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A Conspiracy of Hobbits by Dreamflower	111 Review(s)
Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 11/7/2005
You mean you might write it? Thanks! Arrrooooo! I'll gladly let it wait in line behind the other bunnies. In the meantime, I'll go join Pippin in whooping and jumping on Gandalf's bed. Yes, I expect that you are correct that Frodo would have left everything to Merry and Pippin at this point, although I doubt either of them would have wanted the money. It would be clear to him that Bilbo is not coming back and even if he did, he's too old to make it practical. Although Frodo and Sam had a close employment relationship and were friends besides, they didn't have that really close bond until after spending all of that time together on the Quest. And as the books say, Frodo's closest friends were Merry and Pippin. Why do the books refer to the relationship between the three of them as being "friends" rather than "cousins"? I never understood that, although in this instance of whom were his closest friends it makes sense. I'd imagine that Pippin was pretty upset as well as angry to find the letter with Frodo's estate plans. First of all, Pippin doesn't want to even think of the possibility that Frodo will not come back or most likely die on this mission, even though Peregrin does have an idea of how probable that is. Secondly, it would frustrate him all the more in making realise how important it is that he go on the Quest so he can be there for Frodo and Merry. Thirdly, Pippin just plain would not want or care about the money - he wants his cousin! Really, he's the heir to the Thain and the Took. Money is one thing that Peregrin Took is never going to have to worry about in his life. Besides, I don't think money is all that important to him. What matters to Pippin is his family and friends and their health and happiness. I see Pippin taking that letter as a sign that Frodo expects to never return or else to die on the Quest. No wonder Pippin treated it like a venemous snake! How I wish that Folco would think before he acted. Honestly, to sing that song about a miller with Ted Sandyman there? sigh "Merry was making lists of the items that were to stay; Sam was outside, “putting the gardens to sleep”, something he’d not normally be doing for a few weeks yet; ... Frodo was jumpy, seemingly unable to settle to any one task, and starting at the least little sound." I can easily imagine it being just so. Merry and Sam would try to keep themselves from thinking by turning to the practical things they knew needed to get done. Poor Frodo must be frightened out of his wits at this point, between all of the unrest in his life, the knowledge that someone is likely after him, and Gandalf never having arrived. "“What is the matter with you, Frodo?” asked Pippin, finally in frustration. “You act like someone put a bug down your back.” He spoke from experience, having personally performed this experiment on his cousin several years ago." Cute. Very cute line. And very Pippinish. "Merry looked up sharply. “Gandalf’s coming back?” ... Now Merry was worried." You're kidding, right? As if Merry weren't worried before! lol! No, it's perfectly reasonable that both Merry and Pippin would be worried that if Gandalf were there, he would not allow either of them to accompany Frodo and Sam on the Quest. "Pippin was watching Merry’s face. He could tell what Merry was thinking. He wondered himself about it. He’d never known his wistful expression to cut any ice with Gandalf. The wizard had known several generations of Tookish green eyes." LOL! Pippin knows all the angles, doesn't he? Gandalf must be a powerful wizard indeed not to fall for those Tookish green eyes, especially the way Pippin uses them. It reminds me of how we say that our dogs must spend all of their time at home practising their cute looks so we can't deny them. "Fatty might be half Took himself, but he'd never seen any signs of it in his own temperament." You know, I never realised that Freddy was half Took himself. I'll have to go home and check how he is related on the family trees in the book. Excellent chapter, as always! Author Reply: Well, it's an intriguing little bunny, but it will have to grow a bit. And I warn you--it might end up anecdotal material in a longer story, rather than stand-alone. But I'm feeding it and seeing what grows. Hmm. Story-external, I think he probably wanted to emphasize the friendship, and de-emphasize the age gap. Otherwise, readers might be sidetracked with wondering why his best friends are 14 and 22 years younger than he, as might occur if he talked too much of their blood relationship and in what way they were cousins. Story-internal, could go something like this: JRRT was supposedly translating the Red Book from Westron. Perhaps there was no word that quite conveyed the meaning "very-close-friend-second-cousin-twice-removed-but-raised-together", for example. Having to content himself with a simpler word, he chose "friend" rather than "cousin" as showing the meaning better. (And I would bet in their own land, hobbits probably did have precise words that conveyed those exact meanings--a society as obsessed with genealogy as they were, it's a given.) As to Frodo's estate, that was exactly it. He could not have left Bag End away from the Baggins family, I would bet. (which would be another reason he had to take Lotho's standing offer) But he could leave his money anywhere he wished. Sam was going with him, and of course, they are not so close yet as they will be--as you point out. Merry and Pippin are the two who are dearest to him. And of course, both of them would far rather have Frodo than his money. With a few exceptions, family is far more important to hobbits. And Pippin tends to be a bit in denial about terrible things happening to his loved ones (remember his reaction to the idea of being Thain?). It distressed him very badly. It really was that song that more or less sealed Folco's eventual fate, for it made him an enemy of Sandyman. I thought it might be something Pippin would say. And only he would come right out and ask, LOL! Actually, Gandalf is probably not so hobbit-resistant as Pippin thinks, LOL! But he puts on a good front. Freddy's mother was born Rosamunda Took. Her father was Bilbo's best friend in his youth, Hildibrand's son Sigismond. Ferdinand is her brother. Thanks. These reviews are bringing it all back to me! grin Author Reply: Actually that should have been "first-cousin-once-removed" sigh not paying enough attention...

