The Choice of Healing by Larner
Dreamflower · 9 April 2005 · Chapter 14: Spring and Summer
What a sad and melancholy chapter; seeing Frodo's increasing deterioration was so painful for all those who loved him--how hard it must have been to watch. I loved Aragorn's letter--his love for Frodo just shines through. This is so beautifully written!
Author's reply
Thank you so, Dreamflower. Trying to keep to the strictures of only reminding Frodo of the choice while not appearing to compel him must have been very difficult for all.
Armariel · 8 April 2005 · Chapter 13: A Winter of Discontent
I love it......I like how you bring Rosie out as a character. So many times she seems like just the maid or something. I love it when the author portrays her as a wife worthy of Sam and capable of giving him the happiness he deserves.... Or maybe I just like her cuz my name is Rosie too.....*grin* ~~~{~@
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so very glad you like my rendition of Rosie. She must have been exceptional to have married Sam, after all.
Dreamflower · 8 April 2005 · Chapter 13: A Winter of Discontent
Oh how sadly painful for Sam to begin to realize the truth of it, and the seeming hopelessness, that Frodo has tried so hard to keep from him. According to JRRT in Letters, this springtime illness, so close to Elanor's birth, was what made Frodo himself finally realize that he would *never* recover in M-e. It's so sad to see; the account in RotK was so sparse, but the despair is still there beneath the bones of the story. You show this so well.
Author's reply
Yes, I agree. And I suspect as each recurrence of the illnesses came, Frodo would become increasingly disheartened. Am so glad you feel I indicate this well. Thanks, Dreamflower.
Dreamflower · 8 April 2005 · Chapter 12: Interval with Stars
I love the sweet image of Frodo and Sam on the Hill, letting the Stars comfort them, Frodo sleeping in Sam's arms much as he must have on their journey. I'm wondering about something: is it your idea that he suffered for seventeen days, only beginning to get better on the date when Elrond removed the Morgul splinter? That again is a new idea to me, and I am not sure if I am guessing right. Intriguing.
Author's reply
I have always suspected this was true--that he would basically remain ill or concerned from the anniverary of the bite to the anniversary of the loss of the Ring; from the time he carried the splinter to its removal. How much of that would be due to the effects of the Ring and/or the splinter, and how much would be psychosomatic would be difficult to say. Thanks for the response.
Dreamflower · 8 April 2005 · Chapter 11: Writing in Earnest
Wow! I was offline for slightly over a day, and here are three chapters! Lovely! This is interesting, in that you have Frodo away from Bag End on the anniversary date. I don't believe I've seen that before. I like Freddy's persistence in the face of Frodo's reticence, and the way in which he and Budgie are finally able to persuade him to write it out. On to the next chapter...
Author's reply
Oh, I seem to have missed this review, Dreamflower. Yes, I decided to have him home only in part--long enough to hurt in the morning, but not there when the full force hit. I sort of borrowed this from Lindelea, the idea that Freddy and Budgie were part of the story, and she's fine with me taking Budgie on a far different tangent than she did in A Small and Passing Thing; but I wanted to have a real reason for Frodo to get back to the writing, and to tie it back to Bilbo's own awareness that this is one of the few ways Frodo feels free to express himself. Thanks for reviewing--I so appreciate it!
shirebound · 8 April 2005 · Chapter 13: A Winter of Discontent
“Everyone as comes around you catches your shining, you know. You make things better, make folks better. Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin, when they come around--even they catch your glow, are lit by your Light. You bring out----” She sought to find the word, finally found it in the memory of stories she’d heard Frodo tell when she was young. “You bring out the nobility in them, Master Frodo. And I think as this new King of ours must have the same Light as you have, for when you or Sam or them speak of him, you all straighten, your faces shine, and your Lights shine the brighter. “Never question, Master Frodo, that you are worthy of love. Never question. And you never have to be afeared of showing me your scars, for I know as how they was got, and I honor them.” Oh Larner, how lovely! You do write so beautifully.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you, Shirebound. I find I truly love Rosie Cotton.
shirebound · 7 April 2005 · Chapter 12: Interval with Stars
"His eyes devoured the brightness above as if the light of the stars were sustenance, and a smile, for the first time since his return, showed on his face." Oh my. I think Frodo is already needing more 'sustenance' than Middle-earth can provide for him. The Light and peace he'll find in the West will be everything he needs.
