Chapter 6. Better Than Lembas: 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.
See Chapter 5 here.

Chapter 6. Better Than Lembas: 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.]



Saffron and I do seem to have the knack of this riding business now. She's been taking us on a southwesterly route; I've seen no trace of Elf or Elven habitations as we've made our way through the wilds of Eldamar, but the birdsong has been a true delight.



I suppose we've been riding for hours now with no further mishaps to trouble us, though it must be high time for nuncheons, or even noonsies. How about the grassy stream bank ahead for a short rest, my friend? It looks like a promising spot for mushrooms, don't you think?



*stretch, yawn* Oh, I surely needed to dismount, as my joints feel most creaky. What a lovely glade this is! Saffron, dear, your kin are known for their memory. Would you kindly remember the way to this place? I'd love to take Samwise here one day. He'd marvel at its beauty. A delightful spot for a picnic, at the very least.



Ah! *startles, while a shiver runs up his spine* It's only a fox. I'm not all together sure why they frighten me. Such wonderful creatures, really. It's no wonder they are to be found in these lands as well.
"A hobbit?" wondered the fox. "Here? I never thought I'd see a hobbit in these lands. Most queer indeed! Now I have a tale to tell the others!" *scampers off*



And look at this--roseberries! Wonderful roseberries! Oh! The roseberry is a most delectable fruit. The flesh is less crisp than an apple, more like a peach, even, but less runny with juice--sort of like a firm jam. A delightful texture. And the flavour and aroma is unmistakably the purest, richest rose.



Oh, I am in luck; they're all ripe! This fruit is incredibly filling and energizing--better than lembas, really. Cram's not even in the same farthing. But it has such a rich flavour, it fills up all the corners and you'll be satisfied still without supper, tea, or dinner, even. And that's saying an awful lot. They grow only here in Aman.



Some of the Eldar say this is due to the virture of the soil, others say it is due to the light of the Trees, but roseberry bushes simply wouldn't take root in Middle-earth, no matter how carefully the Noldor tended them when they brought them hence. Galadriel says that for her, cartelyave is the taste of Elvenhome.



Cartelyave is Quendian for roseberry, well, rosefruit, really. Though dear Bilbo likes to call them Aman Apples. And since there is a faction of the Eldar now who make a fad of joy to take up every new term Bilbo coins, it seems (and he's so good at it), the designation caryaveamanrya is gaining popularity.



*munch* Mmmm, they're so tasty. *munch* The murmur of the waterfall makes this such a peaceful place. *munch* It's the light here in Eldamar, with the mingling of Galathilion, Celeborn, Sun, and Moon. *munch* There's a quality to the colors you don't quite find in Middle-earth, excepting Lothlorien not PJ's version, that wasn't it. *munch* It can't be quite described or captured by the artist's hand, no matter how skilled. *munch*



And because of that mingling from varied directions, there are vales where it is summer all year, while in the next vale the leaves are falling and the full range of seasons march in parade. The variety in close proximity is wondrous here. *munch* But as for this quiet glade, I could sit here for ages, even without book, pen, and paper.



But I suppose it's time we were on our way, so onward we go. I'm anxious to find out where Saffron is leading us. So, dear Saffron, lead on, but don't forget this spot, my friend. I can't wait to describe to Bilbo all that I've seen thus far. He'll want to know everything.



And perhaps for our next "Quarter"--that's what we call our gatherings when Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond, and Celebrian sup with us every quarter moon--perhaps then I'll have a good tale all my dear friends will enjoy. But for now, Saffron leads on, and I do not know where this tale shall end . . .


Click on any picture for enbiggenment.

To be continued . . . here.

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

I love the pictures and the information about roseberries. They sound divine.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

I do think they are, growing only here, as they do. I wish I could share them with you, my dear.

((Glad you like the pics and story, Julia. I'm having fun getting to envision how being in Aman is healing a Bingo who came there bearing later draft canon experience with his AU additions. The pics didn't come out quite as I envisioned and hoped, but maybe with a better camera I'll revisit this set-up (and pluck some more mountain laurels) in a later storyline when he gets his Sam.))

[timwb.livejournal.com]

Did saffron get any roseberries?

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*wryly* She did, for I could not eat them all, try as I might.

[lbilover.livejournal.com]

I have an incurable craving for roseberries now, dear Bingo! Perhaps you might consider setting up an online business selling them? *hopeful*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*sympathetic pout* Oh, I'm terribly sorry for that! That was thoughtless of me. If only I could wisk you out here, my dear, I'd share some with you. Alas!

*shakes his head, with a laugh* Oh, I'm so not meant for business ventures, to be sure! But I don't rightly think they'd ship very well either, even if one could find a way to send them hither on The Straight Road.

[melyanna-65.livejournal.com]

Dearest Mr Bingo, what a lovely place you found to relax a bit! I'm sure Sam will love to have a pic-nic with you there. And I'm also sure he'll be terribly interested in roseberries.

But please don't be scared of vixen, they're such wonderful creatures! And there's a bunny near you in a couple of pics!

And do you celebrate New Year's Eve tonight, my dear gentlehobbit?

*hugs you*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Isn't it though, Ms. Mely? Yes, Sam will adore roseberries, I should think.

*nods* I do admire them. I'm not sure why they should frighten me. *nods* Quite a relaxed little coney, wasn't it?

Actually, my dear, I celebrated it ten days earlier by the Shire calendar. For hobbits, we're over a week into Afteryule now, which is being an eventful time for me, I should say. *hugs tight* I hope you had a New Year's celebration as lovely as you are, my friend!

