I didn't realize until the other day that I had missed a chapter here. Lovely song and lovely and loving that Frodo had sung a song that night his sister was buried and that loving three-way embrace for three grieving hearts. They are so different people that he fit so perfectly into the hollow of body and soul - parents and brothers - and he has found one that fits him perfectly too - love the way you said that! Good for him. And that he was willing to petition Lord Namo on his beloved's behalf. Now, my dear, you said Smeagol's redemption would take a novel - well, you've already written the first chapter, so just keep going! And you were wondering what to do! :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oops! I was wondering if you'd missed it, it had so much in it that was up your alley, I thought. Thanks much! As for the story of Smeagol's redemption, well, I have thought of it....but I'm afraid it would have to be a PG-13 at the very least, not all nice and cozy and sweet like LftW since it would be set in M-E, and much that would befall the wanderers would likely be not very nice, and the Muse won't let me sugar-coat it. I've a feeling nice people would shun them and they would find themselves much in the company of ruffians, gamblers, prostitutes, thieves, thugs, pirates, and other low-lifes, maybe even a few stray orcs. Still, I may do it one of these days...when I come back from Germany (I'm leaving July 28, should be back about Aug. 7). Sometimes I can hear the bunny's feet thumping in its hutch.....well, maybe! In the meantime I can catch up on some reading perhaps.......
Thanks once more for all your feedback!
hugs
Armariel
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Antane
· 15 July 2007
· Chapter 78: In the Air
Sam, I know you can’t come for a very long time yet, but I miss you, and so wish you could be here now. You, and all the others. Both our families all together and blessed in the Light, in the silver air of the West.
I love you, Sam...........
A lovely ending - at least to the published letters. I hope Frodo will continue to write. He didn't say he wouldn't and he wouldn't leave his Sam without that contact even if we can't read over the Mayor's shoulder anymore. Indeed - wouldn't that have been great to have them all grow up together?
And you can't just publish Shadows and leave it hanging there like that. Poor Smeagol, but if he has a chance of redemption that would be intriguing.
Namarie,
God bless,
Melinyel,
Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, of course Frodo will continue his communication until Sam is ready to come to him, but that's all I'm going to reveal for the time being...well, of course that's not to say there will never be any more, perhaps a stray poem, song, or vignette may find its way into the collection in the future. I've worked too long on this story to turn it loose completely, it's been what, a year and a half almost! WHAT will I do now??
Yes, it would have been nice if Sam could have brought the whole hee-haw gang along to the BR, his kids and Frodo's all playing together on the beach...I was almost tempted to write an AU in which they do just that, but naaaaahhhhhhhhhh, don't think it would work...LOL
Poor Smeagol, but if he has a chance of redemption that would be intriguing.
Well yes, but the story of Smeagol's redemption would have to comprise a novel, I'm afraid! There may be a naughty bunny there waiting to happen, but I think I'll let the critter stew around (heheh) for a while....
Thanks so much for all your comments--they mean a great deal to me!
hugs
Armariel
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Antane
· 15 July 2007
· Chapter 77: The Shadow
Very interesting, my dear!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner
· 13 July 2007
· Chapter 78: In the Air
How perfect, this summer day of loving family, a clear beacon at sunset, the promise of the possibility of redemption for a lost son, the promise of joyous marriages for some of the children, a peace of family. And yet the heart yearns for his brother....
Author's reply
Oh yes...like a saint taking one last wistful glance toward the earth after being transported to the heavenly portals and immersing himself again and again in its delights. His head will turn from time to time, until that other being comes to join him. But it's in the present he is truly living.
And now maybe *I* can get some housework done *shudder* before my trip to Germany....but I'm sure to go through some withdrawals, after working on this thing for almost a year and a half....eek!
Thanks so much for all your comments--they mean a lot to me!
hugs
Armariel
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Larner
· 11 July 2007
· Chapter 77: The Shadow
Oh, how I hoped it would be Smeagol! And due to Frodo's intercession! And now both are able to work toward the Light!
