GamgeeFest
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 3: Hidden Treasures
Oh, yes, Pippin will rue the day he teased his friends about being parents. :) What goes around comes around, and Pippin has a *lot* coming around to him. *grins*
I loved Sam's fool-hardy stubbornness about using Mr. Frodo's baby clothes, only to have the lasses come in and completely shatter his reasons, which were futile at best. It's nice that children from each family will be able to wear Primula's creations. And Merry tempting fate made me smile, as did Pippin's thoughtless comment about Sam and Rose's growing brood. Filled up the rafters indeed.
It's heartbreaking though to know that Frodo never recovered enough from his parents' drowning to compete in the Buckland swimming contests again, or at least to swim in the river again. Merry's initial reaction the writing mushroom, when he thought it was something Pippin had spilled into the strongbox, was perfect.
Author's reply
He does indeed. But that's the nature of being the youngest cousin, of course--*everyone* remembers all your misdeeds!
Sam at this point in time seems to have a tendency to put Frodo on a pedestal, a place where Frodo would never have been comfortable, and which he would not have allowed when he was there. Hopefully, as this process continues, Sam will be able to get over that, and remember Frodo as he really was, and not as "perfect". But of course, the wives are wiser than that, and they do know that those baby clothes were meant to be worn.
I've a bit of backstory on Merry's and Estella's decision to have only two children, and if you have read any of my other fics set a few years in the future, you know they were indeed, "tempting fate". As for Pip--was it just an observation based on the way things seemed to be going, or possible a touch of Tookish foresight? It was, at any rate, not a remark Aunt Dora would have approved.
Well, Frodo had a complex relationship with the Brandywine, but at least he was able to have fun swimming with his cousins in the cove.
I just loved the mushroom story! That whole flashback was Gryffinjack's creation, and I thought it was just beautiful! She did a lovely job with it, I thought!
Antane
· 30 June 2006
· Chapter 3: Hidden Treasures
I'm glad all these treasures have been found for all the memories that are being stirred up, one needs to remember loved ones and treasured times. Glad the baby clothes are going to be used. I have no doubt that the year of Sam's birth and the death of Frodo's parents is no coincedence - Iluvatar watches over His own.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, these items are meant to stir up memories, and to help these three begin to finally get some closure over losing their dearest and most beloved friend.
Have you ever read GamgeeFest's "When One Door Closes"? It's an absolutely stunning picture of what you describe. Really beautiful!
Kitty
· 30 June 2006
· Chapter 3: Hidden Treasures
Ah, all these wonderful little things to remember the past! This story is a great idea, no doubt.
How sweet of Frodo to keep the purse Sam's mother made for him! Of course Sam has to take it. But to insist Pippin has to take the whistle for his own children is quite wicked, if they are even a bit like their father.
*giggle* Frodo was truly clever, considering the way he handled Pippin's splashing in the bath and Merry's obsession with the puzzle. And Rosie and Estella found a wonderful resolution what to with the baby clothes. This way not even Sam can truly argue further.
Look forward to more!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you are enjoying this! Jackie and I have had great fun filling that box up, and now emptying it again!
Thanks so much!
Bodkin
· 23 June 2006
· Chapter 2: Unlocking the Past
Love the treasured letters. They seem so much part of a Frodo who craved security.
Folco - foot firmly in mouth. I enjoyed the story of Daisy and the smallclothes. The sort of thing that is funny in retrospect.
And the recipes - I think Bilbo's special recipes should be published for all to enjoy!
Author's reply
I think that is a goodly part of why he kept those things--a way to always keep his dear ones with him. Yet in the end he could not take all of those things with him to the Undying Lands, and had to leave most of them behind.
That's our Folco! And the story was almost entirely Jackie's--I loved the way she captured my Freddy and Folco and their dynamic!
Well, if you peek at the Author's Notes, you will indeed find the recipes for the Honeycakes and the Cinnamon Whirls. And links to a few of the other recipes!
Antane
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 2: Unlocking the Past
Very sweet that Frodo kept all those letters...
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo kept a good many things that he could not bear to part with, but he couldn't take with him on his voyage either. There is still a lot more in that box. Do remember to look in the Author's Notes!
