Birthday Surprises by Baggins Babe
Larner · 15 November 2005 · Chapter 7: Filling Up the Corners
Yes, the peace of the Shire filling in the corners of the spirit.
Author's reply
Exactly! In its own way, the Shire has as much ability to heal as Rivendell or Lothlorien. A visit to the English countryside always makes me feel refreshed and peaceful, and I always see the Shire as having that sort of lanscape. I think the visitors will feel much better for their short stay - and lots of good hobbit meals, of course!
harrowcat · 15 November 2005 · Chapter 7: Filling Up the Corners
Oh *happy sigh* BB just what I needed to round off my evening's reading. A good feast of fluff and all my favourite characters together. Aragorn can come and tuck me into bed anytime!
Author's reply
*snert* You're not alone there! Hope there wasn't an overdose of fluff. :-)) I am glad that you are now going to bed happy, and you'll just have to imagine Aragorn tucking you in!
shirebound · 15 November 2005 · Chapter 7: Filling Up the Corners
Aragorn named his toy dog "Huan"! Omigosh, I love that so much. This is such a wonderful chapter, BB (as always!). I love Rufus' presence, and the joy everyone is taking in the Shire, its people, and its peace. "I hope there will be fruit cake for us too?" Aragorn added hopefully. *grins* He's such a little boy at heart. "All corner full, Mummy!" *melts*
Author's reply
Awwww, bless! The King of Gondor is just a little boy at heart! Tee-hee! I'm sure a stay in the Shire would be wonderfully recuperative for the visitors, a real holiday and a chance for them to behave like hobbits. There's lots more to come, and who knows how hobbity they may become? And what else could little Estel possibly call his toy dog? *grin*
Larner · 15 November 2005 · Chapter 6: Gardening, Cookery and Talking With Trees
A loving look at the family which has grown up around Frodo, and the acceptance this family gives to all who come their way. And I, too, want to see how E&E do at paring potatoes! Heee!
Author's reply
I always imagine that the peace and welcome granted to visitors would make the Shire a very special place. Elves peeling vegetables - a nice thought!
Larner · 15 November 2005 · Chapter 5: Hobbiton and Bag End
Again, a sweet chapter, especially the visit to the grave and reassuring Frodo. And of course Elanor and Frodo-lad would recognize Aragorn.
Author's reply
I think Frodo would still have moments of guilt, but at least he can be reassured. No-one would come through everything he experienced and remain unscathed. I like to see Aragorn and Frodo together - they have a bond which nothing can break. The Gamgee children are very perceptive and I'm glad you agree that they would recognise the King.
Larner · 15 November 2005 · Chapter 4: A Day in Buckland
A sweet time of togetherness. Love the hedgehog story!
Author's reply
Glad you liked the hedgehog tale - I remember being very puzzled one night, by the peculiar noises coming from the garden.
Mirkwoodmaiden · 10 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Many Meetings
"No, I managed not to laugh at you. It was Aunt Asphodel having an attack of the vapours and Lalia slapping her face which started the giggles. I thought they were about to have a fight, and then I imagined them throwing cream buns at each other and I lost control altogether." My dear BB!! I nearly rolled up when I read this bit!! LOL!! I can just see it happening!! I love the start of this! I love how you've involved Barliman and his son!! Also you've captured Elladan and Elrohir pretty well I think! I haven't finished the chapter but I just wanted to say a little something about the beginning so you would know that I have started it at least! Really wonderful!! MM
Author's reply
I'm very flattered that you think I have managed to capture Elladan and Elrohir, because you write them so well. Couldn't leave out dear old Barliman, and I thought it was about time we met the next generation of innkeepers. Glad the tale of Merry's appearance at Menegilda's tea party amused you! I'm looking forward to the rest of the review soon. BB
Mirkwoodmaiden · 8 November 2005 · Chapter 1: A Visit to the 'Pony'
My dear BB! I've said before and I'll say it again! You truly have a gift for writing Hobbits! "Trust me, it will fun!" LOL!!!!!!!!!! You only have to know who saying those words and you know it will be trouble!!! Loved the listing of mishaps culminating in the Hornets-berries-future king in river! I rolled up as I read !! LOL!!! Very funny! Also the leisurely trip to Bree to I wanted to crawl through the computer screen and sit there with them. And all the mention of truly delicious-sounding food was really wonderfully conceived! Loved it! Must read chapter two! MM (THE PEF)
Author's reply
Ah, but I can just see the two mischievous hobbits leading our favourite Ranger into all sorts of trouble. :-)) As for writing hobbits - it is disconcertingly natural. I think I must be a hobbit really. I sometimes wonder if it is because the hobbits are sort of English and there's a bit of hobbit in the genes......... The trip to Bree does sound rather lovely, so if I find you in the Shire soon I shan't be surprised.
