Antane
· 9 March 2009
· Chapter 8: What Might Have Been
I hope you do put Sam's response here at some point or as a separate story if it would be too long, not to sugarcoat it or make Elanor love him any less, but also too emphasize that he still loved his Frodo no matter what and that is the lesson to draw from it. Could you explain a little more about Frodo reaching the point of madness seeming sane? I am quite intrigued by that whole thing. I will have to watch the movie again for those emotions you see flashing there, that would make it more interesting. Just like the fear and horror that is so clearly there in TT in Osgiliath just before he says "They're here." He knows something terrible is about to happen to him and he is helpless to stop it. I wish I could read lips so I could see what Sam was telling him - probably "Don't worry, it's all right" as only Sam can say and have it still be true when it most definitely isn't!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
If I were to expand on this I do think I'd do it in a story in its own right. But not yet--have too much to write at the moment, I find. However, I find this one is sticking with me.
Thanks so, Antane.
Andrea
· 9 March 2009
· Chapter 9: Plans for Seduction
How is it possible to show all the above mentioned bad characteristics in such a short conversation?
Lotho is even worse than Lobelia! In fact the only female hobbit who seems to be interested in him as a gentlehobbit IS his mother!
(Poor guy, there are times when I nearly feel sorry for him.)
Author's reply
I'm so glad you appreciated it, Andrea. There's no question Lotho is his mother's son--unfortunately. I, too, feel sorry for him at times. Poor lad!
Raksha The Demon
· 9 March 2009
· Chapter 9: Plans for Seduction
Funny and a great showcase for the venal character of the Sackville-Bagginses. It's rather sad, though; Lobelia wants approval and validation from her son, and he doesn't care about her at all, only thinking about his own desires - a foreshadowing of what will happen later, with Lotho handing over the Shire to Saruman's agents on a proverbial silver platter.
Author's reply
Oh, indeed, Raksha. The son of the thief is a thief himself, having imbibed stealing with others with his mother's milk, I fear. And much as Lobelia loves her son, still he is even more self-centered than she. And he has no idea how he's to be used by one even deeper in cunning than himself!
Thanks so, Raksha.
Raksha The Demon
· 9 March 2009
· Chapter 8: What Might Have Been
A truly frightening moment for Sam, the transformation of a beloved friend into something quite different and terrible - had to be worse than many of Sam's trials during the Quest. Nicely done as usual!
Author's reply
Indeed, Raksha. Sam has so much to remember and deal with from time to time as the memories are brought back.
Thank you so!
Raksha The Demon
· 9 March 2009
· Chapter 7: The Tree-guard
Delightful drabble that captures the wonder and beauty and power of the mallorns of Lorien. These are not any trees, they are seedlings of Valinor, if I remember my Tolkien history right, and they might well have the otherworldly power to speak to nervous, weary travelers and calm them.
Author's reply
Yes, I understand they came from Valinor, although the marchwardens don't appear to appreciate that. That their sheer presence would be soothing would be so likely.
Thanks, Raksha.
Kitty
· 9 March 2009
· Chapter 9: Plans for Seduction
*shakes head* Lobelia is complaining because Odo guessed correctly that she was the thief? And Lotho in turn is stealing it from his mother? Really, Lotho and Lobelia deserve each other! One is worse than the other. They're such a nasty family!
Author's reply
The Bracegirdle and Sackville definitely are in the ascendant in Lobelia and Lotho, aren't they? Thanks so, Kitty!
Kitty
· 9 March 2009
· Chapter 8: What Might Have Been
Very difficult to answer, yes. How do you explain that, particularly to a child? The movie illustrated quite well how different Frodo looked in that short time, didn't it?
Author's reply
Oh, yes, this is so, Kitty. The great range of feelings Elijah Wood managed to convey just in that short time, from regret to terror to possession--it was marvelous!
Agape4Gondor
· 8 March 2009
· Chapter 8: What Might Have Been
Excellent - best one yet, IMHO.
*shivers*
Children ask the strangest and hardest to answer questions........
Author's reply
Oh, am so glad you think so! Yes, oftentimes children's questions can be difficult to answer. And the memories awakened by this one are not the easiest to deal with.
Antane
· 8 March 2009
· Chapter 8: What Might Have Been
Whoa! What might have been indeed and what memories were stirred up and how could one respond to such a question? What do you mean though that Frodo looked sane? Repulsive is true, but then it wasn't really his master that Sam was seeing but the Ring once more working through a human host. It was bad enough in the book, but the movie is worse for Sam. That evil grin in the movie is not coming from Frodo! How horrifying for Sam to have seen it, and what came later, stalking Gollum, going over the edge, seeing in Frodo's eyes how much he wanted to let go and die, but then Frodo seeing all that love and forgiveness and hearing the begging command not to let go.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
There comes a point in madness that it appears to be sanity--perhaps a skewed sanity, but sanity nonetheless. And I think Frodo had reached that point.
The movie moment is so perfect. There's the brief confusion, the look of sorrow at Sam--almost an "I have to do this" that shifts swiftly through "Stop me!" to "I have him now!" and we see the satisfaction of the Ring as it has Frodo precisely where It wants him to be. And then the rest....
