SlightlyTookish
· 6 February 2007
· Chapter 10: A Kingly Discussion
Heehee, this is great! I love how long it takes them to get through that letter! The last paragraph is wonderful. I love seeing the Gaffer appreciate the King in his own way :)
Author's reply
Thank you Tookish. :) And now we know why Sam advised Aragorn to keep the letter short! He must have forseen how his father, and everyone else, would react upon seeing the letter. The Gaffer may never fully understand his son's devotion to the King, but he can at least accept it more readily now.
harrowcat
· 6 February 2007
· Chapter 10: A Kingly Discussion
Oh this is a lot of fun GF! To see the drinkers of the Shire beginning to process the fact that there is a King again and to discern that some men are different and better than the ruffians that they have experienced even if the best are still not up to Hobbit standards is great. The bit I loved the most was the profound thought about not picking a Mayor who has lived with Elves and wandered in the blue! So Frodo being Deputy Mayor didn't count eh? And Sam is still to come !*g*
Author's reply
The hobbits would have heard numerous stories of the Men that the Travellers befriended at this point, but they would still be wary of Men due to the Troubles. Now at least they have some explanations for why the ruffians were the way they were, even if their information isn't entirely accurate. ;)
Noakes will be quite floored when Sam becomes Mayor - that is, if it even occurs to him that Sam *has* lived among Elves and *has* wandered about in the Blue. It's more obvious with Merry and Pippin, what with their increased height and more refined speech, but it would be easy for hobbits to "forget" that Sam has done those things. And as for Frodo - lol! Noakes probaby breathed a sigh of relief when Will Whitfoot took over the job again. ;D
Althea
· 5 February 2007
· Chapter 10: A Kingly Discussion
This was a joy to read. I loved how Farmer Cotton stood up for Sam and the reverence the Gaffer displayed in handling the letter. It's always a pleasure to observe Hobbits. I feel as if I were an invisible spectator watching and listening and drinking in the local wisdom. I am so glad that Aragorn wrote a thank you letter to the Gaffer. Not only did it give Hamfest pleasure, but us as well since, through your wonderful talent and imagination, we were able to spend a little more time in the presence of Hobbits.
Author's reply
The Gaffer may be able to hide his pleasure about many things, but it's not every day someone gets a letter from the King himself. I think he would be quite tempted to brag in this case. Though sadly it doesn't seem that Cotton and Gaffer standing up for Sam, Frodo and Bilbo has changed anyone's mind about them being cracked. ;) But at least they still love Sam despite that. :D
Thank you for the kind praise, Althea! *hugs*
Tigger
· 5 February 2007
· Chapter 10: A Kingly Discussion
Oh, this was delightful. Our poor race of Men though. Can't hold our vittles or drink and so uncivilized...We're doooooomed!!! ;o)
Thanks for this GamgeeFest!! :o)
Author's reply
Really, it's a miracle we can even get ourselves dressed every day! LOL No wonder Hobbits think us Big Folk to be such a silly lot.
Thanks for the review! :D
Queen Galadriel
· 5 February 2007
· Chapter 10: A Kingly Discussion
LOL! I love it! Hobbits are the most practical people if ever there were any! But the Gaffer has the right of it in this, and I'm glad Aragorn wrote him. I know how Farmer Cotton feels; I've bever once been able to pronounce Aragorn's full name.
BTW, speaking of EYEWTKAH, I got called away before I had time to review the last chapter, but I wanted to tell you I loved it, and it made me laugh till I cried! Legolas a tree! LOL! And Sam's wariness is so very...well, Sam! I look forward to catching up at LJ as well.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Hobbits have that hobbit sense, and they just can't understand how addle-brained the Big Folk can be. :P Strider will be hearing from Sam about how proud the Gaffer was to get that letter. And thank goodness Strider took Sam's advice about keeping it short, or they'd *still* be discussing it! ;)
And I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the last chappie of EYEWTKAH. At that point, Legolas probably wouldn't have been too surprised if Merry had demanded that Legolas sprout roots and leaves. LOL. Poor tormented Elf. And poor Sam. Imagine, a lifetime spent among golf-obsessed hobbits! It's a wonder he's still sane. ;)
Elemmírë
· 3 February 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
Another very enjoyable (and enlightening) installment, GamgeeFest. I especially liked how it was Frodo himself that made the suggestion to his cousins that Sam would make a much more efficient and convenient spy. LOL! Although poor Frodo--having to deal with such loving cousins, sheesh! :D
~Elemmírë~
Author's reply
Thank you Julie! I'm so glad you enjoyed this!
