Shirebound's stories

Fond Memories
"A Hobbity Halloween ficlet. Four-year-old Frodo is visiting Bag End with his parents just before All Hallows' Eve. Warnings for fluff and movie-verse Frodo description."
Characters are Bilbo, young Frodo, and Primula. Mention of Beorn, Drogo.
Single
Posted here Aug. 4, 2019. Stories of Arda Oct. 15, 2008.

Aunt Amaranth's Revenge
"While recovering together from the measles at Brandy Hall, Frodo tells young Merry about one of his past �misdeeds�. Pure fluff. Merry is 7, Frodo is 20, and Bilbo is 98."
"Written for the �A Moveable Feast� Fic Exchange Challenge for the Livejournal Waymeet community."
Bilbo, young Frodo and Merry. Mentioned: Amaranth
Single
Posted here Aug. 6, 2019. Stories of Arda Oct. 10, 2007.

Discoveries series:
Young Frodo and Sam collection of stories.
Chronologically: Baby Talk > Discoveries > Holiday Blessings > The Six-fingered Glove Mystery > The Magic of Words
Written order: Discoveries > Baby Talk > Holiday Blessings > The Six-fingered Glove Mystery > The Magic of Words
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Discoveries: Baby Talk
(occurs before Discoveries, written after Discoveries)
Bilbo volunteers to babysit Sam, not expecting the Gamgees to agree.
Bilbo, young Frodo, baby Sam. Mentioned: the Gamgees.
Posted here Aug. 6, 2019. Stories of Arda 2008.

Discoveries: Discoveries
Young Frodo and Sam: friendship -- like magic -- could sometimes be found in the least expected places.
Frodo, Sam. Mentioned: Bilbo.
Single, but in a collection of young Frodo and Sam stories, starting with Discoveries.
Posted here Aug. 6, 2019. Stories of Arda Dec. 22, 2006.

Discoveries: Holiday Blessings
Young Sam makes a delivery to Bag End.
Bilbo, young Frodo, and young Sam (old enough to deliver on his own)
Posted here Aug. 6, 2019. Stories of Arda 2009.

Discoveries: The Six-Fingered Glove Mystery
Young Frodo's dog finds what appears to be a six-fingered glove.
(Also listed chronologically below -- after The Vault of Ann�minas)
"Written for the Waymeet community on Livejournal's �Whodunnit?� Challenge: Each author chooses from a list of story titles, and every story should center around a mystery of some kind."
"Takes place in my AU �Quarantined� universe, in which Frodo and Bilbo own a pup named Scamp, and Aragorn is known by the hobbits as �Estel�. This ficlet references my story �Reflections of the Past� chapters 1 and 5."
Bilbo, young Frodo, young Sam (old enough to travel on his own).
Posted here Aug. 6, 2019. Stories of Arda 2007.
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Discoveries: The Magic of Words
Young Sam struggles with the oddities of spelling.
"Happy, hobbity holidays, my friends!"
"Sam is 12, Frodo is 24, and Bilbo is 102."
Bilbo, Frodo, Sam
Posted here Aug. 11, 2019. Stories of Arda.

In Innocent Hands
"Gandalf sees something quite unexpected while visiting Bag End."
A teensy ficlet written for Waymeet's Livejournal 2006 "Yuletide" challenge. For the Waymeet Yuletide �Get Cracking� challenge: Choose a number from 1 to 41, and you'll receive a seasonal decoration by e-mail which you are to include in your story. You can do whatever you like with the decoration, interpret it literally or metaphorically. There will be only one writer for each number/decoration.
I chose number 9, and was assigned... candy canes.
Featuring Gandalf, Bilbo, Frodo, and wee!Pippin."
Bilbo, Frodo, Gandalf, Pippin.
Single
Posted here Aug. 11, 2019. Stories of Arda Dec. 8, 2006

