Queen Galadriel · 11 May 2011 · Chapter 9: The Turning of the Year Approaches...
P.S. After reading everyone else's gleeful reviews and your amused replies, I giggle free of guilt! Haha!
Might Have Beens by Larner
Reviews (147)
Queen Galadriel · 11 May 2011 · Chapter 9: The Turning of the Year Approaches...
I feel as if it's almost irreverent to chuckle over this, but I just cannot help it. It's just funny, and a little sad. Poor Frodo, such generous intentions, but what would he have said if he could have seen their results?
Author's reply
Oh, dear--I just realized I didn't respond to your comments on this one. Armariel had such an interesting tale she wanted to see written, and I puzzled over how I would write it until at last this came to me! No, poor Frodo probably never thought of quite this kind of party being thrown for these baddies! Heh! Glad you got a laugh out of it--it was nominated for a MEFA, by the way!
Queen Galadriel · 11 May 2011 · Chapter 8: Saved, but with Worries Doubled
Oh, wow. Yes, what would have happened if Gandalf had survived? Would he have gone with Frodo to Mordor? The entire incident with Shelob would have been avoided in that instance surely, but what then? What of Denethor and Faramir and Minas Tirith? This is an AU I'd love to see continued at some point, though I know you say you can't now and I quite understand.
Queen Galadriel · 11 May 2011 · Chapter 7: Last Will and Testament
I was never satisfied with the way the end of the movie was done. This is now the official gap-filler/fix. :)
Author's reply
Oh, but I see that I never responded to your comment. As we were to "fix" the movie, this seemed one addition that needed to be made. Thanks so!
harrowcat · 8 January 2011 · Chapter 8: Saved, but with Worries Doubled
How did I miss this? It is brilliant. One of the many things that I have always admired in the LOTR is the way that everything fits so perfectly. One thing out of place, one person doing something differently and the whole quest is put in doubt! Two balrogs?...ugh!!!!
Author's reply
Well, Sauron himself was capable of being a balrog as well, so had he a fellow in Moria as a possible weapon, imagine what he might have done! Yes, a terrible thought, Harrowcat!
Antane · 5 January 2011 · Chapter 9: The Turning of the Year Approaches...
Well, that would have been one unusual party and no mistake. Frodo's heart is in the right place and I love the description that his stay has brightened the Halls and his request after his former enemies, but I think Mandos is having just a little too much fun here... Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, I DO suspect that most of the actual details for THIS party were Namo's own! Heh! Blame Armariel for this one's details! She wanted to see how these guys might have spent Yule together, after all! Heh!
bookworm · 4 January 2011 · Chapter 9: The Turning of the Year Approaches...
*LAUGHING. CAN'T STOP* Oh dear, oh Frodo, oh my. "if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. By doing so you will heap burning coals upon his head" indeed XD
Author's reply
Oh, if Frodo hasn't figured out that idea, I'm certain that Namo knows it well and is thoroughly enjoying himself using it! Heh! Am glad to get a good belly laugh going! Heh!
Ainariel · 3 January 2011 · Chapter 6: Angainor
My apologies for leaving such a tardy review - but I found I had to read this a couple times before I found what I wanted to say. The first time I read it, I HATED it (or so I thought) but the idea kept working on me and wouldn't let go. The more I thought about it, the more plausible it seemed...and my mindset went from "Sam wouldn't do that!" to "Could the Ring have done much that to Sam?" He was a Ringbearer, after all, and who knows what seeds It could have planted in the brief time he carried it? And it really isn't that much of a stretch to twist caring/protective into possessive/obsessive, especially when you add a touch of supernatural influence. So...I can tell you I probably won't read it again (Too Creepy) but I've found that I do like the fact that it really made me think about the lasting effects such a thing as the One Ring might have had! Glad to see the new Chapter in "In Empty Lands"!!
