A/N & Disclaimer at end of chapter (and will be from now on).

The Forest for the Trees

Date: I guess about 3 months since Bilbo's birthday- Shire Calendar is just plain weird, I think they have an extra month or something.

Haven't written anything for a couple weeks, so update: It's gotten easier to respond to being called Fredegar, though the nickname 'Fatty' is a lot easier to remember. I have explored most of the Shire, Buckland (which is apparently not considered part of the Shire in the minds of Hobbits) and Tookborough, Tookborugh, Tookburogh, Tookburrow?( I have no idea how to spell that place's name- it's the home of the main branch of Tooks and their Thain, anyway.)

Still no idea if Frodo is leaving now or twenty years from now- I never really followed the timeline in the movie all that well.

No sign or word from Ariel or the others. I wish I could remember what Ariel's new 'name' is, then I could probably send her a letter . . . can rangers get mail?

I hate Lobelia Sacksville-Baggins. She hit me with her umbrella, and I have no clue what I did wrong- maybe I was eating that apple too loudly? And Lotho, her son, is a . . . what was that british word again? Git?

I keep thinking of what Ariel would do or say, and I remember her saying once that an idiot in any language is still an idiot. Describes Lotho perfectly.

I miss her. Heck, I'm even starting to miss Abby, and that's just wierd, weird? I never remember how to spell that word.

Anyway, been causing mischief with Pippin and Merry, and I occasionally get invited to Bag End and have tea (which isn't as girly as I thought) with Frodo and occasionally Sam, when Frodo convinces him it's okay to take a break from the garden.

I've learned a lot about Hobbits that I didn't remember from either the book or the movie- such as they actually eat 6 meals a day, of varying sizes (depending on the hobbit), they all have at least some knowledge of plants and mushrooms (One of the first things they learn is which mushrooms are safe to eat, and which aren't) and they come of age at 33, instead of 18/21 like humans. They live to be about 120 (oldest known Hobbit was 131, the Old Took) so 50/60 is considered to be about 20/30's (from a human's perspective).

Unfortunately, and I think this is slightly off, I'm still 13, even as a Hobbit, so I'm pretty much treated like a little kid. This raises a huge problem, because I'm pretty sure Fredegar in the books was around the same age as Merry, or at least, a little older than Pippin . . . I don't know if this is a good thing or not.

I'm going to go explore near the Old Forest in the next few days, here's hoping I don't run into the Sacksville-Baggins before then.

~F.


Fredegar closed up the journal and lay back on the grass. It had been a fun few months, eating, lazing about, learning about Hobbit culture . . . but it was slowly becoming boring. He lifted one foot up to stare at it. The movies had managed to miss how much hair hobbits actually had on their feet- it was as thick and curly as the hair on their heads (maybe even thicker) and required a lot more brushing and washing. From a distance, it sort of looked like they were wearing shoes (or at least, furry socks) with the tips of their toes poking out.

Fredegar sighed, and lowered his foot so he could look at the sky. He was kind of getting bored of the Shire, but he was still considered too young to do anything- He'd tried reading, even tried to get Frodo to teach him elvish at one point, but there was only so much history a 13 year old could read before getting bored. He missed being able to play video games and watch movies, and he really missed modern plumbing. (Though the image of Abigail using a chamber pot, or going out in the woods, was a huge source of amusement when he took the time to think about it.)

He'd love to have an actual adventure just about now, something that would break up the monotony, and get him out of the Shire to see new things . . . or at least Ariel and maybe Jamie (He wished he remembered what their names were supposed to be). He might have been slightly missing his sister, but that didn't mean he wanted to see her just yet.

"Fredegar! Supper!" His Hobbit mother called, and he reluctantly got up. He had once tried to only eat three meals a day, like he used to as a human, but by the third day of that attempt his hobbit mother had called a doctor (of sorts) to make sure he was well. It didn't help that Hobbit metabolism was strangely different from human's (though no Hobbit had ever heard of the word metabolism, and he only knew it from one of Abigail's rants of dieting and weight loss) and his hobbit body was very put out when he didn't eat all six meals (plus snacks and desserts) a day, everyday.

It was a couple days later, as he was heading to the Old Forest border, that he learned which timeline they were following.

"Frodo Baggins is gone, off with that Gamgee lad." Two old hobbits sitting on a bench by the side of the road were talking to a few younger hobbits. "Knew it would happen sooner or later, All old Bilbo's fault, up and disappearing like that."

"What's he done with Bag End?"

"Left it under the care of Hamfast Gamgee, apparently, got two years before it goes to the Sacksville-Bagginses of all hobbits!"

Fredegar moved over to listen, the hobbits ignored him for the most part, more interested in this latest bit of news, though one kindly hobbit moved over so he could get closer to hear more.

"Well, Mistress Lobelia ought to be pleased."

"Probably will try to move in before six months is up."

