Pippin has to get his blankets from Gondor? *grin* A pity it’s too early for Aragorn to get back at him for the quilt with the pink patches!
So the mallorn tree does suffice and they don’t need the White Tree to be aware of each other? I hope this experience was a bit reassuring for Frodo, to feel that the great Elves are still thinking of him.
The rest of the night was quite sweet, the four friends watching the stars, huddled together. And now we know how Frodo knew the names of Sam’s first children. Of course, it had to be another vision. Somehow it is comforting that Frodo at least in this vision was able to see some of Sam’s and Aragorn’s children.
I'm glad to know it was only the computer who prevented you from updating!
Author's reply
I suspect one day Aragorn will get back at Pippin for the quilt with the pink squares, and will do it in a very original way--I'm still considering that scenario. But when you grow to an unprecedented height for Hobbits, one might indeed need to send to the world of Men to obtain bedding to fit.
The mallorn may serve as a medium of communion for Frodo, but whether or not the others are aware through it I couldn't say--or at least not yet. And, yes, I wanted for there to be some way for Frodo to have become aware of the names of Sam's first children, although how little Daisy got left out I'm not certain--but then neither was Tolkien. And so, some years down the road, before the birth of Aragorn's Idril, on one of Frodo's birthdays these will gather near the Mallorn in the Shire and the White Tree in Gondor and sing in honor of Frodo's and Bilbo's birthday, and he's already heard that singing.
This was a wonderful long chapter! I was just about to turn the computer off, when one last look showed me it was up! I'm so glad.
Sam's meeting with Glorfindel in the Woody End was wonderful. Of old, Sam would never have been so "presumptious" as to make a request of Elves, much less expect his request to be met. It is one sign of just how much he's grown in stature and confidence.
Frodo did indeed overdo things the day before the wedding, it is clear. Yet he was able to enjoy himself while it lasted.
I loved all the details of the preparations, especially the bit about the cat getting into the kitchen. I could just see that, LOL!
I liked that Sam had Merry as well as Tom stand with him at the wedding. Once more we see how he's grown and changed. The "old" pre-Quest Sam might still have asked Mr. Frodo to perform the ceremony. But he would *never* have asked the heir to Buckland to stand with him.
The ceremony was lovely and touching. More complex than the one I've envisioned, yet very hobbity, all the same. I really like that no one got flustered, and actually expected objections at that point in the ceremony--quite practical, and as I said, hobbity. I really dislike it when a hobbit wedding seems to imitate a modern-day wedding. This had its own elements--and any of the "non-hobbity" traditions included *clearly* did not derive from a RL wedding, but from the Travellers' exposure to the wider world and to the customs of the Men they had been among.
I was sorry to see that Frodo apparently suffered a mild MRI during the ceremony. His bad heart is finally catching up to him in more obvious ways. It's that, isn't it, that will make his journey to Buckland difficult?
Author's reply
On our wedding day the friend who drove Tony to the church (of all things, his former father-in-law who found he respected Tony more than his own daughter) got lost and had to hire a cab to lead him to St. Paul's. I know how flustered folks can get as all begins to come together and the inevitable problems creep in and seem overwhelming. But the cat who seems to creep around the edges of my stories managed to get its own taste of the wedding feast.
Sam has grown indeed, and knows that he can ask Elves and the Master's Heir to do favors for him, and that they will be honored to do so. He's grown into his place as a Lord of all the Free Peoples, and it will soon be obvious to far more that this is true.
Yes, Frodo is having MRIs now. His heart was strengthened by the healing offered him in Gondor, but he's now been through two of the times of memory incursion, and such things are not easy to endure and have left his heart more vulnerable once more.
Some aspects appear to be present in all marriage ceremonies--the recognition of bride and groom and the questions of reasons to not to allow the joining, and the formal declaration, through word or deed, of the intent to join, and finally the actual means of joining, whether it's being physically bound, sharing the blessing offered for the marriage, the exchange of tokens, leaping the flames or over the broomstick, or whatever. I tried to take those universal aspects and make them uniquely Dunedain or Hobbity. That people in a Hobbit wedding would actually examine possible objections to the wedding seemed possible and, as you noted, Hobbity; and who else but Odo Proudfoot to voice the one for Sam and Rose's wedding? The objection is voiced, and it is made plain that bride, groom, and bride's family have already considered it and have dealt with it and don't see it as a roadblock, and therefore it is dropped. But I think that Hobbits would not see such objections as threats but as practical aspects of the marriage that need to be dealt with before the wedding is formalized. I'm certain there were many others who felt that Rosie ought to be concerned that her new bridegroom might take it into his head to abandon her again sometime.
