Not Gonna Happens by Larner
Lindelea · 23 July 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
*snork* and *snork* and *snork* again... if I'm not careful I'll waken the wee hobbits. This was glorious; the characterisations were spot-on even considering the oddness of the circumstances. Very well done!
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you like it, Lindelea! This had been tickling at my imagination for a time, and finally I let it write itself. It was fun to see just how Trotter and Strider might consider one another! Heh!
Queen Galadriel · 31 May 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
This is absolutely hilarious! It had me giggling throughout, from Butterburs--interesting observations about Trotter to Trotter himself, and the confusion of names, and Striders rather paternal handling of the whole situation! A writer's delight, possibly my favorite humorous piece you've ever done! The idea of characters and elements of a story that have been revised "coming back to haunt" present characters and/or elements is delightful and intriguing. This makes me wonder what the journey would have been like if Trotter had won out and put Strider out of the picture...has me imagining Trotter as a king of Gondor...:) (Hmmm...he would have needed a different queen, perhaps a fairy or a smaller race of elf...) It also makes me wonder what goes on in my own story world when I'm not looking that I never hear about. *grins* Thanks for a wonderful and much-needed dose of witty humor and a great laugh! This is a keeper! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
So glad it gave you such a giggle, my Lady! This had been working on me for a while and finally insisted on being written, and it was SUCH FUN to do! And congrats on the nominations! Author Reply: So glad it gave you such a giggle, my Lady! This had been working on me for a while and finally insisted on being written, and it was SUCH FUN to do! And congrats on the nominations!
Antane · 30 March 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
Cute! Poor Trotter. I have not read much of Bingo and company. I've like what I did, but it's like he's another person and not Frodo at all and I like them both, well *love* Frodo. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane
Author's reply
I thought I needed a giggle, and so did everyone else, when I wrote this one. The idea of what might have happened if Trotter showed up on the Prancing Pony was just tooooo tempting. Glad you liked it, Antane!
Inkling · 26 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
Oh Larner, this is too, too funny! So I’m not the only one who’s entertained Trotter and Bingo plotbunnies…but bless you for actually giving this one a home! I’ll never forget browsing that volume of HoMe in a bookstore for the first time, coming across those two names, and quickly shutting the book, thinking “too much information!” The horror wore off eventually… I think my favorite bit is Trotter and Strider vying for the same table in the corner, as the whole company looks on bemusedly. And I can’t help but wonder…what if Aragorn’s nickname hadn’t been changed? King Elessar…I wonder what the Quenya word is for Trotter? *giggle*! I could see a fun sequel to this…with Trotter refusing to leave the story and both Rangers insisting on leading them to Rivendell, bickering all the way!
Author's reply
When I first saw the name Trotter, I thought, Huh? And I'm SO glad he didn't go with Bingo Bolger-Baggins! Between that and Lotho Sackville Baggins I think we'd be overwhelmed with hyphenated names! And the idea of "Trotter" in Quenya--hehehehehehehehe!
harrowcat · 25 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
This gave me a good laugh Larner - Thank you. And it has just occured to me on re-reading that even PJ had difficulty with his Ranger Character, starting filming with one person and only at the last moment settling on wonderful Viggo!
Author's reply
Ah, yes--I'd never thought on the parallels between Tolkien and his two Rangers and then PJ and then his! Poor ST, out of the film. But the right Strider was chosen in the end, I think.
grumpy · 24 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
Very good Larner, the old version meets the new version, I must say I like the revised ranger. Can't have somebody who can not make up their mind what size they want to be. Plus wooden shoes out in the wild, the beavers or woodchucks would get them.
Author's reply
You have me giggling, Grumpy! Beavers and woodchucks indeed! But the idea that Tolkien kept finding Trotter morphing into a man every few pages just struck my fancy when I read that part of "The Making of LOTR," and this story's been working at me for a while. Felt like we were due it. Thanks for the laugh!
Raksha The Demon · 24 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
As I read through HoME and saw the early incarnations of Aragorn, the name Trotter reminded me of the characters in one of the Monty Python movies, who ran along clapping coconut shells to stimulate the noise of a trotting horse.Trotter seemed to me to be a name for a dog or a pony, but not a heroic hobbit or a mysterious Ranger. So I especially enjoyed this story, which is absurd and delightful, or delightfully absurd, or both. Brownie points for wonderful characterization of Butterbur, too.
