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Forging the Fellowship // quests, characters, and interrogations

by Sarah Baran

Hello, lovelies!

It’s been a long time since I’ve been tagged for anything (thank the Valar that everyone finally realized I’m no longer eligible for the Leibster Award…), and I can’t say I’m disappointed about any of it. Blog tags have an evil tendency to pile up and suck the life from your brain. It’s dangerous stuff.

However, I’ve been tagged twice within the last few months, both times by the vivacious Julia @Lit Aflame, and her tags are actually quite intriguing. Books and characters and all the geeky stuff — yep, I’m sold.

Basically, I’ll be forming an ultimate questing team from all of my favorite characters.

rocket

*cracks knuckles* This should be fun.

 

forging the fellowship

The Rules:

  1. Include the tag banner in your post
  2. Link back to the creator of the tag   ( LitAflame.blog )
  3. Thank and link back to the person who tagged you (Thanks, Julia)
  4. Forge your Fellowship Out of BOOK CHARACTERS by answering the given questions!
  5. Tag three bloggers to pass the ring to.

1. [The Ring Bearer]: If you could choose, which of the four races would you be: Elf, Dwarf, Human, or Hobbit?

I spent ten very confused minutes trying to figure out if I was supposed to choose a Tolkien character, or just a random character from a random book and turn them into a race they’re not meant to be so they could serve as my ring-bearer.

Until I it hit me:

I’m the ring-bearer.

Duh.

elrond

I trust your powers of observation to tell you what race I’d be.

 

2. [Gandalf the Grey]: A wise/powerful elder/mentor character:

It feels sacrilegious to replace Gandalf with some random cliche fantasy mentor, so I’ll defer to C. S. Lewis for this one:

I want Puddleglum. (The Silver Chair.)

Besides being old, wise, and surprisingly powerful (I certainly wouldn’t have the guts to stomp on a fire with my bare feet…), Puddleglum possesses a certain grumpy pessimism that I think Gandalf would approve of.

And hey, not everyone can generate ten worst-case scenarios within the span of three minutes. So at the very least, my Fellowship would be prepared.

 

3. [Aragorn]: A character with good survival skills.

Since it’s beyond my ability to write a bookish post that DOESN’T involve N. D. Wilson in some way, I ask you to please make way for the Ashtown Burials.

Namely, Rupert Greaves.

The Australian mountain man who trekked across the world to uphold justice and serve righteous fury upon those who dealt treacherously with the Order of Brendan.

Yeah. He belongs in a Fellowship.

 

4. [Boromir]: A character who makes mistakes, but has a good heart

Sydney Carton.

And no, the deciding factor here isn’t the fact they’re both dead. I really just want to see some poor Dickens character wandering around with a bunch of half-assassins and warrior monks, trying to figure out why they can’t just pawn the Ring off to some unworthy Frenchman and let him get eaten by those black-hooded, dragon-riding sons of Napoleon.

 

5. [Gimli]: A stubborn character.

*thinks of every dystopian female ever*

…yeah, we’re not going there.

Instead, I present Frank the Fat Faery, from N. D. Wilson’s Hundred Cupboards trilogy. If his name doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about him, then you’re living your life wrong.

 

6. [Legolas]: A character who is talented

*still thinking of the dystopian females*

WE’RE STILL NOT GOING THERE.

Sorry, Katniss. You haven’t surfed down stairs on a dead orc yet.

I’m going back to the land of my loyalty and choosing Nolan from Ashtown Burials, who’s not only a wise, sarcastic snake-child, but has the double-daggers thing down to a T.

8d7faf8cfe3dc9e0ee6229a4ade865d5

Yes, this is the third N. D. Wilson character I’ve mentioned so far. No, I’m not sorry in the least. Someone, please read these books so we can yell together.

 

7. [Peregrin Took]: A character who at first seems useless, but ends up surprising you.

Constance Contraire from The Mysterious Benedict Society.

Little hypnotic bean that she is, it wouldn’t surprise me if she could defeat Sauron all on her own, simply by embarrassing him out of his wits with her insulting poetry.

 

8. [Meriadoc Brandybuck]: A character who is small/not very strong, but has great courage.

Not very strong? NOT VERY STRONG???

tumblr_p60jtms3qx1tmko9vo3_500

I do believe “courageous”, “courteous,” or “chivalrous” might more befit a knight of Narnia.

