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The Colors of Passing  by Larner 13 Review(s)
EdlynReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/26/2007
Oh, this is so beautiful! I'm smiling through my tears.

Dancingkatz

Author Reply: Oh, I'm always so pleased when someone goes back to a story I wrote previously and finds it moving. Thank you!

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/28/2006
Oh, this is beautiful! I've read it before, on Antane's website, but I was in a hurry and didn't really take it all in at the time. The imagery is amazing. The first part is heart-rending; as I read it I had a clearer idea of what Frodo would have looked like physically after that terrible ordeal than I've ever had. But the torment of the spirit is even more moving. The details you give made me want to stand beside him, reach out and protect him, heal him.

I love the way you describe the lights of being--Frodo's and Aragorn's twin lights, Frodo's dim and wavering but still trying to burn, Aragorns white and shimmering like a star to light the way; Sam's warm, comforting, gentle golden glow. A corner? Oh, that's really heartbreaking!

I've thought of colours in a hundred different ways in my life (though when asked I can't describe any of them), and it really depends on context, even now. But I think that always after this, when I imagine blue, part of me will think of cool, measureless depths, the song of the sea, a blue sky like velvet with stars scattered over it like shining gems, and healing and peace. I know, I'm hopelessly sentimental and so overly imaginative (in the opinions of others) that it's a family joke that I'm very visual. :) Which is, in a sense, true.

*sigh* Now I just have to decide what to read next. I'm caught between "The Choice of Healing" (I read most of it before, and then lost my place and got distracted by real life and never found it again, but I do want to go back and read it over) or "Lesser Ring." I'm leaning more towards the latter at the moment, intrigued as you might guess by the mention of that lesser ring in "The King's Commission." You know, I was so eager to finish that, and now I'm sorry I have because, well, it's over. :)
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: I was surprised you tore through it so quickly at the last. Haven't had a cold, but the migraines have been pretty spectacular, I must say. I hate feeling ill, you know.

The challenge was to take three colors and use them in the imagery of the story, although I sort of missed the part about focusing each on a different character; instead I used Frodo as central character in each section. I guess I don't always read directions thoroughly before pushing ahead. However, this story is one I've found I'm glad I wrote.

And that it helps you have an even better idea of what blue is like is good.

At the moment when Frodo was called back by Aragorn I do indeed feel he would have been torn; I doubt he'd have truly wished to come back; what arguments would have had to be used? I wondered. And the relief he'd have felt when at last he began to truly feel the healing beginning--it must have been almost overpowering to again feel peace.

Am so glad you appreciated this more on the second reading.

As for which to read, "Lesser Ring" or "The Choice of Healing"--feel free either way. I can go through and tell you the last chapter you posted on in Choice if you wish.

Thanks again for the further feedback on this story.

MirkwoodmaidenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/3/2005
Larner!

Hello! I truly love the way this story is written the theme of colour that flows across the story highlighting the various emotions that over Frodo, and at no time did the theme overpower or hinder the story. Instead we were treated to emotion refracted through colour. You paint Aragorn and Frodo's relationship with such deft care. It is an aspect that I have yet to explore. I truly loved it! I must read more!

MM

Author Reply: Thank you, Mirkwoodmaiden. I have always loved to think of the relationships Aragorn must have developed with Sam and Frodo, and tend to explore those relationships in several of my stories.

But I appreciate very much the feedback on this story, which was written in response to a challenge on HASA to come up with a story that expresses three related scenes in terms of colors; this was what came out. Am so glad you appreciate it.

