Redheredh
· 29 November 2008
· Chapter 7: Epilogue
This comment is unjustly delayed, but finally made.
I really like Bilbo, however tend to read only stories of elves. I took notice of this story precisely because it was your first foray into the Shire and about my favorite hobbit. I am so glad I read it. Very entertaining and humourous, without losing realism. There was a slightly Dickensian air about it. :) At least, I thought so. Which made it quite a enjoyable tale.
Please, won't you try your hand at Bilbo's history again sometime?
Author's reply
There's nothing wrong with delayed comments, as long as they still arrive somewhen. ;)
I love Bilbo a great deal, too, and I'm glad you liked the story. I'll try my hand on him again, when inspiration hits. I'm known to write across all Ages, all genres and all Middle-earth species, after all. *g*
Oh, and being compared with Dickens? Is a great compliment. I've hunted the city for years to find Nicholas Nickleby in English original.
nancylea57
· 2 November 2008
· Chapter 7: Epilogue
as a first foray into hobbits and hobbitton soceity, i can only say please stay and play a long long time because you add to the sunshine and laughter in the neighborhood.
Author's reply
Thank you! :)
Admittedly, writing such light-hearted stuff isn't exactly my forte, but it was great fun, and if the muse cooperates, perhaps I'll return to the Shire again.
nancylea57
· 2 November 2008
· Chapter 6: The Invitation
once again them s-baggins and two feelings: GO Bifur!!!!!!
love your isengard wonderful take on a returned hobbit, leaves us room to find our frodo later.
just one barely worth mentioning problem and i had to check myself.
Master Gorbadoc didn’t want him to become a child bride.
gorbadoc won't want HER to be a child bride.
i had to check because i could remember if gorb was his or her relative, it could have needed to be gorb didn't want him to take a child bride.
but only barely worth mentioning because the story is fantastic fun.
Author's reply
Thanks for pointing out the typo. It's fixed now. Gla dyou like the story. ;)
nancylea57
· 2 November 2008
· Chapter 5: Mayor's Orders
i didn't know that using the see all chapters was keeping me from being able to review on this site, lived and learned cause i have to comment here:
the very idea of biblo letting the sackville- baggins examine his "private" area leave two conflicting thoughts, hahhahhahhah, and don't let them get too close!!!!!!!
Funny but i always cheered the thought of flo from alice having a tattoo of grits is the same region,,,,"kiss my grits" indeed.
Author's reply
Bilbo has definitely learned a great deal during his adventure; among other things how to deal with dragons, lol!
Larner
· 2 November 2008
· Chapter 5: Mayor's Orders
I so love the inclusion of Isengar Took in all this, and that he was the original Mad Hobbit! How typical!
As for the trefoil birthmark being the sign of the offspring of the Old Took--that's so marvelous, as is the hint of where it is to be found on Bilbo. What a perfect means of embarrassing Lobelia and Camellia in front of the whole Shire!
Perfect!
Thanks so for the laughs so far. Need now to finish the last two chapters so I can comment on them, too.
Author's reply
Thanks. :))
I was looking up Hobbit biographies on "The Thain's Book" website, and that's how I came across Isengar. Now he's firmly nested in the corner of my room and won't go away, I fear.
And Lobelia will have an even worse embarrassment in the next chapter, don't worry. That will be a day she'll never forget. *evil cackle*
I love the title! Yes, kin-strive among Hobbits does take quite a different form than that among Men or Elves! And it's capable of being quite funny, as well as grounds for humor! Oh, but I love this.
Doro has his work cut out for him, after all. And his father and the Old Farm sound wonderful! I don't remember hints of the place, so will have to look again for it in UT.
By the way, what is the herb you indicate the Elf-root is like? I'm rather racking my brain trying to figure out what it is in English, and my German dictionary, which is the only one I have for eastern Europe, isn't complete enough to give me any idea.
Author's reply
Elf-root is not a herb - it's a vegetable. And a dictionary won't help you, because I've made up the name. ;)
The Old Farm is mentioned in the Scouring of the Shire, actually. We don't learn anything else about it than it was turned into a workshop of some sort.
