Reviews (327)

Larner · 17 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Wily Bilbo, and softie Gaffer! And Halbarad DID get back in time. Hooray!

Larner · 17 August 2006 · Chapter 10: Conversations

Yes, a Hobbit who doesn't think of food is likely seriously ill, after all. So, the Ring remains their secret. Interesting.

Larner · 17 August 2006 · Chapter 9: Breakfast in Bed

Again, I love the caring spirit filling the smial. Frodo and Aragorn are in the best of hands, it appears. And Estel is getting a bit of a respite from being the heir of Isildur.

Larner · 17 August 2006 · Chapter 8: Reassurances

Yes, our Frodo is unforgettable. Lovely caring from the folk of Hobbiton and the Gamgees.

Larner · 17 August 2006 · Chapter 7: Concerning Dwarves

Yes, the renowned Burglar Baggins, confounder of Dragons. Halbarad will be fine, and hopefully Estel will accept being Aragorn again in a few days. As for the puppies....

Larner · 17 August 2006 · Chapter 6: Shards of Memory

Glad you updated, as it allows me to catch up without having to search for it. So glad Frodo's doing well and Sam's unhurt, but it sounds as if Aragorn secretly has been wishing for a bit of time without responsibilities for a time.

Tigger · 17 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Bring on the puppies!! :oD Why do I have this funny feeling though that Aragorn's going to be needed and that will help him "gel" all of the pieces together. After all, the hands of the King are hands that heal. At least I know if something does happen, it'll be okay in the end because this one of your stories and you wouldn't do that to Frodo and the rest. I was wondering if the carvings in behind the cellar and pantry would be making an appearance here. Of course they would also help Aragorn figure out the rest of the missing pieces. Now I just hope you don't leave us hanging for too long. There's puppies needing to be born here. ;o) Looking forward to the next chapter like you wouldn't believe!!

Linda Hoyland · 17 August 2006 · Chapter 10: Conversations

I am glad Bilbo talked to Aragorn and said the right things about his inherent abilities.Sensible to teach Frodo about money young. I'm sorry i'm behind with my reading.

Lindelea · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Suddenly his eyes sparkled with glee. “I escaped when no one was looking.” Oh, how I love your convalescent Frodo here, so full of joy! How did poor Beren endure losing a whole hand? It’s so frightening to think about what happened to him. Oh, this gave me a pang! (Poor Frodo.) “This is from Pip. And those must be ducks. I wonder why they’re wearing hats?” There must be a story here. Sam grinned and shook his head, then went back to his weeding. He checked on Frodo a bit later, and smiled to see that his friend had fallen sound asleep on the bench, wrapped in the blanket, with the sheaf of letters under his head for a pillow. I love this little bit of detail, it sounds so homey somehow. “Mr. Bilbo,” Hamfast said a moment later, “I’m sure I could talk my family into it. Bilbo and Hamfast's conversation is wonderful! And PUPPIES! Yay!

Endaewen · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Lovely. Just lovely.

rabidsamfan · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Hooray! Puppies at last! And I did love the bit of Halbarad pulling Bilbo up onto his horse because the pair of them were thinking disaster. I wonder if Sam's found Estel yet?

Dreamflower · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Oh, Estel will be looking at Luthien, and remembering Arwen! And PUPPIES! Yay!

lovethosehobbits · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

*giggles* I just *knew* Hamfast was an old sweetie even tho' he has that grumpy exterior.

Amy · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Where's that Ranger when you need him, anyway? "I don't know nothin' 'bout birthing babies!" Maybe he's blissing out, remembering Arwen, eh? A vacation: what a great idea!

Rowan · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Boy, the warm fuzzies are really flying now! I particularly enjoyed Frodo insisting that they boil hot water, though he admitted he had no idea why, it was just something he heard...and the Gaffer's reaction to Bilbo's offer.

Glory Underhill · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Ahh, there's just so much here to love! Suddenly his eyes sparkled with glee. “I escaped when no one was looking.” I love escaping!Frodo! “Just don’t let her have those pups without me,” Sam begged. “Not that she will. I mean, it’ll probably take hours, but I don’t want to miss...” He rushed out of the room. And nervous!Sam... And the Gaffer wanting a puppy? *bounces*

SlightlyTookish · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Awww, yay! Now we know where at least two of the pups are going *grin* And eeeeee! Pippin sent Frodo a drawing of ducks wearing hats! He is just too adorable :)

Cuthalion · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

He had grown from a Chieftain by tradition, to a Chieftain in truth. Over long years of travel over much of Middle-earth, nearly always in disguise or under assumed names, he had learned and watched, becoming familiar with many lands and peoples. He had learned to serve, and watch, and wait. He was a warrior, a healer, and a leader of Men. Oh yes, yes yessss! And I wonder what he's doing down there... trying to remember the woman who is considered to be Lúthien's spitten image, perhaps? *huge delighted grin* And Scamp is about to give birth to her pups! And the gaffer has fallen in love with little doggies! And I loveloveLOVE this tale. Honestly. "The usual" that you mention in your summary is always "the special", as long as you write it, my dear friend. Cúthalion

Elwen · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Awwwwwwwwwwww! I love the Gaffer's reaction to being offered a pup. But what have you done with Estel?

