Reviews (114)

harrowcat · 23 January 2007 · Chapter 19: Following the Light

Truly lovely Antane. The discussion between Bilbo and Gandalf is masterful.

Queen Galadriel · 22 January 2007 · Chapter 19: Following the Light

Oh, I love this meeting between two who have undergone similar hurts. And Frodo's "Papa..." Oh, so sweet, and so right somehow. I know I've cried out in such a fond way at times. :) And Gandalf's talk with Bilbo. It's hard to imagine our usually gentle Bilbo angry, but from a human perspective he would have reason to be. Gandalf is right, of course. I really think this story could help someone going through depression or bitterness or something, Antane. God bless, Galadriel

Larner · 20 January 2007 · Chapter 18: A New Quest

Parting is here a sweet sorrow, accepting the better things to come for Frodo even though he won't be able to share them directly for some time.

harrowcat · 20 January 2007 · Chapter 18: A New Quest

And my own tears were falling just as fast throughout this Antane. You are my hero! Truly he will be healed when he can bear to believe this. A few missing words or typos in this chapter Antane. You also have Gandalf setting out from Bag End with them and already being there at the Havens. I know he is a Wizard but this is very clever. Doesn't detract but does distract a little.

Queen Galadriel · 19 January 2007 · Chapter 18: A New Quest

Oh, Antane, how do you manage to do this? You get me sobbing my heart out (from Sam's farewell to Rosie and the Gamgees onward) and then laughing through my tears (at Pippin's "repeat after me" and "say I am your hero"). It's so painful, but there's so much love. My heart does ache so for all of them! For Frodo for obvious reasons, for Sam as it has from the beginning, for Merry and Pippin for having to say good-bye and just for being their sweet, dear, brave selves, and for Rosie and the others. Yes, she needs this separation to get on with her own healing, but oh, the Shire has lost fifteen treasures, and that's a lot to lose at a stroke. I'd almost forgotten those lullabies, which allowed me to see them with the eye of a reader and not so much their author--translater. "I will love you till the day that I die." Indeed. Perfect. Thank you, my dear. God bless, Galadriel

Queen Galadriel · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 17: Wounds Underneath

Este? I love the conversation between Bilbo and Gandalf; Gandalf is very wise. It's so sad that Sam must leave his family and Rosie--what will become of her?--but I'm strangely eased that Frodo will go West, and I think he needs Sam now. An interesting thought: would Sam be bound by the laws of Arda now that he has mostly--partly--gone beyond it? I mean...if he's a spirit, could he not "drift" if you will from one side of the Sea to the other? Er, maybe I shouldn't go there, that could get confusing. :) God bless, Galadriel

Frodo Baggins · 15 January 2007 · Chapter 11: A Short Cut

Oh wow. That was...well, it was encouraging, because I feel a lot like Frodo at times. That was a beautiful chapter, as they all are. Hantanyel, ammelda. God Bless, Namarie, Melinyel, Your Frodo

Frodo Baggins · 15 January 2007 · Chapter 10: A Talk in the Garden

I thought I had reviewd this. I'm trying to catch up, dear. I am. It just may not be as soon as you would like. I'll do my best. Hantanyel. YOurs, Frodo Baggins

Larner · 15 January 2007 · Chapter 17: Wounds Underneath

Help needed, and help offered, given freely.

harrowcat · 15 January 2007 · Chapter 17: Wounds Underneath

This is painful Antane but I agree that the Shire is not enough for Frodo anymore.

Elemmírë · 14 January 2007 · Chapter 17: Wounds Underneath

Oh, I really like how you have Frodo taking a step back so to speak during his slow process of healing--that he reacts as such to the anniversary of what he did to his loyal friend that ultimately resulted in Sam's death makes this AU tale even more realistic to the reader by evoking and showing such depth of emotion. Very powerful descriptions of Frodo curled in the iaun: The grief over Sam’s death was ebbing slowly as he felt his brother’s continued presence and love, but with that no longer overwhelming him, he became more aware of other griefs that had always been there but had been overshadowed by the worst of his pain. ... He cried at times again, ... but for the Ring and for himself, for the terrible violation and longing that shamed him. .... he curled on his side on a bench in the iaun, clutched the gem that Arwen had given him, and repeated Sam’s name and the Other’s over and over to try to drown out the other voices in his head. He kept going until he was beyond hoarse, his voice choked with tears and his fingers cramped from holding the gem so tightly. ... I also like how you had Bilbo visiting this special room in Rivendell while Frodo was off on his Quest. It's too bad that he doesn't go anymore/find comfort in it. No, Bilbo, don’t agonize over what if’s and could have been’s ... Very important advice indeed .... and advice I once again had to remind myself of the other night. Poor, poor Frodo. Listen to Elrond! "The Light will not forsake you, Iorhael." "I just hope I won’t forsake it," Frodo said then left before he heard Elrond’s response Frodo's response reminded me of something that I think you will appreciate. There is something that I almost always carry in the pocket of my scrubs at work. It's a small card, like a business card, that is often handed out to the patients by a certain priest when he comes to offer the Sacrament of the Sick, etc. Anyway, on it is written: 'Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I together can't handle.' During a hectic night or after watching something undesirable, I know that I can always look at that little card or just think of those words (amongst others) and be heartened and know that I am where I am supposed to be at this point in my life. I truly hope that both Frodo and Bilbo will be at peace one day soon ... maybe in the West. I also hope that they may both come to the realization that they may never understand His reasons and that they really don't have to, but that He has them and they only have to trust Him to do what is right for them. You're doing an awesome job of writing this, Antane! May God's Light shine upon you and may He bless you, ~Elemmírë~

