shirebound
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 2: Tea With Hobbits
Merry beamed with pride; he was the only one there to be directly related to Bilbo three times.
*****
“They can give Sam the recipe for that too, and his Gaffer can brew it,” Pippin said, nodding. He had it all figured out.
“I think you should go easy on the cake, Pippin,” Frodo cautioned
*****
“Perhaps a full explanation of your dining customs is in order,” Gimli said, making a point not to meet his father’s heated glare.
Immediately, the hobbits’ faces lit up with joy
This is so delightful! I learned as much as Boromir and the Dwarves!
:D
Author's reply
And so begins Pippin's obsession with rum cake! lol
Gimli got more than he bargained for, even after his father's warnings. Now that he's seen it for himself, he won't be so eager to encourage the hobbits to speak about their customs again. :P Boromir on the other hand rather enjoys it, I think and you can count on him to keep asking questions!
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 2: Tea With Hobbits
Oh my! I had to giggle insanely nearly all the way through this earnest recital!!
It's such a coincidence!! Miss Dora is busily writing away on her "Mealtimes amd Manners" chapter right now, and I can't believe that we came up with some of the same ideas!!
I loved the part about Merry being proud of being related to Bilbo three times over--you handle all those cousinly relationships with such ease!
Gloin, being long familiar with the ways of hobbits, thanks to his friendship with Bilbo, had advised his son to keep quiet should any of the following topics come up: genealogy, hobbit history and folklore, food, and just about anything that he did not quite understand. Food would be an unavoidable topic, seeing as this was tea and the dwarves had brought with them rum cake, which the hobbits had never eaten before. But the other topics were to be avoided, or detracted from, at all costs. Hobbits tended to be long-winded and encouraging one of them to speak about something of which they were passionate and expecting to have a short conversation was tantamount to sticking one’s head in a dragon’s mouth and hoping not to get bit.
*snerk*
And Boromir's appearance was perfect.
I loved the historical explanations--how Merry does love to hear himself talk, and for once Pippin was happy to let him as he just kept on eating!
This was just wonderful!
Author's reply
LOL. It was either giggle or cry. I think the dwarves were close to crying. :P Merry makes the story exciting for other hobbits, but anyone else is just waiting for him to sit down. The scary part is, you know he could have continued much, much longer. =D
Hm, if Aunt Dora had been there giving the lesson, then the dwarves would have had an apoplexy. Merry didn't bother getting into manners though I'm sure he would have had the topic come up. The only one who wondered about it though was Gloin, and he certainly wasn't about to ask! hehe I'm interested to see what ideas we had in common. :)
It's also a good thing Boromir wasn't there during the whole cousin-relations part. Best to save that for the Quest and those long boring nights. Also, I think Gloin really would have had to do damage if genaology was brought up on top of everything else. Gimli will be hearing about this for awhile, I'm sure! He thought he was only asking about food, and managed to get history and folklore mixed in with it! At least his morbid curiosity should be assuaged.
I almost think Pippin purposefully stood slower than Merry. He wouldn't have missed that look between Frodo and Merry, and knowing that Merry couldn't both give a lesson and keep an eye on him, and that Frodo wouldn't think to watch him, it gave Pippin the perfect opportunity to sneak more of that rum cake.
Grey Wonderer
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 2: Tea With Hobbits
Well, I loved the little nods to your other stories and naturally, I enjoyed the chicken part. Merry does know his hobbit meals well doesn't he? He did a great job of explaining everything. Except that bit about the mud and ice. LOL
Author's reply
I'm not sure where that chicken came from! That's just the wacky thing about dreams. I must have had your "Poor Unfortunate Toffin" story on my mind. You know that had to scar Pippin in some sort of permanent way. :P
Every hobbit must learn the history of mealtimes while they're learning to cook. Merry delivers the lesson with such great zest and pomposity, you'd almost think he wrote it himself! He will have to work on that mud and ice bit though, won't he?
I'm so glad you're enjoying this!!!
Grey Wonderer
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
Boromir is in for quite a few surprises. I loved it when Pippin couldn't tell which Elf he was speaking to. Very fitting. This is wonderful.
Author's reply
Boromir is his own worst enemy really. He just keeps asking questions. I think he secretly enjoys the hobbits' tendency to ramble and jest.
