Grey Wonderer
· 5 June 2005
· Chapter 9: Relief and Grief
Ah, yes crooked lawyers. I hadn't really thought of that in the Shire but it makes perfect sense. Seems everyone that was left behind had their own share of trouble. I do hope that Frodo speaks directly to Narcissa at some point before he leaves the Shire.
Author's reply
Frodo speaks directly to Narcissa in The Choice of Healing, so here I just relied on a letter.
Yes, we can't seem to get away from crooked lawyers, even in the Shire. And Lotho's vindictiveness would have been very awful to endure.
Grey Wonderer
· 5 June 2005
· Chapter 8: Spring Leads to Summer
The twins took all of the news quite well. Now I wonder if they will get to see their sister and start a relationship with her. I do hope their foster parents finally come to see that they need to have contact with their real parents family. I am glad that they got to see Frodo again.
Author's reply
Yes, they all need to come into the same realization, I think. It does work out.
(“A gap, intense pain, but it will be relieved. Much will be needed from you, perhaps all you have. I see, however, that the love you will need to have surrounding you will be there, freely given. But such cannot come to one who lives as a thief.” )
Hints of things to come from a certain wizard in brown?
Author's reply
That's the way I interpreted it, also. What it might have meant to Frodo at the time, who knows? But I think he needed a hint of what was to come, and a reason to reform.
harrowcat
· 5 June 2005
· Chapter 15: Tales for Bairns
There are so many bits of this chapter that I loved I hven't got time to extol them. But the idea that Aragorn sounded sad when he declared himself to Frodo in the Inn was so startling that I had to go back and re-read it. I had always heard his voice as being simply gentle. You have revised that whole scene for me for the better. I like Sam's versions of the story. You have developed his character so well. Oh, and the idea of Aragorn only calling Legolas 'My Lord Prince' out of exasperation is so funny. Thank you for your wishes and prayers - they mean a lot.
Author's reply
That my version would make it more meaningful is flattering. Gentle or sad--either one would have been appropriate, I think. And I was inspired with the "my Lord Prince" by Viggo's use of "Gentlemen" in the movie. Both ideas made me laugh, too.
Hope all is getting better for you and yours. Having had a rotten school year myself, I am quick to commisserate.
Grey Wonderer
· 5 June 2005
· Chapter 6: Family Head
Loved Frodo's secret meetings with his young cousins and the final visit when he told them he was leaving. I liked thinking that he had confided in someone. Forsythia seems to have his insight into things. I wonder what his coming visit with them will bring or if he will visit again now that he is no longer quite himself in some ways.
Author's reply
I suspect that Frodo had a good number of secrets from everyone else over the years, and that keeping the twins among them gave him a feeling of semi-wicked delight in many ways. And I think he needed to have confided in someone at least a bit before he left, someone he knew would not blab it around and wouldn't feel honor-bound to advise others. The twins and his lawyer must have felt rather burdened, I think.
Grey Wonderer
· 5 June 2005
· Chapter 5: Unrequited Love
It must have been terrible for Narcissa's mother to watch her wait year after year for someone who was simply not interested. It must have hurt her almost as much as it hurt Narcissa. Poor Frodo, already the ring is changing his life, isn't it? Now, I wonder what he plans to do now that he has realized who the twins are?
Author's reply
I always felt that the Ring robbed Frodo and Bilbo both of the ability to love romantically. It might have approved of an abusive relationship, but not one where the lovers were equal partners as would be true in most Shire relationships. It must have been as difficult on those whose attention and love had been caught by them as it was for Frodo, never being able to form a true family of his own to fulfill the dreams his parents must have held for him one day.
Grey Wonderer
· 5 June 2005
· Chapter 4: Dudo
So very much in this chapter to enjoy. I loved Bilbo's personal invitation to Dudo and the glimpses at Merry, Sam, Pippin, Fredegar and Frodo at Bilbo's party. I liked the fact that Frodo continued Bilbo's tradition of sending gifts to the relations for special occations. This is a wonderful story you have here.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you are enjoying it, GW. I have enjoyed writing it, too, of course. And I think that, as family head, Frodo would have continued sending gifts to his uncle and cousins.
And we have the glimpses here of those who will be important to the Shire one day.
Grey Wonderer
· 5 June 2005
· Chapter 3: The Story Tellers
Fortumbald led a pretty exciting life for a hobbit from the Shire. I liked the fact that he heard Bilbo's tales told by Strider and that was when he began to belive them. I do suspect that most hobbits simply thought that Bilbo had a wonderful imagination or was simply bragging. LOL
I liked Gandlaf's brief talks with the Gaffer too. Sam must have been difficult to raise in some respects simply because he was so bright and because his thoughts went to things that his parents couldn't understand. I like Gandlaf's assessment of Sam and his thoughts on Sam's future.