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/7/2005
It's Meriadoc the Magnificent! Bravo, Merry! I'm sure he got quite a lot of satisfaction out of helping Frodo by chasing off Lotho. Sure, Sam and Pippin are there to back him up, but it's so like Merry to actually take action to protect his Frodo. Long quote: "Frodo was sitting in the middle of the floor, his face as bleak as winter. Pippin was frightened. He had never seen Frodo look like that before. Merry had; but not since he was seven years old. Would what worked then work now? “Pip, go on back out, and see if Sam can find something for you to do,” he whispered. Pippin nodded, and went back the way he’d come. When Merry was but a little lad in Buckland, he would sometimes find his Frodo looking just so, usually sitting by the Brandywine, staring at the river that had stolen his parents away. And he would comfort his cousin as best he could. He hoped it would still work now that they were grown. He walked over and sat down next to Frodo, and put his arm around him, and whispered in his ear: “I love you, Frodo.” And Frodo gave a shuddering breath, and returned his embrace, and ruffled his hair. Merry could feel the sorrow draining away from his cousin, who whispered back, as he always had, “I love you, too, my Merry. Thank you.”" My heart goes out to all three of the cousins here. Poor Frodo is just so overwhelmed by all the turmoil in his life, which has just been turned upside down. Thank goodness Merry was there and recognised the signs and was able to give the only thing that might help his lost cousin. Merry's heart must have skipped a few beats to see Frodo in such a manner after all these years. It must have brought back some awful memories and, knowing Merry, worried him to no end as well as made him sick and angry to see Frodo like that. I liked when Merry used to comfort Frodo in this manner when Merry was little and I really like that he does it now. Pippin must have been terrified. He's never seen Frodo like that and is used to Frodo always being calm and in control of all situations. To see him scared and lost like that - it must have come as quite a shock to the young tweenager. Did Merry come out afterward and talk to Pippin in private? I expect he probably did, knowing how frightened Pippin would be. Merry must have at least had to explain to Pippin that Frodo was all right now. But I see him as also explaining to his younger cousin how Frodo used to get in such a state when Merry was little and Frodo was trying to cope with the death of his parents. It would be one of the few moments when they were talking about Frodo during this summer that their relationship would not be restrained by the events surrounding the ring. Merry would be explaining honestly, knowing how frightened and sensitive his younger cousin was and how much he needed an explanation just then. Not because of his Tookish curiosity, but because of a love and deep concern for Frodo that is matched only by Merry's. Would you please, please, please write that scene? Hmmm... is that challenge still going on over on your LJ? The stump the author challenge? If so, that's the scene I'd want to see, although I guess I'd have to stump you first. And what would Frodo's reaction be to Merry the next day? Would either Merry or Frodo make mention of it or would Merry pretend as if it hadn't happened, much to Frodo's relief. And Pippin? I expect he would take Merry's lead in how to treat Frodo on this occasion. I want to know more! - Gryffinjack, whose feeling quite Tookish right now Author Reply: Oh this review is just music to my soul! I love that you quote my favorite part of it, even more than Merry chasing Lotho off, was Merry bringing Frodo back to himself. I'm quite sure it was a shock to Pippin. He is so young that he's never really seen Frodo in that sort of grief--by the time he came along, his cousin was happy with Bilbo, and settled in at Bag End, and it was hard for him to even remember sometimes that Frodo had ever had parents, though I'm sure Merry had talked to him of it more than once, he'd never seen it. You know, I'll have to think over your bunny, and let it percolate. You don't have to stump me, if you don't mind that it waits in line behind a few other bunnies...

