I do hope everyone gets to hear Frodo laugh and be merry again. And this is marvelous:
"Know this, Master Frodo Baggins, you are not responsible for the choices of others, only for your own. You chose to fight the great Enemy of our time as you could, and you continued to do so until at last you were overcome by his weapon. Yet you held off that moment until at least you had brought It into the one place where It could be destroyed, and so it was done.
“Any evils done by those who are enemies are still the works of those who committed them. You’ve done nothing to provoke others save to protect as you can. Blaming yourself for what another does, and especially for what another might have done, is a lie unworthy of you.”
Author's reply
There will be good and bad days in Frodo's future, until he must seek an even more protected environment in which to heal at last.
And I try to remember these words at times, for my mother once told me much the same when I was younger. So glad you appreciate them.
French Pony
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 10: 10: Guilt Assumed
And one last thing I forgot:
“Why would he carry it?”
That's the sixty-four thousand dollar question, and the answer satisfies.
Author's reply
I take it the question is asked of Frodo and the Ring. And, yes, the answer satisfies.
French Pony
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 10: 10: Guilt Assumed
Faralion is a good guy. He does his research well, but he also has a great deal of compassion and insight to offer Frodo as well. He's a valuable friend to all the Hobbits. Even better than Sam getting his wish of being put into song is that it'll be a really good song. It'd be awful to be put into a bad song after all they went through, but Faralion seems smart and talented enough to write good lays. He'll also be a credit to Aragorn's court in coming years.
But first, he has to get through hearing about Hobbit family trees. If he can deconstruct those, he's set for life. I love hearing about all the gossip of the pre-War Shire.
Author's reply
After reading Gentle Hobbit's The Minstrel's Quest I, too, found myself wanting to meet the minstrel who wrote the Lay. I didn't exactly write him as she did Farohan, and I've avoided much of the happenings she did write so as not to conflict with her story (which I very much recommend, btw). But she did give me permission to use one of her plot devices, which I've expanded on somewhat.
But somehow Faralion fails to connect with Aragorn as he has the hobbits, and I suspect it is mostly because he finds that, being a new race and an unknown social structure, he doesn't start out with unworkable expectations for how they "ought" to behave and is more easily convinced to accept them as they are.
Thanks for the comments--they keep me writing.
Bodkin
· 26 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
I like the appearance of the minstrel. (Clothed a bit garishly, it seems!)
He seems to be developing a fair understanding of the Hobbit-Who-Saved-Middle-Earth. And hobbits in general. I'm glad that he's got Frodo talking - it enabled him to reveal some of the things that he was avoiding. The Frodo/Sam side of the story probably didn't get much of an airing - only two of them there and neither of them inclined to brag.
I'm glad Faralion realised that Pippin's irreverence is a deliberate technique for relieving tension rather than insensitivity. Works, too.
And poor Aragorn is going to be haunted by the legacy of Thorongil for evermore.
Author's reply
Oh, yes, and I rather suspect Aragorn actually enjoys it, too. Wonder when Faralion is going to cotton on to them being one and the same?
Garishly clad? Well, he's an minstrel, after all, and thus was supposed to attract attention. He might even be seen as conservatively dressed compared to later standards where motley and diamond patterns becamd popular for entertainers.
Frodo needs to talk, definitely; but the full results of what he admits to and that are said to him may remain lodged in his mind for quite some time before he truly internalizes them and accepts the healing they are meant to aid in.
And Merry and Aragorn both admitted speaking lightly was common to Hobbit behavior; so I figured that this would be how Faralion realized this was true. And, yes, it does work.
grumpy
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
Love that bit about Frodo saying he feels like the old gaffer, who wants to sit in the sun, and instead gets stuck watching the kids. I also like you have weaved Faralion into the story. Good old Captain Thorongil wrote tavern songs, that sly on devil.
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo isn't quite certain where he belongs any more. He certainly doesn't feel as young as he still might look; and so he starts imagining himself one of the oldsters instead.