Pearl Took
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 2: Unlocking the Past
This is so fun and so wonderfully creative. :) Poor Daisy!
Author's reply
*grin* Yes, poor dear, to have to suffer through Folco's "Foot-in-mouth" disease! That whole little flashback was Gryffinjack's idea and execution, and I thought it adorable!
Pearl Took
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 1: Arrival at Bag End
This is sad and beautiful all rolled together. Well done!
Author's reply
It is sad, as everything to do with Frodo's leaving is, but I'm glad you think it's beautiful as well. Thank you!
Baggins Babe
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 2: Unlocking the Past
I know exactly what other reviewers mean about feeling as though we've spent all morning with Sam, Merry and Pippin - and how delightful is that?
Loved the attention to detail and the reminders of other stories, and the reciept and documents are amazing. Thank you both!
Author's reply
Well, *I* think it would be delightful to spend all morning with the lads, myself, LOL!
Yes, we thought it would be so neat to see the contents in *full* so to speak--all the minutiae there and so forth.
And documents are not the only things they will find...
Kitty
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 141: Author's Notes, Chapter One
You've gone through a lot of trouble to flesh out all these documents - I'm very impressed! And you even did them in calligraphy, too. Wonderful done, my dear!
Author's reply
Just *wait* till you see what *else* is in the box!!
Kitty
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 2: Unlocking the Past
I seem to remember most of these letters from earlier ficlets, and they are as funny as they were then :)
Well, what they found wasn't that bad altogether. They must've had a lot of fun to tease each other with their childhood misdeeds afterwards. Not to mention the dancing smallclothes. Great idea! *rofl*
And the recipe box was a great find! Though I am a bit surprised about the mess Pippin and Merry made in the kitchen. One should think hobbits wouldn't waste so much food ;)
Author's reply
Yes, many of them *are* from earlier stories, mixed in with some new things. Actually, two of my "earlier stories" came from *this* story: "Marching Orders" and "Dear Frodo" were written because I had *way* too many letters for us to include in *this* story!
The recipe box was fun. My Pippin and Merry usually get into a flour fight when they bake, they just do, but they always clean up after themselves--and they don't waste *too* much--it doesn't take but a little flour to make a *big* mess.
And you will discover just what a find the recipe box is, once you see the Notes!
Kitty
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 1: Arrival at Bag End
Loved the names of the kittens! Well, Elanor is a hobbit, so she had to name them after something to eat, I suppose.
Oh. I see why Sam thought these letters and whatever more may be in the box are family business. How touching of Frodo to keep them! And I can imagine how difficult it is for Merry and Pippin to go through these documents. No wonder Merry was upset when he learned that Primula had something like forebodings about hers and Drogo's early death. It brought home too much of the sorrow and despair of Frodo's leaving, first from Buckland, then at Amon Hen and, the worst, the Grey Havens. Was very glad Estella was there to comfort Merry, and she may be right about the strongbox. Hopefully they don't find more of such sad reminders, but a bit more joyful.
Author's reply
Well, Pippin liked to name his pets after food too. It just seemed a hobbity sort of thing to me...LOL!
Yes, these are things that Frodo kept all his life; he couldn't take them with him, yet he couldn't quite bear to throw them away either.
They will be finding all sorts of reminders, both joyful and sad, but hopefully they will come away with a better understanding of Frodo and of one another when they are finished.
Don't forget to check out the Author's Notes, and all the links in them. Much of what is only hinted at in the story is shown in full in the Notes!
Kitty
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 0: Prologue: A Letter from Sam
“Dear Mr. Merry and Mr.Pippin--
I see Sam is still practising not to call them "Mister" *grin*
I wonder what he has found? Off to read the next chapter.
Author's reply
Yes, nearly 20 years of saying "Mr." is hard to overcome, but he's trying!
PIppinfan1988
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 141: Author's Notes, Chapter One
Storm got overwith last night, but then I had to be coherent for work this morning...
This is cool! All these lovely "receipts"! LOL, I have fun learning those old words. And I remember seeing the actual legal documents on your LJ--but I'm near sighted, so reading the actual words "up close" is great. Does um...does Jackie have a legal background?? :-P Writing all those detailed articles had to have taken some time to develop, even if there was a sample nearby. All I can say is, fantastic work, ladies! I'll come back again soon to see what you've updated. :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
LOL! I do understand the need for coherency!