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/7/2005
Poor Frodo - it's got to be so humiliating telling everyone that he has run out of money and watching everyone come up with their own ideas as to what's really going on. "He jerked his hand away as if from hot coals, and fled out the back door, mouthing to Sam in the back garden “S-B’s”. He went for a long walk, leaving poor Sam to deal with them on his own, and did not return until the stars came out." This is something we don't see much of - Frodo actually getting upset. It's good to see him acting like a normal human being, er ... hobbit, would in a situation like this. It's only natural that he would get upset about the hateful S.B.'s and have some sort of display of anger, as you have demonstrated in this line. He certainly did not flee from them in terror, but because he was frustrated and tired of dealing with them. And I love the way he just mouths "S-B's" to Sam and he stomps off. You've brought up something not often considered here. If Sam did have a relationship with Rosie already, it must have been extremely difficult for him to go off with Mr. Frodo and leave her without a word for what might have been forever. He must have worried that she would find someone else and that it would serve him right if she did. Poor Sam would have been really hard on himself for causing her so much unhappiness when she found out he was gone without so much as a word. I really like your Rosie's confidence and understanding in Sam. She's just what he needs. Author Reply: Yes, I thought it would be a bit funny if he realized that no one really believed him--remember the gossip at the Green Dragon? The legend of Bilbo's wealth was not so easily done away with. And Frodo was a terrible liar, LOL! The S.-B.s are driving him to distraction, and he does not like being angry. But what really did frighten him was not them, but the realization that he was ready to put on the Ring, after all of Gandalf's dire warnings. He had to stomp off to collect himself. In, I think, Unfinished Tales there is a scene with Rosie, where she says she never believed Sam was dead, that she always knew he would come back, and that she could feel it in the Spring that it was time for his return. If you've never read it, it's a very moving passage.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/4/2005
Your chapters with letters in them are always so enjoyable to read. I feel so bad for all of our hobbits - preparing themselves that these might be their last few days in the Shire ever. And for Merry and Pippin, there is the extra burden of knowing that if they do not come back, they will be leaving their fathers with no heir to the Master of Buckland and to the Thain and the Took. It must have been such a terrible summer for all of them. Author Reply: It must have been such a terrible summer for all of them. It had to have been; all the tension of knowing how dire and dangerous the journey was likely to be (and yet no hint of the reality) I think the knowledge that they were helping to take the Evil away from their families and loved ones made the leaving just barely bearable.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 11/4/2005
Bless Eglantine for taking such a liking to Folco! He's such a sweet but misunderstood character, he needs someone to take him under her wing. I am so impressed with Freddy and the courage he is developing in this story. Being in the centre of this maelstrom is forcing him to become his own hobbit and stand up for what he believes in. It makes it much easier to believe that he would lead a rebellion later on. Wouldn't Frodo have brought any of his parents' possessions with him when he came to live at Bag End? You know, I always figured that Frodo knew or had a premonition about something going wrong with Gandalf when he was taken prisoner by Saruman. I'm so glad you included this. Author Reply: I think that motherly Eglantine would see Folco's sweet nature behind his appalling lack of social sense, and rather take him under her wing. He does have a lot of courage. I've always thought that JRRT may originally envisioned a larger role for Fredegar Bolger than what appeared in the final version. Frodo was only 21 (human equivalent of a 13 year old) when he came to live with Bilbo, and Bag End was fully furnished. I think he was quite likely to have some of his parents' smaller possessions--maybe jewelry of his mother's, his parents' portraits, maybe some of his father's books or pipes--but he'd have had no need of, or way to take care of any of their larger household furnishings. And I did think, as do you, that he would have had some kind of premonition about Gandalf--at any rate, I thought that part of the story needed highlighting. And Frodo's dreams in general, were canon.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/4/2005
