cookiefleck
· 2 September 2006
· Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."
Wow, this is my favorite chapter of all. I had no idea what was in the box and was thoroughly surprised. Loved Sam's extreme reaction, Merry and Pippin learning more about what happened at Mt. Doom, and the ensuing discussion in which they revealed their guilty feelings. I was not able to view the photo but it is vivid in my imagination from your description.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked this chapter! We really put a lot of thought into it.
Sam, as we said, hated the chain almost as much as the Ring. To lay eyes on it again after all that time had to be hard.
You can probably see the picture now. I unlocked the post, which I had accidentally left locked.
Larner
· 2 September 2006
· Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."
You know, I never even thought of the chain at all. Yes, Frodo's fetters indeed. And a thing to horrify the rest.
Poor Frodo, but able at the last to indeed cast that fetter off, if not away.
And ready finally for the healing he needed.
Author's reply
That's what we thought: it's something they thought long gone, and to see it, with its associations with the Ring would really horrify them--especially Sam, who saw day by day how it cut into him.
And yes, by leaving it east of the Sea, he left off the last of his fetters.
GamgeeFest
· 2 September 2006
· Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."
I completely forgot about the chain. It would be most disturbing to find that there, after all those years thinking it long gone. Frodo could ever only see his weaknesses and never his strengths. He was able to leave the chain behind in the end and that's what matters most.
Author's reply
Yes, that's what we thought--they'd never expect that!
And you are absolutely right about Frodo: he was far harder on himself than he ever was on anyone else. He set the standards for himself incredibly high, while making allowances for everyone else. But leaving the chain behind was important as well.
Baggins Babe
· 2 September 2006
· Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."
*shudder* That was not what I was expecting - I have a very grisly imagination! ;-))
The image of the chain still covered in blood and with Frodo's hair tangled in it is very moving and sad. How terrible to have that suddenly in front of them, and to know that Frodo could not bring himself to cast it away. No wonder they were so distressed.
Glad you didn't wait too long to update, Dreamflower. I would love to see a picture of the chain but the site won't let me - keeps telling me I'm not authorised. Any suggestions?
Author's reply
I'm glad that it wasn't what you thought, too!
It was dreadful for them, for they certainly weren't expecting that. But this was kind of necessary for true closure.
As to the picture: I accidentally left the site locked. I went back and unlocked it now, so the link should work now!
shirebound
· 2 September 2006
· Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."
I know I will find my peace beyond the sea and hope that you, my brothers, will find yours as well.
******
Pippin's eyes brightened at this. "I think you are right, Merry. Just like--like Bilbo couldn't throw the Ring away, but he could leave it in someone else's care, pass it on."
What an incredibly powerful chapter! I wasn't expecting to see that 'item' at all. Wow.
Author's reply
I'm so glad that everyone was surprised by what was in the box--we hoped it would be as much of a surprise to the readers as to the characters!
harrowcat
· 2 September 2006
· Chapter 6: "To Cast Away a Treasure at Need..."
Well I didn't even begin to try to guess and I would have been wrong if I had tried but - oh yuck! Poor poor Frodo and poor threesome to have to deal with it so much later. But I loved the letter and liked the reasoning behind why Frodo kept it. And the same fireplace reveals the ring in its fire and now destroys the last link to it. How fitting.
Author's reply
Well I think a lot of people guessed something else entirely!
That *was* the idea of the fireplace--to let it all end where it began, sort of.
PIppinfan1988
· 27 August 2006
· Chapter 5: A Morning of Memories
Oy...I hope Sam isn't upchucking for seeing what I think he saw...yikes! We'll wait and see if my supposition is 'cold or hot'. ;-)
I thought Merry waking before Estella and him musing on his luck and her beauty was just lovely. :-) The lads dancing and singing round the room was a very hobbity moment!
LOL, just when we think things have calmed down...I'm eagerly awaiting the next chapter!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Well, I guess you know now what it is.
I thought it would be nice to show them waking up in the morning--and I think Merry would start off every morning thinking about his Estella.
The singing and dancing was Jackie's idea, and I think it came off very well!
It's up now!
GamgeeFest
· 25 August 2006
· Chapter 5: A Morning of Memories
I love all the dancing, and Merry and Pippin's insistance on Sam being family. Sometimes, you really do just have to force Sam to accept the facts. :)
And as for that item in the little box, everyone else seems to be thinking the same thing I am, but it can't really be that. How could it be? But what else is there? *thinks furiously* You just better not make us wait too long to find out!