Author's reply
Oh yes, I somehow always wanted to redeem Gollum, but hadn't a clue how to go about it...and then Darkfin saved the day! Whether or not they'll succeed in finding the Light, I probably must leave to the reader's imagination, however. Since I can't remember Tolkien ever explaining where the bad guys go when they die, I had to improvise a little...the Tartarus of the Greeks crossed with the underworld of the Halls of Mandos. If I were more sadistic I might have thrown in some Dante, but enough is enough. I scared myself a little as it was.
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Larner
· 9 July 2007
· Chapter 76: Greenjade
Now it is his turn to carry the one who bears the heavy burden; and the burden on him is light because it is his love that does the carrying--his love and He who engenders it.
Love the reassurance in the song.
Author's reply
Yes...and this task may be even harder, even if there's no literal mountain to climb this time. But I suspect our hero is now equal to it!
The song "Bridge over Troubled Waters" occurred to me...even though I heard once that it was really about doing drugs and although I scoffed at that, I've never quite been able to hear it the same way again.
Thanks so much once more!!!
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Larner
· 9 July 2007
· Chapter 75: Certain Matters
Yes, Aneomne needed those words, that assurance.
And we have matches making themselves? Very nice!
Author's reply
Ah yes...Frodo now has the unenviable task of arranging a marriage for his eldest daughter...I doubt he expected to be faced with that when he sailed! But at least this one seems promising. The others...hmm. A young wannabe surfer dude courting the twins? Well, could be worse, I guess!
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Antane
· 7 July 2007
· Chapter 75: Certain Matters
Another aspect of fatherhood now experienced - being asked about marriage and all that and good advice given. That's our lad! What a blessing he is! Re: your fireworks poem - I've done tons of poems in the past and know I am very good at it (if praise from friends is anything to go by) but Frodo and Sam seem to speak their love to each other much easier in prose than verse.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Sex, love and marriage--three subjects that can have good parents quivering in their boots, even when they're not wearing any;)--and no wonder. It was much easier when it was boo-boos and bad grades and crayons down the toilet and the bully down the street. I'd almost rather carry an evil ring to Mordor than go through an adolescence, I think!
Easier in prose perhaps...but more challenging in verse, for me at least!:D
Thanks once more!
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Larner
· 1 July 2007
· Chapter 74: Waves
Pizza, and now surfing? How wonderful! Excellent!
But now Anemone knows, and needs her husband's caring.
What will Fairwing decide, I wonder? Will she choose also to go "landish"?
Wonderful.
Author's reply
Frodo as The Big Kahuna? Well, why not? Once he gets himself some crab-proof swimming trunks, that is;)
And Anemone will get plenty of TLC, no doubt. And her husband just might have even more surprises for her in store. As for Fairwind...well, as always.....we'll see!
Thanks always for commenting!
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Antane
· 1 July 2007
· Chapter 74: Waves
"This is ALL YOUR FAULT!” Dínlad raged at me. “I’ll NEVER be able to hold my head up again! Next time you want somebody to play you, DO IT YOURSELF!”
Ah, the price of fame. :) Frodo should say, well, I hated all the publicity and hero-worship myself. But perhaps at this distance and seeing it happening from this angle, he can see that he was a hero.
I'm glad he assured Sam that he wouldn't be expected to surf when he came. I could just see his rising fear as he heard about that adventure!
That ending is rather ominous though so hope it's not long before another letter is sent that we can eavesdrop on. :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Frodo should say, well, I hated all the publicity and hero-worship myself. But perhaps at this distance and seeing it happening from this angle, he can see that he was a hero.
Well.....according to the book, he wasn't hailed as a hero, that honor went more to Merry and Pippin, what with them coming home in uniforms and what not. Then again, in the BR, he received the adulation that was due him, but not in an obtrusive way--the people letting him have his privacy and not allowing their kids to overwhelm him with attention, etc. On the other hand, Dinlad ends up with little girls stalking him all over the place--a little boy's worst nightmare, surely! lol Yes, the price of fame, and Frodo can be glad he has his family to protect him!