A Magical Day
Frodo takes Merry and Pippin camping, and introduces Pippin to the magic that just might be all around them -- for those willing to see, and believe.
Frodo is 28, Merry is 14, and Pippin is 6.
This story takes place in Tuckborough.
This is a pre-Quest cousinfic, written for Dreamflower for the Livejournal Spring 2006 Frodo Fic Exchange.
Frodo, Merry, Pippin.
Single
Posted here Aug. 11, 2019. Stories of Arda May 7, 2006.
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AU:
"Quarantined" series in chronological order:
AU (Alternate Universe) "what-if" collection of stories.
See links at the top of each story's end to go to the next, or see below for the list without notes, or scroll down for the particular story with notes.
Quarantined > Reflections of the Past > Estel's Birthday > Comfort and Joy > A Hobbity Halloween > Force of Nature > A Letter from Home > When the King Comes Back > The Vault of Ann�minas > The Six-fingered Glove Mystery > Morning Song > Northern Lights > The Rings of Evendim > Capturing a Star > By Chance or Purpose
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Quarantined
"Late one night, Gandalf brings a very ill Ranger to the closest refuge, Bag End, knowing that Bilbo is immune to this illness -- but Gandalf is unaware that a tweenager is now living there. An AU look at Frodo's early life with Bilbo; how he met Gandalf; and the "chance meeting" which inspired Aragorn's dedication to the safeguarding of the Shire."
G
Aragorn/Estel, Bell Goodchild Gamgee (Sam's mother), Bilbo, Frodo (tweenager), Gandalf, Hamfast "Gaffer" Gamgee, young Sam. Mentioned: Peregrin (Pippin) is born during the story.
20 chapters. Posted: chapter 1-6 on 8/15; 7-14 on 8/16; 15-20 on 8/18, 2019.
Posted here Aug. 18, 2019. Stories of Arda July 24, 2003.
Authors notes (acknowledgements):
    "Special thanks to two authors, whose stories were an enormous influence on �Quarantined�:
    "Chapter 2 of Claudia�s �A Simple Trip to Bree� (at her website, �Strange as News from Bree�) beautifully describes how the first meeting between a hobbit lad and a Ranger might be for both of them. I�m convinced that reading that chapter gave me the initial idea for this story.
    "Frodo Baggins of Bag End�s �Shadows in the Darkness� (at Fanfiction.net) is a wonderful tale of Bilbo and Gandalf�s tender care for a sick, tweenaged Frodo. I wallowed so blissfully in all the loving, devoted attention given to Frodo in that story, I wanted to write something with the same �feeling�. Thank you, FeBoBE --- you�ve taught me so much."

...and sequels to Quarantined:

Quarantined: Reflections of the Past
"A new addition to Bag End brings unexpected delight for tweenaged Frodo, minor headaches for young Sam, and the discovery of an artifact from the First Age that astonishes Aragorn."
Aragorn, Arminas, Bell Gamgee, Bilbo, Frodo (24), Hamfast "Gaffer" Gamgee, Marigold Gamgee (later added Cotton), May Gamgee (14), Sam Gamgee (12), Tom Cotton
6 chapters.
Posted here Aug. 21, 2019. Stories of Arda Dec. 30, 2003 to Feb. 12, 2004.
Author's notes:
    This is a sequel to �Quarantined�, in which Aragorn first met Frodo and Samwise when Frodo was 22 and Sam was 11.   Frodo and Aragorn strongly bonded and became fast friends in a very short period of time, during a serious illness and subsequent adventure. This story assumes familiarity with �Quarantined� and will contain many references to it, but I am hopeful that it can also stand on its own
    Frodo is now 24, and Sam is 12. For those who feel that I write Frodo a bit �young�� I do! In the �Quarantined� universe, Frodo lost some ground, emotionally, when his parents died, and led a somewhat overlooked life in Brandy Hall for nine years. Bilbo�s love and attention are slowly helping him to feel secure again. (Bilbo and Aragorn�s conversation at the end of �Quarantined�, Chapter 15, is the best recap.) Conversely, I write Sam (due to working-class necessity) a bit older than his years. And Aragorn�s rare visits to Bag End bring a warm welcome and sense of family that are difficult to find elsewhere in the solitary Ranger�s life.
    The idea for this story -- the discovery of something ancient in the heart of The Hill in which Bag End sits -- has been bouncing around in my head for almost a year, with no place to land; hopefully, I�ve finally found the right place for it. (I�m always interested in hearing how folks hope a story will unfold -- �Quarantined� would have been eight chapters shorter if there hadn�t been so many requests for Sam!)
    Notes for Chapter 1: This chapter references �Quarantined� Chapters 16 and 17. �The pool� refers to Bywater Pool south of Hobbiton.
    Notes for Chapter 2: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 2, 7, and 15. Although hobbits would most likely have used the formal months in their documents (e.g., �Afterlithe� instead of �July�), this is a simple story, so I�m sticking to simple names.
    Notes for Chapter 3:   This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 6, 8, 11, and 18.
    Chapter 5 will most likely not be posted as quickly as the past four chapters have been, since my longer work hours are giving me less time to write -- but I�ll write/post it as soon as I can!
    Notes for Chapter 5:   Appendix B to ROTK states that Aragorn gave Arwen the Ring of Barahir when he was 49 (unlike in the movie, where he�s still wearing it). Thanks to Kookaburra for telling me how far a horse and rider can comfortably travel in a day. And grateful hugs to my mom -- not only for a terrific beta job on each and every chapter, but for the wonderful ideas and insights that are making this a better story.
    Notes for Chapter 6: This chapter references �Quarantined� Chapters 1 and 14. Although the month of Merry�s birthday (August) is my own invention, the Elf named Arminas is not; he is listed in The Silmarillion as one of the Elves who came to dwell at the Grey Havens with C�rdan the Shipwright.
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Quarantined: Estel's Birthday
"Sequel to "Quarantined" and �Reflections of the Past�. Mix together one puppy, one Tookish toddler, tween Frodo, a young gardener, and Bilbo. Add an unsuspecting Ranger who�s about to have a birthday. Pure, unapologetic fluff. "
Aragorn, Bell Gamgee, Bilbo, Eglantine Took (mother of Pippin), Frodo, Paladin Took (father of Pippin), Pippin, Sam
8 chapters.
Posted here Aug. 30, 2019. Stories of Arda Aug. 10, 2004 to Oct. 10, 2004.
Frodo is now taller than Bilbo. Pippin is 3. Sam is 13.
Author's Note:
"I started working on this story six months ago then put it aside for awhile -- but the time has come for more fluff! This is a sequel to �Reflections of the Past� -- which took place at Bag End after Frodo had been living there for several years, and when the Bagginses� newly-adopted puppy livened up one of Aragorn�s visits.
"In this AU universe, begun in the story �Quarantined�, Aragorn first met Frodo and Sam when Frodo was 22 and Sam was 11. They strongly bonded and became fast friends in a very short period of time, during a serious illness and subsequent adventure. I know that in �By Chance or Purpose� (another �Quarantined� sequel) Aragorn meets Pippin for the first time when the hobbits arrive in Bree, but... oh well. A very flexible universe, this!"
Ch 2 notes: "Chapter Notes: According to Appendix D of The Return of the King, the Shire Calendar assigns 30 days to each month (with the exception of extra days around midsummer and Yule). My thanks to Ariel and Kookaburra for advice about horses and what they like to eat. This chapter references �Quarantined� Chapter 11, and �Reflections of the Past� Chapter 2."
Ch. 3 notes: I�ve had some questions about Pippin�s �Tookish� accent. To the best of my knowledge, Prof. Tolkien never said or wrote anything that specifically said that the Tooks spoke any differently than anyone else in the Shire. Peter Jackson cast someone with a Scottish accent to play Pippin, which helped to give the feeling of the �clan� nature of the Tooks. Wonderful, wonderful casting idea. I thought it would be fun to bring that �accent� into this story.
My thanks to Kookaburra for advice about traveling times between Bag End and Long Cleve.
Ch. 4 notes: This chapter references �Quarantined� Chapters 16 and 19.
Ch. 5 notes: (1) The tale Aragorn tells in this chapter of Nienna and the Two Trees is canon, but �Nienna�s tears� as an Elvish explanation for star showers is my own invention. I�m unaware of any Elvish mythology in canon about �star showers�, or if there even are star showers in Middle-earth skies. (2) The Prologue of FOTR says that the hobbits are �quick of hearing� -- I interpret this to mean that they have keener hearing than humans. (3) This chapter references �Quarantined� Chapter 15 and The Silmarillion, �Of the Darkening of Valinor�.
Ch. 6 notes: Chapter Note: Both lightning and meteor strikes have been known to fuse sand into glass (called �fulgurites�). The color is usually a translucent tan, gray, white, or black.
It�s been awhile since I publicly thanked... hugged... appreciated my wonderful beta-mom, who is so helpful in the polishing of these stories that I should list her as co-author. You�re a marvel, mom -- thank you so much for sharing this world with me.
Ch. 7 notes: This chapter references �Quarantined� Chapter 17.
Both lightning and meteor strikes have been known to fuse sand into glass; the color is usually a translucent tan, gray, white, or black.
Ch. 8 notes: This chapter introduces an incident referred to in �Light Out of Darkness,� Chapter 6.

