Dreamflower's Mathoms II by Dreamflower
Larner · 29 March 2010 · Chapter 75: When the Storms of Life are Raging (Stand by Me)
And each one reaches out as he can to the one he knows would lift him--or her--up were they present. And how revealing each one's inspiration is! Delightful!
Author's reply
Yes, they each had someone who would "stand by" them even when not present! And I'm glad you found their choices revealing-- I had hoped it would be.
Grey Wonderer · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 76: Berilac's Errand
I liked this very much. I do recall ever reading a fiction in which someone brings the news to Freddy's family and to Sam's. Poor Berilac did not have a pleasant chore in this one but he handled it very well. Great story!
Author's reply
I don't know if I've ever read one either. But it was something that would have had to be done! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Grey Wonderer · 27 March 2010 · Chapter 74: Witness to a Crime
You recipe makes me wish I weren't a vegetarian. LOL That rarely happens. The beginning of a beautiful friendship and a very cute story!
Author's reply
Well, you know, I have done a recipe fic with just a mushroom pie! *grin* It was indeed the beginning of a beautiful friendship!
Grey Wonderer · 27 March 2010 · Chapter 75: When the Storms of Life are Raging (Stand by Me)
I love this and I think this time, Sam's is my favorite. I like the fact that he has taken on Frodo's responsibilities. It's so very Sam.
Author's reply
It is so very Sam. He'd take seriously Frodo's charge to "to have all that I might have had"; he'd think "all" included duties as well.
GamgeeFest · 27 March 2010 · Chapter 75: When the Storms of Life are Raging (Stand by Me)
Love all these glimpses into everyone's thoughts. Very appropriate, all of them. I like Pippin's and Sam's especially. Pippin, because you can see how much he has grown up, and Sam because of his commitment to do his best in Frodo's place.
Author's reply
Yes, Pippin's grown up a lot. In point of fact, at this time he's less than a year from becoming Thain. I truly believe that when Frodo told Sam to "live his life for him", that Sam would have believed it to include Frodo's responsibilities as well as his privileges.
GamgeeFest · 27 March 2010 · Chapter 74: Witness to a Crime
But... what happened to Gerontius? ;) This was very cute. I love Gandalf coming to the rescue, but then convincing Gerontius to turn himself in anyway. Very economical to rescue the pie for eating. If Hobbits consider any crime worse than stealing food, it would be letting food go to waste.
Author's reply
I'm quite sure his father found something for him to do, to make up for his little, er, lark. Gandalf would never have allowed him to get off scott-free with having stolen something, and you are absolutely 100% right about not wasting food!
GamgeeFest · 27 March 2010 · Chapter 73: Coming to An Understanding
Interesting interpretation of this moment/day. Frodo and his friends really didn’t make a good first impression. It was good of Frodo to speak up before things could escalate, and good of Aragorn to realize his error.
Author's reply
They really needed to clear up their misunderstandings before they went much further. I think Aragorn found himself a bit disappointed in them after the incident at the Pony, and so he had to realize that his first impression was the wrong impression! But both he and Frodo are actually good judges of character, when it comes down to it, and both realized they had to start over.
Raksha The Demon · 26 March 2010 · Chapter 74: Witness to a Crime
I love Gandalf here; and, as usual, the hobbit action is perfect. Young Gerontius is definitely as I'd imagined him; wily and mischievous, but good-hearted. And the ending, with Gandalf and Gerontius sharing the pie, is lovely.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked my version of Gerontius, I rather extrapolated young Gerontius' personality from that of one of his rather famous descendants. It's always been my fond opninion that one reason Gandalf was so fond of Pippin was because he reminded him of Gerontius! Well, of course, they had to share the pie, since I needed them to have a meal in order to meet the challenge, LOL!
Raksha The Demon · 26 March 2010 · Chapter 66: Heat Waves and Hobbit Wishes
The hobbits really deserved all the pampering they received in Minas Tirith, didn't they?! I can just imagine the fun they had in the White City. And thanks to lovely fanfic stories like this one, I can read about it. Nice characterisation of Faramir, too!
