shirebound
· 19 September 2007
· Chapter 11: Treating with the Enemy
This is a marvelous meeting of cultures. This stranger in a strange land has found wonders unlooked-for, and friends, respect, and allegiances from the heart he never could have imagined.
Author's reply
It's fun to imagine how other cultures would be struck by the King Elessar's capital city. Under Sauron's rule I'd imagine the eastern lands would have learned to be devious and distrustful--and distrustworthy as well. To see true nobility in action would have been a shock for many of them, I'd bet.
Thanks so for the feedback.
Kitty
· 16 September 2007
· Chapter 10: A Hobbit's Tale
Sorry for the late review!
Larner, that was wonderful! All the details are here, in these few lines, Bilbo's many adventures summed up. As I told you before, I am myself absolutely hopeless with rhymes, so I am even more impressed with the form you used for this.
Author's reply
Thnks so much, Kitty. Now and then Bilbo needs so personal attention--if he'd not proved such a special Hobbit himself, then would we have ended up with OUR Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Fredegar?
Armariel
· 13 September 2007
· Chapter 10: A Hobbit's Tale
Oh, a sweet ballad, very...swingy...is that a word? heheh The alliteration works very nicely. The Lights in Sam and Frodo he nurtured,
there within Bag End. Wonderful ending, and very true!
~~~~{~@
Author's reply
A bit swingy, although if you remember your childhood I bet you can think of one tune that this would fit--Heh!
Thanks for the feedback, Armariel.
harrowcat
· 13 September 2007
· Chapter 10: A Hobbit's Tale
I want to hear the tune that has got to go with this! *Holds recorder at the ready!*
Author's reply
I had a tune the other night it was going with perfectly, and by the next morning that tune had disappeared off the face of my tired brain. Although if you think back to your childhood you might think of another tune that it would fit--the words to which inspired the rhyme scheme.
Linda Hoyland
· 13 September 2007
· Chapter 10: A Hobbit's Tale
A very nice retelling of Bilbo's tale.Is it to a tune?It seemed almost as if I wanted to hum it.
Author's reply
I was directly inspired by a poem I've known since I was a very little girl, although the tune to which I was humming it in my head wasn't the same one as the one to which the poem is usually sung here in the States, at least. Am so glad so many realize this one was intended to be sung.
Linda Hoyland
· 13 September 2007
· Chapter 9: Sometimes Wonder is Built, Brick by Brick
What a lovely idea, I should love to see the little house !
Author's reply
This little house was first mentioned in "The King's Commission," and then in "A Message and a Bottle." So I finally had a reason, with Anglachel's birthday wish, to write the back story for it! Glad you like it! And I'd like to see it, too!
Thanks!
Antane
· 12 September 2007
· Chapter 10: A Hobbit's Tale
Until the day when with the dawning
another ship brought Sam to join him.
Treasure restored, they knew thanksgiving
till to Bilbo’s side they drew.
*
Bilbo Baggins was a Hobbit,
a wise old Hobbit, a faithful Hobbit.
The Lights in Sam and Frodo he nurtured,
there within Bag End.
The whole thing was great, but the ending was most wonderful and that Bilbo was able to see his Frodo-lad restored to him and met his Maker.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Am so very glad you liked it, Antane. And to remain long enough to see Frodo well on the road to recovery must have meant a great deal to the old fellow.
shirebound
· 12 September 2007
· Chapter 10: A Hobbit's Tale
What a beautiful and touching way to tell Bilbo's story.
Author's reply
Am so glad you enjoyed it, Shirebound.
Lindelea
· 12 September 2007
· Chapter 9: Sometimes Wonder is Built, Brick by Brick
Oh... This brought a tear to my eye as well. So much love, packed into such a small space, bringing wonder and delight and stirring fond memory.
Author's reply
Ah, so you've found this one, too. Yes, the love and wonder of small houses can be overwhelming, I know. Yes, delight and memory indeed. Thanks so much for the feedback.
