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Ancestress  by Dreamflower 7 Review(s)
AndreaReviewed Chapter: 70 on 11/30/2013
A peaceful passing indeed and the best "famous last words" Bilbo could ever have chosen!

Author Reply: Thank you, dear! I wanted it to be peaceful, and those words seemed just right.

walker- skyeReviewed Chapter: 70 on 11/18/2013
What a perfect, gentle passing for Bilbo. Only you, who have spent so much time as a devoted friend of his could pen so fitting a tale. Thank you.

Author Reply: Thank you so much dear! I'm so glad to know you are still out there reading!

I had so much trepidation about this chapter; it's been hard, but I knew that it had to happen, and that I wanted it to be as peaceful and gentle as possible.

walker- skyeReviewed Chapter: 70 on 11/18/2013
What a perfect, gentle passing for Bilbo. Only you, who have spent so much time as a devoted friend of his could pen so fitting a tale. Thank you.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 70 on 11/18/2013
Love the title, a sweet, blessed death, though it will be painful at first for Frodo. Another adventure indeed.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: The title was the first thing that came to me; it made me think of the old spiritual, "Steal Away", plus it seemed fitting for the Burglar of Ereborl!

But yes, it will be painful for those left behind--that's the way of things.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 70 on 11/18/2013
"Exactly one hundred years ago today..." a special date, indeed, and somehow fitting.

We don't always have such peaceful days of preparation. I'm glad that Frodo had them, that Bilbo's going was not sudden and unexpected. Still, I seem to remember reading something about Bilbo and Frodo (and Sam) having the choice to live on, or lay down their lives at will in that blessed land beyond the Sea, to go onward into that final adventure.

Even though he knows they'll meet again, this must be so difficult for Frodo. I love your descriptions of Merry, Pippin, Sam, Rose and Elanor here, brief but saying so much.

It must be more difficult for the others -- for is not the sundering more final for them? Or do they have the chance of meeting once more? I'm foggy on my details this morning. Been away from Arda for too long, I'm afraid.

Author Reply: I chose that date on purpose; I wanted to make sure that no hobbit would ever be able to pass him. *grin* And it seemed to me that a round century past the beginning of the Adventure would be a good anniversary.

No, but you are right, Bilbo and Frodo did have the choice of *when* to accept the Gift (though not of *whether*; JRRT made it plain in his Letters they would not gain immortality by living in the West).

For the Elves, it's not known if they will ever see their mortal friends again; they live for as long as Arda endures, but when the world is made new--perhaps they will see their loved ones again. That is never answered for certain.

We've missed you! Welcome back!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 70 on 11/18/2013
And he's found that adventure, of that I am certain! A blessed passing from this life, and a gentle death and parting from those he's come to love. And he's made certain that Frodo will not be left alone. Bless them both.

Author Reply: Yes, he has.

Bilbo always had his lad in his thoughts first and foremost!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 70 on 11/18/2013
What a truly peaceful passing, although I'm as grieved as Frodo and the rest. I love your title for this chapter.

Author Reply: I wanted it to be as peaceful and full of love as I could make it. Frodo and his friends will sorely miss him and his presence among them, but they can be comforted in knowing that he went forth in love after a long life well-lived.

The title has been with me for a while.

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