KathyG
· 19 March 2022
· Chapter 42: A Mother's Work is Finally Done
Interesting! In "Belladonna's Gift," the healer is Mistress Rose Greenhand, but in this sequel to that story, she's Mistress Sage. Did Mistress Sage take over as healer before Belladonna died? Or get married?
This chapter is getting set to have quite a personal meaning for me, as my own mother, who is 92, is getting ready to leave this world. The day is coming when my sister and I will have to face what Bilbo faces in this story.
It's definitely a good thing that he doesn't have to endure his grief alone! And good riddance to Longo; he is one relative whose company Bilbo should not have to endure, least of all at his mother's funeral.
KathyG
· 24 February 2015
· Chapter 45: The Green Door
"He had a lot to do if he was to go off visit his Brandybuck relations at the end of the week. This was Hevensday, and he'd be heading off on Highday. Only four days counting today! He had a couple of eggs he'd put into the embers to roast last night and some toast and bacon, and then did the washing up. He wanted Bag End to be fresh and clean when he returned from his brief journey. If he started today he'd be quite finished by the time it came for him to leave."
Hmm. The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,/Gang aft agley, LOL! Little does Bilbo know what's about to happen. =)
KathyG
· 4 August 2014
· Chapter 45: The Green Door
Now all that remains is to commence writing Part 2 of this great story! (hint, hint! =))
KathyG
· 29 June 2014
· Chapter 6: Consequences
I do believe that the responsibility worked much better in Bilbo's case than a punishment would have done. Bungo was a wise father to figure that out.
Author's reply
I think you are right. While there was an element of punishment there (it definitely cut into Bilbo's free time) it was mostly a lesson in trust and responsibility, as you say. Bungo was indeed a very wise father!
Andrea
· 29 May 2014
· Chapter 45: The Green Door
Great ending! The newly painted green door, the long pipe and the famous start of Bilbo's well-known conversation with Gandalf - everything fits.
Has Bilbo really forgotten Gandalf? A long time ago he promised Gandalf that such a thing would never happen. And this was Gandalf's reply:
“Never is a long time, young hobbit. I think that you will forget for a time--but when the time is right, you will indeed remember!” (Chapter 29)
Author's reply
Exactly!
Gandalf did indeed muddle Bilbo's memories a bit. I am sure over that time, if someone had directly asked him: "Oh, say, do you remember Gandalf?" he have said something like "Oh yes! He made wonderful fireworks!" and then the memory would have just slid away again. Gandalf knew that for a while Bilbo's family would need him--he wasn't free to be lured away by Adventure with them in poor health.
But once he was face to face with the wizard again, that would be a different story, and the minor enchantment would be broken.
Author Reply: Exactly!
Gandalf did indeed muddle Bilbo's memories a bit. I am sure over that time, if someone had directly asked him: "Oh, say, do you remember Gandalf?" he have said something like "Oh yes! He made wonderful fireworks!" and then the memory would have just slid away again. Gandalf knew that for a while Bilbo's family would need him--he wasn't free to be lured away by Adventure with them in poor health.
But once he was face to face with the wizard again, that would be a different story, and the minor enchantment would be broken.
Andrea
· 29 May 2014
· Chapter 44: Lobelia (part 2)
Poor Drogo, afraid to go out of the door because of that stalking Bracegirdle lass!
But it was not a bad decision to go to Buckland, for there he met Primula!
Author's reply
:D
Exactly. Of course, Primula is far too young at this point for him even to consider. But she's not too young to consider him; and unlike Lobelia, she's far too bright to stalk him, even at her young age.
Larner
· 28 May 2014
· Chapter 45: The Green Door
Aha! That so infamous "Good Morning!" that was to have so many possible interpretations and such an impact upon Middle Earth!
A lovely ending to part one! And Taro and Togo are contemplating painting their rooms, are they? Will their parents bless or curse Bilbo for the idea, I wonder? Heh!
Thanks for a most interesting first fifty years.
Author's reply
Yes, that "Good morning". I thought of quoting the whole passage, but really every reader pretty much knows that one by heart--it would have just been padding.
You are most welcome! I hope that it's helped many readers to realize that Bilbo had a pretty full life even before Gandalf put that mark on his door.
Author Reply: Yes, that "Good morning". I thought of quoting the whole passage, but really every reader pretty much knows that one by heart--it would have just been padding.