This chapter was a joy to read. Watching the relationship between Pippin and Freddy change and the friendship between them forge - I love the way Freddy handles Pippin and is stronger than he normally would be. And I'm glad we get to see Pippin's sensitive side again in here. There's such a sense of urgency to this entire story that it is quite compelling even though we know how things are going to turn out. Author Reply: Pippin's been around Fatty most of his life, but he's always fallen for the older hobbit's amiable and slightly vapid alter-ego. (If you must know I was kind of thinking of such literary favorites of mine as Albert Campion and Lord Peter Wimsey, who hid their intelligence by acting like silly stereo-typical upper class twits.) But Pippin's seen behind the mask now, and knows he can count on Fatty in a way that he had not realized before that he could. And Freddy knows that he can show his strength and intelligence, since Pippin has already penetrated his disguise. I am glad that the urgency comes through. It is amazing to me when I read fanfics that I can get caught up in the plot, even though I know the way it turns out already.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/4/2005
Poor Frodo must feel already like he does not belong and doesn't really have a home anymore. His whole life is on hold waiting for the uncertain path that lies ahead. I'm not at all surprised that Peregrin's parents were upset with him for having been gone so long. For all that we consider him equal to the other hobbits, he is still just a tweenager and his parents are responsible for him and cannot help but worry about him and want his company. It's great to see Pippin thinking things out and planning, more in the manner that Merry normally acts than acting in his normal manner of being impulsive. Yet, the intensity and determination is still there. In all three cousins and Sam, actually. I cannot say enough about your Freddy and Folco, especially Freddy. You've made me wish we could see more of him and that he were more integral to Tolkien's LotR. He's quite a complex character that I want to see more of. I imagine his knowledge of Elvish to be more on a par with what Frodo's knowledge of the language is in the Trilogy. I wish he had more of a Tookish nature so he could have a desire to go on adventures. Author Reply: Yes, this is a really bad time for Frodo. His life is on hold--it's too soon to leave, and now that he must he doesn't really want to. Yet to stay around and have to think about it all the time can't be doing him any good. Pippin often makes long visits to Frodo and to Merry this time of year. But he usually clears it with his parents first. This time he went ahead and then told them afterwards. Not something the parents of an adolescent are going to be pleased with. Plus, he is getting a bit older, and probably has a few responsibilities that he is neglecting, although that is an area I've yet to explore. This is a case where Pippin has to think ahead and plan. He is so afraid of being left behind he doesn't want to take any chances. At this point, Freddy has only a mere smattering of Elvish, that he has learned from Frodo. But his interest is there. And he has steeped himself in Bilbo's Westron translations of Elvish tales. The Tookish side of his nature has yet to awaken. He hasn't been in his "pinch" yet--but he will.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/4/2005
I imagine Merry was too lost in his own glum thoughts to wonder why Pippin was drinking so heavily or was in such a bad mood, unless he chalked it all up to the tweenager being upset that Frodo was selling Bag End to the hated S.B.'s and moving farther away from Tookland (if I have my Shire geography right. Why don't they ever include Tookland on the maps of the Shire?) It must have been quite difficult for Pippin and Merry not to say anything to each other when they are so used to sharing everything. The shame of it is that they are both more or less upset about the same thing and they cannot help each other out of their sour moods. Even so, I think it's still helpful just for them to be together during this awful time. They still are drawing on the strength of watching out for each other and just being there for each other. If ever there was a time when they needed each other's presence, it's now, when they are both so worried and concerned about Frodo. Author Reply: Tookland is about 14 miles from Bag End cross-country, while Buckland is a little over 60 cross country. I think Merry did put Pippin's bad mood down to the S.-B.s getting Bag End, and he probably thought Pippin thought the same about him, although of course, Pippin actually knew. It's quite true. They need one another badly, and yet all these secrets are driving them apart when they most need to be together.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/4/2005
