Larner
· 13 March 2006
· Chapter 2: Hamfast: Family
Talk about Groundhog Day! My heavens.
And in ways he lost Sam. I know in my one story I found myself writing that Hamfast was afraid of the day Sam realized the fineness in him, for on that day he'd lose him. It seems you and I have the same perception. Yes, Sam as Bilbo's heir....
What a dream!
Author's reply
It's the dream that wouldn't end! I did have Groundhog's day at the back of mind while writing this, and also those dream sequences they have sometimes whent the character wakes up only to find that they're still in the dream.
Hamfast fears that he already *has* lost Sam. He knows that Sam thinks the world of Frodo and Bilbo (and that they think the world of him), and with all the time Sam's been spending at Bag End of late, he's beginning to see that Sam is slowly but surely being pulled away from him. Sam's also reached that age where he's going to start pulling away from his father a bit, and that only makes Hamfast's realization harder to swallow.
In a way, through Frodo, Sam does become Bilbo's heir, and even before he inherits Bag End, he takes up Bilbo's skill of song-writing and story-telling, though Sam would never think himself as good as Bilbo at those things.
Thanks for reading!
Bodkin
· 12 March 2006
· Chapter 2: Hamfast: Family
Very dream-like. Very bizarre. Poor Hamfast - all that chasing and getting nowhere.
Author's reply
Naturally, as Hamfast, by his very name (and nature) is homebound. Even in his dream, he didn't have to go any further than the back of The Ivy Bush to find what he was looking for.
This will likely be the last time Hamfast will ever eat dwarvish food again! Thanks for reading!
Grey Wonderer
· 12 March 2006
· Chapter 2: Hamfast: Family
WOW! Whatever those Dwarves were cooking with, it's some dangerous stuff! Hamfast has had quite a night for himself. He'll be worn out in the morning. I liked the way this jumped around and went into Bilbo's song for details. Very like dreams and very entertaining with a bit of the future in it.
Author's reply
Hamfast will be a bit ramped up by this dream come morning, that's for certain. He won't know what to make of it, and he'll likely never eat dwarish food again. This is by far the strangest dream he's ever had and it will strike too close to home for comfort. It will be interesting to see what the others dream about. I sort of know what Bilbo's dream is, but I'm still in the dark about the others.
Thanks for reviewing!
Andrea
· 11 March 2006
· Chapter 2: Hamfast: Family
Hamfast turns back to the elf lady and stutters, “But, but… I don’t understand!”
“It is not for us to explain. Did you bring the mustard?”
LOL! That reminded me of the famous conversation between Frodo and Gildor: "Don't ask the elves...".
But I had counted on that elf lady to explain the dream to me ;-)
It's funny to see elements from the Merry Old Inn Song here.
Despite the weirdness of this dream, it's quite obvious that Hamfast is searching for Sam. Instead, Odo turns up. And I must say, I rather don't like him. I think he's arrogant, for one does not speak of his brother like that.
And Odo is Bilbo's heir? Thank god, this is only a dream.
But I cannot deny the fact that it was Odo, who arranged the meeting with the elves. And when Odo turns into Sam that makes perfect sense to me, for to Frodo Sam has always been like a brother - and a much better brother than Odo would have been.
So much to my theory, which would have worked, if there hadn't been the strange ending ;-)
Now, let's see what Bilbo's dream will be like!
Author's reply
Well, the thing you have to remember is that this is all from Hamfast's mind, so anything Odo says in regards to Frodo is because in some hidden corner of his mind, Hamfast thinks of Frodo in that way. There's no doubt that he likes Frodo and respects him greatly - he defended Frodo against all the patrons in The Ivy Bush, after all - but there is that tiny seed of jealousy that Frodo commands so much of Sam's admiration and loyalty.
