Gentle Hobbit
· 23 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
Ahhhh, what a lovely chapter, and what a delight for Sam! I had to giggle at this line, however: "He fervently hoped she wouldn’t name him after any complex medical procedure."
I loved the scene with Aragorn in the little cave, and his mystical experience. I have been fascinated each time you've written about that cave and the drawings. I hope that you may do more some time!
Author's reply
I'm curious to find out what Serinde *will* name him! But we'll have to wait for SurgicalSteel to tell us.
Thank you so much. What luck that Bilbo and Frodo haven't walled up that opening yet! I love those carvings, too. :D
Baggins Babe
· 23 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
*triple squeeeeeee!*
Oh my word! That wonderful scene in the cellar with Aragorn meeting his father and remembering his lineage was so touched with the magic of Middle-earth.
Then a soft-hearted Hamfast and a joyful and speechless Sam.
And new-born puppies!!!!!!!!!! Am I allowed a teensy squidge?
*keels over with an overdose of fluffage*
Author's reply
Thank you so much, BB. I've been trying to imagine that scene down in the cellar since I first started writing this story. And I've been trying to imagine the puppies, too! I'm so thrilled we all get to meet them at last.
*carefully puts a soft, yawning, snuggly pup in your lap*
Elwen
· 23 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
Sam leaping into his da's arms just brought a tear to my eyes. What a sweet scene.
Author's reply
Thank you, Elwen! :D
Glory Underhill
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
Ooooooh, so much to love in this chapter! Well worth the wait! PUPPIES!
Halbarad blinked in confusion as a star seemed to flicker for a moment on Aragorn’s brow.
You've got such a way of sprinkling magic into your stories. This line made me shiver!
He stepped out of the room to wash his hands, and quickly returned.
Hahaha, I know a healer in Bree who'd be very proud that Aragorn washed before a procedure, even when the patient was a dog.
Sam opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out but a small squeak. Suddenly he leaped up and threw himself into his father’s arms, and Hamfast hugged his young son tightly.
Ah, you got me here! I've gone all weepy! *hugs you*
Author's reply
And what a privilege it is, to be able to sprinkle a bit more magic into the Professor's amazing Tale. Thank you so much for sharing the lines you enjoyed the most.
*hugs you and passes the tissues*
cookiefleck
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
Oh, I just loved this chapter, especially Halbarad and Aragorn looking down at Sam, and then later, Sam getting the pups. Too sweet for words.
Author's reply
Thank you, cookiefleck! :D
Amy
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
*double squee*
Puppies and Aragorn's ancestors!!
I want to tickle the little puppy bellies!
Aragorn has a lot to think about and feel if he can just remember all of that dream!
Author's reply
a DOUBLE squee!! :D
Aragorn will do his best to remember as much as he can. But who can concentrate on kingship when there are little puppy bellies to be tickled?
Armariel
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
Oooooooooooooooooo little puppy dogs!!!!!! And Sam can have two! WhEEEEEee!!!! They sound so cuuuuuuttttteeeeee, I want one too...geez......
Aragorn's dream/vision was very lovely. Great way to get his memory back.
~~~{~@
Author's reply
Believe me, I want one, too!!! We all deserve little puppy dogs.
Thank you, Armariel. :D
Elflingimp
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
I am in awe of this chapter it was so good! First when Aragorn was in the cellar and he saw Earendil on the beach and all the visions he saw ending with his father that just blew me away,then when the puppys finally were born I almost cried, Thanks that was great ,cant wait for more!
Author's reply
Thank you so much! Lots of emotions (all happy ones) in this chapter. :D
Andrea
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
Awww! Puppies!!!!!
That was the most wonderful day in Sam's life, I bet (but wait until he meets Rosie ;-)).
“There you go, Frodo lad,” Bilbo said. “White ear, white paws, and a tiny bit of white at the tip of the tail. A lass, by the look of her.”
“Half Baggins, and definitely half Took,” Frodo said with delight. The new pup made little grunting sounds as she was gathered to mother’s belly.
Just wonderful!
And I'm really glad that Aragorn "remembered" again. Eärendil, his father Arathorn and the blood of Westernesse running in his veins, that was perfect! Of course he would never ever really forget Arwen Undomiel :)
Author's reply
Yay for puppies and happy-Sam days! And of course you're right -- Aragorn would never *really* forget Arwen. She's his heart, and the reason behind everything he does. :D
Larner
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
Earendil's star for Earendil's heir among Men.
A wonderful vision granted, and a joyful crown to a day of memory returned and honor offered and received.
And Sam gets TWO pups! Hooray!
Author's reply
I'm very happy you enjoyed Aragorn's vision; he truly deserves such a wonderful experience.
