Trotter by Dreamflower
Larner · 3 June 2009 · Chapter 28: My Return to Two Rivers
And so Thorn begins to learn wisdom and patience--two most necessary attributes of future leaders. And at last his future bride is born, although neither might know it at the moment! Heh! And Trotter now has a home and duties. Good.
Author's reply
No, I think that marriage is the last thing on Gilraen's mind right now, LOL! He does. He would not be happy without them.
Larner · 3 June 2009 · Chapter 27: Finding My Feet Again
Rather strange for orthopedics, but certainly in keeping with his initial image of Trotter the Hobbit Ranger and HIS wooden shoes, although the reasons are different! Dear Hildifons--at least he allowed his father to know! And you've managed to work some of original-concept-Trotter's situation into this Trotter's reality! Well done.
Author's reply
Thankfully, I had an excellent medical beta! Of course, the original image of Trotter was the inspiration for "my" Trotter. There was a subtext there in "Return of the Shadow" that those wooden shoes were not just a whim, but had some dire reason behind them. My only difficulty was in deciding what the reason was and how it came about. I think that Hildifons was glad that he could at least reassure his father. And of course, Gandalf would encourage him to do so.
GamgeeFest · 2 June 2009 · Chapter 26: Interlude: Choices and Consequences
Poor Hildifons. He hoped no other hobbit ever faced a decision like that. And yet, it will be his own chosen heir that must make this very same choice, for much the same reasons. I like that it was Hildifon's journal that caused Bilbo to write his own memoirs in such a carefree way, as he had always told it to the children of the Shire.
Author's reply
Well, of course I was doing a bit of foreshadowing there. I think Bilbo was by nature, a more reticent sort of person-- much like Frodo, I don't think he would have cared to bare his soul to the world.
GamgeeFest · 2 June 2009 · Chapter 25: Hard Truths
So Gandalf was right and Trotter was meant to protect the next heir to the throne. Had Trotter not been there, things would have been much different come the time of the Quest. Little comfort though that is to Thorn. I hope he is able to overcome his grief, lest he be too cautious in upcoming battles. Injuries, and even death, are inevitable outcomes that every ruler must face.
Author's reply
Absolutely. Imagine no Strider to protect the Ringbearer to Rivendell! Thorn, I think will have learned the right lesson from this-- to think of his actions and their consequences ahead of time.
Larner · 2 June 2009 · Chapter 26: Interlude: Choices and Consequences
Oh, indeed! Definitely the things that Bilbo would have pondered at this point! Losing respectability is one thing....
Author's reply
...but losing a limb, or becoming crippled in some way is quite another. Yes, indeed!
Andrea · 2 June 2009 · Chapter 25: Hard Truths
Yet somehow, I felt that this disaster would be the making of him. And that is another great example of Eucatastrophe! "Why did I never go home when I had the chance?" I groaned. "If you had, Hildifons, who would have saved Thorn from his folly?" Gandalf is SO right here! Hildifons was meant to save Thorn's life. He can be proud of what he did. And from his reaction we can see that the old wizard hit the nerve. Trotter knows now what to do. That will help him greatly to adjust to his new situation!
Author's reply
I really did want to show how intertwined the line of Isildur was with the fate of hobbits, and it seemed to me that having Hildifons save it by his quick action would definitely do that! Gandalf knows hobbits, and he knows just the right combination of affection and brisk common sense to bring out the best in his small charges!
Andrea · 2 June 2009 · Chapter 24: Bad News
"Where am I? What time is it?" I think I have a deja vu ;-) Only the characters are different. But poor Trotter! What a tragedy! Hobbits are extremely proud of their feet, especially the foot hair (why, some of them even were named after their attitude). Gamgeefest is right, though. Trotter should be glad that he still *has* his feet. Without the quick help of Elrond that might not be the case.
Author's reply
I think I have a deja vu ;-) Only the characters are different. I did it on purpose, of course. But it's only natural that a hobbit would want to reset his biological clock after having been unconscious. I think it is the existence of the Proudfoot clan that gives rise the idea of how proud hobbits are of their feet! Yes, you are right about that!
Larner · 2 June 2009 · Chapter 24: Bad News
Somehow I managed to miss this chapter. But now we do know, along with Hildifons, just how badly he was injured by the fall of rock. Poor lad! No wonder he doesn't wish to go home and present the Tooks with himself as a cripple! Although again his vanity may not be the best thing for him. A terrible situation!
Author's reply
He was dreadfully injured-- could not help but be! And it is a tragic situation.