Author's reply
*grin* I always enjoy pampering hobbits! I'm glad you like Faramir in this. I think he would have been quite enthralled with the hobbits, and just as eager as Aragorn to see that their every wish was granted-- within reason.
Raksha The Demon · 26 March 2010 · Chapter 71: Somewhat Better Than Ironmongery
Very well-written; very hobbity, and gently funny! You can take the gardener out of the Shire, but you can't take the Shire out of the gardener. Dear Sam; he never forgets where he comes from, even when he goes greater distances than he could ever have imagined while working in Mr. Frodo's garden in more tranquil years...
Author's reply
LOL! That's our Sam! It was a lot of fun to just do this in dialogue only! Poor Sam, his modesty and common hobbit sense were sorely tried, I think, by all the "foreign ways".
Virtuella · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 75: When the Storms of Life are Raging (Stand by Me)
Oh, very interesting persepctives, and very true to character!
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad you liked them!
GamgeeFest · 16 March 2010 · Chapter 72: Overheard in the Dark
It is one of my peeves with the movie that PJ has the hobbits throwing those stones into the water rather than Boromir. It just makes them seem that much more irresponsible, rather than a natural way of passing time while bored. I like that Boromir is thinking of ways to comfort Pippin and ease his mind. I always felt that Boromir bonded with the hobbits so quickly because they did remind him of his protectiveness for Faramir, and I love how you parallel that here with Merry’s protectiveness for Pippin.
Author's reply
Yep, it was a peeve of mine as well, though there were others that bugged me more (like never allowing them to have an actual *conversation* with Frodo during the whole movie?) I agree with you about the dynamic of Boromir and the younger hobbits; I too think they reminded him of his brother in some ways.
Virtuella · 15 March 2010 · Chapter 74: Witness to a Crime
Aw, this is so very much like Gandalf! Just the way I would imagine him to deal with a situation like this.
Author's reply
Thanks! I think part of the reason that I love him best after the hobbits is just the way he acts with them, rather like an older, wiser and larger hobbit himself, in many ways-- though underneath it's always clear he's more. In spite of his gruffness at times, it's clear how much he cares.
Andrea · 15 March 2010 · Chapter 74: Witness to a Crime
Gandalf laughed at this, startling his companion. "Oh my! You have no idea, young hobbit, how often disasters have been explained by the words 'It seemed like a good idea at the time'!" LOL!!! He's SO right! That was a great little story, Dreamflower! And a very "Tookish" first meeting of Gerontius and Gandalf the Grey :-)
Author's reply
There are three phrases adults never want to hear from young people: "It seemed like a good idea at the time." "I was just trying to help." "I didn't know it would do that!" I think of Gerontius as a quintessential Took! And I tend to extrapolate his personality from Pippin's, if that makes sense!
Larner · 14 March 2010 · Chapter 74: Witness to a Crime
Ah, delightful encounter here, and I can so imagine it! Heh!
Author's reply
Thanks! 8-)
PIppinfan1988 · 14 March 2010 · Chapter 74: Witness to a Crime
I should have known better when the aroma of savory chicken and mushrooms were smelt all around. I wasn't hungry then...I am now, lol. I truly loved this wonderful tale with Gandalf meeting Gerontius for the first time. Very well done. Oh, and I thoroughly enjoyed Gandalf, the new Dog Whisperer, lol. I say that jokingly, but it was all in character...and fun. Thanks for sharing!
Author's reply
*grin* *passes you a virtual slice of chicken pie* I'm glad you found it in character. I know Radagast was the animal expert, but I'd think a Maia could handle a few barking dogs! Glad you enjoyed!
Elena Tiriel · 14 March 2010 · Chapter 74: Witness to a Crime
What a delightful vignette! So, Gandalf's acquaintance with Belladonna's father goes back to his days of adolescent thievery, huh? Well, there seems to be a long-standing tradition of that in the Shire, given Frodo's history with Farmer Maggot.... I enjoyed reading this, Dreamflower.... and the recipe made me very very hungry! - Barbara, pondering the relative benefits of a Wizard vs a microwave oven.....
