Kitty
· 18 August 2008
· Chapter 54: A Much Needed Holiday
Lovely letters, Dreamflower! You were able to put a lot into these few letters.
Pippin is a intelligent lad - I think he has found a good way to keep his mother from brooding too much after his father's death. Eglantine is busy enough to keep going.
But still, the women are much more devious *grin* The way they arranged the holiday from their responsibilities for Merry and Pippin was great. Though I am a bit sorry for Rose and Sam for having to watch so many children - that has to be nerve-wracking ;) Oh well, I am sure Merry and Pippin make up for it and take the Gamgee children for a while, too, to give Sam and Rosie a break, too.
Author's reply
Thank you. Letters are such a fun way to write fic. You can show the characters' personalities in quite a different way in a letter than you can in just showing the story.
Yes, he is very intelligent. And once he'd accomplished his aim, his mother returned the favor.
I think Rose and Sam will do just fine with the children--This would have been sixteen--only three more than what they eventually end up with on their own, LOL!
But yep. I bet they do too! I am quite sure that they will return the favor.
Baggins Babe
· 17 August 2008
· Chapter 54: A Much Needed Holiday
I loved everything about this! The delightfully hobbity letters, Sam sounding so Sam, and the thought of the children tumbling about until Took, Brandybucks and Gamgees are all one big happy family. How wonderful is that!
What a nice idea to keep Eglantine involved after Paladin's death, and how lovely that she and Esme hatched a plan to give Merry and Pip some time together. I love it!
Author's reply
I'm glad you thought "Sam sounded so Sam"! Thank you dear!
I could just imagine all those kids--eight little Gamgees at that point, four little Tooks and two little Brandybucks! But I'm quite sure that Sam and Rose were up to the occasion!
I think they were wise mums, who knew their sons had been under a lot of pressure, and who also knew how much the cousins relied on one another--Merry needs Pippin to keep him from being a "workaholic" and Pippin needs Merry to keep him from flying off in all directions at once. And I think the wives need one another as well--I've always imagined Estella and Diamond becoming as close as sisters.
Andrea
· 16 August 2008
· Chapter 53: The Token
I think Arwen chose the best messenger to bring her mother's pendant back to her.
For Frodo and Celebrian share the same fate. They were fading in the end and the only possible way to find healing was to leave Middle Earth.
Bilbo's "transparency" is of a different kind. He's simply old, or even "ancient" like Arwen calls it. He's not fading, but he was influenced by the Ring for a long time of his life, which seemed to be lost forever. But like Frodo he was allowed to sail to Tol Eressea and find healing there.
Both of them will have a lot to share with Celebrian in the West.
I enjoyed this story a great deal. Thank you very much, Dreamflower :)
Author's reply
I think she did, too! And for the very reason that you state.
As old as Arwen was, she probably had very little exposure to the aging of mortals. In her head, she realizes that for his race, Bilbo has lived far longer than most of his kind. But I am sure that in her heart, it was hard to face the idea that she would soon lose this small friend one way or another.
I can easily imagine them sharing anecdotes of her daughter with Celebrian.
Larner
· 15 August 2008
· Chapter 54: A Much Needed Holiday
Marvelous visit, and smart dowager mums there! And to enlist Sam in a conspiracy to get Merry and Pippin to relax is perfect! Bless Esme and Eglantine!
Author's reply
Yes; the few years just prior to that had been rather difficult ones for Merry and Pippin: canonically, Merry lost not only his father, but his beloved Uncle Merimac, and Pippin lost his father, and both of them found themselves suddenly having to shoulder their responsibilities, and to leave their home at Crickhollow.
And in "my" Shire, there was also the trauma of the flood.
They really *did* NEED to relax!
Larner
· 15 August 2008
· Chapter 53: The Token
It is grievous to think she has in a manner of speaking given a promise she may not herself see through; but she sends it by way of a messenger with whom her mother will be able to identify, and who will be able to reassure Celebrian that Arwen is, indeed, happy with her choice.
