Apple Bruised Makes Apple Pie

The poem Bilbo recalls is an adapted form of an Irish nursery-rhyme, “As I Went Up the Apple Tree.” I realize Tolkien writes that the hobbits are English instead of Celtic, but I imagine songs would get mixed around quite a bit by the comfortable eighteenth-century world hobbits seem to inhabit. Both Bilbo’s description of himself to Galion and his remembrance of home in the final paragraph are taken with very little modification from the texts of The Hobbit, from “Inside Information” and “Roast Mutton” respectively.

Bilbo’s symptoms are based vaguely on my own experience with concussions. The physical symptoms he displays don’t quite match his ability to speak and think fluidly, though I’ve tried to make some concession to his condition. I originally wrote Bilbo as more muddled but thought this style made for a better story, and in situations like this I usually sacrifice strict scientific accuracy for what makes a better story in my judgment.

My thanks to Shirebound, who requested this topic, and to Linda Hoyland and Kaylee Arafinwiel who beta-read it. As always, I appreciate your help.