Pipwise Brandygin
· 13 November 2005
· Chapter 1: On Being the Youngest
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's 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
· 13 November 2005
· Chapter 1: On Being the Youngest
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's 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
· 13 November 2005
· Chapter 1: On Being the Youngest
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's 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
· 13 November 2005
· Chapter 1: On Being the Youngest
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's 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
· 13 November 2005
· Chapter 1: On Being the Youngest
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's 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.
daw the minstrel
· 13 November 2005
· Chapter 1: On Being the Youngest
I really liked the idea of these two understanding one another's position as youngest. Also, there were several nice bits here. One of them was when Pippin said three hobbits and a ranger had passed. I loved that you didn't tell us when it happened! I also liked Legolas's revelation that the elven realms differed. This was a good read, Bodkin.
Author's reply
Thank you. It was an impulse piece. And of course there is a lot of difference between being 28 and not yet of age and x hundred, of age and a warrior. But it must still be frustrating to be so much younger than virtually everyone else. And know that you're never going up the pecking order!
I wonder if the hobbits make it to Mirkwood one day. Then they will have visited all the remaining elven realms. It would be interesting to hear their thoughts on them.