Quarantined: Comfort and Joy
(Yule 2004)
"Aragorn makes a Yuletide visit to Bag End, bearing a special gift from a certain wizard."
Sequel to "Estel's Birthday".
Frodo, Aragorn, Bilbo, toddler Pippin, and... Scamp."
1 chapter
Posted here Sept. 5, 2019. Stories of Arda Dec. 3, 2004.

Quarantined: A Hobbity Halloween
Aragorn visits Bag End just in time for Halloween.
Aragorn, Frodo, and wee!Pippin.
1 chapter
Posted here Sept. 5, 2019. Stories of Arda Oct. 28, 2005.

Quarantined: Force of Nature
(PG)
Aragorn finds that he needs assistance from Frodo, young Merry, and Scamp to locate a Ranger lost in the Old Forest. But the rescue has an unexpected outcome -- the trees have a message for Aragorn, and a strange accident makes Frodo the only one who can deliver it.
Aragorn, Bilbo, Frodo, Halbarad, and Merry.
15 chapters
Posted here Sept. 14, 2019. Stories of Arda April 20, 2005 to Sept. 24, 2005.
Author's Notes:
Ch. 1: I have borrowed Thalguron from my story �Guarding the Shire�.
Approximate ages: Bilbo is 103, Frodo is 26, Merry is 12, and Scamp is 2.
Distances: According to The Atlas of Middle-earth, Brandy Hall in Buckland is about 60 miles from Bag End; Crickhollow is 3 miles from Brandy Hall; and the Hedge (the border between Buckland and the Old Forest) is just over a mile from Crickhollow.
This chapter references �Quarantined�, Chapter 15.
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Quarantined: A Letter from Home
(Yule 2005)
This story assumes that Aragorn has now met Bilbo, young Frodo, Merry, Sam, and wee Pip.
This ficlet references "Quarantined" chapter 10.
1 chapter
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Quarantined: When the King Comes Back
(PG)
A �Quarantined� sequel. Frodo and Aragorn are injured in an explosion, leaving Bilbo, Halbarad, and the Gamgees with some unexpected challenges and decisions. Minor angst, fluff, puppies... the usual!
Approximate ages: Bilbo is 104, Frodo is 26, Sam is 14, and Scamp is 2.
14 chapters
Posted here Oct. 13, 2019. Posted to Stories of Arda between May 20, 2006 and Nov. 9, 2006.
Author's Notes:
    DISCLAIMER: Professor Tolkien�s wonderful characters don�t belong to me, I just get to think about them day and night. I first introduced Gilly Brownlock, Hobbiton�s healer, in �Treasures� (one of the short stories compiled in �Seeing is Not Always Believing�). Although never identified in canon as a healer, she belongs to Professor Tolkien as well.
    Ch. 1: For an explanation as to why Aragorn is known in this series as �Estel�, please refer to �Quarantined� chapter 11. Thanks and big hugs to my Livejournal friends, who helped me think through several tricksy plotpoints in this story.
This chapter references �Force of Nature� chapters 7, 11, and 15; and �Quarantined� chapters 1, 8 and 11.
    Ch. 2: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapter 6, and �Reflections of the Past� chapter 3.
    Ch. 4: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapter 13.
    Ch. 5: This chapter references "Quarantined" chapter 17.
    Ch. 6: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 1 and 3, and �Reflections of the Past� chapter 3.
    Ch. 7: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 3, 7, and 19.
With SurgicalSteel�s gracious permission, I have borrowed the �backstory� of Halbarad courting Serind�, the female healer of Bree, from her marvelous ongoing tale �The King�s Surgeon�.
    Ch. 8: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 11, 15 and 19.
    Ch. 9: This chapter references �Force of Nature� chapter 3.
    Ch. 10: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 3, 7, 8, and 15, and �Force of Nature� chapters 11 and 15.
    Ch. 11: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapter 9, �Force of Nature� chapter 14, and �Reflections of the Past� chapters 4 and 5.
    Ch. 12: With SurgicalSteel�s gracious permission, I have borrowed the �backstory� of Halbarad courting Serind�, the female healer of Bree, from her marvelous ongoing tale �The King�s Surgeon�.
This chapter references �Quarantined� chapter 20, and �Reflections of the Past� chapters 3, 4 and 5.
    Ch. 13: I have no idea if there really is an �oath� to be sworn when someone becomes a Ranger of the North (or South).
