Andrea · 29 April 2017 · Chapter 68: Ode to the Shire: Arising from quiet fields...
What a great poem! I like it very much. And the quotes fit in perfectly, especially the Beatitudes.
Dreamflower's Dribs and Drabs by Dreamflower
Reviews (362)
Antane · 18 April 2017 · Chapter 68: Ode to the Shire: Arising from quiet fields...
What a beautiful tribute to our hobbits! Love the interweaving of Elrond's words. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you dear! Elrond's words in that chapter are probably one of my favorite quotes.
Larner · 17 April 2017 · Chapter 68: Ode to the Shire: Arising from quiet fields...
Oh, but I do love this ode to our favorite folk, and of course the unnamed heroes who went there and then back again to the relief of their own after clearing up the minor detail of the danger facing the whole of Middle-earth! Heh! And love the lines from the book, and then from the Beatitudes! So proper for the subject and the ode!
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner! The lines from the book inspired the whole poem, and those two particular beatitudes have always seemed particularly apt for hobbits!
Tigger · 16 April 2016 · Chapter 67: A Study in Hobbits
This clever man...Wouldn't have this strange sounding thing called a Deer Stalking Hat on his head would he? Hmmmm...? Just wondering. :oD Great little drabble!!
Author's reply
He just might! *grin*
Raksha The Demon · 25 March 2016 · Chapter 67: A Study in Hobbits
Heh - Sam discovers Sherlock Holmes literature, Gondor-style. Amusing yet plausible.
Author's reply
LOL! Thanks! I could just imagine them as old-fashioned broadsheets...
Eirinn Leigh · 7 March 2016 · Chapter 67: A Study in Hobbits
Ha! You should start a new series with the details of those broadsheets (hint, hint).
Author's reply
;-) Actually, I find them much more fun as just little hints in themselves (kind of like the Giant Rat of Sumatra!)
Larner · 29 February 2016 · Chapter 67: A Study in Hobbits
Oh, but I LOVE this! Sherlock, what you have inspired!
Author's reply
ACD inspired all kinds of things, didn't he?
Lindelea · 29 February 2016 · Chapter 67: A Study in Hobbits
Oh, delightful! If I'd read this earlier, the memory has escaped me. What fun! (I kept hoping RSF would write her "Errand Lad" story all the way to Beregond's reprieve... Wishing her well in her writing, whatever the genre may be these days...)
Author's reply
I do hope she will too! Maybe a nudge will help...
KathyG · 28 February 2016 · Chapter 67: A Study in Hobbits
So this is Middle-earth's version of Sherlock Holmes, is it? =) LOL!
Author's reply
Yep! ;-)
Andrea · 28 February 2016 · Chapter 67: A Study in Hobbits
Merry had not seen Sam so absorbed in reading I can understand that. I like Sherlock Holmes very much myself :-)
Author's reply
I am quite sure many of us do...
Tigger · 31 July 2015 · Chapter 65: A Simple Answer
Sigh...There is nothing like a Menelcar story or ficlet to read and enjoy. :o). This makes perfect sense to me of why Hobbits give, instead of getting, on their Birthdays and I wish I could do this w/my Family, but I sadly know better. I know a few people who send their Mothers in Law flowers on their Spouse or Partner's Birthday in Thanks for the life of their loved one and I think is such a lovely thing to do. I mentioned to one that was a very Hobbity thing to do, a fellow Ringer at that, and he was stunned he'd forgotten about that custom until I'd mentioned it to him. We had a good laugh over his reaction. :oD Thanks for another always lovely Pippin and Menelcar tale. BTW, I was re reading the, for lack of a better term, Hobbits Embassy to the Land of the Big Folk trilogy the other night and was wondering when we'll see the Adventure continue? Especailly as I think we all know that Bracegidle is going to try something to escape from his new situation and surroundings, just what that might be though.... I hope that didn't sound demanding or whiny. It's just become one of my Favourite Series here and I'm curious to see how it all turns out. :o) Once again, Thanks for this lovely little ficlet!! Hope the Summer is being just as lovely in your neck off the Woods!! :o)
Author's reply
Thank you very much for your kind words. I love hobbit gift-giving customs! "In the Court of the High King" has been on hiatus a while. I actually have the next chapter almost ready, but it is stuck with my medical beta right now, and she has a very busy time. Still I think I will forge ahead with most of the other chapters in the hopes that when I get the chapter back I can continue the story more quickly. Rest assured it is NOT abandoned! (I don't think you are demanding or whiny. I reserve that title for commenters at ffn who feel free to point out typos, demand an update, and never bother to say anything nice about the story itself. I never have that problem here on SoA!)
