Kitty
· 18 October 2006
· Chapter 9: Words of Warning
Frodo made an interesting relation between the translation of Elvish and the wording of legal contracts. Hadn't thought much about it until now, but he is right - it was a good training for his ability to note all the nuances in the wording.
This conference was much needed, I think, to sensitise all lawyers to the problem, and Frodo did a very good job in explaining and leading this all in the right way. Loved the idea of Frodo representing Aragorn there, btw.
But I don't feel comfortable to know Lothario, of all people, is in the group to continue this. Well, at least Frodo did what he could and gave him Bartolo to oversee him a bit. Now I only wonder how much mischief Lothario got into before the invalid marriage contract for Beasty and Forsythia years later broke his neck.
Good to know Pal is at least not denying there is again a king at all, only because Aragorn was present when Pippin was in danger ;)
And Berni got to know first hand that Frodo truly isn't well and certainly not up to be his apprentice. I think he had to see it himself to believe it. Hopefully he will listen to Frodo and take Persivo instead.
Author's reply
I'm certain that as you've studied English it has helped you appreciate the complexity of your own language, just as my own study of Spanish has helped me with my better appreciation of English. Just a slight change of wording can so send the meaning of a sentence or phrase down a completely different path, after all.
In this case I do think that Aragorn would have wished for Frodo to represent him and the wider realm's interest in making certain language used in legal contracts is sufficiently precise it can't easily be twisted, although if your country's legalese is as strange as ours can be I find that it can be far too open to interpretation the more they try to pin it down to specific meanings.
Frodo's doing his best to make certain Lothario's facility with language is used to help attack the problem rather than adding to it; and I think that for once Bartolo is going to appreciate his son's insights into the problem as he sits on these committee meetings alongside his cousin.
It's getting harder and harder to disbelieve in there being a King; but Paladin is still at the moment invested in avoiding acceptance his beloved son was in grave danger out there.
And Berni by this time in his life and career knows the value of eye-witness evidence, and sees for himself Frodo isn't what he was before he left the Shire.
Queen Galadriel
· 17 October 2006
· Chapter 9: Words of Warning
Wow, I've actually finally managed to catch up! About time, considering how much it's grown since I looked last. Since I've read really fast every spare minute I had for the past two days, this review might be choppy and out of order.
I really love the way you show us different individuals, and especially Frodo, through the eyes of others so much in this story. Seeing someone from another characters perspective tells so much more than narrative, I think. You do it so naturally, especially when writing from Bob's perspective, that it really gives a fresh view to Frodo, Merry, Pippin and other familiar figures. I'd love to see Bob and Sam make one another's acquaintance. I have a feeling they'd get along very well.
Also I like that so much of the story is told through natural, everyday conversation, as if you'd listened, written what you heard, and then added the narrative necessary to make the rest clear. It's all so like the Shire, from Amanda's rather foolish gossip to the chatter at the party to the repeated rehashing of the events of the Time of Troubles. Just like Hobbits to tell a story over and over and over again till some listeners would go mad, and *still* not be tired of it.
And if Bartolo isn't one of the most contradictory Hobbits! What's the matter with him? He's as honest a lawyer as you could wish for, unless I'm very badly mistaken, but he certainly has his fair share of his families sour spirit. It seems sometimes as if he's arguing with himself, and it reminds me a little, in an odd way, of Smeagol. He hates Frodo, or says he does, tries to, and makes it disgustingly plain to everyone just how he claims to feel. And yet when Frodo is in distress what does he do? He's as solicitous as it's possible for him to be to someone whom he doesn't love deeply, even insisting that Frodo ought to eat and drink more. That comment about carrying Frodo to his grave made me want to take him by the collar and tell him a thing or two that would make his blood run cold and keep him from sleeping well for several weeks; and yet the next moment I could almost forgive him. Infuriating. I really hope, for his sake and everyone else's, that the good wins out and he learns a couple of lessons from Persivo. That one will make an excellent lawyer and reminds me very much of both Frodo and Brendi.
