one, LOL! with so much of wee!Merry in it! He's such an adorable little fellow he just about writes himself. I had a lot of fun writing him with young!Frodo. I'm glad you like my Bilbo. I love to do him--he's just the kind of relative *everyone* wishes they had.
I had fun doing the Merry with Gandalf--I always love Gandalf with little hobbits, don't you?
Yes, Esme's little lad is growing up, isn't he? And as for the incident with Lotho, you'll be pleased to know that years later it's one of Merry's favorite memories: seeing Frodo give the wretch a bloody nose!
Thank you for the delicious review. Wonderful, just wonderful! 8-D
Hai Took
· 30 June 2004
· Chapter 13: Highday, 30 Rethe S.R. 1389
Merry going to wake up Frodo! I like the way Frodo slowed down so that he could "win" in getting dressed first! I like how Balin is referred to as "Bilbo's dwarf"! I'm gald that Esmerelda was able to have a bit of fun with Lobelia! How wonderful for Frodo to be adopted! I'm glad that all went so well!
Author's reply
I had a lot of fun with the young Frodo-little Merry interaction; the bit with the "race" to get dressed is from when my son was very small. I would often challenge him to race getting dressed, making the bed, etc., and I would usually take my time so he could "win". 8-)
I think that's probably how most of the hobbits thought of the Dwarves that Bilbo journeyed with, as "his Dwarves".
I thought Esme deserved to give Lobelia the lovely news, seeing as how she missed getting to see Lotho's bloody nose.
I had a lot of fun with this story. I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
I loved it! So glad that Esmeralda got to give Lobelia the news. That was very fitting after all of the trouble Lobelia and her family cause both Frodo and Merry. Thanks for posting this.
Author's reply
So glad you enjoyed it. I thought Emerelda deserved a treat--after all, she didn't get to see Lotho's black eye. 8-)
It was fun doing Frodo and Merry as youngsters, and having Bilbo about. I might do another sometime.
That was fun! I can just imagine the look on Lobelia's face. And Otho's reaction when she goes home and whines about it.
Very true about little kids and buttons. And Frodo's speech - I can sympathize with that.
Great chapter. Will there be very many more?
Author's reply
I thought Esme would enjoy the chance to deliver the lovely news to her. 8-) And no, Otho will *not* be a happy camper.
No, that completes this story. I may have some more stories down the line about Frodo's first year with Bilbo. It was kind of fun doing "young Frodo".
Ahhhhh. Sweet. And comeuppance for the S-B family: from the Shire's nasty hobbit collection. (Though again - what hope for Lotho with the parents he had?) Nature or nurture - that is the question.
Lovely to end with Gandalf and fireworks.
Author's reply
I enjoyed letting Esmerelda give her the news. I thought she deserved the privilege after what Lotho did to her baby.
Nature or nurture? In his case, I would guess *both*.
There *had* to be fireworks. You know Gandalf would do that for Bilbo.
Love how you've included Balin in all of this and your fore-shadowing is perfect for what happens in Moria later. I liked that Gandalf warned him. Looking forward to the Hobbit signing party and the look on Lobelia's face when she gets the news!
Author's reply
Of course, I had to include Balin, since he helped inspire the story to begin with! LOL!
But seriously, if he came to the Shire before he went to Moria, he *must* have had a reason. I can't really think of any other reason he would have had than to try and recruit Bilbo. I mean it really is a good deal out of his way, otherwise.
Lobelia? Maybe a tad unhappy, you think? LOL!
I've never given any thought to the possibility of an inheritance coming to Frodo from his parents but you're right, there must have been one. Good job including that! I'm really enjoying this story and looking forward to reading more of it :)
Author's reply
Yes, I just never cottoned to the idea that the grandson of the Master of Buckland and the son of a Baggins would be a penniless orphan. I've always felt that he would have had a good-sized inheritance from both parents--it was not a financial need that Bilbo filled in his life, but an emotional one.
I'm glad you like this story; it's very nearly done.
Well, it's a good thing Bilbo decided to adopt Frodo when he did. Imagine if he had gone to Moria? *shudders* That would have devastated Frodo, especially when he never returned.
Wonder who the 7 witnesses will be.
Cute scene with Gandalf and Merry, and Merry thinking Frodo's brave for climbing trees.
Author's reply
Well, that would *definitely* have been AU, wouldn't it? Wonder how that would have changed everything? Bilbo would have taken the Ring with him into Moria, of course... Yes, it's definitely a scary thought.
There will be quite a party on Highday, plenty of witnesses will be there.
I just wanted a bit of Gandaf-little Merry interaction. I love Gandalf with hobbit-children.
This is a lovely story - I have been meaning to leave a review and let you know just how much I am enjoying it!
You know I did not think about how special the room Bilbo had built for Gandalf would be to the wizard - but yeah when you think of it Gandalf never made a home for himself anywhere, he always was wandering (and thus the reason he was called the Grey Pilgrim). Anyway, when I realized how touched he must have been by the room, I was as well!
Again lovely story - Please DO update again soon!
Author's reply
I am very glad that you are liking it, since I am enjoying writing it!
You get the feeling from various things Gandalf says, that he felt very at home in the Shire. Now, even given that he is very fond of hobbits in general, there must have been a bit more to it. I think his friendship with Bilbo and Frodo made him feel a bit like he had family. I came up with the room when I did Conspiracy--it just felt right, that Bilbo would do that.
Hai Took
· 22 June 2004
· Chapter 12: Monday, 26 Rethe S.R. 1389
At least Frodo is well off because of his parents, then Bilbo once he leaves. That Balin would want Bilbo to come along for hte Moria trip is a frightening thought! Good thing hedecided to adopt Frodo! It is good that Merry is allowed to be play outside again, it can be difficult to keep a child inside! Looking forward to Frodo's adoption being finalized!
Author's reply
Some fics have it that Frodo was left penniless. I can't buy that. Primula was the daughter of the Master of Buckland, no way she would not have had money; and Drogo was a Baggins, who are generally depicted as very well off, also. I think they would have seen to Frodo's being provided for.
This is the year Balin went to Moria. If, as some think, he made a trip to the Shire that same year, he must have had a good reason. After all, it's a good deal out of the way. Bilbo had proved to be very useful in the sneaking and reconnoitering area, and perhaps Balin thought he might like to come and make himself useful again.
Aw! What a cute, happy, fluffy little chapter! A happy ending to a perfect day for everyone. It will take Frodo some time to get used to not having Merry around though.
Author's reply
Yes, I did have to round off the day. When I started the story, I wanted each day to be a separate chapter; but there was so much I wanted to have happen on the 25th (for obvious reasons, I thought the date important) such as Frodo learning of his adoption and Gandalf's arrival, that it ended up being 3 chapters instead. I suppose I could have just done morning and afternoon, but I really thought I needed to round off the day.
It will take both of them a while to get used to not being together. In some ways, it's going to be harder for Frodo than for Merry.