Grey Wonderer
· 29 June 2008
· Chapter 15: A Father's Work - May
This was sweet and sad all at once. Sam's question about whether or not he'd remember his mother and the way they all looked at Marigold almost had me in tears. The teasing that came after was very well placed. Lovely story!
Author's reply
Count on Halfred to ease the mood, and the other children follow like his lead in perfect hobbit fashion. Sam will sadly forget many things about his mother, but he’ll remember plenty too and they’ll all be able to tell their little sister about Bell once she’s old enough to understand the stories.
Grey Wonderer
· 29 June 2008
· Chapter 14: A Father's Work - Daisy
I love how the Gaffer makes Daisy see a way to work toward her goal. This was darling. I'm really enjoying these.
Author's reply
It’s a hard line to walk to encourage your children while pointing out that their efforts aren't up to par. I’m sure Hamfast is breathing a sigh of relief that it worked and Daisy didn’t end up feeling worse than before!
Grey Wonderer
· 29 June 2008
· Chapter 13: A Father's Work - Halfred
I *LOVE* Daisey! Her obsession with the blood was too funny and so like a little child. I also liked the way she suggested it might smell because it came out of his nose. Adorable.
Author's reply
I didn’t think that Daisy would be that fascinated with blood, but it turns out it was her and not Hamson as I thought. Daisy could be a healer herself, if she just learned to be more sympathetic, lol!
Dreamflower
· 28 June 2008
· Chapter 17: A Father's Work - Sam
Aw, GF, this was just adorable! I loved the way the Gaffer explained to Sam about the fishing in a way he could understand. That was just lovely--and of course, trust little Sammy to realize that it was much like pruning!
And little Goldie coming up and rescuing the last fish--LOLOL!
I do love your Gamgees so!
Author's reply
Thank you, DF! Gaffer’s really getting used to this fathering thing. Sammy knows plenty about pruning and weeding already, so he would naturally turn to gardening as a way to understand the balance of Nature.
Hehe Goldie isn’t quite ready yet to go on her first fishing adventure, but at least when she is ready, she’ll know not to put the fish back!
harrowcat
· 28 June 2008
· Chapter 17: A Father's Work - Sam
And a lovely fishing adventure it was. I still remember catching my first fish too.
Author's reply
My dad took us fishing a few times – we never caught anything! But we still had a good time. Thanks for reading!
cookiefleck
· 28 June 2008
· Chapter 17: A Father's Work - Sam
I have been enjoying all of these tales. Simple stories on the surface yet interwoven with much insight about the characters... and about life in general. Thank you!
Author's reply
Thank you cookie! I did want each child to learn something about life from their father in these stories, a sort of “Father Knows Best” series, where all their problems are solved in thirty minutes, or in this case, four pages. ;) Thanks for reading!
shirebound
· 28 June 2008
· Chapter 17: A Father's Work - Sam
I love the Gaffer's explanation about eating fish, and Sam taking his time to figure everything out. And wee!Sam is already showing his ability to memories tales. This is just delightful.
Author's reply
The Gaffer allows his children to work things out on their own, but he gives them just enough to allow them to do that.
I think Sam would have fantasized about that tale over and over again since hearing it, and I can see him asking Frodo and Bilbo later to explain things or tell certain parts again.
Althea
· 25 June 2008
· Chapter 16: A Father's Work - Hamson
I absolutely love these visits with the family at Number Three. Thank you for these sweet stories.
Althea
· 25 June 2008
· Chapter 16: A Father's Work - Hamson
I absolutely love these visits with the family at Number Three. Thank you for these sweet stories.
Author's reply
Thank you for reading, dear! I've missed your reviews; it's so lovely to have you back! :)
harrowcat
· 23 June 2008
· Chapter 16: A Father's Work - Hamson
The more I hear about your Gaffer the more I love him dearly.
Author's reply
Thank you Harrowcat! The Gaffer is very much like my other father and so I tend to think of my dad whenever I write him. It was fun to write his family from his pov for a change.
