Reviews (140)

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Yes, Frodo does communicate well. God bless indeed, Antane.

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Hopefully I will have the new modem by the first of next week at the latest, but we will see, of course. Yes, they are learning, and some are realizing surprising things. I hadn't thought of old Barliman's reaction in ROTK, but I can certainly see why you immediately did. After all, how many of us think to share a breakfast along the road with the King Returned? I'd written in The Acceptable Sacrifice that Frodo foresaw the marriage of Brendi to Narcissa, an event I wrote into The Ties of Family; as we know Frodo had prescient dreams on several occasions, I thought it only appropriate that he might plan for that day, and perhaps plant some ideas in his unsuspecting cousin's head. And as hard as he worked to try to pound the fact through Paladin's head that Pippin was an adult in everything but chronological age and that no one was going to change the story just to make it more palatable to Paladin and Eglantine, I think he'd be very sensitive to the moment Pal apologized to his son and meant it. I don't have any excuse not to get more cleaning done, now that I'm offline save for when I can get into the office after hours and slip a bit of time online, but that doesn't seem to get me into cleaning the floor, which desperately needs it. Glad you're able to do better at disciplining yourself than I've been able to do. Thanks for the feedback.

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At least Paladin is big enough to admit he's been a fool and to do something about it. It's not an easy thing to apologize to the one you've wronged; it's even harder at times to apologize to everyone else who's had to deal with the situation. And of COURSE Frodo would be organized about his bequests--no tag sale in the parlor for Frodo, I think, unlike Bilbo. So glad you appreciated the letter to Pearl.

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Thank you--being compared to the Master himself is always the greatest honor of all.

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I do believe Frodo would have wanted to have a family--so many orphaned as he was find this is the one thing they wish above all else. And so it goes to the cousin he most identifies with, along with the hopes that Fosco will do what he did not, and marry and father children. The glimpse of Frodo at the end will be a rather oblique one in this story, you'll find.

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Yes, the computer problems continue, although HOPEFULLY all will be well once more on Monday at the latest. Had to come to the office to turn in my time sheets, so am slipping onto the internet before I head for work. It's frustrating not to be able to do this at home, though. And understand about the book--before the connection in the power cable for the laptop finally bit the dust I was having to put books underneath it to keep the connection going. Good luck with your own computer issues. Frodo may be gone from his family's lives, but he has done his best to remember each, and planning for the continued leadership for his own family and all. I agree--Paladin is proving a much more impressive individual than he appeared when he was driving poor Pippin and Frodo crazy insisting they not say things he didn't want to believe in. And it would be very interesting to have breakfast and later learn the pleasant person we shared a table with was someone we'd always hoped to meet but never dreamed we would. It was fun imagining Beli's response once he learned the actual identity of the nice Ranger he met along the road. And am honored you found Pearl's letter touching. Good luck with your own computer problems. They do get to be maddening, don't they?

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I bet it has, and am glad to hear your mother appreciates my concern and continued prayers. Thanks for letting me know you read it, and that you enjoyed it. Good luck to you and yours. Hope to have the new modem by the first of next week at the latest.

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In The Choice of Healing Paladin at one point thinks it's too late to make it up with Pippin; I'm just glad he was able to do so after all with his son. He knows that Frodo forgives him, too, but I'm certain you're right that he wishes he could just have that mutual awareness he's sorry for what he did and has indeed reconciled with Pippin. I think Frodo would have found many hours when he was fighting off nightmares when he'd plan what he'd like to do for others for his final bequests. And am so glad you find he personal notes effective. As for the scandalmongers--well they are always the ones who will make their own opinions best known. The great problem is that so many are so willing to believe whatever the rumors say instead of trying to find out the truth of the matter. At least those who matter most to Frodo do know what he accomplished and honor it, even if it is after the fact. His own reluctance to admit what he did worked against him, I think.

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I have three computers, and to have EVERY ONE of them all develop problems was almost more than I could deal with. Power supplies, damaged mother board, fried processor, and THEN the transmitter for the satellite modem self-destructing. I am SOOOOOOO frustrated. It's been a most expensive month for computers. And then last night the capacitor for the well pump decided to become so corroded it wouldn't pump water, and my niece this morning has determined she WON'T live where one has to deal with pumps and propane tanks. Not to mention all the car repairs that have been needed in the last two months. It would be SO nice to be able to spend the little extra money I get on something I'd LIKE rather than something NEEDED if you understand what I mean. Anyway, of COURSE Beli will look first at the lovely lady in the picture. So glad you appreciated that. Brendi is in many ways Frodo's secondary heir--the one who has to see to the last of the legal business, who won't fully be free of responsibilities to Frodo until Fosco comes of age. And I think that having foreseen Brendi and Narcissa's wedding and that there is a strong tie there to the twins, Frodo's not above trying to help it along. I agree about the maid and Brendi's spilled ale. But, seeing these are Hobbits I doubt she has to do it all that often. And in this case there was ample reason for Brendi to be surprised. Who'd dream the King himself was heading their way. Yet they've managed to learn enough of Aragorn's nature from what the Travellers have told them to appreciate what he's likely to do and do next. Thanks for understanding.

