whisperer · 8 May 2013 · Chapter 9999: The Pledge
I enjoy your story very much. I finished it in one sitting. Thanks for this. :)
Author's reply
Thank you, whisperer! It's always wonderful to get new reviews on an old story. Glad you enjoyed it!
A Tale That Grew in the Telling by GamgeeFest
Reviews (105)
nancylea57 · 9 December 2008 · Chapter 9999: The Pledge
what an emotional rollercoaster, the ride you provide is amazing.
Author's reply
Thank you! It was a rollercoaster to write it as well! I'm glad you enjoyed the ride. :)
Socrates399 · 26 November 2008 · Chapter 9999: The Pledge
So, I was reading this, and it's not 3 am...just like for Sam and Daisy (and like Sam, I have stuff to do tomorrow!) :-) Anyway, I enjoyed the story. Thanks!
Author's reply
Oh boy. I see Rose is going to have to give Sam another lecture about overly long bedtime stories. Now he's keeping the humble readers up all night! :P Thank you so much for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed Sam's story, but dear me, do get some sleep! =) *sends Rose after Sam*
Frodo Baggins · 21 July 2006 · Chapter 9999: The Pledge
That's it? No! It can't be! That was *so* wonderful! I can't even explain to you how intriguing, how heart breaking, how much it made me laugh through my tears and made me smile again. You do Sam so very well! That poem at the end...that was so sweet. So Sam. That was wonderful story. hannon le a thousand times over! Namarie! GOd BLess, Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
Yes, that is it. A good thing too, or Daisy might never have had any sleep that night. :D I'm so delighted that you enjoyed the story so much. It's always wonderful to hear how this tale affects my readers. I'm constantly surprised with they respond to it so deeply. I'm especially glad that you enjoyed the poem! I don't try my hand at poetry very often and so I always think it's mediocre at best. Thank you for reading!
Frodo Baggins · 23 May 2006 · Chapter 31: Homeward Bound
Once again, a wonderful chapter. I'm glad this will end on a happy note. The clouds of angst are clearing and there's blue skies ahead. :) I really like the nick name part. I don't have a nick name either, but I'm not bringing it up to any of my cousins or siblings. They coudl think of some that I would never want to answer to. :) Namarie! God BLess, Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
Yes, a happy ending is necessary after the angst-fest that this story turned into. I don't have a nickname either but like Frodo, it never really bothered me. Frodo will likely regret bringing the subject up now; his cousins can come up with some very interesting, and not necessarily flattering, names. ;) Thanks for reading!
Frodo Baggins · 23 May 2006 · Chapter 30: The Treachery of Bag End
I've been enjoying this story immensly. Hannon le. The end is so near, it's driving me crazy. So much...so much...alas! I don't know how to express in words what this story is. So many words come to mind and fall short. Hannon le, mellon nin. God Bless, Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
I'm glad to hear you're still plugging away at this story! I'm flattered that you are enjoying it so much. Thank you for your kind praise. :)
Frodo Baggins · 26 April 2006 · Chapter 11: Out of Sorts
Oh, you have me on the edge of my seat!! I love this! This chapter was especially sweet. The line: ‘Please,’ he thought, ‘please tell me. I will help carry your wounds if you would but share them with me. Please.’ That was so touching. Your whole story is a plethora of wonderful characters, emotions, and hints that have me clicking "Next" constantly. Thank you so much for this story. I love your cottons and Gamgees....and your Frodo and his relations. You draw the reader in and let me picture what's going on inside the characters head and what they are doing without being tedious and over descriptive. Namarie, mellon nin! God Bless, Frodo Baggins P.S. In one of the earlier chapters...four, I think...you said something along the lines of "the five years before Rosie reached coming of age stretched tortuously before Sam..." I believe you meant "torturously". "Tortuously" means something like a twisting, winding road I think. :) I'm sorry. I tend to nit-pick, but I just thought I'd let you know as a friend.
