Linda Hoyland · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 15: 15 - The Hanged Man
Poor Frodo,the Ring took so much from him!
Author's reply
Oh, it did indeed, Linda. The Ring was the ultimate scourer away of the ability to rejoice!
A Deck of Heroes by Larner
Reviews (188)
Linda Hoyland · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 14: 14 - Strength
THere is so much strength and goodness in Hobbits.
Author's reply
Oh, yes--Hobbits are (or are meant to be) reminders of the strength to be found in simplicity and common pleasures and joys. Thanks so, Linda.
Linda Hoyland · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 13: 13 - When Archetypes Fight: Heirophant vs. Magician
Sauraman's fall is so sad as he was once so great.
Author's reply
Saruman had forgotten his beginnings, I suspect, and now sought temporal power instead, in the end losing all he'd ever had that had made him great.
Linda Hoyland · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 12: 12 - The Wheel of Fortune
This was fascinating as I've never really thought of anyone else taking ther Ring!
Author's reply
There was always the chance someone else might have sought to take the Ring, I think. I'm just glad that Frodo was the one who did take It.
Linda Hoyland · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 16: 16 - Death
I liked this very much.It is unusual to see some sympathy for the Witch King, but what a hideous "life" the nazgul led!
Author's reply
It was odd to try to imagine that once he had been a mere human being with hopes and dreams of his own, strengths and weaknesses. What Sauron stole from him as well as from the other Ring-wraiths!
shirebound · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 17: 17 - Temperance
I enjoy it so much when one or more of the hobbits are being observed and discussed with wisdom and respect. And I love writing stories where Frodo, in the West, has found joy. :)
Author's reply
We both enjoy seeing the contemplation of the accomplishments of our four Traveller heroes, as well as knowing that Frodo was granted that peace after he left Middle Earth. Thanks so very much, Shirebound.
Andrea · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 16: 16 - Death
Trying to cheat death, all he did was to enter into it without the benefits of being freed from the Circles of Arda. This was a great one, Larner! It just came into my mind that the state Gandalf describes so perfectly, would have been also Frodo's destiny if Lord Elrond had not healed him in time! A horrible thought! I like it that Gandalf, who knows the Witch King's past, still wishes for his spirit "to find himself once again". Hopefully it does, eventually.
Author's reply
Oh, yes--Frodo was but a hair's breadth from becoming a lesser wraith himself at one point. And I cannot imagine that Gandalf would rejoice at anyone's total damnation of himself! Thanks so, Andrea.
Grey Wonderer · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 8: 8 - The Lovers
True love is there for all to see.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, Grey Wonderer. Thank you so!
Grey Wonderer · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 7: 7 - The Heirophant
Ah, dear Sam. Lovely.
Author's reply
Who else but our beloved Sam, do you think? Thank you again, Grey Wonderer! I do love writing about our four Hobbits!
curiouswombat · 17 December 2009 · Chapter 16: 16 - Death
I have been enjoying the whole series so far; usually in my lunch-break hence no comments! But I felt compelled to comment on this one - I really think it is the best so far - and the last line is just perfect, with that small hint of hope.
Author's reply
It has been fascinating to see which one each individual likes best. And I do hope there remained hope even for Angmar at this point! Thank you so.
Virtuella · 17 December 2009 · Chapter 16: 16 - Death
Well done, a thought-provoking piece.
Author's reply
Am so glad you found it so, Virtuella. Thanks so.
shirebound · 17 December 2009 · Chapter 16: 16 - Death
I like your choice of the two to whom Gandalf is speaking. They must have had so many questions at this point.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you approve of Gandalf's companions at this point, Shirebound. Indeed--many questions!
Dreamflower · 17 December 2009 · Chapter 16: 16 - Death
I think the choice of the W-k as the subject of this one is just right. I was struck a few weeks ago-- not for the first time, but more forcefully-- with the notion that it's no accident that the outward physical manifestations of the Nazgul was that of the traditional outward physical manifestation of Death. The hooded black robes, the horses, the sepulchral terror they exude-- all of it an ironic contrast to the "immortal life" they had hoped to achieve in the acceptance of Annatar's "gifts". I think your vignette is a good crystallization of that interpretation.
Author's reply
It was the similarity of Death on at least two of my Tarot decks to the Nazgul that caused me to choose Angmar for this ficlet. Plus I've always appreciated the irony of the fact he named himself as Death to Gandalf, who knew from experience he had nothing to fear of death at all, and yet it was Angmar himself who died that day.
Virtuella · 16 December 2009 · Chapter 15: 15 - The Hanged Man
"What griefs he has known since, the worst being the realization that he has no further place within the world as he found it." Very sad, very true.
Author's reply
Indeed, Virtuella. Thank you so.
Andrea · 16 December 2009 · Chapter 15: 15 - The Hanged Man
That was the worst, I suspect--that sacrifice of his identity as a Hobbit of the Shire. So true and so sad! But the last sentence can be seen as the beginning of a new life and the promise of complete healing! (I still wonder whose POV this was!)
