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The Choice of Healing by Larner	121 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/31/2006
It's good that you're posting "Reconciliation" right now, because if I wasn't reading about Pippin's and his parents' reconciliation, I wouldn't even try not to be frustrated with those two. I know, they just don't understand and can't make sense of it all, and I pity them for it, but goodness, they surely don't know how to handle themselves properly. And I can't say I envy those working away at those documents. Just imagining the mounds and mounds of papers makes me shudder. This perioud of slow acceptance that the travellers have come back changed, especially Frodo, I think is the hardest time for everyone; and it's hard for me to just watch them go through it again, wanting to ask questions but not knowing how, and not getting satisfactory answers when they do. Not that I blame the four for not wanting to talk about it; I wouldn't either. And I like the argument/conversation over the tea. I can guess that Frodo's murmured words were something like, "I know. But it's hard, Sam, to feel that it's truly over." Yes, Sam indeed shows more confidence. I'll be gone till next Wednesday and will take the rest of this with me to finish (and hopefully have no more unpleasant surprises from the Pac-mate this time) and review the rest when I get back. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Yes, it probably is just as well you're reading "Reconciliation" as well so you don't get tempted to go give Paladin and Eglantine a swift boot to the behind. I've wanted to do so myself a few times. In reading about the verbosity of Hobbit legal papers, it was fun to imagine what kind of backlog would build up in the Mayor's office during Will's imprisonment. That Frodo would think of the nearest possible haven of lawyers sufficiently related to him he could call on them to aid him in sorting this mess out and understanding it all seemed logical; and so the Tooks get called upon to bring in the aid he needs. People will see Merry and Pippin out there in their mail and with shields and swords and helms and ponies gathering more ruffians and escorting them out of the Shire; they'll see Sam in their villages indicating how the Shiriff houses are to be dismantled and the bricks saved, seeing to the rebuilding of homes and inns and mills; they'll see Sam replanting trees and gardens and seeing to the preparation of ruined fields and orchards and all. But how many will realize that Frodo's part in this is also vital--that the cleaning up of the backlog and review of the contracts, sales agreements, deeds, and so on is necessary both to the well-being of the Shire and to finding out how things got into the state they did? Frodo's part in this is important, but most folk in the Shire will never appreciate that, again giving the greater of their admiration to what the other three are doing. Frodo needs Sam's confidence and optimism--and mothering. Your supposition on what was said certainly fits. Sam no longer questions that he is capable of exercising authority at need; and having been accepted as he's been by the King himself as well as the worthies of Gondor and Rohan, he's not going to slip back into hiding in the background and appearing to be the unimportant gardener at Bag End any more. He's finished one job, and now faces another, and will see it done, and well done at that. Have a good trip, and we'll hear from you when you return.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/31/2006
Chapter 2 really seemed like the opening to the story itself, and it was very interesting to see the moment the decision began to be made. I'd nearly forgotten. I can't believe I've forgotten so much of this! But then that adds to the delight of reading it again, right? :) And love Bilbo eavesdropping! :) Oh, poor Frodo, to have to endure so much at first coming home! Again I find myself wondering who to take sides with-him or Will. I think they were both right. It would have been good for his health if Frodo had had a chance to rest, but then he did need something to keep him busy, to keep his mind from darkness. But my favourite part of the chapter was the conversation at the end, and especially this: Frodo laughed, then sobered. “I can see to the lists, things like that. But I’ll need you to do the legwork.” Sam nodded. “I suppose, between us, we can do it all.” “You know we can, Frodo.” Frodo reached out his hand, and Sam took it, felt the place of the missing finger, gave the rest a gentle squeeze. Yes, indeed brothers of the heart and soul. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: We see the beginning of the story from Bilbo's point of view, and then move out to a more general one. I suppose I could have made that a prologue; but I didn't and I don't feel like changing it now. To see the decision made known on Arwen's request I felt was vital to this story; and for those in the North I felt the one to make it known was Olorin. As such, Gandalf gets pulled out of himself for a moment, then sent back to make the announcement. Bilbo, of course, doesn't mean to eavesdrop, but with his condition of falling off asleep every few minutes what choice does he have? Particularly as if he half-dozes he actually has a chance to find out what's happening, whereas when he takes part in conversations he falls fully asleep and loses track of everything? Yes, Frodo is almost overwhelmed to find the Shire was overrun while they were gone; and now he's convinced by Will to take over. I've seen Will as wanting to get Frodo to take over his job for years; now he has his chance, for even Frodo has to accept Will isn't up to it now. And the brothers of the heart do find themselves ready to work together on the restoration of the Shire.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/29/2006
Well, I've decided to do this one first, and savour "Lesser Ring," so that I don't read everything too quickly. My, it's been so long since I read this that I'd forgotten a lot of it, seemingly. Poor Bilbo--I imagine it would be terribly frustrating, and yet with Arwen he manages to cover it up with something both shocking and amusing. Strange, perverse thoughts indeed! :) Of course Frodo would realise that the others were all trying very hard for him, even if they didn't intend him to know, and of course there might--would likely be bitterness that the relief was only temporary. That is wonderfully portrayed here. And that Frodo would unconsciously take a position he often slept in after his parents' death seems at a first glance a small thing but is really very expressive of the pain. And those first entries in the journal are hilarious. "I am writing in this journal. I am writing in this journal..." Now that's something I can imagine my brother doing; he hates to keep a journal. :) But it's good that he finally began writing out the anger and grief. Speaking of, I don't think I ever told you that I was inspired by "For Eyes..." to begin keeping my own "stationery box," though mine is a computer file with that name. Some of the things in it are, I dare say, rather silly afterward, and some I hate even to look at; but it's helpful. I'm going to have to stop for now, and get some rest while I can. Part of the reason I was able to finish The King's Commission so fast is that the other night I was unable to sleep due to just enough discomfort to be annoying, so I read...and read...and read...and before I knew it it was four thirty in the morning. See? Told you I could stay up all night reading your stuff. :) But I sure regretted it at a more proper hour, when I woke after three hours or so of sleep. Then I took some cold relief medicine last night that gave me energy instead of having the opposite effect as it was supposed to, so again, I was up late, and now I'm really exhausted. I may get back to this later today, though, when I'll hopefully have more energy. You know, the only thing keeping me from hating this cold right now is that it gives me a chance to relax some. I do hope the migraines will ease off soon. Wouldn't it be nice to have athelas sometimes, or Sam's tea? :) God bless, Galadriel P.S. I didn't think I'd posted a review for this story, but I looked through four or five pages of them just to be sure, and didn't see one. It was sometime last year that I read this, before I realised that if I reviewed every few chapters or so, I could remember everything I wanted to mention, so I intended to review at the end and never got there. But hopefully I'll get all the way through without unwanted distractions this time--and at a reasonable pace. :) Author Reply: I looked through also and didn't find any comments, so assumed that was what you were doing. It was years ago I found myself in the commissary behind a nun who must have been a chaplain or something on the Navy base where I was shopping. Juices from the hamburger I was buying had dripped through the bars of the shopping cart down onto a box of sanitary napkins I was purchasing, and I made without thinking a most indelicate comment on the state of that proposed purchase to the poor lady. Then I was terribly embarrassed for having blurted out such a thing. Tony didn't let me live it down for years. Bilbo's joke was inspired by that memory, I KNOW. We will say some of the most perverse things at times, you must realize. As for the journal entries--I was a teacher for many years and have seen my own share of such things. Plus I know what I used to do to while away moments when I was doing creative writing and I didn't know what I wanted to write as in those days I wouldn't share my own stories with others. I would write all kinds of odd things in mirror writing, would do my own version of braille representation with comments on those who sat around me (I taught myself the Braille alphabet when I was just ten), and so on. My fifth grade teacher despaired of me at times. And that Frodo's stationery box is proving practical today is wonderful. Thank you for letting me know about this--it's always an honor when we find life follows art which is following life, you see.