Queen Galadriel · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Oooooo! Yea! The puppies are coming, and the Gaffer is just longing for one! *grin* And Aragorn is remembering! Too cute that Sam saw Frodo and let him think nobody had. :) Can't wait for more!!! God bless, Galadriel

Cuthalion · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 10: Conversations

This is so delightful... I love this exchange between Bilbo and Aragorn, and that loving conversation between Bilbo and Frodo. I love this gentle tale! Cúthalion

AspenJules · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

Puppies!! OH, the puppies are almost here! It's almost too much to bear to wait now though - I hope you're not going to leave Scamp in labor for too long, Shire! And what *has* Estel been doing/thinking down there looking at the carvings for this long? I hope you let us experience a little of it rather than simply learning about it by Estel relating it to the others... there's something so powerful about your writing and well... I guess I'm a voyeur at heart - I want to *see/feel/experience* it with him. And Halbarad's back too! You just gave us a feast of good things in this chapter. Greedy me, my first thought though, was "It's OVER??" LOL, your adoring public is never satisfied, are we? Anyway, lovely chapter, Shire. I am, as always, awed by how you convey visual images and emotions so effortlessly with so few words. "Frodo sighed blissfully, breathing in the crisp autumn air.“I love it out here. The trees make such a lovely swishing sound.”" That's just one example, but my favorite. I could feel the crisp autumn air (and that's saying something as it's at least 105 F outside right now) and hear the trees 'swishing' in the breeze. Such beautiful imagery. OK, I'm off to struggle some more with my own writing to pass the time till your next chapter!

SurgicalSteel · 16 August 2006 · Chapter 11: A Breath of Fresh Air

You've certainly left us with a few cliffhangers here! Why did Aragorn suddenly need to see the carvings again? How did Halbarad make out with the dwarves? Gracious me, I'm certainly looking forward to the next installment!

harrowcat · 12 August 2006 · Chapter 10: Conversations

*sigh* What a lovely chapter to come back to! “Don’t overdo things, and don’t worry too much about Halbarad or anything else. Now then,” Bilbo said briskly, “drink up that willowbark tea Gilly left, and let us know if you need something stronger for your headache. Put that ice pack back on your wrist, and get some rest. Come to the kitchen when you are hungry. Remember that Bag End is your home whenever you are with us.” There is absolutely no doubt as to who is Master of Bag End. I loved the image of Aragorn kneeling before Bilbo to have his hand bandaged. And the way you are winding in Halbarad's romance to your universe. And the biography of Aragorn. And the Gaffer, (my Dad is exactly the same with his dog which can get rather confusing for the poor thing but there is no doubting the bond between them.) And.... I could go on and on but I have a lot more reviews to catch up on and I don't want to quote the whole chapter, well I do but I had better not!

Elemmírë · 12 August 2006 · Chapter 10: Conversations

I loved every bit of this chapter, Shirebound. These were some of my favorite parts: Bilbo closed his eyes for a moment. “I haven’t wanted Frodo to see my fear. He’s had so much upheaval in his life. Safety, reassurance, stability... these are what he needs so very much.” Aragorn frowned at the use of his given name. Halbarad had told him that Bilbo knew his true identity, but not Frodo. This hobbit, he thought ruefully, currently knows more about me than I do. “Perhaps you just need a few days off; a bit of a vacation, as it were. I often feel that way, myself.” Bilbo smiled and got to his feet. “Or... perhaps Halbarad needed the opportunity to grow up more quickly than he would have, otherwise.” I was thinking that myself at one point when trying to reason why Aragorn lost that particular memory. Although he didn't show it, it must have been very stressful for him to know that the future and well-being of Middle-earth rested on his shoulders should the circumstances present themselves for him to become King. Bilbo went looking for Scamp, and found her in the kitchen – with the Gaffer. Hamfast was sitting on the floor, feeding the dog some pieces of roasted beef and talking quietly to her. “And you don’t have to fret none. Your master’s on the mend, and we’ll see to it that no one has any worries. Why, you’re nearly ready to meet your little ones, aren’t you? You need to keep up your strength now, and...” The Gaffer looked up and saw Bilbo watching him, and scrambled to his feet, red-faced with embarrassment This scene was such a hoot! I just know the Gaffer will have to accept a Scamp puppy. How can he refuse the pleading blue eyes of Frodo when faced with a young hobbit holding a newborn cute puppy, Scamp the proud mother standing at his side and wagging her tail. Why, he'd have to have a heart of stone! LOL! I still like the idea of Serinde receiving a puppy. Will you or Surgical Steele write that scene somewhere? “Of course!” Frodo said, a smile blooming across his face. “Bilbo, you never asked my advice about money before.” “It’s time I started. You are not yet of age, Frodo, but you are my heir, and have shown true maturity regarding matters of finance.” Frodo beamed with pride And as always, I really enjoy the care and worry Bilbo shows for Frodo, along with the understanding of how Frodo's matured. He understands his heir so very well, knowing his dislike of losing his independesnce and that it took a lot for Frodo to ask for help. I also liked Aragorn and Bilbo's disccussion. Very shrewd of Bilbo the way he handled speaking/leading up to Aragorn's past. Looking forward to more, Shirebound! p.s. I don't know why, but I would enjoy it very much if you have it in your plans to have a scene of Bilbo helping Frodo clean up in the bath. I think it stems back to that love, care, and comfort that you write so very well, along with thoroughly enjoying their conversation.