Dreamflower's Mathoms II by Dreamflower
Frodo Baggins · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 36: Eucatastrophe: Five Years After
haven't read it yet. But I read that it is your birthday gift. So, uh, happy birthday! May be it hobbity and filled with joy! Yours, Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
Thank you, dear! I had a very nice birthday!
PIppinfan1988 · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 36: Eucatastrophe: Five Years After
What -- Frodo's not having a huge cake brought in so that he can eat half of it and then get sick? ;-) I do love the thought that Frodo loved the children around him -- yet perhaps, have you ever entertained the thought of Frodo having his own bairns? I don't think it would be too far fetched in *this* universe, however, *you* are the author and I will enjoy whatever you write. :-) Happy birthday, dear friend! PF
Author's reply
*giggle* Frodo had a giant birthday cake *before* he left the Shire, and it was Pippin ate half of it then, though he didn't get sick, as he didn't eat all of that in one night! My Frodo, even in this AU, is perfectly happy to be "Uncle" Frodo. And he has further adventures ahead of him, if I can ever get one particular fic past the planning stages...
Larner · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 36: Eucatastrophe: Five Years After
Oh, I love that one (Larner looks at the bookshelf of the computer desk at "The Adventures" and "Bilbo's Last Song" and "The Biography of J.R.R. Tolkien" and smiles!). And I can certainly appreciate Sam's children wanting some clarification for archaic terms such as "shoon." And it IS more entertaining watching others scurry so than when it's ones own turn. Love it, Dreamflower.
Author's reply
Well, I would imagine that even "shoes" were a foreign concept to most of them, and would never have heard that archaic plural. It IS, isn't it? LOL!
Grey Wonderer · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 36: Eucatastrophe: Five Years After
Lovely! I do so wish that Frodo had spent his 55th in the Shire surrounded by little ones and his family. This was darling! I laughed at Sam's observation that it was much funnier when it was someone else doing the worrying when explaining about Merry to Rose. hehehe
Author's reply
Well, in the "Eucatastrophe AU" he did. Everyone seems rather fond of that little observation. I can imagine that Sam found it quite amusing to watch the usually sure-of-himself Brandybuck all worried about his expectant wife.
Armariel · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 36: Eucatastrophe: Five Years After
Oooo what a nice gift! “I suppose I was, Rose-wife, but it’s a mite more entertaining when it’s someone else.” “Oh, you!” Heheh! Sweet! ~~~{~@
Author's reply
It is, isn't it? And especially Merry, who's usually so cool and collected.
Antane · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 36: Eucatastrophe: Five Years After
Ah, the future that he saw for his Sam - all those children - and that he grieved he would not be there to share in that joy - and now he is! Yea! Happy birthday! Thank you for that gift! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, now he is, thanks to the miracle of Alternate Universes! And thank *you*! ((hugs))
elanor winterflowers · 30 June 2007 · Chapter 35: The Fellow in the Corner
I like seeing Frodo through Strider's eyes--there is a wonderful sense of how arresting he is, how unusual at the core. Sam tells us so often, but we rarely get to see through Strider's eyes, and doing so makes Frodo all the more profound. Nice work!
Author's reply
It is nice to see Strider's POV. JRRT so seldom deviates from the hobbit's-eye view of things, so it always makes for interesting speculation about what was on the minds of others. And I often thought it would be interesting to know what Strider thought--but that would have given away too much! And he's going to know to look out for the special in Frodo--he's Bilbo's friend and Gandalf's, and I can't imagine they haven't told him all about Frodo!
PIppinfan1988 · 29 June 2007 · Chapter 35: The Fellow in the Corner
A gap filler in another's pov...I thought this was great! I do enjoy reaing another's view of things on occasion with regard to the books. LOL, Frodo's song just happens to be my favourite of all in the books -- besides Bilbo's Bath Song. Well done!
Author's reply
I thought it would be fun to see just what could have been in Strider's head at a time like that!
harrowcat · 29 June 2007 · Chapter 35: The Fellow in the Corner
Brilliant Dreamflower. Loved it all. Oh, and I have been going back and enjoying browsing through your early stories, yet again!
Author's reply
Well, thank you very much, dear! And I hope that you are getting as much pleasure out of them the second time round! *blushes*
Andrea · 29 June 2007 · Chapter 35: The Fellow in the Corner
That was great, Dreamflower! It is very interesting to watch the events at the Prancing Pony through Strider's eyes. And I'm impressed how much he knew already and how much he figured out right there in his "corner". Only one thing he did not know: That Frodo did not put on The Ring willingly! But it *did* give him a good starting point, you are absolutely right.
