Larner
· 18 November 2005
· Chapter 12: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Aha--Grandfa had the right of it, and the holding of him imprisoned and cut off may lead to greater ills ere the end as a result of those who will not listen to his counsel.
Author's reply
Too true! We ought to respect our elders, but so often we don't, especially when they are telling us things we don't want to hear, or things that don't make sense, such as ordering half-rations in the middle of harvest time when food is plentiful!
harrowcat
· 18 November 2005
· Chapter 11: Sea Change
Good for Belladonna and Bungo! And your guilty feeling wizard is interesting. I don't think we see him in this mood very often - except over Frodo.
Author's reply
I'd imagine Gandalf didn't feel all that guilty when Isen went to Sea. Probably thought it did the lad good to be stirred up--and when Isen went on to become an important part of the ship's crew, something of a morale "officer", the wizard was satisfied.
But it must have been difficult, after the accident, to contemplate bringing home the broken body to the father of the hobbit, or perhaps only the news of his passing, had Isen not survived or had the ship been lost with all hands on that earlier occasion.
Cuthalion
· 18 November 2005
· Chapter 11: Sea Change
Well done, Bungo! (Though I still think a stay at the Grey Havens would have been helpful either). And Biilbo's father is a really brave hobbit. *is impressed*
Author's reply
I would think a stay at the Grey Havens would be very helpful, indeed, amongst Elves... but if Gandalf and Cirdan thought the hobbit was dying, I can see Gandalf bringing Isen home to his father. After all, Gandalf was Gerontius' friend. (I wonder how badly the friendship was strained.)
Larner
· 17 November 2005
· Chapter 11: Sea Change
I see. An INTERESTING turn of events; and perhaps Isengar will assist a particular young Baggins to prepare for his own adventure, to the betterment of all. And Gandalf is for it, is he? Good enough, then.
Author's reply
Hmm. We've got a hobbit returned from adventure, and terribly isolated--at first parents probably kept the children away so as not to bother the unfortunate sufferer, and then later his aberrant behaviour and talk would have caused the parents to warn their children off, and lack of hobbity interaction would have fed Isen's eccentricity, in a vicious circle.
But now he's about to become part of an intimate family circle. And winter is coming, and it will bring its own challenges.
I'm with Gandalf. This can only do the hobbit some good.
Larner
· 17 November 2005
· Chapter 10: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Very interesting concerns here. Now what is happening, I wonder? Am intrigued indeed. The coming fell winter causing concern and fear, perhaps?
FantasyFan
· 17 November 2005
· Chapter 11: Sea Change
I'm eager to hear more about the relationship between Isengar and Belladonna. (so many I names - Isem and Isum and Isen - why did he do that to us?!) She was 'remarkable', she was 'fabulous' but she never had any adventures after she married. Did she have any before? Or did she at least wish for some, as she dreamed of adventure with her baby brother? Perhaps Gandalf though so, as he later wishes to grant Bilbo and adventure for the sake of 'poor Belladonna'. She certainly has been treated as the black sheep by her father. It's a curious dance that the Tooks do, especially the Old Took here. One of the Tooks took a fairy wife once, as the story goes, and that is said to be the source of their Wild Streak. The Old Took has a fair portion of it himself, or so it seems, and he has no trouble consorting with a Wizard. Yet the Tooks in general and the Old Took specifically are as concerned with propriety and respectability as the rest of the Shire, or maybe even more so sometimes. I'm not sure Bungo's suit would have been accepted had the Bagginses not been so 'respectable'. Was it a punishment for her flighty ways (or an attempt to make sure there were no more indescretions)? Perhaps some of Gerontius' treatment of her is fueled by the state Isengar returned to the Smials in, but some of it (before he came back) has to be as much due to pride as much as any grief. In that he reminds me of his great-grandson Paladin.
I'm looking forward to seeing Isen fill young Bilbo's head with a bit of nonsense. And increasing that great strength and compassion that Gandalf's noticed, that will come in so handy later. But Isen's not going to live at Bag End for the rest of his life: he's got 50 years yet, much longer than Bilbo's parents do. I'm very curious about what's in store for him, and if Gandalf has any part to play.
Author's reply
I know, those "I" names drive me to distraction. I have to work on the Bilbo-in-the-Smials chapters with the genealogy open in front of me, and even then I'm prone to err.
Gerontius is a fascinating character to contemplate, and like any person IRL he has many facets, even some contradictory.