Author's reply
Merry is such a sweetie in this chapter. He cares so much for Frodo and wants to help him, yet he realizes here that there are some things that he simply doesn't have the experience needed to really, truly help. He can comfort Frodo, and he does to the best of his ability, but he can never understand what it's like to lose a parent, much less both. I'm glad you found this story and are enjoying it so much. It was an adventure just to write it - I didn't know much more than the reader what was going to happen next in some cases! It certainly has a good many more cliffhangers than I ever planned on. Thanks for the tip! There's always going to be a typo or two or twenty that I overlooked and I'm slowly finding and weeding them out. :)
Queen Galadriel · 21 April 2006 · Chapter 9999: The Pledge
Hi again. Drat, I knew I'd forgotten something! (Say, that sounds familiar; I sure hope it doesn't storm tonight. :)) But seriously, I know I'm putting my comments ahead of where they belong, but I must tell you I loved Melilot's comment to Merry: "But you owe me. I had to cry." LOL! I got to that and would have laughed aloud if it hadn't been like one o'clock in the morning. My bad. But it just struck me as so hilarious in the middle of all that angst. That sounds like something I would say! LOL! Great moment of humour there, especially for those of us who like to act and know we're no good at it. :) I'm so glad I'm going to get to do a short story for you! :) Anything you want? I've only discovered you recently, and it would be a great help to know what you'd like. I've got several vague ideas running through my mind already, but can't settle on one. Even if you can't think of a plot, if you could tell me the characters you'd like, it would be great. (Sam, of course!) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
I tried as much as I could to throw in little lines like that, to lighten the story for just a moment or two. I figured that Mellie wouldn't be the type who would normally fake tears to get something and so she would hold Merry to the promise that he'd pay her back for it somehow. :) Anything with Sam would be great, whether it's him at Bag End, with his family, or with his friends, it doesn't matter. Maybe we can see what he does on his days off, but whatever you want to write would be wonderful! I can't wait to read whatever you come up with!
Queen Galadriel · 21 April 2006 · Chapter 9999: The Pledge
Do you know I stayed up till near three o'clock this morning, trying to finish this tale, and now I've finished it I wish I still had it all before me again? I expected to say, "Does it have to be over?" But it's a perfect ending, the kind that leaves you happy and at peace, wishing you could live it again but not wanting more, contented with what is there. Oh, undoubtedly I'll read this again; it's going on my list. But a story is never the same the second time through. For the first time I find myself pitying Lotho. I can't believe it; I didn't think that could ever happen. See what miracles you work? :) First I find myself angry with Frodo (though of course I melted and forgave him everything when I understood fully) and now I'm pitying him whom I've often called "the Loathesome." I cried with Sam when the news came that Frodo 'had drowned,' really cried as I haven't done in a while. And of course I was elated when Frodo came home, and even more so when he returned to Bag End. I love the banter and the quiet talk between the cousins. The birthday party was so wonderful, and I love the conversation between Frodo and Sam on the hilltop. I'm so glad Sam let himself relax for a minute and just be a friend, and the cake thing had me laughing hysterically! Sam knows them very, very well! LOL! And I simply adore Sam's gift to Frodo. Sweet, beautiful, poignant, priceless, all fall short. I can't begin to tell you how very much I've enjoyed this. I always try to wait a while before rereading a story, but I'm very anxious to read this one again. Of all that I've read of yours, this is the ultimate masterpiece. What to read next, I wonder? I can't decide. Oh, and if parts of this were made up, then what really happened? :) God bless, Galadriel P.S. If I may, I'm going to write a short story for you and put it under my "Gifts" as soon as I can. That's my way of showing other authors how much I appreciate them. :) May I?
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your high praise! It's very much appreciated. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that you enjoyed this so much. Once I realized that Lotho was going to be the "villian" here, I knew that everything that happened in the story leading up to that point had to reflect, in some way or another, the turmoil that Lotho is experiencing. I knew readers would never care a stitch about Lotho himself, but I figured that a few might have vicarious sympathy for him because of what the other characters have gone through already. The misery is just beginning for Lotho though - he has no hope of proving himself to his father any more and there's no one, besides his mother, to offer him any comfort or ease - and you know Lobelia isn't going to be offering much of that. As Sam tells Daisy, it's enough to make anyone bitter and spiteful. I'm glad I was able to both bring you to tears and make you laugh. That tells me I did my job well. :) Sam knows that his master is fond of him and he allows them to be equal friends when he can. And he knows Merry and Pippin well - after so much heartache and angst, that joke was just screaming to be told. I can very well imagine Frodo and Sam playing such games in their youth, and reprising them now to remember their carefree days after everything they've been through. I'm truly glad you enjoyed the poem. I don't try my hand at poetry very often and I always feel its inadequate. Whatever you read next, I hope you enjoy them just as much. This was pretty much one of the very first stories I wrote, and many that came after are inspired by this one, "Took Madness", "Mid Years Walking Trip", "Under the Harvest Moon", "Somewhere Only We Know" and "A Night to Forget" to name a few. This story also helped me to establish the hobbits' lives pre-Quest, so many of the themes visited here continue to come up in my other works. Daisy got it right for most of the made up parts. My theory while writing this was that whatever Sam didn't make up, he borrowed from other times in his life and altered them to fit the story where needed. So most of what he tells actually did happen, but not exactly in the way that's represented here and certainly not during this same time frame. You certainly may write a short story! What an honor! I'm truly touched.