Yes, Jackie is an attorney in RL, so of course she has a unique perspective on things. Getting the actual documents and items together to go into the box did take us a lot of time before we ever began to post.
The *next* chapter is going to have some *really* cool notes!
PIppinfan1988
· 19 June 2006
· Chapter 2: Unlocking the Past
Wow...lol, I feel as if I've just spent all morning with the lads! I rather like that feeling. :-)
"You'll have to move faster than that, Sam, if you want to keep Pippin out of a larder..."
LOL! There were some really funny quips in here--and I remembered some of those letters from previous tales! :-)
Whenever Merry speaks about how he felt when Frodo went to live with Bilbo, leaving him behind...I always get teary-eyed. And I did tonight. :-P
Going through that strongbox is going to take some time--and I'm looking forward to it all.
Pippinfan
Author's reply
We tried to create that feeling, making sure not to leave out any meals--let's see--first breakfast, check, second breakfas, check, elevenses, check--luncheon--yep.
And we are trying to combine some flashbacks to older stories with some new revelations!
Merry's sadness at "losing" Frodo when he was so young always tugs at my heartstrings as well--lots of my tales reflect that.
It is taking longer than Jackie and I thought--there are some neat things in there; don't forget to peek at the Author's Notes, for you'll miss some of the best stuff, if you don't!
SlightlyTookish
· 19 June 2006
· Chapter 2: Unlocking the Past
This is a fascinating story, I'm so glad to see it updated! I loved seeing their memories, so many familiar from stories I've read! :)
Author's reply
Yes, we are trying to mingle flashbacks to other stories in with some altogether new material.
Don't forget to peek at the Author's Notes. You really should get a look at the wonderful legal documents Jackie created, as well as a couple of other neat surprises...
AspenJules
· 19 June 2006
· Chapter 141: Author's Notes, Chapter One
OH!! Real recipes for the honeycakes and the cinnamon whirls! Wow - I wished for it (not thinking to check here first) and there they were! Where did the recipes come from? Did one of you make them up?
Ok - very cool stuff here. Gonna need to get baking when I get back from my trip...
Author's reply
Dreamflower here: I did make up the Honeycakes recipe, and tried it out. Yumm! You can do them in a bread machine, too. Just set it on "dough only" cycle, if you have one. The Cinnamon Whirls were Gryffinjack's contribution.
shirebound
· 19 June 2006
· Chapter 2: Unlocking the Past
What wonderful letters! I'm enjoying them as much as the hobbits are. How I wish I had letters I had written (or had received) when I was very young.
(Should 'receipts' be 'recipes'?)
Author's reply
I love to look at old letters and documents, and things I wrote when I was a kid!
"Reciepts" is the old-fashioned word for recipe. You'll often find it used that way in books from the turn of the century (19th to 20th, I should say--it's so hard to realize there is another turn of the century now...)
AspenJules
· 19 June 2006
· Chapter 2: Unlocking the Past
Fried apples and onions? Hmmm... sounds intriguing! I love recipes (receipts). And honeycakes! I sure would love to try that one - it sounds delicious! It's no wonder that everytime I read a good hobbit fic I end up HUNGRY! There's always just so much good eating in them!
I loved the letters too. It's always so much fun to reminisce over the past while reading old letters.
One small spelling thingy though - Freddy and Folco go to *peak* at the dessert table and it should be *peek*. Just a little thing....
Great chapter again, Dream and Gryffonjack!
Author's reply
Yes, hobbits do love food, don't they?
It is fun to look at old letters, isn't it?
And--you'd think with *two* of us, we'd spot a blooper like that! *facepalm* All fixed now!
AspenJules
· 9 June 2006
· Chapter 1: Arrival at Bag End
Awww, poor Merry, feeling like there was something lacking in him, that he wasn't able to heal poor Frodo. His grief, his missing Frodo is all so beautifully and poignantly written. Well done, both of you! I hope he finds the healing *he* needs. OH, and Pippin's and Estella's concern for him is so well done also. Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Merry has always made it his special job to look after Frodo and protect him, so he feels like he has failed whenever he can't protect Frodo from being hurt, even though there's nothing he could do about it. Frodo's been like an older brother to Merry his whole life and Pippin and Estella understand that. However, Merry is not the only one missing Frodo as they go through the strongbox. Maybe Merry will get a chance to give some comforting as well.