 

9. [Samwise Gamgee]: A character who is extremely loyal and doesn’t give up.

One does not simply replace Samwise Gamgee.

Unless you’re Obi-Wan Kenobi.

original

Literally the only character I can think of who even comes close to that level of loyalty, humility, gentleness, and overall… goodness. Thank you for being you, Master Kenobi.

That was fun. I tag Kate Flournoy, Kendra Lynne (this looks like something right up your Tolkien-loving alley), and Danielle @Snapper. And anyone else who wants to do it.

*raises sword* On to the second tag.

 

interrogation

Where do you read?

In my deep dark lair, obviously.

How fast do you read?

Depends on the book. If the book is stupid, I don’t read fast.

…come to think of it, if the book is stupid, I don’t read it at all.

What is your favorite cliche in books?

Super snarky villains with tragic backstories and anti-hero tendencies that upstage the actual hero and win all our hearts.

Do you eat or drink while you read? If so, what?

*horrified gasp*

Food? Near a BOOK??? It might soil the beautiful white pages.

What do you do while reading? (Any weird exercises?!)

I like to practice my Force choke on anyone who dares disturb me.

What are your favorite book characters?

*drags palms across face*

WHY.

Why would you ask that? You know I can’t choose. I’ve never been able to choose. I’LL NEVER BE ABLE TO CHOOSE.

At the moment I’ve been feeling a particular affinity for Sydney Carton from A Tale of Two Cities (guys I just listened to the Broadway musical and there are too many feelings please help), so I’m going with him today.

What is a book that surprised you – one that you thought would be bad but was actually really interesting? Or vice versa.

Hmm… I recently read Macbeth, and was pleasantly shocked by how WRONG the stigma surrounding Shakespeare is. That was a good book.

A little bloody, but still good.

If you could choose to be one book character, who would it be?

For a couple seconds here, I thought, “Pfffft, whatever, I’ll go with Sydney again.”

Until I actually thought about it.

madam la guillotine

…yeah, never mind.

Instead, I’ll return to my default: Galadriel. Who wouldn’t want to be a powerful immortal enchantress of light who’s been around since the Elder Days and has mastered the creepy sideways glance of death?

Need I say more?

Well look at that! You survived to the end. I’m so proud of you.

On a side note here, I’d like to recognize the faithful souls who’ve commented on my last few posts, and apologize for never responding. You guys’ comments mean the world to me. I love chatting with y’all, and I’m sorry that I haven’t been around much. Life has been a little weird lately, but I’m going to make a concerted effort to respond more promptly in the future.

You got that?

So here’s the ultimate question: Who would YOU want in your Fellowship?

Talk to me, people.

~Sarah

 

47 thoughts on “Forging the Fellowship // quests, characters, and interrogations”

  1. Puddleglum is an exceptionally good choice.

    But now, here’s what I want to see. Characters who have no aptitude whatsoever for the skills they need but have to fill the spot anyway. Lucy Pevensie as Gandalf, for example. Cutest. Mentor. Ever. I’m just sayin’, guys. Just sayin’.

    Also that picture of Sydney made me choke.

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    1. Don’t choke, dear. I hear it’s very bad for one’s throat.

      …now I really wish I’d done that. Chosen all the worst characters for that roles. That would have been hilarious.

      *wanders off muttering*

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    1. *gasp* EVIL? I’ll have you know she was currently one of the oldest and wisest elves still living in Middle-Earth at the time of the Fourth Age, and not only RESISTED THE POWER OF THE RING and helped banish Sauron to Mordor while he was still in his fledgling state, but was also able to conceal Nenya, the third elf ring, from him FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

      *hyperventilates* I’ve been triggered. 😉

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  3. You asked, so. . . Loki, he’d definitely have to be in my Fellowship; probably in Gandalf’s place. Lizbeth from the Millenium series would be in Legolas’ place.Hamlet would be in Boromir’s, Wilfred Ivanhoe for Aragorn, Peeta Mellark for Samwise Gamgee, Victoria from The Mute of Pendywick Place as Peregrin Took, and then Margaret Hale for Meriadoc Brandybuck.

    Also now I’m really curious about what stigma Macbeth removed from Shakespeare for you.