Author's reply
Well, we find out from Gandalf's Letter that he's been made aware of a number of things, and we find out in Rivendell that he's an old friend of Bilbo's. It seemed likely to me that Bilbo had often talked of his beloved heir to his friend the Dunadan, and Gandalf had also probably put him wise to a lot! And, no, he didn't know that. But it hardly mattered in the end whether it was deliberate or not, when it came to the results!!
Kitty · 29 June 2007 · Chapter 35: The Fellow in the Corner
Interesting to watch the events at the 'Pony' from Strider's POV, to know what he thought of the hobbits and the whole situation, to see his comparisons to Bilbo. But you know, the ficlet was too short. Now I want to see the conversation in their room and the attack and all that from Strider's POV, too, greedy reader that I am. I know you're more comfortable with writing hobbits, but still, you do a great job with writing the 'big folk', too.
Author's reply
Oh good heavens! My stars! *fans self* I'd have to re-write the whole story from another POV! I don't think I'm really up to that! That said, I did have a hard time figuring out where to stop. It would have been fun to have continued right up until the revelation of Gandalf's letter, but I'm afraid that it was too much for me to tackle right now!
Grey Wonderer · 28 June 2007 · Chapter 35: The Fellow in the Corner
I loved Strider's POV here. I like his thoughts about Frodo and that he is, in spite of what he knows, pulled in my Frodo's song and charmed by him.
Author's reply
*grin* I'm glad you liked that part. I could just imagine that he would be pulled in by Frodo's considerable Fallohide charm--and how could he resist, when he knew that both Bilbo and Gandalf were so very fond of Frodo as well?
Larner · 28 June 2007 · Chapter 35: The Fellow in the Corner
Yes, a wonderful expansion on the book's version! Wonderful to see inside Strider's mind here.
Author's reply
It's quite understandable why we did *not* in the book. JRRT did not wish us to know to much about that scruffy Ranger in the corner, to wonder who he was and what he was up to. And so, naturally we were not privy to his thoughts. But in hindsight, it seems clear he would have known exactly who Frodo was--he'd had several years acquaintance with Bilbo, after all, to guide him, as well as whatever guidance Gandalf had given him by this time. At any rate it was fun to speculate on just what he'd been thinking...
Queen Galadriel · 16 June 2007 · Chapter 34: Concussion
Aww, poor Bilbo! I love your "Hobbit" stories; you always have the tone just right. This was lovely, to see Bilbo so honored...and the humble fellow not even realizing why! There's a Hobbit for you. Interesting what Harrowcat said in her review about guilt being a Baggins trait. I never thought about that before, but it makes sense. Actually Bilbo's habit of talking to himself in the third person always reminded me a bit of Sam. :) Also an interesting comment you made about why Tolkien might have chosen to gloss over the details of the aftermath of the war in LOTR. I've wondered about that myself, especially reading his letters. He did leave a lot of blank space for us, but it is understandable. Thanks for a delightfully cozy (and thought-provoking) read. :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you, dear! I really do love to write gap-fillers for "The Hobbit", but there are not quite as many gaps there as one would suppose! And I am pleased you think I get the tone right--I strive for that! Bilbo is very much a hobbit, and not one to put himself forward. Hobbits are modest creatures, after all. You know, it's quite possible that guilt is a Baggins trait--I think it is simply what a person who is sensitive to the feelings of others, and who took responsibility for his actions would tend to feel in the face of disaster. I'd wondered about it for a while, when that answer occurred to me. It feels right to me. And it's very nice to see "cozy" and "thought-provoking" in the same sentence!
Elemmírë · 7 June 2007 · Chapter 34: Concussion
YEAH!!!! A Bilbo story!!!! And H/C as well!!!! You and I have remarked to each other many times in past reviews that there are never enough Bilbo fics. :D You intertwined this tale so very well with the Hobbit, Dreamflower. It was a pleasure to read and I'm glad Bilbo was able to laugh again after enduring such horrific events for a hobbit. It was also nice to get glimpses of the deeply forming friendship between Bilbo and Gandalf that will last for a lifetime. And these things just made me squeal in delight: Bilbo being cradled gently by one of the Big Folk; the too-big soup bowl and utensils (I've often wondered myself how Frodo and Sam coped in Minas Tirith. I suppose children's utensils were found for them, or fashioned.); Bilbo's hobbity humbleness when it came to his own role in the Battle; how the dwarves cared for him and everyone him company, even Beorn; and of course certain ... erm ... similarities between our 2 favorite Bagginses when waking from unconsciousness. You also wrote you concussion symptoms/treatment exceptionally well. I must admit I gave a little sigh of relief when I realized the concussion was to Bilbo and not Frodo--for in my personal plot bunny list is an idea regarding movie-verse Frodo suffering from the same ailment. :) It's on the back-burner for now, as I'm currently working on feeding/writing other bunnies. Take care, Dreamflower! ~Elemmírë~
Author's reply
You are quite right! Bilbo deserves his due. I do try and make gapfillers fit in with the story, so that's quite a compliment. And I think that Gandalf and Bilbo formed a very firm friendship during that little "Adventure". *grin* So glad to know what parts you like best. Of course, the similarities were very deliberate! I always research a bit when I write h/c. It pays off in having a believable story. And when I find a useful website, I try to share it, so others will be able to use it too, which is why I had the Author's Note. Good luck on your Frodo-fic!
