Pearl Took
· 7 July 2006
· Chapter 17: Rude Awakening
Most excellent, Dreamflower! It would be an easy thing to forget. I allways love that they end up all together, even if only for a couple of years. Well done :)
Author's reply
Yes, I thought so. He was careful the first time, and then not so careful the second time. I think that being in Man-sized cots would have made getting up and down more difficult, as well.
I agree. Frodo *had* to return to the Shire, for *their* sake--he had to know they were going to be all right without him, although he did at first think he'd be able to make it and stay himself.
shirebound
· 7 July 2006
· Chapter 17: Rude Awakening
Love it! I can never get enough of gentle, loving, attentive hobbit-care, especially when they're being teased, carried, and coddled. I love it when Frodo and Pippin are patients together, especially when it's fairly lighthearted.
This is a VERY clever story, Dreamflower. I don't know how you did it!
Author's reply
I can never get enough of gentle, loving, attentive hobbit-care, especially when they're being teased, carried, and coddled. I love it when Frodo and Pippin are patients together, especially when it's fairly lighthearted.
You and me *both*! *grin* And I just love all our four lads together!
It is a little difficult to come up with just the right words to begin each paragraph. But I do love these sorts of challenges!
Bodkin
· 7 July 2006
· Chapter 17: Rude Awakening
Poor Pippin. He's not yet accustomed to having to make allowances for a knee that's likely to be a bit stiff in the morning.
Mind you, looking after Pippin is possibly the best convalescence for Frodo - Aragorn might decide to keep the youngest hobbit in bed for a few days once he realises how good it is for Frodo to divert his attention to caring for his young cousin.
Author's reply
No, poor lad. He's really far too young to have to learn a lesson like that.
It is good for Frodo--he's always at his best when looking after others, most especially those he loves the most.
demeter d
· 7 July 2006
· Chapter 17: Rude Awakening
What a clever idea! I think this is the third of these Anniversary challenges I have read tonight. they have all been very good. I like Cormallen stories. They all manage to be about how love and hope can pull us back from the brink of disaster. And this one is very good.
Author's reply
Thank you!
It's not always easy to come up with a logical word to open a paragraph with, LOL! But then, that *is* why they call them Challenges!
And you are right about Cormallen fics. I am inordinately fond of them myself!
Elemmírë
· 6 July 2006
· Chapter 17: Rude Awakening
Aww, poor Pippin. I know with all the hobity love surrounding him, he will feel better soon and be back on his furry feet in no time.
>>Frodo scooted over, and Pippin climbed up to snuggle next to his eldest cousin.<<
Ahh, eveything just seems so peaceful when reading about hobbit snuggling. And leave it to Pippin to always cheer up Frodo.
Author's reply
Yes, he will feel better soon, I'm sure!
Hobbit snuggling. I'm quite sure there are not very many things that could not be cured by hobbit snuggling!
I love flitting between your AU and mine, Dreamflower. This was lovely, to see Sam finally installed as Mayor, and to learn that there will be no ban. Always thought it should have been flexible enough to have Men allowed if the Shire worthies approved.
Wonderful to se Sam and Frodo appreciated, and glad Gandalf, Gimli and Legolas were there to see it.
Happy birthday for yesterday. I was away for the day, so I'm playing catch-up now.
Author's reply
Yes, I decided to keep things mostly as they happened, except of course, for Frodo not leaving, and Elves and Gandalf coming back, and no Ban and...you see, I hardly changed anything, right? *wink*
You know, it very well may have been. We are told only the fact of the Ban, and not how it actually worked. I am quite sure, practical creatures as hobbits are, that they would have insisted on some built in exceptions.
I thought so--I especially love letting Gandalf come back. He deserved a chance to spend a little time in Middle-earth without an onerous task to see to.
It was very nice, thank you!
Andrea
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 16: Eucatastrophe V: Midsummer Fair, S.R. 1427
“Glory and splendor!” he thought. “This is how it all should be.”
Wonderful! I totally agree with Sam!
And a very happy birthday to you, Dreamflower :)
Author's reply
I agree, too!