I think it was in "A Tale..." that I first had Frodo tell Merry that having Sam spy on him would be much more convenient than Merry visiting all the time. :D It was fun to finally work that into my regular fanon. And this way, they can always point out that Frodo *told* them to do it! Frodo can't argue with that. ;)
Frodo knows his cousins love him to bits and pieces and he appreciates it - just not when they smother him so darn much. A fellow has to breathe, after all. :D
Queen Galadriel
· 2 February 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
Oh, GF, I love it--just the way you write Sam! This was very transporting; I could feel everything Sam did here. The last was especially powerful. Yes, sometimes we have to do things for love that make us want to melt into the ground or hide somewhere, but hard as that was for Sam, think if he hadn't...or don't. :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you Queeny! It was interesting seeing the Conspiracy unfold through Sam's eyes. I'm glad it felt so real for you! :)
Sam would risk everything for Frodo, even his friendship with him, to ensure that his master was safe. He might have felt guilt-ridden much of the time, but he knew it was for the best in the long run. And of course he knew that his friendship with Frodo was never truly at risk, which just goes to show how strong that relationship already was, even at this early time.
pebbles66
· 1 February 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
Oh, I just enjoyed this so much! I love how you write Sam. It sounds to me exactly like book-Sam would feel and talk. I especially liked the middle fic, when Frodo is getting so fed up with Merry and Pippin not leaving him alone. I liked Frodo getting more and more irritated, and Merry just egging him on, with Sam knowing the storm was breaking soon. Sam was so devoted to Frodo. Very touching.
Author's reply
Hello pebbles! It's so good to hear from you! (hugs)
Sam is the quintessential hobbit, so it's important to me that he sounds right. I'm glad I was able to accomplish that. :)
I'm also glad you enjoyed the row in the kitchen so much! That was the vignette I was most worried about, mostly because of Frodo's reactions. So it's good to know that it plays out realistically. Frodo may have a higher boiling point than most hobbits, but he does still have one, and Merry and Pippin are the best at helping him reach it! lol
There was never a more loyal soul than Sam. He and Frodo were *meant* to go together.
Thank you for reading!
Althea
· 31 January 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
The progression from the first part of this installment to the third is wonderful. I love how Sam went from spying for Frodo to spying on him and how in both cases his actions were due to his love for his master. It was also very interesting to watch how Sam went from being of little importance in Merry's eyes to a key member of the conspiracy. Perhaps Merry was a bit jealous of Sam in the second section, or perhaps Merry truly did not understand his importance; still I was pleased to learn how Merry came to rely on Sam. I am very much enjoying this series of stories.
Author's reply
Frodo will no doubt be kicking himself after Sam reminds him that he was the one to teach Sam to spy in the first place. What goes around comes around, as they say. But Sam only ever concerned himself with what was best for Frodo. As long as he could justify his actions in that regard, then he was willing to do anything.
Merry was jealous of Sam almost from the start, for the very reason that he knew how important Sam was to Frodo. For a long time, he felt as though Sam had replaced him in Frodo's life. Once he realized that wasn't true, he was able to repair his lost friendship with Sam - again out of love for Frodo - and they forged a strong and loyal bond of their own. Just in time for the Conspiracy too. ;)
Andrea
· 31 January 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
Oh, poor old Sam! But without Frodo the Shire wouldn't be the same for him, and so he gives in and becomes the most important member in the conspiracy!
I like the parallels between Merry and Sam, especially those concerning Estella and Rosie. The scene in the kitchen was great and very vivid, although I don't want to receive the Baggins Look ;-)
And, was it just my imagination or did I notice that Sam's way to speak has improved through the years? With Bilbo and Frodo around, I can very well imagine that.
But I have to admit that I like it when he says things like
Master Frodo doesn’t like this but he ain’t got no choice but to accept it.
Just wonderful :)
Author's reply
Without Sam, Merry and the others would have been left out in the dark about everything - which would have been truly disasterous.
It may have taken them awhile to find a commonground, but Merry and Sam can really relate to each other in that last scene. Merry would have relied on Sam's condolences in regards to Estella even more than he would Frodo's and Pippin's. I wouldn't want to receive the Baggins Look either! No wonder Merry was able to survive the Witch King, and Pippin the palantir, after being the receiver of that Look too many times to count! :P
It was not your imagination and I'm so thrilled that you noticed it! *bounces* :D Even though I tried to be subtle, I did also try to show the influence of Sam's teachings through his speech. Even if he would never gain a gentlehobbit's grasp of language, he would still tend to speak a bit more formally than his peers.
shirebound
· 31 January 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
We’re silent for several minutes, each of us lost in our own thoughts, me of Rosie and him of Estella. He lost his only chance with his love in order to protect Mr. Frodo, and I look to be taking the same risk.
