Secrets by Lindelea
Nienor Niniel · 5 October 2006 · Chapter 1: Secrets
Oh, how sad... but first I feared Frodo had some invisible friend or similar that stayed from his having the Ring. I was quite relieved to see the outcome, although it still is quite depressing to think how he saved Middle-earth and was so harmed by it. Of course we know that he will be fine in the end. *sniffs* All the best, Nienor
Queen Galadriel · 1 November 2005 · Chapter 1: Secrets
Oh, how sad! But there's something sweet in it as well. I never did think it was "fair" that after all he went through, Frodo never could be truly healed, that he must again leave home and all but two of those he loved. But stories such as these help me to see the 'journey over the sea as a journey to refuge, not exile, and "Going, Going, Gone" showed me the need more clearly than I've ever seen it. (*blushes* Sorry I misspelled your name in the other review, by the way.) Namarie, and God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
I never thought it was fair, either, and always wished there were some other way... but I suppose it would have lessened the impact of what Tolkien was trying to say. I have a real-l-l-l-ly long story about why Frodo had to leave (a friend of mine calls it "A Lo-o-ong and Passing Thing"), called "A Small and Passing Thing", if you happened to be interested. I chose to have him leave partly to save his life and not just for the sake of comfort. You mentioned knowing Larner, didn't you? She took the idea of a tricky heart and ran with it and really made it plausible. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Pearl Took · 26 December 2003 · Chapter 1: Secrets
This is so sad and bittersweet (is that redundant?) A wonderful tale, as always.
Author's reply
Thanks, Pearl! It is so nice to have written a story that you can read! So often we are writing in the same time period and cannot read each other's stories until the writing is finished...
FantasyFan · 26 December 2003 · Chapter 1: Secrets
This is a terribly sad story. I wonder that you wrote it in only 45 minutes - it's very well crafted. Even though it's not set in the 'canon' of your other stories, I still see little touches of some of the things you have written elsewhere - the burned out stables are the most obvious. And I wonder if this Frodo wouldn't have just turned his face to the wall, if not for how much it would have grieved Sam. Poor Sam, he just sees what he wants to see. It doesn't surprise me that Rosie was more perceptive. Clever as Frodo is, both to save Sam's feelings now and to save them later, by leaving for the West, he doesn't fool Rosie. In all, very nice characterizations.
Author's reply
Well, I had been thinking on it for some weeks, so that when I sat down to write it, it flowed. Very little editing was needed, even. It is supposed to reflect Frodo's illness, first mentioned in "Jewels" (I think the chapter was called "Another Visit") and in "A Small and Passing Thing". Also, just as in the latter story, he doesn't know (yet) that he will be sailing with the Elves, but anticipates dying in the autumn. I remember when my dad was in his last months, try as he might he simply could not eat, and what he did eat, he often brought up again. Someone told me Frodo was out of character in this story, but I see him as trying to spare Sam's feelings. After all, in the original book, Frodo hid his illness, even though he did it with difficulty, on March 13, and didn't even tell Sam he was leaving with the elves, but left it until Sam guessed the truth himself. Thanks for the review and the encouragement.
pebbles · 25 December 2003 · Chapter 1: Secrets
What a lovely story. I enjoyed it very much.
Author's reply
Thank you for the encouragement!
Elendiari22 · 25 December 2003 · Chapter 1: Secrets
*Thud* Wow. This is incredibly bittersweet. Poor Frodo, and poor Rosie. I love this story!
Author's reply
Thank you! Appreciate your taking the time to review.
shirebound · 25 December 2003 · Chapter 1: Secrets
What a sweet (though heartbreaking) story! Such a poignant and loving vignette. (I'm working on my own Frodo-and-dog story -- must be something in the air!)
Author's reply
Thanks, shirebound! It is always a pleasure to read one of your stories... or one of your reviews. This story has been kicking around in the back of my mind ever since Dana told me about a "challenge" (is that the word) on the livejournal writing community, ringprov is it? Anyhow, the challenge was to write a story in which one of the characters had a secret. This came into my mind 'way back then, but I never made myself sit down to write it until this morning. I tell you, it was difficult to get it all finished in 45 minutes! My only salvation was that I'd been thinking on it for so long that it needed no more thinking to write...