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The Acceptable Sacrifice  by Larner 15 Review(s)
Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 76 on 2/1/2014
This is so tender. I love what you show of Gimli here. He gets overlooked too much, I think. I'm glad he and Frodo had this moment together.

I've been on a write-a-thon all day working on what I hope will be a novel. It's dealing with some pretty heavy stuff at the moment. This story is just as heavy, but for some reason, reading it recharges my batteries for more of my own writing. Maybe because for all my style and yours are different, and fanfiction and original contemporary fiction are very different genres...I want to write this deeply and have this level of insight, and just be this awesome as a writer when I grow up! *grin*

Author Reply: I do like to include Gimli when I can. He is such a beloved character for all of us, I think. And I do hope the novel is working out.

And when I grow up.... Heh!

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 76 on 2/15/2006
Sorry I have not done reviewed lately. I had some kind of bug, that has given me much sympathy for Frodo and his eating problems.
Anyways, loved this chapter of Gimli, and his time in the Shire. Always did like the dwarf. Glad he was able to do some work in Bag End. Plus bring back news to Aragorn.

Author Reply: Oh, I can certainly appreciate the stomach problems myself. A virus went through here a few weeks ago when everyone was getting sick to the stomach and feeling weak and tired and slightly feverish. I caught it at a time when I was already having problems, which made them twice as bad, of course.

And am so glad you liked Gimli's short visit to the Shire and Bag End, and his additions to the beauty and restoration of Frodo's home.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 76 on 1/29/2006
“Not as we can tell,” Sam answered. “I’m not certain as which had the room destroyed, that Sharkey or Lotho--both hated the Master, after all.” Hmmm ... it is difficult to be sure, but I’d think it was mostly Saruman. Lotho may have hated Frodo, but I had the impression he and his mother truly wanted to live in Bag End – why should he destroy their home to *this* extent?

Nice to see Pando again. And it is amusing that Gimli was so surprised about Pando’s assumption he didn’t like the ‚pestilential Elf’ *grin* Truly, what had he expected after *this* remark?

Anyway, it’s wonderful that Gimli helped a bit in the restoring of Bag End and particularly that he did the carvings. Oh, and it was very farsighted of Galadriel to send the carpets!

Somehow it’s a pity Gimli didn’t meet Eglantine. I’d like to know what he would tell her about the Quest and her attitude to deny there was any real danger. But I know, it wouldn’t fit in with the earlier fics.
His last meeting with Frodo was so touching! I am glad Gimli told him what he did. Maybe it is another step in the right direction for Frodo! And a very sympathetic side of our gruff Dwarf, too.

Gimli’s report from the Shire is not a very nice surprise for poor Aragorn and Arwen, I fear. Probably another hint for them they will not see Frodo again in this life.

Author Reply: I, too, suspect that it was Saruman who ordered the destruction in Frodo's room. As for Gimli and Pando--I think that Gimli forgets that not all others appreciate Dwarvish humor, and that most have no idea he is actually close friends with Legolas.

Of course Galdadriel would have foreseen the need for the carpets; and Gimli would want to leave his touch as well as a visual blessing for Frodo and Sam to appreciate as they looked at the floors and the mantels in Frodo's and Bilbo's old rooms.

I'm sure that Gimli's indication he would most likely accompany Frodo when the time came for Legolas to leave helped Frodo accept his own invitation in the end. And I certainly agree how Aragorn and Arwen would have felt saddened. You are right--never again in Middle Earth would they meet face to face.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 76 on 1/29/2006
It was nice to see Gimli in the Shire and for him to help in the restoration of Bag End. I liked the fact that he made stars in the floor and the trees that he carved in the posts on the sides of the fireplace. It was just good for him to be there and to help even if he didn't get to see everyone too much. Then it was good for him to report it all back to Aragorn even if it was hard for Aragorn to hear it and accept it all. It must have been frustrating for him to have to be in Gondor when he really wanted to be there in the Shire helping those he loved and cared for. Life is like that though - duty and responsibilities keeps us away from things we would rather be doing. (I know I would rather be writing fanfiction than going to work at lot of days! :)

Author Reply: I truly think that once he'd seen the condition of the smial Gimli would be right in there doing what he does best with whatever stonework needed doing.

And Aragorn would grieve he couldn't leave his responsibilities in the South to be with Frodo when Frodo needed it.

I, too, prefer reading and writing to working many days, although it is satisfying as well.

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 76 on 1/28/2006
My thoughts and prayers to Baggins Babe and Harrowcat for their family troubles.A Loving, sweet chapter, Larner. of course Gimli would be welcome in the Shire. Probably everyone knew about Bilbo's many visitors. I am sure that even those who did not quite approve of so much foreign delings would have known them.What a lovely thought, to have Gimli help restore Bag End. And besides the soil, giving a little bit of what Lothlorien had once been to become part of the Shire, Galadriel has sent carpet to bless Bag End.There were a great many people of many races and lands who loved those four Hobbits.
Even though Frodo could not find final healing in the Shire, I am sure that Bag End was as full of love and comfort as any home could be for the short time he was there.Lovely chapter.