Celeritas
· 1 November 2008
· Chapter 7: Epilogue
I've been following this fic on and off for while it's been up, so I thought I'd leave a brief fic-wide review on the last chapter.
Your portrayal of Shire hobbits in general was just different enough to make it entertaining. The grasp on the genealogical obsession was just perfect, plus blond!Drogo and the incorporation of the strange idea that somehow white asparagus is more posh than green, and Isengar Took and his dwarvish insight were all excellent.
In short, lots of little things throughout the tale piqued me enough to get thoroughly delighted.
And no need to worry about multichapter fics being spawned from innocent discussions about foodstuffs. I believe it, or something like it, is something every author has faced at some point.
Author's reply
I'm very glad that you liked the story, and thanks for the feedback. I must admit I was a little nervous, as I've never written a Hobbit story before - partly because the whole family tree thing is so confusing - but I'm happy that people find it adequate. Perhaps one day I'll have a reunion with Isengar Took... I'vee grown quite fond of him. If I only hadn't so many unfinished WIPs!
Kitt Otter
· 1 November 2008
· Chapter 7: Epilogue
Fun ending! I feel for Gandalf... oh, Hobbit names. Owe.
I love this description of Balin's voice: "it was a very pleasant sound, the voice of someone who laughed a lot, despite everything fate might throw into his face."
I never ate asparagus, actually. I think now I shall try to. They sound delectable, though it will be hard not to think of Lobelia's remark... *g*
Thanks for such a fun story!
Kitt
Author's reply
Oh, the dangers of being exposed to the meanderings of a dirty mind! *nodnod*
But you really ought to try asparagus. It's the food of the gods... or, at the very least, that of the Great Elves. It's a crying shame that the season is so short.
Balin I fell in love whit at the moment he came in, hung his scarlet hood on the peg and asked Bilbo for beer - or was it ale? I never stopped loving him. I was literally crying when I learned his fate in LOTR. Which is why I decided to write "The Book of Mazarbul", even though, eight chapters into the story (although only two posted yet) he still has to make his grand entree.
I'm glad you liked the story. And thanks for taking the time to review. The muse sends you happy thoughts.
Dreamflower
· 1 November 2008
· Chapter 7: Epilogue
Aw...that was a cute Epilogue! I loved Holman's gossip with Gandalf and Balin, and the way he went on and on with Bilbo's family tree and the news of Drogo's impending marriage. And a nice bit of foreshadowing about the Ring...
This was a delightful tale, Soledad, and I do hope that you get another hobbit-bunny sometime, because you write them very well!
Author's reply
Thanks! :))
It seemed somehow right to close the story with Holman and with Balin's visit, which, after all, is a canon event. I'm glad you liked my first foray into the Shire. From a devoted Hobbit writer like you, it comes close to knighting. *g*
And thanks for taking the time to review, it means so much to me to know that people enjoy my work.
As for more Hobbit stories, look out for "Errantries", somewhen in the next Age or so, featuring all those errant Tooks.
Kitt Otter
· 31 October 2008
· Chapter 6: The Invitation
Loved this chapter – full of surprises and some of my favorite Dwarves, not to mention Isengar. His life would be very interesting to read about, as would Hildifons’. Bifur a female??? Wonderful; I think I shall always recall that when I read the Hobbit.
All the descriptions of those dishes had my mouth watering. I agree with Bilbo on that one cannot have too many mushrooms. *sigh* Tonight I’m just going to have to settle for candybars.
So, that is the Elf-root! Why… what a dirty mind Lobelia has! She needed that smacking of Bifur’s. (Ha!)
I love that Isengar lived with the Falathrim, since I am quite fond of him and Círdan. Lovely foreshadowing of Bilbo's eventual journey to the sea.
-Kitt :)
Author's reply
Well, I don't think that Bifur was canonically a female, but I liked the idea that s/he'd managed to fool everyone, including Bilbo. *g*
As I said, I might one day write the stories of all those errant Tooks - I've just discovered a rejected one in Rateliff's "The History of The Hobbit" who also has promises. Just don't ask for a deadline... I'm looking forward to some exhausting RL issues right now.
