Linda Hoyland
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 15: 15: Souls Passing West
I loved the way you showed Melian as truly her father's daughter.
How I wish I could have seen the stars dance !A very moving passing for Frodo and Sam.
Author's reply
I believe all three of Aragorn and Arwen's children (as I figure it, anyway) would have been as extraordinary as their parents. How could the children of such parents be otherwise? And of course Umbar would quickly learn that the women of Gondor are capable as being as formidable as their menfolk. Melian would disabuse the folk of Umbar very quickly, I think.
This is the third time I've visited the dancing stars, and I think each one is beautiful when I reread it. Am so glad that each time it has served to move those who've read it. Thank you so much, Linda.
Tigger
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
Wow...What a lovely gift to be given to Aragorn, Arwen and the others there at the Citadel who loved Frodo.
This was a very special way to end the story Larner. Thanks for sharing it w/us.
Author's reply
Am so very glad you loved it, Tigger. And I think at the last, particularly after learning of Gilraen's foreseeings, Frodo would especially wish to send some memorial to Aragorn. Thank you for enjoying the story!
Armariel
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
*sniff, sniff* Love it, simply beautiful ending. Perfect.
I remember the story about the bottle! Want to read it again soon.
Once more....absolutely lovely. Brava!!
~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@
Author's reply
Thank you, Armariel. Should post the Author's Notes tomorrow.
It was imperative, I felt, that Frodo send one more message and that it should be somehow flagged for Aragorn. So glad you loved this reprise.
And thanks so much for the applause.
I can only echo so many others here and say that this was perfect. 'Message in a Bottle' has always been one of my favourites and I am so happy to see that Aragorn has received a similar comfort with a message from across the Sea.
Loved the 'conversation' between Gandalf and Shadowfax - so wonderful to see the friendship and love between them, and the great horse's amusement and obvious fondness for the hobbits.
The pictures sent by Frodo, and the gifts for those left behind, were just right, and his words to Aragorn beautiful beyond belief.
Author's reply
Thank you so very much, Baggins Babe. Am so glad you appreciated the second message so sent.
I always felt that with Olorin Shadowfax would be able to communicate fairly clearly in return. He must have felt rather patronizing toward the Hobbits' ponies, I think.
harrowcat
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
Oops! Typo Larner!
But for now to {be} feel life in the riding would itself be soothing.
re-reading for its soothing effect before bed!
Author's reply
Thanks for the heads up. Have it fixed now.
Andrea
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
It was foretold
That Iluvatar would speak in my heart.
He does!
Ever He has done so!
And even the pain I knew
Is now blessèd.
Oh Larner! There simply is no other word: This is PERFECT!
"Even the pain I knew is now blessed." That's the conclusion of "The Acceptable Sacrifice" and the result of Frodo's transformation. This is true wisdom, and once again I realize that Tolkien chose his name well : Wise by experience!
P.S.: I very much enjoyed the "conversation" between Gandalf and Shadowfax, and of course Frodo's signature - the dragonfly :)
Author's reply
Yes, the name was indeed properly chosen for Frodo, and am so glad that Tolkien gave over Bingo in the end.
I've wanted to play with "dribble" poetry, and this was my first sort-of trial of it. And this was one thing C.S. Lewis noted in "The Great Divorce"--that in the end salvation would work through the past to make all part of the present Joy; so it must have worked for Frodo as he healed on Tol Eressea.
And as Shadowfax was able to understand the tongues of Men, it seemed right Gandalf should be able to reciprocate.
Dreamflower
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
Oh, my, Larner! This is incredibly beautiful and moving! Another message, another bottle--again, you show your instinct for knowing the absolutely perfect ending!
I was so moved by Gandalf's "conversation" with Shadowfax, and his seeking out Orome and the Hunt. And even though he *knows* his dear friends are happy, at peace and in the Presence, he will still mourn, for until Legolas and Gimli arrive, he is the only one of the Fellowship on that side of the Sea.
I find it very appropriate that Faramir Took decided to follow his father's example and retire to the Court of the High King for his waning days. I think it an excellent tradition, and one that must be of much comfort to Aragorn, who must be missing his other companions sadly. I wonder, perhaps, if Pippin did not charge his son to look after the King when he was finally gone...
I thought that you had outdone yourself with "The Acceptable Sacrifice", but *this* story is even finer, and a fitting end to that one!
Very, very well done indeed!
Author's reply
Thank you for such kind words, Dreamflower. The desire to send one last communication to Aragorn must have been overwhelming. And I think there so soon before his own acceptance of the Gift would have been the right moment to receive it, and for Pippin's son to have seen it and delivered it to him.
