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| On Being the Youngest by Bodkin | 31 Review(s) |
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| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/13/2005 |
| ‘Well – I’m young enough to be optimistic.’ LOL, that's Pippin alright! Loved this exchange between Pippin and Legolas. Though Legolas still has a good deal more years that Pippin (and indeed most of the Fellowship) we often forget that he is considered young amongst elves. Pippin is perfectly pippish here too, twisting his words about and yet still managing to have them make sense. Author Reply: Well - Pippin has more experience now of the dangerous side of life, but I think he's still young enough to have pushed the fear out of his mind as Frodo recovered. And, in Rivendell, I think the dangers would seem far away. He seems to me to be one of those people whose vision is slightly skewed - he sees thing in a slightly different way that often offers an insight to others. (And he's right that Glorfindel is rather noticeable!) Poor Legolas will remain the youngest until he sails. I wonder if that is one of the attractions of his mortal friends? Together, probably, with all those older and wiser elves shaking their heads and saying it's not a good idea. And his openness to new experiences and different races would make him a good elf for the job. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/13/2005 |
| This is an absolutely delightful conversation! Pippin is certainly no one's fool. I especially loved these two passages: Why does he need you more than anyone else?’ ‘He’s a hobbit,’ Pippin answered in surprise. ‘Hobbits need other hobbits. It’s bad enough finding yourself in a world that’s too big, without being cut off from your family. Frodo needs Merry and me because we make him laugh and because we give him someone to look after – and he needs Sam to look after him.’ And... ‘But you would still choose to go?’ A reluctant respect tinged the elf’s voice. ‘Well – I’m young enough to be optimistic.’ Pippin’s sharp eyes assessed the fair prince. ‘And so are you. If we’re going to sneak, we need to be people who can get by without being noticed. You can’t not notice Glorfindel.’ Author Reply: Thank you. Pippin is as sharp as a tack - but still young and inexperienced enough that he assumes that everyone else knows what is clear to him. I think he has a slightly off-centre way of looking at things, too - that often illuminates matters for other people. In fact, Elrond might find this conversation interesting - and more likely to incline him towards sending these two than any arguments. I don't think Elrond would have chosen Glorfindel to go, but he must have looked at his sons and wondered how he could send others into this danger and not them. But his vision was true! | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/13/2005 |
| This is adorable! I love the "kids' conspiracy." I've always kind of thought that Legolas was pretty young -- I first read LOTR as a precocious ten-year-old, and Legolas impressed me as being much more at my level than most of the characters, including Frodo and Sam, who all seemed very grown-up. I love the way you talk about the differences between Rivendell and Mirkwood, and some of the similarities between Rivendell and the Shire. The image I get is of Pippin, prolonging his adolescence as long as he can get away with it, and Legolas, who didn't have nearly as carefree a childhood, getting a chance to play a little in the company of the hobbits. It's a delightful scene. Author Reply: Thank you! Kids - at 28 and x hundred - and the one who is still under age is the one who will get to grow and change. It must be so difficult to grow up as an elf, surrounded by immortals who have seen the world since before the sun rose. Legolas is light-hearted and wide-eyed at the wonder of what he sees beyond the wood that has been his life - it's half his charm. Pippin is in no real rush to take on the responsibilities of adulthood - he knows they will come soon enough - and I think he has a slightly different way of looking at things that makes him interesting. Legolas has had plenty of responsibility - but he still has a certain naivety and freshness about him. And hobbits always seem to me to have a touch of the elven about them - closer perhaps to elves than men. I reckon Legolas would get on well with Merry and Pippin, especially. Frodo is too sober - still too hurt, really, and burdened - and Sam is too awe-inspired by elves at the moment, but Merry and Pippin are as open and interested as the elf. | |
| Ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/13/2005 |
| Cute little tale and so full of "young" logic and wisdom! What a fun read! Author Reply: Thank you! Pippin is only just beginning to realise the dangers of life beyond the Shire - but he is no fool and he is determined. Then there's the difference between being young at 28 and young at x hundred. But they both have to put up with their fellows wondering if they're up to the task. I'm glad you liked it. | |
| MaidenofValinor | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/13/2005 |
| Too, too, too adorable. Rarely are moments between Pippin and Legolas seen. I love it! I love the fact that neither of them think they're going to be sent on the quest. And "you can't not notice Glorfindel"? Very true. Very clever. Good work. Author Reply: Thank you. I reckon they would both find being the youngest rather a trial. Although, of course, Legolas is rather stuck with the status! Pippin knows Frodo would really rather he went home - and Legolas can see so many better, more highly skilled candidates. And yet they are both needed! Glorfindel is highly noticeable. In more ways than one! | |
| Pipwise Brandygin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/13/2005 |
| I came here on a recommendation from Dreamflower, and I'm so glad I did - this made me grin from start to finish! An absolutely lovely moment between Pippin and Legolas; so funny and sweet, and full of insight. Will definitely add this one to my favourites, and I'd *love* to see more Legolas and Pippin stories in this vein. Thank you for this :) Author Reply: Thank you - I'm glad you liked it. It was something that Dreamflower said that made this pop into my head. It's funny to think that Legolas will remain the youngest as long as he is in Middle Earth, even though he is x hundred, whereas 28 year old Pippin knows lots of younger hobbits - and he will become among the oldest. The contrasts between elves and mortals are very interesting. And often sad. I think Elrond made the right choices in who was sent on the quest - and Pippin is glad he showed sense and sent him and Merry along. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/13/2005 |