Author's reply
So glad it entertained you, Raksha! And those coconut shells have entertained me as well! And I do like Barliman Butterbur! Thanks!
Andrea · 24 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
“I’m not speaking of Shire Reckoning, or even Steward’s Reckoning. I’m speaking anno domini.” Trotter gave a suspicious look at the Ranger. “That’s neither Sindarin nor Quenya, nor even Adunaic.” “Of course not--it’s Latin.” ROTFL!!!! Wonderful idea, Larner! Too many rangers, indeed! I had completely forgotten that Trotter's real name was Peregrin Took. Poor Pippin, though! Trotter should have met him after the quest and he would not have dared to speak like that. Apparently all characters know who *he* is. That's funny. And I think *he* would have liked this story, too :) P.S.: Granny Weatherwax in the Houses of Healing is really a grand idea!
Author's reply
This one's been working on me for a few weeks, and finally wrote itself. And that Trotter was originally Peregrin was too good to pass up! And of COURSE they know who *he* is! You really think the Master might have liked it? I'd hope so! Now--to see where Granny Weatherwax might lead me!
cookiefleck · 24 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
Very clever and funny!
Author's reply
So glad you liked it! Trotter was out of the story, IIRC, by the time Sam worked his way into it--such a meeting would be a shock to both of them, I'm certain! Thanks for the feedback!
Rhyselle · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
Mwhahahahahahahaha! Oh, this is the best chapter yet! :) I never would have thought to have done something like this! What a hysterically funny and clever idea! Well done!
Author's reply
So glad this gave so many laughs. A crossover between LOTR and--LOTR-that-was was fun to write. Thanks so much for the feedback!
Fiondil · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
Oh Larner, you are way too wicked! ROFLMAO! My favorite part of this was: >>Trotter turned to face the newcomers. “What do you mean, Mr. Frodo?” he asked. “Since when is he Frodo?” “I think since about 1942, actually,” Strider suggested. “But it’s just 1418!” objected Trotter. “I’m not speaking of Shire Reckoning, or even Steward’s Reckoning. I’m speaking anno domini.” Trotter gave a suspicious look at the Ranger. “That’s neither Sindarin nor Quenya, nor even Adunaic.” “Of course not--it’s Latin.” “So what’s Latin doing in this story? They don’t speak Latin in Middle Earth!”<< Too funny!
Author's reply
This one was fun to write--it's one of those that wrote itself, really. So glad it gave so many a good laugh!
Linda Hoyland · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
I just loved this and laughed out loud. Thank Goodness tolkien decided on our beloved Strider and Frodo! Trotter and Bingo don't have the same ring somehow!
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, Linda! Somehow Bingo Bolger-Baggins just sort of falls flat--and I'm SO glad he finally went with Strider rather than Trotter. That one must have been really niggling at him!
Vilwarin · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
ROFL. That was wonderful! A great idea. HoME rocks. Trotter has always been the character that made me go "huh?" And I love the way you wrote Strider. I can see him grinning smuggly at Trotter. "I’m speaking anno domini.” My favourite. Well done and thanks for sharing.
Author's reply
I think such a situation would have given Aragorn a good deal of enjoyment, too. So glad you enjoyed it!
Dreamflower · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
*snerk* How very amusing! I love the way Strider seems to be aware of the fact that they're in a story. Really, this is as much meta as it is story--and poor Pippin! What on earth does Trotter have against him? By the way--I've been working on my own Trotter bunny...
Author's reply
Ah--my comments the other day started something, eh? Wonderful! Trotter deserves some exposure, I've always felt! And indeed, poor Pippin! Looking forward to seeing how Trotter shows up in your tale!
Elflingimp · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
Very clever combining Tolkiens start up characters with his newer ones I dont think anyone has thought of that but I like it!
Author's reply
Am glad you enjoyed it, Elflingimp. This one's been worrying at my elbow for the last few days....
Soledad · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
Oh my God, you've brought back Trotter! And in the same story with Strider! *falls over laughing* You know, I was often wandering what kind of stories all those rejected versions would have given. But this... this is just too hilarius. *g* Too bad the site doesn't allow longer crossovers. You might like to see Drizzt Do'Urden falling into Middle-earth due to the Witch-king's manipulations.