No wonder Frodo was touched by so many of the claims for reparations. That those ruffians would steal innocent children and beat a little girl's dog to death simply for doing what came naturally to it is so cruel.
Oh dear, they're all going to have their hands full with that Lothario. Too smooth and clever. Yes, Saruman must have appreciated him very much indeed, if he could appreciate a Hobbit at that point. Poor Alma.
Oh, and one more thing: I do hope poor Frodo learns not to fear loyal Lister and gets his really good laugh in the end! :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
So good to see you have time to read at last, and am looking forward to your next chapters.
I am so honored you find the conversation natural seeming and that it helps you with the flow of the story. And it is through the different points of view we come to know all our characters best and the story feels most fully told.
It will be a time before Sam and Bob meet, I fear; but I'm certain you're right that the two of them will enjoy one another thoroughly.
The Big Men were an occupying force, as Harrowcat notes in her review; that they would commit so many of the atrocities common to such forces seemed logical; and that extremes of coersive techniques would have been used at times also seemed probable. And such as Bill Ferny would never have thought twice about killing someone else's dog, I think.
There was a very specific reason why Bartolo wanted Bag End and why he resents it having gone back to Frodo, although that will only come out in time. But at heart he's a decent enough individual, but far, far too full of his own resentments. And right now the resentment is overwhelming everything else, although it doesn't stop him from recognizing Frodo's far from as strong as he puts out. And now he feels like Frodo railroaded him onto that committee in today's chapter. He is feeling so many contradictory things it's quite driving the poor Bracegirdle crazy, I think. But he truly loves his eldest, and wants the best for him.
Frodo knows his fear of dogs is irrational, and I'm certain he's trying to talk himself out of it as I do when I know I have to get a shot--just before I run out of the doctor's office in terror. Phobias are so stupid, but it doesn't stop them from bothering all of us.
Dreamflower
· 17 October 2006
· Chapter 9: Words of Warning
Very thorough and well-thought out! I like the process you have arranged in your Shire for the setting up of laws and regulations--that is, a consensus between those most concerned. It is only very slightly different than what I envision. I've no idea what JRRT actually imagined--he is tantalizingly close-mouthed about such things, except to indicate that hobbits of the Shire seem to barely *have* any government. But we know that even minimal government takes more work and effort than most people think. And actually, it probably takes more work than a dictatorship--a tyrant can simply declare what he wants, and punish those who don't agree, whereas in this sort of situation, the groundwork for agreement and compromise must be laid.
I am glad that Bernigard can see for himself that Frodo is not physically up to the offer he made; at least he won't be offended at Frodo's refusal.
It's interesting that Paladin is present as Thain, since this is during the time he's still in denial about what must have happened while the Travellers were gone. I wonder what he thought of some of these revelations, and how they would have affected his mindset. Yet, of course, he could not have missed so important a meeting, even if he'd wanted to.
Am I right in thinking that this is still fairly early after the return? Before Sam and Rosie marry? We've still a ways to go then, before Timono gets his just deserts...
Author's reply
You're very right that such a near anarchic state as the Shire enjoys does take more true thought than a dictatorship, and so they set up groups of the most interested to see to it that all is done as properly as possible; and it's likely a similar conference will be held in at most a year's time to agree on the new terms.
Berni recognizes Frodo's not as he was, and he's gone from fifty-looking-like-a-newly-minted-adult to fifty-one looking much older than his years in just over a year's time.
This conference was the last act of business Frodo saw to before Sam's wedding, so it will be a time yet before Lothario gets his just desserts--too long, perhaps, considering how he always lets others set the way and he just follows it and so is able to appear to be just a follower and so is able to avoid the full consequences due him.
