Ah, a nice long chapter!
I enjoyed Bilbo the Future Poet niggling about rhymes, also his list of Important Bagginses.
Very clever about "Bingen." I couldn't decide if that was an early form of Baggins or not, and never thought of Labingi.
Two things, in case you have not found them yet: Chop's age relative to Bilbo is a literal blank, and the description of Otho's faults is odd indeed (the paragraph begins His mother laughed). Of course, odd is suitable for Otho....
Author's reply
*grin* I just could not resist allowing his Future Poet out for a little trial run, LOL!
I may not have had the evolution of the name quite correct philologically speaking, but thought that such a name might eventually turn into "Baggins".
Thanks for the shout-out! I thought I had put Chop's age in but clearly I forgot. And what happened with the description of Otho was my apparently only partially unsuccessful attempt to weed out one of my uses of "a bit". I try my best to get rid of that phrase, as my early stories are riddled with it.
shirebound
· 9 July 2012
· Chapter 5: Lessons
'Twelfty' is my new favorite word. :)
What a remarkably detailed and fascinating history. Your love for hobbits and their way of life shines through every story.
Author's reply
*grin* It just seemed logical, after "eleventy", LOL!
I do love hobbits SO much!!! <3 <3 <3
Larner
· 3 July 2012
· Chapter 4: Turning Three
Indeed, lovely gifts for first ones, and I'd cry, too, to receive such a lovely and well chosen leaf! Delightful!
Author's reply
Yes, and little Bilbo's first encounter with the notion that "not all tears are evil".
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 2 July 2012
· Chapter 4: Turning Three
Bilbo is the CUTEST FAUNT EVER. *grin* I love him, I love him! And Bingo is such a good uncle! Oh, Longo, Longo, Longo...*sigh* I see he's not staying in contact with the family much. So Cosimo would be Camellia's father, would he? I suppose Camellia's the heir of the Sackville family, with no brothers to carry on the name, considering what comes of that family? (And no uncles or male cousins, either? Hmm...maybe that's a result of the Fell Winter?)
Anyway, I love the apple and the maple leaf he found...they sound lovely indeed, especially the leaf! Good Uncle Bingo, keeping Bilbo away from the BAD mushrooms! I wonder if he'll teach Bilbo to forage properly?
Author's reply
I am always a little worried when I include "baby-talk" in a story. Sometimes it can make a story seem silly. But of course, as a faunt, his speech would not yet be perfect.
I like the thought of Uncle Bingo, LOL! The Baggins relatives are so often neglected in fic for Tooks and Brandybucks, I like to try and make up for that.
Yes, you guessed right. I chose Cosimo since that name was once considered for Lotho! But he is indeed Camellia's father and she is the oldest daughter of the family (I am thinking she may have sisters, but have not made up my mind on that yet.) Probably no male cousins. Perhaps there might have been an uncle, but if he was unwed or otherwise unlikely to produce an heir, then he might have been passed over. Or there might not have been one at all.
Thank you about the leaf! I really wanted Bilbo to find Belladonna a pretty leaf.
shirebound
· 2 July 2012
· Chapter 4: Turning Three
Bingo knew he had a big responsibility; he had to make sure that Bilbo had fun finding the gifts, so that he would think of giving as a pleasant thing, but he also needed to guide his nephew into choosing things that would not be unsuitable. ... But most of all, Bilbo should have that feeling of joy that comes from making someone else happy, so that he would want to do it again and again.
What a marvelous experience for both of them! I enjoyed this treasure hunt very much.
Author's reply
Thank you, dear! It truly was sort of a treasure hunt. I love to imagine how it must have been for little fauntlings going out for their first presents!
Antane
· 27 June 2012
· Chapter 3: Encounter, part two
Love this chapter especially Gildor and his encounter with Bilbo and Bilbo's encounter with him and the other Elves and Gildor's words. So that love starts very early indeed! :)
Also could you please pray for my dad who has bad kidneys and starts dialysis in a month or so. Le hannon! *hugs*
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Of course I will, dear.
And it seemed to me that such an encounter might account for his lifelong interest in Elves!
Larner
· 26 June 2012
· Chapter 3: Encounter, part two
Oh, I love that reference to one of my favorite authors and one of my favorite books! Lamb's blessing is most apt for our little Bilbo!
Author's reply
Back when I was writing "Eucatastrophe: the Return" using prompts from Marigold's Challenges for each chapter, I got that quotation from Llinos as one of my elements. I knew INSTANTLY that it was meant for Bilbo. After I wrote that chapter, I also knew that even though that story was AU, the bit of flashback in that chapter was to be part of my backstory for canon Bilbo as well.
It really does fit Bilbo so well!
(And I loved Five Children and It as well. I guess JRRT did too, since he included a psammead in Roverandom!
