The Legend of the Mewlips by Dreamflower
KathyG · 29 March 2022 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
Gereon should have taken a few other hobbits along--then he wouldn't have been in such danger in the end! (Halinard should have done the same thing, for that matter!) The presence of a Ranger wouldn't have hurt, either. =)
Thundera Tiger · 5 August 2011 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
Hee hee! Many thanks for the link! Oh, this is brilliant. How could I miss this!? It feels like it comes straight from the poem! I love the framing story with Bilbo, Merry, Pippin, and Frodo. It adds just enough humor and hobbit sense to give the Mewlip story a feel of myth and legend. The two worlds are so very different, but in the dark of night, it's hard to separate them. Good thing Frodo has enough room for two more frightened listeners. ;) And I love the story of poor Gereon and Halinard! Bilbo really is an adept story-teller, and you've perfectly timed this campfire tale. I felt like I was right in the mix, listening, too.
Author's reply
*grin* Glad you liked it! I had great fun trying to turn the poem into a prose story that might be told by Bilbo. And Frodo is usually ready to make room for a couple of cousins after a scary story is told! Thanks, dear!
GamgeeFest · 23 November 2007 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
Pippin held out a lot longer than I probably would have at that age. His thoughts as he listened to the story were so typical of him, determined to follow after Merry, but maybe not if his mother was sick. ;) That was a creepy story Bilbo told, and I liked that he gave the kids the chance to figure out it wasn’t true – even if Merry and Pippin still ended up with Frodo.
Author's reply
*grin* He did, didn't he? But Tooks do tend to stubbornness. I wanted the protagonist in the story to be one with whom Pippin would very strongly identify, so I tried to make his circumstances ones that Pippin would be drawn to. The story was, I hope, almost as creepy as the poem that inspired it! But I think Bilbo wanted to keep the kids on their furry little toes, and so he led them to exercise their wits! (Was there any doubt they'd end up with Frodo? LOL!) 8-D
Baggins Babe · 3 November 2007 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
That poem is so creepy and I don't blame Pip for being scared. Those last lines and Pip's promise are so prophetic, and I love Frodo's question. What did take them so long? A delightfully scary Hammowe'en tale.
Author's reply
It really is! JRRT had a real talent for horror when he wanted to! Much creepier and more atmospheric than most modern horror writers, who seem to rely too much on gore and showing what happened graphically! Yet he didn't use it often: the Barrow-downs, the Dead Marshes, come to mind. This is probably the creepiest poem he ever wrote! Yes, I thought it would be a little bit of foreshadowing. But also, Pippin identified strongly with young cousin Gereon in the story--I'm sure the fate of the character's cousin weighed heavily on him. Thank you!
Jay of Lasgalen · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
What a wonderfully creepy tale! I love that poem of the Mewlips - it's so dark and chilling. Perfect for Halloween!
Author's reply
It is definitely perfect for Halloween--I really think that the poem of the Mewlips is as creepy as anything Lovecraft ever wrote!
Larner · 1 November 2007 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
I'm with Frodo here--what took them so long? Heh! A wonderful story for the young ones, of course. Marvelous! Thanks!
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it! And of course, Frodo knew it was inevitable, LOL!
PIppinfan1988 · 31 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
ROTFL!! This was fantastic! That certainly *was* a creepy tale, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. :-) Loved the picture of lads and lasses sitting round a fire and listening to one of the elders telling a story. Gotta love inquisitive/irrepressible Pippin, sneaking off to have a listen as well. Well done!
Author's reply
It is *such* a creepy poem--yet none of the names in it fit any of JRRT's other M-e stories or poems, so I thought perhaps Bilbo had made that one up. One of the movie moments I loved was Bilbo sitting there at his party, telling the little hobbits a story. And Pippin was bound to want to hear what he wasn't supposed to!
SurgicalSteel · 31 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
Oh, that was fantastic! Delightfully creepy!
Author's reply
Thanks! "The Mewlips" is definitely inspirational for Halloween!
Andrea · 31 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
Beyond the Merlock Mountains, a long and lonely road, Through the spider-shadows and the marsh of Tode, And through the wood of hanging trees and gallows-weed, You go to find the Mewlips - and the Mewlips feed. That was perfect, Dreamflower! You captured the creepy atmosphere in the poem very well, including all the details. I agree with you that this is the creepiest poem Tolkien ever wrote, but somehow it is fascinating ;-) Poor Pippin, though, he should have better followed his mother's orders. But what I liked most about this story was that in the end even Merry was scared, and that both cousins ended up in Frodo's room.
Author's reply
It's very atmospheric--yet it doesn't really fit his other M-e mythology, so I thought Bilbo might have been indulging a bit of creative license! It is very fascinating, and really lends itself to a "gotcha" moment at the end! Pippin was just at the age to think that he was old enough to hear the things that the adults deemed him too young for. Yes, that was more or less the inevitable outcome! LOL!
harrowcat · 31 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
Ooh scary! *comes out of hiding behind the desk and gets funny looks from work colleagues!* I'm with Pippin and Merry - I' sleeping with my Teddy tonight; just in case....
Author's reply
Oh dear! And my story isn't even half as scary as the original poem!
Frodo Baggins · 31 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
Aw! Wonderful story. I mean, Bilbo's was creepy, but yours was really sweet. I liked the little fluff at the end with Frodo's "What took you so long?" :) THanks! Yours, Frodo
Author's reply
I like to combine fluffy and serious in the same story--the contrast is kind of fun!
Queen Galadriel · 31 October 2007 · Chapter 1: The Legend of the Mewlips
Ooo! *shivers* I was wondering how long it would take someone to do something about the Mewlips; I have one in my own mind, but it has never fully developed. I agree with you, that poem creeps me out every time I read it, and the musical version by the Hobbitons is even more deliciously scary! You did an excellent job with the freaky factor, yourself. :D Aww, poor little Pippin! *hugs him* Yes, that fright was punishment enough for creeping out when he shouldn’t have, poor dear. “What took you so long?” *giggles* Cute! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Oh, I hope you do something with it! It really is the sort of poem that is full of potential for plot bunnies! The Hobbitons' musical setting for it is definitely delightfully shivery! Their voices suit it perfectly. I'm glad you think I made it scary enough--and apparently so did Pippin! *grin*