Irredeemable silliness

In my admittedly limited and questionable experience, most Hornblower fanfic isn't very funny. Some of it's stirring, some is heartbreaking, most of it counts the ways of bringing Archie back. (Or off. Wha-hey!)

There is one series of stories that just kills me, however, and that's The Adventures of Mr. Pipps, by Inzevar.

(Rating: G. Or as the author puts it, "Mr. Pipps is but 5 years old, and as innocent and untroubled as a herring.")

Nobody is spared - Pellew and Hornblower least of all:

"Very gratifying I'm sure gentlemen," said Sir Edward "but I think this particular mission calls for someone with very specific abilities. A young officer quite possibly seated at the far end of this table."

All eyes turned towards Mr. Hornblower who appeared to be sitting on his hands and whose eyes were firmly shut.

"Come along gentlemen!" said the captain testily, "surely there is someone among you with dark curly hair and brown eyes who is eager to give the Frogs another thrashing!"