Larner
· 23 September 2007
· Chapter 9: A Fair and Wondrous Structure
Ah, how wondrous to see the healing properties of understanding and mercy. A horrible trick, but the results of all have made a blessing of it in spite of the horror and terror of the time.
And love to see Frodo shining so before the brother of his heart.
Author's reply
Yes, and so Northlight heals his stepfather's spirit by applying the exact lessons Frodo taught him in the first place, and it works miracles for all. Even at his age and after all he has seen and been through, Sam still has much to discover. And so the Blessed Realm is not blessed because nothing bad can happen there, but because blessings continue to come forth from the bad that does happen.
And so Frodo will keep shining until his final hour. Thanks so much for commenting!
~~~~{~@
Antane
· 22 September 2007
· Chapter 8: Pain
“My lady,” Sam said to Anemone, “I do wish to thank you for lettin’ me have Mister Frodo to myself last night. That was most kind of you.”
Amaryllis stifled a giggle. Anemone smiled. So did Mister Frodo.
“You may have him any night you please,” Anemone said as she took a plate of eggs from Raven. “I do not mind sharing him if it’s with you.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t ask that of you, my lady,” Sam said. “Maybe just once in a while…once a week maybe?”
“How about twice a week?” she said with twinkling eyes. “I could spare him twice a week, I’m sure.”
“Oh, that’s most generous of you,” Sam said in profound gratitude. “Mist—I mean, Frodo, is that all right with you?”
“That’s more than all right,” Frodo said smiling first at his lady and at Sam.
All of my dreams are coming true! :) Anemone has as a big and loving and understanding a heart as Rose. *hugs her gratefully and appreciatively* What a great gift to give to her love and to Sam. What a welcome he has had, already a beloved member of the family.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Awww *Anemone hugs you back* Well, she might let Sam have him THREE times a week once in a while!;) Yes, he's right at home now...at his other home, and will live out his final days/weeks/months surrounded by love and devotion and fun and stories and music and laughter...and sometimes tears too...until the day comes when he must loosen his hold once and for all and let the tide bear him to his next new home.....
hugs
Armariel
~~~~{~@
Larner
· 22 September 2007
· Chapter 8: Pain
Ah--what a thing to have been through, after taking on a fleshly reality so as to know the joys of marriage. Frodo must have been devastated to know his beloved stepson had been through such an ordeal, and it must have brought back the times he, too, was at the point of death.
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo and Northlight were both put to the test...and how they passed it remains to be seen--hopefully soon! Was going to write the next part today but a stubborn headache kept me down...well, it's gone now at least! Thanks for commenting Larner!
~~~~{~@
Antane
· 17 September 2007
· Chapter 7: Radiance
“I’m glad you’re with me, Samwise Gamgee,” Frodo said slipping an arm under Sam’s shoulders and drawing him close. “I’m so glad you’re with me…”
Oh, how wonderful that they were able to spend their first night together! I was wanting them to, but I thought they wouldn't with Frodo being married, but his love is just as understanding as Sam's love was, sounds like. Very cool. And Frodo saying how much just the hope of seeing his Sam again was keeping him alive and how Sam will continue to follow his treasure, to the very end of the Road and into the greatest adventure ever. Of course, they would go together. Frodo's granddaughter is fun too!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Eek...I thought I'd already answered this.....! Yes, of course they should spend their first night together...it would be too bad for Sam to spend it alone! And of course Anemone will be very generous indeed;) The Sea-Lord wasn't fooling around when he picked out a mate for Frodo. His hope of seeing Sam wasn't the only thing keeping him around; he has an adoring family to live for also...but yes, he would want to stay around for Sam's arrival and go with him into the next realm. Glad Amaryllis works for you; she provides a good deal of entertainment for our heroes, to be sure! Now, on to the next part....and thanks once more for commenting!
hugs
Armariel
~~~~{~@
Larner
· 15 September 2007
· Chapter 7: Radiance
Ah, to see this companionship and friendship renewed and fulfilled. Yes, they have Sam to thank for the longer time they've known with Frodo, and LOVE Amaryllis's chatter!
These sweet children, and loving family! And so glad they gave the Rosie doll to Sam, too. They sense he needs all his loves by him, I think.
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo hung on as long as he did because of Sam, and his family knows this, even if they do see Sam as a benign angel of death and it won't be long now...but they'll hang around a while, at least. No doubt Amaryllis has been the light of Frodo's life since her birth...the child who has exactly the sort of life he went through hell to give her, safe and sunshiny and vital, he could listen to her all day, and she'll have two very rapt listeners to talk to for a time to come! Glad it works for you!