Anyway, I do seem better able to continue my more normal posting schedule, and once again I'm grateful to the Kid.
grumpy
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 76: 76: A Dwarf's Touch, and Shadows
Sorry I have not done reviewed lately. I had some kind of bug, that has given me much sympathy for Frodo and his eating problems.
Anyways, loved this chapter of Gimli, and his time in the Shire. Always did like the dwarf. Glad he was able to do some work in Bag End. Plus bring back news to Aragorn.
Author's reply
Oh, I can certainly appreciate the stomach problems myself. A virus went through here a few weeks ago when everyone was getting sick to the stomach and feeling weak and tired and slightly feverish. I caught it at a time when I was already having problems, which made them twice as bad, of course.
And am so glad you liked Gimli's short visit to the Shire and Bag End, and his additions to the beauty and restoration of Frodo's home.
Together they sat leaning against the stump of the old tree, putting their arms about one another. ... Then another came up the back of the hill, and after a moment Sam joined them, sitting on Frodo’s other side. And for the remainder of the night they sat together, watching the quiet movement of the stars, feeling the gentle breeze of their Shire ruffling their curls. ... Pippin joined them, and the four of them together watched the sun rise on the new day.
What a peaceful, loving image. And at last Frodo is beginning to smile again.
Oh, that final 'dream' is so healing and lovely.
Author's reply
Yes, the four of them have one dawn of accord, peace, and love together, as they prepare for what is to come.
And there is the foreshadowing that Sam and his family will continue the Birthday Toast in their own way. After all, Frodo would have had to have heard the names somehow to repeat them back to Sam as they head to the Havens.
Good old Sam - at last and what a great day to choose to talk to Rosie. With so much joy around it is no wonder that Frodo is able to agree with his 'inner voice'. The communion under the trees and that final fore-shadowing was just wonderful too.
Author's reply
Yes, a wonderful day to finally make the plunge, and such a glorious one as it turned out to be for the Gardener and his Rose. There are days of peace for them--perhaps not enough, but some to keep the hope alive and strong.
What a beautiful day! I am so very pleased to see Frodo having a good day, after all the difficulties of the very recent past.
I had wondered if, in Elven fashion, your Frodo would be able to commune with the young mallorn, and am very glad to see it's so. That was such a lovely and poignant moment, as he became aware of the his Elven friends, and a foreshadowing of his later ability to commune with both the White Trees in Tol Eressea.
But this was my favorite part by far:
When Merry joined him he wasn’t surprised. “Restless?” Merry asked him.
“Yes, a bit.”
“Such a brave little tree, to seek to grow here where its predecessor stood for so long.”
Frodo nodded.
After a time, Merry said softly, “I’m sorry I pressed you so hard the other day, Frodo. You know I did so only because I love you so, because I care so much for you.”
“I know, Merry. I’m sorry for closing you out.”
Together they sat leaning against the stump of the old tree, putting their arms about one another.
Then another came up the back of the hill, and after a moment Sam joined them, sitting on Frodo’s other side. And for the remainder of the night they sat together, watching the quiet movement of the stars, feeling the gentle breeze of their Shire ruffling their curls.
Pippin joined them, and the four of them together watched the sun rise on the new day.
These four are so close to one another now after all they endured together. I love seeing it.
I also love all the other little details you fill the chapter with--the part about the guest rooms, the descriptions of the furnishings, Sam's shy acceptance of Frodo's invitation to live at Bag End when he and Rosie wed, and the description of all the gifts he gave out for his birthday.
And I am very glad that for this day at least (and though I know it won't last) Frodo was willing to listen to his "little voice" and enjoy life and himself. Thank you!
Author's reply
Frodo was always an Elvish Hobbit, and had already begun knowing communication mind-to-mind through the Lady Galadriel, and picked up more of the way of it during the times he watched the Great Elves and Gandalf in communion during the pause before Galadriel and Celeborn left the company. That on the dawn of Sam's birthday he would know communion at a distance via the mallorn seemed logical, and that all would rejoice to see his hope able to burn, at least for the moment.
