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| Go Out in Joy by Larner | 135 Review(s) |
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| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/17/2007 |
| So he learns that Saruman's death/refusal to accept redemption is not his responsibility/fault either. Good. Another burden lifted. It must be hard for him, hard for them all, to just be waiting around for the end, but it was good for him to admit that he was glad after all that they were there. I am ever more confident that he will indeed go out in joy and though there will be much grief in that passing for those left behind, there will hopefully be some joy and peace there too. He has some time left to continue to heal from hhis deep, infected, nonphysical wounds and everyone else has some time to spend to show him how dear he is to them. I think, I hope, he will in the end prefer that to be surrounded by those who love him and those he loves is a better way to go instead of trying to slip away from them all. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Frodo needed that knowledge before he goes, I think, and it was wonderful to be able to write his appreciation of the fact he isn't to blame for what happened to Saruman. And at times like this the waiting can feel so stressful, as time seems to both drag and hurtle by at the same time. For Frodo, however, I think those who truly love him would wish him to appreciate just how much they wish him surrounded and buffered by that love, making it easier to get by the worst bits. Glad you're continuing to read as you can. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/15/2007 |
| Now I think I begin to understand the title a bit more. Perhaps bit by bit the guilt will leave and healing take its place, if our beloved, stubborn Baggins will let it and he will truly be able to 'go out in joy'. He needs to be reminded of all the good he did and he made it to the Fire precisely at the moment God had planned all along for him to do it. The depression and the guilt will have smothered all sense of the great good he did. I love all this counseling that he's getting from Gandalf, sorely needed wisdom. My favorite scenes are that Elanor's first steps were toward him and his first word was for him. Even as a faunt she recognizes his great worth. He seems to be the only one who doesn't but depression would do that to someone. I love most Sam saying it was seeing Frodo's Light that had Smeagol on the verge of conversion. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Yes, all hope that if Frodo must leave him he does it with peace. Although it's not always a simple process. Had he gone, of course there would have been a good long time for Frodo to get proper counseling, of course; and I'm certain Gandalf is rather frustrated with the current rush of things. And somewhere Frodo was made aware that there on the steps Gollum was beginning to soften, before the "sneak" exchange. Only other one there was Sam, so he must have reevaluated what he first saw, and realized perhaps he, himself, with that thoughtless comment perhaps might have foiled a good deal of good in the making. And Elanor is a child filled with grace from the very beginning, I think. So glad you appreciated it. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/10/2007 |
| This time is not going to be easy to either of them, is it? But I take some comfort in the title of the story. I love that Frodo cannot bear to part with Sam even if it will hasten his own death. I hate to think that he parted with Sam in reality because his torment was greater than Sam's love and what could be greater than that? This time he's decided he cannot live without that love being right in front of him until the very end, though I'm surprised it's coming so soon. Sam's anger at Iluvatar for giving Frodo a burden greater than he could bear is understandable. I've wondered that myself but no one could have borne the same burden any better and everyone else worse. The most powerful part of Elanor's recent story based on Enya's song was Elrond telling Frodo he was emptied for a purpose, so he could be filled with God. But still why, I ask, couldn't be filled in the Shire, without being emptied by his burden and then the loss of it? But God's ways are not our ways. I know Frodo had to do what he did and no one else could have, but still the pain is there that he suffered so grievously. I love the part also that Frodo's sleeping head naturally rested on Sam's shoulder. This is going to be an interesting tale. But again, sleep calls! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Indeed, in this version Frodo has determined to remain a Hobbit of the Shire to the end, even if that must come shortly. Although he will learn that the typical response of Shirefolk to impending death by gathering to be with the dying one as much as possible before the end applies as much to him as to any other, a fact he'll find both stressful and reassuring. God is big enough to handle our anger, and can help us weather it and get beyond it to the gifts that are there as well as the loss. For those in whom PTSD is deepest, finding a true connection to the world again is difficult; and if Frodo's health issues followed real-world patterns for the extraordinarily deep physical injuries he suffered, it's likely he would indeed have suffered failing health as a result of his experiences. As I say, I've only changed on aspect of the original story as reflected in my storyline for Frodo's physical decline; and that, of course, leads to other changes as well. Rest well. I'll be heading for bed myself shortly. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 4/8/2007 |
