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The Choice of Healing by Larner	10 Review(s)
Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 9/11/2005
A beautiful coda to your story, bringing a sense of closure and peace, of endings and new beginnings. The passing of Frodo and Sam, the intimations of Faramir’s and Aragorn’s own mortality, are balanced by the promise of new life, renewal, and continuity held in the fruits of the two Trees. Just as the pain and despair of the early chapters is countered by the joy of these last. Quite a journey, all in all! Thank you for taking us on it. Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. To be able to bring Frodo through the pain of realizing how much the Ring stole from him, physically and spiritually, and to see him in the end able to laugh and know simple fellowship again, to see him brought full circle back to fulfillment and joy as he accepts what he knows must come, and that it be done in joy and such blessed delight-- And Aragorn being at least partly aware of it, now feeling more certain that the future will come for those who follow-- Am so glad you have appreciated how much I found I wanted to put into this.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 9/10/2005
Larner, thanks for this heartbreaking story! I read this upon recommendation of another and I'm glad I did. There was such a cumulative heartache for Frodo for his physical sufferings that I began to get tears in my eyes. That happens a lot with our dear hobbit. When I got to the second time Frodo asked his Sam for help out to sleep under the stars, I was silently pleading with him to say 'yes' when Sam asked if Frodo wanted him to stay or not, but then I guess we wouldn't have gotten that wonderful conversation with Galadriel that was so interesting and one of the high points of the story. The ending was joyful, though and I thank you for that. I look forward to reading some of your other stories. I am heartbroken that Frodo had to leave everything and nearly everyone he loved behind, but I am so glad he did leave because suicide could well have been his end if he hadn't and that would have been an even greater tragedy. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Sam obviously was coming to the realization that Frodo was failing in one way or another even in LOTR, as he seemed to expect Frodo was going to retire to Rivendell as Bilbo did--and, in that case, Sam undoubtedly expected to be able to at least visit him and perhaps finally bring him back home at the end. The realization he was going West instead was such an obvious shock to him, but one he accepted as best for Frodo. In this case I find myself inferring that the withdrawal Frodo was going through undoubtedly had a physical as well as a psychological aspect to it, that Sam would let Frodo go that easily. So I increased the physical aspect of what Frodo was experiencing. That others didn't realize how ill he was would indicate he was staying more and more isolated within Bag End, and that Sam, Rosie, and Frodo were being highly closed-mouthed about how ill he was becoming. As I tell in the author's notes, I was inspired by a documentary show on the effects of spider and tick bites, and this was too good an opportunity to let slip. If spider bites can lead to heart problems, skeleto-muscular disorders, digestive system breakdown, creeping tissue necrosis, and even auto-immune problems, then what could Shelob's bite have led to? Frodo's physical health was degrading, and he was suffering from very strong depression as part of his post-traumatic stress disorder. Having watched my husband's health degrade over the last two years of his life, I could see how each problem (clinical depression runs in my husband's family) would exacerbate the other. (Real life experiences found their way strongly into this one.) I described the volcano glass in my LONG story The King's Commission, and wanted to use it symbolically here (caddis fly larvae and woolly bear caterpillars made it into my first story, so why not volcano glass, right?) And so Frodo and Galadriel came to use the bowl as a symbol for what he had come to. I'm so glad you liked that, and the conversation between Frodo and Galadriel. To help him realize he DESERVED the chance for happiness, and that there could possibly be a happy result to all he'd been through was so necessary. Man, am writing another book here! Thank you so very much for the feedback, and I'm so very glad you appreciated this story.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/24/2005
This has been a truly beautiful (if sad in places) and poignant story, and how wonderful that the White Trees in Gondor and Valinor should both bear fruit after the passing of the Ring-bearers. Poor Frodo's suffering in some of the other chapters was painful to read, but all too plausible. Even small spiders can cause severe problems with their venom so I shudder to think what symptoms Shelob's poison caused. Thank you for this story, Larner. Author Reply: I am so glad that you have enjoyed this story, Babe, and that is was so satisfying. My stepdad was bitten by a spider under the house, and ended up in the hospital from complications they never looked for; and recent research into problems caused by bites from our local brown recluse spiders has been alarming. I suspect Frodo's decision to accept the offer to go to Elvenhome would have been quite considered, and would have come only after he fully accepted both physically and emotionally he was failing, but that he would have done his best to hide from everyone just how badly off he was. The ties between Frodo and Aragorn I've always felt would be strong and devoted, and so I've always tended to see the two White Trees as a physical sign of the spiritual link between the two of them. And this would be, I thought, the right moment for the White Tree to fruit. Glad you agree.

