Trotter by Dreamflower
shirebound · 10 April 2009 · Chapter 6: Rescued
Yay, that's the best kind of rescue. The Rangers must have felt terrible for not intercepting those ruffians before terrifying and harming one of the Shirefolk.
Author's reply
I'm sure they do wish they had found poor Hildifons sooner! But he's safe now, and being cared for.
Elflingimp · 8 April 2009 · Chapter 5: Interlude: Dark Memories
Clever, how you went to Bilbo without letting us know what happened in the last chapter!Well I guess I'll be patient, this story is too good not to be LOL! I do feel for dear old Bilbo, I had a feeling this diary would stir up some memories for him. Can't wait for more Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Well, I didn't do it *just* to extend the cliffie (that was just a side benefit, LOL!). It just seemed the perfect place to have this interlude, at the point where his uncle was having a similar experience to his own. At any rate you should not have to wait for long. If all goes well, the next chapter should be ready by Friday.
Andrea · 8 April 2009 · Chapter 5: Interlude: Dark Memories
Things had to turn out for Uncle Hildifons, after all, or he‘d not have been able to write his story out. That is very good to know and not only for Bilbo :) So, Bilbo had increasing nightmares about Gollum just before he left the Shire? That's significant. I'd say they were produced by the Ring, which would also explain why they ended abruptly, for he had left It behind. The nightmares he experiences now are of a different nature. They are out of passion for Hildifons whose story brought back many (bad) memories of Bilbo's own adventure.
Author's reply
So, Bilbo had increasing nightmares about Gollum just before he left the Shire? That's significant. I'd say they were produced by the Ring, which would also explain why they ended abruptly, for he had left It behind. Bang on target--the Ring had been awakened, which brought on the memories of its previous owner. It was a sign of the Ring's increasing awareness and its efforts to get Bilbo to leave the Shire. Unfortunately for it, somehow it did not reckon on Bilbo leaving it behind of his own free will! And you are right about the current nightmare--he's remembering the part of his adventure that most resembled his uncle's.
shirebound · 8 April 2009 · Chapter 5: Interlude: Dark Memories
Things had to turn out for Uncle Hildifons, after all, or he‘d not have been able to write his story out. Yes, exactly! Whew. And I love all the details, such as Bilbo having his own little kitchen in Rivendell.
Author's reply
I always thought that Bilbo might. After all, it would be a very important thing to helping a hobbit feel "at home" rather than merely a guest. I am quite sure that the Elves made him welcome among them at any meal, but what a comfort it would be to know that if he wanted a midnight snack or a cup of tea it was only a few steps away. And he would feel he could offer others his own little hospitality, as well.
Larner · 7 April 2009 · Chapter 4: Among the Brigands
I am sorry he's been hurt, but am glad the ruffians are being attacked!
Author's reply
Yes, they are being attacked! And now you can see by whom!
Raksha The Demon · 7 April 2009 · Chapter 4: Among the Brigands
Hopefully the new batch of Men are Rangers - poor Hildifons could use some good luck. A grim and gripping chapter. More soon, I hope.
Author's reply
I had to wait to respond to your guess--since of course you were quite right! The new chapter's up now. I'm glad you are enjoying this!
Andrea · 6 April 2009 · Chapter 4: Among the Brigands
Oh, poor hobbit! He's had a rough time so far! But the arrival of the newcomers might be the end of Hildifons' captivity. They might be some of the good guys. Rangers perhaps? I really hope so.
Author's reply
He has had a rough time, hasn't he? You will soon find out!
Elflingimp · 6 April 2009 · Chapter 4: Among the Brigands
Yikes! Poor Trotter, I like this little guy already, I must say this is the most interesting Hobbit story I have read in a long while! Double Kudos to you. Hugs Deb the Imp
Author's reply
Oh, I am so glad that you are enjoying my hobbit! Thank you!
shirebound · 6 April 2009 · Chapter 4: Among the Brigands
Eeeek! My cliffhangers are nowhere near as bad as yours, you evil thing. Poor lad, and poor pony. I hope this is (somehow) the beginning of good things for them both.
Author's reply
Well, you don't write all that many--but since I know how mine come out and I don't know how *yourw* come out, I think yours are worse (for me, anyway) LOL! But I won't keep you waiting too long!
Baggins Babe · 5 April 2009 · Chapter 3: Terror in the Night
Oh Poor Hildifons, caught between Barrow-wights and ruffians. Not to mention his poor pony. I hope Porridge is alright too. *Goes to chew fingernails until the next chapter appears* I would have reviewed before now but my internet connection has been somewhat temperamental to say the least!
Author's reply
You should not have to chew long! I've been busy much of the weekend on this! Poor dear! Internet woes are a pain! I hope that it settles down and cooperates!
Larner · 4 April 2009 · Chapter 3: Terror in the Night
Ah--the predecessors of those ruffians who entered the Shire in much later years! And he almost fell victims to the barrow-wights as well? All right, Rangers of Eriador--where are you? A terrible cliffhanger, Dreamflower!
Author's reply
I know--those awful cliffies! Thankfully, I am on a deadline, so the next chapter should not be too long in coming.
