Dreamflower
· 6 September 2013
· Chapter 17: Great Smials
I'm rather surprised that the news of Primula's death did not make it to the Great Smials; she was, after all, the Old Took's granddaughter!
I particularly enjoy the way you show young Frodo as a scholar. I've known young people like that--the need of a break and a breathing time to assimilate new information is not uncommon.
I also enjoy your glimpse of education in the Shire. I too believe it would be something kept "in the family" so to speak.
A very nice chapter, and a treat to see a new one!
Author's reply
Thank you, Dreamflower. Yes, it is a challenge to justify the lack of communication between Buckland and the rest of the Shire concerning Frodo and the drowning of his parents. We got a clue in this chapter that Primula's union with Drogo was not blessed by her parents. In the next chapter I will share a few more of the Brandybucks' reasons for staying silent in the matter. I am sure that it will never be entirely plausible.
Larner
· 4 September 2013
· Chapter 17: Great Smials
Ah! Love seeing Frodo at school! And of course he was an excellent student!
Author's reply
This chapter took a few revisions. I started out having Frodo and Merry exploring Great Smials, but the decided on having him make a friend and attend classes. Pearl was too young, so I picked Reginard from the family tree.
shirebound
· 3 September 2013
· Chapter 17: Great Smials
Oh my, you've imagined all this in such detail! Are you drawing on anything from your own life regarding Frodo in his class?
Author's reply
Very perceptive, Shirebound! Frodo's experiences at Great Smials reflect myself, my brother, and our childhood friends. The "simply must remember her subtraction facts" is a direct quote from my second grade teacher to my mother during a parent-teacher conference. Mom later ran into her and proudly told her that I had a Master's in Applied Mathematics (I still can't do arithmetic in my head). The other aspect that relates to me is the part about needing to sleep while learning new things. A 15-minute snooze immediately after studying something complicated always made it make sense. I still do that.
YellowRose437
· 29 July 2013
· Chapter 7: Friendship
I'm really enjoying these stories of Frodo's youth. Nice job with characterizations. I don't like to think of him not being well-cared-for at Brandy Hall. It's nice that you've added a few unusual words in the end of this chapter; I'll have to look them up! Cheers!
Dreamflower
· 22 July 2013
· Chapter 15: Quick Trips
Another interesting interlude. I don't believe it had ever occurred to me about Bilbo meeting Aragorn prior to his leaving the Shire, except for an AU or two.
But I quite enjoyed Bilbo's conversations with Aunt Dora. I think perhaps the youngster knows her better than she knows herself.
Dreamflower
· 22 July 2013
· Chapter 14: Worlds Apart
A disturbing interlude for Gandalf--still deeply needing to trust in Saruman, for after all Saruman is supposedly the greatest of their order, and if he cannot be trusted, can any of them, including himself?
The answer of course, is yes. Because one falters it doesn't mean others will (or do).
But much of Gandalf's wisdom was not in knowledge or in learning or in logic. His wisdom lay in a true heart--one that could recognize other true hearts.
And of course THAT is the reason he was attracted to the hobbit race, though his own humility prevents him from realizing it.
Saruman, however, is already on the other side of that proverbial slippery slope.
Larner
· 22 July 2013
· Chapter 16: And Lengthier Ones
I like the idea of Bilbo having a lady love and Frodo realizing it by chance. And of course Gandalf would speak of many things to this bright lad!
shirebound
· 21 July 2013
· Chapter 16: And Lengthier Ones
“What do you think is fairest, Uncle?” Frodo asked.
“The front door as I return from my travels,” Bilbo answered honestly, tousling Frodo’s hair and clasping his shoulder. Yet even as looked into the eyes of his happy young charge to speak the words, he became conscious that at that moment he was witnessing something truly fair.
What a lovely realization.
I enjoyed these journeys very much. Both of them appreciate what they're seeing, what they have, and with whom they're traveling.
Author's reply
Thank you, Shirebound. I love to romp the Shire with our friends.