No one in the Shire can disagree on what Lotho and his Big Men accomplished in the year and a month the Travellers were gone; the Ents Pippin mentions could be an army of Men as far as most are concerned; and it's easier to think of the King mentioning Shire law positively than accepting that before that could happen there was an Enemy to defeat who was doing all he could to get his hands on Frodo and his companions. Paladin just doesn't find a great deal to disbelieve in letters from King and Steward that are focused primarily on what Lotho and his group did to pervert the law. This is something Paladin can understand, and he doesn't have to believe his son was in the hands of Uruk-hai being orc-dragged across Anorien and Rohan in order to do so.
Anyway, thanks for the feedback!
Could Lothario be more obnoxious? He really is a crafty, devious so-and-so and I'm glad Perviso has his measure. He sounds a good and sensible lad who will be a good lawyer one day. So glad Frodo recognises just what sort Lothario is - the sort of lawyer intended in Shakespeare's Henry VI when Jack Cade yells 'First thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers!'
Author's reply
Yes, one who hides behind only following through on other folks' intentions but in doing so seeking to see to it his own agenda is fulfilled and his pockets filled. Cade would be right in seeking to get rid of Lothario, I think.
And Persivo has Baggins integrity as well as the better sort of Bracegirdle directness to him, plus the integrity his father and cousin Benlo exhibit.
SurgicalSteel
· 17 October 2006
· Chapter 8: Legal Considerations
Another great chapter - lots of lovely intrigue.
Interesting that Bartolo and Frodo seem to have reached the same conclusions about one another - that they'll never be friends but they know the other to be an honorable person.
That Lothario deserves something nasty to happen to him, though.
Author's reply
No, never the friendship that ought to have grown between Bartolo and Frodo. But sometimes mutual respect is even more important.
As for Lothario--it will be a while, but he'll get his. He's still being to cagey at this point.
French Pony
· 16 October 2006
· Chapter 8: Legal Considerations
Give us decent meals and spoke to all of us as if we all mattered.
That's probably the kindest thing Frodo's done all throughout this story. He's been very good and conscientious about tracking down people's legal troubles, but what really shows off his strength of character is the way he treated that nice family.
Author's reply
It's an old saying that it is in treating those who mean least to you that you show your true quality, and I think Frodo's was of the highest. He even accepted the dreaded dog for their sake, faced his fear of such creatures, accepting that this was one fear he should truly leave behind him.
Thank you, French Pony. I appreciate the reviews.
Andrea
· 16 October 2006
· Chapter 8: Legal Considerations
"It appears the lad is as honorable as his father."
Bard was surprised. "Bartolo Bracegirdle? Honorable? Since when?"
Wow! What a hobbit!
Frodo does very well know that Bartolo dislikes him. But for him that has nothing to do with Bartolo's skills as a lawyer. With the help of Bernigard Persivo Bracegirdle will be a skilled and just lawyer someday.
But, in my eyes the most honorable hobbit in all of the Shire is Frodo Baggins :)
Once again, he deeply impressed me.
Author's reply
Frodo recognizes true honor and respectability when he sees it, and is, as you point out, probably the most honorable Hobbit around. And in part because Frodo recognizes that honor and integrity in Persivo as well as his father, he helps make certain both become even more his vision of them.
Thanks so for the feedback.
Kitty
· 16 October 2006
· Chapter 8: Legal Considerations
Another chapter I've greatly enjoyed. Frodo trying to evade the questions of his cousins about Boboli and to distract with Pippin's clothes was so typical. Besides, he managed to make Sam's status as a friend and brother very clear, and somehow I have the feeling Bard was able to piece more deatils together than Frodo had intended.
But what I most enjoyed was the way how Lothario fared. Bartolo's eldest acted very clever, even if it in the end wasn't needed, because Frodo caught the questionable clauses all by himself. What a fun to have him questioning Gammer Alma to reveal the way this new will was written and then sending Lothario away without success! Well, serves him right for underestimating Frodo so badly. And I don't begrudge Lothario even *one* coin he had to spent for this trip on lodging and all that for his relatives. Only a pity it wasn't more *evil grin*
And I am glad they are reviewing if there are more wills presented by Lothario who might be used to cheat people in this way.
