We bring you Another Moment in Bingo History . . .

[lavendertook]

In The Return of Shadow, Part 1 of The History of The Lord of the Rings Christopher Tolkien transcribes his father's notes as follows:

Too many hobbits. Also Bingo Bolger-Baggins a bad name. Let Bingo=Frodo, a son of Primula Brandybuck but of father Drogo Baggins (Bilbo's first cousin). So Frodo ( =Bingo) is Bilbo's first cousin once removed both on Took side and on Baggins. Also he has as proper name Baggins.

[Frodo struck out] No--I am too used to Bingo.

Frodo [i.e. Took] and Odo are in the know and see Bingo off at gate after the Party . . . But Frodo says goodbye at Bucklebury. Only Merry and Bingo ride on into exile - because Merry insists. Bingo originally intended to go alone.

Then Christopher Tolkien adds:

All of this from 'No - I am now too used to Bingo', was struck out in pencil, and at the same time my father wrote 'Sam Gamgee' in the margin, and to 'Bingo originally intended to go alone' he added 'with Sam'. It may be that this is where he first set down Sam Gamgee's name. (221)

You have just been reading a moment in Bingo history. Good night.

Comments

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Um . . . ah . . . a'maelamin? I can explain! *massages his shoulders* It wasn't you I was thinking of . . just a bit of sibling rivalry, I suppose, *kisses his cheek* that can't be avoided when you get compared like that constantly during your early life--it's inevitable that there would be so . . . and anyway, *strokes his curls* I know you as Iohael, such a beautiful name for such a beautiful hobbit. Um, I love you! *huge hopeful smile*

[frodofigment.livejournal.com]

Though I know you weren't thinking of me in particular with that comment, and you refer to me under a different name... I could be offended by my mere being a Frodo. I'm not your brother, but I'm another realm's equivalent of him. I have the same basis--even as demented as he seems to have become--as your brother. I love you too, and I 'forgive' you this ~small smile~ by the graces of knowing that you didn't have me in mind and that you do have some things to work out.

But a'maelamin... I do wish you would not be...be...I don't want to use spiteful to describe this, nor regretful...but was not being charged with that burden such a grevious blow? I would think it would be a relief to know you no longer carried the weight of Arda on your shoulders. I don't think that quest being taken from you was malicious, but yes, it was favoring. And that can sting. ~lays his hand over Bingo's~

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*gulps and nods, blushes deep crimson* I'm sorry. I-I love your name! Truly I do! *folds his hands in front of him and looks down*

*looks up quickly* It's . . it's not spite at all, love--that's not it! *looks down again* But I don't think you understand . . . can understand . . . what it feels like to not be considered good enough to even try . . . and worse yet . . . to know that others will suffer a grievous burden because you failed to be what was needed. That you put your own brother threw it because of your own unworthiness. *stares at his hands*

[frodofigment.livejournal.com]

Oh, a'maelamin... ~raises Bingo's chin with a finger~ I'm not scolding you.

I was hesitant to say spiteful. ~nods, listening~ No, maybe I can't understand. I had no choice... there was no one else to do it for me, and I am based off the final version of the character you began to develop. And as to the sibling... no, I can't understand what it would be like to have to watch my brother live through the quest. I am an only child, and all my mother wanted after me was a daught, but that's a different matter.
~smooths Bingo's brow~ I don't think it was a matter of you not being good enough to even try. It was not being what was needed... and unfortunatly that was the case. I think you could have carried the Ring, and destroyed it. You're very capable. But, there is a fire to you Bingo... a passion, that had to be dimmed. ~kisses his brow~ You are not a weak and worthless hobbit, love. And the Ring... has a way of escaping ones grasp, and going to another that will serve it's purpose best. I think that's true, even through the drafts. Being the strong and spirited thing ~cuffs him softly~ that you are, the quest would have been different. Many more orcs would have been slain by your hand than any Frodos'. Perhaps Gollum would not have survived attacking you and Sam in seeking the Ring. All I know is that prof. Tolkien had a reason. We may not see it clearly, and it may not seem fair to us... but he had a reason. ~squeezes Bingo's shoulder~ And he did seem rather fond of you, Bingo. You did help the future Frodo's become what they would, and you helped to shape the beginning stages of the story.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*looks deeply into his eyes*

I'm sorry again, love. Nor am I saying that my woes could possibly compare to yours, or my brothers. They certainly don't compare to what you went through. I just feel guilty about it . . . and I suppose, worthless creature that I am, I feel terribly sorry for myself about that guilt too, when you and my brother went through all the pain.