You are most welcome! I hope that it's helped many readers to realize that Bilbo had a pretty full life even before Gandalf put that mark on his door.
KathyG
· 28 May 2014
· Chapter 45: The Green Door
LOL! Christopher Tolkien should hire you to work with him on expanding his father's Middle-earth stories, Dreamflower, seeing as you do such a great job of fleshing out the lives of the hobbits and making them seem like real people--uh, hobbits. =) This novel is no exception.
There's just one thing I've noticed about your final chapter. In the book, the door was re-painted a week before Gandalf and the Dwarves came to Bag End for tea, but I noticed that in your story, you had that paint job done just 3 days before their fateful visit. So you've given the final chapter of your story a slightly AU slant.
Author's reply
You know, that's true. Oh well, it's not quite as bad as making Reggie's age a generation too old!
Andrea
· 28 May 2014
· Chapter 43: Lobelia (part 1)
He could not help but feel grateful that he was unlikely to have many future dealings with Miss Lobelia Bracegirdle.
Oh dear! He should keep this innocent feeling as long as possible. Soon he will see that he can't avoid her!
P.S.: Since Tolkien was a Professor for Language and not Mathematics he is excused for this minor inaccuracy ;-)
Lindelea
· 28 May 2014
· Chapter 45: The Green Door
You finished!
And yes, the freshly painted green door. I remember that detail. And the long pipe, that reached nearly to his neatly brushed toes.
Lovely job of tying up the loose ends. I was wondering about his pupils, if they'd arrive the day after he left, to find the smial abandoned. But no, you've managed it very neatly, with him officially off on a month-long visit to Buckland. Reminds me of Frodo's pretense of moving to Buckland, at the beginning of *his* journey. Only for Bilbo, it wasn't supposed to be a pretense...
(A little sad as I think how worried and eventually grieved his friends and loved ones will be. You don't necessarily think of such things while reading The Hobbit -- there's all the adventure, and then the bustle of the auction, rather comical. The joyful reunions aren't even mentioned, just the bother and disappointment of the S-Bs, if I remember right.)
Author's reply
You are quite right about it all, though the alarm over his departure is not delayed as long as it might have been, since his departure with the Dwarves in Bywater was observed.
I'm actually thinking along those lines for a story--but my other WIPs must come first!
...and the rest, as they say, is history.
So *that's* how Drogo ended up with Primula! I like the way you've envisioned it.
:shudder: Poor Drogo, to have such a single-minded pursuit, with himself in the sights! Stalking, Shire-style...
Author's reply
Yes, though Primula's much too young at this time, she is far gentler and subtle in her pursuit than Lobelia. It takes Drogo years to realize she's smitten with him, LOL!
This day and age, Drogo would have been able to get an injunction against Lobelia!
Oh, yes, Lobelia and her one-track mind would be quite the challenge to anyone! Good idea, and another one we have both foreseen!
Author's reply
Yes, definitely a one-track mind! Of course, nowadays poor Drogo could have charged her with stalking and gotten a court order for her to stay away from him. But in the Shire there was no such recourse.
And to my mind, she and Otho did have a mutual attraction, but Drogo was rendered desirable mainly because of his aloofness and indifference--which made him a challenge she could not resist.
Even Tolkien wasn't always consistent with himself! Heh!
Oh, but she does sound quite the pain in the behind she proves herself later in life. Ah, but must go save a toy from a small dog who's been digging in my toy collection again. Naughty Brendi!
Author's reply
He was terribly inconsistent, yet it's no surprise considering how long he worked, and all by hand; no convenient "search" feature where he could find what he'd written before at the touch of a button!
Oh, go rescue your toy!
Larner
· 27 May 2014
· Chapter 42: A Mother's Work is Finally Done
Her work is done, and his beginning. Alas for his loss!
Author's reply
He really will be quite lonely for a good long while.
LOL, a perfect explanation of Lobelia's age!
(Remind me to tell you about my grandmother...)
You are posting so fast I can scarcely keep up! It's delightful! I am interrupted because of offspring looking for transportation, but that just means I can save tomorrow's chapter for my morning tea.
No time to comment on the rest of the chapter but hopefully I'll have time to re-visit and leave a little better feedback on the morrow.
Author's reply
One last chapter in the morning and I will have met the deadline for finishing!
Andrea
· 27 May 2014
· Chapter 42: A Mother's Work is Finally Done
This day atop the Hill was quite different than that day eight years ago.
