Virtuella
· 6 January 2009
· Chapter 26: To Wait for Sun's Returning
I have never thought of it that way, but you are right, there are similarities between Frodo and Boromir.
I found the opening a bit slow, but once it comes to the point, the story is beautiful and sad at the same time - to think that Boromir's hopes would not be fulfilled! The holly wreath was almost like a crown of thorns - was that an intentional association? The affectionate nature of the hobbits makes this a lovely, heart-warming tale, in spite of the impending doom.
Author's reply
Yes, both are private individuals, proud, and focused on their duty. Much more concerned with the well-being of others rather than themselves.
I think you are the only one who caught that particular bit of symbolism in the holly wreath--yes, that was one thing on my mind.
Knowing Boromir's ultimate fate makes any story with him in it fraught with bittersweet foreshadowing.
Larner
· 6 January 2009
· Chapter 26: To Wait for Sun's Returning
I'd wondered if this was possibly yours, what with the poem within it. Am so glad it was. It is so beautiful, and to learn of the more solemn rites of the Men of Gondor as opposed to the ones of Hobbits, and to see that caring expressed.
Beautiful!
Author's reply
Yes, I was afraid the song might be a giveaway! I do have that tendency--I thought posting my other "carol" a day or two ahead might throw people off.
I've always imagined the Gondor of the late Third Age as rather a solemn place, a far more formal place than Rohan, for example, or even the North--especially in Minas Tirith. Existing under the Shadow, and with a long history of ceremony and courts, it seemed to me that their holidays and ceremonies would be very serious and symbolic.
Larner
· 3 January 2009
· Chapter 25: The Year Has Turned (Sing Tarrilee)
Ah--a most lovely carol! Thank you!
Author's reply
And thank you as well, dear!
Antane
· 2 January 2009
· Chapter 25: The Year Has Turned (Sing Tarrilee)
A very uplifting, inspiring song! I should really apply this to my own life. Thank you and sorry to be so late in getting to it. Happy Yule!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Happy Yule to you as well, dear! and thanks for the kind words. I try to add at least one new "Shire Yule carol" every year.
GamgeeFest
· 1 January 2009
· Chapter 25: The Year Has Turned (Sing Tarrilee)
I can so imagine hobbits singing this song! It's so festive and upbeat!
Author's reply
Thank you! I wanted something kind of upbeat, sort of "ding-dong-merrily", if you know what I mean!
Andrea
· 1 January 2009
· Chapter 25: The Year Has Turned (Sing Tarrilee)
And when this new year is done,
We’ll know we finished what we’d begun!
That's the right attitude! Always optimistic. I love those hobbits :)
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Author's reply
Hobbits in general do seem to have an optimistic take on life, don't they?
Happy New Year to you and yours as well!
Virtuella
· 31 December 2008
· Chapter 25: The Year Has Turned (Sing Tarrilee)
Yes, indeed! Excellent resolutions.
Author's reply
They are, aren't they? Hobbits are very sensible!
PIppinfan1988
· 31 December 2008
· Chapter 25: The Year Has Turned (Sing Tarrilee)
I just love the sweet ditties you write! I still love to think and dream about hobbits, and your wonderful poetry is an ever-lovely reminder of how much I love Hobbits.
A true delight -- wishing you a most Joyous New Year!
Author's reply
I'm so glad!
I wish you all the best for the coming year as well, dear!
(((hugs)))
Virtuella
· 15 November 2008
· Chapter 23: Yule at Great Smials
I can only take Pippin-fluff in very small doses, but hey, this one went down like a spoonful of sugar! Very funny how Pippin always gets into trouble even at that age.
One has to feel sorry for the couple that are getting married - all the unpleasant people are off to attend their wedding!
I was very amused at Merry's inspired definition of fireworks! And he gives Estella his carrots! I bet that's how it all started... ;-)
And the last sentences was causing me a giggle-fit!
I don't quite understand how the weather could be "cold, but mild", and I have an inkling that you meant to say "Cold, but dry".
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed it! I do love wee!hobbit fluff myself, as long as it doesn't go too over the top. And of course, Pippin had to find trouble in this one, as per the request, LOL!
