Grey Wonderer
· 22 June 2009
· Chapter 18: As Time Goes By
Gandalf! I wonder what he will have to say about all of this? And I like the fact that they send the children off to live among the elves for a time. Anyone could benefit from that sort of arrangement!
Author's reply
As I was researching the Appendices for this story, I was surprised to see that Aragorn was not the first of Isildur's heirs to spend time among the Elves! However, I don't think the others went there as young as he did. I remembered the medieval custom of fosterage: depending on the area, sometime between the age of seven and twelve, children, especially boys, were sent off to live with someone else-- usually distant family or friends who were higher in status. It usually lasted about seven or eight years. The idea was to give the child some educational advantanges, and to strengthen the ties between the families.
I figure that Elrond wanted to maintain his ties with Elros' descendants, and Isildur's heirs were glad to keep the good will of the Master of Imladris.
Grey Wonderer
· 22 June 2009
· Chapter 17: I Become a Ranger
That was so touching when Trotter was invited to join the Rangers and come with them on patrol. I liked how he hadn't realized that they might still want him along.
Author's reply
Yes, at heart he's still a modest young hobbit. But even though he doesn't truly understand all the implications yet, he's found a new family.
Grey Wonderer
· 22 June 2009
· Chapter 16: My New Home
I loved Trotter's thoughts about schooling. That must have been quite a surprise to him. Still enjoying this whenever possible. : )
Author's reply
Yes, well you know my hobbits are all home-schooled, more or less, so it had to have been a big shock to see all the children sent off to a place where someone's job was to teach children they weren't related to!
Grey Wonderer
· 15 June 2009
· Chapter 15: Interlude: The Dúnadan
Aragorn and Bilbo comparing notes on things. Connects it all together so well. Sitll enjoying this lovely tale.
Author's reply
Yes, one of the reasons I decided to have the interludes with Bilbo was to create a little perspective from the POV of those who could tell Bilbo a little more.
I'm so glad that you are still enjoying it! Trotter quite surprised me!
Grey Wonderer
· 15 June 2009
· Chapter 14: A Very Long Night
I see Trotter found the kitchen. So very like a hobbit to locate the kitchen. I am very glad mother and child are well.
Author's reply
Yes, when in doubt, cook. I suppose that could be a motto of hobbits!
I didn't want anything *very* dreadful to happen-- just in doubt enough to make a little anxiety. Fortunately I had some good advice about the medical matters.
Grey Wonderer
· 15 June 2009
· Chapter 13: A Timely Arrival
Ah, Trotter has found a friend. : )
Author's reply
He has indeed! ; )
Grey Wonderer
· 15 June 2009
· Chapter 12: Language Lessons
Oh, I like the language lessons and the way you describe the differences in the twins as Trotter perceives them. I am also glad that Trotter got some understanding for his lost love troubles. Lovely chapter!
Author's reply
Well, I thought he'd need to begin to learn Sindarin sooner or later, and who better than one of the twins!
He really did need to talk about it to someone, and Dirhael was young enough himself to be understanding, and unlike Hildifons' parents, he had no interest in thinking of it as "just a crush". (They'd have been hoping he'd "get over it".) He did his small friend the favor of believing him when he said he really love her.
Raksha The Demon
· 8 June 2009
· Chapter 999: Epilogue: Full Circle
A lovely and fitting end to one of my favorite hobbit fanfic stories. I hope that the other Tooks of the Shire will find Trotter's adventures as enthralling as Bilbo and I did.
Author's reply
Well, I am quite sure that Pippin at the very least, will! And I am sure he will share the story with his favorite cousins and friend.
Thank you so much for your reviews and your encouragement-- I am so glad to know that you enjoyed it!
walkerskye
· 8 June 2009
· Chapter 999: Epilogue: Full Circle
one of the sweetest stories I've read in ages, it brought tears and laughter equally, and I've anticipated each new chapter with eagerness. Trotter is now a welcome resident of the MiddleEarth of my heart. thank you, Dreamflower!
Author's reply
Oh, I am so glad that you were still reading! And I am very glad that you enjoyed the story so much. I have to say, that Trotter rather wormed his way into my own heart as I wrote him.
Thank you very much for letting me know!
GamgeeFest
· 7 June 2009
· Chapter 999: Epilogue: Full Circle
I am glad that Hildifons's fate will at last be known among the Tooks, and for Pippin to bear his journal home is only fitting.
This has been wonderful to read, dear! I'm glad this won the Finish-a-thon challenge, for you've created here a truly remarkable memoir.
Author's reply
Yes, his fate will now be known among the Tooks and it seemed only right to me that Pippin, who had a lot in common with his great-great-uncle (not the least of which was allegiance to Isildur's heir) would be the right one to take Hildifon's journal.