What country are you from? I note you use British or Canadian spellings. I, obviously, grew up in the USA.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/27/2005
Larner, to reply to your question about having some humor in my stories - never fear, in my epic that I am working, Frodo will tease and be teased, he will know cheer and shining moments of joy. He must, otherwise I'd think he'd shatter utterly.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)


Author Reply: Good enough, then. Am glad to hear it.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/24/2005
Well, what can I say? Another powerful heartbreaker! "I'm almost free..." "I'll stay by you no matter what you choose; don't fool yourself it would be different." I love Frodo's prayer to Iluvatar for Sam. I keep forgetting to tell you in your "For Eyes..." story that I liked also the part of Frodo feeling responsible for Gollum's death. Not that I think he was, but I understand why he would feel that way. And yes, to respond to your reply of my "Filled with..." review, I am indeed working on a much longer, much more complex work - novel length AU about a space/time rip happening and the Ring has to be destroyed again. It was inspired by a blurb in a magazine when the theatrical ROTK DVD came out and it said "Now you can take the whole journey over again (poor Frodo)" and I thought, "Hmmmm...." I am having a ball putting my beloved, completely stressed-out Frodo through hell again and having Sam love him to death as usual. I'll start posting it soon but it's not all done yet. Thank you for saying you enjoy my stories! :) I'll have to check your other ones out too.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Frodo would have felt guilty, I'm certain, about Gollum's death--for what he sees as the curse he has uttered and seeing Gollum fall with the Ring when he himself could not jump in with it voluntarily.

And now Frodo is left wondering quite how it is he is now alive, feeling battered and grateful and guilty all at the same time, certain the sacrifice will be fully consumated--except it isn't, and he's called back to life, Sam and Aragorn wishing him to at least know joy once more before he goes on. And then, finally, to know the healing is there, and that Sam and Aragorn were right; and it is they who have made the sacrifice in the end, giving him over to those who can effect the healing Frodo couldn't know here in the mortal lands.

I appreciate your stories indeed, but have been eager to see more than just angst, to see the full range of your talents expressed, for Frodo and Sam to know the humor as well as the pain of their journey. After all, Frodo wanted so much to be a simple hobbit again....

Hobbit Lass21Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/30/2005
Oh this is lovely! Oh I love this, it's wonderful, so poignant and so true! Beautiful, simply beautiful.....

Author Reply: Thank you, and I am glad you find it both poignant and true to your vision of Frodo's experience.

Lily the HobbitReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/30/2005
This made me cry. Very insightful, very intense! Very interesting to see Frodo's pains and his healing shown in different colours. Excellent work!

Author Reply: There was a challenge on the Henneth Annun board to come up with a story in which three colors were used symbolically within a story, and this was what the idea caused to spring to my mind.

I am so glad you feel this is insightful.

smaugs_mommyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/15/2005
That's so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I especially liked the ending.

Author Reply: Thank you for reading it and liking how it is written. It was good to write such a contrast to what Frodo would have known before.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/12/2005
Ahhh. (That was a satisfied sigh, in case you were wondering.)

The colour-imagery was very deftly handled, woven into the story with a rhythm and light of its own, and the progression was logical and drew the reader along. I'm not sure how I missed this when it was originally posted (it was early December, a very busy time, so perhaps that is the explanation) but I'm glad to have found it now.

Author Reply: I am just glad you enjoyed it so much, and hope we can meet in April.

InklingReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/28/2005
What a rollercoaster this little story is: by turns horrifying, hopeful, and sad—that Aragorn’s light could bring Frodo back, but not protect him from the pockets of darkness that lingered still—and yet, in the end, still hopeful.
“The agony of his body is now seen as exquisite pleasure; the agony of his soul as desire fulfilled. His friend is now his enemy; the Enemy is merely a rival.” What an incredible passage…it gave me chills!

Hmm…so you think hobbits believed in hellfire, and a Creator? Or at least that Frodo did?

“For that is the scent of athelas to him--the odor of the Sea.” I’d forgotten that athelas smelled different to each person…a very nice touch!

You’re a wonderful writer, Larner!


Author Reply: I don't know that hobbits believe in hellfire, but I do believe Frodo felt he would have had to leap into the magma below him to destroy the Ring, which would certainly be hellish enough for him; and he probably did believe he deserved nothing better once he'd failed.

I do believe he believed in the Creator, though. He had been educated in the tales of the Great Elves of the First Age, after all.

Thank you for your compliment and the feedback. And I am so glad the imagery moved you.

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