Lindelea · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 53: Muffled Conversation
Ah, yes. Lovely story. So much love, wrapped up in a small package. Thanks!
Author's reply
Thank you for inviting me to take part, and having a chance to come up with this story.
Dreamflower's Mathoms I by Dreamflower
Reviews (860)
Pearl Took · 10 June 2005 · Chapter 52: The Morning After the Night Before
Hehehehe. This was a pleasant break in a not so nice morning. Thank you for an adorable story :)
Author's reply
Glad to give you a chuckle. 8-D
Larner · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 52: The Morning After the Night Before
Definitely an interesting picture to contemplate. All of them sleeping under the tree, then? Would think it might be somewhat comforting, but also rather uncomfortable.
Author's reply
Well, that's what Sam thought till he went to wake them up, LOL! I would imagine they *will* all have stiff necks! But the request was for a pile of hobbits, so I made as large a pile as I could. 8-D
songspinner · 31 May 2005 · Chapter 18: A Special Homecoming
Just got around to reading these...and I have no idea what took me so long. I really liked this one. The contrast for Pip trying to live on his own and longing for his own little one with Diamond was nicely done. I remember going to grad school away from my friends and feeling terribly "hug-deprived" to the point of driving for two hours on a weekend just to see them. Family is what you make of it, after all. :) Anyhow, good characterization and a cute sense of humor. Very hobitty... -Laura
Author's reply
Thanks. I think living alone would have been harder for Pippin than for any of the other four, even Merry. Pippin is just so sociable, and he needs the company of others. That's why he found Bilbo and Frodo so incomprehensible for living alone. Still, it was good for him to have to try it, for even a short while. And it certainly made him appreciate Merry, Estella and little Wyn when they got home. And I'm glad you think it hobbity. That's a very big compliment!
Larner · 29 May 2005 · Chapter 51: Gandalf Ponders
It seems a reasonable plan. Now, if Yavanna will cooperate, which isn't necessarily forthcoming. So, Hobbits are part of the PLAN, and definitely part of the Song.
Author's reply
Absolutely! And in Middle-earth, at least, the most important part of the plan. *grin*
Lily the Hobbit · 29 May 2005 · Chapter 51: Gandalf Ponders
Gandalf is in good company. There is nothing more charming than hobbits. Maybe you could write a drabble or ficlet about Yavanna's answer? *is very curious*
Author's reply
I think she might not answer, but my personal theory is that she gave hobbits a bit of extra charm and charisma, so that Big Folk would feel protective of them. Just a little extra protection for a small people in a large world...
Andrea · 29 May 2005 · Chapter 51: Gandalf Ponders
"He knew that he counted himself one of the enspelled, and glad of it." That's exactly what I feel! And it's an honor to see that Gandalf feels the same :)
Author's reply
Me too. I've been enspelled by hobbits for 38 years. *sigh*
Anso the Hobbit · 29 May 2005 · Chapter 51: Gandalf Ponders
The hobbits weave their charm over all they meet and Gandalf has a soft spot in his heart for them and I love so much to see him with them or thinking about them. I wonder if he sometimes wish he was a hobbit himself, lol. Leastways he knows where to go when he wants to relax from the pressing duties of the world and just be cared for and loved - strange and probably frightening as many hobbits seem to find him. :)
Author's reply
Leastways he knows where to go when he wants to relax from the pressing duties of the world and just be cared for and loved Well, wizards are called wise for a reason, aren't they? I think he truly felt at home in the Shire, in spite of his size and the fact that many hobbits were suspicious of him.
Kitty · 29 May 2005 · Chapter 51: Gandalf Ponders
Gandalf is in good company - there are very many people enspelled, be it in Middle-earth or in our world. I count myself among them, too - although I love the elves, too. And I wonder what Yavanna would answer ...
Author's reply
Perhaps she'd be coy, and not give an answer--or maybe she would. But I think she gave a gift to hobbits--a little extra charisma to give them an edge in a world full of people bigger than they.
