Meme and drabble offer

[dreamflower]

I commented on piplover's journal, so now I am biting the bullet and posting this here.

The first TEN people to comment, in this post or in future, get to request that I write a drabble of any character of their choosing.* In return, they have to if they want to they can post this in their journal, regardless of their ability level.

(1) labourslamp
(2) goldvermilion87
(3) ceshaughnessy
(4) claudia603 and lindahoyland
(5) pandemonium_213
(6) shirebound
(7) pearltook1
(8) lilybaggins
(9) baranduin
(10) grey_wonderer


*My fandom is LotR. I have made brief forays into other fandoms, but not enough to be confident in taking a request for them.

Comments

[labourslamp.livejournal.com]

Hah! Let's see if you're up for something in the later years...

How about Elfstan Fairbairn, Elanor's and Fastred's eldest son?

[dreamflower]

This one wanted to be a double drabble:

Visiting Bag End

The good thing about visiting Bag End was because it was so far away that each visit lasted a good long time. Elfstan loved the way Bag End was so different from Undertowers, filled with aunts and uncles and cousins. Uncle Robin and Uncle Tolman were just Rob and Tom; they were not so much older that they couldn’t have splendid romps, but older enough that they were trusted to watch him. And Gamma Rose was always in the kitchen cooking wonderful things. Rob and Tom would put Elfstan up to begging for treats, for Gamma Rose would give them to him every time, but she would tell them to wait until the next meal.

And there was Gaffer Sam. He would sit in Gaffer Sam's lap, and he would hear him tell the great tales of Uncle Frodo and their journey, and they sounded so different when he told them. Mama told him those stories, but when she told them they sounded like stories. When Gaffer Sam told them, they sounded just like things that happened.

The bad thing about visiting Bag End was, when the visits were finally over, it would be a long time until another one.

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

How about "the stranger from Michel Delving" in "A Long Expected Party."

[dreamflower]

Here you are. As our mysterious visitor had no name, I took the liberty of giving him one.

Gossip at the Ivy Bush

Bosco Sandheaver listened to the talk of old “Mad Baggins”. He’d heard the tales. Who in the Shire hadn’t heard of the hobbit who’d run off into the Wild with the Old Took’s wizard and a troupe of Dwarves, then come back from the dead? But these folks knew the old fellow!

Now this party. Bosco wondered could he stretch Mr. Brownlock’s business in Hobbiton enough to attend? Just a few more days, then when he got home, they’d buy him many a pint to tell of it. Who knew; mayhap gold or jools might just be laying about there…

[ceshaughnessy.livejournal.com]

Here's my request: Eglantine's thoughts as she holds the newborn son she thought she'd never have.

[dreamflower]

Here you are, dear!

Worth It All*

So much effort she had put into delaying this moment, to holding back, in hopes that the babe could grow larger and stronger first. Then, finally, giving in and giving birth. She was exhausted, but here he was, so very tiny.

His cries were weak. He was red and wrinkled. But here he was, curls as soft and fine as downfeathers on head and feet. Mistress Poppy cut the cord, and now she brought the blanket wrapped bundle to place in Eglantine’s arms.

Would he thrive? She looked at him and lost her heart. At last, her lad, her Peregrin…

(* A/N: The title came from what my mother said when my brother was born: "It was worth it all.")

[dreamflower]

This is for claudia603 and lindahoyland, who both asked for Frodo and Aragorn friendship. They commented here Since it's for two people, it's 200 words!

(I'm not terribly happy with the title. If someone can think of a better one, I welcome suggestions.)

Respect

The Council finally dispersed, and Aragorn turned to leave.

“M-my Lord?”

Aragorn turned, surprised at the hesitant diffidence in Frodo’s voice. The hobbit stood before him, head bowed, eyes downcast.

“Frodo? Why are you so formal with me? I had thought we were friends enough that such titles were unnecessary.”

Frodo looked up, his eyes troubled. “But I didn’t know who you were! You are Isildur’s heir; you should be King.”