I'd written in "Light on the Way" that Faramir Took joined the court after Goldilocks died and as he looked at his own last years, and so wanted to look at how he'd have arrived there.
I've always loved that the Mearas understood the tongues of Men; and I felt SOMEONE ought to reciprocate. By that time there must have been a special bond between Gandalf and Shadowfax; and so glad that Gandalf received the kind of understanding he needed at the time.
That you feel this outdoes "The Acceptable Sacrifice" is such an honor! Thank you so much! And it is a sequel to both TAS and "Reconciliation." I am so glad you enjoyed it so.
Endaewen
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
This is a beautiful story. Sweet, sad, and yet happy.
Author's reply
Yes, the joy ought to be there as well as the tears, I think. Thank you so much for your kind words, Endaewen. Am so very glad you enjoyed it so.
Bodkin
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
I'm glad the sea carried last messages back from the Blessed Realm to Aragorn et al before he, too, makes his own way west. It will be heartening for them all to see how much they were loved.
Author's reply
Yes, the last message has finally been delivered, and not a long time before Aragorn himself finds himself seeking his own way. Ulmo did wait until one would spot it who would understand the implications of the flowers to see it found, as well.
So glad you liked it, Bodkin.
harrowcat
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
Computers!!! I hate computers!!!! I have just spent absolutely ages writing you a long and detailed review of at least six paragraphs and have just lost the ***x* lot!!!!! (sorry about the swearing!)
Briefly the gist is that I loved, loved, loved this chapter and the title.
Never thought of death as another birthday before, complete with gifts for everyone, even those across the sea.
Loved how you dealt with the burial of Sam and Gandalf's grief. You weave the strands of your story so well across your individual tales. I want to give you the nickname of a NICE Spider but Tolkien hasn't got one!
Loved the buld up in suspense over the bottle. Was surprised that Strider didn't know about the other bottle. Two such miracles goes to show how honoured these hobbits are.
Like your adult Melian and the way that you deal with the succession. Just spotted the Ar prefix onher daughter's name. Very appropriate.
Above all would like to see both the picture of the hobbits and those they love and the final letter but perhaps the imagination of the mind's eye is better. Oh and the straw from the Lembas was a truly inspired touch.
Great stuff Larner. And I am so cross at losing the first reaction review but that is par for the couse at present. Roll on the holidays!
Author's reply
I'd originally given it a different title, but found "Benediction" fit it better, and am so glad you appreciate it as well.
The Jesuits have ever celebrated death days, and somehow felt that Tolkien would have appreciated this touch, as it serves in lieu of a proper will or possessions for redistribution for Frodo and Sam as they leave Arda at last.
Am I, then, Arachne, I wonder? Thank you so much for the compliment. I do try to stay fairly consistent from story to story, but don't always make it. Oh, well, such is life, after all. But I think all who'd come to know Sam would have wished to see his burial in keeping with his wishes, and that they'd be glad to see he was still smiling.
I hadn't noted myself the Royal Ar- in Arien's name, but you're right! I named her in "Light on the Way," after all. Such things do work out fortuitously at times. Of those present only Arwen would be likely to recognize the stalk of the plant from whose grain lembas is made, and such would definitely tie the wreath and the straw ribbon to Yavanna, whom I've felt would be the appropriate patron among the Vala for Hobbits, after all. That she this time would wish to cooperate with Ulmo in seeing this bottle reach Aragorn with the flowers from the White Tree of Tol Eressea that bloomed when Frodo and Sam passed from Arda I felt was only right and proper.
And believe me--after the spate of computer woes I've known in the past few months, I empathize. Oh, do I empathize!
Kitty
· 26 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
Oh Larner, that was so beautiful! Lovely idea to extend the idea behind "A Message and a Bottle" in this way and to send Aragorn a last greeting from Frodo! It must've been such a joy for him. I am so glad the Valar allowed this. The flowers of the White Tree protecting the bottle and being still fresh after so long a time are another nice detail and another sign the Valar had a hand in this, I think.
Pippin's son is retiring to Gondor, too? Somehow it seems fitting he should be laid to rest near his father and the one he is named after. And he came by the sea? Another adventurous Took, indeed. The Shire will never be the same again after the Travellers left so long ago considering how many hobbits now left at least temporarily their home to journey so far south. And to think they called Bilbo mad because of his journey - now that could be said of a lot of hobbits ;-)
Author's reply
I am so very glad you appreciated the bow to the earlier story, and that so many others have done so as well. I doubt the Valar would have tolerated much in this kind of communication, but felt that two bottles received in a hundred years wouldn't have been too much of a stretch; and that for Frodo a great deal would have been granted.