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 25 June 2012
· Chapter 3: Encounter, part two
Dreamflower, this story is getting better and better (not that I would expect any less from you! *grin*) But oh, poor Belladonna to get hurt like that! I do hope Bungo's not too annoyed, and maybe Bungo can coax Gerontius to allow Isengar to accompany them home! :) What do you think?
I love Bilbo more and more every chapter!! :)
*hugs Bilbo* And that was quite a blessing Gildor bestowed on him...*grin*
Kaylee!!!
Author's reply
Well, it was just a sprained ankle-- I think she felt it was worth it to meet Elves! *grin* Bungo's just glad to have her back and safe.
(And I would not be surprised if you are right about 'Gar, whether that makes it into the story or not...)
It was indeed! When Llinos gave me that quotation to work into my "Eucatastrophe: The Return" (which I was posting chapter by chapter as part of Marigold's Challenges) I thought of Bilbo immediately! It just seemed so perfect for our brave little "there and back again" hero! And Ithilden's Sindarin translation was just icing on the cake.
I knew after I wrote it that it would be a part of my "regular" Bilbo's backstory as well as the AU one. I'm glad I had this chance to fill it out a little more.
Muon
· 25 June 2012
· Chapter 3: Encounter, part two
Ah, yes, I remember this story. Nice to see a bit more of the background that led Belladona to go out walking in the woods. And Bilbo is just too cute here!
On another note, I think you might have inadvertently left out a sentence while copying over the text from the previous story - the second paragraph of Gildor's section jumps a bit oddly. Over in the original text, it's got this extra sentence in the middle, which makes more sense:
"Suddenly, he was startled from his reverie by a sharp cry of distress. It was not one of his people--that was not the voice of an Elf, and it came from ahead of him and not behind. Swiftly, though cautiously, he made his way in the direction of the sound."
Author's reply
You were absolutely right! Thank you-- it's fixed now!
Yes, showing it from Belladonna's POV kind of rounded things out!
shirebound
· 25 June 2012
· Chapter 3: Encounter, part two
The other Elves had begun to gather about Gildor, marveling at the tiny child, who was so small that he easily fit into Gildor’s two hands. Bilbo looked about him, with an expression of delighted wonder, and when one silver-haired Elf leaned over him, he reached up a chubby hand to pull on one of the locks. The Elf laughed, and then the child laughed too.
What a sweet, delightful image! I enjoyed this chapter immensely. Bilbo's world is widening in remarkable ways, although he's not yet aware of it.
Author's reply
Oh thank you dear! Can't you imagine how an encounter like this might account for Bilbo's lifelong fascination with Elves?
I am so looking forward to writing more of his childhood!
Larner
· 20 June 2012
· Chapter 2: Encounter, part one
Well, the two of them are adults, are they not? They could bring Gar to Bag End with his parents' permission, I would think!
Author's reply
Exactly. In fact that's what Bungo was *going* to say before Belladonna got in a huff. I'm not sure she would have wanted to hear it yet, LOL! She was in no mood for logic.
Grey Wonderer
· 20 June 2012
· Chapter 2: Encounter, part one
I loved Bungo's opinions on the Tooks and Gandalf. He really is surrounded by very out-going, out-landish hobbits when he is in the Tookland, isn't he?
Author's reply
He is. All of them rather confound and confuse him, as he's not used to quite so much going on! He'll get used to them over the years; it's early days yet.
And Gerontius likes him. That's very important!
Grey Wonderer
· 20 June 2012
· Chapter 1: Coming into the World
I love the closing line of the first chapter. It's a very good start to Bilbo's life. Bungo is just lovely. I like his quiet ways and his calm manner. He is the perfect husband for a high-strung Took.
Author's reply
I thought a high-strung Took could use someone quiet and calm; while she keeps him on his toes and keeps him from getting stodgy! I think they are a perfect match!
Grey Wonderer
· 20 June 2012
· Chapter 0: Prologue
I like people with nerve. : )
Author's reply
LOL! That's good! *grin*
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 18 June 2012
· Chapter 2: Encounter, part one
Dear Dreamflower,
Okay, first of all, little Bilbo is the most adorable Hobbit baby EVER! *grin*
Secondly, I am SO glad Isengar has returned, even if he did have to be punished for running away (and I am on Bungo's side, by the way, although I do think he should have pointed out that Isengar CAN visit, so long as someone else comes with him, unless I misread that!)
Thirdly, I am on Belladonna's side too, a bit (isn't that contradictory! Heh! But you make me feel empathy for ALL your hobbits, one way or another!) Being cooped up at home is never fun, and I feel for Isengar as she does! I wonder just where she's going with Bilbo - back to Great Smials to tell off the Thain? O.o I wouldn't be brave enough to, but then she is one of his "remarkable" daughters! :)
(By the way, this reminds me. Was Hildigard, who died young, a son or a daughter? I've seen Hildigard noted either way, and for some reason I feel it's a feminine name...she just wasn't counted by Gandalf because she didn't grow up...but I'm asking for your expert opinion. Also, in your 'verse, when was she born and when did she die? Or he, of course, if Hildigard was a son.)
