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Love Endures  by Antane 7 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 19 on 2/8/2007
A bright and blessed meeting, and I'm certain intended and desired by the One.

julchen11Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 2/3/2007
What a wonderful story... so sad and so beautiful, it brought tears into my eyes. Sensitive, touching, heartbreaking.
One of the best stories I ever read. Go on this way, my dear!
*hugs tight*

Author Reply: Hantanyel!! I so appreciate your very kind words! *hugs you back* :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Eleon Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 2/3/2007
Oh, you're making me all depressed.....And I love it! So.....dramatic! Oh! I wish I could give Frodo a hug! I wish I could know what he's going through! You make it seem so real! So real, in fact, that it's horrible! Because it's not real! Or is it? I don't really know! *smiles* *hugs Frodo* *hugs life*

~Eleon~

Author Reply: Wow - you really caught up fast in this story! So glad you are enjoying. It's real for a AU - how's that? :) But it is good it didn't really happen. This has been one of the most interesting stories to write and I still don't know all the twists and turns it will make before the end.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Elanor SilmariënReviewed Chapter: 19 on 1/27/2007
*wipes eyes* Oh gosh, I couldn't get through those three chapters without crying! It's so moving! I am always in awe of how you bring the spiritual aspects into these stories so seamlessly! Well done, my dear!
God bless,
Ellie

Author Reply: A rather belated (sorry!) but heartfelt hantanyel, my dear! So glad you enjoyed. It's certainly been an interesting story to write and there's more to come, just not sure when.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 19 on 1/25/2007
Hi Antane,

I must apologize for such a late review. I've been pressed for time as of late, but I haven't forgotten either you or this wonderful tale of spiritual woe, forgiveness, and Love.

As you reminded me in your email: I know you originally stated you did not wish for Frodo to head where he is in this last chapter, but apparently he needed to go West ... even in this AU tale. I really love how you accomplished this, however.

It's very striking (not to mention important) that you had Frodo traveling only with the two sources of Light: the star glass and his symbolic candle. That Frodo is ready to leave all else--all material possesions--behind shows that he is truly ready for his journey to eternal Peace and Healing from the One. He is truly ready to let go of that which he was bound to, the familiar, and journey into the unknown, just as we all must do one day.

And the scene with Galadriel I found to be extremely touching. You brought tears to my eyes when Frodo said he wanted to be nothing more than a hobbit.

"Say a Song rather," Gandalf said softly, coming to their side. "The same Song that has been played since the beginning and has not yet finished all the melodies within it. Your own music will strengthen here, Frodo, and become again the marvelous part of the symphony it was created to be."

As an avid music lover and former musician, I absolutely LOVE that analogy!

You made my day too, by including the scene where Gandalf speaks with Bilbo about his increased lack of faith and anger toward Illuvatar. May Bilbo continue to find his own peace and spirit again not only through Frodo's healing, but also through visiting theiaun again and reclaiming his love for the Creator. It's like one who has been through unpleasant circumstances in life and turned away from the Church and God because they do not find the answers they seek, only one day to realize that it is only through Jesus' love for us that one can begin to understand and heal from such wounds. May the iaun be a balm to Bilbo's soul as it has been for Frodo's.

I still think you're doing a great job with this, Antane!

Namarie,

~Elemmírë~

p.s. Bilbo may be fading himself, but I believe he is stubborn enough to hang on until he sees Frodo well on his way to shining once more. Only then, will Bilbo leave him ... and Illuvatar would only take Bilbo away from Frodo only when it is truly the right time for them both. The trick being that Frodo would need at some point to realize this and not become bitter and angry himself at the One for taking all he ever loved away from him: his parents, Sam (in a way), and Bilbo.

Author Reply: Hantanyel, my dear Elemmire! I have been anxiously awaiting your review of this since your very kind and deliciously long ones are so very much appreciated! :) I've been wanting to do the Bilbo-Gandalf talk for a long time and in other stories too but have been afraid that I wouldn't be up to it. I am glad it turned out so well and has been so well received. Hantanyel also for the p.s. - that does give food for thought because I wasn't sure how to proceed further. I would want Bilbo to heal completely also. His faith isn't anywhere as deep as Frodo's, perhaps coming so late in life or because he feels as he said Iluvatar didn't live up to what he hoped/expected/prayed for. But I think maybe he's coming around. I don't think Frodo will get mad - I think he understands on a very deep level what is going on here, more than Bilbo with the parent's heartbreak of seeing a beloved child suffer but the child understanding more, trusting and loving easier than adults. (Not that Frodo isn't an adult but being much younger and truly understanding himself to be a child of Iluvatar and feeling safe, loved, taken care of in that role as one would around one's parents). But we shall see - this story has been developing for me at just about the same time as it has been for everyone else, written almost entirely without a map and just seeing where the journey takes Frodo and Bilbo...and me.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 19 on 1/23/2007
Truly lovely Antane.

The discussion between Bilbo and Gandalf is masterful.

Author Reply: Hantanyel, my dear or perhaps you should thank the Author of the Story - I continue to grow and am but a pencil in His hand or so it must seem at times.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 19 on 1/22/2007
Oh, I love this meeting between two who have undergone similar hurts. And Frodo's "Papa..." Oh, so sweet, and so right somehow. I know I've cried out in such a fond way at times. :) And Gandalf's talk with Bilbo. It's hard to imagine our usually gentle Bilbo angry, but from a human perspective he would have reason to be. Gandalf is right, of course. I really think this story could help someone going through depression or bitterness or something, Antane.
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: I am being guided just as much as Frodo and Bilbo are, growing as they grow. Glad you liked the Papa, ammelda - that was cute I thought. :) Thanks for the all the kind words!

Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)

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