Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	19 Review(s)
Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/26/2005
Faralion is learning so much about hobbits and his King. His concern for Frodo is touching. That all of the hobbits are willing to be so open with him tells you how kind and gentle he is. I suppose it also shows that Aragorn trusts Faralion and the hobbits know that and so are willing to speak with him, but I suspect it is more about his character that the hobbits are sensing. It is good for Frodo to hear that he is not guilty and not responsible for other peoples actions, etc. from someone like Faralion. Even if he does not appear to be listening right now, it might ring true to him later. Sometimes you accept things easier from a stranger than from a family member or a close friend who you suspect might just be saying something to make you feel better. I liked the part about the loss of innocence leading to a greater compassion for others. It is so very, very true. Very nice chapter and I'm anxious to see what Faralion has planned! Author Reply: I remember telling my daughter something over and over and over again when she was a teen, but until another person told her exactly the same thing with whom she knew I'd had no contact before she would not believe it. So, indeed, your observation is so accurate! I, too, see the Hobbits reacting primarily to Faralion's honesty and willingness to accept them as they are, and his obviously honest desire to understand Frodo and to help him accept what might come to him in his life. Again, I was partially inspired for the recognition that loss of innocence can and should lead to better things by Joy Chant's book "Red Moon, Black Mountain" where Oliver, the main protagonist, learns much the same lesson. Just as the trade-off for virginity is the ability to beget children, so the trade-off for innocence is greater understanding of others.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/26/2005
Larner, again, I'm speechless! I'm in awe of your talent, your ability to capture these beloved characters and give them new depth. And it's amazing how your stories all seem to be woven together-For Eyes to See as Can as a background for all, this story, The Choice of Healing (loved that one too)...what else? What is the "plan for the evening?" I haven't read all your work yet, but I'm working towards that, and I shall be honoured if my work is ever anywhere near what you have accomplished. Keep it up! God bless, Galadriel P.S. Have you ever thought of duing something that occurs during the quest, a gap-filler, maybe? Author Reply: A gapfiller during the Quest? So many folks have done such wonderful jobs on this--Baylor has done some superb things, including "The Care and Feeding of Hobbits"; Budgielover's "Caught between Light and Dark" and "A Lesson on Hobbits"; Indigo Bunting's "The River" and so on. Closest I've done so far was parts of "For Eyes to See as Can" although I admit they are fleeting. I'll consider it, but can promise nothing at this point.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/26/2005
Once more you show a fresh take on the old material, as Pippin and Merry fill Farolian in on Frodo. Always someone with a new and different perspective--I find I am liking Farolian a good deal. And there were some things in there I hadn't heard before, like Pippin sneaking off to Bag End all winter, rather than being stuck in the Great Smials. I also like that Pippin was asked to serve as one of the Guards for the Coronation. I'm wondering what Farolian has in mind. Author Reply: I'd mentioned this in both For Eyes to See as Can and in The King's Commission, so decided to explore HOW Pippin was sneaking away the way he'd done. And I think that Aragorn would definitely wish his smallest Guardsman active in his coronation procession, don't you agree? As for Faralion's plans, those will be made clear tomorrow. And bless Gentle Hobbit for allowing me to expand on her concept, and Vistula the Dunedain for getting Sam back where he belongs.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/26/2005
Oh Oh just dying to hear his plans for the evening. But it is gone midnight, again, and I must go to bed so short review tonight. I wanted to cry when Frodo said 'I know this in my head but my heart blames me.' That is just too close to home for me as I often feel that way! Hope you are feeling much better. And thanks for the response to my last review. Author Reply: Am getting better, but still break out into coughing jags at times. And, yes, I, too, know how Frodo feels there. Have been there and done that.

TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/26/2005
Faralion is learning a lot about hobbits, isn't he? But he seems a very inquisitive fellow, very open-minded. I suspect he will help Frodo a lot in the future. That was a lovely picture you painted of life in the Shire. So hobitty! ~TF Author Reply: Well, as it's hobbits it's about, I'm glad it came out appropriately hobbity. And Faralion is an artist and must be inquisitive to do what he does. And I hope he manages to aid Frodo to gather more of the knowledge he needs to heal properly. Thanks for the review.

SlightlyTookish	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/26/2005
I really enjoyed this chapter. Faralion is a great character, very wise and curious. I loved his conversation with Pippin and Merry. It was great to hear their thoughts about Frodo and how they explain his behavior. Very enlightening. Author Reply: However, as a non-hobbit, the descriptions of relationships and counter-relationships must at times have made his poor head swim. But he is learning and hopefully what he is learning will stand Frodo in good stead in the future. Thanks for the feedback.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/26/2005
I do hope everyone gets to hear Frodo laugh and be merry again. And this is marvelous: "Know this, Master Frodo Baggins, you are not responsible for the choices of others, only for your own. You chose to fight the great Enemy of our time as you could, and you continued to do so until at last you were overcome by his weapon. Yet you held off that moment until at least you had brought It into the one place where It could be destroyed, and so it was done. “Any evils done by those who are enemies are still the works of those who committed them. You’ve done nothing to provoke others save to protect as you can. Blaming yourself for what another does, and especially for what another might have done, is a lie unworthy of you.” Author Reply: There will be good and bad days in Frodo's future, until he must seek an even more protected environment in which to heal at last. And I try to remember these words at times, for my mother once told me much the same when I was younger. So glad you appreciate them.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/26/2005
And one last thing I forgot: “Why would he carry it?” That's the sixty-four thousand dollar question, and the answer satisfies. Author Reply: I take it the question is asked of Frodo and the Ring. And, yes, the answer satisfies.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/26/2005
Faralion is a good guy. He does his research well, but he also has a great deal of compassion and insight to offer Frodo as well. He's a valuable friend to all the Hobbits. Even better than Sam getting his wish of being put into song is that it'll be a really good song. It'd be awful to be put into a bad song after all they went through, but Faralion seems smart and talented enough to write good lays. He'll also be a credit to Aragorn's court in coming years. But first, he has to get through hearing about Hobbit family trees. If he can deconstruct those, he's set for life. I love hearing about all the gossip of the pre-War Shire. Author Reply: After reading Gentle Hobbit's The Minstrel's Quest I, too, found myself wanting to meet the minstrel who wrote the Lay. I didn't exactly write him as she did Farohan, and I've avoided much of the happenings she did write so as not to conflict with her story (which I very much recommend, btw). But she did give me permission to use one of her plot devices, which I've expanded on somewhat. But somehow Faralion fails to connect with Aragorn as he has the hobbits, and I suspect it is mostly because he finds that, being a new race and an unknown social structure, he doesn't start out with unworkable expectations for how they "ought" to behave and is more easily convinced to accept them as they are. Thanks for the comments--they keep me writing.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List