You know by now that I love weaving characters from story to story, and so Faralion had to find his way into this one, particuarly as this is where the Lay of Frodo of the Nine Fingers came into being.
And I can see Thorongil writing tavern songs, can't you? After all, he was much younger then....
And now Aragorn finds himself watching to see how long it might take for folk to begin recognizing him.
Radbooks
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
I so love how you weave in your original characters from story to story - like Faralion here. It was interesting to have him speaking with Frodo and having him see the hobbits from Frodo's point of view. Having Frodo all alone and 'stuck' with this stranger that morning, though made me feel sorry for him. As I mentioned in an earlier review how he was surrounded by everyone who loved him, there are still times when you have to be alone with your pain. Well, even when you are with those you love, you are still alone in your pain, if you know what I mean! ;)
I could see why Aragorn thought that a friendship might occur between him and Faralion. The bard obviously got along quite well with the hobbits - Frodo appeared to be pretty open with him and he did have a kind and gentle heart and with their shared love of music it did seem like a natural thing.
I just realized in the last chapter that this was the first story that Aragorn and Frodo have been in together. Of course, the essence (?) of them being together swirls around in your others stories as Frodo is talked about a lot and you know how close Aragorn was to Frodo, but this is the first time they have appeared together, I think. It makes it extra special.
Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Glad you like how I try to keep the stories bound together. And I, too, can see how Aragorn would be disappointed not to develop a good relationship with Faralion.
Those who are in great pain do find themselves feeling alone so often. I know that my husband often felt himself totally isolated as I had to take on more and more of the duties of the family with the outer world and still try to work and all. I was there but he felt walled off so much of the time.
You're right--this IS the first time (while living, at least) Frodo and Aragorn are actually together in my stories. I hadn't really thought of that, either. Well, now you can see how I have always envisioned them reacting with one another.
Thanks so much for the observations.
Andrea
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
It's very interesting to see how much Frodo tells Faralion about his life and the quest. Maybe that's because the minstrel does not come up immediately with suggestions how to improve his health - he's just listening! And I think this way he helps Frodo to share his bad memories and to lighten his heart.
BTW, I loved that bit about Captain Thorongil :)
Author's reply
Sometimes a disinterested stranger is easier to talk with than one well beloved. So glad you appreciate this fact. And Captain Thorongil does slip in from time to time. He's a fun one to deal with, I find, ever since I wrote The King's Commission.
Kitty
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
Oh yes, read Tolkien's letters! I've read the German translation some time ago and then purchased the English paperback edition, and it is very interesting. It was the book that gave me the hope back Elladan and Elrohir had gone to Valinor at last, in spite of what was told in the appendices, because he said they delayed their choice and remained for a while. If I have more time, I'll have to re-read it more slowly, so I remember a bit more of it.
Faralion got to know Frodo quite well, what I'd not expected. Maybe that was one reason Aragorn regretted not to be able to get to know the minstrel better?
Faralion can feel honoured to have witnessed Sam's and Frodo's report of their journey from Amon Hen to Orodruin as the only one not being a member of the Fellowship. I am glad Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli came in time to hear it as well and Aragorn was able to relieve Frodo of some of the pain afterwards.
And of course Legolas smirked. After all, he is acquainted with the Lord Captain Thorongil personally *wide grin* Poor Faralion, if he only knew!
Author's reply
Yes, Faralion is coming to know Frodo, and it must add to Aragorn's frustration later at not being able to get much beyond the formal level with him. And I, too, found myself glad Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas were able to hear much of this story. Aragorn is getting more of the details now that he needs. And I love to think of those who have no idea that Aragorn was Thorongil, and how much entertainment he got out of the situation over the years.
Dreamflower
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
Well, I'm glad to get a chance to review! When I clicked the "leave review" button it kept coming up "page not available". Glad I tried one more time.
I like seeing this chapter from Farolian's POV. He seems an interesting character; I hope that we will begin to see more of him.
Frodo appears willing to open up to him--he seems to engender confidences in much the same way as Ruvemir later does.