I think the hobbits would have a difficult time telling elves and men apart. Let's face it, most of the time, the hobbits are craning their necks back and looking at the undersides of chins. There's also the fact that they're meeting a lot of new people all at once - that's a lot of names to keep straight. ;)
harrowcat
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 2: Tea With Hobbits
Hmmm! Dwarves and food sound like theyshould be avoided by hobbits! *g* But Rum cake with extra rum does sound good.
Author's reply
Hobbits and dwarven food is not a good combination. Something strange always happens when they're mixed, lol! I'm sure Pippin wouldn't mind more rum cake, even after the dream! :P
Frodo Baggins
· 3 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
Oh, my, Gamgeefest! This was splendid! How ever...how ever did you come up with that? It was so perfect!! I imagine Hobbits would be quite perplexing to Other People, though I seem to understand them quite well. ;) They are such a joy to write about and I am so looking forward to getting back to writing fanfic. I've been away for a while. I am going away again, but when I return, the stories should come full force...I hope! Anyway, Namarie!
God BLess,
Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
Hello FB! Thank you so much for your praises. :) I do think that the hobbits would tend to befuddle people not used to their ways. Boromir most especially. He's had to live under the stringent rule of his father and seeing these 'halflings' arguing over something so petty as food ~_^ is not something he's used to seeing.
Good luck with your writing!
Fire
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
This is so lovely, I can just see the bemused look on Boromirs face. The hobbits must have that effect on everyone that meets them for the first time.
Author's reply
Especially when they meet them right before mealtime! After mealtime, it might be a different story. Full and sated hobbits aren't quite so quick to accuse cousins of trickery. ;) Once Boromir spends more time with them, he'll find he's warmed up to their carefree ways.
Thanks for reading, Fire! It's nice to meet you. :)
Andrea
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
“He snuck down there without me!” the hobbit exclaimed, working himself up into quite a state of panic. “He’s down there right now taking all the seedcake! There won’t be any left!”
“Um,” was all that Boromir could manage at this declaration.
LOL!!! A perfect start!
But, to be true, after such an outburst the only thing I would have been able to say would have been nothing else but "Um..." ;-)
And at that time Pippin did not yet know about the mushrooms!
Well, let's see what will come next and how much Boromir will be involved!
(Maybe I will find yet another new word!)
Author's reply
LOL! It's probably a good thing Pippin didn't know about the mushrooms. His head might have exploded. :) Poor Boromir is always being thrown off his guard by the hobbits and this was no exception. He should be more vocal on their next meeting. ;)
I anticipate Boromir being in much of these stories. I just love to see him interacting with the hobbits and being continuously frazzled (but amused) by them.
If we can keep the hobbits away from lasses and beer, I shouldn't have to worry about teaching you new words. It always seems to be under those circumstances that they reveal just how far from innocent they can be. ;)
Armariel
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
oho...very cute! Love Boromir.......and hey, the hobbitses aren't so bad either;);)
~~~{~@
Author's reply
Boromir is a dear. I love to see how he interacts with the hobbits. I do think he sees them more as younger siblings once the Quest was on its way, especially Merry and Pippin, and it all starts here!
Thanks for reading!
Bodkin
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
Poor Boromir! Break him into the insatiable hunger of hobbits gradually - definitely a good idea!
Author's reply
Indeed! Had he sat next to them and seen the way they attack their food (and eye the food of those around them) he might have been completely overwhelmed, rather than just partially overwhelmed. ;) Hobbits do take some getting used to. It's probably a good thing, then, that they spent so much time in Rivendell. Allowed plenty of time for everyone to adapt to hobbit mannerisms. :)
Antane
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
Love that Pippin! :) And of course Sam would be looking out for his Frodo and giving him the best food. Poor Boromir, I do feel for him. This whole thing is so cute. I had a lot of trouble telling Merry and Pippin apart myself for a long time.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Well, Frodo won't be able to recuperate if he doesn't have proper nutrition. Sam's just doing his job. :) Pippin is a hoot and a handful. Meeting him when he's starving and frantic for food wasn't the best of circumstances, lol. At least Boromir now has an idea what he's in for!
I could always tell the cousins apart, mostly because they were color coordinated, like ninja turtles or something, lol. Frodo wore red, Merry yellow and Pippin teal. :) I've heard others say that they had problems telling Merry and Pippin apart though. Since Tolkien tells us that all hobbits look the same to other races, then its only suiting that there was confusion at first.