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The holiday has been computer enforced. Hope to get things back up by next week, and then to get a credit from my ISP for the inability to be online, in part due the failure of the modem I purchased from them to begin with. They want me to buy the new modem, of course, but I'd rather not have to tie myself to another fifteen month contract in case I find I can't work properly with the transfer they've done to a new server and domain name and software and so on. And am so glad you appreciate the thought Frodo took in planning his bequests. I think he'd be far more thoughtful and compassionate than Bilbo was.

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I was grateful I can use the network at the office to update on occasion. It's been trying not being able to access the net from home at the moment. Have about three other stories started and one even completed which will go up soon, I hope. And am so glad you appreciated Pippin's letter. Paladin has more assurance that Pippin understands and has been willing to forgive him.

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It's taken a couple days to be able to get back into the office to use the network, and am very grateful they'll allow this here during the hours I'm not working with clients. And agree about Frodo's gifts compared to Bilbo's--he's more empathic and less barbed in his gifts, at least. This would be a part of acknowledging the Shire is part of the outer realm, developing communication with the Rangers. Am so glad you approve. Hope you enjoy the next couple chapters, although I'm not certain they're in as much depth as you'd hoped to see. However, I've written enough now we can now imagine how much better it's going to be between Pippin and his parents and the rest of the family. And I think that Bard is glad to see it come. I, too, hope this is the end of computer problems for a while. I am SO tired of technical difficulties.

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Oh, I've been so frustrated in the past several weeks, with one difficulty after another after another. I am SO ready to have some BORING times for a change, I think. Bobbin and Pippin will learn soon enough, but it's hard for Brendi and Bard to explain at the moment. Hope this lack of explanation doesn't come back to bite them later, myself, although I don't think it will. And it's nice think that perhaps there is someone who will appreciate Pippa. I hope it does work out between her and Beli, I find. Whoever has to clean the ale out of the carpet will undoubtedly feel put upon briefly; but at least it wasn't a red wine leaving a permanent stain! She may just appreciate that. I, too, am glad Frodo didn't know precisely why Pearl pulled away, but I think he'd realize somehow Lobelia was behind it. And I, too, hope this is the last of the computer problems for a GOOD long time. Hopefully will have the new modem by Monday. Now, if Hughes doesn't give me a hassle about turning the access on for the satellite. They'd far rather I bought a new modem and a service contract from them rather than just replacing the old one.

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It's not just computers, but the satellite modem transmitter giving fits. It will be at least two weeks before I get the new one, too, I'm told. I am SO frustrated! And I don't get to the office often enough to post while here. Yes, Aragorn has managed to amaze a rather ordinary Hobbit by appearing to be a pretty decent individual and Ranger. And I think that Frodo's smaller bequests would be deeply appreciated. And I like to think that he had ulterior motives for giving the studies of Narcissa to Brendi. Sly Hobbit! It will be when all can laugh at something Frodo did that they'll be well on the road to recovery.

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It would be a shock, wouldn't it? And at least the folk in Pippin's family have managed to learn enough of the King to accurately predict his reactions and to appreciate his motivations. And thanks so much for the compliment! So sorry this story has languished this way, for I've been totally cut off the net at home since the eleventh. This has been terrible!

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The fact is that we do see the best and worst in those we truly love most; the trick is to accept the person as he or she is, and do our best with them from that poing on. The sword at the throat is strictly movie-verse, of course, but still book-Frodo stung Sam to the heart demanding the Ring back in the tower of Cirith Ungol, only realizing what he'd done once the foul thing was back in his possession. We do hurt those we love most deeply; but that kind of love does forgive and supports as we can. "How many times shall I forgive my brother?" "Not seven times seven, but seventy times seven...."

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I had always rather wished Aragorn had come to say goodbye to Frodo; I get to write it that way when I write my fanfiction stories. However, as this isn't canon, Aragorn arrives too late, but is able to know that it's probably as well for Frodo that he was late. There were so many parallels between the King and Frodo that I do feel that Aragorn would pray just this way for Frodo's recovery and comfort. So glad it strikes a chord with you as well.

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He is risen indeed! Alleluia! If the Shire exists in our hearts as Ian McKellan pointed out, and the Ring is the most hated item that ever didn't exist, save in our imaginations due to Tolkien's writing, then Frodo and Sam and Aragorn are among the best beloved individuals ever that have lived only in our hearts. They must have a special place in Heaven, don't you think? But for Pippin and the others, as with all who have lost ones so well beloved, that is the trick--learning to live in the here and now without their presence so that one day we will meet them again when it is right.

