Baggins Babe
· 2 March 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
Oh this was hilarious! I must admit I've always wondered how a smart hobbit like Merry could ride all the way to Gondor in Dernhelm's lap and not twig that it was Eowyn! So he's just agreeing to look a fool for the sake of the readers' suspense?!
So Pip will get in on the act about lighting the beacons and I'm sure Frodo left out the bit about Sam beating Gollum.............
Brilliant!
Author's reply
Yep, that's it! Tolkien can't be faulted for not knowing this, considering Merry didn't even let Frodo leave a footnote. ;) Or perhaps he's just trying to save face with Frodo, letting his cousin think he *did* know (in which case, Frodo would humor him and go along with the ploy). :D
Pippin will try! I'm sure he and Merry have all sorts of ideas for the Red Book, but Frodo wouldn't really allow any inaccuracies. Well, except the freight train reference. ;)
demeter d
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
Yes, I could see both of them being that determined. Some writer somewhere, (I wish I could remember where!) called the movies something like "P.J.'s ultimate fan fiction". Just like fan-fiction authors, he picked out parts and added details to make the story come out how he would have liked it...or how he, Phillippa and Fran would have. I think if we keep some of the more IRRITATING changes (yes, cough, cough, Faramir) in THAT perspective, perhaps we could forgive him a bit more and better enjoy what we like about the films.
Author's reply
The movies are definetly AU.
And I'm sure Merry and Pippin had plenty of ideas of how Frodo could have improved the Red Book. Thankfully, Frodo knew better than to actually listen to them! ;)
demeter d
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 25: Deconstructing the Red Book, Part II
Hee,Hee! I will be laughing all night! Mistake #1, coming between a hobbit and his dinner. #2, getting a hobbit started about family relations. And mistake # 3, trying to argue with the Gaffer in the first place! It sounds as though Sauron and his witch King made the same mistake Saruman did, underestimating the power of little things. To the downfall of all of them. The whole bit about "little roads, little hills, little people", reminds me of the song "Little Girls" from the musical "Annie". I am especially thinking of Carol Burnett's wonderful boozy rendition of same from the 1982 motion picture. I am sure your Khamul, too, is hoping for "the prohibition of little" well, in this case, people! This is a lot of fun.
Author's reply
Khamul's going to learn a lot about the taboos of speaking with hobbits! If he thought they'd be easily cowed, he'll soon learn the truth!
speckled_llama
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
I love it! Is there any chance of another part to this story? (hint, hint)
Author's reply
Other than Part II? No at the moment, but if inspiration strikes again, I will certainly be happy to do another. Thanks for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Elemmírë
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 25: Deconstructing the Red Book, Part II
ROTFL!!!!
Sounds like one Black Rider that could have used a GPS system!
Ah, the good ol' Gaffer ... bless him :D
~Elemmírë~
Author's reply
Too bad they couldn't have installed a Low Jack into the Ring somehow. Would have made all this hunting about much easier.
Poor Gaffer. He just wanted to enjoy his pipe then go inside for a second supper. He shouldn't have to deal with dark customers who don't know who they're looking for or where they're going! ;)
shirebound
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 25: Deconstructing the Red Book, Part II
“Why?”
“Why? Why’s none of my business, or yours.”
“No – why me?” Khamûl asked, feeling a headache coming on.
Wonderful! Khamûl met his match in the Gaffer. He would deserve a nice hot cup of tea for all his troubles, if it weren't for his non-existent face and all. *grins*
Author's reply
If the Nazgul were prone to hissy fits, I believe that Khamul would have thrown one after that conversation! I imagine that headache will be a migraine by the time they get to Crickhollow. ;)
harrowcat
· 1 March 2007
· Chapter 25: Deconstructing the Red Book, Part II
Oh thanks so much for the great giggle as I head back down the motorway - again.
He scrunched the useless map into a ball and did his best not to screech. - I know exactly how he feels!
Author's reply
Thank goodness that spy didn't think to include Buckland on the Shire map. Well, unless you're Khamul! ;)
Thanks for reading!
Grey Wonderer
· 28 February 2007
· Chapter 25: Deconstructing the Red Book, Part II
Very entertaining! I am enjoying this. Is there more, do you think?
Author's reply
Thank you, GW! I don't have plans for more at the moment, if inspirations strikes, there could be a Part III. ;D
Althea
· 28 February 2007
· Chapter 25: Deconstructing the Red Book, Part II
I never realized until now how hard it was to be a Nazgul and have to deal with the Shire folk, especially with the likes of the Gaffer. The tipping over dilemma gave me a laugh. This was so much fun to read.
Author's reply
It couldn't have been an easy thing for them, not being able to use their powers in the Shire. I'm sure they could have found any number of loopholes given enough time - but they also would have found hobbits are not so easily tipped over either!
Larner
· 28 February 2007
· Chapter 25: Deconstructing the Red Book, Part II
Poor Khamul--he's having far too much trouble tonight! Oh, how hilarious!
Lovely, and a nice laugh.
Author's reply
This simple search-and-retrieval mission has become more complicated than Khamul could have guessed! And they have yet to get to the Ferry and Crickhollow, not to mention Bree, Weathertop and the Ford of Bruinen still to come.
Agape4Gondor
· 27 February 2007
· Chapter 8: In the Garden
One of my favorite parts was Crickhollow - this chapter was a delight!
Author's reply
I've always wondered what happened after the Conspiracy was unveiled. You know Frodo would have been asking for explanations. He got rather more than he bargained for with Sam! :D Thanks for reading!