Very gentle and poignant.
Author's reply
One reason I had the question worded the way I did, was so that Arwen actually did not break her promise, even though of course neither of them had an inkling at the time.
I think that Frodo and Celebrian will have a good deal in common. And he and Bilbo will be able to tell her a lot, not only about her daughter, but about the remarkable Man who won her daughter's heart.
Kitty
· 12 August 2008
· Chapter 53: The Token
*sniffles* Beautiful, Dreamflower, but sad, too. To have Celebrían give her daughter the pendant in the hope Arwen would one day bring it back to her in Aman was heartbreaking, knowing she would chose mortality.
Oh, what a disappointment for poor Bilbo! Elrond was right, of course, but it was still very hard for him, after looking forward to it for so many years. And so he'd not see Aragorn again, either ... :(
But it was lovely that Arwen was there to try and comfort him. Oh yes, I can imagine very well that these two grew even closer during the long wait, worrying if they would see Aragorn and Frodo ever again!
*sigh* You're right, the minstrel meant it as a honour to make the lay about 'Frodo of the Nine Fingers', to raise him onto the same level as Beren. But Frodo didn't see it the same way, sadly. And of course Arwen, being an Elf, was one of the first to realise he would not heal, but was fading.
Well, it was a nice way to keep her promise, even if it was not exactly as she - and her mother - had expected it to be kept.
Author's reply
Yes, it was ironic. Arwen at that point had no way to know--but *we* did!
I've always felt that the two of them would have a wonderful friendship. And I had such a strong image of that second vignette, as she comforted him, and then carried him into her bower--it was the first part of the fic that I came up with.
There are so many parallels between Frodo and Beren--but Frodo was just not capable of appreciating them.
And at least Celebrian will understand.
Have to agree with Gandalf - selling Bag End to the S-B's *was* more than a bit extreme. Though I have (grudgingly) to admit that Frodo's reasons for it are rather logical. To cut his ties to Hobbiton and the Shire would make leaving it easier.
Author's reply
Yes, it would--and of course, avoiding the sight of the S-B.s spoiling Bag End would make a good reason to leave.
Kitty
· 12 August 2008
· Chapter 51: Now You See Him...
Poor Holman, no wonder he felt it was time to retire after seeing Bilbo vanishing more than once in this way. He must have wondered about his own sanity after that!
But after reading Larner's two ficlets about Lobelia's thievery just now, I was really alarmed when Lobelia let herself into Bag End and caught myself begging Holman to went after her and throw her out before she stole something ...
Author's reply
Yes, he certainly did have a dilemma: was he losing his mind, or was his master up to "something unnatural"? Poor fellow.
I'm sure that Lobelia would not have scrupled to steal--but remember, invisible Bilbo was probably right behind her! LOL!
Kaylee
· 8 August 2008
· Chapter 35: The Fellow in the Corner
Here from the LotR reading group, and I have to say this is lovely, Dreamflower! Don't I wish I could have been seated at Strider's table, watching Frodo sing :D Or watching Strider, maybe...yes, Strider...*grins*
~Kaylee!!
Inkling
· 8 August 2008
· Chapter 35: The Fellow in the Corner
Nice, Dreamflower! And a great complement to the current discussion in the reading group! A little Strider POV is most welcome, as it's so rare in the book...it definitely humanizes him. And very plausible that he would be mentally comparing Frodo to his old friend Bilbo!
Author's reply
His POV is, I think, even more rare than Gandalf's! Of course, as I said, there's a perfectly *good* reason for it! His friendship with Gandalf and with Bilbo would be right at the front of his mind. We do learn that he is Gandalf's friend by the end of the chapter, but we have to wait until we get to Rivendell to learn that he is friends with Bilbo!
Jay of Lasgalen
· 17 July 2008
· Chapter 51: Now You See Him...