Author's reply
I don't mind when people find themselves either revisiting stories or coming to them long after they were posted, actually. This was difficult to write, for all that the story, once it began occuring to me, insisted I stay up all night to see it written. It's not in my nature to enjoy writing particularly dark stories, and this was one of the darkest. C.S. Lewis, in The Great Divorce, noted that the greatest of virtues make the worst sins when they are twisted: loving mothers become child-devouring monsters; faithful ministers become intolerant judges for witch hunts and inquisitions; responsible men become wife beaters and abuse their children. And so it is here. In one story I'd just read, Frodo explains to Sam he and the other Ringbearers must leave Middle Earth, as the rings they bore tied them all to the One Ring, which Sauron had inadvertently made an extension of Angainor, and thus they had all become conduits of Morgoth's evil. Only by going to Aman could they protect those they loved in the mortal lands from the direct influence of Morgoth. The idea that Sauron had been influenced by his former master to teach the forging of such rings and that through them Morgoth could gain a toehold in Ennor was a fascinating and disturbing one, I found. And then this story started working at me--what if the virtue of Sam's love HAD been twisted by his exposure to the Ring.... Glad that you found that this caused you to think. I'm just glad I could confine it to a single-chapter story, as I don't think I could have borne writing it over multiple days. And it's not one of my stories I reread often.
6336 · 2 January 2011 · Chapter 9: The Turning of the Year Approaches...
Hm, maybe not quite what Frodo had in mind, but from the look of things Namo had a blast setting it all up! And a very Happy New Year to you too! Lynda
Author's reply
Oh, but I do suspect Namo is enjoying himself thoroughly! Heh! And may 2011 be kind to all of us!
Teresa · 2 January 2011 · Chapter 9: The Turning of the Year Approaches...
Shakes head....... that was one of the strangest parties I've ever seen! I loved it! Frodo meant it as a kindness, but methinks the guests are a bit disconcerted! Hmmmmm.....will the orcs give either the Vienna Boys Choir or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir a run for their money? I'd have loved to see one of the rehersals! Thanks for a very interesting might have been! :)
Author's reply
It was fun to think it up, once I could figure out how to write a story including all of Armariel's desires. Somehow I just can't see these orcs getting far on American Idol! Thanks so, Teresa!
Ellynn · 2 January 2011 · Chapter 9: The Turning of the Year Approaches...
Interesting twist in the end! :) Great story, Larner, I love the atmosphere, and the images were very vivid as I read this.
Author's reply
Am so glad that it managed to capture the imagination, then! Heh! Thanks, Ellynn.
eiluj · 1 January 2011 · Chapter 9: The Turning of the Year Approaches...
And a merry Yule was had by all....
Author's reply
Indeed! Heh!
Erulisse (one L) · 1 January 2011 · Chapter 9: The Turning of the Year Approaches...
You have a wicked sense of humor that came through in this story magnificantly. What a twist. The chorus - wonderful. The "firepot" being a Balrog - perfect. The animal carrier and the form of Ungoliant - appropriately celebratory. And the guests of honor - the pots are ideal. I suspect that Namo was laughing all the way to Taniquitel after this small celebration. - Erulisse (one L) Happy New Year to you, Larner. May 2011 treat you kindly.
Author's reply
Armariel was pretty specific as to what she wanted in a story, so it took me a time to consider how I'd write the tale. Am so glad you enjoyed it. And I'm CERTAIN that Namo enjoyed himself thoroughly, even if the guests of honor found it--questionable--entertainment? Heh!
