Dreamflower's Dribs and Drabs by Dreamflower
Larner · 12 January 2011 · Chapter 31: Grey Havens
Oh, such a perfect rendition of that scene--no words from Frodo, but that last kiss and smile to carry ever in their breaking hearts....
Author's reply
Thank you! I often have a mental image of the three of them, silhouetted beneath the sky, purple with stars above and a red sunset beyond the horizon, and no longer a trace of those gray sails anywhere to be seen...
Larner · 12 January 2011 · Chapter 30: There and Back Again
Ah, but I loved reading this again! I can so imagine this happening, Dreamflower! Don't we all find it like this? Delightful!
Author's reply
Yes. It's the horrible, awful, no-good days that we like to talk about the most! And in hindsight, they often seem amusing or interesting, or at least entertaining.
Raksha The Demon · 12 January 2011 · Chapter 31: Grey Havens
A sad, beautiful and ultimately hopeful piece; very well done!
Author's reply
A sad, beautiful and ultimately hopeful... To me, that's exactly a description of the entire "The Grey Havens" chapter, so thank you for the wonderful compliment. I'm glad you think I was successful in capturing that.
Raksha The Demon · 12 January 2011 · Chapter 25: Bregalad Keeps Watch Over Merry and Pippin
Very nice - you really capture the Entish spirit here; which cannot be easy.
Author's reply
Thank you! I tried to imagine Quickbeam-- he really is a favorite minor character of mine-- as he watched the hobbits, and thought of what was going on in the Moot. One thing that helped was when I did a bit of research on rowans-- the pictures of them, and the information on where and how they grew helped me think about how they'd be perceived by Bregalad.
Raksha The Demon · 12 January 2011 · Chapter 1: The Last of the Nine Remember
Awwww; that's a beautiful word-picture. The bond of shared hardships/quests/experience can be very powerful, especially when refreshed by long friendship; and that's so evident in this dribble...
Author's reply
Thank you very much! It really was quite a strong picture in my head at the time! I think those remaining five would cherish their friendships all the more for missing the other four.
Virtuella · 18 November 2010 · Chapter 30: There and Back Again
'tis true, the most stressful experiences make the best stories afterwards.
Author's reply
Absolutely. Without at least SOME stress, you have no conflict and without conflict you may have a vignette or a slice-of-life, but you have no story!
Andrea · 17 November 2010 · Chapter 30: There and Back Again
Adventure didn’t seem so bad at journey’s end. That's how it always is. You have to go away to really appreciate home! After some time, when you have settled in again, you can remember only the good aspects of your journey - and you long for another one! I liked this very much. Am I really the first reviewer?
Author's reply
*nods* Exactly! And I am very glad you liked it! You are indeed the first here on SoA, though I do have other reviews at the Challenge site.
Antane · 2 May 2010 · Chapter 29: Surprise Visit, S.R. 1349
A sweet meeting of old friends. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
GamgeeFest · 27 March 2010 · Chapter 28: The Pale Enchanted Gold
Gold well given, indeed! He made a lot of people happy, or at least helped them when they needed it most. I love especially that he arranged to help the Cottons without them knowing it. I'm sure Otho had his suspicions...
Author's reply
Yes, he did make a lot of people happy and helped them-- he was a generous soul! I thought of the Cottons' farm right away-- it seemed not implausible to me that Bilbo would occasionally put his oar in to thwart Otho. And even if Otho did have suspicions, he'd not complain, because he still hoped to be Bilbo's heir!
Sunny · 24 March 2010 · Chapter 29: Surprise Visit, S.R. 1349
Interesting! But it makes me wonder just what Gandalf's point of view might be, as the one who seemingly has not changed in the meantime...
Author's reply
Well, as you point out: seemingly. Although at this point, he's probably not changed much even in other ways. It's only a few years after Smaug after all, and he has as yet no suspicions. I think he simply would have been pleased to note the friendship between the two, and perhaps also to see that the spark he'd awakened in Bilbo was still there. But I wanted to keep this just the two-- this *may* be the last time Bilbo sees Balin, as we don't know if there might have been other visits before Balin went off to Moria. (There is a subtle hint he might have, but it's very obscure and tenuous.)
Virtuella · 23 March 2010 · Chapter 29: Surprise Visit, S.R. 1349
Oh, this is nicely done with the mirror image structure!
Author's reply
Thank you! "Mirror image" is just what I had in mind!
Larner · 22 March 2010 · Chapter 29: Surprise Visit, S.R. 1349
I loved this matched set--although for some reason it reminds me of salt and pepper shakers! Heh!
Author's reply
LOL! Thank you!
Lindelea · 22 March 2010 · Chapter 29: Surprise Visit, S.R. 1349
Delightfully done! Almost like looking in a mirror, somehow, like Lucille Ball's routine with Harpo Marx, that kind of mirror, I mean. Thanks!
Author's reply
Thank you! It's very much what I had in mind when I wrote them. One of the things about showing the same event from two points-of-view is that each character can be revealed from both the outside and the inside, so to speak. But then, you are a master at that yourself!
Andrea · 22 March 2010 · Chapter 29: Surprise Visit, S.R. 1349
What a difference sharing an adventure made! Indeed! They became friends during their adventure. And it positively changed them which is clearly seen in their attitude towards each other. Last but not least I found it very significant that Gandalf was "not changed at all". But that was Bilbo's adventure. Frodo's adventure even changed Gandalf!
