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Those Who Remain  by Marnie 12 Review(s)
PSWReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 9/25/2021
This was amazing. Loved this scene — I had never thought of how much these two have Im common, but it just worked so well. Thx for writing!

Author Reply: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. I was surprised myself at how many similarities came up once I started thinking about it :)

GalathilReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/14/2021
Hi Marnie. I love interaction between Sam and Celeborn. Also how he met Rose.

Another lovely story and hopefully both found some healing. Sam saying he is home las. Says it all.

Galathil

Author Reply: Thank you! This was the first real story I wrote in this fandom, because I was interested in the ways in which the partners of Ringbearers tended to be written off as unimportant. So I thought they could at least support each other through a grief that no one else really understood.

PSWReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/2/2016
This was so interesting -- it came from such a different place than other stories I've read. So melancholy ... its hope is so much farther off. This is very well done, thanks for writing.

whitewaveReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/29/2008
What a lovely glimpse into what could have been. Celeborn and Sam do have a lot in common other than the fact that they were close companions of a ring bearer; I like their not "showy" but very dependable personalities; it was sharp of you to see the 'parallels' in this. They also have this humility that is so remarkable, one could not help but think how different things may have turned out if Sam was not with Frodo and if Celeborn was not with Galadriel during their crucial moments. I also enjoyed reading Celeborn's take on the fellowship's visit to Lorien and a view of him after Galadriel has sailed. Very very good stuff.

Author Reply: Thanks Whitewave! This was my first story in the Tolkien fandom and it arrived in a burst of inspiration, so that I was surprised myself when all the parallels started falling into place. But I think there's even a place where Tolkien himself compares the two relationships - Frodo+Sam and Galadriel+Celeborn, and draws a similar parallel. It's been such a long time I can't remember where it was now, but it did give me a big 'ha! told you so!' moment when I stumbled across it :)

docmonReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 9/23/2004
Great story!
This was a wonderful, poignant picture of Sam's anguish, further articulated through Celeborn's, whose suffering I've never really considered. Amazing also was the insight into Galadriel's burden and what she might have gone through.

Sam was perfect - even in his assumption that he failed. He brough up a rarely raised point - Frodo did claim the Ring in the end. And how he thought it was 'all for naught' because Frodo wasn't there to enjoy what he'd saved. This is the way Sam's brain works. The way Sam's thinking comes full circle is so natural and beleivable. It was so enjoyable to see it happen. And Rosie was terrific. Perfect elaboration on a character that you had little to go on. Great, great job.

monica

Author Reply: Many thanks for the review, Monica! This story contains my two favourite characters of LotR and I was amazed while I was writing it at the parallels between the two. They're both such unsung heroes (Celeborn even more so than Sam). So I'm always very pleased to know that the idea works for other people too. And Rosie is great to write. I do like her!

Thanks again!

Marnie :-)

Hiro-tyreReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/6/2003
Wow. Celeborn and Sam have always been two of my favorites. Really well done.

Orophins DottirReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/31/2003
Ai! Ai! Ai! *sobs noisily into her handkerchief* This was beautiful and achingly sad but still hopeful. Dear old Sam and Celeborn. "the bloodyminded determination to struggle on to the bitter end, and maybe further" just sums it up for me. I also love the idea that some of the elves chose to remain with us.I am slowly building my own "Galadriel's Glade" garden and, if he's ever passing, I hope Celeborn will find a bit of peace there for he's always welcome. AND, my darling Orophin had a cameo! What more could a girl ask for? Pray excuse your humble servant. Have spent the evening having Celeborn, Warrior King rip out the throats of dying poachers, etc. Not a calming undertaking. I think I need to lie down. Glorfindel, two aspirin please!

CorielReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 9/17/2003
Absolutely brilliant! You completely blew me away with this one. Your clear and vivid depictions of the Elves and masterful grasp of the characters was unbelievable, worthy of Tolkien himself! This is the kind of thing I aspire to! And thanks for pointing out the hard-won but oft overlooked survival of the Lasgalenath without a Ring to help them, kudos to my favorite, Thranduil the Stubborn. :) They usually seem to get the short end of the stick in that regard. Speaking of which, Thranduil may take exception to your naming Celeborn "lord of all the Elves of Middle-earth," but otherwise this is an unqualified favorite!

ShirelingReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 9/1/2003
A very moving and thoughtfull story.
Sam's pain and grief is so often overlooked by those who focus on Frodo's angst.

To find this story was a pleasure.

Helen/shireling

FadesintothewestReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 8/31/2003
I am glad that you are now at Stories of Arda. I love this site!

That was such a touching and sorrowful vignette. Do you really think Celeborn never sailed West? Poor Sam, carrying all that weight on his small shoulders, but sometimes we do that, even though we know deep in our hearts that what was supposed to happen, did... despite all our efforts.

And this is what your story reminds me of, the river-like nature of life, somewhat in our control but yet not, and so what we do with what we are given, and how we open our eyes to it. This is what Celeborn and Sam were finally able to do. What a touching story :_-)

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