PIppinfan1988
· 21 June 2006
· Chapter 14: What Might Have Happened...
My, my, you have opened up a can of worms, lol! Just imagine...our foursome lads just the run of the mill heirs...heck, Frodo may never have been adopted--Bilbo would probably have died at the normal age of a hobbit. If the Journey never happened for the younger hobbits, then would they have the ability to summon up the courage to fight off ruffians?? Surely they would have come in spite of everything. However...
I believe in Providence in Middle-earth. I like to believe that Eru, The One, was in control of things, and as Gandalf said, Bilbo was *meant* to find the Ring and Frodo was *meant* to inherit it. The Journey was *meant* to happen to the four special hobbits to train them and build them up to aid in the fall of the Sauron and the One Ring.
By some small chance, if a wrench had been thrown in Eru's plans, I also believe he would have built up whomever his "second choice" would have been, enabling that hobbit to overcome obstacles, grow enough hobbit-sense or courage to do the task before him. After all, courage *is* an inherent trait of hobbits, it just needs waking up.
In the end, I'm glad Holman didn't paint over Gandalf's Burglar runes. What would we write about? Who would be as fun as our four lads?? ;-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Oh, I absolutely agree with you 100%. Which probably *is* the reason that old Holman did not notice the scratches and paint over them, don't you think? Or maybe there *wasn't* any leftover paint, or maybe it was all dried up, or...well, you get the picture.*grin" Still, such a little thing, and not even anything bad.
So many AUs depend on someone dying or not dying, or some battle being won or lost--but in this case, it could have been something so very mundane and ordinary that no one would have thought twice about it.
And, yes, our four lads--the four we ended up with were the four we were meant to end up with, even in fiction, when you think of all the changes in name and station and relationships they took along the way before JRRT settled on them. Somehow, I shudder to think what would have happened if Frodo had been named "Bingo".
harrowcat
· 21 June 2006
· Chapter 14: What Might Have Happened...
Oh what fun! This really raised a grin over the cornflakes.
Author's reply
Yes, nothing like an obliging gardener to throw a glitch into the best-laid plans of Wizards, LOL!
Kitty
· 21 June 2006
· Chapter 13: Fifteen Years After
Oh, I love the hobbit wing at Annúminas! Of course, Annúminas is rather near to the Shire, so the hobbits can visith with the King more easily than in Gondor, and Aragorn would do everything to make them comfortable, so he can have them around most of the time he is in the North. To not have only some rooms, but a whole wing for hobbits, with round doors and all, is a very nice touch! And it's nice Beri and Rolly helped with the construction. Somehow it is fitting after their journey South that they lost their awe of men and helped in the building. (Oh, by the way - is there any chance that you'll continue "The Road to Edoras" any time soon? I miss it!)
And it was good to see Menelcar again. Aragorn had to bring him, first because he needs his Court Bard to see the Northern Capitol, and second because he knows the Travellers. Pippin must've been overjoyed to see his old friend again. Certainly his welcome was exuberant enough, Thain or no *grin*
Bilbo's last song was sad, but so very beautiful! It brought tears to my eyes.
Author's reply
I am quite sure that is what Aragorn had in mind when he ordered the palace built!
Of course, he *had* to bring his Court Bard, for exactly the reasons you stated. And I am quite sure he knew just how thrilled Pippin would be to see his minstrel friend again.
I love that song. And the music for it on the BBC radio production of LotR is just haunting.
As for "Road to Edoras"--I am working on it. But it's presented me with a problem, and I'm working from the end of the story backwards. The result is, it's taking me forever to update, as I can't do that until I catch up to where I left off. On the other hand, once I do, I'll be able to finish posting the rest of it fairly rapidly!
Kitty
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 14: What Might Have Happened...
Well, no, that's unthinkable, isn't it? If Bilbo had never gone with the dwarfes and not found the One Ring ... or someone other had gone, wo had no Frodo and no Sam, Pippin und Merry to help him? Luckily Tolkien didn't let Holman be *that* obliging!