Raksha The Demon · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 3: Terror in the Night
Poor hobbit's running from the frying pan into the fire. But being grabbed by bandits is still better than being wight-snatched. A shuddersome (love that word!) situation indeed!
Author's reply
Yes, bandits are *definitely* better than wights--especially when you don't know Tom Bombadil!
Celeritas · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 3: Terror in the Night
Okay, so I thought the Barrows wouldn't do anything to him (too much like LotR, plus he'd be a goner!) but would rather be a catalyst for something else. Didn't quite expect this, though! Creepy, and I'm quite worried for the fellow, but I'm hoping that out of nowhere (after a while at least, :-() some Rangers will come and bust him free. And I loved your Shire idiom!
Author's reply
He definitely *would* be a goner--he's no match for a Barrow-wight, and no handy Tom Bombadil rhyme in his pocket. He's in for a hard time for a while, anyway. It just seemed like a Gafferism! *grin*
Elflingimp · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 3: Terror in the Night
Ah! Poor Trotter! That was scary enough to frighten me, where are elves when you need them. I love the name of his pony, Porridge. Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Yes, poor Trotter! He's in for a rough time for a little while. I thought Porridge was a hobbity pony name!
Andrea · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 3: Terror in the Night
Oh no! At least he was not captured by the Barrow Wights, but those men are clearly ruffians! I really hope, Hildifons finds a quick way to escape. He must have escaped, otherwise he would not have reached Rivendell. Maybe he had some help? I also loved this bit: For the first time since I had left, I began to wish myself safe at home in front of the hearth with my family around me, especially my father. From the way he writes this, I'm quite sure that this wasn't the only time that wish came to his mind.
Author's reply
Maybe he had some help? Maybe. But he's in for a time of it, right now! Like Bilbo, he may frequently wish that!
Antane · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 3: Terror in the Night
That is indeed terrifying and I love the way you wrote this chapter with his apprehension about the barrow and not wanting to face it and not wanting not to face it. I think though he's in better shape with living captors than dead ones. Looking forward to the next update! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, he's definitely better off with the ruffians than he is with the barrow-wights!
Antane · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 2: Beyond the Bounds
I love cliffhangers! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Lindelea · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 3: Terror in the Night
O no! Ruffians! (Where are the Rangers? I know they must be patrolling somewhere about... Hope so...) If not for the reassurance that he reached Rivendell in the end, this could have ended up a very short story, never told. So glad you've set yourself a deadline! Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
If not for the reassurance that he reached Rivendell in the end, this could have ended up a very short story, never told. That would probably have been the result--and may very well have been. Yes--the finish-a-thon is a great motivator!
Lindelea · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 2: Beyond the Bounds
Ah, what a wonderful gammer! So very hobbity (and gammerly) in her conversation, and I love that HIldifons goes into her family tree a bit. Very hobbity of him. How many people today would take the trouble to memorise the names of a new acquaintance's grands? Will it stand him in good stead when he reaches Bree? (But will he reach Bree? I wish he'd stopped for the night!)
Author's reply
*grin* Of course a hobbit will take interest in a new acquaintance's family tree! He probably wishes that as well.
Lindelea · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 0: Prologue: An Unexpected Discovery
Aha. I had thought perhaps the small plate and cutlery were not made for Bilbo, but for one who came before him...
Lindelea · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 1: Unlucky at Love
Ah, Gandalf spinning his stories! A spark of Adventure lights upon a young soul, finds purchase, and begins to burn inward... Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Yes, I couldn't let Gandalf off the hook entirely, LOL! And of course, Hildifons is in just the right state of mind to succumb to temptation!
shirebound · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 3: Terror in the Night
Oh no! At least we know he eventually reached Rivendell, poor lad.
Author's reply
Yes, we do know that--in fact, it's one reason the story is his memoirs, because that way my readers won't be too worried! They know he has to survive to write them. I don't want to stress my readers out too much!
Larner · 3 April 2009 · Chapter 2: Beyond the Bounds
Aha--at least his first experience with Men is with a gentle person who actually cares for his welfare! I find I like Mistress Polly, and love his reaction to the differences and similarities he sees between her home and a Hobbit house. Very nice!
Author's reply
It was very important to me that his first experience be a positive one. I really did not know much about her, until she came out of nowhere with her flock of geese. Now she's got a whole backstory, LOL! And I wanted him to see that Big Folk were not all that different from hobbits!
Celeritas · 1 April 2009 · Chapter 2: Beyond the Bounds
Ooh, that last sentence! Good for Hildifons to have that nice initial experience, but I think he's a wee bit naive when it comes to the Barrows...
Author's reply
I did want his first experience with a Big Person to be a positive one! Naive? Oh yes...in fact, he's quite naive about everything beyond the Bounds...
Celeritas · 1 April 2009 · Chapter 1: Unlucky at Love
Whee, Tookish wanderlust! And that whole "everyone in the family except for him knows it isn't going to work out" thing... yeah, been through that before. Poor Hildi--and somehow I don't think that leaving the Shire is actually going to help him find whatever he's looking for, at least not for a good while.
Author's reply
Yes, definitely Tookish wanderlust! No, Hildi won't find what he's looking for, because he doesn't even really know himself. But what he will find will be far beyond anything he can imagine at this point.