The Time of Probing by Larner
Antane · 2 August 2013 · Chapter 10: X
That must have been so frightening for Sam and now to hear that Frodo can only be helped when the shard is thisclose to turning him into a wraith and if that happened he would need to be decapitated, dear me! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
It would be a shocking realization, that's certain! Sam is realizing in full just what is at stake in this race to remove the shard before it can do its worst! Thanks so very much, Antane.
Laikwalâsse · 2 August 2013 · Chapter 10: X
what an awful description what happened to Celebrían. So heartfelt and emotional told by Arwen. I have never read something that good before. A bit shocking for poor Sam. Now he has an idea what could possibly happen to Frodo. Very moving chapter, Larner, thank you. Lai
Author's reply
We know that it is said that Celebrian received a poisoned wound that her husband could not effectively treat, and that in the end she chose to sail west. Imagining all that she went through has led me to all kinds of imagined horrors, I find. And now Sam better appreciates the stakes for which those treating Frodo are trying. Now he knows just how dire the situation is. Thank you so, Lai!
curiouswombat · 1 August 2013 · Chapter 10: X
Oh my. That is one of the most moving, and realistic sounding, descriptions I have ever seen of what happened to Celebrian. What wonderful writing.
Author's reply
Thank you so, CuriousWombat. As I move at last to the fate of Celebrian and her party in "Stirring Rings" I have found myself of necessity imagining how it was that she might have been tortured and how it was that she received a poisoned wound, and I found that Sam needed to better understand that in order to fully appreciate what was possibly facing Frodo if they were not successful in removing the shard in time. And I am truly honored that you think so.
Dreamflower · 1 August 2013 · Chapter 10: X
Oh--I forgot to say, I love the idea of Merry carrying around a lock of Esmeralda's hair! I take it that it will be used to somehow strengthen the chain that will carry the Ring?
Author's reply
The hair will be part of the spell used to protect Frodo and others from the Ring's influence for as long as possible. To have one hair given by one who has no fear of death and who has not only given his life for the safety of others but is willing to do so again, one signifying beauty, and one signifying the unconditional love such as mothers have for their children would together help to keep the chain proof against the Ring's influence for as long as possible, don't you think? Again, thanks so much!
Dreamflower · 1 August 2013 · Chapter 10: X
*shudder* What a horrible recounting of the fate of Celebrian and her companions! I'm sure that poor Sam will understand now the urgency of getting that shard out finally!
Author's reply
I'm working through this chapter and one on Eorl at the moment for "Stirring Rings," so this is much on my mind of course. Yes, Sam needs to know just how dire the situation is if they cannot get that blasted shard out of there before it does its worst on his Master. And it helps him understand those who are working to save Frodo that much the more, and that the world is far more dangerous than he'd ever imagined. Thanks so, Dreamflower.
shirebound · 1 August 2013 · Chapter 10: X
What a tragic, horrific experience for Arwen to relate, and remember every day of her life. These preparations to aid Frodo are very interesting.
Author's reply
I am working on two chapters for "Stirring Rings" at the moment--one on Eorl and the other on the abduction of Celebrian. I felt that Sam should have a greater appreciation that the tales he's heard about the tragedies Elves faced have a human face to them, and that the situation is far more dire than he'd dreamed when they formed the conspiracy back in the Shire. And I'm certain that there were many layers of preparation that day as they sought to remove that ugly shard before it could do its worst. Thank you so very much, Shirebound!
UTfrog · 1 August 2013 · Chapter 10: X
Terrifying!
Author's reply
I agree. And I hope that Sam now better appreciates why the Elves and Aragorn are willing to do as much as they can to forestall the possibility that the shard will take Frodo. Thanks so, UTfrog.
Antane · 30 July 2013 · Chapter 9: IX
Sorry to have missed this chapter somehow. I like the description of standards and standard bearers - appeals to the medieval part of me and also I am grateful for the distraction it must have given Sam from his worries. I love that Arwen is keeping watch, encouraging Frodo to drink and singing that lullaby at the end. No wonder both hobbits slept peacefully! :) Also love the general loving care given to Frodo by the other singing Elves. Namarie, god bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I have a feeling that Frodo received a good deal of loving care during the days he was comatose that he probably wasn't told in detail later. And I have always thought Arwen likely to be working on the standard as she watched over those who came into her father's house, particularly in the darkest hours. Thank you so very much!
shirebound · 28 July 2013 · Chapter 9: IX
This song lulled Sam into sleep, and in it he saw that the Sun, Moon, and stars were being invoked to allow their combined Light to shower down upon the spirit of Frodo Baggins, to remind him that his own Light was a delight to the Creator, that he must not surrender it vainly to the powers of darkness. Oh my, that's wonderful. And I appreciate how Arwen was fully aware of the sacrifice of a standard bearer, especially the one who would carry this particular standard.
