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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 23 Review(s) |
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| storyfish | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/21/2006 |
| I remember coming across this fic a long time ago, but because of its length I didn't get much farther than a chapter or two until the craziness of life-stuff forced me to stop reading for a while...and then I forgot to return! Well, this time I'm going to read it all, and to help me remember to do so, I'm being a much better reviewer this time. ;-) This first chapter has me hooked, especially at this line: Oh, Iorhael, even you were not immune to Its power. You do not understand yet, do you? Iluvatar does not rejoice in burnt offerings, but in living sacrifices. I am intrigued, and I hope that in the course of this story, Frodo does indeed learn the difference between a burnt offering and a living sacrifice, and is healed. His current attitude is alarming--especially since, as Gandalf observed, you intended to destroy yourself to destroy It, and Frodo is disappointed he's not dead! Poor hobbit.... *hugs him* Author Reply: Glad you've come back to it. Am trying to get back to those I'd not responded to before. They were doing a series of quotes from Tolkien's letters on Frodo's reasons for being so calm on Mount Doom, his reasons for chosing to go to Tol Eressea, and so on, and those sparked this story. And as for hugging Frodo--I agree--I too want to hug him. Thanks for giving it another try, and hope you make it through all the chapters. | |
| Elf Friend | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/3/2006 |
| *jaw drops* Wow,this is absolutely riveting! What a shock for Frodo--to think that finally peace will come after all the torment and horror he went through and then...it doesn't. I can't wait to see where this goes! *eagerly turns to the next chapter* Author Reply: Oh, my dear, unfortunately it goes EVERYWHERE! This one has taken on a life of its own and doesn't promise to end anywhere near as soon as I'd expected when I started with the thing! The gapfiller of all gapfillers, I fear! However, those who have stuck with it find it as interesting as it apparently nears its end as it began. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/16/2005 |
| I have been wanting to start this one for some time now and am only just getting the chance. It is off to a wonderful beginning. I love quiet conversations between Gandalf and Frodo. Author Reply: Thank you--am glad you have time now and appreciate how it begins. And for Frodo waking up and realizing he wasn't dead after all must have been a shock. This was inspired by one of Tolkien's own letters on the subject. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/29/2005 |
| The battered mug--nice detail! None of us is the same, Frodo. (excellent observation!) There where Its power was strongest, do you really believe It would have allowed that? (that was my thought, exactly) Iluvatar does not rejoice in burnt offerings, but in living sacrifices. (there is so much wealth in this deceptively brief statement) Author Reply: Glad you appreciate it, Lindelea. If the look of relief was the first hint he wasn't dead after all, the battered mug would have been the clincher, I think. As a Maia himself, Gandalf comes the closest to appreciating the way Sauron's mind and by extension the "mind" of the Ring would work. And the last comment is a slight adaptation from the Psalma, one which I'm certain is appropriate here. Thanks so much for the comments--you know how much they mean. | |
| Periantari | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/19/2005 |
| What a sweet scene~ i love the description, i love how you capture both Frodo and Gandalf's feelings. And the end to the chapter was my favorite. Frodo reached out, and the Wizard gathered him into his embrace, felt the tears of mixed relief and regret against the breast of his white robes. :*( :*) awwww~! I can't wait to read more... ::goes on to second chapter:: Author Reply: Waking up had to have been hard to do, for all he'd calmed down by the time Sam awoke also. And am glad you like how I express the feelings the two of them have. I'll admit it, I enjoy some good Frodo angst from time to time, and like to explore how he'd have begun recovery, only to realize there was no going back after all. Thanks for the feedback. | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/18/2005 |
| "Iluvatar does not rejoice in burnt offerings, but in living sacrifices." Wow....I am literally speechless--almost. Awesome...wonderful...amazing. I'm going further for more. What a wonderul beginning! Pippinfan Author Reply: A small quote from the psalms twisted slightly to fit Middle Earth. And a thought I'm certain influenced Tolkien to send Gandalf and the Eagles to rescue Frodo and Sam and possibly Gollum as well, so that they could realize just what that concept means. Glad you like the beginning. | |
| SlightlyTookish | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/18/2005 |
| I really love how you've written Frodo's awakening scene. It really must have been a shock for him to realize that he was alive! I also love that he thinks he should have carried the ring himself into the fire. I'm sure that's what he would have done, had the ring let him. And all the angst and guilt he's feeling is very appropriate. I'm looking forward to reading more :) Author Reply: I try to keep most of the angst I write appropriate in nature, without our favorite characters always being ill, except in Frodo's case I suspect that spider bite would have been far more serious than Tolkien represented it. He knew he couldn't bear to see anyone else with the Ring from the time he grabbed it from Sam in the tower of Cirith Ungol. And as he stood over the Cracks of Doom it would have confirmed his realization he couldn't just let it go, either. I suspect that from Cirith Ungol on he'd have realized the destruction of the Ring would cost his life. However, I sincerely doubt that the Ring would allow that. "Oh, no you don't--this is MY place and now it's MY rules! You put me on and march out the door there and wait like a good little boy, thinking you can now bust those Nazgul when you haven't enough strength and control to even make yourself visible to most folk. But they'll see you, take you out, and deliver you and me to my REAL master!" Thanks so much for the feedback. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/18/2005 |
| Poor Frodo, it isn’t easy to come to terms with what happened. To go on a suicide mission, lost consciousness in the devastation on Orodruin and then to awake and find himself alive must’ve been quite strange. It knew your heart, Frodo Baggins--It knew you intended to destroy yourself to destroy It. There where Its power was strongest, do you really believe It would have allowed that?” You know, that is only too true! Although Frodo may hesitate to acknowledge it. Sometimes I wonder – if Gollum hadn’t been there, and Frodo wasn’t able to destroy It, what then? Would Sam have been forced to grab Frodo and jump with him in the Orodruin? Frodo should be glad it didn’t come to that. Anyway, it’s certainly an interesting new plot! Author Reply: Tolkien himself explored some of these "what-ifs" in his letters: if Gollum had truly repented he'd still have taken the Ring, even if by violence, and would have jumped in himself to spare Frodo instead of accidentally falling in; perhaps Sam might have tried just that, if he'd been able to figure out precisely where his invisible master was. I suspect that from Cirith Ungol on Frodo would have known the only way to truly get rid of the Ring was to jump in with it, and I suspect he'd have been glad Sam wasn't there to see him do it when he first went in, just before the Ring took him completely. Once that happened, everything else was just supposition. I hope Frodo never thought of the idea of Sam grabbing him and both of them falling into the fire. I suspect such an idea would have destroyed him completely. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/18/2005 |
| The start of a new story! This looks like an interesting beginning - poor Frodo. I love the burnt offering - living sacrifices comment that Gandalf is thinking. Author Reply: This is a quote from the Psalms with a slight translation to fit it into Middle Earth; and is part of the Eucharistic traditions of the liturgical churches, of course. Understanding being a burnt offering is fairly easy--you are presented, your life is offered, and off you go for your reward over there. As a living sacrifice you find your reward is in great part here, but interspersed with all the problems that you offer of yourself to solve. Nowhere as easily defined, and not as easily accepted by many. But, I think, the Creator prefers the living sacrifices, as we have more chance of touching more lives positively along the way. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/17/2005 |
| He thought he was dead! And now has to deal with not being. But at least he has Gandalf there to offer him what help he can. Author Reply: Yes, I suspect the first moment of waking must have been one of utter shock as he realized he was alive. And he has several to aid him, if he'll open to healing. Thanks for the feedback, Bodkin. | |