Only a Second or Two by Larner
shirebound · 28 March 2009 · Chapter 28: Spring of Memories
How wonderful. I love the idea of Aragorn re-visiting Cormallen with his Queen. I hope this special place is never forgotten.
Author's reply
In my-verse a guesthouse is built at Cormallen for those who come here on pilgrimage to honor those who recovered here. Am so glad you like it. Hope your birthday has been wonderful!
Kitty · 28 March 2009 · Chapter 28: Spring of Memories
Just the perfect time to revisit Cormallen and to remember these early days after Sauron's fall. And how poignant that so much athelas is now growing there!
Author's reply
I would think this place would carry a special blessing at least for a time, and what better sign of that blessing than athelas, right? Thanks so, Kitty!
Kitty · 28 March 2009 · Chapter 27: Hope Fulfilled
As sad as it is that Primula lost so many children - it's just perfect that these tiny garments now find a purpose, however late, and through someome so dear to Frodo no less!
Author's reply
Yes, indeed just right that these at last come to those who will wear them with pride. Thank you so, Kitty!
Kitty · 28 March 2009 · Chapter 26: Hard Learned Lessons
It really should not have needed Frodo to explain to the lawyers how these contracts were used by Lotho to trick others. Well, I guess Bard and Hilly were so used to the language that they didn't really pay attention to these little details that didn't really fit in with the case ... No wonder poor Frodo got so agitated that they didn't understand without him pointing things out!
Author's reply
You are right, but human nature being what it is, some need to have what ought to be obvious spelled out to them. And having figured out just how Lotho managed to cheat this family must have made Frodo the angrier, on top of having to explain what Hilly and Bard ought to have figured out on their own. Thanks so, Kitty.
Cairistiona · 28 March 2009 · Chapter 28: Spring of Memories
Ah, lovely glimpse of Aragorn with his lady, walking through memories and sharing what he could of the wonder of those moments at Cormallen.
Author's reply
Indeed, Cairistiona. This is bringing it all back to Aragorn in a vivid way, allowing him to describe it the more vividly to Arwen. Thanks so!
Lindelea · 28 March 2009 · Chapter 28: Spring of Memories
Aw, lovely! And I love the living memorial, the athelas.
Author's reply
Thanks, Lindelea. And am so glad you appreciate that living memorial, too. A sign of the blessings known here, I'd think. Will you be free for dinner on the thirteenth?
Celeritas · 28 March 2009 · Chapter 28: Spring of Memories
I always love how miraculous events in Tolkien seem to herald seasons and events (the other example that's coming to mind right now is the discovery of the White Tree!).
Author's reply
Oh, yes, how true that is. The battle won apparently on the day of the spring equinox, and the spring confirmed on the day Frodo and Sam awoke; the White Tree presaging the coming of Arwen on midsummer; Frodo being born on the fall equinox.... Tolkien worked so much into his tales. Thanks so very much!
Socrates399 · 27 March 2009 · Chapter 27: Hope Fulfilled
That was beautiful! I've noticed that in fanfiction Primula Brandybuck is often said to have miscarried multiple times. I suppose it is in part because I read Stories of Arda, where (it seems to me) the authors all read and are influenced by one another's work. But is there something in Tolkien to suggest it? I've always been curious about that.
