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The Ties of Family  by Larner 8 Review(s)
BitsayReviewed Chapter: 43 on 10/2/2015
Thank you so much. This was delightful! I love the in depth explorations of the relationships between those who Frodo loved so dearly, and whom he left behind. That they were beloved by Frodo, and loved him often deeply in return, it makes sense that they would forge strong bonds with one another. I have been reading your works for over 18 months and decided, that as you have given me so much pleasure, I should let you know! There is something about Frodo that touches my heart deeply and I love your explorations of him.


Author Reply: I think that there is something about Frodo that touches most people of good will. Thank you so very much! I love hearing that others still read my older stories and continue to enjoy them so!

EluthaunReviewed Chapter: 43 on 7/17/2010
I relish reading your stories very much. Wrapping myself in the layer upon layer of the characters that might stand present in the scene, because I really do love them. I find refuge and comfort in the humanity expressed. I willingly follow your story, being gently steered from the keen emotional heights, to a sensation of deeply rooted and grounded hobbit-sense.
In a perfect world I would like to own the printed copy of this.
My thanks, you have added to my life and pleasure.
Eluthaun

Author Reply: And I thank you, Eluthaun. Frodo could not have grown up in a vacuum; there had to have been many among his far-flung family ties, who cared deeply for him and who wished to better understand just why he left the Shire both when he left with the Ring and again when he left for good.

I wish I could have some of these formally printed, but the Tolkien Estate has decided otherwise. And I, too, love the Hobbits of the Shire dearly!

Thank you again, so very much!

Szepilona10Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 8/27/2008
I loved this story! I wish it never ended! I have now read almost all of your stories, so please update "The Tenent" soon!
God Bless!

~Szepilona10~

Author Reply: I'm so glad you liked it, Szepilona. Am working on the next chapter of "Stirring Rings" at the moment, after which I'll return to "The Tenant" once more. I have much of that chapter worked out in my head, actually. Am fighting headaches that appear to be the legacy of the new medication they'd just put me on. Yesterday they took me off that one, and I'll be on a different one as of this evening. Hope it's not more of the same, for headache is listed as a possible side effect for both medications.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 43 on 2/6/2006
It never fails-the last chapter of your stories always bring me to tears, or nearly...even the Author's Notes. *hugs* I'm not eloquent and don't pretend to be, so all that I can say in words is this:

You have added a depth to these beloved characters that would make any writer of any book proud, I think. You yourself are reflected in part in the way they are portrayed here, especially Frodo. And through your stories, you've impacted me, very greatly, rousing in me a stronger desire to press on in writing and many other fields, even when it's hard and I can't seem to get anywhere. I won't forget the countless little lifts you've given me, consciously and unconsciously, and they always seem to come when I need them the most. Thank you for all this, and for such a wonderful story that so beautifully illustrates the meaning and depth of love.
God bless you always.
Galadriel

Author Reply: I am honored and humbled, my Lady. Thank you. It is heartening to know these stories are indeed adding to the happiness and heartening of others.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 43 on 7/6/2005
Thank you, Larner, for this wonderful story!
It made me see Frodo Baggins from a lot of new perspectives, all adding perfectly to the image of him, I have in my mind.
Aragorn's speech in the last chapter was really touching. It was honest and came deeply from the heart.
And the Husbandmen's Dance performed by Frodo and all the hobbits who love him - perfect!

I'm looking forward to reading lots of new stories :)

Author Reply: I am so glad you have enjoyed this story. Examining the lives of Aragorn and Frodo are two of my favorite activities, I am finding.

Am sort of going between two stories at the moment, trying to deal with two nuzguls that have been haunting the house lately, one in the cat sand and the other in the nursery. Didn't realize it was a nursery until the nuzgul showed up there, released by I think it was Harrowcat about a week ago--but now I know, particularly as my niece and her two tiny daughters have moved into the room during their visit.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 43 on 7/1/2005
Larner, this explains a lot. I thought more than once you must have had some experiences similar to these you've described in the story, not only with things as blindness and child abuse, of which I know by now. It is quite clear you know too well about what you do write. You had certainly no easy life, and I admire it how you dealt with it.

I am sorry for your recent losses and feel with you. Hopefully it is not too bad for you.

Hugs, Kitty

Author Reply: Kitty, I am now in my middle years and am a grandparent. My daughter lost two babes and raised two more; and other friends and even former students have done similarly. Have held hands, seen regrets expressed and heard lost dreams confessed by the same ones who dote on those children who lived.

As one writer and minister, Robert Fulgham, once noted, "Life is lumpy." It isn't all sweetness and light. But you find what you seek--if you only look for the dark times, that's all you'll see. I've looked at all the students I've known who have gone on to do wonderful things and rejoice in them. I've seen how my daughter, who of all things dropped out of school to marry young, who has somehow made of that a joyful commitment and who has gone on to become a teacher of sorts herself, and am amazed at God's ability to bring delight out of what for far too many leads to downward spirals. I've seen my daughter and son-in-law learning about the learning disabilities and other biochemical imbalance conditions rampant in both's birth families, and insisting that my grandsons learn to overcome them, and am proud of the four of them. "All things work to the good for those who love the Lord" has become my beacon of hope, particularly as I see it coming true day by day.

As one who is no longer young, I've seen a good deal of loss; but far more of triumph. It's just that the triumphs don't seem to be noted as much as the losses.

As Tolkien wrote many of his own life experiences into LOTR, I've tried to do similarly. And if I've managed to bring delight to such as you, that's one more joy to add to the score.

Thank you for following this and my other stories.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 43 on 6/30/2005
Oh what an ending Larner. And what a magnificent summing up of the Frodo Baggins that we have grown to know in so much detail and love even more through your writing. I am now looking for a clear space in my diary for a long and leisurely re-read to tied me over until your next Nuzgul is let loose.

Thank you, too, for the insights you offer through your answers to reviews and your Author's notes. I am single and although I find much joy in my God-children, my only Nephew and the many children that I teach, I find the realisation that I will never have a child of my own harder to come to terms with than I thought. The theme of this story has resonated deeply with me. I have held the hands of a few friends who have suffered the trauma of a miscarriage and I found your idea surrounding Gilraen's other children to be both believable and comforting. Well done indeed.

Author Reply: As a child I thought I wouldn't want to bear my own children, as fearful as I am of needles and such. When it came time to have them, however, I found the knowledge I would most likely have none of my own was devastating, which made the one time I might have conceived that much harder to bear.

That I have added to the love others hold for our already well-beloved Frodo means a great deal to me. Thank you, thank you very much for your words of encouragement and appreciation. They have made it worthwhile.

Breon BriarwoodReviewed Chapter: 43 on 6/30/2005
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I'm sure your love sustains them even now.

*hugs*

What a shame to see this end. The love you pour into your stories definitely makes itself known. I will eagerly await any further adventures you choose to take us on.

Author Reply: My Rosie was a rather large pomeranian, my sweet girl, the surprise pup I'd not thought to see. She died Monday of complications brought on by undiagnosed diabetes and kidney failure. I'm sure my mother and husband are both loving her devotedly.

The other is the mother of one of my best friends, who was as a second mother to me.

Both deaths were surprises, I must say. But thank you for the compassion expressed. It is greatly appreciated.

And am so glad you've enjoyed this so.

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