Yep, that's the Elf-root. As said, the whole story grew out of a LJ discussion about asparagus. I just never thought it would take me six chapters to actually introduce the poor vegetable. ;))
Thanks for the feedback, it's much appreciated.
So many new chapters – nice!
Oh my… Bilbo obviously is in a strait. I mean, checking Lobelia’s bodice! But I believe it.
I like that idea for naming the inns. My head is swimming - so many hobbit names. If you can keep them straight I congratulate you. I liked seeing Isengar Took, a very interesting though queer hobbit.
*coughing and laughing* Yeees, that proof would have been a bit indecent to any decent hobbit. Very clever of Doro's father! Unfortunately, the S-Bs won't give up that easily.
Author's reply
Yeah, I know all those Hobit genealogies can confuse the living daylight out of a person. I just couldn't resist the urge to let old Missus Crabtree boast about her family. *is feeling guilty*
I think one day - perhaps when I'm retired and in a home - I'll write Isengar's story, too. Perhaps in a series titled "Errantries", discussing the tale of all queer Tooks that have fallen under Gandalf's dreadful influence. ;)
Dreamflower
· 30 October 2008
· Chapter 6: The Invitation
LOL! So Bifur was a female, eh? And if any vegetable could be an Elven sort of vegetable, it would be the delicious asparagus!
But the funniest thing of all was Lobelia getting smacked down for her dirty mind! I loved that!
I eagerly await more!
Author's reply
If any from Thorin's company was female, it would have been Bifur, I think. S/he came over as a very... caring Dwarf for me. And if anyone could smack down Lobelia, it would be a Dwarf-dam, I think.
Actually, this whole story was inspired by the recent asparagus season. We had a talk on LJ about asparagus, about who likes it and who doesn't, and what a back-breaking work it is to grow it, and how many ways there are to prepare it... that sort of it. Then someone asked whether Hobbits would like it, and before I knew what was happening with me, I was knee-deep in the story.
One more part to go, and then we're done.
phyloxena
· 30 October 2008
· Chapter 6: The Invitation
Very funny, and very clever and consistent. I am not sure I understand why Mad Took talks in somewhat folksy manner -- isn't he a gentlehobbit? Or is he so eccentric he even talks out of his class?
Author's reply
The Mad Took had been living in some sort of exile since his return, as nobody wanted to have to do anything with such an irresponsible adventurer. I think he just got a bit rustic in all his loneliness. Happens to the best, when they hadn't have to talk with anyone else but the sheep or so for a while. *g*
phyloxena
· 29 October 2008
· Chapter 5: Mayor's Orders
"Of course,” he said. “There’s what right and there’s what’s wrong; and what’s right must be protected. But there are also things that are done and those that are not done among respectable Hobbits – you should never mistake those two things for right and wrong, son.”
This is brilliant. So very English and so very Hobbit.
The whole story sounds very true to Middle-Earth and "realistic" (as far as realism of made-up world can go), a little heavy, a little insider-ish, like hobbit family trees which they reportedly remembered to great detail and could relay any time. Thank you.
Author's reply
Thank you. :)
The Hobbit family trees nearly drove me mad - it took me weeks to figure out who's related to whom and where my original characters could be put. But if one wants to write convincing Hobbitfic, one needs to do those things.
As enjoyable as this little foray into Hobbit society was, I'm glad I've finished the story. All those little things that needed to be considered - from genealogy to speech patterns and proper primness - tended to gave me a headache. *g*
The last two parts will be posted shortly.
Dreamflower
· 29 October 2008
· Chapter 5: Mayor's Orders
Bwahahahahaha! Oh, I love it! Bilbo's birthmark and its location! That was just too clever for words, dear! And Mayor Doro is a very clever young hobbit as well!
Interesting to see the various reactions to Bilbo now. I imagine that this will be the beginning of Bilbo spending much more time among the Tooks and the Brandybucks.
And I am still very curious indeed about the "Elf-root"!
Author's reply
I must admit that I was very troubled about how to resolve the legal debate. Thankfully, the idea came up, and since this is supposed to be a more light-hearted story than than what I usually write, I greatly enjoyed making it as hilarious as possible.
Elf-root is going to make its grand entree in the next chapter.
Ah, I had to go out today *right after* I found this chapter up! All day I kept wondering about it.
