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Moments in Time  by Larner 12 Review(s)
Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 48 on 3/11/2008
Oh, Larner, I love this one, for all it's so sad. I wish Lilith's time hadn't been so short, but I'm glad that the poor woman knew true love and gave--or received--that unique gift before she died.

And again Frodo shows his remarkable and perhaps not altogether conscious ability to touch the lives of those who most need the light he shines, relieving her loneliness and at the last witnessing a beautiful wedding.
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you were able to read this one. It's not how long one lives that makes for a successful life, but how many lives one touches for the better along the way, and how much joy you are able to know in yourself and in your relationships.

And am so glad you see Frodo ever leaving his particular Light shining on the lives of others. I believe Lilith would have known a particular joy having him witness her wedding.

RhyselleReviewed Chapter: 48 on 3/9/2008
I weep, I smile, I cheer.

How very wonderful to see such a reunion between two, each who thought the other lost, even though they will have so little time together before they must separate once more. And how wonderful for Frodo to have made such a friend as Lillith.

I like to think that it was their conversations that at last allowed Frodo to admit to Narcissa his feelings even if his health would not allow him to act upon them. Although, truly, now I wish that you would write an AU scene in which, despite his failing health and hold on Middle-earth, Frodo and Narcissa DID marry before the end, whether that end be his traveling over the Sea or deciding to accept the Gift of Men in Middle-earth.

I have really enjoyed reading the different chapters in this series of short stories and am, I have to admit, somewhat envious of your ability to write so much so frequently, when my own muse seems to be flighty and prone to disappearing when my children and other responsibilities command my time.

Wonderful tale!

Author Reply: I like to think that Frodo had more to him than just being the Ringbearer and a scholar. He must have had desires for physical love, a desire I'm certain the Ring would hae sought to exploit and distort. Now he is free, wouldn't he find those stirrings reasserting themselves in a more natural way? And had he met someone like Lilith, wouldn't she seek to help him accept that part of himself?

I don't know if I'll do such an AU. White Gull and Cuthalion have done such marvelous jobs at giving Frodo such relationships, after all. But I'll agree to think on it--my muse seems to be intent lately on keeping me from finishing "Stirring Rings" and "The Tenant," after all!

I did have several days on which I might write plus a job that left me with open time late at night when I needed SOMETHING to keep me awake! Now that I'm on day shift at last we'll see how things go.

AlassielReviewed Chapter: 48 on 2/25/2008
Hello Larner,

There are many kinds of love, and all are no less love. I am glad that Frodo was able to give to this woman, who may have known pleasure but rarely love, a glimpse of it, and I am glad that she was able to help him along the road to healing by giving him love as well. That her captain found her and wed her was beautiful, for then she truly knew what love is. I read this and the following story twice this week-end. Thank you.

Blessings,

Alassiel




Author Reply: Am so very glad you found they spoke to you, Alassiel! The two of them needed one another for the moment, I think; and Androd needed to find her and show her he'd truly come to love her as all deserve to be loved. Thank you so!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 48 on 1/8/2008
That was a very touching story, Larner! Poor Lilith, after all she's gone through it had to be a huge comfort to her that Frodo visited her frequently. Her kiss to him near the end was a very special gift. Only a pity it was the only one he got, as he never courted Narcissa.

When Aragorn talked with the Captain, I very soon guessed who he was and was a bit surprised Frodo didn't realise, too. But anyway, Aragorn did in the end and brought them together again, and I was very glad he married her, even if she was already dying.

Author Reply: Yes, at least she knows she's not alone in her last days. I suspect that Frodo and Pearl might have kissed on occasion, too, which would be how he was experienced enough to thoroughly kiss Lilith; but I agree he OUGHT to have courted Narcissa--or Lily Proudfoot, or one of the other possible loves folks have come up with for him!

Whether Frodo wasn't paying close enough attention or just not wanting to make the connection is the question, I suppose. And Lilith deserved the chance to know she was so loved, and to take that memory and joy with her, as well as the memory of Frodo witnessing the event.