| Oh Bodkin! This is wonderful! Pippin is just so very Pippish here! I love the way he's making the acquaintance of Legolas in a tree, LOL! And I adore this line: Well,’ Pippin bit into his apple, ‘if nobody expects you to have any sense, why bother? I’m quite happy to let somebody else take the responsibility – and get the blame.’ That's our Pip. He has no intention of being left behind. And if they *don't* choose him, he'll be perfectly willing to join Merry in an attempt to follow. But he'll leave the planning up to Merry. And if he is chosen--and he optimistically thinks he will be--he'll leave the strategy up to Gandalf and Strider and Frodo. And I love the way Legolas listens to him, and the fellow feeling between them on the subject of being youngest. ‘Pretty much,’ the elf admitted. ‘And when you are talking to elves who remember the War of Wrath, you know you will never have a hope of being considered truly adult.’ And that's it in a nutshell. What a sweet little vignette! Author Reply: Well - this is your fault! You said of - Ripe for Change, I think it was, - no Legolas and no hobbitses, and these two just sat in that tree and started talking! Pip will choose his battles, I think. Going with Frodo is non-negotiable. But he won't bother to argue - and if those around him are willing to take the responsibility, then let them. Legolas is, of course, x hundred to Pippin's 28 - and a prince and a warrior. Only he has been and will remain the youngest, at least until he is in the Blesed Realm, whereas Pippin is surrounded by scads of younger hobbits - and will, in time, be among the oldest. Interesting contrast of ages. I'm glad you enjoyed it. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/13/2005 |
| Ooh, lovely! This was thoroughly enjoyable. I love the ‘I am a Wood Elf’ and ‘I am a Took'!! I also really like the wisdom hidden behind the teasing. I thought one of the most insightful things was Pippin saying that hobbits need other hobbits. It’s so simple and yet shows just how important family and friends are to hobbits. And it’s just understood by hobbits, not questioned at all. It’s so strange to think that Pippin presumed Mirkwood, or at least Legolas’ home, would be like Rivendell – but of course why wouldn’t he think that! It was a nice insight into where Legolas comes from and, of course, his age. I laughed at the Legolas telling Pippin ‘If you listen, you will hear me being reminded of it constantly.’ And the look passed between them is wonderful! I’m not sure, though, that Thranduil would appreciate anyone encouraging his son to not ‘bother’ showing any sense or taking responsibility. LOL. I can just picture it. I particularly like the fact that it’s Pippin who explains things to Legolas. He displays such a great sense of awareness and loyalty. He knows exactly how dangerous the mission will be, yet he can see what needs to be done to have any chance. And he’s willing to do it. I get the impression that he’s just waiting for Elrond to realise!! He’s very sharp, that Pippin. One of my favourite bits is the way you let us know that during the conversation ‘three hobbits and a ranger’ have wandered by and not noticed them. That made me smile! Great ending, too. This was a pleasant surprise, Bodkin :-) Author Reply: Legolas being modest. Pippin being Tookish! And hobbits, like elves, are very good at being unobtrusive - when they want to be. Frodo was kept going by the other hobbits, I think. And also that it was important that he was the older, more responsible one. It would have been very easy to let the Big People take over and become a bit of a passenger - but Merry and Pippin prevented that. Pippin will have heard Bilbo's stories, of course. But he comes from a comfortable Shire - I reckon that he could picture danger on the outskirts, like the Old Forest, but that he would see home as safe. And his only experience of elves is Rivendell. Legolas has been the youngest for a long time. And I can't believe that older elves won't have reminded him of it! The not bothering - well, Pippin is under age in Shire terms. Young as Legolas is, he is well over age and knows the demands of his home, his father and his duty. Maybe when he was about 30-40! Pippin is sharp. And very determined. And Elrond had better realise that and give in - if he wants to make his life easier! Glad you enjoyed it. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/13/2005 |
| This is delightful! I enjoy hearing a young tookish hobbit and a young elf discuss the finer points of the relative advantages and disadvantages of being young and/or easily overlooked. The hands of the meek indeed! Good think Lord Elrond does have long sight :>) Author Reply: Thank you. Dreamflower's fault! She read something and mentioned no Legolas or hobbits - and these two just started talking! It must be odd for Legolas to get to the Blessed Realm and encounter scads of elves to whom he is old and experienced. Although maybe his years with mortals made him feel his age more! And easily overlooked is pretty important in this quest. Definitely rules out Glorfindel! And whatever his reasons, Elrond was right to send Merry and Pippin - they were needed. | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/13/2005 |
| What a lovely interlude between Legolas and Pippin. I do like their conversation about the problems of being youngest - though I can't see Legolas ever taking advantage of Pippin's opt-out of 'no-one expects you to be responsible'. I do agree with Pippin's assessment of their chances: If we’re going to sneak, we need to be people who can get by without being noticed. You can’t not notice Glorfindel.’ He's right - which is why I think the sons of Elrond weren't selected. You can't not notice them - not with their history of orc-slaying, and their remarkable identicality (if that's a word ...) Author Reply: Well - when it comes to the opt-out clause - Pippin is still 28 and under age, whereas Legolas is x hundred and a responsible warrior. Maybe when he was an elfling - although I don't feel he has Pippin's casual streak. Yes, this party wanted to go unnoticed - and E2 or Glorfindel would just have been too there. They will be better off drawing certain big fiery eyes elsewhere! Aragorn, though, is used to sneaking and remaining unseen. And I think hobbits (and Legolas) can do it naturally. Thank you. | |