Interesting idea to offer Frodo an apprenticeship with a lawyer, even if he is rather old for it and - what few know, of course - not healthy enough. But I think if Persivo is being offered this apprenticeship, it will be for the best - for Bartolo, Persivo himself and for the Shire. The boy is so intelligent, clever and perceptive and will make a great lawyer, I am sure.
The meeting of the lawyers sounds to be interesting, too. It's a good idea to have all of them alerted to the way how so many contracts and wills were twisted to get an unfair advantage over someone, and that even now there are some certain people who still try to do it.
Author's reply
Having everyone always worried about him and poking their noses into his business, even when the ones doing the poking are his beloved cousins, can and will get tiresome in the end, and I think Frodo would be trying not to distract Sam from his upcoming marriage by bringing to mind responsibilities outside the Shire at this time.
Bard is realizing how much Frodo feels he owes to Sam, and how close they are as brothers of the heart. This will help the rest of the Shire accept Sam inheriting Bag End and being considered as Mayor for the Shire, I think.
Persivo has inherited both the integrity his father shows and that common to the Bagginses; and to see someone taking advantage of his great grandmother I would think would make the lad livid--it would me, I know. And to see Lothario brought up short by true Baggins intelligence is satisfying to all of is, I think. Yes, he deserved to spend more than he did on this trip.
Had a friend who when he found someone who appeared to be skilled at his specialty would go out of his way to try to teach them more. He's a truly dear man, and spent a good deal of time communicating with me during my graduate studies.
And the lawyers of the Shire will made aware that inequitable contracts will not be tolerated and made part of the process of insuring such problems don't happen again.
harrowcat
· 16 October 2006
· Chapter 8: Legal Considerations
A chapter worth the waiting for Larner. Full of intrigue and just desserts! Love to see that Persivo is going to get such a great opportunity and that Sam is being acknowledged in his rightful place alongside Frodo.
Author's reply
Real life hit this last week. Have spent an odd week trying to help a client prepare for an inspection of quarters, and feel very disheartened about it all. Although my hens finally once again have a rooster to keep them company, for the client's mother gave me a barred rock rooster to augment my tiny flock. Maybe I'll be able to have some chicks hatch out this year. Need now to go out to the chicken house and remove any excess eggs they have hidden out there.
And Lothario's machinations are leading him to full investigation, although it will be several years before he finally gets his proper just desserts.
Persivo deserves good training, and the Shire is beginning to realize there is more to Sam Gamgee than just a gardener, and more to the relationship between Frodo and Sam than just master/servant.
Hope all is going well with you and your family.
Elemmírë
· 16 October 2006
· Chapter 8: Legal Considerations
Another great chapter Larner!
I really love all the details that just add so much to any tale, like using a sheepskin so Pippin won't ruin his finely embroidered tabbard (Very wise decision, Pippin); the Ranger escort outside of Bree; Mina's thoughtful breakfast for Frodo (although what's a pullet egg?), etc.
I continue to really enjoy this story. It's turning out to be another fine addition to the world within the Professor's world that you've created. I like reading all of the different viewpoints you come up with from characters that ineracted with Frodo at some point in his life ie: the Hedges, the Whitfoots, various Tooks, Bracegirdles, etc. It gives even more life to an already incredible saga.
~Elemmírë~
Author's reply
Sheepskin vests are fairly commonly used around my area by hikers and so on because of their warmth and versatility. That such would prove useful to someone like Pippin seemed likely.
A pullet is a young hen, and their eggs tend to be smaller than they will lay once they are fully adult. I would think that considering all the devastation wrought in the Shire by the ruffians many of the hens they have laying at this time would be young ones, hens who were either not hatched or too small during the Time of Troubles to eat; most of these would now just be beginning to lay eggs. We kids used to love the pullet eggs and the ones laid by our bantam chickens when we were growing up, as they were just the right size for youngsters.
