The Time of Probing by Larner
Linda Hoyland · 19 July 2013 · Chapter 6: VI
Poor Frodo and Sam and everyone there. You have caught the tension of these days perfectly.
Author's reply
It had to have been stressful on all of them, trying to deal with so many coming to Rivendell at the same time and the sudden arrival of the Ring in the midst of it all, not to mention Frodo's condition and the question of whether they'd be able to do anything successfully to keep him from falling to the shard's spell. Thanks again so, Linda!
Linda Hoyland · 19 July 2013 · Chapter 4: IV
I just loved these conversations with Sam, especially the one with Aragorn!
Author's reply
I think that Sam would be learning a far greater amount Aragorn here than he had throughout their whole earlier companionship. And he needs to come up to snuff about what's going on in the outer world now as opposed to what happened during the First Age, which is the time period I suspect he's known most about in the history of Arda. Thanks so!
UTfrog · 18 July 2013 · Chapter 6: VI
Excellent story behind the story we know. All of Rivendell must have been seriously upset by the calling of the ring.
Author's reply
The Ring must have wondered to find Itself in the midst of such a number of Elves, or so I'd think. Therefore several of the denizens of Rivendell must have felt Its influence at least somewhat. Thank you so!
Dreamflower · 18 July 2013 · Chapter 6: VI
Oh dear! Poor everybody! This is such a stressful time for all of them. I found it very interesting that Meliangiloreth could not hear the Ring once Frodo had hold of it.
Author's reply
They have the Ring in their midst, and more Hobbits, all of whom are focused on Frodo's welfare, and the worry that the shard might do its own evil work in spite of them. I've always suspected that somehow unconsciously Frodo and Bilbo realized that they could quiet the Ring and keep Its attention off of other people in the few moments when It roused, and how that must have surprised the Elves of Rivendell! Thanks so, Dreamflower!
shirebound · 18 July 2013 · Chapter 6: VI
What a terrible, awful time for Sam, and all of them. It's nice to know that Frodo won't remember anything from these days, and to see how much he trusts Strider already.
Author's reply
Along the way Frodo had plenty of chances to realize just how focused on his welfare the Ranger was, and so I'd expect he'd develop a strong trust for him. And I agree--it's undoubtedly best that Frodo not remember what happened during those days he carried the shard in his shoulder!
Aiwendiel · 18 July 2013 · Chapter 6: VI
Ohh how wonderful to find the next chapter here! What a pleasant surprise. Another richly developed set of scenes in which you so knowledgeably display the advanced medical knowledge of the Elves and Elrond in particular, and the continuing struggle of Frodo with the Ring. And poor Sam, to be forced to stand by and watch it all, and shuttle the Ring back and forth when the others can't bear its presence any more. Nicely done -- looking forward to the continuing drama.
Author's reply
I tend to post here first, and elsewhere once I'm satisfied with it as it appears here. I got it posted and then realized that a couple of small changes I'd made hadn't gotten saved, so had to do a quick edit before I got it posted elsewhere. Elrond had known several millenia to perfect his medical knowledge, and unlike Men, he has not had to relearn old lessons forgotten when the previous true experts have failed to pass on what has been learned about sterile procedures and how the various organs and blood vessels interrelate. Thank you so--I got interrupted the other evening before I got through Gandalf's experiences with the slavers, so need to get back to that!
Antane · 16 July 2013 · Chapter 5: V
Well, that was a frightening moment for them all, wasn't it? But at least Frodo calmed down, though I'm torn between relief for that and an ache for the reason he did. I love Sam's concern though and his innocence in offering the Ring to comfort his master. Frodo is already aware of its evil and its terrible attraction and that it must be kept safe, but Sam doesn't know much of it yet. Oh, our poor Frodo... Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Frodo is subconsciously learning about the Ring, and will learn a good deal more consciously as the following few months pass.
Soledad · 14 July 2013 · Chapter 5: V
Ugh, the Gollum voice was creepy! Poor Frodo.
Author's reply
I agree--very creepy. But I'm certain that Frodo was destined to become still another Gollum-like creature had he held the Ring long enough. Thanks so! (Chapter four never got to me....)
