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The Acceptable Sacrifice  by Larner 13 Review(s)
RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 80 on 2/21/2006
I liked the image of the four of them all sitting together there in peace and quiet and just enjoying the sun coming up. I doubt they had very few times of that - the four of them together once they returned to the Shire. Too many things to do.

Finally Sam has asked Rosie to marry him! It's about time for that poor hobbit lass! :)

Author Reply: Am behind with my responses to reviews. Fought a horrid migraine all day long, and am now wishing I could just crawl back into bed, which I intend to do shortly. The next chapter is written, but needs to be transferred to the server posting--will do so tomorrow. And have your last chapter downloaded to the laptop for reading and hope to read it tonight, if the headache allows.

Yes, it is indeed about time for Sam and Rosie to marry at last. I get so frustrated each time I read the books now that he waits so long to even ask her!

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 80 on 2/19/2006
Sam's wedding is going to be the do of the Age. Although I'm amused at the idea of Hobbits trying to pull together that big a party in just two weeks.

Moving on......

Author Reply: Well, if anyone could do it, I think that Sam, his family, and the Cottons could do it. And it will be a nice one, of that you can be certain.

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 80 on 2/17/2006
Alright Frodo is back in Bag End where he should be, and Sam has finally asked Rosie. I love the part about the tree. When Frodo touches the mallorn tree and feels Lord Erond, Arwin, Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. May the trees in the Shire grow strong.

Author Reply: Yes, life begins to return to normal for Frodo--not that it will ever truly be so. And for a moment he knows he isn't alone, which is something he desperately needs reassurance about.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 80 on 2/15/2006
Into the room which had eventually become Merry’s was placed a longer bed from the Great Smial which it was said had been made for Bandobras; a second which had been made for the Old Took, who had insisted his bed be the equal of that of the Bullroarer, went into the room which had become Pippin’s room

LOL! This is simply great! I love those little details.

A beautiful chapter, Larner! I particularly liked how Frodo was able to communicate with the Elven Lords and Ladies through the Shire Mallorn tree and how Sam and his cousins joined him to sit under the stars. A wonderful beginning for a special day - Sam's birthday and the day, he asked Rose to be his wife.

Rejoice, Iorhael, said the one who argued.
I rejoice.
That is as it should be.


For the the first time the "voice" has no need to argue any longer!


Author Reply: It was said that Bungo built and furnished Bag End largely through Belladonna's money, and I certainly can see him having put a large bed into the master bedroom in token of the grandness of the home the two of them would live in together. As Bandobras was exceptionally tall for a Hobbit, I would think they'd have made a bed to fit him, particularly if he indeed did have to ride a small horse rather than a pony; that old Gerontius would want his own as "grand" as that of the Bullroarer seemed very probable. And giving those two beds to the use of Merry and Pippin at Bag End just seemed fitting.

Frodo is already learning the use of the Elven trees as media of awareness and some level of communication, which helps prepare him for his life to come in Aman. And this is one perfect morning for the four of them, one moment of mutual peace and love in which even the Voice doesn't need to try to correct Frodo. So glad you approve!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 80 on 2/15/2006
A sweet chapter and Frodo is the one that will officiate at Sam and Rosie's marriage! Is that cute or what? I can't wait to attend!

Yes, indeed, darling, rejoice! Your sacrifices and Sam made this day possible.

Namarie, God bless, Antane

Author Reply: Well, as of today you can indeed attend that wedding, as I posted it this morning. And Frodo can indeed share in the joy of seeing his best friend and almost brother married to the one he's loved for years.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 80 on 2/15/2006
Pippin has to get his blankets from Gondor? *grin* A pity it’s too early for Aragorn to get back at him for the quilt with the pink patches!

So the mallorn tree does suffice and they don’t need the White Tree to be aware of each other? I hope this experience was a bit reassuring for Frodo, to feel that the great Elves are still thinking of him.

The rest of the night was quite sweet, the four friends watching the stars, huddled together. And now we know how Frodo knew the names of Sam’s first children. Of course, it had to be another vision. Somehow it is comforting that Frodo at least in this vision was able to see some of Sam’s and Aragorn’s children.

I'm glad to know it was only the computer who prevented you from updating!

Author Reply: I suspect one day Aragorn will get back at Pippin for the quilt with the pink squares, and will do it in a very original way--I'm still considering that scenario. But when you grow to an unprecedented height for Hobbits, one might indeed need to send to the world of Men to obtain bedding to fit.