Author's reply
Yes, it's very lucky indeed, for all of Middle-earth! Just as lucky as JRRT changing Frodo's name from "Bingo" *shudder* and turning the hobbit "Trotter" into the Ranger, Aragorn.
I *much* prefer the story that ultimately came to us!!
Aelinmir
· 20 June 2006
· Chapter 14: What Might Have Happened...
will you continue this story line?
Author's reply
I hadn't really planned on it, but you never know when or how bunnies will attack...
Tigger
· 19 June 2006
· Chapter 13: Fifteen Years After
Oh Dreamflower...How very bittersweet. I love your description of the Palace at Lake Evendim. How very right the Capitol City and Palace of the Northern Realm have a portion built for hobbits when they visit. Poor Pippin, remembering the events of The Pelennor while gazing at The Standard of the King. A very bittersweet little story. Thanks for sharing it w/us.
Author's reply
It really wasn't intended to be bittersweet--I just wanted a cozy little reunion between Pippin and Menelcar, but of course, sometimes the characters have things they wish to say. And really, the knowledge that Aragorn was coming up the River is something I've always been a bit curious about. And then too, Frodo would not stay out of the conversation, which naturally made it a little sad.
But I'm glad you enjoyed the story, and my idea of the Northern palace as well! Thanks!
Bodkin
· 18 June 2006
· Chapter 13: Fifteen Years After
Lovely. Menelcar and young Pippin - now the Thain, musing on the past. I reckon Menelcar is right - Pippin would have had to return home.
And he did know happy Frodo, when he was (as far as he could ever be) a simple hobbit at home in the Shire. The only man who did. That's a very special thing to be.
Even that can't stop his search for new songs, though - and the last Bilbo Baggins number.
Author's reply
Yes, I think Pippin would have been one homesick tween after only a few weeks. But he would probably have made himself miserable not wanting to let Menelcar down. It's quite lucky it never came to that.
You know, Menelcar just popped out with that comment from out of nowhere, and I was struck by just how *right* it was. He's a good character, never being too bossy about the plots, but he knows his own mind, he does. And of course, it was something very special, to have known Frodo when he was still happy.
Menelcar would never stop looking for new songs...
Baggins Babe
· 18 June 2006
· Chapter 13: Fifteen Years After
A quick PS - yes, I love the version of bilbo's Last Song which ended the BBC production but that is the only version I know.
You said in your review of Larner's story about someone writing about Frodo and Sam waiting long enough to greet Legolas and Gimli in the Undying Lands. Well, it's funny you should say that, because I'm working on one at present!
Great minds............
Author's reply
The Hobbitons were a Dutch group that did a collection of "Songs from Middle-earth" and that was one of them. I don't believe their CD is available any longer--I bought the last one they had, in fact.
Oh, I can't *wait* to see that! The storyline has so much potential, yet I have only ever seen it once, and that was as a parody. I look forward to your take on it. But I sure feel sorry for poor Legolas...
SurgicalSteel
· 17 June 2006
· Chapter 13: Fifteen Years After
Oh, my. Lovely to see Menelcar again, and for some reason I'd missed Aragorn looking out to sea with the hobbits the first time I read this. Just lovely.
Author's reply
Thank you very much!!
Pearl Took
· 17 June 2006
· Chapter 13: Fifteen Years After
Beautiful, the whole story, not just our dear Professor's song ;) You do have a wonderful way with words, Dreamflower.
Author's reply
Thank you very much. *blushes*
PIppinfan1988
· 17 June 2006
· Chapter 13: Fifteen Years After
Awesome, Dreamflower! Goodness me--I *knew* I should have taken inventory of all your tales! I thought I had read them all--apparently, I was wrong. :-P
What a blessed meeting between old friends! Whistful, happy...I love how much Pippin has grown up. The steadfast love that never ends between good friends. I could imagine the lovely view of the Northern lands, and how thoughtful the King is in building a whole wing for the hobbits. The idea of the hobbits coming and going between the Shire and the new castle is wonderful, too. The poem/song made the perfect ending to a beautiful tale. :-)
Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you! I do have a lot of stories. I really need to update my chronology again--but the page is *so* crowded now. Yet I probably have at least a dozen stories not on the list.