And listening to this tribute to his remarkable mother, Bilbo felt his heart ease. Life would be lonely now, but he knew he'd be able to carry on.
A very sad experience for Bilbo but he was also assured that many of his relatives are not only family but friends who came to help him when he needed them.
Longo's absence must have been a relief! But how can he expect Bilbo to heed any of his advice after *that* letter?
Lindelea
· 27 May 2014
· Chapter 42: A Mother's Work is Finally Done
*sigh* A tender tribute to Belladonna, and her loving son.
I suspected this would be the next chapter. Somehow it reminded me of the productive, contented morning I wrote for Lalia, just before she died. It happens in real life, too; I remember stories of the last day of my great-uncle's life, a day full of life and contentment and completion, almost as if he knew his time was done (though how could he have known?) before he passed peacefully in his sleep.
I'm glad she had a proper eulogy, for Bilbo's sake.
(Longo makes me so mad! Not surprised at all, but angry at the grasping self-centredness. I think he's going to be in for a surprise of his own when he shows up to talk over a little family business with the new Head.)
Lindelea
· 26 May 2014
· Chapter 41: A Day in the Life
p.s. Have you written of Isengar's return from the Sea? I know I've seen him mentioned in this story, but not much more than a mention, though I have to admit, if I did see more than a mere mention I'd stop reading and put it on my "read later" list. (Just want to know what to add to my reading list for after I finish my "Winter" story...)
Author's reply
The part about Isengar's return is only in Ch. 2 and 3, when Bilbo's still an infant; and he also plays somewhat of a role in the Fell Winter chapters, though not a "major" one. I think I'm safe in saying that you took up the story after any sort of major part for Isengar was over.
Still, when you finish "Winter" I'd love to see what you think of the first half of the story!
Lindelea
· 26 May 2014
· Chapter 41: A Day in the Life
Lovely, lovely day. If only all (or at least most) of our days could run that way.
Why do I get the feeling of the calm before the storm?
Author's reply
Because you are right.
KathyG
· 26 May 2014
· Chapter 41: A Day in the Life
At least, we know that Belladona won't die before giving Bilbo his new dressing gown, which she makes for him herself when she realizes that she's dying. (Not in the book or movie, but in a story that Dreamflower wrote.)
Author's reply
This is true.
Larner
· 26 May 2014
· Chapter 41: A Day in the Life
And just why do I fear that tomorrow won't be anywhere as fine as he anticipates? To lose his mother will be devastating, I fear.
Author's reply
Yes, and while it won't exactly be tomorrow in his time, I am very sorry to say that as the next watershed event of his life, it will be for the reader. (Later today, actually.)
Larner
· 26 May 2014
· Chapter 40: Educating Otho
I can appreciate the mixed feelings Bilbo is enjoying, as I've known them myself for similar reasons.
Author's reply
So have I: on the one hand is the challenge of awakening a student to something new. On the other is the sheer effort and slog of working with one who is both reluctant and hostile.
Larner
· 26 May 2014
· Chapter 39: Family Matters
Otho as a student doesn't sound appealing to me, either! So, what is the reason for deciding to employ Bilbo as his tutor, I wonder? Start casing the joint?
Author's reply
Partially. Also, Longo realizes that if his ambition for his son to inherit the headship is to come to fruition, Otho will need the knowledge of his Baggins side of the family.
Andrea
· 25 May 2014
· Chapter 40: Educating Otho
Well, that was to be expected. There were signs of improvement, but Otho himself ended it all by bullying Dudo!
Bilbo was both disappointed and relieved. A perfect description of the situation!
Author's reply
Otho had clearly been spoiled by his mother, and had also been infected by some of his father's disdain for Bungo's family. He was also used to getting his own way, and he didn't like Drogo or Dudo.
Yes: I think in some ways, Bilbo would have liked the challenge of drawing Otho out, but he knew it would be a long hard slog, with very little support from Otho's parents. So: ambivalence over the unsatisfactory ending of things.
Andrea
· 25 May 2014
· Chapter 39: Family Matters
The advantage of having a relatively young teacher is that he still knows how nice it was to go outside and play! And Bilbo likes Drogo very much, so he gives him a clever excuse to go outside.
I don't think he would ever do that for Otho! Let's see how Otho behaves as a pupil!
Author's reply
Exactly! (Not to mention that he still knew how nice it was to go outside!) But, yes, Drogo's one of his favorite pupils.
You are likely right.