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Moments in Time by Larner	10 Review(s)
Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/10/2009
I am like poor dear Benlo - trying to keep the tears from falling. This was EXQUISITE - one thing I must ask - has it been ever nominated for the MEFA - if not, I would be most honored if you would allow me to nominate it this year. A blessing of a tale - one of the best I've ever read. Their were so many pieces/parts that touched me - I cried when I felt Benlo's esteem change and grow... and when I heard of what Frodo did - and then the signing of the book... all beautiful moments... But mostly - I love the fact that Benlo thought Frodo had been scoured... hwo fitting... the Scouring of the Shire and of its noblest Hobbit.... goes away to weep quietly Author Reply: Yes, this was nominated last year, I think, for a MEFA. I am so honored it moves you so, Agape. I find I rather like Benlo. The best of what Bracegirdles ought to be, I think. And, yes, Frodo was as scoured in the end as the Shire itself. Thank you so, Agape.

AspenJules	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/13/2006
Oh Larner... why do you make me cry so often?!? I'd read elsewhere, I suppose in one of your other stories, about Frodo striking himself from the Book of Baggins, but this is the first time I've actually read this. How very very sad that he felt it necessary, but I'm glad I know he healed (from reading Reunion), and was able to accept being reinstated. A very good story, even if it made my eyes leak and my nose run... LOL. Author Reply: Frodo having stricken himself from the Book of Baggins was mentioned in "Reunion," and that bit was written in, of course, in reference to this story. This was one of the sad ones that hit me one night, and so I found myself writing it in response to the promptings of the miniature nuzgul I found hiding behind the statue of Isildur on the shelf on which I keep my main Tolkien collection.

naiad	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/22/2006
What a well-told and tragic (yet imaginable) tale! My heart breaks (again) for Frodo. In awe of your deft rendering of the characters and affairs of Hobbiton. As always, thanks~ Author Reply: Thank you for appreciating this one. It's one that fits with my other stories, of course, but then that's true of all of them as time goes on. I can see Frodo getting so depressed at one point that, no longer considering physical suicide, he still might be moved to such actions as these. And that those who loved him would want to set things right for him just seemed so logical. Maybe those who attended the Free Fair that year thought the ratification of Frodo's status was a joke of sorts, but I think it would have been something Sam would want seen done.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/3/2006
Oh, Larner, this brought me to tears! I want to shout, "How could he? How could he do something so drastic, so foolish, so unjust?" But I know why, and when I think of the reasons for Frodo's horrible act, even while I believe it was a mistake on his part, pity overwhelms the feeling akin to anger. Very poignant and terribly imaginable. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I can see Frodo doing this, and also grieve that in my vision of the blank spaces he felt impelled to do such a thing. But I do believe that by the time Fosco and Forsythia were of an age to set things right he was healed enough to be aware he did a foolish thing indeed. And I like to think that the Shire would eventually formally recognize the ennoblement of Frodo, even if most had no idea what it meant. If he was gone, then what would they care what happened to his memory? So glad you see this as a possibility.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/22/2005
This was such a painful and sad story to read, to think of Frodo feeling that much self-hatred that he would strike himself out of the Book of Baggins. Poor, poor Frodo! I really hope that when he is restored to the book, he has recovered enough in the West to be pleased. A great wrong has been righted and he is loved by so many. A terrific story, Larner. mops keyboard Author Reply: In my "universe" Frodo is pretty much restored to equilibrium before Bilbo leaves Arda, sometime in the spring of 1422, and that he had been experiencing the gift of healing from the moment he took ship at the Harbor of Mithlond, although as I've envisioned in The Choice of Healing even then not all was easy for him. But I think anyone in Frodo's position and condition would have found that their faults, including the fault of self-criticism, would have been magnified by the possession of and by the Ring awakened over such an intense period. I just rejoice that the gift of healing was given him, and am certain he was himself restored by the time Fosco and Forsythia came of age to right the wrong properly. I also tend to envision him realizing that some small burden had been lifted from him on the day he was restored to the Book of Baggins, even if he had no idea what was happening back in the mortal lands. What was more indicative of his true nature, however, was that Frodo never imagined striking Lotho from the Book of Baggins--that even after Lotho's betrayal of the Shire and eventual murder he would not forbid him the ties of family which mean so much to Hobbits.

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/21/2005
How poignant..........Frodo should really think better of himself, what? Well, maybe not as much as he deserves or he'd be insufferable, but......but........well, you KNOW what I mean!! Author Reply: Tolkien wrote that Frodo both over- and underestimated himself before he quitted Middle Earth, and so I tend to look at how he did the latter. He was definitely his own worst critic, which was anything but fair, of course. I am glad you found it poignant. And thanks for both reading it and responding. I so love your work.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/21/2005
Oh my! He struck himself out of the family book? The feeling of guilt must have been overwhelming! But he really was a hero. No-one else could have accomplished what he did. And when Fosco and his sister think the time is right to restore his name with all his titles in the book, then I think Frodo is finally in peace and the feeling of guilt has gone. I really hope so! And I'm glad there's friendship again between the Bagginses and the Bracegirdles. Author Reply: The Bracegirdles had their faults, but I don't think they were all bad. That one of them should come to respect Frodo and to feel empathy for him I felt ought to be explored. And I certainly hope Frodo's unrealistic feelings of guilt was relieved once he accepted the gift of healing offered him. Thanks for the feedback.

Julie	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/21/2005
Beautifully written!! I've enjoyed this "series" you've created and this fits in perfectly. This was quite an emotional piece, especially with Frodo striking himself out of his family's book. I love the concept of the family book as well, it is reminiscient of family trees being recorded in the cover of Bibles, etc. Obsessed as the hobbits are with geneaology, I can easily picture them keeping a book of this sort. I noticed one small accidental error, however. At the end in The Book of Bagginses, you list Bilbo's parents as Drogo and Belladonna. Bilbo's parents were Bungo and Belladonna. I eagerly await more tales! Author Reply: That's what I get for finishing up a story so late at night. I'd been good at putting Bungo in there right up until the end of the story, and then I screwed it up. I also noted I'd put Aunt Dora at the final ceremony when I'd meant to reference sister Daisy. Thanks for the heads up, and I believe I have the errors corrected now. As for the Family Books--like you I'd thought each family would keep their own bits of genealogy in such a fashion; and I'll admit I was partly inspired by the thought of the Thain adding and striking folk to Old Yellowskin as described in other works I've read here and elsewhere, including Lindelea's works as well as certain others--I'm sorry--can't remember all the authors. I just imagine Frodo in one of his fits of depression and illness one night trying to do psychologically what he'd not done physically--a sort of figurative self-execution, if you will.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/20/2005
Oh my! sniffle. What a sad and perfect addition to your universe. Author Reply: Am so glad it moved you, Dreamflower. I am honored, and honored you appreciate my universe. Thanks.

lindahoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/20/2005
Poor Frodo to have so much to deal with when he felt so ill and to strike himself from the book !You portray his suffering well. Author Reply: Thank you for the feedback, Lindahoyland. I suspect that the two years in the Shire would have been quite mixed for Frodo, sometimes doing well, sometimes and increasingly feeling weakened and depressed, and at times hating himself while at others hating everyone else, and the rest of the time horrified to find he was capable of such hatred toward anyone.

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