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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 21 Review(s) |
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| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/17/2006 |
| Awesome! Your portrayal of the royal procession preparing and going into the city was fantastic. I could see them all in their shining mail and finely made surcoats, walking as one toward the gate. Faramir standing at the gate handing his rod of office over to the new king is one of my favorite parts, and I'm glad you covered that as well. :-) PF Author Reply: Oh, thank you for the kind words, Pippinfan! And I, too, have always loved the idea of Faramir's relief and proud humility at being confirmed in his family's heritage as Stewards. Am so very glad this appears to feel right to you! Thanks! | |
| Inkling | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/31/2005 |
| With the holidays now over, I can finally return to this story…I see that I have quite a ways to go to catch up! You have really outdone yourself with this chapter, Larner! This is such a beautifully imagined, carefully thought-out coronation scene…the procession, in particular, was described in such detail that I could picture it perfectly. So many lovely moments, such as Aragorn’s touch of nerves, the tender gesture of Sam and Frodo fastening each other’s cloaks, Gandalf’s trademark words of wisdom, and finally Frodo’s vision of the future king, his life now fulfilled. The theme of your story is becoming clearer to me in this chapter as well…I felt Haldorn’s remark to Aragorn to be significant, but did not quite understand it until Gandalf’s later words: ”For today rejoice in the rewards for the sacrifices already given; but be prepared for those yet be offered.” Frodo had thought, perhaps, to redeem himself by dying at Mt. Doom, and does not yet realize that living can be a sacrifice too… Best wishes for the new year! Author Reply: Glad you could find time to read, and am so glad you appreciated this chapter, which is so swiftly written by the Master. And thank you for appreciating the heart of the story, that Frodo has had to learn to indeed offer his life continuously, a sacrifice he is not aware much of the time he is making. Hope your holy days were joyful, and that the new year is good for all of us. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/18/2005 |
| Powerful. I could see the entire event and the moment when Frodo took the weight of the crown in his hands was stunning. I liked Pippin standing between Aragorn and Faramir and then the smile that Faramir gave me. Sam was wonderful in this chapter too! If I have not mentioned it before, this is a lovely story and I am enjoying it very much! Author Reply: I am so glad that you are enjoying it, Grey Wonderer. I've always wanted to see this scene extended, to see what came before and after, to examine how Frodo felt with the weight of what is now Aragorn's Crown in his hands, to see the first look shared between Pippin and Faramir, and to see Sam's reaction to it all--and at last I've had the chance to do so and to share it. Thanks so much for the appreciation shown. | |
| periantari | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/7/2005 |
| oo this chapter is so lovely~ i really liked you writing about Frodo giving the crown to Aragorn--this was the one thing the movies REALLY had wrong and i was really disappointed that they did not show FRODO giving the crown to Gandalf. :( I'm glad that your story wrote about it thought, and that Frodo did have a sense of contentment and peace for a while which i really believe he so deserves. I really liked the part in which Frodo and Sam cloak each other and really like Gandalf's quote in here: “Well, my friends, a party of princes you are indeed. And a day long desired has come. Remember this--this day is not an end of itself, for it is but a beginning of the new labors. That we must labor does not change; and it is the function of princes that they serve those those who believe themselves ruled. For today rejoice in the rewards for the sacrifices already given; but be prepared for those yet be offered. And remember, friends, that all given freely for the good is fulfilled.” His eyes lingered on Éomer, Aragorn, Sam, and finally Frodo. Then he looked back to Sam and Aragorn and added, “And it is undoubtedly fitting that at least two here are already gardeners and understand how gardens must be tended and nurtured.” So perfectly said and so true. I'm glad also that you wrote again the part about gardens needign to be tended and nurtured. :) I really liked also the last paragraph about Frodo's perceptions about Aragorn-- the description is just how i would think of Aragorn, seeing him to when he was just "Strider" to this majestic and wise King of Men. Author Reply: The movie coronation was nice, but didn't have the great depth of that in the books, and it was the greater depth I wished to reflect. I wished to show just HOW Frodo perceived the greatness of the King, for it's described fleetingly in the books; and I wished to describe it in the terms of the Light of Being as I've pictured it in my own imagination and the books--and so we see the aura of the King shining in Frodo's sight so he does see might and wisdom and the healing inherent in the hands of the King as well. As for Gandalf's small lecture--this is part of the heart of the story--that with living sacrifices the offering of self for others is an everyday occurance and is ongoing; that all that is offered freely in a true sacrifice is fulfilled, not destroyed and consumed as happened in Harad in my version of the sacrifices offered there to Sauron as depicted in "Lesser Ring." Frodo is having to learn not only to appreciate the love the Creator has for him, but how to continue to live that he remains that "living sacrifice"--something Aragorn has been trained in by his foster family since childhood. Aragorn is the conscious hope--Sam and Frodo the unconscious ones. Am so glad you appreciate the intent and symbology of this chapter. | |