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

Oh, what a beautiful little glade by the water! A wonderful respite for both body and spirit. I don't know how you managed to tear yourself away. :)

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Well, I suppose when Saffron and I finished the last of the ripe roseberries and were eyeing the almost- ripe ones, it was time to journey on . . . *tries to keep serious face--doesn't work*

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*laughs* That was probably a good idea, Blessed Realm or no.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*grins and nods vigorously* Indigestion is alive and well here for the intemporate.

[mechtild.livejournal.com]

Oh, this was lovely, too, Lavender. I was going to ask what those nice looking leaves were, sort of gracefully droopy, but I read down the comments and think they are the mountain laurel. Do they have berries?

ETA: Or is the plant with glossy leaves that radiate out from the branch in a sort of star pattern the mountain laurel? If so, what is the droopy stuff? That's very pretty, too.

No wonder Bilbo called them "Aman apples" (so Bilbo-ish!), they are so large in Bingo's hand. And I agree with Bingo that Samwise will love the rosefruit: to look at, to smell, to eat. And he'll love the beautiful glade you made for the photos.

I agree, too, re: film Lorien. It didn't look at all like the Lorien of Tolkien, the passages about which are some of my favourite and most memorable from the book. But for the purposes of the film's narrative, I thought it worked.

[lavendertook.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Mechtild! I appreciate it sooo much, and getting back here was the treat I wouldn't let myself have until I attended to other stuff the last couple of weeks.

The glossy leaves are indeed mountain laurel sprigs that I plucked from the bushes growing wild in the forest patch by my apt building. They get lovely clusters of white or pink flowers the end of May/beginning of June. They don't produce berries. I also plucked the red berries from low growing leafless sprigs in the forest patch, and I have no idea what they are. The droopy stuff, however, is a genuine plastic willow sprig from Michaels Crafts. (-;

Yay--I'm glad you find that to fit Bilbo! They will get to revisit the spot when Sam finally arrives--Bingo stipulated that in his contract.

Yes, it definitely fit the Twilight of the Elves theme PJ wanted to evoke and was gorgeous. But it wasn't our pure, golden-leaved, glistening white-barked mallorns reflecting back sunlight from when the world was young, standing guard over tender green carpets spotted with white and golden blossoms. I thought the Hildebrant brothers paintings of Lothlorien caught the colors very well, though not the shapes I imagined.

[mechtild.livejournal.com]

Ha ha! I love it that I warmed to the plastic stuff. It figures!

That's interesting that the Hildebrandt illustrations seem to you to capture Lorien, it's colours, anyway. I had to go open some of their pictures to see what you might mean. It must be their fresh-coloured palette. I have always preferred Lee, even before the trilogy, but maybe his colours are too Rivendellish for Lorien. Lorien of the book, anyway, where colours are as old as their primal origins yet poignant in their extreme freshness. When I think of it (because of your comment), maybe my favourite painters of Lorien are now long dead. I think the artists of the Northern Renaissance in the Netherlands could have done it: they have a timeless look, yet their jewel colours are as fresh and true and rich as nature in full growth; and their detail reminds me of things said of Lorien, how every leaf seems to leap out at the viewer, the trees vividly *not* just part of the background landscape, but each as interesting and living and arresting as the faces of long-deceased men and women in the National Gallery.

[lavendertook.livejournal.com]

Heee! Well, I only selected it because I thought it was a very convincing piece, and I try to only use the most convincing plastic pieces, so you can give us both more credit that there was a very good reason you were fooled. (-:

Yes, on the fresh palette and primal freshness of Lorien. I just want to see sparkling white bark and golden leaves flowing everywhere and the colors true and primary like opening the door on Oz.

Yeah, I think Lee is more Rivendellish. I've come to really love his soft, intricate Asian landscape influenced style, and do I ever love the breath-taking drawings at the end of film RotK. I love the rainbow hues on the paper the drawings are on as well. I love his style and forms more than his subtle colorings, though those are growing on me.

Nasmith catches more of what I see in my head, though. On the whole, I prefer Nasmith to Howe, though I love with a great love Howe's Bag End and the 3-D version he brought us, and his Gandalf, but on the whole, Howe has more black and grey in his palette than Nasmith, so I'm more drawn to Nasmith's brighter colorings. Howe focuses a lot more on fell beasts and Mordor as well--yes it's dramatic, but no, I don't want to look at it except in passing. Nasmith does more scenes of large forested landscapes I want to spend time gazing through. And Lee's style is so different from Howe and Nasmith as to be incomparable--it's just a whole different aesthetic. Howe and Nasmith seem very PreRaphaelite of the magical realistic Waterhouse variety. Lee seems like a mix of European illustrators like Durer and Asian landscape painters to me.

I think of the early modern Dutch still-life and portrait painters as having a darker palette than I see Lorien in, but then, that may be because of the darkening of the paints over time. But yes, on the vivid detailing.

[mechtild.livejournal.com]

Great art comments, Lavender. I suppose Dutch still life has darker palettes, but the jewel colours are so poignantly fresh!

As for Lee, he is my favourite Tolkien illustrator by far. I see what you mean about Naismith's fresh colours, which are often what Tolkien describes in the scenes. But when I think of the overall experience of reading Middle-earth stories, for me it is seeing something at once very detailed and up close but also at a far remove in space and time. So Lee's combination of fine detail but a sort of haziness, fresh colours but seen through a layer of yellowed agedness works for me extremely well. So both his Durer-like attention to detail, but sketchiness in other parts of a composition, inviting the viewer to "fill in" and his natural but antiqued colours convey the matter and atmosphere of Tolkien's writing in a very satisfying way.

P.S. I hadn't thought of his landscape as Asian-influenced but now that you have said it I can see it.