Reviews (1,409)

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Yes, a birth can lift the spirits and help to return hope, which at the moment Aragorn needs. It is being a LONG wait for him, I think. Heh! Not so long for us, though.

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Yes, he's met HIS side of the bargain. Has she decided to go anyway? Has their adar suddenly decided to get difficult?--not that as Arwen is a grown Elven lady of quite some status on her own merit he could rule against things at this point. Has what happened to Isildur and his party on their way to Imladris occurred here--has a party of orcs managed to waylay them coming south? There must be a good number of possibilities to draw out the anxieties for poor Aragorn. Anyway, looking forward to the next chapter of Whispers, of course.

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Yes, I think the trip to find the White Tree is getting VERY close indeed. Am not certain with Aragorn is how much is reticence and how much is a habit of keeping this particular relationship under wraps first to keep any of the Enemy's folk from learning of it and exploiting it, as well as an attempt to keep to his side of the injunction that he might not bind any to himself until he is King of both realms. Yet, until Elrond surrenders the Sceptre, he remains yet chieftain but not King of Arnor. Now, this isn't strictly due to any lack of effort and faith on his side, of course.... Glad you appreciated the last exchange. As for York--IF I can get the money to get over there, you can believe it's a date! I LOVE York!

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Okay--that sounds interesting.... Wonder which detail it is? We shall see, then. And yes, I think Gandalf might have been advised as to how to guide the King to the realization things are indeed moving forward. And to save Eldamir and Linduriel's newest child and her life I think has assisted in bringing him back to a better perspective on life and kingship for the moment.

Author's reply

You approve of Aragorn wait-torture, do you? Heh! Well, both White Tree and Lady are coming, and sooner and sooner with each day.

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I suspect that within the city of Minas Tirith and so close to the Houses of Healing, and particularly as the father is himself a healer, Linduriel would probably find her husband insisting on being present; then, when the child is twisted within the birth canal and in danger, they'd turn to him to try to assist. In previous stories I've indicated that difficult pregnancies among the northern Dunedain had brought some mothers to Imladris and Elrond's care at birth, and that he'd taught Aragorn how to assist in such cases; and I wrote in "The King's Commission" that he INSISTED on taking the lead when his own first child was born. And, as Linduriel's father has probably seen his son-in-law a few times as the birth has progressed (or, more properly, as it hasn't progressed nearly enough), he's probably more aware of Eldamir's condition than that of his daughter. But I agree, Linduriel was undoubtedly far more exhausted than her husband. Good questions, though. Usually I suspect the midwives would take care of most births.

Author's reply

It was fun to write this at last, and to show Frodo going through his fear and thus conquering this one, at least, rejoicing to see a beauty Sauron himself could never appreciate coming out of the very symbol of his intent to dominate all. But it was so hard for Frodo to do so with his disgust for himself and his memories. It was hard enough, I suspect, just to commit them to paper itself. It's part of why in "For Eyes to See as Can" I have Bilbo giving him the stationery box, as Frodo has such a difficult time unburdening himself to others. Once the PTSD set in, it would have been nearly impossible to do, I think.

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Yes, the man probably does deserve to hang; but as Gandalf put it, can we give life to those who deserved to live who did not? I think Aragorn would try to give the Man a chance to redeem himself. And it is a joy ever to see Frodo enjoying himself--he had little time to do so after Aragorn recalled him to life.

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Yes, this is indeed deliberately symbolic of the literal rising from the ashes of Gondor, Minas Tirith in particular, and of Frodo's eventual healing as well. Mention of the glassblower and the volcano glass is made in several of my stories, particularly of a particular bowl which you will see a bit later on, after the marriage of Aragorn and Arwen. I've seen that this bowl has managed to inspire others in their writing of post-Frodo Minas Tirith, in fact, which is delightful. And I'll have to think about what particular token of volcano glass Frodo might take with him, although a pendant would conflict with the Evenstar gem. I love to think that Minas Tirith becomes again a center of artistic endeavor, particularly after Aragorn meets a particular sculptor. Thanks so much for all the feedback, as you appreciate, I'm sure, how it keeps us writing.

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Yes, I think that the idea that such beauty can come even from volcanic ash I've long felt was one which was symbolic of Middle Earth emerging into the Fourth Age, the Return of the King, and the acceptance by Frodo of the healing offered him. And I'm certain that Faramir and Eowyn would treasure such a gift offered them by Frodo.