Author Reply: So glad you appreciate it, and am forwarding your note of prayers to Harrowcat and Baggins Babe.

Frodo made Sam his heir, for all he had been and had and for what he might have been and had, and indeed the new stonework and the carvings and the new carpets from Lorien all served to help bless Bag End for the family Frodo had so long desired to see fill Bag End, even if it was Sam's and not his own engendering.

Yes, for what time Frodo had in it, it was as close to being home for him as any place might be.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 76 on 1/28/2006
What a perfect notion, that Gimli should work on restoring Bag End, and so fitting that he puts stars in the stonework.

The conversation between Frodo and Gimli was so touching - he's such a dear gruff soppy old Dwarf really. I'm glad he was able to give Frodo some comfort.

You capture the feelings and emotions wonderfully.

Sorry I haven't reviewed much this week. Had to have my older dog put to sleep three days ago and we're all rattling around because the house suddenly seems too big. He had a huge personality.

Author Reply: Thanks for the appreciation for Gimli's hand in the restoration, and for the stars. A Dwarf with heart and caring for all his friends is a treasure indeed, and I am certain he helped Frodo.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I lost two of ours a few months back and it was indeed a shock. Laddie was an elderly retired guide dog, and Rosie died of kidney failure secondary to diabetes. I had no idea at all she was diabetic until her kidneys failed. It was a shock to lose them both. So my prayers are with you and your family in your loss.

Author Reply: And, from demeter d: My thoughts and prayers to Baggins Babe and Harrowcat for their family troubles.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 76 on 1/28/2006
What a contrast between the wonderful work Gimli did at Bag End and the desolate state it was in when the ruffians left. It is as if they did everything to destroy Frodo's home beyond repair, and all only for one purpose: to show him their deep hatred for what he had done with the Ring.

But hobbits don't give up so easily and Gimli's observations of their fine workmanship show us in detail how they rebuild their homes. And the dwarf joins them in their work to let Bag End look better than it ever has. I particularly liked the carvings around the mantlepiece.

“I hope you’ll accept your invitation also, Frodo Baggins. If anyone ever deserved it, it’s you, far more than me.”

I loved the conversation between Gimli and Frodo and the honesty that lies in Gimli's words. Maybe he helped Frodo to make the last decision.

Author Reply: Sharkey had wanted to leave Frodo without a hope of having things anywhere near what he'd remember, and as you pointed out to punish him for his courtesy on the road as well as the loss of the Ring. Saruman lost all hope at becoming the "guiding light" for Middle Earth when the Ring went into the fire.

And am so glad you like the carvings.

I think this is just one more of the events which in the end helped Frodo make the final decision.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 76 on 1/28/2006
It is a nice thought that Gimli visited the Shire.I can well believe that Aragorn would be furious when he learned what had happened.

Author Reply: As Dwarves were not affected by the ban on Men entering the Shire, I think Gimli made the perfect one to bring the larger things left behind in Gondor; and that he'd help in the reconstruction of Bag End as he could seemed logical. And I agree--Aragorn was undoubtedly upset for Frodo when he learned how specifically Frodo and those close to him were targeted.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 76 on 1/28/2006
It's good to see Gimli in the Shire! He makes a good go-between to make contact with both Frodo and Aragorn. And his words on accepting the place on the ship would probably mean more to Frodo that anyone else's.

It would be difficult to go back to Bag End, I think, knowing it had been systematically destroyed out of sheer viciousness. I'm not sure that even its loving repair could quite wipe out the feeling of contamination.

Quite a lot of the Shirefolk are determinedly wearing blinkers - but some of them are beginning to understand more.

Author Reply: Of the Fellowship, I think Gimli would be most easily accepted, and indeed helps both Frodo and Aragorn to know what's happening in the other place. And you are right--that Gimli is accepting his own grace will help Frodo to accept the gift offered him.

I know what you mean about the feeling of contamination; but love can cancel out a good deal of the feeling of violation.

And, yes, some are beginning to open themselves to understanding.

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 76 on 1/27/2006
Yay for Gimli! He just got right to work, didn't he? I'm sure the Hobbits were happy to have him helping, and his assistance probably meant that Bag End was finished much sooner than it would otherwise have been. In fact, I'll bet it looked better than it did before, since a Dwarf worked on it with such love and care.

I think Aragorn is just going to have to face up to the fact that you can't force somebody to believe something. Merry and Pippin's parents are in deep denial, probably shielding themselves from a reality they can't bear to face, and they will not understand until they are full ready and willing to do so.

Author Reply: Yes, we have the best of the best to see to the stonework here, and he's certainly caught the attention of one young Hobbit who one day will approach a sculptor from Gondor in the hopes of learning to do what he's seen Gimli do, added to what he learns Frodo's father did.

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