Only fitting that Frodo should end up with the sort of family he deserves, and they should fill his final years with joy and delight and peace (if of a somewhat noisy sort!) and take Sam to their hearts as well. Who does indeed need the Rosie-doll to help connect him to his origins and remind him of who is waiting for him....
~~~~{~@
Larner
· 8 September 2007
· Chapter 6: What the Aurora Heard
Ah, yes--well, well worth the crossing of the seas for this! So beautiful it sounds!
Author's reply
Nothing but the best for our Samwise--yes? We will see to it that he enjoys his stay in paradise...yesss preciousss!! Complete with fantastically carved fruits, lots of delicious food, beautiful dancing girls, spectacular natural displays, relaxing by the seaside, a bit of sightseeing, the adulation of the natives...the whole works! Maybe he'll want to stay a lonnnnggggg time, what?
Thanks Larner once more!
hugs
Armariel
~~~~{~@
Larner
· 8 September 2007
· Chapter 5: Sculpture
Oh, such a wonderful table. And as much a surprise for Anemone as for Sam and Frodo? That must have taken some doing!
I was a bit surprised you deviated so from canon for Pippin and Merry's endings, taking place in the Shire and not in Gondor after Sam's leaving. But I don't think Pippin would linger very long after Merry if at all possible. They were all they had left of their own generation's love at that point, with probably their wives gone already and Frodo and Sam having left. But it is right.
Author's reply
Oh yes...someone sent me some amazing photos that put ideas into my head;) They can be viewed here: http://www.americade.info/melons.htm .... And yes, of course they wanted to surprise everyone, not just the guest of honor, and really go all out to make him welcome!
Actually I didn't say where they died, just how...but I did think most likely Merry would have wanted to visit his children and grandchildren at least once in a while, and what with the rugged terrain overall, might well have met with an accident. I'd rather he went all at once than die of some lingering illness or old age. (I think I read a fanfic or two wherein Merry and Pippin both died before Sam sailed, it must have been sticking somewhere in the back of my head although I don't remember the title or author.) And yes, I figure Pippin would follow Merry pretty soon--little tagalong that he is!;) It would be the right way for him to go, surely.
hugs
Armariel
~~~~{~@
Antane
· 8 September 2007
· Chapter 6: What the Aurora Heard
Yes, most definitely worth making the crossing - being with his heart's treasure again and seeing him so happy. A great blessing for two great heroes. Lovely song, bet Sam blushed from the crown of his head to his toes, but what a lovely welcome to someone so loved because someone they so loved loved him so. Forgot to mention, that was a interesting dream/vision Frodo had of his other two brothers. Surprised Pippin lasted that long actually.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I'll bet he did blush! I dare say he wasn't expecting so much fuss to be made over him, what with dinner, fruit carvings, (they can be viewed here, btw: http://www.americade.info/melons.htm) singing and dancing, and all the rest of it....No doubt Frodo had been bringing him to life for his family for decades, and now they feel almost as if they know him. But the greatest blessing of all was seeing Frodo happy as he deserves to be, certainly!
Yes, the irrepressible Pippin did lead a bit of a charmed life, didn't he? Although I dare say he may have developed bad eating habits that led to a heart condition that would carry him off before his time. Still, I thought it fitting that he should follow Merry into the next world!
thanks once more
~~~~{~@
Antane
· 8 September 2007
· Chapter 5: Sculpture
Welcome dear Samwise indeed! He's finding he's well loved already and not just by his Frodo. It's so lovely they sang that song to each other on their respective anniversaries. :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane
Author's reply
Somehow I thought that song would go over well:D Yes, Frodo's family and friends are going all out to make Sam welcome and try to compensate him for all he's given up. Maybe he'll want to stay all the longer now *g* I'm finding the idea of letting them go pretty hard myself, as though I'm one of the family!
Thanks once more for commenting!
hugs
Armariel
~~~~{~@
Antane
· 4 September 2007
· Chapter 4: What the Harbor Saw
Man, I was getting afraid you would drag out that reunion to another chapter! Phew! That was wonderful! All the anticipation and all that and the snatch of poem in the last chapter and this one. Sam and Celebron's conversation was great, so great to hear and see Sam again! How indeed could they stand such pain and such seperation but then they don't reckon time like we do. And of course Lyrien and I have the same favorite scene, don't we? :) More, more!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh nooooooo couldn't do THAT! lol Then again it would have been a bit too abrupt just to jerk the ship from point A to point B; there had to be some stuff going on in between! Glad you liked the interchange between elf and hobbit, both parted from their treasures for so long, but yes, how the Elves ever managed to deal with such immense separations is beyond me also. Makes me glad to be mortal, myself.
