Dreamflower's Mathoms I by Dreamflower
Mum's the Word · 10 July 2005 · Chapter 58: Waiting for Bilbo
Thank you for this lovely mathom, Dreamflower. With your vivid descriptions I could picture everything as if I were there. Very imaginative and very well written! Thank you again, and a very happy, hobbity birthday to you! Mum
Author's reply
Thank *you* for your kind words!! 8-D
Bodkin · 9 July 2005 · Chapter 57: Papa's Present
I want that musical box! Fam is such a sweet child - and I like the abbreviation of his name.
Author's reply
Well, Marigold and I were inspired by such a one. We saw it for sale in a Cracker Barrel Restaurant--its called a "symphonium", and is a music box, with round brass discs that play different tunes. It was pretty expensive, or I would have gotten one then! But as of about six months ago or so, they still had it available. But as soon as we saw it we both squeed, because we just knew that was the kind of thing Dwarves could make! I'm glad you like the nickname. I didn't want to use "Farry" and "Mir" sounds a bit lame. I played around with the sound of the name, and "Fam" seemed to work.
Larner · 8 July 2005 · Chapter 57: Papa's Present
Ooh, why do I get the feeling this was unfinished? A cliffhanger short story? Unfair!
Author's reply
No, no, it's not a cliffhanger! I promise! Pippin is reminiscing about a story that Marigold and I wrote together during *last* year's hurricane, called "Ho, Ho, My Lads!" We had brain-stormed all kinds of cool gifts for Bilbo to give, and this was one of them. I suppose I'd better go in and make a note to that effect, to stave off reactions like yours! Sorry, my bad.
Grey Wonderer · 8 July 2005 · Chapter 57: Papa's Present
I like the idea of the music box and this connects so very well to your other tales. I am always amazed by the short stories like this one that say so much and are so entertaining in a very few words. How do you do that? LOL
Author's reply
Well, of course, this one connects up to "Ho,Ho,My Lads!" I'm glad you like these little snippets. I'm not sure about "how", I mean they are really just little scenes with no plot at all, and can't much be called "stories" in that sense of the word. I just like to describe my hobbits and their lives, I guess.
harrowcat · 8 July 2005 · Chapter 57: Papa's Present
Lovely little scene Dreamflower.
Author's reply
Thank you!
Anso the Hobbit · 7 July 2005 · Chapter 54: Morning at Bucklebury Ferry
What a sweet picture. It almost brought tears to my eyes when Merimac remembered why Merry has such patience with Pippin. This was just truly lovely!
Author's reply
Thank you, Anso. I always think of the Frodo-Merry-Pippin relationship like that, a sort of pass it forward thing: Frodo took special care of little Merry, and then Merry did it for Pippin, and then, when the two of them grew up, they in turn took care of their Frodo as much as they could. I am glad that you liked it.
Anso the Hobbit · 7 July 2005 · Chapter 56: A Purpose in Life
Oh, Lovely! I forgot Nibs actually was older than Pippin. This is such a lovely little fic, and it almost had me in tears. Poor Nibs, not old enough to have been of "real" use during the troubles but not yet of age and old enough to move out, and then Pippin, who actually is younger than him but seems so much older for the Quest comes and shares fate with him in a way since he neither is of age and knows how the bonds to home tear at him.
Author's reply
Yes, I thought that they would have a lot in common at this point in their lives, and unlikely to be worrying as much about their social differences while other things loomed in their minds. Both of them were having to work out what their place in the world would be.
elisabeth · 3 July 2005 · Chapter 29: The Taste of Strawberries
I just posted a comment to your livejournal and remembered too late that I had not mentioned this pie. I read the story months ago, but hadn't gone strawberry picking until last week (not a good season for strawberries in New England this year). It was the first berry pie I had tried and came out very well, except for being a bit liquid (I reduced the sugar and cornstarch by a third each--the berries were very ripe--and, well, it needed all the cornstarch). Tastes very good, though, and well worth being out in high sun, heat, and humidity picking too many strawberries (how much does the recipe take? is this enough? maybe a few more...5 pounds? oops, should have stopped earlier). As I picked, I found myself adlibing to the movie scene: "Do you remember the taste of strawberries?" "No, but I do remember the bug bites, sunburn, and sore back." Thank Rosie for me, once Sam gets through showing his appreciation! --elisabeth
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked the pie, even though it did not *quite* turn out as you thought--you *can* get away with reducing the sugar, but not the cornstarch, *especially* if the berries are ripe and juicy. But if you don't mind the pie being a bit runny, it's still very good! Strawberries are mostly over already down here, and now it's blueberries. Nina the Powerwriter's mother gave me some lovely blueberries a couple of weeks ago, and I made a blueberry pie using a very similar recipe. Glad you tried it, at any rate! That's always nice to know. 8-D
Lindelea · 2 July 2005 · Chapter 56: A Purpose in Life
How I enjoy reading these snippets of yours, what my editor-friend would call "background", and yet it adds so much depth and interest to what might be called "the main story". This is a nice glimpse of Pippin, giving depth to his character, and paints Nibs as a real person in his own right. Nicely done! (And happy birthday! I have the anecdote all written, now just the setting for it to be told... so many possibilities!)
