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The Ties of Family by Larner	7 Review(s)
Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 6/26/2005
Wow, the last two chapters were really amazing! Aragorn, Frodo and Sam as brothers in spirit - that is a wonderful thought, and absolutely fitting! I think Aragorn told Sam about his mother's journal that night. I wonder, if Frodo knows also? Your description of Merry's thoughts was just perfect! And I agree, of all the three hobbits left on Middle Earth, losing Frodo must have hit him the hardest! But like Narcissa has finally found peace with Ferdi as her husband, Merry has his Estella to do so! Thank you, Larner! Author Reply: Am not certain of Aragorn told Sam that night or not--but agree that Merry would indeed have been deeply wounded by Frodo's leaving. It is the second time he's lost Frodo, after all, and the two had always been like brothers for forty years. The entire situation must have been overwhelming at times for him. And I'm glad Tolkien had these three find wives and develop families, that they not be drawn away too soon.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 6/26/2005
The last two chapters have contained some amazing and poignant insights, and I love the idea that Aragorn, Sam and Frodo are brothers of the spirit - what a beautiful thought. Aragorn's interaction with all the hobbits shows his deep love for the Shire-folk and the view of the Hall of Fire was perfect, together with a glimpse of the King's future counsellors. Nice to see Merry and Pippin in deeply thoughtful mood too. Merry's pain at losing Frodo must have been particularly severe - he did not have the hope of seeing him again in life, as Sam did, and their long relationship as brothers must have made Frodo's absence very difficult to bear. Thank you for this - and for giving Aragorn that beautiful gift of his mother's journal. Author Reply: It does feel as if we are giving our favorite characters gifts indeed when we write of them, doesn't it? That Aragorn accepts the journal and recognizes the kinship he feels for Frodo and Sam is meant to be more than it was means so much to us. That Merry accepts Pippin as Frodo's gift is important. That Sam speaks aloud the kinship he feels with both Frodo and Aragorn is important. That the three of them have developed wisdom--it is all the beginning of how the relationships will continue to deepen. Thank you for appreciating it all.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 6/26/2005
Aw Larner - I stand (well sit actually) in constant awe at the weaving of the tale. There I was wishing for a bit more between the twins and the King and what do we get? Thank you. I can see that becoming an important relationship for them all but, maybe a bit later as the twins grow up and Sam leaves etc. Sometimes I, like Faramir, do not envy his longer life. The reflection on the quality of the entertainment in the hall of fire was great and it was wonderful to see such a thoughtful and deep Pippin. The loss of innocence is a high price to pay for the gift of wisdom but I am glad to see that Pippin is still up to playing pranks on Strider. You put me in mind of Aragorn's words about Merry in the houses of healing but then, Merry and Pinnin are also brothers of the heart as well as cousins. As for your last bit with Ruvemir and then Sam - I'm svouring a re-read tonight as I am very late for work! Brilliant! Author Reply: Yes, there's a prank in the works which will take a time to come to fruition, and Pippin is thinking of involving others in it as well--but as with the pony in the study this is a prank with good intent and joyful results. When we suffer adversity it can lead either to deadening or increased wisdom and sensitivity. And I feel that Pippin, Merry, and Sam chose the latter. Thank you for following this so closely and appreciating intent as well as words and images written and described.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 6/26/2005
sniff Another quite touching chapter. Oh yes, I love the idea they should have been brothers. And it is so fitting after knowing how deeply they care for each other. Even before I thought Ruvemirs description of them as brothers of the spirit very apt, but now it is much more so. And I am glad for Ruvemirs gift to make the people tell him so much - somehow it is good he knows now, too. Fosco is truly Frodo's heir - I loved it how he at once enquired about the difference in the dance and words between Beorns and Hobbits. He has the same thirst for knowledge as Frodo had. Author Reply: The Baggins need to know that has been Bilbo's legacy is alive and well in Fosco and Forsythia as it was in Frodo as well. I think the Shire needs it, somehow. And Ruvemir is still gathering the threads of love expressed to weave into the mantle. Thanks so much for following this so long.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 6/25/2005