But these four must have needed such moments together from time to time, simply accepting one another. Frodo and Sam may have had the deepest relationship in many ways, but the one between him and Merry is the oldest and probably in many ways the strongest. Yet in the end all are there together, as they traveled together and together helped to save Middle Earth.
And Frodo needs the reminder to rejoice, and to know he can do so.
Lady Saruman
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 80: 80: Birthday Gifts
ok, it's only 10:30 from where i live, so i don't know why the date is feb. 15 2006. it was supposed to be the 14th, but still, happy valentines day!
Author's reply
It was the same time here, Lady S. But where the site is hosted it's already tomorrow. And a happy Valentine's Day to you, too.
Lady Saruman
· 15 February 2006
· Chapter 80: 80: Birthday Gifts
What a great chapter! See, now we’re back to updating every day, aren’t we? I liked the part when Frodo is at the mallorn tree, and Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond, and Arwen are communicating to him through the tree. That was indeed a thoughtful way to help Frodo find joy for a little while.
I wish that Frodo wouldn’t have the two parts inside of him arguing; it creates so much tension. Why couldn’t he be “normal” like us? But of course, everybody knows that it’s the Ring’s fault—all that damage it can do to an innocent hobbit who had no desire for power, only for peace and prosperity in his/her country. Poor Sam. He still finds it hard to admit to Frodo and the others his love for Rosie Cotton. It’s sad that Frodo calls himself an old bachelor, but he’s not old at all, but the bachelor makes him sound—I don’t know—unnatural? But, we all know that he will end up as a bachelor, as stated by the author J.R.R. Tolkien himself, unless YOU decide to marry him…
Yay! Sam and Rosie are getting married two weeks later. I can’t wait. Where can I buy the tickets? It must be fun going to a hobbit wedding, where you know that you’ll be the tallest one there, unless Aragorn, Arwen, and the other elves and humans decide to come.
In the end, what a nice dream that Frodo had. Maybe this will be when Frodo will finally start to heal once and for all, though he will never be the same again.
AND A HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO YOU!!!!
Hershey’s hugs/kisses
-Lady Saruman ^_~
Author's reply
Now and then in my stories you'll find Elven trees facilitating moments of communion, although in "A Message and a Bottle" it's indeed a message and a bottle that make it through, although once again that Mallorn tree has a hand in things at the end as Yavanna and Ulmo watch some delighted Hobbits.
And we'll be able to attend this wedding and finally see my idea of a Hobbit wedding ceremony. Hope you enjoy it--maybe you'll catch the bouquet? Heh!
Oh, what a sweet, beautiful chapter! And what a wonderful birthday for Sam, and how wonderful to see Frodo so happy-maybe, as happy as he could be.
And thinking of it being a year ago since Frodo's and Sam's awakening, it struck me how long ago it seems that I began reading this. To think it only had ten chapters then and I thought it was nearly finished! :) My, it has grown, and I have to admire the persevereance that must go into this.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, it has grown so, hasn't it? And Frodo is still not understanding the full nature of the sacrifice he's been making all along.
A single year can seem so very long, or can speed away before you realize it. I hope to finish this within the next couple weeks.
Author Reply: Yes, it has grown so, hasn't it? And Frodo is still not understanding the full nature of the sacrifice he's been making all along.
A single year can seem so very long, or can speed away before you realize it. I hope to finish this within the next couple weeks.
Linda Hoyland
· 14 February 2006
· Chapter 80: 80: Birthday Gifts
What beautiful visions Frodo is having !This must be the chang that Gandalf suspected at Rivendell.
Author's reply
It is possible, although Frodo has had occasion to learn to communicate mind-to-mind with Elves during his sojourns among them, and has experienced prescient dreams for some time. But I wanted to explore just how he might have known what names to say to Sam during their ride to the Grey Havens, and thought this might have been one way. Perhaps a foretaste of the occasional awareness they might have had of one another through the medium of the White Tree or possibly a Mallorn on Tol Eressea.
