finafyr
· 13 April 2005
· Chapter 19: Dancing among the Stars
you are a wonder.. here I sit with tears in my eyes all from your story.. I have looked foreword to reading it every day from the beginning.. I loved Kings commission... and wish to know more.. and I love this.. there are a few aethors that get Tolkiens owrld soooo right.. you are one of them.. to my mind you have joined the ranks of the greats like Shirebound and Lindelea.. to name just two.. I eagerly await the next words written from your most eloquent pen.. I would dearly love to hear more.. to read more.. to cry more.. to walk on the plains and shores of middle earth that you so richly expand.. can I ever get enough of middle earth.. I think not.. I thank you.. you are a blessing.. and a treasure..
Author's reply
Thank you so much--to be compared to two such greats is indeed an honor, although you have me blushing.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you love the last chapter--tomorrow.
shirebound
· 13 April 2005
· Chapter 19: Dancing among the Stars
Well that's about the loveliest, gentlest, most glorious Passage I can imagine. I'm just speechless.
Author's reply
I've seen a few other gentle ones, such as the one where Frodo goes out into the Sundering Sea to give over.
But I liked the idea of Frodo capable of laughing again, finding himself now doubly whole because Sam has come to share his life in Middle Earth with him while Frodo is sharing his in Tol Eressea with Sam--the two of them are the halves of one whole, both finally together.
Dreamflower
· 13 April 2005
· Chapter 19: Dancing among the Stars
This is magnificent, so perfectly fitting! For some reason, it makes me think more of CS Lewis than of JRRT, but that is a compliment as well from me! Just beautiful! I loved the medieval carol you ended the chapter with, as well!
PS: Have you heard from the MEFAs yet? I nominated "The King's Commission", but I noticed that the nomination is still marked "incomplete".
Author's reply
No, I'd heard nothing, and am uncertain of the URL to go to.
I learned the carol for a Christmas service we sang for in Seattle when I belonged to the choir at the church I attended. And as I've loved the idea of Frodo being skilled at dancing ever since I first saw Elijah Wood as Frodo doing a particularly nice step to the admiration of the two Hobbit lasses on each side, I thought this would be the type of leaving he would prefer.
As for fitting Lewis more than Tolkien--in LOTR Tolkien did his level best just to hint at the cosmology and spirituality involved in the story, I can understand how this would more reflect his friend.
I hope you will like tomorrow's chapter as well.
Lindelea
· 13 April 2005
· Chapter 19: Dancing among the Stars
Well. (letting out long-held breath)
How in the world do I find words to review *this*?
Perhaps later. For now I shall revel in the wonder of it all. Most unique perspective, my friend. Most unique and creative and original, indeed.
Author's reply
Oh, I had so hoped you would like it. I gave a small overview of this in Filled with Light as with Water, and thought I'd see it through here.
Hope you like the last chapter--tomorrow!
Love to the Munchkins.
Armariel
· 13 April 2005
· Chapter 18: Grace to Wake
Beautifulllll!!! You just have this amazing knack for knowing exactly how to tell a story we already know;) Which parts to leave out, which to fill in, how to make characters both consistent with the book and yet give them your own special shine, and how to generate suspense even when we already know what's going to happen...and as someone else remarked, it's a good thing I do know because it would be awfully hard for me to read it all otherwise.
Thanks for sharing your talents with the rest of us....
blessings
Armariel~~~{~@
Author's reply
And thank you, Armariel, for the response. Makes it worth while.
Kitty
· 13 April 2005
· Chapter 18: Grace to Wake
Two chapters today :-)
The first was quite sad (truly shouldn't read this at work - luckily I was alone in the room at this early time and no one saw my tears!), but I am glad Merrys and Pippins parents begin to understand at last, especially the latters. Dear Frodo, he has done it, no matter the costs for himself! It was good how they welcomed Merry and Pippin back - it would have been a horror if Paladin had reacted so bad as before.
The second gave me something to think. Of course I knew Shelob was a child of Ungoliant, but it had never before occured to me to make such a link between them both and Frodo. Very interesting idea, and quite plausible, I think.
Loved it how Bilbo held stubborn to life as long as Frodo needed him. Dear old Hobbit!
Oh - and I am glad you spared me the Grey Havens. That is always much too sad.
Author's reply
I've already done the Grey Havens twice, in For Eyes to See as Can and in The King's Commission, so felt another repetition would have been gratuitous at this point, unless I did it from Merry's or Pippin's point of view.
