Dreamflower's Mathoms I by Dreamflower
Grey Wonderer · 22 September 2005 · Chapter 67: The Birthday, S.R. 1402
Bilbo's gift from Frodo made me tear up a bit. I loved the fact that they were each thinking of the other on the twenty-second although they were far apart. Lovely birthday story!
Author's reply
Well, we *know* Frodo never had a birthday without thinking of Bilbo--that's canon--so I don't much imagine it was any different for Bilbo wherever he might have been at the time. I'm glad you liked it!
Armariel · 22 September 2005 · Chapter 66: The Smallest Hands
Very lovely and true!
Author's reply
Thank you.
Armariel · 22 September 2005 · Chapter 67: The Birthday, S.R. 1402
Sweet! a nice little gift. The "voice" is very well done:D
Author's reply
Thank you very much. I concern myself a good deal with getting the "voice" right, and am glad you think I succeeded.
Baggins Babe · 22 September 2005 · Chapter 66: The Smallest Hands
*sniff* You had me in tears with this one, Dreamflower, but how beautifully you express it - that those small hands carried the greatest burden. Your poetry is wonderful.
Author's reply
Thank you very much. (hands you a virtual hankie) I had a hard time with that one. I am so glad you think I succeeded in getting the idea across.
Baggins Babe · 22 September 2005 · Chapter 67: The Birthday, S.R. 1402
How lovely that both our beloved Bagginses should be thinking of each other, and perfect that Frodo has sent some Old Toby for Bilbo. Thank goodness Frodo is surrounded by his friends and family - it must have been strange to celebrate the day without Bilbo after all those years.
Author's reply
I am sure that it was strange for both of them. But we know the year never went by without Frodo thinking of Bilbo on that day, and so I am sure Bilbo felt the same, parted though they were.
Kitty · 22 September 2005 · Chapter 67: The Birthday, S.R. 1402
That was sweet! Particularly the second half. Bilbo may have loved the elves and have been happy in Imladris, but I suspect he must have been quite lonely at times, being the only one Hobbit there. It was so wonderful how Frodo tried to assuage this feeling!
Author's reply
I think you are absolutely right about Bilbo. Especially at first, it must have at times been a bit overwhelming to be surrounded by the Firstborn. Frodo just knew Bilbo would probably miss him on that day. And he *was* a pretty wonderful hobbit, wasn't he?
Larner · 22 September 2005 · Chapter 67: The Birthday, S.R. 1402
Bless Frodo for his thoughtfulness and his expressed love for Bilbo. Old Toby indeed!
Author's reply
I am sure that Frodo anticipated that wherever Bilbo might be, he would be lonesome on his birthday. And of course, Old Toby! Nothing but the best for his Uncle Bilbo, LOL!
Larner · 21 September 2005 · Chapter 66: The Smallest Hands
Oh, Dreamflower, I am in awe, true awe. My skills as a poet are so slight, yet you have done such wonders here. I am in honor of your minstrel....and your muse. Thank you. So well expressed.
Author's reply
Hmm. My reply didn't show up. Try again. I had a very hard time getting this one "just right", and tossed away numerous rough drafts. You may recognize the meter and rhyme scheme as the same one in "I Sit Beside the Fire and Think" that Bilbo sings just before the Company leaves. The rhyme scheme and meter I had been trying to use just wasn't working, but I was humming that one day, and suddenly realized that one of my lines would fit it. I scrapped everything else and started over, and it all just finally flowed. I thought you especially might like the last two verses. I was thinking of your Frodo when I wrote them.
Andrea · 21 September 2005 · Chapter 66: The Smallest Hands
"Perhaps it was to humble us when Chance or Purpose called-- and into smallest hands did give the greatest deed of all." Beautiful indeed! Menelcar the Minstrel is a wise man!
Author's reply
Well, I soon hope to get "Chance Encounter" beta'd, and then you will be able to meet him. Unless you've read "Life of a Bard" and have already met him.