Author's reply
Yes, it is what he will need--but he still needs to accept it.
Lindelea · 7 April 2005 · Chapter 1: Waking
and one corner of his mouth quirked just slightly. “Although there is the fact you are a mixture of Baggins, Took, and Brandybuck beyond reason..." Nice taste of Elrond's humour. (Kind as summer, indeed) A stupid little nitpick on my part (I have been known to be wrong), but my ear is bothered by the phrase "make it" and thinks the language would "hang together" better if you simply substituted "come" both times (I noticed two, anyhow), not in the sense of "hither" but rather meaning "arrive". Good gapfiller, that scene between Bilbo and Arwen. I hadn't thought about conversations that might have happened before Arwen came South to her wedding. The picture you paint of Frodo (in Bilbo's eyes) rings painfully true. The worry-stone, what a nice touch! Did that come from the book, or did you make that up? And I am interrupted, half-way through the first chapter. Another busy day! And hope for another quiet moment, to finish reading the chapter... but for now, I'll post this and hope to remember to return.
Author's reply
Ah, once again interrupted. Sorry that keeps happening. The worry stone is something I postulated in For Eyes to See as Can. And I agree about the "Make it" now that I've reread it--will consider fixing that tomorrow. And I've felt Elrond and Bilbo would have sparked one another's humor during the time of their association. Probably one of the things Elrond misses most now that Bilbo spends so much time sleeping.
Andrea · 7 April 2005 · Chapter 11: Writing in Earnest
Well, did Frodo actually deliver Sam's letter to Budgie? From the healer's reaction to the "suspicious" water skin contents, I rather doubt it. "Samwise Gamgee--" "Don’t Samwise Gamgee me, Frodo Baggins." I like this bit of dialogue. I shows that the relationship of Frodo and Sam has changed a lot during the quest. Before the quest, Sam wouldn't have dared to say so. Thank you!
Author's reply
Yes, they are partners now, I think. I suspect that Frodo did deliver Sam's message, but that Budgie finds it questionable as it doesn't meet with his own experience. Thanks for the response.
shirebound · 6 April 2005 · Chapter 11: Writing in Earnest
Oh, my heart just aches for Frodo. What a dreadful few years he endured.
Author's reply
No, it's not been easy for him. Thanks for the response.
harrowcat · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 10: Seeking Answers
Thanks Larner you have got me screaming at my lap top for someone to shake Pippin's Dad. And my laptop doesn't like it much. It tends to go on strike unless I feed and water it regularly, pet it and always, ALWAYS pat it before going to bed! Please resolve this with some comfort/fluff soon! No really this is great stuff.
Author's reply
Ah, does it need a pat? Mine often needs to be rescued from kitties traipsing across the keyboard and adding in extra end-of-lines, which makes it go "DONG!" excessively. Paladin does start coming around--the revelation that it hurts for them to talk about it is the first step toward that.
Kitty · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 10: Seeking Answers
Larner, I'm loving this story more from chapter to chapter. It is truly amazing how you do this, and although it is quite sad, I'm enjoying it very much. Frodos tale about the king in the last chapter was beautiful. Narcissa starts to realize what had happened, I think, even if she doesn't want to accept the whole truth. Poor girl. The way how Merry and Pippin's parents are reacting is so well written. I am glad at least Saradoc and Esmeralda are understanding and able to accept what Merry is able to tell them. But Paladin ... *shakes head* ... no wonder poor Frodo had to tell him all this shortly before he went away. If Paladin is not inclined to believe anything (or at last not admitting to himself he believes it), it will be very hard for him and Pippin. I think Pippin basically needs some silent support from his father, but he doesn't get this in the next time, and this will not make things easier.
Author's reply
Not all parents are like Esmeralda and Saradoc, and even they tend to try to overprotect some. My stepdad was like Paladin, while my mom was like Saradoc. Have seen both in my life. And Eglantine is directly patterned on one of my grandmothers, although I find Eglantine to be more sympathetic in the end.
