Trotter by Dreamflower
Larner · 6 June 2009 · Chapter 32: Interlude: A Life Well-Lived
Yes, Bilbo would now appreciate just how Trotter ended his life here! And it adds meaning to his Hobbit-rooms! Lovely!
Author's reply
When that little Prologue popped into my head two years ago, it just seemed right that there had been a hobbit there before!
Larner · 6 June 2009 · Chapter 31: The Last Homely House
What a wonderful testimony to how life ought to be lived--thoroughly, and ended while surrounded by those who care for you. And he's seen the death of the Mannish brother of his heart, and thinking of him when he sees young Aragorn! Oh, Estel, how blessed you are, to know this Uncle, if only for a brief time.
Author's reply
I felt it was only appropriate that he should be surrounded by those who appreciated his life. I was very sad, as I read through the ToY to plot all this out, to realize just how close together the traumas of losing Arador and Arathorn would be for him. It seemed only fair that he at least get to meet the one who would fulfill his father and grandfather's hopes.
pandemonium_213 · 6 June 2009 · Chapter 999: Epilogue: Full Circle
Forgive me if this is short (iAngband is in the shop so I'm catching some time on the familial Dell mainframe), but I'm popping in to say what a fabulous story this is, one that made for compelling reading. I'm over the moon with the many details you've placed deftly throughout the narrative and Hildifons' voice and characterization? Just excellent! I see that "Trotter" has been nominated for a MEFA09 award. I'll save my "big guns" for that, but please know what a delightful story this has been for me to follow and that Hildifons is truly one of the most memorable hobbits I have encountered.
Author's reply
I am so glad that you like Hildifons so much. This story has been in the back of my head for a long time-- I wrote the Prologue in 2007, and there it stayed, for the most part, right up till the Finish-a-thon challenge. But I have been very fond of that hobbit for a good long while.
Baggins Babe · 6 June 2009 · Chapter 999: Epilogue: Full Circle
I have been following and reading this story, Dreamflower, although RL has been completely mad and I have had little time to review. I felt as though I was there with Hildifons through all his adventures, laughed at his hobbityness, wept at the sad bits and felt pride at Glorfindel's moving tribute to the Shirefolk who died in battle. Poor Trotter - to lose 'Longshanks' and Thorn were hard blows to bear. I'm glad he got to meet Estel though. How appropriate that Bilbo should be the one to read his story and to finally give the journal to Pippin to take home to the Shire. "It is time for Hildifons Took to go home." Wonderful!
Author's reply
I'm so very glad that you enjoyed the story! It was quite a wild ride for me to try and get it all written on such a tight deadline. I was worried I would not do the story justice. But my readers seem to be pleased with it. And I had to let Hildifons "go home" in the end, metaphorically if not literally.
Grey Wonderer · 5 June 2009 · Chapter 11: Interlude: Teatime with the Twins
Ah, Bilbo is really learning much and now he can pump the twins for information too. I am really enjoying this but I have to take a food break. Trotter's meal discussions in prior chapters are making me hungry. LOL I will be back. Hope to get caught up over the weekend. This is such a great little story.
Author's reply
Yes, well, my hobbits like talking about food! I do hope you had a nice little snack.
Grey Wonderer · 5 June 2009 · Chapter 10: A Meeting in the Wild
(I am sure that Mr. Butterbur could have been trusted to send such a message. But there would be other chances, I was sure. ) I wonder. LOL You surprised me with the twins. How cool to see them here in this story. Very entertaining. Trotter is obviously impressed.
Author's reply
Well, there are Butterburs and then there are Butterburs. I believe this particular Butterbur is the great-grandfather of Barliman. It seems pretty evident from canon that Elladan and Elrohir spent a lot of time travelling with the Rangers.
Grey Wonderer · 5 June 2009 · Chapter 9: I Finally Get to Bree
So Trotter has made it to Bree and delivered his messages. I am really enjoying this. It is interesting to see Bree before the Quest.
Author's reply
Yes, this is not only a long time before the Quest, but a long time even before The Hobbit!
Grey Wonderer · 5 June 2009 · Chapter 8: The Men of the West
Oh, I like the way in which Trotter got his name. Very entertaining! I also love that he has managed to amaze the men with his hunting. Loved it when he was able to connect their story of their beginnings with his friend, Gandalf.
Author's reply
I've always imagined Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin having to trot to keep up with Aragorn. I just love to let the hobbits show off their accuracy of aim and skills at throwing! And I was sure that sometimes Gandalf had told stories to the children of his dear friend Gerontius.
PIppinfan1988 · 5 June 2009 · Chapter 8: The Men of the West
Awww! I loved how the Rangers made Hildif--Trotter feel welcome among them. Making a hobbit-sized bed and adding a coat peg was a wonderful gesture. Trotter is keeping up with his new found friends as well. Another lovely chapter!
