The Ranger and the Hobbit by Cairistiona
6336 · 29 October 2009 · Chapter 2: Concern and Consternation
I believe you mean Sticklebacks, a kind of fish, found in streams in England. No reason why Aragorn couldn't have met up with another Hobbit! More please, Lynda
Author's reply
Ah, thank you... I'll get that fixed next spare moment. :) I'm glad you're enjoying this enough to want more! Always encouraging to hear. Thanks for the review and the correction!
Dreamflower · 29 October 2009 · Chapter 2: Concern and Consternation
Oh dear, Aragorn's friends are so worried, and with good cause! But I can imagine how surprised they will be to find he's been rescued already-- by a hobbit! I'm looking forward to the encounter. *grin*
Author's reply
I'm sure they'll be very mystified by a hobbit out in the wild! Thanks for the review!
Ainu Laire · 29 October 2009 · Chapter 2: Concern and Consternation
I like quick updates ^^ It's wonderful to see these two characters again- they were definitely my two fave Rangers of your group. Hmm, I don't have much to say because I feel rather boring today, but... yea. Obviously await for more.
Author's reply
LOL... you may feel boring but your review isn't. I'm glad you liked this chapter and were glad to see Halbarad and Denlad's return. I was kinda glad to see them, too, and I bet Aragorn will *really* be glad. This is another story that's finished... so the updates will be fairly regular. Next one hopefully comes Monday. :) Thanks for the review!
Estelcontar · 29 October 2009 · Chapter 2: Concern and Consternation
What a great chapter. You did such a great job of showing us Halbarad and Denlad's concern about Aragorn that even though I knew he was safe, even if hurt, I was very anxious not about him, but about the those poor guys. I was really glad when they found out that at least their worst fears were not true, and that Aragorn was still alive. I wouldn't want to be on Aragorn's skin when they catch up with him, hopefully on chapter four, though knowing you I shouldn't count on that. *g* Can't wait to see what's going to happen to Aragorn on chapter 3. Nothing dire, I hope. Though again, I shouldn't count on that. *g*
Author's reply
Thank, Estelcontar! I'm taking a bit of a risk, doing the story this way - swinging back and forth from Aragorn's POV to the Rangers' - but I did want to show both sides of the problem. Hopefully the fact that the reader knows what happened won't detract from the tension of Halbarad and Denlad not knowing what's happened. And there are always pesky plot twists to throw in. *g* Thanks for the review!
Larner · 29 October 2009 · Chapter 2: Concern and Consternation
A warrior would certainly have more than his share of wounds. But why the Southron--here?
Author's reply
I'm sure that's what they're wondering! Thanks for the review!
shirebound · 29 October 2009 · Chapter 2: Concern and Consternation
Oh, what a suspenseful chase! It's interesting to accompany skilled Rangers as they track someone. Halbarad has wonderful instincts. "Hobbit habbits", LOL. :D
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! I figured that some "hobbit habits" might have rubbed off on the Rangers... I don't see how you can lurk around the edges of that community for so long and not pick up a few things. Glad you found this chapter interesting--it was kind of difficult to write, to make sure it wasn't just a bunch of "Is he there?" "Nope, not here. There?" "Nuh huh. How about by that tree?" "Nope. How about under that rock? You got anything?" "Nah. I got nothin'. 'cept a slug and two rolie-polies and half an earthworm..." (which is about how the first draft looked...) Thanks again for the review!
Fantasia · 29 October 2009 · Chapter 2: Concern and Consternation
Cairistiona: So glad that you are posting again, I have read the two chapters today and I feel like I'm greeting old friens, after the first chapter I was asking myself where the rest of the gang was, and in this chapter, two of thema re chasing after their troublemaker chieftain. Looking foraward for more updates. Thanks
Author's reply
Hello, Fantasia! Yes, the gang's all here... or at least Denlad and Halbarad. Troublemaker chieftain is an apt description! I'm so glad you're enjoying this new story, and that you remembered Denlad from At Hope's Edge. The others will make cameos later on, but this story will focus on Aragorn, Halbarad, and Denlad. And of course Ferdinand Took. Hope you enjoy the rest, and thanks for the review!
Linda Hoyland · 29 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
Poor aragorn, but I feel he is in good hands. I like Ferdinand.
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda... Aragorn is definitely in good hands for the moment. I'm glad you like Ferdinand!
curiouswombat · 27 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
What an excellent start. Perhaps I should have tried to squeeze reading it in before dinner - we had sausages and fried potatoes but I didn't think to do any onions; I realise now how remiss I was!
Author's reply
Thank you, curiouswombat! How funny that you had almost the identical dish! And yes, next time add the onions. (Maybe we need to put together a M-e cookbook). I'm glad you enjoyed the first chapter. Thanks for the kind review!