I enjoyed the way that the remainder of the Fellowship gradually gathered round as Frodo and Sam told their story, and Farolian's startlement. And the ending was cute. "Thorongil" has a lot to answer for, it seems, LOL!
Author's reply
It's a part of the story only the two truly know and that the rest need to learn about; and Faralion is here helping facilitate that.
Part of the type of personality that memorializes others well is that they tend to inspire confidence in others; and I see Faralion doing this for those he feels comfortable with. However, until he gets past feelings of proper protocol, he's not going to do super well with Aragorn's stories, I fear.
And I thought this was time for hints of Aragorn's multiple identities to begin to surface. One day Faralion will catch on, I think.
TithenFeredir
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
This was interesting, watching Faralion get to know Frodo and discover the reality behind his song. The gathering at the end was also nice, and I loved Aragorn singing at the end. That scene had such a warm-fuzzy feel, old friends together for a little quiet camaraderie. Very nice! ~TF
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed it, TF. Yes, moments of comfort with one another, and the awareness that our new king is multifaceted, which may one day lead to realization he also has several identities, one of them quite familiar to some in Gondor.
Thanks for the feedback.
Oh, you're updating so quick! I hardly finished chapter 8 when chapter 9 shows up already. How do you do this? Anyway... chapter 9 is now saved so here are some comments on chapter 8.
This was great work. It was good to see Frodo finally accomplishing something again. It seems he is slowly realising his worth again, isn't he?
I'm humbled by your knowledge of the Unfinished Tales. So, perhaps you can tell me what Iorhael means in English? *sparkles with ignorance*
Author's reply
"Iorhael" and "Frodo" both mean "Wise One." Iorhael is Frodo's name translated to Sindarin. In Tolkien's proposed epilogues to the story he had Aragorn send a letter in Tengwar lettering to Sam letting him know in very official language that he was coming to the newly finished northern capitol of Annuminas on Lake Evindim for the summer, and he was formally inviting the whole family to meet him at the Brandywine Bridge and go on north afterwards with him. The letter had two sides, one with the invitation in Sindarin and one in Westron, and he translated everyone's name to Sindarin; Iorhael was shown as Frodo-lad's translation. For a while Tolkien dithered between Iorhail and Iorhael and finally settled on the latter. Conin is another version of Frodo's name, I believe in Adunaic. Sam's name in Sindarin is Perhael, as both Samwise and Perhael mean "half-wise"; Aragorn indicated in his letter he'd have been better named Panthael, or "fully-wise." Berhael was I believe the Adunaic form of his name.
The odd things one learns in reading and writing fanfiction!
You aren't the first one to ask, either.
And when you come to Frodo being called "Cormacolindor," that is a translation of "Ringbearer."
Amy
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
Ha ha ha, please let Faralion faint!
Sorry, got a bit carried away there at the end.
I so love listening to the Fellowship sit and talk.
Author's reply
Yes, sitting near the edge of a small river leading from a beautiful waterfall to the Anduin listening to a tale by turns horrible and beautiful....
Don't know as yet when Faralion will realize his king WAS Thorongil, but he's getting his first hints.
Thanks so much for the feedback.
Elentariel
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
The famed Capt Thorongil indeed! You would have thought the hobbits (if they know) would be rolling on the floor in laughter with the possible exception of Frodo and perhaps Samwise. I like it.
Author's reply
I believe that the Hobbits themselves are only beginning to fully realize the identity under which Aragorn lived when he served in Gondor. And personally I think Frodo would get a kick out of it (as you will note two chapters from now).
Sorry I didn't post today--am still trying to shake the crud and spent the day mostly in bed.
harrowcat
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
Of course the elf was smirking! A most perceptive Bard!
Larner, this is a truly wonderful chapter - too much to take in at one reading but I enjoyed the discussion about the Shire Family system - will you get to the Thain, Master and Mayor?
And Frodo feeling bereft and lonely for Aragorn.
