Dreamflower
· 18 September 2006
· Chapter 25: With Love From Rose
Oh, now that's hardly fair! You've made me drool, and my stomach is rumbling like a hobbit's!
Actually, I'm not sure that they'd be all that bad in the kitchen--Rangers have to do for themselves after all. And both of them *did* help Rose out in the kitchen during the visit--so they know how she did things. They might just surprise their wives!
And kittens in the paper! Is there anything cuter?
Author's reply
I'm sure Aragorn and Faramir can cook perfectly well - but like most men I'm sure they will use every pan, pot, dish, bowl and utensil in the Royal Kitchens and make a huge mess in the process. ;-))
The feline Merry and Pipppin are now a year old but not above leaping in and out of the wrapping paper. I've almost gift-wrapped a cat any number of times!
Hope your tummy has stopped rumbling by now!
shirebound
· 18 September 2006
· Chapter 25: With Love From Rose
Faramir was mumbling deliriously.
*giggles* What amazing and precious gifts! And I can just imagine the state of the Royal Kitchens after two ex-Rangers have been clattering away in them.
*deliriously happy whenever you update*
Author's reply
*deliriously happy whenever you update*
Well, that always make me happy!
Yes, the state of the kitchens doesn't bear thinking about, does it? I will have to write a follow-up about their adventures in the kitchen.......
Pearl Took
· 18 September 2006
· Chapter 25: With Love From Rose
"Legolas could read upside down, which irritated Gimli enormously as he felt sure he was missing something."
"He had misjudged Elven hearing. Behind him Arwen leaned close to Eowyn. "I wonder how much mess those two can make in an afternoon?"
Although questioned about the reason for their laughter, the ladies remained diplomatically silent."
LOL LOL LOL
Charming, most wonderfully charming!!
Author's reply
Well, they did ask for a Shire cookbook in 'Birthday Surprises' so Rose and Frodo have obviously been busy.
Arwen and Eowyn know their husbands well. :-)) And of course Gimli is irritated by the Elf's ability to read upside down. (I do it and it really seems to annoy people!) I suspect Gimli is just afraid Legolas will find out something and not pass it on to the Dwarf!
Kitty
· 18 September 2006
· Chapter 25: With Love From Rose
Ah yes, the hobbit recipe book! Frodo must have been very busy to have two copies already done in this short time, but it is a very fitting gift.
Hmmm ... Aragorn and Faramir will cook tomorrow? Then I only hope they are a bit better in cooking than Éowyn is *thinks back to a certain stew* But it is a very nice way to surprise their families, and I love the idea of the King and Steward doing somethink like this, instead of ordering the cooks to do it. Hopefully they are successful.
You know, if Legolas gets his own copy, I can see the elves in Valinor cooking Rose's recipes for centuries to come. Wouldn't that be the perfect way to remember hobbits?
Author's reply
I suspect Frodo worked on the binding while he was waiting for Rose to collect and recipes. He has no doubt been working on them since the guests left after Sam's birthday.
Oh dear! That stew.... *shudder* Let's hope it isn't as bad as that.
Now that would be a wonderful way to remember hobbits - the Elves of Valinor all using Shire recipes!
harrowcat
· 18 September 2006
· Chapter 25: With Love From Rose
*g* I'll even volunteer to clean up the kitchens for an invite to this feast!
Author's reply
I'll wash up! I may do a follow up story about what happens in that kitchen!
Bodkin
· 18 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
You've watched a lot of cats! I can just see that surprised, didn't-really-happen expression on their faces. I'm sure Frodo really enjoyed it!
Author's reply
Oh yes, I've been watching cats for years and I love that 'didn't really happen' look! I'm sure Frodo was very entertained but had to hide any signs from Rufus.
Queen Galadriel
· 17 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
LOL! Oh, too cute! It's a good thing the little girls have *one* cat who actually likes being tucked up and sung to sleep. :) And Rufus waiting till he was *sure* no one was looking and then being outdone by a silly cotton reel and stalking off...and Frodo seeing the whole thing...*giggles hysterically along with Frodo* I just love the Bag End cats!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Sooty is still at the 'soppy' stage and is enjoying all the fuss.
Rufus had to make sure no-one was looking, but those cotton reels can be very tricksy!
Pearl Took
· 17 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
"When he was sure he had not been observed, the big red tabby stalked away, tail high in the air. At least he had not been seen in such an undignified predicament.
Behind the study door, Frodo was bent double in hysterical giggles."
LOL!!
