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| Trotter by Dreamflower | 8 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Kaylee Arafinwiel | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/2/2015 |
| I do love reading about Bilbo's interaction with Elrond's sons! I'm sorry to hear about Siggy's death :( but of course it had to have happened, he didn't have a Ring making him feel like 'butter scraped over too much bread'. I do wonder what he made of his best cousin aging so slowly, Dreamflower! What do you think? | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 6/5/2009 |
| Ah, Bilbo is really learning much and now he can pump the twins for information too. I am really enjoying this but I have to take a food break. Trotter's meal discussions in prior chapters are making me hungry. LOL I will be back. Hope to get caught up over the weekend. This is such a great little story. Author Reply: Yes, well, my hobbits like talking about food! I do hope you had a nice little snack. | |
| Celeritas | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/19/2009 |
| Lovely interlude here--though of course I'm very curious (and you don't say) what exactly the Twins had to say about Bilbo's uncle. Author Reply: No, I didn't. Yet you may perhaps discern for yourself some of what they said as you read the following chapters... | |
| pandemonium_213 | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/14/2009 |
| Hi, Dreamflower! I'm swooping in here to the Stories of Arda (and feeling a bit like Sauron at a hobbit picnic ;^)) to tell you how enchanting this story is. The premise is so creative. The History of Middle-earth is an absolute treasure trove of material, and you've taken a real gem from there and have run with it. This is a fabulous and wonderfully plausible background behind "Trotter." I swear, I squee'd and shivered when he was given the moniker by the doughty Rangers. Personally, I look at Tolkien's legendarium less as "canon" and more as "mythology" which is a considerably more fluid concept. "Trotter," I think, represents an imaginative application of that tactic, that is, treating the text of the HoMe as a myth or folkloric tale and transforming it into "this is what really happened." Hildifons' voice is perfect. He's entirely hobbit and yet, well, with a little something extra. I cannot help but relate Hildifons to Mirimë in "The Ancestress" (also an entertaining tale with a *most* satisfactory explanation of the faerie wife -- this would fit seamlessly in my 'verse, too). He is Took through and through, and I have always been more partial to the Tooks and Brandybucks among the hobbitry. At times, Hildifons reminds me of a young British fellow of the 19th century who has left for adventure in foreign parts, i.e., India, the Americas, Africa, etc. The pacing is well-executed, and the supporting cast nicely drawn. The tactic of switching to Bilbo's point of view in the interludes works nicely. Your use of first person for Hildifons remains in the appropriate PoV. . The story also works well for me because there's a realism to it, e.g., Hildifons' disappointment in love and his terrifying encounter and captivity with the brigands. No, this is not a fluffy story in the least, but one of a narrator who is a complex fellow. Be assured I will be following this avidly. ~ pandemonium Author Reply: Oh my word! I am truly flattered and gratified by this review. I know that SS told me you were following the story, and I was pleased but surprised, as most of my stuff is--well, lighter than yours. And while this story has some dark edges as you note, it's still essentially hobbity, which means hopeful and optimistic in the long run. From the first time I *read* Return of the Shadow, I was fascinated by the Idea of Trotter, not so much in his original function as an early incarnation of Strider, but by the thought of a hobbit, clearly once of the Shire, who was a Ranger, and who had travelled in the Wild, and who for some inexplicable reason, wore wooden shoes. It was clear to me that he was a Took, he just *had* to be, and I dearly wanted to do something with him. But I could not wrap my mind around an AU in which he played his original role. So I toyed with the idea that he was someone else altogether--and there was Hildifons, right there on the Took Family Tree, his fate unknown. I love the parallel you draw between him and young 19th century adventurers, because a bit of that was in the back of my mind when I began to concoct his backstory. A young person leaving home because he has been crossed in love was an often seen scenario back then. I hope you continue to enjoy the story! Thank you so much! | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/11/2009 |
| So the twins mention Hildifons first. Elrond then must have told them that Bilbo knew his uncle had lived there. I too am interested of what stories they might tell. That description could fit nearly any Took, but a certain Peregrin comes to mind. ;) Author Reply: Yes, I am sure their father mentioned that Bilbo had found the journal! And of course, I am drawing parallels there; a certain Tookish streak of personality that showed up also in Pippin! | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/11/2009 |
| "He was a very charming young person, full of questions…" Well, that could also be the description of *Peregrin* Took, especially the last part ;-) I'm curious to know what stories the twins will tell about Trotter, but since this was an interlude, I might have to wait a little longer. So, back to Longshanks :) Author Reply: Yep; I see curiousity as a very Tookish trait-- it was apparent in Bilbo, as well as in all three of the Old Took's Traveller descendants, but most *especially* in one Peregrin! Yes, well you may observe for yourself some of what they will tell... | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/11/2009 |
| Ah--so Sigismond reminds them of Hildifons? Nice! Most interesting indeed that he immediately springs to their minds and as they prepare to answer his questions. Author Reply: In addition to Tookish temperament, I see a certain similarity of appearance between various Tooks. Pointed features and green or hazel eyes tend to show up in most of my Tooks. Some have a slight, wiry build, taking after Gerontius, while others are much larger than average, taking after Ferumbras II and Bandobras. Most tend to hair with reddish chestnut hair, though some, such as Primula, or many of the North-tooks have very dark hair, nearly black. And I think that he sprung to their minds because their father had told them Bilbo found the journal... | |
| Elflingimp | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/11/2009 |
| Hi Dreamflower, this chapter was indeed an interlude,it was very good and just a taste which left me wanting more. Hugs The Imp P.S. I think I'll go make some tea now. LOL! Author Reply: Thank you, dear! I'm glad you are still enjoying it! | |