Hmmm. Pride seems to be a Tookish flaw. I never noticed that thread before, running through the tapestry of tales, but it is definitely there. Appearances matter, even though we'd like to discount them.
Yes, Isen's got 50 years left to him. It was quite interesting to me to note that Isen is still alive when Bilbo returns from his adventure! Of course, that had to be worked into this story, though it took an Epilogue to do so.
Bodkin
· 17 November 2005
· Chapter 11: Sea Change
Good for Bungo! Gerontius might have seen marriage with a Baggins as punishment, but it strikes me that he is a mighty decent and kind-hearted hobbit. Bilbo might have got his adventurous ways from the Tooks, but his generous heart came from his father. Eventually. (He might not be too thrilled at the moment. But he will learn . . . I hope.) And getting away from Isengrim can only have been a plus!!!!! There's a hobbit that did well for the world by not reproducing.
And a good get-out for Gandalf, too. And a reason for him to spend more time with Bagginses. There is no way he could have gone off and left poor Isengar in the madhouse that is the Great Smials, with Isengrim acting as keeper.
What a lovely chapter. It's getting me quite het up!
Author's reply
Well, Bilbo is not too thrilled at the moment. And perhaps his father will be somewhat alarmed to see the adventurous Tookish side of his son being stirred up by his Uncle's stories.
"There's a hobbit that did well for the world by not reproducing." LOL!
Isengrim is not cruel, nor is he ambitious. He is just enormously pragmatic. (Doesn't that mean "practical, above all else"?)
It is always a pleasure to get readers het up.
Dreamflower
· 17 November 2005
· Chapter 11: Sea Change
Oh I *love* your Bungo! How brave of him to stand up to the Tooks in their own stronghold!!! This is a Bungo I can easily imagine as the father of our lovely and adventurous Bilbo! It wasn't only the adventurous Tookish side that had courage but also the quiet and thoughtful Baggins side!
Bravo!!!
But I am sorry Bilbo won't get his visit with Siggy.
Author's reply
I am sorry about Siggy's visit as well. But perhaps Bilbo will have other diversions.
It's fun to contemplate where Bilbo's "pity" came from. His father, perhaps? And the same for Frodo--did it come from the "Baggins" side? Frodo showed much more pity than his Took and Brandybuck cousins--but was it all due to his experiences? Bilbo didn't have the same experiences to shape him as Frodo did, and yet he was moved to pity in his interaction with Gollum.
FantasyFan
· 17 November 2005
· Chapter 10: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Is there hereditary madness in the Took line? I had assumed that Isengar's dementia was a result of some trauma, stemming from his adventures. Is that not true? Now you've turned it all upside down, and I have no idea what to expect next!
(amazing what can happen with just a few words, isn't it?)
Author's reply
"Hereditary madness in the Took line". Well. That would explain a lot, wouldn't it. The Sackville-Bagginses always knew that Bilbo's eccentricity didn't come from the Baggins side!
Do you really think Isengar is mad?
It is amazing, what can happen in just a few words. This chapter was shorter than a drabble, yet it packed a punch, I'm glad to note.
Thanks.
Bodkin
· 17 November 2005
· Chapter 10: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
I don't know why adults feel that trying to hide problems makes them any better. Fortinbras is probably far more worried here because of rumour and imagination than he would be if he knew some simplified version of the truth.
Relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren are often special, too. Even if they appear to be irritated by each other, the gap of a generation brings them closer. I hope Fortinbras gets to see his Grandfa soon. And finds out that he's not mad. (Is he? I don't know enough about hobbit ancestry. I hope not.)
Author's reply
Fortinbras is probably far more worried here because of rumour and imagination than he would be if he knew some simplified version of the truth.
In this case, I'm not sure which is worse, the truth or the rumour.
I don't think Thain Isumbras is mad, though the rest of the Tooks have good reason to believe that he is, as will be coming out soon, if all goes well.
Dreamflower
· 17 November 2005
· Chapter 10: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Oh, poor Fortinbras! I can tell here his clear affection for the grandfather that he has heretofore only shown irritation with.
Author's reply
Yes, there is a clear affection between the two of them. I think that even though his grandfather is Thain, "Grandfa" has a great deal more time to show attention to Fortinbras than the lad's father. At least, his father has been "missing" from the story up until now.
harrowcat
· 17 November 2005
· Chapter 10: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Oh dear do tell us more. This entry is so short it looks more like my own diary!