Author's reply
Arwen is as much the descendant of Luthien, Idril, Earendil, and Elwing as are her father and Aragorn, and should have her own portion of the gift of foresight as these others have manifested. Plus, she is the granddaughter to Galadriel, whose foresight is legendary. I would think that she knew there was a very great chance that the first to serve as Aragorn's standard bearer would die, and she may well have recognized whom that should prove to be. And I would think that the High Elves of Imladris would invoke the Valar and all beings devoted to the Light to aid this one already recognized as being perhaps intended to serve as the Ringbearer to the destruction of the Ring's evil. Thanks so very much, Shirebound.
Dreamflower · 28 July 2013 · Chapter 9: IX
I love this glimpse of Arwen at work on the famous standard!
Author's reply
I thought that it would be appropriate that she would be working on the last touches of it as rapidly as possible at this point. And I think that Sam should appreciate that whoever volunteered to carry it would be possibly offering his life for the one for whom it had been wrought. Sam and Halbarad had a good deal in common, I've always felt.
Andrea · 28 July 2013 · Chapter 3: III
Great chapter! I found it most interesting that It might have had an effect on the S.-B.s. Maybe their frequent visits to Bag End were caused by the Ring, too. For It created some kind of longing in them, to get there and get It. And of course, Pippin in just wonderful!
Author's reply
I suspect that the Ring would react to almost anyone with an orcish attitude, and there's no question that the S.-B.s were unpleasant as they could be so much of the time. And I love the idea that It might have called to them to come and get It. Oh, but I DO love Pippin! He is such a delightful combination of wisdom and spontaneity! Thanks so!
Speedy Hobbit · 27 July 2013 · Chapter 8: VIII
The tension and anxiety level in this story is virtually palpable! I feel so sorry for Bilbo and Sam- how terrifying it must be watching Frodo weaken thus and especially witnessing his delirium and pain! Looking forward to the next chapter!
Author's reply
Thank you! It is so wonderful to find I've been able to communicate just the mood I'd intended! Yes, this must have been so hard for Frodo's kindred and for Sam. Thank you so, Speedy Hobbit!
whisperer · 27 July 2013 · Chapter 8: VIII
well, the words of Gandalf moved me. i love those. and thank you for this story. you capture the seriousness of the it. poor Sam, im just glad for his master he can do, mostly, evrything.
Author's reply
I am so honored to know that my writing had evoked an emotional response in you, Whisperer. And Frodo is fortunate to have one such as Sam to be the staff on which he can lean at need. Thank you so!
Soledad · 26 July 2013 · Chapter 8: VIII
Even knowing that they'd eventually succeed, it's very hard to witness how quickly Frodo is fading away into the ghost world.
Author's reply
By this time he's had the shard in him for over two weeks--those last few days must have been terrible to live through, knowing what was at stake.
UTfrog · 25 July 2013 · Chapter 8: VIII
You do a great job capturing the utter nightmare in Rivendell.
Author's reply
Yes, it must have been very difficult. Knowing what was at stak must have been the worst thing they could imagine. Thanks so, UTfrog!
Antane · 25 July 2013 · Chapter 8: VIII
Thank God for that Baggins stubbornness and the grace that strengthens it! I so love Elrond's words and also Gandalf's words to Sam about Frodo's bond with him and Sam's courage strengthening his, just as it do throughout the Quest. Go hobbits!! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Neither of these two could have done the job on their own; only together could they do it. There was obviously a bond between them that was intended, and I must believe that it was already being seen even before Sam crashed the Council. Thanks so, Antane.
Dreamflower · 25 July 2013 · Chapter 8: VIII
You have really captured the despair they all must feel at this time; and of course, the Ring's only making everything worse. *sigh*
Author's reply
I'm so glad you feel I've caught that despair. It had to be a terribly frightening time for them all, and the Ring had Its own agenda. In trying to figure out why it took two probes and four days to remove the shard, this was the one scenario that presented itself that I'd not seen others propose.
shirebound · 25 July 2013 · Chapter 8: VIII
Oh, I can hardly bear it! I'm as anxious as the others to get that *thing* out of our beloved Frodo.
Author's reply
I know, Shirebound! And it appears I've been successful at conveying the tension and anxiety they all must have felt. I found the idea that Frodo had to lose his physical structure to the point that he was virtually transparent before Elrond could see where the shard was to remove it fascinating, but this seemed a viable alternative. Thanks so!
