Number Three, Bagshot Row by GamgeeFest
Antane · 26 December 2010 · Chapter 25: Without Bell
Sweet story for a difficult time but blessed as well as you indicate by the very end - love that and the Gaffer's words. Merry Christmas and Happy Yule! Christ is born! Glorify Him! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Antane! They do indeed have much to rejoice in. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Andrea · 26 December 2010 · Chapter 25: Without Bell
I'm quite sure that Bell was watching over them. And she was pleased to see how well her family worked together. But what I liked most were the Gaffer's words. Not so smooth as Bell's might have been, but still perfect for the occasion!
Author's reply
She raised a lovely family and picked a good husband and father to lead them. :) Hamfast may not be eloquent but he says what's in his heart. Thanks for reading!
Larner · 23 December 2010 · Chapter 25: Without Bell
I love this from the Gaffer's point of view. A difficult Yule, but joyful for all that.
Author's reply
They do have much to be grateful for, even as they miss one so dear to them. Thanks for reading!
Grey Wonderer · 27 August 2010 · Chapter 24: Last Night in Hobbiton
I always love it when you write about the Gamgees when Sam was small. (((((“You’re welcome, lad.” They both knew they meant more than just the tools. ))))) I love that line. It says so much all on its own. Lovely story.
Author's reply
Wee!Sammy is adorable, isn't he? Fred and the Gaffer may butt heads, often and with enthusiasm, but there's no denying the love and respect between them. Glad you enjoyed this! *hugs*
Dreamflower · 13 August 2010 · Chapter 24: Last Night in Hobbiton
Oh, this was so sweet! Loved Halfred and Sam's interactions--poor little Sam's going to miss his big brother. And you slipped Roverandom in! LOL! That was just too adorable!
Author's reply
Thank you, DF! Halfred is such a protective brother, Sam is bound to feel his absence quite keenly at first. Roverandom seems like the perfect sort of story for Bilbo to write for Sam to keep his interest peaked for his lessons. :D Thanks for reading!
Larner · 12 August 2010 · Chapter 24: Last Night in Hobbiton
It's a new life for a youthful Hobbit going out on his own. Love the gifts, and foresee a life not necessarily in keeping with the Gaffer's ideas of propriety for Halfred and Hale. At least he has that feeling of home-going that tells him he's headed the right place for him.
Author's reply
hehe! Good thing they are so far up north - Gaffer won't have to hear any of the torrid details! A pair of mischievous tween lads such as Halfred and Hale are bound to get into more than their fair share of (innocent) trouble. Halfred will find settling into his new home easier than he thought possible. Thanks for reading!
Larner · 12 August 2010 · Chapter 23: Marigold's Yule
How on earth did I manage to miss this? It is exquisite! Dear Marigold and dear Tom as they realize they care so deeply for one another! Heh! Truly delightful, particularly as he gives her the second wreath. Now, that was a good touch--except now the other lads are looking at Rosie? Now Sam is certain of his sister's happiness, it appears he might do well to guard his own! Heh!
Author's reply
Glad you found this, and glad you enjoyed it! Tom is a lucky lad that Marigold realized her feelings for him so soon - he undoubtedly knew of his own long before now. hehe! Sam will be on his guard for any lads being too aggressive with Rosie, but they too both already know where their hearts lie. Thanks for reading!
Antane · 11 August 2010 · Chapter 24: Last Night in Hobbiton
Good advice to his younger brother about the place to be is where the heart is, counsel we know Sam will take. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Ah yes, he will remember it well. It helps that the Gaffer will later tell him much the same. At least Gaffer and Halfred agreed on that much - though probably for different reasons. ;) Thanks for reading!
cookiefleck · 11 August 2010 · Chapter 24: Last Night in Hobbiton
I really liked this peek into the Gamgee household. The use of scent was very evocative and the gift of the pipe was a geat idea. We can feel the pain of leaving loved ones behind, but I was also glad that you ended it on a happy note. Life can be so bittersweet at times. Thanks for a great mathom!
Author's reply
You're welcome! Life is indeed bittersweet. The good always comes with the bad, as it does here with Halfred. He's not one to linger over the bad though, and food always makes everything better for a hobbit! Thanks for reading!
6336 · 11 August 2010 · Chapter 21: Bilbo's Blunder
Oh, yes, very easy to loose track of a munchkin, especially when not used to watching them, it's quiet, they're asleep, I can read a bit more and two hours later when you wonder where they are you can't find the little dickenses! Bye the way the closest the British get to American biscuits is a plain scone. Huggs, Lynda
Author's reply
Especially a little sprout as quiet and unassuming as Sam is. He wouldn't want to disturb his betters. :D Bilbo learned a very important lesson - never take your eyes off little ones! Biscuit here is the cookie type, not scone. So confusing when we use the same words for different things. :) Thanks for reading!
