This is such a delight, Antane!
You had me totally swept up in Frodo's excitement over Sam's return. How very sweet of him to make Sam a special welcome home treat.
Frodo and Bilbo licking clean the mixing bowl was too cute, as was Frodo and Sam comparing the size of their feet!!
But Bilbo had blithely ignored them all. Frodo had been skittish as a colt trying to stand for the first time when he had first come, shy among so many strangers. But he had blossomed beautifully and Bilbo knew most of the credit went to that ray of bottled sunshine that was little Samwise.
Bilbo doesn't give himself enough credit when it comes to the raising of Frodo. I also immensely enjoyed his gentle teasing of Frodo. “Just a few more minutes and they’ll be ready to be devoured. You will leave one or two of them for Sam, won’t you?”
How wonderful it must be for Bilbo to not only watch Frodo grow under his eyes, but to see him and Sam's friendship blossoming. He can truly see how important they are to one another, regardless of station or class, and he knows that even when he is someday gone, Sam will be there for Frodo.
Very lovely, Antane :D
*Waves own hello to the Queen. Welcome Back!*
Author's reply
Hannon le for such a long, kind review! :) It would have indeed been wonderful to have seen Frodo blossom - so glad we can see it here a bit by so many different authors. I think it is Elanor Silmarien who has a story about Sam and Drogo and Primula basically 'passing each other' at birth and death and Sam being born a little early as though even then he was saying, "I had to come, Mum! Mr. Frodo needs me!"
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author Reply: I was wrong about the author of that other story about Sam and Primula and Drogo - it's GamgeeFest - When One Door Closes...
Armariel
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 6: Heart of Darkness
instead of that false promise, I reached for the reality of his hand
A nice line. Good shivery piece with some lovely insights on the nature of darkness.
~~~{~@
Author's reply
Thank you - I like that line myself. :) Glad you enjoyed!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
A sweet little tale of a growing friendship and its beginnings. Heheh, like the scene with the feet--hmm, reminds me of something! lol Blueberry tarts sound nice too...why didn't I pick up some blueberry poptarts at Walmart when I was there today! Eek!
blessings
Armariel~~~{~@
Author's reply
Yes, I do wonder indeed where that inspiration about the feet came from. :)
harrowcat
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 6: Heart of Darkness
This made me shiver Antane. So much darkness but for the small sliver of light at the end. Well done.
Am out of internet range at Summer School/Retreat all this week so looking forward to getting back already but also looking forward to some seriously spiritual time too.
Hope you don't mind me pointing it out but I think this bit needs a little editing....
Who was left who I hadn’t tried to destroy{ed}?
I had already tried to kill my best friend, my brother
And the one I said I wanted to save
That’s what haunt{s} my nights
And leave{s} me screaming in terror
Author's reply
Well, that's pretty embarrassing - all those typos! :( but thanks for pointing them out (now fixed) and even more thanks for liking it anyways!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Starfire_Moonlight
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 6: Heart of Darkness
Call me a cry baby, I don't care, but this one almost made me burst into tears. I read it inside my head... then I read it aloud and I found it to be more powerful to be read aloud instead of inside my head. This was absoulutly beautiful and this has helped rid my writer's block! :D
Author's reply
Well, thank you! Glad to be of assistance! I'll have to try reading it out loud myself - it was scary enough just to read in my head.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Oh, just finish me now. Now I really want to cry, and in technology class that's not a good thing. :) That was oh! so beautiful. "Where shall I find rest? Where, where?" That just hurts to listen to. And then to incorporate that lovely song! I love it, my dear! Where did Tolkien originally put that song, just out of curiosity? Off to see what I can see before I must go. Namarie! Melinyel!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Ammelda, you know how much I like to break hearts! :) And to write about broken hearts. I'm so glad you enjoyed. But you should know where it's from, my dearest silly, having listened to the radio program as much as I have the soundtracks - it's that lovely song as they are sailing west.
Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)
Queen Galadriel
· 24 July 2006
· Chapter 4: Father's Day
Didn't think I would get to do this, and bending the rules, but miss it so much I can't help it. Oh, Antane, I want to cry. "You'll never be alone..." "Sometimes it takes a lot of darkness to see the light best." Oh, so, so very true. I know it now. This is a jewel.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
What a nice surprise to see that you've found this story, my dear! Glad you enjoyed. Can't wait until you are really back! :)
Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane
Oh, Antane! That was heart breaking! It was beautiful, too. Not much beauty in pain, but you gave Frodo hope. I want to hear that song, now. :) Namarie!