Kaylee
Author's reply
*grin* I'm glad you like baby Bilbo!
In real life history, Hildigard (or Hildegard) was a real name in the Middle-ages, and though it could be used for either a male or female, the most well-known person of that name was an Abbess named Hildegard of Bingen, and her writings and music are well-known. So there's where the idea that the Hildigard on the Took family tree might be female came from.
HOWEVER, my research into Hobbit Naming traditions indicate that "Hildigard" as a Took name seems to fit male naming traditions rather than female ones (Tooks tended towards jewel or flower names for their females, or oddly constructed names, such as those of Belladonna's younger sisters.) All the other "Hildi-"s in the Took Tree are male, and "-ard" is also used as a suffix on other male names like "Flambard" and "Adelard", so I assume Hildigard was a lad as well.
I have only a little bit of an idea of Hildigard's backstory so far, but I've always assumed he was *very* young when he died. Perhaps I will figure him out sooner or later.
Author Reply: Oh, I did do a little bit of Hildigard! In "A Mother's Work: Adamanta" she remembers him: he died of the spotted fever before he even became a faunt (so I'm guessing he was probably only about two at the time). I had completely forgotten about that.
shirebound
· 18 June 2012
· Chapter 2: Encounter, part one
I love that phrase "Tookish turmoil". How perfect.
What a wonderfully detailed family story you're weaving for us.
Author's reply
It sounded to me like the sort of thing snooty Aunt Pansy might say!
I am hoping that it will fill in a lot of details about Bilbo and his early life. And I confess, I am very fond of Bungo/Belladonna!
Andrea
· 14 June 2012
· Chapter 1: Coming into the World
A very nice beginning!
And there is already something Tookish in the little lad ;-)
"You are wanted. It seems this little Baggins has suddenly decided to be impatient to enter the world."
Author's reply
Yes, he certainly displays some Tookishness there!
Larner
· 13 June 2012
· Chapter 1: Coming into the World
Ah, but welcome indeed, our dear Bilbo! At least she only went through that once that we know of.
Author's reply
Of course her MOTHER went through it 12 times!
And yes, Bilbo is welcomed into the world!
Larner
· 13 June 2012
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Oh, but I do wish you luck with this one, Dreamflower. Considering how many WIPs I've had potboiling on the back burner for so long....
Author's reply
LOL! I do need all the luck I can get! Thanks Larner!
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 12 June 2012
· Chapter 1: Coming into the World
Dreamflower,
I made sure to read both the Prologue and first chapter before reviewing them, as you know me - I don't *read* stories really, do I? I *devour* them and then get disappointed when there's no more. :P I really am a piece of work for you! *grin*
Anyway, speaking of a piece of work, this is one reason why I do not think I would do well at being pregnant - the fighting with my husband (whenever I acquire one, that is, don't have one of those yet either! *lol*) would be too difficult on me! As it seems to have been on poor Belladonna...and yet, "remarkable" as she is *grin* she seems to have pulled through admirably. Luckily Bilbo did too! And I'm hoping Bungo wasn't *too* upset by Belladonna's arguing! She couldn't help it, I'm sure!
Now, I wonder what the next chapter will be about...*ponders*
Eagerly anticipating more!
Kaylee
Author's reply
I am very glad and honored to have such a devoted reader as you, Kaylee!
Bungo actually understands that Belladonna doesn't mean what she says when she's in a temper, sometimes before she understands it herself.
If you know both my regular and AU universes very well, you might guess the next chapter...
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 12 June 2012
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Dearest Dreamflower! :) You surprise me once again. *grin* Well, now I have something ELSE to look forward to in between "Ancestress", "The Prisoner and the Hobbit", and "In the Court of the High King", don't I? And if one or two of them isn't getting updated right away, likely as not one or more of the others will have something...you know how to curb (if not stop) my impatience pretty well, don't you? :) But I'm only impatient because I love love LOVE your stories!
Now, this looks VERY interesting! And will there be eleventy-one chapters, I wonder?
Kaylee!
Author's reply
I don't know if there will be eleventy-one chapters, LOL! But I will see what I can do! I will have to get through the first fifty years, first!
I'm actually just a wee bit ahead in my other WIPs (with the exception of P&H, because that will depend on Sauron's next letter), so my hope is that I can stay just an eensy bit ahead.
Antane
· 12 June 2012
· Chapter 1: Coming into the World
Like this beginning, my dear! Should be interesting...
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I hope that it will be!
shirebound
· 12 June 2012
· Chapter 1: Coming into the World
Oh, yay! I'm so excited! This is a wonderful beginning.
Author's reply
I'm very excited, too! I am so looking forward to this!
And I am hoping it will inspire others to attempt their versions! I'd love to see as many "book-verse" versions of Bilbo's backstory as possible before the movie comes out!