Ami
· 14 February 2006
· Chapter 79: 79: Restoration
Beautiful chapter once again. The parallels you draw between Frodo and Bag End are astounding and incredibly poignant. It is nice to think, though, that both find ways to thrive in their changed forms (Frodo in the Grey Havens and Bag End with a new, non Baggins, yet loving Master).
I read your replies regarding the storms and your hard drive. I am glad to hear that you are safe and sound, and I look forward to reading more of your story.
Author's reply
Windstorms can do a good deal of damage, and I HOPE that was the cause of the problems with the desktop, although there are other possible causes as well. Am just glad I can post again.
I am pleased you find the parallels poignant, and I hope the last chapters of the story continue to please as have the first seventy-nine. I've been taking advantage of the inability to post to work on the next few chapters. I hope I'm nearing the end at last.
Inkling
· 14 February 2006
· Chapter 21: 21: Robing
It’s fun to see men not embarrassed to preen for a change! Very cute how they all compliment each other…
Nice moment at the end, with the Steward and the King both missing their moms. I’ve always felt that Tolkien himself never really got over the death of his own mother when he was just 12, and kept writing that trauma over and over in killing off all the parents of his characters. Frodo was 12, too…
Author's reply
Yes, Tolkien definitely projected himself and his experiences into the story. Of course, many stories are more interesting when they involve orphans finding their way and building homes and families for themselves.
There was a time when men dressed colorfully and as attractively as their mates when it was safe to do so. And we do need to see the dour Ranger from the wilds of the North finally arrayed as King, in the full glory of his new calling. And in realizing one another's loss of parents, they are finding still more ways in which they can build and strengthen the relationship between King and Steward. Good to hear from you again.
Lady Saruman
· 14 February 2006
· Chapter 79: 79: Restoration
Hi Larner! I'm so glad to "hear from you again"! It's been quite a while since you last updated. Probably January-ish? Well, I've only reviewed for the last chapter so I don't suppose you'd remember me...not that it matters...hehe...
Well, it used to be those days when you were able to update like, every day, and sometimes, every two days; but now it's been close to a whole month. I was starting to get anxious that you might consider leaving your story hanging. DON'T EVER DO THAT!!!!!!!! YOUR STORY IS WAY TO GOOD TO BE LEFT DISCONTINUED!!!
Well, anyways, this chapter was quite sad, bringing memories to Frodo....
The fact that he would never be able to feel the kind of love that he once did was rather heartbreaking; but that just proves part of what the ring symbolizes. Though he had everything to offer to a wife, it was just fate that stopped him from ever having a girl to love after the trauma with It.
With his home, everything seems to have been replaced---and his chair and sofas sold to Lotho---that's really unfair, because Lotho had, just like his parents, hated Frodo, and so he doesn't deserve to have such luxurious items, no matter how rich he was.
But I like how you ended up the chapter with Sam coming in and Frodo preparing second breakfast. It restores the jolly that had been previously absent from the early stages of this chapter, and it tells of the great friendship between Frodo and Sam. Certainly, Frodo was in debt of Sam, but Sam won't mind---and that's the most important part in any friendship.
Once again, great job, and the next update I hope will probably come sooner, though I know how busy everybody can be. But at least you won't take that long. Some authors take months until their next update.
Remember, don't keep us dangling!
MISCELLANEOUS: If you would be kind enough, please visit my newly established website: www.councilofelrond.com/members/LadySaruman. If you are a member of CoE.com, then you can sign my guestbook! If you aren't, then you can become a member or you can tell me what you think of it some other way...maybe in your reply to this review? Well, that is, if you chose to reply for this review...
OK, in my website, it is a biography of my alias, Lady Saruman. Nothing there is the TRUE biography of me except for the age. The first age will be my age in elven years, and the second age mentioned will be my age in human years.
See you when you next update!
Hersheys hugs/kisses
-Lady Saruman ^_^
P.S. I've been really busy too. In school, we have double history lessons (I've always hated history -_-). See, there's history class, of course, then we're learning the same thing in english class! Yuck! Well, we're learning about the Oregon Trail and the Sager family, and so, it basically sucks. (Not that you'd care about what we're learning in school, but like they say, the years of a teen girl's life are probably the busiest ones they will ever have to encounter.)