Anso the Hobbit · 21 September 2005 · Chapter 66: The Smallest Hands
That is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. Now you made my cry. Thank you so, so much for this! :D
Author's reply
Oh, Anso! You are so very sweet! I sweated bullets over this song, which is why the chapter took so long to get posted; I'm glad it came across the way I hoped it would.
Inkling · 13 September 2005 · Chapter 10: Yule in Hollin
This was just delightful, Dreamflower! Am reviewing for the MEFAs, but just wanted to say so here too.
Author's reply
Thank you! That's so sweet of you to leave a few words here as well!
elwing · 2 September 2005 · Chapter 3: Neither Have I Wings to Fly
beautiful. i like the imagery...i also appreciate the fact that you actually understand how to use grammar. although this review may not reflect the fact, good grammar makes a story much more enjoyable for me. like i said, beautiful story.
Armariel · 28 August 2005 · Chapter 65: Buckland Spring
That's so SWEET!!! I just love it! *sniff*
Kitty · 26 August 2005 · Chapter 54: Morning at Bucklebury Ferry
Pippin and fishing? It is truly sweet of Merry to take him there. I’m not sure I would’ve the patience for it – the little Took is obviously complete unable to sit quietly longer than some minutes. It must have been a sore trial for him to stand attention at Minas Tirith, even if he was not as bad then as he was as a little lad. Merry is so sweet with him! They’re truly wonderful friends!
Kitty · 23 August 2005 · Chapter 53: Muffled Conversation
How sweet of Frodo to give this very treasured reminder of his mother to Pippin! He truly was a very special hobbit. I am glad Pippin took so good care of it. So he had this as a reminder of Frodo, too, after Frodo sailed West.
Author's reply
Oh, yes, Pippin would always treasure and take care of it, to remember both Frodo and Bilbo by.
Kitty · 23 August 2005 · Chapter 52: The Morning After the Night Before
Today I’ve detected how many updates here I haven’t reviewed at all and was quite upset with myself. I’m very sorry! I think I know what to do with some of my free time during vacation! This one was funny. Sun can indeed make very sleepy, and obviously more so if someone had had a long night! (Or a short, depending on ones point of view). I only wonder first, how Frodo has convinced Sam to sit down and use his master as a pillow (what surely is not proper!), and second, why not at least Pippin has awakened to the mealtimes. Until now, they have left out first and second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, teatime and obviously even supper. That’s very alarming for our dear hobbits! Until now, their stomachs should growl so loud it's to hear even in Buckland!
Author's reply
Well, Folco didn't come out until elevenses, and Freddy followed, so I'm assuming they at least ate that meal. Merry and Pippin came out after lunch. However, you are right in that they missed teatime and were about to miss supper. And it's possible that they had all missed their breakfasts, depending on when they woke up. As to Sam, I imagine that his efforts to wake Frodo went the same as Frodo's effort to wake Merry, and he just gave in and sat down. However, I am sure that there are six very hungry hobbits about to wake up!
Bodkin · 23 August 2005 · Chapter 65: Buckland Spring
Little Merry must have been such a blessing for Frodo. It's not surprising that such a level of devotion grew up between them.
Author's reply
I truly do think so. Poor Frodo needed something or someone so badly at the time when Merry was born, that it was rather inevitable.
Larner · 22 August 2005 · Chapter 65: Buckland Spring
Ah, between grief and toddlers! My great-niece's first words were spoken last night--DADA.
Author's reply
*grin* How sweet! Little ones do have a way with them, don't they?
songspinner · 22 August 2005 · Chapter 65: Buckland Spring
Oh, just perfect. Made me a bit weepy, but that's just fine. Such a clear picture of what it might have been like for Frodo coming to live there after such a tragedy, and such love shown to him by his family. Merry always did know what was important, didn't he? -Laura
Author's reply
Yes, he did, from the time he was born, I think he was meant to be Frodo's comforter. Poor Frodo just needed to be needed so very badly at that time, and Merry came along, and he just latched onto him.