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It is, after all, great fun to imagine what kinds of things Frodo did to earn the title of the "rascal of Buckland." And I do think he'd have been very ingenious indeed. I believe that even in his leaving Frodo would somehow manage, by design or simply as a result of him being Frodo, to bring the proper folk together to support one another. And so Brendi eventually finds love with Narcissa, family through her, Fosco, Forsythia, and his children by Narcissa, and friendship with a Took lawyer who has a very different sort of practice. And I agree--friendship between Tooks and Brandybucks is possible--after all, there are marriages between them! It is so hard that in real life most people don't appear to look beyond appearances; Will has personally dealt with Frodo and Bilbo and realizes just how much they know and love the Shire and its folk; most others, as you've noted, don't look beyond the "outside the Shire." A very astute observation!

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Seeing just what a former rival has come to is a wonderful antidote to jealousy, particularly when you realize he almost died, has ongoing physical issues as a result of his experiences, and has no intention of any sort of threatening your current happiness. And through Frodo a Took and a Brandybuck lawyer are coming to know one another and hopefully to respect and complement one another in the future. I've loved trying to think of the types of things Frodo might have done to earn his title of "the rascal of Buckland." Some of the stories I've seen have been so wonderful, and I thought this would be the perfect thing for the situation. Am so glad you appear to appreciate it. Will is all too right--Will himself is distinctly muddled as to what the four accomplished in leaving the Shire--about all he truly understands is that they are all heroes out there and the King loves and respects them all. What he knows is what they have accomplished HERE in the Shire--and that's been more than most will appreciate in decades. It was far easier to honor Merry and Pippin and their swordcraft and knowledge of tactics or Sam with his replanting and reconstruction than what Frodo did quietly behind the scenes in the Mayor's office. And so Frodo still receives the least recognition. As for framing the signature page for this codicil--I'd do the same!

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I know. I've found many I've been able to know far better when I work alongside them than when I just met them. And that Frodo and Bard would find a friendship as a result of their working together in the Mayor's office I find both logical and needful. It was past time for Bard to let go of the past. And for Brendi as you say, Frodo was his best friend, the one who always tried to see to it Brendi had what he truly wanted and needed. And being able to share that with Bard was, I think, important to his own healing. And those signatures will probably be sought after in later years by collectors from Gondor and Arnor--what do you want to bet? Heh! Back in school now, or is this your week off in Seattle?

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I think Will is starting to do just that, Bodkin. Frodo has gone out of his way to highlight the fact that Sam is extraordinary. After all, Sam in six more years will be the new Mayor of the Shire. I think Frodo has done all he can to rub Will's face in the fact Sam is all Will wants in a successor for the office and more. So glad you like Bard, for I find I do, too. And that codicil may well come to be enshrined in the Mathom House in time. Most Hobbits won't care a bit; but there will be the few who appreciate just what those names meant in Middle Earth for the first three ages of Arda. And so it ends up being countersigned with mundane Hobbit names right there alongside those of Elrond, Gildor, Erestor, and Galadriel. Thanks so much for the feedback.

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Yes, and it appears that Frodo's leaving may have aided another friendship to grow. I like to think that even in leaving the Shire Frodo fostered growth of positive actions and relationships. But I doubt Brendi will ever tell folk about that picture he saw, recognizing this was highly personal to Frodo; and I don't know if Bard will ever learn why Pearl threw Frodo over, being content to accept that she did turn to him, and that she recognized he loved her as much as Frodo did. Yet most folk don't bother to dig deeper, and so rumors will take the place of fact in the minds of most folk in the Shire, just as it happens all too often in the real world. Bard may recognize at least two of those names, but Will probably has no idea who these are in spite of the stories he's heard Frodo tell his grandchildren. They still aren't real to him, for he's never experienced them. Even what he learns of the King doesn't truly become real until he meets Aragorn at the Brandywine Bridge--only then does he begin to take in the information given him and begin to integrate what he's retained of what he's heard before. Yes, the Shire has been isolated, and in many ways Aragorn's edict keeps it that way, which may or may not be a good thing in the long run. But at least some communication is going on.

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All lives hold grief as well as joy; and Frodo's griefs were more obvious than those of many others. But the joy of Bilbo's acceptance and the friendship of Sam, Merry, Pippin, Freddy, Folco, and so on would have helped mitigate a good deal of the grief Frodo experienced, I think. And it's always fun to try to figure out ways Frodo earned the title of the "Rascal of Buckland." I think that considering what he accomplished he'd have done so with distinction, don't you? :-) In the end Frodo made the one choice that offered him a chance to reclaim some level of fulfillment in his life.

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I always felt when younger that Aragorn would have wanted to be there at the Grey Havens to bid farewell to Frodo, Elrond, and Galadriel and others he'd known from Imladris and Lothlorien. Now that I'm writing my own fan fiction stories, of course I can indulge in this conceit; yet I don't feel free to break canon to the point he actually makes it. And so, yes, Aragorn receives at least some reassurance that the delays may well have worked to the good in the case of Frodo, and yet he also realizes his foster father recognized he was trying and sought to give him reassurance the attempt was appreciated. And the visit with Merry, Sam, and Pippin, of course, would help to make up for the lack of contact with those he missed. Thanks for the feedback, GW. You know I appreciate it.