“But I am not King, and may never be so. For now I am Strider the Ranger.” He knelt down on one knee, so that he would be at Frodo’s eye level, placing a hand on Frodo’s shoulder. “Please, my friend, call me Aragorn, or even Strider as you first knew me.”

“We were so disrespectful to you! If we had even known you were friends with Bilbo, it might’ve made a difference.”

“Perhaps. But I never speak of Bilbo when I am outside this valley. His safety was at stake.”

“Oh.” Frodo bit his lower lip, and then smiled. “I hope that one day I you will think of me as being as good a friend to you as Bilbo is.”

“I already do, Frodo,” he smiled back.

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Oh, this was perfect! Thank you so much!

That last line just killed me! Love it!

[addie71.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is lovely. It made me feel all happy inside.

[shirebound]

Love it!!! And that little bit about keeping Bilbo's presence a secret is something I never thought about before.

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this so much - I hadn't thought about protecting Bilbo as a reason that Aragorn didn't tell Frodo he knew Bilbo. And oh that last line is SO good - *happy sigh*

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Ah, Frodo and Aragorn friendship. I love it.

[ellynn-ithilwen.livejournal.com]

Oh, so beautiful.

[periantari.livejournal.com]

Very nice-- it is normal for Frodo to think of Aragorn as king and therefore to be formal but it's great that Aragorn alleviates this fear with this dialogue.

[lilybaggins.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is awesome! I love how you portray their friendship here!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

This is just lovely! thank you so much!

[dreamflower]

You are very welcome! I'm so glad you liked it!

[dreamflower]

For pandemonium_213 who commented here

I wanted to tell of some dashing adventure Trotter had, but this was the bunny that jumped out at me instead:

The year Thorn was seven, Moriel asked me to remain in Two Rivers. He was to start school, and was not happy about it. Arador consented to my staying, and it was arranged that I would assist the schoolmaster...

Strategy

“Why do I have to go to school?” Thorn pouted.

“To learn how to read and write and do sums, and learn the lore of your people,” Trotter answered calmly.

“You never went to school! You told me that hobbits do not have schools!” Arathorn crossed his arms and glared as though he had made an irrefutable point.

“No, I didn’t. I had lessons from my older brothers.”

“You are my brother! You can teach me.”

“So I can. At the school, as I’ll be the schoolmaster’s assistant this year.”

The child’s jaw dropped. “You tricked me!”

Trotter just grinned.

[addie71.livejournal.com]

Tricksie hobbit!

[pearltook1]

Are all the chances taken? If not, I'd like a Pippin drabble, please. :)

Hugs!
Pearl

[dreamflower]

Well, this one is a drabble-and-a-half:

First Breakfast

Pippin tied the belt of his dressing gown. It was faded and worn and it was too short now, although he thought that probably that was an advantage when it came to the sleeves—they’d been too long, and he’d had to roll them up, but now his arms were free, and he needn’t worry about dragging a sleeve through the fire, or the dishpan either.

He padded into the kitchen and built up the fire in the stove, and then took the kettle to the pump and filled it up and put it on. Then into the larder—there was the bread they had brought from the Hall, the eggs, some sausages, rashers of bacon, potatoes and butter and honey. Some toast and a nice fry up, that would do the trick.

Whistling cheerily he set to work. Wouldn’t Merry be surprised with their first first breakfast at Crickhollow?

[shirebound]

Yay, I'd love a drabble! If it can be done without sadness, what did Merry and/or Pippin think of the Sea when they got to the Grey Havens?

[dreamflower]

I hope this is not sad. It had to be Pippin, or it would have been...

Pippin and the Sea

It stretched as far as he could see. Grey water: ceaseless motion, undulating lines of white foam marking the waves and holding the gaze. How far across the Sundering Sea? Pippin wondered. How long would Frodo’s journey take?

He stood between Merry and Sam, watching as the sky slowly deepened, grey to purple to indigo, and the yellow water-path the Sun made faded, the water darkening. He drank in the sight, never knowing if he’d ever see it again.

And when at last he saw Eärendil, Star of Hope, shining above, he tugged his friends’ shoulders and aimed them homewards.