I know--Clayhangers and Bracegirdles and Sackville-Bagginses, oh my! (I think I'd prefer the lions, tigers and bears!)
I tried to think how to describe fireworks to a child who had never seen them--it would be difficult. (And I wouldn't be surprised if little Estella was impressed with Merry's gallantry--even though he'd already eaten his fill of carrots. *grin*)
I just had to bring the end back to the beginning. Of course, Lalia would never realize that *she* was why Yule was dreary!
I meant "mild" in the sense of being sunny, not too windy or cloudy, certainly dry, and cold--but not bitterly or unpleasantly cold, as long as one was warmly dressed!
Larner
· 20 July 2008
· Chapter 23: Yule at Great Smials
And how in Middle Earth did I manage to miss reading this one, Dreamflower?
Lovely, lovely! Love the look at little Pippin, guarded about from the big dangers, but managing to work himself into all the small scrapes possible. The celebration sounds marvelous indeed, and love that the staff will do anything to honor Paladin and Eglantine while Lalia is away! And Gandalf's prophecy, and the obvious love he holds for our small Took, are marvelous!
Yes, worthy of the nomination it's earned.
Author's reply
I'm sort of glad you did! When I came to check out your review, I saw several others I had missed replying to from months ago! So I was able to give a belated answer to them!
I've always seen Pippin as not necessarily being deliberately mischievous, but as being excessively enthusiastic and curious--which naturally makes him accident-prone!
I am quite certain that serving under Lalia was a horrible burden, and any chance to undermine her was siezed whenever possible--plus, I think, Paladin and his family were simply much nicer.
Gandalf really loved hobbits--and I think that Pippin may have reminded him a lot of his first hobbit-friend, Gerontius.
GamgeeFest
· 4 February 2008
· Chapter 23: Yule at Great Smials
Hyper!Pippin and Tipsy!Gandalf! What fun! Pippin does have a way of landing into trouble, which Gandalf should have remembered on the Quest. ;)
Author's reply
I'm sure Gandalf *did* remember it! And truth to tell, most of the trouble he landed in ended up being for the best after all!
GamgeeFest
· 4 February 2008
· Chapter 23: Yule at Great Smials
I figured Pippin would be angry. Strider’s lucky he got away without a firm kick to the shins. ;D I wonder though what Pippin and Merry thought when Frodo-lad told them who Mr. Appledore was, and if Fatty ever finds out. There’s so much more here to be explored.
I’m glad that Mr. Appledore took the position as caregiver. He’ll take good care of the King’s lodging and while he might still be lonely, at least he will have a solid roof over his head to keep him warm in the winters.
GamgeeFest
· 5 January 2008
· Chapter 20: Good King Elessar, Part 4: Yonder Peasant, Who is He?
I’m glad Mr. Appledore has found a friend in Strider and Frodo. I’m sure he wasn’t the only ‘ruffian’ who fell into the Troubles under misconceptions and then couldn’t find their way out. Thank goodness he was eventually able to get away. I wonder what Pippin will make of his story, for of course, who else would be knocking on the door? Wonder if he has a broomstick ready. ;)
Author's reply
As you know you were quite right about Pippin being at the door!
I'm sure Appledore was not alone in being caught up in something that he'd rather not have been. But being outnumbered by those who have no scruples at all would have made it very difficult to resist.
GamgeeFest
· 5 January 2008
· Chapter 19: Good King Elessar: Part 3, Through the Rude Wind's Wild Lament
That snowstorm sure sounds cold! I’m glad Strider was able to hear Frodo, but he really should have thought of the weather before setting out on such a venture. I suppose living in the comforts of a big city has taken some of the edge off the old Ranger. Hm, so first Estella would box his ears if not warned about Merry’s injury and now Rosie’s going to take a broom to him for getting Frodo in such a mess! Strider has more dangers now than he did on the Quest! After all, none of those orc were overprotective hobbit wives or mothers!
Frodo’s recount of the Traveller’s remembrance of Caradhras was interesting. I imagine they would take painful steps to insure none of the children heard them talking about the more dangerous parts of the Quest or how scared they were during them. And Pippin’s comment about everyone being annoyed with Legolas was funny. The Elf was a bit of a showoff during that whole affair, wasn’t he?