I really liked this - especially the 'voice' for Holman. It's very Hobbitty!
Jay
Author's reply
Thank you! I had fun imagining what Holman would be like!
I love this, the reasons and the last line - where the darkness resides - and Gandalf's sympathy. Nice title. Ache for those desperate but necessary measures and what it did to that gentle heart.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I'm sure that from the moment Frodo realized what the Ring was, he felt its evil as a darkness he had to carry.
I think sympathy was a defining characteristic of one who had been a disciple of Lorien.
I'm glad you liked it! Thank you, dear!
Poor Frodo - what a way to have to leave his beloved home. And yet he must sever all those ties and quickly. A very plausible set of reasons for leaving, but so poignant and painful. I've lived in my home all my life and I can't imagine leaving it, so I can feel the pain Frodo must be feeling.
The Muse finally returned from her long holiday and the next chapter of 'A Centenary of Special Significance' is finally up! Wish I knew where she's been........
Author's reply
I have always thought there must have been more than the obvious reason for his selling to the SBs--especially since he knew they were the last people Bilbo would have wanted to have Bag End. But he had to cut those ties as quickly as possible.
It's up? Oh good!
Baggins Babe
· 16 July 2008
· Chapter 51: Now You See Him...
Yes well......suddenly finding that one's employed has vanished can be somewhat disturbing, although I'm sure some employees would pray for it to happen!
A lovely look at Holman and of course those pesky Sackville-Bagginses.
Author's reply
LOL! You aren't the first one to mention that some people might like their bosses to vanish. *grin*
I'm glad you enjoyed.
Baggins Babe
· 16 July 2008
· Chapter 50: Eucatastrophe: Bill
I could have sworn I reviewed this one at the time. Silly me!
This was so delightful. Any visit to the Eucatastrophe Universe is a joy and this was particularly gorgeous. 'Bill' sounds adorable but there's always a snag...............
So Billie it is!
Author's reply
Yes, there usually is a snag. And imagine when the lads get ready to go home--I wonder will she end up at Bag End, Brandy Hall or the Great Smials?
Andrea
· 16 July 2008
· Chapter 51: Now You See Him...
That's indeed a good reason for retirement! But poor Holman! He wasn't imagining things. Bilbo really vanished.
Your description of Lobelia's second "visit" to Bilbo was great! I can still hear her shrill voice ;-)
It's no wonder that Bilbo was forced to use drastic means!
Author's reply
No, he wasn't imagining things, and the poor fellow didn't know which was worse--if he was, or if he wasn't!
Lobelia was a menace, I'm sorry to say.
I find this so heart-rending, these reasons for selling his beloved Bag End--and to Lotho and Lobelia!
In "The Dog Who Wouldn't Be" Farley Mowat tells of his father's decision to settle in a certain town, selling his beloved boat so he'd have no way to return to his former home and force himself to make a go of it here--throwing his hat over the fence, as he characterized it. And here Frodo does the same thing, cutting the ties to his beloved home and so forcing himself to leave it.
Author's reply
Yes, that's exactly it.
I think in his heart of hearts, Frodo realized he would probably not return to the Shire (though he was not entirely right about that in the long run) but once that bridge was burnt, he had no choice but to go on with his burden.
I've never really understood why Frodo decided to sell Bag End, especially to Lobelia. This story offers a very good explanation of what might have been going on in his mind. My heart aches for Frodo.
I love Gandalf's gentle affirmation that Sam will accompany Frodo. With Sam at his side, Frodo will always have a bit of home with him.
Author's reply
It was something I had long pondered over the years, and when I wrote my "Conspiracy" story, this was what I came up with as the simplest and most likely explanation. I've read many other accounts of "why", and most of them are a lot more complicated.
I think whatever outward reason Frodo gave, the urge to burn his bridges *had* to be in his mind at least as a partial motivation.
