Larner · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 16: "Come Now, Good Hobbits..."
Yes, a lovely carol here. And I'm certain Frodo would be singing it there in Tol Eressea, wishing its blessings for those left behind.
Author's reply
You are probably quite right!
Shire Yule by Dreamflower
Reviews (321)
Larner · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 15: A New Tradition
Oh, I can so empathize with poor Merry. It must be deathly difficult wishing Frodo were there as he ought to be. LOVE the surprise!
Author's reply
Yes, it's often that way, wishing for the presence of a loved one who is gone, under any circumstances. I thought that might be the one thing that could snap Merry out of his holiday doldrums. I'm glad you liked it.
Baggins Babe · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 13: The Long Wait Begins
Poor Bilbo - waiting is sometimes the hardest task of all, and his thoughts are with his beloved Frodo while Arwen's are with the Man she loves. Hopefully their shared feelings will help them comfort one another.
Author's reply
Yes, I think the two of them can comfort one another like no one else could.
Baggins Babe · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 14: This Time Next Year
Good for Saradoc with his steadfast belief, and what a pity Paladin didn't have the same faith. Rose did though! I love that look at her foresight in the epilogue. As for Lobelia........ she has no self-awareness and no common sense, does she? Sadly for her, her little world is about to come crashing down.
Author's reply
Well, Saradoc was just stubborn enough to hang tough. Paladin had a number of reasons that things were harder for him, and he let pride and temper get in the way of realizing that hope could still be found. Like you, I love the tiny bit of Rose's faith that we are shown, and wish it had been in the book. As for Lobelia........ she has no self-awareness and no common sense, does she? You hit the nail bang on the head. She is far too self-absorbed to be self-aware. It takes some detachment to achieve that. And she has long dreamed of being the all-powerful matriarch of Bag End--whether that dream was ever justified or not.
Baggins Babe · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 15: A New Tradition
I've loved each and every one of these tales but this one was especially poignant. Poor Merry - and poor Pip, being made to feel that the Smials was somewhat inadequate! Legolas and Gimli being there was a wonderful surprise and a joy to all - wonder if this can be another new tradition? Yes, I wonder what sort of Yule Frodo is having in Tol Eressa......... *shoves bunny towards Dreamflower and wanders off, whistling....*
Author's reply
Yes, poor Merry. And poor Pip, though I don't think that was Merry's intention. But he had all these rosy memories of his wonderful childhood Yules, and it seemed nothing could ever live up to them. It would be nice if it were! I thought if anything at all could help take his mind off Frodo, it would be that! Yes, you and a couple of others...I don't know...that will take a lot of thought...
Queen Galadriel · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 16: "Come Now, Good Hobbits..."
Oh, lovely! Happy Yule and New Year to you! :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you very much dear, and the same to you!
GamgeeFest · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 13: The Long Wait Begins
Poor Bilbo. As much as he longed for the road and enjoyed his retirement in Rivendell, there were bound to be times when he missed home and having other hobbits to talk to.
Author's reply
Yes, I think that he must often have pined for the company of other mortals, much less other hobbits. But of all the inhabitants of Rivendell, Arwen would have been the most likely to understand.
GamgeeFest · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 12: Conspiracy Yule
Famous last words. Everything could - and did - go wrong. Toasted cheese? How do you toast cheese exactly? LOL ;) How Frodo ever thought that Sam and Merry wouldn't notice him acting odd is beyond me.
Author's reply
Yes, "famous last words", like "wait here" and "I'd *never* do that..." That's exactly what I thought the first time I came across the phrase in a book by a British author. Apparently that's what they call "cheese toast". I like the phrase because it puts the emphasis on the best part: the *cheese*! I think that from time to time, Frodo may have thought "He seems to suspect something. No, I'm just imagining things because I'm so jumpy." His own secrecy got in the way of noticing theirs.
GamgeeFest · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 11: Yule Morn in the Shire
That's Yule in a nutshell. I love your dribbles, I think they're called. Well done!
Author's reply
Thank you. I didn't invent them, but I do love them--they really make you have to work within an economy of words.
