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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 12 Review(s) |
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| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/17/2005 |
| How absurdly easy it was, he realized, to touch that power, to accept it--so much easier than to bear with the power the Ring had contained. (what a relief, for the reader as well as the hobbit!) Lots of Frodo-healing going on here, it seems. So many tantalising bits... The voice that argues with Frodo--really looking forward to finding out what/who it is. The letter Aragorn was reading... Author Reply: For a time after reaching Minas Tirith he doesn't appear to hear the voice, but then.... So glad you're enjoying it. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/16/2005 |
| They all must have had so very many responsibilities during all of this and Aragron must have felt pulled in all directions what with his friends injured and all of the soldiers that needed his help. It is a wonder that he did not take seriously ill during it all. Author Reply: True, if anyone deserved some down time, it had to be Aragorn. He has to try to prepare for when he becomes King; he has to oversee the running of this camp and the camp for the enemy wounded as well; he is active with the healers and with the lords of the realm and has to begin getting the folk of Gondor and Arnor cooperating; he has to meet with scouts about what's going on around the kingdoms that might pose a threat; he has to try to communicate with other forces involved in battling the Enemy's forces to try to see how many have survived; and he has his close companions to care for as well. Very busy, responsible Man, Aragorn son of Arathorn. But he handled it so WELL! | |
| periantari | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/28/2005 |
| Not protecting his fellows? What have you done but protect others for much of the past year? Was that not why you left the Shire--to bring the danger of the Ring out of it, to draw the danger after yourself? Is that not why you proclaimed, “I shall take It!” at the Council, to protect the others from Its danger? That is the reason why i love Frodo so much... so much sacrifice for him... I love the bit about Frodo drawing comfort from Aragorn's jewel--very nice detail/concept. Author Reply: It's the reason so many of us love Frodo so much, Periantri. And I think that after fighting off the Ring for so long touching on the power of the Elessar stone would be a piece of cake. Glad to see you back following the story. Your comments are always insightful. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/25/2005 |
| The nightmares and the fears that he has will go on for a long time. The things on the inside are always the longest and the hardest to heal, especially as Frodo has to deal with his guilt that he feels. Interesting to see how he responds to the Elessar stone. I just recently read about how the Elessar stone enhanced the healing gifts and ruling gifts, etc. I had not realized that before and now some things are falling into place for me about Aragorn's healing abilities. I wish I had known it earlier, oh well, there are other stories to write! (If I can get through these last couple of chapters in my current one!) Author Reply: Oh, I'm waiting on tenterhooks for the next chapter of yours, of course. I was fascinated when I read the part of Unfinished Tales about the Elessar Stone, and had to look at how Frodo would react to it after having come so close to having been subsumed by the Ring. That he'd have begun to realize he might draw on its power seemed an interesting premise to explore. And I think that Aragorn has been learning to draw on it himself as he's worn it through the Paths of the Dead and worked with the injured in the wake of the battle of the Pelennor as well as that before the Black Gate. So glad you are enjoyint this story. | |
| TithenFeredir | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/23/2005 |
| How interesting that Frodo could draw power from the stone. Is that because of his exposure to the ring? I really like it that he has an internal voice countering some of his negative thoughts. ~TF Author Reply: I suspect that the long exposure to the Ring has allowed Frodo to access the Elessar stone when he senses it near him. Right now he uses it if Aragorn is present and he sees it; that may change as his own spirit strengthens. And Frodo needs feedback to counter his negative thoughts, not that he always listens to it, at least not now; but how that will continue in the future is never certain. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/23/2005 |
| Gandalf ran his hand over Frodo’s exposed forehead, then looked with surprise at King and Elf. “He’s responding to the power of the Elessar stone, Aragorn. He himself is keeping the memories, dreams, and pain at bay--for the moment. Frodo is stronger than he thinks! Even Gandalf is surprised. Maybe Frodo is beginning to accept, what the voice in his mind tells him. I really hope so. Author Reply: He's starting to accept it; I only hope he continues to do so. He's a stubborn Baggins, after all! Thanks so much for the feedback. | |
| Lily | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/23/2005 |
