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The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	16 Review(s)
PIppinfan1988	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 6/10/2006
Wonderful insight into Lord Denethor. While I have never given him great thought, your view of Denethor thinking himself "second-to-none" was spot on. And Aragorn amused by the notion of light dawning on people's faces when they recognise him as Thorongil...I, too, have wondered about that on occasion. :-) Pippinfan Author Reply: "I will not bow down to this Ranger from the North, last of a ragged house long bereft of lordship." That has always struck me as the hallmark of one so insecure he cannot bear to consider himself second to any. And I love imagining the circumstances under which Aragorn finds himself being recognized as the long-missing Thorongil, and would think he'd take a personal, at times almost sadistic delight in seeing the reactions of those who recognize him in such circumstances.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/18/2005
Lovely chapter. I am enjoying Aragorn's talks with Frodo and I loved here some of his former relationship with Denethor. IF only Frodo had been fully comforted and healed by the things that others told him. Author Reply: Aragorn is finally feeling free enough to begin revealing his history to those of the Fellowship, beginning, of course, with Frodo. I suspect he must have been terribly frustrated trying to work alongside Denethor at times. Frodo is getting some healing out of this, but when the scars are as deep as they must have been for him, how could anything this side of the Sea truly cleanse it all away?

Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/9/2005
The opening passages of this chapter are lovely. The wind in the harp strings brought back a vivid memory from years ago, when I worked in a high-rise office building. In the building’s open-air parking levels were long, flat strips of metal hanging from the ceiling. I have no idea what they were for, but if the wind blew through the building at just the right frequency they would resonate, making the strangest, unearthly sound…eerie, but also beautiful. I used to call it the music of the spheres… It’s nice to see Frodo and Aragorn spending so much time together…they usually seem to be apart in your stories! The sparring scene with Thorongil and Denethor was very intriguing…so much so that I found myself wondering if a story was in the making…then saw in your reply to a reviewer that you’re considering it! Author Reply: The music of the wind on the metal strips sounds gorgeous, and I wish I could hear it. I've stood by guy wires that would vibrate, and many were beautiful to hear, although they can sometimes sound very eerie. But I loved Gentle Hobbit's version of this in The Minstrel's Quest, and was glad she let me adapt it. Most of my stories are told after Frodo has left Middle Earth, and I, too rejoice to have them together in this one. As for the sparring and perhaps a story on the time of Thorongil within Gondor and his changing relationship with Denethor--I've truly considered it. Thanks so much for letting me know you're reading this as you can.