Kara's Aunty · 23 November 2009 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Hello Larner, OH MY GOSH!! I [i]loved[/i] that! Absolutely loved it!! Poor Frodo! Knowing that he was losing the fight - knowing he'd have to ask his dearest friend to do a deed that could possibly destroy him. Knowing it was for the very sake of that friend (and all his dear ones) that Sam would have no other choice but to do it. Poor, poor Sam, who'd sooner kill himself than his master, sccepting the inevitable after his friend [i]begs[/i] him for death's release. And ohmigosh, poor Merry and Pip having to witness their cousin's fate! I loved the short discussion with Aragorn and Elrond, about Sauron making the most dangerous of enemies in Sam, after what the Hobbit had been forced to do. Tragic, dramatic, exciting, beautifully written stuff. I would LOVE to read this as a longer, stand-alone fic, to see how the quest would develop and if Sam really could make it all the way to Mordor to destroy the Ring fuelled by by the desire to avenge his friend. Would he go alone? Or would he have company? If so, who? And how would his companion's absence from their own part in the Quest affect whatever events they would normally have played a part in? Ooh, sounds too delicious for words! Other projects (and real life, of course) permitting, would you consider developing this as a multi-chaptered fic? M :)
Author's reply
Hi, Maureen. I answered this--or attempted to--when you wrote your comment, but then my server timed out, and getting back to it has taken forever, it seems. This was written to follow "Request for Mercy" in the "Moments in Time" collection, in which Sam hears a conversation between Frodo and Aragorn as to what will happen if the Morgul knife does it's intended work, followed by Frodo making his request of Sam. It's quite angsty, naturally enough, and won a MEFA, IIRC. I've considered writing up this full AU; but Adrienne, who used to post on this site and now posts on FF.n, has asked permission to write hers first, so I'm letting her do so. I've not heard from her for a while, so am not certain how far she's gone. She finds she writes best in vignettes, and she's written the beginning of Sam's transformation as he rises from his stupor I described and starts setting things into motion to the Sammath Naur scene. That one she's posted, and it's pretty brutal. The ones she's written on Sam in the Halls of Mandos are sad as well. I'd write it an entirely different way, of course; but that's how things go in fanfiction, which is how we can all write about the same events and still seem fresh and new to one another. So, one day I may write this, but have too many stories on the fire right now to take up yet another. I HAVE to finish Stirring Rings, The Tenant from Staddle, and Or Perchance before I do any more long ones. I promised!
Kitty · 21 November 2009 · Chapter 8: Saved, but with Worries Doubled
This left me with a mix of emotions. On the one hand, it is a *nice* AU for a change, to have Gandalf rescued from the Balrog. On the other hand, it's true that this Balrog may join the fight later on (not that he necessarily has to, of course) and could cause a lot of trouble. That leaves a lot of leeway to think up different scenarios how things could turn out. Interesting!
Author's reply
Yes, one cannot foresee precisely where this situation might lead. Will this Balrog remain underground, or might it decide to join forces with Sauron? But at least the rest are spared a good deal of pain in the immediate future. Thanks so, Kitty.
Socrates399 · 17 November 2009 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
So, apparently I've never reveiwed this story, even though I've read it many times. It is very powerful. I actually wondered if you had "Of Mice and Men" in mind when you wrote it. Maybe it's just my obssession with Steinbeck's book that makes me see it--but almost the last thing George says to Lennie is "I ain't mad. I ain't never been mad, and that a thing I want you to know" which is as close as George Milton could possibly get to saying "I love you"...and then he throws the gun down and stares at his right hand, sort of the way Sam does in your story... Of course, Steinbeck and Tolkien, as far as I can tell, had very different ideas about the universe and life, and it makes sense that Steinbeck actually had this kind of "mercy killing" whereas Tolkien did not.
Author's reply
No, I'll admit I never read "Of Mice and Men," athough I have an idea of its story, of course. But I think that the comparison is a valid one. That Tolkien would allow for this possible scenario is very questionable, but I do think it is a possible Might-have-been, and one that would have forged an implacable foe toward Sauron out of Sam Gamgee. One reader has found a good deal of inspiration out of this story, coupled with her love of Fiondil's works--I rather hope she will one day publish it all! Thanks so. This story and "Angainor" are the two that have gathered the most interest and contraversy out of this collection. Am so glad this has managed to capture your attention in particular!