Bye--
Lady Saruman ^_~
Author's reply
A few weeks ago I went to visit a friend out of state for a week, and posted from her house, but came home to find disaster had struck while I was gone. The A: drive on the server for our home system hasn't worked for a time, and so I've been unable to post from it--until today, when the Kid rescued me. My personal desktop, when I got home, wasn't working at all. Someone had turned it off, and the CD-ROM appears to have gone south and I can't get the system to boot. The Kid took it with him to see if he can get it fixed this week, taking with him the new CD-ROM he'd given me as a Christmas present to see if it will do better than the old one. Have been going through misery with tenants, who are about to find their way elsewhere. It's been anything but a pleasant last two weeks, to say the least.
Anyway, although the desktop had gone east for a time, I can now transfer the chapters to the server and post from it, although I need to replace the mouse, as this one is a royal pain in the patoot.
I hope others read this and find the answer to precisely why it's taken so long to update, but here you have it.
Frodo is finding home isn't as he remembered it, but Bag End is able to give him a degree of comfort in spite of the changes; and he's finally having moments alone to begin coming to terms with the changes he's found in himself as well. And he's realizing he is capable of envy and also that he can set it aside, although the fact he feels the envy he probably sees as another failure.
And, in the end, he's able to face Sam as he always has, but with the deeper caring the two have come to have for one another after their ordeal together, and to return to normality as well as they can as expressed through second breakfasts.
I'll have to check out your site. Am not a member on any live journal sites as yet, for I have found it's impossible to follow all the sites I'd like, or all the discussion groups, or all the bulletin boards.
Have taught my share of history classes as well as taking them. We tend to study the Whitman Mission here, and Henry Meeker, Doc Maynard, the "Baron" who was really a baker who built the Manresa Castle, Henry Yesler, mudslides and eruptions and so on, as well as the Oregon Trail, the Alaska Exposition, and, of course, Lewis and Clark; and when visiting King's Lynn on the east coast of Britain I gave an impromptu lesson on the impact of that city's favorite son, Captain George Vancouver, on the history of our region to a number of children we found clustered about his statue in the harbor. We know more of his exploits here in the Pacific Northwest, I think, than they do there in Jolly Old.
Kitty
· 14 February 2006
· Chapter 79: 79: Restoration
Welcome back, Larner! After two weeks without update I was getting worried about you and so very glad to see this. I hope you're well? *hugs*
This chapter is ... I think bittersweet is the best word I can come up with. To see Frodo exploring Bag End and noting what is as it always was and what is new, missing some old things and finding others again there left me with quite mixed emotions.
Sad was that he thinks so bad of his ability to have a family of his own, and not so much because of his bad health, but because he thinks he can't love again. Sometimes I think if he had been able to remain in Middle-earth and to heal fully there he could have found his deepest wish come true in the end. But sadly we will never know for sure. Well, Tolkien's definition of 'happy end' was never the same as mine - he doubtless thought it a happy end to have Frodo survive and to go West, away from all that he loved :-(
Author's reply
Nice to be able to post once again as well.
Frodo may have left what he loved behind him, but went surrounded by other love that cherished him even more, perhaps, than his own folk had done; and in the end he found the ability to love others there, although not the personal family he'd always wanted. But you are right--this is a bittersweet chapter.
Linda Hoyland
· 13 February 2006
· Chapter 79: 79: Restoration
Poor Frodo,unable to enjoy being back in his own home and look forward to Sam and Rosie's wedding.It must be so hard for him.
Author's reply
Author Reply: I wrote such a nice reply for the server to have decided to eat it! Gack!
Frodo is looking forward to their wedding, and finding more in himself to dislike in this envy he feels is beneath him. But he knows it will be all for the best in the end.
Antane
· 13 February 2006
· Chapter 79: 79: Restoration
Welcome back, Larner! I was getting a little worried. Glad to see Frodo back home, though with changes there and in himself. How I wish he would heal! And in the Shire. Ah well... Love the ending.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Finally the server is able to transfer files again, and my desktop is off getting still another repair. It DOES get such a lot of work, you know.
There is healing and healing, and accepting he's able to feel the "low" emotions such as envy is part of Frodo learning to accept himself as he is. It is part of what he probably needs to understand before accepting the grace offered to him. He does need to know joy again, and with the healing he can receive in the West he will finally have that again, even if it is at the cost of leaving behind those he has loved and who have always loved him in return. Yet that in the end opens him most fully to the joy once he quits Arda in the end.