Le hannon, Antane.
Lindelea
· 8 March 2009
· Chapter 8: What Might Have Been
Powerfully done, as usual. An excellent use of the prompt.
in haste,
Lin
Author's reply
Thanks so, Lin. I am honored. Love to the kids, family, and Zoe.
Cairistiona
· 8 March 2009
· Chapter 8: What Might Have Been
Another interesting drabble. I wonder what sort of answer he finally came up with.
Author's reply
I rather wonder as well. Thanks so, Cairistiona.
Kitty
· 8 March 2009
· Chapter 7: The Tree-guard
Nice :) The trees in Lothlórien must have been quite the difference to Old Man Willow - at least for the Hobbits. I guess it would change with Orcs ...
Author's reply
I suspect the trees of Lothlorien must have been more sensitive to goodness than those of the Old Forest. Yes, quite different!
Kitty
· 8 March 2009
· Chapter 6: A Lament for Gandalf
That prompt fits the ability of the Elves to show what they are singing about even to someone who doesn't understand Sindarin very well, doesn't it? I'm sure the Hobbits are right in what they think is being sung.
Author's reply
Yes, I think you are right, Kitty. And the Hobbits will react to the Gandalf they see within the song.
Thanks so!
Kitty
· 8 March 2009
· Chapter 5: Making Things Right
*grin* Tom was a tiny little bit too late, eh? Though they're both right - Sam couldn't have asked her before the Quest, but now it is about time.
Author's reply
Yes, indeed--it's about time!
Linda Hoyland
· 7 March 2009
· Chapter 7: The Tree-guard
I love the idea of the friendly trees.I need to try to write one now about them!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you do, Linda. I look forward to seeing what you do with the prompt!
Agape4Gondor
· 7 March 2009
· Chapter 7: The Tree-guard
This is lovely. I imagine they had nightmares of those 'other' trees! Nice to have a good memory, fond wishes, and peace from 'real' trees!
Author's reply
We know there were nightmares about Old Man Willow. Now there are trees that have truly sheltered them--it must have been reassuring.
Thanks so, Agape.
Celeritas
· 7 March 2009
· Chapter 7: The Tree-guard
This is an interesting intermediary in between the Old Forest and Fangorn! Glad that Frodo and Sam, too, got to see that not all trees were evil.
Author's reply
Oh, I certainly agree, Celeritas. Thanks!
Antane
· 7 March 2009
· Chapter 7: The Tree-guard
That's a lovely way of thinking how they would have trusted trees again. I had never thought of that but cool!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
It's sometimes strange how these prompts will affect us.
Inzilbeth
· 7 March 2009
· Chapter 6: A Lament for Gandalf
I can't better what Raksha has said. Well done.
Author's reply
Oh, but thank you so, Inzilbeth. I so appreciate the feedback.
Queen Galadriel
· 7 March 2009
· Chapter 4: I Want to Be Just Like ...
LOL! I love it! And as we know, Bilbo didn't end up being like anyone the Shire had ever seen, bless him!
Author's reply
Oh, indeed so! Bilbo proved to have the Took adventurous spirit and ability to think on his feet as well as the Baggins integrity. A most special one, our Bilbo.
Glad it invoked a laugh.
Queen Galadriel
· 7 March 2009
· Chapter 5: Making Things Right
Whoops...awkward! Poor Tom. :)
Author's reply
Hehehehehe! Yes, a day late--but probably much relieved! Thanks, my Lady.
Queen Galadriel
· 7 March 2009
· Chapter 6: A Lament for Gandalf
Yes, the unspeakable, unfathomable power of music. I love your descriptions.
Author's reply
Oh, indeed. When I listen to Debussey or Beethoven or Howard Shore, I often feel transported, so I certainly understand the feeling.
Thank you so, my Lady.
Queen Galadriel
· 7 March 2009
· Chapter 7: The Tree-guard
Finally catching up...hectic last few days - school, a bunch of computer viruses, the works.
Aww! This is sweet, and especially needful, probably, for poor Merry and Pippin.
Author's reply
Oh, I know the feeling. I've barely been writing the last few days, what with everything hitting at once.
Merry, Pippin, and Sam all need this reassurance not all trees are malevolent.
Thanks so.
Cairistiona
· 7 March 2009
· Chapter 7: The Tree-guard
I'm so enjoying these drabbles! In this one, the contrast between Old Man Willow and the benevolent trees of Lorien is so well drawn. Peace and solace, yes that's what trees should provide, but they don't always!
Author's reply
Thank you so, Cairistiona! Indeed, a wonderful contrast, and one that the Hobbits need, particularly as they prepare for what is yet ahead.
Periantari
· 7 March 2009
· Chapter 7: The Tree-guard
lovely contrast between the trees in Lothlorien and the Old Forest-- it'll be interesting for you to also write about Fangorn as well and what the hobbits thoughts of them were. :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Periantari. The one forest has been at odds for some time with its neighbors, save of course Tom Bombadil; while the other has known the presence of the Elves now for more than the last age. That Lorien should be welcoming to its guests just seems right.