Kitty
· 21 February 2009
· Chapter 76: Full Circle
Oh, that was lovely! Of course Bilbo had to love Frodo for his own sake - who could *not* love him, after all? (Well, save the S-B's and Ted Sandyman, maybe ...) And the old Hobbit had every right to be proud of his 'dear boy'.
Author's reply
Well, you have it right there--the S-Bs and Ted Sandyman indeed! Bilbo chose well indeed, I always have thought!
Thanks so, Kitty! And in a few weeks I'll post the other one, too, once I get that far in "In Empty Lands."
Antane
· 19 February 2009
· Chapter 76: Full Circle
What a sweet story! *sigh*
"...it is for your own blessed sake that I love you."
And many many *many* others are lined up behind you, Bilbo dear! Lucky you to have known him so well.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I am so very glad you agree, Antane! Thank you!
harrowcat
· 18 February 2009
· Chapter 76: Full Circle
No time for more but this is lovely Larner.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Harrowcat! Are you back to work? How are your parents and Jet? Am continuing to pray for them and for your sustenance as well.
Inzilbeth
· 18 February 2009
· Chapter 76: Full Circle
How different things might have been had Frodo not been the beloved nephew and not grown up under the influence of Bilbo. A lovely moment.
Author's reply
Oh, I know.
Thank you so, Inzilbeth.
Tigger
· 17 February 2009
· Chapter 76: Full Circle
I...I...I...I...
Oh!! This just so incredably lovely on so many levels. Thank you for sharing it w/us Larner. :o)
Author's reply
Thank you so, Tigger! I am honored!
Celeritas
· 17 February 2009
· Chapter 76: Full Circle
This was darling!
Just out of curiosity, when was this set? It felt like right after Frodo moved in with his uncle (or if not, then maybe a year or so after) but I couldn't find any actual clues.
Author's reply
This is set the first night Frodo spends within Bag End as Bilbo's ward, much as you judged. Am so glad you like it, Celeritas.
Andrea
· 17 February 2009
· Chapter 76: Full Circle
Beautifully written!
He was born here, down on the Row; now he’s returned to stay, Bilbo hopes for the rest of what should be a blessedly long, delightful life.
I wished it could have been so!
Nevertheless, Frodo was granted the chance to live his life fully, not at Bag End, but together with Bilbo and later Sam. And that last part of his life must have been delightful, indeed!
Author's reply
I suspect Frodo Baggins found he always lived life fully, save for that final year and a half within the Shire. But he did find his blessings at last.
Thank you so, Andrea!
shirebound
· 17 February 2009
· Chapter 76: Full Circle
For your father’s sake and your mother’s sake I would have loved you. For Esme and Sara’s sake I would have loved you. For your grandparents’ sakes I would have loved you! But now it is for your own blessed sake that I love you
Ohhh, this is so tender and beautiful.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Shirebound!
Linda Hoyland
· 9 February 2009
· Chapter 75: The Home of his Heart
It must have been very hard allowing these unlovely relations to own Bag End!
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree. Almost anyone would wonder what on earth made Frodo Baggins sell Bag End to Lotho and Lobelia, including Frodo himself!
Linda Hoyland
· 9 February 2009
· Chapter 74: Comfort Unexpected
I love the bond between Frodo and Pippin and can just imagine young Pippin turning up like this.
Author's reply
From my very first story I've conceived of Pippin worrying for Frodo, that first winter without Bilbo, and so hating being at the Great Smial for the winter he'd do almost anything to get away from it. Yes, that bond is there, and Pippin DID, after all, promise Bilbo (in my version of events, at least) to keep an eye on Frodo for him. And Pippin DOES seek to keep his word!
Thanks so, Linda!
Kitty
· 7 February 2009
· Chapter 75: The Home of his Heart
How sad! And it's not helping to know that this first sacrifice was only the beginning of more and much worse sacrifices *sniff*
As for Lotho and Lobelia - well, they finally got Bag End, but at what cost for themselves not so much later ...
Author's reply
I know--the first of too many griefs, I fear. But in the end all is blessed and he finds, I think, at least as much as he sacrificed willingly.