Agape4Gondor · 22 July 2013 · Chapter 7: VII
Sorry I haven't been able to comment on every chapter, but I do love this story. The Fellowship grows through their concern for Frodo. It's great. I love the premise, too, that the shard would not easily be removed and that the Ring would cause such distress.
Author's reply
It's not easy to read and respond as readily as we'd like, and I treasure that you've been able to do both recently. Having a patient who'd been stabbed with a Morgul knife must have brought back painful memories of his wife's abduction and torture to Elrond, and undoubtedly increased his determination to see Frodo freed from the shard's spell. And we know from the Master that Elrond had to probe the wound twice before he could get the shard out, so obviously it wasn't easy to remove at least the first time. As for the Ring, I suspect that It wasn't totally asleep while there, with so much turmoil about the place, so much concern for Its bearer, and so many potential targets to It as possible future bearers. Thanks so again, Agape!
Soledad · 22 July 2013 · Chapter 6: VI
I don't know whom I feel more sorry for: Sam or Frodo?
Author's reply
Oh, I know, Soledad! It must have been hard on all five Hobbits as they awaited Elrond being able to successfully remove the shard. Thank you so!
Antane · 22 July 2013 · Chapter 7: VII
I have thought that the reason Arwen (and Galadriel) saw Frodo's invisible wounds was because they had already seen similar in Celebrian and thus knew what cures were best. It's nice to see a recognized link between the two wounded beings here with the gem. I like to think Celebrian was a great help to Frodo in showing him that even though it would be difficult, healing was possible. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
When I first read the book so long ago when I was in my early teens I didn't know anything about Celebrian, and it took several readings of the Appendices and rereadings of the books to fully appreciate what allusions there were to her sufferings. In my-verse the Evenstar gem was a gift to Celebrian when she was a young elleth, and that it was designed to help balance Light, Song, and Breath for those who were in pain or disturbed. If that were true, then I'm certain that it was used on Celebrian in helping her heal from her poisoned wound. And I do suspect you are right about Frodo being aided by Celebrian as he faced his own healing on Tol Eressea. Thank you so!
shirebound · 22 July 2013 · Chapter 7: VII
I really like the idea of adding yet another layer of protection between his spirit and the intent of the shard within his shoulder. Very clever introduction of Arwen's gem and the Ring's chain, and what a joy to witness Bill's reunion with his hobbits.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you do like that idea. It must have been hard having to wait between the first probing for the shard and the second one, and if as we suspect that the Evenstar gem was one of healing or at least comfort, then I'm certain that Arwen was called upon more than once to use it to the relief of those suffering from serious illnesses and wounds. And I do love thinking that Bill looked forward to visits from his Hobbits when they could come out to him. Thanks so, Shirebound!
UTfrog · 22 July 2013 · Chapter 7: VII
I love Bill. Thanks for the update on how he is doing.
Author's reply
I do, too. Now, I'm waiting for Lindelea to tell us how he's doing in HER tale! Heh!
Dreamflower · 21 July 2013 · Chapter 7: VII
This was nice. I love the role Pippin played in this chapter--nicely done to show his usefulness, as well as the fact that he's paid attention to things. But I must confess my favorite part was the image of Bill the Pony eating a sticky bun! *grin*
Author's reply
I think we are all pretty much agreed that no matter how careless Pippin could be, still he was quite intelligent and observant, and would know in many cases that information he had could be quite relevant to the moment. And what pony could resist a sticky bun if it was offered one by Pippin? Heh! Thanks so, Dreamflower!
Antane · 19 July 2013 · Chapter 6: VI
So they already know about covering the nose and mouth prior to surgery, interesting though I suppose not surprising for Elves. But why cover Frodo's? The poor hobbit, already torn so by the Ring, perhaps more out of concern it not fall into the wrong hands than lusting for it himself. What a frightening image for Sam to have at the end!
Author's reply
Elrond had been a healer at this point for over six thousand years, long enough and more to realize that wounds that are breathed upon or have hair drop upon them are more likely to become infected, or so I'd think. As a result, I'm certain all healers trained by him would be advised to work in as sterile an environment as possible. In surgery drapes over the patient are usually arranged to serve as a barrier for the patient's breath as well. So, why would not the Elves, who were more likely to impose healing sleep or use a form of hypnosis instead of a deliberate anesthesia, probably use at least a gauzy layer of fabric on the face of the one under the knife? I so suspect that you are right about Frodo's feelings, although we know that he already was jealous of anyone who touched the Ring--mark his reaction to seeing the Ring in and on Bombadil's hand! And the memory of seeing Frodo reappear after the Morgul wound was administered most likely haunted Sam for years afterward, if not for the rest of his life! Thank you so, Antane!