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    1. AHH, YES, LOKI. Actually, I approve of all these people. You have impeccable good taste in characters. (And is that Margaret Hale, as in, North and South? *much happiness*)

      Well, people tend to speak disparagingly of Shakespeare because he’s sometimes hard to understand. And he is, but that doesn’t mean his writing isn’t worth attempting. Once I got past the 16th century speech, it was quite an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

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  4. WHAAAHAHAHA that must’ve been fun. Ooooh. 😀

    Hrm. Well I’d definitely want Denholm in my Fellowship. And Dunstan. And Enjolras. And Lucy. And Archie. And Captain America. And Bad News. And Eustace Scrubb. And Arthur Clennam. And those don’t all fit one per category, but I’m not gonna fix it ’cause that would take too long. XD

    And hey, Puddleglum was the PERFECT. choice. if you had to replace Gandalf.

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    1. DENHOLM. Oh, that would be fun. XD

      *snaps fingers* Kegs and kettledrums, I forgot about Enjolras. AND ARCHIE ALL THE WAY. Arthur Clennam and Sydney Carton could relate about the Frogs, methinks. *refrains from Styles impersonation*

      I was rather proud of Puddleglum myself…

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      1. I was also contemplating sticking Maedhros in there somewhere (because I love him — you know this about me *weeps*), but with one hand and all, I figured it would be unwise to have him anywhere near a lightsaber. Those things have a terrible track record with hands.

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        1. GUYS. It’s COBBLES and kettledrums. ‘Cobbles and kettledrums! …I hope this madness isn’t going to end in a moonlit climb and broken necks.’ So there.

          Kate, you can tell Denholm I don’t recant. Denholm, people need you, okay? I’m sorry. That’s just the way it is.

          And Maedhros. *wracking sobs* Yes. But probably a wise a idea.

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                1. *blinks* *hands you hanky*

                  CAIMANS and kettledrums. *firm nod* I thought of that last night after I was in bed and how much better it was than corks. XD

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  6. -casually slides in- dId SOmeOne SaY n. D. WilSon ?
    I’ve been rereading 100 Cupboards & Ashtown Burials and can I just say from the deepest depths of both my hearts, /yes/. Beautiful choices in life.

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      1. ahHHHhHHCc yes they really are. *basks in the respect but also dumps some back upon you* They’re all so beautiful and Right™ and just literary gold. And I could talk about the prose & dialogue forever.

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  7. As I read the Fellowship tag I said to myself, “If Sarah doesn’t tag me for this I AM GOING TO STEAL IT!” Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for tagging me!!! It is a tag after my own heart. <33

    I loved your answers. I could see Obi Wan being very loyal… someday I shall see 1-3. I don't know when. 😦

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    2. *sage nodding* We Tolkien nerds look out for each other.

      Heh, yeah, 1-3 are good. Cheesy at times, and some of the acting is terrible, but they are nice for filling in the blanks and adding overall depth to the lore. Plus, I mean, Obi-Wan, so there’s that. 😉

      I love Franklin the Fat.

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  9. YOU KNOW MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY!!!!
    *geeks out*
    That in itself was enough to make my day.
    Now I need to figure out some way to acquaint myself with the works of N. D. Wilson… I’ve heard of 100 Cupboards but sadly haven’t read them yet. 😛 We’s needs more time, preciousss….
    My fellowship… *contemplates* Well, I would have a hard time choosing between being an elf or a hobbit myself, but I’d probably go with elf.
    Then, for Gandalf: Mr. Whittaker. It just fits so perfectly.
    For Aragorn: Jason Whittaker. He’s not as composed, but I can see it working.
    For Boromir: Edmund Pevensie. (Yes this is cliche. No, I don’t care)
    For Gimli: Trumpkin. I never realized before now how similar they are. XD
    For Legolas: Westley. From Princess Bride. And the only other person who would have the same skills required to merit showing off in the same ways.
    For Meriadoc: Olaf. I don’t know why.
    For Pippin: Flynn Rider/Eugene Fitzherbert. Because they’re both always getting into mischief. And can’t you just see Flynn knocking the skeleton down the well and all that? “Fool of a Fitzherbert!” Has a nice ring to it. XD
    For Samwise: *brain goes into hyperdrive trying to think of anyone more loyal than Samwise* SAM YOU ARE IRREPLACEABLE. *weeps* Umm… If I had to choose… *winces* WHY IS THIS SO HARD. Maybe Lucy Pevensie. She was loyal to her friends and family to a fault, especially in Prince Caspian, and kept believing even when Susan didn’t.