Lindelea
· 12 September 2007
· Chapter 10: A Hobbit's Tale
A lovely eulogy, deceptively simple and yet complete.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you like it. Yes, a eulogy of sorts for our favorite eccentric Hobbit, looking at him from the point the Took escaped in him.
Thanks so much, Lindelea. And love to all. Hope your camping was fun.
Dreamflower
· 12 September 2007
· Chapter 10: A Hobbit's Tale
Oh very nice! What a lovely tribute to Bilbo! I loved this part:
Oh, Bilbo Baggins flew with Eagles,
taunted spiders, haunted cellars,
stuffed Dwarves in barrels and rode the river
all for friendship’s sake.
The scansion and rhythm is perfect, and I love the internal rhyme of "taunted" and "haunted"; and the last line is such a true description of Bilbo's hobbity motives--for though he may have undertaken the Adventure out of stung Tookish pride and Gandalf's prodding, by that time he had begun to think of those cranky, persnickety Dwarves as his friends. And everyone knows what a hobbit will do for his friends!
This is a very interesting verse-form that I do not believe I've come across before: did you make it up, or is it something else? At any rate, I like it!
Author's reply
Blame White Gull! Have been filling my heart with her poems, catching up on a LOT I seem to have missed since they were posted, and this came out. As I wrote it I could hear the tune to which it was sung, a tune I cannot seem to hear this morning as I reread it.
Here and there I found the internal rhymes slipping in; this one did work perfectly. I have a feeling I didn't actually write that--it was writing itself at that point.
But sometimes I feel I don't give Bilbo enough of his own stories, and once in a while an actual poem does work on me.
Dreamflower
· 28 August 2007
· Chapter 9: Sometimes Wonder is Built, Brick by Brick
I can't imagine how I missed seeing this sooner! I'm so glad to finally get the backstory on the adorable little Hobbit hole! I'm a sucker for miniatures anyway--I love how all the Tooks chipped in to help Pippin in his project.
And Elanor's reaction was perfect! It's a shame that they didn't have videorecorders back then, so Cyclament could have preserved her's and Sam's reactions to show Pippin!
Have you ever seen Obelia Medusa's Tiny Bag End?
http://community.livejournal.com/little_world/39277.html
It's truly amazing, and just what I could imagine as you described the tiny place!
Author's reply
I want now to build a Hobbit hole of my own. I think I'll try my own Bag End as I imagine it! It would be nice to do the entire Hill, you know, with the Row below and the lane up to Bag End itself....
Yes, too bad there weren't camcorders around then!
And thanks again for the link. I hope in a few months to go see a friend up near Bend, Oregon, and see the LOTR-inspired housing development there.
Antane
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 9: Sometimes Wonder is Built, Brick by Brick
What a sweet story and a loving gift. I'm glad it helped Pippin with his nightmares and it helped Sam too. Elanor's reactions and words were wonderful! I love the idea too that Merry and Pippin were watching over and cherishing Sam because through him there was a bit of their Frodo left.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
So very glad you enjoyed it, Antane. Yes, it proved therapeutic, and a positive prank to play, I'd think.
I modeled Elanor on a friend's child; but as a gardener's daughter I'd think she'd think even in terms of houses growing.
Merry and Pippin know by now that there's more to this gardener than just being a gardener; and they not only respect him for himself but couldn't help, I think, but love him for the love and care he gave Frodo when they were separated.
Again, good luck with your own story. Looking forward to seeing it.
Grey Wonderer
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 9: Sometimes Wonder is Built, Brick by Brick
This is darling! I just love the little house. It was such an interesting project and it seemed to bring everyone in Pippin's family together to work on it. I think Sam and his family will enjoy it very much!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you like it, GW. I introduced this little Hobbit House first in "The King's Commission," and it returns from time to time. Had to write its history this time to meet a challenge on the HASA site.
And this becomes a treasure for Sam's family, as well as having become a family project for Pippin's family and a means of therapy for him.
