harrowcat · 9 October 2023 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
Yet another reading through of your delightful tale Larner. Still brings both tears and laughter. hoping all is well with you my friend. Hugs Elizabeth
For Eyes to See as Can by Larner
Reviews (34)
Eirinn Leigh · 8 July 2015 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
This was heartbreakingly beautiful especially the beginning and ending thirds. The middle third (covering the events of the quest) felt quite rushed and rather jarred me out of the story flow.
Author's reply
I am so glad you chose to read it, as it was my first foray into fanfiction. I'd not wished to tread at that time into situations that the Master had already written to, so for me it was enough for Sam to assume his own Master had written all that was needful to know about the quest itself, and to concentrate on the periods before and after the quest. Thank you so much for your feedback!
Szepilona10 · 30 September 2012 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
So, I have no idea why I haven't read this before, but it's fantastic! It definitely goes on the list of my all-time favorite fanfictions. Sam is a very interesting individual--he sees himself as a lowly gardener, but is really one of the smartest and most important beings in Middle Earth. To read about 'Mr' Frodo from his point of view, gives a completely different perspective than third person does. Anyway, this was a great story (even though it doesn't have rangers in it! :D)! God Bless! ~Szepilona~
Author's reply
I am so honored, Szepilona! My first story, written so long ago now, in response to "A Small and Passing Thing" by Lindelea as she posted it on FanFiction.net. I always felt that Sam's intelligence had to have been played down by Tolkien, particularly if he, too, was educated by Bilbo. And I found I had to include some of my own obsessions from when I was younger, such as caddisfly larvae and their often beautiful constructions, as an exemplar for metamorphosis. No, no northern Dunedain Rangers in this one, or at least not deliberately. Thanks so much for the comments and compliments!
Socrates399 · 1 March 2009 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
I read this once before, but I just realized that I have never reviewed. This is beautiful! I am always impressed when you (along with one or two other fan-fiction writers who I follow) create a story that is faithful to Tolkien's work, and yet very original. Thank you.
Author's reply
Thank you for taking the time to reread and comment, Socrates. That you find it original considering I was referencing Tolkien himself and a host of the fanfics I'd read just before reading Lindelea's "A Small and Passing Thing" is a great compliment indeed! It was my first fanfic story, and the one that got me started as one hooked on the genre. I am honored so many have appeared to like the story as well as they have. Thank you so very much!
GamgeeFest · 20 May 2006 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
I finally finished reading this and it is just beautiful. Such a bittersweet ending, yet so full of love and hope as well. It is hard to see just what Frodo thought of himself at the end, that all he could see was his failing and self-loathing, and not his strength and selflessness. Being in Valinor will help to heal that. I cannot say enough good things about this story, just that it's one of my favorites and will forever change the way I see Frodo after the Quest. Thank you for sharing this.
Author's reply
Ah, you've found the First Story. Yes, this is one of my favorites as well, and am so glad you found this moving. Pain and depression can so deeply wound us. I suspect Frodo found a great deal to look down on himself about after the quest; he needed the grace to get past that. This makes the knowledge Frodo was granted the grace to go to Eressea more meaningful, for he finally had sufficient physical and emotional healing he could begin appreciating he was indeed beloved and worthy of the love all others wished to shower him with.
Andrea · 20 April 2006 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
Wow! Why didn't I find this story earlier? For here lie the roots of some of the best stories I ever read! What a wonderful idea to see Frodo through the eyes of Sam - until he, too left Middle Earth, and then to give the last words to Aragorn. Those dark pictures are frightening - especially the one of Frodo as Gollum. His dreams must have been pure agony! I'm just glad to know that you, too, see a reunion of Frodo and Sam in the end, and a last meeting with Aragorn.
Author's reply
Oh, I am glad you found it. I admit that Lindelea's and others' works heavily inspired this and were even referenced in it, and am grateful the original writers appear happy to see the references. But I felt it was time that Sam's point of view be examined, and had a great deal of enjoyment putting myself into his--footsteps. And the dark pictures would be part of what Frodo would have sought to draw to deal with the darkness he found himself. Writing and drawing out the fears and worries, I always felt, would be how he dealt with that which worried him the most. Yes, I see Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn finding one another in the future. Thanks so much for letting me know you've read this and appreciated it.
