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Till We Have Faces  by Antane 4 Review(s)
LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 38 on 8/18/2014
This chapter reads like a respite of sorts. I like the thought of communing with a distant loved one under the stars. Reminds me of a song my mother sang when I was little: "I see the moon and the moon sees me. The moon sees somebody I'd like to see. God bless the moon and God bless me, and God bless the somebody I'd like to see."

Author Reply: Sweet song. :) It's a little break for them, like a night spent in prayer, before a quest begins or in this case, continues.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 38 on 8/17/2014
I really do like that this story is giving Boromir much more opportunity to make amends for his brief fall from grace. Yes, trying to defend Merry and Pippin helped him to bring back his lifelong spirit of serving others. But this way, he gets to make peace with Frodo, and enjoy his own peace. The quote, often posted here, from a letter Tolkien wrote, about how the Valar were involved in the lives of Eru's children, but the Creator himself was remote and difficult to approach has always made me sad. If that was how our Good Professor really felt, I feel bad for him. Your stories, however, shine with the light of a Creator and his Heavenly helpers who are lovingly involved in our lives. Thank you for that hope.

Author Reply: Le hannon! I am glad you are enjoying this :). I don't think Tolkien as a 20th century Catholic felt this way about God's distance but in this pre-Christian, even pre-Jewish time, it makes sense as He hadn't revealed Himself fully. I have other stories in which Frodo does have a relationship with his Creator akin to the kind those in the Old Testament did. I like all the love he is getting here too from the Valar. :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 38 on 8/16/2014
It is good for both of them to know this respite before the final confrontation. Thank you!

Author Reply: Yes, very good. They did it, especially Frodo. I don't know how it will go for him as he returns to the Fire. I thought I did but now I don't. It may be more hopeful than I originally thought because of the strengthening he is receiving here, a chapter I did not know I was going to write until it started and just came out.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 38 on 8/16/2014
I wonder if somewhere deep down, he also had a vague feeling of what would be asked of him and so sought to find out more ways to strengthen himself and found walking under starlight the best way to do that.

I love the marvelous insights and speculations in this story. They make me think.

Author Reply: Le hannon, my dear! You are most kind. I read recently thoughts of others about Frodo's trip West and that it was not just because he was tormented so much by PTSD but needful for the Elven nature of his soul to be there. I have no idea if Frodo really did have these thoughts as Bilbo speculates. We know Bilbo himself did as Gandalf muses in The Quest of Erebor. But Bilbo knows his lad better than any of us could so it could well be. I like how much he himself has grown spiritually from his contact with Elves. Hobbits really are amazing creatures. :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

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