I'm considering putting Author's Notes at the end of this story, but for the time being, I'll let you all noodle over the dreams and come to your own conclusions of what they mean. :)
harrowcat
· 11 March 2006
· Chapter 2: Hamfast: Family
Wow! Now that was seriously wierd. I'm not sure about the spices but... just what mushrooms did you say that you had been snacking on GF? *g*
Author's reply
You were warned, lol! Mushrooms? Nasty little things, I don't like them. Scarily enough, all this is from a sober, well-rested mind, and probably one too many episodes of "Buffy" and "Angel". :)
Thanks for reading!
Bodkin
· 7 March 2006
· Chapter 1: Sugar and Spice
I'm pleased Hamfast will be sharing in the bad dreams! Otherwise he would be bound to get unnecessarily bossy with Sam. (Sam is just so sweet!)
Author's reply
LOL, Hamfast won't be left out of this little adventure, though he may wish he had been! Not sure if they'll be bad or good dreams, but they will give everyone something to think about come morning. (Hamfast could never be grumpy with Sam for too long at any rate, have no worries.) ;)
Thanks for reading!
Andrea
· 6 March 2006
· Chapter 1: Sugar and Spice
Was there really someone eavesdropping? Certainly not Sam, he was far too busy listening to the conversation at the other side of the window ;-)
Those were really lots of spices, but it sounded quite delicious. And the Gaffer is also involved? Well, let's see what comes out of it!
“Don’t you ever wish you could be a bird?”
“Why’d I want to wish that, sir?” Sam asked.
“Because then you could fly. You could go wherever you wanted, and not only would it not be considered odd to want to go places, it would be expected.”
In his heart Frodo wants to follow Bilbo on the spot, but he still loves the Shire and is concerned about what other hobbits might think of him. That fits in perfectly to what Bilbo said to Gandalf at the beginning of FotR.
BTW: It's quite interesting that the longing to go out and see the world is called "wanderlust" in English, for in German it's exactly the same word.
Author's reply
Sam would never drop eaves! lol He's getting some practice for his future occupation as a spy. :D
Frodo's more or less going along with the joke that Bilbo has planned, but it will hit him soon enough just how much he's going to miss Bilbo and wish he had gone with him. For now, he's focusing on the fun aspects of the Party. This story actually all takes place the day before (and the morning of) Gandalf's arrival at Bag End.
Thanks for reading!
Elf Friend
· 6 March 2006
· Chapter 1: Sugar and Spice
This was delightful, GamgeeFest! I loved all the jokes about the cracked mirror. :) I'm eagerly anticipating the next chapter! I can't wait to see what they all dream about! :)
Author's reply
I can just imagine Lobelia getting that mirror and her reaction to it. I'm actually thinking of writing a little companion snippet for my Keepsakes. :)
I have no idea what exactly Frodo and Sam are going to dream about, but the others are coming along quite nicely. Should be interesting, if nothing else.
Thanks for reading!
Larner
· 4 March 2006
· Chapter 1: Sugar and Spice
Aha--a wonderful beginning here, and gorgeous descriptions of the meal and everyone's reactions.
And we see the beginning of Frodo's own wanderlust.
Poor Sam--thrust beyond his depth and loving it somehow.
Author's reply
I myself have eaten some incredibly spicy food that was just so good, I couldn't stop eating it even though my mouth was literally on fire. So I know what the hobbits are going through. Haven't had the strange dreams myself though. Guess I'm just used to spicy foods. ;)
Frodo might not realize consciously his desire to accompany Bilbo until after the Party, but it is there and making itself known in other ways. Traipsing about the Shire will relinquish that desire for awhile.
Sam got himself into more than he bargained for, but it's a night he won't soon forget. This is a story he'll be telling his kids and grandkids about. ^_^
Dreamflower
· 4 March 2006
· Chapter 1: Sugar and Spice
*whoosh!* Just that list of ingredients makes me wince--I am not one for spicy food, but that really sounded like a mouth-burner!
It will be very interesting to see what kind of dreams they end up with!
