Every One and No One by Elwen of the Hidden Valley

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

B2MeM Prompt:Folklore, folk tales, and old wives’ tales. Path:Purple
Format:ficlet
Genre:Gen
Rating:Gen
Warnings:None
Characters:Everyone and no one
Pairings:None
Creator’s Notes (optional):None
Summary:How the folklore starts.


Everyone belongs to JRR Tolkien and no one belongs to me.

Every One and No One.

Everyone knew that Bilbo Baggins told a great tale. Every one of Hobbiton's children knew his story of the great dragon, Smaug, by heart. Nearly every one of the adults in the Ivy Bush Tavern could recite Bilbo's adventure, from dwarven tea party to epic battle. Everyone was of the opinion that a story was the only good thing to come from adventuring, other than treasure. Everyone said that Bilbo Baggins came home with a chest filled with gold, and everyone took both treasure and story to be no more than the product of an over-educated mind. Everyone in the Shire knew that too much education could be bad for a body.

No one outside Bag End knew that Frodo Baggins could also weave a good tale. Not one of Hobbiton's bairns would ever lose sleep over stories of giant spiders. No one walked home, trembling in the dark, from the Ivy Bush, for Frodo never spoke of black clad riders, evil wizards, orcs and dark lords. No one accused Deputy Mayor Baggins of spinning tall tales. On the other hand, no one thought him an ordinary hobbit either.

Only after he disappeared that second time did everyone begin to ask what no one had dared before.

Now Sam opened Frodo's huge, red bound book and No One spoke in the Ivy Bush as Everyone leaned in to listen.

END

Comments

[sashahoneypalm.livejournal.com]

I think this is my favorite piece so far this whole month.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah! Go Sam. I really liked this a lot!

- Erulisse (one L)

[shirebound]

Ohhhhh. What a wonderful way to end this. How I wish I could have been there when Sam opened that book... and opened the minds and hearts of those with ears to hear, and eyes to see.

[fernstrike]

Oooh my goodness! That ending was absolutely perfect, I'm not exaggerating. I love the whole voice you've told the tale in; it really lends itself to its subject matter, the passing on and beginnings of folktales. I can only imagine the crowd in the Ivy Bush when same opened the book - you'd likely have heard a pin drop!

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thank you. The format kind of sneaked up on me.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Sam was the one to keep the tale alive.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

I imagine him telling anyone who would listen. It was just difficult to find anyone who wanted to.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

I wonder what the tale would grow into in a hundred years.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I really like this idea of Sam beginning to tell the tale in the pub!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad Bilbo's tales are finally told.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

This is incredible. I love it! :)

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I enjoyed writing it.

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

I love this idea, and can picture that scene in the Ivy Bush perfectly.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm glad it was real to you. :)

[fernstrike]

I wonder indeed! How far it would grow beyond itself, what would change, the places, the people - indeed, who would 'Frodo Baggins' be, at the end of it? It's very interesting to consider!

[independence1776]

This is a really neat idea!

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It sort of took shape out of some notes.

[febobe.livejournal.com]

OMG, I love this.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)