6336 · 11 August 2010 · Chapter 24: Last Night in Hobbiton
This was sad and sweet and very hopefull, I have a feeling it will be a long time before Hamfast makes it back to No 3 Bagshot Row. By the way Happy Birthday! Lynda
Author's reply
Thank you! It will be some years before Halfred can come for a visit, but he'll carry his family with him always.
RenaissanceGrrl · 21 December 2009 · Chapter 23: Marigold's Yule
The last sentence was the cherry on top of this sweet story. =)
Author's reply
And Sam and Tom thought they could stop worrying. :D
julchen11 · 21 December 2009 · Chapter 23: Marigold's Yule
What a wonderful ficlet, my dear. No one writes the Gamgee's so perfect as you do. I really really loved it. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Author's reply
Thank you, Julchen! I do love visiting the Gamgees, and they were most eager to share this tale with you all. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
lbilover · 21 December 2009 · Chapter 23: Marigold's Yule
Oh, I just loved this, GamgeeFest! I was giggling so much, especially at this: “Of Angmar,” Tom said. “Don’t you know your history? You ought to, living with Sam. Unless you know some secret to shutting him up, and if you do, you’d better share. If Robin and I have to sit through one more recitation of Elven lays, I truly think we’ll go deaf.” I got a kick out of the image of all the courting swains and poor Sam and the Gaffer having to deal with them.
Author's reply
hehe! Poor Robin and Tom have had to endure a lot, being Sam's best friend. All that talk of elves and Bilbo and elves and dragons... and did I mention elves? ;) Those lads were ready for the chase, but Tom had the advantage on them all. Good thing too, or Sam would have been worn ragged trying to keep all those lads off his baby sister. ;) Thanks for reading!
Grey Wonderer · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 23: Marigold's Yule
That was perfection! I loved all of the gardening references like, (Marigold had blossomed over the past year, like a seedling after a hearty spring rain.) and (Once outside, they seemed to come from all over, like a drone of bees sniffing out the last fertile flower of the season. ) Perfect for a Gamgee courtsheep! I also enjoyed the fact that Marigold reminded Hamfast of Belle. This exchange gave me a very good laugh. (“Here, I’ve somewhat for you too,” Sam said and handed his friend a small earthenware pot packed with fertile soil. “That’ll bloom come spring. It's not needing water ‘til then. Just put it out on your sill come the Clearing.” “Thank you, Sam,” Robin said, taking the little pot in hand. “What kind of flower is it?” “Not the kind you’re hoping for,” Sam muttered under his breath. “What?” ) I could just imagine Sam saying that! Thank you for brightening my Holiday with this one. I enjoyed every word of it. Remind me to give you prompts more often. : )
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so thrilled you liked your Yule fic! And thank you for such a wonderful prompt. It was a lot of fun to write. Oh, yes, courtship for the Gamgee lasses was quite the adventure. Sam is rather protective of his baby sister; even his best friends aren't gauranteed a chance with his Goldie.
shirebound · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 23: Marigold's Yule
her head full of confusion and wonderment What a lovely story. I can well imagine that 'Shire courting' was exactly as you describe.
Author's reply
Shire courting seems rather akin to a race! Those poor lasses - though I'm sure they enjoy it more than they admit. ;) Thanks for reading!
Dreamflower · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 23: Marigold's Yule
Oh, this was delightful! I love the lads buzzing around Marigold and Tom's initial obliviousness-- and Robin's shyness as well. But what really made me LOL was the last line! Delightful!
Author's reply
It was just another Yule afternoon for Tom, but he acted quickly once he was made aware of the situation. ;) Robin will get over his disappointment quickly, I'm sure. Shirriffing (and meeting all those lasses) will prove a good distraction. LOL! Rosie at least has plenty of brothers at home to keep potential suitors at bay - and we already know who she has her heart set on. ;)
cookiefleck · 1 April 2009 · Chapter 22: A Need to Heal
I love Sam h/c so of course I adored this story! My favorite part is the beginning, when Sam and Hamfast are trying to slowly move Sam from his bed and they are brought up short by Marigold just standing in the doorway. Hah! Also enjoyed Hamfast's joke at the end. And Frodo not being able to find his books afterwards. All in all, a delightful read. *bookmarks*
Author's reply
Thanks, Cookie! Hamfast wouldn't have gone too much farther with Sam but Marigold certainly stopped them from trying! Hamfast may have never strained a hamstring, but no one gets through life without an injury or two. Ham needs to fess up! LOL! The worst thing about rearranging things is not remembering their new locations! Frodo will eventually relearn the library - or else things will slowly migrate back to their original shelves. ;) Thanks for reading, dear!
mews1945 · 30 March 2009 · Chapter 22: A Need to Heal
Delightful. I'm so fond of Sam healing, and he got lots of comfort and love from everyone in this. So satisfying. And it's easy to hurt yourself that way and not realize it until the next day.