Larner
· 23 June 2008
· Chapter 16: A Father's Work - Hamson
Ah! The voice is perfect for all of them, and love the interaction between Hamson and his father and siblings. They are such a wonderful family!
Author's reply
They might have prolonged the good-byes all morning if they could have, but practical things such as getting to your destination before sundown wouldn’t allow it. Hamson is taking his family’s love with him and his family will have to adjust to life with one less family member again.
Dreamflower
· 23 June 2008
· Chapter 16: A Father's Work - Hamson
Aww...what a sweet story! Hamson going off to his apprenticeship, the first of the kids to leave the nest. I loved the way the Gaffer sent him off, just enough briskness to let Hamson know "this is the natural way of things" and just enough sentimentality to let him know he'll be missed. The banter of the siblings was adorable too. Little Sam was so brave!
Lovely story, GF! Thank you for sharing!
Author's reply
Thank you DF! The Gaffer did what was necessary and practical, but that doesn’t make it any easier. He certainly couldn’t let his firstborn go away without one last hug – or two or three. ;) And a parting gift, that will see him through his apprenticeship and into his own mastery. Sam is learning early to put on a brave face, and they all show their hobbit-ability to make light of things.
shirebound
· 23 June 2008
· Chapter 16: A Father's Work - Hamson
Your stories are so full of love and bravery and heart and the true essence of a united family.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! The Gamgees do inspire those very characteristics and they’re all shown in Sam in LOTR.
Antane
· 21 June 2008
· Chapter 15: A Father's Work - May
Nice to see you back, GF! And sorry to have taken so long to read this - so busy! Love sweet, loving Sam though an ache is there to for his worry over his sister. And to be 4 and already lost his ma! :( Nice to see the Gaffer in a positive light since I don't think too positively of him myself from Sam's remarks in the Red Book about how the Gaffer regards his youngest son.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I always saw the Gaffer as rough on the outside, but loving on the inside. I can't see Sam as being who he is without a loving and endearing family, and I really couldn't see him being so worried about what his father might be saying or thinking during the Quest if he didn't do so as way of seeking comfort and distraction. The Gaffer may have some hard words to say, but he would have his reasons for it and balance them out with plenty of love and caring.
This was a hard year for the Gamgee clan, first losing their grandfather, the head of their family, and then their mother, and then May getting sick. But they made it through it and all the stronger and closer for it.
Thanks for reading!
althea
· 19 June 2008
· Chapter 15: A Father's Work - May
These were absolutely precious. It's always a pleasure to drop in and spend time with the family at Number 3. The children each have such true to life personalities and Bell is a very loving mother. It was fun, though, to have the emphasis placed on the Gaffer in these three stories and to see him as wonderfully patient and wise father. With such a role model, it is easy to see how Sam grew to be such an excellent hobbit.
Author's reply
Hello Althea! So lovely to hear from you again! I’m glad you enjoyed these. It’s been a long time since I paid visit to Number 3; Father’s Day presented the perfect opportunity. Showing the family from the Gaffer’s point of view allowed me to show all those thoughts he so often keeps to himself.
harrowcat
· 17 June 2008
· Chapter 15: A Father's Work - May
A lovely trio GF and I am looking forward to more. Your Gaffer keeps reminding me of my own Dad.
Author's reply
The Gaffer is so much like my own father, that I feel as though I know him. Thanks for reading!
EstellaB
· 17 June 2008
· Chapter 15: A Father's Work - May
Oh, these three chapters were very sweet, especially the last one. Poor Gaffer, trying to cope with his wife's passing as well as all the new things he had to do. I loved Sam's appearance in the last one, as well as that fact that he's "not as slow as his name would suggest". The fact that he insists on sitting with May whilst she's sick... well, he's getting some early practice in for the Quest, then...
Oh, wow. *claps* these were lovely.
Author's reply
Thank you Estella! Gaffer has been landed with more challenges than he’d thought he’d ever see. It will take a while for him to find his footing, but one day, he’ll realize he long ago stopped pretending and started doing. Sam won’t remember any of this by the time of the Quest, but the skills and determination he shows then certainly have their roots here.