Yes, he will. And Gandalf knows it. I think Frodo might have been a bit angry at Gandalf for taking the matter of Sam's going out of his hands, but I also think he was grateful as well.
A tie to be cut and sharply! Leaving anything or anyone is very painful and often best done quickly.
I like this a lot Dreamflower. That last line - ouch!
Author's reply
Yes, it's hard to have to make such a change. Add in the fact that since losing his parents, the Bag End years were probably the happiest of his life, and the fact that he knew Bilbo hoped he'd carry on there, and it had to be even more painful.
I almost didn't put that last line in, but it seemed it needed something sharp and angsty to finish it off, and that came to me.
I'm glad you liked it!
harrowcat
· 16 July 2008
· Chapter 51: Now You See Him...
I think that i would be tempted to retire in those circumstances too! :) At least he has a ready made reason.
Author's reply
Yes, he does. Thank goodness! And now Hamfast will become Bag End's head gardener, and will be able to get married. *grin*
Grey Wonderer
· 15 July 2008
· Chapter 51: Now You See Him...
LOL
This is an excellent reason for Holman's retirement! Very clever of you. I think I might consider quitting work too if my boss started disappearing before my eyes. On the other hand, I have days when I really wish my boss *would* disappear! hehehe
Bravo!
Author's reply
Yes, for some people a disappearing boss would only be a blessing, LOL! But Holman is a very old-fashioned hobbit, and he just isn't sure he can believe his eyes! And if he can, that's even worse! Poor fellow!
Larner
· 15 July 2008
· Chapter 51: Now You See Him...
Oh, but I LOVE this look at Holman. And he saw Bilbo's disappearing trick just as Merry was to do later, and for the same reasons!
Hope Bilbo hurried into the hole after Lobelia before she took off with half of his possessions! Heh!
Author's reply
Yes. It seemed beyond reason to me that if Bilbo regularly used it to escape from unwelcome visitors (i.e. the SBs) that in the course of sixty years, Merry was the *ONLY* one to catch him out?
I'm sure he did! LOL! Now you've given me a bunny, you wicked thing you! *shoo*shoo*nudges hopeful hare with toe*don't give me those big bunny eyes!*
cathleen
· 2 July 2008
· Chapter 50: Eucatastrophe: Bill
Dreamflower, I love "Billie"! This is such a sweet little tale - thanks so much for giving us all a gift on your birthday in the wonderful hobbity tradition!!
Author's reply
You are very welcome, my dear!!
Grey Wonderer
· 1 July 2008
· Chapter 50: Eucatastrophe: Bill
I read this one on LJ but decided to read it again here. I just love the way Frodo realizes that now that they've named it, there's no going back. Gandalf was very amusing in this too. A lovely story!
Author's reply
Thanks for the double review! I really enjoy writing Gandalf in this AU. He has a mischievous streak that he's finally got time to indulge!
Lindelea
· 1 July 2008
· Chapter 50: Eucatastrophe: Bill
Happy Birthday!
Have been reading reviews, and I too can just picture the scene in the bath. Rather reminds me of the young hobbits bathing the Giant Schnauzer--she has this six-inch hair from her half-way point on down to her toes (and a beard to match), and when she's bathed out-of-doors she has an alarming habit of breaking away and rolling on the compost pile. Compost sticks nicely to wet, long, curling (it waves when wet) hair...
Will have to work on the ending to your long-running birthday story as soon as Other People give me an hour or two all together of computer time.
Author's reply
Oh, mercy! What a picture! Yes, our dogs love to go rolling in stinky things after their baths as well. I guess it's a dog thing. (And only goes to prove that the makers of pet treats are trying to please humans, not dogs. Otherwise, instead of chicken, beef or bacon flavor, we'd have "dirty socks", "garbage" and "manure" flavored treats on the market!)
You don't have to be in a hurry to end it--I love it every time I see a new chapter--it's truly been the gift that kept on giving!