Reviews of Looking for Dragons

pandemonium_213 · 11 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

A truly charming beginning here of the "fabulous Belladonna Took, one of the one of the three remarkable daughters of the Old Took." And as a young sprout here, yes, her fabulousness is showing. Really nice characterization of the youngsters and Gandalf, too. One of my favorite lines: "My father and brothers will drive them off! Maybe they’ll let me help!" In just two exuberant sentences, you tell this reader a lot about the character of Belladonna Took, surely of the more important women* of JRRT's legendarium, and you've made me hanker for more. *Hey, she got a name and was called "fabulous" by her creator! That's more than Arwen and Aragorn's "many daughters" or Elros' wife (and mother of a dynasty) got.

Author's reply

I'm so glad you liked the story, Pandemonium. I'm a bit nervous writing kids, I don't have any, and have to rely on memories and sightings rather than prolonged interaction, for inspiration. I was thinking of two fictional little girls, Pippi Longstocking and (from His Majesty's Dragon) Emily Roland, but did my best to write a hobbit child who is also the Old Took's oldest daughter and inherited the Took pluck and imagination as well as growing up assured of wealth and privilege and family support. Yes, I always wondered why JRRT didn't even bother to mention how many 'daughters' Arwen and Aragorn produced, not to mention their names. He managed to cough up names for all thirteen of Sam's kids; of course, Sam was a Ring-bearer. Maybe JRRT was biased in favor of hobbits where genealogy and posterity were concerned? I loved the idea that Gandalf had a friendship with a female hobbit; and then got the idea of Belladonna bouncing down from a tree while Gandalf was peacefully smoking his pipe. Thanx much for reading and reviewing!

Celeritas · 11 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

Have I mentioned lately how much I love it when you write hobbits? Belladonna has a great deal of spunk in her, as any Took should, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a non-stodgy Bungo--though of course he is young and attempting to hold his friend back from rashness. Thank you!

Author's reply

You love it when I write hobbits - very kind of you, since you write hobbits so thoroughly and credibly! Thank you. I just don't get Hobbit!Muse inspiration often; and there are so many other fanfic writers who explore the halflings... Oh, I think Belladonna was born with spunk; a little firecracker of a girl. I just don't see young and even young adult Bungo as being stodgy; there's no way Belladonna would have bound herself in marriage with a dull fellow. Maybe he became more careworn with marriage and fatherhood; but I see Bungo as quiet and steady but not lacking in imagination, not to mention courage and initiative - he had Bag End built for his Took bride... Thanx for reading and reviewing, Celeritas!

Linda Hoyland · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

What a delightful story!I loved the obvious affection Gandalf has for Hobbits and the way he deals with cheeky youngsters.I think Bilbo inherited a lot from his mother.I just loved the foreshadowing at the end.Back to my own dragon now, no relation to Smaug!

Author's reply

Thanx for reading and encouraging and reviewing, Linda. Gandalf's relationship not just with hobbits in general but with particular families is one of the neatest things Tolkien did; and does so much to familiarize us about the rather formidable wizard.

Larner · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

Ah, lovely resolution here! And we see the parentage that will lead us in the end to our Bilbo! Yes! With this young pair blest as they are by the tales of Wizards, how could Bilbo turn out any other way? Good!

Author's reply

You know how much fun I had writing this story; Larner! And this is high praise from someone who's written as many hobbit-tales as you have. Thanx again for your assistance. Bilbo's parents must have had an interesting marriage; they seem like they would have complemented each other well. Thanx for reviewing!

Virtuella · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

What a sweet story, and nice foreshadowing! This was my favourite sentence: "He did not turn any children into frogs; but there was no reason to tell these rascals of his forbearance."

Author's reply

I had fun writing that sentence; it seemed like a Gandalf-thought...Thanks for noticing the foreshadowing, Virtuella, and for reading and reviewing.

Inzilbeth · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

Ah yes, the Took side of things was rather dormant in Bilbo to begin with but came to the fore in the end. This is a most delightful story, Raksha.

Author's reply

I wonder what turned Bilbo into such a stuffy set-in-his-ways bachelor at the beginning of The Hobbit; perhaps his mother's death, or a disappointment in love. In any case, not only the Dwarves, but millions of readers have benefitted from Bilbo's Tookish nature being roused. And he was as much Belladonna's son as Bungo's. Thanx for the review, Inzilbeth!