Agape4Gondor
· 27 February 2007
· Chapter 6: If I Were a Dark Lord
Excellent chapter and answered a few of my questions too!
Author's reply
Thank you! All the Gamgee kids put together could give Pippin a run for his money for inquistiveness! ;)
Agape4Gondor
· 27 February 2007
· Chapter 3: Parth Galen
Oh! I like this - the I am no thief - but I am! *sobs*
Author's reply
Boromir truly did redeem himself in the end, his love for the hobbits mirroring his love for his brother. *hugs Boromir*
Agape4Gondor
· 27 February 2007
· Chapter 1: Samwise: Gardener, Warrior, Father
Somebody told me I should read these and I'm glad I did. I very, very much like 'The Warrior' and especially Sam riding upon the pony!
Author's reply
Hello Agape! *waves* I'm so glad you found these and enjoyed them! Sam must have made quite an impressive sight riding up to the Cottons' house.
Thanks for reading! :)
Althea
· 26 February 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
Frodo must have had quite a time writing the red book with everyone eager to make suggestions. The last line is great.
Author's reply
I think we've stumbled upon the reason Frodo retreated to his study for so much of those last two years! He just had too much help writing the Book. ;) Thanks for reading!
Althea
· 26 February 2007
· Chapter 23: The Rose
The poems are beautiful. I love the sense of history you have created here.
Author's reply
Thank you Althea! It was interesting trying to piece together this puzzle, even without all the pieces. ;)
Queen Galadriel
· 26 February 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
LOL! Oh my goodness! Wow! So, if Merry really *did* know, then are you going to tell us how that happened? I love the part about the express train! LOL!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Merry's a smart lad and he could have figured it out well enough on his own, I think. There were other soldiers in the company who knew, so I don't think it's too much of a stretch. It goes against canon of course - but now we know why! ;) It's fun to play 'what if' every now and again. :D
And of course the express train had to be addressed. I actually prefer to think it's a mistranslation on Tolkien's part. ;)
Pearl Took
· 26 February 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
Hehehehe! Very cute! I had never noticed the "express train" comment before! Oh dear! Tolkien slipped! :-O
Well done, GamgeeFest!
Author's reply
I never noticed it either myself until a few months ago when someone else brought it up. When the Dernhelm/Eowyn bit started niggling at me, I figured this would be a good place to insert a discussion on express trains in ME. :D
I'm so glad this gave you a laugh!
Marta
· 26 February 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
This was great fun - I can so see the hobbits having these discussions.
Author's reply
Thank you so much Marta! I'm sure Merry and Pippin were full of suggestions about what Frodo could put into the Red Book. ;) I'm so happy you enjoyed this!
Dreamflower
· 26 February 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
*howl*wipes eyes!*snicker*snort*
*giggle*
Yep, Merry's fully prepared to look like an idiot for not knowing Dernhelm was Eowyn! *grin* Great way to handle it.
And I love the swipe at movie-verse at the end! ;-D
Author's reply
Yes, Merry is willing to sacrifice his intelligence for the sake of the story. :D Still haven't decided if this will be fanon (in this way, both the movie and the book will be correct), or just a wacky little AU. It will most likely stay AU.
Whereas Merry is willing to downplay himself, I can see Pippin wanting to enlarge his role: the lighting of the pyre, saving Faramir's life. ;) Of course, we all know what Frodo will say to *that*. *g*
Glad this gave you a laugh.
Andrea
· 26 February 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
ROTFL!!!
Express train? Very good! The Professor put some things in his stories, that didn't belong there, that's true. But I've always liked that! There are lots of those things especially in "The Hobbit".
"And Pippin wants to talk to you."
“Why? Does he want me to rewrite his stealing of the Palantír? Maybe he thinks that scene would be better taking place back at Meduseld.”
Well, *that* was Peter Jackson's idea. And if you ask me, I don't think it was daft. I liked it very much :)
Author's reply
I just recently got the Reader's Companion to LOTR, and the express train was brought up. I figured I'd tack that onto the end of this little dialogue and see what sort of explanation Frodo would come up with for it. Seems like he takes after Bilbo in more ways than one. ;)
Pippin and the palantir at Meduseld is one of those changes I can take or leave, meaning it doesn't bother me. Unlike some *other* changes PJ made.
*cough*Faramir*cough*CirthUngol*cough* ;)
Thanks for reading! I'm glad this gave you a laugh. :D
Larner
· 26 February 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
Oh, how wonderful! Excellent! Let's change things here and there. Express train indeed! Hee!
Author's reply
Tolkien wrote it, I'm just trying to explain it! LOL! But I can see Merry allowing himself to look daft for the benefit of the story. ;)
Frodo Baggins
· 26 February 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
That was really funny! I love the humour in that one. I could always use some fluff. :) I love the exchange between Merry and Frodo. "Now you're the one being daft!" LOL! And the express train?! That's really funny! I must go. Namarie!
Hantanyel!
God Bless,
Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
There has to be some sort of explanation for the presence of an express train metaphor in Middle-earth times! Frodo and Sam were very forward-thinking hobbits. ;) LOL
Thanks for reading!
Lindelea
· 26 February 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book
LOL!
Express train, indeed, right along with Bilbo puffing like a little engine on the mat.
“No. Don’t make me scowl at you Frodo, you know I’m not very good at that.”
*snork*
Author's reply
'Like a little engine' should probably be 'like a bellows'. LOL
Merry could never scowl at Frodo, or at least not for very long. Certainly not long enough to break down Frodo's stubbornness. ;)
Thanks for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed this!
shirebound
· 26 February 2007
· Chapter 24: Deconstructing the Red Book