Bodkin · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 10: Seeking Answers
Sorry I haven't reviewed before - been away and pushed for time. I'm really enjoying the story from Frodo's point of view. I like Narcissa and would like to see her being happy one day - but it's difficult to compete with Frodo Baggins. Isumbard is a great character and very sensible. Ferdi is a star. But Paladin! Oh my, talk about blinkered.
Author's reply
Paladin, not wanting to think of the world beyond the Brandywine Bridge, how things have changed so that now he is the Thain in truth and not just the rightful guardian of the Shire and its folk. He is now going to have to be responsible to authorities "out there" and may well be dragged "out there" to see those authorities in person. And he couldn't protect the treasure that means more to him than any other at this time--his own son and the dearest of his younger kin. Pippin, Merry, and Frodo have all come back so changed, and this is the hardest to bear, thinking somehow he has failed to protect them, spared them what they ought not to have been forced to face. The Shire has been able to ignore the outer world since the days of Arvedui--that's changing--has already changed. His world has changed, his son has changed, his nephew has changed, and his beloved young cousin is slipping away, day by day, and he is helpless. Fear all too often begets anger and denial. Author Reply: BTW--Narcissa's happiness doesn't really come until she looks at the picture in Ruvemir's bedroom, I fear.
Dreamflower · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 10: Seeking Answers
What a contrast between the way Paladin and Saradoc deal with their sons. Both of them love their lads dearly, but Paladin has the very same Tookish impatience that his son does, and some of his concern is also Tookish curiousity, not to mention a temper--it's no wonder he is being difficult. Saradoc is far more easy-going and laid back. I think Merry got his intelligence and ability to calmly analyse things from his father. Very good picture of the way things are as it stands.
Author's reply
Paladin and Eglantine are still in denial--they don't want things that are that changed, I'm afraid. Accepting that their son has been close to death, that their nephew and their son were in horrible battles, that Frodo has done something so horrible in his own eyes he still at times wishes he'd not survived, that is a lot to swallow at one gulp. How can their son a soldier, much less the guard of the King's person? They just don't have the experiential level to deal with all this. I think that Saradoc and Esmeralda would be more ready to accept that they couldn't have protected the four who left the Shire, more aware they would have to come to terms with themselves as both Hobbits of the Shire and as soldiers of Middle Earth, in their own time. But the love is there in all of them, just waiting for the dam to break and for the admissions to finally begin to be made.
Ariel · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 8: Spring Ills and Joys
I just read through to the end of this chapter and now I see I have two more to read! What a delight! I have to thank you for writing a tale that is just plain GOOD - highly readable, canon true, believable and touching. A story I can just read and enjoy myself without typos, farfetched characterizations, canon errors or any of the 'weirdness' you can find in so many fanfics. I mean, there are times when I don't mind 'out there' stuff, but my favorite fics are the ones that stay true to canon, that make me feel like 'this could have been a chapter of the story'. It is so refreshing to find this, I can't even begin to tell you! And now I have new chapters to read! Thank you!
Author's reply
It ia reassuring to be told you find this consistent with the characters and story as we already know it, and that you feel they are chapters that might have been. Thank you for the feedback.
harrowcat · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 9: A Tale of the King
Lovely Larner. I have read a number of attempts to writ a synopsis of LOTR. Yours is, by far the best with just enough family history to satisfy young hobbits. I could hear the Red Book being written in rehearsal. The mixture of pain and pride was heartbreaking. And Frodo's love and pride in Aragorn, well *sigh*!!
Author's reply
Oh, thank you, Harrowcat! You've made my day!
Dreamflower · 4 April 2005 · Chapter 9: A Tale of the King
I love the way you show that Frodo is still able to feel joy and love and pride, even though it must be vicariously. His love and pride for his King, especially, is so beautiful and touching. That is how I have always seen post-Quest Frodo--unable to enjoy life for himself, but still able to enjoy the good that happens to those he loves. You show that so well. I wonder if Narcissa guesses at what he has left out?
Author's reply
Oh, we see him obviously very much the same way. Yes, his pride is always for others now. I think Narcissa is guessing but suppressing it.
shirebound · 4 April 2005 · Chapter 9: A Tale of the King
What a lovely, gentle chapter. Frodo deep humility -- and love for his king and everything they fought to save -- just shines through. Beautiful.