Thanks so much!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 48 on 1/6/2008
A touching bitter sweet story. I see you agree with me that the Numenoreans are not easily tempted tostray.Poor Lilith, a sad and brave woman and very vivid OC.

Author Reply: Am so glad you also find it touching. I've always tended to see those of Numenorean descent as being similar to the Elves in that it was difficult for them to have their hearts stirred more than once, and they tended not to just couple about anywhere, so that's how I tend to write them. And I'm so glad you appreciate this OC--she's been playing with my imagination a bit lately, or so I've found!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 48 on 1/4/2008
Frodo felt the twist within himself that grieved that her captain had been restored to her, but an even stronger feeling of triumph, one that surprised him with its intensity.

Perfectly described, Larner!

It was wonderful to see that Lilith's Captain saw much more in her than all the others before and after him. The marriage at the end is the best proof. Only true love counts.

Frodo's short hesitation to act as their witness is very understandable. Lilith gave him a precious gift! She gave him hope! For the Ring did not destroy everything. And she was very attractive.

However, I still wonder how much of the conversation between the captain and Aragorn Frodo overheard when he stood at the door. Did he recognise there and then who this captain was?
If so, I would still understand why he didn't inform Aragorn immediately.
He did not know then, but it would have cost him a kiss!





Author Reply: There must have been at least one stab of jealousy, or so I'd think. And, like Brendi was convinced, better to know the grief of a love lost than to know the more bitter regret that the love was never made real and official, to know that last warmth together!

Am so very glad that you appreciate that hesitation, but that it was swiftly and thoroughly eclipsed as he realized THIS was the true love for her.

I don't think he'd completely filled in the blanks till he saw them together.

And that kiss was a shared gift, I think, between the two of them. Too bad, though, when he went back to the Shire, he didn't follow her suggestions and seek out Narcissa or let another love find him.

Thank you so for the feedback.

Theresa GreenfalconReviewed Chapter: 48 on 1/3/2008
That is one incredible story - shows that true love doesn't see just the physicality of the beloved, but something deeper. I truly enjoyed this one.


Author Reply: I'm so glad you liked it, Theresa. You are so right about love being deeper than just physical attraction. Thanks so much!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 48 on 1/3/2008
A perfect little tale Larner that moved me immensely. I am glad that Lilith found her Captain. Of course some of this impacts a little on Frodo's reactions in certain parts of 'A King's Commission' but you have slotted it in so well.
Happy New Year.

Author Reply: I'm so glad that this moved others as well. We've had a discussion on one list as to what kind of interbreeding might have happened between different races, and whether the so-called faerie-wife was indeed a fairy or perhaps an Elf or Maia; but what might have happened had a woman from among Men become attracted to a Hobbit? And certainly Frodo must have gathered his own degree of attraction.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 48 on 1/2/2008
This is beautiful. It reminds me of the poem, "Evangeline" by Longfellow in some ways. I love the way in which Frodo helps her through he last days and how she manages to surprise and help him as well. Beautifully done.

Author Reply: I've never been compared to "Evangeline" before. I just felt I wanted to see Frodo do a thorough kiss of someone, someone who would be able to give him something as much as he helped her, and this is what came out.

Thank you so much, Grey Wonderer. I am honored.

HalrohirReviewed Chapter: 48 on 1/2/2008
Hello Again, larner:

I read this lovely piece of work with the bittersweet feeling of sadness and triumph mixed. How wonderful that you reunited Lilith at the last, with her beloved Captain. And just as wonderful, was the romance you spun between Lilith and Frodo! You didn't go into any graphic details, just simply wrote what the observer would see and hear - a wonderful writing device.

Well Done, Once Again!

HALROHIR

Author Reply: I obviously was able to achieve the feelings I was trying for. No, I try not to go into graphic details, but I did wish in this story for it to indicate that Frodo was indeed stirred by her. Anyway, as one individual once indicated to me, the most important faculty to have functioning properly in a good romance is a responsive imagination, as it can and will heighten the joy and delight of the situation more than almost anything else.

Thank you so much for the comments, Halrohir.

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