demeter d
· 13 December 2006
· Chapter 7: Light the Yule Log (the Tuckborough Carol)
Lovely! Two other things come to mind from this. One is the Who's "Welcome Christmas" song from the television film made of Dr. Suess's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Welcome Christmas, bring your light..., Christmas day is in our grasp, as long as we have hands to clasp..., Christmas Day will always be, just as long as we have we! And, of course, the ultimate "Grinches" had to be the men and other "creatures" who invaded the Shire and stole not only food for Yule feasts, but most everyone's light and hope for that long winter that the Travelers were off fighting the War of The Rings. I could imagine the Tooks barricaded in their holes, with little more that their Yule logs for comfort, but never-the-less clinging to each other and singing this and other songs to hold back the dark and look for the return of hope.
Tolkien's stories, and Dreamflower's, are full of light, on many levels. And Christmas is the season of light. Christmas blessings to you!
Author's reply
Do you know, I'm so glad you brought the Whos up, for I've always thought that a perfectly beautiful Christmas song, and very hobbity. And I sort of think this one kind of scans to that tune. And yes, I can see just the scenario that you picture here.
Thanks and blessings on you as well!
harrowcat
· 13 December 2006
· Chapter 7: Light the Yule Log (the Tuckborough Carol)
Lovely Dreamflower. Are we going to see or have you used it in a fic yet?
Author's reply
No, this one just came to me, but I am quite sure I will at some point use it in a fic--most of my songs are, sooner or later.
Queen Galadriel
· 12 December 2006
· Chapter 7: Light the Yule Log (the Tuckborough Carol)
Beautiful and just full of Yule (and Christmas) spirit!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you very much!
Queen Galadriel
· 12 December 2006
· Chapter 6: The Snow-Hobbit
Oh, fun! The Shire version of Frosty the Snowman! *grins* How very Hobbity that story is, and of course there are more details about the food than almost anything else! :) I love it!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, indeed! I'm sure that they'd have had a version of that story! And of course there are details about food--hobbits know what the important things are! LOL!
Pearl Took
· 12 December 2006
· Chapter 6: The Snow-Hobbit
"But Pippin smiled sleepily. “Maybe we’ll have snow for Yule sometime!” he said"
Ever the optimist! Another wonderful tale with another wonderful last line!
Author's reply
*grin* Yes, the unquenchable cheerfulness of Peregrin Took!
I'm so glad you liked it, and the ending.
And I have to thank you once more for putting "Tip and Tulip" into my head!
Pearl Took
· 12 December 2006
· Chapter 5: Seasonal Advice
She's an odd duck, dear Aunt Dora! LOL
Author's reply
She is a bit odd, with her obsession with propriety, but she's sharp and she's kind-hearted.
Pearl Took
· 12 December 2006
· Chapter 4: The Moon on the Breast of the New-Fallen Snow
How rarely we know about those watching over us. Well Done!
Author's reply
It's something we often take for granted, isn't it?
Pearl Took
· 12 December 2006
· Chapter 3: Merry Yule
Sweet! :-)
Author's reply
Thank you! 8-)
Pearl Took
· 12 December 2006
· Chapter 2: Out of the Dark: First Yule S.R. 1380
"They close the door behind them, leaving the darkness inside."
Another wonderful last line! Along with a touching tale!
Author's reply
Thank you! I thought it just seemed to summarize the theme.
Pearl Took
· 12 December 2006
· Chapter 1: Frodo's Very First Yule
Awwwwww!
"and a tiny laugh like silver chimes" lovely imagery!
Author's reply
Thank you! *blushes*
Elemmírë
· 12 December 2006
· Chapter 6: The Snow-Hobbit
Hmm, methinks someone has been watching or listening to 'Frosty the Snowman' LOL! (although instead of a corncob pipe, he would have a 'long-stemmed one that reached down to his wooly toes')
I really, really liked the details Frodo (I mean you) put into Tip and Tulip's story. It was just so very hobbity to list all of those yummy-sounding things to eat. Pippin and Merry must have been drooling in hunger afterwards! No wonder they love Frodo's stories so!
I just loved this one and the previous tale as well, Dreamflower! Aunt Dora's letter to Daisy was terrific. I loved all the little jests at poor Folco, even though it was easy to see how she loved the lad so. I also really liked the fact that she felt she needed to spend the holiday with Frodo (and as extra Baggins support, LOL). I would really love to read more about their journey to Buckland together ... what they talked about, etc.