Purfect :-)
Rufus is really much too dignified for such antics ;-)
Author's reply
Rufus certainly considers himself too dignified but sometimes those cotton reels just have to be dealt with. ;-))
Larner
· 16 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
Oh, how I LOVE to see Frodo laughing; and I suspect this is one audience even Rufus wouldn't mind amusing at the expense of his dignity.
Thanks so much for this one.
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo's laughter is a very precious thing indeed, and I'm sure Rufus would not be too offended by his amusement.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Larner
· 16 September 2006
· Chapter 23: A Chip Off the Old Block
Oh, we does wonder about that, we does, how he appears so young....
Heh!
Love the tricks!
Author's reply
We does indeed..........
The trick with the cotton on the door knockers was one my father played as a lad - naughty boy! He told me about it when I was quite young. That was when there was so little traffic in a sleepy English town that he could get away with it!
frodo16424
· 16 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
What a delightful story! I can relate to the way Sooty slides on the floor. I have a 12 week old kitten, Rascal, who does the same thing when he plays. It is hilarious seeing him trying to stop and instead he ends upside down. He is not happy when I laugh. Thanks so much for sharing Rufus, and Sooty, with us.
Author's reply
Kittens always dash about too fast and end up hitting the wall at some point. I imagine those beautiful polished floors in Bag End would be particularly hazardous.
Andrea
· 16 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
LOL!!!
That brings back some very vivid memories! I remember the day when I was chasing my little brother. He jumped out of the window onto a table and then on the veranda. I tried to follow him, of course - and then the table collapsed, and I found myself on the floor! Well, the expression on my face must have looked like Rufus'! I have to admit, I was an adult then!
However, the best part of this story is that Rufus' behaviour made Frodo laugh! Anything that makes Frodo happy is worth trying :)
Author's reply
oooops! That sounds quite embarrassing. When I worked as a veterinary nurse the surgery cat used to like to jump on the counter. One day she did so just after the cleaner had polished it, and she and the appointment book sailed onto the floor! I laughed and she gave me a look which could have stopped a clock! :-))
Yes, Frodo laughter is the best thing.
Daynawayna
· 16 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
HOW CUTE! I love Rufus! Dignified indeed... what kind of cat does he think he is?!?!? LOL They always pretend to be dignified, but really, they all just wanna pounce and play! What a lovely piece, BB. Very clever and well written. :)
Author's reply
Cats always pretend they're very dignified and then leap about like kittens if they think they're unobserved. Had a Siamese who would never do anything if he was observed and would then go berserk and chase the dog!
Dreamflower
· 16 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
How lovely it is to see Frodo in hysterical giggles. *grin*
Rufus is good for him, and Sooty is good for Rufus!
(By the way, I never saw my cat skid into the wall, but the other day one of our dogs, engaged in the mad activity of running full tilt from the hall to the sofa, overshot the sofa and ended up on the floor, looking very surprised! Sometimes I am glad we don't know what is going on in animals' minds! We'd be very shocked I'm sure!)
Author's reply
I enjoy giving Frodo some fun. :-))
My big soppy dog, Toffee, who died in January, was a complete nut and always doing things like that. He walked on a lake in the park once, when it was covered with green algae, then fell in and emerged covered in pond weed and looking like a very surprised Lady of the Lake!
eiluj
· 16 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
You do know your cats!
I haven't any cats at the moment and it's always good to encounter them in real life or in stories. Thank you.
Author's reply
I love cats -love all animals - and I've done cat rescue for years. I never tire of watching them. Glad you enjoyed this one. There are several more Rufus stories in this collection if you're interested.
shirebound
· 16 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
I will *never* grow tired of these tales, BB! Or should that be tails? Poor Rufus, caught between his dignity and the urge to show that cotton reel who's in charge. I love how entertained the entire family is by these two adorable and much-loved cats.
Author's reply
Yes, poor Rufus - it must be hard to try and preserve one's dignity when there's a cotton reel to chase! :-)) No wonder the family enjoys the company of these two cats.
harrowcat
· 16 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
Oh this is priceless BB. Been there once or twice myself and definitely, (or should that be defiantly?) walked away with my tail in the air and a very red face!
Author's reply
Oh dear! Yes, I think we've all been there once or twice! :-)) Glad you liked it.
Kitty
· 16 September 2006
· Chapter 24: Keeping His Dignity
Lovely and fluffy ficlet. I can imagine Sooty playing and lose his feet on the freshly polished floor so well! And then Rufus, thinking himself too dignified, doing the same and stalking away, being sure he was not observed by anyone *giggle* I am glad Frodo witnessed it and had something to laugh at!