GamgeeFest · 18 April 2006 · Chapter 16: Restlessness and Conspiracy
It is rather sad to think that the Baggins family is no more in the Shire. Sam pays tribute to them in the only way he can, by naming his sons after his masters. Frodo's restlessness is well portrayed here and those dreams sound frightening indeed. We know what they mean, even if he doesn't fully understand them yet himself.
Author's reply
I agree about how sad the family of Baggins has declined almost to non-existence. But there will be Bilbos and Frodos there, I think. I wanted to explore how the Ring might have affected Frodo early on, before it was quite awake; and these dreams pushed themselves into the story. It ties into the discussion Frodo and Gandalf have of them in The Acceptable Sacrifice as well, as somehow Frodo began dealing with them to keep the Ring from endangering those around him.
GamgeeFest · 3 April 2006 · Chapter 13: Preparations for Departure
First the elven flowers and now the clock - Pippin has busy little hands! lol It's lovely to think that Sam preserved all those shells and eventually had them encased and displayed, and that Sam was so intent on making sure that Frodo had beauty all around him with the gardens, even on Bag End's rooftop.
GamgeeFest · 3 April 2006 · Chapter 12: Wizards and Worries
I can just picture Sam trying to talk to and comfort the poor flowers. Interesting to think that Sam might have known all about the ring before the Conspiracy. That's a pretty heavy conversation for one as young as Sam, but he's able to handle it, proving that he is far more intelligent than most (including himself) give him credit for.
GamgeeFest · 25 March 2006 · Chapter 11: Unconfounded Relatives
Awww! Wee!Baby!Pippin - their lives will never be the same, or uneventful, again. Loved the argument over the waistcoat; we do so often fight over the silliest things. Gandalf playing with Pippin, and with Bilbo's china no less, was just the icing on the cake.
GamgeeFest · 25 March 2006 · Chapter 10: Confounded Relatives
Those Sackville-Bagginses! They can't even see that everyone has *them* pegged as the rude ones, and the only true thing Lobelia does say, no one believes. Loved Frodo's words with them at the beginning, and then Bilbo's little talk with them. I can see why the Gaffer was having a hard time not laughing. Loved all the glimpses of Frodo fitting in with the Hobbiton folk, and teaching the young ones to read, and if anyone can deliver a Look that stops everyone in their tracks, it would be him.
GamgeeFest · 25 March 2006 · Chapter 8: Lung Sickness and Yule
I hate it when the weather can't make up it's mind. I usually avoid getting sick, but not everyone is so lucky. Poor Frodo and Bell. Having and recovering from such an illness is never fun, and it seems to be really holding onto Bell - the beginning of her final illness I suspect. What lovely Yule gifts for everyone. I can't begin to imagine what wee!Sam's story must have been, but I like that Frodo also kept it through the years and took it with him to Valinor.
Author's reply
Their first truly personal gifts such as these would remain with the recipients to the end, I think. There is no indication Bell was still living at the time the quest began, but I still would like to think Frodo had been able to know her for a time after he came to Bag End. But when the flu struck in such days it often killed or weakened so many.
GamgeeFest · 25 March 2006 · Chapter 7: Meeting the Wizard
LOL to Sam trying to nod sagely! That's exactly something a kid would do, and it makes Sam all the more adorable and endearing. And then he goes and says that about Turin and Nienor (to which I agree, btw) and he completely misses the point of why they freaked out the way they did - again, exactly like a kid. So, Gandalf suspected even then what was in store for our lads? Sam's already beginning to show a flare for spying and I'm glad he hears those compliments about himself, even if he doesn't quite believe them.
