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Moments in Time  by Larner 14 Review(s)
PeriantariReviewed Chapter: 18 on 4/9/2007
Gosh, I am stricken by the vivid description you use to describe Frodo and Sam's wounds... And also love how you refer to Frodo's beauty in several times over the course of the fic.

Lovely last line: Then he was leaning over Frodo and Sam, seeing the great beauty both held, intent on bringing it back to fullness as he invoked his own Light of Being in his search to find theirs....
Just... yes, i love this so much because indeed they truly were in the brink of death before released into a healing sleep by Aragorn.

::loves this fic too::

Author Reply: Am so very glad you liked this one, Periantri. This was written for the "In the Eye of the Beholder" challenge on Henneth Annun, and it was interesting to think of how the various individuals might have looked on Frodo in the days he was closest to death as a direct result of the final assault on Mordor itself.

The beauty of the spirits of both these individuals was so very great, particularly once they set themselves to do what they did in defense of all of Middle Earth. Aragorn was prepared for his part in the final war against the Enemy; they were not. He had to search intently to find their spirits and recall them to themselves, and in the eyes of those who came to love Sam and Frodo they were beautiful indeed.

Glad you are reading so many of these stories that have been on for a time.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/1/2006
This small one needs cherishing.

But with the last of the blood and grime washed away, Aragorn could see Frodo’s own familiar features once more, as beautiful as only this one could ever be, the Light of Stars clearly shining about him. He was so fragile looking, so fragile and fair, and so close to abandoning his earthly prison.

True beauty cannot be hidden. He was blessed with physical beauty as well as spiritual. Sam is lovely as well because it shines from his heart.

So many did cherish Frodo and many more he did not know - us! Sorry it's taken so long to read this...busy! And many thanks for all your kind reviews of Via! :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane


Author Reply: Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam are all beautiful beings--as beautiful as the Elves each in his way, and in ways moreso because, being mortal, their beauty is transient and will pass beyond reach of others as they finally leave the Bounds of Arda. And indeed many have been increased in stature through having known all these characters via the book.

And so glad my comments are so welcome. Thanks.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/1/2006
Intriguing view of different people at Frodo. Sam’s was no surprise, of course, and the same goes for Aragorn and Legolas, but reading through the part with Gorbag I didn’t know if to laugh or to be angry. How *dare* this bag of filth to think Frodo ugly?? Well, I suppose it is the way orcs have to think, but still, I was rather annoyed with him.Idiot.

Landroval, on the other hand, was touching. He clearly sensed that Frodo was somehow special, and it was nice that he wanted to care for him.

Didn’t Sam somewhere wonder how they had cleaned and repaired his cloak? Now we know how it was done. You know, this spell could be useful. It would spare so much work. And would be so much better for the environment than all the chemical products nowadays used for washing ;)

All in all, it is good to know that so many different people note Frodo's Light of Being, and each of them in his own way.

Author Reply: The challenge was to examine something that would be beautiful from one point of view but ugly from another; Gorbag seemed the best candidate to see Frodo as ugly. Then the other POVs insisted on being included. Certainly the POV of one of the Great Eagles would be a unique one; yet, being a bird, how would he see this weak creature he's just rescued from certain death? And I found Landroval was at first made repugnant and then equated Frodo with an eaglet, which rather surprised me at the time.

Sam's cloak was returned to him before the feast at Cormallen cleaned and healed of its hurts--well, there wasn't time to send it to Lorien for repair, so I finally figured out that Gandalf, now his purpose has been met, no longer felt constrained from using his power fairly freely when it was the most efficient way to do something along this line. Too bad we don't have a spare Gandalf or Radagast around to work such magic, huh? (grinning)

And each individual would react to Frodo somewhat differently, I think.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/30/2006
*gasping* One of your best yet. The use of differing and non-human viewpoints is brilliant. I'm simply prostrated at the sheer poetry of this one! What a gift!

~~~{~@

Author Reply: Oh, thank you, Armariel! And considering the beauty of your poetry, that is a great compliment indeed. Thank you.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/30/2006
This was very moving. Any change of a companion piece about Aragorn tending Pippin as this left me hungry for more?

Author Reply: It's always satisfying when I hear something I've written moves the reader. Yes, there's the chance, but am not certain as to how long it will take to see it come to be--you know how some nuzguls insist on prompt actions, and I have three major ones gnawing at me at the moment, two of which are in the process of being posted. The other's a bit less pushy, apparently assured it will get its proper due when the right time comes. It's been into the tinfoil, making crowns and circlets for itself and trying to press them on the plotbunnies that haven't escaped as yet.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/28/2006
The light is as bright as it has always been, but shining through a shell that is ever more translucent, it would seem. The orc point of view is interesting - as is the eagle's. I like his protectiveness - and his recognition of Aragorn.

Author Reply: Your review itself is poetic, Bodkin. Thank you!

Landroval just pushed his way in and told his own story; but I felt he would recognize the Eagle-like aspects of Aragorn if any creature would; and how would he feel toward such a small, helpless-appearing creature as he now clutched?

As for Gorbag--SHUDDER! Orcs and the Ringbearer make a strange combination, I found.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/27/2006
Don't have much time, so forgive me for not saying much. This could have been a prologue to Acceptable Sacrifice. You've picked out and dramatized some of the most moving moments here; I love them. Especially the one with the Eagles.
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: You know, this could indeed have served just as you've indicated. How marvelous an idea! Thank you. And am so glad the inclusion of Landroval's perception has proven so welcome.

Thank you for the idea, my Lady.

Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/27/2006
Tedicus Dexius Eclectus posts:

Glad to see credit givin where it's due. Just think
if it had not been for Ted Sandyman, Sam would lack the
needed skills to thwart a throttling from that nasty
sneak Gollum. Garn, but don't that make him a hero?
Ted Sandyman- personal trainer and self defense expert.
* "If you can survive me you can handle anything
life throws your way."


*quote from: "Ted Sandymans' School Of Hard Knocks"
copyright Bantam Publishing 1975

Author Reply: Ah, but Iluvatar knows his creatures so well He can even use their predictability to teach lessons to others they may well need some day, as well as to bring unexpected good out of an otherwise horrible situation.

And am looking forward to that book. Perhaps you could produce it here? (Hint, hint, hint....)

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/27/2006
Small and pitiful it looked, with neither feathers nor even proper fur to clothe it.

"This small one needs cherishing," Landroval said stiffly. "It needs strong meats, comforting, careful feeding."

Aragorn could see Frodo’s own familiar features once more, as beautiful as only this one could ever be, the Light of Stars clearly shining about him.


What a lovely series of scenes, where Frodo's Light and value are observed in such different ways.

Author Reply: Well, it WAS the "Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder" challenge, after all! And it's not just beauty or ugliness that might be seen in Frodo, I think.

And am so glad you appear to have liked it.

ElflingimpReviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/27/2006
Aw! that was really good ,just wish it went on and on ............but all good things must end!

Author Reply: Am so glad it left you wanting more--that's a wonderful compliment! Thank you, Elflingimp.

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