Author's reply
Fortumbald, the Tookish Boffin--and who opened himself a bit to the outer world at least for a time. And I, too, love that he realized Bilbo was telling the truth in his stories.
How much foreseeing Gandalf had of the future for these lads has always been the question, but I think he'd have been delighted with Sam.
Kitty
· 5 June 2005
· Chapter 15: Tales for Bairns
I love it how you weaves the telling of the tales from their quest in your story. And it is fitting for Narcissa to have been there and listen. It plants the seed for her wish to go with them to Minas Anor for the unveiling of Ruvemirs work, does it not? And of course, there is the blooming romance between Pippin and Diamond :-)
Author's reply
Yes, Narcissa is learning the truth by bits and pieces, as the others are now able to begin to tell it forth. And it does indeed help inspire her to go to Minas Anor.
And they need to tell the story now. They've finally begun to come to terms with the changes in them from their journey, and now need to share it with others. And always the easiest to share with are the children.
Grey Wonderer
· 5 June 2005
· Chapter 2: First Summer in Bag End
I loved Sam in this part. His insistance on proper address and the fact that Frodo wasn't really minding him but allowing him to come along because he was interested in the same things and very responsible. That is the perfect description of Sam in my opinion. Looks like the romance is still blooming even if Frodo doesn't realize what a stir he is creating. I also love Iris's trick with the portrait. That was priceless!
Author's reply
Yes, Sam is the responsible one from the beginning, I think, and even as a child would have shared many of Frodo's interests. There was something there that drew the two of them together from the first when he came to Bag End.
Grey Wonderer
· 5 June 2005
· Chapter 1: Seeing Love
I love the dance contest. Seems Frodo was quite good and very determined to defend Bilbo even then. I also liked the image of him as a rascal, stealing from the tents at the fair. Seems he's been descovered now by the lasses. I wonder what's next for him.
Author's reply
Yes, I suspect that there was a time when Frodo was indeed a problem to his cousins who raised him till then, that he did get involved in the field raiding and impromptu feasts of the teens lads. And I suspect that there were a few lasses also who had their eye on him even when he was still but the rascal from Brandy Hall.
Glad you are reading this now.
Dreamflower
· 4 June 2005
· Chapter 15: Tales for Bairns
This tale just continues to delight!
I adore the way Sam has begun to tell the tales. It seems as though being the teller of tales to children has now become one of the main duties of the Master of Bag End, through three masters now.
Pippin's quiet remonstrance with Sam about being one who gave up the Ring--wonderful.
And Pippin playing the flute--you know how much I love a musical Pippin! A very good beginning to his courtship of the fair Diamond!
Author's reply
Yes, the Master of Bag End as the Tale Teller has indeed become the tradition. But this was, in its way, laid on Sam by Frodo himself when he made Sam the one who both keeps and reads from the Red Book.
Yes, I know you love Pippin as musical, and I do, too. And it would be the clincher to get Diamond's attention indeed.
shirebound
· 4 June 2005
· Chapter 15: Tales for Bairns
It's wonderful to hear the Tale being told to those who are willing to listen. And I wonder if the Shire will ever truly know and appreciate who Frodo was... and what he did. (I think that's why I write the type of stories that I do -- so Frodo gets all the attention he deserves.)
Author's reply
I know what you mean, Shirebound. In my Shire, Sam is insistent that folks know, even if it is too late for them to honor Frodo in person. He was, after all, charged by Frodo himself to read from the Red Book and to keep the tales alive. I think he would wish for the others to begin to appreciate just what Frodo has done for all of Middle Earth; and as he overcomes his own concern about his own scars, he begins sharing Frodo's with others. And the children are the ones to hear, first.
Kitty
· 3 June 2005
· Chapter 14: Summer's Progress
I love the idea of Narcissa as a guardian for the twins. Maybe it will hurt a bit in the beginning, because Fosco looks so alike the young Frodo, but I think it could help her in the long run. Narcissa has waited so long for Frodo, and now he's gone and she needs something to distract herself from her loss. And the twins probably enjoy the time with someone who loves Frodo as much as they. They will surely go along quite well.
Sam's account of their journey through Moria was touching. I am glad they begin finally to talk about it more, even if it needs some brainless remarks from Sandyman to do it. I had always thought the other Hobbits should know more about the Quest and what the four travellers had done and sacrified. It is not fair they are honored all over Middle-earth but not in their own homeland, and it is so sad the adults refuse to acknowledge their courage. At last the next generation will hopefully be better!
I look forward to more, especially the meetings with Aragorn you mentioned in other responses to reviews, even if it will need some more time. It is going to be interesting to see the twins developing into adulthood!