It took me a long time to decide how many pups Sam would get, but I finally realized that two pups would bring twice the joy. Hooray! :D
lbilover
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
This was such a wonderful chapter. The scene with Aragorn meeting Earendil and his father brought tears to my eyes. And the puppies!! Squee!!!! I just love how Hamfast said, 'Think they'd like to be Gamgees?' *melts* And Sam throwing himself into his father's arms... *melts some more*
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I felt strange going straight from the 'vision' to the 'birth', but those two scenes just insisted on being in the same chapter. I'm so happy that you enjoyed this. *hugs and melties*
EllyBaggins
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
PUPPIES!!! I can't wait to hear what Sam will name them...something Elvish perhaps? And I loved Aragorn's 'meeting', it was so Tolkienish!!
ps. Tell Scamp i said congratulations!
Author's reply
Yes, Sam definitely needs to get to work thinking up names. What a fun task!
*Scamp wags happily at you*
SlightlyTookish
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
Yay, puppies! And now Halbarad has his present for Serinde :)
My favorite bit was: This reawakening of the last of his shrouded memories, he realized, must be why he had felt compelled to come down here. Arwen was waiting for him. All of Middle-earth was waiting for him, although few knew it. But for now, he was a Ranger of the North, and nothing more. The future was yet unwritten.
I loved Aragorn's vision :D
Author's reply
Gosh, how long have we been waiting for those puppies?? Whew!
Aragorn is so humble and patient, he deserves an inspiring vision. What fun to share it with him. :D
Queen Galadriel
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
*huge grin* Aaaaawww! The puppies are just soooooo cute!!! And Sam gets the little lasses! Yea!! :) :) He'll have his hands quite full with them if they're half Baggins and half Took-oh my! Stubborn and adventurous and unquenchable and absolutely adorable! :)
He had been hoping to find an unusual ‘courting’ present for
Serindë, and somehow he just knew she’d love this little pup. He fervently hoped she wouldn’t name him after any complex medical procedure.
LOL! Now I'd so love to see Serinde's reaction to receiving that little bundle of joy. She's a formidable one, to be sure, and I'm not sure I can imagine her melting over this puppy (but then I don't know her very well, either), but it sure would be a treat to see! :)
Wow! What an amazing way for Aragorn to remember. Incredible and almost mystical but gentle and loving all the same. Love that he saw his father!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yay, glad you enjoyed this, QG! And if we're lucky, the wonderful SurgicalSteel will grace us with a chapter in which Serinde gets her pup. I'm dying to read about that, myself!
Pearl Took
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
From the powerful to the sweet and cuddly - a wonderful chapter, shirebound :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Pearl. This chapter has been a long time a-comin' (and a-plannin').
:D
Dreamflower
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
*squeee!* Puppies! At last! So adorable!
But I want to say how much I really love the part with Aragorn, and the carving of Luthien and Beren, and the dream/vision/grace of the Valar with Earendil. It was so wonderful and beautifully written--absolutely perfect! And to have the effects linger, so that Halbarad saw the star on Aragorn's brow.
And *puppies*!
I wonder what Serinde *will* name her pup?
Author's reply
Can you imagine how tiny the pups of a very tiny ShireDog must be? *melts and squeeees with you*
Thank you so much, Dreamflower. I've been trying to imagine that scene in the cavern for months, and finally got it written.
I'm as curious as you to find out what Serinde will name the pup! *gazes in SurgicalSteel's direction*
harrowcat
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
Wow what a wonderful set of experiences for our friends. Many best bits in this one. Aragorn's vision and the pups and Hamfast's reaction and Halbarad's claiming of the dog for Serinde. But above all...
Suddenly, as if his mind was ablaze with light, Aragorn remembered. For a moment, he stood once again before his heart’s desire, placing the ring of Barahir – and his heart – in her hands. The daughter of Elrond had pledged her heart, future, and life itself to him in return.
Author's reply
Thank you, harrowcat. I just had to weave those carvings back into the "Quarantined" universe somehow! :D
Cuthalion
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
Ah - I was so sure that Aragorn was searching for the lost memory of the love of his life, and I was right! And then you go and even write a beautiful, amazing encounter with Eärendil - extremely well done!
And the pups are finally there! *huge smile*
Cúthalion
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Mona. I've had a scene with Earendil percolating in my imagination since chapter 1, but didn't know exactly what form it would take until I started writing.
*pups snuggle on your lap*
SurgicalSteel
· 22 August 2006
· Chapter 12: New Strength, New Life
Oh, I just loved this! Earendil, and the carvings, and puppies!
And I don't think I even need to tell you I adored this part:
*Aragorn gaped at Halbarad in amazement. “Whatever will you do with a dog?”
“He is for Serindë,” Halbarad said quietly.
“What?”
“A thank-you gift, for all she has done for all of us.”
“But Serindë is so...” Aragorn frowned, thinking about the sharp-tongued healer. “Do you think she’d like a dog around the house?”