It's still so painful to read about Frodo selling dear Bag End to the S.B.'s! It must have come as quite a crushing blow to each of them to learn of Frodo's plan and watch him sign that contract. Leave it to Folco to be the only one to actually believe Frodo had run out of money and suggest a possible solution! He's so sweet and good natured. All of the others are too busy pretending they believe the story in hopes of not arousing suspicion that none of them even thought of making such a lame offer. Although Frodo hopes the rest of the hobbits are all buying his story, I wonder if he were at all surprised that none of them offerred to help, especially if even Folco had thought of that solution. Interesting how it is Lotho who unintentionally comes up with the way to get Frodo out of the jam Folco got him into - that an agreement is an agreement. It must be the only time in his life that Lotho was at all helpful. This must have been so painful for all of them to see - the sale of Bag End would have made it all the more real that this was going to happen and that Frodo could not remain in the Shire and really was in serious danger. Author Reply: Yes, breaking the news to his friends must have been really hard. Poor Frodo, hardly anyone believed his excuses, except Folco, who was too clueless not too, and Lotho in whose best interest it was to believe it. At this point, with him trying so hard to keep his secret, he is not "reading" his cousins as well as he normally does. Both he and Merry are putting their occasional suspicions down to their own nerves rather than to the idea that someone else has figured out the secret. So when he finds himself wondering why Merry is not behaving normally, or when Merry finds himself wondering the same about Pippin, they both put it down to their own nerve-wracked state. It was very painful. Since you've read all the "earlier" (in time) stories, you know how very filled with memories Bag End is for all of them.

Gryffinjack	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/4/2005
I wish he didn't have to sell Bag End, especially to those awful S.B.'s. If Merry came up behind Pippin, I wonder if Merry saw Pippin listening in on Sam and Frodo's conversation. Although I doubt he did, Merry would probably have said nothing, just hoped Pippin didn't pick up on what Frodo really meant, and dropped it. Then he'd tell Sam to be more careful about where he has his private conversations with Frodo. "Gandalf watched his four small friends closely. Something had changed in their way of interacting with one another; it was subtle, but there." Having Gandalf as the observer is brilliant. Of course the wizard would be pick up on the subtle difference in how the four hobbits were interacting. "He was going to miss the Shire. But the day was fast approaching when all his work would either be done, or end in total failure. Either way, his time here would end." You know, Gandalf and Frodo really are very much in the same sort of situation. Of course, Frodo is in more physical danger than Gandalf, but that wouldn't really matter to Gandalf as much since he is looking at the larger picture. Both must leave the Shire to play their part in this rather high stakes game which will decide all things. And both sense that their time is coming to an end. For I always sensed in Frodo that once he learnt of the Ring and his role with it, he never really thought he had a future after that, but more that his role in life had become this mission and that was it. The addition of Freddy and Folco only tangles things up even more. Can you imagine how nervous Freddy must have been upon seeing all who were now gathered together in one hole? He and Pippin are the only ones who know exactly who knows what, and he will feel a bit guilty toward Merry about telling Pippin everything. Plus he has to worry about keeping Folco completely in the dark, since he knows better than everyone else just how badly Folco can say the wrong thing at absolutely the worst time. And Gandalf's presence? He's a wizard who has been among elves and surely must know everything. The tension in that smial must be so thick you could cut it with that knife Merry gave Sam for a birthday present! Typical Gandalf to ponder and then watch and see how things play out. I'm glad he realised the value of Merry and Pippin and did not try to interfere. This story is quite a cerebral exercise! Author Reply: Part of the reason Frodo sold to the S.-B.s (aside from the time factor, and the fact that there was a standing offer) was the knowledge that with his beloved Bag End in their hands, he would have to go--he wouldn't be able to stay and watch what they would do to it. It was a way of burning his bridges. A lot of people forget that "Gandalf was hiding up at Bag End", as the neighborhood gossip put it. He was staying there as Frodo's guest, and as an astute observer could not help but tumble to what was going on. And you are very right about Gandalf and Frodo. I don't think Frodo ever expected to return to the Shire--though I believe he thought he'd live his life in exile, the way Bilbo did. But once he had committed to carrying the Ring to Mordor, I think he really counted himself as dead. Yes, I am sure everything was very difficult for all of them during this time--secrets will do that. And I do think that is how Gandalf would have played it--his role was to inspire others to play their parts, and he would recognize when that had happened. I'm glad you put it that way. It most certainly was for me as I wrote it!

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