I come from a long, chaotic day feeling half dead, look in my inbox and find...an update! Hurray! :) :) (All right, I'm purposely being really dramatic, but it *was* a wonderful treat after my least favourite day of the week.)
I've often wondered what Frodo would have felt and thought as he gave Bag End a thorough looking-over on his return to live there. This was very poignant. And the bit about his thinking he has nothing left to offer was heart-breaking. I suppose with the physical condition you've given him it's partly true, for his body is almost spent. But as to the rest...He just doesn't understand how love-worthy he is, and I can't put it into words. He just doesn't understand that the Ring didn't take all; didn't take the natural gentleness, the goodwill, that love for others described so eloquently by Aragorn in "The Ties of Family," and to me, even the stubbornness is loveable. :) A very thoughtful chapter, and I can't wait to read more!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Will get the next chapter up shortly, I think. Glad to have given you a pleasant thrill after a hectic day. My Monday was also anything but pleasant, believe me.
Frodo only half accepts himself, and accepting oneself is an important part of healing such as he needed. Yes, his natural gentleness and compassion and intelligence are an important part of what makes Frodo as wonderful as he is; but those he's always thought to be just normal, and he had wanted to be so much more. He's looking at the envy and setting it aside, and looking at accepting what comes now between himself and Sam. And in the end he'll be an even better Hobbit and individual of any kind for it.
harrowcat
· 13 February 2006
· Chapter 79: 79: Restoration
Yeh! You are back!!! And a lovely, descriptive, chapter to savour.
When I read this...
Instead of loving their dad, his children would have trembled each time he came into view, either cringing away from him or clinging to him in fear of a world which must be worse than the life they knew.
I found myself being glad that Frodo never met Denethor. Just hearing about him must have been bad enough. And I am glad that he manages to put aside the envy of Sam and Rosie.
I love the way that you compare the changes and refurbishment of Bag End to the changed and returned Frodo. The same but different in subtle and not so subtle ways. Nothing can ever be exactly the same, no matter how hard you wish or try.
Oops! One typo! abviously Elvish. 10th paragraph.
Author's reply
I so appreciate the correction, and have seen it changed. Have found a few others here and there elsewhere in the story that still need to be fixed, however.
Yes, Frodo and Bag End are both changed, but hopefully in the end for the better, although Frodo's not able to see that in himself as yet. But there is the comfort there for him in what's the same as well as that which has been made better, while some things such as the floors and the mantel in his room are just different and yet in those differences better reflect him in many ways as he is now.
So glad you found it proper to Frodo as he is now. And accepting our worst traits as well as our best is part of our healing, oftentimes.
Andrea
· 13 February 2006
· Chapter 79: 79: Restoration
It was given back--his life; given back, but changed, as he had returned, but changed. Some of what was here in Bag End had been patched, some repaired, some replaced, some yet the same--even as it was with himself.
Another brilliant chapter! A detailed description of the newly restored Bag End that mirrors Frodo's feelings about himself, his past and his future.
Regardless of the changes made to Bag End there is one pattern that most of the rooms have in common: the Star of the West! Good old Gimli! Whatever the image of the star awakens in Frodo, memories of Aragorn, of Minas Tirith, of a future promise, it seems to help him accept the changes, and I'm glad of that!
Thank you for updating, I've really missed this story :)
Author's reply
I thank the Kid for making certain the A: drive is once again functional on this machine as I await the return of my desktop and my more normal means of internet access.
And Gimli, with the one motif, has helped give Frodo a new anchor for himself as well as expressing appreciation for what Frodo means to the greater world beyond the boundaries of the Shire.
And I am humbled as the expressions of welcome for the new chapters. Again, thanks be to the Kid, the hero of yesterday. Now if he can only get the desktop going once more.
shirebound
· 13 February 2006
· Chapter 79: 79: Restoration
How marvelous to tour the restored Bag End with Frodo. Dear Gimli, how I've grown to love him!
:D
Author's reply
So glad you appreciate it so, Shirebound. And Gimli is quite the treasure indeed, isn't he? He's found one image to use to help Frodo remain anchored while he remains in Middle Earth.
So good to be able to post again! I don't do that much writing on the desktop or the server, for I can take the laptop everywhere and work while clients sleep and so on. I hope to be able to continue posting daily or almost daily once more.
