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The Ties of Family  by Larner 8 Review(s)
AntaneReviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/23/2006
Poor Frodo! And I could say poor Narcissa too!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)


Author Reply: Yes, the two of them are both experiencing bad times and are having their happiness curtailed by the legacy of a Ring.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/5/2005
It must have been terrible for Narcissa's mother to watch her wait year after year for someone who was simply not interested. It must have hurt her almost as much as it hurt Narcissa. Poor Frodo, already the ring is changing his life, isn't it? Now, I wonder what he plans to do now that he has realized who the twins are?

Author Reply: I always felt that the Ring robbed Frodo and Bilbo both of the ability to love romantically. It might have approved of an abusive relationship, but not one where the lovers were equal partners as would be true in most Shire relationships. It must have been as difficult on those whose attention and love had been caught by them as it was for Frodo, never being able to form a true family of his own to fulfill the dreams his parents must have held for him one day.

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/22/2005
Just a short note to say that already I am enjoying the story and appreciate the speed with which you update it. Keep it up please!

blessings & cheer
Armariel~~~{~@

Author Reply: Thanks, Armariel. Am trying to update it daily, but am having difficulty with my A: drive now. Seems the computer is intent on falling to pieces bit by bit and having to be rebuilt. As I do the writing on the laptop and post from the desktop, this is proving frustrating at the moment.

Glad you are enjoying the story so far.

NiennaTruReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/21/2005
“It’s so odd--I get the feeling someone is standing behind me, watching me when this happens, watching me and laughing at me. You know I don’t want to stay unmarried. You know how much I’ve wanted to have a wife and children.”

How sad for Frodo and how cruel of the Ring. I hadn't given the issue of Frodo remaining a bachelor much thought, but I believe you've captured the reason quite well. The Ring would naturally be posessive and jealous. It's odd how much one can come to hate that horrid thing.

Author Reply: Yes, I think Sauron's Ring would seek to punish all who failed to carry it on to its master once it began to awaken, and that it would not have approved of hobbit marriages which tend to be based (as I see it) more on love and sharing of responsibilities than on matters of policy as was more true in the world of the one who forged it.

Glad the reason seems reasonable to you. I'm with Aragorn in hating the Ring for what it did to Frodo.

Breon BriarwoodReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/21/2005
Oh, darn you! You've made me cry again!
I've always interpreted it as he just didn't have those feelings, was sort of numb to it all. But that Frodo recognized his loss and could tell something was blocking his desire for a family is so heartbreaking.

*sniffle*

Author Reply: I didn't expect this chapter to have folks weeping, but am glad that you appear to have found the frustration Frodo feels to be right after all, now that the possibility is out in the open.

It's wonderful when chapters move the readers.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/21/2005
That evil ring! Frodo would have been a wonderful husband and father! And the fact, that he himself realizes that something is terribly wrong, but can't do anything about it, is very sad.
He hasn't yet discovered the source of all this, but when he finds out, he will do the only thing possible: get rid of the ring!

Poor Narcissa! If she had known all this, maybe it would have been easier for her.

Author Reply: Oh, I agree about Frodo would have made a marvelous father. And knowning this would also have helped Narcissa. That on some level Frodo would realize what he was missing and not be able to say what it was or why seemed obvious to me.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/21/2005
Oh, poor Frodo! I've always thought that the Ring would have been jealous of him, and done just as you described, but somehow, I never realized that Frodo might have been aware of the change and frustrated by it.

And poor Narcissa, as well. But at least she has the poor consolation of knowing that no other lass has his attentions.

So--Frodo has noticed his little cousins. Will he be the catalyst to bring Fosco and Forsythia to Hobbiton?

Author Reply: Yes, I think Frodo would notice something was interfering with his love life, putting an end to it completely, and would be frustrated by it, which would further delight the Ring--if the Bearer isn't moving it back toward It's Master, I think the Ring would consider retaliation in one manner or another.

That Narcissa has that as a poor form of consolation is something I hadn't thought of, but you are correct at least.

As for bringing the Twins to Hobbiton--yes, I think that would be part of Frodo's role, but not quite yet.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/21/2005
Wonderful, Larner! It is so very sad for Frodo and Narcissa the ring has robbed Frodo of the ability to love a lass and have family and children! I know, it would've been quite hard for them when he left the Shire, but it is sad nonetheless. But it was truly nasty to ask Frodo not to dance - I'm quite furious about this myself!

Author Reply: Ah, so you are in sympathy with Esmeralda and Eglantine now. I'm glad. And I think the Ring would enjoy having Frodo realize something was interfering with his life, but not realize quite what. Yes, had he married and had children it would have been devestating for his family when he had to leave, plus the Enemy might have used them against him.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

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