GamgeeFest · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 10: Sleigh Ride
Oh, surely Sam could have stolen one *tiny* little kiss! LOL He's too proper for his own good sometimes. What a lovely - but cold! - day the two couples had. But, were they back in time for tea? lol
Author's reply
My Sam's so much in love that he's almost *too* respectful of Rose. Usually it's up to her to initiate any kisses for them! They did have fun, and got home just in time!
GamgeeFest · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 9: The New Year Baby
Pippin will make such a good uncle. He can teach his niece all manners of getting into and out of trouble, and he'll spoil her rotten if he's allowed to. I enjoyed watching his excitement and anxious pacing. Frodo's joke about not naming the child Lobelia was priceless.
Author's reply
Yes, Pippin turns out to be quite a doting uncle, and he will spoil his nieces any chance he can get! He was very nervous, never having been an uncle before. *grin* I thought it might crack everyone up, after all the wild names the lasses had been coming up with. (The first two are actual flowers, LOL!)
PIppinfan1988 · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 16: "Come Now, Good Hobbits..."
Are you sure you haven't been hired by Hallmark? LOL, you ought to apply! What a beautiful and warm carol to sing (or read in a greeting card)! Very hobbity indeed-- May the Shire know peace and plenty, That no larder may go empty! ;-) Loved it.
Author's reply
*giggle* Do you think there'd be much market for "hobbit-themed" greeting cards? LOL! Hobbits do have their priorities straight!
Lindelea · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 16: "Come Now, Good Hobbits..."
What a gorgeous poem! It brings tunes to my imagination. Do you have a setting for it already? I love the list of blessings, very hobbity, and it brings a tightness to the throat to think of all the Shirefolk have been through over the centuries, and yet turned out such hobbits as Bilbo, and Frodo, and Merry, Pippin, and Sam. (And we mustn't forget Freddy and all the others!)
Author's reply
No, I don't really. I imagine it as something rather bouncy and rollicking, that could be sung in rounds if the hobbits wanted to. Hobbits, I think, are big on counting their blessings. I do love hobbits.
harrowcat · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 16: "Come Now, Good Hobbits..."
A perfect carol for one and all! Lokking forward to the offering next year.
Author's reply
Thanks! I hope you had a lovely holiday!
PIppinfan1988 · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 15: A New Tradition
Fortunately, in spite of Merry's grumpiness, one can't miss the joyous excitement of the children. That magic always comes through, no matter what. :-) Poor old Merry--and Pippin. And bless Pippin for doing his utmost to make his cousin's Yule happier than previous ones. The sad part is that life goes on, regardless of the missing pieces of one's heart. Frodo's absence will always be sorely missed. Yet another excellent tale!
Author's reply
Sometimes it's best to see things through the children's eyes! Merry has never liked the idea of letting go--a good thing in some circumstances, in which he can make a difference by hanging on (such as during the Quest) but a very difficult trait, when the circumstances are those in which one has no control. Pippin, on the other hand, has always found it easier to "go with the flow", and to understand when letting go is the best thing to do. But for his cousins, and for Sam, Frodo will always hold a missing piece of their hearts. Thank you!
harrowcat · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 13: The Long Wait Begins
This is breath-taking in it's simplicity and agony. "They also serve who stand and wait".
Author's reply
Oh! Thank you. And, yes, they do.
harrowcat · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 15: A New Tradition
Now that would be a good New Year resolution for me too. I have just got back from a week at home! I do try.... I really do!
Author's reply
*grin* It's sometimes hard not to be grumpy at the holidays, LOL!
harrowcat · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 14: This Time Next Year
Happy New Year Dreamflower and All. I love the way that you contrast the heart-felt certainty amidst all the heart-ache and uncertainty.
Author's reply
Yes, there were those who had lost hope, and those who never did, and those who mostly hoped, but sometimes doubted.
Queen Galadriel · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 15: A New Tradition
This makes me want to cry, even though there's joy in it. Maybe the blend of grief and happiness is what makes it so poignant. Poor, dear Merry. And how does Frodo fare, there across the Sea, on this Yule? *coaxes plot bunny in your direction* :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Well, they are always going to miss him, aren't they? I don't know if I will ever write Frodo in Tol Eressea--but I will keep this in mind...
