Chapter 5. To What Purpose: Bingo Bolger-Baggins

[bingo_bolger_baggins]

March of the Mumakling
See Chapter 1 here.
See Chapter 2 here.
See Chapter 3 here.
See Chapter 4 here.

Chapter 5. To What Purpose: Bingo Bolger-Baggins

[All the usual disclaimers apply. Some of the characters and places mentioned herein are based on those of J.R.R. Tolkien, though I hardly think he'd want them back when I'm finished with them, and as Bingo reminds me, he wasn't even wanted in the first place. Many images here are inspired by Jackson/Walsh/Boyen's film adaptation of LotR. This journal at times contains same-sex pairings, multiple-sex pairings, and whatever gender combinations suit the storyline, and slides between earnest romance and ironic raunch, ironic romance and earnest raunch, at the touch of a toggle switch. There's no money in this, so don't even think it. I bet every kid would like to get paid for playing dolls, but life's tough. Credit lavendertook, if you will, because the following text and pictures are nobody else's damn fault, but my own.]



So here comes Saffron back to fetch me, I suppose. Assuming she's learned something about retaining her passenger--after all, oliphaunts are quite bright and rather quick learners--there's still the problem of not knowing where she is taking me.



Is this journey her idea, or has someone else sent her to fetch me? And if the latter, who, and to what purpose? The ff is all important. I just won't entertain the alternative. No. Not here. Not now.



I daresay I could get into a better position to board her--let me climb over . . . here. See, there's the thing: if I decided not to go with her, would I be safe climbing higher up the tree? Would she try to grab me or is she strong enough to uproot it? Would she do such a thing as try to bring me against my will? I doubt it, but I wish I knew for sure . . .



She nears now. Sa-Saffron, my friend, I'm not entirely sure I should be riding on y . . . oh that little sound she's making! That certainly sounds like contrition to me. Oh, and she's dipping her shoulders in shame! Oooh!



Yes, I do know you didn't mean to hurt me. I accept, dear Saffron. Think no more of it. *sigh* All right. Hold still a moment this time . . . that's a good lass.



Oh, it's quite a difference when the sun goes back behind the clouds and the Trees are muted . . . there, I"m coming, my mumakling, easy now, hold still while I leap . . .



All right. *breathes* Here we are again. Elbereth, I am a bit spent from all this . . . confusion. Mind the branches now, my dear. And here we go again . . . if only you could tell me where it is you are taking me and why. But it wouldn't be an adventure then if you told me, would it?



I have to hope you've considered the merits of your task. I imagine Bilbo felt like this when Gandalf and the Dwarves first fetched him. To face the unknown without such a heavy heart, without such a burden. A dream from a simpler age I barely remember. Well, I suppose I'm ready . . .


Click on any picture for enbiggenment.

To be continued . . . here.

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

This is so cute. Where did you get your Saffron?

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Ms. Mews. *bows* I found Saffron at Radagast's Pet Emporium in the Tirion suburbs. I first saw her picture, though, in the Tol Eressea Daily Leaf and promptly fell for those big brown eyes I think Samwise will love. But I suspect you'd rather be talking to my scribe, so here she is: *steps back*

((I found the mammoth toy at Value Village Thrift Shop. I wasn't going to get it at first, but then some plot bunnies started staring balefully at me and told me I'd regret it if I left it behind. I don't know who it's made by--need to get out a magnifying glass for the fine print. It did something or other by battery power but it no longer works. The rubber coating is nicely crafted. Thanks for commenting! LT.))

[lbilover.livejournal.com]

Oh Bingo! I have my theories about where she is taking you and why, but I must hold my breath and be patient to find out if I am correct! I am glad Saffron now understands how to carry you safely! I had every confidence in her intelligence and affection for you. :)

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

You do? I haven't the foggiest. I don't know if it's her own plan, or if someone sent her to fetch me in particular, or maybe anyone once they were on her back. She seems to be taking me south. Away from Alquelonde and the settled areas of Eldamar. I do not know what is in the wilds of Aman on either side of the Pelori. But my Tookish side is very interested in finding out. My Baggins side, however, still registers a protest.

*nods* She is quite the sweetheart. You should have heard the sounds she just made. *smiles*

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*frets quietly to herself, worried about Bingo but limited by her inability to enter the world in which he's traveling*

*puts on a brave smile* Oh, she is such a dear little mumakling. I'm sure she has no intention to bring you to any harm, Bingo.

((Little contrite baby mumak! Gah! *dies from teh cute*))

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*sees her worry* Don't worry, Elanorelle. I'm in the Blessed Realm. What could happen to me here? One word: Kinslaying. Oh, and Morgoth poisoning the trees here. Stealing the silmarills. In fact, I know I left a list somwhere . . . Remind me why this is called the Blessed Lands, again? Yes, I know I'm certainly not fooling you of all people. I'm sure I'll be safe. *smiles reassuringly*

She is a dear. I'm not at all concerned about her intentions. We'll just have to solve this mystery together. *pats Saffron*

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*is still going to worry, but is somewhat reassured by his restored confidence in the mumakling*

I'm glad that you and Saffron have each other for company, wherever the road takes you.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Thank you for understanding, dearheart. It took a while to feel contentment here in the West now that I've absorbed more canon history and am starting to recover. Now I feel the stirrings of restlessness, so it's high time I took a look about the countryside here. The Eldar say everything you could possibly need is to be found here. And I am glad for this new companion to travel with.

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

The Eldar say everything you could possibly need is to be found here.

*goes quiet and draws into herself for a week moment or so as she mulls over this statement*

*returns from her musings, brightening into a genuine, but somewhat bittersweet, smile*

*softly* I hope you and your Samwise find peace and happiness there.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*purses his lips* This is a different sort of Blessed Realm than the one you went to. *puts a comforting hand on her arm* I'm sorry, Elanorelle.

Perhaps, I'll find a way for you to get here, but I think the way finding is your own. And that does leave much to look forward to, you have to admit. There are more journeys ahead than I can image, for each of us, together and apart. Hmmm? *encouraging smile*

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*swallows hard to try and ease the sudden ache in her throat--there are things she wishes to say, to explain, but she figures this isn't the time or place for that, and besides, she's not sure if she can trust her voice not to fail, anyways, so instead she nods and draws him close*

I hope our paths cross again soon, wherever the road takes us. Until then, Lady watch over you and keep you safe.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*hugs her* Elanorelle, speak your mind. What is it?

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*squeezes tight, grateful for the invitation to speak*

*begins to reply, then stops herself to better organize her thoughts and to try and separate her current feelings from the insecurities and sense of loss still lingering from the departures of her father and then her elf*

I’m.... feeling a little...unsure of myself, and how I fit into your life. There are so many new and different things you’re experiencing right now--a new set of memories, travels through a different dimension, and waiting for a Samwise I’ve never met, who I imagine must have his own Elanor......and I suppose I’m feeling a little redundant...out of place. And I know all of that is for me to figure out, and perhaps I have no right to feel that way at all, but I just wanted to explain. *smiles* At any rate, I am truly happy for you, Bingo, and I hope it won’t be long before you’re reunited with your Sam.