I'd written in "Light on the Way" that Faramir Took had also retired to the King's side; and wanted to see how he came there. Am so glad you appreciated it. Frodo's party opened the way for Hobbits to be a full part of the realm, and the Tooks would be, I think, at the forefront of those who'd do the traveling between Shire and Gondor. Those who'd go to spend their last days by the King would have still been looked at a bit askance in the Shire itself, I've always felt; but they'd have ignored it and done what they pleased.
cookiefleck
· 25 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
This was lovely as always. Had a tear in my eye just from the first paragraph. I hate to think of Sam and Frodo finally dying, but since it's inevitable, I can't think of a nicer ending for them: peaceful, accepting and together. By the way, in the previous chapter, I loved the idea of the night sky ablaze with stars, and the comets ascending. Thank you once again.
Author's reply
Am so glad you felt the ending for Frodo and Sam was properly done. I like to think their deaths would have been as gentle and blessed as their lives had become, and that all would grieve for them but rejoice for them at the same time.
I first wrote of the dancing stars and the two great Lights joining them in "Filled with Light as with Water," and expanded on it in "The Choice of Healing." This is the third visitation, and I am glad it is as well accepted as it was from other points of view in the other stories.
shirebound
· 25 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
It was foretold
That Iluvatar would speak in my heart.
He does!
Ever He has done so!
And even the pain I knew
Is now blessèd.
How lovely of Ulmo to assist this bottle in its arrival. :D
Author's reply
Yes, Lord Ulmo has ever favored those who have entrusted their loves to him, I think.
And am so glad you appreciated the poetry. For Frodo to realize all has been renewed and blessed must have been such a joy in the end.
Raksha The Demon
· 25 June 2006
· Chapter 15: 15: Souls Passing West
A lovely passing into the light for the last two Ringbearers! Wonderful that they left together; Sam wouldn't have wanted to be left behind on Frodo's last journey. All in all, a sensitively told story of Sam's last years. I like to think of all those Gardner hobbits enjoying the beauty of the Shire, laughing and loving, as Sam-dad passes from Arda.
Minor quibble - Aragorn and most of his family take off to spend several months in the North while Faramir is in ill health and might have a fatal stroke? Isn't that just a bit cold, not to mention politically tacky for the King to leave for so long during what is probably the last months of his Steward's life? He could have sent Arwen and Eldarion to Annuminas without him, just this once.
Author's reply
Am so glad you appreciated it, Raksha. I'd written in "Filled with Light as with Water" that Aragorn had gone north that spring and summer, and saw the wonder of the dancing stars from Annuminas, Merry and Pippin standing nearby, their families gathered to celebrate Midsummer with the King. Then in "The Choice of Healing" we saw the last evening of the Hobbits, laughing and filled with pleasant anticipation for their departure, then laughing with delight as they rose to dance among the stars.
I never thought of the apparent callousness of Aragorn going north at such a time; and in "The Choice of Healing" I report that Faramir did indeed have a major stroke in May, but was almost fully recovered by the time Aragorn returned in the fall. I'll now just imagine that Faramir insisted that the King go to Annuminas as planned, as first there was no way to say for certain whether worse would follow or not; and secondly, such a visit was not something lightly to put aside with all planning on it for at least a year or two. Hope you don't mind it too much. You'll find if you read "The Choice of Healing" Faramir didn't appear to mind the King's absence.
Tigger
· 25 June 2006
· Chapter 16: 16: Benediction
I hate to be the one to tell you this Larner, but I think you need to double check the formatting of this chapter.
Author's reply
So I see. Looked perfectly fine earlier, of course. I'll try to find out what on earth happened.
harrowcat
· 25 June 2006
· Chapter 15: 15: Souls Passing West
Why not indeed! What a lovely trip along the way.
Better than mine... just got back from taking a bus-load of teens away for the day. Individually they are great. Together....?!!!?
Author's reply
A busload of teens again, eh? What kind of outing this time?
Life continues a bit hectic, but that's about all I can say at the moment. I'll try to write you personally soon, as I cannot believe what I've faced over the past two months.
And am so very glad you felt that Sam's final response to the invitation was a proper one!
Armariel
· 25 June 2006
· Chapter 15: 15: Souls Passing West
Oh such a lyrical passing...simply beautiful!! Not so much a death as a rebirth, certainly. But poor Gandalf, left without them! I can hardly think of what it will be like for him...so is there more to come? Yes, yes?