Dreamflower · 14 July 2013 · Chapter 5: V
Oh dear. Poor Frodo! It's a good thing that Sam and Gandalf are watching. And Gollum-sounding or no, it is "tricksy".
Author's reply
We know that Gandalf said that Frodo spoke of many of the happenings along the way during his sleep, and that he divined other details, so I felt it was time to begin exploring that. And I agree--It IS tricksy! Thanks so, Dreamflower!
shirebound · 14 July 2013 · Chapter 5: V
I'm glad it's Gandalf and Sam watching over Frodo at this moment. What a long, terrible vigil for all of them.
Author's reply
A terrible vigil indeed, and one that must have cost them a good deal of worry. But to find that Frodo was fearful for what the Ring might be up to must have been a shock to them.
UTfrog · 14 July 2013 · Chapter 5: V
That contains so much terror in just a few words! Great job. My heart is still racing.
Author's reply
To know it feels real to you means so much! Thank you so!
Antane · 12 July 2013 · Chapter 4: IV
I think all Aragorn needed to rest was to know that Frodo was as all right as he could be, as Arwen said. So Sam's fears of him are now completely laid to rest if they weren't already. Cute reaction of Sam to know Aragorn's true lineage. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I strongly suspect you are right--knowing Frodo is as safe as he can be and that they are in a safe, secure place is what he needed to begin to relax. And Sam is a caution himself, isn't he? Knowing Aragorn's true lineage serves to dispel the last fears of what the Ranger just might do to unwary Hobbits! Heh! Thanks, Antane!
shirebound · 11 July 2013 · Chapter 4: IV
I can well believe that Strider found it difficult to relax and sleep peacefully, after everything they went through. What a relief that he and Sam are finally able to rest. And so this is how Sam came to fully trust Strider! What a nice scene this is.
Author's reply
I always loved when Gandalf reassured a newly awakened Frodo that Sam had put aside his concerns about Strider, and wanted to explore just how this new trust must have been established. Realizing that Aragorn was considered a son of this house must have added to that acceptance of the Man by the gardener. And winding down after two weeks of constant worry must have been difficult! Thanks so, Shirebound!
Dreamflower · 11 July 2013 · Chapter 4: IV
Oh, Sam's learning a lot this night! Poor Strider--I hadn't thought of how hard it might be for him to unwind when he comes back from his travels in the wild! Of course it would be hard for him to sleep even under normal circumstances, much less when he's got Frodo's injury on his mind.
Author's reply
We know that by the time Frodo awakened in Rivendell that Sam had finally fully accepted Aragorn, and I wanted so to see what kind of reassurance he might have found in those few days. Realizing that Aragorn was considered Master Elrond's foster son had to have played a part in that letting go of his reservations, I would think. And it was fun to imagine that Sam might have had a chance to talk with the Lady Arwen and found her to be engaging and still quite canny. It must have been difficult for Aragorn to let go of his wariness after so long when he was responsible for what safety and guard could be given his charges, particularly with Frodo under the added burden of the shard as well as the Ring. It couldn't have been easy to give that over, even being within the relative safety of Elrond's lands and house. But once he was leaning back with his feet up and with the assurance that there was someone he trusted to see to the immediate needs of Frodo, sleep might just have slipped up on him.... Heh!
Linda Hoyland · 9 July 2013 · Chapter 3: III
A very peceptive view of the Ring's evil influence. I loved Sam and Arwen's conversation.
Author's reply
Oh, thanks so much, Linda. I'm glad that you liked the conversation. And I suspect that the Ring Itself had more influence than Tolkien indicated in the books.
Antane · 8 July 2013 · Chapter 3: III
For someone who just met Sam, that Elf is very perceptive about our favorite gardener and nurturer. Love Gandalf's reactions to Pippin's words about The Look. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, Arwen is most perceptive anyway, as befits her parents' daughter and the granddaughter to Galadriel and Celeborn. And I found that Pippin in this chapter insisted on being Pippinish to the extreme, and that Gandalf simply couldn't control his amusement in the end! Heh!
curiouswombat · 8 July 2013 · Chapter 3: III
What fascinating insights into the effect... It... had on those who bore It, or even came close to It.