Author's reply
I love spicy foods myself, but even I have my limits. Like the hobbits though, I would have kept eating. The secret is to eat watermelon in between bites. :)
I've got the Gaffer's dream in rough draft form as it was being the most persistant about being written. It's... different. LOL.
Larner
· 4 March 2006
· Chapter 0
Yes, I always loved that episode. Now, to see what the denizens and visitors to Bag End experience....
Author's reply
That is one of my all time favorite eps, right up there to when they preform Ray Charles for Cliff's parents, and when Theo gets his ear ring. :)
Grey Wonderer
· 4 March 2006
· Chapter 0
Just had to review the prologue. I think Bill Cosby needs his own web site of Hobbit stories now. He seems to be inspiring all of us with his humor. I have been looking forward to this one since you mentioned it and I really enjoyed the first chapter!
Author's reply
LOL, I think Bill Cosby should *be* a hobbit. Imagine what sorts of mayhem he'll create!
Grey Wonderer
· 4 March 2006
· Chapter 1: Sugar and Spice
Wonderful! I love your dwarves and Bilbo is so full of mischief in this what with his party plans and all. I enjoyed hearing him select and sort out the gifts for his party guests. Frodo's suggestion for the cracked mirror was also a good one. Poor Sam not wanting to be improper and eat in the formal dinning room! I did feel sorry for him but I was very glad that Frodo convinced him to stay and eat. Looking forward to more of this!
Author's reply
I was a bit nervous about the dwarves. I had to refer to FOTR and go over some of the Gloin and Gimli parts to get a feel for the way they talk. Bilbo is being rather conniving. This is his last hurrah and he's not pulling any punches and I wouldn't be surprised if a cracked mirror somehow made its way to Lobelia's doorstep. ;)
Sometimes, Sam needs to be reminded that Frodo doesn't give a stitch about propriety and sees Sam as an equal, though Sam isn't likely to really understand or even believe that until after the Quest. Sam was at least able to see the sense in not offending the dwarves (and the honored guests of the Master of the Hill). That would have been far worse a transgression than eating in the formal dining room.
Thanks for reading!
shirebound
· 4 March 2006
· Chapter 1: Sugar and Spice
What a wonderful beginning! And my gosh, but you have me sooo hungry for dinner now.
“You just keep on celebrating our Birthday each year, and I’ll do the same, no matter where I am.”
“And we’ll toast to each other’s health when the clock strikes ten,” Frodo stated.
I just love that, GF. I hope they remember to do it every single year.
Author's reply
That does sound like a delicious meal. Now I'm hungry for some home-cooked goodness. :)
The toast will become a tradition for the Bagginses. They'll make the toast every year without fail.
Thanks for reading!
harrowcat
· 4 March 2006
· Chapter 1: Sugar and Spice
Loved this GF can't wait for the dreams! Just one query I don't think that you prune nasturtiums. dead-head maybe? But I am willing to stand corrected!
Author's reply
No, you're right. I'll correct that, thanks!
The dreams promise to be quite strange and weird, as dreams should be, LOL. I've got one in rough draft form and another starting to take shape. I already more or less know what the themes of everyone's dreams are going to be about, and those themes are hinted at in this chapter.
Thanks for reading and reviewing!
XtremeFrolicker
· 4 March 2006
· Chapter 1: Sugar and Spice
That was wonderful! I love your work with young Sam and Frodo. Actually, I think I enjoyed the author's note as much as the story...You certainly have interesting plot bunnies.
Author's reply
I have some wonderful sources for plot bunnies and this was one a great gift. I don't think I would have thought of it myself, even though I've been wanting to do this sort of story for a long time.
I just adore young!Sam and young!Frodo. They're already such good friends. The coming years will only bring them closer together. And of course, any time Frodo can show his devious streak, I go for it! I think I love Scamp!Frodo the most. :)
Thanks for reading and reviewing.