| A very intersting thought that Aragorn's stone would bring healing with it. Perhaps that was also one of the reasons why Queen Arwen gave her gem to Frodo? It's amazing how you capture these dark moments and give the time at Cormallen so much more depth. I also like the idea that Frodo would not accept healing, especially when drawn to the tower of Cirth Ungol. He never talked about his experiences there, not even to Sam. I'm very curious where you will lead it from here. Will Aragorn find out? Or Gandalf perhaps? Author Reply: The Elessar stone, according to Tolkien's Unfinished Tales, was a stone of power in its own right, also Elven wrought; and apparently the star gem is something similar, as it allows the wearer at least partial control over symptoms of depression and possibly pain and worry. The Elessar was created to allow the one wielding its power to heal and renew; and Galadriel wore it until she received the Ring Nenya, at which time she gave the stone to her daughter Celebrian. Celebrian gave it to her daughter Arwen Undomiel, who, as she left Lothlorien on her last visit there to stay with her grandparents, left it with her grandmother to be given to Aragorn in token that Galadriel at least accepted the betrothal between the two of them. And so it was that Aragorn was given the stone's own name in Gondor; apparently its story was already a part of the nation's legendarium. It's been a while since I read Unfinished Tales, and I think that this was a remake of an even more powerful Elessar stone wrought in Aman itself, but don't quote me on that. Ah, dear, another reason for a reread! Because Arwen had been gifted with both the Elessar stone and the star gem pendant, I decided she also must have inherited the healing skills that ran through the lines of the children of Earendil and Elwing; and her own gifts of healing must in some way be unique that she would be gifted with two such gems, gems which in turn she gave to mortals to enhance their own gifts and, in Frodo's case, to aid in the easing of the pain he experienced. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/23/2005 |
| Poor Frodo, to be plagued by so horrible dreams! You know, sometimes I want a way to punish or even torture the ring for all he did to Frodo, to Boromir and all the others! Anyway, wonderful chapter, and interesting how Frodo argues with his own reason, knowing obviously the truth, but not able to accept it yet. And I am glad Aragorn is not alone but has his brothers there to look after him and to lighten the sorrow and pressure who burden him a bit. Author Reply: Yes, the Ring was terribly destructive, which, of course, is the reason it needed to be destroyed. To do what it did to Frodo, and earlier to Smeagol, was unconscionable, but was precisely what Sauron intended to do with it. He put into it the means to twist good to evil, joy to pain, delight to horror; and its will in the end was Sauron's own. And glad you appreciate how Frodo has his internal debates. We are our own worst enemies far too much of the time. And, yes, Aragorn needs his brothers with him right now, for one who is so responsible would be wearing himself out trying to heal everyone if left by himself. At least he knows now that if someone does die it isn't because he didn't give enough care. Thanks so much for the feedback, | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/23/2005 |
| Frodo being able to draw on the power of the Elessar stone independently is wonderful and shows how strong he really has become. Now was it channelling his own power, it's own power or drawing from Aragorn? And, wow, what a response to my last review! I make a comment and get an essay. Thank you so much for taking the time and caring. Unfortunately the double amputation resulted from pressure sores acquired in hospital due to poor nursing care after a fall and a broken leg! I honestly do not understand how she survived the trauma but she is an amazing lady and so cheerful 90% of the time. She is currently in hospital again with another ulcer acquired from sitting too long. She has now been on bed rest for five months and the end is not in sight but the ulcer is very much better and it is heading in the right direction. At least we got to take the new black fluff ball in to see her on her birthday! Any good thoughts or prayers that you have to spare please! I would have e.mailed this to you separately Larner but I seem to have mislaid the address. Please feel free to edit or delete this review if it is inappropriate. Author Reply: I'll send a separate note tomorrow evening to let you have my email again, as I have to leave for my night job shortly. Poor nursing, is it? How appalling. Have had several friends who were diabetic with one or more amputations, which is the basis of my assumption. Accidents are the second cause of such things in noncombatants, of course; but your mother's case is one of those that leads to attempts to clean up the medical profession. Glad the fluffball got to go see her. Hug both for me, and my prayers are going her way. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/22/2005 |
| Poor Frodo,nightmares are just horrible and his more horrible than most !I like the way that Aragorn is there and how the power of the Elessar combats the baleful influence of the Ring. Author Reply: Even after its destruction the echoes of its evil still torment Frodo; but between Aragorn and the Elessar stone he has some recourse for relief. Glad you like the way this is working together. Am looking forward to seeing how Faramir sneaks Aragorn out of there, you know. | |