And thank you for the birthday wishes! I had a lovely one!
Pearl Took
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 16: Eucatastrophe V: Midsummer Fair, S.R. 1427
“Glory and splendor!” he thought. “This is how it all should be.”
Amen and Amen!
Beautifully done as always, Dreamflower :)
Such a happy alternate universe!
I'm glad Sam still got to be Mayor - and presumably still achieved the respect of the hobbit community. And it's nice to see that Aragorn's ban of men didn't happen. Not very well-thought-through, that!
Author's reply
That was the whole idea of my "Eucatastrophe-verse" from the start: I had read just one too many angsty Frodo fics, and I wanted to see a HAPPY AU! I'd never had the luck to come across one--most AUs I had seen up to that point were even sadder and darker than what JRRT wrote. I know now that there are quite a few "happy AUs".
Sam did still get to be Mayor. I don't think it was a job Frodo would have wanted for years on end--even if he had not sailed, I don't think he would have kept the job but the one term, and that's how I made it be. But Sam not only was responsible for the "greening", but he's spent seven years as Deputy, so he's had the chance to "show his quality", so to speak.
I've never thought the ban very well-thought-through, but then I don't suppose JRRT had making life easier on us fanfic writers on his mind when he came up with it, LOL!
Another Eucatastrophe-Fic! :))) Love them so much!
Sam hasn't changed and is still arguing his worth, isn't he? But now it's too late to back out of the job. Not that Rosie and Frodo would allow it, anyway.
Aragorn has made the hobbits a wonderful gift with this edict, and a very fitting one for this occasion.
at one point he contemplated banning Men from our Shire forever, including even himself. But we believed that this was unnecessary, that hobbits can hold their place in the world without such inhospitality. It is, in fact, my fond hope that one day our beloved King himself *will* visit us, and see our beautiful Shire for himself!” Very wise! For this special AU, I don't consider the Ban of Men strictly necessary. Nearly everything is better now, after all.
*ducks head and mutters*And it would permit another AU story about Aragorn visiting the Shire, one you should write some day
You know, it is so good Frodo was there to see his Sam elected as Mayor, to see him honoured. Nice that Sam in the end recognized it was exactly how it should be.
Author's reply
No, Sam's still Sam, which he wouldn't be, if he didn't retain at least some of his self-deprecation. But you are right on both counts: it's too late, and Rose and Frodo will hold him to the course.
And in this AU, well, the Ban's not necessary. The Shire did have some Ruffians, but most of the damage was confined to what Lotho oversaw, for Sharkey, of course, never showed up. So while Lotho had some Men to do his bidding, it was *he* that was to blame--not some big Wizard.
I think it only fair that Frodo should be able to see Sam become Mayor! and in this AU, it is perfectly possible!
What a joyous, wonderful story, Dreamflower. Indeed, this is how it should be!
And happiest of birthdays to you. :D
Author's reply
Thank you so much: for the compliments, and for the birthday wishes as well!
Pearl Took
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 15: Family Reunion
The honesty of children, gotta love it - especially when it isn't turned on oneself ;)
Bless Bilbo!!
Author's reply
Absolutely! I keep thinking of "The Emperor's New Clothes" whenever I think of Folco. His problem was, he never grew out of it!
I do love Bilbo!
Elemmírë
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 15: Family Reunion
It's wonderful to see that somebody else shares my view that Folco Boffin could very easily be Daisy and Griffo's son. (I've written that in a couple of stories of mine too which are being posted or on their way to be)
Gee, where does it fit into Miss Dora's Book of Manners that one can decide to hold a party and then host it at another's smial? Smirk. I so very much enjoy reading your Dora.
>>Griffo nodded, resigned. It was always so awkward taking him anywhere, as one never knew what the child was going to say.<<
HeHeHe. Sounds like Dora better make a personalized copy of her manners book for Daisy and Griffo to read. Ahh, the innocence of young ones.
>>Lobelia, of course, wore a face that could curdle milk, and Otho his usual oily smile.<<
If that's not a perfect description of their faces the movie, then I don't know what is! LOL!!
