gYdoAvuD5Axl · 20 January 2016 · Chapter 11: K is for the King
Initellgence and simplicity - easy to understand how you think.
Author's reply
Thanks.
Lessons for a Young Hobbit by Larner
Reviews (47)
3t0XbT9ypqc · 20 January 2016 · Chapter 26: Z is for Zigur
Do you have more great artelcis like this one?
Author's reply
I have a number of series of drabbles, you will find. Do you have a single name rather than a series of letters and numbers?
Antane · 4 January 2012 · Chapter 26: Z is for Zigur
Happy Yule! Sorry it's taken so long to get back here. I love most the inspiration Frodo took on the Quest from all he learned from Bilbo's teaching. Scary indeed if the spider's pass was named for Ungoliant, Shelob would be bad enough. :( Bilbo's words about who possibly sub-created the Hobbits and who Frodo would most drawn to were interesting. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed these, Antane. I enjoyed writing these! And it was fun to find a proper subject for study for each day!
Tari · 30 December 2011 · Chapter 26: Z is for Zigur
Frodo's lesson came to an end all too soon. A very wise teacher was Bilbo. Well done, Larner.
Author's reply
I'm so very glad you enjoyed these, Tari. Yes, Bilbo was perhaps the best teacher Frodo could have had as he approached his adulthood. Thank you so very much.
Andrea · 29 December 2011 · Chapter 25: Y is for Yule
That was beautifully said! He would not allow the dark to prevail! And he succeeded! It is also a wonderful resolution for the new year: to try and make the world a little brighter! All the best for the New Year to you and your family!
shirebound · 26 December 2011 · Chapter 26: Z is for Zigur
I've enjoyed this Advent calendar very much. Well done!
Author's reply
And I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Shirebound. Thanks so!
eiluj · 26 December 2011 · Chapter 26: Z is for Zigur
A chilling ending! [I can't help wondering about the history of Bilbo's Adûnaic grammar. I suppose it's infinitely more likely that Elrond provided it rather than Bilbo finding a volume that had been wandering unappreciated around Eriador for centuries....]
Author's reply
Yes, unfortunately that was the only word I could think of for Z, and it did appear to be appropriate for Frodo's studies. And I do indeed suspect that Bilbo's Adunaic grammar did come from Elrond.... Thanks so, eiluj!
Teresa · 26 December 2011 · Chapter 26: Z is for Zigur
I've enjoyed these small glimpses of Frodo, Sam, and Bilbo! Each segment was like a snapshot of their lives and how their experiences built to give them the knowledge and skills to use in their lives before and after the Ring. It was also nice to see how other hobbits like the Gaffer and Dora saw Sam and Frodo when the two were growing up. They might not have approved of all of Sam and Frodo's activities or studies, but they were willing to accept those things as important to the younger hobbits. Many thanks for sharing these vignettes, and a Merry Christmas to you and your family! :)
Author's reply
Thanks so for your comments, Teresa. I love looking at our lads through the eyes of others, of course; and there was so much they needed to learn before they left the Shire for their own Adventure. Too bad it didn't end more happily for Frodo, being able to remain in his own home and all; but each did find his own joy and reward in the end, I suspect. Christmas was joyful, and so far things look fair for 2012. May the new year treat you and your well!
Tari · 26 December 2011 · Chapter 19: S is for Singing
I think this is my favorite chapter so far. Frodo is getting quite an education from Biblo as we knw he would.
Author's reply
I suspect that Frodo was a fair singer--certainly the folk at the Prancing Pony appeared to enjoy his voice and song when he danced for them on the table--before the Ring put Itself on his finger, of course! Heh! Thanks so!
eiluj · 25 December 2011 · Chapter 25: Y is for Yule
“Yule is the season of hope, my boy.... The dark cannot prevail!” A season of stars and light and indeed hope. A perfect memory for Frodo's Quest.
Author's reply
And, I suspect, a necessary one as well. Definitely one that would help him strengthen his will. Thanks so, eiluj.
Lindelea · 25 December 2011 · Chapter 23: W is for Writing
Ah, yes, we've found this to be true as well. (typing on a sticky keyboard. really puts a crimp in the writing!) Joyous Noel to you and yours.
Author's reply
Reading the works of good writers does help one to be a better one oneself! And I certainly have had my share of sticky keyboards!
Lindelea · 25 December 2011 · Chapter 25: Y is for Yule
Oh, yes. Perfectly done!
Author's reply
Thanks so! I hope to have time to do some reading in the next few days. Will try to see you perhaps Wednesday evening. Love to the husband, young Hobbits, and the animals. You'll get to meet my new furry children as well.
shirebound · 25 December 2011 · Chapter 25: Y is for Yule
What an inspiring memory for him. Joyous Yule to you, my friend.