Queen Galadriel · 20 April 2006 · Chapter 23: Moving On and Standing Still
I thought of waiting till the end to review again, but I can't, or I'll miss something. I feel I must compliment you on how very well this is worked out. I'm impressed! Even while my head is spinning and I feel as if my heart would burst to bits with anxiety. Imagine. I'm a hopeless case of melodrama. :) Oh, poor Sam! His frantic listing of all the clues to when Frodo was upset made me ache for him. He knows his master better almost than anyone, and I can certainly identify with the guilt. I know it wasn't his fault, but I'd do and say the same things in his place. Part of me is shouting that Frodo needed him, and the other, more reasonable part whispers, "Would anything be any different?" And if it isn't enough that I'm so...how shall I say, extremely anxious even when I know the end must be happy, I find myself grieving with the cousins. And I know Frodo's alive! I'm almost angry with Frodo Baggins right now. I pity him for the Ring-madness-he couldn't help that and I hate that thing so much! And certainly he didn't mean to fall into the river. But to go and intend to go to Rivendell! It's rash and thoughtless! I could lecture him at this moment-"Frodo! What are you thinking of? What about those who love you, who are grieving and worrying for you, who think you dead?" Of course he doesn't know they think that, but come on! *sighs heavily* But surely he'll come to his senses just in time; he is no fool, after all and he does have a heart and is one of the five dearest Hobbits in all the Shire. I love Berwin! He's such a wonderful OC! I was unsure at first, since the Rangers distrusted him, but if he cares for Frodo, or any of the Hobbits for that matter, he's won me. :) Goodness, what a mess. Frodo in Bree, doing something I can't believe he's doing; Merry and Pippin and the rest of the family grieving; Sam worried and soon to be grieving as well. And yet in the midst of it all, romance is blooming, and glad memories are made. It takes a very good story to get me so enthralled, and it has to be very real for me to feel as if I'm the one experiencing all this. And even while it can be a bit exhausting to vibrate so between such different emotions :), I love the feeling. Thank you so much for this wonderful story! God bless, Galadriel P.S. Also, when I get so caught up, I tend to be rather forceful, as others could very likely tell you. I hope I'm not *too* forceful, but I admit to yearning to rouse such force of feeling in my own readers. :)
Author's reply
You're not forceful at all. I love getting your reviews and I have to admit, they're making me appreciate this story all over again. Everything you're feeling while reading it is everything I was going through while writing it. This story changed on me so many times and in so many unexpected ways that I'm still surprised to this day that I not only finished it, but actually managed to make it work! Sam is the most heartbreaking hobbit in this story. He's so far removed from everyone else and is at the mercy of the speed of gossip to find out what is going on. He has nothing to do with him time but think of all the clues he missed and blame himself. Merry and Pippin aren't doing any better and things will get worse before they improve. Frodo's not thinking very clearly at this moment but he does realize that he can't just leave without sending some sort of word back to his family. All he can see right now is how much closer he is to finding Bilbo and now he has the opportunity to follow after him unhindered. Berwin is a good guy and always had been. I don't think I ever considered him being anything but an unexpected friend. I did know that Berwin needed to find him first, for anyone else that came along would either be too late or have ill intentions. It was simply meant to be that they would find each other. Things are a mess and will be getting messier, but life moves on. No matter what else happens, life moves on. The rebuilding of the Shire, Marigold and Tom's promise (and to a lesser degree, May and her beau's upcoming nuptials) personify that perfectly. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story and thank you again for your lovely reviews!