God bLess,
Frodo Baggins
*tear* That was beautiful! I am so glad that Frodo was able to find rest there.
God bless,
Ellie
Author's reply
Hantanyel, Ellie! I am so glad you are back and even more that I now have more stories to read from you! Yea!! :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
harrowcat
· 11 July 2006
· Chapter 5: Broken Wings
This is lovely Antane.
I first read the books when I was about 12 and loved every page. My head teacher worked at the publishing company and helped to publish the books. (My only claim to fame). Then the BBC recording came on the radio. 26 half hour episodes - six months of listening - can you believe it? No wonder the cliff hangers sometimes left on this site don't bother me too much. I agree the adaptation is great although it leaves out great chunks like Tom. I love the interaction between Aragorn and the hobbits at their parting. I now have the full spoken word version on tape, and now CD, which I listen to in the car. However, I like the music on the BBC version much much better. I even have it on a separate tape that was produced at the time. I suppose I prefer the film music overall but the separate tunes from the BBC are lovely.
Author's reply
Hantanyel, my dear harrowcat and double hantanyel for all your kind reviews of Going Home! I loved this radio adaptation - Ian Holm did such a marvelous descent into despair. You really get the sense of Frodo's great suffering that you realize was really sanitized in the films and even the books. And I loved the songs that you don't hear in the movies and can only imagine in your head from the books. And Gollum is one cracked hobbit, isn't he? Frodo and Sam must have just looked at each other and said what the heck have we gotten ourselves into. I even liked Strider/Aragorn who I don't like otherwise. I found his voice very soothing and calming. I listened to the whole thing in the car also and had the windows down when Frodo screamed on Weathertop and got them right back up, wondering if anyone heard that from other cars. :) I made sure when he screamed at the fire no one else was going to hear! I wish there was more music because what they had was great and that last song I just listened over and over again.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Elemmírë
· 11 July 2006
· Chapter 5: Broken Wings
Very lovely, Antane.
>>He was held in Gandalf’s arms so he could see above the railing ......
Bilbo had gone down below almost right away, but Frodo had stayed above, not bearing to be separated from his brothers any moment sooner than had to be, safe in his dear friend’s loving arms, glad to have those around him, to help replace those he may never feel again.<<
I love sweet, meaningful Frodo and Gandalf scenes like this. It must be horrible for poor Gandalf to see two of his favorite hobbits suffering so, most especially Frodo as he fled the Shire with the Ring at the wizard's behest.
>>I made him my heir," Bilbo said to himself. "I gave him everything, including that blasted, confounded Ring. Oh, sticklebacks, why did I ever pick it up and worse, why did I ever give it up?"
He didn’t realize he had spoken aloud until he heard a weary voice beside him. "It was meant to happen, Uncle. Gandalf told me all about it."<<
Poor dear Bilbo. He feels so much guilt at what his beloved nephew had to endure on his behalf. Bilbo needs as much healing as Frodo does ... only in a different manner.
>>"I’m glad to be with you, Uncle," he said softly as he closed his eyes and placed his head against his beloved uncle’s heart and held him tightly.<<
That scene reminded me of Frodo being held in Sam's arms on Mt. Doom. Frodo truly is the child of Bilbo's heart. They can heal together and Frodo will be flying again in no time.
Well done!
Namarie
Author's reply
Hantanyel! I am glad you enjoyed! To answer your question about the Extreme sequel - well, if you've read any of my other stories, you know I am a complete Frodoholic (FrodoandSam holic would be more accurate I suppose) so anything with them would be great, please and thank you and you do such sweet love of Bilbo's too so more of that too! :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Elemmírë
· 19 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Father's Day
Very cute and cuddly, Antane! Sigh. If only Drogo could have full-filled his promise to join Frodo on his adventure. I suppose he was there in spirit and in Frodo's heart.
Wee Frodo's characterization was spot on and I simply love the questions you came up with for him to ask, like the stars, etc. They were the very type of questions an innocent child would ask.