Hadn't meant to do two chapters, but accidentally posted the second and had to slip the first back into the works.
Yes, Bilbo would have hung on for Frodo's sake, and I'm glad he did.
Thanks for the response, and hope you like the last two chapters.
Lindelea
· 12 April 2005
· Chapter 17: Fearing to Say Goodbye
Tears came to my eyes, reading the last paragraph. To see the healing in the families, especially Pippin's... the understanding way the parents received their sons and cared for them, ah, Frodo, you brought about so much, even in your leaving, with your thoughtfulness and carefully chosen words.
Forgive me if I have missed something obvious. Whose is the golden light?
I love that Ferdibrand, blind to the mundane, can perceive Light in others. I do hope he won't be left in the dark with these departures.
Author's reply
Think for a moment who went with Frodo to the Havens. I've always seen that one with a golden light while Frodo's was mithril pure.
Of course, all will be made plain in tomorrow's chapter, although there is another one after that.
Thanks, Lindelea.
Dreamflower
· 12 April 2005
· Chapter 18: Grace to Wake
This is fascinating! Although I knew Shelob was Ungoliant's spawn, I had never thought of the idea that Ungoliant might have possessed her, and passed some of that darkness on to Frodo! Yet it does make perfect sense.
One thing I do love about your stories is the intelligent way you make me think of things that had not occurred to me before.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you liked this! Thanks for the review.
Dreamflower
· 12 April 2005
· Chapter 17: Fearing to Say Goodbye
Poor Frodo, still afraid, after all these years, to say good-bye.
His letters were so sad.
*sniffle*
Author's reply
Hadn't meant to post two chapters today, but managed to skip this one originally and had to do put it on, too.
Yes, it would be hard for him, I think.
Ariel
· 12 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Final Preparations
You know, I wonder if Sam would really have gone with Frodo at the end of the book? As Frodo reminded him, he had so much work left to do in the Shire and Sam was never one to shirk work that he was needed for. :)
As each chapter of this has been, wonderful, just wonderful!
If I might be so bold, perhaps I could suggest a few of my own pieces that, from my reading of this work, I suspect you might like? If you didn't want to read them, I would not be offended. I dislike being 'pressured' into reading things myself, but you might enjoy 'Swallowing Sorrows', 'Linden and Laurel', 'Ashes and the Flame' and if you don't mind haremfic (set in Tol Eressea) I've always thought Pipes After Supper was a sweet read to someone who always wished Frodo had found a love (or two) of his own.
Author's reply
I've read a couple of them before, before I began writing and when I felt embarrassed to review. I loved Linden and Laurel and will gladly read it again.
Thank you very much for the links--I will be reading them again, and responding this time.
Author Reply: Also, I don't think Sam would have gone, I've never thought he would betray Rosie that way, which is why I wrote the chapter "Yule Coming In" in The King's Commission the way I did, with Sam reassuring his father-in-law.
Ariel
· 12 April 2005
· Chapter 14: Spring and Summer
Oh, rip my heart out, will ya! *Sniff* I've always thought that this was the greatest loss that Middle earth and Frodo ever experienced. He lost the chance to know family life and, when Frodo and Bilbo left without either leaving a blood heir, M-e lost some of the most astonishing bloodline it had ever known. Like the elves leaving, something faded out of the hobbits when those two left. And most of them never even knew it.
Author's reply
Yes, I agree, also. Again, thanks!
Ariel
· 12 April 2005
· Chapter 14: Spring and Summer
He looked down, considering how much to tell her. Finally he met her eyes again. “You need to understand, Miss Narcissa--what he carried for so very long, since Mr. Bilbo left at his party--It stole that from him--the ability to love as a lad loves a lass. It wasn’t nothing you did wrong, nor nothing odd in him. He couldn’t see any lass as a lass, once he got it--just as another Hobbit. Now he can--and he feels there’s not enough left in him to do more than admire. And I fear he’s right.”
This is what I have always contended - and have written so in any of my fics that address this subject. Thank you for presenting it here - it's a sad and tragic thought, but I really think this is what Tolkien meant. I am going to be so sad to see this fic end. ((((HUGS)))))
Author's reply
I have long felt this, that the Ring was the reason why Bilbo, after his return, didn't marry and settle down, and why Frodo didn't do so, either. And it's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Thanks for the HUGS, as I needed one today.