Back in March, I asked my Livejournal friends to help me brainstorm names for Scamp�s pups. There were so many wonderful ideas! The names used in this chapter are from... Auntiemeesh, Lbilover, Mews1945, and Sila Lumenn. Thank you, ladies! And my thanks to everyone for your enthusiasm for this story, and the entire "Quarantined" universe.
This chapter references �Reflections of the Past� chapters 1, 4, 5, and 6, and �Force of Nature� chapter 9.
    Ch. 14: Just when I thought the story was over, one more chapter nudged to be written! Big hugs and thank you's to Elemm�r� for an idea she gave me, which inspired this epilogue. I�m very grateful. And so, just a teensy bit more of our puppy tale...
This epilogue references "Reflections of the Past" chapters 1, 2, and 5.
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Quarantined: The Vault of Ann�minas
Was it only a dream, or has Frodo glimpsed an ancient secret? Join Frodo, Aragorn, and Elladan on a journey to the ruins of Ann�minas, to uncover the truth.
16 chapters
Stories of Arda May 30, 2007 to Jan. 14, 2008.
Author's Notes:
    Ch. 1: For an explanation as to why Aragorn is known in this series as �Estel�, and uses the nickname �little one� for Frodo, please refer to �Quarantined� chapter 11.
This chapter references �Quarantined� chapter 16, �Reflections of the Past� chapters 2 and 6, and �When the King Comes Back� chapter 14.
    Ch. 2: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 17 and 20, �Reflections of the Past� chapter 6, and �When the King Comes Back� chapters 1 and 13.
    Ch. 3: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 11 and 17, �Reflections of the Past� chapter 5, �Force of Nature� chapters 1 and 3, and �Estel�s Birthday� chapters 5 and 7.
Many thanks to my Livejournal friends for advice regarding horses and riding distances.
    Ch. 4: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 5, 13, and 15, �Estel�s Birthday� chapters 3, 4, and 6, and �When the King Comes Back� chapter 1.
    Ch. 5: This chapter references �When the King Comes Back� chapter 13.
    Ch. 6: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapter 5, and �When the King Comes Back� chapter 2.
    Ch. 7: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 2, 5, 9, 13, and 17.
    Ch. 8: This chapter references �Quarantined�, chapter 17.
    Ch. 9: Many thanks to Nilmandra, Fiondil, and Jastaelf for offering Quenya advice.
This chapter references �Quarantined� chapter 11, �When the King Comes Back� chapter 13, and �A Short Rest� from The Hobbit.
    Ch. 10: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 15 and 17.
    Ch. 11: This chapter references �When the King Comes Back� chapter 6. Bilbo�s bath song is taken from �A Conspiracy Unmasked�, The Fellowship of the Ring.
    Ch. 12: This chapter quotes �Quarantined� chapter 11, and also references �Force of Nature� chapter 3.
The words of Elendil can be found in the chapter 'The Steward and the King', The Return of the King, and they are also sung by Aragorn in the film at his coronation.
    Ch. 13: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapter 15, �Force of Nature� chapter 6, and quotes �Reflections of the Past� chapter 3.
    Ch. 14: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 5, 12, 15, and 17, �Reflections of the Past� chapter 3, and �When the King Comes Back� chapter 13.
    Ch. 15: This chapter references �When the King Comes Back� chapter 1.
    Ch. 16: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapter 11, "Force of Nature" chapter 8, and �When the King Comes Back� epilogue. A small portion of this chapter was originally posted in my Livejournal in early 2007. Bilbo�s verse is from The Fellowship of the Ring.
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Quarantined: The Six-Fingered Glove Mystery
(also archived under the "Discoveries" series of Pre-Quest stories. Not AU.)

Quarantined: Morning Song
While camping with the hobbits and Estel, Scamp senses something wonderful.
1 chapter
Posted here Oct. 27, 2019. Stories of Arda May 18, 2010
Author's Note:
A very wee "Quarantined"-verse ficlet, written for Anargil as a belated birthday gift.

