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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 21 Review(s) |
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| SlightlyTookish | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/30/2005 |
| This is a beautiful chapter, Larner. Have I said how much I love your Aragorn? Because I do. How wonderful and hopeful of him to have commissioned the hobbit-sized chairs even before the Last Battle. Author Reply: Yes, Aragorn has always been the embodiment of hope, and here he lived up to his childhood name. So glad you love him as I depict him. I've been in love with him, after all, since I first read the books when I was thirteen-fourteen years old. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/30/2005 |
| Loved this chapter! I was particularly touched by Frodo and Sam fastening each other's cloaks. I also love Sam's wise words: "For it’s in the way you treat those smaller’n you that you show your quality." How very true, and this is why Aragorn is the perfect leader, because he cares for the small and the weak, and sees their quality. So many politicians and leaders have nothing but contempt for little people, but Aragorn knows they are the foundation of his strength. A wonderful description of the Coronation - I felt as though I was there. Author Reply: This is the definition of the true leader, one who does care and shows it, from beginning to end. And the Coronation was one moment in the book when I truly wanted so much more, and it's a joy to be able to imagine it and share that imagining with others. Thanks so much for the appreciation expressed. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/30/2005 |
| Oh! I feel like pasting this description of the corination into The Book Larner. Pomp and ceremony at its best. And the bit that I liked best was the bestowing of the cloaks/mantles in the tent and Frodo's foresight of the same thing at the end! Another chapter to treasure! And too much else to appreciate to comment properly - like Faramir, Gandalf's words, Aragorn's relationship with his Kin................... Author Reply: As I've said before, I thought Tolkien rather shortchanged the Northern Dunedain, who after all were described as Aragorn's kinsmen. That they would be willing to seek him out so far from their own ranges and follow him through the Paths of the Dead--either they were one-dimensional wonders, or they must have loved him as their chieftain beyond telling. I choose to believe the latter, and wanted to explore that with Hardorn, who is the one who has stood at Aragorn's shoulder through so much of his life in my imagining of Middle Earth. And am so very glad that this chapter has managed to move so many, and so deeply, apparently. And that you want to paste it into THE BOOK is praise indeed! Thank you so much! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/30/2005 |
| I feel as though I were suspended in a crystal, seeing all going on around me as if it couldn’t quite touch me. What a good description of the feeling of disconnection that tends to strike at earth-shattering moments. I love the preparations, and the uncertainty/inevitability of it all. And Frodo's moments of foresight. Author Reply: I've felt precisely that way more than once, and I am so glad that you and others appreciate its inclusion. And as Frodo was definitely having flashes of foresight before the end, I like to think that perhaps here is where it begins. To foresee that Aragorn would live happily, have a son who was as wonderful as himself, and then return the Gift in such a blessed manner must have been a blessing for him at that moment. So glad you appreciate it. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/30/2005 |
| A touching chapter, Larner! At the beginning and end I had tears in my eyes. You’ve captured Aragorn’s feelings so well! It must’ve been difficult for him, to accept the burden of the crown without the surety of Arwen’s hand. Luckily he had his foster brothers and cousins with him, his beloved Hobbits and the others from the fellowship, so he wasn’t alone at least. Frodo’s visions of the future are quite intriguing to watch – I love the way you describe them, Frodo practically standing apart from his body. Oh, and I hope we get to see a bit more about Galador’s first experiences with his new King, it should prove amusing! And if he had imagined a ‚rustic’ Dunedain maiden on the throne, he will be greatly surprised when he gets his first glimpse at the future Queen of Gondor! *wide grin* Author Reply: Aragorn had lived long enough to know you can't truly count on much in this life save for its tendency to remain unpredictable. It may take a time to truly explore Galador's feelings--Aragorn is going to surprise him with his appreciation for his position and for strategies of dealing with unforeseen guests; but it will take time for the two of them to truly come to loggerheads. However, I think Galador is beginning to realize even now that he is outranked by the King. But Arwen is going to be a pleasant shock to about everyone. The idea of the "rustic" Dunedain maiden is a fun one, isn't it, compared to what they get! As for Frodo's foresight--we know he had it later, and I wanted to explore when and how it began. Thanks so much for the feedback. | |