Author's reply
Well, we know that for Frodo this was indeed a new beginning after being granted time to set his life and affairs in order for Sam to follow him, and for Sam's family to fill the gap left by his leaving. As for the POV--who else probably knew him from his adolescent years and probably appreciated what Frodo saw as he looked at Saruman besides Gandalf? I still see him as the one who receives and so hallows Frodo's acceptance of the gift offered him as Frodo crossed the gangplank to enter the ship.
Anonymous · 16 December 2009 · Chapter 15: 15 - The Hanged Man
The prose in this was gorgeous, but I found this sort of left me wanting more. The Hanged Man isn't really about the suspension between life and death and it's not even really about the transformation - it's more about that one moment as you're suspended when you have such a crystal clear insight into something that nothing else matters but that insight. This really would have worked better for Death.
Author's reply
Am so glad you appreciated the prose, even if I did manage this morning to find one error that needs correcting. I think that Frodo found himself endowed with great insight while he held the Ring, although he appears to have turned it outwards, away from himself, seeing more of the nature of good and evil than he had known previously, and opening himself to recognize his own gift for foresight. As for Death--I have a character already in mind for that one, when the time comes. As I read the nature of the card as it's been interpreted historically, there appear to be several different foci that might be invoked, and so I chose to examine the nature of transformation more than full insight. Thanks for your feedback.
Elizabeth Wherry · 16 December 2009 · Chapter 1: 1 - The Fool
Hmmmm, I seem to have beaten Szepilona to leaving a review on this story! :D Anyway, <3 it! Sounds great, and is well written...like always! God Bless and For Life, Elizabeth Wherry
Author's reply
This one will be ongoing until Christmas, so she will have a chance to respond, too. She appears to be busy reading "The Tenant from Staddle" again. Am so very glad you appreciate it, Elizabeth. Joy to you and yours this Advent season, and as Christmas approaches may it fill your heart and soul with peace.
shirebound · 16 December 2009 · Chapter 15: 15 - The Hanged Man
So, come my friend--come now and know the final act of transformation. Realize now that if you have lost yourself as a Hobbit of the Shire and a mere mortal from Middle Earth, it is merely the prelude to finding yourself as you are now capable of being. This is absolutely beautiful.
Author's reply
Am so very glad you feel that way, Shirebound. Thank you so very much!
Dreamflower · 16 December 2009 · Chapter 15: 15 - The Hanged Man
Oh my! Frodo Baggins was never a simple Hobbit... *sigh* I'm guessing that the POV is Gandalf-- I love the final line: There is still so much for you to know, and to do, and to be.... the prelude to a new Adventure...
Author's reply
Oh, indeed! No, never a simple Hobbit; and Frodo needs to learn that what he told Sam applies to him as well! Thanks so, Dreamflower!
shirebound · 15 December 2009 · Chapter 14: 14 - Strength
What a moment that must have been! How the heart of a mother must have been ablaze with duty, relief, and love.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm certain you are right, Shirebound! She must have wanted to strangle the lot of them--then bring them home and tuck them into bed and pamper them however she could! Joy to you!
Virtuella · 15 December 2009 · Chapter 14: 14 - Strength
A background moment that would have happened, indeed. People must have been so amazed when those four returned!
Author's reply
Oh, yes, I'm certain you are right, Virtuella. Thanks so!
Baggins Babe · 15 December 2009 · Chapter 5: 5 - The Emperor
Ah yes, that's our Sam, and wonderful to see him through the eyes of the King. Sam has certainly had a steep learning curve (or, as Ridcully says, 'bendy educational thing') but he is a wise cousellor and respected by all. Perfect, Larner.
Author's reply
Pratchett has such a wonderful way of expressing Ridcully's personality! And our Sam is among the best of the best. Thanks so for the comments, Baggins Babe.
Baggins Babe · 15 December 2009 · Chapter 14: 14 - Strength
One of my favourite hobbits is finally given due credit - I love Esme. I've read stories where she was cruel to Frodo and all sorts of nonsense but I'm sure Frodo's close relationship with Merry was due to his love for Esme and Saradoc. Lovely to see Esme putting others first, as she has always done.
Author's reply
I didn't really like the way Esme was presented by Anglachel, and felt that as one who had to have helped raise Frodo after his parents' deaths she had to be a good sort and a good mother. Am so glad you like my depiction of her!
Andrea · 14 December 2009 · Chapter 13: 13 - When Archetypes Fight: Heirophant vs. Magician
Saruman felt his heart twist within him, realizing he was now little better than those who followed in the train of Olórin. And still there is that arrogance that forbids Saruman to join Gandalf and his followers. Gandalf had given him the chance to change sides, but he simply ignored it. And that makes him lesser than all those around!
Author's reply
You are so right--his refusal to do what he knew was the right thing to do did indeed make him lesser than the lowest among those who accompanied Gandalf and Theoden or the Ents into Isengard. In his case, pride definitely preceded his fall.
Ellynn · 14 December 2009 · Chapter 13: 13 - When Archetypes Fight: Heirophant vs. Magician
Very interesting chapter and a great description of Gandalf and Saruman. "Only he and Gandalf between them knew, however, that this act was but a show for the others, that there had been no power left within it for him to draw upon." Very intriguing idea. I never remembered it before, but now that I look at it, it seems quite true.
Author's reply
I do not know if Tolkien himself saw Saruman's fall as I do, but I do believe it a plausible possibility. Thank you so very much, Ellynn.