Dreamflower
· 13 February 2006
· Chapter 79: 79: Restoration
What a bittersweet chapter--the "roll call" if you would, of the changes, both good and bad, that had taken place in his beloved Bag End. I love the way you enumerate each change and Frodo's reactions to them, the way he can appreciate Gimli's contribution, his acknowledgement of those things brought back from Crickhollow that had been saved from desecration, the minor mysteries--why was Lobelia's room untouched? and why one of the cold rooms left alone? when so much else was marred and changed.
And the very prosaic invitation to breakfast for Sam at the end. For some reason that struck me as very hobbity and seemingly inconsequential, and yet having more behind the simple statement, much like Sam's "Well, I'm back." at the end of LotR.
Wonderful. I'm so glad to see another update to this--I've been missing it!
Author's reply
I am so glad you appreciated it as it was written, Dreamflower. And it was indeed intended to be read just as you've expressed. Thanks so much for your response, and thanks to the Kid for getting me back more properly online, although all won't be fully proper until I have the desktop back and in action once more.
It’s fun to see all the behind-the-scenes preparations…fussy though he is, there is a need for someone like Galador at court. Did he remember all those seating changes without notes?
Author's reply
Well, once the model of the table was set up and names put in, it would be hung where ushers and heralds could see and review it as needed.
Certainly every organization needs someone like Galador who truly understands and appreciates protocol and precedence in order to keep things running smoothly. Unfortunately, many of these are the ones who are most attuned to details that don't need attention given them, or such has been my experience with them.
Sam's confidence is growing, it seems to me. He will be ready to be the heir of Bag End when Frodo goes.
Frodo seems shaken by Lobelia's death - and bequest. The pictures he mislays are a good way for him to try to clear his head - and to pass on information all unknowing. And it will probably do Merry some good to let out his story. Mina makes a good listener and she really wants to know what happened - unlike many others.
Author's reply
Yes, I think you're right here on all counts. Sam is able to forge his way back into life where Frodo can't; and so Frodo in the end passes on not only the home he loves but cannot fill with his own children, but also the life he can no longer live fully, for Sam to fulfill it for him.
The idea that Lobelia is at last able to want good for the others she and Lotho had hurt must have been a profound shock, finding that his hopes for good in all others are at last fulfilled in at least one individual from whom he's known only libel, fussiness, and envy all his life. But at least he's not as overwhelmed as he was when he lost the coin to regain Bag End!
And he's not completely successful in his attempts to hide what he's been through.
Please forgive me if I don't post again for a few days--we had severe windstorms which caused power outages and spikes and MORE damage to my personal desktop--and I can't transfer files at the moment to this one, which is the network server, since I have to get a card to put the laptop on line.
Friday the Thirteenth hit here the thirtieth and thirty-first of January!
Andrea
· 30 January 2006
· Chapter 78: 78: Interpreting Pictures
I like Mina! She's such a good soul. She's always there, when someone needs her, giving support with simple things, a cup of tea, hot water, a towel. And she is able to simply listen. So she has come to know much more of the quest than anyone else. She has used her knowledge to help Frodo through his illnesses and she herself has been of much help for each of the four travellers. I agree that Merry, now that he has spoken to Mina may find it much easier to speak to his parents.
Author's reply
So glad you like her, for we all need someone like this who accepts without understanding and so, in the end, comes to understand more than she'd expected. And glad you agree that Merry will find things easier from now on.
Next chapter is delayed--having computer problems--an A drive on one that doesn't work, my personal desktop took some storm damage--AGAIN!--and the laptop can't get into the network yet. GAACK!
Lady Saruman
· 30 January 2006
· Chapter 78: 78: Interpreting Pictures
i have finally managed to catch up with your stories!!! they are absoulutely surprising, and it kinda holds a trial for frodo and aragorn. but, now i can read one chapter at a time.
i sent this at like eight o clock on 1/29/06, but why it says 1/30, i dont know.
happy chinese new year, and here's mula, $60,000!!!!!!
-Lady Saruman
^_^
Author's reply
And a joyful Chinese New Year to you, too! I thank you and offer you a good $100,000 in virtual scrip in return.
Glad you feel you're caught up. But from now on it will be a chapter at a time, if you've managed to read them all.