>>The lad’s lips were just slightly parted in sleep, his lush eyelashes lay against his cheeks and there was a faint light shining from within. He was laying on his side, clutching his favorite stuffed bear that Bilbo had given him on their last birthday.<<
Tee hee! Would that be Beorn by any chance? :D
(I'm hoping to do a series about Frodo's little stuffed friend)
Author's reply
A dreadfully belated but much appreciated thank you so much for your review! Yeah, I meant that to be Beorn. :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Elanor Silmariën
· 18 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Father's Day
Oh that was soooooooo sweet! I love reading your wee Frodo, it sounds exactly as I would imagine him!
God bless,
Ellie
Author's reply
Hantanyel, my dear Elanor! Sorry to be so late in replying. Looking forward to the next chapter of Latter Days! :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
shirebound
· 18 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Father's Day
Utterly adorable. What a lovely father's day ficlet.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! Sorry to be so late in replying but I am always glad when you like my stuff!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
harrowcat
· 18 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Father's Day
Lovely Antane. Too tired to say more tonight.
Author's reply
Hantanyel, my dear! Glad you enjoyed.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Armariel
· 18 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Father's Day
A cute vignette, love the ending! and even the teddy bear! heheh
~~~{~@
Author's reply
Hantanyel, my dear! I did look briefly by the way at the Bag End link you sent me - will have to explore it further! Thanks for sending it.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
SurgicalSteel
· 18 June 2006
· Chapter 4: Father's Day
This was just lovely!
Author's reply
So sorry for such a late reply, but thank you so much - glad you enjoyed!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
AspenJules
· 16 May 2006
· Chapter 1: A King's Thanks
You know, I never thought about what Aragorn may have been thinking about as he brought Frodo and Sam back. Of course Sam would have wanted to come back, but certainly not without Frodo. *Did* Aragorn worry he was being selfish? It's hard to say. Anyway, I really liked the story.
Author's reply
Hannon le for your review! I don't know what Aragorn's thoughts were either actually, but it sounded it might be plausible. I am glad you enjoyed!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
AspenJules
· 16 May 2006
· Chapter 3: A Little Comfort
Awww, that made me cry! Very sweet, and just makes me love Rosie. It's no wonder Sam loved her with such a sweet nature, and she was perfect to help him take care of Frodo after the ravages of the Quest. Great job!
Author's reply
Hannon le! You honor me with your tears.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Elemmírë
· 16 May 2006
· Chapter 3: A Little Comfort
Rosie is so sweet! Everybody needs a little mothering every now & then; poor Frodo has been bereft of that for much of his life. I'm glad Rosie followed her instincts & provided some temporary relief for dear Frodo.
Author's reply
Hannon le for your kind review! I'm glad you enjoyed.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner
· 15 May 2006
· Chapter 2: Realization
Thank you for the honor.
Larner
· 15 May 2006
· Chapter 3: A Little Comfort
I think a lot of females would wish to mother Frodo, really.
Author's reply
Of course no one is better at 'mothering' than Sam, but wouldn't we like to try! I think Frodo must be so terribly embarrassed at all those of us who love him so and Sam more so, really be taken aback and wonder what to think of it all, but after 50 years, you'd think they'd be used to it! :) Thanks for your kind reviews elsewhere too - glad you are enjoying!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Armariel
· 14 May 2006
· Chapter 2: Realization
Frodo’s arms tightened around his beloved friend turned brother who had surrounded him for decades with such incredible love. He knew without a doubt Sam would always be with him, even if they had part physically and he felt the peace only deepen within him. He kissed his brother’s head, then rested his own head against Sam’s chest where he could hear his heart.
Lovely and sweet. A nice piece to go to bed on! Thanks for this.
~~~{~@
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed! Ah, hobbity love...
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Queen Galadriel
· 14 May 2006
· Chapter 3: A Little Comfort
*wipes eyes* Oh, Antane, that is just so sweet! And as Elanor said, perfect for Mother's Day. Yes, Rose would know what to do. I considered doing this in "Rosie Gamgee," but when I got teary-eyed just thinking about it I decided I couldn't put them through it. I've always found such things difficult to deal with even in writing, but I enjoy reading it. This is so gently and sweetly shown, I could see it all in my mind. Hannon le.
God bless,
Galadriel
P.S. I think I'm going to have to write another song now-that story has started a tune running through my head.
Author's reply
Hannon le, my dear - looking forward to seeing that song! :)
Namarie, God bless, Mil le, Antane :)
Elanor Silmariën
· 14 May 2006
· Chapter 3: A Little Comfort
Oh, this is so sweet and just perfect for mother's day! love it!
God bless,
Ellie