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The hiding of the symptoms is not that uncommon in depression, to which anorexia is tied, after all. But we are talking here of a Baggins, a family which, if it isn't as strictly as predictable and conventional as it would like to think of itself, nevertheless would like to appear that way. Frodo feels he must show the appearance of being capable and self-sufficient, even if he isn't. The keeping up of appearances will very nearly be the death of him in the end.... Glad you feel the glassblowing appeared to be realistic--or apparently you did. Have watched a few shows on the process, and find it fascinating, myself. I do tend to be a bit of a detail person, which can make scenes either deadly dull or add realism--am glad I appear to do the latter. And I agree about Arwen. I've always suspected Aragorn would have had his patience greatly strained that last month! Author Reply: By the way, as I live in the Great Pacific Northwest, believe me, I KNOW about rainy summers. Our joke is that during the summer, if it falls on the weekend we'll go on a picnic. We don't tan--we rust. The fact that the University of Oregon's sports mascot is a duck is indicative of how we live. But the University of Washington's mascot is the husky, indicative of Seattle's ties to the Yukon and Alaskan gold rush. Anyway, wish I could come over--we'd head off to York and pretend we are Owen Archer and his wife the apocathery. (I LOVE York, you know. And the lady who writes those books is from Seattle.) I love going into the Merchant Adventurers' Hall there--you know about every King ever to rule Britain went there to borrow money for one enterprise or another. And I love the archaeology site in the undercroft. And I went through most of the bookstores there last time I was over. Did I ever tell you how much I love York? Heh!

Author's reply

Yes, Frodo's eye for beauty will in the end assist in his final recovery; and even across the Sea he will find ways of sharing it with others, I think. Am so very glad this managed to move you so strongly, Shirebound.

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Am so glad you appreciate this, that Frodo did have moments of wholeness, and moments when his heart was moved so strongly. The glass is reminiscent of Mount Saint Helens glass that was blown after that volcano blew in Washington state. It's a form of carnival glass, and can be fantastically beautiful.

Author's reply

I thought that watching the molten glass would be stressful, bringing back when he and Sam were within the Chamber of Fire and then caught in those last few moments when they thought they were dying on the hillock by the Mountain's foot. But to be able to get through it and see the beauty coming out of what he saw would be necessary to him, I think. Am so glad you, too, appreciated that idea, that he could overcome the memories by coming to see the beauty that Sauron lost the ability to appreciate and could never bring to be. And I hope you found my depiction true to reality.

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I've watched a few specials on glassblowing, and have spoken with glass artists in the town from which I just moved. And I LOVE collecting glassware, though my collection is mostly pressed glass. And am so very glad you appreciated how Frodo was able to overcome the temptation to give over to the remembered horror by watching the process through, now associating molten material with something beautiful instead of the destruction to which Sauron tied it. Thank you for expressing it so well in your comments!

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Yes, the foreknowledge that Arwen is necessary to the renewal of Gondor is making itself known to Frodo, and he's beginning to have a foreshadowing, perhaps, that it will be another White Tree he will find peace under eventually. Always the White Tree from this day forward will be his physical tie to Aragorn, although there will be a moment of joyful communion in a glade surrounded by mallorn trees.... We know that Frodo felt there was a need to go home; and that this was strong in him the day he went to receive his gift from Arwen. I hope that when I get to that point it doesn't disappoint.... As for the feeling this peace is momentary, unfortunately you know this is true.

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Glad you appreciated the picture of the White Tree with Arwen's face. And I see that Aragorn would, whenever possible, seek to strip away the self-deception and the lies folks tell themselves to justify what they do, and that when it happens it helps, perhaps, people like this abusive husband to realize just what he's done and starts the change process to get them beyond it and hopefully into a more healthy relationship in the future. As for Aragorn, I suspect that those last weeks for him would be like the last month of a pregnancy--"When is it ever going to come to BE! I've done everything expected of me--it's time for some action now!" I like to see a bit of Aragorn angst now and then, I think. (Do I enjoy seeing our favorite king suffer now and then? Am I guilty of mindless Dunedan torture? Heh!)

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Yes, I think that Frodo's also beginning to acknowledge verbally the feeling of fraternity here, and he'd beginning to reach out beyond the Fellowship, realizing he is able to have relationships with others who share interests with him. And expressing himself artistically is, as in my first story, "For Eyes to See as Can," proving an emotional release he desperately needs. I do understand precisely what you mean about abusive spouses and parents. My daughter's birth parents were caught in such a nightmare, and her birth father was worse than what I've pictured here. Getting the abuser to admit the abuse he's done is the hardest thing of all, and I've always hoped that in the case of Aragorn there was ONE who could actually break through the denial at least most of the time, who could evoke the honesty necessary to start the process of change, which as you've noted in reality happens so rarely. Oh, well, this is, unfortunately, a fantasy, after all.