've written the Ranger escort for those traveling between the Shire and Bree into other stories, most notably in "The Ties of Family," where Narcissa in telling Frodo about how her father used to have such an escort when he was going into Bree to sell part of his vegetable crop to the proprietors of the Prancing Pony usually found himself with such an escort, and how he loved it when the Ranger Strider would shadow him as that particular Ranger would often sing as he rode and he loved it; and how he heard a story told by Strider one evening at the Prancing Pony (remember how Barliman Butterbur indicated in FOTR that Strider could truly tell a tale from time to time? Had to play with that one).
And I'm glad you appreciate seeing things from different points of view. That I've indeed managed to give the story more depth is encouraging.
Thank you.
Dreamflower
· 15 October 2006
· Chapter 8: Legal Considerations
What a wonderful chapter, full of intrigue! Lothario thinking to put one over on a "clueless" substitute mayor (Hah!); Persivo glad to give the warning; Frodo, as astute as ever in catching out the truth.
I was a little surprised about the offer to make Frodo an apprentice lawyer! But only because of his age--after all, it would be highly unusual for a hobbit of 51 to take a position that normally goes to a tween! But on seeing the reasoning behind it, it made perfect sense, as did Frodo taking on the Mayor's duties for good--all except for the fact that Frodo himself knows he would not have the physical endurance for it. His conversation with Bard was perhaps a bit more revealing than he meant it to be--but I think that Bard is beginning to understand.
I liked the way Frodo repeated more than once the part about Sam "letting" him do something--it most certainly goes to prove that Sam is no longer Frodo's servant, but is instead an equal partner in their household. And now Bard at least, will understand that there is good reason for that.
And Frodo is once more seeing to the future of a young hobbit--this one more like him in nature than would be expected by his surname!
Author's reply
Yes, Lothario is good at underestimating others. Frodo is anything but clueless; it seems to me the months of traveling with the Ring awake and on the attack for so long would make Frodo more likely to recognize attempts at subterfuge in such creatures as Lothario. And in watching Aragorn as King Frodo has learned how to question effectively to bring out the truth indeed.
I agree about the oddity of offering to take Frodo at his age as an apprentice; but when one such as Bernigard hears of such astute awareness as Frodo shows and realizes this one truly appreciates how law could be perverted just by playing with wording I think he wants what he sees as the future proper Mayor truly to be prepared.
Bard's been learning that Frodo's less capable physically than he should be, and this is simply Frodo admitting what he realizes Bard already has recognized. And Frodo wants folks to appreciate Sam isn't a servant but a brother--a full brother of the heart, and thus the equality between them.
And yes, Frodo's seeing to it a young Hobbit will reach his full potential.
So glad you appreciated it all.
Andrea
· 14 October 2006
· Chapter 7: Small Revelations
Merry made a face. "Phht--he’ll not say a word and you know it. He’ll not allow anyone else to know about it or admit anything about it if I know my Frodo--and you know I do, Pip."
My Frodo! That's great, Larner! Of all the three hobbits who went with Frodo, Merry is the one who knows him best (and longest)!
And I must say I really like young Persivo! There's a lot of Baggins blood in him, what can be seen not only in his features but also in his actions.
Bartolo should allow him to be apprenticed at the Great Smials, for his and his son's sake. It's obvious that those two have difficulties in learning from each other. A little distance would help, I'd say. And I speak from experience! I love my father very much, but working together with him sometimes was a little bit difficult ;-)
Author's reply
Yes, Merry knows Frodo is his, after all. And he knows his Frodo.
Yes, there's a good deal of Baggins in Persivo, and especially the Baggins intelligence and ability to analyze things.
And I do believe that Bartolo's strongly tempted to accept the offer of apprenticeship at the Great Smial for his son--at least he knows his son will come into the full profession with the best preparation and education available behind him. Bartolo has his own share of Bracegirdle ambition to him, at least, although he's more interested in seeing it fulfilled in his son than in himself.
And having seen the Kid and my late husband together, I KNOW how difficult it can be for fathers and sons to work together easily.