Author's reply
Yes, children and their understanding of what they hear and know and say and do are so often delightful, aren't they? So glad you appreciated that. I loved that description of "nodding sagely" when I first read it, and I could just see Sam responding similarly to it. Yes, I do think Gandalf would have realized here was a special pair, even if he weren't yet certain what they would be special for. As for Sam spying--well, he can't ALWAYS hide from his destiny as one intended to listen at windows as a prelude to the greatest of greatness for the ending of the age, can he? :-)
GamgeeFest · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 6: Fealty
"The Story of a Garden" by Frodo Baggins? How lovely! The perfect gift for his Sam. I can just picture Sam curled up in bed reading his story, and I can imagine it tucked away in Bag End somewhere all those years later, most probably with all of Sam's other most valuable possessions - valuable by what they mean to him and not monetary in any sense. Has "The Story of a Garden" actually been written? If not, would you mind if I took a nab at it? And if so, where can I find it?
Author's reply
No, I haven't written "The Story of a Garden" yet, nor "Joco and the Cornfield," "The Boy and the Fox," or "The Elf in the Garden," all of which I've written into my stories. Some of the stories in the books Frodo copied that Ruvemir sees in "The King's Commission" are just begging to be written one day. I intend to do a thread just devoted to them one day. Of course, you might do your own versions of any or all, I think.
GamgeeFest · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 5: Mr. Bilbo's Ward
LOL, every time Sam says "I member" it reminds me of George Lopez's comedy routine about how Mexicans tend to talk to each other: "Member?" "You member!" :D There was never any doubting Sam's loyalty to Frodo. From that first meeting, their fates were sealed. It's easily forgotten just how loyal Frodo is to Sam and you show that so simply here, with the way he helps Sam with the flowers while also making sure that Sam figures things out for himself.
Author's reply
I do believe the loyalty was a two-way street between the two of them. Frodo's trust in Sam's own ability to figure out what's wrong would certainly help foster appreciation, for Frodo obviously appreciates Sam's intelligence and is willing to help him exercise it. As for "member"--glad it brings a chuckle. Leaving off or changing some prefixes is a common enough dialect feature. Glad you appear to appreciate it.
GamgeeFest · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 4: Growing Up in Brandy Hall
A good explanation for Frodo's farm raids. We both seem to agree that it was out of rebellion, though you come by it in a much different way. It's no surprise that Frodo rebelled. Living life not able to do anything, especially when you're not told *why* you can't do anything, is very frustrating for a child. He can only see the other kids going out and having fun, and not see the good intention behind his restrictions.
Author's reply
I think probably most of the stories I've seen set in this period have looked at the reputation Frodo amassed during his time in Brandy Hall as the result of rebellion. And not being told why restrictions are set on you is frustrating for anyone, and particularly for adolescents.
GamgeeFest · 22 March 2006 · Chapter 3: The Heart of the Matter
Interesting to think that Frodo started life with a weak heart, when in the end it is the strength of his heart that saves all of Middle Earth. I'm slowly making my way through this, and I just love Sam's voice here. His simple way of seeing things and expressing them make this a delightful yet quite insightful tale.
Author's reply
So glad you are making your way through it. Was my first story posted here--or anywhere, for that fact. Many infants have been born with heart murmurs and then have grown out of them as they matured. I felt this could make a plausible reason why Frodo might indeed end up being seen as the greatest rascal in Brandy Hall, and why in the end Bilbo would be moved to adopt Frodo at the fairly advanced age of 21 or 22. But you are right--the strength of his heart during the quest was never questioned. And am so glad you appreciate Sam's voice in the story.
Endaewen · 17 February 2006 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
This was beautiful.
Author's reply
Thank you very much for the indication of how much you enjoyed it and that you found it beautiful. The feedback makes the writing worthwhile.
Endaewen · 17 February 2006 · Chapter 12: Wizards and Worries
That sounds just like Gandalf at the end of this chapter.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you think so. This was the first story I posted, and I'm always pleased to see someone else discover it. Again, I tried to stay as true to the characters as possible, although I did make Sam a bit more complicated than Tolkien did--but then I think he'd have to be a lot smarter than he'd generally let on to keep up with Frodo.