Pendora · 22 August 2005 · Chapter 65: Buckland Spring
That nearly had me in tears! I've often thought about that time after Drogo and Primula's death, and thought how miserable it must have been for poor Frodo. You captured everything very well and even though there was a somewhat melancholy tone to the story, things always lightened up a bit when Merry was there. How sweet! Comforting and protecting Frodo from the beginning! And of course his first word was "Fwo"! Lovely work, Dreamflower!
Author's reply
That's *exactly* what I've always said, that Merry was protective of Frodo from infancy on! And of course it was! How could it not be?
Tigger · 22 August 2005 · Chapter 65: Buckland Spring
Oh, what an adorable lovely piece of fluff this is. What an approrate time and word for Merry to say for his first word. "Fwo" This was lovely Dreamflower, simply cuddly and adorable. You've gotta love sweet wee hobbit lads. :oD
Author's reply
Wee!Merry is so very cute and cuddly, isn't he? Baby hobbits are so sweet--I could eat'em with a spoon! *grin*
eiluj · 22 August 2005 · Chapter 65: Buckland Spring
Even though I don't like to think of the degree of misery that would make a small child consider suicide, you manage (here and in other stories) to persuade me that Frodo missed his parents so much that he wanted to be with them, no matter how.... As you are fleshing out incidents you've alluded to in other stories, I hope you will consider writing about the time Frodo runs away to Bag End (in "Grief" and "The Apology"). But ending with lots of comfort, please....
Author's reply
Childhood suicide does happen, sadly. An acquaintance of our son took his life when he was no more than 11. Frodo was profoundly affected by the sudden and early loss of his parents, something that among the clannish hobbits would be even more traumatic and disastrous than usual. And in spite of his foster parents' efforts to be understanding, the cultural attitude of hobbits in general to make light of serious things and sweep them under the rug could not have helped. This does actually fit into that timeline: it's somewhat of a prelude to those two stories, as they occur only very shortly after this.
Baggins Babe · 22 August 2005 · Chapter 65: Buckland Spring
Oh Dreamflower! What a sad time for poor Frodo, and how wonderful that Merry should have the knack of cheering him. I love that Merry's first word is 'Fwo'! Aaaagh! Young Frodo and baby Merry - it doesn't get any cuter! Now I'm the one with the goofy grin on my face! :-))
Author's reply
I'm glad to give you a goofy grin for a change! I love to write Frodo and baby Merry--I like to think the connections that caused Merry to take his life in his hands to follow his cousin wherever that led were there from the start, meant to be.
Andrea · 22 August 2005 · Chapter 65: Buckland Spring
"Merry snuggled into Frodo’s arms, and then reached up a tiny hand to brush away the tears, “Fwo,” he said contentedly." Frodo must have had a hard time at Brandy Hall shortly after the death of his parents. But when little Merry was born, everything changed. Frodo's life had a purpose again - and that was his little "sprout". I think "Merry" is not simply a short form of "Meriadoc", it's a telling name, for he's always able to cheer others up. And his first word was "Fwo"! Just wonderful :) Thank you, Dreamflower!
Author's reply
I think you are right about Merry--it was merely fortuitous that the first part of his name could be shortened that way. He brought a bit of merriment and light into Frodo's life that had been long gone. And you have guessed the meaning of "sprout"--Merry was Frodo's little seedling of hope. I'd always said that was his first word, so I thought it was time to show it!
Larner · 14 August 2005 · Chapter 64: At Crickhollow
It's a nice managing, apparently. Lovely image, Pippin aiding Merry to sleep when he's already realizing Frodo is avoiding speaking of himself, when he's already becoming aware Frodo is starting to draw away.
Author's reply
I think so, anyway. It's kind of one of my things: since Pippin was a small lad, when he gets the fidgets, Merry asks him to sing. I'm sure that Pippin had it figured out long ago, but as he loves to sing, he doesn't mind. Yes, Merry has to be disturbed. He knows Frodo so well, yet he's not ready to believe that Frodo won't recover, and indeed, at this point in time, Frodo himself is not ready to believe it yet. So Merry tries to push it out of his mind, and convince himself all is well. I'm sure that was probably why Pip sensed he needed soothing.