Bodkin
· 14 October 2006
· Chapter 7: Small Revelations
Fathering a son who has a definite resemblance to his Baggins cousin - what an irony! Bartolo will just have to accustom himself to nobility of character. I'm glad to see he has a soft centre under his grouchy exterior.
Author's reply
Yes, definitely ironic here, that he loves in his son what he finds impossible to take in Frodo. And even the most acerbic of folk have a soft center, I've found. Glad you are glad to see it in Bartolo.
Linda Hoyland
· 13 October 2006
· Chapter 7: Small Revelations
What a lovely idea that eagles could visit Frodo.(sorry I had 2 windows open and have reviewed your stories the wrong way round)
Author's reply
Well, this is the one that got a bit out of place, but believe me I don't mind. I'm just glad you enjoyed the story this much.
Linda Hoyland
· 13 October 2006
· Chapter 7: Small Revelations
I imagine the hobbits would gradually appreciate the changes.Merry and Pippin must cause quite a stir.
Author's reply
To see other Hobbits looming over him at the four and a half feet Tolkien indicates in his letters Merry and Pippin reached, I think that Boboli would have felt very surprised. At least he finds they are threatening only to those who threaten the Shire in their own right.
And now at last Boboli has the chance to head home.
White Gull
· 12 October 2006
· Chapter 7: Small Revelations
This is a great story. It's so nice to find another author who loves hobbits!
Author's reply
So glad you enjoy it, White Gull. Yes, I love Hobbits; but I also am very devoted to Aragorn, and so a couple focus on him. But so far there have been Hobbits in all of them, even if just seen from afar.
Linda Hoyland
· 10 October 2006
· Chapter 5: Finding Lord Iorhael
An enjoyable chapter, I especially liked Frodo's descrition of Aragorn.
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo's love for Aragorn would be on-going ever, I'd think. His friend, their King--in that order; terrifying and teasing by turns.
SurgicalSteel
· 10 October 2006
· Chapter 7: Small Revelations
You've certainly done a nice job of making Bartolo quite real and likeable. It'll be interesting to see what Lothario's up to with the wills.
Author's reply
Rather like Whitley on "It's a Different World," most folk who are almost totally obnoxious do have a good side--it's just that you often have to dig to find it. Bartolo is extraordinarily acerbic to those he doesn't quite like, particularly Frodo; but he did win a Baggins lady after all. There must be something likeable about him!
And Lothario's a very different piece of work who so far manages to keep out of trouble only because he's so definitely a follower.
French Pony
· 10 October 2006
· Chapter 7: Small Revelations
I think there's a little bit at the very end that was supposed to go in a few pages above: "May--may I talk to you," his father corrected him. "Yes, son--come in." He located Gammer Alma’s file, found the last will, and laid it on his desk while replacing the rest in the drawer where he kept his clients’ files. Once the drawer was locked again he sat down and faced his son expectantly.
That bit.
You have done a marvelous job of humanizing a lawyer. Not an easy task! I like that, even though Bartolo doesn't especially like Frodo, you've made him a real, rounded, somewhat sympathetic person. He's just a guy who's had problems of his own, but takes good care of his family. Even if he and Percivo don't always get along, you can tell that they have a certain respect for each other at all times.
Merry and Pippin will be very interesting neighbors for the Hedgeses.
Author's reply
For some reason taking my files between the newer laptop and this desktop for transmission purposes is proving to be a real pain in the patoot. With my old Toshiba laptop taking special characters from the characters map would make them the same size font as the rest of the text; in this one it makes them 13 point instead of 12 or 14 or whatever, which if not caught right away will cause text to manhandle itself once the text editor for the site is involved. And on occasion it will do the same when I go from plain text to italics, which appears to have happened this time. It looked fine in the text editor, but then I got called away before I finished using the preview feature. And so it took out the one paragraph it somehow convinced itself had font size change in it and moved it to the end, for some odd reason leaving everything from that point on in italics! GRRRRRR!
And am so glad I obviously managed to do with Bartolo what I wished to accomplish with him. He is doing his best to be the type of guy whom his wife and children will always respect; but he can't help it he has the emotional appearance of a true git when he's dealing with most folk.