Ariel
· 12 April 2005
· Chapter 11: Writing in Earnest
I haven't reviewed in a few chapters but I have been reading - this is such a rewarding, interesting story I can't praise it enough. Will it be done soon? I'd love to nominate this for a MEFA.
Author's reply
There are three more chapters, counting today's.
Author Reply: Oh, and thank you for the honor. I am thrilled!
Lindelea
· 12 April 2005
· Chapter 15: Acceptance
Lovely "light" imagery, and conversations with Elves...
Author's reply
I'm so glad you like it, Lindelea. Give my love to the little Hobbits, and thank them again for the tea set! I love it! It's going on top of the bedroom bookshelf with most of the dolls in my collection.
Lindelea
· 12 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Final Preparations
Ah, I so love your wise and understanding Rose.
And Mayor Will "ain't too shabby, neither".
How sad, to watch the spinning out of events. I always resist reading "The Grey Havens" whenever I re-read LOTR...
Author's reply
Well, I skipped the Grey Havens themselves for this one, but hope you appreciate what I did write. I haven't had time to use your links yet--work schedule has been a bear this week. But I look forward to reading them Friday--got this Friday night free--first one in almost a year!
Thanks so much for the reviews!
Breon Briarwood
· 12 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Final Preparations
Okay, I realize I probably haven't reviewed for the whole story yet, but, you're making me cry again with these last chapters! *sniffle*
Author's reply
I hope they are tears of joy in the last three.
Dreamflower
· 11 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Final Preparations
This is so sad, so hard. These are the preparations he would make if he were *not* going to live; we know he does eventually find his healing in the West, but for those who were left behind, this now might as well be Death come to claim him. True, they will see him again, Sam, at first, in the Undying Lands, and the others when they are all reunited beyond Arda--but it will be years and years, just as if he had died in truth.
For Frodo, it is the hope of healing. For his friends and kin, it is the beginning of a sundering that will grieve them the rest of their lives.
*sigh*
Author's reply
Ship or grave, Frodo was going to leave soon--one way or the other. Sam had hoped it would be a nice retirement in Rivendell alongside Mr. Bilbo--but then realized it would be far more than that. For all the sundering had to be very hard. And I am so glad Gandalf spilled the beans on him.
Kitty
· 11 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Final Preparations
It is truly sad Frodo couldn't find healing there in Middle-Earth. No matter how often I read the part about the Grey Havens in the book or watch it in the movie, I always end up in tears. Maybe Tolkien thought of it as a happy ending because Frodo is still alive, but I don't think so at all. Had always wanted Frodo could have stayed in the Shire and be happy with Sam and his growing family.
You did a wonderful job so far with this story, telling how Frodo gets worse, so it is clear why he had to seek healing in Valinor. It will be quite hard for the others - not only Sam and Rosie, Merry and Pippin, Aragorn, but for the others also - Freddy, Narcissa and all the others. Maybe more so because they aren't able to say goodbye to him, save his three companions from the Quest and Rosie. And although I fear the end (I'm having a lot of tissues at hand for it ...), I'm waiting for every update. Oh, and did I mention how I appreciate the way your stories are linked together? I love it to find further details to something I had read before.
Author's reply
I started out in For Eyes to See as Can borrowing from a plot device from Lindelea, who postulated Frodo suffering from congestive heart failure, one of the several conditions my own husband knew before the end. But then I watched a documentary on spider bites and how long-term effects can be so very complicated and varying from individual to individual, sparking heart problems, digestive problems, skeleto-muscular problems, auto-immune problems, and so on years down the road. I found it fascinating, and started thinking about how Shelob's bite might affect Frodo, added to the additional complication of Shelob being Ungoliant's child. Now, THAT could truly add some bizarre twists. A coming chapter will cover that.
Perhaps it was just an inability of the spirit to recover that caused Frodo to decide to leave Middle Earth; but I suspect that he'd have known a good deal of physical pain as well, which would have complicated any chance of recovering from the underlying shell-shock. Tolkien did say Frodo fingered the Queen's jewel a good deal, which would indicate he knew far more pain, physical and emotional, than he was letting on to Sam.
I'd always felt that there was a reason why Sam at the end let Frodo go so easily, which would indicate he had a level of awareness that Frodo was actively failing, and knowing that his one chance of finding his friend as he'd known him was to allow him to go on the Ship, then come to him later, after the healing. I also have thought Frodo's choice of leaving as he did, a second time without saying goodbye properly, would cause a great deal of grief and even anger at him from friends and family, as well as probably a level of relief as well that finally something might be done for him, and I wanted to explore that as well. Frodo, as a victim of PTSD, is having difficulty communicating and admitting to his condition to others; and I suspect they all have a level of awareness that they wish he'd just discuss with them freely.