Queen Galadriel
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 9: Sometimes Wonder is Built, Brick by Brick
Oh, how sweet! *smiles* I love how everyone got involved and that the little house helped so much to divert Pippin’s mind, and the wholes for the flower pots and the secret way Pippin got it into the garden (and of course Syclamen seeing before she was meant to!) And Elanor’s wonder and excitement were wonderful. And “chimley.” Haha! I think I’ve only met two little kids in my life that didn’t say that instead of “chimney.” Cute.
I love when you give us these little stories of incidents related by others in longer works. This one is truly charming, as is the idea of tiny bricks to build doll-sized houses. That would be interesting to try.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Most little kids I've known have also said "chimbly," so that was the way I wrote it for Elanor.
I got a kit to make a Victorian doll house, and worked on it for several weeks--until the foster-son came along and broke all the pieces I'd so carefully hot glued together apart. I found I couldn't put them back together again using the hot glue--I needed to get backings for the pieces to adhere to; but then the kid discovered he could put them into the wood stove when we had the doors open. When he threw in the instruction book I threw in the towel.
He was a lovely child, but for a time there we couldn't keep up with him. I want to try again, but plan to use some veneer or thin paneling as the backing to adhere the shakes to instead of just trying to glue them together as I did the first time; but I first need to find a new source for the pieces.
Other children have damaged the furniture I'd started collecting to put in the doll house when it was done.
Am so glad you enjoyed this one. And I love having Cyclamen reappear from time to time.
Andrea
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 9: Sometimes Wonder is Built, Brick by Brick
How wonderful! The last part brought tears to my eyes - but only tears of joy!
The perfect time and the perfect place! Pippin will be happy to know that his plan worked perfectly!
I always love it to see Cyclamen appear in your stories!
“Will it keep growing, do you think, Daddy?”
Of course it will! Otherwise uncle Frodo might have difficulties to live in it, right?
Thank you very much, Larner!
Author's reply
So glad you like seeing Cyclamen involved again. I'd first written this Hobbit house into "The King's Commission," as I find myself repeating, and wanted to meet a challenge to bring a house to life, as it were.
Yes, Pippin's pleased in the end with the reception this specially presented gift receives, and it gives Sam's family a treasure they always cherish.
Cyclamen and Elanor go on to build stories about Frodo's visits to the Hobbit house, and I've considered telling a few of them from time to time.
And thank you!
Kitty
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 9: Sometimes Wonder is Built, Brick by Brick
Oh Larner, that was so wonderful and sweet! Of course I remembered this little house at the first mentioning and knew what was to come. It was so much fun to finally be able to *watch* how it was built and how Elanor and her family reacted and how Cyclamen got involved in the trick.
Elanor was so sweet! Did you mean to grow a house ’stead of the sunflowers, Daddy? How’d you do it? Did you have to plant a brick? Very logical for the daughter of a gardener, of course, even if not exactly correct.
And I loved the fact that Pippin did the work to distract himself from his nightmares and that all of his sisters and others helped to make this little house just perfect.
That was perfect as a counterpart to the last 'Moments', you know. (And by the way, I know you'll not write the happy AU I mentioned in the review to this, at least not in the next time, but I love to play sometimes with the image - it's fun!)
Author's reply
Yes, this is a bit of a contrast to "Regrets," yet underlines that the hurts taken by all remain pervasive for some time, helping all to appreciate how much worse hurt Frodo must have been.
Yes, she's a gardener's child! She's used to seeing things grow; now her dad's going to have to help in the construction of the stable he's going to build in the corner of the Party Field so she learns what building is like, I think.
Self-designed therapy has become a familial bonding experience now!
I MIGHT write the happy AU someday, but have other things to finish first! Heh!
Thanks so for the feedback.
Armariel
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 9: Sometimes Wonder is Built, Brick by Brick
Now isn't that just too sweet? *sniff* "Did you have to plant a brick?" Wonderful! What an enchanting story, bound to become one of my favorites....(always did love dollhouses, silly me) And what a lovely way for Pip to overcome his past...if only all others with demons were so creative in dealing with them......
Simply beautiful!
