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The Tenant from Staddle by Larner	11 Review(s)
annmarwalk	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/15/2007
I found Bob's characterization quite interesting here. I don't read a lot of hobbitcentric fic, in any case, but I don't know that I've encountered a character of his social class before. Frodo, Merry, and Pippin, of course, are young gentlehobbits, and while Sam was born in a lower social class, his early exposure and almost adoption by Bilbo polished off some of his rough edges. Bob, though, is a purely rustic hobbit. He has little knowledge or interest in events and history outside his immediate community. His main concern (and rightly so) is the protection of his family, the building of his new home, and the beginnings of his farm. He seems quite genuinely stunned to learn of the history of the plot of land he now occupies, and the role of Shire history in the greater world. A very appealing trait, though, is the way he carefully stores away each fact to ponder later - he's becoming quite fascinated by events and people whose existence he had never imagined. A side note: the descriptions of the clothing left in Bree, the color and texture and detailed embroidery, were exquisite. I want that wardrobe! Author Reply: I suspect there would be many different classes of folk in Bree, and that they would use similar but still subtly different sentence structures and grammatical phrasing than Shire Hobbits. To imagine what a true Breelands farmer might speak like was fun. We know that Saruman's ruffians attacked Bree itself; that they might also have done some collateral damage elsewhere in the Breelands also seemed likely; and that a few were so traumatized they'd choose to move elsewhere to start over, and to the idyllic area they used to visit as children, just seemed likely, much as the Oldbucks went eastward and crossed the Brandywine, settling Buckland and changing the family name. I'm still contemplating how I will write that period when I get to it in "Stirring Rings," although I'm still stalled in that one just before the Witch-king led his forces against Arvedui, with Gandalf just ready to pass through the Shire once more to meet with Cirdan. Oh, well. As for the clothing Frodo left in Bree--am glad you, too, love them. I suspect that the gifts of clothing Frodo received while in Minas Tirith would have been especially beautiful and meaningful, but that contemplating how they might be received once they return to the Shire he'd wish to leave them behind. And the trips through Bree of the Travellers did manage to affect the Breelanders as much as the folks of the Shire. Finding themselves having to scurry to enter the Fourth Age with the rest of Middle Earth must have been fascinating and somewhat frightening for them. Thanks again for the detailed comments.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/1/2006
It’s good Boboli shows a bit interest in the history of men, now there is a King again. But he has to learn that the rangers don’t take it well if someone speaks disrespectful of one of the Nine Walkers. The rangers are very generous to the hobbits, and I hope there aren’t some hobbits who try to draw on this generosity. But the rangers would probably recognise something like this very soon. Oh, Nob gifted Teo with the clothes Frodo discarded there? I am sure Frodo would approve, though I suppose the rangers will be surprised to see Teo in them. The ‚Lord Iorhael’ is causing some confusion, I see, just as I had expected. No wonder the hobbits at the Brandywine Bridge didn’t know the name and thought it had to be Merry or Pippin. But somehow I suppose in the end Boboli will be another one to honour Frodo. Author Reply: Yes, the Fourth Age is come, and it's a new world out there. Learning the place of the King and his closest companions must be interesting for all of them. In this case I think the basic honesty of Boboli Hedges would be obvious, and so the Rangers would see him as being of the same mould as those they know and would react accordingly. And Nob has found someone who can wear these marvelous things, and it's going to be a shock to see them again, I suspect, for Frodo.

