harrowcat
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 74: 74: A Mother's Love
It was great to get not one but two Author replies to the last review Larner but to make me go back and check The Book at past midnight is above and beyond a reviewers duty! *grins cheekily!*
Well, here comes my opinion, since you asked so nicely. Better but not quite in the bulls-eye. (Yes, yes, I do know I'm as stubborn and picky as at least a Took if not quite a Baggins but all my moaning is done out of love dear Larner!)
Bilbo has the ring in the envelope and in his pocket for quite a long time - all through his argument with Gandalf in fact. Then he tries to leave with it still there. It is when he first offers it to Gandalf, (to deliver,) and then pulls it out and tries to put the envelope by the clock that his hand jerks back and and the envelope falls on the floor to be retrieved by Gandalf.
I don't imagine that Gandalf would have told Pippin about being offered the Ring, (plot-bunny or drabble alert for Gandalf's feelings at this moment,) but your paragraph might go something like this....
"He'd put It in an envelope with his will and other papers. He had the envelope in his pocket and pulled it out intending to put it all by the clock. At the last second he dropped it; and Gandalf swooped down on the envelope and put it on the mantel before Bilbo could touch it again. Once It was on the mantelpiece, Bilbo was able to leave Bag End and leave It behind.
I am a bit shy at daring to suggest this but you did ask Larner. Feel free to ignore it as I promise to keep reading and enjoying Actually on re-reading your second version I think I see where you are coming from. Is it reminiscent of Frodo putting It back in his pocket instead of trying to destroy It in his hearth fire?
Well, bed for me as it is 12.40am. I was up late last night too, watching a documentary about Sir Ian McKellen. Good clips from Return of the King but a bit disappointing as they showed him crowning a blue coloured dummy! Ah, well, that is movie magic I suppose!
Author's reply
I edited it yet again, but don't want to make Pippin's tale to be completely in line with the book, but more as if Pippin is telling his own understanding of what they've been told by Gandalf of what Bilbo did. Want to check it out again? And thanks so much for the help. I guess it's time to reread the books again. Finally found HP6 on cassette and have been reading it on my trip down here to Oregon. I've found that listening to books on tape helps keep me more alert on long drives. Am going to switch out the car radio--got one with a CD player in it as well; next time I'm going to bring the LOTR CDs read by Rob Inglis and read that next during my trips back and forth to work. Those forty minute drives need to be put to work at times.
And he crowned a dummy? Aack!
Baggins Babe
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 74: 74: A Mother's Love
Mina is lovely - so motherly, and I loved her raging fury at what had been done to Frodo. She and Bucca are really adding things up now, and realising that the stories are true. I wonder why Will is being so dense. He's not stupid but he doesn't seem able to allow himself to understand. I hope he grasps things eventually!
Author's reply
Some folk just can't appear to grasp that which isn't in their usual experience, and Will appears to be one of those. He'd still not completely gotten it by the time Ruvemir came to the Shire a couple years after Frodo left, after all. What he's able to wrap his mind around is that Frodo's perfect material to become Mayor properly; and it's not going to be easy when Frodo backs out.
And so glad you approve of Mina and Bucca. Yes, Mina is feeling the mother's anger at someone who's hurt her own lad, feeling it for her cousin. And they're accepting that the world out there exists and what exactly Frodo did out in it.
Baggins Babe
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 73: 73: Yule Gift
“And good riddance to both,” Sam muttered. Frodo gave him a long look which Sam returned defiantly.
How typically Sam! Not afraid to let Frodo know that he has his own feelings, and that he doesn't forgive, even if Frodo does.
Nice to see the jam and some oranges make their way to the Shire. And Bucca is starting to use his head and work out what happened to the Travellers. He's an intelligent hobbit.
Author's reply
I agree. Frodo doesn't want the Hobbits of the Shire to become enamored of long feuds and ideas of vengeance as happens in the outer world, and yet Sam shows him that memories of betrayal and anger are still part of Hobbit nature. And Sam is definitely a Hobbit with a mind of of his own, and not just an extension of Frodo.
And, yes, the jam and some fruit Aragorn has learned Frodo enjoys have made it, helping Frodo convince the others present that there is an outer world out there that has good things to offer; and the jam lets them know that Frodo's tale of the bathing tub filled with strawberries and cherries was real. All this adds more credence to what he's said--and indeed Bucca and Mina have begun working it out. As you note, they are intelligent Hobbits.