"It's not just Baggins and Gamgee, the Thain's in a right fit since Master Peregrin went missing, along with that Brandybuck lad. Those four always followed Bilbo around, and he put nonsense into their heads about adventures."

"With the exception of Gamgee, they've all got Took blood in 'em, and you know what that lot is like."

"Probably went off together, like as like."

"No doubt about that."

It was difficult to follow who was talking, because there were a few side conversations that involved Farmer Maggot's newest dog (a puppy, actually), New ale at the Dragon, and strangers at the border of the Shire (Dwarves, Elves, strange riders, and supposedly, a walking Tree). Fredegar lost interest as the conversation turned to harvest and plans for Yule (their version of Christmas, he guessed) and slipped away, heading once again towards the Old Forest.

Now, Fredegar had heard the stories of hobbits going in, and never coming out, as well as ghosts and trees that attacked unwary travelers, but he had also gone in once already, just beyond the gate that the Bucklanders had put up. He had been with Merry and a couple other Brandybucks who had explained some of the dangers of the forest, before ushering them back out again. (Merry had invited him along, as Pippin had been busy (something about one of his sisters).)

He didn't really remember the book's description of the place, but the forest looked dark and creepy from the outside, and the inside wasn't much better.

The sensible thing to do would have been to either stay on the outside of the shrubs and wall blocking access, or to avoid the Forest entirely, but boys aren't always known for doing the sensible thing. Which is why he climbed the gate instead of staying out, and started exploring.

He hadn't been exploring for too long, when he decided to head back to the gate and try a new direction.

Fredegar turned to go back, and very quickly stopped, staring around him. It was either his imagination, or the trees had moved, because the path he had been following had disappeared. He turned to keep following the path he had been walking on, but that had disappeared as well.

'The Trees speak . . . and even move . . .'

"Uh-oh." Fredegar blinked at the trees that surrounded him. "Uh . . ." Reality, or the reality he had known before getting dumped into this world, wouldn't work, so he tried to remember a few of the other Fantasy stories Ariel used to read him when she babysat him.

It wasn't easy, because he began to feel as if he was being crowded, pressured in some way. It sort of felt similar to when the teacher pressured him to stand up in front of the class. Somehow, he didn't think the trees would appreciate him cracking a joke. Joke . . .

'It's sort of a joke. Most Fairytales require the hero to be polite to those he meets. So these books make it a bit of a joke.'

"I'm terribly sorry for barging in like this, but I wanted to see what your forest was like." He started, glancing around at the trees that seemed to have moved closer. "I meant no offense, but I realize now I should have asked your permission to enter. Please, forgive my rudeness and accept my apology." He gave a short, slightly awkward bow, copying what he remembered seeing on an Anime that Jamie liked. "If you wish for me to leave right away, please, show me the way out, if you would be so kind as to let me explore, then please, show me a path I am allowed to take, and I promise not to stray from it." The words came out incredibly awkwardly, as Fredegar wasn't used to long winded apologies, usually preferring shorter sentences and single words.

There was a soft rustling among the trees, and Fredegar glanced up to see a path in front of him. Whether it lead out or further in, he didn't actually know.

"Thank you very much!" He glanced up the trees, but though the feeling of unease had decreased, he still felt very uneasy knowing that the trees in the forest were actually alive in some odd way.

He started down the path, still studying the trees and plants around, and taking great care not to accidentally break a branch.

As he continued on, he thought he heard singing- it wasn't particularly catching or even haunting, but he found himself almost wandering off the path a couple times, before catching himself and apologizing to the trees around him. (It made him feel a little silly, but the strange feeling that the trees were alive and able to understand him made it feel a little more worth it. He'd just never tell anyone else, particularly the boys at school, that he had talked to trees. Ever.)

He was starting to get a little worried, because there didn't seem to be an end in sight and it was getting dark- and he wasn't so sure the Trees would tolerate him for much longer. He really hoped no one ever found out that he was scared of Trees of all things, but given that these trees seemed ready to kill him, he found it a very reasonable fear.

Fredegar was just about to start panicking, when he heard someone singing. It wasn't a haunting melody, but a rather loud, boisterous song that didn't seem to belong in a forest with killer trees. It grew closer, and he had to blink up at a man that seemed to have a perpetual smile.

"Ah, hello young hobbit, far from your hole, are you not?" The man studied him.

"Er, Yes, the trees were letting me explore, I was just going to ask if they could show me the way home . . ." Fredegar was interrupted by the man's chuckle.

"Well now, you are a smart lad, asking for permission. But I think you'll find you're farther from home than you think. Come! The night is coming, and it is better to be under shelter than among the trees!"

Fredegar hesitated. It wasn't that he wanted to spend the night with the killer trees, but going off with a stranger was something he had been warned strongly against.

Then again, the man's appearance was familiar . . . maybe he was a character from the book?

"Thank you, I'm Fredegar Bolger." Fredegar introduced himself as he followed the man, who had started leading the way.

