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In Darkness Buried Deep  by GamgeeFest 8 Review(s)
RenaissanceGrrlReviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/13/2006
"Only because I'm so sneaky." This, for some reason, particularly cracked me up. Teehee...

What is it with Merry being so obsessed with faces and hair?

SPAMMIT, THAT WAS A REAL TEAR!

Author Reply: Merry's a baby and baby's are always patting people's faces and pulling their hair, especially when they see someone is distraught. :)

Yes! I made you cry! Now you can't say you've never cried reading a fic! Muahahahahaha! *clears throat* :D

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/27/2005
I nearly cried when I read the scene with Frodo and the little boat. Such a fitting way to say a proper good-bye to his parents. I wonder if he ever told Merry about it later on? Simply lovely.

Author Reply: Thank you!

The little boat was a last minute addition. The first part of this chapter was originally the epilogue, but as I said before, when I added the song earlier in the story, I then wrote a new epilogue and turned this into a full-fledged chapter. I'm glad I did it, if only to give Frodo this much-needed moment of closure. He's such a thoughtful young hobbit, and he finally, with the help of his friends, figured out what he needed to do to help his parents. He couldn't go to them, but he could send them another boat.

I'm sure that Merry did eventually learn much about Frodo's years in Brandy Hall once he was older. These are things Frodo would want him to know, but he would also want to make sure Merry was old enough to understand before he sat him down and spoke to him about them.

AmiReviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/25/2005
This has been an incredible story. I loved how you showed Frodo's gentle nature and how he brings out the best in people. Its wonderful to see how much he is loved and respected in Brandy Hall and eventually in the future. I will be sad to see this story ending. I am very happy, however, I have discovered your wonderful writing talents, and I will look forward to each and every one of your stories of now now. Regards and happy writing to you!

Author Reply: Frodo does have a way of making people show their better halves, and it is his gentle nature that make his friends so fiercely loyal toward him. He is loved by quite a lot of his relations, though he still cannot see it. Still, he has been able to let go his grief, so now perhaps he will be more receptive to the love that others have been waiting to share with him.

Thank you so much for reading and for reviewing. Feel free to read my other stories posted here, if you have the time. There will be more to come after this as well. I look forward to hearing from you again. *hugs*

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/25/2005
Wow! That was really beautiful!
From now on there will be a strong bond between Frodo, Edon and Gil! Both of the tweens helped Frodo to finally let go of his parents, to "make peace with the river", as someone pointed out and, what's the most important thing, to make peace with himself.

I'm glad that Piper and Edon are together again. There will be a happy ending for the both of them, even if it's not certain, what they will decide.

Only one chapter to follow? That's really sad, but I'm sure there will be lots of other stories :)

Author Reply: Thank you!

They will always share a special bond, no matter how far apart from each other their lives may take them. They will be the type of friends who could go years without seeing each other, but once reunited, start talking as if not a day has passed. They've all helped each other to grow and learn and let go of the things that were holding them back. Most important for Frodo was the letting go of his parents. He can now begin the healing process, which is long overdue.

I'm sure Piper has serious reservations about continuing a relationship with Edon after what he revealed, but she's practical enough to see that he is sincere in carrying out his punishment and accepting what he did. They will come through this all the stronger for it, just as Edon and Gil. Whatever the future has in store for them, they will be facing it together.

Just one left, and yes, there are more stories to follow. Thanks so much for reading and for your lovely reviews. :)

JulieReviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/25/2005
That was lovely. The part with Frodo and the River was such a bittersweet and yet also a heat-touchingly beautiful scene. I especially liked how important it was to Frodo that Sara and Esme be there with him for support and for dealing with their own grief as well in a way. The way you developed Frodo and Edon's budding friendship was also very well done. As always, I eagerly await more!

Author Reply: Frodo knew he couldn't have gone through with his plan without Esme and Sara there with him. That he asked for them to come, though he still didn't really let them in on what he had in mind, was a big step forward in his relationship with them. Yet just like everyone else, they still have a long way to go to forming a mutual and fully open and trusting relationship. It will require a lot of work, and thankfully, they all seem up for the challenge.

Frodo's first encounter with the River was not going to be easy, but it wasn't as horrible as he feared it would be. Memories were stirred and heartaches remembered, but he was able to let go in the end. He's beginning to heal at last. Good has come from bad, ten-fold.

Frodo, Edon and Gil will share a special bond after all that's happened. Though their lives will take them in several different directions, they will always remember this time fondly.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/25/2005
A sad, gentle, and necessary letting go. Glad he could come to this.

Thank you.

Author Reply: It's been a learning and growing experience for everyone, most especially for Frodo. He's been needing to accept the truth of his parents death, and twice now he's spoken the words out loud. With that acceptance, he can finally move forward with the grieving process and let them go. He'll now be able to go on with his life, though it won't always be easy.

Lotrgirl1415Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/24/2005
I love this story and shall be sad to see it go.
Will there be a prequel?
Also...I love fanfics like this one; do you have any recommendations?
Lots of love,
--Katie


Author Reply: I do have a prequel in mind, but I don't know when it will be written. The muses have been rather quiet of late, and there are also other stories in progress and/or waiting for posting. If you haven't discovered "The River" by Indigo Bunting yet, you should check that one out. There's some good Sam and Legolas angst in that one.

I'm glad you've enjoyed this story so much. It always makes me happy to know that. I've appreciated your reviews. Just one more update to go with this story, but as I said, there will be more stories coming.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/24/2005
A very nice chapter, as you begin to tie up loose ends.

Edon's taken his punishment well, and learned what he needed to learn from it. I like that Piper took her time to think it over, and the way she went back to him. I wonder if they will end up in Branbourne or in Buckland?

I rather knew what Frodo was making and why--and it seemed only fitting. And now he has more or less made his peace with the River--though I think it may still come back from time to time.

I'll be sorry to see an end of it, though. I've been enjoying it so very much.

Author Reply: Edon's starting to grow up at last. He's realized that his actions have consequences and that he needs to take that into consideration before he acts. His lessons in humility, though a bit harsh, were no less than what he deserved and what he needed to, well, get over himself.

Piper's practical if nothing else. That cloak will be rather like his scarlet letter, but he'll wear it with honor rather than shame. Wherever they eventually end up, they'll be happy enough. I can see them making a go of it in either place, but only time will really tell.

Frodo's finally "helped" his parents and in doing so, has put some closure on their deaths. He will never completely come to peace with his loss, but he will be able to face the River from here on out and sleep in peace for awhile.

Thanks again for reading!

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