This is a sadly sweet and beautiful chapter, but I especially loved this part: If only, he, Merry, could show the same patience, for at times the ache in his heart at the loss of Frodo was almost enough to stop his rising. Merry closed his eyes, let the music take him, seemed to be flying over the waves of the sea as the sea birds do, seemed to see the shimmering as the Straight Path lifted away from the curving of the world today, saw finally in the distance the shining island with the even more brightly shining realm beyond it, the great White Tree Nimloth shining at the island’s heart, the shining One who sat there, listening to the echoes of this hymn, a hymn sung more fully there, he suspected, there on the boundaries of Ulmo’s own place. Oh, Frodo, Iorhael, Gilorhael, Gil-galadrion, brother, cousin, we miss you so. I have always imagined that of the three hobbits left behind, Merry's pain was the sharpest and hardest to deal with. Though I don't think he loved Frodo more than Sam or Pippin, his love was the oldest and had the deepest roots--he had known Frodo from his infancy, and lived with him as brother for seven years. And their blood kinship was close and deep in the bone. You show this so well. Author Reply: Thank you for appreciating this, and for voicing it so well. I'd seen this scene unfolding and Merry's deep grief, and you have so clearly explained WHY it was so deep. This was Merry's second loss of Frodo, and this time it's not a matter of the next visit to or from Hobbiton--this time it is for the remainder of the two lives. The longest relationship indeed of those left in Middle Earth.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 6/25/2005
Oh my...I didn't get a chance to review the chapter you posted last night, but both of these are so breathtakingly bittersweet. What a lovely, lovely idea...That Aragorn, Frodo and Sam really are brothers. It all fits. How the athelas works for Sam, how Aragorn could see both Frodo and Sam's lights, how Frodo has such Elvish characteristics...It works beautifully. And now Aragorn has the gift of his Mother's journal too. What a very precious gift something like that is. I have a feeling that will not be finding it's way to Minas Anor's libraries or archives, but will stay in Aragorn and Arwen's personal chambers. It's too personal a thing to go to the archives. Lovely, lovely job as always. :o) Author Reply: I, too, felt these last two have been bittersweet, and am glad you find them this way as well. And I, too, believe that the Lady Gilraen's journal will remain in the King's possession, and undoubtedly go into his son's keeping in time. I am so pleased you find so much enjoyment in my writing. Thank you.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 6/25/2005
Everything always comes back to Frodo. I love how he's woven throughout the story. And I have to highlight these passages, which are so very wonderful: Pippin looked back at him. He still looked much as he’d looked when they first came here, save for the ability to evaluate, to find wisdom inside himself, which had been the gift offered him in exchange for the innocence he’d lost on the quest. Merry suddenly put an arm about Pippin’s shoulders and drew him in a close embrace, and Pippin strongly hugged him back. Pippin had been Frodo’s gift to Merry in so many ways.... Sam, too, had in part the legacy of healing to this day, had used it for Frodo’s sake, had offered it to Aragorn himself. Merry closed his eyes, let the music take him, seemed to be flying over the waves of the sea as the sea birds do, seemed to see the shimmering as the Straight Path lifted away from the curving of the world today, saw finally in the distance the shining island with the even more brightly shining realm beyond it, the great White Tree Nimloth shining at the island’s heart, the shining One who sat there, listening to the echoes of this hymn, a hymn sung more fully there, he suspected, there on the boundaries of Ulmo’s own place. “Perhaps,” he who was also known as Estel said, “that was part of why she let herself go untimely. Perhaps she could not bear to see the coming of those who might have been hers, knowing they would not know her as she felt she knew them.” Amazing insights. Author Reply: As the title and synopsis for this story says, this is intended to look at how Frodo's life and eventually his leaving impacted those who'd come to love him, so it, as so many of my tales, weaves him into the heart of all even when he isn't physically present. And after thinking of Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn being brothers of the spirit for so long, I suppose it was only natural I'd want to find a possible closer tie between them. And I am so glad you find the insights moving, and that they strike a chord in you as they do.

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