Lotho lost the most of all--including not only his life but what little remained of his integrity and probably his sanity as well.
Thanks so, Kitty!
Baggins Babe
· 6 February 2009
· Chapter 75: The Home of his Heart
A desperately poignant moment - and of course, in various and different ways, marked the beginning of a process which would eventually cost Frodo, Lobelia and Lotho everything they had.
A wonderful'moment in time' Larner.
Author's reply
Oh, indeed so, BB! Lotho had no idea what process he was embracing, and for Frodo it was only the beginning indeed.
Thank you so.
Raksha The Demon
· 5 February 2009
· Chapter 75: The Home of his Heart
Oh, how sad - the wrench of this loss is hurtful, and a presentiment of worse losses to come. The Quest that will save Middle-earth but destroy Frodo is beginning with this small step; painful but necessary. The saddest thing of all is that Frodo will eventually choose to sacrifice himself, when he volunteers at the Council to bear the Ring to Mordor although he doubted he would return from the Quest.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you so, Raksha! Yes, but the first step in the chain of sacrifices he makes. I suspect even at this time he had a presentiment he might not return to the Shire. To come home again knowing he was unlikely to dwell in the home of his heart must have been horrible--and the return of its deed by Lobelia must have been shocking as well as a moving experience for him, although the work necessary for its reconstruction must have been extensive and expensive.
Thanks again for the feedback! I so appreciate it.
Golden
· 5 February 2009
· Chapter 71: Failure of Duty
Ah *g* here the story is as well. Just reread it. Thanks again for taking on that quite difficult bunny! I have some more difficult bunnies..whens the next exchange? ;)
By the way... *extremly sweet smile* ...I wondered there about something...what did Aragorn truly thought of all this? Especially the situation during the meeting, when he first discovers that Pip is drunk and then when this ..uhm..accident happens?
He had to behave kingly and all, when he came to Pippin, afer the big excitement had died down a bit, but what did he thought and how did he react in that situation before?
And what was the Captains first thought? I mean, that does not happen every day, that a fellow guard falls out the throne hall in such a state, throwing upon your feet. Eww! I felt sympathy with that poor Captain.
Golden
Author's reply
Well, of course it is here, Golden! Heh!
And you wouldn't be letting any li'l bunnies loose now, would you? Oh, not that!
We'll have to see what might--and I repeat MIGHT come once I get some current work out of the way! Have more than my share of bunnies, of course. Would you like this one? It's got a pink ribbon about its neck, and examines Pippin's first daughter!
6336
· 4 February 2009
· Chapter 75: The Home of his Heart
A lot more than you ever imagined, Frodo my lad!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Unfortunately, you are right. But in the end what he receives blesses what he has sacrificed willingly.
Antane
· 4 February 2009
· Chapter 75: The Home of his Heart
What else indeed? But at least the next time he signs over ownership, it would be to one who is as much the title of this heartbreaking little tale as Bag End itself was.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, Antane! Thank you.
Kitty
· 3 February 2009
· Chapter 74: Comfort Unexpected
Sorry for being so late, Larner, lost a bit track of what I had reviewed already and only now realised I had forgotten this one.
That was certainly not Frodo's best day. It's understandable that he was grumpy about having to be out in that weather - I would be, too. And what he found at home didn't exactly brighten his mood, either. He may understand why Pippin ran away from Lalia, but that doesn't mean that he was happy to find Pippin here and all his towels wet and muddy. Not to mention the mess that Took created everywhere.
But it was touching that Pippin worried about Frodo being so alone. He may be annoying at times, but he has a heart of gold.
Another lovely story, Larner!
Author's reply
No, definitely NOT a comfortable day for our Frodo, is it? Heh! But in spite of the mess he made of Frodo's home, yet Pippin manages to bring a smile and a feeling of comfort to Frodo. And Bilbo did charge him to watch out for Frodo, after all!
Thanks so, Kitty!