And yes...I can see you and Lyrien share the same favorite scene;);) and she found her true love and heart's desire by way of it, which must have been a comfort to Frodo. More will be coming this week, I hope...last week having been kind of crazy, though not necessarily in a bad way. Maybe this week will be less so and I can get more done. Maybe!
Thanks so much for commenting!
hugs
Armariel
~~~~{~@
Larner
· 2 September 2007
· Chapter 4: What the Harbor Saw
Aye, small priestesses seeing a reunion blessed, sanctifying the joy.
Ah, Frodo--Sam--one step closer to the greater Reunion that brings all back together at the throne of Love....
Author's reply
Oh yes...but hopefully, they can have a good time in between one reunion and the next, and prepare the ones who will be left behind for the great parting. And I've a feeling that time won't be long. But they will make the most of what they have.
Thanks for the comments!
~~~~{~@
Larner
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 3: Easthope Sunbrother
Squiggles, have they? How dear.
Age takes its toll, but gracefully; and Frodo has probably held on this long only because he was waiting for Sam. He already had so much to thank the Creator for and undoubtedly looks forward to offering that thanks in person.
The greatest thing we can know is to be grateful for the life we've known, I think.
Author's reply
I think squiggles are going to come back into fashion for a while to come, when Sam arrives...which will be a nice compliment to him, surely!
Frodo looks forward, yes, but perhaps a bit backward, as well, and anxiously, knowing he's going to be leaving a lot of grief and sadness behind him with those who love him. No getting around that. But they will know someday that they were the better and greater for having known him. And yes, he will be profoundly grateful for the life he knew, which will no doubt have a great bearing on the life that is to come.
Thanks so much for commenting!
~~~~{~@
Antane
· 26 August 2007
· Chapter 3: Easthope Sunbrother
What do you think you are doing, my dear, just leaving it there?! What a cruel cliff hanger! But I am filled with excitement and anticipation. A treasure indeed is arriving and Frodo's love is right not to wonder why her love's brother is coming :) Update soonest, like yesterday!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Ah but you KNOW who's coming! I'll try to get the next bit in before Wednesday. So glad you are enjoying the story and thanks for telling me so! I am trying not to make it TOO teary but it may end up being so....oh well!
hugs
Armariel
~~~~{~@
Antane
· 22 August 2007
· Chapter 2: The Ebbing of the Tide
no no no, I must remain until he comes, at the least, what would he do if he arrived here and I am not? Give me that much more time, at least. Then we might let go together....
Another chapter - yea! Of course this is the only way they could have accepted the Gift - together. I read somewhere - maybe in one of the professor's letters - that Frodo would have the same gift as Aragorn had, the ability to choose the time of his death. He will still die and it will be a grief to all who remain, but hopefully they will learn also that he is still with them. What a shame that Sam's arrival would signal to Raven the beginning of the end. Her father would have died no matter what, it's not Sam's arrival that is causing it or accelerating it, though I kinda understand what she's thinking/fearing - that he's been holding on just for this one Event and won't need to anymore. That time should be a joyful, not sorrowful. Poor girl.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, Frodo CAN choose, but when and if he will remains to be seen (the Muse having a habit of throwing me curve balls from time to time, and things in the story may not turn out according to plan). Yes, he HAS been holding on for this...time and again he has been tempted to give in to the pull, just as one may be tempted to fall asleep but wishes to stay awake in anticipation of the arrival of a long-awaited loved one's visit, and so fights off the sleepiness and the bliss of surrender. But after Sam's arrival he will no longer have to resist the call. And as much a joy it may be to him and to Sam, it will be a sorrowful time for those they leave behind--Gandalf having remarked once that after it happened, he feared the Island would be in eternal twilight once more. But since they mostly are immortal, he will live on in their memories, and time will ease the hurt if they allow it and help each other through it.
Yet surely it is a grief to him as well, to know they will suffer when his time comes, a sorrow he expressed in the poem quoted by Raven to herself....
Thanks for commenting! Now maybe I can catch up on some reading after a while........