Queen Galadriel · 20 April 2006 · Chapter 16: Return to Brandy Hall
Oh...I'm glad I'm reading this now, instead of when it was in progress. It sounds horrid, but I don't mean it so, truly. I can't believe it-I know that couldn't have been Frodo; he's not crazy, after all. Yet here I am, shaking and out of breath and can hardly type, and fighting my own tears. But I'll admit to peeking at the reviews as I often do before beginning the story, just to see what others thought, so I know that Frodo *has* to be found and that the ending will be happy. But that doesn't make a difference now. Best correct my shameful, clumsy errors here and go back to reading. I have to get to a good part, or I'll never sleep for...well, what's left of the night. *smiles ruefully* I'm going to hate my love of adventure and excitement in the morning when it's time to hit the books. Excellent writing, my friend! God bless, Galadriel, who is still trying without much success to catch her breath. :)
Author's reply
LOL You'll find out soon, if you haven't already, if that really was Frodo that miller saw or not. Either way, Frodo will have a lot to explain when he returns (since you peeked already, I'm not spoiling anything if I say that. ~_^ ) This story was quite horrid to write, so I know exactly what you mean on that account! It's such a compliment to know that your experience reading this has been so real! I'm glad you're enjoying it and I hope you enjoy the rest. :)
Queen Galadriel · 19 April 2006 · Chapter 8: A Friend Unlooked For
You went and got my curiosity up about this story in "With Their Heads Full of Dreams," and am I ever glad you did! I'm loving everything so far! And so glad Hamfast made up with Sam before Sam could "swallow his pride!" Sam knows what he's talking about, and what he said was the plain truth. I think I've told you before, but I'll say it again-I love the personalities you give the Gamgees. And Sam getting tipsy and serenading Rosie...LOL! That I would love to see! LOL! And Tom's consternation over Marigold-poor dear. When it comes to courting, those lads are more scared than their lasses, aren't they? :) And now... That is the most evil cliff-hanger! Frodo, our Frodo, missing? *gasp* Oh, he has to be all right! Goodness, GF, that's as bad as Tolkien's ending for Book IV. "Frodo was alive but captured by the enemy." Maddening! But I'm being absurd, sitting here and going on about cliff-hangers when I could be reading and finding out what's going on. *Runs off at a tremendous pace to find Frodo and see that he's well.* :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
There's plenty more (and worse) cliffhangers to come, I'm afraid. At least you don't have to wait to find out what happens next. ;) The Gamgees are so close to the way I was raised, with they're working class spirit. Gaffer in LOTR reminds me a lot of my own father, the way he's such a loveable, crotchedy father. :) Hamfast realizes that he's been unduly harsh on Sam. He knows he's blessed to have such a dedicated, hard-working son and he's able to show Sam that, even if they don't argee all the time, he still loves Sam. The boys do have it hard when it comes to making their intentions known to their lasses. The lasses have the easy job - they just say yes or no. The lads are the ones who have to work up the nerve and make that first move, poor dears. They're such sweet lads though, I don't see what they're worried about. No lass in their right mind would tell them no. Thanks for reading! Glad you're enjoying it so far!
Elf Friend · 21 January 2005 · Chapter 9999: The Pledge
Oh. My. Goodness!!!!! I absolutely LOVE this story. I've been tearing through it frantically for the last three days. There's so much to say, but I'll try to keep it to a minimum... I love the bonds between the four hobbits, especially at the end, between Frodo and Sam. I love their game of making things up and how the conversation between Merry and Pippin came true. Inside jokes are so much fun. ^^ I love also how "everything sad came untrue." Lovely echo from the original stories, there. And I know there was more I want to say, but I forget now. This was excellent, I can't wait to read your other stories!!
Author's reply
Thank you so much! This story took many twists and turns, some of which I wasn't even fully prepared for. Our hobbits took quite a journey and came out the better for it. It's easy to see why they stuck to Frodo like a bur on a later journey. LOL, Frodo and Sam know Merry and Pippin far too well. They could have guessed that conversation even without them standing near the cake! Sam had promised his daughter a happy ending, and he gave it to her. Now she can rest easy, until all those pesky questions start nagging her again. ;) Glad you enjoyed it, and if you think of anything else, you know where to find me. :)
Larner · 28 November 2004 · Chapter 9999: The Pledge
You know, I've been following this story from its start, and it is a joy to see it through. Thank you for the story.
Author's reply
And thank you for reading. I'm glad this was able to entertain you for a bit.
shirebound · 28 November 2004 · Chapter 9999: The Pledge
What a wonderful story. You should feel very, very proud. That Daisy is a sharp one! She inherited Sam's shrewd, practical mind, that's for sure. And Frodo-lad is a real treasure. I was particularly struck by these marvelous passages: “No, neither of them were monsters,” Sam said. “It’s a horrible thing, to yearn for something so completely you forget everything else that ever made you happy. That’s to live in despair and no one should have to live like that. And if you never had anything to make you happy in the first place, that could make anyone bitter enough to do the things Lotho did.” "...nothing ever happens ‘right now’. Even things that seem to happen all of a sudden are a long time coming, you just weren’t looking in the right direction to see them approaching is all." "his father found it difficult to say his full name, always having to call him Fro, or Frodo-lad. Never just Frodo." *applauds*
Author's reply
Thank you so much! Daisy did inherit quite a lot of her father's practicality and Sam just gets wiser with each passing year. Thank you for all your wonderful reviews.
