Frodo Brandybuck?!

[mark12_30]

Aside from collecting him a bunch of rascally cousins? Not only wasn't he afraid of adventure-- from the tookish side-- but he's also unafraid of water, and less sheltered (Old Forest being nearby, and the road to Bree not so far off as all that.)

I sometimes wondered how Frodo managed to connect with all those travellers (dwarves, and others of a less than savory nature), and elves even, and the bounders, and learn all that he did learn about beyond the borders. Perhaps it was just a matter at being at the right Inn at the right time, but those mentions of him travelling alone on long walks make it seem otherwise.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by mark12_30

Not only wasn't he afraid of adventure-- from the tookish side-- but he's also unafraid of water

That's actually what I was thinking of, whether the no fear of water did him any good on his journey. Well, both the episodes at Bucklebury Ferry and Bruinen were not that strong on the matter, but there was definitely one moment when I belive his Brandybuck heritage came very handy, and it was crucial moment in his life and in the quest: his choice to leave the Fellowship. Frodo had to cross Anduin, alone, using his own skills. Had he grown up in Hobbitton, I have no doubt he would have had one more reason to prevent him from splitting from the Fellowship. Imagine a person with Gaffer-like opinion on boats trying to escape across the river.

[MatthewM]

Nice topic idea!

I think it just may have been essential that Frodo had that Brandybuck in him - they seem to be the toughest hobbit race, in my opinion. I bet it came to good use when treading the path through Gorgoroth.