FallenEagle · 26 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Gardening, Cookery and Talking With Trees
I love this fic, please update!
Author's reply
I so pleased that you like it - I'm busy with the next chapter but RL keeps getting in the way! Shouldn't be long though.
Andrea · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Gardening, Cookery and Talking With Trees
"Right. I want some volunteers to help with the vegetables. Who knows how to peel potatoes? And if you don't know after a couple of thousand years I reckon it's time you found out!" - LOL! Just great! I liked all the birthday gifts, especially the second set of gardening tools for Sam to give it to Frodo-lad. From the reaction of the Mallorn tree to young Fro's hug, he is as talented as his father.
Author's reply
Ah yes, young Fro is a very talented gardener already, and the mallorn knows this. He will be a good apprentice. I thought Sam would want to give him something useful as well as beautiful. Rose keeps them all in order - Elves, Men, assorted hobbits and a dwarf!
harrowcat · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Gardening, Cookery and Talking With Trees
I think that we are all dying to see elves with potato peelers! You weave such a beautiful picture of the Shire - I want to be there. Please can I leave London and be there just for Sam's birthday, and my own which is tomorrow so thanks for the pleasure of reading this story, a real gift.
Author's reply
So you're in London too? Well, there is a bus in East London which claims to be 'Serving the Shire and Essex' - unfortunately this is Hertfordshire! I was very disappointed about that! :-)) Happy birthday for tomorrow! As for Elves with potato peelers - my dear friend Mirkwoodmaiden, wrote a story for me, called 'Changes and Acceptances' - which is on this site - and that really does feature this very combination! I just took the idea and ran with it!
Dreamflower · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Gardening, Cookery and Talking With Trees
Ah, such a sweet relaxing happy day, with good friends, love and laughter! Just the kind of thing I like to read, and can count on finding in "Reunion-verse". I adored the description of the mallorn with the hobbity heart, and the gift of plants from the Elves. Did you happen to finish your fic with Ivy Sandyman and I somehow missed it?
Author's reply
Glad more 'Reunion-verse' lived up to your expectations. I think a mallorn growing in the Shire would be a little different, and what else could Sam possibly receive but plants? At least there will be some elanor flowers for Elanor's wedding. The Ivy Sanyman story was a stand-alone but she and the children will feature in this one, and a plot bunny sequel is biting my foot as I write. Hope to start on that when this story is complete.
Tigger · 2 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Gardening, Cookery and Talking With Trees
Below, the singing had stopped. Rose's voice, firm but insistent, was heard saying, "Right. I want some volunteers to help with the vegetables. Who knows how to peel potatoes? And if you don't know after a couple of thousand years I reckon it's time you found out!" "This," said Tarondor in an almost imperceptible whisper, "I have to see!" Tigger has to see this too. I'm loving this story and loving how much good this visit is being to Aragorn, Faramir and the other noblemen. It's giving them a badly needed rest from being the King and will be a better ruler for it when he returns to Gondor. I can't wait for the next chapter!!
shirebound · 2 October 2005 · Chapter 6: Gardening, Cookery and Talking With Trees
Rose was performing miracles at the stove, producing platefuls of perfectly cooked bacon, eggs, sausages and mushrooms with her usual calm. Aragorn realised that she was the still point around which everything and everyone revolved. She had as much power in her own realm as Galadriel had held over Lothlorien. I do love Aragorn recognizing Rose's "realm"! and this is so lovely: There is nothing you crave, for you have all that is important to you - a loving wife, beautiful, healthy children and the brother of your heart healed and happy - all your treasures, and a garden to tend. You have never desired more than this, and no-one is more deserving of all that he has. What a marvelous chapter. I adore the happy Mallorn and the sweet peacefulness of the Shire.