And noooo...can you imagine Sam on a surfboard? heheh Yes, I thought he might be experiencing a flicker of consternation and need reassuring....and of course they'll both be way too old for it by that time anyway!
I'm hoping to get the next one up soon but I'm afraid it may be the last...yeah, yeah, famous last words, I know...well, I can get to work on the famous Reunion tale then!
Thanks once more for the FB!
hugs
Armariel
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Antane
· 29 June 2007
· Chapter 73: Stars
[Frodo goes on to give an exhaustively detailed description of the rest of the play, evaluating the performances of the principal actors, the costumes, the sets, small accidents, and effects used overall.]
You mean you are leaving part of the letter out?! :)
But I must say that Dínlad and Perion were the very best of all. They were the heart and soul of the whole production. And in the dreaded scenes…I found myself thinking only of the astounding love that had born me from them, risking all to snatch me body and soul from a fate too horrible to imagine. The love of the true Hero of the entire undertaking, the closest thing to the Divine I will ever know upon this earth, even where I am now….
And now your winged heart
will bear me aloft
above the foul clouds
of poison and loss
the shadows unspeakable
now are dissolved
such love astounding
I have not deserved
yet still you give it...
The tears that gathered and overflowed this time were not of self-pity over the memory of torture, terror, starvation, thirst, exhaustion, failure, and degradation, but of overwhelming gratitude and awe and adoration and joy at having a Friend of Friends who never forsook me, who had kept me warm, protected me from my enemies, given me the last drop of his water, born me on his back when my own legs could go no more, hauled me away from the Fire at the very last. Who has ever had such? My dearest Sam, may you be as blessed as I for all time, now and forever, and have all the joy your heart can hold and then some….
Such incredible love - I'm glad he was able to see it once more and feel it. I was hoping that was what he would see and feel and not the terrible memories. Sam does love with God's love. Very nice bit of poem - is there more to this loving tribute?
Namarie,
God bless,
Antane :)
Author's reply
You mean you are leaving part of the letter out?! :)
Wellll....too much description could get tiresome for anybody but Sam;);)
Such incredible love - I'm glad he was able to see it once more and feel it. I was hoping that was what he would see and feel and not the terrible memories. Sam does love with God's love. Very nice bit of poem - is there more to this loving tribute?
That fragment is from "In the Tower" if you recall....And yes, the last installment of the play is the final stage of Frodo's healing, I think. He had only thought he was healed before, but that was the culmination, the last of his demons expunged and he will have the inner peace he longed for, knowing that his "second quest" will ensure peace and light to his chosen people for a long time to come. His mission is complete. Now he can settle down to being the ordinary hobbit he wanted to be...although I've a feeling life will be anything but ordinary for him, with the family and friends he has;)
Thanks once more for the lovely FB (heheh!)!
hugs
Armariel
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Larner
· 27 June 2007
· Chapter 73: Stars
Oh--that last, last touch--"Please tell Aragorn and Arwen they have a baby sister?" Oh, how perfectly timed, and what an anticlimax!
Loved the words from Ulmo to Anemone, and the realization that she and Frodo each complement one another so. And she, I suspect, already has an inkling as to what happened.
Oh, how wonderful the praise for distant brothers and friends.
A marvelous, marvelous performance by all (especially Raven's), and a marvelous chapter.
Author's reply
That little girl had some excellent timing, to be sure! Now a boy baby probably wouldn't have waited until the play was over to decide to get himself born!
An inkling perhaps, but I think she knew deep down that it was bound to happen sooner or later, her firstborn having made plenty of enemies, after all. And I suspect that she is aware that her family is keeping something from her. We'll soon see!