Thank you for reading Antane. It's nice to meet you! :)
shirebound
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
“I’m sorry,” he began in a most unusual accent, “but which one are you again?”
“I am Erestor,” the elf said and Boromir grinned under his beard. So the hobbits could not tell the elves apart either.
They turned the corner and disappeared from view. Boromir stared after them, not sure what to make of it all. Beside him Erestor said, “I anticipate the next few weeks to be quite lively. They are a merry folk.”
An adorable meeting! Hobbits will be hobbits, and speak of lighter matters, no matter where they find themselves.
Author's reply
Hobbits will be hobbits, and think of food before all else! Had Boromir met them *after* dinner, then things would have gone smoother but even so, already Boromir is warming up to them. After all, how could anyone hope to resist the charms of hobbits for long, especially those two hobbits.
Thanks for reading!
Pearl Took
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
Wonderful! A delightful first meeting - I'm looking forward to more :)
Author's reply
Thank you Pearl! Boromir's had just a taste of what he's in for over the next several weeks. His time in Rivendell will prove most informative.
EstellaB
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
*giggle*
There is not really much else I can say! Except, how long will it be before Boromir realises that Merry and Pippin are, in fact, not children?
Author's reply
Well technically, Pippin *is* still a child. He won't be of age for another 5-6 years. Boromir's reaction to finding out that Frodo is actually ten years older than him, and Sam and Merry only 2 and 4 years younger, will be quite amusing to eavesdrop on. I'll jot your query down. ;)
Thanks for reading! I'm glad this made you laugh!
harrowcat
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
Yes, with time he is going to get to know a lot about hobbits! The rest of his lifetime in fact, (although that is rather a gloomy thought for a fine Summer's morning). Great start to this.
Author's reply
He'll be a veritable fount of knowledge on all things hobbits by the time he reaches the end of his road. His last few months were spent in mirth and being well-fed, which is a heartening thought. It wasn't nearly as dire a time as it could have been. :)
Elemmírë
· 1 July 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
You description of Rivendell makes it easy to see why Bilbo retired there ... it makes me want to go there too.
I love the angle of Boromir meeting Merry and Pippin for the first time at dinner as it's very true to the book, yet hardly ever explored. I also loved Erestor's nonchalant attitude toward the hobbits while Boromir is experiencing the 'fight or flight' response. And the 'they all look the same to me' comment had me rolling with laughter ... especially when Pippin asked 'which Elf are you?'
Poor Boromir ... I'm sure he will very quickly learn that the next meal is always first and foremost on a hobbit's mind.
Pippin and Merry sound like an old married couple. Very funny!
More soon? Very, very, very soon? Please?
Author's reply
Rivendell is the perfect place for anything you could want, except it seems, a little peace and quiet, at least not while hobbits are there. ;)
Erestor's had a few days to get used to the hobbits. Plus, he's heard many stories from Bilbo, I'm sure, and so has a better idea of what to expect than Boromir, who up until that morning had thought Halflings something out of children's tales.
Tolkien tells us that all hobbits look the same to people from different races. The same would be true for the hobbits, I think, when they're meeting people for the first time. Especially for them, actually, as they'd be spending the majority of their time craning their necks up and looking at the undersides of chins or at beards.
It won't be long before Boromir is introduced to hobbit mealtime customs (it's the next chapter actually). He'll never again mistake missing dinner as something not worthy of alarm. ;)
Merry and Pippin have clearly spent too much time in each other's company, lol. It's time they share the wealth a little, don't you think?
Thanks for reading Elemmire! It's nice to meet you. :)
Dreamflower
· 30 June 2006
· Chapter 1: An Unusual Introduction
ROTFL!
“Well of course I didn’t. I said I’d meet you here and here I was and you weren’t. It’s very rude not to be somewhere when you say you’re going to be there, Merry.”
What a *perfect* example of "Pippish", LOL!
This promises to be a *whole* lot of fun!
I was just about to turn off the computer and go to be when this story popped up on my alert--I'm so glad for the timing!
Author's reply
No introduction to the hobbits is complete until you've heard some "Pippish". :) One thing Boromir will soon learn is to not attempt to make sense out of anything Pippin says, especially when he gets worked up like this. The next thing he'll learn is to never get Pippin worked up like this. LOL! I'm glad you're enjoying this!