Fanfic meme, from fidesquaerens

[dreamflower]

Pick any passage of up to 500 words or less from any fanfic I’ve written, and stick that selection in a comment. I will then give you the equivalent of a DVD commentary on that snippet: what I was thinking when I wrote it, why I wrote it in the first place.

(Like Marta, I will be flexible with the word limit.)

While I've got fic posted in several places (Many Paths to Tread, ff.n, and even a few at AO3), this is where ALL of it lives: My Author page at Stories of Arda"

Comments

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Now Uncle Strider--no, Frodo reminded himself--the King, for the next year, he must only think of him as the King--turned to the door, and summoned Captain Bergil inside.

"Everything shall be quite well, Bergil," the King said. "Merry has merely sprained his ankle, slipping on the icy ground as they sparred. However, this may put his return home off a few days longer. I want you to ride down to the messenger-house by the Stonebow Bridge, and see that word is taken to Mistress Estella. I don't wish her to worry unnecessarily, and I am afraid she might box my ears," he laughed, "if I should fail to inform her!"

Frodo-lad suppressed a chuckle at the thought of Aunt Estella boxing the King's ears--but she *would* be cross if no one thought to tell her of her husband's mishap!

Bergil looked doubtful at this order, though he said nothing, but stood with arms folded, regarding the King--who correctly interpreted his look. "I shall be quite safe here. Now, if any should seek to chastise you for leaving my side, you have a direct order from me."

"Very well, sire." But Frodo could tell that it set ill with the captain to go off and leave the King unguarded.

King Elessar, on the other hand, was grinning. "Now off with you, Bergil!" And of course, the Guardsman had no choice in the matter.

Uncle--no, the King--confound it, it was hard to think of him as King when he had that sort of smile, that come to think of it, reminded him a lot more of Uncle Merry and Uncle Pippin than it did of a King--the King turned and looked about himself as though he had achieved a mighty victory. But Frodo hoped that the Queen would not be too cross at Bergil for going off and leaving them. King Elessar looked at his face, and chuckled, "If she is angry with anyone, it will be with me, Frodo, and not poor Bergil."

[dreamflower]

This was my first time to write Sam's son Frodo (except as a baby without any words) so I was trying to figure out his personality, and how he'd relate to Aragorn. My notion is, he's seen the King before and both Aragorn and Sam encouraged him to think of him as "Uncle Strider" (Sam because, as a hobbit, a familial connection is the most important, over and above the formal connection as King and subject. In "my" universe, all the remaining members of the Fellowship consider themselves "brothers". And Aragorn because the idea of being "uncle" to Sam's brood simply delights him.) And though Frodo's not been around Aragorn a lot, there's been personal correspondence signed "Uncle Strider". But now he's a page, which is a different matter altogether--he's got to change how he speaks to his honorary Uncle, especially in front of others or when he's on duty.

Aragorn is enjoying himself. He's managed to get away from court, and he's able now to be "Strider" at least a little bit--but with the comfort of a nice hunting lodge instead of sleeping on the ground. It's rather gone to his head. (This was, truly, the main reason Merry and Pippin gave him the lodge.)

Bergil's now an adult, and a member of the Guard, and the only one in attendance on the King right now (since Pippin's taking care of Merry). He's not happy to be ordered off.

Frodo-lad has a lot of Sam in him; he sees the King's just a little too happy to be on his own more or less! But he can't really hide his thoughts very well.

[Of course, the entire story was intended to fit the lyrics of "Good King Wenceslas", but I wanted it to be plausible and to fit into the Fourth Age as I'd been envisioning it. I had to work out just how the King and his Page were able to go off on their own!]

[shirebound]

"The Archives Incident", which I adore with great adorings!

Merry and Sam came up to the table, puzzlement on their faces. “What’s happened here?” Merry asked, looking askance at the toppled bench, and the remains of the broken box.

“We were taking refuge from rats,” Frodo said, arching a brow, and glancing significantly at Pippin before catching Merry’s eye. Merry looked at Pippin, who was grinning at him now. But he understood. “Shall we get you down from here?” he asked.

“Just a moment,” said Aragorn. He walked over and looked at Pippin’s red and swollen knee; then he glanced at Frodo’s weary and pale face. “I don’t think the two of you need to be doing any walking.” He reached over and took hold of Pippin’s knee. Pippin suppressed a gasp of pain. “You’ve put a strain on it, but it does not seem that you dislocated it again.” He lifted the young hobbit carefully, and turned, putting him into Faramir’s waiting arms. Then he turned to Frodo.

“I’m fine, Aragorn! I can walk.”

“No doubt. But you’ve had nothing to eat, and you are exhausted. Humor me.” And he scooped Frodo up as well.

[dreamflower]

I'm so glad you adore it! I originally wrote it for Dana, but it really seemed that a lot of people really liked it too!

Of course, you've homed in on the rescue:

Merry and Frodo's silent communication is, of course, a teeny reference to "The Brandy Hall Incident", in which a very young Pippin got lost in some rat-infested tunnels.

Aragorn, of course, immediately clicks into healer mode. I am fond of the idea that he prefers "healer" to any of his other roles, and so he takes any chance he can to do that. Pippin's knee injury is from his battle with the troll, and it still plagues him from time to time. Of course, at this point it hasn't really been healed all that long and is still easily inflamed.

Of course, Frodo has to protest the idea of being carried, but Aragorn knows just how to coax him into it! (I enjoyed writing the "Humor me" line--yes, it's a little modern, but I thought it fit the circumstances, even though I kind of hesitated over it.)

This was a fun snippet to comment on! And while we are at it--I have to thank you for asking for the little post-script! I'd never thought before of a second chapter! *grin*

[shirebound]

I am fond of the idea that he prefers "healer" to any of his other roles, and so he takes any chance he can to do that.

I am SO VERY fond of that idea, too. *beams*