The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner
Tigger · 16 October 2005 · Chapter 1: 1: Unconsummated
Interesting beginning Larner. Very interesting. Looking forward to seeing where this is going to go.
Author's reply
I fear it may ramble a bit, Tigger, but hopefully not too far off the intended trajectory. And I hope that as we wander with it it remains true to its intent. Thanks for the response.
Pearl Took · 16 October 2005 · Chapter 1: 1: Unconsummated
This is beautiful, mysterious and deep. A gem.
Author's reply
It's but the beginning, Pearl Took, and hope you continue to follow, even when now and then it rambles a bit. Tolkien was raised to understand we are intended to be living sacrifices, and definitely placed Frodo into that category. Thanks for the response.
TithenFeredir · 16 October 2005 · Chapter 1: 1: Unconsummated
What an interesting beginning. Everything is fine and yet not. It seems to me that there is a sort of dry, ironic tone that surfaces here and there in your writing on this. It puts the most interesting spin on things. "He smiled--he knew he smiled. The sacrifice had been consummated and had been accepted; and Gandalf had smiled back, a smile of relief which gave him his first conscious hint he wasn’t dead after all." Like that. Looking forward to more. ~TF
Author's reply
He must have been a bit taken aback, finding he was still alive after all. And there is irony in the realization that he wasn't dead after all, but had more to go through before he finds his "reward"--and the realization the ability to live to see all others settled and on their way to healing before he goes on is PART of the reward isn't getting through to him as yet. Thanks for the response.
Lotrgirl1415 · 16 October 2005 · Chapter 1: 1: Unconsummated
OMG!! update soon!!!! me luvs it!!*hugs* --Katie
Author's reply
Glad you appreciate it, Katie. Hopefully this will be updated every day or two. The chapters in this one tend to be a bit shorter, so hopefully it won't get some going so long it gets harder to update on my regular schedule.
Dreamflower · 16 October 2005 · Chapter 1: 1: Unconsummated
Oh, this is such a marvelous beginning, and so like the scenario I have often envisioned for Frodo. He fully intended to take the Ring into the fire personally, but the Ring was too strong for him, and would not let him. This is something he never fully came to terms with, and you show the beginnings of his doubt and guilt for having survived.
Author's reply
Yes, I think that there was a great deal of survival guilt that Frodo endured, plus the guilt for "having allowed" the Ring to take him, plus the guilt for feeling guilt.... Glad you like the beginning.
Armariel · 16 October 2005 · Chapter 1: 1: Unconsummated
oohhh this looks lovely already! Already anxious to see what comes next. Yes, burnt offerings are pretty useless, what? *really hoping Aragorn is gonna be in this one a lot*
Author's reply
He's there a fair amount, and hope you appreciate just how much. Thanks for the response.
daw the minstrel · 16 October 2005 · Chapter 1: 1: Unconsummated
I can see how this would be very hard for Frodo to come to terms with. He'd have to figure out a whole new sense of himself, or try to reconcile what happened with who he thought he was.
Author's reply
There is a lot of refiguring to go through as Frodo seeks to come to terms with what he's been through and what he experiences as time passes. What he gets is not at all what he expected, and redefining himself and accepting what comes isn't going to be easy. Thanks so much for the response.
lindahoyland · 16 October 2005 · Chapter 1: 1: Unconsummated
I loved the way you used words from the Bible and the communiion service here,they fit well.I did once read a thesis that compared Frodo to the Great High Priest. Poor Frodo,he is haunted by his supposed "failure".I think another reason he has to sail is to be with Gandalf. Thank you so much for your much appreciated rewiews of my story.
Author's reply
Yes, I suspect that this is right, that he needs Gandalf's own experiences and wisdom to help supplement his own. This has been a terrible ordeal for him, coming to terms with life, or so I suspect. Am enjoying following Faramir a good deal, and seeing his planning for his expected part in the rescue. Thanks for the response to this one.
French Pony · 16 October 2005 · Chapter 1: 1: Unconsummated
I like the philosophical tone of this. I think it matches the tone of the books well, and makes a nice gap-filler.
Author's reply
It is mostly gap filler, and I do try to keep the tone in keeping with Tolkien's own religious and philosophical bent. Thank you for the review--I think you were the first to read it, also.