Dear Sam. Dear Merry. *hugs them* What a wonderful series of conspiracies, Gamgeefest.
Author's reply
Thankfully, we know that Sam and Merry will each end up with their lass and live happily ever after with them. :D The conspiracies were fun to come up with and to track Sam's progress toward becoming the spy for The Conspiracy.
cookiefleck
· 31 January 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
Perfect, from start to finish. And, ah, the ending was so emotional. Thanks.
Author's reply
Thanks cookie! I really didn't want to end with a sappy ending, but this story rather warranted it. I'm glad you enjoyed it, sap and all! :D
elanor winterflowers
· 31 January 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
Oh, this is wonderful! Voice, pacing, terrific little nuggets of backstories--I liked this very much!
Author's reply
Thank you elanor! I'm glad you enjoyed the story!
Dreamflower
· 31 January 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
What an absolutely perfect and delicious and wonderful thing to find on a sleepless night!
GF--this is *exactly* the scenario I thought of, though I only was expecting a 100 word snippet! *grin* How wonderful to get so much more than I was meant to! That's lagniappe, that is!
There's ever so much to love about this--from Frodo's innocuous training Sam to spy in the first place, to Merry and Pippin's nervous keeping track of their cousin later, to the actual pact. These three were *meant* to go with Frodo, it was their destiny, and there was no way they could have left it alone.
I love the way you have brought in your other stories to tie them together, also! And the idea that both Merry and Sam were willing to give up their true loves to protect Frodo is just wrenching. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!
*hugs fic all to self* (Oh, well, I guess I'll share--8-D ! )
Author's reply
Well, I'm glad I was able to help your insomnia pass more pleasantly. :D It's been a long time since I've had trouble sleeping, but I do find that reading always helps with that.
I'm especially glad that this was what you had in mind when you requested this fic! And I learned a new word to boot - lagniappe. *pats dictionary* :D
Frodo was probably kicking himself after the Conspiracy was revealed and Sam reminded him about his early training at Frodo's hand. Really, he had no one to blame but himself. lol If Merry and Pippin had not been so obvious - and stayed away from the subject of settling down ;) - it might have taken Frodo longer to figure out what they were doing, though not too much longer. It's hard to get anything past Frodo - unless you just happen to be his perfectly proper can-never-do-any-wrong gardener lad. :D It helps that he's used to Sam fretting after him. He wouldn't really notice a little extra attention.
Sam may have gotten into more than he was bargaining for, but there isn't anything he wouldn't do for Frodo. Even risk giving up his love. Thankfully, we know that Merry and Sam will both be getting their loves back. :D
harrowcat
· 31 January 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
Certainly a good bit more than a drabble but I loved every word of it and it leaves me wanting more - much more! Loved the similarities between Merry and Sam and also the row in the kitchen.
Author's reply
Thank you harrowcat! I'm so thrilled you enjoyed this so much! Merry and Sam do have more in common than they ever suspected possible. It shows much of the growth in their friendship that they are now able to recognize those similarities. I was really nervous about the row in the kitchen, thought it might be too forced or out of place, so I'm glad it came out all right!
Larner
· 31 January 2007
· Chapter 9: My Conspiracy
Oh, yes, I can see the conspiracy growing in just this manner, and poor Sam slowly being drawn further and further into it, just out of love.
Author's reply
Sam would never have guessed that his friendship with his master would eventually lead him to behaving so improperly. Thankfully, Sam was able to see past the indiscretion to the bigger picture and realize that protecting Frodo was more important than 'keeping in his place'.
Dreamflower
· 17 May 2006
· Chapter 8: A Mother's Work
Oh wow! I wanted to review this when I read it yesterday, but my internet connection was *not* cooperating!
I just love this. It is such a beautiful depiction of the confusion of a household with lots of kids, and Bell is so sweet and loving and patient and practical in the midst of it all. I just adore her--and knowing ahead of time that she won't be around much longer lends this a sweet poignancy and bittersweet air. I just want to hug her, and tell her to be careful.