Antane
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 74: 74: A Mother's Love
Love that part with the nightmare and Frodo calling out for his Mummy, though I do ache also. Very well done!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
He opens his eyes and sees someone come in who so strongly reminds him of his mother; and if Mina was a Goold originally and a first cousin to Primula and Rory I'd suspect this was very probable--I look very much like my own cousin Pamela in many ways. And so often when we are in pain we do wish our mothers were at hand--I know I do, and she's been gone now for well over a decade.
And I suspect that when Mina said, "Mummy's here," she was right, and that Primula was by her.
Kitty
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 74: 74: A Mother's Love
Dear Mina, she was so tender and caring to Frodo! With Sam being at the Cotton’s, I am so glad Mina is there to look after Frodo. He needs it so badly. Although it is surely not easy for Mina to come to terms with what she is getting to know from him in his nightmares and about his condition.
Bucca is truly a very intelligent and perceptive hobbit. To figure out so much with only the few details he knows is quite impressive. And it is interesting to watch how they slowly begin to understand Bilbo’s stories aren’t thought up, but the truth.
Ah, Bucca got the courage to ask Pippin? Good! Maybe it was a nice change for Pippin to talk about it with someone who at least begins to understand and who believes and accepts it, contrary to his parents, even if he still isn’t able to tell the story in great detail. I think he gave Bucca a short but thorough account of the happenings in the South with all the main details. Enough for Bucca to understand not only what happened, but Frodo’s problems as well.
Author's reply
Mina has needed to care for a son for a long time; Frodo has missed his mother's touch for even longer. That for the moment each would need the other would seem logical--both logical and right.
Both Mina and Bucca are piecing it together, and then even Aster finds herself putting in even more pieces, which surprises her, for it would be in many ways a more comfortable world if all of Bilbo's stories were just made up.
But, yes, I think that Bucca, finding the opportunity, would seek validation for his understanding from one who was there; and I think that of the four of them the one who would be most able to speak of it would be Pippin. As you've noted, Pippin doesn't go into deep detail--just enough to help Bucca put it more into context. This will help in the long run for more of the Shire to accept the idea of a "jumped-up gardener" running for Mayor one day, I think.
harrowcat
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 74: 74: A Mother's Love
There is a saying 'to forgive and forget.' But if the hurt is deep then i don't think that it is possible to forget. It takes courage, lots of support and affirmation and, above all, time in order to move beyond the experience, to be able to look at it as it truly was and to begin to trust yourself and others again. Time is the one thing that Frodo doesn't have but it is good to see more and more people beginning to understand and be able to add their honour and respect for Frodo and Sam to the process of healing.
“He accidentally dropped It, and Gandalf swooped down on It and put It in the envelope with Bilbo’s will and other papers before he could pick It up again. Once It was in the envelope Bilbo was able to leave Bag End and leave It behind. Are you following book or movie verse here Larner?
If book then the Ring was already in an envelope with Bilbo's will etc and it is the entire envelope that Gandalf picks up and puts on the mantle-piece. Gandalf doesn't actually touch the Ring. Even when he removes it from the fire he uses tongs. PJ has Bilbo drop IT on the floor and Frodo picks it up. Needless to say I prefer canon to movie!
Author's reply
Frodo may never fully recover, but Sam and Pippin and Merry continue to live in the Shire for over fifty years, and need to have that honor and respect. They need to have the understanding of those who can to help them remain as long in their homeland as they do. These who come to appreciate what Frodo did help in the long run build the core of those who will appreciate what they did not only within the Shire but outside it as well.
You are right about the Ring and the envelope--will need to correct that. I, too, prefer book canon.
Author Reply: Corrections done. Do let me know if you think I did it right.
Bodkin
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 74: 74: A Mother's Love
Working out the story themselves - seeking out the information that was held back - must have made it so much more impressive and terrifying. Seeing its effects - the scars, the cold, the nightmares - must have made it all much more real too.
Author's reply
Yes, most of the Whitfoot family now has a deeper understanding and appreciation for what happened. And they understand more how Frodo sells himself short. In the end this helps build appreciation for what the rest have done and been through as well.
Dreamflower
· 23 January 2006
· Chapter 74: 74: A Mother's Love
And of course, the nightmare gives the hobbits the last few pieces of the puzzle they need in order to figure it out. Bucca is obviously very intelligent and discerning--he's already tumbled to a number of things.