Author's reply
Sometimes I am more interested in "background" than I am in plot, truth be told. That's probably why I have so many of these little anecdotes, as I try to fill in my vision of what life is like in the Shire. I thought it would be nice to view Pippin through a completely different pair of eyes, and Nibs is a rather neglected canon character. With the closeness in their ages it seemed a natural fit. Thanks for the birthday wishes; I'm glad you liked your little surprise, and I look forward to the results.
Larner · 1 July 2005 · Chapter 56: A Purpose in Life
The feeling of being the odd brother out--poor Nibs. But Pippin's the right one to offer him warmth, advice, and reassurance.
Author's reply
Yes, the only one not allowed to help out during the Troubles. And I think that he will cherish this little visit from Pip. Pippin's caring heart enabled him to see through to what bothered Nibs, and his own firsthand knowledge of how it felt made his advice very reassuring indeed.
Sulriel · 1 July 2005 · Chapter 56: A Purpose in Life
What a lovely picture of Nibs trying to find his place. It reminds me that without those that stay home, what are the ones who leave fighting for. Thanks.
Author's reply
Oh that's a lovely thought! Thank you very much for your kind words!
Bodkin · 1 July 2005 · Chapter 56: A Purpose in Life
Poor Nibs. It's hard enough growing up and developing an idea of your value without being surrounded by heroes - Sam the Traveller, Jolly the Rebel and Shire Representative, Pippin the Captain of the Shire and Knight of Gondor. And to be a year older than Pippin must be galling, when his mother decided he was too young to take any part in the fight. It'll work itself out. Probably. But he has my sympathy.
Author's reply
The Troubles certainly changed the young Shire hobbit's perceptions of growing up. Seeing actual heros around him had to be both inspiring and frustrating--and yes, I would imagine his mother's refusal to allow him to take part in things which his older brothers were doing must have chafed no end. I think it will work itself out, and his little talk with Pip helped, I'm sure.
cher · 1 July 2005 · Chapter 56: A Purpose in Life
I think you have captured every adolescent's concern about "where do I fit in?" Every time I read the book, I realize again how young Pippin was compared to the other three hobbits, and how much he had to grow up in such a short time. Hopefully, Nibs is having a more traditional time of it.
Author's reply
Yes, Pippin's youth is very much an important part of his characterization in the book. He was almost 22 years younger than Frodo, 10 years younger than Sam and 8 years younger than Merry. Granted the age gap was not as pronounced among hobbits as it would be among Men, but that is still a lot of years. And he was still 5 years short of his majority when he left on the Quest. At 28, he was close to a young 18 in human terms. I noticed a while back the closeness in age between Pippin and Nibs, and wondered how that might feel to Nibs, who is actually a year older.
Armariel · 27 June 2005 · Chapter 23: The Lady's Gift
Picked this one at random out of the many. Very lovely and evocative. Felt like I was right there.
Author's reply
Oh thank you! What a nice thing to say!
Larner · 27 June 2005 · Chapter 55: Gandalf Observes Boromir
Considering Baylor's The Care and Feeding of Hobbits, this is MOST appropriate indeed. Lovely drabble.
Author's reply
That is what inspired it. "Care and Feeding" was one of the first fics I read, and remains to this day at the top of my favorites list.
mirthor · 27 June 2005 · Chapter 55: Gandalf Observes Boromir
Yeah, & why didn't you stop him from coming along then, Wizard! He, he. Always wished Tolkien hadn't have needed someone to sacrifice, because it never made sense that Galadriel & Gandalf allowed a warrior that spellbound to be a part of the Nine. But, if he'd been left back in Rivendell, he wouldn't have become the tragic hero we all love. Good drabble & this is exactly how I imagined the Son of Gondor to have warmed to the hobbits. Thanks for sharing.
Author's reply
Story external, you are absolutely right: there had to be a sacrifice, and it had to come from within the Fellowship, to show just how powerful and insidious the Ring was. And JRRT chose Boromir because he wanted it to be a Man, who fell because of pride and despair, and it could *not* be Aragorn. But story internal, I think that Gandalf and Galadriel did not feel it their place to gainsay one who seemed fated to be one of the Nine. Unlike movie-verse, in which Elrond actually *called* the Council, in book-verse, everyone who showed up, came by "chance, if chance you call it". Actually, *Faramir* was the one who *should* have come, and Boromir's insistence on taking his brother's place was what brought him into the Fellowship, and possibly into conflict with what should have happened. Also, I don't believe Boromir was all that spellbound in Rivendell. He showed that he was open, with the idea that the Ring could be used, but he allowed the others to gainsay him. I think that in Rivendell the Ring was fairly quiescent, and only began to try and feel the others out *after* the Quest had begun. But that's my opinion only--the text is fairly neutral on that, and it could go another way. But I believe Gandalf hoped all along that Boromir *would* overcome the temptation--and actually, he *did* break the Ring's spell on himself at the end, as he was an honorable Man at heart, but it was too late by then.