Author's reply
Yes, he's found some great new friends! I'm so glad you like this!
PIppinfan1988 · 5 June 2009 · Chapter 7: I Make Myself Useful
My goodness! I would swear that I was well-fed earlier in the evening, but after reading this chapter I could sure go for a nice rump roast with carrots and mushrooms, lol. I'll bet your own cooking could put Gordon Ramsay to shame. ;-) Everytime I read one of your cooking tales I come away with my stomach growling, lol. I do love to watch your hobbits put on a lovely cooking show, though. :-) This story about Hildifons and his adventures is really a joy to read!
Author's reply
*grin* Well, I do love to cook, about as much as hobbits do, I guess. Perhaps that's one reason I identify so much with them? I'm so glad you are enjoying it!
Raksha The Demon · 5 June 2009 · Chapter 30: The End of an Era
Trotter's heartbreak over Arador's death is very well written, Dreamflower; my heart ached too. How will Trotter feel when, all too soon, Arathorn perishes as well? Trotter was both brother and uncle to his "Thorn".
Author's reply
As I was combing through the ToY in order to write this, it occurred to me that the death of Arador and that of Arathorn came very close together-- it must have been very traumatic for their family and friends!
Andrea · 5 June 2009 · Chapter 30: The End of an Era
Longshanks! I liked that ranger very much even before I knew who he was! But he died as a hero, protecting his men from the Troll! And poor Trotter! A seizure of the heart is a grave illness. I totally agree with Thorn that he should retire to Rivendell where he can get the best care available. So, now that Bilbo has found his own name in Trotter's book, I would love to know how he reacts. Time for an Interlude, maybe? Please?
Author's reply
Yes, Longshanks. But at least he bequeathed his name to one of his descendants. It said he was killed by a hill-troll in the Appendices, though it gave no details. I was sure he would only be fighting such a creature to protect others. It is. He's eighty-seven in this chapter, and a heart attack is pretty serious. Thorn knows that it's time for Trotter to retire, and get the rest and care he needs. There will be one more short Interlude before the end, which is almost there.
Raksha The Demon · 5 June 2009 · Chapter 29: The Fell Winter
A sad chapter; famine and hardship striking all over the North. I wonder though, are there other Dunedain besides the population of Two Rivers? Poor Trotter; Gandalf's coming was, as often the case, a mixed blessing - someone had to deliver the news of sorrow in the Shire - at least it was an old friend of Hildifons' family come to tell him of his mother's death.
Author's reply
In my imagination, Two Rivers, which nestles exactly into the Angle of the two rivers, Hoarwell and Loudwater, is their main settlement. There are other smaller ones scattered about through what used to be Arnor, but Two Rivers is the main one, and the place where the Chieftain resides. Also, I was never able to work it in, but there are a few farmsteads and tiny hamlets close to Two Rivers, some of them across the Loudwater. They send goods to Two Rivers via that watergate I mentioned. Yes, Gandalf is the bearer of bad news once again, but he brings with him as well, comfort and good tidings of his other family members.
Larner · 5 June 2009 · Chapter 30: The End of an Era
He's had a wonderful life, all told. And he's done well by the Rangers, as they've done by him! Beautiful details, and am glad he learned of what happened with his siblings and nieces and nephews. But to see Arador's death--this is very sad! And all too soon he will see yet another Chieftain fall--but at least he will be there to welcome Aragorn on his arrival!
Author's reply
He has had a very full life. I thought it over, and I was sure that part of the way Gandalf would comfort him for his mother's death, was the reassurance of the well-being of the rest of his family. Yes, he's had quite a blow, and will have another...
Andrea · 4 June 2009 · Chapter 29: The Fell Winter
Poor Trotter, that must have been hard for him! In a town like Two Rivers it was at least possible to live in one large building and thus needing less firewood. But think of a farm in the Shire, far away from other dwellings! Those poor hobbits! I also liked it that Elrond and company came to help the Dunedain. BTW, how far away is Rivendell from Two Rivers?
Author's reply
I'm sure it was very hard, but at least he had Gandalf there for him. Yes, you are quite right. Those who lived in isolation would have been much more vulnerable to the ravages of the winter! I am quite sure that Elrond saw to helping the Dunedain whenever possible. According to Karen Wynn Fonstad's Atlas of Middle-earth, the place where the Hoarwell (Mithiethel) and the Loudwater (Bruinen) rivers met was approximately 200 miles from Rivendell. Perhaps a little closer, as it's hard to measure where the two pages come together in the book. But not any further, I'd say. Anyway, my Two Rivers is located just there.
Larner · 4 June 2009 · Chapter 29: The Fell Winter
Alas--a grief for our brave Hobbit! May they all find peace and plenty again--and soon!
Author's reply
Hopefully they will! That Fell Winter had to have been a difficult one all through Eriador, and not just the Shire.