I do love to show such reunions. It is so nice to let them catch up with one another--though I don't doubt they've corresponded from time to time, it was much harder to keep track of one's distant friends with no telephone and no internet.
I could not imagine that Elessar would have a palace in the North without some special accommodation for his hobbit friends, just to facilitate those kinds of comings and goings.
And I am just in love with that song right now.
Baggins Babe
· 17 June 2006
· Chapter 13: Fifteen Years After
Aaarrggh! You really caught me with this one! Bilbo's last song never fails to make me cry (I turned into a soggy heap while shelf-tidying in the library once!)and Menelcar's words about Frodo didn't help. This is beautiful but it needs a four hankie warning! :-))
Hoping you'll catch up on your reviews eventually, and great to have you back.
Author's reply
I adore that song. Have you heard the beautiful musical setting for it, composed for the BBC radio production, sung there by a boy soprano, and then later recorded by The Hobbitons? It is so sweet and melancholy, and fits the words perfectly.
Menelcar was a pretty lucky fellow, wasn't he?
I honestly did not think this story would be so sad, but once the two began to talk, it just went that way. Really, the story was supposed to concentrate on the way Pippin had finally grown into the responsibilities he had been trying to escape in their first encounter--yet once they began talking, they wanted to talk about Frodo...
Glad to be back. No 'net is just the pits.
harrowcat
· 17 June 2006
· Chapter 13: Fifteen Years After
Ah *sniff* this is lovely Dreamflower, especially that last paragraph. And I also liked the pride Menelcar felt in being the most privilaged of men to have known Frodo before the Ring came to him.
Author's reply
Oh thank you! I honestly hadn't meant for the old friend's reunion to turn into an angst-fest, but they started to talk, and the conversation just went in that direction.
Frodo, of course, *had* the Ring, ever since Bilbo left. But it was mostly sleeping and quiescent, and most certainly had not yet begun to shadow his life. And Menelcar was able to see what he was like then--pretty much carefree and joyful.
lotrgirl1415
· 16 June 2006
· Chapter 13: Fifteen Years After
LOVED it! xoxo
cant wait till you update Testaments of the Past...hehehe ^-^
love ya lots n' lots
~Katie
PS: www.myspace.com/katieloveslotr
if u got an account add me.
Author's reply
Thank you! :-)
Bodkin
· 15 June 2006
· Chapter 12: Proper Beginnings
I love this - Sam and Marigold are just such stars. Their work to earn the Gaffer's cake is worth more than its value, I should think! Lily Cotton is getting a good herb garden ... not to mention the early stages of sorting out a good son-in-law and a delightful daughter-in-law!
And a party underneath the Party Tree to boot. And the visit of two bouncy grandchildren just to make the day special.
The Gaffer doesn't expect much out of life, does he? I sometimes wonder just what happened to him in his youth to make him so sure of his place. Or maybe he is just one of nature's natural pessimists.
A good day was had by all here.
Author's reply
I believe both sides feel they got what they needed out of the deal--and perhaps Lily *did* get a bit more than the cake was actually worth if it had been paid for in pence and farthings. But it would be important for the Gaffer to know that his children had given good value for what they recieved--his pride would insist on that.
And I am sure she was delighted at the signs of impending future "in-law-ness", LOL!
I'm not sure what made me bring the grandchildren in. They were not in the original plan, nor were Merry and Pippin, but sometimes characters can get so darn *pushy*.
Perhaps it is a combination of things. I, too, wonder if perhaps something said or done when he was young hurt him; yet, somehow his grumpiness seems a cheerful sort of grumpiness, if you know what I mean.