You know, it was a wonderful idea to have the cats there at Bag End. They are always good for a lot of fluff and fun.
Author's reply
I love adult cats when they try to pretend that they're much too grown-up for such behaviour, and then forget themselves and charge around madly!
I love the Bag End cats - there are plenty of adventures still to write.
Queen Galadriel
· 16 August 2006
· Chapter 23: A Chip Off the Old Block
LOL! Boys will be boys! Especially love the ones about the knockers and the watering cans! I can just see that happening! LOL!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, boys will always be boys - even when they're hobbits!
The trick with the door knockers was one of my father's when he was a lad and in the 1920s there was little or no traffic in the street to spoil his fun. What a little rascal he must have been.
I love these fics! Rufus is such a thoughtful cat. Of course he'd know who Aragorn was from the first. :) I love that he recognises that Frodo and Aragorn are brothers of the spirit, and his thoughts on Sam are lovely and true.
It is good to have such Men and Elves in the Shire and to see
everyone united in love.
Yes, indeed!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Rufus is a very wise cat - I've had cats who were kittens all their lives but there have been others who seem so wise and thoughtful I wondered if they had lived before. We always said that one of them was a cat in Ancient Egypt - she had a dignity and mystery which was obvious to everyone who saw her. That's the thing about cats - you never quite know what they're thinking.
Mirkwoodmaiden
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 21: Always Room for Another
Ah! The sound of drowsy purring!! It conjures up such a wonderful comforting image!! I can just see the two cats curled up next to Frodo, sleeping!! Ahh! This little piece is really evocative. I get a sense of warm fuzziness just reading it!! I wish my two cats would get along this famously!! They have a workable truce!! I love that you have Rufus cleaning Sooty and that you mention Mischief in the story! I really liked this it was quite wonderful!
Author's reply
Glad you liked it! I think Rufus is a wise cat and will teach Sooty well - after all, there will be more little Gamgees who need watching and Rufus can't be everywhere, so he needs an assistant!
I'm sure rio and Toffee will become friends eventually.
Mirkwoodmaiden
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 14: Creatures out of Legend
My dear BB!!
I can just imagine that this would what Aragorn would have to do with the strange and exotic animals that were given to him as presents! Also I think you have captured the Hobbit reaction in the strange and the wonderful animals on display, such as Rosie marvelling that Tigers are larger cats. I love depiction of the oliphant baby. Cute!!!!!
I can well imagine a Minas Tirith ruled by Denethor having bear-baiting and other such nastiness.
Rose seems to having a wonderful time!
MM
Author's reply
Yes, nothing like seeing animals happy and well looked after - went to Longleat yesterday and I reckon Aragorn's menagerie was much like that. And oliphaunt babies are very cute!
I'm sure bear-baiting and other similar activities went on in Minas Tirith until Aragorn put a stop to it.
Mirkwoodmaiden
· 30 June 2006
· Chapter 23: A Chip Off the Old Block
Hello my dear BB!
I just re-read my review and I realised that I was attributing Young Frodo's escapades to Merry and Pip!! So I'm here to re-review!! I still loved the story. The way you described the escapades was wonderful. I never thought young Frodo was such a scamp!!! I'm thinking that Pip growing up not only learned from Merry but Frodo as well!! I still hold that disappointment from parents is far worse!
MM
Author's reply
Glad you re-reviewed - my Dad was the one who told me about the door-knocker trick, which he did frequently.
The fact that Frodo apparently persistently raided Farmer Maggot's mushrooms seems to point to him being a rascal. I think he taught Merry everything Merry later taught Pip!
Mirkwoodmaiden
· 30 June 2006
· Chapter 23: A Chip Off the Old Block
My dear BB!!
I absolutely loved this tale of mischief past and present. With Merry and Pip you know mischief is never far behind!! I love the creative mischief they have gotten up in their past!! The snippet about the two knockers had me in stitches! And you are right, always far worse to have somebody "disappointed" in you rather than mad!! Much worse!! I loved it!
MM
Kitty
· 25 June 2006
· Chapter 23: A Chip Off the Old Block
*lol*
Love all these reminiscences of pranks pulled by Frodo. No doubt how he earned the name ‚rascal of Buckland’! But I’m not sure they should talk about this within earshot of Merry and Pippin. Gives them too many ideas for own mischief, I fear!
Author's reply
I'm sure Merry and Pip will store up such information, but Frodo will be well-prepared for them. They should invent their own!