Reviews (219)

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Heheh...I believe YOU are in part responsible for that! LOLOL ~~~{~@

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Oh yes...there's a saying, a Jewish one I think: "When a man marries, he divorces his mother." So it is with Frodo--Tol Eressea is his "bride" and the Shire is his "mother"...and to go back to his "mother" would be unthinkable, even though he will always remember her lovingly. Yes, an immense comfort--I have a "Sam" in a distant country also, so I KNOW how that goes. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't communicate with her via the internet. And I know she feels the same! ~~~{~@

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I guess Frodo's got a Catholic conscience? heheh I'm Protestant, but have Catholic friends and they joke from time to time about guilt, and my one-time roommate was raised Catholic but has less of a sense of humor about the guilt part. I dare say the child was getting a bit worried about whether he would go back if someday he just might be allowed. Imaginative kids do have such anxieties a lot, and it got me to thinking, well, WOULD he go back? It was really something to think about. If he were fully healed in body and mind, and were given the choice of going back, would he take it? Or would he stay in Paradise, where he is beloved and appreciated by all, and has spiritual and educational opportunities unavailable to him where he come from? I could hardly decide. Yet the answer he gives is the one that rings true to me, somehow. Not exactly sure why! ~~~{~@

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Why, thank you! Bless you, "Bear Me Away" isn't a bit racy--there are one or two mildly naughty remarks in it, and Frodo mentions an erotic dream or two (non-explicit), but there's no sex and no violence and only a couple of mild swear-words (not from Frodo). I think you'd find "Bear Me Away" enjoyable, if you like this piece here; it's alternately serious and humorous, and really ought to be read first. The faith he finds in it I haven't really gone into as much as I would have liked, and may deal more fully with it later in "Light from the West". I don't actually think of him as being a virgin when he arrives in the West, actually, although I haven't gone into that at all and don't intend to. But I don't like to think of him as some impossibly ethereal and asexual saintly being as so many authors seem to. I'd rather keep him completely human, maybe even provide him with a bride...*ahem* But anyway, if nothing else, read the first chapter. It was originally a stand-alone story that I decided to expand into a full-length long-short (I don't know if it's really long enough to be called a novella, lol) and tell me what you think. Thanks so much for your comments! hugs Armariel~~~{~@

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The pure in heart instinctively know the nature of truth, I'm sure. I remember reading that Tolkien had considered the idea of having Gollum grab the Ring and jump into the fire for love of Frodo, and was intrigued with it. I thought, what if he had written it that way, would it still ring true? Hmmm...but I suppose his Muse bonked him on the head and said, "No, that is NOT how it happened." But then a precocious child who loved Frodo might become enamoured of the idea, and it would ring true to her. And I dare say Frodo and Dinlad will become good friends eventually....but maybe I better not say too much on the matter now...lol Thanks once more! ~~~{~@

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Well, maybe he was at that...he's a gifted eavesdropper even as Frodo pointed out earlier...I'll have to keep that in mind! lol And yes, surely the dolls are happy to be together, but I've a feeling Frodo had better keep them hidden or everyone will be wanting some and his little doll-maker won't have time for anything else! ~~~{~@

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Do you think she can make me some Frodo and Sam dolls, too? :) If she could, I'd have her make me some too, heheh...along with some Merry and Pippin and Bilbo dolls....and, uh, ummm....well, maybe I better not go there;);) Yes, I conceived of Dínlad as a Typical Boy--cocky, bossy, obnoxious, know-it-all, and convinced of his superiority to girls, animals, and hobbits, as well as the assumption that HE could have tossed in the Ring without a hitch. Whereas Lyrien and Marílen are Typical Sweet Little Girls--protective, sympathetic, nurturing, genereous, accepting of differences, and recognizing true superiority even when it comes from those smaller than themselves. I don't know why the Spirit of Frodo chose me as his secretary, but there you are! How can I refuse him? Thanks much for responding! (Frodo-doll thanks you too! haha) hugs Armariel~~~{~@

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Oh yes...that's the difference between liars and damned liars. Rûdharanion is of the latter sort, and that's a part of why he fears Galadriel, I suppose. The truth is not in him, because, I think, deep down, he has a secret hatred for humanity. Whether or not he is redeemable and can overcome this aversion remains to be seen. (To be, uh, truthful, I don't really know where the story is going, at this point. That's the nice thing about fanfics. You don't have to present the finished product long after you've got it all finished and perfected, you can present a bit at a time and let it go where it will, and fix things along the way.) Dûndeloth isn't afraid of the truth, and so can embrace humanity despite its flaws. I guess Lyrien will be the little daughter Frodo can't have--although, obviously she doesn't think of herself that way! Yes, I've also thought she has a lot to do with his healing, and he needs her innocence as much as he needs the wisdom of his elders. Thanks so much for the FB! hugs Armariel~~~{~@

