Nothing of Note by Primsong
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 34: Buckland or Bust
You have done it again--such a beautiful description of the journey to Buckland, of the country round, and of Brandy Hall. I could see it all so perfectly. I really like the way you describe Brandy Hall as having so many hobbits that they don't always know who is a stranger. And at last we will get to see Frodo and Bilbo together.
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 33: The Floating Log
How lovely that he bought the book for Frodo! He'll be so pleased! I love his musings on the maps and white spaces, and his dreamy thoughts at the end...
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 32: A Letter from Buckland
Oh joy! Bilbo's heading to Buckland and Frodo at last! I loved Frodo's letter, very poetical and descriptive, it had a gentle old-fashioned feel to it, and just a little melancholy as well. I'm looking forward to meeting your version of young!Frodo.
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 31: A Medicinal Marriage
Lobelia *certainly* would come down like a ton of bricks over any idea of Bilbo marrying! That was sheer wickedness on his part--LOL! It's a shame he let her off the hook so easily. Bilbo's finally looking for a lawyer to get the smelly cheese out of his omelette, huh?
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 30: Ducking
Oh my gosh, now wee!Rosie, three fingers old! How adorable--and Bilbo the storyteller! How that brings to mind the lovely scene in the film, where the children listen with rapt attention to his tale of the three trolls! Your Bilbo is so wonderful! I cannot begin to tell you how much I am enjoying this story--there is so very little fic featuring Bilbo. I've done a little bit, but something *this* ambitious is absolutely a treat to me, for I just *love* stories of Bilbo!
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 29: Wagging Tongues
I'm so glad to hear that the story of the gift to the little lass's family also made it around the Shire (though in changed form) as well as Lobelia's nasty interpretation of other events. And Frodo has crossed his mind again, and "omelettes"...very, very good!
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 28: Good, Bad and Smiling
What a sweet chapter! Little Sam is such a cutie--I could just *see* him offering up the little "book" he had made--and unlike Lobelia's unwelcome candle, I'll bet Bilbo still had that "book" when he left the Shire. And how lovely of Bilbo to take up teaching the lad his letters. Little did he know just how prophetic his words about stories were!
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 27: Tales and Tonics
Man oh Man! If I had Lobelia on my doorstep when I was sick, I'd try to stay well too, LOL!
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 26: Tree-watching
LOL! So Bilbo encountered an Ent! How marvelous!
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 25: Cattail Ducks
Again you show Bilbo's generosity and kindness, as well as his distaste for gratitude. Perhaps that attitude rubbed off a bit on Frodo. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the cattails and of all that could be done with them, and of the little cattail duck. I would never have thought of such a thing! I think Bilbo might find it more than a fair exchange for the pen-knife.
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 24: Bogged Down
Bilbo shows that even returning to his old life in the Shire, he still remains as determined and resourceful as he became on the Quest for Erebor. And this is so in character for how he did these sorts of things in The Hobbit: grumping, complaining--but cheerfully--and wishing for the comforts he's left behind, but nevertheless doing anything it takes to do what needs to be done--whether it's to beard a Dragon in his lair or merely escape from an unpleasant bog.
Dreamflower · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 22: Omelettes
I printed this chapter and the next three out to read on my lunch break, and was giggling and chortling until everyone looked at me like I was nuts. I loved the way Bilbo got free legal advice, and the description of Otho as a "bad cheese". *snort*
FantasyFan · 12 July 2005 · Chapter 70: Cake
What a marvelous long story. Not too many people attempt to write about Bilbo, so I am always glad to see a story from his point of view. You have captured his voice beautifully - his confidence and experience, his poetry and sense of adventure, and that bit of little-boy excitement and humor with just a touch of the manic that is pure Bilbo. The characterization of Frodo is lovely too - he's got a young vulnerability to him, but the essentials shine right through. And the Sam of later years is clearly there in your eager-to-please youngster. It's a real treat to see Bilbo and Frodo slowly finding their place with each other. Of course there's more to Bilbo's adoption of Frodo than dissatisfaction with Otho and Lotho! To watch Bilbo come to the slow realization that he is lonely but that he isn't really as alone as he had thought is so touching. Bilbo's feelings are finely drawn when he realizes that what he feels for Frodo is the love of an Uncle, and there is wonderful tenderness and anticipation in his opening his heart to the lad, plus a fine cameo by a very sympathetic Bell. It's taken me two days to get through all the chapters - just what I love best: a good huge chunk of hobbity words. Thanks for a great read.
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 21: The Little Things
How lovely for Bilbo to find congenial kin out there in the middle of nowhere! I really think I like your Ponto very much; and the way he dotes on young Angelica might explain her vanity a few years later, LOL! Well, I guess I must leave off for the night--it's getting to be my bedtime, and I have to work tomorrow. Unless I wake up and can't sleep...
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 20: Only the Best
Yay, Bilbo! Of course, a reader always has a touch of apprehension when he uses the Ring, but really, this was very much in character for his use of it in The Hobbit, and he doesn't know anything is wrong with it. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when Todefoot and family wake up. And of course now there will be even more tales of "Mad Baggins", LOL!
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 19: Little Rivers
Uh-oh, I don't like the sound of this new hobbit...
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 18: Holing Up
You paint such a perfect picture of each tower. I think so far I like this one the best, and apparently Bilbo does too.
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 17: Stormy Weather
Wow. I wonder if he will find out the story of the harpist? Must read on...
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 16: Room with a View
This is nice--all hemmed in by a storm, with plenty of firewood for a cozy fire. He could easily spend a pleasant evening in this tower. I just have to say again how much I love your vivid descriptions. They really bring the scenes to life.
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 15: Cloud and Stars
Oh, how rich and evocative! Your prose is marvelous.
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 14: Up the Steps
Ah, so young Finch is not so adventurous after all. But a seed has been planted.
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 13: No Mystery
How sweet! I think I like your young Finch...perhaps we will be seeing a lot of him? I wonder what they will find...
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 11: Baggins According to Baggins
LOL! Poor Bilbo, to learn what a strange reputation he had gained so far from home. Clearly the Brockhouses are the kind of people who would rather believe a juicy scandal than the plain truth any day, and yet would be offended to find out the reality of things.
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 10: Undertower Tales
Oh, that's just too funny! I wonder what Bilbo will come up with...
Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 9: Peddler's Lunch
Oh, clever, clever Bilbo! What a way to get his books back, and poor forgetful Hugo never the wiser! *chuckle*