Kitty · 7 June 2007 · Chapter 34: Concussion
“Where am I, and what is the time?” he asked. That seems to be a bad hobbit habit to ask this question every time they’re waking up *grin* Anyway, lovely piece. Tolkien rather glossed over the aftereffects of the battle, so you filled the gap. It was only to be expected that Bilbo had at least a light concussion after being hit so hard on the head. Quite the honour to be in the tent of the King! And it was so typical of Bilbo not to see why he was the hero. I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Thranduil and Bilbo. And if I remember correctly, Bilbo gave him a piece of jewelry as a parting gift (it has been years since I’ve read it); this story would explain that much better than the book itself. After he got to know Bilbo a bit, I suppose Thranduil could understand well why his son later became so good friends with the Travellers. And now we know *when* Bilbo decided to learn elvish :-)
Author's reply
I think it *is* a "hobbit habit". Frodo says it when he wakes; when Merry wakes, he says "I am hungry. What is the time?" And Sam also wants to know, and asks "Noon? Noon of what day?" when he wakes up (though it's not his first words.) My theory is that hobbits have a very regular "bio-rhythm", but that being uncoscious messes it up. So the first thing they need to do on waking is to "re-set" it! And I was tempted to have Gandalf say "the twenty-fourth of October", since the Battle of Five Armies was sometime in October, but I thought that would be a touch OTT. JRRT did tend to gloss over the aftereffects of battle, and to not confront them directly--though in Frodo's case, he confronted them *indirectly*. I think it may have been due to his *own* PTSD from his time in the trenches in WWI. I think he could not quite bring himself to open his own psychic wounds. And of course, helm or no helm, if Bilbo was knocked unconscious, it seems likely he would have had a mild concussion. You are quite right about Bilbo's gift. And I think that Thraduil would have respected the little person very much after his actions with the Arkenstone, seeing his courage and integrity--and his resistence to Dragon-spawned greed! You know, you could be quite right about that! Well, it must have added to his problems, to be wandering around in those caverns, and not really able to understand what was being said most of the time! Plus, I'm sure the sound of it really appealed to him.
Lindelea · 6 June 2007 · Chapter 33: Spring Chicken
O but you're making me hungry, and I just ate dinner *and* dessert!!! (sign of a true hobbit, I s'pose) Full of lovely details, I do enjoy your stories with all the little things that one hardly notices, and yet they make the story and characters come to life.
Author's reply
Of course you're a true hobbit! I've never doubted it for a moment! I'm so glad you like the details; they are what I love o do!
Lindelea · 6 June 2007 · Chapter 34: Concussion
Read this grinning the whole way through. Ah, lovely Bilbo, we just don't see enough of him! Mushroom soup! Yum! And what a nice suggestion as to how Bilbo became interested in learning Elvish. And there were a few other comments I had but absolute pandemonium is raging here as the inhabitants devour the rare and expensive Dove ice cream bars bought as eldest's price for house- and dog-sitting last week whilst the rest of us were pursuing Oceanography studies at the Coast. *sigh* At least she shared! O just remembered, also loved Bilbo's humility, and the others' recognition of it, and amazement, and Beorn's visit too. Lovely!
Author's reply
I'm so glad it made you grin! There really are *not* enough Bilbo stories, and very few gapfillers for The Hobbit. (Speaking of Bilbo--I am really looking forward to more of "When Winter Fell", hint-hint) Mushroom soup would always go over well with hobbits, I think! Well, he spent a good deal of time there, not able, really to do anything but lurk and listen--he must have really wished he knew what they were saying! (Mmmmmm....Dove Ice Cream bars....*drools on keyboard*) I think that his humility and modesty really was one of the things that commended himself to the other races. I'm happy you enjoyed it!
Grey Wonderer · 6 June 2007 · Chapter 34: Concussion
I enjoyed this double because I am currently re-reading "The Hobbit" and so this hit home for me. And then I do love Bilbo!