Andrea · 22 September 2005 · Chapter 5: Hobbiton and Bag End
A wonderful story, Baggins Babe! The talk between Aragorn and Frodo was very insightful. "It is not that Sam is stronger or better than you, but he had not been carrying it for months, listening to that insidious voice, and Sam lacks your imagination. He is an essentially practical hobbit with a large core of stern hobbit-sense inherited from his Gaffer. For the Ring it must have been like hitting a stone wall!" I often wondered, why it was so easy for Sam to resist the Ring. This is the answer: he has not Frodo's imagination - only stern hobbit-sense and a deep devotion to his master. And, of course, I'm still waiting for "Verse Seventy-One" ;-) "I wish I knew what happens in that verse," Faramir muttered - Me, too! Thank you!
Author's reply
Hopefully you might find out about Verse Seventy One very soon, although I think you have more imagination then Sam, and can make a pretty good guess from the hints dropped in previous chapters! :-)) Glad you're enjoying it so far.
Dreamflower · 22 September 2005 · Chapter 5: Hobbiton and Bag End
I had to go early today and get the car serviced, so I printed out this latest chapter to read while I waited. Such a lovely long chapter, and so very full of hobbity fun, and great interaction between Big Folk and Little. I loved the Flora-Dora twins--such cute little old hobbit ladies! So delightful to see how much everyone is happy to see the visitors. I also liked the beginning of the chapter. Yes, Frodo is healed, and he is rid of his *abnormal* guilt. Yet some guilt to remain, and show up from time to time *is* normal, and I am glad that you showed it. It would be unnatural for him to be *completely* rid of every bad feeling associated with the Quest, and would trivialize his part in it if there were no consequences at all. But at least the feelings he has now are natural, and able to be assuaged by the love and care of his friends, and he is able to recognize the folly of excessive guilt.
Author's reply
How nice to pass the time reading while mechanics tinker with your car! I could just see flora and Dora, like a couple of chattering birds. Yes, I think even though he is healed, there would have been times when Frodo felt guilt, or had flashbacks of some sort, but at least this sort of thing can be dealt with and doesn't affect his health and sanity. Thank you for confriming what I've always thought.
songspinner · 21 September 2005 · Chapter 4: A Day in Buckland
This tale is just wonderful. The detailed characters are perfect and the dialogue, well, I can hear it all in my head as I read. And my little one loved Aragorn's story about the "monster" hedgehog. (I read that bit to her as she has that fear of odd noises at night) The love and affection felt by these folk for each other, despite differences in size, are totally clear and power the whole story.
Author's reply
Oh, I hope your little one was reassured by the tale of the hedgehog - they make such peculiar noises as they snuffle around! Couldn't resist the idea of young Estel cowering under the bedcovers. :-)) I find hobbity dialogue only too easy to write - glad you like it. I think these characters had great love for each other and that never changed.
harrowcat · 21 September 2005 · Chapter 5: Hobbiton and Bag End
Sorry I haven't reviewed since chapter one BB but I have just spent a very happy evening catching up. Reading with a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes and a grin on my face. Yes it is possible but makes reading a bit slow!
Author's reply
I wondered where you were! Nice to have another review and glad you enjoyed playing 'catch-up.' Hope the lump in the throat, tears in the eyes and grin on the face don't slow things down too much! :-)) I wanted Frodo and Aragorn to have a little time alone. These two dear friends need each other, I think, and I like to give Frodo some reassurance that his friends love him.
shirebound · 21 September 2005 · Chapter 5: Hobbiton and Bag End
This happy, joyous, loving story just continues to delight, BB. These are my favorite passages: "Sam, Merry and Pippin did conventionally heroic things. They fought enemies they could see. You were battling something unseen but it was able to probe your mind and affect you in ways their foes did not. You held out far longer than I would have done." *** Aragorn threw back his head and laughed. "It could never imagine a loyalty like Sam's! I should imagine it grew more and more exasperated at the stubborn Gamgee character!" Frodo chuckled too, and wiped the last of his tears. "Dear Sam says that he may be 'Half-wise' but he is not going to do the bidding of a piece of jewellery! Only Sam could say such a thing." *** "Indeed. Never deny us the chance to show you our love, my friend. I am overwhelmed that you have never uttered a word of reproach for the way we Big People handed you the task." Frodo looked at Aragorn, his expression a mixture of affection and wry humour. "You didn't 'hand me the task' - I volunteered for it if you remember. Remind me never to volunteer to carry something which Gandalf, assorted Elves and a future king won't touch with a ten foot pole!" He smiled. "Sorry for howling like that - being loved so unconditionally is disconcerting for me." *** Arod rolled on his back and rubbed his face in the sweet grass, much to Legolas' amusement, and after a moment's thought, Aragorn's great horse did the same, although he managed to look slightly bashful when he rose, as though he thought it was not a dignified thing for one of the Mearas to be doing. Wonderful. And now you've got me hungry for dinner!