Author's reply
The Shire will finally enter the Fourth Age, but it will not always be gracefully, I suspect. They are the ones who, due to their isolation, have the least news from far away. So far the Travelers have not found it easy to tell their stories--it will take time for all to begin to know what happened, for the three remaining to tell the stories and for the rest of the Shire to begin to understand the stories are not exaggerated. And there will be two visits with Aragorn--am writing the second one now.
NiennaTru
· 3 June 2005
· Chapter 14: Summer's Progress
My goodness, I'm away from the computer for a day, and I come back to find *two* new chapters! I enjoyed them both, and I very much like the idea of Narcissa as independent guardian to Fosco and Forsythia. I think all three will benefit from the relationship. Sam's telling of the trip through Moria was wonderful to read as were the reactions it garnered from those who listened.
Author's reply
New stories to hear, and stories that are now including their own, beginning to show the Shire the reality of the new order and the Traveler's parts in it all. And Narcissa is beginning to find the healing she needs, I think.
shirebound
· 2 June 2005
· Chapter 14: Summer's Progress
As wonderful as this continues to be, I loved this the most:
“Orimbras is the first besides Iorhael to tell us much about the Sea Kings, though. He has one of the books he says the Old Took put into the library that he received from Lord Elrond that tells about the founding of Númenor. Iorhael had told us about how Lord Elrond’s brother was the Lord Elros and how he chose to become a mortal while his brother chose to live the life of the Elves, and the book tells how he led the chosen of the Edain to Atalantë and became their first king, Elros Tar-Minyatar. The new King Aragorn Elessar is descended from him through Elendil the Tall and Isildur. Iorhael loves the King Aragorn Elessar.”
I've never read a better summary of that long history! :D
Author's reply
No better summary, I suppose, than cutting out all the ones who came in between. ;-> No mention of the king and queen who disagreed with his recurrent trips to Middle Earth, much less Ar-Pharazon. Also cut out the foundering of the isle, the return of Elendil and his sons to Middle Earth, and the founding of Gondor and Arnor.
Ah, well--at least I hit the two highlights of the line.
Thanks for the feedback.
Dreamflower
· 2 June 2005
· Chapter 14: Summer's Progress
I was so moved by Sam's account of the trek through Moria. If anyone could goad Sam out of his usual reticence it would be that loudmouth Sandyman.
Now Narcissa realizes: Frodo was the Ringbearer.
I am so impressed with the twins--I can't wait to see what happens next!
Author's reply
Yes, Sandyman has proven a catalyst in ways he never intended. And Narcissa is finally coming to realize just how much Frodo gave for all.
Glad you continue to enjoy it.
Andrea
· 2 June 2005
· Chapter 13: Independent Guardian
I still feel sorry for poor Narcissa! She has loved Frodo from the first moment she saw him and has denied the offer of any other lad. And Frodo felt the same, I think, but the ring stole away all his feelings. And when It was gone, he was too weak to think about marriage any longer.
He did the right thing asking Narcissa to guard his twin cousins. At first, it will hurt, for as you already pointed out, Fosco looks much the same as Frodo, when he was young. But I think after a time, she will be happy to have them around and will like them as much as if they were here own little ones.
Author's reply
I strongly suspect that Narcissa will indeed feel they are hers before long, and they manage to complete the tie to Frodo in a unique way. I think they will assist her in finding the joy he wished for her.
Thanks for the feedback.
harrowcat
· 2 June 2005
· Chapter 13: Independent Guardian
Lovely chapter Larner. Your story is helping to keep me going during a family crisis. Thanks
Author's reply
Knowing how much LOTR itself helped me through my darkest days when I lost my husband and it looked as if I would lose much else besides, I suppose I ought not to be surprised that my addition to its world is aiding others in some ways. I pray things go well with you and your family. God bless and keep you and yours ever.
Tigger
· 2 June 2005
· Chapter 13: Independent Guardian
Wow!! What a wonderful chapter. I'm so happy Narcissa accepted Frodo's offer to be guardian to the twins. They all need healing from the loss of Frodo and what better way than to do it together. I'm very much looking forward to reading about the twins and Narcissa's first meeting.
BTW...Have you thought of doing a sequel to this? Where Frodo's hope for the Twins comes to fruition and they meet the King Elessar as ambassadors of The Shire. Hmmmm....? :oD
Looking forward to more!!
Author's reply
A sequel? No, no sequel as yet, but then the story is not yet over--there is more to come out yet, including the fruition of the wish for joy Frodo had for Narcissa. There will be meetings with the King....
Dreamflower
· 1 June 2005
· Chapter 13: Independent Guardian
Frodo's letter was so sad, so full of "might have beens". I am so glad that Narcissa did decide to take the twins on, and I am glad that you are continuing the story of Narcissa on past Frodo's leaving.
