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The Acceptable Sacrifice  by Larner 13 Review(s)
harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 48 on 10/3/2007
Oops! I had forgotten this. Thanks for reminding me Larner.

Author Reply: Glad you enjoyed reading it again. Thank you for sparking the other story!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/18/2005
I rejoice at any little amount of joy Frodo has - this time seeing the White Tree growing again. And I ache at his suffering, but so glad Sam is ever there. Truly the lap of a friend and brother is a good place to be...

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: At last in the end the suffering is eased. He never gets all he ever desired, but gets what he needs, which are often two completely different things. And he has so many who love him, after all.

But you are right, having one by him who cares so for him is a blessing. Just don't forget Sam isn't the only one who seeks to bless him.

Author Reply: ps--It's also something Frodo tends when he feels bad to overlook--that he has these continuing moments of joy and delight in between the bouts. I truly believe he was meant to be able to know joy unbridled again before he finally died, and that this was why he was allowed to go to Tol Eressea.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/18/2005
Poor Frodo - to go through so much without Aragorn being there, especially the humiliation of the experience with the healer.

Oh the tree at last! What a lovely image I have now of the slightly bewildered but happy baby tree being cradled by the King, and the respect shown to the old White Tree - I've always loved the respect shown to trees in the book and you portrayed it perfectly.

Author Reply: Oh, Baggins Babe, am so glad you approve of how this was written. The White Trees and the Mallorns are the last remaining reflections of the Undying Lands in Middle Earth, and I think that Aragorn, realizing how swiftly the last of his wife's people will leave now, would truly treasure them for that reason as well as the ties the White Tree gives his line to the Valar.

GrumpyReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/18/2005
I love the baby tree!! I bet the warden was surprized to see the king and wizard coming the wrong way, with follage sticking out of the kings clothes. Poor Hardon still trying to do his job, and Frodo; one thing setting off his other achs and pains.

Author Reply: Chuckles and sighs side by side, and everyone trying to do what's right, even when it takes them into different directions at the same time. Aragorn probably appreciates the distraction, however.

Queen GaladrielqReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/17/2005
I enjoyed the brief look into Aragorn's past here, and the care with which he bore and planted the white tree. As to Frodo...*sigh* oh dear. I was afraid the respite wouldn't last long. And Aragorn gone too. On another note, Frodo's and Sam's natures shine so truly in their reactions to the sapling: Frodo's gentleness and love of living things, and Sam's gardener's love and good sense. I'm off to read the next one. God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: The Tree renewed, Frodo knowing more discomfort (I'd written about it before and had to explain it) and relief, and more moments when we see how those three at the heart of the story react to the sign the Kingdom of Gondor and Line of Kings are both renewed. So glad you appreciate it.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/17/2005
So the sapling of the White Tree is found at last!

I think what I most enjoyed here was the conversation between Ecthelion and Thorongil. Ecthelion was a man of insight and wisdom, who clearly was not proud and overambitious. How sad that Denethor failed of his early promise, giving in to spite and envy, and thus allowing the Enemy a foothold in his spirit. And how very sad that his father knew this had happened, that his son was taking hold of an ambition that he had always eschewed.

Poor Frodo! I certainly hope that Aragorn finds out how that healer acted when he came!! Honestly, such a lack of empathy and bedside manner!

But I am so glad he got the chance to greet the new Tree!

Author Reply: Yes, the sapling is found, and we see a hint of the relationship between Thorongil and his mentor within Gondor. Yes, to see the weaknesses as well as the strengths of his son must have been a burden to Ecthelion; while realizing his father wished the King returned rather than his own accession as ruling Steward must have torn Denethor within his heart.

Aragorn will find out about the healer, of course; and of course Frodo and Sam were among the first to show honor to the White Tree. But I felt those who comprised the Guard deserved first full crack at it--this, after all, is their life and sacred trust!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/17/2005
Interesting view of the Stewards! I feel with Ecthelion, it is obvious he knew who Thorongil truly was and tried to convince him to take the Winged Crown. He must’ve been very disappointed, although he couldn’t dismiss Thorongils opinion lightly. And I see he knew his own son very well – as did Thorongil.

Aragorn will be *so* relieved to have found the sapling as the sign he needed! Now he can wait assured his beloved will come. Maybe it will even cheer up Frodo. Poor guy, to be so sick just when Aragorn is not available!

Author Reply: Glad you find my depiction of Ecthelion to be interesting. And I believe that it was his own realization that Denethor's envy was getting in the way of his common sense that made him more eager for Aragorn to claim the throne himself to spare the nation Denethor's ambition and suspicion, which in the long run as we know became destructive. At least Aragorn can see beyond just Denethor to see how much more destructive a civil war could be, and just at a time when Gondor needs to be gearing up to protect against Sauron's incursions.

And, yes, Aragorn is relieved indeed. Not only does Arwen come, but there is the sign he has needed to show that his kingship is divinely sanctioned and likely to have positive issue.

AmyReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/17/2005
Oh, the Tree at last!

*weeps with joy*

Author Reply: Yes, the Tree at last. (Larner passes the box of tissues.) Aragorn is now certain Arwen is indeed coming, and that there is likely to be issue to their marriage.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/17/2005
Yay, the sapling has been found! Aragorn can start to look forward to his beloved's arrival.

Frodo doesn't seem too well, though. He's not got a lot of resilience now - any setback can be serious. Has Sam picked up his healing invocation yet? He is a better person to help than odd healers from the Houses of Healing.

Author Reply: I don't think Sam has fully trusted in his own abilities until they leave Rivendell, although he's definitely trying to find some combination of herbs that might assist Frodo. No, Frodo doesn't have a great deal of resilience, which is a major part of the problem right now.

But Aragorn does have his own hope now fully in place.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 48 on 12/17/2005
Oh! *cough, cough* This was so, *sniff*, solemn and joyful. *sneeze* Would love to hear more of Thorongil and Ecthelion. *rubs eyes so I can read*. And I know how Frodo feels about new healers! Having to explain a complicated medical history to someone new can be sooo boring! *shivers and wants to run back under the covers but has to go to work.*

BTW Glad I gave your fauntling a giggle! Wish her and all your house-ful a happy Yule from me.
Got home yesterday to discover Mum now has a second pressure sore on the other side so bang goes ANY hope of her being home for Christmas!

Author Reply: Solemn joy is good, I agree. Hope to work on something about Thorongil and Ecthelion in the future, but gotta get the nuzgul out of the jewelry box first, I fear.

As for new healers--I've been horribly needlephobic since early childhood (long story involving LOTS of penecillin shots when I was three and they didn't understand about how to PROPERLY treat allergic reactions--am now allergic to penecillin as well as whatever triggered what appears to have been antiphalactic shock (sp?) when I was three); every time I get a new doctor I have to break them into the fact they AREN'T going to get a blood test from me every time they want one unless they somehow knock me out first. Nurses who work in the labs tend to shudder when they see me come in, white and shaking.

My prayers for you mom--blast! Just what she DOESN'T need right now.

The munchkin is with her daddy this weekend, but will relay your greetings when she returns on Sunday night.

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