Elemmírë · 14 January 2007 · Chapter 16: A Meeting with Father

Another very lovely chapter, Antane! I've often thought that Sam and Elrond should have a conversation after the Ring was destroyed and compare their guilt together. In fact one author wrote such a fic recently and did an admirable job. You, however made such conversation work very, very well between Frodo and Elrond. And just as it was very important for those two to have this discussion, it was just as important for Elrond to be the one to introduce Frodo at last to that watchful Prescence he's felt. At last Frodo can begin to understand Illuvatar and His Love and Forgiveness for all. Now that Frodo is hopefully heading down the right path, perhaps Bilbo will be soon to follow instead of wallowing in his own guilt. ~Elemmírë~

Larner · 11 January 2007 · Chapter 16: A Meeting with Father

Blessings requested, offered, and received. And needed--badly needed.

Queen Galadriel · 10 January 2007 · Chapter 16: A Meeting with Father

P.S. Frodo talking to himself--love it. :) It's certainly an easy habit to pick up!

Queen Galadriel · 10 January 2007 · Chapter 16: A Meeting with Father

I'm so glad to see this updated! :) And how wonderful, how very wonderful, to see the healing really beginning to take place! I wondered, after reading Shirebounds fic, how Frodo and Elrond might discuss this topic, and this AU provides an interesting context. Both had a friend's life destroyed (ultimately) by the Ring; both have/had the guilt. Elrond is very wise indeed. And so the Elves of Rivendell have their own iaun, not unlike the one you envision in Tol Eressea in "Measure of Love". It's fitting, and I'm glad Frodo found peace there. The scene at the end was absolutely beautiful. God bless. Galadriel

harrowcat · 10 January 2007 · Chapter 16: A Meeting with Father

Oh such a happy sigh at the end of this chapter Antane. Loved Gandalf's prayer especially.

Larner · 15 November 2006 · Chapter 15: Glimmering Light

And definitely the infection needs definitely to be emptied out completely. Even now there is healing for both of them, and the preparation for the gift to follow, offered both for their easing that they be ready when the time comes.

harrowcat · 14 November 2006 · Chapter 15: Glimmering Light

If we try to heal another we often find the truth we are speaking sinks in to our own hearts as well.

Queen Galadriel · 14 November 2006 · Chapter 15: Glimmering Light

Oh, what a lot I've missed lately! It's wonderfully comforting to see how, in trying to help Bilbo to heal, Frodo begins to find his own healing. At last he has said what he couldn't bring himself to belive: that Sam's death was not his fault, that another Will governed everything that surrounded the circumstances. I wondered so many times how you were going to deal with this--it's beyond me--but you've found the perfect way. Because Frodo feels everything so deeply, and because when he loves, his love is so strong and lasting, love is what must heal him. Now I'm really, really excited to see where this will go next! I'll confess that the first few chapters of this were very, very difficult to read, and sometimes I thought "Oh, so much angst!" but now the sweetness is really coming through! God bless, Galadriel

Queen Galadriel · 14 November 2006 · Chapter 14: Confession

*blinks back tears* Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, now we have *two* of them! But yes, the wound has been lanced. Your Bilbo is so true to the book and especially here.

Queen Galadriel · 14 November 2006 · Chapter 13: A Decision Made

Gandalf's touched the right chord now! Ah, Frodo, don't you see you're doing just what you don't want Bilbo to do? :)

Elemmírë · 12 November 2006 · Chapter 14: Confession

You left me so stunned that I also forgot to say that was a nice touch by having Bilbo feel guilty not just about leaving Frodo with the Ring, but also by gifting him with the blade that killed Sam, Sting. That just makes Bilbo seem all the more guilt-ridden and the entire scene all the more angst-laden. ~Elemmírë~

Elemmírë · 12 November 2006 · Chapter 14: Confession

Wow. Now that was quite a powerful scene there at the end with Bilbo and Frodo. You did an absolutely fantastic job with it, Antane. I don't even know what else to say because I was left speechless by the emotion and imagery that important scene evoked. Very, very well done, my dear. :D And the Queen's song was just so perfect and peaceful ... and now one of my favorites of hers. She has quite the gift there for writing lyrics. I think it was important for Frodo to see Rivendell as it was fading and to hear from Elrond that the Elves' sacrificed their beautiful, timeless lands for the whole of Middle-earth. Oh, I do hope that poor, dear Bilbo gets over his own guilt and grief before he suffers an apopolectic fit ... and that he comes to feel the presence of Sam and to also know the Love of Iluvatar. ~Elemmírë~ p.s. I also really enjoyed Frodo and Shadowfax. I can very easily see the great horse taking such care of the hobbit, knowing what Frodo did and sacrificed of himself ... along with also knowing Frodo was Gandalf's dear friend. Each night, Shadowfax lay down so Frodo could rest against the flank. Wouldn't you just love to see a picture drawn of that scene? As an avid horse lover (and hobbit too), I know I certainly would! LOL! *sighs happily*

Larner · 11 November 2006 · Chapter 14: Confession

Yes, at last Frodo realizes that Bilbo feels just as guilty as himself; and recognizing Bilbo isn't guilty helps him accept he, too, is innocent of what the Ring brought to be.

harrowcat · 11 November 2006 · Chapter 14: Confession

Lovely Antane. The ride on Shadowfax is exciting and the meeting with Bilbo is so painful. Now they need to convince each other!