Author's reply
It's been interesting to think on how the Ring might have affected various people, and how Bilbo and Frodo unconsciously tried to control Its influence on themselves and on others. Thanks so, CW!
UTfrog · 8 July 2013 · Chapter 3: III
Love the discussion between Arwen and Sam. Good insight in both of them. Thank you
Author's reply
I suspect that Arwen was fascinated by all of these Hobbit visitors to her father's house, and that she and Sam would find one another interesting. I don't think that she'd let any of them know that she and Aragorn were affianced, but that she'd manage somehow to learn many things about them that Aragorn might not come to know until after the victory against Mordor. Thank you so!
shirebound · 8 July 2013 · Chapter 3: III
Gandalf and Elrond gazed thoughtfully at one another. “Water is antithetical to Its nature, after all,” Elrond murmured. What an interesting idea. The Ring must have been quite uncomfortable in Tom Bombadil's house, with all those water-filled vessels of water lilies set about.
Author's reply
There have been other discussions in my stories of how limited the Ring's powers were when It was stuck at the bottom of the Anduin--until a Hobbit fell into the water almost on top of It, no one had been able to locate It, in spite of most likely Sauron's slaves and mercenaries being sent to search for It even before Saruman tried the same. The Ring was forged in the fires of Mount Doom--It was undoubtedly much dampered by being surrounded by water. So it was fun to imagine that Bilbo would find himself feeling more comfortable when It was kept in a bowl of water! Heh! As for it being uncomfortable surrounded by Goldberry's water lilies, I'd not thought about it, but I think you are right. Maybe that was why It tried to coax Frodo into sneaking out of the house that evening when he put It on to make certain that It hadn't been switched by Tom.
Dreamflower · 8 July 2013 · Chapter 3: III
What an interesting look into the effects of the Ring on Frodo and Bilbo during the time they possessed it. I love the way you show how aware Merry and the others were of its effects on Frodo without even realizing what was causing those effects--but they know Frodo and when he was acting out of character. Nicely done! Again, I am fascinated by the ways in which the two of us are the "same only different" in our ideas on that. Like you, I have Bilbo (and later Frodo) put the Ring aside from time to time, if they feel that it's become too much of a "distraction"; like you, I have Bilbo being haunted by nightmares of Gollum as he nears his last few years in the Shire. (BTW, LOVE the notion that being put in a bowl of water dampens its influence! I wish I'd thought of that one!) But we differ in our notions of how "strong" the Ring was, and how long it remained mostly asleep, and in how it may or may not have extended its influence beyond Bag End. One thing I've never seen you address is the Ring's influence on its bearer's health--for example, "my" Bilbo was only ill once in the sixty years after he returned with the Ring--and that was on an occasion during which he had left the Ring behind on a journey. And once the Ring came into Frodo's possession, he was never ill either. This is a very interesting story!
Author's reply
We each tend to get our own idea of how the lives of Frodo and Bilbo might be influenced by the presence of the Ring, of course, so I've had fun thinking that unconsciously first Bilbo and then Frodo managed to keep the Ring focused on them so as not to seek to influence other Hobbits, not that your average Hobbit was likely to help the Ring make Its way home, of course. Personally in my-verse both Bilbo and Frodo, once Frodo outgrew his early heart murmur, were mostly pretty healthy anyway, except for the influenza epidemic the first winter Frodo spent as Bilbo's ward in Bag End when both became very ill, and Frodo developed pneumonia. The Ring drowsed, but when It became aware of any possible heirs to Bilbo It sought to interfere, except when Lotho was expected and It was trying to score off Bilbo by allowing what was most likely going to be a most unsuitable heir to be born. In my-verse Frodo's parents spent most of Primula's third pregnancy in Buckland, and Bilbo asked Gandalf to offer her what protection he as a Wizard could. (This story is still being worked upon, by the way.) Whether their relatively good health was due to the Ring or natural Hobbit resiliency I've never truly decided. But I agree that even if It didn't particularly relish Its bearers' tendency to keep It safely by them and away from chances to head back to Mordor, it probably still did Its best to safeguard them as It could. Thanks so, Dreamflower!
Linda Hoyland · 8 July 2013 · Chapter 2: II
I'm glad they have made Frodo more comfortable. it is interesting seeing these events through Sam's eyes.
