This is truly beautiful Larner. I am so very glad that you finished it.
You made me smile. There are poppies in my dad's garden and each year I love to take the seed heads and scatter the seeds. My dad is still perplexed how poppies come up in strange places in the garden! I can see myself doing it sometime in the future, (probably with tears,) because of your story but they will be gentle tears!
Author's reply
Thanks so, Harrowcat. I so love poppies, and hope that I can get more planted here. And love that your father wonders how they got scattered as they did throughout your garden. And the thought that now you shall have more pleasure in the scattering of poppy seeds is so delightful! Thank you so!
shirebound
· 26 April 2010
· Chapter 8: Explaining
This is absolutely lovely.
the plant goes back to the earth, and all’s the richer for it havin’ come and gone, all along the way.
This leaves me feeling warm and peaceful.
Author's reply
It is as we OUGHT to feel about the coming event, I think. Thank you so!
Linda Hoyland
· 26 April 2010
· Chapter 6: A Hymn of Delight
What a beautiful hymn!
Author's reply
Thank you so, Linda!
Linda Hoyland
· 12 April 2010
· Chapter 7: Mutters in the Camp
Poor Sam and how like Frodo to be concerned about him.
Author's reply
You are so right, Linda. Sam will always be concerned for his Master, and Frodo will always be concerned for Sam, I think. Thank you so very much!
Lindelea
· 7 April 2010
· Chapter 4: Regrets Thought at the Party
Well done! Very poignant. *sigh*
Author's reply
Thank you so. No matter the good and recognition brought him that day, losing Bilbo's company would be seen as a great cost, I think.
See you this coming weekend, I hope.
Lindelea
· 7 April 2010
· Chapter 5: No Help for It
Ah, so that's the way it was... I cannot see Frodo assaulting a helpless plant, even a weed, but a spider. That makes a lot of sense.
As for myself, I don't kill spiders out of doors, but if they come into the house, they're fair game. *shudder*
Author's reply
I tend to escort my visiting spiders out the door, or more likely out the nearest window. Heh! But I think that no matter how tolerant Frodo might ever have been of spiders, after the quest he'd not like to see them in hunting mode!
Thanks so! And some kind of mad rabbit was visiting my house last Easter Even....
Lindelea
· 7 April 2010
· Chapter 7: Mutters in the Camp
Aw... At first I thought it might be the first camping place after leaving Bag End. Still burdened by tree roots, all those many leagues later!
*sigh* Alas, poor Frodo!
I'm glad Sam could not even imagine what was to come.
Author's reply
Well, Sam has had the weeks at Rivendell to soften up again, so it's all to do once more once they're on their way toward wherever it is they must go. And not knowing what to expect indeed may have been a kindness in Sam's case.
Kitty
· 7 April 2010
· Chapter 7: Mutters in the Camp
Well, that was still better than the nights later in Mordor. Luckily he didn't know yet ...
Author's reply
Oh, indeed so, Kitty. And so hope your Easter season is blessed!
Kitty
· 7 April 2010
· Chapter 6: A Hymn of Delight
Lovely, Larner!
Author's reply
Thank you so, Kitty. I do believe that once healed, Frodo would find joy in all things, even what had been his bitterest memories.
Antane
· 6 April 2010
· Chapter 7: Mutters in the Camp
Frodo's words to his sleeping Sam are sweet and sad at the same time, but Sam would want to be nowhere else than where he is now for all his muttering, bless them both.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I so suspect you are right, Antane. Frodo wishes those he loves back in safe, warm, comforting places; but because they love him, they will be by his side as long as they are so allowed.
harrowcat
· 6 April 2010
· Chapter 7: Mutters in the Camp
Poor Sam. It seems that it is a rare hobbit that camps out for pleasure! Another small thing to make Frodo feel guilty. Me - I just wish Spring would spring enough to let me get the tent out!
Author's reply
It's one thing to camp out on soft forest ground in the summer when all is clean and fresh and comfortable; to do so in the depths of winter is quite different! And these didn't even have the comfort of a tent.
And I look forward to being able to sleep out as it grows warmer, also. Love to you and yours.
shirebound
· 6 April 2010
· Chapter 7: Mutters in the Camp
I can well imagine Frodo thinking that.
Author's reply
Yes, it is so like him, isn't it? Thanks so, Shirebound.
Armariel
· 4 April 2010
· Chapter 6: A Hymn of Delight
Simply beautiful, and somehow appropos to the season. Lovely images and sentiment; I would say it's your best poem/song ever. Happy Easter to you Larner.
~~~~~{~@
Author's reply
Thank you so, although you know how much I love your poem on much the same subject. I've not read it in quite a while--I need to do so!
GamgeeFest
· 30 March 2010
· Chapter 5: No Help for It
Frodo’s feelings towards spiders undoubtedly changed after the Quest. I too am relieved that his outburst was to preserve the beetle and not out of some derangement.
Author's reply
I do think that Frodo and Sam would have been less tolerant of hunting spiders they came across after the quest. Am so glad the tale left you relieved once you knew WHAT Frodo was doing.