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    1. Actually, after reading the other comments and being reminded of some characters, I think I’ll take Denholm for Samwise. He’s nothing if not loyal, and honestly, the trip to Mordor might be better for his health than everything Kate puts him through. *glares at the cruel Kate monster*
      And Harold would make rather a good Aragorn, yes? *grins* Or him and Jason together… take a moment to imagine that… XD

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  10. You obviously haven’t been doing the correct things with your life if its taken you this long to listen to ATOTC. Which is, incidentally, what I’m listening to right now.
    And that guillotine gif made me giggle and then feel guilty.

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  11. LOVE your choices, Sarah!!!
    (BTW, I’m enjoying The Tree of Life as well as the LIfe albums by Audiomachine, as you recommended! 😉

    Which Tale of Two Cities musical did you listen to?

    Additionally, have you seen the 1989 TV miniseries adaptation of TOTC? It’s a bit cheese, but I think really good. And the actor who portrayed Sydney Carton did an EXCELLENT job. 🙂 Recommended.

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  12. Well, I meant to ever-so-sneakily lurk on your blog without commenting (since replies are hard right now), but as soon as I entered the premises, I had SO MUCH FUN reading your latest post, and coming up with my own answers – that I most certainly failed. So here is my comment, even though I’m behind on replies already. 😀

    And here is my loyal team! I LOVED your answers and the tag, and there were many awesome shared favorite characters of my own included! It was so hard to choose my own! But so fun. :D.

    I’d be a human, preferably a Dunadan, even more preferably a Ranger (of either kingdom). Rohirrim is my second choice as humans go. I love hobbits and elves too, but I’d prefer to be a Man.

    Wise older mentor:
    Halt the Ranger from Ranger’s Apprentice. He’d be amazing to have on an adventure, even if I could only pick one person (as with Aragorn). Maybe not much in the way of cheerful conversation, but full of humor, nice once you get to know him (though not before), and supremely capable in most situations, if not all.

    Survival expert:
    Costis from the Queen’s Thief series (by Megan Whalen Turner). This isn’t his profession – he’s a very, very capable soldier, though he’s too humble to realize it – but he’s very good at this sort of thing in a pinch. And I picked Halt already, who’s even better at it, and survives in the wilderness as a big part of his job. I’m covering my back – but I just love these guys on their own.

    Mistakes but good heart:
    I had to check my Goodreads shelves for this one. Either Burndee from The Reluctant Godfather, or Mr. Peacock-Hemlock-Jones from Jingo Django (the latter, I read recently and loved it). They’d both also be capable adventurers, especially Mr. P.-H.-J.
    NO WAIT. I thought of someone better – can’t believe I didn’t before. My first choice is a certain character from the Queen’s Thief.

    Stubborn:
    Marcus Aquila from The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. He’s nearly as stubborn as they come, with a wonderful heart alongside his bullheaded determination, and a lot more besides. Actually, that goes for Costis too…see above. Gen, who is listed below, is the only one who beats them in the stubbornness department. Actually, wait, so does Halt. This does not look promising for compromising on big decisions! XD Costis and Marcus are always willing to concede and work with people. Gen, not so much. 😉

    Talented:
    Gen from the Queen’s Thief series. There are few characters more talented than him. And he’s awesome in general. And so are all his friends, all of whom I’d bring on an adventure if I could. Yes, I really love the series and highly recommend it!! Just don’t read blurbs or reviews, in order to avoid spoilers at all cost. It’s vital for this series. 😉

    Useless >> useful:
    Since I won’t copy your fabulous choice… I’ll have to go with Bilbo. Oh, wait! Sophos from (again) The Thief. 🙂 Had to rack my brain… 😉

    Not strong, but very couragous:
    Justin from The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff. He isn’t strong, but he doesn’t let that stop him from any task or adventure. He has a giant, sweet heart and the hands of a healer, and immense courage. Also, as a medically minded person, no adventuring company is complete without a medic, and there’s none better than Justin. ❤

    Loyal and never giving up:
    Reynie Muldoon. Because he qualifies, and because ever since i passed over Mr. Benedict for the mentor category (he was one of a couple runner-ups), I had a feeling I would end up picking someone from The Mysterious Benedict Society. I loved your choice of Constance!! Reynie has a Very Good Brain, besides – though that's true to varying degrees of nearly everyone else I picked, as well.