~Elemmírë~
Author's reply
For some reason, I thought Pippin would like a story of that sort. I like "Frosty the Snowman" a lot, but I'm even more fond of the animated show "The Snowman" that was made in the UK.
I think hobbits probably put lots of details about food into their stories--it was very important to them.
Dora's very fond of both her nephew and her great-nephew. But she certainly knows what Folco is like, LOL! And she would also know that Frodo would need some extra support after Bilbo's leaving.
Larner
· 11 December 2006
· Chapter 6: The Snow-Hobbit
Ah, yes, the brief snows of the climes of those who live near seas to the west. We have just that situation here. And maybe they'll find a snow friend there near the Great Smials. It's to be hoped! Heh!
Love the story Hobbit sister and brother.
Author's reply
Well, I think that little Pippin is certainly hoping for such! LOL!
I thought of "Tip and Tulip" one day when Pearl Took mentioned in a story that hobbits liked to tell stories of young hobbits being rescued by badgers. I used their names as Frodo was telling a snippet of one such story--and immediately thought that it sounded like they might be in a whole series of stories aimed at little hobbits.
PIppinfan1988
· 11 December 2006
· Chapter 6: The Snow-Hobbit
Awww! That was a sweet tale! I had a nice chuckle when Merry rolled his eyes at hearing a nursery-tale, thinking himself too old for such things. And it was a delight to see Bilbo's influence on Frodo had already taken place, being able to tell a story at the drop of a hat. And of course, I always enjoy your tale-within-a-tale stories! Thanks for sharing!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Yes, the "Tip and Tulip" stories are aimed at the age group that nowadays would be watching "Barney" or "Teletubbies". But of course, it was *Frodo* telling it, and that made all the difference in the world.
"Tale-within-a-tale" is one of my favorite formats for a story, I don't know why, it just seems right. After all, hobbits had to entertain themselves--they didn't have TV, movies or internet!
harrowcat
· 11 December 2006
· Chapter 6: The Snow-Hobbit
Sad story or not it is just right for poorly little hobbits, and big people too!
Author's reply
I've always thought the "snowman-comes-to-life-and-then-melts" scenario a little sad, but it's sweet and funny at the same time!
Kitty
· 10 December 2006
· Chapter 5: Seasonal Advice
And I will be a Steadying Influence for him, among all those Brandybucks! *giggle* Dora has a rather high opinion of herself, regardless of the question if Frodo needs this steading influence in the first place, as the Brandybucks aren't as bad as Dora seems to think.
Very amusing ficlet, as I love all these little reminders of Folco's tactless remarks. Well, they weren't aimed at me, after all ;) All in all, Dora's advice is rather sound, considering her opinion of the repercussions of invitations to certain relatives and about Dudo.
Author's reply
Dora is a Baggins, and she has a rather dyspeptic view of the Brandybucks. She's quite sure they could not *possibly* have brought Frodo up as "properly" as Bagginses would, LOL! But she's fond of them all the same.
Yes, poor little tactless Folco!
Kitty
· 10 December 2006
· Chapter 4: The Moon on the Breast of the New-Fallen Snow
Nice to see the rangers - and particularly these two - at their work to protect the Shire. Though I feel sorry for them to be there, alone in the wild, just at Yule. But Aragorn's last words were quite prophetic, weren't they? Sadly Halbarad didn't live to witness it. It must've been a great joy for the rangers to see their long guard over the Shire rewarded so much.
Author's reply
I felt sorry for them, too. Sadly, I am certain that is how they probably spent a good many of their Yules over the years. It's the fate of those who are protectors to spend their holidays taking care of others.
Aragorn was, of course, foresighted. And I think he knew Gandalf wouldn't ask them to guard the Shire for no reason.
I think it's very sad Halbarad didn't get to see the fruit of his long labor.
Kitty
· 10 December 2006
· Chapter 3: Merry Yule
Dahlia must have an easy job, as Frodo did so much of her work ;)
Of course poor Dahlia had to feel lonely, having to stay at the Hall with nothing to do. That gives too much time to think of her family. I am glad Frodo remembered her and gave her the gift. I think that was typical of Frodo, to have something for her. No wonder Larner was inspired by the idea of this painting, as she made Frodo so talented in this regard :)
Author's reply
He did make life easier for her, didn't he? *grin* However, we know that the self-conscious working class hobbit is not going to be real comfortable with that.
But Frodo's a real sweetie, and he wanted to show he his thanks for her care of his Merry.