Author's reply
Thank you, Shirebound. Yes, it is his love for the one he has come to know as friend and King that will shine now.
shirebound · 4 April 2005 · Chapter 8: Spring Ills and Joys
It's heartbreaking to hear Frodo refer to himself as "a wandering soul" -- but it's such an accurate description.
Author's reply
Yes, I agree. I'd read several books and stories set in the aftermath of WWI before I first read LOTR, and in all of them the protagonists were suffering from some level of shell shock; the first time I read LOTR I recognized the symptoms in Frodo immediately, in spite of being only 13-14 at the time. Such characters usually felt displaced, and often as if they were only partway home again, if they hadn't lost almost completely their appreciation of the lives they left behind when they left to join the fighting; and I suspected this would be one of the feelings Frodo would have--the feeling of being a wanderer and visitor in his own land. Thanks for the review.
Inkling · 4 April 2005 · Chapter 1: Waking
What!? I go away for a week, and return to find that not only have you started a new story, but you’re already on chapter eight!? Not that I’m complaining, mind you, just…feeling like a slug by comparison! Perhaps it will shame me into getting back to work on my own next story! Sorry for this non-review—I have to finish “Light” before I start this one—but I just couldn’t keep my mouth shut when I saw this! And I did peek at the beginning; it looks very enticing…
Author's reply
Oh, I'm glad you peeked! Hope when you settle to reading it you will love it. Read the last three chapters to my clients last night, and they were enthralled.
harrowcat · 3 April 2005 · Chapter 7: Restoration
Still following this avidly Larner. Thank you for updating so regularly. In his forward the Prof's one criticism of his book was that it isn't long enough. You are adding in the detail beautifully. My heart bled for Frodo at the lack of understanding he was shown - but how true it often is. And for Paladin to finally understand but too late, in this world, to make it up! A lesson for us all.
Author's reply
Such is the way of life, as we hide from unpleasant truths. No, Tolkien didn't go into enough detail, which is why so many of the rest of us have begun doing so. Thanks for the feedback.
Dreamflower · 2 April 2005 · Chapter 7: Restoration
Oh, the struggles: of Frodo to try and keep going, to speak of the unspeakable; of the hobbits who had remained to try and understand what they really did not want to know; of Sam and Merry and Pippin who had their own troubles, yet were worried for Frodo. You've depicted it all so well...
Author's reply
Yes, this is a lot of the heart of shell shock, after all, finding oneself unable to fully communicate with others, first because they don't have the experiential base to understand, and later because the habit of keeping to oneself has become too strong. Those who do get the whole tale tend to be in the minority, and themselves throw up their hands at those who cannot seem to accept what's true. Thanks for reviewing, Dreamflower.
Armariel · 2 April 2005 · Chapter 6: Renewing
Lovely, lovely......so professionally written and yet so emotionally engaging...it's not gonna end soon is it? (hope not *g*) cheers Armariel~~~{~@
Author's reply
It will end when it end, but not right away. Thank you for the evaluation--it is flattering.
shirebound · 2 April 2005 · Chapter 6: Renewing
This is so heartbreaking, but I'm glad Frodo confided in someone at last.
Author's reply
He's not confiding everything, but enough that some are beginning to realize this is reality he's speaking of, not just traveler's tales. Thanks for the response.
Dreamflower · 1 April 2005 · Chapter 6: Renewing
More and more Isembard is beginning to piece things together. I am so glad that Frodo was willing to talk to him a bit about his problems with eating. And of course, we have Frodo giving Crickhollow to Merry and Pippin, even though at that point he does not know Lobelia's giving Bag End back. I'm not too happy with that *Bracegirdle* walking off with his coin from Aragorn, though!! Hmmphh.
Author's reply
This has been part of several state's laws, I found--to receive a gift of property, a dollar at least had to change hands. Thought it was well worth working into the story, that a coin should have to serve such a function. I had written Bartolo Bracegirdle's name into The King's Commission, and wanted to see what sort of Hobbit he might be; he turned out to have come from much the same mold as Lobelia at her worst, I found.