Larner · 2 June 2009 · Chapter 25: Hard Truths
Excellent! I was so afraid that something like this had happened, and grieve I was right in this case. Too bad his personal vanity keeps him from returning home, but I can understand. And am so glad Arathorn learned his lesson from this experience! Dear, brave Hobbits! Yes, we do love them!
Author's reply
Yes indeed. It is sad. Of course, I have to confess, it is canon that kept poor Hildifons from returning to the Shire. Yet I think it is more than mere vanity-- I am sure he dreaded the things others would think of his Adventures! Arathorn learns here that risking himself impulsively can have dire consequences for those who would protect him-- not a bad thing for a future chieftain to have to learn.
FantasyFan · 2 June 2009 · Chapter 24: Bad News
Oh, poor Trotter. He got his nickname from his ability to move quickly, and now he never will again. But I wonder, will he get a pair of wooden shoes to wear? Either way, his Rangering days are likely over.
Author's reply
I think you will soon get the answer to your question! (and about the Rangering, as well!)
GamgeeFest · 1 June 2009 · Chapter 24: Bad News
At least the "monster surgeon" ;) was able to spare Trotter's feet, but his recovery will not be easy. Poor dear. I'm sure there was a fair amount of strain on his legs and hips as well. I wouldn't have been surprised if there had been stress fractures there too, but Trotter was spared this additional misery at least. *hugs Trotter tight* Thorn must be feeling dreadful!
Author's reply
I had plenty of good advice as to how to make sure that Trotter's feet could be spared! Thorn does feel pretty dreadful-- an awful lesson on the consequences of impulsiveness!
GamgeeFest · 1 June 2009 · Chapter 23: Disaster
You sure are enjoying these cliffhangers, aren't you? ;) At least you're updating quickly. Poor Trotter, left there for hours holding up that ledge! *hugs him*
Author's reply
Yes, well apparently a deadline does wonders for keeping those cliffs short, LOL! Poor Trotter!
Raksha The Demon · 1 June 2009 · Chapter 23: Disaster
Uh-oh, uh-oh - CLIFFHANGER! Trotter's just saved the line of Isildur, and all he gets is a landslide on his head? You are so meannnnn! I love it.
Author's reply
Trotter's just saved the line of Isildur, and all he gets is a landslide on his head? LOL! That should be on a T-shirt! I just might make it so... I'm sorry I'm mean... sort of.
Larner · 1 June 2009 · Chapter 23: Disaster
Ah--I was afraid some terrible accident would befall Hildifons! Poor lad! At least he has Arathorn safe, which is what he needed to do. Now we understand how it was he came first to Rivendell. I hope he's not been too terribly injured!
Author's reply
I think you do indeed understand! And you will find out more very soon...
Andrea · 1 June 2009 · Chapter 23: Disaster
Cliffhanger! Again!!! Well, I'm relieved that Thorn is safe now, but what about Trotter??? Trotter saved Thorn's life, there's no doubt about that. I hope he came out of that situation uninjured. But if I look at the chapter title, I'm not so sure...
Author's reply
No, I picked that title for a reason! But fear not, you won't have very long to wait for the next update. It's all ready except for some proofreading and small edits... it will probably go up in an hour or two.
Andrea · 1 June 2009 · Chapter 22: Thorn Returns
Wow! What a cliffhanger! It's obvious that Thorn wanted to show the others what he had learned in Rivendell. And he wanted them to see that he could master the situation all by himself. That was a mistake! From what I know of hobbits and Trotter in particular, I'd say that his shot hit his aim! But will that be enough? After all, his opponent is not some brigand, but a fully-grown Orc! Go, Trotter! You *are* a hero!
Author's reply
Literally-- well, I don't suppose that ledge is much of a cliff, but still... You are right about Thorn and about Trotter!
GamgeeFest · 31 May 2009 · Chapter 22: Thorn Returns
Eep! Oh, why couldn't Arathorn wait? Eager to prove himself no doubt, but he will regret this day for a long time, I suspect. *bites nails* 50 - Tolkien found that number significant for some reason. It's only fitting you chose it to be the turning point in Trotter's life as well.
Author's reply
Saw this pop up just as I was getting ready to quit and go to bed! You are quite right on all counts! Well, I wanted to choose it for that reason-- but I was not sure until I had checked the dates! It was quite fortuitous that Trotter's 50th should converge with Thorn's coming of age-- I took that as a sign! LOL!
PIppinfan1988 · 31 May 2009 · Chapter 6: Rescued
I am really enjoying your most wonderful tale! I always do. :-) Longshanks, eh? I wonder who that could be...hehehe. It's nice that Hildifons is getting some well-needed healing among the better Big Folk. Still looking forward to reading more! As you can see by the time/date stamp, it's that time again, but I just had to sneak in one more, lol. Good night and I'll be back. :-)
Author's reply
Thank you! Well, it's SR 1277, so just check the Appendices and you will find out who it is... Hope you get some rest! Sweet dreams!
