The Handkerchief Files is a The Hobbit fanfic by Snapdragonroar. It is a retelling of Hobbit from Gandalf's point of view, told through reports he sends Saruman, with one major difference: the Istari are secret agents.
A sequel, The Durin's Day Files, is in progress.
Contains examples of:
- As You Know: Gandalf insists on sending Saruman reports of meetings that they both attended. Saruman is not amused.
- Blatant Lies:
- Gandalf claims he didn't receive Saruman's letter telling him not to start the quest.
- Saruman wants to know where Gandalf gets his pipe-weed "merely for financial reasons", because "I haven't the slightest desire to start up that disgusting habit myself."
- Call-Forward: Saruman slips and almost reveals his true allegiance a few times.
- Epistolary Novel: The story is told entirely through back-and-forth letters between Gandalf and Saruman.
- Flat "What": Saruman's response to Gandalf's suggestion that they round up the dwarves to reclaim Erebor.
- Lampshade Hanging: The fic lampshades various improbabilities in the films, as well as Gandalf's character in general.
- Lemony Narrator: Gandalf, when narrating various events.
- Mundane Utility: Gandalf uses Narya, the Red Ring of Fire, to light his pipe. Saruman does not approve.
- Obfuscating Disability: Gandalf speculates that Óin's deafness is this, since he notes that Óin has no trouble understanding the other dwarves even when everyone is shouting at once.
- Perspective Flip: Of The Hobbit.
- Say My Name: Saruman's reaction when Gandalf does something he doesn't approve of is usually a series of increasingly exasperated "Gandalf!"s.