Antane · 17 November 2009 · Chapter 8: Saved, but with Worries Doubled
I thought I would look at the other reviews first and see whether the identity of that second Balrog would be revealed since I didn't know and didn't want to sound stupid by asking. It never occured to me that Sauron may have been a Balrog but there he was. That is indeed food for thought and your explanations of how he could be were interesting. Quite intriguing. And also that Gandalf wasn't sure whether saving his life was really the best thing. You really should continue all of these little glimpses! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I think there's a comment somewhere, possibly there in the chapter about the Bridge of Khazad-dum, that Sauron was a Balrog, and the greatest of them all. Both Aragorn and Gandalf appear to have been aware that going through Moria would possibly be fatal for the Wizard, and certainly Gandalf appears to have accepted this probability as a calculated risk. And I suspect that of them all, he would have the greatest feeling, if not full understanding, that his own death would help to assure the removal of whatever great danger lay hidden within the halls of Durin from Middle Earth. Unlike the other Balrogs and Maiar-cum-monsters, Sauron recognized the dangers inherent in remaining in one form for too long, so appears to have shifted form fairly often, although most of them appear to have been evil ones. But the beauty and perfection of Annatar appears to have hidden his worst proclivities.
Anonymous · 16 November 2009 · Chapter 8: Saved, but with Worries Doubled
I'm just not sure I got the point of this. There's really nothing in the books that tells us that the Balrog would have definitely fought on Sauron's side - evil tends to be more self-serving, and we really don't know that it would've served the Balrog's purpose to do anything for Sauron. I see from one of your responses that you seem to think Sauron would've been another Balrog, and I don't think anything in the books really supports that, either - it wasn't Sauron's hand that was 'hot as a glede,' but the Ring after being severed from his hand, and we really don't fully know why. I want to like it - but the premise of having to fight two Balrog's at quest's end just didn't work for me. Maybe looking more at how Gandalf might not've had the power to defeat Saruman or heal Theodn had he remained 'the grey' rather than dying and being resurrected and becoming 'the white' would've worked better. Sorry.
Author's reply
No, there is nothing to say in the books that the Balrog would have fought on Sauron's side. However, that at least one of Sauron's forms was that of a Balrog is attested. It was Isildur who stated that the Ring burned him as he took It, but that he felt It missed the heat of Its Master's hand. Remember, the Ring as It cooled from the heat of Sauron's hand lost Its lettering, and it took exposure to fire to bring the writing visible again; and Elrond stated that it was the heat of Sauron's hand that destroyed Gil-galad, NOT the heat of the Ring, with which it does not state he came into contact. And the fact that Sauron's most commonly referenced form during the War of the Rings was that of the red eye limned with fire is another indication of his affinity with fire and flames. It was my brother who approved of the image of the Eye as used in the films by pointing out that, having been robbed of a humanoid form by the loss of the Ring, Sauron had lost substance, and was now an identity without a form--a shadow of what he had been. So it was he drew fire about himself so as to be seen as it were as the Eye's pupil, as one cannot see a shadow without the contrast of light. As for the Balrog possibly coming to Sauron's side--consider Gandalf's estimation of Smaug as shown in Tolkien's intended dialogue within the White Tower as documented in the HoME: Gandalf believed that Sauron had drawn Smaug to the Lonely Mountain to try to destroy the heirs to Durin, but also to use at a future time as a weapon against other lands, once Sauron had gathered the last strength he felt he needed to make his push to reassume control over Middle Earth. That Sauron used the Balrog and the Watcher in the Water is very possible, even probable; that he had intentions for both beyond making Moria uninhabitable and impassible for the Free Peoples as a means of getting through the Misty Mountains is certainly likely. As for what you point out about a rescued Gandalf perhaps not having the strength of the White to heal Theoden when it was necessary--that is not a situation that Gandalf as the Grey appears to have had foreknowledge of, so although it is certainly a valid point for us to consider, I haven't had him state that concern as yet. As for facing Saruman--I doubt that Gandalf had thought beyond getting Frodo to Mordor. Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof, after all. I'm sorry you didn't feel safe in signing your comment, for it has not offended me, but does address several points I didn't follow through upon in this ficlet.
