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Moments in Time  by Larner 5 Review(s)
Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 78 on 3/18/2009
Aw, I love this one. Love Sam's way of getting Frodo to talk whether he really wants to or not, love the whole depiction of this not-so-ordinary-after-all part of the trekk. And the end is chilling.

Author Reply: The challenge was to face this particular portion of the quest, indeep providing a gapfiller. It had been thought by Dreamflower perhaps I'd look at the Hobbits getting lost in the Emyn Muil; but I found that the trip about the foot of Amon Lhaw was far more provocative. As for Gollum's part in it--he, too, has his part to play....

Thanks so.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 78 on 3/9/2009
I loved this glimpse of Frodo's thoughts and you made me see the Hill in a new light as i'd not thought much about it before.

Author Reply: It's always reaffirming to know I've given someone something new to think about. Wonderful! Thank you, Linda.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 78 on 2/24/2009
Very good gapfiller here. I hadn't thought of the Hill of Hearing being avoided but can certainly understand why Frodo would want to! Our poor dear...indeed he has more than enough already of that voice, whispering, taunting, tempting, seducing, screaming, tearing, never silent. But still he went on and they went on. *hugs them both* Love Sam wrapping his treasure in both blankets and making sure he had plenty to eat. Such love and grace filled gifts would be sorely in need.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: I'd think that Frodo could have found himself at least facing the internal debate as to whether or not he wished to go to the top of this hill, too, but suspect that on reflecting on it he'd decided otherwise.

And Sam knows Frodo fully well by this time, of course. He's seen how difficult it's been for Frodo that day, and how much the argument with Boromir and finally making the decision has cost him!

And now both need one another!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 78 on 2/24/2009
But Sam had seen the one tear that rolled down his Master’s cheek, and knew that Frodo felt grief at having left the others behind.

Poor Frodo! On the one hand he fears to lead his companions to their deaths had they accompanied him to Mordor. On the other hand he feels guilty to have left them like a thief in the night, for all of them were there because of him!

I'm glad that Sam is there with a hope strong enough for both of them!

P.S. What would have happened if Merry and Pippin had not been captured and Aragorn and Legolas had indeed tried to find Frodo and Sam again? Do you think they would have been successful?

Author Reply: Oh, indeed he would feel torn at this moment, Andrea. He can hope that Boromir will lead the others to this city of his, to the safety he hopes for them and Aragorn to join in the final battle. And indeed he would feel guilty as well--had he done this before perhaps they could have been well on their way by now!

Would Aragorn and Legolas possibly have found them had Merry and Pippin not gotten captured? It is a distinct probability but at the same time Aragorn, realizing Frodo had chosen his own path, could have still chosen to take the westward path. But I suspect that Aragorn and Legolas could have found them much as they saw the signs of Pippin's momentary escape when pursuing them westward.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 78 on 2/24/2009
Nice gapfiller, to know what happened between Sam and Frodo after they left the others and how much Frodo told Sam about his encounter with Boromir at Amon Hen.

Frodo was certainly under no illusions and knew this was a suicide mission. Good to see Sam's resolve to have to hope for both of them. He doesn't know yet, but that was what saved both of them in the end - and probably the whole of Middle-earth.

You know, it was good that Frodo didn't know back then that the Uruk-hai had caught Merry and Pippin - it would have been another terrible burden for him.

Author Reply: It was interesting trying to imagine this period when I got the prompt from Dreamflower. We know that Sam could read Frodo pretty easily by this time, and I think he'd easily figure out that Boromir had tried to take the Ring. And I think that Frodo realized from very early on, but particularly after Boromir tried to take the Ring, that he would have to throw himself into the volcano in order to see It destroyed; that once he did that those with him would likely die as well was but a small step once that realization was made.

Sam's hope did indeed save them both and, in the end, all of Middle Earth, right alongside Frodo's endurance.

And I'm so glad they didn't know that Boromir was dead as yet and Merry and Pippin taken. I suspect you are all too accurate in Frodo's probable reaction had he known--just look at how grief-stricken he is in Henneth Annun when he fears this might be true!

Thanks for the feedback, Kitty!

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