Author's reply
I so hope he found it so, Shirebound. And may yours be filled with joy!
Armariel · 25 December 2011 · Chapter 24: X is for Xenophobia
X-cellent lesson! Merry Christmas Larner!! ~~~~~~{~@~~~~~~{~@~~~~~~{~@~~~~~~{~@~~~~~~{~@
Author's reply
A rather sour one for Christmas Eve, but one I do suspect he'd appreciate. Love to you and yours!
shirebound · 22 December 2011 · Chapter 22: V is for the Valar
There's so much in this short paragraph! I love the deduction of the origin of hobbits, and also why Frodo would be connected to the energy and song of the Star Kindler.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you like it, Shirebound. Thanks so!
eiluj · 21 December 2011 · Chapter 21: U is for Ungoliant
No wonder Faramir’s teachers quailed at the name of the pass! It was named for her! This is the Spider’s Pass! And poor Frodo had no reason to be certain the spider chasing him wasn't Ungoliant. There was nothing definite in the ancient tales about her end....
Author's reply
You are so right, eiluj! But facing this spider and her webs, even darker than her get residing in Mirkwood, must have been so terrifying for him!
Armariel · 20 December 2011 · Chapter 20: T is for Tickling Fish
Where I come from it's known as "noodling". Just sayin'. ;)
Author's reply
So I've been told. I've never learned the art to it, no matter what it may be called! Heh!
Andrea · 20 December 2011 · Chapter 19: S is for Singing
Who else could have made such a remark? In fact she's just jealous. Most of the Elven songs in LOTR are "songs of power and majesty", but the song with which the Elves welcomed Bilbo and the dwarves in Rivendell in "The Hobbit" was, well, not frivolous, but cheeky ;-)
Author's reply
Who indeed but Lalia might have said such a thing? Yes, jealous indeed! Elves might have been capable of being frivolous at times, but isn't that true of all of us? Thanks so, Andrea!
eiluj · 19 December 2011 · Chapter 19: S is for Singing
I wonder if Frodo thought of Lalia when he heard Galadriel sing in Lórien? Thank you for keeping things going this month!
Author's reply
If he did, I suspect it was with a level of contempt for his departed great-aunt. And you are welcome!
shirebound · 19 December 2011 · Chapter 19: S is for Singing
After all, we are told that the Powers sang the whole universe into existence. What a great counter-argument to Aunt Lalia's dismissal of the value of song.
Author's reply
And I so agree! Lalia had no sense of perspective, I suspect.
Luinithil · 19 December 2011 · Chapter 18: R is for Research
Ah, research. Frodo's research topic's definitely much more interesting than plowing through usability studies though!
Author's reply
I must agree, Luinithil. Thanks so!
Antane · 18 December 2011 · Chapter 18: R is for Research
Ah, research the spice of life! :) I love it! Been enjoying these lessons and being with such a hobbit. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Heaven knows I've done my share of research in my life! And spending time with these Hobbits is always a pleasure.
shirebound · 15 December 2011 · Chapter 15: O is for Optical Illusions
What a fun notion to expose Frodo to this 'magic'. Knowledge of optical illusions can help anyone to look twice before coming to a conclusion about something.
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree! One interesting optical illusion is used with a physical rhomboid figure set spinning. It appears to be a window pivoting first right and then left, back and forth. The most interesting aspect of this illusion is that it is puzzling only to those peoples whose architecture includes windowframes. For people who grow up in more primitive rounded structures, they see only a rhomboid spinning. A fascinating phenomenon.
Lindelea · 13 December 2011 · Chapter 11: K is for the King
...and Bilbo might have met one of those heirs, possibly, a young boy being fostered by Elrond. Interesting to speculate. Is the name Beleg (and the fate of the Man) from canon? If so, where would I find out more about him? Thanks!
Author's reply
I suspect that Bilbo did encounter young Estel either on the way to or from Erebor, but he'd have been sworn to secrecy about the existence of the child, I'm certain. Beleg is my name for the brother of Aranarth I have imagined, and I write of him in Stirring Rings.
shirebound · 12 December 2011 · Chapter 12: L is for Language
I'm enjoying these snippets so much. This one reminds me of when Frodo discerned that Strider had been speaking one way when they met, and another way as they conversed more in Bree.
Author's reply
Indeed. Definitely Frodo was sensitive to language use, and this example you describe is proof of that. I like to think that Bilbo awoke that faculty in his beloved ward.