Ah--a Ranger indeed he has become, and, as I envision the Hobbit who served Arvedui, also serving as a scout! Marvelous!
Glad the Dunlendings were willing to keep their word.
Author's reply
Yes, I do think that scout would be the most logical task for a hobbit Ranger. He'd be able to move more quietly than any save an Elf, and his natural abilities to stay hidden would also come in handy.
I read a fic about a year or two ago, in which the Dunlendings were portrayed as having a rather crude but strict warrior code of honor, and I rather liked the portrayal, though I do not remember much else about the story, including who wrote it. Pity, because I'd rather like to read it again--but it was on the MEFAs and rather ran together with a lot of other stories I read that year.
Andrea
· 30 May 2009
· Chapter 21: Rangering
But I had a strong feeling that if once I returned, I should never get away again-- and my fellow Rangers needed me.
That's very true! No ranger will ever be as stealthy and silent as a hobbit!
But, even if he does not say so directly, good old Trotter would love to see his family and the Shire again. While on the other hand he fears to never see the rangers again. Poor hobbit!
P.S.: Do you have a deadline for this story? I wished it would go on for many more chapters!
Author's reply
Well, he's quite one of them now!
He would love to see them. However, he would not love all the explanations he would have to make, and all the reproaches he'd have to endure for staying away for so long. Not to mention all the gossip he'd cause.
Yes, I do. Tuesday.
Andrea
· 30 May 2009
· Chapter 20: Interlude: The Wizard's Point of View
Well, that's what I expected. Gerontius did not tell his family about Trotter.
But I did not expect that he tried to tell his wife, but she didn't believe him. That's very sad. Although I can understand Adamanta's feelings.
"Why it's simple enough, Bilbo Baggins. I only make fireworks for hobbits."
Why, that's a good explanation! If I only were a hobbit... :-)
Author's reply
It is sad-- but I think Adamanta had made her peace with the idea of Hildifons' supposed death, and she could not face having the old grief stirred up again.
*grin* Gandalf really does have quite a soft spot for them!
Andrea
· 30 May 2009
· Chapter 19: The Grey Wanderer
LOL! At first I thought there is a spelling error in the title. But after a bit of thinking I realised that the "Grey Wonderer" is not Gandalf, but a very talented story writer, who is famous for her unusual disclaimers ;-)
My heart tells me you may have some task to perform before you are ready to go back to the Shire.
Wow! Gandalf's heart is never wrong! But I'm not so sure, if Gandalf already knows what kind of task it is that Trotter will perform.
At least, the old wizard will make sure that Gerontius gets the news about his long lost son. That will be a relief, for him and for Trotter.
Author's reply
Yep, our dear GW spells her name just that little bit differently! LOL!
No, I don't think he does, any more than he knew the exact role Gollum or Pippin or Merry would play, even when his heart told him that they would indeed have one.
It will. And at least Gerontius will know that his son is still alive, even if no one else believes it.
Raksha The Demon
· 30 May 2009
· Chapter 20: Interlude: The Wizard's Point of View
Good explanation as to why Gerontius didn't tell the rest of the family that Hildifons was alive.
I wonder if Hildifons disappearance and presumed death heightened the dismay that would greet Bilbo's later adventures; not perhaps from the Tookish side of his family, but from other hobbits...
Author's reply
It seemed reasonable to me. It would not be worth arguing with his family, if they did not believe Gandalf.
I am sure that it did. He'd be one of those "bad examples" and one of the reason that, however wealthy and well-born, the Tooks were "not quite respectable".
Raksha The Demon
· 30 May 2009
· Chapter 21: Rangering
I have the feeling that poor Hildifons will never go home; or if he does; it will be only for a quick and secret visit after most of the hobbits he knew have passed away.
Trotter's excitement about the ruins of Fornost makes me hope that one day he could see Minas Tirith; though that is unlikely.
Loved the bit about Nethon getting the Ranger-nickname of Freckles - poor kid!
Author's reply
Your feeling is quite right, according the Took Family Tree: he went away on a journey and never returned.
Oh, wouldn't he be excited! But no, it's rather unlikely at this point!
Yep-- poor Nethon! But at least his friends have pity on him and don't use it among themselves!
GamgeeFest
· 30 May 2009
· Chapter 20: Interlude: The Wizard's Point of View
It is sad that Adamanta didn't believe her son was still alive, but yet, it was probably for the best, as he never returned to the Shire anyway.
So Men, Dwarves and Elves never get to see fireworks? What about those living in Bree? ;)
Author's reply
Yes, definitely for the best in the long run.
