Trials and Tribulation by Larner
Dreamflower · 24 August 2006 · Chapter 2: II
Awww...*sniffle* This was so very lovely and sad and sweet. I adore the way you have the Shire full of people who loved Frodo and appreciated him, even if they didn't really understand him. And Tribbals is amazing. I'd love to see more of her. *sigh*
Author's reply
Thank you, Dreamflower. Frodo must have posed so great a puzzle to so many who'd loved him, I'd think.
AspenJules · 24 August 2006 · Chapter 1: I
Ah, Larner - I loved this. As others have said, the Broadloam men are hilarious, and Tribbals is delightful. I have also known one or two Down's children, and I agree - they are the most loving, cheerful children I have ever known. You portray her beautifully, especially her perceptiveness when it comes to Frodo's state of mind. I'd love to see her come back at what many might consider an inconvenient time... lol. Oh, and "We know as you don’t mean no insult by it," Guido assured those guarding the integrity of the room from this surfeit of Broadloams, was my favorite line. You have quite an enviable touch with OC's, Larner. I loved this.
Author's reply
So glad the Broadloam males are giving so many a laugh; and I hope an indulgent one. They must have been a surprise and even a bit of a relief for Frodo, dealing with a situation that don't have to do with ruffians, gatherers and sharers, tree killers, fallen Hobbits and Wizards, and crooked lawyers. Now he can let his imagination and native compassion have scope. Thank you so much for the compliment. I very much appreciate it.
harrowcat · 24 August 2006 · Chapter 1: I
What imaginative sentences. I also loved the fact that Frodo remembered stories from him during his own worst times. Greencap is very astute and sees more than most. He gets to the heart of the matter quickly. I find that I do like your original characters. They make their personalities known and find their way into our hearts very quickly.
Author's reply
I'd think that Frodo would work hard at finding consequences that were suited to bring out the best of those being judged, and that he'd do his level best to see them appropriate to the individuals. That he'd actually have to punish someone would be unlikely, I think. Greencap is in part the product of his environment, but he's not stupid, after all, and would realize another had been wounded and respond to that perception. Thank you so much for the lovely compliment. I find these folks are engraving themselves on my heart.
demeter d · 24 August 2006 · Chapter 1: I
i have fallen in love with Mistress Tribbals. A "moon-touched child". i had not heard that term for them before. I have known quite a few Downs children in my half century. Almost always they are loving and accepting, and indeed, most can do quite a lot of surprising things. Frodo's judgement for the Broadlooms feels like it could be sandwiched in between the chapters you already have written in "An Acceptable Sacrifice". I would be very interested to see further adventures with this family. Reformed bad boys seem to make very good 'good guys" once they grow. It would be interesting to see the lads as grown-up Hobbits as part of a trade delegation to Gondor or other realms of men. They would be very good at spotting attempted treachery on the part of men!
Author's reply
It was a bit difficult to think what the people of Middle Earth might call such a child. No one would think to call them "mongoloid"--the name from my childhood for them--as no one would be likely to know what the oriental peoples would look like. Nor would they be identified as having Downs Syndrome, as Downs hadn't been born, of course. Moon-touched just seemed apropos for the condition. And the idea of Torto and Tito reforming and becoming useful at spotting the perfidy of Men is a tempting one, although I've taken a different way with it. Thanks for the review, Demeter.
Queen Galadriel · 23 August 2006 · Chapter 1: I
Oh, wow! Frodo's got his hands full, doesn't he. But I think this would make it worth putting up with the three Broadlomes... Frodo looked from mother to daughter, then at last stood and approached the lass and knelt down to look into her eyes. "You thought I looked sad?" he asked her. "Yeh," she said, nodding to make certain her meaning was clear. "And you wanted to cheer me up?" "Yeh," she said again. "And how will you cheer me up?" he asked. "Here," she said, holding out her arms, and she gave him as strong a hug as she could. "You fee’ better?" she asked. Frodo was touched. "Yes, Tribbals," he said. "Is it all right for me to call you Tribbals?" She smiled. "Yeh," she answered. Then she added, "I come ’gain, hug you when you need it." She spoke very slowly and carefully, doing her best to make her words clear. He smiled. "Then I’ll look forward to it." He caressed her lank hair. "I’ll be glad to see you any time you wish to come to the Council Hole." So this is Tribbals, eh? And isn't she just a sweetheart! :) I love her already. She reminds me of a little girl I knew once. Frodo again shows his true justice with the Broadlome lads and their father. I hope that he has that indescribable influence on them that he has had on others; they need it. "Now, you keep your side of the bargain and I’ll keep mine. And your daughter will sit on your lap before all to hear with the rest." "But why, Master Baggins, sir? Why let ’er see as how cruel the world is t’ those as is different?" "Do you love her? Are you proud of her?" Guido’s voice in response was almost derisive. "Well, o’ course!" "Then let your own love for her be seen by all. Let all others know it; and if they realize you love and respect her, they’ll realize they should treat her well, also. Yes, some like Lotho Sackville-Baggins are cruel and will remain cruel toward such as she no matter what; but those whose opinions mean the most will respond as you show the way. And she has as much right to hear the stories as all the other children do." Well, Greencap's intentions are good. But... though, as Frodo said, there are those who can be cruel, and also there are those who show pity or similar feelings in ways that make it really hard to be patient with them, sheltering is even more cruel, because no one can be sheltered for ever. Besides, what Frodo says about respect is true, and she lives among Hobbits, whose very nature, I think, is to be open-hearted, at least, Hobbits as a majority. Tribulation is a very unusual name, especially for a Hobbit child, but Quince shows herself to be very thoughtful and determined by giving such a name to her daughter. I think Tribbals will very likely always find a loving, supporting friend in her mother. I can't wait for the next chapter!!! :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Am so glad you like Tribbals, for I find her fascinating and reminiscent of a child I used to work with several years ago. My own students with Downs Syndrome were more profoundly disabled, although my current adult client is exceedingly capable and one I've come to admire a good deal. Frodo is capable of not only making the punishment fit the crime, but also of trying tactics intended to truly give the miscreant the chance for rehabilitation and redemption. He also knows how cruel the world can be, but also how we must brave that cruelty to bring out the goodness, and that the goodness will not be brought out if the perceived problem is hidden away. Greencap's intentions are good, but Frodo knows how to bring out the acceptance of his people, I think--or at least for others, if not for himself. Yes, Quince was the proper mother for this child. Irma Bombeck wrote one story in which the guardian angel for a child with a disability turned out to be the child's own mother, and that little essay has stuck with me since my own youth.
