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Light from the West  by Armariel 2 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 26 on 8/18/2006
SOMEONE wished the boy alive, and used Frodo to bring it to be.

And the gift has been given and Frodo is released from the duty.

Author Reply: Oh yes, many people wished it, I'm sure--mother, sister, brother, nieces and nephews, and sweetheart, along with others. And I think this time Frodo won't mind at all being used as an instrument of good!

~~~{~@

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 26 on 8/12/2006
Well, that's an interesting ending! Hope you keep us hanging too long. Glad the beacon is shining bright once more. On a side note, you had previously said Frodo had a spiritual counselor - I had only heard of spiritual directors before - but recently I heard about these counselors who are used to overcome a specific problem and that is indeed who our dear one needs to overcome his guilt and shame about the Ring. Hope to see more of this or would that be too personal to share even with his Sam, but he seems to share much else deeply personal with his other half. :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane

Author Reply: Hmmm, well, I think any vestiges of guilt he had are gone by now;) And I doubt there is anything he wouldn't be happy to share with Sam either.

"Spiritual counselor" is somewhat my own invention--at least in this universe. I haven't heard of a spiritual director, but "counselor" rings more gently on my ears than "director," which sounds to me more like someone who tells you what to believe, whereas a counselor would offer advice and comfort and helpful instruction. Frodo has said recently that he knows now that his excessive guilt feelings were the Enemy's doing, and at this point the Enemy knew he was in a vulnerable position and attempted to strike at him through Frodo's dream, but Frodo was able to rebuke him and escape, thereby finding the courage to call Amras back from the Halls of Mandos, in part thanks to Galendur whose earthy humor helps to keep him grounded as well. In "Bear Me Away" Elrond was his first counselor of the sort you mentioned--his "shrink" you might say--who helped him find the way to defy his enemy and learn to help others do the same. Then Elwing became his spiritual counselor who led him to attunement with the Divine and eventually helped him learn to cope with the death of Bilbo. Gandalf and Dundeloth have served in that capacity as well, so it seems Frodo is in good hands.

Hope to have the next part up in a couple of days. Thanks for reviewing!

hugs
Armariel
~~~{~@

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