~~~~{~@~~~~{~@~~~~{~@~~~~{~@~~~~{~@~~~~{~@~~~~{~@~~~~{~@~~~~{~@~~~~{~@~~~~{~@
Author's reply
Well, her daddy is a gardener, and plants start from seeds, bulbs, or shoots. Wouldn't she be likely to assume that houses might grow, particularly when they appear in her dad's garden?
And am so glad you like this one. Now--will Anglachel like it?
Thanks so much for the comments, Armariel.
shirebound
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 9: Sometimes Wonder is Built, Brick by Brick
now you and Merry watch and cherish Sam, perhaps because he’s what’s left to you of Frodo here in the Shire now
"Mummy--come see! Did you mean to grow a house ’stead of the sunflowers, Daddy? How’d you do it? Did you have to plant a brick?"
“Uncle Frodo? Do you mean he can stay here when he comes to visit us"
Oh Larner, this is pure magic. What a wonderful, and wonder-filled gift.
Author's reply
Anglachel asked that a story be written to make a house come to life; and I decided the tiny Hobbit house from "The King's Commission" needed its story told to fit the requirements.
Thank you so for the comments, Shirebound.
Queen Galadriel
· 23 August 2007
· Chapter 7: Word of Resignation
I didn¡¦t realize I¡¦d missed this one till the other day when I was looking for what I hadn¡¦t caught up on. I love your characterization of Findulas, so gentle and perceptive, the kind of wife Denethor needed, I think. I wonder what he would have been like if she had lived.
The end was stirring. Did Denethor give up that hope without ever letting it be fully realized, I wonder?
Something tells me little Boromir won¡¦t come to dinner as clean as he was when he went to the garden. Little boy + dirt = mess. ƒº
From your other review, I¡¦m not even sure what the name of the Eloquence voice I used is; I think it¡¦s Reed. Before my own computer died I had it set to a very much modified Sandy, I believe it was, though I¡¦d messed with the pitch and stuff until it sounded very much like another one of the voices; but I don¡¦t like the other one because it¡¦s too monotone. I¡¦m picky about such things, very picky. When I was just beginning to use JAWS everyone in my house wanted me to keep it set to Bobby (the little kid voice, and this was on our main computer which was why they concerned themselves), but I have never been able to stand that one. It makes me think of horror movies about dolls come to life, funny as it might sound. Have you ever heard the crazy things people have made DecTalk do? Sing and such? Whoever makes those files has *way* too much time on their hands, but the results are definitely interesting and entertaining.
So, you¡¦ve been blindfolded? *grins* An interesting experience, I¡¦m sure. Last summer when my family surprised me by turning up at the CCB at the end of the program, I wheedled and begged Mom into letting me blindfold her and take her on a tour of the apartment complex, to meet ¡§the crew,¡¨ as the director called us. My counselor (also totally blind) was amused and impressed that I¡¦d won the debate and decided to join us, and how we laughed! Mom¡¦s seen me use a cane for years, but when I put one in her hand she didn¡¦t know what to do. We had to take the blindfold off and demonstrate. Wow. The stairs absolutely terrified her, but that was nothing when it came to crossing the empty, quiet, narrow street that divided the complex in half. ¡§You mean we have to cross a street?!¡¨ ¡§Yeah, sure. Come on, it¡¦s okay. It¡¦s really not wide, and it¡¦s quiet. See? Nothing coming. Come on, we do this every single day.¡¨ ¡§Oh no! No, absolutely not! Let me take this thing off!¡¨ ¡§Aw, you can do it. You¡¦ve been doing great!¡¨ ¡§No! It¡¦s hot anyway.¡¨ ¡§Will you if I guide you?¡¨ ¡§No!¡¨ It was so funny and so pathetic. She clung to me the entire time, and I let her off halfway through the way back¡Xout of pity. She still hates it when I remind her of that little walk. Hahaha!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
This was a birthday mathom from a challenge on the Henneth Annun site. Denethor must have had a difficult relationship with Thorongil as time went on, no matter how much he welcomed him at first. Dad listens to him; folk appear to idolize him; if he's Isildur's heir what might happen if he sets out to claim the Crown? He's a better swordsman than I am, and more empathic than I am. It says that Denethor and Faramir both could read the hearts of others; but Faramir was the one who was truly empathic where Denethor appears to have used his ability more to direct others and perhaps exploit them. Perhaps part of why he resented Faramir at the end was because he so reminded him of Thorongil? Now, there's a story for you!