PIppinfan1988 · 20 January 2010 · Chapter 27: Getting Reacquainted
Hullo, there! I always end up back in your library -- and that's a *good* thing. I most certainly meant that as a compliment. Your library is always filled with wonderful, brilliant stories, so it's no wonder why I feel at home here. You really have Bilbo nailed -- I enjoy reading about him through your eyes. What can I say, though? My favorites here were Bilbo with Merry-lad or observing Pippin amongst the Elves. I did think Elrond's comment about Frodo being Bilbo's son out of blood and love was awesome, and well said. Thanks for sharing...and as you know, I'll be back. ;-)
Author's reply
I'm very complimented by your opinion of my stories! And it makes me feel very good to know that you feel at home among them! And I am so glad you like my Bilbo. I seem to be writing a lot of him lately!
Antane · 12 January 2010 · Chapter 28: The Pale Enchanted Gold
I love that ending! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
PIppinfan1988 · 12 January 2010 · Chapter 28: The Pale Enchanted Gold
Loved it, Dreamflower! I really enjoy reading how wonderfully you bring Bilbo to life in your tales; it's difficult to explain, but you truly would make the Professor proud. :-) I thoroughly enjoyed each and every tale. I'd like to say more, but work is screaming my name to get ready and out on the road. Thanks for sharing your tales!
Baggins Babe · 11 January 2010 · Chapter 28: The Pale Enchanted Gold
I've always felt that Bilbo would have used the money wisely. I love that reference to the last of the Smaug vintage, and Sam is the perfect person to receive it. Poor Widow Rumble - what a terrible thing to happen. And how like dear Bell to be the one to comfort her. Lovely, Dreamflower.
Author's reply
Yes-- well, of course, it was canon that Sam got it. I liked the chance to show what led him to his decision to give it to Sam. It's odd. When I got this challenge and started thinking about it (and believe me, I thought of lots more things than five!) Widow Rumble's backstory just came to me all at once! Author Reply: Oh, and the formatting on my answer to your *other* comment appears to be all messed up. *sigh*
Virtuella · 11 January 2010 · Chapter 28: The Pale Enchanted Gold
How nice to see Bilbo put the dragon gold to such good use. It's very much like him. :)
Author's reply
I thought so! *grin*
Baggins Babe · 11 January 2010 · Chapter 27: Getting Reacquainted
Ack! How did I miss this little gem? RL was particularly chaotic during the last part of 2009. My apologies. These were all wonderful. The first one particularly perceptive, as Bilbo and Elrond were both foster-fathers. The last says it all - where else would Sam be?
Author's reply
December is always a hectic month, I think! By the way, did you see my "Shire Yule" story for 2009, http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=5103&cid=27796 I'm glad you liked the drabbles-- I think Bilbo would have been very observant of these young hobbits he had not seen in 17 years. Author Reply: That's really odd. Anyway, the story was "Comfort and Joy" and it was also set at the Tower of Avallone!
Soledad · 11 January 2010 · Chapter 28: The Pale Enchanted Gold
Oooh, lovely! I so adore Bilbo stories - there are way too few of those. Loved how Bilbo spent the Dragon's gold... not for himself but to help others.
Author's reply
I love them too! Bilbo is equal to the other four hobbits so far as my favorite characters go! I love showing some of his story! Bilbo seems to have always been generous: he opened his home (in spite of misgivings) to a bunch of strange Dwarves and a Wizard; he planned to go back after the Dwarves after he escaped from the goblins; and the whole thing with the Arkenstone shows how little material wealth means to him. I think it was his large-heartedness that kept the Ring from getting a good hold on him!
Larner · 11 January 2010 · Chapter 28: The Pale Enchanted Gold
Ah, and so much the way I, too, have seen it! So glad that the Cottons got to keep that particular farm; and the last gift being so canon.... Love it, Dreamflower!
Author's reply
I wanted to do something with the Cottons, and a careful study of the dates on the Family Trees gave me the idea that perhaps they could have been among the first targets of Lotho's earliest ambitions... I knew from the start I would end it with that last canon gift!
harrowcat · 11 January 2010 · Chapter 28: The Pale Enchanted Gold
I love this Dreamflower; especially the one about Widow Rumble and, of course, the last one. That little line about the last of the Smaug Vintage can get overlooked so easily. Picking it up and making the most of it is at the heart of fanfiction after all.
Author's reply
I thought of a number of these-- but I could only pick five, and the Widow Rumble suddenly gave me her backstory! I really thought it would fit in well. It's these little gaps that he left us that are so interesting to fill!
GamgeeFest · 30 October 2009 · Chapter 27: Getting Reacquainted
Bilbo looked up at Elrond, and suddenly realised that he of all people, would understand. Yes, they both fostered sons, and Elrond also has a son who is about to embark on the very same quest.
Author's reply
Yes, exactly! I think this was a bond both foster-fathers could understand! (Sorry for the late reply! I only just found your comment!)
Virtuella · 15 October 2009 · Chapter 27: Getting Reacquainted
Oh, how nice, four hobbit portraits all in one, or should I say five? I like the snippet with Merry best; you're quite right that he was the one who felt responsible for the whole undertaking.
Author's reply
Indeed, as the instigator of the Conspiracy, as well as Frodo's closest kin on the journey, Merry'd have felt very reponsible. Fortunately, Bilbo was able to give him absolution of any blame, though I doubt he will forgive himself so easily.