Endaewen	Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 2/18/2006
Beautiful. This fits so well with your other stories. Author Reply: I am so glad you liked it, Endaewen. To want to do something ineffible such as dancing among the stars as one passes seemed so in keeping with Frodo's nature; as well as the companionship of Sam here. And am honored you've read so much so quickly.

Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 9/11/2005
A beautiful coda to your story, bringing a sense of closure and peace, of endings and new beginnings. The passing of Frodo and Sam, the intimations of Faramir’s and Aragorn’s own mortality, are balanced by the promise of new life, renewal, and continuity held in the fruits of the two Trees. Just as the pain and despair of the early chapters is countered by the joy of these last. Quite a journey, all in all! Thank you for taking us on it. Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. To be able to bring Frodo through the pain of realizing how much the Ring stole from him, physically and spiritually, and to see him in the end able to laugh and know simple fellowship again, to see him brought full circle back to fulfillment and joy as he accepts what he knows must come, and that it be done in joy and such blessed delight-- And Aragorn being at least partly aware of it, now feeling more certain that the future will come for those who follow-- Am so glad you have appreciated how much I found I wanted to put into this.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 9/10/2005
Larner, thanks for this heartbreaking story! I read this upon recommendation of another and I'm glad I did. There was such a cumulative heartache for Frodo for his physical sufferings that I began to get tears in my eyes. That happens a lot with our dear hobbit. When I got to the second time Frodo asked his Sam for help out to sleep under the stars, I was silently pleading with him to say 'yes' when Sam asked if Frodo wanted him to stay or not, but then I guess we wouldn't have gotten that wonderful conversation with Galadriel that was so interesting and one of the high points of the story. The ending was joyful, though and I thank you for that. I look forward to reading some of your other stories. I am heartbroken that Frodo had to leave everything and nearly everyone he loved behind, but I am so glad he did leave because suicide could well have been his end if he hadn't and that would have been an even greater tragedy. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Sam obviously was coming to the realization that Frodo was failing in one way or another even in LOTR, as he seemed to expect Frodo was going to retire to Rivendell as Bilbo did--and, in that case, Sam undoubtedly expected to be able to at least visit him and perhaps finally bring him back home at the end. The realization he was going West instead was such an obvious shock to him, but one he accepted as best for Frodo. In this case I find myself inferring that the withdrawal Frodo was going through undoubtedly had a physical as well as a psychological aspect to it, that Sam would let Frodo go that easily. So I increased the physical aspect of what Frodo was experiencing. That others didn't realize how ill he was would indicate he was staying more and more isolated within Bag End, and that Sam, Rosie, and Frodo were being highly closed-mouthed about how ill he was becoming. As I tell in the author's notes, I was inspired by a documentary show on the effects of spider and tick bites, and this was too good an opportunity to let slip. If spider bites can lead to heart problems, skeleto-muscular disorders, digestive system breakdown, creeping tissue necrosis, and even auto-immune problems, then what could Shelob's bite have led to? Frodo's physical health was degrading, and he was suffering from very strong depression as part of his post-traumatic stress disorder. Having watched my husband's health degrade over the last two years of his life, I could see how each problem (clinical depression runs in my husband's family) would exacerbate the other. (Real life experiences found their way strongly into this one.) I described the volcano glass in my LONG story The King's Commission, and wanted to use it symbolically here (caddis fly larvae and woolly bear caterpillars made it into my first story, so why not volcano glass, right?) And so Frodo and Galadriel came to use the bowl as a symbol for what he had come to. I'm so glad you liked that, and the conversation between Frodo and Galadriel. To help him realize he DESERVED the chance for happiness, and that there could possibly be a happy result to all he'd been through was so necessary. Man, am writing another book here! Thank you so very much for the feedback, and I'm so very glad you appreciated this story.

Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 9/8/2005
Ah Larner, this was so joyous and beautiful! And the touches of hobbit humor were perfect too! I can’t imagine a better ending to your splendid tale! Though I know it’s not quite the end yet, but still… So interesting to read this story after “Light.” That had a certain intellectual detachment, springing, no doubt, from that fact that it was cast as Frodo’s self-analysis in his journal, reflecting his characteristic restraint. And the ending, though beautiful, did not much comfort me, seen as it was from such a distance. But this was so intimate, direct, and joyful. This time, I could let Frodo go…and be happy for him. Inkling Ps—I’ve always loved that carol! Author Reply: Yes, I know. That Sam and Frodo would be given the same gift as Aragorn--to know their time had come and thus have some control over how they would offer back their lives in peace and content and pleasant anticipation I have felt was imperative, a part of the reason the two were granted the grace to go to Aman. That they would do it laughing, choosing a place where they could feel the spiritual kinship they knew with Aragorn most strongly, knowing he would someday follow their example as he was allowed, also seemed to follow. With the coming of Sam the last wounds of the Ringbearer have been healed. He never got every good thing he ever wanted; but in the end all the good he'd known and sacrificed for others to know fulfillment was fulfilled for himself. And for all he'd lived a rather monkish life on Tol Eressea, he yet died a Hobbit, surrounded by the love and beauty he'd always known and sought and evoked in others. Am so glad you love the carol--it was so right for this chapter! Hope you enjoy the last chapter, too. Author Reply: Yes, I know. That Sam and Frodo would be given the same gift as Aragorn--to know their time had come and thus have some control over how they would offer back their lives in peace and content and pleasant anticipation I have felt was imperative, a part of the reason the two were granted the grace to go to Aman. That they would do it laughing, choosing a place where they could feel the spiritual kinship they knew with Aragorn most strongly, knowing he would someday follow their example as he was allowed, also seemed to follow. With the coming of Sam the last wounds of the Ringbearer have been healed. He never got every good thing he ever wanted; but in the end all the good he'd known and sacrificed for others to know fulfillment was fulfilled for himself. And for all he'd lived a rather monkish life on Tol Eressea, he yet died a Hobbit, surrounded by the love and beauty he'd always known and sought and evoked in others. Am so glad you love the carol--it was so right for this chapter! Hope you enjoy the last chapter, too.

Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 9/2/2005
Back from travels in Hobbit Country—aka the British Isles—and looking forward to finally finishing this story! I got sidetracked almost as soon as I started this chapter, however, as it prompted me to go back and reread parts of "Filled with Light as with Water"…very interesting how you’ve woven threads of that story into this one…replaying the same scene, but this time from Bilbo’s perspective. The idea of the King’s gift, and its parallel in the Elves’ and hobbits’ connection to the land, was lovely. How sad that men today have no such link… But the business with Ungoliant was rather startling! Wherever did that idea come from? Author Reply: Ooh, I want to so go back to York and Banbury once more! I miss them so! Lucky, lucky you--did you go to the conference? Wish I could have done so. I try to keep my stories consistent with one another, so decided to look at the same scene from a different point of view, and am glad you appear to have appreciated it. As for Ungoliant--wellllllll, I'd always wondered what became of her, at the same time I couldn't figure out why that spider bite might keep reopening--and then it hit me! Once a Maia IIRC, Ungoliant wouldn't easily fade away; so where might she have gone? And she couldn't have returned openly to Aman, so if she found herself in one who managed to get onto the threshold of the Undying Lands as a stowaway of sorts, what might she have done? A perverse sort of guess and image of what MIGHT have happened, of course. I hope you appreciated the might-have-been. Anyway, hope you enjoy the last chapter, too. Good to have you back and hope you enjoyed your time in Jolly Old. /Larner sighs and looks at her depleted bank balance and pouts.

Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 8/3/2005
Ah, you’re killing me, Larner…another heartbreaking chapter! Frodo’s letters were very well done. The most poignant part was his admission of terror at the prospect of taking ship…and very believable that it was Merry to whom he could confess this. Author Reply: Yes, it would be Merry who would receive that confession indeed. And I think it would be fearful, for he's giving up his very identity as a Hobbit of the Shire, which has been part of him all his life. I think Frodo was aware he was changing, and I know I'd be terrified of it, that I'd lose all my sense of self in it. So glad you appreciate it.

Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 7/24/2005
So moving to see Frodo go through all the stages of anger, acceptance, and now, preparation, in this story…death or departure, it’s the same process. I especially liked the part where he orders the suits for Sam. His thoughtfulness is so sweet and typical…knowing that Sam will need new clothes as befitting his role as the new Master of Bag End, and also knowing that Sam would resist going out to order them for himself. Author Reply: Whichever were to come, the result was the same, losing one another until reunited in the future after death. For Frodo, not being certain of how the healing would come, of wondering how the changes he was already aware of might be manifested in the end, must have been frightening. But I've always felt Frodo would have done his best to make certain Sam was prepared as much as possible, even with suits and handkerchiefs and the pocket watch, to take over the role of Master of Bag End when the time came. Thanks so much for continuing to follow the story.

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