Between Green Door and Gold Ring by Larner
Lindelea · 25 April 2014 · Chapter 21: Four for Bilbo!
I can just see Lobelia shudder as Bilbo sings this song -- especially when he calls himself a "man"! (And I can see Bilbo's delight shining through...)
Author's reply
She has just been denied the one smial in the Shire she desires, and now---- Thanks so!
shirebound · 20 April 2013 · Chapter 20: A Campaign Begun
Wow, Lobelia is as strategic as a general planning a battle. Nicely written.
Author's reply
So glad you agree with me as to her commitment to her goal. Thank you so, Shirebound!
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 20 April 2013 · Chapter 20: A Campaign Begun
Larner, Lobelia should have known better, for we all know what came of this! So is this how Lotho was conceived? Kaylee
Author's reply
No, it's not how Lotho was conceived--it was a different child who was born many years before Lotho and Frodo, and who didn't survive. Its tale is told earlier in this collection, in stories one and two. I'd originally thought for it to perhaps be Lotho, until I was reminded that Lotho wasn't that old. And, yes, Lobelia should have known better and undoubtedly did, but she was desperate to somehow marry into the Baggins family and its wealth and respectability--and the possibility that perhaps she might end up as the wife to the Baggins and as the Mistress of Bag End, as long as Bilbo wouldn't marry her and wasn't allowed to think of marrying anyone else! Thanks so very much!
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 20 April 2013 · Chapter 19: Overcoming his Reluctance
O Larner, how lovely and bittersweet! I do love this tale, and it makes me sad even so, knowing what will come of it... (Drogo and Primula appear in my belated birthday fic for you, posted over at Gfic. :) ) I'm glad to see them here, though, so happy and carefree for now. Kaylee
Author's reply
And thank you again for that story, of course! I suspect there were many romantic, pleasant drifts down the Brandywine by these two before the fateful night when for some reason their boat overturned. I doubt that they regretted any of them in the end. It's been wonderful speculating on how they might have begun going out on the Brandywine, and how it may have helped strengthen their marriage and their commitment to one another, even if in the end it proved fatal. Thank you so very much, Kaylee!
Andrea · 3 March 2013 · Chapter 20: A Campaign Begun
She has definitely not the least bit of love for Bilbo or Drogo or Otho. She is only interested in premises and titles and would marry anyone to get them! Poor Otho! He must have been thrown off his guard by that "nightly surprise".
Author's reply
I suspect that she and Otho came to rely on their marriage, but that he fairly quickly realized there wasn't much in the way of true love in their union. And I suspect that he was a bit overwhelmed to find her appearing so ardent that first time they walked out together. It's rather fun to speculate how the two of them ended up married, after all! Thanks so very much, Andrea!
6336 · 17 February 2013 · Chapter 20: A Campaign Begun
Oops! That should be 7 not 10! Lynda
6336 · 17 February 2013 · Chapter 20: A Campaign Begun
Oh, the coniving witch (you can add a 'B' to that if you want!) Look what it got her in the end, talk about envy being one of the 10 deadly sins! Lynda
Author's reply
Oh, yes, very much one intent on her own schemes, our Lobelia. Not exactly the most sympathetic of characters, is she? Heh! (And I understand how ones fingers go faster sometimes than our memories. Yes, there were only seven official ones.) Thanks so, Lynda.
Tigger · 4 December 2012 · Chapter 19: Overcoming his Reluctance
Sigh...Such a bittersweet little story knowing how one of those trips will end in tragedy in just a few short years. Lovely as always Larner. :o)
Author's reply
Oh, thank you so, Tigger! Yes, one day these trips will lead to tragedy--but not yet.
Soledad · 19 November 2012 · Chapter 19: Overcoming his Reluctance
Oh, dear! He really should have resisted more. But again, it's easy to be clever from the outside, isn't it?
Author's reply
But who can resist such a combination of the woman he loves and the food that is the way to a gentlehobbit's heart--via his stomach? Heh! I like to think that the two of them actually came to enjoy doing this together until the night of the accident that took their lives. And it's much easier to want to say, "Don't go out on the Brandywine!" in hindsight, isn't it? Good to hear from you!
shirebound · 18 November 2012 · Chapter 18: A Catch along the Brandywine
So delightful! Drogo is a lucky hobbit, and Bilbo a most perceptive one.
Author's reply
True on both counts, Shirebound. And I like to think that Primula planned to wear her bathing costume where Drogo was so as to better catch his attention.
Agape4Gondor · 21 July 2012 · Chapter 1: Curses Fulfilled
I can't believe that the shadow of evil had not already touched the Shire, but to have it manifest itself and kill an unproected child... -shivers+ You are definitely the mistress of the dark tale. And yet to see Bilbo reject Its every touch - very nicely done.
Author's reply
I'm sorry I missed responding to this one, Agape. I don't do many truly dark tales, but now and then one presents itself to me. And there had to be a reason why the lineage of the Bagginses in the region of the Hill decreased so markedly once Bilbo returned to the Shire with the Ring in his pocket! Bilbo appears to have continued wearing the Ring from time to time to avoid uncomfortable encounters, but does not appear to have used it to spy on others as Smeagol had before he was forced from his grandmother's hole. It appears he did his best to curb the impulses the Ring might well have sought to bring out in him, and that this, along with the fact he began his association with it by refusing in the end to kill Gollum, helped protect him from Its more destructive influences. Thanks so very much for the comments!
Antane · 17 July 2012 · Chapter 18: A Catch along the Brandywine
A catch indeed! Sweet story! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I'm so glad you feel that way, Antane! Thanks!