Queen Galadriel · 27 January 2006 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
Oh...my... Yes, I've come back and read it again, all in one go. When I first stumbled upon this fic, and found you, this seemed a tale so real, so very believable, so much more, so far beyond what I thought fanfiction could be, that it just rendered me speechless and made my heart swell to bursting with a feeling I still can't describe. Now, rereading it, it seems more within my grasp, but no less amazing. It still leaves me feeling ready to weep with the sheer magnitude, but unable to do so. I won't ask how you did it-that's a vain question. But I will tell you that this may be the most-for lack of a better word-glorious piece of fanfiction I ever hope to read. And this certainly won't be the last time I read it, either. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
I will try to respond to this tonight. I am still responding from the server, to which I cannot yet transfer files, not until the desktop is repaired. To have people reread a story is a pleasure and a joy; and to have it praised so highly is a greater one. The first fanfiction stories I read were by Chip of Dale, also known as Tom Fairbairn, particularly his short story "Changes" in which he describes Frodo's thoughts in the movie moment of going aboard the ship at the Grey Havens. Then I began reading Baylor's works, and then that of others, until I read Lindelea's "A Small and Passing Thing," which directly inspired this story. It's a wonderful thing to find that I am now inspiring others as I myself was inspired. You yourself have quite a gift, and I hope you continue to exercise it. It will be a pleasure, when you are becoming famous, to be able to tell my friends, "I remember when she was first beginning to post fanfiction." Thank you.
Antane · 20 September 2005 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
Larner, stayed up to finish it last night. I liked the pre-Quest stuff best, but overall great stuff! Is it any wonder that I love my dear Frodo - I am getting more and more appreciation and awe for what he and Sam did and endured through these stories. I love that Frodo refered to baby Merry as his 'brother-cousin'. I love that Sam offered Aragorn a hankie and the king's own love and grief for Frodo and Frodo's love for him expressed in that letter. I love that little teasing, thankful letter to the conspirators. I would only quibble about one thing - when Sam refers to himself as Frodo's man, since they are hobbits and not men, it sounds strange, but lovely, lovely and I can't wait to read the sequel! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
As you go through more of my works, you will find that Hobbit handkerchiefs have come to symbolize the empathy and love between Aragorn and his friends from the Shire. That Frodo and Sam became such brothers of the heart was obvious; that there would grow into as close a relationship between Sam and Aragorn seemed natural, and as you progress you will see I have some personal ideas about that three-way relationship, too. I've been in love with Aragorn since I first read the books well over forty years ago now, and I have always honored Frodo and Sam's willingness to offer themselves, Frodo for all others and Sam for Frodo's own sake. And the need to try to bridge the gap, and to try to shield others from pain, is a universal one. Sam would find it hard to share that with his beloved Strider, but would realize he must know one day just how much agony of body and spirit Frodo went through before choosing to leave not just the Shire but Middle Earth as a whole. Am so glad you stuck with it.
Antane · 19 September 2005 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
Larner, wow! I am only halfway through this - one must sleep at some point though I'd rather keep reading - but what a wonderful, beautiful love story you have constructed here! I was reading more of it during the ads while Two Towers was on TV and have been looking forward all day at work to returning to read more. So far, I love esp. Sam growing wildflowers for his Frodo to enjoy at his favorite place to read, write, paint - what a touching, loving gift - and that he stayed out with him all that night when Frodo was crying over Bilbo leaving. You even inspired my muse to wake me up during the night with a thought for a story of my own with Frodo writing down and locking away the things that bother him the most. I'm now dying to finish your story and read the sequel! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Am so glad that you enjoy it, Antane. Sam and Frodo's relationship is one of the most beautiful in modern literature, and as I say in the prologue I think Tolkien undervalued Sam terribly. Wanted to see him come alive. And I think Sam would have done almost anything for Frodo to make things more beautiful for him. Thanks so much for letting me know how you feel about it, and hope you enjoy the rest as well.