Antane
· 31 January 2009
· Chapter 74: Comfort Unexpected
What a sweet story! I love all the care and love in this - Pippin's anxiousness about whether Frodo is lonely and wanting to be there for him, Frodo's assurances that he does indeed feel loved and well looked after. And he's having fun with the snowballs again! :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Am so glad you enjoyed this one. Remember, Pippin did promise Bilbo to see to it Frodo didn't forget to laugh or become too stodgy, and he's determined to see that promise ket, of course. And I loved working in at least one more snowball!
Thanks so, Antane!
Kitty
· 28 January 2009
· Chapter 73: Vengeance is Reggie's
HA! That was just great, Larner - a prank worthy of the rascal of Buckland! Of course Frodo would be the main suspect, but he's too intelligent not to work around that! And what a great idea to use Tengwar to hide their usual handwriting and to teach so many the words in advance!
Anyway, it served Lalia *so* right to be glued to her chair, and not only because of Linden, if you ask me. And it was great to see Frodo and Reggie working together so well :)
Thanks for the laugh!
Author's reply
Yes, he had to have earned that title SOMEHOW, of course! Heh! And I LOVE letting the Rascal out to have his head now and then.
And who better for him to use his wits to best than Lalia the Fat--I mean Great? Heh! And another tale alluded to in several of my stories finally fleshed out!
And am so glad people appreciate this one. Thanks!
6336
· 27 January 2009
· Chapter 74: Comfort Unexpected
Oh, if only one could run away from the Lalia's of the world! Poor Pip, he does so hate having to go to The Great Smial every year. At least he has somebody to run to in Merry and Frodo.
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
How I agree, Lynda. And you're right--he does have two cousins he can run to, two cousins he really wants to see happy.
Thank you so!
Andrea
· 27 January 2009
· Chapter 74: Comfort Unexpected
The child slept in the same manner as he moved through the waking moments of his day, blithely concentrating all his attention on what he was doing.
That I can imagine :)
What a sweet little story! I remember reading another story in which Bilbo especially asked for Pippin's help to look after Frodo just before he left Bag End for the last time. He would be proud of the little Took!
And the reason for Pippin's visit? Lalia again! I can't imagine that there was one young hobbit in Great Smials that actually liked her!
And I loved the links to your other stories: Uncle Isengar, the monkey, the oliphaunt and the first snowfall ritual.
Author's reply
Thank you! Yes, I see Pippin ever throwing himself wholeheartedly into whatever he was doing. And indeed I had Pippin's promise to Bilbo in mind as well as occurances from "Second Mum" as I wrote this along with those from the Advent stories and "First Snowfall."
Lalia Clayhanger Took--the one Hobbitess who could possibly give Lobelia a run for her money in being obnoxious and ambitious!
Thanks so for the comments--they do mean a good deal.
Andrea
· 27 January 2009
· Chapter 73: Vengeance is Reggie's
LOL!!!
That was a great prank! I particularly enjoyed the "Tengwar lesson". How very clever of Frodo! And Reggie had his revenge.
Author's reply
Oh, yes, the Tengwar lesson allowed Frodo to teach his Took cousins to nice epithets to use as well as adding more distractors to the task of determining just who put glue on Mistress Lalia's chair. And by keeping attention on himself, Frodo allows Reggie to take revenge on Linden's behalf! So glad it gave you a laugh as well as giving another example of just how devious Frodo Baggins could be, back in the days when he deserved his title of Rascal!
harrowcat
· 27 January 2009
· Chapter 73: Vengeance is Reggie's
Well planned Frodo.
I enjoyed this Larner.
Author's reply
Oh, am so glad you did, Harrowcat. It was fun to write, believe me! Now we know HOW it was done, and Frodo's own complicity in the scheme! Heh!
Lindelea
· 26 January 2009
· Chapter 73: Vengeance is Reggie's
LOL!
Clever hobbits! (Naughty hobbits!)
Author's reply
Yes, both clever and naughty. Your tale will be posted here tomorrow, and look forward to seeing you the second week in February.
Linda Hoyland
· 26 January 2009
· Chapter 73: Vengeance is Reggie's
Delightfully amusing!I can just imagine this happening.
Author's reply
I, too, can imagine it all too well, Linda. It was fun to flesh out this tale that originally was hinted at in "Second Mum"!
Thanks, and glad it gave you a laugh.