I enjoyed these last two chapters. Liked Frodo's interaction with Bilbo and reaction to the announcement of the wedding invitation. I remember how bad off I felt when someone I liked ended up liking someone else after leading me on, and I think you did a great job with Frodo's reaction to everything. Like the idea of him writing a story about the incidents and how he thought it ended.

Glad you made the Coronel true to the character that you made him to have, but I'm sad that it meant Hyacinth had to have an unhappy marriage. Good use of tension and description in the last chapter.

Now to check out some of your other stories. ;)

Jen

Bravo! This was wonderful! I can't wait for your next story.

~ladypunz

So the Ländler is a well established dance now, is it? And the Merry Widow, how very appropriate...
Not all that long ago
You went your separate way;
I rallied from the blow
So here we are today.
A world for you and me
Was never meant to be

“Somewhere deep down, the darkness beckoned still, but as yet the pull of light and life was the stronger.
Does no one get their happy ending?
Perhaps, after all, this was what it truly meant to grow up: you carry on, do what you must - happy ending or no.”
I do love esp. this last sentence, and I agree wholeheartedly...I know people who spend their time looking backwards, grieving over this and that, being never content
Frodo seems to feel that there will be no happy ending for him, yet he goes on...so does Hy, in her own way.
I’m soso sorry to see the end of this story..and I hope RL will leave you some time to continue writing! I’ll miss you

You must observe people closely -- there's been many wonderfully true-to-life moments in this story. I particularly enjoyed this one:

"he's at that age when he just starts running for the fun of it, and if someone doesn't catch him there's no telling when or where he'll stop..."

Just like some kids I know!

Of course I am so glad you gave us this glimpse of their lives years later. Regrets on all sides. And letting her see the trueness of Frodo's heart against the fickleness of her husband's. An appropriate ending, and one not unlike that of a certain Author, if I may say so. "You must carry on, happy ending or no."

I look forward to your next tale, however long the wait.

Hah! A secret revealed -- the TRUE author of Once on a Time!

The interaction between Bilbo and Frodo is especially charming in this chapter. Bilbo's awkwardness -- and yet he did find the right things to say to comfort and offer sympathy to Frodo despite that. You handled this with just the right touch.

I also enjoyed little Sam's appearance!

Two great epilogues :) You continued with a realistic ending, you're right that most times "first love" doesn't work right, but it's also something you don't forget easily... and you showed that with the awkward conversation between Frodo and Hyacinth and their last dance on Epilogue 2. The way that Coronel Took and Hyacinth's relationship turned out was predictable, yet we see that Frodo always believed in a happy ending for them, and that shows us the generosity of his heart...
I also liked to see Merry (now a little more grown up, but adorable through the rest of the story) and Pippin, they are so cute, and we already see that they have a strong friendship between them and Frodo. :)
Well done, I liked this story a lot!

I didn’t see this coming! Obviously Hy and her lover have ‚misbehaved‘! So they have a rushed mariage and – I’m afraid – not a too happy future ahead. That’s certainly a blow for Frodo...and I loved your explanation of the boots, though – I must admit – I’ve never seen a painting by Tolkien, and therefore didn’t know about the boots, LOL. I HAVE read The Hobbit of course, but it was a long time ago...no Frodo in it.
So again – or should I say already – no happy ending for our hero, but, as Bilbo said, in retrospect we know why. I wish you’d continue this wonderful story, you’re a born storyteller... but it seems I have something to look forward to; I definitely hope it will be here to see before our dotage, LOL, that’s hopefully still a long way to go, though I’m not so sure about presenile dementia

What can I say, this story immediately caught my attention from the beginning! It's so well-written, very hobbit-y, and very realistic, too... I quite liked the way you portrayed Frodo, and his devotion to Hyacinth and the whole thing between her and Coronel Took. And Merry's so adorable!
I also liked the way you showed how Bilbo convinced Frodo to come live with him. This story fits quite well in canon - and you sure have done your research!
Congrats on a good piece of fanfiction! I can't wait to read the last few chapters... :)
-Aldarwen