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Yes, Frodo's mind's eye has a clear image of what he remembers, I think. He's always been Elvish, but you're right that he's becoming more so over time. And Aragorn must be frustrated not to have the promised hope there in his arms right then--he's done his part, but must wait for riders to come from the north, and waiting can be difficult when you know you've kept your part of the bargain. And am looking forward to your story. Sounds intriguing! And I think we just both recognize that there will be triggers for the memories.

Author's reply

Yes, there is the time of peace as the surface healing solidifies. That cannot last long, unfortunately, but it will be there to tide them through the bad times. Frodo is learning how he can at least partly deal with the bad dreams and disturbed sleep, and is coming to appreciate much about his current environment.

Author's reply

First, the wording--you are right--it is clumsy, and I'll try to fix it today. Change the preposition, maybe. I've dealt with abusive parents for clients, students, and in my former foster children. It's never an easy situation to deal with, believe me. And have seen a few abusive marriages as well. Ugly situations. But this is all part of what Aragorn is going to have to deal with from now on, the ugliness as well as the pleasures of dealing with the vagaries of human nature. And to have this happen when he so wants to be joined in his own marriage, to deal with the horrors of the relationship he wants so when such go bad must be almost more than he can bear. He must want to shake the guy till his teeth rattle to point out that this is NOT how it's supposed to happen. I've seen a few of these double images as well as the purposeful hidden picture puzzles I've always loved from Highlights Magazine and other puzzle books, and somehow I could see Frodo doing such a picture. The sculpture you describe sounds fascinating! Wish I could have seen it. And Frodo is comfortable at the moment hanging between Aragorn's new world and his own, to the point he'll go back and forth between the two modes of dress, and admit he, too, sees Aragorn in a fraternal mode. And, yes, part of the tragedy is that when Frodo parts from Aragorn at the beginning of the old Greenway, it is the last time they see one another in the body. From then on it's brief moments of awareness neath the White Tree, maybe a dream or two, and a few rare moments of shared vision such as the butterflies in the glade. I'm so sorry they didn't have time to do more together; it must have made memories of these three months more treasured to both in the end.

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I suspect that Aragorn felt much like a woman in the last weeks of pregnancy, wondering if the long wait will EVER be over. At least the woman in pregnancy goes through only months of it, while Aragorn has been wanting this moment for sixty-eight years! Poor guy! Heh! And Frodo isn't yet aware of the implications of his foresight. I, too, am glad Frodo learned there was a second way into the archives, one which didn't cause so much stress. As for the abused wife, it's probable that within a few months she will so appreciate the freedom from fear she will feel she doesn't want to ever see the fool again; however, after seven years, if she didn't have the marriage dissolved, it's possible she'll remember what drew her to him to begin with and will try to see if she can find that dream in him again. You never know....

Author's reply

Yes, those last few weeks must have felt like torture to Aragorn, and am so glad we KNOW the end was in sight. But at times he must have been ready to bite folks' heads off! Everyone seems to appreciate how the drawing of the White Tree with Arwen's face in it was executed. Glad you appreciate it, too. And I agree about Aragorn's self-restraint--that must have taxed him a good deal to keep from ordering the man executed then and there.

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It's part of the tragedy of Galador that he doesn't realize just how much Aragorn's willingness to garden and rope others into helping, to cook for himself and others, to check out the working conditions of the servants within the Citadel, to clean up after himself at times, and so on is part of what makes him such an excellent King. He has his priorities straight, and recognizes that to ignore the small things in the end will lessen him over time. The prescient knowledge is beginning to make itself better known to Frodo, and you're right, recognizing he can do nothing right now would be a horrible burden at times. And I certainly wouldn't mind having Aragorn there when I wake up! Heh!

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Yes, Aragorn realizes that he must allow his own anger to cool before passing sentence; and it is harder because this man has abused the very things Aragorn himself waits and hopes for--wife and children. It was for that hope Aragorn accepted the Crown and for it he will accept the Sceptre as well when it comes to him. Yet this Man abuses the love offered him, the children with which he's been blest! He must have been livid. Bard, unlike Aragorn, was born in the King's house, so it's less likely he would have learned to cook or would think to garden himself. You're right, though--he's taking it all in stride. I doubt the King's house in Dale is anywhere like the Citadel of Minas Tirith, of course; the small kingdom has only been back in business for less than eighty years, after all; but it still has been three generations now, and Bard II has had the chance to take in the ideas of what Kings are SUPPOSED to be like. That Aragorn does what he pleases of the household arts would probably be a pleasant surprise to him, I think. I myself hadn't thought of the presence of Master Iorhael and Master Faralion and Healer Eldamir as a means of helping Frodo wean himself from his dependence on the King, but I certainly see the point, and thank you for pointing it out to me. He can't, as he commented earlier, take Aragorn home with him, after all. And I think we'd all agree that looking into the face of the great King of Men on awakening would be a delight! Heh!