Oh my! Poor Folco traumatized for life by Lobelia and Lotho ... and Bilbo to make him feel better.
Very amusing and too cute for words, Dreamflower.
Author's reply
Well, we have discussed Folco's Family Tree already, LOL!
I think Aunt Dora simply pointed out (probably rather pointedly and repeatedly) to Bilbo that as Head of the Bagginses, it was his Duty to see to such things as Family Reunions. I am sure that after a number of Letters of Good Advice, and probably some Encounters in Person, he was quite happy to volunteer--if only to get her to quit reminding him! *grin*
I am quite sure that her neice Daisy also benefitted from her wisdom, whether she had the book or not. It *was* Miss Dora's advice after all, that got Folco's parents to give him flute lessons!
I've always thought of them that way--long before the movies. But dear little Folco will soon be over his fright, and Bilbo will be a favorite Uncle now!
Thank you very much!
Kitty
· 30 June 2006
· Chapter 15: Family Reunion
Dudo was pleased to see his grandson, and was actually rather gratified by his grandson’s observation that he looked dreadful, for Dudo was one of those people who make the most of their ill-health, and he had an attentive young audience for his recital of all his aches and pains. Well, I do know some others who would feel the same way as Dudo *lol*
Oh, dear Folco! I enjoyed this so *very much*! Finally someone told Lobelia and her little bully what everyone thinks but no one dare to say aloud! It may not have been polite, but it was very satisfying, at least for the reader. And Bilbo was great! How very decent of him to praise Folco and to give him a toffee for riding the party of the S-B's *grin* And little Folco is so proud he did something right for a change.
I can see how embarassing his remarks must've been for his parents, but as long as it is aimed at the S-B's, I don't mind, not in the least! And he was right with the fruit basket and pig, after all. It is only so sad he had to pay the ultimate price in the end.
Wonderful story, Dreamflower, and I am glad you decided to expand the little anecdote from the other fic a bit! That was fun!!
Author's reply
I've often wondered why Dudo, Drogo's only brother, and Frodo's actual uncle, did not take Frodo in, and ill-health is the only explanation *I* could come up with.
Yes, poor Folco! But he's like the lad in "The Emperor's New Clothes". Once he's said it, everyone admits how true it is.
I love to fill my own gaps in. Is that wierd or what?
Kitty
· 29 June 2006
· Chapter 6: Essay
I wonder why they say cousins are removed? Why do they remove them? They are still cousins. *grin* You know, that’s only too true! Well, every language has odd expressions. Only since I’m reading so much English I have realized how many sayings every language has and sometimes wondered about some expressions even in my own language I had until now used without thinking about how odd they really are. And for someone as young as Pippin it doesn't make much sense, I suppose.
Now you’ve me wondering at which age hobbits begin to learn to memorize the family tree. Poor children, particularly if they come from great families.
That essay was rather amusing. So few lines about his immediate family and so much about his two favourite cousins *lol* It’s easy to see just *where* Pippin’s priorities are lying. Well, at least he wrote the whole page full to overflowing ;-)
Author's reply
*snicker* We do say the *oddest* things in English, sometimes, LOL!
Well, according to Miss Dora, they should begin at about age five, as soon as they leave faunthood behind...*grin*
Yes. Well, he's probably missing his immediate family a bit, and it's less painful to think of Frodo and Merry. And once he got started on them, he found he couldn't stop.
I think Uncle Dinodas will be amused...
Bodkin
· 29 June 2006
· Chapter 15: Family Reunion
Poor Folco. It's almost a form of Tourettes. Although Bilbo will never object to people coming out with outspoken truths about the dreadful Sackville-Bagginses. Good thing he was there for the rescue though. I think Lobelia might just have been about to take the kind of revenge that Miss Dora Baggins disapproves of.
Author's reply
Well, I hadn't thought of it as having a physical cause, but perhaps there is something to that. I don't know enough about Tourettes to say for sure. Still, poor kid, he never does mean any harm. And he's often amusing even when he doesn't mean to be.