Author's reply
It's hard for it to sink in for Sam: as far as Merry and Pippin are concerned, once Frodo made Sam his heir, then Sam became another cousin. Not that they didn't already feel he was family, but that really cemented it for them. Sam just has to begin to relax, and realize how much they care about him.
Well, I don't know if it's what everyone is thinking, but if it's what someone on LJ guessed--it's not. If it's something else, then it might be--unless it is something altogether different...
Baggins Babe
· 25 August 2006
· Chapter 5: A Morning of Memories
Oh my gosh! I hardly dare even guess what might be in that box but my imagination is working overtime! eeeek! Please don't leave us dangling off the cliff for too long, will you?
Love the banter between the three hobbits and the sensible behaviour of their wives!
Author's reply
Whatever it is, the three of them are not happy to see it.
Banter is fun, isn't it? And hobbit banter is especially fun!
Larner
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 5: A Morning of Memories
If the contents of this box is what I think it is, how in Middle Earth was it found? I'd have expected it to be lost in the destruction of the Mountain. But I can't think of another thing so small that would have made them so upset, to the point of vomiting.
Author's reply
Well, I'm not sure if you are guessing what I think you are guessing. We will have to see...
Larner
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 4: After Tea
A joyful evening it has been, and an excellent lesson for poor Pippin. Watching someone inexperienced making a fool of himself is always entertaining.
And the letters about Frodo are all wonderful.
Author's reply
Yes, well, Pippin was a bit overconfident, wasn't he?
I'm so glad you are enjoying all the letters!
Pearl Took
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 5: A Morning of Memories
I love wee Elanor getting the comb and Frodo-lad getting the button :)
I'm anxious to see if my guess about the contents of the little black box is correct . . .
Well done as always, Dreamflower :-)
Author's reply
Yes, well all these things will have to be divied up!
And we will see about all these guesses!
Pearl Took
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 4: After Tea
"Sam took Frodo’s sheep out of Merry’s hands and firmly placed it into Pippin’s hand, making his meaning clear, and sighed. Mr. Frodo ‘baaing’ like his black-faced sheep. Merry had a little lamb. And little lad Pip had lost his sheep and didn’t know where to find it. They all had wool in their heads. It was enough to make Sam glad he was born a Gamgee."
I love this!!! So sweet of wee Pip wanting to set his lamb free :-)
Sorry I missed this one earlier. Another wonderful chapter, Dreamflower :-)
Author's reply
*giggle* The sheep were great fun--Jackie came up with almost all of that part!
Andrea
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 145: Author's Notes: Chapter Five
Although the "Last Wills" in the Shire are written very formally, Frodo managed to address all his remaining companions in a very personal way, leaving them unique heirlooms.
I found the word "Sprout", oh yes I did - and once again I love it. Merry has always been Frodo's sprout, and more than ever after his cousin had to leave Middle Earth.
I would really like to know if Legolas ever smoked that pipe :)
Wonderfully done, Dreamflower. Now, if I only knew what that box contained ;-)
Author's reply
Yes, I think that Jackie did a magnificent job with all the legal documents! They truly are full of the "high-flown" language that JRRT said Hobbits were fond of, and yet, as you said, they manage to be very personal as well!
I kind of doubt it--but I will bet he cherished it to the end of Arda!
Soon enough...soon enough!
harrowcat
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 5: A Morning of Memories
Oh come on Dreamflower! You soften us up with pretty hair combs and buttons and gifts for the children and then something goes and frightens Sam so much he is sick!!! Don't Hobbits know that red signals danger? Crumbs, and now we have to wait.....!
Author's reply
Well, you know, that *is* the nature of cliffies.
Hopefully you won't have to wait long. Jackie and I are hard at work, and we'll keep our fingers crossed that no computer woes or hospital visits will keep us from posting!
Larner
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 3: Hidden Treasures
Butterflies, dragonflies, and bees! We do love our insects, don't we?
Very sweet, the stories and the keepsakes.
Author's reply
*grin* Now that's a thought!
I'm glad you are enjoying it!
shirebound
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 5: A Morning of Memories
How I love gentle, sensitive, well-mannered Elanor! Someone as cherished and beautiful as she could have grown up spoiled and difficult, but not this gem of a child.
Merry took out another small bundle of letters, and after a glance, exclaimed “Aha! I knew it! I *knew* Bilbo must have written to Frodo.”
“O’ course he did,” replied Sam. “He never said nothing to his kin about it though--said if Mr. Bilbo wanted them to know, he’d write them too.”