The mallorn may serve as a medium of communion for Frodo, but whether or not the others are aware through it I couldn't say--or at least not yet. And, yes, I wanted for there to be some way for Frodo to have become aware of the names of Sam's first children, although how little Daisy got left out I'm not certain--but then neither was Tolkien. And so, some years down the road, before the birth of Aragorn's Idril, on one of Frodo's birthdays these will gather near the Mallorn in the Shire and the White Tree in Gondor and sing in honor of Frodo's and Bilbo's birthday, and he's already heard that singing.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 80 on 2/15/2006
Together they sat leaning against the stump of the old tree, putting their arms about one another. ... Then another came up the back of the hill, and after a moment Sam joined them, sitting on Frodo’s other side. And for the remainder of the night they sat together, watching the quiet movement of the stars, feeling the gentle breeze of their Shire ruffling their curls. ... Pippin joined them, and the four of them together watched the sun rise on the new day.

What a peaceful, loving image. And at last Frodo is beginning to smile again.

Oh, that final 'dream' is so healing and lovely.


Author Reply: Yes, the four of them have one dawn of accord, peace, and love together, as they prepare for what is to come.

And there is the foreshadowing that Sam and his family will continue the Birthday Toast in their own way. After all, Frodo would have had to have heard the names somehow to repeat them back to Sam as they head to the Havens.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 80 on 2/15/2006
Good old Sam - at last and what a great day to choose to talk to Rosie. With so much joy around it is no wonder that Frodo is able to agree with his 'inner voice'. The communion under the trees and that final fore-shadowing was just wonderful too.



Author Reply: Yes, a wonderful day to finally make the plunge, and such a glorious one as it turned out to be for the Gardener and his Rose. There are days of peace for them--perhaps not enough, but some to keep the hope alive and strong.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 80 on 2/15/2006
What a beautiful day! I am so very pleased to see Frodo having a good day, after all the difficulties of the very recent past.

I had wondered if, in Elven fashion, your Frodo would be able to commune with the young mallorn, and am very glad to see it's so. That was such a lovely and poignant moment, as he became aware of the his Elven friends, and a foreshadowing of his later ability to commune with both the White Trees in Tol Eressea.

But this was my favorite part by far:

When Merry joined him he wasn’t surprised. “Restless?” Merry asked him.

“Yes, a bit.”

“Such a brave little tree, to seek to grow here where its predecessor stood for so long.”

Frodo nodded.

After a time, Merry said softly, “I’m sorry I pressed you so hard the other day, Frodo. You know I did so only because I love you so, because I care so much for you.”

“I know, Merry. I’m sorry for closing you out.”

Together they sat leaning against the stump of the old tree, putting their arms about one another.

Then another came up the back of the hill, and after a moment Sam joined them, sitting on Frodo’s other side. And for the remainder of the night they sat together, watching the quiet movement of the stars, feeling the gentle breeze of their Shire ruffling their curls.

Pippin joined them, and the four of them together watched the sun rise on the new day.


These four are so close to one another now after all they endured together. I love seeing it.

I also love all the other little details you fill the chapter with--the part about the guest rooms, the descriptions of the furnishings, Sam's shy acceptance of Frodo's invitation to live at Bag End when he and Rosie wed, and the description of all the gifts he gave out for his birthday.

And I am very glad that for this day at least (and though I know it won't last) Frodo was willing to listen to his "little voice" and enjoy life and himself. Thank you!



Author Reply: Frodo was always an Elvish Hobbit, and had already begun knowing communication mind-to-mind through the Lady Galadriel, and picked up more of the way of it during the times he watched the Great Elves and Gandalf in communion during the pause before Galadriel and Celeborn left the company. That on the dawn of Sam's birthday he would know communion at a distance via the mallorn seemed logical, and that all would rejoice to see his hope able to burn, at least for the moment.

But these four must have needed such moments together from time to time, simply accepting one another. Frodo and Sam may have had the deepest relationship in many ways, but the one between him and Merry is the oldest and probably in many ways the strongest. Yet in the end all are there together, as they traveled together and together helped to save Middle Earth.

And Frodo needs the reminder to rejoice, and to know he can do so.

Lady SarumanReviewed Chapter: 80 on 2/15/2006
ok, it's only 10:30 from where i live, so i don't know why the date is feb. 15 2006. it was supposed to be the 14th, but still, happy valentines day!

Author Reply: It was the same time here, Lady S. But where the site is hosted it's already tomorrow. And a happy Valentine's Day to you, too.

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