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The Ties of Family by Larner	10 Review(s)
Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 2/25/2006
And that’s what I did, doing my best to hold his hope so he could have it again after. That's my Sam! Author Reply: Yes, that's our Sam, who was necessary to the success of the quest for the part he played. That Frodo couldn't fully accept all his hope back until he left was a tragedy, but it was yet a triumph in the end, I think.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 1/8/2006
Well, apparently this story is going to take me longer than I would like. I just want to read it all; I can't get enough! But I'm reviewing as I go along so I don't forget anything. That said... 1: I don't know if I've told you this before, but the way you write Frodo before he leaves has had a tremendous impact on me. It's so heartbreaking, the frailty, even the faltering speech gets me teary-eyed. And that remark about being in the process of dying being uncomfortable completely did me in. 2: I love the way you're making the realisation sink into the rest of the Shire through Sam's and even Frodo's stories. They have to realise sometime, goodness. 3: As another reviewer pointed out, I like that, though maybe Frodo wasn't hailed as a hero, he was genuinely loved and cared about. Too often the impression is given that the rest of the Shire just didn't care about him at all. 4: I find myself caring more and more for those left behind. It can be so hard to pick up the pieces that are always left when someone leaves, in Frodo's case by ship. Even when things are well sorted out it isn't pleasant. I'm glad to see Narcissa (spelling?) shown in more detail here. Poor girl! And of course I love the twins even more now, especially Forsythia. Yes, search the house and find the letters! And I'm so glad Fosco is a good dancer like his cousin! For some reason I thought it was funny when the others realised he was almost blind after he'd finished. Ha! I heartily sympathise. :-) Oh, now you've roused my curiosity and I'm going to have to read "The King's Commition" next! Can't wait to meet Ririon! I've been blind myself since birth, and for some reason I find myself drawn to such characters...when they are written as real people and not stereotypes or worse. No wonder you do it so well! I'd meant to compliment you on Ferdie in "Choice of Healing," but I never got to review due to technical difficulties. So I'll do it now: I was very impressed and glad to see it done right. Well, I'm off to read the next chapter of "The Acceptable Sacrifice!" Sorry for the extremely long review. :-) God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Don't apologize for long reviews--I appreciate them. It's amazing how many visually impaired people follow Tolkien Fanfiction. There are several; and when I wrote the King's Commission one of the readers who left comments indicated that dwarfism runs in her family and what I wrote about Ruvemir was true to life, which made me feel happier. I'd based the character and some of his experiences on a former student (not blind) who was a dwarf, and a former teacher who as a child went through two of the forms of polio which caused him to grow abnormally, leaving him in a condition similar to dwarfism. (He was a drama teacher of mine in college, by the way, which isn't a profession one ordinarily thinks of in when one thinks of individuals who are so disabled, so believe me, I understand how even we who are special ed teachers will also fall to stereotypical expectations for individuals with disabilities other than those we have devoted ourselves to.) My husband of 27 years was blinded in an accident at age nineteen, and many of my best friends have been blind or have severely limited vision, usually congenitally. Many people seem to appreciate my version of Frodo who is physically as well as emotionally fading before he leaves, but who has done his best to hide that fact; others seem to resent it. That you appreciate it I, of course, tend to appreciate; and I try to write the speech patterns consistent with the background, physical, and emotional condition of the individual as the time I'm writing. I do think such as Frodo Baggins would have had a tremendous impact on many, many people, particularly in the society of the Shire where family ties and relationships are so very important. And over time people HAVE to begin to appreciate what Frodo and Sam and Merry and Pippin all did, but particularly Frodo and Sam. So I have Sam beginning to tell it out, letting them know, leading the way for the others to begin speaking out as well. After all, the Shire is no longer isolated any more, and it's important that the folk of the Shire begin to appreciate how the rest of Middle Earth sees their country AND individuals of their folk. And, as you will find, it's often far easier for the person who's dying to appreciate what's happening than those who are going to be left behind. And you spelled Narcissa correctly.

Ami	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/29/2005
This story is poignant and beautifully written, but it is also breaking my heart. I think I may have to finish it a bit later when I am not so sensitive. One thing I really liked in this story was even though the shirefolk weren't too interested in Frodo's travels to see him as a classic hero of the War of the Rings, you make it very clear that he was very well loved and remembered fondly for his gentle and sensible heart. Author Reply: Oh, I am so sorry that it apparently is hitting too close to home. And I do wish to think that Frodo was remembered as gentle, sensible, and full of empathy and compassion. I think that gradually, as they themselves began to recover Sam, Merry, and Pippin would wish others to understand that Frodo was the real hero. I will tell you that things do start becoming more positive from this point as the protagonists begin to deal with life beyond Frodo. I suspect a good number of folk were surprised to realize how much of an impact--and a positive one--Frodo Baggins had on their lives. Thanks for the feedback.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/5/2005
Pippin's meeting with Diamond was so sweet. Seems no matter what Pippin attempts there is always a bit of embarrassment attached to it. He did manage to win her over in the end though. Now, sadly, I must wait like all of your other readers for more chapters of this one. I have enjoyed it to this point very much. Hope there is yet a bit more of this one. Author Reply: Pippin is still impulsive and likely to say what's in his mind up front, realizing he may be embarrassing the lady in front of her family after the fact. But, being Pippin, he'll come out on top after all. Yes, now you'll have to do with a chapter a day for a time, won't you? Heh! Did you read The Choice of Healing as yet? There's one that's complete, you know.