Author's reply
I'm not sure that Estella would box his ears or Rosie take a broom to him--but he has to admit, if they did, they would be perfectly justified, which of course is what *makes* them more dangerous, LOL!
I think that perhaps, except for reading out of the Red Book, that most of the stories about the Quest would have been a bit bowdlerized, and that they'd leave out or play down the scariest parts in front of the children. But when they thought they were just among themselves, they'd have been more open.
And Legolas was *very* irritating on Caradhras! I wanted to smack him myself, LOL!
GamgeeFest
· 5 January 2008
· Chapter 18: Good King Elessar: Part 2, A Good League Hence
Frodo-lad noticed he'd said nothing of teatime.
Now really, Strider should know hobbits better than that! :D I loved Frodo’s note and that he made a point of explaining that this scheme was all Strider’s idea. That Strider could sound so much like one his brothers thinking up a ploy would be alarming for him, and it’s only natural that his voice of caution should sound like his dad, much like Sam’s always sounded like the Gaffer. He’s even picked up Sam’s use of ‘proper’ I see. :)
Somehow, I have a feeling they’re not going to be back in time for supper either, but we shall see.
Oh, and what a good explanation for the presence of all those ‘American’ foods in ME! Numenor might not have been that far to the west, but it’s a plausible explanation all the same that they would have things there they did not have in ME, and so were able to introduce corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and most importantly pipeweed.
Author's reply
*grin* You've really picked up on young Frodo--he's very much his father's son!
Uh, well you know by now that you were right!
JRRT was no botanist, and he used many plants that were not "native" to "the Shire" (if you posit the British Isles as being the Shire) but since he did use that explanation for both pipeweed and athelas, I think it would work for those other crops as well!
GamgeeFest
· 5 January 2008
· Chapter 17: Good King Elessar: Part 1, Hither Page and Stand by Me
I like the idea that Merry and Pippin saw to building a hunting lodge for the King, where he can be just Strider – with a few more comforts! They’re rather cheeky though to assume that there will always be a hobbit there to do the cooking – rather inviting themselves over aren’t they? ;) But of course Strider doesn’t mind one bit.
I greatly enjoyed all the little tidbits as well, from Merry and Pippin sparring when they’re old enough to know better, Frodo-lad’s image of Estella boxing the King’s ears, his little flashes of fatherly advice and his habit of calling the King Uncle Strider. I can see Frodo’s in for an interesting Yule.
Author's reply
I am just now finding a whole bunch of reviews I never replied to!
You are quite right about the cheekiness of Merry and Pippin!
Young Frodo really is going to have a memorable time!
Andrea
· 5 January 2008
· Chapter 22: Good King Elessar: Epilogue, Shall Yourselves Find Blessing
Dear Dreamflower,
I read this last chapter a few days ago, but had not time to write a review. But better late than never ;-)
I enjoyed this story a great deal and I was pleased to find that the visitors were Pippin and Bergil. Pippin would not have gone alone, but as Bergil returned much earlier than expected, it makes perfect sense that they went out together to find Aragorn and Frodo. And I can very well imagine Merry waiting impatiently for their return. Good old Merry :)
Finally I was glad to see that Mr. Appledore decided to be Aragorn's new caretaker.
"I can't think of a greater blessing than to have him for our King."
That is so very true!
Unfortunately, there will always be rulers in our world who will not live up to their name. That lies in the nature of mankind, I think.
But as we have seen in Middle-Earth, there is always hope :)
Linda Hoyland
· 5 January 2008
· Chapter 22: Good King Elessar: Epilogue, Shall Yourselves Find Blessing
A lovely ending to a truly heartwarming story.Thank you for a most enjoyable read. I hope you'll write more Aragorn and the Hobbits stories in future.
Linda Hoyland
· 5 January 2008
· Chapter 21: Good King Elessar: Part 5, Forth They Went Together
Pippin is just priceless here. I'm glad Aragorn was so kind to Mr Appledore and let Frodo ride home with him.
cathleen
· 4 January 2008
· Chapter 23: Yule at Great Smials
This was just such a sweet, humorous tale and I loved reading it again here! There are a great many entertaining elements in this story and I love the way you managed to work everything Pearl requested in, even metaphorically! And I loved that Gandalf was included in the celebration and got a wee bit tipsy on the punch - hehe, perfect! Thanks, Dreamflower, for writing this, and thanks Pearl Took for requesting it!
