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Love Endures  by Antane 4 Review(s)
Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 17 on 1/17/2007
Este?

I love the conversation between Bilbo and Gandalf; Gandalf is very wise. It's so sad that Sam must leave his family and Rosie--what will become of her?--but I'm strangely eased that Frodo will go West, and I think he needs Sam now. An interesting thought: would Sam be bound by the laws of Arda now that he has mostly--partly--gone beyond it? I mean...if he's a spirit, could he not "drift" if you will from one side of the Sea to the other? Er, maybe I shouldn't go there, that could get confusing. :)
God bless,
Galadriel

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 17 on 1/15/2007
Help needed, and help offered, given freely.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 17 on 1/15/2007
This is painful Antane but I agree that the Shire is not enough for Frodo anymore.

Author Reply: Very painful. When someone else suggested I bring up the longing for the Ring, I first rejected it because isn't he suffering enough already but then it made sense to do so. This is part of the same infection and that has to drain too. But at least he's discovered Who can help him the most and he will find help from other corners too. But to have to leave... I was hoping it wouldn't come to that, but alas it has. I have no more idea how this will end than he or any reader does though we all hope for the same thing - healing and wholeness. Stay tuned!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 17 on 1/14/2007
Oh, I really like how you have Frodo taking a step back so to speak during his slow process of healing--that he reacts as such to the anniversary of what he did to his loyal friend that ultimately resulted in Sam's death makes this AU tale even more realistic to the reader by evoking and showing such depth of emotion.

Very powerful descriptions of Frodo curled in the iaun: The grief over Sam’s death was ebbing slowly as he felt his brother’s continued presence and love, but with that no longer overwhelming him, he became more aware of other griefs that had always been there but had been overshadowed by the worst of his pain. ... He cried at times again, ... but for the Ring and for himself, for the terrible violation and longing that shamed him. .... he curled on his side on a bench in the iaun, clutched the gem that Arwen had given him, and repeated Sam’s name and the Other’s over and over to try to drown out the other voices in his head. He kept going until he was beyond hoarse, his voice choked with tears and his fingers cramped from holding the gem so tightly. ...

I also like how you had Bilbo visiting this special room in Rivendell while Frodo was off on his Quest. It's too bad that he doesn't go anymore/find comfort in it.

No, Bilbo, don’t agonize over what if’s and could have been’s ...

Very important advice indeed .... and advice I once again had to remind myself of the other night.

Poor, poor Frodo. Listen to Elrond! "The Light will not forsake you, Iorhael."

"I just hope I won’t forsake it," Frodo said then left before he heard Elrond’s response


Frodo's response reminded me of something that I think you will appreciate. There is something that I almost always carry in the pocket of my scrubs at work. It's a small card, like a business card, that is often handed out to the patients by a certain priest when he comes to offer the Sacrament of the Sick, etc. Anyway, on it is written: 'Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I together can't handle.' During a hectic night or after watching something undesirable, I know that I can always look at that little card or just think of those words (amongst others) and be heartened and know that I am where I am supposed to be at this point in my life.

I truly hope that both Frodo and Bilbo will be at peace one day soon ... maybe in the West. I also hope that they may both come to the realization that they may never understand His reasons and that they really don't have to, but that He has them and they only have to trust Him to do what is right for them.

You're doing an awesome job of writing this, Antane!

May God's Light shine upon you and may He bless you,

~Elemmírë~


Author Reply: A very big hannon le, dear Elemmire! :) I've missed your reviews. I am so glad you are enjoying it since you are the reason I continued it in the first place and now have found it a interesting place to explore some ideas. It is too bad that Bilbo is not more open to his Creator. I don't know if you've read my Measure of Love saga but he was the same way there. Frodo's very open and accepting but not Bilbo. Perhaps too old to try new things as it were or perhaps too mad like some people get when bad things happen to good people and why didn't God prevent it and all that. I would like Bilbo and Gandalf have that discussion one day. I love that quote about being able to handle everything with God's help. I think Frodo discovered that so is open to healing that way.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

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