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Hollow Victory  by Kara's Aunty 5 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/4/2013
So--that's it! Frodo still believes he was working independently of the Ring's will, and hopefully now he will accept that this wasn't true. Sam truly has the right of it, of course--the Ring was in control at that point, not Frodo.

But, even though Frodo knows intellectually now that he's not to blame, that still has to sink into the emotional part of his intelligence, which is far more reluctant to accept reality too often than the rational part of the brain.

I reread the story from the beginning so as to be in a better position to appreciate the new chapter--my memory isn't what it once was, I find. I'm glad that the two of them were forced to tell this now--now they have the chance to recover better with it all out in the open. But I'm surprised that Gandalf would assume that the Ring had to be claimed instead of the other way around.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/29/2012
Two reviews for the same chapter, you lucky cousin, you! :) I read shirebound's and forget to mention that I too liked Sam's description of the Elven twins, very hobbity, and very Sam. :) The poor guy for feeling he was walking on eggshells around the one he loved the most. I will admit I am a little disappointed there wasn't a terrible row that would have stunned everyone, but your take on it was much more in keeping with loving hobbit nature as they really are. That talk with the others must have been so difficult for Frodo to listen to. Also interesting that Sam grieved for Gollum. I am looking forward to how the two will deal with the aftermath of it, by themselves and with others. They really need some time alone with each other, really alone, to sort this out. Frodo seems particularly sensitive to anything Sam says that smacks of being a servant and second place when Frodo thinks he is himself lower than dirt and Sam so much higher than him and they have passed far beyond simple master and servant. Please don't keep me waiting too long, dear cousin! You don't want your bloom to wilt or your berry to starve, do you?

Namarie, God bless, Your Tookish one :)

Author Reply: Hello m'dear,

I can't reply at great length just now, but no: I most certainly do not want you to wilt or starve. So I'll make headway on the next chapter this weekend!

As for Frddo and Sam's fragile friendship, you'll have to be patient and see what happens there ...

How bad am I, eh?

sniggers

Take care, little bloom,

M ;)

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/28/2012
That was some thick tension! But it went a lot better than I thought it would and it looks like the bond of our dears is beginning to heal a little too. Sam is indeed right that the Ring claimed Frodo, no matter what anyone else believes. It's been so nice to draw this out so I had a lot more to look forward to instead of gobbling it all done at once. Hungry Took that I am, I already wish for a lot more so don't keep me starving too long, my dear cousin!

Namarie, God bless, Your happy berry and bloom :)




LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/25/2012
A painful telling indeed, and much to both cause grief and thanksgiving. And both have much to heal from. I am glad Gandalf is enforcing the rest.

Author Reply: Hello Larner,

thank goodness for Gandalf indeed! Originally, for Sam's retelling, I was just going to skip the dialogue and write about how 'the company listened with mixed emotions as Sam related the hobbits' journey ...' blah, blah, blah. Mainly because actually having him talk about it would seem too much like a retelling of 'Cusp of Victory'. Then I thought about it and realised that - given the story is about what happened during that tale - it was probably necessary, even if it seemed repetitive (to me).

*shrugs*

Never mind. Thanks for R & R-ing, m'dear,

M ;)

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/24/2012
Wow, that was so exciting and awful and suspenseful. Poor Sam, but oh, such cleverness and courage!

And I truly love the bits of lightness you manage to weave in, such as...

Elrond's sons looked as much alike as two eggs in a basket to him (though infinitely grander...

Author Reply: Hello shireboud,

thanks for that. It's a pretty grim story for most of it, so it needs a smattering of levity to keep it from being totally depressing. Nobody wants to read a story that is totally depressing. Methinks!

Glad you're enjoying it, though ;)

*grin*

Thanks for R & R-ing,

M ;)

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