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Might Have Beens  by Larner 9 Review(s)
Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/5/2007
Thank Goodness, Frodo was not weak like this!A very interesting what if?

Author Reply: Oh, I agree, Linda! And this is one I've imagined too many possible repurcussions from.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/4/2007
O my. I am certainly glad that Frodo was himself, in the real account. The Frodo in this story certainly doesn't live up to Bilbo's estimation of being one of the finest hobbits in the Shire! (poor fellow)

Author Reply: I agree, Lindelea. No, this isn't quite our Frodo at all; and what would have happened had it been this Frodo that refused to allow Bilbo to leave?

Thanks so for the feedback.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/3/2007
Indeed! The only one who could have made Bilbo stay in the Shire would have been Frodo!

But I'm not so sure what would have happened after that. One thing is clear, Bilbo would have kept the Ring and it would not have been so easy to give it up, if not impossible.

I can't remember when exactly Gandalf started his investigation concerning the Ring. Was it after his talk with Bilbo? If so, no one would have been prepared for the arriving of the Black Riders some years later. It would have been a catastrophe and the end of all that's good in Middle Earth! Horrible!

I'm right glad that Tolkien's Frodo never asked Bilbo to stay.

Author Reply: I suspect that Gandalf had always been somewhat suspicious of the Ring, but it appears he indeed didn't start his true examination of Its history until after the Party. And you are certainly right that it would be unlikely anyone would have been ready for the Black Riders until they actually crossed the river and headed north and west to seek the Shire. What Gandalf might have done at that point is anyone's guess, although I doubt he would have ended up caught at Orthanc in this situation. However, I suspect he would have begun seeing scarier changes in Bilbo's behavior, and perhaps Frodo's as well.

I, too, am glad the original Frodo didn't behave this way.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/3/2007
At first look, this one was more nice than the others. My heart went out to Frodo, and I was glad Bilbo agreed to stay. Maybe if he’d stay only some years longer, it would not change the outcome for Middle-earth so much. Though if he remained in the Shire for good ... that wouldn’t have been for the best, indeed *shudders* Another change to the story to ponder!

Author Reply: Oh, I agree thoroughly, Kitty. Thanks so for the comments!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/3/2007
Now that could be the start of an extremely plausible, if ultra-dark, AU. I don't think that I could stand to read it! Snippits like this always raise my level of awe in the Prof's story. So many freely taken decisions and events have to come together at precisely the right moment to destroy Sauron and the Ring.

Author Reply: So, you see it as ultra-dark, do you? I suspect you're right. And it is precisely because each decision changes the story that so many of us do consider such situations.

Thanks so for the additionally thought-provoking response.

SurgicalSteelReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/2/2007
OH, my gracious. That could've been horrible.

Author Reply: And I agree! Good to hear from you, and looking forward to more in your own stories!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/2/2007
You dangle all these marvelous little carrots in front of our eyes and then you don't finish them, dear Larner! All of these must be at some point, please! :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: I can't finish all of them, Antane--I'd be sitting here with tons of unfinished stories sitting on the computer instead of the five or six I'm looking at now! Gads, these plot bunnies and nuzguls are fighting for supremacy at the moment!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/2/2007
No, it would not have turned out for the best at all...

Very scary!

Author Reply: Oh, but I agree, Dreamflower. One of the odder ones that's occurred to me lately....

Thanks for the feedback.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/2/2007
Oo, ouch, ouch, ouch, not good at all! Painful even to read. Yes, if Frodo’s character had been different in even such a small way as this (at least, seemingly small, though when I think about it that strength of will to hold out against any kind of assault that is not displayed in this AU tale is one of his most defining traits), things would have gone very badly indeed, perhaps. I’d be interested to see where this goes, though, all the same.

Very, very good descriptions of the effects of grief and dread, very vivid and definitely realistic.
God bless,
Galadriel


Author Reply: Oh, thank you, my Lady. I certainly agree about Frodo's ability to hold out against most assaults on his mind and heart; but this must have been one of his worst trials after the loss of his parents.

And am so honored you find the descriptions of grief and dread realistic. Have felt them a time or three myself, and haven't always acquitted myself well.

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