And as often happens with sons approaching adulthood, father and son are finding they just clash WAY too much!
So glad you enjoyed this one.
Kitty
· 10 October 2006
· Chapter 7: Small Revelations
Delphie is good for Bartolo, no doubt. Loved the comparison to the hedgehogs :D And it is not so far from the mark, I suppose, considering how 'contrary' he is feeling, wanting to take Delphie with him mainly because he thinks Frodo wouldn't be happy with the decision.
it’s a wonder he doesn’t insist that the Sun was shining at night and the stars a-gleaming in the daytime *giggle* Nice way to put it. You know, I fear Pip is only too right here!
Merry is knowing not only Frodo, but the rangers, too, quite well to be able to guess so correctly their reactions. Well, I'm somehow pleased the both of them learned something of the matter this way. And I'd love to see Merry and Pippin visiting with Boboli and his family.
Persivo seems to be a nice, sensible and perceptive lad, and I am sure he will become a very good lawyer. Maybe he will even be able to convince his father how important it can be to ponder *future* consequences of certain wordings in wills and the like. There is the example of Gammer Alma, after all ...
Had to grin about Bartolo permanently correcting the grammar of his son, though Persivo is probably not too happy about it. But sometimes I could have use for Bartolo to write my reviews ;)
Author's reply
Oh, yes, as I've noted in other stories, marrying Delphinium Baggins was the making of Bartolo Bracegirdle, who may have a difficult time dealing with the personalities of most Bagginses but is still so besotted with her he'll do anything to keep her love and respect. But Frodo just rubs him the wrong way!
Have a friend very like Bartolo, and this was precisely how our mutual friend Annie described her, only she used the comparison of a porcupine. Felt hedgehogs were a better and more appropriate reference for Delphie to use.
Pippin and Merry have become pretty good at predicting how certain folk will or must have reacted, among them folk like Faradir, Paladin, and (of course) Frodo.
Once he fully appreciates just how the contract wordings Lotho and Timono were devising and presenting was used to cheat so many out of their property and their money, Bartolo may very well finally begin to appreciate just how the mixture of intelligence AND personal integrity AND compassion he finds frustrating in his son is important to keep something like the Time of Troubles from happening again. And Bartolo doesn't want his son to sound as if he just came from a rather obscure village somewhere--he wants him to sound like SOMEBODY. I suspect he himself has forced himself to learn to speak properly in the past by paying attention to how Delphie uses grammar. Now he's trying to do the same for his son, whom he wishes perceived by the Shire at large as an educated Hobbit.
Dreamflower
· 10 October 2006
· Chapter 7: Small Revelations
This is going to be very interesting.
I'm very glad that Merry and Pippin will know about the new tenant--even though Frodo won't tell them. But they've their own ways of keeping up with their beloved cousin even now, and Merry was observant and shrewd enough to guess at anything he wasn't told.
Hmm...Bartolo's taking the family along, eh? And he older son is rather a kindred spirit to Frodo. That should make for some very interesting dynamics.
By the way--the italics seemed to have messed up your formatting, placing a paragraph at the end that looks to have been intended for the middle. *sigh* happens to me *all* the time...
Author's reply
I'm not the only one to find the text editor on this site likes at times to move some paragraphs to the end, eh? My first few attempts to post the first few chapters of "Stirring Rings" required me to do some serious work with the site text editor before hand to make certain it didn't interpret the italics as text size changes or whatever it does and move what it sees as offending paragraphs to the end. I HATE this feature, and wish the new laptop were not so contrary when it deals with text itself.
Merry and Pippin are getting pretty good at anticipating what Frodo may do; and they at least will not be totally in the dark in the future.
Not only does Bartolo hate to disappoint his beloved wife--he hopes in one way or another to thumb his nose at Frodo and his insistence on oaths of secrecy.