Author's reply
From what we can tell from the Family Trees, Primula was about forty-eight when Frodo was born. If she married around the age of thirty-five or so, that's a fair amount of time to go childless. I'd already decided to write Primula as having lost children before Frodo's birth and had written it into my first story before I was even aware of the Stories of Arda site, so I definitely didn't pick it up here. I might have read it on FanFiction.net, but I can't remember. Perhaps the idea hit me first due to reading Lindelea's work on FF.n, although I don't remember her ever writing that happening. But I made Primula's penchant toward losing children part of why Frodo as a child had a mild heart murmur, leading to him being nearly protected to death by his Brandybuck relations. BTW, I readily admit I took the idea of Frodo experiencing heart trouble after his return from the quest from Lindelea's Nothing of Note; I only stretched it a bit further than she did. Multiple miscarriages are not uncommon, and certainly were more common still in earlier centuries. One of my best friend went through nine miscarriages before her OB-GYN called a halt and insisted she needed a hysterectomy due to the physical damage she was going through as a result of carrying so many children to the fifth month and then losing them. Her sister also could not carry children to term, and lost three before she gave in and adopted a little girl. In many ways I was taking M's experiences and applying them to Primula, although I gave her a mere four miscarriages, and having Frodo being about a month and a half early. For a time it seemed almost de rigeur to see Pippin written as having been born very premature and sickly as a child to explain why he was so much smaller than the others when the journey began. That was one fanon I never subscribed to, myself. So, to my knowledge there was nothing Tolkien himself wrote to indicate Primula lost other children; but I admit I've not read deeply into Letters as yet. Thank you so for the question and the comment.
Celeritas · 27 March 2009 · Chapter 27: Hope Fulfilled
That last word just says it all. : )
Author's reply
Oh, yes--Sam's children will wear the clothing Primula crafted with such love. The closest Frodo came to his own children.
Agape4Gondor · 27 March 2009 · Chapter 27: Hope Fulfilled
So grateful that you changed this from a moment that could have been pure poignancy to one of pure joy! Congrats!
Author's reply
Thanks so, Agape! Am so glad you feel I managed that.
Andrea · 27 March 2009 · Chapter 27: Hope Fulfilled
Awww! That's beautiful! The children of his hope - Sam will have many children, and maybe Frodo already knows that. Frodo knew that he would not be able to stay in Middle Earth, start a family and have children of his own. So he gave over the "task" to his best friend and heir. He wished for Sam to be whole and happy again and to live fully. And that he did, with the help of his children (and his Rosie, of course). If Primula had still been there, she would have welcomed every Gamgee child as if it was her own grandchild, I'm sure.
Author's reply
We know that at one point Frodo named off a number of the children Sam would father, and that he gave all he had or might have had, been or might have been to Sam. And I think Sam and Rosie had so many children in part to allow for those children Frodo himself never fathered. As for Primula accepting each of those children as a grandchild of her own, I'm certain you are right. Thanks so, Andrea.
Antane · 27 March 2009 · Chapter 27: Hope Fulfilled
What a lovely and loving gift to his brother and his nieces and nephews! Joyful! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, I agree, Antane. Thanks so!
Queen Galadriel · 27 March 2009 · Chapter 27: Hope Fulfilled
Aaawww! Sad and sweet and happy all at once. This is one of your miracle drabbles, I think, one that says everything that needs to be said, just enough to touch deeply without being really involved. "The children of his hope," so sweet! Primula would be happy to know where those clothes went, I think.
Author's reply
I'm so very glad you find it so, my Lady! Yes, the children of his hope, in every meaning of the word! As for Primula being glad--I do suspect you are right, and that she would consider Sam's children as much her grandchildren as do Lily Cotton and Bell Gamgee. Thank you so, and hope this helps remove the nasty taste left by the AU you read last night.
6336 · 27 March 2009 · Chapter 27: Hope Fulfilled
Oh, what a lovely gift of hope for Sam and Rosie! More please, Lynda
Author's reply
I'm so glad you find it so, Lynda. Thank you so very much!
Cairistiona · 27 March 2009 · Chapter 27: Hope Fulfilled
Ah, very sweet! Sam and Rosie will indeed put all those baby clothes to good use.
Author's reply
Oh, yes--if anyone will be able to do so, it will be Sam and Rosie! Thank you so, Cairistiona.
shirebound · 27 March 2009 · Chapter 27: Hope Fulfilled
the children of his hope That's a beautiful thought.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you find it so, Shirebound. To Sam he left all he'd owned and all he'd been or might have been, including being the father he now could never be. Thank you so!