| demeter d | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/29/2005 |
| OOOOh! I can not say enough good about this chapter.I was holding my breath the whole time.First, the lovely details of preparing; helping each other dress, and the mental last deep breaths before the final plunge. Your very personal descriptions both echo and fill in the blanks of Tolkein's own description of the moments up to and of the Coronation. Your writing here sounds just like the books! I loved each moment between the characters, as each weighed the sacrifices that all had made to this moment, and looked forward to the fruits of those sacrifices.And, forward to yet more labor, service and sacrifice, for such is life! I liked that you had Aragorn call Frodo "small brother", from your sweet story "Fostering". I feel that beautifully captures the connection between them. And again, how beautifully you have expressed the principle that 'he who would be chief among you, let him be the servant of all'. This so beautifully captures the heart of Tolkien's stories. Author Reply: Am so very glad that you appreciate this, Demeter. I have wanted so much to expand on the coronation as written by Tolkien, and to find the chance to do so has been a blessing. Life should be a series of sacrifices of self to and for others; and where Aragorn has grown up knowing this, Frodo is only beginning to appreciate that he's been doing such all his life automatically and that this is what will continue to be expected of him as time continues. And yes, the one who would be the greatest should be as the servant of all; this is the heart of the "great" tale Tolkien himself best appreciated, and that he wrote into this one, and the heart of what I wanted to express as well. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/29/2005 |
| Oh, so beautiful and canonical! I do believe you have captured that moment and the time leading up to it perfectly! I really like Frodo hearing all the mentions of the sacrifices Aragorn has made throughout his life--it fits so into your theme of living sacrifice, as opposed to a sacrifice of life. Author Reply: Yes, this is where Frodo starts appreciating just what "living sacrifice" means. And I've really tried to keep it true both to canon and to life. So glad you appreciate it! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/29/2005 |
| Beautiful chapter. I love seeing this too-short scene in the book filled in with such insight. Author Reply: Am so very glad you appreciate it, Shirebound. I've always tried to imagine what the preparations for the walk to the blasted gate and the barrier would have been like; and now I've finally had the chance to share it. And it's the moment, I think, when Frodo first begins to appreciate that once one begins giving that giving is expected to continue. | |
| TithenFeredir | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/29/2005 |
| This chapter also seemed to be warmed by the friendhips among the characters. I loved Sam and Frodo putting each other's cloaks and brooches on, the soft look in Legolas' eyes at the sight of Aragorn finally ready to take his place and Aragorn's funny, unpretentious observation about Minas Tirith,“It is rather pretty, isn’t it?” At the end it seems like Frodo feels things falling back into place, as if the world is almost safe again as before his adventure. I would think that is a kind of healing for him, though I know he'll never be completely well this side of the sea. Lovely chapter. ~TF Author Reply: What a lovely summary, TithenFendir. I agree--you've managed to word what I meant so well--for the moment the world is seen by Frodo as a safer place. And it is a moment where the friendships are important, for the recognition by cousin and friends that this is the moment for which Aragorn was born; and now they are each trying to prepare the others for what is to come, as the whole of the mortal lands face a new order as Aragorn assumes the Winged Crown. Thanks so much for the comments. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/29/2005 |
| Yay! Hooray! Long live the King! I feel like there should be some music for the occasion. Da-dum-dee-dum. . . no, that's for weddings, and that hasn't happened yet. Hmm. Daaaaah, dum-dum dee dah, daaah, dum-dum-dum. . . no, "Pomp and Circumstance" is for a graduation. I don't know what you play at a coronation. Well, it doesn't matter. Something with trumpets. I love the descriptions of getting ready, especially people feeling like it's not quite real, even though they've been waiting their whole lives for that moment. It really does make it feel like a wedding or a graduation, since they've got everything done up so perfectly, and it's such a life-changing event for everyone. And just think, in another month or so, Arwen will arrive, and the protocol people and royal shindig planners will have to go through their paces again, and Aragorn is going to be even more of a nervous wreck. Tee hee hee. . . Author Reply: Yes, this is the moment long awaited; and the moment of change. And the trumpets are indeed called for! And I'm also looking forward to the coming nuptials. So glad you feel I've caught the feelings of those involved properly. | |