Author's reply
*snerk* I thought a bit of "fire magic" wouldn't come amiss. I think Gerontius will show the proper amount of awe and wonder at Gandalf's feats, and this seemed like a good thing to start with! It's a good recipe! It makes me hungry too! I get the feeling that tweens in the Shire find swiping food a bit of light-hearted entertainment for the most part! (Though I doubt the adults hold the same view of things.)
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 February 2010 · Chapter 15: Family Reunion
Ah, here it is! No idea what the problem was on MPTT then. I remember this little tale now, I've read it before and quite enjoyed it. A fruit basket on Lobelia's head...that's the latest fashion? I suppose she sets the trends in Hobbiton then? Or at least she *thinks* she does! Good on Aunt Dora and Uncle Bilbo, helping out little Folco. A very enjoyable read! Kaylee
Antane · 15 January 2010 · Chapter 73: Coming to An Understanding
I'm glad they did come to that understanding and now can travel more easily together. I love the way Aragorn is with the hobbits in the BBC Radio adaptation. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner · 10 January 2010 · Chapter 73: Coming to An Understanding
Again, I am so happy with this gift! Just the type of story I love! Thank you so very much!
Author's reply
You are very welcome, dear! I was hoping you would like it (even thought it wasn't in Minas Tirith, LOL!) I was tickled that I was your second guess, after Celeritas! It's hard sometimes to retain anonymity when we have such a small pool to draw from!
Celeritas · 8 January 2010 · Chapter 73: Coming to An Understanding
I loved this fic as soon as I saw it, because 1). it's wholly reasonable that the Pony led to some terrible first impressions, and 2). it contains competent and slightly irritable Frodo, which is not only in keeping with book canon but also goes against film-induced fanonry. I also really liked how Strider seemed to be much more distant and high-and-mighty--very reminiscent of his dialogue throughout the LotR books. Lovely!
Author's reply
It is reasonable-- I've used that as a premise in at least two other ficlets as well-- that his first acquaintance with the hobbits did not leave an especially good impression of their sense! I've always loved a competent Frodo. My Frodo may *look* like movie-Frodo, but I try as hard as I can to make him speak and *act* like book-Frodo, who was competent, intelligent-- and yes, occasionally irritable and impatient!
Andrea · 8 January 2010 · Chapter 73: Coming to An Understanding
That was great, Dreamflower! Frodo and Aragorn can both be very stubborn at times. Luckily, both of them were also able to admit that they had made a mistake. And that was, as Bogey would put it, "the beginning of a beautiful friendship"!
Author's reply
Yes. On Frodo's part, he'd be feeling a bit foolish over his own behavior, and rather sensitive to any attitudes Strider would be having. And Strider would be feeling stressed because of how serious he knew the danger was. And a bit of stubbornness can be a good thing-- as long as it's for a good reason. Once they had got past that point, it was indeed "the beginning of a beautiful friendship".
harrowcat · 8 January 2010 · Chapter 73: Coming to An Understanding
I am glad that the bad start didn't continue. It is more realistic to realise that the relationship between the Fellowship would take time to settle. Great story.
Author's reply
Yes, it would have taken time, I think. And, truthfully, Strider's introduction to the hobbits was less than propitious. While Frodo *trusted* him, he would not necessarily immediately take to him, and it's clear that both Sam and Merry retained a certain amount of suspicion right up to Weathertop. And *his* introduction to them? Table dancing, loose talk, and wandering about the town in spite of danger? Could he be blamed for wondering if he'd fallen in with a totally feckless bunch of hobbits? But good sense and fairness would win out on both parts eventually!
Virtuella · 7 January 2010 · Chapter 73: Coming to An Understanding
Oh, yes, that's a very good point, very believable. These two would not have become friends quite so easily, and not without some misunderstandings on the way.
Author's reply
There had to be some of that-- after all, their initial meeting was not very propitious, and they were under stress and danger.
Virtuella · 1 January 2010 · Chapter 72: Overheard in the Dark
Wonderful charcter studies in this short moment, and we see why the fellowship succeeded: it was that spririt of caring for each other. Lovely take on Boromir!
Author's reply
Thanks! It was their spirit of caring! I always enjoy writing Boromir observing the hobbits-- perhaps it is because one of the earliest (and still a favorite) of the stories I read was Baylor's "The Care and Feeding of Hobbits".