Queen Galadriel · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 14: This Time Next Year
A little chilling; the fear for the travellers comes through very well. I do feel so sorry for poor Frodo though, not a Baggins to miss him. Well, maybe there was, but certainly there's not a thought in Lobelia's head for him. But at that time next year, they really were back, safe...and changed. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
They do fear for them so much--not knowing or having a clue as to what's happened to them. As for no Baggins to miss Frodo, that's something he was well aware of (though perhaps he was missed more than he thought). In fact, my Frodo once told Boromir that the only people in the Shire likely to have missed him came with him--an exaggeration, I think, for Sara and Esme and many others were sure to have missed him also. Lobelia's only thought for him at this point is "good riddance". She little knows how his absence is going to affect her life.
Queen Galadriel · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 13: The Long Wait Begins
Oh, poor Bilbo! Yes, it's hard to be left behind to wait. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
And it had to be especially hard that year, knowing what Frodo and the others were heading towards...
PIppinfan1988 · 31 December 2006 · Chapter 14: This Time Next Year
Oh, the responsibilities of being a leader. Poor Saradoc, putting a mask over his true feelings of anxiety over Merry. I like Peridot--and I feel bad for Paladin's despair. I know it's because he loved his son so much and knowing the circumstances surrounding Pippin's disappearance, but I like Peridot's hope. I know the Professor wrote Rosie's heart-felt hope for her Sam in the Scouring, ROTK, but I still want to cheer the lass on! :-) As for Lobelia...she made her bed, now she can sleep in it. These were all wonderful glimpses into the lives of those who were left behind. Thank you for sharing your lovely Yule imagination! :-)
Author's reply
He had to show his confidence, and make all believe that things would be all right--even in spite of his doubts and fears. Paladin, however, could not seem to do that--he was so sure Pippin was dead. Peridot always had a special relationship to Pippin, and she thought with her heart and not her head--and was right. Yes, Rosie's confidence in Sam is canon, and I'm very glad for that!! She truly was worthy of him. Lobelia had some grandiose ideas--she hoped to swan it over the rest of the Bagginses in much the way Lalia had once done over the Tooks. Didn't work out that way, though. And she will probably get precious little sleep before it's all over with.
Larner · 31 December 2006 · Chapter 14: This Time Next Year
Oh, but he WANTED to be the head of the Bagginses; but I doubt even the few Sackvilles about truly want him, either, though their stuck with him as family head. And at least all the ones who spoke of next year were right save for Lobelia.... Poor Lobelia. That wasn't a good one for her.
Author's reply
Yes, Lotho wanted to be the head of the Bagginses, and as we saw, of the Shire--though it wasn't really his to want. Even if Frodo had moved to Buckland, and Bag End being in S.-B. hands did not truly make him head of the Bagginses unless Frodo died or had given it over to him. This is why, in my Shire, most of the hobbits (except for those in Buckland, and for Freddy Bolger, who know better) believe the raid on Crickhollow was orchestrated by Lotho, in order to get Frodo out of his way permanently. Much easier to believe than in un-dead Kings with Rings of Power. No. The next year would have been anything *but* good for her--
Larner · 31 December 2006 · Chapter 13: The Long Wait Begins
Two now look through that window at the way those they love best have gone, wondering if those feet will indeed be heard returning.
Author's reply
Yes, I've always been so touched by "I Sit Beside the Fire and Think", and imagined how awful poor Bilbo must have felt watching his dearest young loved ones going off into a danger that he must have thought he was at least somewhat responsible for. And Arwen knows this is *IT*--it's now or never, for her and for Aragorn to either achieve their heart's desire, or see the world end for both of them...
Frodo Baggins · 31 December 2006 · Chapter 13: The Long Wait Begins
Oh, how sad! The Hobbit...is he...Merry? I couuldn't really tell. Hannon le. :) And Happy Yule to you! Namarie! God Bless, Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
It was Bilbo, waiting at Rivendell, after the Company has set out on the Quest.