Author's reply
Thank you, mews! Sam deserves all the care and comfort he receives here; he gives so much of it every day. I once tore up both of my calf muscles helping my brother move and didn't notice until the following morning when I could barely walk, so this had a bit of real-life inspiration to it.
Larner · 29 March 2009 · Chapter 22: A Need to Heal
A realistic look at a week that was stressful simply because it was intended to protect Sam from stressing his leg. Love Goldie's takeover!
Author's reply
The Gamgees certainly know how to cope with the unexpected, and they have the support of their friends and neighbors. Assertive!Goldie was fun to write! Thanks for reading!
Grey Wonderer · 29 March 2009 · Chapter 22: A Need to Heal
Awww, I love your Marigold! Such a sweetie and with such common sense. I like the way she runs things and keep her lads in line. I loved this: (Sam shook his head, stumped by this matter-of-fact delivery of his state of health, or lack thereof. ) I agree with Sam on that. It is always vexing to hear what a doctor or healer has to say about your health when you get it straight out like this. But Hamfast's line about never having pulled his hamstring was great! I adored the way he 'pulled Sam's leg on that one'. LOL Thank you for cute story. You know how I love your Gamgees!
Author's reply
Her lads can be so single-mindedly stubborn, that it is sometimes necessary for her to take charge. Thankfully, she has the examples of Daisy and May to draw on for inspiration. :D Miss Willow is incredibly straightforward. Something this is a good thing, sometimes, not so much. Miss Camellia will need to teach her to be a little more gentle in her delivery of her diagnosis. ;) hehe. Only you would see the pun in that! Even I didn't notice it! LOL! You're welcome, dear. I'm glad you enjoyed it. (And you might enjoy the little explanation I just added about Sam's activities the day before, which he ticks off for Miss Willow. Might make the cause of his injury a little more, or less, clear.) ;)
Celeritas · 29 March 2009 · Chapter 22: A Need to Heal
I loved how Marigold "handled" her older brother when he was so clearly injured! Poor Sam! (And just out of curiosity, how did he pull that muscle?)
Author's reply
Marigold might not like taking charge, but she will under extreme circumstances such as this. I added a little paragraph where Sam tells Miss Willow everything he had done the day before, so you can make your deductions. ;) Thanks for reading, dear!
harrowcat · 29 March 2009 · Chapter 22: A Need to Heal
Lovely GF but you are making me wonder just how he managed to do that much damage without noticing. Oooops, I've just remembered how I pulled a back muscle by doing a dance class without warming up properly. I didn't know it until I seized up in bed that night and couldn't walk down the corridor to the bathroom.
Author's reply
Exactly. I was helping my brother move into his house and carried a box of books way too heavy for me up two flights of stairs. I didn't notice I tore both of my calf muscles until the following morning when I got out of bed and could barely walk. So I can see how Sam could do that to himself and not notice until much later. Thanks for reading, Cat! (And I did add a little paragraph where Sam describes to Miss Willow what he did the previous day. The answer lies in there somewhere!) ;)
Dreamflower · 29 March 2009 · Chapter 22: A Need to Heal
*grin* Nice to see a bit of your Sam h/c here! And fun to see Miss Willow once more. Poor Sam! He'll never know that it was not his fault at all, but the evil author who did that to him! *wink*
Author's reply
Sam doesn't get enough comfort and care. Unfortunately, he has to go and seriously injure himself before he'll let that happen! Gamgees! :) Miss Willow can be such a hoot, especially in the earlier years of her apprenticeship. Miss Camellia is going to have teach her to deliver her diagnoses more gently. ;) I do not know this author of whom you speak. *looks about wildly* Ignore the woman behind the computer screen! ;)
shirebound · 29 March 2009 · Chapter 22: A Need to Heal
I just love this gruff, practical, loving, attentive family. Sam is in such good hands... and hearts.
Author's reply
Sam does have a wonderful, supportive family and network of neighbors, all ready to do what they can to help. It's no wonder he grew up knowing how to take such great care of Frodo. *hugs*