Queen Galadriel · 9 September 2005 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
Oh Larner! What shall I say of this? I was drawn by the title: "For Eyes to See as Can." It has a sad sort of sound, song-like if you will, seeming to speak of birth, life, and death all in a very few words. And indeed, I suppose it does. This fanfic is unlike any other I have ever read. I know I'm new and all that, but I've read far, far more than I have written, and never have I read one like this. You make it seem as though Sam--Tolkien's Sam--is speaking directly to the reader; I could almost see him writing furiously with a quill pen, feel his honest, earnest gaze fixed upon my face, though I was of course aware that I sat before a computer screen. You write as if you were Sam. Now that it is over, this story leaves the heart feeling as it does before it bursts with tears, but no tears will come for me. I think Tolkien himself would have admired this work. And now I must shake myself out of this unbearable and yet strangely pleasant melancholy, and go read the sequel! God bless you, Galadriel
Author's reply
The title, of course, comes from Tolkien himself, as does that of the sequel, from the chapter detailing Frodo waking in the House of Elrond. The entire descriptive phrase Tolkien ascribes to Gandalf of Frodo becoming "as a vessel of glass filled with light as with water for eyes to see that can" caught my imagination from the first time I read it over forty years ago. I wanted to think of Sam's point of view for the whole Frodo experience, seeing the increased withdrawal from general society almost from the moment he received the Ring, the refusal to run for mayor before he left, the refusal to remain mayor after the return, the hiding of the illness as best he could, the final decision to leave Middle Earth as much for his physical health as for his sanity and his spiritual well-being.. I ramped up the angst a bit by following Lindelea's lead in ascribing a congenital heart murmur and congestive heart failure to Frodo, while making Saradoc and Esmeralda and Menagilda loving but misguided guardians who do not exactly know how to deal with the beloved young cousin they find themselves in charge of when Primula and Drogo die suddenly. I tried to stay in canon as much as possible, and have tried to correct such errors as have been caught by myself and others. I've also always felt that Sam was undervalued by Tolkien--he was educated alongside Frodo and probably in part by him--he might have kept the colloquialisms expected by his birth and family status and so on, but he would NOT be stupid or uneducated, and would, I think, constantly surprise people by his basic wisdom and knowledge. And that he would have still felt grief after Frodo's departure would be expected, I think. I wanted to give him an outlet for that grief, and for Aragorn to realize at long last just how deeply hurt Frodo felt as well as Sam by what happened to them. This was my first story I wrote and posted on the Internet. I am so pleased you enjoy it as much as you do. Thanks so much for the long review and for expressing your appreciation for it. You'll find that all my stories end up being intertwined--I tend to follow Lindelea's lead there, too. BTW, she's a super lady as well as a wonderful writer.
Armariel~~~{~@ · 18 December 2004 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
So beautiful, the use of voice is totally amazing. What a lot of heart has been poured into this! I am in awe. Lovelovelove that bit about the water worm. So original. Please keep up the good work! cheers Armariel~~~{~@
Author's reply
I am thrilled you discovered this story, as it was the one which got me into fanfiction. I am glad you find my version of Sam's speech to be right, and am glad the caddis fly larvae also were seen as wonderful. They were always fascinating to me as a child, and I saw so many chances to use them symbolically in this story. Don't know, of course, if they live in Europe as they do in North America; but then potato and squash and many beans are also from the Americas, so decided they could do with a couple more American imports in the story.
Frodo_B · 16 November 2004 · Chapter 27: The Court of the King Elessar at Lake Evendim
This is my first review, but this story is so good I had to leave my comments. This story has made me laugh, and cry, and has affected me in ways few stories posted on this site have. Your writing captures the characters very well and the ides are well though out. I love the way you wove in elements from the movies and other fan fiction into the story yet essentially respecting book canon for the most part. The insight into Frodo's life after the quest is brilliant and you have come up with things that were in the books but that I hadn't tought of. It will make my current re-reading of the books more interesting. Thank-you.
Author's reply
I am so glad this has touched so many. I hope your rereading will be fulfilling, then.