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| The Blue Wizard Blues by GamgeeFest | 156 Review(s) |
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| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 8/6/2007 |
| Rick is saying to Sauron the things I mentioned in the last chapter! I should have known you were already far ahead of me! And he is, of course, quite right. Yes, the Valar sent him back to undo much of the evil he wreaked, but they also sent him back for his own redemption. And now Frodo has begun to see the truth for himself, and things will not be the same. I like his saying that if he sails or when he sails, it will be on his own terms--and I think also for the right reasons... Melilot, huh? *grin* Author Reply: Rick has come to know and understand Sauron far greater than even the Maia could have guessed. While Frodo might know Sauron better (in the sense that he has seen him both evil and good) it is Rick who truly understand his spirit now, and so it is Rick who must deliver this message to him. For it is Rick who will continue to be there, who will continue to support him and help him and keep him going down the right path. The Valar sent Sauron back - but they sent Melkor back too! You know this has to be at the back of Sauron's mind, a constant fear and yet also a great motivator to not follow in the footsteps of his former master any longer. The Muses have smiled upon Frodo in this story. He will get that ending that Tolkien orginally wanted for him: to live out his life in the Shire to old age, and then sail to Valinor only when he wished it. Melilot - Esme rallied so hard for those two to get together in "A Tale". Will she finally get her wish? ;D | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 8/6/2007 |
| If anyone would have insight into how deceit and lies work on someone, it would be Sauron, wouldn't it? I like your analysis--or rather Sauron's--of Saruman's "prediction". I've always felt that his words were more in the nature of a self-fulfilling "prophecy" than a true one. There was enough of a kernel of truth in it for it to fall on fertile ground, but only when Frodo began to feed and water it with his guilt and self-doubt did it actually begin to come true. Sauron's discomfort at the possibility of a new name in interesting--looks as though he too suffers from a lot of what Frodo has. With, of course, more reason--he feels guilty because he *is* guilty (unlike Frodo, who felt guilty for something he couldn't help), but he will have to move beyond that himself to realizing that making up for what he did will serve more purpose than worrying at his guilt like a loose tooth. Author Reply: There's none better than Sauron for explaining the Dark Side of the Force, and especially the motives of the wizards he helped to corrupt. ;) Frodo warns the hobbits not to heed Saruman's voice, for it is treacherous, and yet I do think that he can't help but listen to it himself, as it speaks to him of the doubts he has already begun to foster. Sauron at this point needs that guilt, to a certain extant, to keep him on this new, unfamiliar path. He's spent so much of his existence being despised by others that he now finds it to be a security blanket of sorts, a familiar coverlet to wrap himself in even while he begins to shed it. He might even fear that if he begins to gain admirers, that if he accepts this admiration, it will take him back down the path of his power-hungry ways. Now Rick is (wisely) trying to yank this secutiry blanket away from him completely and he just isn't ready to let go yet. Rick, dear boy, will have none of this, as you already know. :D | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 7/31/2007 |
| Aliesacan and the Blue Wizards of the East Wonderful title and wonderful name! Bravo, Rick! But Frodo's dream was really terrible, and the future the Blue Wizards showed him even more so! Thanks to Sauron he understands now that the future is changeable. Maybe one of the things he saw happens, but he can always give the future a different turn. I'm right glad that Frodo chose Middle-Earth to live there and not the "Valinor Option". The latter will always be open for him. And if you ask me, of course he should marry and have children. I would love that. Last but not least, Larner is right with her remark. I asked myself the same question: "To whom does the confessor confess?". I'm sure Frodo would listen to him if he only approached him, and the Great Shaman would give him wise advice. Author Reply: Sauron might not like his new name, but he's just going to have to get used to it. ;) The fear of losing the Shire and his friends has been with him from the start. It was the deepest rooted and so would be the last to rear it's ugly head. The Blue Wizards had seized upon it immediately. Thankfully, Sauron knows all about their devious ways, and now Frodo can hope for the future. The Valinor option is still there, and he may still have to take it in the end, but not before he tries to live a normal life. Frodo would be a remarkable father, and what remarkable children he would have too! The Great Shaman would have quite a lot to say if Sauron would ask, but the Maia will be getting his wisdom from a different source. ;) | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 7/31/2007 |