And this new friendship is developing nicely, especially as it enables both of them (and us,) to hear the full tale while giving Frodo a chance to express himself to someone not as fully involved. Do we suspect Aragorn for planting him in Frodo's way or is it just the natural curiosity of a Bard.
Watch out Aragorn, the guild will get you when the connection is revealed!
Author's reply
The family system in the Shire will become more complicated for Faralion to truly understand in the next chapter, which will get posted tomorrow, I hope--have been keeping my congested self in bed most of today, avoiding all responsibilities and the phone as much as possible, although the dishwasher did finally get run!
And I suspect this was just Bardish curiosity, although I doubt Aragorn regrets anything that will get Frodo out of the rut of feeling isolated.
And for a second there Legolas forgot to remain inscrutable. And we already know how long (in my version of ME, of course), how long it took the Bard's Guild to trap Aragorn. Yes, they'll get him in the end.
Loved this chapter! I don't know when wheelchairs were invented in our world, but I am certain they could have been in use much earlier than they were. Most of the time, we've shuffled those men and women who are wounded in our wars (throughout all of the years) off to the side when we are done using them. Now, the best thing would be not to have any wars, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. :( So we should honor and respect those that serve and are injured. But wheelchairs would have been helpful to lots of other people besides those wounded in wars.
It was great to see Frodo taking an interest in the world around him... in the men and sparking the whole project. And then Aragorn taking him to the council to explain it so that he could get them to accept the men from Harad and Rhun. Sam is so wise in his simplicity - you just have to love him.
Nice job!
Author's reply
Wheeled conveyances have been in use in Europe for a very long time, from flat platforms on which individuals could creep forward noted in literature from the Middle Ages on to the woven invalid's chair Clara in "Heidi" used. Many wheeled chairs were used at least since the early eighteen hundreds. But it wasn't until the wake of WWI that rehabilitation came into its own with chairs beginning to be devised to allow their users more personally motivated mobility instead of having to rely on someone pushing them.
As a teacher of visually impaired children and adults as well as a mobility instructor, I've had to study the rehabilitation movement in my own specialty. Much has been done over many, many centuries; but true mobility training as taught today truly began with the Veterans Administration Hospitals, which began to finally formalize rehabilitation training and mobility techniques. We are refining them all the time, and now what started with returning veterans is now being taught to our VI children from their earliest days.
Believe it or not, much good has managed to come out of even such great evils as the last two world wars.
And that Frodo would serve as catalyst for many to begin looking for alternate methods of living fuller lives, Aragorn realizing how this is likely to positively impact the nobles in accepting the wounded from among their enemies into Gondor for healing and rehabilitation, and Sam adding his practical evaluations of just how Sauron's own thought processes would have impacted the acceptance of their wounded by the Haradrim and Rhunim all seemed so natural to flow together.
Thanks so much for the feedback.
Radbooks
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 7: 7: Rainy Night in Ithilien
The nightmares and the fears that he has will go on for a long time. The things on the inside are always the longest and the hardest to heal, especially as Frodo has to deal with his guilt that he feels.
Interesting to see how he responds to the Elessar stone. I just recently read about how the Elessar stone enhanced the healing gifts and ruling gifts, etc. I had not realized that before and now some things are falling into place for me about Aragorn's healing abilities. I wish I had known it earlier, oh well, there are other stories to write! (If I can get through these last couple of chapters in my current one!)
Author's reply
Oh, I'm waiting on tenterhooks for the next chapter of yours, of course.
I was fascinated when I read the part of Unfinished Tales about the Elessar Stone, and had to look at how Frodo would react to it after having come so close to having been subsumed by the Ring. That he'd have begun to realize he might draw on its power seemed an interesting premise to explore. And I think that Aragorn has been learning to draw on it himself as he's worn it through the Paths of the Dead and worked with the injured in the wake of the battle of the Pelennor as well as that before the Black Gate.
So glad you are enjoyint this story.