I'm glad he was able to get Pippin to tell him the rest of it, and that he knows now and believes.
There were so many more who loved Frodo in the Shire than he was ever able to make himself believe, and you have seen to it that there were also more who honored and respected him than he could ever bring himself to believe, as well.
Thank you.
Author's reply
I think that Frodo quite underrated how many were coming to care for him, to appreciate what he did manage to do, to understand his need for recognition and his weakness, and to love him for himself. I'm glad you appreciate my wanting to give Frodo a bigger support base than he ever realized was there; but this support base would help the Shire accept its new role in the world and to accept the coming Thain, Master, and Mayor. Thank you, Dreamflower.
French Pony
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 74: 74: A Mother's Love
Mina is such a good mother. I love how she steps in to take care of Frodo during his nightmare. It must be terribly frightening for her, but she just walks in and takes care of things as if she did this every day. She's a real trouper, and a lovely kind soul. I hope Frodo appreciates what she does for him.
It's interesting to watch Bucca slowly figuring out what happened to the Travelers during the year they were away. Hobbits aren't stupid, just very isolated. It must be such a shock for them to realize that things they thought were just fairy tales turn out not only to be real, but very dangerous as well.
“What caused the wound on his shoulder?” Bucca asked.
Pippin explained about Weathertop, the Morgul knife, and getting Frodo to Rivendell.
This is a nicely done transition. It covers the basics of the story without wasting too much time on retelling things we already know.
Author's reply
As a mother of two until Fenton's death at 22, she must have done such things before, and now it's her cousin's son who needs mothering, and she just steps in for Primula, allowing Frodo a moment of imagination that his mother is there after all. Maybe he won't remember afterwards or will suppress it or realize what happened; but for the moment Primula was able to be with her son through Mina, and Mina is able to voice the mother's fury felt toward those who hurt her child.
The three at the table are reasonably intelligent and openminded, and they are realizing that what Frodo went through was serious and needs to be understood, and that it was indeed dangerous--for EVERYONE.
I try to summarize when necessary, but do get caught going over known material more than once, I know. Glad you felt I did that summary well.
French Pony
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 73: 73: Yule Gift
How wonderful it must be to get crates of exotic fruit in the Shire in winter. Especially considering what the Shire's just been through, those crates must seem like little boxes of pure sunshine.
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree, French Pony. For someone feeling a bit stretched this must have been most welcome.
Queen Galadriel
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 74: 74: A Mother's Love
Then Frodo whispered something which called to her heart. “Please, Mummy, make it stop!
Make it stop hurting.”
Mina sat on the bed and wrapped her arms around him. He was pale in the light entering the room from the lantern she always left burning low in
the passageway, and shivered as she held him. He looked at her, obviously not recognizing her. “I’m so cold, Mummy. It’s so hot, but I’m so cold. How
can I be so cold when it’s so hot?”
“Shh, Frodo lad, shh. It’s all right. Mummy’s here, sweet lad,” she said gently, holding him close. “It’s but a bad dream.” She looked up to
catch Bucca’s eyes. “Get some water heating in the kitchen, as hot as you can stand to touch it,” she whispered...
*wipes eyes* Oh, oh Larner, that came as a shock, even to me. How did you do it? I've thought of trying something similar before, but when the time came I just about lost my composure and ended up not going through with it; it's just so heartbreaking! But now I really, really love Mina. She handled the situation very well, but of course it seems natural to her to do just what she did. I hope I'd have presence of mind to do as much in such a situation, though, I must say, I hope I never have to see one I love that badly hurt. And I hope for his own sake that Frodo doesn't remember much of that-I imagine it might embarrass him. But goodness knows he deserves every ounce of TLC he gets.
Again, glad to see the Shirefolk learning what Frodo and Sam did for them, for the world. I think they need to know that Frodo was the one to bear the Ring, even if he doesn't want to tell them.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I almost decided to leave out this chapter in light of the one you wrote, but decided it was needed to show how there was a growing core of those who were coming to appreciate what Frodo had been through and who came to believe in him, even if the bulk of the Shire never appreciated his importance to all. Their belief in Frodo would in the end help bolster acceptance for what Pippin, Merry, and Sam would in the end become.
