Reviews (166)

Author's reply

Oh, as I said in an earlier chapter he used to dance alongside his dad, and even danced the Bounder's Jig at the Free Fair beside Drogo once before his dad died. But he's now a teenager and has found there's joy in dancing; and he's starting to get noticed as a result. He's not noticing being noticed, perhaps, but then perhaps even guy Hobbits mature more slowly than the lasses do. I love that one brief glimpse of Frodo dancing at the Party in the movies, and have always since thought of him as one to catch the eye with his dancing. So glad you approve.

Author's reply

Yes, the genie got out of the bottle, and had a good time while free; but had his comeuppance. Perhaps if he hadn't been so badly repressed he would have found that balance earlier in his life. But I like the idea Frodo did things with flair from early on, and was in it more for the thrill of figuring out how to distract folks rather than for just stealing. In FOTR Farmer Maggot appeared to welcome the ex-master of Bag End warmly; and no matter how upset he might be about his mushrooms being stolen, I think he'd realize that young Frodo has completely overreacted to being caught and might indeed be in great distress about it. So I have him doing only what he feels needful to deal with a kid who hasn't learned to do no more than enough, and his dogs aren't really vicious but are protective within limits. And I think he'd indeed go to Rory more to express concern rather than to get righteously angry, really.

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Well, we know he got caught by Maggot at least the once; I just thought we ought to see it from Maggot's own point of view. Yes, clever rogue--too much so, of course! Heh!

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Yes, first he breaks loose, and then, as happens again later in life, his own conscience becomes his greatest enemy. Frodo was obviously a pretty intelligent and capable Hobbit; that he'd become far too clever for his own good at some point in his life seemed likely. We know that Bombadil held a good deal of respect for Farmer Maggot; therefore the fear held for years by an adolescent Frodo toward one honored not only by Iarwain but by Merry and Pippin as well must have been exaggerated by the fear of having been caught and then pursued by the dogs; and it seemed likely that as even the adult Frodo realized the dogs were unlikely to have harmed him had they caught him that he had while running from the Farmer's presence misread them, too. Am so glad you appreciated it, Elanor.

Author's reply

I am so honored, Harrowcat! That is such a great compliment, to hear someone truly thinks this of the caliber to add to the Master's own work! Thank you so much. So, new paint, is it? I'd wondered. And it's hard in this day and age to appreciate that there are places that are indeed internet-free. A pleasant weekend to you.

Author's reply

Oh, the two of you are indeed correct. Let'er rip, and see where it takes not only Frodo but the whole of the Hall and the farmers of the Marish! And it's fun to think what Frodo's early life might have been like.

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Such as Gilda all too often fail to appreciate just how much injury they're inflicting on the very ones they're seeking to mould and protect. Gilda tends to project too much of herself and her grandfather on Frodo, not accepting that Frodo isn't bound to her grandfather's fate. And although Frodo may not appreciate the "aah!" factor of puppies, he must have realized others were often captivated by such creatures and therefore found ways to exploit it. So, how do we keep a farmer's attention off his fields and vegetable patches and orchards? Little kids, puppies, kitties, helplessness that needs rescuing.... And you're certainly right about that overblown conscience of Frodo's.

Author's reply

You certainly have the right of it, French Pony. You can't keep a born prankster down forever, I suspect. The Hall is suddenly finding itself facing that great intellect and imagination letting itself loose as a force to be used against others, and is a bit taken aback, I think!

Author's reply

Sorry--hadn't been thinking of Gomez Addams; was merely looking at Esmeralda and Diamente and thinking how much Spanish influence one sees at times in the names Tolkien used in naming Hobbits. We have a fair number of Chicano migrant farm workers who come particularly to eastern Washington to work in the orchards and fields of the Columbia River basin, and I met a Gomez there when visiting friends, and the name came from him. How deep the hurt feelings Lavinia knows might run I have no idea; but as I've written often that Frodo's dancing caught the eye and heart of many a Shire maiden, it only seemed likely that at least one of those at that party managed to feel the effect. Bartolo, however, is resenting what he sees as Frodo slighting his sister, although his resentment goes deeper than that, probably; although that will be addressed more in "The Tenant from Staddle" (if these smaller nuzguls will let me ever finish that story! Egad!) as it develops. And am so glad you like Frodo's desire to hold his own--I can't imagine him caving easily to others of his own age.

Author's reply

Unfortunately, when quarrels are settled ever by adults, youngsters don't learn to develop their own strategies to deal with them, or may fail to appreciate how necessary it is to have a number of friends and allies to assist. And Frodo is wise enough to see that in this case adult interference will only serve to make Gomez resent him the more and make the next attack more likely to occur in a well-planned manner in which there would be little likelihood of anyone realizing what's happening and interfering in time to keep from a very serious situation developing. The punch was taught Frodo by Merimac during a visit to the Hall after he'd removed to Hobbiton and Bag End; that won't come for some time yet. Esme's beginning to assert her own authority and judgement, which isn't all that easy, for although Menegilda is a far more benevolent individual than Lalia Took, she nevertheless is a bit too taken with her own authority and surety she must be right (I suspect she is a Virgo, actually!). Timono has no social skills whatsoever and in some ways reminds me of myself when little, although I was never as self-centered; but I remember one period when I was intent on feeling sorry for myself because my father died when I was a baby until a friend who was an adoptee hit me with this argument--again a bit of projection of myself onto some of my characters. And yes, Merry is already seeing Frodo as his own and is living up to his nickname.