Radbooks
· 25 October 2005
· Chapter 6: 6: The King Comforts
I never thought about men wanting to touch and steal things from Frodo and Sam, but I'm sure that men haven't changed that much from then to now and as heroes they would have to put up with that kind of nonesense.
Just all of the care Frodo needs on a daily basis is overwhelming, he is so physically wounded, let alone the spiritual wounding that is going on for him. (Let alone Sam) I'm so glad that Aragorn saw that Frodo was truly only comfortable with Gandalf, Sam, and himself taking care of him. I know that as a king he would be incredibly busy, but you would have to take care of him - both as someone you love and for what he has done for Middle-earth. Frodo truly is fortunate to be surrounded by those who love him and by someone who knows how to care for his wounds.
Author's reply
Iluvatar saw to it that Frodo was surrounded by love as he awoke in Ithilien, as he saw to it he was followed by it throughout his quest. And I, too, am glad that he had such a one as Aragorn serving as primary healer as he recovered--as much as he could.
I'm still amazed that the two of them did survive the last throes of Mount Doom, and am glad Tolkien saw it as a form of reward, and for Frodo the chance to see that his sacrifices were not in vain, and that those who accompanied him were better fitted to their future roles by having gone with him or having aided him however they did.
As for the Frodo and Sam groupies--they seemed to be begging to be included in this chapter.
So glad as always to hear from you.
Gosh it's nice to come home and have lots of chapters to catch up on! :) The joy of Sam with the oliphaunts and the joy of Frodo over the view of the sunset from Henneth-Anun remind me that even in the darkest days, there are spots of goodness and joy if we but look for them. So sad to think that Frodo did not even remember that whole part of his trip... but then that is a very natural thing that people do to protect themselves in horrible times.
The whole part at the end where they are talking about Boromir and Aragorn says he did forgive him because the Ring was effecting him too was very moving. I loved how you showed the interplay between the three of them as they looked at each other and they expressed their love and concern, etc.
Nicely done!
Author's reply
Traumatic amnesia is one of the most interesting ways that we have been gifted with to protect ourselves from the moments that could truly devastate us if we had full access to the memories; although sometimes these memories need to be probed to allow full healing. And that there were moments of wonder and beauty helped to sustain Frodo and Sam, and particularly Frodo, I think, through it all. That his capacity for sharing beauty and sparking others to humanity, compassion, and joy helped others to live more fully and more morally as he passed their way helped make Middle Earth a better place to live.
Glad you are home again and getting caught back up on the story.
French Pony
· 24 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
This chapter was heavy on the exposition, but you wrote it very well. It can be hard to work in so much backstory at once, but to do backstory that every reader knows like the back of their hand -- that's an art. Your skill with perception and feeling really comes through here, since you're not just telling what happened, you're showing how the characters felt about that.
I like Faralion. He sounds like a stand-up sort of a guy, and just the sort of friend Frodo needs right now.
Author's reply
Thanks for the vote of confidence, French Pony. So much of writing gapfillers such as this is dealing with the back story. And, yes, Faralion is the type of person Frodo needs right now, during one of his worse days, as it were.
And I'm honored that you find skill in my writing. Thanks so much for all the feedback.
Linda Hoyland
· 24 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
It is interesting to see Frodo as he appears to others and sad to see how his health is so frail and that he is lonely. As always, I just loved the Aragorn moment.
I' so pleased you are enjoying my story too,I greatly appreciate your reviews,thank you.
Author's reply
Of course, I LOVE the Aragorn moments--am always happy to have my favorite King involved in anyone's story! But on the bad days, I suspect that there would be times when Frodo would still feel isolated and touchy.
Anyway, I'll have to read your latest chapter tomorrow--worked much of the day after a short night and an early awakening by one of my clients, and now am in need of getting to bed as soon as possible.
Lotrgirl1415
· 24 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
Guess what I'm not dead!
My house is fine..so i got back on the internet and you updated! *hugs4u*
You brightened my gloomy day!
I loved this chp!
keep up the great work!