As Primula's cousin, there was probably a resemblance between Mina and Frodo's mother; that half asleep he'd mistake her for his mother in the midst of a troubling dream once again and need simple mothering and accept it seemed logical. We all need mothering now and then, and Heaven knows there have been times, a grandmother myself, have wished my mom were here so I could sit in her lap and hold my ear to her chest and listen to her heartbeat again as I did when I was small.
Having a core believing now in Frodo helps in the long run more of the Shire accepting the coming Thain, Master, and Mayor.
Queen Galadriel
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 73: 73: Yule Gift
Ah, how wonderful to see Frodo receive a gift to bring him pleasure! And how sly of Aragorn to send them some of their own jam! :) Off to read the next one-I just can't seem to keep up lately!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, a gift of something Aragorn knows Frodo will appreciate and may help him eat and enjoy life a bit more; a return of their own jam; and a bit of evidence to help others accept there is indeed a Gondor and therefore other places spoken of by the Travellers are likely to exist.
shirebound
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 74: 74: A Mother's Love
I like how Bucca put all the pieces together, and the loving and gentle way Frodo is being cared for. The whole story of the Quest, and what Frodo and Sam did, really is a lot for any sheltered hobbit to believe, isn't it?
Author's reply
Yes, Bucca is an intelligent Hobbit for all his lack of upperclass speech, and he is beginning to appreciate what these four--all of the four--have done. And Mina is stepping in for her lost cousin, offering Frodo what aid she can, in part for Primula's sake, in part for Fenton's, and more and more for Frodo's own. SOME Hobbits need to begin understanding, at least, for the past year has shown them they cannot afford to ignore the outer world.
grumpy
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 67: 67: Family Heads
So Aragorn's circlets of honor are still causing things to happen. I think Sam makes a fine head of family. He has a lot of hobbit sense. Glad that Sam is looking after Frodo's spider bite.
Author's reply
I agree about Sam making a fine head of the family in spite of being the youngest of the adults. He's learned a great deal, and is the most experienced of all of them.
Radbooks
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 72: 72: A Lord's More Joyful Duties
Poor Pippin! And poor Frodo for having to try and play peacemaker for his young cousin. If Pal and his wife knew what it was doing to Frodo (let alone their son!!) maybe they would ease up. But maybe not. Some people can't let things go like that... they just can't see it.
That's funny that Frodo and Brendi had already performed the wedding for Merry and Estella. It should count! :) I'm sure Frodo would do a very good job at marrying people and he would take it very seriously.
Author's reply
My mother remembered my father flying a child on a mercy flight from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Panama City, Panama, to the hospital there. The child was suffering from one of the forms of polio, and there was no one for Dad to ask permission to make the flight, as his commanding officer was back in the States at the time.
Officially the Air Force censured him for doing such a risky thing without authorization, and he was disciplined, for according to the manual it was unauthorized, after all.
But the same officer who delivered the dressing down, privately congratulated my Dad for doing the right thing morally.
Parents can behave so irrationally to their children, often so grateful the children have survived dangerous situations and at the same time becoming furious; and we can do such odd things to protect ourselves from uncomfortable truths.
As for the wedding, I know it's perhaps selfish, but I like the idea that Frodo was the one who did the "first" wedding for Merry and his love, and that it was done properly. It would give both a great deal of comfort, don't you think, when Frodo and Merry were separated?
Radbooks
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 73: 73: Yule Gift
Rose is a very, very patient hobbit lady! :) She must truly love Sam... well, I know she does, but it would be very hard not to say something to him!
Oranges would be such a delightful treat for the hobbits. I'm sure there were many things like that that could grow in the south and not in the north. And then the jam was a nice touch from Aragorn.
Will and his family are slowly beginning to realize that all they have heard over the years are not just stories... that these things are real. It would be hard to accept I would think. And if Bilbo's stories are real, then what Frodo is saying about himself must be real too. It would be hard for them to take in and process.
Author's reply
Rosie trusts her Sam, but I wish he'd get a move on, myself. However, it appears he didn't ask until after Frodo moved back into the hole, and so I'm trying to stay true to the book.
The oranges and jam help to underscore that there is such a place as Gondor out there, and that there is now physical evidence to support belief in the tales they hear from Frodo--and it is something that obviously Frodo is now familiar with, peeling and eating oranges. It adds to the realization you've noted that both Frodo's and Bilbo's stories are real, and there's more that is important they don't yet know.
Andrea
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 73: 73: Yule Gift
The three children shared looks of surprise. Were Frodo’s stories true, then?