Armariel · 23 August 2006 · Chapter 1: I
Oh my, what a lovely story...and Greencap is a caution and Tribbles is a sweetie! And Frodo is amazing. There's to be more? oh goodie..... ~~~{~@
Author's reply
So glad you enjoy them, Armariel. And there is one more chapter, in which Merry and Pippin suffer a profound shock as they learn that Sam...........
Dreamflower · 23 August 2006 · Chapter 1: I
This is wonderful! I love the Broadloams! What a terrific family--little Tribbals is adorable, and her nimble-fingered father and brothers are a hoot! I loved the way the stuff just kept somehow showing up in their pockets, and how sharp-eyed Frodo was in spotting it. But I just about fell out laughing over the *blotter* of all things!! Frodo is definitely proving that he deserves his name: he is so very wise in the sentence he imposes, and in the advice he offers Greencap and Quince. You certainly have a knack with OCs--I think that this little family has already captured my heart in just one little chapter! I'm glad that there's another chapter to come--I really love these hobbits!
Author's reply
Frodo IS a quick study, I think, and once aware what was going on would be on the lookout; plus we are told he's a bit sharper in some things since he was wounded with the Morgul knife. Frodo was indeed properly named--few of us will dispute that. Thank you so for the compliment. I love trying to make my OCs realistic--or at least interesting. It is an honor, Ma'am.
French Pony · 23 August 2006 · Chapter 1: I
Frodo displays his finest side, a sober, compassionate face that gives justice, not vengeance. You can feel the wisdom and gravitas that he's acquired along the way, along with his intricate understanding of the Hobbits around him. Yet he also seems detached, as if he's already planning for the time when he'll leave them. I love Tribulation and the way she came by her name. She could have it much worse, of course. She could be a Puritan child, and a boy, and then she'd be saddled with something like "If-Christ-Had-Not-Died-For-Thee-Thou-Had'st-Been-Damned." I'm guessing a Down's child, yes?
Author's reply
Oh, the horror of possibly carrying such a monicker! Speak no words of such ill omen! (Tongue in cheek there, of course.) We know Frodo never expected to truly go home again, and I doubt there have been many times since he woke in Ithilien he's truly felt he'd have much time in the Shire if he were to return to it. He truly wants those around him all to contribute to the betterment of the world; and since the one good thing he knows of Greencap is his ability to tell fascinating stories to fire the imagination, he'll see him do it if he can; and he'll do what he can to see to it that this child will not sit hidden in the smial, or be exposed to general abuse due to her disability. My first teaching contract was in a state institution for the retarded, and there were several students in my class who were Downs Syndrome. I now have a client who has this condition as well. There are few more loving individuals I know than these folk, and they are often far more capable than one would begin to guess.
shirebound · 23 August 2006 · Chapter 1: I
"But I don’t understand as why ’tis ye’d wish me to be a’tellin’ stories on market days. It’s not what most would call proper work, after all." Frodo looked at him solemnly. "No, perhaps not proper work, but at least it’s something that allows you to give rather than take from others *** "Do you love her? Are you proud of her?" Guido’s voice in response was almost derisive. "Well, o’ course!" "Then let your own love for her be seen by all. Let all others know it; and if they realize you love and respect her, they’ll realize they should treat her well, also. Yes, some like Lotho Sackville-Baggins are cruel and will remain cruel toward such as she no matter what; but those whose opinions mean the most will respond as you show the way. And she has as much right to hear the stories as all the other children do." How wonderful, Larner. Frodo's sense of justice, and his ability to bring out the best in people, will elevate the entire Shire -- and its inhabitants to a new level. And I do love Tribbals already.
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo has accepted the role of the yeast, leavening the whole lump of dough, and will do his best to see as many as he can influence will be making things good for the Shire long after he's left it. And am so glad you like Tribbals. She reminds me of some of my past students and one of my current clients.