Larner · 20 July 2015 · Chapter 66: What He Could Recall
He hugged his farewells, at least, and knew that his beloved companions would miss him terribly and yet accepted he must go--now. Love this trio, as I said before. Again, thank you for bringing out the similarities, and that in each case he was able to exercise his own free will.
Author's reply
Yes, he did have to go when he did. It was always about choices. Yes, he'd been chosen for the task he undertook, but he chose whether or not to accept. And it was a choice he had to continue making over and over, at each stage of the journey.
Antane · 20 July 2015 · Chapter 66: What He Could Recall
And simply walked onto the ship of his own free will too - and not so simply too, all three of those journeys. Thank God he had Sam for two of the three and Gandalf the whole time. Bless the dear wizard for his love of hobbits! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you, dear! I'm glad you liked it!
Lindelea · 18 July 2015 · Chapter 66: What He Could Recall
As I mentioned on the other site, in addition to the content, I find the structure elegant. I love the mirror symmetry of the first two parts, and the breaking of the pattern (breaking away? freeing?) in the third. And Gandalf, as a constant. Amazing how you were able to accomplish this in a fixed-length piece.
Author's reply
Thank you for commenting here as well! Honestly, I find a set of short fixed length vignettes the easiest way to examine a specific theme! I am not sidetracked so much by the interesting little side-trails of conventional plots.
Andrea · 18 July 2015 · Chapter 66: What He Could Recall
Very nice! There is one constant in these three arrivals and departures: Gandalf. But while in the first two situations the wizard has arrived just in time to see Frodo awaken (and may leave again any moment), in the last situation he is at his side and will be there as long as Frodo needs him. And that is a very comforting thought!
Author's reply
Gandalf is definitely Frodo's constant in these situations. I definitely like the comforting thought that Gandalf would stay Gandalf as long as his hobbits need him.
Larner · 28 January 2015 · Chapter 65: A Simple Answer
Indeed so perfectly simple and logical! I missed the potluck challenge this year--hopefully we can pick up an extra prompt or two later in 2015! Heh!
Author's reply
I hope so, too!
Antane · 28 January 2015 · Chapter 65: A Simple Answer
I did this once but those around me didn't liked it or understood it or was annoyed so I didn't do it again. I think it's a great custom though and love Pippin's explanation of it. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I reserve giving hobbity gifts to people who share my own hobbity enthusiasm, so I usually post a gift story for all to enjoy as my mathom.
Lindelea · 28 January 2015 · Chapter 65: A Simple Answer
Ah, how I love when Menelcar shows up in your stories. I can't seem to get enough of him and his thoughts about and interactions with hobbits. Wonderful explanation, and makes perfect sense, as you so beautifully show.
Author's reply
Menelcar has always been one of my own favorites. He's a man of wide experience, but he never tires of learning new things, especially about hobbits!
Andrea · 6 September 2014 · Chapter 64: When the Storms of Life are Raging (Stand by Me)
Great vignettes! I liked these very much, especially the very last line: I'll just have to try and think, "what would Mr. Frodo do?" And then, I guess, I'll go and do it. There is so much said about Sam's character in this short statement! It is really amazing.