NiennaTru	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/5/2005
"Narcissa and the twins sat with many of the younger denizens of Long Cleeves in the front garden, enjoying tea in the open air while the youngest of the children turned cartwheels and somersaults on the lawn among the dogs, and the mothers and nurses watched all in between gossiping and taking stitches at whatever needlework each carried that day." I saw this so clearly and vividly in my mind. The bright sun that must have been shining, a warm breeze billowing the needlework, the sound of the children laughing as they played...From my understanding (and correct me if I'm wrong) Professor Tolkien intended the Undying Lands to represent Heaven, or something very like, but in my imagining, Heaven is like the Shire. Few places sound so appealing to spend eternity, don't you think? Author Reply: He felt, I understand, the Undying Lands to be more a pleasant Purgatory for Frodo, Sam, and Bilbo, and preparation for what would come in the end; yet at an earlier time, according to Christopher, he appears to have spoken of Frodo's trip to Tol Eressea as being equivalent to Arthur disappearing at the end of his life, going with the Fair Folk in possible preparation for his coming again when the need was there. I personally don't see the Shire as Heaven, but can certainly see why you might wish it to be that way. And I love that this description moved you in that manner.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/5/2005
It's a wonderful idea to have Sam tell bits of their story to the children. And you have captured his voice perfectly! It's interesting to hear the story from Sam's (or your) viewpoint. There are lots of details in it, I hadn't recognized before. In particular I loved the scene where Strider's voice changed to a more gentle and educated tone while he was speaking with Frodo, and Sam recognized the light that shone in both of them. Last but not least, to see how the romance between Diamond and Pippin started, was wonderful, and funny :) Thank you! Author Reply: I'm always pleased when people tell me they think I've captured Sam's voice, although it isn't exactly Tolkien's voice for him. Of course Sam is going to interpret things from his own viewpoint, and I think he'd have been shocked to see two with the same light in them together like that. In the Fellowship, Tolkien described Strider's tone as changing as he spoke, no longer as frightening, so I tried to imagine what changes it would take, and how this would better reflect the King in Waiting. As for Diamond and Pippin--as I've seen a few similar stories started just as I got to this point in my writing, it's been very interesting to me to see how this interaction has taken place from so many different imaginations at the same time. But somehow the image of Pippin in his mail and surcoat, helm and shield by him, his sword at his belt, coming up the track to a relatively modern garden party just seemed fitting for the first realization between them that they were important to one another. The Knight in Shining Armor meets Emma!

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/5/2005
There are so many bits of this chapter that I loved I hven't got time to extol them. But the idea that Aragorn sounded sad when he declared himself to Frodo in the Inn was so startling that I had to go back and re-read it. I had always heard his voice as being simply gentle. You have revised that whole scene for me for the better. I like Sam's versions of the story. You have developed his character so well. Oh, and the idea of Aragorn only calling Legolas 'My Lord Prince' out of exasperation is so funny. Thank you for your wishes and prayers - they mean a lot. Author Reply: That my version would make it more meaningful is flattering. Gentle or sad--either one would have been appropriate, I think. And I was inspired with the "my Lord Prince" by Viggo's use of "Gentlemen" in the movie. Both ideas made me laugh, too. Hope all is getting better for you and yours. Having had a rotten school year myself, I am quick to commisserate.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/5/2005
I love it how you weaves the telling of the tales from their quest in your story. And it is fitting for Narcissa to have been there and listen. It plants the seed for her wish to go with them to Minas Anor for the unveiling of Ruvemirs work, does it not? And of course, there is the blooming romance between Pippin and Diamond :-) Author Reply: Yes, Narcissa is learning the truth by bits and pieces, as the others are now able to begin to tell it forth. And it does indeed help inspire her to go to Minas Anor. And they need to tell the story now. They've finally begun to come to terms with the changes in them from their journey, and now need to share it with others. And always the easiest to share with are the children.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/4/2005
This tale just continues to delight! I adore the way Sam has begun to tell the tales. It seems as though being the teller of tales to children has now become one of the main duties of the Master of Bag End, through three masters now. Pippin's quiet remonstrance with Sam about being one who gave up the Ring--wonderful. And Pippin playing the flute--you know how much I love a musical Pippin! A very good beginning to his courtship of the fair Diamond! Author Reply: Yes, the Master of Bag End as the Tale Teller has indeed become the tradition. But this was, in its way, laid on Sam by Frodo himself when he made Sam the one who both keeps and reads from the Red Book. Yes, I know you love Pippin as musical, and I do, too. And it would be the clincher to get Diamond's attention indeed.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/4/2005
It's wonderful to hear the Tale being told to those who are willing to listen. And I wonder if the Shire will ever truly know and appreciate who Frodo was... and what he did. (I think that's why I write the type of stories that I do -- so Frodo gets all the attention he deserves.) Author Reply: I know what you mean, Shirebound. In my Shire, Sam is insistent that folks know, even if it is too late for them to honor Frodo in person. He was, after all, charged by Frodo himself to read from the Red Book and to keep the tales alive. I think he would wish for the others to begin to appreciate just what Frodo has done for all of Middle Earth; and as he overcomes his own concern about his own scars, he begins sharing Frodo's with others. And the children are the ones to hear, first.

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