Andrea · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

Great story! I enjoyed it a great deal! I think I remember Gandalf's remarks about Belladonna in "The Hobbit". And I like how you portrayed her, a Tookish lass through and through ;-) Good old Bungo, on the other hand, is just like his (future) son before he went on his great adventure! Last but not least, your mention of Hildifons made me grin. A cheeky lad who could not keep still Very true! It's only sad that he never returned.

Author's reply

If you're interested in Hildifons, you simply must read this story by Dreamflower: Trotter http://stories.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=6205 Thanx for the review, Andrea. I seem to remember that Humphrey Carpenter, in one of his books on Tolkien, advanced the theory that Bilbo's family was based to some extent on Tolkien's own; his long-lived and rugged maternal grandfather could have inspired the Old Took, and Mabel Suffield Tolkien as a model for Belladonna, with the Suffields as the Tooks and the Tolkiens as the Bagginses. Fascinating idea; though I loved the idea of the friendship between Gandalf and Belladonna just for itself. I was trying to show that Bungo was not completely stuffy; since I don't see Belladonna marrying a dullard; but that he was brave and had hidden depths. I'm glad you enjoyed the tale!

Dreamflower · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

SQUEEEEE!!!!! This is utterly and completely delightful! I love stories featuring Gandalf's friendship with Gerontius, and I love stories featuring Bilbo's parents and oh! this is just wonderful. I think it was very clever of you to make Mungo the Tooks solicitor. It makes the idea of a childhood friendship between Bungo and Belladonna much more plausible! Oh, I just LOVED this!

Author's reply

I felt that Belladonna had been slighted a little in Tolkien fanfiction; she can easily get lost, since Tolkien never properly introduced her to us; and the idea of Gandalf having a lifelong friendship with a female character, as I believe Tolkien implied, was just too wonderful not to depict, at least the beginning of their relationship. I could just see Bungo being the son of the Tooks' very proper and respectable and competent solicitor; and hanging out at Great Smials, and becoming fond of little Belladonna. Or, for all we know, Belladonna initiated their friendship by tagging along with the older kid... I'm delighted that a writer as conversant and experienced in writing good hobbit stories has enjoyed this tale - thanx for reading and reviewing, Dreamflower.

shirebound · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

I enjoyed this very much! What a delightful meeting, and each character's nature rings true.

Author's reply

Thanx for reading and reviewing, shirebound - glad you liked it, and found my characterisation "true" - I do try!

Cairistiona · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

Charming story! I like Belladonna's pluck even at such a young age...the Fallohide strain seems very much alive and well in her. :)

Author's reply

Oh, I think Belladonna was an eccentric, adventurous Took alright; but I don't see her as looking extremely Fallohidish; I gave her a slender build and reddish hair. I'm glad that you saw what I was trying to show in Belladonna. Thanx for reviewing, Cairistiona!

utfrog · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

Lovely story. I am very glad you posted it. It does seem to fit beautifully with the little we know of Bilbo's history. Well done.

Author's reply

Thanx for reading and commenting, utfrog - I wish Tolkien had given us more info about the fabulous Belladonna Took; but that's one reason I love reading and writing fanfiction; to explore those tantalizing gaps in his world.

harrowcat · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

Premonitions shouldn't be ignored indeed, especailly a wizard's! I really enjoyed this. One question - if it is complete why call it a prologue?

Author's reply

Thanx for reviewing, harrowcat. I called it a Chapter: Prologue; because the story formatting program gives me two choices, even if the story is complete - Chapter: Prologue or Chapter One; and I felt that neither one applied to the situation.

Clodia · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

Oh, this looks like a fun beginning! Perhaps I just haven't spent enough time in the Hobbitish section of the Tolkien fandom, but I've always wondered about the adventurous Belladonna. In any case, the contrast between the peaceful Gandalf and the children in the tree is delightfully done, as is the contrast between Belladonna and Bungo. Thank you!

Author's reply

I hardly ever write hobbits; I'm more at home writing certain Dunedain; but the idea of writing something about Gandalf and Belladonna occurred to me a few months ago, and the particulars finally came into my head this past week. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the story; I definitely meant there to be a contrast between Belladonna and Bungo. Thanx for the review, Clodia!

Lady Bluejay · 10 October 2009 · Chapter 0: Looking For Dragons

A wizard's premonitions should not be ignored. Very nice. LBJ

Author's reply

Thanx for reading and reviewing; LBJ - no wizard's premonitions should be ignored, especially Gandalf's! I'm glad you liked the piece.

Reviews (14)