“I do.” Halbarad said calmly. The pup would be a gift, but not just to say ‘thank you’. He had been hoping to find an unusual ‘courting’ present for Serindë, and somehow he just knew she’d love this little pup. He fervently hoped she wouldn’t name him after any complex medical procedure.*
*dies laughing* Never fear. She won't. ;D
Author's reply
*giggles* Yay, I'm so glad you like this! (Of course I'm dying of curiosity to find out what Serinde *will* name her new pup!) Since Scamp was so tiny to begin with, I can just picture a little 'scrap o' dog' peeking out of her medical kit. :D
lbilover
· 21 August 2006
· Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air
Oh, the pups are coming! And the Gaffer wants one, or even two!! *happy sigh* Sam will be so excited!
Author's reply
I'm all excited, too! I'm having chapter 12 beta'd tomorrow, so I should be able to post it this week. Whew, finally we get to meet the puppies.
*bounce bounce*
harrowcat
· 21 August 2006
· Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air
No it sounds like just the proper answer for the pups! I AM glad that I wasn't away for the birth - I have been fretting at my parents all week! Now Estel! how long does it take to look at old carvings? *grin*
Author's reply
What *is* Estel doing down there, loafing away in the cellar? It's time we hauled him back upstairs. I plan to post chapter 12 -- in which a LOT happens --this week. :D
grumpy
· 20 August 2006
· Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air
The puppies are coming, and it looks like they have found good homes to be.
Can not blame Estel's brain for wanting a little bit of a vacation, get away from his worries for awhile.
Author's reply
I agree that poor Estel doesn't really get too many vacations -- physical *or* mental. We have to help him along a little.
Puppies!!!!!
Elemmírë
· 19 August 2006
· Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air
*Jumps up and down* The puppies are coming! The puppies are coming!!
I hope Scamp has an easy labor, especially for Frodo's sake. The poor dear sounds like he could already use a shot of ale/Old Winyards to calm him down. I like how he sounds like a father expecting his first child. LOL!
“Mr. Bilbo,” Hamfast said a moment later, “I’m sure I could talk my family into it. As a matter of fact, it would near break Sam’s heart to be parted from those pups. I mean, from one of those pups.”
I've really enjoyed how you have the Gaffer slowly warming up to Scamp with each story and chapter you write. It was a nice culmination for Bilbo to decide to give the Gamgee family one--maybe two--of the puppies for all their hard work and love. And Bilbo knows he has to word that just so in order for the proud Gamgee to accept.
Yeah! Bilbo and Halbarad return just in time. No if only Aragorn would drag himself up from the cellar. I can't believe he forgot Arwen!!! The love of his life!!! Poor guy!
Author's reply
Thank you so much! Yes, the Gaffer has always had a hard time admitting how much he'd taken to Scamp from the very beginning, and now actually wouldn't mind having a pup -- or two -- as members of his family. I'm all excited that we're getting to such a fun part of the story. (And I could *never* put Scamp through a hard labor or any complications...I just couldn't!) :D
Yes, we're about to find out what Aragorn's been up to, and finally (FINALLY!) meet those pups. Whew.
Baggins Babe
· 19 August 2006
· Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air
Suddenly his eyes sparkled with glee. “I escaped when no one was looking.”
That's my Frodo! Loved that line, Shirebound.
Ooooh! Puppies!!! *bounces in seat* I'm as eager as they are, and I love your stories because I know you won't do something dreadful such as kill off Scamp. You mentioned in a review of my story that you have a 'tender, wimpy little hobbit heart' - and so so I! I cringe at the amount of torment some writers put poor Frodo through (as if he doesn't go through enough!)and coming to your stories always causes a sigh of satisfaction.
Hope Estel has remembered who he is by now!
Author's reply
Omigosh, I could never kill off Scamp. Or even come close! In my stories, there's a time for suspense, and then a time for joy.
coming to your stories always causes a sigh of satisfaction.
And I feel the same about yours! Thank you, BB :D
I'm working on chapter 12 this weekend, and suspect it will tie up most of the remaining loose ends. Memories... puppies... Halbarad... puppies...
*grins*
Andrea
· 17 August 2006
· Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air
Finally!!! The puppies are on their way! I'm really excited :)
A wonderful chapter, Shirebound!
Most of all (well, besides the puppies of course) I loved this:
“Everyone’s being so fussy,” Frodo said in frustration. "I’m tired of resting and sleeping."
Tired of resting and sleeping - that's just great!
Did Estel really forget about his beloved? That's my interpretation of his reaction to the name "Luthien". Oh dear!
And why indeed are those ducks wearing hats ;-)
I'm eagerly awaiting the next chapter to provide some answers to my questions!
Thank you for this update! You made my day :)
Author's reply
Thanks, Andrea. You're so sweet. Puppies!
No, Aragorn didn't forget Arwen, not exactly. But there's another reason why he's compelled to go see the Luthien carving. *is mysterious*