Author's reply
Poor Fortinbras. He really is quite upset! He's used to being "abused" by his grandfather, told to do all sorts of things like writing in his journal and eating his vegetables and combing his hair and tucking in his shirt-tails, and now that the old hobbit is locked away he really doesn't know what to do with himself!
Cuthalion
· 17 November 2005
· Chapter 10: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Oy vey. This gives me the chills, honestly. (And I will have to refresh my Took-genealogy - what happened with the grandfather of Fortinbras?)
Author's reply
The grandfather of Fortinbras I was Isumbras III, in case you wanted to look him up. Hopefully things will become clearer in the next few chapters.
Thanks!
FantasyFan
· 16 November 2005
· Chapter 9: Change in the Weather
It's sweet to see Bilbo foreshadowing his own party and even more delicious to find Gandalf lurking in the background taking it all in. I wonder if Bilbo vocalises to himself while he's writing, and if Gandalf heard? Or if he was tempted to sneak a peek at the journal?
Then, at the end, I am so sorry for Isengar. I'm not sure Gandalf's done the best by him. Either in dumping him back in the Shire, so obviously damaged, or by telling him the truth here. Or did Isengar know of this and has forgotten the trauma? Gandalf's not just going to walk away now, is he? I have a bad feeling about what may happen.
Author's reply
Well, considering how much hobbits seem to delight in planning, perhaps Gandalf will hear much about the hoped-for Party over the years. Wouldn't it be fun if Bilbo told him about it as they were riding their ponies over hill and dale, some time in "The Hobbit"?
Things could be very bad for Isengar here, amongst the Tooks who despite their adventurous streak think he's mad (and perhaps, if Gerontius weren't Thain, but rather Isengar's oldest brother Isengrim, things would go a lot worse for Isengar and he really *would* be "locked away"--can't you just hear one brother or another threatening him with such a fate when he gets out of line?), except that there is a wild-card in the mix. There are some hints of this earlier on, but it'll come clear soon.
Thanks!
Cuthalion
· 16 November 2005
· Chapter 9: Change in the Weather
First of all, a very pleasant feast, in fact an engrossing entertainment: rich, abundant, varied, and prolonged. Afterwards, my guests would sip from their favourite drinks, and fill up the corners with their favourite dainties, and I suppose I should have to render some sort of birthday Speech, though I haven't the faintest notion what I might say. "Thank you for coming to my Party," I suppose.
Hehe.
And that scene at the end was heartbreaking. Poor Isengar.
Author's reply
I ought to put a note at the end of the chapter to the effect that all that is Tolkien's, not mine. Perhaps I'll have to add a chapter of "Author's Notes" to the end.
Poor Isengar. But this crisis just might bring about a sea change for the poor fellow. Let us hope.
Cuthalion
· 16 November 2005
· Chapter 8: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Do you know what fascinates me most? You have a unique way to show a development here... from a lazy teen with nearly no imagination at all to someone who slowly learns to see the things around him and to write them down in images that become more vivid with each new entry.Marvelous, Lin.
Author's reply
O thank you! You've picked up, exactly, what I've been trying to do, and hoping I wasn't tromping about on oliphaunt feet while I was about it.
Cuthalion
· 16 November 2005
· Chapter 7: Topics of Interest
So I was right! It is Gandalf, and I like the way you portray his friendship with Gerontius - as I like the way you portray the rich, bucolic, social life in the Great Smial. This story is a delight to read, really.
Author's reply
Yes, it is Gandalf. And thank you for your encouraging comments.
Cuthalion
· 16 November 2005
· Chapter 6: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
But I have produced two pages for your reading pleasure now, Grandfa, and only barest mention of food.
*laughs* Brave lad!
Author's reply
He's quite a bright lad. Not hard to imagine his grandfather as beginning to groom him for the future.
Cuthalion
· 16 November 2005
· Chapter 5: Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
Isengar stared in astonishment at the cabbages rolling at his feet. 'Hoi, shipmates!' he shouted. 'Seems to be a gale blowing up out of the nor'eastern quarter! It's hailing cabbages!'
'Is it now?' Fortinbras said, digging in his pocket as he moved to intercept his uncle. 'Well then, we had better get in out of the weather, wouldn't you say, Uncle?' Coming up with a handful of coins, he pressed them into the hand of the sputtering farmer with a nod of tacit apology, and then he took Isen's elbow. 'Come, Uncle,' he said firmly. 'If we lean into the wind, and keep close together, we shan't be swept from the deck.'