PIppinfan1988 · 31 May 2009 · Chapter 5: Interlude: Dark Memories
"He leaned out, and felt the brisk breeze on his face, and looked up at the glittering stars, and let the peace of Imladris fill his heart." That's a very beautiful scene of Bilbo in Rivendell. I like what you said about Isembold feeling terrible about his brother's disappearance. That might be a nice side-story to expound upon (if it hasn't already been done, that is!. ;-)
Author's reply
Thank you! I think that Bilbo would feel very peaceful there, and that nightmares would find it hard to take a firm hold there in the Last Homely House. It seemed to me that since he had offered to go with his brother, he might feel a little guilty that he had not insisted. I will have to see how the bunny goes-- I do know I will probably be writing some "Trotter" tales once this story is done.
Larner · 31 May 2009 · Chapter 22: Thorn Returns
Ah, Dreamflower--this is truly marvelous! Yes, Hildifons! A hero worthy of all caring he is now! Yes! And indeed Thorn has the right of it--AND the wrong of it as well! Hope Arador lets him have it royally for the foolishness of his action in the lack of appropriate backup! But to know what he's caused his beloved Trotter will have to be the worst burden young Arathorn now has to bear, I fear.
Author's reply
He is a hero, isn't he? Thorn's action was foolish and impulsive-- I have a feeling that he will never forget that.
GamgeeFest · 30 May 2009 · Chapter 21: Rangering
Dear Trotter, a couple of thousand 'somedays' have already passed you by. When are you going to admit to yourself that you are never going home? But perhaps admitting it would make you feel truly uprooted and alone. So long as the promise of home and family are still there, you can face the wondering with a strong heart, just as one of your future kin will look to home as a stronghold when he is in the wilds on an impossible quest. DF, your hints of all his various adventures are fascinating. They make me want to know more about these Dunlanders and the ruffians that they encounter. Yet at the same time, they are written about in such a casual, flippant way, that I'm almost dreading when it becomes necessary to elaborate more. I keep waiting for that "Million Dollar Baby" moment. (I hope you've seen that movie, otherwise that reference will be completely lost.) *sits on edge of seat*
Author's reply
Yes, Trotter is deluding himself with all of those "somedays", though he still believes that "someday" will come. But I think you are right-- just knowing it's all there gives him strength, just as it did in another generation of hobbits. I do think you know another shoe will drop-- and soon, actually... (Haven't actually *seen* it, but heard enough to know what you mean!)
PIppinfan1988 · 30 May 2009 · Chapter 4: Among the Brigands
The suspense was fantastic! I didn't even stop at the last chapter to comment, lol. Unfortunately, brigands/highwaymen have been around for ages, and poor Hildifons hasn't seen the worst part of them. But I hope he's seen the last of this bunch. As much as I'd like to go on it's well past my normal bedtime, and I've been fighting sleep because this tale is so brilliant. Good night, and I'll be back soon! :-)
Author's reply
Oh, that's a big compliment! Yes, brigands, outlaws, ruffians-- they've been around for a very long time! Hope you get a good night's sleep! I'll be glad to see what you think of the rest of the tale when you get around to it!
PIppinfan1988 · 30 May 2009 · Chapter 2: Beyond the Bounds
"and I wish that I had listened to her"...famous last words! I can smell the adventure now...probably not a good one for Hildifons, but *I'm* going to enjoy reading about it. ;-)
Author's reply
No, not all his adventures will be good ones. But some of them will be... *grin*
PIppinfan1988 · 30 May 2009 · Chapter 1: Unlucky at Love
Woah! Hildifons didn't even wait for Gandalf to leave the Shire on his own business in order to stowaway on his cart! Plucky little fellow. This is going to be an interesting adventure...
Author's reply
Nope. He took off on his own! I do hope you will find it interesting!
PIppinfan1988 · 30 May 2009 · Chapter 0: Prologue: An Unexpected Discovery
"the bedroom with the round door" How warm and cozy! Bilbo seems to be really enjoying his retirement among friends...as he should. Excellent! My apologies for a very late start, but between family needs and training for the 3Day Walk later this summer, RL has kept me pretty busy. I've been enticed to read about your Hildifons since the first alert, and I'm looking forward to reading the whole story!
Author's reply
Well, I am just glad to see you here! (((hugs))) I hope you enjoy it all. Bilbo deserves a well-earned retirement, I think!