--Katie
Author's reply
So glad Wilma didn't do serious damage to your home. Am grateful there was so much less damage with this one than with Katrina. And that the update has helped you deal with the fears and frustrations is heartening. Thanks for letting us know you're okay.
shirebound
· 24 October 2005
· Chapter 9: 9: The Minstrel of Gondor
A most insightful and compassionate bard! It's interesting to see the hobbits (and the king) through his eyes.
I'm working on a story myself about Frodo returning to the tower at Cirith Ungol -- with his friends -- to sort out some vague and confusing memories of what happened there. I find that whole time period fascinating.
Author's reply
Oh, cool! Am looking forward to reading that, Shirebound. I've seen folks take them back to Henneth Annun; but to go all the way up to the Tower of Cirith Ungol would be really interesting--and creepy. I still wonder whether or not Shelob truly recovered, and if so, how long it took to do so.
And it's always interesting to see folk we already know and love well through the eyes of others.
But after mentioning Faralion and writing him into Lesser Ring, I had to explore his earlier interactions after the War of the Ring.
This is the perfect way for Frodo to find healing, in the healing and helping of others. I love the way he takes an interest in their hopes and fears about the future, and I hope he realises that he is a catalyst for change.
Sam's comments were so right - trust Sam to come up with the commone sense remarks. He has definitely changed.
PS. In my last review I mentioned the whaleship Essex - this was what inspired Herman Melville to write 'Moby Dick.' A fascinating and true story of Nature fighting back.
Author's reply
It is in helping others that we most help ourselves, of course, and hopefully that Frodo's interest is aiding others to heal is helping him to heal as well.
And Sam is beginning to appreciate that, like his father, his observations are inspiring others, although as his observations are less aphorism and more response to what he sees about him, in the long run he will be the more effective teacher. Yes, he's growing, as Gandalf later observes before he turns off at the Old Forest to allow the four Hobbits to return unsupervised to the Shire to put into action the lessons they've learned in the outer world for the succoring of their own people.
Oh, so it was the Essex that inspired Moby Dick, was it? I'll definitely have to find more source material on it. Thanks for the reference you gave me already. I'll follow up on it as I find time.
Now we know who’d invented the wheel chair! Who would’ve thought Frodo was involved :D Honestly, I love this chapter!
The other wonderful part was what Sam said about the ability of the forces of Mordor to think for themselves. No mere gardner any longer, indeed! The Sam from before the Quest would never have dared to speak at all, I’d think. But he was absolutely right. I am sure I’d not been able *not* to grin, and very smugly at that, when he told all these Lords this! As it was, I was grinning widely through most of the chapter. The nobles of Gondor will soon learn to esteem the hobbits even more!
Author's reply
Some of the greatest observations we get are from our own children; and here the lords of Gondor and Rohan are beginning to realize these child-like creatures are more attuned to human need than they are. And it's good practice for when Sam becomes Mayor of the Shire!
According to others I've read, Tolkien himself had begun thinking about Ferumbras's mother Lalia and her wheelchair, including the "accident" that led to her death, so apparently Hobbits had already begun using at least one such device in the Shire. I've only read those of Tolkien's letters that have been shared with me by others, so haven't seen that one yet. Will have to look for his compilation of Letters now. I've read a couple of Warren Lewis's compilations of his brother's letters; now need to read Tolkien's.
And all the free world deserves to esteem the Hobbits of the Shire. It is with reason Aragorn seeks to protect them.
Very ingenious. And I'm glad they are offering help to their former enemies too. This is just the kind of activity that will help Frodo psychologically. And then there will be the knock-on physical effect.
Author's reply
Through all of his self-doubt, yet Frodo continues doing the right thing, being the catalyst for positive change, encouraging all to become more positive in outlook and to seek solutions, even when he himself is overwhelmed from time to time with pain and regret.
And thanks so very much for the feedback, as you know how much it is appreciated. Am looking forward to seeing if you've updated Arwen's Heart while I've been working the last couple days.