Grey Wonderer · 29 May 2005 · Chapter 51: Gandalf Ponders
There is nothing more charming than a hobbit, unless maybe it would be two hobbits. LOL Seems they have the power to cast their spell on even wizards. I know that they have me under their spell.
Author's reply
Me too. *grin*. You know my disclaimer: I don't own them, but they own me.
Lindelea · 28 May 2005 · Chapter 50: Down the Green Hills
O very nice indeed.
Author's reply
Thanks! That's a big compliment coming from you. You write such nice hobbity songs! I'm glad you liked this one.
pipinheart · 28 May 2005 · Chapter 50: Down the Green Hills
Very nice...Keep up the great work..
Author's reply
Thank you. I'll do my best.
Anso the Hobbit · 28 May 2005 · Chapter 50: Down the Green Hills
That was just so beautiful and sad and full of wisdom the hobbits would never have had had they not set out on the Quest. Thank you!
Author's reply
Yes, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, they had to miss their home before they could truly appreciate it.
Anso the Hobbit · 28 May 2005 · Chapter 47: Heart's Desire
Oh that was lovely! Poor Frodo!
Author's reply
I wanted to contrast the idea that for poor Frodo, even though it was destroyed and he hated it, the Ring was *still* his heart's desire, with the fact that it was his taking on that burden that made it possible for others--most especially Aragorn and Arwen, to achieve their *own* heart's desire.
Raksha The Demon · 28 May 2005 · Chapter 17: The Steward and the King
Very nice! I love Faramir-Eomer interaction, especially when Faramir's in nervous-potential-bridegroom mode and Eomer hasn't yet given official approval to his suit.
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it. You know, I think that is the *only* thing I have written with no hobbits in it.
Larner · 27 May 2005 · Chapter 50: Down the Green Hills
A good depiction of longing.
Author's reply
The hobbits were so homesick at that point in time; Aragorn and Gandalf had told them they could not yet go home, and yet they did not explain their reasons. It had to make it so much worse.
Andrea · 27 May 2005 · Chapter 50: Down the Green Hills
"No matter how far we would roam, Together or apart, When we struggled on all alone, Our dreams were always of home, For there we kept our heart." Just beautiful! The best place in the wide world is always home :) Thank you for sharing!
Author's reply
Yes, and at that time they were more than ready to *go* home!
Larner · 23 May 2005 · Chapter 49: Moving Day
And leaving the relative freedom behind must have been heartbreaking. Nicely done.
Author's reply
Yes, going from being free to live his life in the way he has always enjoyed to being constrained by the duties of the Thainship was pretty traumatic. I postulate that it is one reason that he and Pippin have such a difficult time during Pippin's adolescence, his late teens and tweens. Pippin picks up on his father's ambivalence for the job, and takes on that attitude himself, making him think of it as something to be avoided if he can.
Larner · 23 May 2005 · Chapter 48: The Apples Don't Fall Far From the Tree
A lovely depiction of childhood and how, all too often, we encourage the very behaviors we really hope our youngsters won't copy. Very nice short story and well written and delineated.
Author's reply
It's very easy for adults to wax nostalgic about the mischief they got into themselves as youngsters, even when they know very well that they would be very upset if their children were to repeat that behavior.
Kitty · 23 May 2005 · Chapter 49: Moving Day
Poor Paladin, it is quite difficult to have to give up his live at the farm to do his duty as Thain. It would be probably easier if it weren't so different. And the children ... it is probably easier for all of them for the parents to settle in before send for them, but it will be hard to be separated so long. I wonder how little Pippin will fare - he is with his beloved Merry, but so long without his parents. May I hope there will be another story about this?