I think perhaps Gandalf's soft spot was for Shire hobbits, and those of Tookish descent especially. But there might have been fireworks in Bree at some point in time...
Larner
· 30 May 2009
· Chapter 20: Interlude: The Wizard's Point of View
I KNEW it! I KNEW it! And I'm so sorry Adamanta never believed the story. Had she, perhaps she would have written him and he might have returned home again one day!
Am glad Gandalf is there to talk with Bilbo about it!
Author's reply
Yes, you were quite right! *grin*
I think if Adamanta had believed Gandalf's message, Gerontius would have sent for his son--and Hildifons would not have denied his father's wishes.
In which case things might have turned out very differently...
Well, Gandalf had to stop by and see how Bilbo was settling in among the Elves, and I think he was glad to talk about another of his hobbit friends...
Larner
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 19: The Grey Wanderer
Ah, fireworks for the Dunedain only when a Hobbit dwells with them, eh? His special treat for the Periannath....
And I am glad he foresees Hildifons has something he especially needs to do. Very nice!
Author's reply
You guessed it. I should have known if any among my readers would spot it, it would be you! (And *now* that I've posted the next chapter, you know!)
Yes, there is more behind Hildifons reluctance to leave the Dunedain than just curiosity.
GamgeeFest
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 19: The Grey Wanderer
Of course, Gandalf would have long heard the news of Trotter being among the Rangers. How sad that Trotter's family never received his letter, though after so many years of only that one missive, his family would likely still think him dead. They will be relieved to learn that he is not, and yet saddened to know that he does not wish to return to them. And now Trotter has some part to play - Gandalf is very fond of that phrase, isn't he? ;) heh!
Author's reply
Yes, Trotter's been very neglectful of his family, sad to say.
Trotter does indeed have an important part to play. (Gandalf knows a good turn of phrase when he hears one, and doesn't see any reason not to use it, LOL!)
GamgeeFest
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 18: As Time Goes By
Trotter proves to be a stealthy scout and a bit of a warrior to his fellow rangers. He certainly is enjoying his time with his new "family" - thinking little of his own. He seems to have found a good fit for himself amongst the Dunedain, though he would do best to believe the stories of the Enemy, now that he has seen some of His agents.
Author's reply
He is not thinking of his own family much-- and when he does, he just keeps on thinking "someday" and "maybe next year" and "not quite yet". He thinks he has all the time in the world...
GamgeeFest
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 17: I Become a Ranger
A wedding ceremony without contracts and seven signatures in red ink - he's not in the Shire anymore! I love that Trotter taught Ivorwen how to cook. He knows a veiled plea for help when he hears one. So he's considered a Ranger now, and has decided to go out with the others to the South. Hmmmm...
Author's reply
Yep! I'm sure that seemed very strange to him!
I had no idea until I began to write that Ivorwen could not cook! I was quite surprised to discover that about her.
GamgeeFest
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 16: My New Home
Trotter is settling in quite nicely to his new home. Sounds like a quaint place, very hobbit-like, even without the inns. It is so peaceful here, I begin to wonder how and when he comes to have such horrible experiences later. I shall have to wait and see.
Author's reply
It's a small town, smaller in population than Bree, though slightly larger in area. But it's a bit like a fortified settlement-- or in modern terms, a military base. The Rangers are "stationed" there and deploy out from there, while their families dwell there in relative peace.
GamgeeFest
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 15: Interlude: The Dúnadan
So Trotter lived long enough to meet Aragorn? I wonder now if our four lads were ever told any of this. Certainly, they would be interested to know of their kin's adventures as well.
Author's reply
Well, just barely. Aragorn would only have been two when he met him, and only six or seven when he died.
You will just have to wait and see...
GamgeeFest
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 14: A Very Long Night
Trotter is making himself right at home, helping with the cooking and lightening the mood as much as he can. Thank goodness the baby was born without complications, and the mother is well!
Author's reply
He is; I think that is a hobbit's talent, to help wherever possible.
There might very well have *been* complications if Elrohir had not shown up to help! Fortunately, he did!
GamgeeFest
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 13: A Timely Arrival
Oh, dear, things don't sound to be going well for Arador's wife. Trotter should provide a bit of a distraction for Arathorn though. I think I know who this monster surgeon is. I'll wait and see if I'm right.
Author's reply
He will, as you have seen.