Silivren Tinu · 27 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
If you go on like that, you'll manage to turn me into a hobbit-fan before the end of this story! *g* Well, at least I'm already very much a Ferdinand-Took-fan. I think this is the first time I read a hobbit-ranger h/c scene. I don't know how likely or unlikely the existence of Ferdinand Took and his knowledge of the Dunedain are, but I loved the way he managed to take care of Aragorn. He seems to be a very Tookish hobbit indeed, even for a Took, and Aragorn is very lucky that he is. I loved that that poor ranger finally got a good meal, for once. Methinks it wouldn't harm him to travel with a certain hobbit for a while. ;-) //"You sleep now, and how’s this for turnabout – the hobbit will guard the Dúnadan!"// I really loved that - it is such a sweet idea that a hobbit would guard a Dunadan for a while! I very much enjoyed the beginning of your new story and am looking forward to reading more! :) Almut
Author's reply
Thank you, Almut! I'm not entirely sure either how likely the existence of Ferdinand might be, but there's hints in Tolkien to support the idea of him, and that's close enough for fanfic. *g* I like that Aragorn's finally getting a bit of a bite to eat, too, but I'm afraid he's probably in too much pain at the moment to appreciate it. Something about pain and full stomachs... *shakes head, remembering my own experience* Not always pretty! I'll probably post a couple chapters a week. :) Thanks again for the review! (And as for reading hobbit-ranger h/c... go immediately and read Shirebound's Quarantined stories and her Keep Him Secret, Keep Him Safe. Really terrific hobbity care of ill Aragorn in those!)
Idril Celebrindal · 27 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
I am liking this so far! Idril
Author's reply
Thank you, Idril! I'm so glad you are, and very appreciative that you took the time to tell me. :)
utfrog · 27 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
I hope this is only the first chapter! Delightful story!
Author's reply
Thank you, utfrog! Glad you're liking this so far. And yes, more chapters to come, definitely. It runs about 12 chapters and an epilogue. :)
Larner · 27 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
How utterly delightful. There is a Ferdinand Took in the family trees, of course, and a Ferdibrand as well--his son, actually. And as the original Peregrin Took was a Hobbit Ranger who wore wooden shoes, this is not as far-fetched as you might think. I do think the Master would approve. And after all, old Gerontius and Bilbo undoubtedly saw to it some unorthodox books found their way into the Thain's library.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner! I hope Tolkien would approve! When creating Ferdinand, I drew a lot from the first part of FOTR, especially thinking about all those younger cousins who were in and out of Bilbo's house all the time. I figure at least one of them had to have picked up on the adventurous spirit. And perhaps pick up some Elvish as well from yes, those unorthodox books. :) Thank you for the kind review!
Midnight Promise · 26 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
Hi, Yay! More awesome stories from one of my favorite authors! :D What always amazes me is how everything flows together. There is no blaring mistakes or gaps - very well done. :) Aw, and now there is Aragorn-my favorite character. ;) Your character is also making an imprint, his personality is very hobbity. ;D Cannot wait for more! Hope life is great, Midnight Promise
Author's reply
Thank you, Midnight Promise! I'm glad you're liking this and like Ferdinand. So I'm one of your favorite authors? *blushes* Thank you! Aragorn's also my favorite, so I'm glad to have him off on another adventure, and it's fun to team him up with a hobbit this time, for a change of pace. There'll be Rangers along the way as well. Hope you enjoy the entire tale. Thanks again for the kind review!
Radbooks · 26 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
Oh, this was really an enjoyable treat! I'm looking forward to reading more of it.
Author's reply
Thank you, Radbooks... I hope you enjoy the whole tale!
Dreamflower · 26 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
I love this! Your Ferdinand is indeed a very hobbity hobbit! The song we hear snatches of sounds quite Shirish indeed. I love Aragorn's confusion, due to his injury and illness, but also due to seeing a hobbit in a unexpected place, and such a hobbit, at that. I can tell already how much I'm going to love this story-- hobbits taking care of Big Folk is one of my favorite scenarios to read about! By the way there is, actually, a cousin Ferdinand on the Took family tree. He is Bilbo's first cousin once removed through Bilbo's Uncle Hildibrand, who was brother to Belladonna. However, if this story is in T.A. 3002 (when Aragorn was 71), he's about eight years older than your Ferdinand, as he was born in SR 1340 (TA 2940) so the canon Ferdinand would be about 62. Of course for hobbits, that's still just the prime of life. And I like your definition of this as a "could-have-happened", because, really, I think it could have.