Quarantined: Northern Lights
Aragorn, Frodo, and Bilbo discuss a rare celestial event.
1 chapter
Posted here Nov. 3, 2019. Stories of Arda Oct. 26, 2010
Author's Notes:
This ficlet is part of my "Quarantined"-verse AU, and references my stories "Reflections of the Past" and "A Hobbity Halloween".
Written for the LJ lotr_community "Believe It or Not" challenge.
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Quarantined: The Rings of Evendim
King Elessar�s visit to his northern capital brings a joyous reunion with the hobbits, and attracts an unexpected delegation from a nearly-forgotten people.
Aragorn, Arwen, Elanor, Frodo 68, Frodo-lad, Gimli 157, Merry 54, Merry, Pippin 46, Pippin, Rose-lass, Sam 56,
Mentions of: pregnant Rose who had to stay home; Estella, Diamond. Memory of Elladan.
An AU "Quarantined" sequel, in which Frodo did not sail West.
12 chapters
Posted here Nov. 11, 2019. Stories of Arda March 9, 2013 to Dec. 6, 2013.
Author's Notes:
    I began posting my AU tale �Quarantined� in December of 2002, and finished it in May of 2003. I�m still amazed that it eventually inspired a dozen short and full-length sequels. When I wrote �The Vault of Ann�minas� in 2007 I expected it to be the conclusion of the series, and wrote it as such. But�. here we go again. In this story there are many references to �The Vault of Ann�minas� (and other �Quarantined� tales, such as the Dwarves' promise to rebuild Ann�minas in �When the King Comes Back�).
    Frodo has remained in the Shire and did not sail West. He was healed of all weariness and despair � through a method to be explained in this story � and travels with his friends to Lake Evendim to enjoy the visit of King Elessar and Queen Arwen. In this AU, the king does *not* greet his friends at the Brandywine Bridge, as the Professor wrote, but arranges to meet them at Ann�minas.
    According to the Professor's timeline, Gimli is 157, Aragorn is 105, Frodo is 68, Sam is 56, Merry is 54, and Pippin is 46. Pippin has been the Thain of the Shire for two years, Merry has been Master of Buckland for four years, and Sam has been elected Mayor of Hobbiton for the second time.
    Special thanks to my wonderful beta-Mom for suggestions and encouragement.
    Ch. 2: My thanks to Larner for reminding me that Gimli was most likely born in the Blue Mountains; I have made a few corrections to Chapter 1 on this point. I also polished Chapter 1 to add a few things lost in the final editing.
    Ch. 7: This chapter references chapter 1 of my 2004 story, �Estel�s Birthday�.
    Ch. 8: This chapter references �Quarantined� chapter 20, and �The Vault of Ann�minas� chapter 2.
Th�oden�s quote is from The Two Towers.
    Ch. 10: Within this AU, the hobbits met Halbarad for the first time in my story �Force of Nature�, and again in �When the King Comes Back�. The carvings of Beren and L�thien found under The Hill in Hobbiton were discovered in �Reflections of the Past�.
    Ch. 11: Frodo and Aragorn�s words of farewell at the end of the chapter mirror those in Chapter 19 of the first story of this AU, �Quarantined�.
    Ch. 12: Thank you for reading this story, which I had always planned to be a gentle and peaceful one. Anyone inspired to explore the further adventures of H�-An and his people, or visits to the north by hobbits, dwarves, men, or elves, is welcome to write their own tales. I would be delighted.
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Quarantined: Capturing a Star
"Defying Dwarvish traditions, Gimli brings something very special to the Shire as a coming-of-age gift for Sam�s oldest son."
Aragorn, Arwen, Frodo, Gimli, Merry, Rosie, Pippin, and Sam.
5 chapters.
Posted here Nov. 17, 2019. Stories of Arda Aug. 7 - Oct. 6, 2019.
Author's Notes:
    In �The Rings of Evendim�, the most recent �Quarantined�-verse story, Frodo remained in the Shire after Bilbo sailed West. It was revealed that when the One Ring was destroyed, the powers of the three Elven rings did not dissipate all at once, as predicted, but began to fade in much the same way Elves do� as a gradual process. Before they sailed, Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel agreed that the power of their rings had already diminished too greatly to be of use to any Elf or Maia, but that mortals might still benefit from their subtle energies. In the story, Frodo�s healing was aided by Vilya, which was given to him by Elrond. He later gifted Vilya to King Elessar. Gandalf bequeathed Narya to Pippin, and Merry was given Nenya... but he felt that the Gimli would most appreciate the Lady's ring. Gimli�s later labors in the Glittering Caves were enhanced by its use.