Love it! *grins* But oh Dreamflower, what's in that box? I have a rather gruesome guess, but can't imagine where or how Frodo might have gotten it. :O
Author's reply
Elanor is a sweetie! JRRT says somewhere that hobbit children do not spoil easily. And I don't think an excess of love is at all a spoiling thing--more like a preservative--like lots of sugar or honey to keep fruit from spoiling!
I thought you might like Bilbo's letters! Don't forget to check the Author's Notes and read them in their entirety!
As to the item in the box, well, it's gruesome enough, but not nearly as gruesome as what a few people have guessed!
Larner
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 2: Unlocking the Past
Ah, dear--what a thing to remember! Poor Daisy, and dear Folco! Hehehehehe!
Author's reply
*giggle* Yes, poor Daisy, indeed! And poor clueless Folco--and poor Fatty, who had to keep his friend's foot out of his mouth, LOL!
Larner
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 1: Arrival at Bag End
The leaving must have been so very painful for Merry. If Frodo felt he was abandoned by first his parents and then by Bilbo, how much more so must Merry have ached when Frodo left him behind?
Author's reply
And it happened to Merry over and over: Frodo left him to go to Hobbiton; Frodo *tried* to leave him when he had to leave the Shire; Frodo left him at Parth Galen; and finally he left him at the Grey Havens. Not to mention nearly losing Frodo to death twice, at Weathertop and at Sammath Naur. I am quite sure that all of it took its toll, especially since Merry could not feel angry at his Frodo for doing what couldn't be helped.
Andrea
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 5: A Morning of Memories
Cliffie!!! That one took me really by surprise!
Did I say something about someone not being wicked recently ;-)
What in Middle Earth is in that box? Please, don't let me wait too long!
I enjoyed the singing and dancing, the story about Drogo's special stone and this:
"I know, it’s silly. Of course we are all better now for the Ring and Sauron having been destroyed. It’s just… I still miss my Frodo …" Pippin’s voice faded away as he dissolved into tears.
Poor Pippin! He may be an adult now and a hero of the War of the Ring, but still, he's the youngest of our three hobbits and has no family of his own so far. He must feel very lonely sometimes. Merry and Sam did their best to comfort him, with a huge hug! Sometimes I wished there were some hobbits around. They are masters in cheering you up :)
Author's reply
Yes, a little cliffie! But really, we couldn't include what's coming up yet!
It's true, Pip's the youngest, and also being a Took, he's the most likely to display his emotions--he rather wears his heart on his sleeve. But you are right--hobbits always know how to cheer a body up!
Larner
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 0: Prologue: A Letter from Sam
Am restarting this, as I missed a good deal during the times of computer troubles.
And Sam still had problems not putting honorifics in. It must make Merry and Pippin both smile and shake their heads.
Author's reply
Lovely! I'm so glad your computer "tribulations" are over, LOL!
Every now and then, even after years, I am sure the old habits would still slip out. I'm sure that it did amuse Merry and Pippin a lot!
Imrahoil
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 5: A Morning of Memories
Dreamflower, what a tease you are! Is it a ring?
Author's reply
I think I can safely say that you will probably *not* guess right! *evil grin*
Queen Galadriel
· 16 August 2006
· Chapter 144: Author's Notes: Chapter Four
Looking through this box is an adventure in itself, not just for Sam and the cousins, but for us as the readers. Love the little keepsakes and the stories behind them, and the letters are beautiful. I also love the moments in between times, especially Pippin trying to get little Perry to sleep and then Sam just stepping in and the baby calming down right away. LOL! I've certainly had a couple of similar experiences. Can't wait for more!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I am so glad that you are enjoying the various little stories of the things in the box. We've had a lovely time exploring in there ourselves, figuring out what Frodo would have kept, and why.
Yes, Pippin just about bit off more than he could chew there.
Anso the Hobbit
· 16 August 2006
· Chapter 141: Author's Notes, Chapter One
Oh my! Where did you come up with all of this? I'm getting tired with all the hobbity excitement so I must admit I skimmed it but still, this is great work. I suppose Tolkien himeslf left some hints and notes but not this elaborate?
Author's reply
The legal documents? Well, we extrapolated from The Hobbit and LotR, and from Letter #214, and then Jackie put her knowledge of the law to work!
Anso the Hobbit
· 16 August 2006
· Chapter 4: After Tea
What a lovely ending to this tale to see the lads dealing with the children on their own. They make such fine fathers I think. :D
Author's reply
These three especially. They truly know how to appreciate what's important in life.