Drabble -- The Gaffer

[rabidsamfan]

It’s not the reading, mind, that worries me. All my children can read, and did their time at Gammer Brockhouse’s the same as yours, but Samwise, he went along to school already a-knowing enough to read a bit, and that was Mr. Bilbo’s doing. And it’s not the stories, except that bless the boy he’ll listen to them all day long whether he’s heard ‘em before or no. All youngsters listen to stories. But Samwise, he listens harder. It’s time he set Elves and Dragons aside. And how’s he to do that when he’s up at Bag End a-meeting Dwarves?




Timeline (fiction only, most recent version, includes AU) first previous next last

Comments

alanye, from ff.net

[(Anonymous)]

Since you didn't give your email, I'll resond to your review here (its really eating me...) I would love to keep this story (the claws of winter) a gen fic f/o slash. This is rather odd for me considering I'm usually a shash writer, but I agree that this story has potentiol. The only thing is, the plot is not mine, as i got the wonderful idea from Oni, who wants it to be slash (notice my other reviews). I respect that, b/c it's her idea, ao that's what I'm writing. i might consider writing two versions of this though, one slash and one not. I needed to tell someone that I agree with the non-slash theme!



I know it's kind of weird to post on your livejournal, but what the hell:P



Oh, and while I'm at it, I'll comment on your drabble. It's very in character and especially interesting because very few people write from teh Gaffer's point of view. I love how he pictures sam as different from his other children; it really fits. It's so hard to make a drabble have meaning, but you've done it.

Re: alanye, from ff.net

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

I don't give my e-mail out often, but you're welcome to reply to the livejournal any time you like. (And besides, you paid the toll! You commented on my drabble! Thank you!)

I'd love it if you had a non-slash version of the story, to be honest. I don't mind slash, and when I'm in the mood I read it, but the tension in your story comes from Sam beating himself up for something and Frodo trying to understand and for once it would be nice if that didn't degenerate into "I just noticed you're cute." I mean, Sam knows that if their roles were reversed he'd be insisting that Frodo come in and warm up, so what's bothering him can't be social position. (I'm tired of that one too -- Sam's quite content to be Frodo's servant in the book, thank you very much.) I'm wondering if someone has said something that cut a little too close to the bone, and what it could be.

Please do continue with the story. You've got at least one reviewer besides me who would also like it if it weren't slash, I noticed, so if you end up writing two versions you'll have an audience!

[ethereal-hobbit.livejournal.com]

You've definitely found the Gaffer's voice. This is wonderful! :)

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I rather like the Gaffer, actually.

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

I wonder if you ever have read The Shaping of Samwise by jodancingtree her imagination of the Gaffer is very close to yours, and I like both. Very fine!

What comes next - Rosie?

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've read The Shaping of Samwise and I like it quite a bit. I don't know who I'll drabble next. This one arose out of frustration, because so many people notice the Gaffer's comment about reading and neglect the way that Sam recites poetry (as if at school) and talks quite lovingly and knowingly of a father reading to his children.

I think Hamfast was just fretting before Bilbo's party because he was worried that Sam would go off somewhere in imitation of Bilbo, because it was Bilbo who did the teaching.

[pippinswolf.livejournal.com]

:-)
At last, another goodie from your pen! The poor Gaffer, little does he know what lies ahead for his youngest lad.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

At last? Well, if you're starving, I've got a short piece in among the rest of Marigold's Challenge fics.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/talechallenge03/8879.html#cutid1

I'm glad you liked the drabble, too. Isn't it fun playing with words?

[pippinswolf.livejournal.com]

It certainly is- and your challenge 3 story was the first one I read. Hurrah for Sam and Ents!

Darnit.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

This one arose out of frustration, because so many people notice the Gaffer's comment about reading and neglect the way that Sam recites poetry (as if at school) and talks quite lovingly and knowingly of a father reading to his children.

Guilty as charged, and I've made this a plot point In something I've been working on, too deeply to dig it out again.

*smacks self in head*

Re: Darnit.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Well, if you're doing it well (and I suspect you are) I'm willing to suspend my disbelief for the duration of the fic. You can always have the Gaffer come around to the idea when Sam doesn't grow an extra head because of a few letters... Besides, it's such a common notion that I've grown resigned, except for an occasional protest.

*wink*