"I am Tom Bomadil, a pleasure to meet you, Master Bolger!" With that, Tom began to sing again. Fredegar decided not to speak, listening to the song instead, and noting that he no longer felt the hostility from the trees. Eventually, a small house appeared. "Here we are, my Goldberry and a young ranger are waiting, the ranger had a mishap with the barrow-wights, but I was able to pull her out. Goldberry! One more for supper!"

Inside, two women looked up from where they were by the table. One was golden haired and dressed in a brilliant green, the other was dark haired and wore a brown coat, Fredegar recognized her instantly as Ariel's character.

"Another stray, my husband?" Goldberry smiled and stood, Fredegar quickly tried to bow, because he was pretty sure that's what he was supposed to do in the presence of a lady, but ended up tripping, and making her laugh. "And a polite stray, too. Welcome to our home, little hobbit. This is Seren, a lady ranger."

"Hello." 'Seren' nodded, and Fredegar noticed that her hands were holding onto her cup tightly, as well as that she was rather pale.

"Fredegar Bolger, at your service." Fredegar managed to squeak out, then Tom was praising his wife's cooking- dinner was spent listening to Tom talk, as well as answering some of his questions.

"Time for sleep! Have no fear of bad dreams!" Tom announced, and Goldberry smiled as she lead them to a spare room with a couple pallets.

"You'll have to share the room, we don't often have guests." And then she was gone.

"I don't think that'll be too much of a problem." 'Seren' noted, unbuckling a short sword and removing a small quiver and bow, before sitting down on the slightly larger pallet. "Hello, Frank, why are you Fredegar Bolger?"

"I have no idea, what happened to you?" He asked when he saw her hands fumble with a knife that was on a second belt, different in design from the one that had the sword.

" . . . It's a long story, but apparently, I'm considered crazy by most of the other rangers, too many head injuries, but Halbarad reluctantly let me got scouting since they needed people . . . and I ended up in trouble with the barrow-wights." She shuddered. "I got lucky and Bomadil was near, but I think Tolkien's description in the book was a severe understatement of how creepy the wrights are. That's all I'm going to tell you."

"Why are you considered crazy?"

"I've got a couple theories, the simplest is that since 'Seren' never existed in either canon, the rangers are going to ignore me and write me off as a slightly-crazy scarred woman with no living family who is dressing like a man, but who is somewhat capable with weapons. Makes a lot more sense to them than random girl from another world pretending to be a ranger." She glanced at him. "I get back, Halbarad is never going to let me out of his sight again, the man's paranoid I'm going to get myself killed, possibly by falling on my own sword."

"Oh. I'm bored in the Shire."

"I don't doubt it, which timeline are we following?"

"Movie timeline, I think- Frodo and Sam left already, and Merry and Pippin sort of disappeared, today."

"Which means they'll be heading to Buckleberry Ferry tonight, I think." She sighed. "And there's no telling what the others are getting up too, though I can take a good guess."

"But what are we going to do?" Fredegar demanded, and Seren looked at him.

"Sleep, and discuss this in the morning. It's been a long day for both of us." Fredegar reluctantly obeyed, but planned on begging to go with her back to the rangers, it had to be better than hanging around the Shire and eating most of the day.

Seren quietly watched the hobbit fall asleep, and leaned back with a sigh. She hadn't told him everything, but he didn't really need to know. She drifted off after a while, and was met with dreamless sleep.


So I was reading a story (a fanfic for the hobbit) and the author stated that they thought Bilbo's age of 50 was too old for adventuring, so they had changed it.

Never mind that hobbits are noted for being longer lived than men, yet shorter lived than dwarves. Bilbo got to be about 132, beating out the 'Old Took' who reached 131, and that was considered really old for a hobbit, as the normal age was about 110-120. Keeping in mind Hobbits are considered 'of age' at 33, and that they consider Twenty-somethings as 'Tweens', 50 is actually middle aged (or rather, the beginning of middle age) for a hobbit.

Sorry, didn't mean to rant, but I can't review their story because I can't find it and I already erased my browsing history.

I was kind of disappointed they didn't do anything about the Old Forest in the 1st movie, because that scene in the 1st book sort of set up meeting Treebeard and the ents in the second book. (Again, I got over it pretty quick.)

Being Polite in Fairy tales- how many tales do the heroes have to be polite and helpful in order to have things go their way? The books Fredegar/Frank reference that make it sort of a joke are the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede. It's a plot point throughout the four books that becomes really important in the 4th.

And now we have Ariel (err, Seren) back, who had a bad encounter with Barrow-wights and is currently considered 'half-mad' by the other rangers, as well as meeting Tom Bomadil and his wife, Goldberry, who I am pretty sure is a river nymph (She's described by Bomadil as the river's daughter). I'm also going to have to look up the elvish name for Bomadil during the next few chapters . . .

Oh yeah, me no own Hobbit, Lord of the Rings or Silmarillion.