Author's reply
Thank you! Sam really does feel that he inherited Frodo's responsibilities as well as his possessions. Plus, he's very fond of Merry and Pippin himself, and wants to help them as best he can.
Antane · 31 August 2014 · Chapter 64: When the Storms of Life are Raging (Stand by Me)
I love Sam and Pippin's reactions the most. WWFD indeed and we can think of WWSD and WWMD and WWPD in our own times of raging storms and be calmed inside by the hobbits, by the love and courage and cheer they showed on the Quest in the face of danger. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you, dear!
Larner · 31 August 2014 · Chapter 64: When the Storms of Life are Raging (Stand by Me)
Wonderful to read this series again. Yes, each does as he can and must, and in his way Frodo contributes to the rebuilding of Buckland along with each of these others.
Author's reply
Like you, I've always felt that Frodo's presence was always there, inspiring those he loved, and that he watched over them from afar.
Lindelea · 30 August 2014 · Chapter 64: When the Storms of Life are Raging (Stand by Me)
Of course, Merry's thoughts in a storm would turn to Pippin; Pippin, who stood back-to-back with him in any number of crises. Esmeralda, of course, thinks of her dear husband, now gone ahead and yet his memory lingers, especially in the ways their son reminds Esmeralda of him, and in his love and care. Pippin, as is very believable (from what we've seen of him on the Quest -- especially his clear thinking when he and Merry were taken by Orcs, and again, when he saved Faramir), sees clearly -- his own future, but also the present need, and the tools with which the Travellers were equipped, the knowledge and skills learned from such mentors as the King of Arnor and Gondor, walking by his side all those weary leagues, and watching him bring the Kingdom to life and light once more. And Sam... It is hardly surprising that his thoughts would be with Frodo. It seems likely that Frodo is never far from his mind, waking or sleeping. The love that twines around and between the characters, sustaining them and holding them together, is clear as well. Thinking of you, and glad to have had a bit of "Dreamflower" poetry-prose to read on this grey and overcast morning.
Author's reply
As usual, you see the hobbits and their love and friendship to one another very much like I do. I really wanted to make the point that a loved one doesn't have to be physically present to sustain someone in a crisis. And of course, it wasn't limited to just the loved ones mentioned in the drabbles, as I tried to hint with the title. Thank you so much, sweetie!
shirebound · 30 August 2014 · Chapter 64: When the Storms of Life are Raging (Stand by Me)
What a wonderful series; I didn't want it to end! My favorite line is, "Strider. He's taught me what it means to lead."
Author's reply
I am so glad you enjoyed it. I've always thought that Pippin's service to Gondor and to the King made a profound difference in how the young hobbit thought about things like leadership. The example of Aragorn's steadfastness, bravery and how he always put his duty to his people first would have had a major impact on his small knight!
Garnet Took · 30 August 2014 · Chapter 64: When the Storms of Life are Raging (Stand by Me)
I may have read this at some point but, if so, I don't remember it. This is so poiniant and brought a tear to my eye, literally. Posting it today, of all days, on the anniversary of that storm that, to my mind, changed a country is fitting indeed. I'm thinking of you, and do every year, on this date when one of your worst storms of life raged and I remember all those absent from you who stood by you in thought, word and deed. {{{HUGS}}}, Dreamflower.
Author's reply
You probably did not. I somehow missed reposting it here, and the only other places it appeared were the B2mem site and MPTT. I do try to make a posting on that anniversary; this year I was reposting all three stories in the set at FFN and AO3, and that's how I found out THIS one missed getting here at SoA! I remember, too, dear! I especially remember how all of you were there for me, and how I realized that online friendships can be just as true as those we make in "Real Life". (((hugs back)))
Antane · 14 May 2014 · Chapter 63: Five Wizards Went Over the Sea
I liked the Gandalf ones the most, especially the last stanza - a nice reward to him! :) and I also liked the one about the Blue wizards. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you! I enjoyed getting a chance to reward him, LOL!