Thanks so!
GamgeeFest
· 30 March 2010
· Chapter 3: Realization
Of course, Sam would guess much of Frodo’s pending journey, but there was no way he could have guessed the true destination. I too think that Rose would be able to see Frodo’s light; she is as wise as her husband, truly his equal.
Author's reply
You have stated it so well, GamgeeFest. And Sam deserved someone as wise as he in the end. Thanks so!
GamgeeFest
· 30 March 2010
· Chapter 1: A Time for Truth
Boromir dared to throw away mushrooms? In front of Frodo? Bet he never dared to that again! lol!
So this is what prompted Sam to write the song? Unfortunately, most of the family heads are only voting for it because that’s what their Thain, Master and Mayor want - oh, and that king bloke too. But as Sam said, a few did listen and are beginning to understand, and that’s a start.
Author's reply
It was a delight to write this one, I found. The poem started working on me last November; it was a joy to finish it and write this story to explain it.
Thanks so!
GamgeeFest
· 27 March 2010
· Chapter 4: Regrets Thought at the Party
Getting what you want and growing up aren't always as you expected, especially when they come at such a price.
Author's reply
No matter how desirable it might be to be seen as an adult, it is still painful to lose a beloved parent or guardian! Thank you so!
Kitty
· 21 March 2010
· Chapter 5: No Help for It
Ah, at least Frodo didn't just attacking some hapless weed just because he didn't feel well. Though it must be very hard for him to even try and deal with all he has been through, so I certainly wouldn't blame him for it.
Author's reply
I, too, am glad he had a reason to do as he did. He deserved peace of mind and heart so!
Kitty
· 21 March 2010
· Chapter 4: Regrets Thought at the Party
Poor Frodo. It's probably good that he doesn't know what really lies in store for him ...
Author's reply
Oh, you are so right, Kitty! Foreknowledge here would have been a great cruelty, I suspect.
Kitty
· 21 March 2010
· Chapter 3: Realization
At least Rosie and Sam realised Frodo would leave and were forewarned to a certain extent, even if they didn't know yet how far he would go - and that there was really no return. But their trust in the Elves is heartening.
Author's reply
At least Sam knew in his heart that Frodo was right to leave, no matter how he wanted to keep him by himself. You are right there.
Kitty
· 21 March 2010
· Chapter 2: Grief Comforted
Sorry, I am terribly behind with reviewing!
I'm so sorry for Merry and the others. It must have been so very hard to watch Frodo's health failing, and then to realise he tried to slip away without farewell ... and particularly for the Travellers who were so close to him and went with him through so much it's even more difficult. I am glad they are at least not alone with their grief.
Author's reply
I do suspect that particularly among the Brandybucks and the Thain's immediate family there were many who found the leaving of Frodo tore a huge hole in their own hearts. Merry, Pippin, and Sam may grieve, but also have enough experience now to know that Frodo is in the best of hands, for the moment, at least.
Thanks so for all the comments--they made my day!
cookiefleck
· 17 March 2010
· Chapter 2: Grief Comforted
I am glad you have Merry's grief turn from selfish (worry about how Frodo's absence will affect him) to selfless (worry for Frodo's well-being) by the end of the story. I often feel in the minority in liking how JRRT wrapped up his tale: Success and happiness for those who sacrificed so much to save M-e, plus the incredible healing honor/gift of Tol Erresea for the Ringbearers. Of course his friends and family would miss Frodo, having left "before his time," but knowing where he was headed would greatly mitigate the pain. And I really like how JRRT arranged for Merry and Pippin to be there so that Sam would have company for the ride home; those little details say so much.
Author's reply
I believe that all three of the remaining Travellers would have felt similar mixed grief, pain, and hope for Frodo's own healing, and am glad you approve. And I am SO glad that Merry and Pippin were there to ride home with Sam, that he not be forced to make that trip alone.
Thanks so much--and I certainly agree with your comments on Tolkien's own handling of the situation.
Raksha The Demon
· 17 March 2010
· Chapter 4: Regrets Thought at the Party
Poor Frodo - with increased status and property comes more responsibility - we rarely realize the positive aspects of a certain phase in life until that phase ends...
Very well done!
Author's reply
Thanks so, Raksha. Yes, more responsibility--AND the loss of Bilbo's companionship. No matter how he might have wanted Bilbo to find his wanderlust indulged at last, this separation must have hurt!
Fiondil
· 16 March 2010
· Chapter 5: No Help for It
"The yellow beetle — at least I saved it.”
So sad that he felt that he was only good for saving yellow beetles. A very powerful story, Larner, full of pathos. You do know how to wring out the emotions.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Fiondil. It was one small victory against the dark, at least. And I live to write pathos!
harrowcat
· 16 March 2010
· Chapter 5: No Help for It
Gosh the tension in this piece is palpable! Sad that the poor dandilion had to be crushed as well. Well done Larner.
Author's reply
Dandelions are so often being destroyed and crushed--at least this one gave up its life to help save a small beetle!
Thank you so!