Many thanks to Willow Wode because I know I never would have otherwise seen this, and I just have to tell you:
You. Are. Absolutely. Right.
It is clearly Merry who keeps an eye on Frodo pre-Quest, after Bilbo's departure, even though he doesn't live in the immediate vicinity, and one has to imagine, has his hands full learning to take over the affairs of Buckland. If there had been any sign of upcoming departure, it would have had to have been picked up by Merry, since Sam never would have dreamed of approaching Merry with any information of the sort.
And it is also inarguable that Frodo and Sam don't actually know each other very well, prior to the quest, which is rather surprising, since they've seen each other on more or less a daily basis for nearly thirty years. Yet Frodo finds Sam's fondness for songs, and even elves, to be a new side of Sam. Sam is obviously devoted to Frodo, but apparently they have not had many conversations on topics other than Bag End's gardens. I would suspect that Bilbo would have been a link between the two of them, when he was there (since he taught Sam his letters), but perhaps there has not been as much contact since his departure.
In fact, I have no doubt that Frodo/Merry is the only possibly plausible pre-quest slash that does not violate canon. Pre-, and even for the most part, during-quest F/S is wildly AU, even though it is by far and away the most prolific type of LOTR hobbit-related slash. Sure doesn't make it right, at least canon-wise, though.
So go you, and don't ever be depressed! You write it wonderfully well and it rings so true. Personally, I don't think Tolkien really ever had slash in mind at all, but I can so see him harrumphing, and muttering something about lads being lads, and that sort of thing at the thought of Frodo/Merry, but being appalled at the thought of Frodo/Sam (OK, at least pre-quest F/S).
And yeah, I know what I write, but it's always been IMHO wildly AU *g*
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Date: 2006-01-02 10:12 pm (UTC)You. Are. Absolutely. Right.
It is clearly Merry who keeps an eye on Frodo pre-Quest, after Bilbo's departure, even though he doesn't live in the immediate vicinity, and one has to imagine, has his hands full learning to take over the affairs of Buckland. If there had been any sign of upcoming departure, it would have had to have been picked up by Merry, since Sam never would have dreamed of approaching Merry with any information of the sort.
And it is also inarguable that Frodo and Sam don't actually know each other very well, prior to the quest, which is rather surprising, since they've seen each other on more or less a daily basis for nearly thirty years. Yet Frodo finds Sam's fondness for songs, and even elves, to be a new side of Sam. Sam is obviously devoted to Frodo, but apparently they have not had many conversations on topics other than Bag End's gardens. I would suspect that Bilbo would have been a link between the two of them, when he was there (since he taught Sam his letters), but perhaps there has not been as much contact since his departure.
In fact, I have no doubt that Frodo/Merry is the only possibly plausible pre-quest slash that does not violate canon. Pre-, and even for the most part, during-quest F/S is wildly AU, even though it is by far and away the most prolific type of LOTR hobbit-related slash. Sure doesn't make it right, at least canon-wise, though.
So go you, and don't ever be depressed! You write it wonderfully well and it rings so true. Personally, I don't think Tolkien really ever had slash in mind at all, but I can so see him harrumphing, and muttering something about lads being lads, and that sort of thing at the thought of Frodo/Merry, but being appalled at the thought of Frodo/Sam (OK, at least pre-quest F/S).
And yeah, I know what I write, but it's always been IMHO wildly AU *g*