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The Ties of Family by Larner	8 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 2/4/2006
The way in which the story of Frodo's and Sam's being called back was told was very moving. And I can just see the hobbits looking on in astonishment as the high king and the three most important persons in the Shire did a common chore and talked, like four husbands made to relieve their tired wives! :) God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I am so glad you appreciated how the waking was described; and you can see echoes of it in "The Acceptable Sacrifice." And I agree--the idea that King, Thain, Master, and Mayor are naturally doing what needs doing and forget the idea of privilege would be astounding to many, and yet in the end indicates just how worthy they all are, for they do what is needed and forget the idea they are somehow "above" it. After all, all four of them ARE husbands!

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/16/2005
Trust a curious child to ask the question no other dares to ask! It was a good idea to have Aragorn tell this, because I doubt Sam will ever do it. It was a very touching story. You've caught this important moments very well. And there were not only the travellers and their immediate familys, but enough others listening as well. It is about time more of them become a impression of what Frodo and Sam did. Well done, Elanor! Truly, I love it how natural she acts around the King. And the image of Will, Paladin and Aragorn washing up the dishes was great. I would have liked to be there and see the faces of the Hobbits! Oh, and about the question of AU or not (to which I want to say I haven't anything against AU), you are right! I had completely forgotten about this piece, although I've read it some months ago. I had only taken the 'Tale of Years' into account, where 1432Merry becomes Master of Buckland, 1434 Pippin Thain, and 1436 Aragorn rides north to dwell by Lake Evendim. I had assumed they came to their offices because their fathers died and so Aragorn had no chance to meet them. You've given me some comfort - I don't even know why I have set my heart on this particular idea, but I always wanted them to meet. Author Reply: Yes, it is important more begin to realize what was done by those who went outside, particularly Frodo and Sam; and I like to imagine the small children from the village who weren't part of the meal might have been lingering about spying on those who were, and heard this also, and realized what had been done by them as well. And yes, it is often the children who bring out the painful subjects and open them to the healing light of day; which is why it is Elanor and not Ruvemir who asks the King to tell the story at that moment. It's fun to find there may be canon to support what appears at first glance to be AU, isn't it? (Grinning widely)

songspinner	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/16/2005
Wow. Amazing insights here...especially the one about the Ring using Frodo's gifts against him. Makes sense to me. And lovely characterization and dialogue, I thought. -Laura Author Reply: The Ring would use anything it saw as leverage against the individual it was trying to claim--the ambition of Saruman; the desire for personal glory and power and the feelings of responsibility of Boromir; the pity and compassion of Gandalf; the desire for personal greatness and to build love of her for Galadriel.... Yes, whatever gifts Frodo had would be both heightened by the Ring then taken advantage of, trying to get him to either get it to Sauron or to get him to claim it so it could claim him. Thanks for the appreciation of the charactization and dialogue as well.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/16/2005
your father would not leave him, would not awaken before him, would not allow him to feel alone. I kept Frodo deep in healing sleep, but needed to do little for your father, for his spirit kept watch on Frodo’s throughout. Only when Frodo began to waken on his own did your father finally give over the watch and truly sleep himself, giving over the memories. What a marvelous insight. I was as mesmerized by the King's tale as Elanor, or any of the others. And I have no doubt that the strongest memory the hobbits will take away from this 'gathering' is that the King himself washed dishes! :D Author Reply: An example of concern as well as of humility, Aragorn. I like to think of him realizing how needful it is to do the little things as well as the big things, and realizing emotions often need a physical outlet. And glad you appreciate the insight. Thank you.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/16/2005
What a beautiful, sad, gorgeous, poignant, amazing telling of Frodo's and Sam's rescue from Mordor! And Aragorn washing the dishes: I find that utterly and perfectly appropriate! I adore your Aragorn. Author Reply: We need more leaders who will wash dishes or sweep up stone chips or otherwise do the small things needed day to day to keep grounded. Far too many have far too little connection to real life any more, it seems, and thus can convince themselves that simplistic answers to complex issues are acceptable. Am so glad you found so much to move you in this chapter.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/16/2005
What better place for family and friends to talk than over a pile of dishes. What a wonderful insight into that crucial moment. I shall always remember the expression on Aragorn's face in the film. I am so looking forward to re-reading this as part of the whole. Elanor really did need to hear from the King himself but I am surprised that Sam could bear to sit there at all. Another triute the the healingthat had already taken place. Author Reply: I know what you mean about Aragorn's expression in the film, and the tall guy behind him as well, that moue of surprise. I love to see that on the big screen, for that whole sequence of the fall of Barad-dur is so fantastic! In my Middle Earth Aragorn feels free to sweep floors, cook a meal, or wash dishes, and especially when he's talked of that which has caused so much grief in his past. It is often in completing the everyday necessities that we find the balance we need, the ties to life as it goes on.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/16/2005
Oh my...Leave it to a little one to ask a question most wanted the answer to, but no adult would ask. Oh and, "Lord Mr. Strider." That is just too adorable. W/out a doubt that is Sam's daughter. :o) What a wonderfu gap filler to the books. This is one of the more satistfying versions of the healing and bringing back of Frodo and Sam from Aragorn's POV I've read. Very well done indeed. Oh and I loved, loved, loved that final part. "Others were watching with awe and shock as the King, the Mayor, and the Thain washed dishes and talked." The world needs more of that kind of "Shock and Awe" than it's known the last few years. Great addition to a fantastic story. As always, looking forward to the next installment. :o) Author Reply: Yes, this is Sam's daughter, and Rosie's too, for I think it would be from Rosie she'd inherit the courage to tackle the big questions. Perhaps Ruvemir might eventually have asked the King, having had Sam refuse to answer; but I doubt he'd have done it then. Yet this is also a part of what the Shire needs to know--that they almost didn't get that eight months of service out of Frodo, that the one who led the physical reconstruction and replanting almost didn't come back. And I'm glad you feel it is a satisfying version of this part of the story. Thanks!

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/15/2005
Lovely chapter! So many neat things, and no time to comment. Dh is due in any moment, and he'll take over the computer... Ah, well. I needed to make it an early night for once, anyhow. I don't know when I'll get back to give you more thoughtful feedback, but I am certainly glad that the computer is working well enough to update this story! (Loved so many things about the chapter I can hardly begin to list them... but Elessar's story of calling Sam and Frodo back was wondrously crafted, for starters.) Author Reply: Oh, am so glad you like it, Lindelea. Give the lasses my greetings, and DH as well.

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