Author's reply
Bell is the ultimate mother. Having an even-temper and calm demeanor helps when there's so many kids (and a husband) to take care of. ;) She's had plenty of practice by this time in how to deal with the unexpected, as well as the expected, such as the girls' bickering. I was constantly reminded while writing this that Bell wouldn't be around much longer. She loves her family completely and fully with every minute. She'll have no regrets when she goes, except that she couldn't stay longer.
Thanks for reading!
Elemmírë
· 16 May 2006
· Chapter 8: A Mother's Work
A mother's work is never done ... sigh, how very, very true. It seems Bell has her family well under control though. I can't imagine what poor Rosie must go through with 13 children, despite Sam's help (& the older ones looking after the younger ones)!
Happy Mother's Day
Author's reply
Oh my, I don't know how I missed responding to your review! So sorry!
I think it's safe to say that the Gamgee wives have got full reign on their young and rambunctious charges. Bell by this point has learned to take such last-minute plan changes in stride and is as efficient in getting things done as anyone can be. Had she lived, she would have sympathized with Rose but would have seen how up-to-task she is.
Thanks for reading!
Bodkin
· 15 May 2006
· Chapter 8: A Mother's Work
Poor Bell!
And she didn't live long enough to watch her children enduring the same trials. Shame that!
Author's reply
Bell is not having the most relaxing morning so far, is she? *grins* She'll be glad to get to Missus Rumbles and get some help with the children.
I'm sure she's somewhere where she can peak in on her children every now and then, and you *know* that Sam's brood will be the source of many hectic mornings, days and evenings. :D Thanks for reading!
Queen Galadriel
· 14 May 2006
· Chapter 8: A Mother's Work
Oh dear. Poor Bell. But how lovely to see her POV! But this does make me feel bad for all the things my siblings and I have put my mom through over the years.
I love the quiet moment Bell has with Sam. And Daisy and May are typical sisters, that's for sure. Sammie is such a darling baby! And Bell *is* a dear, and an amazingly capable mother. This was so perfect for Mother's Day!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
We don't really realize what we put our parents through until we're old enough to reflect back and see the sacrifices that were made. Or, until we have children of our own. :)
I had to give her at least one quiet moment, though you know there are days when even feeding the baby won't stop her older children from harrassing her for things. Sam's always been a sweetie, even as a fussy baby. Bell knew how to rule her home, no doubt about that.
Thanks for reading!
MaidenofValinor
· 14 May 2006
· Chapter 8: A Mother's Work
Ohh, the poor dear. So true, though. Must be frustrating for her. I know I'd be ready to rip my own hair out, as well as Daisy's. Lovely mother's day piece! Quite enjoyable. :)
Author's reply
This was a morning where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. I like to think that most of them aren't quite *this* hectic. But with five kids and a husband to look after, there's always going to be someone who needs something. LOL *I'd* be ripping everyone's hairs out! Bell has far more patience than I do. ;) Thanks for the review!
Grey Wonderer
· 14 May 2006
· Chapter 8: A Mother's Work
That was so real that I almost felt as if I were in a kitchen full of little children! Great job and the perfect Mother's Day fiction!
Author's reply
I was originally going to write four drabbles from each of the hobbit moms, Bell, Primula, Eglantine and Esmeralda, but Bell's just refused to stop at 100 words, and no wonder! Primula's even didn't fit into a drabble. Now I have to figure out what I'm going to do with that. :D
I remember too well what it's like to have a house crammed full of people and the crazines it brings. Tis why I love living alone so much. :) Thanks for the review!
harrowcat
· 14 May 2006
· Chapter 8: A Mother's Work
And all that before elevensies or even second breakfast. Poor dear.
Author's reply
Poor Bell indeed. Though now that her older lads are out of the home, things should quiet down somewhat. She might even be able to sit down for second breakfast and elevenses. And there's always nap time to look forward to. :) Thanks for the review!
rabidsamfan
· 14 May 2006
· Chapter 8: A Mother's Work
Teehee! Oh, that is soooo very much the way things probably go of a morning in the Gamgee household.
Thank you for sharing!
Author's reply
I like to think that most mornings are quite this hectic for poor Bell, but with so many to look after, she's always going to be giving up something to see that another is taken care of.
Thanks for reading!
Frodo Baggins
· 14 May 2006
· Chapter 8: A Mother's Work
Oh this is wonderful! It sounds just like our house. :) ANyway, speaking of, I have to go clean before company gets here. The elest's job is never done, either. Namarie!
God BLess,
Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
And my parents home, when we were all living there. They're loving their peace and quiet now!
Thanks for reading!