I love your title for the chapter--it sets it firmly in the wider Middle-earth in which the Shire belongs--however much the Shire would deny it! I also love the various desciptions of the outrage being felt by various and sundry hobbits. My favorite was this:
But Missus Ruby was the sister of Rudibert Bolger, whose wife, Amethyst, in her turn, was the older sister of Albus’ wife Amelinda, thus they had no other choice than listen to Missus Ruby’s complaints.
About Bilbo’s irresponsible actions and how they would cast an unfavourable light at all Bagginses. About Longo’s greed and ruthless behaviour and how it would cast an unfavourable light at all Bagginses. About Camellia’s ridiculous accusations and how the scandal they had caused would cast an unfortunate light at all Bagginses. About her own husband, Fosco, who kept visiting with ‘that mad Baggins’, not caring about what people might say about such associations. About her elder son, Drogo, who kept sneaking out of the smial to see Bilbo, no matter how often she’d told him that Bilbo wasn’t the right company for him. And so on…
LOL! So very hobbity! I also loved the references to Lalia! And the way that the working-class hobbits of the Shire are firmly on Bilbo's side, even if they don't approve.
Definitely worth the wait!
Author's reply
Hobbit family connections can confuse one out of one's mind, can't they? I'm glad that you enjoyed the new chapter nonetheless. I had great fun with Missus Ruby's outrage - she's just so frigging proper, I thought she'd have been the one most honestly upset. She wasn't disappointed because of the fine tea service she had to give back, she was upset because of the scandal, and that is, at the very least, an honest thing.
As I'm not exactly a thin person myself, fat characters, like Bombur and Lalia always fascinate me. It makes me a little angry that they always have to stand in as the villain or as the comic relief - that's why I like writing about Forlong, who was, after all, a war hero - as if the mere fact of being overweight would make someone less worth than their skinny companions. It's the worst case of discrimination, where no other factor like origins and so on can be found, one I had to struggle with during my entire youth. I might write something about Lalia some day - she might have been a female dragon of extraordinary proportions, but she still deserves to tell the story from her own point of view.
As for the simple people siding with Bilbo - well, he might have been eccentric, but he was always good to them, and that makes people forgive a lot of strangeness, I think.
Thanks for your kind words. Feedback is what keeps the muses working. ;))
Larner
· 20 October 2008
· Chapter 3: An Unexpected Turn of Events
Ah, such a delightful chapter, and to see Bilbo interrupting the sale of his own household furnishings in such a marvelous way! And then to look at the situation from Godilo's POV--just too perfect! It's just too perfect!
Author's reply
Flatterer! :)
I'm glad you like Godilo, though. I chose him because I wanted someone who isn't exactly hostile towards Bilbo like the SBs, in fact, even loyal to a certain grade, being his lawyer and all, but who's conservative enough to look at Bilbo's actions most suspiciously.
Kitt Otter
· 19 October 2008
· Chapter 3: An Unexpected Turn of Events
I was chuckling throughout the chapter. The quaint ways of hobbits can be quite... ridiculous. :) I like how Bilbo's change is noted by the other hobbits, with that glint in his eyes. Good idea to make Frodo the image of Drogo.
That’s true, Bilbo had dealt with a dragon worse than Lobelia... what Sackville-Baggins or Bracegirdle can face him now?
I am more and more curious about this Elf-root. Does it have something to do with that troll-treasure???
-Kitt
Author's reply
Heh! Yes, you can't face a living dragon and hope to remain unchanged. The SBs don't know whom they are really dealing with.
The secret of the Elf-root will be revealed, soon. Although, I'm afraid, it's a lot more harmless than everyone thinks. Hopefully, you won't be disappointed.
Elflingimp
· 18 October 2008
· Chapter 3: An Unexpected Turn of Events
Ha!Ha! I am thuoroly enjoying this, it's almost like reading an extended version of The Hobbit it's written so well. Keep going I can't wait for the outcome of all this and to find out what else Bilbo brought so mysteriously home! Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
I'm so very glad you liked it! I msut admit, I read The Hobbit years before I'd meet LOTR, and my first love will always belong to The Hobbit characters.