~~~{~@
Andrea
· 25 June 2006
· Chapter 15: 15: Souls Passing West
So beautiful!
To simply lie down and pass away in peace - who would not wish for that?
To sail with the Mariner to the uttermost west, why not indeed!
And now I'm looking forward to yet more reunions to come! There's still one chapter left...
Kitty
· 25 June 2006
· Chapter 15: 15: Souls Passing West
How very typical the Umbarians thought they could get from Melian what they couldn’t get from Aragorn and Eldarion! I’m very pleased to know they were very wrong *eg*
As Ruvemir couldn’t go to Tol Eressea and work there, it is good to know Frodo left these little statues there for them to remember their mortal guests.
Though I – of course! – ended up in tears once again, the way you described the end of Frodo and Sam was wonderful. I loved the idea of them sailing with the Mariner to the West!
Radbooks
· 25 June 2006
· Chapter 15: 15: Souls Passing West
What a wonderful way to go... to just be able to slip away like that when you knew it was your time to go. And, to go with a friend. Simply lovely.
Dreamflower
· 24 June 2006
· Chapter 15: 15: Souls Passing West
*sigh*
Perfect. The Uttermost West.
Somehow it makes me think of Dawn Treader and the Uttermost East.
The imagery of light and joy and music were perfect.
*sigh*
Author's reply
I certainly hadn't been thinking of Narnia when writing this chapter, but I can certainly understand how you make the connection. Although we don't have Reepicheep's little dory but the Vigilot at the end!
Am so very glad you loved the imagery. I'm always so happy when I learn my writing moves people so. Thank you for letting me know how it's moved you.
Tigger
· 24 June 2006
· Chapter 15: 15: Souls Passing West
Sigh...Perfect. W/out question a perfect ending.
I've enjoyed this story so very much, but w/how crazy life has been for me lately, I thought I'd better wait until the end to leave a review. This was just a very lovely story on Sam accepting the Grace to join Frodo and what happened once he reached Tol Eressea. Just a beautiful and lovely job.
Thanks for sharing it w/us my friend. :o)
Author's reply
Not quite the ending, Tigger. At least one more chapter and Author's notes.
And believe me, your life cannot be anywhere as crazy as mine has been in the past few months. I cannot believe all that has happened to me. This story is the only thing that's kept me somewhat sane.
And thank you so much for your kind words.
shirebound
· 24 June 2006
· Chapter 15: 15: Souls Passing West
"When the time comes I’ll be fully ready." He smiled.
I hope we all face our Gift with the same peace, grace, and joy. What a lovely, gentle passing.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Shirebound. I, too, hope to have as easy an ending to this life. I am so glad this has moved you.
Armariel
· 24 June 2006
· Chapter 14: 14: Spring
Wow, that is such a fascinating idea about the three of them being brothers reborn into hobbit bodies...not that I really believe in it, but I've played around with the idea of it myself in other fandoms (fantasy stories, all in fun, mind you!;)) But goodness, poor Gilraen....
And Galadriel wants to fix Livwen up with Haldir? Now there's an idea...but I think I'd rather see her with one of the twins! Then again, she'd have a long wait.... The scene with the Valar is interesting!
~~~{~@
Author's reply
It's fun to add our own twists to Tolkien's story, of course, which is why we write fan-fiction to begin with. I first suggested this in "The Ties of Family" and went into detail with it in "Fostering," which is quite short for me, running only seven chapters.
It would be interesting to see Livwen with one of the twins, but didn't at this time aim quite so high with her. But the idea of Galadriel trying to matchmake just seemed to good to pass up!
Kitty
· 24 June 2006
· Chapter 14: 14: Spring
Olórin found a wonderful way to explain death to the elflings. It was a explanation they could understand but that wasn't too frightening for them.
Nice to see how much even the Valar care for the two mortals, and I loved Varda's permission for Olórin to use the stars for a last farewell to the hobbits. And it is somehow reassuring he will not be alone in his grief after their passing.
And the chapter answered my question what Frodo and Sam knew about have been intended as brothers to Aragorn. I am glad they got it explained before they went on. You know already how much I love the whole idea, don't you?
It was a wonderful last birthday for Sam. How nice Elwing and Eärendil came, too! I always loved the idea of them meeting each other. It seems so fitting Eärendil and Frodo did meet for a last time and were able to say farewell, so Eärendil could send his greetings to his mortal son through Frodo.
Had to grin about the great Lady Galadriel thinking to play matchmaker for Livwen and Haldir. Now I wonder if she will try something similar with her grandsons after they finally arrived! Now she has no realm to rule any longer she seems to have too much time ;-)