I'm not sure who you thought it was; but I did have some good advice. *grin*
Elflingimp
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 19: The Grey Wanderer
I am rather glad you have to get these chapters out so fast, I wish we could make all the authors do this. Very good chapter, I thought it rather sad that his family thinks him dead but I like his stubborness and his strong will, can't wait to see how this ends Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Well, I suppose you could make them all join "Finishathon", LOL!
He is very stubborn, and he still thinks he has lots of time to get back to the Shire.
Celeritas
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 19: The Grey Wanderer
Ooh, Gandalf hinted at Destiny! I can't wait to see what part Trotter has to play.
I liked the fireworks, though I hope they didn't draw any unfriendly eyes towards the settlement. Do you know why Gandalf chose to set them off?
And I had guessed that that letter wouldn't have made it back, given what we've heard from Bilbo. At least Gerontius will know, though (might explain why we have the information we do in the family trees?).
Author's reply
Yes, he did. And Trotter will have a very important part to play.
I do. And so shall you--soon enough! *grin*
You are exactly right for the way things turned out about the letter.
Celeritas
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 18: As Time Goes By
I liked this description of how Trotter fit in with the Rangers--especially his getting a swelled head after dealing with those ruffians!
And Gandalf shows up. This should be good.
Andrea
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 18: As Time Goes By
Yay! Gandalf is back! I knew he would return sooner or later. But if you asked him, he would doubtlessly say: Just at the right moment ;-)
We'll find out if he's right!
I liked the description of the different rangers and their special names. They are a practical lot, aren't they?
And, of course, I enjoyed that very special moment when Trotter caught four ruffians all by himself! I'm very proud of him!
Larner
· 28 May 2009
· Chapter 18: As Time Goes By
What a wonderful service he's given--Ranger, scout, cook, tutor--he is truly a well-rounded person. And I must suppose that with Elladan and Elrohir came Gandalf? Gotta be!
Love these years! And love that Tolkien's "Trotter" is perhaps getting a "real" basis in Shire history!
Love it!
Author's reply
He's simply putting into practice many of the things hobbits do in their own homes-- perhaps, except for the scouting. Yes, Gandalf has found him, as you will soon see!
I've loved the idea of Trotter the Hobbit Ranger since I first encountered him, but I just could not wrap my mind around an entire AU in which he replaces Aragorn/Strider completely. And I had also always been curious about Hildifons as well. This seemed like a chance to explore what a hobbit could have done among the Rangers, without having to re-write the entire Ring War!
Elflingimp
· 28 May 2009
· Chapter 18: As Time Goes By
Well,well you didn't give me time to review the chapter I just read before you popped out another(not that I'm complaining. LOL!) I like to umm... mull them around you know like fine wine before I review. I'd say Trotter is a really brave little fellow and so useful to have around, he does everything from cooking to fighting and more! Can I borrow him?? I can't wait to see if he'll get invited to Rivendale maybe... Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
I will be popping out several more chapters over the next few days! I only have until Tuesday to finish, according the rules of Finish-a-thon!
Trotter really is a useful little fellow; I think hobbits in general like to be of help to others, according to what is said of them in the Prologue, and in the story of Gandalf's involvement with them.
Andrea
· 28 May 2009
· Chapter 17: I Become a Ranger
"Ranger Trotter", on a mission to lands he has never seen before and in the company of the two famous Elf Twins! What else could he wish for?
Ivorwen would have loved him to stay, though, I'm quite sure. For who else would have given her more cooking lessons ;-)
(I like that lady already. I, too, would appreciate Trotter's cooking lessons!)
Author's reply
Yes, he's seeing a lot of the world, isn't he?
I'm sure she would have! *grin*
Andrea
· 28 May 2009
· Chapter 16: My New Home
Hildifons' thoughts on public schools are very interesting. And they tell a lot about (gentle-)hobbits!
Unlike the hobbits the rangers consider themselves as part of a "large family". There simply *are* no "strangers". Their little village is far too small for that.
Furthermore, I think that Hildifons forgets that not all hobbits in the Shire know their letters. For children of those hobbits it is difficult to get a good education. Children of rangers on the other hand get all the same basic education - and more, if they like it.
That's a very good arrangement!
Author's reply
Good thoughts!
Yes, in the Shire there were some hobbit-families in which the parents were illiterate. I am sure, though, that sometimes when the children were apprenticed or went into service that their employers would see to them learning their letters.
Antane
· 28 May 2009
· Chapter 17: I Become a Ranger
Sounds like that series of books I read many years ago - Choose Your Own Adventure. I have led a very sheltered life so far myself and wish to see more too! You have build an interesting series here as I have said before and it's just neat to see it all unfold.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)