Ariel	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/18/2005
A breathtaking and satisfying read! I am sorry I have not reviewed all of the chapters, but it really was delightful to have all the chapters together and not have to wait for one. I think Tolkien would have been delighted with your interpretation and I think he would have very much approved. I have usually taken a less 'ethereal' approach to Frodo's days in Tol Eressëa, but that is simply because I am, by nature, a more visceral person. However, this was splendid and just 'right', despite the ache it still leaves in the reader. I thank you most humbly for very well produced effort. I am afraid I wasn't able to nominate this fic for a MEFA because it was finished after the end of March, but I will definitely keep it on my list for next year. Author Reply: I am greatly honored, Ariel, by your review. That you feel Tolkien himself would have approved means a good deal to me, as this is one of the things I do try for; that others feel this also is heartening. Thank you so very much for reading this and responding to it.

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/14/2005
moment of silence Ok............. Totally in awe here. That with the bowl and the fruit, I was just so not expecting that, didn't know what in the world to expect next and was just on the edge of my seat, figuratively speaking, trying to imagine what could come next, yet at the same time I just knew you wouldn't let me down. Well, that conclusion was, what can I say....perfect. I don't know of a better word for it. Your stories are a feast. Thanks for inviting us. best wishes Armariel~~~{~@ Author Reply: Oh, am SO glad that it felt right to you, too. Thank you for coming to the feast, then!

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/14/2005
Ah, yes, wonderful ending. I love the fruit and the bowl, echoes of what the Lady told Frodo on the Ship, if I'm not mistaken. Author Reply: Yes, what they discussed during the joint vision that led to Frodo finally choosing. And I'm so glad you like it, Lindelea. Thanks so much for following the story.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/14/2005
A lovely ending. I especially appreciated Hamfast coming to Court, and the King and Steward living long enough to see a fruit from the White Tree. Author Reply: I'd written in "Light on the Way" that Hamfast did this, so had to put it in; and felt this was the perfect time for the Trees to fruit; and for Hamfast to be among the first to see the Fruit was perfect, particularly considering the events that immediately preceded the ripening. Thanks for enjoying this so.

Amy Earls	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/14/2005
I'm a complete sap (!) for 3rd-4th Age White Tree fic. This is a perfect ending. Thank you! Amy Author Reply: Am so glad you liked the ending, Amy. Thanks so much for reading this story.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/14/2005
That was a very beautiful end to this story! Thank you very much for another fic I have enjoyed so much! And I look forward to whatever you're writing next. Author Reply: Thank you, Kitty. We'll see what comes out next, although it is working its way around my own story I'm working on.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/14/2005
Oh Larner, perfect - just perfect. I couldn't review for the last chapter. I just couldn't find the right words and then when I tried to review for it this morning the computer wouldn't cooperate. The image of Samwise as light and breath but still wrapped in substantial hobbit made me join Frodo in delighted laughter. Somehow I yearn for someone to describe me like that. But at the moment there is just too much of the substantial and not enough light! I have always wondered about that line of Gandalf's in the ROTK about planting a fruit if one ever ripened. The way you have woven in this gap-filler with Fordo's bowl is lovely. Oh, and thank you for getting in the cloak of love and light. You make me wonder what happens to its pattern and weave as Frodo meets up again with the people who helped to form it. So what is next? Is the gradual incapacity of Faramir a hint? More please! Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you appreciated the description of Sam, for I find I love that Hobbit very much. The fruit of the White Tree was another hint Tolkien threw us that just begged to be expanded upon, and I could not imagine a better time for it to fruit than this one, and what better bowl to carry it to its planting than Frodo's. And Ruvemir's mantle did need to be dealt with, once Frodo would no longer wear it in Arda. Don't know what will become of its pattern--at least not yet. Am not sure which of the tiny Nuzguls I've found hiding in the linen closet (they are breeding in there now!) will attack first, but suspect it will deal with Narcissa and Dora and Drogo's brother Dudo. What ever happened to him, I wonder?

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