I am very glad Sam is going along because I do believe that Frodo will have his hands full. It looks to me as if Merry has already started trying to make trouble with his ghost story. LOL Frodo will need the help!
Author's reply
LOL, well Merry's just repeating what he's heard about the forest. And Pippin really doesn't believe any of it anyway. Really, he doesn't. ;)
It should be interesting to see just who is going to wind up enjoying this trip and who doesn't. It is a good thing Sam's going though, if only to keep Pippin away from the food, lol!
Dreamflower
· 15 January 2005
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Absolutely positively delightful!
I love Pippin's combination of curiousity and skepticism at the story of Earendil--just the kind of questions he'd come up with,too! (I'd never thought about the idea of the Silmaril blinding him, LOL!)
And the song was lovely, thank you very much! And quite appropriate, too. But then you know how I love for Pippin to sing.
I like the speculation about the Bindbale wood, and how there are stories about it like the Old Forest. When Pippin tries to reassure himself that it is just like the Woody End, it makes me wonder what stories a hobbit in another part of the Shire might have heard about *it*. (After all, we know it was frequented by Elves...)
And Merry's solution for the tent was just the kind of logical idea he would come up with.
Looking forward to more!!
Author's reply
Pippin's a bit like me when it comes to such stories: I need it to be logical and I pick them apart, lol. So glad you enjoyed the song. I'm trying to hone my poetry skills, and as I don't really have anyone to tell me if I'm doing it right or wrong, you all are going to have to suffer being my guinea pigs. :)
Bindbale always struck me as an odd name for a forest in the heart of the idyllic Shire. I started thinking about what the name might mean when I started outlining this story. "Bind" is to tie together, and "in a bind" means a difficult situation. "Bale" is a large bundle of straw bound together with cord. So I got the idea of Bindbale being full of large, impenetrable brush and
tangling bushes and such. And then it just seemed logical to me that if that's the case, hobbits wouldn't venture there too often and as such, rumors about it would be a given. Should be interesting to see what happens to our dear hobbits.
Thanks for reading!
Periantari
· 13 January 2005
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
great story so far~ i hope you update soon :)
Author's reply
Thank you! As soon as I can get together a few minutes to consult The Sil and confirm some facts, I'll be uploading the next chapter. :)
Periantari
· 13 January 2005
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
lol~!! this is such a great story so far!!! All the hobbits are in character and it's just so funny what you have them say in order for them to convince Frodo that he go with M&P...
this is one of my favorite lines: “Well, you’re doing a very poor job of it,” Merry stated matter-of-factly at the same time Pippin asked, “Then why is he making lunch?”
“Really, Pippin, you’d rather eat Frodo’s cooking?” Merry said.
LOL
This is hilarious so far~ ::running to next chapter:: =)
Author's reply
LOL, Frodo gets no peace from his cousins does he? I'm really surprised Frodo didn't just drop kick them out the door. He wasn't in a very good mood when they showed up and then they go and tease him mercilessly. I'm continually astounded by his patience. Glad you're enjoying it so far. Thanks for reading!
Bodkin
· 9 January 2005
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Yes, Sam gets to go. The Gaffer can always turn a blind eye and tell himself that Sam is there in his role of servant to do the dirty work. After all, he did carry half a hundredweight of pots and pans across Middle Earth so that he could be chief provider of food to the Fellowship. Sherpa Sam.
And if Frodo can't get his days of complete peace and quiet, he might as well have Sam along to help him keep order.
I long to know more about Sam's magic powers - how does he control Pippin's appetite? Have I missed/forgotten something?
Now they can look forward to a nice peaceful camping trip - just a few friends have a quiet time in the woods. Or not?
Author's reply
I wasn't originally going to have Sam come along, but one of my reviewers on FFN requested it and I've managed to work him in, which is turning out to be a very good thing. :)
The Gaffer and Sam have called a truce on this little disagreement of theirs. Gaffer knows that Sam will always be there to serve Frodo, no matter what. After all, Gaffer had a very friendly relationship with Bilbo, so he can't exactly begrudge Sam the same thing. Of course, Sam wants to take that one step further. By the Gaffer's way of seeing things, there's a very huge difference between being friendly and being a friend. Sam maintains that he doesn't see that difference, but if he's fooling anyone, it's himself.
Sam's magic powers, hehe. That's really going to be gnawing at Merry. Those "powers" first appeared in "Frodo Writes a Story" and I've decided to expand on it here. Be assured, Frodo's noticed Sam's ways with Pippin and that alone is good reason to take Sam along. Otherwise, they may well be out of food before they make camp the first night!
We'll see what - if anything - is in store for our hobbits. ;) Thanks for reading!
esamen
· 8 January 2005
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
“Yes sir,” Sam said and excused himself to his room. He hadn’t been entirely certain his father would approve of the plan, and he was relieved it went over so well.
Applause, applause . . . beautifully done . . . this little scene between Sam and the Gaffer is just fantastic. You have a great hand with dialogue.
I really like this story! I'll be watching down the road for your next update. A little request . . . I just love Frodo h/c . . . I hope that my hero gets into a little bit of trouble, at least! thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for the praise! Sam and the Gaffer traveled a rocky road to get to the truce they are currently enjoying, but it's still a fragile truce at best.
There will be some comfort to be had before this fic is over, but I doubt Frodo will be the recipient. Don't worry though, I have a couple of fics on the sidelines that will be Frodo h/c, it's just a matter of getting to them through all the other plot bunnies gathered around my ankles. Thanks for reading!
Apparently he doesn't know Sam very well. This is looking good!
Author's reply
Oh, he knows Sam pretty well, he's just rather flustered at the moment. Once he gets a minute to himself to think, I'm sure he'll put two and two together. Thanks for reading!
cher
· 2 January 2005
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Very nice start. I can't wait to see where this story/trip is going, but I bet it will be a real adventure.
Author's reply
Thank you! I can't wait to see where it goes either, lol. I have an outline of course, but I'm already starting to stray away from it in my writing.
Bodkin
· 2 January 2005
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
'If he didn’t know Sam any better, he’d almost think this was a conspiracy.' What an excellent line, full of dramatic irony.
I don't blame Sam for wanting to ensure that Frodo has company. And they've worn him down - cunning move from Merry and Pippin. Now they just need to pack Sam up and take him - purely to avoid eating Frodo's cooking, of course.
Interesting start - liked the characterisation and emotions displayed here!
Author's reply
Our Sam is certainly getting his feet wet for a later conspiracy isn't he?
Poor Frodo doesn't stand a chance when his friends decide to gain up against him. And Sam will get roped into this, Frodo's not as guillible as he seems to be.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Sam involved in a conspiracy? Surely not! Loved that bit. I am glad to see a new one starting up again. I loved how organized Merry was in his planning. Looks like a good start and I will look forward to more of this one.
Author's reply
Our darling, innocent Sam would never do anything like that, would he? lol. If only Frodo knew what was in store for him down the road. Merry's get his own training for the Quest isn't he?
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm not sure how long this will eventually be. I'm already straying from the outline I had drawn up, I don't know why I bother with those, lol.