| “I still wish he hadn’t agone,” Hamfast repeated. “Then he could kiss my cut finger and make it better, like Daddy and Mummy do. I bet it would get better much faster if he kissed it, too.” Oh, the affect on and the love Frodo inspired even on those who had never met him face to face, but still know him because one loved him so. This is so sweet. Happy Easter, dear Larner. The queen told me this would be a wonderful story and I wish I could read it all now but I must get to sleep! Christ is Risen! He is truly Risen! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! Yes, I think you'll like this one. Sam would have raised his and Rosie's children in awareness of the love their absent Uncle Frodo held toward them, I'm certain; and as they became aware that their father's reverence for Frodo was mirrored in the hearts of the other Travellers and those of their families I think that the children would have come to see Frodo as one with special gifts, such as the ability to truly heal owies with a kiss. Rest well and prepare for what life gives you. | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/24/2007 |
| Very very very lovely tale.......and what a joyous surprise ending!!!! Totally unexpected!!!!!!!!!! *happy dance* Throughout I was like "Silly Frodo, why doesn't he go? Of course he would want to live and be healed and happy and Sam and the rest would want him to also, and so on and so forth" and at the death scene I was like, "What a thing for Sam to have to witness!" At the end of the funeral I was like ***sniff*** Then the ending was just like a fairy's touch of transformation ***POOF!*** there's your silver lining....Bravissima!!! Yes, I like to play fairy too;);) Thanks for a wonderful read!!! ~~~{~@ Author Reply: Yes, Frodo needed that healing in spite of himself; and to dwell on Tol Eressea without Frodo would be no reward in Sam's eyes, I fear. And considering your sea fairy, I know how you love that form of play. Thanks for a wonderful summation. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/22/2007 |
| See, Frodo? You were supposed to stop off at Tol Eressea for healing - and your stubbornness isn't going to prevent it! I'm sure Sam was ecstatic to be reunited with him so unexpectedly. Author Reply: Yes, he was pretty foolish, wasn't he? So, he gets sent there anyway! And I'm certain you're right about Sam and his joy. | |
| Pearl Took | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 3/20/2007 |
| An excellently well done piece indeed! I liked the epilogue that Frodo would be able to be in the Undying Lands with Sam until such time as they would both move on. The funeral was well conceived and written as well, a good blend of Hobbity and out-worldly. Bravo! Bravo!! Bravisimo!!! Author Reply: I am so pleased you found these the right ways to portray such an eventuality as this. If Aragorn was indeed involved and there were Elves and Dwarves there at hand, I think that this would indeed be a mixture of traditions proving unique and just right for Frodo himself. And am glad I bowed to the little nuzgul on the addition of the epilogue, as it has rung true with so many. Thank you so very much, Pearl Took. | |
| Pearl Took | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/20/2007 |
| “Shelob left her get in there?” the gardener said harshly. The Man examined the form caught in his tongs with dispassionate interest. “No, not precisely her get--rather, her dam, who apparently has been trying to form a new shape for herself using Frodo’s own substance. No wonder the wound kept reopening and the seepage was so foul!” “Ungoliant herself,” one of them murmured. *********** A very interesting touch! A good explanation of why the site of the sting would continue to trouble Frodo so badly. You handled Frodo's death beautifully! MEWD, Larner! Author Reply: This is an idea I've considered before in "The Choice of Healing" and "Reunion," so if Ungoliant was indeed hiding out in there, how would they deal with her in THIS story? And am so very glad you felt Frodo's death was beautifully done, as no one deserves a blessed death more than he, I think. Thank you. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/20/2007 |
| So sad but so perfectly right for Frodo to be buried there, above Bag End, guardian of the Shire he loves, and fitting that so many should come to pay their respects. The speeches from Aragorn, Saradoc and Paladin were very moving and I'm glad Bartolo has allowed himself to let go of his resentment - and that he has become the King's man.....er....hobbit. Even in death Frodo is having a positive effect on others. A wonderful story, and the ending with Sam and Frodo reunited was utterly wonderful. I sat here sniffling and grinning like a fool! Author Reply: I'm so very glad you found these details right, BB. In this story, with more aware of what was done out there and the Shire's part in the entire conflict, I think Frodo's influence would have the chance to be felt more clearly afterwards. And am so very glad you felt the reunion was wonderful. That little nuzgul was right about that being needed. Am so very glad it gladdened you so. | |
| Tigger | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 3/19/2007 |
| I wanted to wait until the end to post a review and...Oh *my*!! This was just so beautifully handled Larner. For someone who doesn't write AU stories often, this was amazing!! Thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful story w/us. :o) Author Reply: Thank you so much, Tigger. I am much honored that you appear to have liked it so. Hadn't heard from you for a time, and was hoping all was going well with you. Still following skating? | |