Grey Wonderer · 4 June 2009 · Chapter 7: I Make Myself Useful
Leave it to a hobbit to repay others with cooking! Hildifons will be missed when he decides to leave or is forced to leave. I like the way he has learned so little about 'LongShanks'. I think that is very in character for Aragorn at that time. This is lovely and I am enjoying it but I must sleep for a couple of hours if I hope to stay awake for work tomorrow. I'll be back later for more.
Author's reply
It's just the hobbity way, I think. Food just naturally occurs to them as the answer to most problems. Get some rest, dear! *pets you on head*tucks you in*gets ready to wander back to own bed*
Grey Wonderer · 4 June 2009 · Chapter 6: Rescued
So someone who knows Gandalf and knows Tooks, mmmm, I wonder who this might be? LOL Glad to see a familiar face come to Hildifons' rescue and now I know Poridge is safe too.
Author's reply
It may not be who you think you know...
Grey Wonderer · 4 June 2009 · Chapter 5: Interlude: Dark Memories
I can see where Bilbo would be reminded of his most unpleasant adventures while reading this journal. He and Hildifons had much in common.
Author's reply
They did have a great deal in common!
Grey Wonderer · 4 June 2009 · Chapter 4: Among the Brigands
Very exciting! Here he was, nearly ready to escape and suddenly there is a battle. Reminds me a bit of how Pippin and Merry managed to escape from the Orcs. I am worried about Porridge though.
Author's reply
Battles come in handy that way, sometimes! You know, I hadn't consciously thought about Merry and Pippin escaping the Orcs, but I'll bet it unconsciously inspired me!
Grey Wonderer · 4 June 2009 · Chapter 3: Terror in the Night
Porridge is a delightful name for a pony! I am now very worried about both Porridge and Hildifons. I think the barrows might have been less frightening in some ways. I only hope he can escape.
Author's reply
Yes, well I'd wondered about his pony's name, and he said "He's the color of Porridge! What do you *think* his name is?" Well, the Barrows would have been a different adventure altogether!
Grey Wonderer · 3 June 2009 · Chapter 2: Beyond the Bounds
A fine chapter filled with the mention of sheep. (the occasional hill being grazed by sheep on my left,) Who could ask for more. It sounds as if this young Took is about to find danger on his way to Bree. I liked Polly. He should have spent the night.
Author's reply
*grin* Can't slip any sheep past you, can I? Yes, well, danger is an unfortunate but necessary ingredient to an adventure! And I liked Polly a lot myself. She just jumped out at me as he rode along, and said, "I need that hobbit to get my goose over the stile", and I said, "Yes ma'am" very meekly.
Grey Wonderer · 3 June 2009 · Chapter 1: Unlucky at Love
Unlucky at love and off on an adventure. Sounds like he has a plan. I doubt he knows what he's getting into but then, he is a Took!
Author's reply
You are absolutely right on *ALL* counts!
Grey Wonderer · 3 June 2009 · Chapter 0: Prologue: An Unexpected Discovery
I have been waiting on a time when I could sit and read all of this at once, but the chapters keep coming and I still don't have enough time so I am throwing caution to the wind and beginning! I can't wait any longer. This prologue is an excellent beginning. If I had been Bilbo I think I would have been more than a bit annoyed at being kept in the dark on this matter. Can't wait to see what's in the book and why Elrond kept it secret, other than the request of course.
Author's reply
It's actually done on my LJ, and I just have about three more chapters to upload here. My deadline was this past Tuesday, and I just made it in under the wire! Yes, well, Bilbo *was* annoyed to begin with, but now his curiosity is being satisfied.
Andrea · 3 June 2009 · Chapter 28: My Return to Two Rivers
So, now that our Trotter learned to use his "wooden shoes" (and found them useful), he decided to return to Two Rivers, which is a very understandable decision, for in Rivendell he would have become bored and eventually moody. He's the type of hobbit who needs something to do, to make himself useful (I think that was even the name of one of your chapter titles). And in Two Rivers he *is* needed. I had to smile when I read the he became the new teacher. Obviously he changed his opinion ;-) I'm glad that Thorn got rid of his feeling of guilt. It would have destroyed his life. And, as Larner pointed out, he learned patience! For it will still be a long time until he takes Gilraen for his wife. His parent's are already a little uneasy about his hesitance!
Author's reply
Yes, I think at this stage of his life-- the prime of life for a hobbit-- he would not appreciate as much the peace and quiet of Rivendell once he had recovered. He is needed. And I think he saw the sense in the Rangers' schooling customs (although I am also sure he would not find them proper for *hobbits*!) It's likely a tinge of guilt remained, but at least he was able to channel it into learning the lessons needed to be a good leader, and to not allow it to destroy his friendship with Trotter. *grin* Yes, he's going to be waiting awhile for little Gilraen to grow up! LOL!