Author's reply
Well, he'd suspected for years that he'd be having to take on the Thainship as Ferumbras grew older and older and no wife. And in my Shire, of course, the mumps were the straw that broke the camel's back (I wonder what would be a good hobbity saying for that, since they've never heard of camels?) But Paladin and Tina do think that they need to get settled before they bring the children in--they know how busy they will be at first, and would rather have their children elsewhere, than to be with them and yet neglected. I may think about some little anecdotes of that year that the children spent apart from their parents...perhaps some drabbles or letters...
Saoirse · 23 May 2005 · Chapter 49: Moving Day
That was very touching, Dreamflower. The unawareness of the children is what struck me particularly, and the fact that their lives will now be turned upside down by the whole thing. Something that they cannot even understand yet. 'Paladin kept his eyes straight ahead. He refused to look back one last time at the farm. That life was over now.' Poor Paladin! Too hard on himself. But, perhaps he is right? Who can really say? Wonderful job :)
Author's reply
I think only Pearl is old enough to realize that, although they do have to be feeling a bit disoriented knowing that when they go "home" it will be to an entirely different place. But the pressures of being the Thain's children has not sunk in, especially for Pippin. Well, we know he made a go of it. And kept the Tooks free of Ruffians, so he must have finally found his feet in the job.
Lindelea · 23 May 2005 · Chapter 49: Moving Day
Very sensitively written. You can see the determination in Paladin, that he will do his duty to the best of his ability even though he'd choose a different path if he could, that grew as he took the reins, and helped him to keep Tookland free when the ruffians came.
Author's reply
Yes, Paladin had always known he would do his duty, but he had hoped it would not be for a few more years; I think he hoped that his children would all be grown first. But he is one determined Took, and once he put his mind to the job, he would do his very best.
Andrea · 21 May 2005 · Chapter 48: The Apples Don't Fall Far From the Tree
Wow! A wonderful little story! And there it is again: "sprout". Frodo would be proud of young Perry. He did everything to protect his little cousin. Next time they will make a detailed plan, before the mushroom raid starts. There will be another raid, I'm sure, for "the apples don't fall far from the tree" ;-)
Author's reply
Oh, I'm sure, too. But not, I think, until they are a good deal older. And it could be that Perry will need some persuading by Fam to try again. He's not going to forget his worry for the lad easily. I thought perhaps it was time for the little nickname to make a reappearance. Merry told Perry that's what Frodo called him, and I think that's why Perry chose to use it. I'm pretty fond of it myself; I'm glad someone else likes it too. I'm so glad you liked it; this is my first "second generation" story.
Kitty · 21 May 2005 · Chapter 48: The Apples Don't Fall Far From the Tree
Sweet little fic! The title is truly fitting! I love it how the little lads tried to do the same as their fathers did many years ago - even if they are too young yet - after hearing the old stories. Merry and Pippin should think twice before telling their own misdeeds. At last now they know the consequences ;-) Maybe Perry and Fam now are a bit more cautious. I am glad they came to no lasting harm! And I would like to hear a bit more about their adventures.
Author's reply
I think Merry and Pippin have learned not to be too inspiring with their stories--at least the ones of mischief! *grin* I think that this is one lesson that Perry at least will take to heart. He will think twice now before endangering his younger cousin. I'm so glad you liked it. This is the first story I've written this far up the timeline, involving the second generation. I imagine there will be others eventually.
lwarren · 20 May 2005 · Chapter 48: The Apples Don't Fall Far From the Tree
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! It is amazing what mischief two hobbit lads can get up to, especially if their father's give them ideas! And Wyn learned a good lesson, too - sometimes tattling is the only right and safe thing to do. The hard part if knowing when! Great story, Dreamflower, just great! linda
Author's reply
I do think their fathers *will* be more careful after this, and at least issue cautionary warnings along the lines of "I'll skin you if *you* ever try this", LOL! And I think Estella will also be quick to curtail any stories that might sound too inspiring from here on out! Yes, at that age the "when to tattle" lesson is an equally hard one to learn, but as in our world, some things are just too unsafe for youngsters to get up to, and sometimes friends (or sibllings) must spill the beans.