ArianneG · 27 March 2009 · Chapter 27: Hope Fulfilled
Oooh, this chapter just sent shivers up my spine. And Sam will treasure those clothes even more, coming from his Frodo, and in memory of the gentle hobbitess who made them in hopes of her own family; something to tie the Gamgees (Gardners) and Bagginses together even more.
Author's reply
I'm so glad this chapter appears to have moved so many. Thank you so, Arianne! Yes, Sam and Rosie will treasure these the more considering their source!
Agape4Gondor · 26 March 2009 · Chapter 25: I Remember...
Touching.
Author's reply
Thank you. I'd think he'd love such a place!
Antane · 26 March 2009 · Chapter 26: Hard Learned Lessons
He would be agitated indeed if he waved that hand around! I feel for him. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, definitely, Antane. He sees how Lotho saw his way to taking advantage of his fellow Hobbits, and now must see to it such tactics are not used again. That means teaching the lawyers to be careful with the language they use. Thanks so!
Queen Galadriel · 26 March 2009 · Chapter 21: Cleanup
Yes, repairs are better than deaths, much better. What a mess to clean up though.
Author's reply
Oh, no question of that, my Lady. Cleaning up after storms is always complicated, but it's necessary. And Sara would far rather repair windows and shutters and roofs than to assist at burials!
Queen Galadriel · 26 March 2009 · Chapter 22: Foresworn
Wow. That is sad...very sad. And I read this right after having reread Denethor's madness and death in ROTK. I've often wondered what would have happened if he lived. I don't see much hope, though, he was going fast as it was, but maybe Aragorn, the Healer, could have helped him.
Author's reply
The question, of course, is, would Denethor have accepted healing at Aragorn's hand? Or would his now cancerous pride have held him aloof even had Aragorn come in time? It's a hard thing to predict. Thanks so.
Queen Galadriel · 26 March 2009 · Chapter 23: Encounter
Again I feel my lack of Middle Earth history. But if that means what I think it does...wow.
Author's reply
Amandil was father to Elendil and grandfather to Isildur and Anarion. He chose to sail with three servants west in defiance of the Ban, hoping against hope to be allowed to beg the Valar to come to the aid of those on Numenor who fought the influence of Sauron. The current King, Ar-Pharazon, had sent a huge fleet and force of arms to Middle Earth to bring Sauron to Numenor; once there Sauron went from political captive to advisor to the King, and did his best to play on an already overproud monarch's vanities, even setting up a temple at the top of the capital where he sacrificed those who wished to stay in harmony with the Valar and the great Elves of Aman and Tol Eressea supposedly to help bring Melkor/Morgoth back from the Void. He'd been teaching that Melkor was the true God and could give the Men of Numenor the secrets to living forever as do the Elves, and Ar-Pharazon swallowed that line hook, line, and sinker. Amandil set sail with three servants and did not return; Elendil and his sons gathered as many of the Faithful as they could and brought them to ships on the east side of the island; when the Valar sank Numenor the nine ships were blown by the storm eastward to Middle Earth. I left it deliberately ambiguous as to what happens to Amandil--he knows that Men may not approach the Undying Lands. I do not think that the Valar would feel comfortable accepting a human sacrifice, so this places Ulmo himself in a bit of a quandry.
Queen Galadriel · 26 March 2009 · Chapter 24: A Rude Awakening
LOL! "Dead things should be buried." Hahaha! Always the wise one! Poor Gaffer! :D
Author's reply
Yes, always the wise one, even when still a little kid. Thanks, and glad it gave you a laugh. This one was fun to write!
Queen Galadriel · 26 March 2009 · Chapter 25: I Remember...
Aw, a beautiful memory of the violets, against the backdrop of such a tragedy.
Author's reply
Yes, good memories and bad ones--we all have them.
Queen Galadriel · 26 March 2009 · Chapter 26: Hard Learned Lessons
Frodo’s agitation could be told by the fact it was his wounded hand he waved. Indeed. Sorting through all the bad contracts - and keeping tabs on any written at the time - couldn't have been an easy or very enjoyable task.
Author's reply
It must have been near monumental in nature! Thanks so, my Lady!