Yay, I finally had time to finish reading this! And what an ending... *happy sigh* So glad Dody told Frodo about his part in the accident, and what a sweetie Frodo is! :) Such a cute hobbit lad... I love that he climbed into the tree he fell out of -talk about facing your fears!

Oh, and that book that Frodo gives Bilbo for his birthday? Does it by any chance have a red cover? ;)

Anyway, yay for this fic! Sorry to see it end, but I did enjoy every minute of it. :)

What a wonderful ending! (And I finally managed to read it...)I’m so very sorry to see this story go, you’ve given us such a wonderful ride, and in the end you tied it up so..contenting.

I hoped and expected you’d take them back to this very tree..and you didn’t disappoint me!

„Frodo had simply done what was right. At every point, and without fear or guile, he had acted as love and goodness demanded. From great lords and kings, one could expect such nobility and courage, but from a little boy, present and keenly mortal, such was dear and precious.“ If each of us would behave a little like this, life would be so much easier! And LOL about the „great lords“...I’d expect this behavior from OUR lords, the politicians, the least!

This whole forgiveness/forgetting theme is much more than can be discussed in a simple review, but you are so right! Sadly also in this sentence..."You'd be amazed what a child can get used to."„I will never let you fall again.“ ... this seems to me to be somehow the „key sentence“ of this story, simple, yet for many impossible to reach.

And...How do you know about smoking pipes? LOL, as a „militant non smoker“ I’ve learned . new

Oh..btw, I asked an Australian English teacher about the close /-d thing...she agrees with you

It's always so sad to see a brilliant story end, but it was always a mystery every chapter. Your story was very powerful and every chapter held me in wonder and kept me on the edge of my seat. This chapter in particular, was the best of all.

The ending, I always thought, should be one of the strongest parts. This ending was in this story, clearly, very strong. Dody's total cleansing of his former self was totally powerful and it struck my core to read these words. The theme of forgiveness is appropriate for this story.

I must thank you for sharing this beautifully written story with all of us. It is a treasure and I find myself once again bowing down to your greatness. A perfect story and I hope to see more from you, Ariel.

The end of a beautifully told tale with hope and love at its core.

I loved it.

*sniff, sniff* What a beautiful ending to a beautiful story, Ariel! You are a real master with words... I'm sure Tolkien would be proud! I know I've probably mentioned it in each review, but I just love your characterizations. This chapter, especially, was a great one for both Dody and Frodo. You know, there really is a sequel begging to be written here, following their relationship as Frodo grows up and is orphaned... *hint, hint* ;)

I have to say my very favorite part was this bit (of course):

No, Frodo would not understand, nor was Dody entirely sure why the child endeared him so, but looking back on everything Frodo had done that summer and everything Dody had so admired him for, he thought he knew. Other than surviving the fall itself, Frodo had simply done what was right. At every point, and without fear or guile, he had acted as love and goodness demanded. From great lords and kings, one could expect such nobility and courage, but from a little boy, present and keenly mortal, such was dear and precious. And, Dody further realized, if such courage and nobility of spirit could come from a child, then how could he not expect it of himself?

*sigh* There you are, you've just summed up Frodo's character (and why we love him) in a paragraph. I don't think I can really add anything to that. Except that if people read that and STILL don't understand how amazing Frodo is, then they're completely hopeless.

Well, I'm terribly sad that "Fear" is over now, but hopefully you won't wait too much longer before gifting us with another incredible story... In the meantime, this one was wonderfully, brilliantly done! :)

“He had not died in her arms, as she had feared.

Oh my dear! When you warn of high angst, you’re not foolin’ around! I have two sons just a bit older than Frodo is in the story, and can see that I’m going to have to get a grip on my maternal emotions to get through this intact. That wailing cry just gave me the chills! What a powerful, wrenching beginning. Loved the opening description of Buckland, and the character introductions. Very astute observations on the ways of boys: Dody tolerated as the “fall guy

Oh! I'm really sorry to see this one winding down. I think I've said this before, but I do love the way you write Bilbo. And I like the solution to Dody's situation too. An excellent deal for all concerned; I can actually see him turning into a successful healer. Only one more chapter to go...:( :)

-Rose

With this company Frodo MUST get well soon! That was just the right dose of sweetness in this chapter..and who could withstand such an "uncle“?..“ I've dared dragons and spiders, what's a diminutive Baggins after that?"

Your descreption of them being „connected in some mystical way that went beyond the ties of blood“ seems so right too...I do not want to put too much weight on these few words, but is it only the kindred spirit he fels here I wonder...

Dody’s well cared for as well...“you respect people. That's something I can't teach, but it makes a world of difference.“

Finally I’m bold enough to ask another question...“His eyelids fluttered open“...that’s what I’d write/day as well, yet I’ve seen also „opened“ in similar phrases I think. Are both possible? Or when do you use which? Should you ever have a question concerning the German language don’t hesitate to ask, LOL

„Clearwater's face turned a red that nearly rivaled Menegilda's handkerchief. Bilbo and Drogo were poised as a pair of hunting dogs who had their quarry cornered, and Dody…

Dody smiled.“ Great sentence, giving credit to all the main characters, LOL!

How convenient that smart!Bilbo entered the scene at just the right moment, but this happens in so many movies and books, so why not here too. Convenient too that Clearwater is even meaner than we expected him to be and did one thing hobbits will never forgive..neglecting and denying his family!

This outburst of violence in the end amazed me, I thought hobbits were more temperate creatures, LOL.

Anyway, LOVED your Bilbo, and there’s nothing to fear of Clearwater anymore, he’s helped to destroy himself once and for all.

I do hope I’ll make it to read the next – waiting – chapter tomorrow. I’m sorry I haven't been around for so long, but during the vacations kids have priority!

Oh so cool to see Clearwater get his comeupence and Dody...cool, and Frodo...even cooler (I sound like a

silly 16 year old, don't I) Ive really loved this fic and will hate to see it go, but, if you feel anything like I do after Smoke and Mirrors, it's also a good feeling when it ends *well* tree

Oh wow ! The end of this chapter is so cute ! Hope you'll update soon ;) Bilbo worried really easy when it came to Frodo, am I right ?

Sorry if I did some mistakes 'cuz I speak french more often than english and I'm not the best one in english class too (but I understand quite well your story and I ''almost'' just read fanfictions in english so, this help me so much.

Nimrodel of Meneltarma _

Oh, that was so cute at the end! I love Frodo and Bilbo and their relationship between. It's so great!

I'm glad Dody will be all right too. And he's going to be Daisy's apprentice? That was a nice touch. And I liked the fact that Saradoc began to talk to him more.

This was a great chapter, Ariel! I anticipate the next update!

What a sweet scene of Bilbo and Frodo. And things are finally going right for Dody, as well... I'm looking forward to the ending.

~Leia

Delighted squeal! Well, you KNOW what this kind of thing does to me:

"Well, the very first thing, you've already done. I haven't had a proper hug since you left Hobbiton." The older hobbit's eyes twinkled. "And I suspect you haven't had a proper tickle since then either."

Oh, thank you for such a wonderful healing for everyone, and what looks to be a delightfully happy ending. Amazing story. I'm looking forward to the end, as long as there are more Ariel stories to come.