Great chapter! I hate to say it, but I wonder just how *happy* Hyacinth will be? Seemed like the Colonel treated her pretty shabby in the last chapter. I wonder what the next epilogue will be like...hm

Epilogue is coming..oh no...this chapter ended just like it had to end, given the short insights you gave us on Hyacinth’s character..and besides, what could Frodo – at this age – be to her? „leaving behind her only some scattered flowers, white and blue, on the path“..what a wonderful last sentence! I could ramble about it for hours and bluster into the wildest interpretations...better not, LOL! So many lovely images...and always the blue ( faithful) forget me nots entwined in them!! „It was neither friend nor foe but, in the end, nothing more than a river.“ I love the ‚fare thee well‘scene..Frodo saying good bye to so much, his childhood home, his childhood, friends and fores alike, his first love...
And how I’ll miss your humor once this story’s over...I so hope life gives you a chance to write again soon! „he’s not overly endowed with common sense“...ROFL, and the mushroom farm!!
And – I hardly dare to use this word – why does Frodo call his parents Mama and Papa? That’s what our children call us, but I don’t think it’s English?

Poor Fro'. First love can be a **.

That was a good story! :) Looking forward to the last two chapters. How dare Hyacinth! After what she made poor Frodo think! Aw...
Keep writing!
Jen

Local hail...poor tobacco!! “All right, whoever or whatever you are - I give up! You win! Are you satisfied now?”...ROFL! Probably a wise decision, who knows which plagues Rory’s tobacco would have to face next year...
Loved ‚Merry’s adoption‘ too..what a fantastic idea to soothe him!
I do hope there are many more chapters to come, but somehow I fear this story’s drawing to an end...?
Here in Europe we learn more foreign languages than over in the States, being to close to each other, LOL. Yet English is the only language I can claim to have a certain grasp on, my French causes hilarity among the natives, LOL, and English has always fascinated me because of its easyness...how comes this language is so far more plain than the others? Yet you’ll find many people here who know nothing but ‚yes‘ and ‚no‘- including my husband – though everybody learns English at school here

What an unexpected, yet wonderfully contemplative, chapter ! I too have read so many stories of Frodo’s unhappy life at Brandy Hall , that my mind nearly stored it as granted. You’ve described his path of decision making so well...not greed, not loneliness,but altruistic motives. This dream of Bilbo about the ring...“you set it on your finger. But I could still see you, and it seemed rather that I was the invisible one, yet you looked at me and laughed“...do you mean that Bilbo is able to see Frodo’s true nature, and that Frodo holds no grudge against Bilbo for passing the ring to him? Bilbo’s dark experiences with the ring trouble me...he’ll have to keep for many more years.

LOL about Frodo’s thoughts about Hyacinth ...“ And that Hyacinth herself could be swayed by such vulgar enticements—it was impossible, unthinkable! If Hyacinth loved him as he did her—and surely she must, for she had kissed him!—then his wealth or the lack thereof would matter not a whit.“ Somehow I am unable to see her at such a strong character.
And Merry’s ruse...how cute!
I fear you’ll have to wait forever to see me produce fanfic...I can’t even manage to finish my letter to my pal in Texas, LOL, but reading stories by as worthy authors as you and writing sily reviews has done so much to my active vocabulary, for I have – sadly – no use at all for my English in my daily life

Frodo has so much history here, both good and bad. Of COURSE he's going to hesitate to leave it. All his memories are here. What can Hobbiton have to offer him after all, that can compare to them, and to the family and friends he has here? And yet, Frodo is willing to give it all up for someone who needs him. This is a wonderful and different but so natural take on the adoption. Not a simple decision for Frodo, with consequences he could never anticipate. He would certainly be torn in two.

Rather fun to have Bilbo be a wordy letter-writer -- many authors have given that trait to Dora (including me *snort*)! Yet Bilbo does like to give speeches -- how could he resist extending himself on an important letter like this? *grin*

Very interesting to have Bilbo tell him of the ring terrors. I'm going to puzzle over the meaning of his dream, too.

And oh! What a heartwarming, heartrending note to end the chapter on! Dear, dear Merry!