[lilybaggins.livejournal.com]

Is there still room left? :)

I'd love to see a Frodo h/c drabble, with Aragorn caring for a feverish Frodo.

[dreamflower]

Fever!

Three pairs of eyes watched anxiously, as Strider gently lifted Frodo down from Bill. He cradled Frodo in his arms, and felt his brow. Merry had been right to call a halt; Frodo was burning up, save his left arm, which remained icy cold. He had no more athelas to deal with the wound, but he had prepared a flask with willow-bark tea before they set out. He roused Frodo slightly, to get him to take some of the bitter brew; then, looking at Frodo’s worried friends said, “We cannot stop. But I will carry him until the fever abates.”

[baranduin.livejournal.com]

I'd like some Elanor with Sam, after Rose's death but before Sam leaves.

[dreamflower]

Takes place just a couple of days after Rose's funeral...

Knowing

He seemed smaller than Elanor ever remembered his being, shrunken in upon himself, a weariness about him that sleep would not cure.

She’d followed him before the sun had properly risen; seen him with the rose cuttings he’d taken. He was taking them to the top of the Hill, she knew, to plant by the newly made grave. It was fitting that her mother rest there. Sam looked up at Elanor when she approached him.

“They were her favourites.” He patted the earth in place around the tender roots.

“You will not sleep beside her though,” she said with certainty.

[grey-wonderer.livejournal.com]

I tell you what. To be fair, I will trade you a tribble about something of your choice, for a drabble featuring a young Rusty, your OC, either about Rusty or Rusty's POV on something or someone else.


Interested?

[dreamflower]

I've an even better deal! How about a tribble for a tribble?

(For those who don't know, Rusty Cotton is my OFC, who has appeared in a few of my stories, including this: Whatever Happened to Rusty Cotton?" This tribble fills in a little gap.

The Recruit

Fredegar Bolger looked over the recruit who stood eagerly before him, ready to strike a blow against the Pimple and his Ruffians. He gestured to one of his lieutenants. “Tom!” he called.

Tom Cotton sauntered over. “Yes, Captain Freddy?”

“We’ve a likely young buck who wants to join our little band.”

Tom turned and looked closely, then his eyes widened. “What, for mercy’s sake are you doing here?” he exclaimed angrily.

Freddy turned to Tom. “You know this lad?”

“That’s no lad. It’s a lass. My cousin Ruby Cotton!”

“Rusty!” she said. “And I’m here to do my part!”

“You are supposed to be in Gamwich with Aunt Jasper!”

“You think I’m going to stay there while these bullies overrun the Shire?”

Freddy watched the two cousins, both red in the face, shouting at one another, and shook his head. Now that he attended more closely, he could see that in spite of the lad’s clothing and the hat, that it was indeed a lass.

“Your parents would skin me if I let you come into this! It’s dangerous!”

“You think I don’t know that?” The lass put her hands on her hips and thrust her face right into her cousin’s. “I don’t care! The whole Shire is dangerous right now! The difference is I can do something!”

“That’s enough!” Freddy’s sharp tone silenced them. “You forget that it is not a decision that either of you have a final say in! I am the one in charge here!”

Both Cottons turned warily to him.

Freddy stared at the lass. He’d seen that determined expression before. And suddenly he remembered Pippin, firmly dealing himself into the Conspiracy.

She’d be part of it, or she’d do something rash on her own.

“You’re in,” he said. “But you will follow my orders.”

[grey-wonderer.livejournal.com]

I loved it! I'm so glad you changed the rules so I could request something. Rusty is a favorite of mine and it's been too long since she turned up so I was wondering about her.

This is just great. I love the way she stands up to the lads and gets her way on this. And, knowing what I know about Rusty, she is likely to be the best fighter the resistance has there in the Shire. *wink*

Thank you very much for this one.

Email me when you know what you'd like in return. I now am in your debt, tribble-wise that is.

[dreamflower]

I'm so glad you did like it! Rusty's fun, and I'd always meant to show this little episode sooner or later!

I'll be in touch! *grin*