Alternate Fellowship ... or Not, A
Challenge Details
Said Elrond before Merry and Pippin forced their way into the Fellowship: 'There remain two more [Fellowship members] to be found ... These I will consider. Of my household I may find some that it seems good to me to send.' In the books, it was here that Pippin protested the Elf lord's decision and Gandalf, surprisingly, supported him, causing the two hobbits Merry and Pippin to come along for the ride and the Company of Nine to be completed.
But here's my question: what if Elrond had stuck to his guns and forbidden Merry and Pippin to join their friends? Who would Elrond have chosen, and how would the story have been effected?
Or another idea: Why did Gandalf so want two inexperienced Hobbits to come along? Machievellian Gandalf(tm) is one explanation; what about others? Perhaps a vingette could be composed about Gandalf's thoughts.
And yes, we know that there are literary reasons that Tolkien sent along Merry and Pippin, such as the theme that ordinary people can do extraordinary things, and the evils of bringing legendary characters down to earth, and all those things. But for this Nuzgûl, remain within Tolkien's universe, rather than within Tolkien's mind (if you know what I mean). Don't think about it from an author's POV; think rather from the character's POV.
But here's my question: what if Elrond had stuck to his guns and forbidden Merry and Pippin to join their friends? Who would Elrond have chosen, and how would the story have been effected?
Or another idea: Why did Gandalf so want two inexperienced Hobbits to come along? Machievellian Gandalf(tm) is one explanation; what about others? Perhaps a vingette could be composed about Gandalf's thoughts.
And yes, we know that there are literary reasons that Tolkien sent along Merry and Pippin, such as the theme that ordinary people can do extraordinary things, and the evils of bringing legendary characters down to earth, and all those things. But for this Nuzgûl, remain within Tolkien's universe, rather than within Tolkien's mind (if you know what I mean). Don't think about it from an author's POV; think rather from the character's POV.
Entries with Stories
The following authors have entered a story in the Challenge.
- Cirdan - Last Balrog: Glorfindel in the Fellowship, The
- General Audience
- Last Updated: 26 Mar 03
- Movie reality, AU. Glorfindel and Ecthelion are sent as part of the Fellowship of the Ring. In Moria, Glorfindel faces the Balrog instead of Gandalf.