Grey Wonderer · 28 November 2004 · Chapter 9999: The Pledge
This was wonderful and I am so sorry to see it end. I am like Daisy and could listen to much more of this. Your Sam is so sweet and this was a very entertaining story. I look forward to your next one.
Author's reply
Thank you for all your lovely reviews. Maybe one of Sam's other kids will have trouble sleeping and we'll get another story... or maybe not. But I am working on my next fics and will have those up as soon as possible.
Grey Wonderer · 25 November 2004 · Chapter 34: Everything Sad Comes Untrue
I loved this chapter. I did wonder if Frodo and Lotho might have more than words but in Frodo's condition I suppose that it was for the best that they didn't. I was also glad to see the Lotho had respect for Sam's gesture. The teasing at the end was very funny. Great chapter!
Author's reply
Well there are several reasons it didn't come to blows, the main one being Lotho himself. Lotho had pretty much hit rock bottom and Frodo's not the type to hit someone while they're down. Not that he wouldn't have liked to. There is also the fact, as you pointed out, that Frodo is injured and probably wouldn't have lasted very long. And then of course, Merry and Pippin would feel the need to do something to vindicate Frodo and it would just get out of control very quickly. And there's also the fact that I hate writing fight scenes and one was more than enough for this fic. Lotho knows a kind deed when he sees one. Unfortunately, it's too little too late for him. He'll give Sam a respectable amount of space after this, but he won't be changing his ways and he obviously becomes much worse than he is right now. Got to have the teasing. That was the only way to end Sam's story. Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed it.
shirebound · 25 November 2004 · Chapter 34: Everything Sad Comes Untrue
I love this chapter more than I can say! It would be a wonderful ending, but how wonderful that there's a bit more to come. And oh, what a perfect chapter title! I have a terrible time thinking them up. Your conversation/dialogue is marvelous.
Author's reply
Thank you. The chapter title seemed pretty obvious for this one. They're not always so easy. Frodo and Sam know Merry and Pippin pretty well to guess exactly what they were saying, lol. That was the end of Sam's story and very fitting indeed. He wanted to tell a story with a happy ending and he somehow managed it. There is a teensy bit more to come though. Thanks for reading!
Dreamflower · 25 November 2004 · Chapter 34: Everything Sad Comes Untrue
Oh my goodness! So many things I loved in this chapter, I'm not sure I can mention them all: Frodo figuring out it was Lotho and taking him to task, and Lotho's uncharacteristic meekness. He is probably still a bit disoriented from the Ring induced madness. Sam's joy in having Frodo back, and the lovely birthday celebration! Sam's location for hiding the Ring. I would love to have heard the Ring's thoughts on suddenly finding itself buried in compost! On second thought, maybe not--you might have had to up the rating on the story, LOL! Hyper!Pippin--one of my favorites! *chuckle* I love that Frodo and Sam had figured out that exact conversation, and then for Merry and Pippin to repeat it in front of them like that--hilarious! So I see that this is winding down. Looking forward to the conclusion!
Author's reply
Frodo *assuming* it was Lotho you mean. Frodo had no real evidence, but Lotho pretty much hung himself by assuming Frodo already knew for certain it was him. Lotho's feeling pretty disoriented right about now, what with the lack of sleep and grieving for his father. I'm sure if Frodo had caught him at any other time, Lotho wouldn't have been so easily duped into giving himself up. What better gift for Sam than to wake up and find his Frodo sitting there? Once he got over the shock of course. LOL, that Ring just can't win can it! Is it really asking too much to get back into the hands of its master? ;) I'm sure it did have some choice words for what Sam did to it, the Black Tongue had never been so profanily used! I'll have to do a Hyper!Pippin ficlet for "Of Merry and Pippin" then. I already have a plot bunny - Pippin finds chocolate. Frodo and Sam know Merry and Pippin pretty well to guess exactly what they had said. Of course, they've probably heard similar conversations numerous times over the years.
Bodkin · 25 November 2004 · Chapter 34: Everything Sad Comes Untrue
Lovely, lovely chapter. Frodo needs Sam and Sam needs Frodo just as much as the Terrible Twosome need each other. Good hiding place for the ring. Probably good enough to keep it safe from Sauron - I can't see him digging in compost heaps to find it - too prosaic.