Lindelea · 21 January 2012 · Chapter 17: A Matter of Attraction
Sneaked in to read this now, as I couldn't wait until this evening. Alas, poor Lobelia! This explains a lot... and yet you've added just the right touches that she is not wholly a sympathetic character. Takes a deft hand in writing, for certain! ...to elicit such conflicting emotions in the reader. Thank you for a lovely birthday treat!
Author's reply
I do suspect that Lobelia had her sympathetic characteristics, but that she tended to bury them from view. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and am honored by your comments! And I so hope your birthday was a joyful one! Love to all.
Antane · 20 January 2012 · Chapter 17: A Matter of Attraction
This is too scary, too think of Lobelia married to Bilbo or Drogo - dear me! Good she married who she did. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I can certainly imagine her trying to catch one of the others before she settled for Otho, though. Thanks so, Antane.
Andrea · 20 January 2012 · Chapter 17: A Matter of Attraction
Well, well, at least Lobelia has no problem with self-confidence ;-) And she has already developed the bad habit of stealing others belongings. It's no wonder that Bilbo won't even invite her: And when she’d approached Mr. Baggins in the marketplace in Hobbiton to inquire about whether her invitation had somehow become lost, he’d expressed startlement that she had ever expected such a thing. LOL!!! Wonderfully said!
Author's reply
At that age I suspect she was certain everyone was focused on her even when no one noticed her at all. And considering her history of stealing spoons, I can so imagine her starting out young and going on from there. As for wearing a watch chain as a bracelet, I wore one we bought for our antique store as a bracelet for a time, and finally sold it to a woman who intended to do the same. Some Victorian watch chains were true works of art! And I am so glad that particular line struck you so. Thanks, Andrea!
Tari · 18 January 2012 · Chapter 17: A Matter of Attraction
Not only is Lobelia greedy, but she is also a thief. No wonder Bilbo ignored her. I'm sure he knew what she had done.
Author's reply
Greedy, a thief, and terribly vain and shallow in her way. Yes, Bilbo would not have considered such a one as a serious match, I fear.
YbILWWIsJFVNAN · 28 July 2011 · Chapter 2: A Useful Gift
Wonderful explanation of facts avalilabe here.
Author's reply
So glad you find it so! Thanks!
Tari · 15 June 2011 · Chapter 16: Empty Handed
So, Lobelia is up to her nasty tricks again. Good for Frodo; she deserves what she got and more.
Author's reply
Yes, she was. So sorry for the late response, but I've obviously been tardy in adding to this series! Heh!
Tigger · 18 May 2011 · Chapter 16: Empty Handed
So *this* is the story of Lobelia and Frodo's red handprints foiling her from "liberating" yet one more thing from Bag End. I *love* it!! The crowning bit of it though was Frodo's "Petty". Yes, I know he was trying to say "Pretty", but adore the double meaning of it. Particularly as Lobelia is one of the most petty characters in the Professor's World. This was wonderful and I loved every bit of it. Now off to add it to my Favourites listings. :oD Thanks for brightening up what has turned into a very cold and grey Spring day here.
Author's reply
I'm tickled and honored, Tigger. And love that you see the double meaning to Frodo's few comments! It was fun to write!
Antane · 12 May 2011 · Chapter 15: A Last Gift to Mummy
What a terrible day for Frodo and for them all, but love the letter he wrote that has now reached its final resting place. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
My niece had made a Valentines card for her grandmother and was preparing to send it to her when we learned Mom was dying. So, it was buried with her. How likely something similar might have happened in Frodo's life, his parents dying so young and unexpectedly? Thanks so, Antane.
Andrea · 11 May 2011 · Chapter 15: A Last Gift to Mummy
And he seemed to hear Primula whispering in his ear, “Thank you so, Bilbo. I know you’ll always be there for the lad, as long as he needs you. Bless you.” I completely agree! And I found it very touching that Bilbo let Frodo's essay fall into the grave. A last gift indeed.
Author's reply
It was a thing that belonged with Frodo's parents--a small tribute as tributes go, but one that would have meant the most to Drogo and Primula, I'm certain. And knowing that Bilbo would do his best to always be there for Frodo would have to also have given their spirits peace.
harrowcat · 10 May 2011 · Chapter 15: A Last Gift to Mummy
Gosh Larner. This one made me sniffle - which i can't be doing as i am supposed to be getting ready to go to a meeting. One to treasure.
Author's reply
Am so glad to learn this moved its readers. Thank you so, Harrowcat!
shirebound · 9 May 2011 · Chapter 15: A Last Gift to Mummy
*sniff* What a dear story. I like to imagine that Frodo found great love in Bag End, as well as security and someplace to belong.
Author's reply
I am certain that Frodo truly began coming into his own on his move to Hobbiton and into Bilbo's care. He deserved that privacy and caring so deeply, I've always felt.
Antane · 13 January 2011 · Chapter 13: Well Named
Well named indeed! That was cute and sneaky and surprisingly moving in a way too. Love wee!Frodo. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I bet that even as a wee one Frodo Baggins was already finding ways to best others nonviolently and yet effectively! Heh!
Andrea · 11 January 2011 · Chapter 14: Scandal Overheard
There were situations when I actually pitied Lobelia, but not this time! What an intriguer she is! And the offending language she uses! Primula on the other hand pays her back nicely. The way she does it shows her intelligence. I can understand very well that she did not want to stay in the neighbourhood of Lobelia. But still, it is not fair that *she* and her family had to leave.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree--not fair at all, but understandable that she would want to be well away from Lobelia's malice!