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Water and Roses  by Antane 12 Review(s)
H.G.Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/7/2015
Was it Elanor....? :-)

Author Reply: Do you mean the singularly beautiful one at the end? That was Frodo. But I like the idea that she would carry on the tradition of placing the roses on the graves.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Esquire_of_RohanReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/8/2008
How beautiful. A wonderful piece!

Author Reply: Thank you! So glad you enjoyed! I'm happy to have another regular reviewer! :) *hobbity hug*

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

julchen11Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/13/2007
Oh my, I can't describe what I'm feeling right now. *sobbs*
Brilliant, my dear. Absolutely brilliant. It breaks my heart ..
Poor Frodo, poor Sam ...

I'm so glad I've finally found you, honey.
I feel very blessed.

You can be very proud.

Thank you, thank you ever soooo much.

Lots of love and massive hobbity hugs (only a hobbit can give)

Julchen

Author Reply: Thank you very much! I have honored and blessed myself for all your very kind words. I hope you enjoy my other stories too! Nothing like hobbity love is there? *hobbity hug right back*

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

AltheaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/15/2007
How beautiful. It was interesting to see how Frodo progressed in his feelings about water. I never really thought about how Sam's almost drowning could have reminded Frodo of his own parents' deaths. Thanks for making that connection for me. I liked the continuity of the rose theme as well.

Author Reply: Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed. I wasn't sure at all about this story and glad it has been so well received!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/15/2007
And both gifts came. Frodo had no idea how life-giving water could be until they had nearly died from its loss. Perfect!

A beautifully written, poetic, startling, sad tale. Keep it up!

~~~{~@

Author Reply: Hantanyel, dear! I added that sentence at the last minute. :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

AspenJulesReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/15/2007
Well, most of the thoughts I had about this story were beautifully expressed by Elenmire (sorry, I don't know how to make the special marks in your name) so I will just echo her thoughts. I loved the recurring theme of water, and roses, and also especially liked the irony that it took almost dying of a lack of water for Frodo to come to understand it's live-giving properties.

I also loved little Merry's wise "I won't let it hurt you" comment. Even at that age he understood his role in taking care of his elder cousin.

Truly lovely, Antane.

Author Reply: Thank you very much! I loved that bit of Merry's words too. :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/15/2007
This was just beautiful!!

Author Reply: Thank you - whoever you are! :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane

Elanor SilmarienReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/15/2007
Oh, my dear, that was lovely! Very sad, but lovely none the less. I love roses. Happy Valentine's Day!
God bless,
Ellie

Author Reply: Hantanyel, dear Elanor! So glad you enjoyed. I wondered what the heck I was doing posting something so sad on Valentine's Day but I wanted also to focus on something other than the traditional romantic love. There are so many other kinds of love that get so short-changed.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/15/2007
Lovely Antane. I like how his cousins reduce his fear and I will never look at a rose in the same way again. I found a white rose blooming in a sheltered corner of a friend's garden yesterday!

Author Reply: Hantanyel, dear harrowcat! Wow - to think I have changed your views that much on roses. I did like how Frodo was able to overcome his fear because of the love and innocence of his cousins.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/15/2007
Mae govannen, dear Antane!

Rest assured, this makes complete sense. I found it to be very poignant, beautiful, and eye-opening in some parts. I really liked how you took the theme of the roses and water and carried it throughout Frodo's life.

I have come across a few other fics in which Frodo is afraid of water, which makes sense psychologically, especially at the age he was exposed to such an emotional trauma. His fear and association of the Brandywine River would be prevalent for a time, most especially if he visually saw his parents lying dead by the River or even being recovered from it. What I really liked with how you portrayed this fear, was how Frodo overcame it by learning through little Merry that not all water is bad/deadly. "No, Auntie!" Frodo cried. "He might drown!" .... She was soaked, but she was happy. For Frodo was soaked too, but he was smiling. He started helping his aunt with Merry’s bath and slowly he learned that it was all right to be wet.

I too, have often thought that how could Frodo not be reminded of the manner in which his parents died when Sam,in his determination to follow his master, nearly followed suit.

"Light and water," Sam begged the Lady as he and Frodo struggled on to the Fire.

And both gifts came. Frodo had no idea how life-giving water could be until they had nearly died from its loss.


I especially liked those lines for they made me see things in a manner which never occured to me before and envision that scene in a new light. It's ironic really that Frodo, who suffered so much at such a young age due to a body of water, would not truly appreciate the life-giving gift water is until he was without it and severely dehydrated. His parents were killed by water; Frodo nearly died from lack of it.

LOL! I too was once going to write a story in which Frodo realizes that for the first time in his life he must spend the anniversary of his parents' deaths outside of the Shire and unable to visit their grave. Then, someone beat me to it and I enjoyed it so much that I didn't have the heart to write mine anymore ... at least not for a while at any rate. It's funny how some of us can think alike at times.

In my tales (specificall, 'Tending'), I have Merry as the one being future caretaker to Drogo and Primula's final resting place. But, I like how you chose to have it be Sam, for it works just as well. :D

Yes, a sad tale in spots, but it's that sad/angsty quality to it that makes the reader that much more sympathetic to Frodo and the trials of his life. :)

~Elemmírë~





Author Reply: Hantanyel for such a lovely, long review, my dear Elemmire! :) I had no idea whether this made sense or not, trying to write about two different things in the same story so I am glad to hear it's been so well received! Nearly dying of dehydration I added at the last minute and it was one of my favorite sentences too. :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane

Author Reply: Another reply! I just wanted to make sure you knew I am giving up posting and reading as part of my Lenten fast so I'll see you on the other side!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

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