Dreamflower
· 16 June 2008
· Chapter 15: A Father's Work - May
Aww...this is so sweet and sad. Poor little Gamgees, losing their mother, and then worried for May.
I just adore your Gaffer, GF. He's a perfect well of wisdom and love.
Author's reply
May did pick a bad time to get sick. ;) Bad things come in threes, but this one turned out to a be a good one in the end.
I always saw the Gaffer as a big cuddly teddy bear, though most only see the bear part!
Dreamflower
· 16 June 2008
· Chapter 14: A Father's Work - Daisy
I loved the way the Gaffer's gentle but persistant questions helped Daisy to realize that however hard she had worked, she didn't deserve to win that year. Learning to be a good sport is a lesson that comes hard to certain kinds of children--the Gaffer did so well with that. I am sure Daisy will always remember this lesson.
Author's reply
Learning to be a good sport comes hard for some *parents*! Thankfully, both Bell and Hamfast know how important it is and so teach their children young how to lose with grace. Daisy may still be a little disappointed deep down, but now she’ll be inspired to work that much harder the next time she enters – after she’s had a few years to better learn her skills.
Dreamflower
· 16 June 2008
· Chapter 13: A Father's Work - Halfred
Ah, little Fred's a handful isn't he?
I just howled at this:
What’d you learn about standing up on chairs to do work as is too big for you?” I prompt.
“Don’t fall on my nose.
Well, the Gaffer did ask. Fred's a very literal minded little lad. *grin*
And I love the voice you've given the Gaffer!
Author's reply
Halfred was always accident-prone. He’ll grow out of eventually but for now, he’s keeping his parents busy! Fred is quite literal. He’ll be doing his best not to fall on his nose from here on out!
Larner
· 16 June 2008
· Chapter 15: A Father's Work - May
It would be a worry for young Sam, it would. And I'm glad the Cottons could take Marigold right then, and that plans were made so the children didn't have to worry about being separated from one another.
Author's reply
Sam is still rather confused over the ‘disappearance’ of his mother. He only knows that she was sick, he and siblings were sent off the Cottons, and when they came back, she wasn’t there anymore. Hamfast understood Sam’s need to be near his sister, so long as the healer allowed it. Hamfast and Bell most likely decided together what to do with the children should the unimaginable happen, and worked it all out with their family while they were in Tighfield at the beginning of the year.
Larner
· 16 June 2008
· Chapter 14: A Father's Work - Daisy
Now, that was sweet. We KNEW the Gaffer was a wise one, too! He's a dad to be proud of.
Author's reply
Gaffer may have doubted himself, but he said all the right things in the end. Not that it’ll stop him from being blunt in the future, but at least now he has some practice in how to be soft too. :)
Larner
· 16 June 2008
· Chapter 13: A Father's Work - Halfred
I'm coming so to love your Fred! Poor lamb!
Author's reply
Halfred just seems to be a magnet for trouble. If it’s lurking anywhere near him, it’ll find him!
Baggins Babe
· 16 June 2008
· Chapter 15: A Father's Work - May
Nothing like a visit to the Shire to make any self-respecting hobbit lover feel good! This was lovely, and the Gaffer is such a sweetie, even if he does feel out of his depth at times.
Poor little May - I'm glad she is up and about again - and Sam os learning skills he will need one day.
Author's reply
The Gaffer may have his rough edges, but he’s all soft and cuddly inside. He adores his family greatly. May is a trooper and she’ll be dotted on for a bit after this. Sam won’t remember any of this once he’s old enough for the Quest, but the protectiveness and his need to care for his master certainly have their roots here.
shirebound
· 16 June 2008
· Chapter 15: A Father's Work - May
There's so much love in these stories, and they're so beautifully written. I feel as if I'm reading a wonderful book about the Gamgee family... a book Tolkien would have written, had he the chance.
Author's reply
There was so much love and unity in Tolkien’s Epilogue; I can just see Sam growing up in similar conditions, though the Gaffer may have stumbled a few times along the way.