Author's reply
I am glad, too. Of course, he deserves and needs such comfort, particularly as he fights the shard's influence. And I have always liked writing from Sam's point of view. Thanks so, Linda!
Andrea · 7 July 2013 · Chapter 2: II
I like the scene where all the Elves, summoned directly from their work, sing together with the hobbits, Aragorn and Gandalf for Frodo's healing. It helped a lot, it seems. And I was a little surprised about the harsh tones Elrond used when Aragorn told him that "he had sworn himself to Frodo's protection". Perhaps he does not see yet that the fates of Aragorn and Frodo are closely linked and that one cannot succeed without the other. But he will find out very soon!
Author's reply
I suspect that songs of healing were often sung within the halls of the Last Homely House, and that those who had the greatest strength in such things came from many different callings to offer what comfort and healing as they could before returning to their own callings and responsibilities once more. I was amazed by the variety of singers myself as each presented himself or herself to me! Aragorn, as the Chieftain of the northern Dunedain and as the hoped-for leader of the final battles and King to reunite the two nations of the Sea Kings, was not a private person to go off on a whim or swear himself to any passerby who caught his sympathy. I'm certain that Elrond knew just how closely the fates of Frodo and Aragorn would prove; but to swear himself to Frodo's protection on just meeting him must have seemed rather precipitous. And in defense, Elrond, too, is under some stress here, what with a badly stricken Ringbearer on his hands, and with the whole household suddenly being borne down upon by guests approaching from all directions, all summoned not by him but maneuvered there by the Powers themselves. Plus, the son of his heart is obviously approaching the point of collapse and, as usual, seems least concerned for his own welfare. Then to find that the shard itself was playing shy and would not allow itself to be easily removed while the Ring is reacting to finding Itself in the midst of a veritable banquet of souls to devour wouldn't be precisely reassuring, I'm certain. So, don't be surprised if Elrond tends to perhaps overreact just a bit! Heh! Thanks so, Andrea, for the comments!
Andrea · 6 July 2013 · Chapter 1: I
Great start! I like it very much that Bill the Pony was there to help Sam keep going. In fact Glorfindel's plan worked so well that they needed Gandalf to make Sam release Bill again.
Author's reply
I do think that Bill did a good deal to help Sam stay sane during the flight to the ford. It gave him something to focus upon besides Frodo's worsening condition But I do suspect all of them were feeling pretty overwhelmed once they finally arrived at Elrond's door, and needed to be assured they were now as safe as anyone can be. Thanks so, Andrea!
Antane · 5 July 2013 · Chapter 2: II
I am surprised that they are waiting to probe the shard but obviously Elrond knows best and the song worked. Hopefully Strider will rest now too. Glad to see another chapter up. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
The indication in the text was that the wound was probed twice, but I suspect that the original probing took place only after people had a chance to rest some and after Elrond had had the chance to evaluate Frodo's condition as well as he could. Therefore I've always thought of the first probing to have taken place the morning after their arrival. And I'm certain that Frodo was strengthened by the songs of healing sung for his benefit! Thanks so! Plan to post a couple of chapters a week until it's finished.
Laikwalâsse · 5 July 2013 · Chapter 2: II
indeed, even powerful Elf-lords can blanch. It´s a frightening concept in having the evil influence of the ring in Rivendell. Again Elrond reprimanded Aragorn harshly in not being free to do with his life as he pleases. First I was shocked about the tone but considering Aragorn important role in the future Elrond is maybe right. I know I would be hard pressed in coping with such a handling. Great chapter - I liked the singing and the brought healing. Lai
Author's reply
I suspect just being inside the boundaries of Rivendell helped curb the Ring's influence somewhat, but It still must have been intrigued to be surrounded by such a choice of powerful victims, or so I'd think. Realizing that the Ring was checking out his people for possible manipulation must have been disheartening to Elrond. Once I appreciated just what Aragorn's destiny entailed, I was amazed that this future great King had made a vow to Frodo to become his protector. And this must have caused some dismay to those who knew him--after all, a King isn't supposed to vow himself to individuals, but to his nation as a whole. Although I've always seen a good deal of Finrod's influence in Aragorn. Thanks so very much!