It did turn out rather a nice day, didn't it?
Kitty
· 15 June 2006
· Chapter 11: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Well, of course Bilbo had to think this scruffy stranger with the long knife is a brigand. It was truly brave of him to try to run ahead and warn the elves. And now he must feel rather thrilled to be told Aragorn's true identity and story so soon after his arrival in Imladris. It's a sign of trust, I'd say. After all, outside of the Vale of Imladris there are very few who know who Estel is.
Author's reply
It *was* the natural conclusion, was it not? And we know that Bilbo is both brave and intrepid, even at the age of 112! (Why, he was 129 when he volunteered to take the Ring to Mordor!)
Aragorn was their heir of Elendil and a true son of Numenor--able to read Men's (and hobbit's) hearts, I think, and he knew right away that Bilbo was a person he *could* trust! I like to think they had a fast and firm friendship from that day forward.
Author Reply: Oops! Typo! I meant 128. *facepalm*
Kitty
· 15 June 2006
· Chapter 12: Proper Beginnings
Sorry for not reviewing over the last time, but I had no internet access at home due to a defect at my old laptop. And at work there simply wasn't enough time. I'll try to catch up, but just now I'm glad if I am able to even read everything.
This was fun! So Tom and Sam fell in love with each others sisters at the same day? And they could watch how awkward they acted *grin* Sam's hope for a cake for his father seems to have unexpected consequences. Though it was absolutely sweet of him to want a special gift for the Gaffer to comfort him about all the children who didn't come at his birthday.
Frodo's present was wonderful, too. Though I had to grin at the thought what the Gaffer may've thought about his grandchildren staying at the Great Smials. That's not proper, not proper at all *grin*
And from the looks of it, Old Tom and the Gaffer aren't going to object overmuch to the two couples. Good. Even if I know already what will come of this, it is good to know they will not have to fight about this with their parents.
Author's reply
Oh you poor dear! I've been without internet access myself for a week, and trouble with it before that--but cable seems finally to have solved my problem (I hope)!
Yes, I thought it would be fun if Sam and Tom were both smitten at about the same time, *giggle*. "Unexpected consequences" indeed!
No, I am quite sure that the Gaffer did not think it proper, but he couldn't really object, either! I think Frodo would know that--his sense of mischief coming out in a very benign way, LOL!
And Tom the older and the Gaffer will probably see these as very desirable matches, keeping these, at least of their children nearby. Their only objections--aside from the natural trepidations of any father of a daughter--will be that they wait until they are of age, and able to support their households. But I think hobbits were probably used to long courtships anyway.
SurgicalSteel
· 14 June 2006
· Chapter 12: Proper Beginnings
This is just so adorable - I really like the two lads asking each other for permission to date the other's sister. *happy sigh*
Author's reply
Well, it *is* an old-fashioned society. But even more, I think that they would not want such a thing to affect their friendship with one another. Hobbits, however, would probably be far less embarrassed at such a thing than human adolescents. (Usual human reaction: "Oh gross! You like my *sister*?!?!?!? Hobbity reaction: "You like my sister?!?!? Wow, we might be brothers-in-law one day!")
harrowcat
· 14 June 2006
· Chapter 12: Proper Beginnings
This is absolutely great Dreamflower. I think that you have the character just right and I don't think I have read anything about Rosie and Sam's first realisations before. Brilliant.
Author's reply
I've read one other, a flashback scene in a lovely story by Regina, "One Stray Curl"--a beautiful piece.
I'm glad that you liked my idea of how it might have happened. I've always thought that since Sam and Tom were the same age, and probably good friends, that they might have each realized their feelings for the other's sister at just about the same time, LOL! For human adolescents, that would be extremely embarrassing, but I think that hobbits would find it a delightful discovery.