~~~~{~@
Larner
· 22 August 2007
· Chapter 2: The Ebbing of the Tide
Oh, Hughes is my ISP--the ISP from Mordor as I call it. It fails frequently and drives me crazy.
Author's reply
I KNOW how that goes. Stupid dialup, we hates it!! I'm getting cable this weekend if it's the last thing I ever do!!!
~~~~{~@
Larner
· 22 August 2007
· Chapter 2: The Ebbing of the Tide
The question of what will become of Amaryllis is so valid. But she will weather it.
It is sad they think of Sam coming to take Frodo away, when he is only coming to accompany him on the path both must take all too soon anyway.
I love the names given the children. Is there a Merry, somewhere amongst them?
And I see you, too, decided to have Celeborn come earlier rather than later. At least I'm not the only one.
And I love the thought of the children as satellites about Frodo, although they must become stars of their own with their own satellites soon.
They can let him go as he must, and Anemone will find it worthwhile even aging as she has.
Author's reply
Yes, they can let him go--they have no choice in the matter. They have always known, even the children, that they would have to someday. Anemone will be thankful, I'm sure, that she had the privilege of being his wife and sharing his bed, as no one else did, even if the price was losing her youthful appearance eventually. I was going to try not to make the story TOO teary...but things don't always go according to plan! I've sometimes thought, how sad to be an immortal, having to wait all through the ages to be joined with loved ones who've died. Small wonder Frodo prefers his mortality, although even he is experiencing reluctance now to let go his hold on the earth....
Fairwind has a Meriadoc, yes;) We'll meet him by and by. And there may be other Merrys as well. (I was thinking baby Peregrin was named Peregrin Meriadoc, but yes, there should definitely be a Merry somewhere in the clan!)Yeah, I've enjoyed myself with naming the children, and am wondering if it would be premature to post the list I compiled of their names and which brood belongs to whom etc. I think I read one or two or three other stories in which Celeborn comes along with Sam, can't recall the authors' name(s) however. Guess I just sort of assumed from them, and such an authoritative writer as yourself, that they did go together. I'd like to think they did.
Yes, the children will have their own satellites, as many already do...but satellites can have satellites also, as some of the planets circling the sun have moons.
Yeah, maybe that list will go up soon.....
Thanks once more for reviewing!
~~~~{~@
Larner
· 21 August 2007
· Chapter 1: What the Star-Glass Said
Hughes died on me last night as I sought to post the review to this chapter. Amaryllis may not as yet appreciate why she is named as she was, but one day she will. She will remain, but have this memory, of the shining of her grandfather, her grandfather who will not remain that much longer perhaps, but whose love and shining beauty will remain on this island ever where it has helped so many move beyond what they were to become what they were meant to be.
And for him, there is a cradle rocking the heart of one he loves so deeply, so that in the end he faces the renewal granted him not alone among those who never thought to see such changes.
Author's reply
Ooo, that first sentence gave me a little scare, until I realized that "Hughes" was your computer and not a living person or pet. (I named mine "Gandalf" but sometimes I think I should have named it "Treebeard" cuz it's so pokey!)
Amaryllis is frightened by the idea of mortality, of which she has very little, if any real concept. Therefore, the thought of being named "for a dead person" fills her with incomprehensible dread, and perhaps hints to her that her grandfather is mortal also, and will not be around much longer. And once he is gone, all she will have of him is that memory. Probably not until she is grown will she really understand what an impact he had on the citizens of the Island. And come to appreciate the honor of being named for his sister.
And he faces the renewal but also the knowledge that his time is short, and he will be leaving his loved ones to mourn his loss for years to come. But surely they will not allow his light to die out on the Island.
Thanks so much for your comments!
~~~~{~@
Larner
· 21 August 2007
· Chapter 0: Introduction
So--the two become reunited, and Sam gets to see what life has been like for Frodo over these past sixty years. I'm glad he gets to meet Anemone.
Antane
· 19 August 2007
· Chapter 1: What the Star-Glass Said
Yes! Reunion at last! That so wanted one is going to be quite surprised when the entire Samwise Gamgee fan club shows up on the shore waiting to greet him, but he'll have eyes only for the president of that club. What a joyful day! Hantanyel, my dear!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
You're most welcome!! Well, maybe not TOO surprised, since Frodo has surely been regaling him with stories about them for decades...but yes, his primary interest will be the "president"! And the others will be overjoyed to know that he is real and not just a legend, and that he is there in the flesh before one and all. Yes, a day of joy!
Thanks for commenting!
hugs
Armariel
~~~~{~@