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A Conspiracy of Hobbits  by Dreamflower 2 Review(s)
PeriantariReviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/28/2006
“Whew! Poor Frodo. And now I understand why Merry doesn’t want me to come along; he‘s got to protect his little Pip, silly goose. But they are going to need me, whether they like it or not.”

Fatty shook his head; he was glad he was a Bolger, with no desires to leave his home.

Yes, Merry being torn between cousins...sounds likely indeed.

And i love the last line of the fic...
and i love how PIppin found out from Fatty... and i like your Fatty too. :D
and i love this fic so far and cant' wait to read everything.

I love hobbit love and loyalty and friendship to one another! :D

Author Reply: I love hobbit love and loyalty and friendship to one another!

So do I. That is the thing I love more than anything else about LotR.

GryffinjackReviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/3/2005
I couldn't help it - I had to read just one more chapter today. I've looked at the number of reviews for each chapter of this story. Are people daft? This story is definitely being added to my list of favourites written by you.

The development and fleshing out of Freddy's character is fascinating. He has that same interest in elves that Sam does and love of language as Frodo, yet he lacks the adventurous spirit of the others. However, his devotion and loyalty allow him to play an important part in the Quest nonetheless. Truly a fascinating hobbit.

Time to quote again:

'“Well, I have come to the conclusion that I have been misjudging you all these years, and that you are not in fact, ‘as dull as ditchwater’.”

Fatty moaned. “You were eavesdropping.”

“Yes, that I was,” said Pippin unapologetically. “I want to know exactly what’s up with Frodo and Merry. And don’t even *think* of not telling me.”

“Merry will have my guts for garters.”

“So will I. You know I’m going to find out sooner or later. Let’s make it sooner.” Though Pippin’s tone was light, the expression on his face was determined. “I’ll never let anyone know I heard it from you.”

“You’re not going to like this. It’s very serious indeed, maybe even more serious than Merry realizes.”

“I don’t have to like it, Fatty. I just have to know.”'

This is an exceptional exchange between the two of them. It establishes their new relationship in which Pippin understands and respects Freddy more. What's more, it is one of the best examples of the pluckiness and determination that Pippin exhibits in the Trilogy. He has a sharp wit about him and knows how to use it when necessary. Pippin is direct and forthright without a lick of playfulness when something's serious.

'Pippin sat in silence for so long that Fatty began to wonder if he had understood. ... This was now literally a matter of life and death. He had better begin thinking on the ways he could be of use to his cousins once they got started.'

Once again, examples of how Pippin can sit still and concentrate when something as important and serious as this. You really have the full measure of the character; so many people sell him short.

'It was just Mr. Merry’s mind seemed to run the same way Sam’s did--that sooner or later, Mr. Frodo would be off after old Mr. Bilbo, and those as didn’t wish to be left behind had best keep their eyes open.'

Sam's absolutely right about he and Merry having similar minds. They are both quite practical and realistic in looking at things. That's why they were the perfect ones to begin this conspiracy.

'So when Gandalf had come back, Sam had taken his clippers and stationed himself where he could hear what he and Mr. Frodo were talking of.'

Do you know what I like about this? It's a rare instance of similarity between Sam and Pippin. They both used the same method, eavesdropping under a window, to find out what was going on. Very interesting.

I really think this is one of the most important stories you have written in terms of explaining something missing in canon. It's quite enriching to the whole understanding of LotR.

Author Reply: I was still a very new writer when this story appeared, so it didn't get nearly as many reviews as later stories did. I was quite happy just to get one or two.

This is where I began to try and figure out *who* Fatty was, and *why* he was a good friend to Frodo, enough to be in on the Conspiracy, but still did not go on the journey. The answers my imagination began to supply took on a life of their own.

This is the first instance of a characteristic I have Pippin show sometimes: when he is playing about and bantering he will chatter on, but when something serious is up, he will think as long as he needs to about what he will say.

Yes, I first begin to draw parallels between Merry and Sam in this story. But as you observe there are some similarities between Sam and Pippin. I get to more of those later, though not in this story.

It's getting late, so I will probably reply to the rest of your reviews tomorrow! Thanks again. Seeing all of these was just lovely.

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