Thanks to you, French Pony, and Harrowcat on the heads up on the text--I was called away before I was able to finish with the previewing, so I ended up just publishing it without truly going through all the text.
harrowcat
· 10 October 2006
· Chapter 7: Small Revelations
Oops Larner your editing/formatting has got all mixed up in the second half of this!
A Bracegirdle he might be but Bartolo is a good-hearted family man with a very special wife and family, especially his eldest! The Baggins name might be in decline but the Baggins blood is flourishing! Sounds like young Persivo is going to be a real asset to the whole Shire.
Author's reply
Yes, the formatting feature on the site transposed paragraphs, and I hadn't finished the previewing to see it had been done before I hit "publish." I hate when this happens. Thanks.
Bartolo is intent on seeing to it he remains respectable, and truly loves the son he can't quite understand.
And indeed Baggins blood continues to enrich the Shire in spite of everything.
So glad you like it.
Dreamflower
· 9 October 2006
· Chapter 6: The Bracegirdle Lawyer
Those Bracegirdles. Those hard-headed, grasping, rude and self-centered Bracegirdles. While at least Bartolo's honest, he certainly hasn't been gifted with any other virtues I can see. But his complacency's at least been shaken. And he had better watch his tongue about Frodo when he meets with Lord Halladan's representative.
I did like the encounter, though. I liked seeing Frodo being every bit as stubborn as ever, and getting the best of Bracegirdle, in spite of his physical weakness.
And now, of course, Bartolo can't talk about anything that was said--how annoying not to be able to gossip or use any of what Frodo said as ammunition.
Author's reply
Yes, those rude Bracegirdles. And LOVE your perception that now he's been sworn to secrecy Bartolo can't gossup about what he knows. That indeed has to hurt the most for him.
Thanks!
French Pony
· 8 October 2006
· Chapter 6: The Bracegirdle Lawyer
Having just got back from my Scottish dance class, I had to giggle at the title of this chapter. It sounds a little like the sort of name that those dances tend to have.
It's an interesting question of legal matters within the Shire and without. I always had the impression that the Shire, for all that its government seemed about a half-step up from anarchy, was the most legally complex society in Middle-earth. Which makes you wonder. . . where are the Shire law schools? How do Hobbit lawyers learn their craft? And then, making contracts with Arnor. . . that's a land that basically hasn't had much government of any sort for centuries. Who knows what the contract law is there? A thorny problem that Aragorn will have to work out before long.
Author's reply
Yes, that would get one giggling. Never did any Scottish dancing. Have done some Elizabethan and German and Israali dances--had a roommate who was into it back in my college years, and as she was Jewish her dance group did several traditional Jewish dances as well as others.
I envision a sort of apprenticeship situation for legal work within the Shire; but much of that is described in today's chapter. As for Arnor--they may have been reduced to a number of far-flung villages in order to keep from too many important folk possibly being killed in case of an attack, but I suspect that the traditions of Numenorean legality were carefully preserved in some families in the hopes one day Arnor would be reconstructed and the King properly returned; and I suspect that in the last generation more folk have been preparing for that eventuality, now that Aragorn had become chieftain and it looked as if it were possible that the prophecies at last would be met.
But it's most likely that now that North and South are united, most of the Arnorian legal system will be revamped to meet Gondorian standards, with some changes to the Gondorian system where Aragorn feels the southern writ would be to strict or out of whack with what he sees as fair.
At least we get to play with the ideas of how such things are done in our fanfict, don't we?
Antane
· 7 October 2006
· Chapter 6: The Bracegirdle Lawyer
I want to slap that Bracegriddle for being so rude to our Frodo - how dare he! And our dear remaining calm and polite, a real gentlehobbit in the face of all that abuse.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
It's just difficult for a pure Bracegirdle to be pleasant, I suspect. And he does resent Frodo for coming back and getting Bag End back again.
And Frodo is as much, in his way, the representation of his own personality, refusing to let others see what he's been through or done; and he does manage to make a few jabs of his own, as subtle as only a Baggins with strong Took leanings could be.
But Bartolo does have a good side, you'll find.