| Oh, what a terrible dream that was! *shudders* I loved the farewells and the gifts and all that, and the trading of stories with the crew, but my favorite part was, of course, Frodo's and Sauron's conversation. This is what I mean when I say Sauron in some ways compares to Gandalf. Maybe it's because they're both Maiar and both wise, they just remind me a little of one another when in these deep conversations. :) Oh, and I *loveed* Rick's enthusiasm for the story he's going to try and write! Just chattering away...that's the way to drive someone (some unsympathetic person who can't possibly understand what it's like to have a good story in the mind) absolutely crazy! LOL! God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Those wizards certainly did find the last hidden seed in Frodo's fears and used it to their full advantage. It's even easier now to see how close they came to overthrowing Frodo and winning that mental duel. Spending the better part of 10 millenia being evil has certainly given Sauron a clear perspective on the nature of evil. He more than anyone would know the tactics of Saruman and the Blue Wizards and so be able to guess with the most accuracy just what they had been trying to do to Frodo. Thankfully, it's given Frodo some hope that all might not be so dire as he's feared. LOL! Rick was likened to Pippin before, very early on in the story, and this was a nice reminder of the similarities between the two. Apparently, when excited, they both begin to ramble non-sensically and in run-on sentences. ;D | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 7/30/2007 |
| Such a wonderful turn of events for Sauron as he finds new meaning for himself in service, and as he helps Frodo put his own fears into proper context and perspective. And so all are reassured, save for Aliescan himself, who finds himself facing his own questions without the open guidance he might derive from the small Great Shaman in his company. To whom does the confessor confess? Author Reply: Sauron would never have predicted the day *he'd* be giving good advice to ease someone else's fears. On the other hand, no one understands the dark natures of Saruman and the Blue Wizards better than Sauron, which makes him the only one who could have answered Frodo's questions, as much as they could be answered anyway. Frodo now feels he can try to live a normal life, though he may be haunted by these warnings all the same. I have a feeling that a certain someone won't be allowing Sauron to sulk for very much longer. ;) | |
| Althea | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 7/30/2007 |
| Frodo's dream was terrifying. The blue wizards certainly knew how to get to him. I'm relieved that Sauron's explanation gave Frodo some hope and that Frodo decided to stay in Middle Earth. Author Reply: The final hold on Frodo's mind is released here as he realizes that even so-called prophecies are not always what they seem to be. It's certainly open to debate whether or not Saruman truly foretold Frodo's future or if he used his Voice one last time, fixing the final nail in Frodo's coffin, so to speak. As such, this would be the final wound to be healed, as much as it can be healed at any rate. Frodo always wanted to stay in ME, he just knew that it wasn't possible. He still isn't entirely sure if it is possible now, but he's going to give it an honest effort this time around. | |
| Althea | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 7/29/2007 |
| Frodo shines in this chapter. His heartfelt words in defense of Sauron and his gentle advice to Cyrus exquisitely demonstrate his wisdom, forgiveness, compassion, and insight. Author Reply: Frodo takes centerstage here and he uses it to the fullest of his ability. He might not have wanted the gig of Great Shaman, but he's realized he must fulfill it, if only to help nudge these lost people in the right direction for rebuilding their kingdom. Frodo's capacity to forgive has grown much over the course of the last few years (indeed, I believe it is his greatest power) and here he uses it to show everyone that the Maia truly has changed. It is a speech that would shock anyone who heard it, Sauron least of all. He's not used to hearing praises spoken in his name. Thanks for reading! :) | |
| Rorrenda | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/28/2007 |
| I'll have to admit, this is the most interesting I've read; story after story about Legolas and Aragorn getting injured and really you know what's going to happen because it's always the same. Author Reply: Hullo Rorrenda! Thanks for stopping by and giving this fic a read! It certainly did keep me guessing for quite awhile as I was writing it, so hopefully it will keep the reader guessing also! :D I hope you enjoy the rest. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 7/28/2007 |
| “Our best is all any of us can do, even me,” Frodo says. He laughs suddenly and Cyrus smiles with him, though he does not know what has made the Shaman happy. Wow! Is this really what I think it is? Has he finally accepted that he did his very best on the quest and that this was more than enough? Cyrus showed Frodo how *he* felt when Bilbo left and when he had to leave with the Ring. And suddenly Frodo understands and what's more, accepts that all living creatures have fears and make mistakes. But that's not important! It's only important to do as much as you can! Thank you very much, GamgeeFest! I'm looking forward to reading more. And I don't think Sam has to worry. Rosie will wait for him :) Author Reply: He has finally accepted it, and that in itself will be more healing than anything else. He knows now he did his best and he can finally accept that he didn't fail. The final burden can now be lifted, and even if some scars never heal, they can now be endured more easily, or so it is to be hoped. After everything Frodo has been through, he deserves to live happily ever after to the end of his days. The wrath of Rosie will not be entirely what Sam is expecting. ;) | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 7/27/2007 |
| Wonderful! It looks like Frodo has truly learned what he needed to know, about himself and others. It's often so, that in giving advice to other people, we suddenly realize that we need to take it for ourselves as well! I look forward to the journey home! Author Reply: It's been a long arduous road, but Frodo has finally come to realize that he did the best he could and, what's more, his best was good enough. He hadn't failed, far from it, and he has much to be grateful for and be proud of. Now, if only these pesky dreams will leave him alone... They'll all be grateful to get back to Gondor and back to somewhere familiar. They're in need of a respite. :) | |