The mystery will be revealed within the next couple of chapters, I promise!
Thanks for taking the time to review. It really means a lot to me to get feedback, especially as I'm just a novice when it comes to write about Hobbits.
Dreamflower
· 18 October 2008
· Chapter 3: An Unexpected Turn of Events
Utterly hobbity!
I love the happy reunion with some of his kin, and the huffiness and suspicion of the rest!
And I love the forceful glint in Bilbo's eye. I have a feeling that he will not be very easily pushed around!
It's quite fun to see that Dora's mother is so "proper", and I like the idea of using Frodo's description for Drogo's looks! A very fun notion!
I look forward to seeing just what's going to occur, and I wonder what proof Bilbo can give if many of the hobbits try to say he's an imposter! Now that's a complication I had not anticipated!
Author's reply
Well, Dora had to get her sense for decorum from someone, hadn't she? And I must admit I was in some pain to imagine Drogo's looks... until the idea of using book!Frodo's description occurred to me. They had a great deal of Fallohide blood in them, after all.
Oh, yes, Bilbo will have to fight for what's rightfully his. But fear not for him, he has old Missus Crabtree on his side, and an old Gammer is sometimes more frightening than a whole army. *g*
Lissas Elves
· 18 October 2008
· Chapter 3: An Unexpected Turn of Events
It's good to see an update of this story!
Bilbo returned at the last moment, didn't he?
And the hobbits may be in for another surprise when Bilbo begins to show them what he's learnt. I like his dangerous glint in the eye!
Author's reply
Yes, I had a hard time with this one. The first part was easily written, but I agonized over Bilbo's grand entree for quite some time.
And no, the SBs haven't seen anything yet. This is a very different Bilbo than the one they used to know.
Larner
· 21 September 2008
· Chapter 2: The Sale
Excellent! Love Drogo's reluctance to remain, and him being the one who saw and recognized Bilbo's return first!
And Lobelia IS Lobelia--at her most acquisitive!
Author's reply
Thanks, Larner. :) Coming from you, it's quite the compliment.
In fact, despite what I might think of the movies, the Drogo-scene was inspired by that at the beginning of FOTR, when Frodo comes running toward Gandalf in joy. I thought he must have inherited that spontaneity from someone. *g*
Lissas Elves
· 19 September 2008
· Chapter 2: The Sale
It's certainly in the nick of time Bilbo shows up! Your characterization of Drogo is lovely; agree that he would have been fond of Bilbo for later events to happen like they did.
Oh, and I really liked Holman, too - very firm in keeping Lobelia out of the smial until the sale started. lol
Now that Bilbo's back, will he tell us about the Elf-root? ;-)
Lissa
Author's reply
I will, I promise... although there will be trouble first. But I'll try to be faster with the next update. :)
Elflingimp
· 17 September 2008
· Chapter 2: The Sale
Well I don't usually write Hobbit stories you said, well I don't usually read them either,but I will be reading this one, it's very interesting and I'd like to give good old Lobella a kick in the rear, LOL! Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Thanks, Imp! :)
I'll try to keep it light-hearted and interesting... after all, the whole thing was inspired by a LJ discussion about vegetable, hard as it might be to believe. ;o)
Kitt Otter
· 16 September 2008
· Chapter 2: The Sale
I was happy to see an update. This is so fun to read; it is like sitting cozily to listen to the town gossip, who-married-who and who-does-what. I like that I am able to feel for all these hobbits who may be affected by the change going on in Bag End. It is almost a shame that Lobelia is so disliked - I wonder if she even realizes it.
Very fitting that Drogo should be the first to greet Bilbo home; oh, Bilbo'd better go faster. *bites nails* I probably said this before, but I always am anxious towards the end of The Hobbit for Bilbo - after all, he might not make it in time to have a home this time.
Well, I am in suspense; good chapter! : )
-Kitt
Author's reply
Yep, sometimes I feel that we all like to hate Lobelia a bit too much, perhaps. But at least she's interesting to write.
I thought that Drogo must have had a good relationship to Bilbo, or else Frodo would not come to like him so much. And fear not, Bilbo *will* arrive in time. After all, he has to introduce his fellow hobbits to the elf-root...