AspenJules
· 14 June 2006
· Chapter 12: Proper Beginnings
Oh, Dreamflower! I never got around to reading this one on the Challenge page, but it's DELIGHTFUL! Just so warm and fuzzy, LOL! I loved the two boys talking to each other about their sisters, and the two grumpy old men discussing it at the end. And I think if I was a hobbit lass (or maybe even if I wasn't! *grin*) I'd be giggling a bit to see two strapping young lads working with their shirts off, LOL. Clever Frodo to get the two grandsons there AND Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin and sneak a visit to the Great Smials in for the two boys. *sighs happily* What a great story to go to bed to. Thanks for sharing!!
Author's reply
Hullo, dear!
"Warm and fuzzy", just what I was aiming for in this! It seemed to me that perhaps those two friends might have realized at just about the same time that one another's sisters were all grown up, LOL! And yes, their fathers probably would be just a tad grumpy to suddenly realize their baby girls were all grown.
*sigh* Merry and Pippin weren't *meant* to be in the story, but as usual, they had other ideas, and so did Frodo, LOL!
I hope this fluffy story gave you nice dreams!
I was wondering where you were! Hooray! Dreamflower's back! (Though you may need to correct your summary and make it Lily 'Cotton' not 'Baggins' - yes,, I know we all have Baggins on the brain but.......).
This was so lovely I don't know where to start! Gorgeous hobbity scenes, the Gaffer being grumpy, young Sam and his friend falling head over heels in love, and dear sweet Frodo bringing two of the grandchildren to share the day. Squeeeeee!!!!! *ahem* Thank you for this delightful visit to the Shire, which has started my day perfectly. *happy sigh*
Looking forward to your opinion of the latest short stories, esp. some Rufus thoughts and a rare (for me)pre-Quest venture.
Author's reply
Thanks for the heads up! All fixed now. Yes, my internet was down for over a week, and had been spotty for a couple of weeks before. Hopefully the cable people have *actually fixed* the problem now.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this story--not much angst or drama in this one, and a chance for me to spend a bit of Sam, a hobbit whom I love dearly, but who does not get nearly enough time from me. (He's usually a bit shy in letting me know what he's thinking.)
I'm still trying to catch up to all the fic I missed while my 'net was down! But you are definitely near the top of the agenda!
grumpy
· 10 June 2006
· Chapter 11: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Very much enjoyed reading your story of the meeting of Bilbo and Aragorn, the wicked, dangerous and scruffy. I would love Bilbo's life in Elrond's house. Estel finally gets to meet Gandalf's hobbit, after all those years.
Author's reply
I think that must have been a very eventful seventeen years, for all those involved, LOL!
Baggins Babe
· 7 June 2006
· Chapter 11: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
A wonderful story, Dreamflower! You write Bilbo so perfectly, and that verse is one of my all-time favourites - I always find it deeply moving (and I was delighted when Arwen spoke a little of it in the film).
It was a Man. A scruffier and more dangerous looking specimen of the race Bilbo had never seen.
Dear me, now who could it possibly be? *giggles* Poor Bilbo thinking he was warning Rivendell about an invader - however, his warning proved very timely indeed. Never judge a book by its cover, as my mother used to say - a very hobbity expression, now I come to think of it!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, BB! I *love* writing Bilbo! And it's one of my favorite verses as well.
Gee whiz! Who do you suppose it might be? *grin*
Well, Bilbo soon learned that appearances could be deceiving, didn't he?
Bodkin
· 6 June 2006
· Chapter 11: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
I love brave Bilbo running to the rescue of Rivendell - only to find he had been delivering help to a brave and injured ranger. One he remembered as a child, too.
A good beginning to their friendship.
Author's reply
Yes, poor Bilbo, thinking he is being terribly brave, LOL! Yet he still accomplished something with his mad race.
I enjoyed speculating about how that first meeting might have come about.
Queen Galadriel
· 5 June 2006
· Chapter 11: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Oh, I love it! What a charming account of how those verses came to be written! And as usual, you capture Bilbo perfectly. :) Delightful!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you! Bilbo is one of my favorite people to write! I'm glad you enjoyed the story.