Oh dear. *laughs* Poor hobbit - but I love the way the youngsters get him out of the situation. This is getting better and better, Lin, really. And the man at the end of the chapter is Gandalf, I presume?
Author's reply
There are a few sensible hobbits (like Bilbo's father and the cousin who will be Thain someday) who can look past surface appearance and understand Isen, at least a little.
And now you know who the man at the end of the chapter is, for you've already read on.
Thanks!
Cuthalion
· 16 November 2005
· Chapter 4: From the journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
When I asked Gammer Goodbody why she did not hide from the sun, deep inside the cool of her delving, she said that winter's chill would come soon enough, and she must need soak up the sunshine while it lasts.
*smiles* I guess the Long Winter will come soon enough.
Author's reply
Yes it will. Our dc are still young enough that in the heat of summer they long for snow and cool weather, and in the chill of winter they long for summer's heat.
Cuthalion
· 16 November 2005
· Chapter 2: From the Frying Pan into the Fire
'Dragging young hobbits to the library and forcing them to read,' Uncle Hildibrand muttered. 'What will he come to next, I ask you?'
*howls with laughter*
Gerontius makes me shudder in a very grandchildish way. *grins* And those entries make me hungry.
Author's reply
You quoted my favourite bit from this chapter.
Such a terrible thing to do to a child! (Actually, my littlest would agree, though she has no objection to being read *to*)
Cuthalion
· 16 November 2005
· Chapter 1: From the journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
For breakfast I had four rashers of bacon, half a dozen eggs, fried to show their suns shining, cold pork pie and two apple dumplings, though Fanny said I had three.
Lin, that's priceless. That sullen teen made me giggle the whole chapter through. And Isumbras is Isengar, yes? Sorry, it's terribly early over here. *grins*
Author's reply
Yes, Isumbras is Isengar. My mistake! For some reason I got the name wrong halfway through the first chapter and it stayed wrong for the rest of the way. I corrected some, but evidently didn't get them all. Hopefully that's taken care of now.
Thanks!
Cuthalion
· 16 November 2005
· Chapter 0: Maunderings of a Mad Uncle
Very good! I can see Isumbras in front of my inner eye, and he makes me grin. It must have been a great adventure he survived by hair's breadth... and I simply love this Bilbo, trying to escape the well-meant (and rather insistent) advice of his grandfather. Bilbo and escaping from books - ha!
Author's reply
It must have been a very great adventure, to sail the Seas with Men and Elves. At least I hope it is plausible that Men and Elves would both be sailing the ship together!
I think Bilbo must have been quite a lively lad in his youth, from hints in his meeting with Gandalf at the beginning of "The Hobbit".
Thanks!
Bodkin
· 15 November 2005
· Chapter 9: Change in the Weather
Poor Isengar. He is so unhappy. I suspect he is rather wishing he had been lost with the ship - he is so out of place here back in the Shire and no-one seems to have much understanding of him. (Going home again is one of those golden apples in the eyes of travellers - but it is, so often, impossible. As Frodo learned.) Perhaps, despite smelling like fish, Gandalf will need to hang around a bit longer to try to help him.
I love Bilbo trying to write extensively about food without actually mentioning the word. But at least, if he is going home tomorrow, it will be his last effort for a while. He'll miss Siggy though.
Author's reply
Poor Isengar. You are right: Very few people understand him. Young Fortinbras II might, but I'm sure he's being kept busy learning and practicing the things he needs to know when he comes "of age" next year, considering his Uncle Isengrim, next in line to be Thain, has no children, which means his father might well be the next Thain after, and himself following.
I think he will miss Siggy. He must have some friends in Hobbiton, though I haven't begun to imagine who they are. Most of his Baggins cousins on the family tree are ten years or more younger than he is. And... sobering thought... he outlived most, if not all, of them.
Larner
· 15 November 2005
· Chapter 9: Change in the Weather
Alas for Isengar, who wishes the joyful life of the sea, with the adrenaline rushes and the changing seascape and the glad fellowship of sailors who must cooperate and get along or perish....
And Bilbo is preparing in his head for a day many years in the future, almost but not quite a century hence--preparing already.
Lovely tale.
Author's reply
Poor Isengar. I wonder if his Captain really would have taken him on, half-crippled as he was, with only one good leg and one good hand. I like to think he might've, for old times' sake.
It was pleasing to think of Bilbo "preparing" for the Birthday so early, and it sort of fit with Gandalf's thoughts in the chapter, too.
Thanks!