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Might Have Beens  by Larner 9 Review(s)
LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/18/2014
Loved this!

Very believable. I love all the little details you include that make the scene come to life.

Author Reply: So glad that this pleases you, Lindelea! But if we were to put the movie version back into proper shape, this needed to be written, I believed. Thanks so!

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/11/2011
I was never satisfied with the way the end of the movie was done. This is now the official gap-filler/fix. :)

Author Reply: Oh, but I see that I never responded to your comment. As we were to "fix" the movie, this seemed one addition that needed to be made.

Thanks so!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/21/2009
What a great way to make sense of this scene.I loved the image of them reading the letter together.

Author Reply: How did I miss this one?

Am so glad you feel this fits, Linda. I was just trying to find a way to bring the book more back in line with the movie, and am glad some feel I managed to do it. Thanks!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/23/2009
I guess the idea of Frodo and Sam living together would have raised too many eyebrows or been misunderstood so that's why didn't put in the films and so had no reason to have Sam be Frodo's heir and have Bag End to live in. I do love the way it really happened though, though it is very nice that in the films Frodo was able to see Elanor grow up more and to see his name-sake also. In your story here, I love most that they did not go far that first night and also the reason Merry couldn't have borne to stay at the Havens. This was a terrible shock for all of them.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: I doubt that had Sam and Rosie together been shown sharing Bag End with Frodo that many people would assume slash--but, then, we ARE talking about human beings. Perhaps that was the reason!

It would have been nice had Frodo been able to see Frodo-lad born, too; but it wasn't necessary. I think that the shock of seeing Frodo go aboard the ship that late in the process would make all three of them unwilling to stay in the Havens--I would have felt betrayed at that point. But they would undoubtedly have found themselves reacting and needing rest, and have been relieved to find the letter.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/20/2009
Beautifully written, especially Frodo's letter!

But I think I have to watch "The Return of the King" again. When do they say that the ship is the last ship? I can't remember.

Author Reply: Well, so much of Frodo's letter is Tolkien's own writing adapted to the situation.

When Frodo rides in the wagon with Bilbo on the way to the Havens, Bilbo asks where he is going, and Frodo replies, "The Elves have granted you a special honor, a place on the last ship to leave Middle Earth." That has niggled at me for years now!

And thank you, Andrea!

Ainu-YavannaReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/20/2009
Every time I read “Might Have Beens” I hold my breath, because I fear what my beloved Hobbits will have to suffer this time. But this time my fear was unnecessary, because you put things back where they belong. Thank you so much.

Author Reply: Where does one categorize those stories meant to put into movie-verse some of the gaps filled in book-verse? Am glad you agree these elemements needed to be put back in. Several of us worked on stories to put back portions of the books that PJ and co. left out, and I must say it's oddly satisfying.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/19/2009
This was a very nice 'Might have been', particularly after the disturbing last one! You're right, that was a part that was missing from the movie, and it totally makes sense that it happened in this way in movie-verse.

It was good that the three friends were together when they found the letter and the other papers; I think having this last letter from Frodo gave them some sort of closure and a feeling that their lost cousin and friend still thought of them.

Author Reply: Am so glad you agree, Kitty. It would have been so hard to come so far only to realize at the last moment Frodo was leaving them. And PJ, Philippa, and Fran left us in the lurch as to the disposition of Bag End and so on. I had to find ways of working Frodo's last words to Sam in the book into Movie-verse!

Thanks so!

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/19/2009
Very well done.

Nice reconciliation, and I'm so glad you cleared up that misunderstanding about it being the "last ship".

Author Reply: That line in the movie definitely disturbed me, as well as the indication Frodo had lived alone for four years in Bag End. Thank's so! And love to Zoe and the kids and the Hubby!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/19/2009
Perfect Larner. Loved it.

Author Reply: Thank you! This should have happened if the movie version had been true!

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