So glad the chapter works--I had my doubts about it, what with it having so little dialogue or action in it. Never was too sure how I was going to work it out, but now I can stop worrying about it...lol I thought perhaps the third part of the play would be the final step in Frodo's healing, the true culmination of it, the last of his demons expunged.
Thanks once more for the wonderful commentary!
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Larner
· 25 June 2007
· Chapter 72: Anticipation
I suspect the Lord of Waters wishes to have his maiden see how deeply her husband loves and cares for her. A grief, but a necessary one, to anticipate; and better than the alternative--that Darkfin might have destroyed much of what the Light delights in before its time.
Author's reply
I suspect the very same thing! Yes, a necessary grief, not only to lose a child but to know he died in unrepenting evil. Our hero will have his work cut out for him helping her get through it, but he has never been one to flinch from a difficult task, has he? Then there is the knowledge that it was also a child of hers who brought about the salvation of many. A complicated matter, with no easy solution. But, such is life!
Thanks once more for the FB!
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Antane
· 23 June 2007
· Chapter 72: Anticipation
Finally caught up! Another nice ending. I think the play will go just fine. It has to be difficult to watch the tower and the fire over and over again but he would also be reminded of the love of his Sam also.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Glad you are caught up! Yes, I'm sure the play will be all right, and then he can relax for a while and never have to watch those scenes again...but yes, the memory of the love will always be with him. And the love of his family and friends will see him through when memory is not enough. Surely he can glory in being the most beloved person on the Island...but loving in return is what gives him his truest strength.
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Antane
· 23 June 2007
· Chapter 71: Water Music
Very nice ending. We all wonder about the evil in the world and why it's there and why doesn't God do something about it but He always is doing something and through His children.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Antane
· 23 June 2007
· Chapter 70: Miss Amaryllis
Nice mention of his sister and the love he still has for her. He became a brother later though as we all know - to three. :) What a joy he has in being a father too. I sometimes wonder why he had to suffer so much but he certainly has joy in the same measure.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Joy and yes, sadness also. Seeing one's children hurt is, or so I've heard/read over and over, worse than being hurt oneself. Even in the BR things can't be so rosy ALL the time. (That could get rather monotonous, I should think!) But all will carry on, and grow stronger and closer through shared hurts. So life goes. Yes, but his Fairy Godmother just must keep dumping joy on his head! She can't resist! lol
thanks once more
Armariel~~~{~@
Antane
· 23 June 2007
· Chapter 69: Corruption
Cute last line. :) So glad Sam knows of his treasure's joy. What a tremendous welcome awaits him.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Frodo/Iorhael is a natural-born corrupter;) Maybe it's cheating a bit for me to let him know, but what the hey. Seems rather cruel not to let them have any communication whatsoever, not even by snail-mail. Rather sad for Sam to have to leave his own family as well, but there will be another that will hail and love him to pieces before his time is over.
hugs
Armariel
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Bodkin
· 23 June 2007
· Chapter 72: Anticipation
So Darkfin is no more. The Siren was rather scary - the 'gulls' did well with her and saved the day, but it will be sad to have any of Anemone's family going back to the sea.
The play is coming on - and they are all becoming closer and closer as family.
Frodo certainly never expected all this when he sailed!
Author's reply
I'm certain they will come back, if not to stay, then to visit frequently. The Island has gotten a good hold on them, and will not let them stay away for long at a time. The Siren is the Ring in human form, I suppose, or how it might look if it were human. It may exert a powerful influence, but in unity there is strength to overthrow it when fear is foresworn.
No, surely he never guessed...that he would take a water-lady to wife, adopt a couple of gypsy-like Elves into his family, be the subject of a three-part drama, help to bring about the destruction of yet another evil being, be father and grandfather to a large brood, and become the most beloved being on the Island, and surely he never would have supposed his adventuring days were not quite over!
Thanks for commenting--so nice to see you back again!