Well, finally the hobbits come to the conclusion that Frodo's "stories" are indeed true! But they needed something to see and touch, like strawberry jam, to believe it. The children are not to blame, though. But the adults should have recognized much earlier that Frodo told them the truth.
“Who’s Saruman?” asked Pimpernel.
I admire Frodo's patience. How often has he told by now, that Saruman is Sharky? And still he explains it with all due respect and calm. I'm impressed, really. If I was in Frodo's stead, I would have answered in a more "drastic" way ;-)
Author's reply
The children are old enough to know, after all, that there are conventional fictions that are part of life--Father Yule, the tooth Hobbit, the sand Hobbit, being born by being found under a cabbage leaf, or whatever other odd stories are told to offer a bit of mystery and wonder to the world--or to avoid discussing subjects which are too difficult to face or explain properly at the moment. So, there are stories of Bilbo's adventures that have been told now for over a generation most Hobbits their parents' age have heard about spiders and rings of invisibility and stone trolls, and they must have picked up their elders' suspicions these stories were just told to entertain or build Bilbo up in his own imagination. But now this idea that these stories are fictional is challenged, and not only does Frodo receive odd fruit which doesn't grow in their lands, but he knows how to help them explore them and accept them by demonstrating how to smell them, feel them, peel them, taste them, and how to tell if they're too old.
Suddenly the thought that Frodo's saying Bilbo's story of the trolls is true becomes more believable.
And then he's told them of the fruit bath and the jam making--and there's the proof as well. Again, more support for believing him. And as the children have more reason to believe Frodo, their parents and grandmother find themselves moved to do the same. Must have been difficult, but necessary.
And so many times we answer the same question over and over and over. My students often become frustrated at having to demonstrate that braille is an acceptable medium for the written word, and that they can use their white canes and trailing and other techniques for finding their way. It's a constant educational experience. But Frodo's patient enough to deal with it, I think.
grumpy
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 66: 66: A Conspiracy Stripped
I see Frodo has found a good use for the income from his properties. Gilmi was right in calling greed, Dragon Sickness, too bad that in happened in such a nice place as the Shire.
Author's reply
Yes, there's one use for the income, at least. And I'm certain that Frodo would love the irony of using Men's funds to deal with Men's damage.
And it is a good name, isn't it? Got it from "The Hobbit," if I recall correctly, from the descriptions of the Dwarves becoming like Dragons in the face of Smaug's hoard.
Baggins Babe
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 71: 71: Bag End Returned
Rose is such a dear, sensible lass, and she seems to be understanding more about the journey. At least she's eager to listen and doesn't disbelieve Frodo or Sam. And she can see their Light too - very perceptive. I sometimes think Rose gets a rough deal in fan-fic but I think she must have been exceptional, for Sam to think so much of her.
I've always found Gollum's motive's for his interest in the Dead Marshes very shuddersome. The book says something about him stealing birds' eggs and taking babies from their cradles, so I hate to think what he might have done had he been able to reach the bodies......
Author's reply
When one is starving it can be horrible, and many who survived the camps in Nazi Germany found themselves eating things they'd never have dreamed they'd eat. I have always pitied this in Gollum, myself.
And I certainly agree about Rosie--a most wonderful lass she must have been to attract Sam, so that's the way I tend to write her.
Bodkin
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 73: 73: Yule Gift
It's fascinating - and very true to life - how incidental comments and idle questions will bring out a story.
Much of it must be very difficult to credit, though - trolls and orcs and ents are very far from the experience of hobbits. (What they do - or should - know, however, is the nature of their own kin.) Oranges, though - there to smell and taste and touch. Solid evidence of the hobbity kind!
Author's reply
Yes, here is a new experience that can't be denied, and one that helps add credence to the rest of the stories Frodo's been telling--and being a form of food is indeed properly aligned with Hobbit sensibilities. Knowing that this strange fruit is real and tastes good must help then begin to accept that maybe Frodo's not just making it up, particularly when the pots of jam are included as well. This is something Frodo is obviously experienced with, this fruit, and he helps them enjoy its scent and then its taste, and knows how to tell if it's past its prime. He must have indeed been there before. And the little associations help more important information to come out.
harrowcat
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 73: 73: Yule Gift
Disturbing indeed but at least Frodo is beginning to be able to speak of things nearer to the heart of the matter, at least to those who are willing to try to understand.
