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The Acceptable Sacrifice  by Larner 11 Review(s)
French PonyReviewed Chapter: 84 on 2/21/2006
Frodo does indeed have some 'splaining to do. Fortunately, both Lily and Mina are wonderfully understanding ladies. It seems that, even though they think Frodo ought to start seeing lasses, what he really needs is someone to mother him.

Author Reply: It's been a time since Frodo got proper mothering, but now he is getting some, some he has indeed desperately needed. And a vital few unconnected with the quest, are beginning to understand.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 84 on 2/21/2006
I really like that he has Mina in his life right now. He needs that motherly figure even if he does doesn't really know that himself. I think that Esme might have been able to fill that role if she wasn't have to deal with her own stuff with Merry... and if Frodo was around her. But since Frodo is with Mina so regularly there is a nice relationship there.

I was shocked that Frodo told Lily about how the Ring made him act towards lasses. Just because I didn't think he was close enough to her that he would tell her something like that. But he was tired and felt cornered and sometimes we do says things like that that we might not tell people in other circumstances. At least I trust her enough that she will not pass that on to anyone.

Author Reply: As I commented in a response to a previous chapter, my late husband would admit things to others he wouldn't tell the Kid or me; and he would just snap at us over the littlest things at times. It's just part of the pain of long-term illnesses, I must assume. That Frodo might tell such a horrible detail to someone within the Shire seemed plausible; but that he wouldn't do so a few days later in a similar situation also fits with the experiences we had with Tony.

Mina has now been seeing Frodo much of his time since he returned over the past eight months, although that is coming soon to an end. She is a cousin, and his mother's first cousin, for all she was never close to him as were those of his Took and Brandybuck, Bolger and Boffin kin. And at the moment she is one who is able to step into Primula's footsteps at least a bit. And I think even Esme is glad someone is there for her beloved fosterling cousin.

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 84 on 2/20/2006
so nice to see frodo having people he can confide in, around whom he can let down for a time. I had a thought, by officiating at weddings, and helping others to find what the Ring denied him, he may be, in a small way getting his revenge on the thing for what it took from him.

Author Reply: Yes, this is helping him, but it's still not enough to help him feel properly fulfilled. But it is giving him a lot more than he did have.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 84 on 2/19/2006
How awkward for the Tooks and Brandybucks that Mina knows more about their own sons, Frodo and Sam than they themselves! But as for Will, he truly should’ve asked Frodo if he *wants* to be Mayor. It would’ve spared him the disappointment when Frodo declined.

And the women! Poor Frodo – first Lily, then Mina. Why want women so often to play matchmaker? They should leave it to Frodo if he wants to marry or not. Well, what Frodo told her must have been a terrible shock to Lily. Mina at least knows Frodo is not very well and can understand all that better, I think.

Author Reply: Yes, it is an awkward situation for Merry and Pippin's parents, the Tooks because they are too unwilling to accept the truth and the Brandybucks because Merry won't break down and tell them what really happened.

You will find as the story progresses that it's not just the ladies who would like to see Frodo wed, as Brendi and Pippin add their two cents to the mix.

But you are right about the two women who did approach Frodo. It's not an easy situation for either, but at least they are willing to accept what they're told and be supportive as they can.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 84 on 2/19/2006
Wow! It's really difficult to write a review for this chapter. So much emotion: sadness, anger, embarrassment and also joy!

Frodo went through all those feelings again when he told Lily about the Ring. It must have been really hard to do so, yet he did and that showed his respect, his love for her.
Not long after that happened, Mina asks him the same question. Of course, he is too exhausted and frustrated to recall the complete story again. But what he tells Mina has been a private matter just the same - until that point.

He rose, suddenly stepped forward and gave her a small kiss on her forehead. “Sometimes, Mina, you look so much like my mum, you know.

That's the best compliment he could give her. He needs his mother much more than he recognizes. Mina and Lily are doing their best to help him!



Author Reply: Yes, there's a bit of everything here for Frodo, except a good, sound laugh. But he'll get that soon enough, you'll find.

He's starting to get the questions as to when he'll start living a proper Hobbit life, and at a time when he doesn't think he can. But he is getting the caring expressed he needs, and indeed the mothering that he's missed for years, as you've noted.

Am so glad you pointed that out.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 84 on 2/19/2006
Will really ought to consult him before proposing him as mayor, though. And he's only seeing the results of having Frodo in charge and not the effect it's having on him.

I'm glad Frodo sees something of his mother in Mina. He needs the comfort that offers.


harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 84 on 2/19/2006
Well! That was a powerful 'wow' of a chapter right enough! It would take something as important as that to get Frodo to open up as much as he did. Lily got decidedly more than she bargined for. At least Sam was in the vicinity to minister to him. I am glad that the chapter ended up on a much more positive not with dear, empathic, Mina.

Aragorn, Lord Halladan, Prince Imrahil, and Lord Faramir got into quite an involved discussion on just this subject one day, and the tales they told were beyond belief.”

I bet that was also a sad eye-opener of a discussion to be party to!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 84 on 2/18/2006
Poor Frodo, being forced to admit to others what the Ring did to him. But both Lily and Mina are motherly types--they will keep his confidence, and try to comfort him as best they can. It's good to see him get a bit of mothering--he deserves it if anyone does.

I was glad to see Mina, as well as Esmeralda, speak to Paladin and Eglantine about Frodo. Of course they are both still in denial, but it had to shake them a bit to hear these things from those whom they consider reliable.

And poor Will, not having any idea that Frodo's just not in any shape to take on the job of Mayor, no matter how well suited to it he is.

An excellent chapter!

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 84 on 2/18/2006
I couldn't have done it. I couldn't have done what Lily did, and what Mina attempted, if it was so obvious that Frodo wasn't well-why, I guess by now anyone who cared to observe could tell just by looking at him, and one doesn't need to be able to do that; I recall Ferdi knew-and I'd know, even if I didn't fully understand about the Ring and all he and Sam went through. It's too plain from his behaviour. But Lily and Mina do care, even if Mina did show a little more tact and more of a maternal air. And I think that simple show of affection on Frodo's part did them both good.
God bless,
Galadriel

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 84 on 2/18/2006
I'm glad (and a little surprised) that Frodo was so open with Mrs. Cotton but it's good he trusted her enough to be that upfront about the whole thing, esp. what the Ring wanted him to do with lasses. I hoped it helped him some. Poor dear, wanting a lass but too feeling too emptied out to give her anything. I find myself anxious for him to go West so he can heal, heartbreaking as it will be at first. Enough of this suffering!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

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