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/30/2006
Ummm, you can keep the nettles, thank you!;);) Argh, Frodo should have kept that surcoat--silly hobbit! Sounds gorgeous! Nice that the doggie is coming along petpetpet But I've a feeling they're going to get tired of the ride.... But I think they will profit from meeting our hobbits! ~~~{~@ Author Reply: Oh, I agree very much--they'll like the ride. And last night one of my beasties invited himself to spend the night with my clients. Dogs HATE being left behind, I find.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/28/2006
Good that the Rangers brought Boboli's family a hamper of traveling food. They've fluffed so much of their assignment already, it's the least they could do. I can't believe that Aragorn didn't tell them Frodo's actual name, so they've either forgotten it or neglected to mention it to the Hobbits. Hobbits who, they should know, would have no reason in the world to know a translated name only mentioned recently and hundreds of miles away. Bad Rangers. No biscuit. Author Reply: Yes, Faradir's insistence on calling Frodo as he was named on the Field of Cormallen is serving them ill here. I'm certain he knew Frodo's proper name--this is but an affectation. Yes, not biscuit for Faradir. And I doubt Eregiel, who stayed in the north realizes Bob has no idea for whom he'll be looking.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/28/2006
Well, Boboli is finding out a few things on his journey, but he's yet to put the peices together. I really look forward to the expression on Frodo's face when he's confronted with his new tenant! grin Should be very interesting. I liked the stay at the Pony--the clothes will also be interesting to see Frodo's reaction to! And I loved the bargain worked out so that the farm family will give hospitality to Rangers! Very nice! Author Reply: There's a spate for Boboli to learn yet before he's ready to actually piece it together, but he's already figuring out his best bet is to go to Bag End, I think. And Frodo is going to be surprised, particularly as his own surcoat confronts him on a Hobbit lad. And as Boboli is outside the Shire, he may host as many Rangers as he has a mind to, I think! Heh!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/28/2006
So cute that Lister followed them! Though poor Holdfast will be lonely now. Lovely to see Eregiel and Artos again, and I love the name for the pony! "But I doubt the Rangers would refer to him as a lord or anything of the like, for he’s not changed much from when the four of them left the Shire. They might call my cousin Meriadoc Brandybuck something like that, or possibly the Thain’s son Peregrin Took; but the other two, they just went back to the West Farthing and settled back in, you see. Nothing particularly lordly about either of them, not like Captains Merry and Pippin." That's so sad. Of course Merry and Pippin deserved all the praise they got, but to say Frodo hadn't changed much! They have no idea! And I suppose there are some who have to look for nobility before they can even begin to see it. But I'm glad to see that Bob and the family are well on their way to finding Frodo all the same, and a very interesting meeting it will be, I'm sure. Wonder what Teo will think when he finds out he has a lot of Frodo's princely clothing? God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Well, Holdfast will have Maddie the cow to watch over, so he's not completely alone. Have had my dogs follow me all the way up the driveway, and if that's not embarrassing to have to stop cars on the highway to scoop them into the car! Felt we could do with another look at some familiar Rangers, and am glad you enjoy Poppet. Somehow it seemed to fit for this family. Unfortunately a lot of folks have to see unequivocal signs of change to accept it's there, and a cursory look at Frodo seems to indicate nothing unusual is going on; but those who see him more closely realize things have changed deeply with Frodo, as will be shown in the next chapter. Certainly Frodo's going to be surprised to see his clothing on a strange Hobbit lad, I think! Heh!

Lúmë	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/28/2006
Hey cool, a visit from Eregiel! And nice to see so much Ranger involvement. Haha, so Lister decided not to miss out on the trip after all. A very nice chapter as usual! Author Reply: Yes, Eregiel is back in the story again. And the Rangers are again resuming their regular patrols of the Shire and the Breelands. And of course Lister is insisting on being included. My poms have been known to follow the car all the way up the LONG drive to the highway when they think they're being left behind. Thanks for the feedback.

SurgicalSteel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/28/2006
Heh. Frodo's in for a surprise when Boboli finally catches up to him. And what a puzzle to set for him! Author Reply: Yes, Frodo's definitely in for a surprise this time. And Boboli's going to be terribly sick and tired of that wagon before he's back home again, I think.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/28/2006
Yes - shiny armour and swords are much more impressive than ordinary hobbit wear. And settling back down to obscurity. Just goes to prove the old adage - you can't tell a book by its cover. Sounds as if Teo is going to look rather splendid at party-time. I wonder how Frodo will react to seeing those clothes! Author Reply: The Hobbits of the Shire are so lacking in information--and unfortunately most don't even WANT information. The Time of Troubles is over? Our four missing ones are back? Good! Now--let's pretend nothing really happened! And Frodo's going to be surprised, I think.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/28/2006
Lister following the wagon is going to leave Holdfast without his little guard dog I fear. I don't like your hints about Orcs and Ruffians though! I sense dark clouds on the horizon. That knife might see some use I think. I like it that the Rangers have resumed accompanying travellers between Bree and the Shire. The way that the Shire as a whole has no idea of the important events the Travellers helped in is sad but realistic I think. They deal with what they can see before them. So 'Cousin' Frodo, in particular, returns to being another eccentric Baggins but Merry and Pippin have become slightly larger than life characters and so garner the attention and respect. At least here is another family that will eventually put the pieces together I think. The clothes are a nice touch Larner - more to come on this I guess. And to mistake Frodo and Sam as Rangers - understandable but funny! Author Reply: It's always possible there might be use for the two knives, but I suspect that the reports the Rangers are now hearing are simply hypersensitizing all to the possible return of such things. But now that the Rangers have returned they'll resume their usual duties, and a King's Messenger coming from the Gate finding unaccompanied Hobbits on the Road will at least turn about long enough to see them safely within before resuming his rounds. And I'm glad you see the ignorance of most within the Shire as to what's happened as realistic. The changes to Merry and Pippin are inescapable, with them being now so much taller than anyone else and their obvious familiarity with the weapons and armor they wear and all. They are indeed soldiers returned, while no one has the frame of reference to understand what's so different with Frodo and Sam. And I do think Frodo will be surprised and somewhat alarmed to see those clothes again!

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