Out of evil can come some good as is shown by the ash
I have got to rush but I am intrigued - where did the idea for the goldfish come from?
Author's reply
Yes, for the moment Frodo is beginning to be able to speak some, and it gets closer to what he did. Having told Ferdi and Brendi, it's easier to speak with others, I think, although he can't quite say everything.
"All things work to the good for those who love the Lord" goes the quote from the Bible, and so it happens with the ash as well--for the Creator put the potential for beauty and fulfilment into everything he made.
As for the orcs being turned into goldfish, it just seemed to come out that way. You know how often dreams can be wonderful and awful at the same time, and full of ludicrous images? I think that's just how the ludicrous part came out in this one.
Kitty
· 22 January 2006
· Chapter 73: 73: Yule Gift
Paladin and Eglantine must've been a huge problem for the four Travellers during the first one or two years after their return. *shakes head* No wonder Frodo refused to join them for Yule!
Frodo is right about Bard, but I'm glad Bard was worried enough to care so well for him. It must be very relieving for Frodo that Bard and Mina understand he must have little meals more often and Mina isn't offended if he can't eat everything she brought him.
Nice reminder of the Troll story and the berry bath! I could imagine these two scenes so lively! *giggle* Good old Aragorn, to send the fruits and jam to Frodo! And it is truly good to know Sauron's attempt to destroy Gondor has backfired so well :D
Hm, so Bucca and Dorno are beginning to put two and two together? They're on the right track, I see.
Author's reply
I certainly agree about dealing with Paladin and Eglantine--it must have been excruciatingly difficult at times. But why other than overprotectiveness and lack of understanding would drive Merry and Pippin to stay in the Crickhollow house? I felt there must be a need to do so.
Bard's a decent sort, and between him and Mina they're making certain Frodo gets the care he needs.
But I do think that the Creator would take great relish to find positive uses to put the signs of Sauron's attempt to destroy all to, and the added fertility of the land (which is scientifically backed, by the way) would have delighted Him.
And, yes, Dorno and Bucca are adding things up properly.
Linda Hoyland
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 73: 73: Yule Gift
The basket of fruit must have been a lovely surprise.We are so used to fruits of every kind,but I still feel a thrill when English cherries and plums are in season !
Author's reply
I doubt any in the Shire had seen oranges save for the son of Gorbadoc who went to sea, so this would be something totally new for all of them to deal with, and a concrete indication that Frodo and Sam and Merry and Pippin DID go to "foreign parts," and now had a commodity to show for it that Hobbits could appreciate. So glad you like it, Linda.
Linda Hoyland
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 72: 72: A Lord's More Joyful Duties
I'm glad the wedding went well !
Author's reply
Well, of course it would, Linda, once Frodo got started. After all, it's not as though he hadn't "done" it before. And I'd have been thrilled to be married to my love by someone like Frodo--although the two priests who cooperated to marry us did a creditable job--27+ years worth.
Dreamflower
· 21 January 2006
· Chapter 73: 73: Yule Gift
Ah, they are beginning to piece the rest of the story together.
In one way, Frodo's reluctance to tell all is in a way leading to a greater creedence being given to his stories, for by stopping before he tells it all, he gets his listeners to thinking about what they've heard so far, and pondering on what they already know. Also, by noting his reluctance, they realize that there have to be worse things he's not telling them.
I liked your description of Frodo's nightmare: just enough of what happened to make it horribly real to him, the hint of absurdity that often manifests in dreams with Gandalf turning Orcs into goldfish, and the merest hint of the movie in Saruman's voice on the wind. Very dreamlike and surreal--and realistic in that it is like something he *would* dream.
Author's reply
Yes, they are understanding more. In "The Choice of Healing" I have Frodo telling most of the story to Ferdi, so he knows clearly what the allusions Frodo makes in the Cottons' house mean; and now Bucca and Dorno are figuring it out. Frodo's willing to tell about what Pippin and Merry did to a point, but never about Sam and himself save that they were hiding much of the time. But he's said enough this time to truly begin piecing it together, to realize why Frodo is thinner, more solemn, more purposeful--and why he is so honored by the new King and others they might meet in the future.
And glad you agree about the dream--the mix of silliness and grim detail that so often fills our more disturbing dreams. And even in the book Legolas speaks of hearing what sounds like a fell voice on the air--that in the movie they actually showed Saruman on top of Orthanc chanting spells to waken the mountain I thought was wonderful even the first time I saw it.