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Antane
· 22 June 2007
· Chapter 68: The Spectre
And so he helps another soul who has been violated much as he was. Indeed Sauron was bent only on his destruction but God was always in charge and if our dear was driven West by the pain of his wounds, he was also driven there by grace. Love his words on how to combat the Enemy. Very good, my dear! You must write, if you haven't already and I just missed it or forgot it, the reunion of Sam and Frodo and how proud Sam is and how very loved he is here even if not yet seen. He's in for a surprise when he arrives and how proud Frodo will be when his brother is drowned in hugs and love by those he's never even met.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I'm probably going to write the Reunion by and by. Sam does show up in "Anemone" in a little epilogue but that's just for one scene. Yeah, everybody else does it so why not I, what? We'll see, my preciousss!
Yes, Frodo was driven West by pain but it turned out for the good after all, and not just for him. He has become wise and serene, and still learning many things he wouldn't have learned in the Shire, most likely. And he is still a savior and will likely continue to be.
Thanks so much for all your lovely words!
hugs
Armariel
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Antane
· 20 June 2007
· Chapter 67: Mischief
Finally getting back to this - so busy - how nice to see our lad surrounded by so many he can be father - and gasp, grandfather!! - to. I'm sure Sam rejoices at that too.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Good to see you back in town, gal! Ah yes, our hero has his hands full now, what? But doesn't he love it! Things won't be dull for him for a good long while yet. And naturally Sam is tickled pink about it. He wouldn't be Sam if he wasn't! Would he?
hugs
Armariel
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Larner
· 18 June 2007
· Chapter 71: Water Music
"I can't carry It, but I can carry you!" And too often that is what we are reduced to, not that we aren't at our highest when we are carrying others as we can! And again it was little folk by whom salvation was granted--this time.
As for the Siren--enough to make anyone know regret!
Author's reply
Ah yes.......the Siren being the Ring in human form, perhaps. As you probably figured out. Or, how the Ring might look as a human. I often think it odd that all Tolkien's villains are ugly; seems to me they would be far more dangerous if some of them were beautiful. But then, that would have brought the sticky problem of sex into the story.
And yes, we are tallest when we stoop to help someone else up, and taller still when we bear him/her along at need. Thanks so much for commenting!
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Larner
· 10 June 2007
· Chapter 70: Miss Amaryllis
I'd suspected it was Darkfin, and was pretty certain at Fairwind's reaction. But to be forced to kill her brother to protect the father she's accepted--it's a horrible thing to be forced to. And I'm proud of her for both her skill and her grief.
Author's reply
Ah, the treacherous twists and turns these tales take, the curve balls our naughty muses throw us....Yes, pretty awful thing, and I'm wondering myself how she will deal with it. And how she will manage to keep her mother from knowing. And whether or not someone will be just a bit bedazzled by her...So many possibilities.
Thanks once more Larner for everything!!
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eiluj
· 9 June 2007
· Chapter 70: Miss Amaryllis
Harrowing indeed! Poor Fairwind! And I'm wondering if Anemone will somehow know....
I do love your sea-folk.
Author's reply
Thank you eiluj! I'm rather fond of them also, and can't seem to bring myself to turn them loose somehow. I do hope Anemone won't know, and will try to protect her the best I can...but sometimes stories have a trick of getting away from their authors and going differently from how we intend, which is part of the fun of writing. So, time and the muse will tell.
Thanks for commenting and please keep it up!
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Larner
· 2 June 2007
· Chapter 69: Corruption
To be corrupted with love and caring--an enviable corruption indeed!
Author's reply
Definitely. Those whose lives he has touched will never be the same again...hopelessly corrupted! Thanks for commenting!
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Larner
· 31 May 2007
· Chapter 68: The Spectre
Yes, there can be much in being a dog--and more in being a lover with such another as the other party.
And another begins to find herself with Iorhael's help.
Author's reply
Yes, a dog with the right master/mistress has it made...and a lover with the right partner much more so. Pity it doesn't happen that way more often. And Iorhael is finding himself far more vital to those around him than he ever dreamed he would, and wouldn't have it any other way, I suspect!
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