Thank you very much, GF! And I have enjoyed all your reviews and comments!
GamgeeFest
· 7 June 2009
· Chapter 32: Interlude: A Life Well-Lived
Glad that Bilbo found comfort at last in his uncle's words, so that he would not regret his own decision to quit the Shire.
Author's reply
Yes, Trotter's words meant a lot to Bilbo, as did the knowledge that his uncle lived safely and among friends.
GamgeeFest
· 7 June 2009
· Chapter 31: The Last Homely House
A well-lived life, with some regrets, but also many joys and gifts. He was lucky to have found such friends and family among the Rangers and Elves, who even made a room for him that he could live in comfort during his final years.
Author's reply
Yes, he was lucky indeed. His life could have been far different if the Rangers had never rescued him from the brigands, or even if he had been successful in marrying Gardenia, only to find out too late that she did not love him.
But Elrond is as "kind as summer", and he will see to it that his small guest does have all the comforts of home.
GamgeeFest
· 7 June 2009
· Chapter 30: The End of an Era
It is unfortunate that Trotter was never ready to return home, even once, while he still could. That will be something that nags at him, but I'm sure he'll make his peace with it as best he can. But he begins to feel his age now and he may find himself thinking of the Shire more than he wishes.
Author's reply
Yes, he's learning too late the lesson of always putting off things for "someday" the hard way.
But he is resilient, a hobbit and a Took, by nature inclined to make the best of things.
GamgeeFest
· 7 June 2009
· Chapter 29: The Fell Winter
A terrible time for Men and Hobbit alike. The people of Two Rivers were fortunate that the Elves could come to help. There are still many losses to mourn and rebuilding the town will not be easy come the spring. And poor Trotter, unable to say farewell to his mother, or any of his family.
Author's reply
Yes, the Fell Winter must have been dreadful all through Eriador except in Rivendell.
Poor Trotter indeed! But I'd established before that my Gerontius lost his wife after the Fell Winter, so it was just as well he had Gandalf to break the news.
Ainu Laire
· 7 June 2009
· Chapter 999: Epilogue: Full Circle
Absolutely wonderful! I really enjoyed this, and I love how you made Tolkien's original premise for Aragorn come to life in a way that fit with Tolkien's final rendition of Middle-earth. A great look at the days before Bilbo went on his adventure. Well done!
Author's reply
Yes, I was quite inspired by the original Trotter. Thank you so much-- I'm glad you enjoyed the story!
GamgeeFest
· 7 June 2009
· Chapter 28: My Return to Two Rivers
Good to see Trotter doing better - clunky noisemakers aside - and making a life for himself in Two Rivers. He adjusted to his injuries well, and having others in similar situations as himself allows him to feel normal about it. And Gilraen - they needn't worry about Thorn for too much longer. ;)
Author's reply
Hobbits, I think, are pretty resilient and adaptable creatures. And you are right-- in Two Rivers he has others who are also the veterans of battle injuries to keep him company.
Yep. Althogh she has some growing to do...
GamgeeFest
· 7 June 2009
· Chapter 27: Finding My Feet Again
So that's what happened to those archers! Of course, that's only to be expected as they never returned, but it is good to hear the answer to the riddle. Trotter wouldn't like the idea of shoes, but he loathes the idea of not walking again. And as he said, his feet aren't much to look at anymore anyway. It will still be a painful and slow process. He'll need to take care not to lose patience.
Author's reply
Yes. I envisioned it as much like what the French did to the camp of servants and squires of Henry V's army at Agincourt.
No, he wouldn't like his shoes, but he likes less the idea of being a cripple. Painful and slow is right.
Matt
· 7 June 2009
· Chapter 999: Epilogue: Full Circle
A very nicely done job. I don't like the hobbit fics here as much as I do those about men and elves but you are a reliable source for good writing and==--when here--I do sometimes check out your latest effort. This is nicely done with great characters, credible changes and a wonderfully done plot.
Thanks as always for your quality work.
Matt
Author's reply
It is always pleasant to me to hear that someone who is not as fond of hobbit-centric stories as I am, has enjoyed my work. Thank you very much for taking the time to let me know that you enjoyed this story in particular!
Celeritas
· 6 June 2009
· Chapter 999: Epilogue: Full Circle
As I mentioned earlier, I absolutely love this epilogue and the idea that Hildifons can return to the Shire at last--a Shire much changed, I think, and which would perhaps be more accepting of a hobbit who lost the full glory of his feet in service of another. And that inscription on the headstone was very fitting.