Larner · 24 June 2005 · Chapter 54: Morning at Bucklebury Ferry
Yes, lovely fluff. Enjoyed it!
Author's reply
8-D Thank you! *fluffity*fluffity*fluff*grin*
Marigold · 24 June 2005 · Chapter 54: Morning at Bucklebury Ferry
What a sweet glimpse of the cousins contentedly spending time together. I loved this: "The friendship between the two was amazing to casual observers, who could not understand how Merry could be so fond of the company of a little lad so much younger, not to mention of such a trying temperament." And Mac's thought about Merry and Frodo was lovely. I liked that Pippin was faster than the cat!
Author's reply
I never get tired of showing them spending time together one way or another. Mac *would* know and remember how things had been for Merry and Frodo once, and easily see the parallels. Pippin's a quick little thing, isn't he? Of course, he only got the tail, but that was enough to make the cat drop the fish, LOL!
Bodkin · 24 June 2005 · Chapter 54: Morning at Bucklebury Ferry
Ahh. What a delightfully fidgety twitchy little Pippin. I'm rather glad that Esmeralda put her foot down about taking him on the water - I can scarcely imagine a worse combination. And Pippin did catch a fish. Well, a fish in a cat's mouth.
Author's reply
Oh, yes, Aunt Esme knows her nephew all too well. I'm sure she knew they'd all end up in the water otherwise. You're right, LOL! Maybe Merry will point that out to him later!
Baggins Babe · 24 June 2005 · Chapter 54: Morning at Bucklebury Ferry
This was a beautifully written slice of hobbit life! I could just see the two of them sitting there on the dock, with Pippin fidgeting. I loved the song - brought back memories for me, as I once had to read the words off the board at school to the class and half the teachers, to demonstrate how to read with expression (I was barely six). It is a very hobbity song, I have to say. How typical of the cat to run off with Merry's catch - sneaky thing!
Author's reply
Thanks; as you very well know, my Pip's almost always fidgety, and most especially little Pip, LOL! I was an adult when I first read "The Wind in the Willows", and my thought then, for I had long before read The Hobbit and LotR, were that Mole and Ratty and Badger were very like hobbits. I was delighted to come across that song in the book, for I was already familiar with it from a childhood book of poetry and had no idea it came from a book. And since I've been writing fic, I've wanted to use it as a hobbit song. Yes, very "catty" behavior, wasn't it? *grin*
Tigger · 23 June 2005 · Chapter 54: Morning at Bucklebury Ferry
Awww...I remember all too well how it can be to be little and fishing. Patience is not a virtue of the very young. I often wonder how my parents didn't give into temptation and bop me one w/the paddles. :oD This was too cute, adorable and oh so fluffy!!! Loved it!!
Author's reply
No, patience is not a virtue of the very young, and it is *never* a virtue of Pippin, young or old, LOL! I'm glad you liked it--I'm very fond of young hobbit fluff myself!
Daynawayna · 23 June 2005 · Chapter 54: Morning at Bucklebury Ferry
What a darling Mathom, Dreamflower! ::reviews requirements..::: Fishing pole: check. Block of wood... check. (fish loving)Kitty Cat.... double check. ::giggles:: Love how you put them all together! Pippin must be lighting fast to catch a cat on the run with a fish! I especially like Merimac's observing the two of them. Gives a different perspective to the story, and makes it more interesting. And it's exactly the break I needed from my work today. Thank you and good job! :D
Author's reply
Thanks! I've done several challenges, but this was the first one to have those kind of requirements, so I was glad to get them all in. Well, you will note he only caught the tail, LOL! Merimac was the only way I could get the block of wood in, and since he was there, he might as well get his two cents in. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Finny · 17 June 2005 · Chapter 30: The Stubborness of Tooks
I love the giant pink rabbits! *Great* touch!
Author's reply
LOL! Those "giant pink rabbits" are what my own husband experienced when he had a very high temperature!
Marigold · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 53: Muffled Conversation
Oh, this is just beautiful - I love the detail. The sentiment is just lovely, and this is a totally believable glimpse into Frodo's childhood. Well done!
Author's reply
You know, it's funny, I had already pretty much finished the story that Lindelea had me down for, and then this one just popped into my head nearly full-blown, and she was kind enough to say she could use it, too. I guess it came from all the knitting I'd been doing on my Pippin-scarf, LOL!
Larner · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 53: Muffled Conversation
Sad memories, sad forbodings, but gentle comfort. How appropriate.
Author's reply
Thank you, I found it rather bittersweet myself.