Yes, I try to make my stories link together, and I'm glad you appreciate that.
shirebound
· 11 April 2005
· Chapter 16: Final Preparations
Goodness, I would never have imagined these days in such detail. Amazing. And I appreciate the pace at which this story is moving... it's difficult to bear Frodo's pain, but his peace of mind is very soothing.
"There will be little need for much, as I suspect you know already. But do bring those small items that sustain your hope and reflect your loves, for they will assist you."
What a lovely thing for Elrond to say.
Author's reply
It is often such little items that do have the strongest memories tied to them.
Thanks for the feedback.
Dreamflower
· 10 April 2005
· Chapter 15: Acceptance
Oh how painfully sweet! And how appropriate that it is Glorfindel and Galadriel who seek to comfort him!
I love Galadriel's metephor of the bowl, and the way in which she guided Frodo to understanding of what that meant, that he could, once more be filled, if he were cleansed, and that the cleansing would better take place in the West. Just beautiful!
I can see we are nearing the end; this has been another masterful story, powerful and painful and full of love and beauty.
Author's reply
Thank you, Dreamflower, for the gentle review. Yes, it would be better to be cleansed and refilled there in the West. And I felt these two would be the best to offer him guidance at this time.
shirebound
· 10 April 2005
· Chapter 15: Acceptance
Frodo's encounters with Glorfindel and Galadriel are so beautiful. And this reminds me of the passage from ROTK where "the Elves delighted to honour them"...
“True honor is earned, never simply bestowed on a whim. We of the Firstborn ratified the recognition of that honor"
Author's reply
Both Glorfindel and Galadriel seek to convey he is worthy, no matter what he himself feels. The greatest often doubt they are worthy of the honors given them.
I'd not tied the line there from The Grey Havens to this before--again, you have managed to add more depth to what I'd tried to express. Thank you.
Armariel
· 10 April 2005
· Chapter 14: Spring and Summer
Wonderful...it's great to read fanfics written by people who are both thoroughly in love with the characters and really know how to write. Not to mention those who aren't pokey about getting to the next installment...heheh (yeah, sometimes I'm pokey too, LOL)
Thanks so much!
Armariel~~~{~@
Author's reply
Thank you, Armariel, for the kind words and response.
The ending has been written for the past week and a half, and my clients just love it.
Andrea
· 10 April 2005
· Chapter 14: Spring and Summer
That was a sad chapter, but beautifully written!
What I liked most was the last part about the carvings Drogo had made before he died. It's as if Frodo wanted to assure himself, that there had been a time in his life, when all was fair and he was happy. And I think it's also a way to say a last good-bye. Thank you!
Author's reply
I hadn't thought about this being a way of saying goodbye, yet you are right--it is a way of connecting definitely with his parents, remembering their perceptions of the Shire, evaluating, perhaps, how accurate they were.
Thanks for the response, which made me think more deeply yet.
harrowcat
· 10 April 2005
· Chapter 14: Spring and Summer
Oh Larner, what a beautifully tender chapter, but so sad and painful. To watch the decline and suffering of one you love and to be able to do little or nothing is agonising for everyone concerned. It is a spiral of pain that is only relieved, and that only a little, by the hope/knowledge that there is something beyond and we will meet our loved ones again. You have wxpreesed this so perfectly - Thank you.
Author's reply
Thank you, Harrowcat, for appreciating the feelings I was trying to express. It's not an easy process, admitting there is no chance for proper recovery for either the one deteriorating or those who must watch. Been there--done that. Knowing there will be the reunion helps, but still does not allay the pain now.
shirebound
· 9 April 2005
· Chapter 14: Spring and Summer
I'm certainly glad I know what's (eventually) coming, or I couldn't bear to read this! Poor Frodo. Aragorn's thoughts and letter are so tender and loving... and this is beautiful, Larner:
Her eyes were deeply compassionate as she explained, “Beloved, for the two of them there is no more time. If they do not take ship with Ada, neither will live to take any other.”
Author's reply
Thank you, Shirebound. That last summer must have been agony for Frodo, trying to accept the need to go.
And I think Aragorn himself must have felt torn, if he was indeed aware of the chance Frodo had to go to Elvenhome.