    Okay, that was a really sexist list. I almost picked girls for a few, but my first seven final choices were guys. I have girl choices too, I promise! My female fellowship:
    #2 – the Wise Woman from the Bracken Trilogy by Jeri Massi (my other runner-up to the list above). She's the team healer, as an essential bonus.
    #3 – Probably Frytha from The Shield Ring by Jeri Massi. I can't think of anyone else, but she qualifies.
    #4 – A character from the Queen's Thief whom I will not name. (Same person I mentioned above.)
    #5 – Ohhhh, a ton. Eowyn, Eddis from Queen's Thief, or Cottia from Eagle of the Ninth.
    #6 – Kate Wetherall
    #7 – Constance, or Ella has from the Tales of Ambia.
    #8 – Poppy from the Tales of Ambia.
    #9 – Lucy Pevensie ❤

    And the Queen's Thief edition I alluded to:
    #2: Either the Magus or the Minister of War
    #3: Costis or Pol
    #4: the afore-non-mentioned character
    #5: Eddis (or the Minister of War)
    #6: Gen
    #7: Sophos (aka Useless the Younger)
    #8: Kamet
    #9: Eddis or Costis
    Honestly, they'd be a fabulous adventuring team – and more than half of them are already, within the series.

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  13. Okay, FINALLY I read at least the FIRST book of LOTR and I know what you’re talking about! Sort of.
    “A Stubborn Character:
    *thinks of every dystopian female ever*”
    WHY IS THAT SO TRUE? Also YES MBS and YES PRINCE CASPIAN! Seriously, the Narnia movies are AHHHHHH SO GOOD. I love Narnia like you love LOTR. I think it’s better than LOTR, actually. *ducks* But this is a LOTR tag, so.

    AND YES, A TALE OF TWO CITIES! That book was SO GOOD, AHHHH. What else was I going to say? OH yeah. I’ve never spilled food on books, but maybe that’s just because I keep getting up every five minutes to wash my hands while I’m reading. It’s very unfortunate.

    Also how did you like Macbeth? HOW? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? I mean, I guess it’s possible, but still. I read Macbeth and I really didn’t like it. Although, it did offer one good quote. “What, you egg!?”

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  14. *Sniffs*

    WHITE pages?! What about those people who love to go to book sales and pick the books that are yellowing with age and have the most gorgeous covers?

    Yeah, I wouldn’t eat or drink anything (except water because, hey, I have to stay hydrated while I’m lost in other worlds) while reading either.

    I definitely think Reepicheep fits the Merry bill. But I would be very stubborn and deny that Obi-Wan can truly replace Sam. So I’d keep Sam. You can yell at me all you want that it’s against the rules, but that’s what I’d do, and I’m sticking to it.

    *plants feet in a solid stance*

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  15. I. Have. Found. My. Home. *Drags in bookshelf, couch, blanket* *sits down* You shall never get rid of me. Because any corner of the internet where Constance Contraire and Sydney Carton are conversing is where I belong.
    XD
    And I feel you, Katelyn. Never replace Samwise Gamgee. *plants couch next to you*

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  16. This was super fun to read! 😃 I have 3 favorite fictional characters: Keefe Sencen, Owen Conners, and Jay Walker. (no shhhhh the last one is still fictional… even if he’s from Lego Ninjago…) (I am a disgrace to bookwyrm kind 😂) (a wyrm is a dragon.) (these are a lot of parentheses)

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  17. This post was amazing!
    Hmmm, who would I want in my Fellowship… Easy Question! Oskar N. Reteep, Dobro Turtlebane, Caleb (The one in the 100 Cupboards Series), Sir Percy, and Reynie Muldoon! I was really trying NOT to use Middle Earth Characters (Ones that weren’t in the Fellowship, of Course) Because that that would kind of defeat the purpose.

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  18. Is this post four years old?
    Yes.
    Will you probably never read this?
    Yes.
    Am I commenting anyway?
    Yes.
    YOU MENTIONED SYDNEY CARTON.
    I just read A Tale of Two Cities, and I have not emotionally recovered from it.😌You made my book-loving heart very happy with this post. So, thank you.

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