    Although the Professor states that Dwarves traveled from Erebor to aid in the restoration of Gondor and Rohan in the Fourth Age, this story presumes that Dwarves from the Blue Mountains, west of the Shire, also came south for this reason.
    This story is set in S.R. 1456, 20 years after the events in �The Rings of Evendim�.
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And...
Quarantined: By Chance or Purpose
(the original sequel to "Quarantined") (PG-13)
Placed here to be with the series, but also under "The Fellowship of the Ring" where it belongs chronologically.
Sequel to "QUARANTINED". The journey taken by the hobbits and Aragorn from Bree to Rivendell.
If the bond between Frodo and Aragorn from "Quarantined" had been set up before the hobbits met Strider in Bree, how might this fateful journey have been different?
25 chapters
Posted here in full Dec. 16, 2019. Stories of Arda July 25, 2003 to Dec. 3, 2003.
Author's Notes:
    This is a sequel to my story �Quarantined�, in which Aragorn and Gandalf first met Frodo andSamwise when Frodo was 22 and Sam was 11. Frodo and Aragorn strongly bonded and became fast friends in a very short period of time, during a serious illness and subsequent adventure. As this story begins, it has been 15 years since they last saw each other (when Frodo was 35). This new story assumes familiarity with �Quarantined� and will contain many references to it, but I am hopeful that it can also stand on its own.
    Please remember that this is AU. The path of the journey (Bree, the Marshes, Weathertop, the Ford, and Rivendell) is true to canon, but the actions, interactions, relationships, motivations, and dialogue will be that which best serve this story.
    PLEASE NOTE:   I am not a medical professional and do not claim to be. This is a work of fiction. No medical treatment or description of illness or injury in this story should be taken as anything more than the author�s own opinions and plot devices.
    Ch. 1: I�ve pulled bits of the movie into Chapter 1 (events in the common room, the stairs, Aragorn�s room, his sword, etc.); however, the story will, for the most part, use book-canon as a framework for my own imagination.
    Butterbur�s line in this chapter is taken directly from �The Fellowship of the Ring� by J.R.R. Tolkien.
    Ch. 4: �Swamp malaise� is a reference to the illness contracted by Aragorn and Frodo that I invented for �Quarantined�. If you catch it (and survive), you�re immune for life. (Middle-earth bog gases and their effects are, likewise, my own invention, although the general idea is based on pockets of natural methane. I make no claims that the symptoms, effects, or description of recovery are even remotely medically accurate; they are that which serve the story.)
    Ch. 5: My thanks to Marion and Tiriel, from the �Quill and Inklings� site, for sharing with me information about midges. Several lines in this chapter are taken directly from �The Fellowship of the Ring� by J.R.R. Tolkien.
    Ch. 6: Several lines in this chapter are from �The Fellowship of the Ring� by J.R.R. Tolkien.
    Ch. 7: This chapter contain quotes borrowed or adapted from �A Knife in the Dark�, from �The Fellowship of the Ring� by J.R.R. Tolkien -- some familiarity with that chapter is assumed.
    Ch. 8: I had to decide whether Frodo would be stabbed in the back of his shoulder or the front. My thanks to Ariel, katakanadian, and Nilmandra at the �Quill and Inklings� site for tossing this issue around with me. I�ve taken some liberties with that scene, as an author is privileged to do.
This chapter contain quotes borrowed or adapted from �A Knife in the Dark�, from �The Fellowship of the Ring� by J.R.R. Tolkien -- some familiarity with that chapter is assumed.
    Ch. 9: Several lines in this chapter are from �The Fellowship of the Ring� by J.R.R. Tolkien.
    Ch. 11: For those who haven�t read �Quarantined�, this chapter references Chapter 16.
    Ch. 12: Chapters 9, 10, and 11 have each featured a conversation between Aragorn and one of the hobbits. It�s finally Merry�s turn -- and it�s a very different type of conversation.
My amazing proofreading mom, who beta�s the heck out of every chapter I write, did an even more phenomenal than usual job on this one (including coming up with the title, and helping me with the ending). Go mom!
Special thanks, also, to Marigold, for her wonderful suggestions. She�s encouraging me to craft a tale with more depth and richness than it might have otherwise contained, and I am most grateful.
     Ch. 15: There are lines in this chapter taken directly or adapted from the chapter �Flight to the Ford� in �The Fellowship of the Ring� by J.R.R. Tolkien, and some knowledge of that chapter is assumed. Also, for those who haven�t read �Quarantined�, this chapter references Chapter 16.