Oh, yes, I've done blindfold time. In high school we were going to do highlights from The Miracle Worker, so I blindfolded myself for several days at home in preparation for playing Helen, driving my stepdad crazy. I did very well indeed around the house and even out in our uneven yard. Then in my grad work we had to be blindfolded for twenty-four hours, and I've taken part in several sensitivity training sessions in helping people without definite disabilities understand what it's like living with disabilities.
I did very well in my blindfold training for Orientation and Mobility, and think I do a good job assisting folk to learn skills to better travel independently. That your mother was frightened by her blindfold experience is rather humorous, but also touching. Hopefully it assists her to appreciate how capable you are.
Queen Galadriel
· 6 August 2007
· Chapter 8: Uncertainty
I can well imagine that after Pippin's speech poor Vinca was utterly lost!
Suddenly she was laughing and hurrying forward to hug him--what she could reach of him, of course. No matter how tall he was or how strangely
dressed, this was her baby brother, her Pippin, complete with blathering. “Oh, dear Pippin, you can’t imagine how good it is to have you home!”
And when she saw the tears of relief in his eyes she was triply glad.
Awww! I love that! Such a sweet little moment, in spite of the uncertainty.
God bless,
Galadriel
P.S. I'm sorry I haven't yet caught up on the others, and here summer is nearly gone! (No! I dread school starting again.) I begin to think I never *will* catch up on everything I missed last school year, but things have been amazingly busy for summer. I still intend to, however; I haven't forgotten them and I won't, I promise!
Author's reply
Yes, here's our Pippin, who tends to begin talking when he's a bit nervous until he runs out of steam, already getting mixed reactions from his parents who'd shove him back in the cradle if they could; what's his nearest sister going to think, now? That she sees HIM in spite of the changes and long absence must have been so reassuring.
As for the coming school year--been there, done that years ago. My ISP continues to be iffy, up and down randomly; and now and then the SIL just turns off the satellite modem and doesn't tell me, having become convinced it is overheating or something.
harrowcat
· 4 August 2007
· Chapter 8: Uncertainty
What a momentous reunion. Love the thought and the effect of the extra two inches.
The visit to the consultant was ok and I was polite. Hoping that Mum can go back to her MS Physiotherapy group and we are actually reducing a couple of her meds! Thanks to a comment by another consultant and relayed to this one by me otherwise nothing would have been changed.
Jet was two on the 1st Aug and sends all his admirers a woof!
Author's reply
I wrote such a nice response when this came up, and Hughes ate it again.
Yes, that last Ent draught must have led to at least a bit more growth, I'd think; and to find his sister accepts he's still there in spite of the obvious changes must have been reassuring to Pippin.
Glad to hear a couple of meds are being reduced--that's always heartening. And physiotherapy is so necessary to counter the attrition the muscles can know SO quickly.
And the Poms send answering yaps. Actually, Yogi, who would really prefer to talk if he could, sends a nice "huff" sound.
Linda Hoyland
· 31 July 2007
· Chapter 8: Uncertainty
Pippin's sister must have been thrilled to see him and amazed at his height !
Author's reply
Yes, I think she must be amazed indeed. But to just have him home and know he's still recognizably her brother is what's best.
Lindelea
· 31 July 2007
· Chapter 8: Uncertainty
Ah, even blather is blessed when it comes from one we'd feared we might never see again...
Author's reply
Amen--so it is! Thanks for the feedback.
Grey Wonderer
· 31 July 2007
· Chapter 8: Uncertainty
That was perfect right down to Pippin's blathering and Pervinca's uncertain manner upon seeing him. I adored it. It's such proof that Pippin will always be Pippin no matter what.
Author's reply
Yes, he's Pippin through and through. So glad you liked it.