AspenJules
· 9 June 2006
· Chapter 0: Prologue: A Letter from Sam
Now what could possibly be in that box? Can't wait to find out!
I love how Sam wrote and then crossed out the Mr. before both Merry and Pippin's names.
Great beginning!
Author's reply
We're discovering new things in that box all the time!
Poor Sam, he's still trying to get used to not calling Merry and Pippin "Mr." Some habbits are hard to break!
Bodkin
· 6 June 2006
· Chapter 1: Arrival at Bag End
I love the kitten names ... we once had guinea pigs called after chocolate bars ...
And poor old Merry. He inherited quadruple doses of the responsibility gene - he thinks every bad thing is down to a failing of his. I'd say that he'd worry himself into an early grave - except he clearly won't.
Estella is a good match for him. And I can't wait to find what else is inside that box...
Author's reply
Thanks! I had fun coming up with the names for the kittens. Chocolate bars? LOL! Very imaginative.
Merry does worry more than the average hobbit, doesn't he? Thankfully, he has Estella, his children, Pippin, and Sam to help him.
We can't wait to find out what else is in the box either! The more we talk, the more things we keep adding to the box. By the time we are done, it's going to be the largest strongbox ever built!
Queen Galadriel
· 5 June 2006
· Chapter 141: Author's Notes, Chapter One
This will be short--have been away and am trying to get ready for an eight-week trip out to Colorado, so very busy and still trying to catch up. Oh, this is so sad and sweet! I love the talk between Merry and Estella, and Elanor and the kittens. Wow-it looks as if a lot of work went into those documents. If you don't update again before I leave, I can't wait to come home and read the rest! :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I'm sorry, but we won't be able to update before then. We are having some computer problems that we are trying to get worked out so we can post the next part of this story next week.
Estella is a great help to Merry and a wonderful partner. As for Elanor, she is such a dear that she practically writes herself! Although we have spent a lot of time working on the documents, we've enjoyed every minute of it as we discover more and more about Drogo, Primula, Bilbo, and especially Frodo.
Have a safe and happy trip!
GamgeeFest
· 5 June 2006
· Chapter 1: Arrival at Bag End
Poor Merry. I felt so bad for him when he said he still needed Frodo, even now. You never do stop needing the ones you love and look up to. Hopefully, going through the strongbox will be able to heal his wounds. Good thing that Pippin, Estella and Sam are there with him.
I loved little Elanor and that she's the darling of everyone's eye, and Merry's and Sam's talk about the effect that daughters have on fathers. Once Pippin has his own daughters, he'll know how hard it is to tell them 'no'. :)
Author's reply
You're absolutely right - you never do stop needing them. Not only Merry, but Pippin and Sam also still bear the wounds from Frodo having left. We shall have to see if going through the strongbox helps them to heal. Having each other certainly helps.
I'm glad you like little Elanor! She is indeed the darling of everyone's eye. And, yes, no doubt Pippin will come to learn how hard it is to tell a daughter "no" once he has children of his own.
lotrgirl1415
· 5 June 2006
· Chapter 1: Arrival at Bag End
“He was cheated in life. First by the death of his parents and then by The Ring. As long as I have known him, there was always a part of him that was missing. A part I never knew.”
I have always wanted some one to write a wonderful example of what Frodo really was...instead of the shadow that he was (I never make any sense! lol). I mean he was/acted only because of what had happened to him...instead of truly being himself.... Does that make ANY sense? Sorry!
I am looking forward to this story the most of any stories that I am reading.
*saves it to computer**adds to internet favorites*
lol
xoxoxo
~Katie
Author's reply
What a nice review - thank you! It certainly does make sense. Hopefully, as they go through the strongbox, Merry, Pippin, and Sam will discover more about who Frodo really was, from before the shadow of his parents' death when he was a lad until the time he left for the Undying Lands.
We are honored that you are saving this story as one of your internet favorites - thak you!
PIppinfan1988
· 5 June 2006
· Chapter 141: Author's Notes, Chapter One