Lynn H
· 30 December 2010
· Chapter 7: Friendship
Oh you ARE having fun with vocabulary! axenic agrestic ataraxy ? ALL in one paragraph! Are we going to get past the A's? Meanwhile, I will keep reading because you are several chapters ahead of me.
Larner
· 30 December 2010
· Chapter 15: Quick Trips
A most interesting interlude, this. And Aunt Dora once taught art in a school? Most interesting! Love the stone owl!
shirebound
· 30 December 2010
· Chapter 15: Quick Trips
Those are interesting conversations. Frodo and Dora, and Bilbo and Estel, have much in common, and it's nice to see them enjoying one another's company.
Larner
· 28 December 2010
· Chapter 14: Worlds Apart
So, we see the first threat against the Shire that Saruman, as Sharkey, will seek to make true. And I agree about the dangers of isolationism Gandalf sees!
Larner
· 28 December 2010
· Chapter 13: Winter Games
Nice to see Frodo playing with appropriate age mates! And trying to understand the nature of Elvish maturation is an interesting diversion.
shirebound
· 28 December 2010
· Chapter 14: Worlds Apart
You capture Saruman's arrogance beautifully, as well as the fine line Gandalf needed to tread in his dealings with each race.
Hobbits are anything but 'inconsequentials', as Saruman will someday learn too late!
Dreamflower
· 2 August 2010
· Chapter 13: Winter Games
What a cozy evening! Even though Bilbo found himself a bit perturbed by the Ring at one point, they seem to be having a great time.
shirebound
· 2 August 2010
· Chapter 13: Winter Games
“Do elves have children, then?” Frodo asked, returning to the table. “If they never age, how could elvish children grow up?”
“Well, they must go through some aging at first,” Bilbo puzzled, thinking about it for the first time.
How lovely that even as the youngsters are learning from Bilbo, they're also challenging him, as well.
Larner
· 4 July 2010
· Chapter 12: A Voice Apart
How wonderful that Frodo's voice proved so exceptional. That Bilbo himself was slow to catch on was in many ways the best part of all. Delightful!
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2010
· Chapter 12: A Voice Apart
What unusual and delightful Yule customs you have found for the hobbits! I love tha Gandalf is able to participate in them!
And a RECIPE! In case you didn't know-- I ADORE recipe!fics. And this one reminds me of a pickled vegetable recipe I made several years ago-- only they were pickled in wine!
shirebound
· 4 July 2010
· Chapter 12: A Voice Apart
Oh my, those spices are a wonderful gift! The Baggins kitchen will soon be even more fragrant and delicious. These chapters are lovely glimpses of hobbit life.
Larner
· 3 July 2010
· Chapter 11: Yuletide Preparations
A most interesting tale of the beginnings of these traditions.
Dreamflower
· 2 July 2010
· Chapter 11: Yuletide Preparations
Oh goodness! Gandalf is certainly being forthcoming with these two!
And I love Bilbo's attitude about that ring!
Author's reply
Some suggest that Gandalf is a little too relaxed around certain hobbits.
shirebound
· 2 July 2010
· Chapter 11: Yuletide Preparations
It is because of the gifting of the Valar that people give each other gifts at Yule.
What a lovely origin tale for Yule! I never tire of Gandalf interacting with his beloved hobbits.
Author's reply
Thank you, Shirebound. It was a pleasant tale to write, even though it was written in the heat of Summer. I expect Yule itself to be published on the Fourth of July.
Larner
· 4 April 2010
· Chapter 10: At Aunt Dora's
It is so nice to see Frodo learning his family history in this way. So--Drogo built a "contraption" to take himself and Primula out on the river, did he? Fascinating! And we have a bit of a romance going on! Yay!
shirebound
· 4 April 2010
· Chapter 10: At Aunt Dora's
Frodo is getting a wonderful education, and so are we. It's lovely to learn so much about the details of Shire life.
Speedy Hobbit
· 22 February 2010
· Chapter 9: Singing Practice
Definitely looking forward to the next bit. Well done thus far!