Kitty
· 3 January 2008
· Chapter 23: Yule at Great Smials
Ha, I can imagine how the hobbits are hurrying to the Great Smials as soon as word got around that Lalia would be out of the way! (Though maybe I should feel sorry for the wedding guests ;-))
Pippin is truly more than a handful, but he’s a sweet lad, too. "But Frodo, I was so 'cited! All the happy just had to come out!" That was so cute!
And he’s accident-prone, oh yes! I feel tempted to say it’s a miracle that he survived his childhood at all, and Bilbo seems to think along the same line.
Lovely to have Gandalf there, too. The idea of him dancing among the hobbits after a few (too many?) drinks is fun. But somehow I am glad Gandalf got the chance to spend a few nice days there and to enjoy himself for a change – he’s spending far too much of his time out in the wilds.
And his moment of foresight about Pippin was intriguing. Now you have me wondering what and how much he saw ...
eiluj
· 3 January 2008
· Chapter 23: Yule at Great Smials
What a memorable Yule!
I loved Pip's "What are you?" to Gandalf, Merry's description of fireworks as candles that make a loud noise, and Pippin fearing the loss of his carrots.
Despite Bilbo's constant assertion that he would exceed his grandfather's age, Frodo must indeed have feared every day that he would lose him. The average hobbit, judging by the ones we see on the family trees, seems to have lived to be in his late 90's. Bilbo at the time of this story was 105, having just equalled in age his uncle Hildibrand, *the* longest-lived of any hobbit on the family trees other than Gerontius. The Old Took wasn't merely *old* -- he'd outlived every other hobbit (that we know of) by *25* years! Poor Frodo indeed! [Rory Brandybuck, 93 at the time of this story, would die at 106.]
They carried the lad over to his parents, who looked askance.
"Don't ask," said Bilbo.
*snicker*
harrowcat
· 2 January 2008
· Chapter 23: Yule at Great Smials
Poor Pippin. He never MEANS to get into a mishap. They just happen. It is good that he has good sisters and cousins to look out for him. And now a wizard too! *grin*
Fiondil
· 2 January 2008
· Chapter 22: Good King Elessar: Epilogue, Shall Yourselves Find Blessing
Good King Wenceslas has always been one of my favorite Christmas carols, and I love how you interpreted it for Middle-earth, especially with Elessar as the king. And Frodo-lad was just perfect as his page. Thank you for this little tale. Aragorn is indeed the consummate king and I have to agree that when one looks at the mess present-day politicians and so-called leaders have made of things, I wish very much that we can have a king like Elessar leading us (and that's from someone who had ancestors who fought in the American Revolution against the King of England! LOL).
Author's reply
It has always been a favorite of mine as well! It's the only Christmas *carol* I know of that does not actually mention Christmas. (I'm not including modern winter songs sung around Christmas time like Jingle Bells!) Yet it is so much in the spirit of the season--about serving, and giving and finding blessing through doing so. Add to that the fact that the story is basically appealing--a King, taking care of the least of his subjects personally, and not just by giving orders; the drama of the young page following his King through the snowstorm, and the way in which following in his King's footsteps literally is the saving of him--it's just beautiful in both plot and symbolism. I never fail to see that story play itself out in my head when singing it. The knowledge that Wenceslas was a real king, that he was fairly young, and was martyred for the troubles he took on behalf of his people only enhances it.
I have to say, my personal belief is that in an ideal world we would still have monarchy. Sadly, the sorts of Servant-kings of legend, such as Arthur, Wenceslas *or* Aragorn are all too rare in Real Life, so in this less than ideal world, where power tends to go to men's heads if allowed, democracy is the second best choice. (And I too, am American, and have never failed to exercise my right to vote!)
harrowcat
· 2 January 2008
· Chapter 22: Good King Elessar: Epilogue, Shall Yourselves Find Blessing
Ooh a wonderful cherry on top of the icing. And a perfect King.
Author's reply
Why thank you!
He is pretty much a perfect King--I think JRRT meant him to be the sort of king or leader we'd all like to have.