Author's reply
Hmm. Don't recognize that individual, I must admit. But at times it would be nice to do some such crossover. I've always imagined what it might have been like had Granny Weatherwax worked in the Houses of Healing alongside Ioreth.... So glad it gave you a good laugh! It was fun!
Jay of Lasgalen · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
*Grin* Reading about the different incarnations of Trotter/Strider in HOME are fascinating - but I just can't imagine Trotter becoming King of Gondor or marrying Arwen!! I'm very glad Tolkien settled on Strider :>) Jay
Author's reply
Oh, I agree! What would have become of Trotter the Hobbit had he been the one to lead them past Moria? And I'm SO glad that at last Tolkien changed the nickname from Trotter to Strider! Glad to give you a grin!
Kitty · 23 February 2008 · Chapter 7: Too Many Rangers
*ROFL!* Knowing the HoME volume in question, I knew who Trotter was at once and howled with laughter while he argued with Strider. Orthopedic shoes! Anno domini! Oh my! And he changes his height, because he was finally changed to a man? Great idea! Well, I should probably feel sorry for Trotter for being written out of the story, but it was too hilarious how he protested against the changes in the story! Poor guy! Thank you for the laugh - this one was truly great!
Author's reply
So glad to give a giggle--this one was just to much to resist, as I was discussing these changes in the original concept with a friend the other day. Poor guy indeed!
Grumpy · 29 December 2007 · Chapter 6: Cook Needed
Ah Larner I like this one. I could help but wonder what was wrong with the cat, till I found out it was Garfield.
Author's reply
Yes, once you realize WHICH cat it is, then it makes more sense. Hope it gave you a nice giggle.
Antane · 29 December 2007 · Chapter 6: Cook Needed
Just *where* do you come up with these ideas? :) Love the part of the rat cooking but not wanting to cook for a cat - didn't see that movie, but know just who you are talking about. I have a Post-it that has Garfield and Oddo - was that the dog's name? - dressed as for an African safari and Garfield says, "My pencil, Sabu. I feel a thought approaching." Love it! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, but it was fun to think of this one, Antane. The grandsons have their Garfield books there in the main bathroom, so one day the idea just hit me. I, too, have had that Post-it, and wish I could find more of them. Odie is so cute!
Linda Hoyland · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 6: Cook Needed
Hilarious !I can imagine Garfield having even the Valar in a flap !
Author's reply
Glad to give you a laugh or two! Happy holidays!
Andrea · 18 December 2007 · Chapter 6: Cook Needed
LOL!!! When you mentioned "Italian-American cuisine" I was sure it had to be Garfield! I also liked the rat, although I haven't seen the movie yet. I tried to spell the movie title, but my French lessons are long ago. "Lasagna" is much easier to write ;-) I'm quite sure Sam will be successful, he's an expert cook!
Author's reply
Well, who else? And Remy had to show up here, too--a bit of a way for Ratatouille. And of course his version of lasagna will go over well! Now, I've had him faced with chile--why not lasagna, too? Hee!
SurgicalSteel · 18 December 2007 · Chapter 6: Cook Needed
*giggles* That was adorable!
Author's reply
Glad to give you the giggles, SS! Thanks for letting me know.
Jay of Lasgalen · 18 December 2007 · Chapter 6: Cook Needed
*Grin* I guessed it was Garfield when we got to the 'Italian-American cuisine' part. But where's Jon? And Odie? I liked the rat, too - but no, I guess Remy wouldn't be too happy around a cat, though I can't imagine Garfield ever chasing anything!
Author's reply
I'm not certain where Jon and Odie are; but somehow Garfield himself ended up in the Halls of Mandos, so what could I do, but write it as it came?
Kitty · 17 December 2007 · Chapter 6: Cook Needed
You're overrun with plot bunnies, aren't you? Sometimes I do wonder how many are hiding at your place ;-) Oh mny - Garfield? *rofl* No wonder Sam argued this could not be a cat (has to be the fattest one in history) and they needed an unusually talented cook to satisfy this finicky cat and his appetite! Hmmm ... do you think Sam could make a bit more and keep some of it from Garfield? I'd love to try it myself :)
Author's reply
I keep finding them! This was hiding out in the main bathroom where the kids take their showers and leave their reading material. And I, too, would like to try Sam's lasagna! Heh!