It's quite possible--she really was on the warpath!
AspenJules
· 29 June 2006
· Chapter 15: Family Reunion
Wow, Dream, you are a regular machine! This was really good! His poor parents... lol... he really doesn't seem to have the concept of thinking before he speaks, and he does need to learn that. I don't think Cousin Bilbo is being much help either, LOL... though he's certainly getting a great deal of pleasure out of it all. He's probably just confusing the poor lad more, though at least Folco knows he's got a friend he can trust in Bilbo.
I think I'm going to have to go read your "Road to Edoras" now.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm no machine--just haven't been sleeping well for a few nights, so there's nothing to do but write fic, LOL!
No, poor Folco never does learn that lesson, sad to say, and it's his downfall.
Well, Griffo and Daisy probably won't think of Bilbo as being helpful, but he certainly gave a bright spot to poor little Folco--and yes, now he knows that Cousin Bilbo is a good friend.
As for Bilbo--Folco *definitely* did him a favor, getting rid of the S-Bs!
I hope you enjoy it. I don't know if you've read "A New Reckoning", but "Road" is a sequel to that. It's a WIP, and slightly stalled at the moment, but I have high hopes for an update fairly soon, as I've been plugging away at it.
good_one_pip
· 27 June 2006
· Chapter 14: What Might Have Happened...
Meep! Do we even dare to joke about such a thing? :) no, I've played the "what-if" game a hundred thousand times with LOTR, though I don't think I ever went that far to the beginning of the story.
Author's reply
It always struck me what a chance Gandalf was taking, basing everything on those little scratches on the door!
The further back you go, the more everything changes...it's really scary to realize how much...
AspenJules
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 14: What Might Have Happened...
I love that SoA lets one leave more than one review! Just reading through the other comments it occurred to me... if Gandalf had gone to one of the Tooks, or perhaps a Brandybuck... couldn't it have ended up that the little ring was still found by a hobbit... and Pippin or Merry ended up with it, and ended up going on the Quest, in which case a caring elder cousin would certainly still have gone along, and a devoted gardener would have gone to keep an eye on him. And lo and behold! we still have the proper 4 hobbit lads off on the adventure of several lifetimes... and all is as it should be. More or less... Just a thought anyway.
Author's reply
Well, now that *is* an interesting can of worms, isn't it? Perhaps you should consider that a bunny and run with it...
AspenJules
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 14: What Might Have Happened...
Yikes! So very plausible and possible! And just like that, the beginning of the best story ever never even happened. Isn't that just the way of things? So many of the best (or worst) things that happen to us hang on the thread of one decision that could go either way... or else they are all meant to be just the way they are. Great little "what if", Dreamflower!
Author's reply
Well, I for one am *extremely* glad that "what if" never happened! It may be fun to imagine, but the idea that it could have happened that way is just a bit scary!
Bodkin
· 23 June 2006
· Chapter 14: What Might Have Happened...
Oh dear!
I hope Gandalf would have been more persistent - having made up his mind that Bilbo was the one, surely he would have gone and knocked on the door anyway.
But just imagine if Gandalf had gone off and taken Adalgrim instead! The whole history of the world could have been changed.
Author's reply
Actually, Gandalf probably *would* have been; but for this tale, I wanted to show what if he were not.
Adalgrim was already married by this point in time; Sigismund, maybe. Or perhaps a Brandybuck...
Pearl Took
· 22 June 2006
· Chapter 14: What Might Have Happened...
Oh, well done! How such a small thing might have changed all the big things . . . A rather scarey thought!
Well done :)
Author's reply
Scarey indeed. It's not only battles won or lost, or someone dying or not dying--sometimes it's something very small indeed...
Like a tiny Ring on the floor of a cave...
Elemmírë
· 22 June 2006
· Chapter 14: What Might Have Happened...
LOL!!!
~... and Bilbo Baggins--having never gone on any Adventures or done anything unexpected--was thought of as a very respectable hobbit until the end of his days. The End~
Very cute and funny, Dreamflower!