Author's reply

Oh, I agree. Had my share of them focusing on me when I was a child, and I hate the breed.

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As I have Will Whitfoot explaining to Lotho in "The Acceptable Sacrifice," you have to be careful when arguing with other Hobbits, for your general Hobbit is likely to dig his heels in and refuse to cooperate, a Took is likely to end off doing anything that crosses his mind during your discussion, a Brandybuck is likely to decide to do the opposite of what you want him to do, and a Baggins will do what he feels is necessary and most seemly; convince a Baggins something is necessary or desirable and give him the go-ahead, and he'll see it done in spite of almost any obstacle placed in his way. Frodo has basically a nature that leads him to try to see to it everyone's needs are met; stifle that and he starts feeling useless, and as a result he's feeling dreadfully stifled and depressed. Servants tend to see far more of what's really going on than their employers and to recognize when someone's not being treated properly, and that's happening here with the cook's helper who used to be a neighbor of Frodo's back in Whitfurrow. I've enjoyed seeing more of the general population of the Shire, and am glad you appreciate it. Tolkien used very little in the way of expletives in his writing, and on LOTR, particularly in conjunction with Hobbit language, this tended to be the form of such used--"Trumpets and glory!" "Sun and moon!" and so on. In her essays on canon vs. fanon, Dreamflower discussed this at length. Very educated Hobbits might say things such as "Sweet Valar" or "Creator protect him" or something similar; but most Hobbits would tend to use such expressions as these, she noted. In "Go Out in Joy," when realizing the spider wound is draining again, I have Sam exclaiming "Orcs and spiders!" And for one who lives on a tobacco plantation, "Leaf and pipe!" just seemed so right. Ambergris, as you probably know, is the matter excreted by sperm whales that tends to float on the surface of the water until it is harvested and sold to manufacturers of perfumes. This Ambergris I just gave the name to rather arbitrarily. I hope you appreciate it. And perhaps I'll write the story of the accident that left the son of Ambergris and Snapdragon partially crippled, but I haven't gone that far. Anyway, am glad you enjoyed that expression. In my depiction of Frodo, after going to live with Bilbo he became very intimately aware of the entire Shire through the many rambles he and Bilbo took together and the additional ones he undertook on his own or with Merry and Pippin and Sam after he became Master of Bag End; so he isn't an unknown quantity to many folks throughout the Shire but someone many folks have seen on occasion, adding to his reputation for eccentricity.

Author's reply

Little children and mud do seem to go together--it was certainly true of my little brother, as I remember; and I don't know how many times when I was trying to excavate my own Swiss Family Robinson cave in a pile of dirt left by the bulldozers that flattened part of our property my mother despaired of keeping me clean--and I was ten or eleven at the time! So glad you appreciate that Merry had found he could find such enjoyment on a summer day under the auspices of a six-year-old! And Frodo is indeed beginning to develop into the Hobbit he will be as an adult.

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Yes, there is a good chance this party will remain with Frodo for the rest of his life, and the family is realizing if Menegilda is faced with determination she will give way. Maybe Frodo is turning into a saint in some ways, but he's also the one who engineered Gomez and Boridoc being blamed for a failed prank involving whitewash and chicken feathers that ended up on the kids involved instead of on their apparent intended victims. And how did Timono really end up in that clothes press? Was it his idea, or was he maneuvered? No, perhaps not quite the saint he appears, and he's likely to branch out at any time. Heh! Frodo may be basically a decent individual, but he's also capable of being VERY devious when he feels it's needed.

Author's reply

Or will we know precisely what has bothered Barti for so long? Maybe.... Frodo has a month of relative freedom and is learning much of life and dealing with others. And he's had a good month's companionship with Bilbo and is finally reaching through to Esme's better sense, for the moment at least. And Esme is learning more of the nature of her young cousin and ward, as well as the natures of several who will one day be important to him. And she's seeing that dancing, too, is a means for Frodo to rejoice and express his native joy once more.

Author's reply

Am glad you like it. Am trying to finish this by Sunday, but suspect I won't quite finish in time--I will be working toward that end, though. As both himself and a child of the Tooks with a good deal of Fallohide to him, I suspect Frodo knew moments of foresight all his life--certainly that's how I tend to write him. As butterflies have ever been symbols of purity of heart and rebirth as well as the human psyche and spirit, I also have tended to see butterflies and Frodo as being closely related, which is part of why they keep turning up in my stories about him--butterflies, dragonflies, and caddis flies. It's going to take some doing to get Menegilda to give over her overprotectiveness, although she will take it up again. But to become "Mister Frodo" and accept that change in status would definitely take some adjustment, I'm certain; although I've always written Frodo once he returns to Hobbiton as reverting to the pattern of helping others I've seen him experiencing as a child growing up in his parents' home. And am so glad you like the Brandybucks. May they always be worthy of much honor!