Andrea · 16 November 2009 · Chapter 8: Saved, but with Worries Doubled
Worries doubled, indeed! And can Gandalf be sure that Sauron will keep the Balrog at his side until the end? He might send him out earlier, to Rohan or Gondor, anywhere! That would be terrible!
Author's reply
There are a number of things Sauron might do with another Balrog at his side, after all. And you are so right as to who else might prove targets for the monster!
6336 · 16 November 2009 · Chapter 8: Saved, but with Worries Doubled
Interesting twist! Trying to remember who the other Balrog was though? Lynda
Author's reply
The other Balrog? Sauron himself, whose hand was described as being as hot as a glede, and so it was that Gil-galad died. Sauron also at different times took the form of a werewolf, which was how Beren lost his hand, and as the greatest of the vampire bats. Sauron apparently liked to keep his options open, having several different nasty forms to take, and at least one beautiful humanoid one, the one he used when he appeared among Celebrimbor's folk as Annatar, Lord of Gifts, and as he wore when he was taken prisoner by the forces of Ar-Pharazon. Thanks for the feedback!
Dreamflower · 16 November 2009 · Chapter 8: Saved, but with Worries Doubled
Wonderful! A great nod to "A Bit of Rope"! Yet with a twist. It does leave one wishing to see more...
Author's reply
I'll need to reread "A Bit of Rope" again. And don't ask me to write anything else with lots of chapters before I've finished those I've got going now! Heh! Thanks so, Dreamflower!
harrowcat · 16 November 2009 · Chapter 8: Saved, but with Worries Doubled
Wooah! Fantastic Larner. Loved the cooperation of the Fellowship. Could have seen this in the film. What a wonderful jumping off point, (pun intended,) for a complete AU. I think I remember one where Boromir survives and is healed by Aragorn but I would enjoy this more. Funny, I never used to look at AU stories!
Author's reply
Ah, et tu, Brute? Then write, Larner! Well, perhaps one day I might do so. There have been several different "Boromir lives" stories, including "The Bee Charmer" (which is one of my favorites!), but I don't remember Gandalf surviving the initial attack by the Balrog. And I didn't used to write AU stories, either! Heh! Thanks so!
harrowcat · 4 October 2009 · Chapter 6: Angainor
I can see that I left you a complete and comprehensive review of this wonderful, if extremely grim, piece! :) Will try to do better for the MEFAs.
Author's reply
So, you reread it. Now and then I do so, too, and find myself shuddering. I am so glad Sam was NOT this way!
Linda Hoyland · 21 August 2009 · Chapter 7: Last Will and Testament
What a great way to make sense of this scene.I loved the image of them reading the letter together.
Author's reply
How did I miss this one? Am so glad you feel this fits, Linda. I was just trying to find a way to bring the book more back in line with the movie, and am glad some feel I managed to do it. Thanks!
Antane · 23 May 2009 · Chapter 7: Last Will and Testament
I guess the idea of Frodo and Sam living together would have raised too many eyebrows or been misunderstood so that's why didn't put in the films and so had no reason to have Sam be Frodo's heir and have Bag End to live in. I do love the way it really happened though, though it is very nice that in the films Frodo was able to see Elanor grow up more and to see his name-sake also. In your story here, I love most that they did not go far that first night and also the reason Merry couldn't have borne to stay at the Havens. This was a terrible shock for all of them. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I doubt that had Sam and Rosie together been shown sharing Bag End with Frodo that many people would assume slash--but, then, we ARE talking about human beings. Perhaps that was the reason! It would have been nice had Frodo been able to see Frodo-lad born, too; but it wasn't necessary. I think that the shock of seeing Frodo go aboard the ship that late in the process would make all three of them unwilling to stay in the Havens--I would have felt betrayed at that point. But they would undoubtedly have found themselves reacting and needing rest, and have been relieved to find the letter.