Author's reply
Thank you, Dreamflower! I too really like stories where hobbits take care of Big Folk, especially when it's Aragorn (or any other Ranger, methinks). So there's actually a Ferdinand? Ah, well... I guess any hobbits could simply refer to them both a la the old Newhart show, "This is Ferdinand and my other cousin Ferdinand." (at least I didn't name him Larry!) *g* Thanks for the encouragement and the review. I'm glad you're liking this so far. :)
Ainu Laire · 26 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
Adventurous, talkative hobbit. Aragorn. The wild. Bandits! I like this formula very, very much. And heck, I love AUs. I tend to find hobbits incredibly boring if they are not on adventures. And I am already beginning to love this character.
Author's reply
Thanks, Laire! I'm glad you like the start of this and the idea of it. I'm not normally a hobbit writer because I'm a bit like you in that I don't find their ordinary lives quite as compelling as some do. But I do like the idea of plucking a hobbit out of that ordinary comfortable existence and seeing what happens. So... we'll see what happens! Thanks for the review!
mews1945 · 26 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
Heavens, I sent you a blank email, before I wrote my review of your chapter. Shirebound told me about it, and I'm glad she did. I enjoyed it very much. Aragorn is well written, and Ferdinand Took is hobbity and Tookish as well. I enjoy reading of Aragorn being cared for by a hobbit.
Author's reply
LOL... no problem. I've done the same. And thank you! And I'll have to thank Shirebound for the recommendation. :) I'm glad you like Ferdinand... I did try to make him as hobbity as possible to sort of make up for the fact that I've given him an overdose of Tookishness. And I'm glad you like my Aragorn... he is my favorite character and I'm glad you find him well written! Thanks for the review and hope you continue to enjoy the tale!
Celeritas · 26 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
Very, very interesting! Of course, as soon as I see any non-LotR hobbits in connection with Rangers (especially Tooks), sirens start going off (by which I mean the sirens on Independence Day, not the "there's actually a fire" sirens) going, "TROTTER! TROTTER!" Which it looks as if you're not necessarily going into here, which is okay. But it's nice to know that there's precedent for more wandersome, possibly even Rangering, hobbits in Tolkien than you would conventionally think. I'm looking forward to finding out more about your OC. Oh, and you get free brownie points for having a Took whose eyes are not green!
Author's reply
LOL... no, no Trotter in this one. I already played my Trotter reference card in At Hope's Edge. Any more such nods from me to Aragorn's formative years in Tolkien's mind would be pushing it, I think. And ooh, brownie points! I like those and accept them gladly. :) Thank you for the review and I hope you enjoy the tale.
Inzilbeth · 26 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
I'm so pleased to see you are posting this wonderful story which is one of my favourites, and all time favourites at that. Your Ferdinand is an absolute delight and you've captured his 'Tookishness' perfectly. I adore his exchanges with Aragorn who is, as always in your stories, extremely believable. I know the AU note is a precaution but, to me, this story feels perfectly possible, if maybe a just a little improbable, within the bounds of canon.
Author's reply
And thank you for your help and encouragement with this... it wouldn't have happened without it. :) I decided better to err on the safe side and label this AU, as there's really not much precedence besides for this sort of adventurism in a hobbit by this point in their history. Which of course makes it all the more fun to imagine "what if..." Thanks again for the review and the help!
shirebound · 26 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
Master Took is a delight, and so is the beginning of this tale! "Raggedy and patchedy" would certainly describe our Ranger perfectly. It does my heart good that he's met such a congenial and practical hobbit, and that our adventurous Took has met such a noble and courteous Man. I love how he produced a fork from his pocket. Of course!
Author's reply
hee hee! Yes, Ferdinand's full of suprises, even as his pocketses are apparently full of cutlery. *g* I'm glad you liked this chapter (a bit reworked, thanks to your input). I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. Thank you both for your help and for your kind review!
Estelcontar · 26 October 2009 · Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter
Yay! I'm glad you found time to post your story today. You struck just the right note with your Ferdinand which is a most delightful OC, and sounds absolutely hobbitish. The story for purists may be a bit AU, but the mood, tone and your Ferdinant are totally cannon, and for me, at least, so is the story. *g* And Aragorn has got himself in trouble again, hasn't he? I can just imagine what Halbarad and Denlad are going to say when they catch up with him. I really enjoyed the lighthearted mood of this first chapter, and the way you used to song in the scene Aragorn regains consciousness, was to my mind most effective. Well done, as usual.
Author's reply
Thank you, Estelcontar! And thank you again for giving it a read before I posted it. I'm glad you found my Ferdinand both likely and likeable (if that's a word!). This story is definitely more about playing with possibilities than gap-filling or the like. I had fun writing it and I hope readers enjoy it. Thanks again for the support, and the review!