Kitty
· 10 December 2006
· Chapter 2: Out of the Dark: First Yule S.R. 1380
Another proof for the special relationship Bilbo shared with Frodo. Poor little lad, how devastated he must have been after losing both parents at the same time and so early in his life. It is good to know there are some people around him who care so much for him and try their best to help him, even if he doesn't want to be helped at the moment.
Author's reply
Yes, he's surrounded by those who care--but they aren't the ones he *wants*. And Saradoc and Esmeralda are too patient and gentle with him--they fear him pushing them away altogether. Bilbo, though, seems to know that he *must* push, to get through to Frodo.
Kitty
· 10 December 2006
· Chapter 1: Frodo's Very First Yule
Love these little glimpses of Bilbo with his favourite nephew. No wonder he adopted Frodo in the end, after practically falling in love with him at first sight! Somehow it is touching to see an old bachelor as Bilbo so enchanted with an infant.
Author's reply
I think that there was the same sort of special instant connection of Bilbo for Frodo as there later was with Frodo for Merry, and for Frodo and Merry for Pippin. And it *is* kind of cute to see the crusty old bachelor so enthralled by a tiny baby!
Larner
· 9 December 2006
· Chapter 5: Seasonal Advice
Yes, this does sound like Auntie Dora. So funny! And how nice that she's advising Daisy whom it's safe to invite in spite of themselves. And Togo thought Folco was funny? Lovely. I like him already!
Author's reply
Aunt Dora is a very practical hobbitess, LOL!
Well, yes, he would be more amused than his poor bride was! *grin*
Larner
· 9 December 2006
· Chapter 4: The Moon on the Breast of the New-Fallen Snow
So wonderful to see Aragorn and Halbarad in full Ranger mode, and one family protected quietly. Lovely.
Author's reply
I think they were often in their "full Ranger mode" during those intervening years of guarding the Shire. I'm glad you liked it!
Don't have a lot of time today, so I'm reviewing all at once.
1. This is just soooo cute! :) I love Bilbo and little Frodo.
2. Wow, that's so sad! Frodo isn't acting his age at all. "Let me rest"? He sounds so...so old. Again, I love Bilbo here, being the only one who can get through to him.
3. Aaawww! Poor Dahlia, I know the feeling; it's horrible. But what a sweet gift from Frodo, and Merry is, of course, simply adorable. :)
4. A lovely bit of conversation between Aragorn and Halbarad, and Aragorn will be proved right in years to come, very right. Will he remember then?
5. LOL! Dear old Aunt Dora! I hope she and Daisy or close! :) She's so sweet, but so funny.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I'm so glad you have enjoyed all of these! I am enjoying writing them immensely.
As to Frodo acting "old"--yes, that is exactly it. The trauma of losing his parents made him grow up in certain ways before he was ready to do so. It made him very serious and thoughtful, so I try to convey that. Also, even though according to my calculations, physically and emotionally he was only seven and a half, mentally he still was twelve--he has twelve years of memory after all. That's why sometimes my younger hobbits sound precocious. (Except my Merry really *is* precocious even for a hobbit-lad.)
Yay1 Where would we be without Aunt Dora? I love her endless reams of good advice on all sorts of subjects, from manners, social bloopers, fashion.......
She's very tolerant of poor Folco too - that poor lad only opens his mouth to change feet! Perhaps she was secretly quite amused by Folco's innocent faux pas?
She must be alright really - she cares about Frodo too.
Author's reply
Well, we know that she was an inveterate writer of advice letters--*that's* canon, after all!
She's fond of Folco, and I'm sure that he does amuse her, though she'd not admit that! And she does love Frodo as well: he *is* her nephew after all.
How good to see Frodo happy again with his little Merry, and what a dear, sweet thoughtful lad to think of Dahlia and give her a gift.
Author's reply
Merry cheered his Frodo up a good deal, didn't he? And you've described young Frodo to a T. And Dahlia knew it, and will treasure it.
PIppinfan1988
· 9 December 2006
· Chapter 5: Seasonal Advice
I do love Aunt Dora, I really do, lol! She can be forthright and comical all in one sentence. Your Folco is so sweet, and I enjoyed imagining what may have trasnpired between him and the pregnant bride! Remember the candy bar commercial when the little boy tells the bride that his mother said she shouldn't be wearing white?? What a hoot! Sounds like something Folco might say. :-)
Very well done!
Pippinfan
Author's reply
She's very forthright, and she has a droll, dry sense of humor that I see as a Baggins trait. Folco's a sweetie pie, really, and he never *means* any harm, poor kid.
Yes, it does, doesn't it? I think he was a lot like the child in "The Emperor's New Clothes"--blurting out the truths that everyone else is pretending to ignore.