Okay, I was wrong. THIS is the best chapter. I love how Goldilocks is Tookish, and I love Merry being dull and mature. Dear old Pippin doesn't change a whit, as Merry observes.

Best chapter so far! I really love Frodo-lad in this; he's the spitting image of his namesake really, isn't he? I love the "I didn't run away with Mr. Frodo. And I couldn't let him run away all by himself."

I heart this story!

I think I would have enjoyed this chapter even more if FFnet hadn't screwed the formatting up. I can't see any speech marks or dividing lines, which makes it difficult to concentrate. However, I did enjoy the chaper all the same, which is a testament to your excellent writing.

I think Frodo was the only Gardner of that generation; he's the only one whose surname is listed as different in the appendices. Of course, my knowledge is limited to LOTR and its appendices, so what I say is probably of little use. Sorry!

--But Frodo says sometimes brave just means stupid (though I think he was talking about Merry and Pippin here)

That works for either generation, really, doesn't it? And probably that was your intention.

Can I please say how much I've decided I LOVE Hamfast? I love the way he's portrayed in this-that he'll go with his adventurers because he loves them.

--I am not always much use when we are doing adventurous things, but then Dad didn't think he was much use to Mr. Frodo either, and Mr. Merry says that there would be nothing but evil things in the world now if Dad had not gone with Mr. Frodo.

I don't really have a comment to add to this. I just love it.

--When I came inside, Daisy's hair ribbons were all perfectly in place, and Primrose's dress wasn't even wrinkled, and Rose-lass had all her buttons, and Elanor was the most beautiful lass in the room.

Hasn't that happened to every girl? It's certainly happened to me. Heck, it still happens to me-which is why I shouldn't still climb trees now that I'm 18. Never mind eh? I certainly felt for Goldilocks when I read that.

--Dad says he can't believe he has a child who thinks so fast on her feet

Ah, another occasion in which Sam sells himself short. I do love him.

--Dad did make me stay home from the Fair, even though I was supposed to go, but then he said, “Hitting isn't the best way to solve something, but you don't let no one hurt the ones you love, Goldilocks. You're right about that.”

SAM IS A GOOD DAD.

--I don't know if you'll be the death or the best of us all

The best. She's going to marry the Took and Thain of the Shire. But you can't blame Rose for despairing.

--Faramir's father doesn't mind one bit when I tear my dress or get dirty

PIPPIN IS ALSO A GOOD DAD. This is more surprising (but still not THAT surprising).

--I told him once that I want a real sword someday, and he said the Valar should save the lads of the Shire

And Pippin is my favourite character, so I love that he hasn't changed at all.

Sorry about the long review. Well, not really that sorry actually. I love this story!

I don't care how long you've been inactive for, I absolutely HAVE to review this. Merry's 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree' is probably my favourite part of the chapter, but, honestly, I loved the whole thing. You've got the level of detail just right for a small child, and-oh, this was just great in every way.

Mayor Gamgee says we will always have birthday dinner for him and Cousin Frodo, whose birthday is the same day,
:) That made me smile.

I love this story, I've read quite a bit of your stuff and I love it. You are by far my favorite LotR fic writer.

This confused me for a minute at first, but I figured it out. I thought we were talking about Faramir as in Boromir's brother, but I figured it out.
After I figured it all out, this was really cute. I like the saying in there, 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.'

Anargil ^_~

Faramir looks so sad for a while, but he learns a good deal in Rivendell. Not least of those things that good things and sad things often come together.

When I read this story I can´t help it, I laugh and giggle all the way through. I wish I could have been there with them.

I love this fic. The characters are so sweet and endearing. The story makes me just a little sad that Frodo couldn't have been around to see the little scamps. Keep up the good work. tree

I couldn´t help laughing and giggling while I read this chapter, it is very sweet. Not to mention the end that is truly well described.

Deliciously moving. I cried when Faramir talked about Arwen and Frodo, as I've often cried myself that Tolkien didn't end his trilogy with Sam reuniting with Frodo proper like. Lovely, truly

tree

I've been a lurking fan of yours for a long time, too shy to email you from your homepage and too busy to get myself an LJ...I really hope you read this review!

I wanted to tell you how touched I was by this most recent installment. In chapter 8, I got the impression that all was not well with Pippin and Diamond... and this one confirmed my fears.
Poor Faramir, losing his mother and his nurse: everything falls apart... But he handles it with such strength and grace. Amazing, tearjerking writing, all the more so for having been in Faramir's situation: parents splitting up and all.

How strange that I'm eagerly waiting for more when I know that it's just going to make me want to cry...You really know how to twist readers around like that, and that's a GOOD thing!

You mix the sadness with just the right amount of joy and humor to create a bittersweet story that makes me want to laugh and cry in turns. It's so much fun to read something like this!

Wondeful job, I can't wait for more!

~Azaelia~

Just a note to apologize for part of my review for Chapter 9! I see that my printed copy of the chapter cut off the "getting to Rivendell" paragraph. Please disregard what I said about the abrupt transition!

*slinks away in apology*