I liked Frodo's observation on cousins. He could not have loved Merry and Pippin more if they had been his own brothers, and I can see how he would find that it might bring some solace and love to Narcissa to have the same thing in her life.
I like the way that you have plausibly managed to cover the gaps in the family tree to come up with some more Bagginses. I know JRRT said that not everyone was in them, so it is still canon. Still, I do think that he deliberately arranged the Baggins family tree so that there would be no visible male Bagginses to carry on the name, and I have used that as a theme in my own stories. But I like your universe very much, for I have always found it horribly sad that there were no more Bagginses left.
I want to say once more how much I love your OCs. Oridan and Brendilac for example, are just wonderful, and so is Narcissa.
Author's reply
I admit I was inspired by Ariel's story of the illegitimate son Frodo left in Bree to find a way that the Bagginses might not disappear entirely, that, as in the case of the Line of Kings, there might be some seed left to bring the promise of the Baggins legacy of responsibility back to the Shire in the future when it might be more needed. And the idea that Dudo Baggins was never described, and all we have of him is his name and the name of his daughter Daisy bothered me. Now, if possibly there might be some connection between him and my original character of Narcissa--and this is what came out--the hidden twins of whom even Sam was ignorant. I suspect Frodo managed to keep a good many more things than Sam realized hidden from his dearer-than-brother, and it must have led to a lot of pleasant surprises as well as a few frustrations over the years Sam continued on as Master of Bag End.
Andrea
· 1 June 2005
· Chapter 12: Final Business
So sad, but also beautiful!
I think, without the aid of the Elves, Frodo would not have made it to the ship in time! I liked the idea of Galdriel bringing the "proper" ink and the way, Frodo could communicate with them mentally!
Poor Narcissa, she has spent her whole life so far, waiting for Frodo! I'm curious what his last letter to her will reveal. I think, it has something to do with Fosco and Forsythia. Well, we'll see :)
Author's reply
Galadriel probably consulted the Mirror before she left Lothlorien; also, she was undoubtedly foresighted in her own right. That Frodo might have last minute additions to his preparations for leaving Middle Earth was always a possibility, and she would have tried, I think, to cover all bases in any case.
That the interaction within Lorien and later reminder from afar to use the Phial in Shelob's Lair would help awaken Frodo's ability to communicate mentally with the Elves as they could do was one of the concepts from movie-verse that rang true with me; and as his body deteriorated but his spirit strengthened it made sense that he would find himself dispensing with open speech when it required too much energy and he was with those able to touch his thoughts anyway.
Dreamflower
· 1 June 2005
· Chapter 12: Final Business
*sigh* so sad.
Elrond's and the Elves' care for Frodo was so touching, I found myself tearing up...
I look forward to finding out Frodo's last instructions...
Author's reply
Yes, they delighted to honor them, and, I think, to aid them as was needed along the way. Certainly Frodo would need that support.
Thanks so much for the faithful feedback.
NiennaTru
· 1 June 2005
· Chapter 12: Final Business
I woke up this morning with one of the worst headaches I've had in quite some time. Three Excedrin, two Sudafed, two pieces of toast and a large cup of coffee later, I plopped down in front of my computer, and found your story had been updated! I was so happy. Few things are as miserable as starting one's day in pain. I'm feeling a bit better now, and I believe it was the story, and not the medicine, food, and caffeine that helped me. =) Another lovely chapter, btw. I'm very curious to learn what Frodo's request could be, and whether or not Narcissa will agree... The thought of Forsythia and Aragorn singing together painted a charming picture for me. I liked that thought a lot.
Author's reply
It will be a while before the two of them sing together, but I am certain it will happen.
That pleasure helps us deal with pain has been documented, so am glad this story ranked up there before Excedrin and caffiene. Thanks for the feedback.
Dreamflower
· 30 May 2005
· Chapter 11: Settling Affairs
Goodness, this was wonderful. I loved Frodo's making of arrangements for Sam, his declaration of Fosco as the new head of the Bagginses, but best of all was his request for justice for the collaborators. The sentences given were scrupulously fair.
I especially loved the northern Steward declaiming Frodo's Lordship, and the Bracegirdle's reaction to it.
I've got some collaborators of my own to see to--I hope I do half as good a job as you did.
Author's reply
Yes, to think of one of their own--and in this case two of their own--being thought of as Lords of all the Free Peoples and two more as heroes would be quite a shock to the system for such as the Bracegirdles.
You ought to do famously with your own collaborators, plus yours are already trying to think how to turn their tattoos of shame into decorations, which ought to make things very interesting.
As hard as he tried to give Saruman the chance for redemption, I think he'd desire similar mercy for his own people, as much as possible.