Words beneath a dappled sky

A little "singable" hobbit poem I wrote for inclusion in my Bilbo-centric story Nothing of Note, the idea being that of a well known folksong everyone picks up on.

Over the Hills
( How the sun shines on the lasses, the lads with bright eyes )

-

Many pantries stocked with pastries, the envy of the town.
In this comfort dwelt a hobbit, crazy Baggins of reknown.

A light, rhyming ballad for the history of Bag End from Bilbo to Frodo to the Sackville-Baggins and finally Sam.

Ballad of Bag End
( There was a lovely hobbit hole, under hill, under tree )

-

Plant it carefully, Sam

What better symbol of healing, and what finer gift? A piece for Sam's bit of earth entrusted to him, better than any gold.

Sam's Box
( Entrusted to your gardener’s heart )

-

Behold the ruin, the ravaged Shire,
The trees are felled and burned with fire

Two for the ravaged Shire - what a terrible loss, and what a terrible, vengeful blow they found upon their homecoming. Merry 'should have stuffed that pouch down his throat' as he said.

Scouring
( Alas for the shade and the loam )

-
The Party Tree
( Eyes that had faced down great evil unflinching now burst into tears )

-

In such grieving as this is found wisdom,
And in wisdom you will find your strength.

A longer piece for Merry's being recalled from the darkness and grieving by Aragorn's skill.

Merry's Awakening
( My heart has gone grey and still as death )

-

He stands over me, crowned with stars

I bring my collection that covers the events of the first book, The Fellowship of the Ring, to a close with the dark encounter along the river bank, turned aside with an Elven bow. This is Frodo's point of view, his instincts, memories and fears.

The Banks of the Anduin
( Out of the night’s stillness, an unearthly cry )

-

Smaller verses for a welcome cart coming over the Hill.

Frodo, Laughing
( The sound of innocence )

Then to the welcome fireside - there is nothing like very old friends:

Very Old Friend
( He clasps his warm and gnarled hands, )

A sweet little verse form

The rondelet is French in origin, a short poem of a single septet (that is, 7 lines long), with only two rhymes, and one refrain, which is repeated. The result is, I think, very like flower petals working their way around a flower, small and soft but with a grace and closure I find lacking in some other short forms, such as haiku.

( Outside the gate )

( Leaves in the wood )

( Longbottom Leaf )

( Valiant maid )

( In Pippin's eyes )

( A silver spoon )

( Beyond the sea )

( There is no time )

( Promised, Master )

( Greenest fields )

( For September 22nd )

A/N: A small collection of Thanksgiving-themed drabbles for Middle-earth.

( Sam and Rosie )

-
( Aragorn and Arwen )

-
( Gloin )

-
( Shelob )

-
( The Travellers )

-
( Barliman )

-
( A Brace of Coney )

-
( Faramir )

Formerly burgling hobbits are never trusted...

Title:: Stone of Erebor
Characters: Bilbo, Bombur, Nori, Dori, Gloin, Gimli, Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Dain Ironfoot, and a cameo of sorts for Thorin Oakenshield.
Wordcount: 70,776 (in 25 chapters)
Summary: Having left the Shire for good, Bilbo finally visits Lonely Mountain and his old friends, but Dain is suspicious of a non dwarf among them and when something goes missing, Bilbo finds himself drawn into ensuring its return.

2nd Place, MEFA 2007, General Mystery category

A/N: This is a gap-filler - I couldn't find any fic exploring my favorite hobbit's retirement trip and finally decided I would have to write it myself. My first attempt at anything like a mystery, and a fun exploration of how I imagine the Dwarves and their world to be. It has a companion piece added later for those wanting more Dwarves, the lighthearted "Bombur's Diet".

It being 25 chapters, I'll merely link to it:

Here at Stories of Arda: http://storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=3903

Here at Fanfiction.net: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2456490/1/Stone_of_Erebor