Thank you for this astonishingly quickly written romp! I hope that once you've had time to sit down and take a breather you'll do more work in this part of the universe.
Author's reply
Thank you very much, dear! I'm so glad that you enjoyed this story-- it's the fastest I've ever written anything so long! And it may not be the last we hear of Trotter...
Celeritas
· 6 June 2009
· Chapter 32: Interlude: A Life Well-Lived
It's good that Bilbo can have hobbit company even if only in the form of another book. *suddenly has massive idea for a small hobbit's book of heroes that any sort of irregular hobbit can take with him on adventures so s/he never gets lonely*
Author's reply
Oh, that's a brilliant idea! *nudge*
Author Reply: Oh, that's a brilliant idea! *nudge*
Celeritas
· 6 June 2009
· Chapter 31: The Last Homely House
This little conclusion was very touching. I loved the description of the hobbit quarters custom-built--Hildifons still missed the Shire in his heart and at least this could bring it back to him somewhat.
I have to wonder: did this make Estel think for a long time that all hobbits wore funny wooden shoes? That might be a good request to file away if you ever do another timestamp meme...
Author's reply
Yes. I think it is a very good way, as well, to show the kindness of Elrond, and the love the Elves had for their small guest.
What a cute idea! LOL!
Celeritas
· 6 June 2009
· Chapter 30: The End of an Era
Halbarad's descent explained! *squee*
The tale of Isengar, and the reasoning behind Gandalf's bringing him back, was quite bittersweet. But it's good for Hildifons to know a bit of family history--and his mentioning of Bilbo made me giggle a little.
And the loss of Arador was so sad, especially because I know that Arathorn is going to follow soon after. The Dunedain do not lead an easy life.
Author's reply
Yep. Aragorn's first cousin. Oriel was his aunt.
Isengar's adventure was another I had briefly touched upon in previous fic, so it seemed only natural that Gandalf would relate it to Hildifons. And I'm sure he mentioned several other neices and nephews, like Adalgrim and Rorimac...
The Dunedain do not lead an easy life.
No, they don't. I was sad myself when I realized how close the two tragedies were in the ToY-- I knew that if anything would devastate Trotter, it would be the deaths of both his dearest Ranger friends.
Celeritas
· 6 June 2009
· Chapter 29: The Fell Winter
Rough, rough, rough! And the close quarters, taken by necessity, resulting in plague... tragic, although my inner historian appreciated the logic of it.
But that ending was quite sad. For Hildifons to lose his mother (who must have been, as I've said before, phenomenal) and know that she never really learned he was actually alive all this time...
Author's reply
Yes, I had much consultation with SurgicalSteel about the best sort of plague to have. I settled on influenza, but wished a more old-fashioned name for it, and she provided me with "catarrh".
I had previously established that my Gerontius lost Adamanta in the spring following the Fell Winter, so that was a sad inevitability.
Celeritas
· 6 June 2009
· Chapter 28: My Return to Two Rivers
A good logical point, that you can't really be a sneaky ranger with clopping shoes. Though it rather saddens me that it appears that he's not going to end up heading into Bree in this condition. I was hoping for some pure confluence with the earlier draft.
I'm glad to see Trotter refinding his place here, and the reconciliation with Arathorn.
Author's reply
Well, he was never meant to be an exact replica of his inspiration. But I confess I did give some thought to his having at least one brief foray to Bree during his years with the shoes. Alas, writing to a deadline meant I had to abandon some ideas.
He will find his place. And Arathorn is more to blame in his own eyes, than he was in Trotters', so it was a matter of him realizing that the hobbit truly wished him to let go of his guilt.
Celeritas
· 6 June 2009
· Chapter 27: Finding My Feet Again
Glorfindel was (as he tends to be in fan fictions) a pleasant addition, especially the idea that he and Hildifons automatically have something in common.
And here are the shoes. Trotter's reasoning on why he could bear to wear them was wonderfully done--sad, but logical.
Out of curiosity, who was the one hobbit who survived? I thought that (at least by the time of LotR) hobbit lore said none of them came back. I think there's a story here (even if it's somebody else's).
Author's reply
I've written Glorfindel briefly a few times, and I hope I do him justice.
I'm glad you found the reasons logical-- it must have been awful for him as a hobbit to realize they were necessary.
Well, you will notice I didn't say he went back to the Shire or even how long he lived afterward. I did want someone able to tell what had happened to the others. But if it is a story, it will have to be someone elses; I think one displaced hobbit is all I have it in me to deal with.
(By the way, the hobbits' stand was slightly inspired by the Henry V Shakespeare version of Agincourt, and how the brave servants and squires defended the supply wagons and base camp from the dastardly French.)