    Ch. 16: As far as I can tell, this is the longest chapter I�ve ever written -- it just wouldn�t stop!
    Ch. 17: Some folks are asking if the story�s coming to an end, since the summary says �Bree to Rivendell�. As far as I can tell, we will go at least to the Council of Elrond, and possibly farther. I can�t say how many chapters are left, since I haven�t written them yet, but I suspect we have a long way to go still.
    Ch. 18: There is a major departure from book-canon in this chapter, in that Elladan and Elrohir are not away from Rivendell hunting Orcs when the events at the Ford are taking place. I wanted them to become a part of this story as soon as possible. I have to say that I was a bit nervous about Chapter 18. I�m trying to reconcile two seemingly contradictory statements in FOTR. One is that Gandalf told Frodo, �A few more hours, and you would have been beyond our aid� -- but on the other hand, it took three days for Elrond to find the shard and Frodo to begin to recover. Hopefully my idea about Elrond and Gandalf using their rings on Frodo just in time (within those �few hours�), and then the fading taking several days, makes sense somehow!
    Ch. 19: Please remember that this is AU. The path of the journey (Bree, the Marshes, Weathertop, the Ford, and Rivendell) is true to canon, but the actions, interactions, relationships, motivations, and dialogue will be that which best serve this story.
    Ch. 20: For those who haven�t read �Quarantined�, this chapter references Chapter 11. Several lines in this chapter are taken directly from �The Fellowship of the Ring� by J.R.R. Tolkien.
I�d love to take credit for warm, cuddly phrases like �arms full of hobbit�, but this is just one example of the influence on my writing of the Frodo-comfort stories of Frodo Baggins of Bag End (Febobe) and LilyBaggins. (bows deeply to both of them)
    Ch. 21: This chapter references �Quarantined� Chapter 5 (the end) and Chapter 8 (the second half).
    Tip for readers of FanFiction.net from Shirebound: I�ve received several e-mails asking why it sometimes takes Fanfiction.net 5-6 hours to �show� chapters of BCOP; regretfully, this is out of my control. Each and every time I post anything, whether for this story or another, I get an error message. I�ve sent two e-mails to ff.net, which have gone unanswered, so this problem will probably persist indefinitely. However, here�s a tip to view anyone�s �hidden� chapter before it �shows up�: If you know there�s a new chapter of a story and can�t access it, pull up the most recent chapter, replace that chapter number in the URL with the �new� chapter number you�re trying to access, and hit �enter�. If the chapter exists, you�ll be able to see it.
    Ch. 22: There are lines in this chapter taken directly or adapted from "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien. Part of this chapter was originally written as a birthday ficlet for Febobe (Frodo Baggins of Bag End).
    Canon-breakage alert: The Feast, Frodo�s reunion with Bilbo, and the Council of Elrond will all be held one day later than the book states.
    Ch. 23: For those who haven�t read the books, Bilbo did attend the Council, and Merry and Pippin did not eavesdrop. Also, it was Elrond (not Legolas) who revealed to everyone Aragorn�s identity. There are lines in this chapter taken directly or adapted from �The Fellowship of the Ring� by J.R.R. Tolkien.
    Ch. 25: In April 2003, before �Quarantined� was finished (and before I ever thought about writing this sequel), reader (now phenomenal author) Gentle Hobbit sent me a mighty gift -- an epilogue. It wasn�t quite right for �Quarantined�, but I hope you all agree that it makes an intriguing ending for �By Chance or Purpose�. I have expanded this gift into a chapter that brings the story to a close, and ties everything back to �Quarantined�. (I am most humbly grateful, Gentle Hobbit -- thank you a thousand times.)
    The decision made by Gandalf, revealed in this chapter, could have occurred anytime between Rivendell and Moria; therefore, if I�m ever moved to write a sequel, the door has been left open.
    For those who haven�t read the books, �broken crockery� refers to Frodo and Aragorn�s first meeting in the common room in Bree. This chapter references �Quarantined� chapters 2, 3, 10, 11, 14, and 19.

The Hobbit

The Lord of the Rings: Pre-Quest

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Two Towers

The Return of the King

The FourthAge

Compilations of Teensy Ficlets and Drabbles