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Thank you! Yeah, gotta love that Bilbo, the old rascal;)...just couldn't let go of him somehow and had to write more! I really like the two of them together and like to read stories that feature them. And I wanted Frodo to leave his guilt behind and learn to love himself again...to get at least a glimmer of what others see in him...... Thanks so much for the FB! Means a lot to me. blessings & cheer Armariel~~~{~@

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And I think he did have more than one glass!;) This chapter was both difficult and fun, which is rather unusual for me. The collection isn't quite behaving as I had intended; it was meant to be a series but is starting to behave more like a serial--we're still not through with Rûdharanion yet! Well, I guess I should let it do as it pleases, it will, one way or another...and I love it when reviewers put ideas into my head, as some of them do! Thanks so much! ~~~{~@

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Guess it was getting time for Bilbo to have a Moment...and I wasn't really quite expecting it just then, he merely jumped up and started proclaiming and of course I didn't even try to stop him, just silently egged him on...do characters ever get away from you at unexpected moments and act independently like that? Personally, I love it when they do! Especially when they get some fur flying.... Thanks bunches:D ~~~{~@

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Frodo's first poem of merit appears (in part) in the first chapter of "Bear Me Away!" and there's a link to the entire poem at the bottom. I discovered it when I was struggling with the first chapter, which was originally a one-shot story that I ended up continuing, about the adventures of Frodo and Bilbo in the West. The idea of Frodo and Sam being separated for so long with no means of communication has long bothered me, and from time to time I've tried to set it right--and can't seem to stop doing it!:) I don't wonder if Sam is a bit angry at times, but perhaps eventually he'll get over it *grin* Thanks for commenting! hugs Armariel~~~{~@

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Heheh...Rûdharanion may be a great poet, but his people skills are a wee bit, er, lacking...works out that way sometimes! Guess maybe he's a bit of a caricature, I probably could have done better if I hadn't had to work the weekend and made myself sick...but I hadn't done my piece for the week and had to come up with SOMEthing! (Long story--I promised over a year ago that in return for help with something-or-other, can't remember precisely, something to do with work, that I would write at least one piece per week, whether it was a poem, music piece, story or story chapter). Kick on the shin--well, maybe if Frodo had been wearing shoes, but barefooted, I'm afraid he'd have done more damage to himself than to the kickee...but maybe I'll play around with the idea in the next part, lol.... And yeah, maybe Galendur WILL find out...we'll just see! I got the name "Dûndeloth" when I put "William Shakespeare" through the elf-name generator...haha! ~~~{~@

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Heheh, have to admit I liked the rogue from the get-go, although I wasn't sure at first which direction he'd go....Yeah, I thought Frodo might get a little tired of all the coddling and needed a playmate with an adventuresome and slightly wacky streak to bring him out of himself, and I couldn't exactly picture Elrond or Gandalf taking that role! lol Lyrien is a lot like a niece of mine at about 5 or 6; didn't consciously model her on Laura Beth but maybe unconsciously, who knows? Thanks for reviewing! nice to know I haven't been forgotten even after a long absence...*g* ~~~{~@

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Yes, I've thought of that too, and plan to deal with the matter sooner or later. Not sure whether I should do so immediately or have him wait until he's been there for a while. I recall reading about a woman who had lost her son in a car accident and not long afterward she reported feeling his presence in her house--don't know if it was true or not, but I suppose for some people that could be a good thing and a comfort, for others, it might disrupt their lives and lead them astray from what needs doing in the real world. Thanks for commenting! ~~~{~@

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Awww thanks! Well, maybe I didn't make it too clear: Frodo obviously found Galendur's style of boat racing just a tad alarming, hence the praying. Galendur is implying that Frodo's supposed singing of bawdy sea songs distracted him from coming in first, a joke he makes in order to get a rise out of the pompous Halidor, who thinks Galendur is poking a bit of fun at him (which he is, of course!) I've just put in some bits I hope will clarify. So glad you find it funny! It's nice to be back on board, so to speak. Maybe I can catch up on some reading soon, I'm hopelessly behind......brrr! ~~~{~@

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Heheh...oh yes...but I've a strong feeling Bilbo secretly shares Frodo's admiration completely! Thanks again for commenting! ~~~{~@

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Why thank you Dearie, I'm sooo glad you think so! Now if I can just come up with something else soon....hmm! ~~~{~@

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Ooooo thank you! Nice to have a central image. Just never could quite get over the idea of those two being separated for so many years without any internet.....absolutely must come up with some means of communication! ~~~{~@