Author's reply
Ah, the delights of a hobbity supper! Who could possibly resist? I can see Bergil and Halboron wanting to move in to Bag End permanently! I'm pleased that you liked the scene between Frodo and Aragorn. I think there would still be moments when Frodo feels guilty, even though it no longer makes him ill. A total, 100% cure would be unrealistic, but I'm glad Aragorn was there to comfort him. I love seeing horses roll in grass - they look so carefree after a long day's riding - and the thought of a dignified Lord of the Mearas rolling about and then remembering his dignity was too funny. Now when will they learn the rest of the verses to 'Nineteen Nights........'?
Dreamflower · 19 September 2005 · Chapter 4: A Day in Buckland
What a delight to find this! I'm so glad to be back and finding all the updates I missed over the last three weeks! And a new chapter of your "Reunion-verse" fic is just the ticket. I adored this, from Aragorn's waking to breakfast in bed, to all the silly stories at the end. Thank you for such a lovely, lovely AU! It's just what I needed!
Author's reply
Oh thank goodness you're alright! I was beginning to worry - thought you might have been caught up in Hurricane Katrina. Great to have you back again. Glad you enjoyed the chapter - Aragorn and hobbits - what could be nicer?
Andrea · 30 August 2005 · Chapter 4: A Day in Buckland
Halboron smiled broadly. "I think I'm becoming as bad as Pippin - I'm hungry again!" You're absolutely right: hobbit hunger is contagious :) It's funny to see how all those big men and elves enjoy themselves among hobbit folk. I'd like to be a hobbit :)
shirebound · 30 August 2005 · Chapter 4: A Day in Buckland
Oh, what a joyful, dear, lovely chapter. Everyone is happy, and at peace, and well fed, and enjoying the wonderful friendships and family-ness. And I especially loved this description of the children: "They would be swarming up your legs faster than orcs up a siege-ladder!" :D
Larner · 13 August 2005 · Chapter 3: Brandy Hall
Very sweet visit. Yes, a good replacement for "When the King returns--indeed a good one!
Andrea · 13 August 2005 · Chapter 3: Brandy Hall
"Perhaps we should change it and say 'When Sam Gamgee forgets how to grow taters'!" LOL! Well, that's indeed something that will never ever happen! Although Paladin seems to envy Saradoc for his eloquency, *his* speech was really not bad. I liked both of them. As you may have guessed, I'm waiting for the night when they all drink a little too much and that mysterious song is started ;-) Maybe, in Hobbiton?
Author's reply
As far as Paladin's 'envy' of Saradoc, it is more that in the stories I have written, the banquets have been at Brandy Hall, so Saradoc gets the chance to speak first. I don't know that 'Nineteen Nights in Nobottle' is a mysterious song, just very vulgar and jolly. It is a typically obscene drinking song, rather like one which used to be well-known in Britain, called 'The Ballad of Eskimo Nell.' I leave it to you to imagine what it was about! Yes, they will be very drunk in Hobbiton, and Aragorn will finally hear the uncensored version. :-))
Dreamflower · 12 August 2005 · Chapter 3: Brandy Hall
How delightful to discover this chapter tonight! *sigh of deep contentment* I would quote the parts I like best, but I'd end up quoting almost the entire chapter. I truly loved that Pervinca named her new son after Sam--what a lovely surprise! And the image of all those tall men and Elves holding the tiny hobbit children just turned me into a puddle of goo. Thank you so much for creating this wonderful AU! It's just throroughly a joy!
Author's reply
*fetches sponge to mop up gooey puddle* Pervinca Took is a very determined lady and would suffer no arguements from Sam about what is or isn't 'proper.' Little Persimmon is very much like her mother. Glad you enjoyed another visit to my AU. I'd love to attend a hobbit party! *sigh* Guess this is the closest I'll get!