Author's reply
Terrible Twosome! I love that, what a great title for a fic. Only Sam would ever think to hide the ring there. You're probably right about Sauron - he doesn't like to get his hands dirty. ;) Thanks for reading.
Dreamflower · 22 November 2004 · Chapter 33: At Journey's End
Finally! Finally Frodo is home where he belongs! I loved this chapter. As you well know the dynamic between the cousins is one of my very favorite things to explore, and I love the way you have done that in this story. This chapter in particular, with Frodo and Merry having their conversation, Merry finally coming to realize a little of the grief Frodo must have been living in since his parent's loss, and then Merry's and Pippin's little talk afterwards, was absolutely spot on. I like the way Jolly was able to live up to his name, and cheer Sam up a bit, and I hope that they are now able to confirm the suspicion that Lotho is the one who beat up Sam. The Gaffer is in for the shock of his life. Sam? I wonder. Hope that you update soon--I'm eager to see his reaction. Is he even going to believe it when he sees his Mr. Frodo?
Author's reply
Thank you! Merry has gained a whole new level of respect for Frodo after this. Now that he understands how difficult grief can be, he will not only understand the way Frodo acted throughout so much of their youth together, but he will also be able to appreciate just how strong and resilient Frodo is. It's difficult enough for someone like Merry to apologize. Add onto that a devious Took who won't let him do it and you get a very frustrated Merry. :) But for all their teasing, they respect each other deeply. I doubt Jolly would say anything to Gaffer about his suspicions. He would expect Tom to do the talking, but Tom would need some proof before pointing fingers, especially at one of the gentry. Gaffer is in for quite a shock isn't he? ;)
Grey Wonderer · 20 November 2004 · Chapter 33: At Journey's End
Horray! Frodo is going to Sam now. I hope he's in time before Sam does something foolish in his grief. I enjoyed the little talk that Merry had with Frodo and then the other one where Merry tried to appologize to Pippin. That conversation was priceless. I look forward to poor Sam finding out that his Frodo is alive. More soon I hope. Great story!
Author's reply
Sam's pretty well knocked out at this point, thanks to the healer's medicine. He'll wake up to quite a shock though, won't he? ;) Merry's still trying to make sense of things. This was his first experience with 'death' even if in the end it turned out to be a huge misunderstanding. He has a new appreciation now for what Frodo went through. And of course, you can always rely on Pippin and Merry to lighten the mood. I'm not often in the position where I have to apologize to people, but it doesn't make it easy when the other person won't let you get a word in edgewise. Merry of course has plenty of practice in this area, but even he can get frustrated by it, though as Pippin said, that's part of the fun. Thanks for reading!
shirebound · 20 November 2004 · Chapter 33: At Journey's End
Wake up, Sam! Quick!! This is wonderful, btw: "And then there was you. You came and I was part of a family again."
Author's reply
The reunion is almost here! Poor Sam has been through so much, Frodo will hardly recognize him, both in appearance and behavior. It will take Sam a little while to realize what's going on. Merry's birth would have given Frodo some sense of security. Frodo finally had something he could do to contribute and help with the household by taking care of Merry. He had the role of big brother now, rather than just being - in his mind at least - a burden to his aunt and uncle. Thanks for reading!
Bodkin · 20 November 2004 · Chapter 33: At Journey's End
Thank goodness. Sam is in desperate need of seeing Frodo - but I think he'll be in so much shock he won't know what to do with himself. Good to see Merry and Pippin getting over their stresses - and Frodo's description of how Merry's birth was the only thing to pull himself out of despair was lovely.
Author's reply
You're right about the shock. Sam's not exactly going to react as Frodo would expect, not at first. Pippin can never stay mad at his Merry for very long, but he does enjoy hearing his friend's apologies. Frodo was very much adrift before Merry came. He was thrust into his aunt and uncle's home and care, and never really felt like he belonged. Merry's birth really could have made that feeling even more poignant, and I'm sure it did to some extent, but at the same time, Frodo now had someone to turn to who didn't know how things were before. As far as Merry would have been concerned, Frodo had always been a part of the family and belonged there with them. Esmeralda would have encouraged Frodo to look after Merry because of this. Thanks for reading.
Larner · 18 November 2004 · Chapter 32: The Most Important Thing
You know I'm following this one closely. Please continue! Too bad Hamfast isn't believing the new story.
Author's reply
Hamfast won't be able to deny the truth much longer, and he'll be having to eat his words to Goodheart. Thanks for reading!