*shakes his head* No, I wasn't what was needed.*shakes head again* I don't think Gandalf and Bilbo thought I could have destroyed the Ring though, love. *smiles sadly to his encouragement* I'm not sure of passion is quite the right word for me there, a'maelamin. I think the term you want is . . . violent. I was too violent a-and head strong not to have claimed the Ring for my own, love. Not like you. And I would have tried to scour the Shire without UN backing single-handedly, and led the way for hobbits to become the very things they were fighting against. Not like you at all. I-I hope I've gotten a little better on that account through the years. *looks down at his hands*

[frodofigment.livejournal.com]

Please...please, stop apologizing. ~soft sigh~ And I'm not trying to compare who's woes are greater. Oh, a'maelamin... ~pulls him into his arms~ You are no worthless creature! ~nuzzles his temple and ear~ Do not feel guilty for what was not your choice... but do not judge yourself for that guilt either. We all have such cobwebs in our lives.

Well, I think you could have. And if you met my old Bilbo, I'm sure he'd have faith in you too. ~soft sigh, nuzzles Bingo's temple~ I claimed it in the end, dear one. No Frodo is a saint... the temptation was and is there. And at the final moment... in a fling of determination as Sam kept Gollum at bay...I found my way to the brink, and I broke. I claimed the Ring as my own.
~kisses his cheek~ Perhaps Tolkien knew that, but it is not a failure on your part! You just were not tailored to that final role, a'maelamin, but I do not see that as your flaw. You are a very important hobbit now, in your work... you've been very brave in your life, and I love you. And yes, I meant to say passion before. It is passion that fuels that 'violence', and it's passion that fuels your success in what you do now for Middle Earth. It's that passion that has been redirected, and helped you move a way from a more violent youth.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*is pulled into his arms and wraps his own around Iorhael's waist in turn* Alright, a'maelamin. *closes his eyes against the tears, and smiles slightly at his lover's soothing* I know. I do know. Thank you.

*smiles gratefully and kisses under his chin* No, no I know you did--there's no one who could have willingly thrown it in by themselves. But the important thing is you got it far enough before you did claim it, and all the choices of the heart you made before then gave you the help you needed from others to get the job finished. So don't diminsh your accomplishment, a'maelamin.

*smiles fondly* And I am lucky to have gained your love, my dear friend. And as I love you, I have become more satisfied with the path that lead me to you. *nuzzles his neck and shoulder then draws back to look at him and nod* Thank you for putting such faith in me Iorhael. Thank you, a'maelamin.

[frodofigment.livejournal.com]

~squeezes him and rubs his shoulders and arms. Smiles gently when Bingo draws back to look at him~ There is no need to thank me, a'maelamin. For any of what I have said, because there is no need to thank the truth. ~kisses him softly~ My dearest hobbit, how I love you.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*retunrs the kiss tenderly* Amin mela le, Iorhaelamin, amin mela le.

*presses his lips to Iorhael's once more for a lingering kiss and murmurs* I am becoming more satisfied day by day with the path I have taken, melindo, since it is the one that lead to you.

[frodofigment.livejournal.com]

~smiles at Bingo~ ~nuzzles his cheek~

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

That light? It shines through you still, a'maelamin. *cups his cheek* And I crave its warmth.

[frodofigment.livejournal.com]

~leans into Bingo's hand~

~looks up at him, and takes his wrist, gently tugging him forward and kissing him~

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*is gladly tugged and returns the kiss with slow, lingering nibbles*

[frodooftheshire.livejournal.com]

;) ;) ;)

((Ehehehe! Yay!!!!(-;))

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Brother!!!! *sudden joyous grin falls rapidly* Umm . . ah . . . I-I hope you read that whole thread and-and-and not j-just that part. *eye dart*Oh dear.

Um. Hi! *hopeful grin* :-D :-D :-D