Author's reply
Isn't The Hobbit lovely? It's such a perfect story. I love Bilbo too, and there just aren't enough Bilbo fics!
demeter d · 6 June 2007 · Chapter 34: Concussion
Delightful! It feels very much like walking around inside "The Hobbit" a bit. The characters ring true to canon. I especially enjoyed your portrayal of Thranduil and your OC, the healer. Tolkien wrote that Bilbo decided to make a stand with the forces around the Elf-King. And afterword, Bilbo gifted Thranduil with a necklace from Smaug's horde. Bilbo came to respect the elves, and they him. You have shown this well. I also enjoyed the visit from Beorn.
Author's reply
Oh thank you! What a kind thing to say! I do think that the time Bilbo spent among Elves, both in Rivendell and in Mirkwood colored his attitude towards the Elves. He saw for himself what noble creatures they were, rather than allowing the Dwarves' prejudice to inflluence his feelings towards them. I think Thranduil would have held this little "burglar" in much respect, especially when he came to know the truth of the Dwarves' escape, and also after Bilbo's brave and selfless actions regarding the Arkenstone. He was a hobbit who had truly learned that it is better to give than receive! *grin* I *had* to have Beorn extend his invitation, as I did once write a little gap-filler about Bilbo's Yuletide visit with him!
Larner · 6 June 2007 · Chapter 34: Concussion
Ah, yes--dealing with that nasty knock to his head and getting over it. Then, to have a blow by blow complete with measuring the blood and gore? Yeecchhhh! Poor Bilbo! But he's a game soul, he is. Dear, delightful Bilbo!
Author's reply
I was so pleased that I didn't have to knock anyone over the head for this challenge! I always prefer, when I *can* to use canon events for h/c. And this is such a nice gap! The "blow by blow" comes from observing fighters I know--they really do seem to want to re-hash each round, complete with gestures! It's one thing when it's sport, but when it is real life, it could be quite gory! And I'm extrapolating from Gimli's behavior after Helm's Deep, that Dwarves might have that sort of attitude to their fighting. Bilbo really *was* game, wasn't he? Very much braver than he gave himself credit for!
harrowcat · 6 June 2007 · Chapter 34: Concussion
Ouch, poor Bilbo. Loved the echoes to Frodo's awakenings. And the family heritage of both guilt and humbleness.
Author's reply
*grin* I'm glad you noticed the similarities to Frodo's awakenings. I actually thought at one point of having Gandalf give the date, and it being the same--but I thought that would be a little over the top (though possible, since the Battle of Five Armies was in October as well). Yes, guilt--that does seem to be a Baggins thing, doesn't it? But I think humility is general to most hobbits--all five of our hobbits seem to exhibit humility and modesty, in spite of their achievements.
Bodkin · 1 May 2007 · Chapter 33: Spring Chicken
“You know,” said Pippin “Borondir and Artamir are following us. I could ask them to help us carry this stuff.” Sam gave him a sharp look. “Now you know that wouldn’t be right, Mr. Pippin! Why what do you suppose your cousin would say?" So very Sam, to know they go with guards, but refuse to take advantage of that! A day off, the markets and cooking a Shire dinner. What a pleasant experience of normality!
Author's reply
It seemed rather "Sam-mish" to me, LOL! I can't think he'd be so unobservant as to miss their escort. (This story takes place shortly after "Chance Encounter", so I think the King was being more careful about the hobbits at this point in time.) But, no, he'd not feel comfortable taking advantage of it, though Pippin might think it funny. I like to think that for a brief time, living in the City together, the hobbits *were* able to have something like a normal life--or as normal as it could be, away from the Shire!
Antane · 29 April 2007 · Chapter 32: Enthusiasm
Lovely, sweet story. When I think that I wish it could have always remained that way - so sweet and loving and innocent - and that four had never been hurt - I then realize that the Quest was taken up just so that could indeed happen, even if it took a while for the wounds to heal. Sorry if I am overwhelming your inbox with loads of reviews but I gave up reading during Lent and I am still crawling out of a mound of stories! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed. And don't worry about my inbox! There's nothing more delightful than finding a bunch of nice new reviews waiting for me! And wow! What will-power! I'm not sure I could go 40 days without hobbits!!
Inkling · 21 April 2007 · Chapter 33: Spring Chicken
So this was from the recipe challenge, eh? Yum! I liked all the hobbity snacking and shopping. And now I want to roast a chicken! I've put veggies in the cavity before, but not broth in the pan. Must keep it good and moist...does the skin stay crispy that way?
Author's reply
Hobbits *do* love to eat, don't they? I love to show them cooking, and cooking is a perfect excuse for recipe!fic. As long as you use a shallow enough pan, so that the chicken's not swimming in it, it makes for a nice golden skin. And if you stop basting about 20-30 minutes before it's done it has plenty of time to crisp up. You'll notice it uses a hotter oven than usual.