Author's reply

Stifled indeed! Love can be used as a chain to fetter, and that's how Menegilda is expressing it right now. And she's refusing to accept she's not doing the right thing. Yes, indeed, as if the dreaming and 'sight' weren't problems enough! You have the right of it there!

Author's reply

Continuity is usually a good thing, and for the most part Frodo and Esmeralda are mutually supportive, of course. And I do think Frodo would already have developed a good relationship with his older cousin. Thanks so much for the comments, Bodkin.

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Yes, they're smothering him with misapplied love. For Frodo, the years with his parents must be memories of deepest joy and accomplishment. And he's experiencing the first true stirrings of the King's gift and continuing to know prescience, both of which will be blessings--and banes as well once the Ring comes to him. But he does have his Uncle Bilbo and Cousin Merry to hearten him. Thanks so for the comments, Antane.

Author's reply

Am so very glad you appreciate it, Elemmire. I'm trying to capture a variety of experiences and emotions, as you can see, and to give more of a background for the anecdotes I've hinted at elsewhere. And I, too, like Esmeralda very much. I see her as in many ways more intelligent and sensitive than Eglantine, and far quicker to learn from her own mistakes. And I do believe she would always be seeking Frodo's comfort and safety more than her own. Thanks so much for the sentiments of appreciation.

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Thanks, B.C. I find I enjoy looking at how relationships grow and change over years. Hope to have the next chapter up soon.

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Prescience, psychologists have found, tends to be strongest in children and adolescence, a fact I've noted was true in my own case; and I suspect that the King's Gift I've written into my take on the characters of Frodo and Aragorn would begin to truly manifest itself at this time in Frodo's life. Actually, the King's Gift is a form of psychic empathy, a gift that appears to manifest erratically with many people, particularly in relationship to ones deeply loved. How many times have you heard anecdotes of individuals who have dreamed of a loved one saying goodbye at the time that loved one has been involved in an accident far away; or have realized that a loved one is in imminent danger? Gilda isn't as sensitive to the fact as Esme is that Frodo is not as fragile as she imagines; her expectations are getting fully in the way of her perceptiveness and are filtering out a good deal of reality as applied to Frodo's capabilities, and right now not only is she not listening to Bilbo but not even to her brothers and sisters-in-law who see the lad every day. Having been considered a "gifted child" myself, I know I gave a few of my own teachers a challenge. Fortunately I managed to draw far more gifted teachers than bad ones in my school years. But you're right--Bilbo would be the one Hobbit fully capable of keeping up with Frodo's curiosity and learning abilities. Thanks so much for the detailed comments!

Author's reply

Yes, these plot bunnies gone nuzgul are getting to be quite the nuisance! Heh! In this case the situation wasn't deliberate, and I do believe that Bilbo could usually manage to give as well as he got with Lobelia Sackville-Baggins. Yes, I think there would already be a good relationship between Esme and Frodo before his parents' deaths, and I can just imagine Frodo doing his own bit of matchmaking between Esme and Sara. Merry must have learned it somewhere, I think! Heh! A close friend was so desirous to have children she put herself through nine miscarriages before her gynecologist declared enough and she had to undergo an emergency hysterectomy. She went on to adopt four children and foster many others, most of whom had been abused and neglected by birth-parents who were for the most part seriously mentally and emotionally disturbed. I've rather patterned Primula on her. And of course Bilbo has a better sense of what Frodo's capable of than Gilda. After all, he's been out in the outer world and has traveled through Rivendell, where he met a young mother who'd suffered her OWN miscarriages.... And my prayers are with your friend. Having taken classes in the etiology of disabilities, I'm absolutely astounded there aren't MORE stories such as hers. It is so difficult to deal with. I lost one fetus, and that was devastating enough.

Author's reply

Prescience appears to be strongest for children and adolescents--certainly it was that way for me. Mostly I tend to dream snippets of conversations that are totally meaningless at the time I dream them, and usually pretty lacking in significance when they happen as well. I did dream the Rosary service held for a cousin's husband after he was murdered, and a monologue given by a classmate in Drama class when we were in high school, but mostly it's just conversations--silly conversations. That Frodo would know that gift from childhood, considering his temperament, just seems right. And this would be the time in his life, I think, when he'd indeed begin manifesting the King's gift as well. I thought you would most fully appreciate what Frodo's going through right now. What I've seen well-meaning parents and teachers do to capable kids through skewed expectations has, unfortunately, often proved very frustrating and in some cases quite damaging to the children they'd hoped to nurture and protect. That so many children triumph more in spite of them rather than due to them is a wonder! And Gilda definitely has very inconsistent expectations. Nor can I see Frodo willing to stand by idly when he feels there's something he can do to help a situation. Thanks so much for the review, my Lady.