periantari	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/5/2005
One of the most intriguing things about this story is the multi-layered take that you give to Frodo's healing. INdeed he would feel responsible for anyone not making it in the war, questioning his lateness getting to Mordor, questioning whether or not he really failed or succeeded. To the extent that you mention a bit of history of Aragorn and about Denethor really marks you as very well read in Tolkien's work and also very detailed in everything of how and what would it take for Frodo to "accept" or not accept his fate and the circumstance. I loved the passage about the stars and the light that Frodo and Sam had. He remained unaware that the others were aware their own Lights were beginning to shine in response to Frodo’s own, and that they saw that Sam’s own Light glowed visibly as he watched from where he still sat on his own bed, clutching his own mug. Sam also really has his own light as well, and so glad you mentioned it. :) Will try to catch up but this fic is going very quickly in the number of chapters~ am enjoying this very much though. :) Author Reply: Yes, the healing of Frodo Baggins was anything but simple and straightforward; and finding peace is complicated by the fact he is not well physically, creating a vicious circle of problems each making the next worse. I've always thought of Sam as having his own Light, which has only grown stronger as he has gone on this journey with his master. Together they finished the journey, together they saw the end of the Ring, together they waited to die, together they were rescued and brought back. The end of the Ring did take all three--Frodo, Sam, and Gollum. They and Aragorn together have been the hope for the future. I've been reading Tolkien's works for over forty years, and love to explore them and extrapolate them. Tolkien indicated that Aragorn as Thorongil was aware of the growing suspicions Denethor had of him, which was part of why he left the service of Gondor when he did; the details are my own as to what might have started that suspicion. I try to post daily, or every two or three days at times; sorry if it gets ahead of you. However, am glad you are persevering.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/30/2005
I enjoyed Aragorn's memories of his relationship with Denethor. I've always felt that it was a fascinating time in the history of both men, as well as a pivotal period in the history of Gondor. I've always felt that Denethor's greatest problem was not the stress of ruling a land under grave threat from Mordor, or the Palantir addiction, or even the loss of Boromir - it was his pride, which went beyond the normal and strengthening pride seen in many of Tolkien's Men and Elves, and was over-weening to the point of hubris. (and it was hubris, as well as concern for Gondor's welfare, for Denethor to think he could not only continue to go mind-to-mind with Sauron for years, but actually gain valuable knowledge from the mind of the Deceiver) Denethor couldn't stand not being First, not being Best, not having All of the love of those he cherished or regarded as His. It's not for nothing that though Denethor in ROTK is admired, he has no friends. Denethor was, sadly, one of those people who was his own worst enemy. I think Finduilas might have helped him feel whole, and loved, and after she died, there was no balance in Denethor's life, and his descent into darkness became a lot more probable even without the Palantir. I hope Frodo and Faramir have a moment to talk, or just enjoy the sunshine as they once spoke of...And hopefully Frodo will really enjoy the King's coronation - especially since he and Sam made it possible. Author Reply: A wonderful examination of Denethor's descent, Raksha. Absolutely the full explanation of what I've felt was true of him as well. And Frodo and Faramir will have their moments, I think. As for the coronation and Frodo's reaction to it--I hope you've found out how that was handled by now. Thanks so much for the feedback, as you've added so much to what I'd tried to express. Author Reply: A wonderful examination of Denethor's descent, Raksha. Absolutely the full explanation of what I've felt was true of him as well. And Frodo and Faramir will have their moments, I think. As for the coronation and Frodo's reaction to it--I hope you've found out how that was handled by now. Thanks so much for the feedback, as you've added so much to what I'd tried to express.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/29/2005
So I was right – Frodo has figured out who Thorongil truly was! Nice little episode – you know already how I like this game! Well, although I feel a bit pity for him as well, Denethor was too proud and self-confident for his own good. It was probably good he died during the siege of Minas Tirith, for I doubt he’d have ever accepted Aragorn’s claim to the throne of Gondor, or at least not without creating a lot of difficulties. It would've been easier with Boromir, I suppose, and Faramir is the most affable of the three. I am glad Aragorn hadn't to struggle through such difficulties on top of the war and all. Author Reply: Tolkien himself indicated that perhaps, once he returned to Gondor and with the Ringlust upon him, Boromir might have experienced far more profound problems actually accepting Aragorn as Lord over him; I'm glad both were spared that problem, actually. But I find myself agreeing with you about Denethor. Aragorn himself was probably of two minds about it, still regretting what he felt ought to have been between the two of them, and glad not to face either that conflict or the total destruction of Denethor's pride now. Yes, Frodo has figured it out; and it's fun to watch others finally come to that realization as well.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/29/2005
I love this sentence: "Aragorn stood behind him now, blocking the north wind that sped their ships downstream, his dark hair whipping about his face, his own eyes smiling, one hand on the fore mast and the other on Frodo’s right shoulder." The hair blowing, the eyes smiling and Aragorn being so protective... what a wonderful image. :) Then going on there in that section as he is singing and Frodo realizes that Aragorn now has hope and the grimness that had surrounded him was gone. The king is returning and things will be renewed and Frodo played a part in that, whether he currently accepts that or not! It must have been so difficult for Aragorn to judge Beregond, of course he had done so many difficult things in his life that this was just one more, but that one always tears at my heart for some reason. (Funny how sme things do) But seeing it in your story here makes it even more so... Beregond is riding on the boat with him! The king who could sentence him to death. Very moving and with such wonderful images in it. Author Reply: I, too, can see Aragorn just that way, there behind Frodo; and I'm so glad you appreciate the image given. And it would be here, when for the moment he doesn't have any real responsibilities to perform and he can just stand, watch familiar landscape about him, and sing that the realization should be really hitting him--the worst of the labor is now behind all of them; his friends are about him; he's free for the moment; and it's time to rejoice, if just for the moment! Yet even now his role in judging Beregond's actions lies before him and he must consider it; he knows what he wishes to do and what is required of him to do, and must find the middle way to satisfy both the requirements of law and mercy. So glad you find the images moving!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/28/2005
I do enjoy the cross-fertilization that goes on between Authors. Too right, harrowcat! It's such a fun side of doing this that it completely puts me off the isolation of attempting to write for publication. I love the closeness of the relationship with the reader. And to the chapter. I do like the device of the 'foreign thought'. It makes Frodo confront his demons - and provides a stimulus for further thought. I like Aragorn with his 'eyes full of a hope'. 88 years - nearly seventy of them spent striving with nothing but hope to keep him going. It's not surprising he has learnt an amazing amount of self-discipline. And he has won - and can hope that Arwen will arrive. As well as being king and all that rather less emotional stuff. I like Legolas suggesting that he will stay - for now. And Gimli's response. And the teasing of Faralion - make him work for his knowledge! But Denethor... I can't help but feel sorry for him. He tried so hard, but he lacked Faramir's generosity of spirit and could only see a rival as a threat. I wonder how Boromir would have coped with Aragorn had he lived. Better than his father, I suspect. But he would have been more competitive than Faramir. Author Reply: I certainly agree with Boromir being more competetive than Faramir, and certainly in the book it's indicated this was true when it was commented that although Boromir had appeared to honor Aragorn so far they had not yet found themselves rivals within the bounds of Gondor itself and before her troops. I would think Aragorn was finally beginning to allow the hope he'd carried so far to finally express itself freely. No longer does Mordor stand in the way; he WILL be King of Gondor in a day's time, and the Dunedain of the North aren't going to question him being named King over them. The rest of Arnor may be questionable, and I'm going to play a bit with Rhuadar in the future, I think. Been rereading the appendices again.... And glad that all appreciate how we tend to inspire one another as much as the Master has.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/28/2005
This chapter was full of lovely moments.I especially liked your version of the Thorongil/Denethor rivalry as I could just imagine it like that. I also had a cosy image of cups of tea in the night and loved the way Aragorn is coming into his own. Thank you so much for your review of my story,my apologies for using a Hobbit name for a villain, I didn't realise it was a name at all but I must have subconciously remembered it. Author Reply: Yes, the rivalry could so easily have started with just such a situation, and this is much as it's rung in my mind for the last forty years or so. And the spicy tea in the night seemed appropriate to the four of them--Gandalf, Aragorn, Sam, and Frodo. As for Fosco being a Hobbit name, as you said, it does sound as if it could be Italian and perhaps Machiavelian. (sp?) Will read the next chapter tomorrow if I have time--have been up far too late reviewing one of my other stories when I ought to have fed the dogs, bird, cats, and gone to bed.

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/27/2005
Mercy on us...I could eat Aragorn up alive...love that bit about him sparring with Denethor. He's so complex and brooding and yet somebody I'd like to bring home to meet my mother, a bundle of joy.....g Author Reply: Ah, but I've had claims on him from the early sixties.... Shall we consider flipping a coin for it? (Searches for the doubleheaded nickel) And you take Tails, don't you? Glad that scene is found enjoyable.

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