| Lily | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/31/2005 |
| Merry, my friend, you look magnificent!” It's not without reason that Merry is called the Magnificent. This chapter makes me feel very proud of the hobbits - including the Gaffer. Author Reply: Ah, indeed, Lily! And Merry has been magnificent as well as looking it! (And I couldn't help but write this considering Billy Boyd's laughter about who looked the sexiest in his uniform, you know. And all of the Hobbits are worthy of praise, including the Gaffer for raising such a fine son and giving him so much source material for his growing wisdom. So glad you enjoyed this one, Lily. | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/31/2005 |
| Great chapter on the crowning of the king. Your discription of how they all all spruced up for the occassion, was great. Hardorn saying that Halbarad would be watching with pride. I had to laugh at Aragorn's saying that Minas Tirith was rather pretty. Author Reply: I think all who'd loved Aragorn who'd passed over the River would be watching in joy and pride that day, and watching all involved, even the most silent of the three sons of Halbaleg (in my version of the story, at least). And am so glad you appreciated the details, including the one that got Frodo to laugh. Thanks so much for the feedback. | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/31/2005 |
| Great chapter on the crowning of the king. Your discription of how they all all spruced up for the occassion, was great. Hardorn saying that Halbarad would be watching with pride. I had to laugh at Aragorn's saying that Minas Tirith was rather pretty. Author Reply: Ooh, another one I missed somehow. Yes, this is the day to appear in bright apparel and for all to rejoice and appear at their best. And I think that Aragorn would wish for Frodo to be able to laugh again, and with this understatement he was able to get at least one out of him. So glad you keep giving me indications of what I do right! | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/30/2005 |
| Very well done and particularly moving. To see Aragorn's conflicts and mixed emotions as he took up the crown seemed so very real. It was something he did not want and yet he had to, for the sake of his people, to fulfil his heritage and of course to marry Arwen. Duty of that sort can be such a burden and yet because he was surrounded by people whom he loved and who loved him, the burden was eased. Aragorn's comment that his own hope might not be fulfilled was interesting. Do you think that he really thought Elrond would not bring Arwen or was it just fear at that moment? You might bring that up later so maybe I shouldn't be asking! :) But Hardorn's answer was so right... as was Aragorn's comment about not wanting to resent those he was ruling. All very good. Again very good visuals of them and how they were dressed. You do a wonderful job of that. I need to work on that aspect of my story - I finished my chapter and sent off to a beta this morning so it should be out soon! :) I've had a tough time with some parts of it. :( Author Reply: For a mortal, there are no guarantees. Will tomorrow come, or will I find myself standing before God when I become aware? Aragorn is eighty-eight years old now, and he's had far too much chance to appreciate just how fragile our lives can be. Arwen should be coming to him; but he has to know there were attacks on the northern fastnesses, and that Arwen was as vulnerable as her mother when the orcs took her and gave her a poisoned wound. And even if she comes--Isildur and his sons and companions ought to have been relatively safe returning to Imladris to recover Valandil and his mother--and look what happened to them! I'd think he'd be all too aware of everything that could possibly go wrong at this point. Yes, he's done his part; but who knows what may be happening outside his immediate sphere of influence.... And am so glad that you appreciate the visual descriptions. I, too, am looking forward to your next chapter. | |
| Gentle Hobbit | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/30/2005 |
| Oh I *do* like this chapter! And the others. At last I have had a chance to read this story. But I think this chapter is my favourite. There were touches and observations that struck true, including this one: "Frodo heard, echoing in his mind, 'To bear a ring of power is to be alone.' Aragorn was looking into his face, and for a moment each knew the other understood far too well what that sentiment meant." The idea of being held within a crystal, and its breaking (or not) for both Frodo and Aragorn, was a powerful one. And I have enjoyed seeing what you have done with "your" minstrel, Faralion, and how you reworked my wind harp sequence... especially with the extra descriptions of the wind in the rigging, and the wind chimes that Faralion gave Frodo. Lovely! Author Reply: Yes, the moment of truth as the long-hoped for time comes and one can't quite believe it, and finds oneself feeling disassociated from it. I've felt this way a time or two in my own life, and had to push through it to get done what needed facing. Frodo's crystal shattered, or so he feels; or perhaps he's really only now truly held in it. But Aragorn will go through the feeling to what is to come, because that's what he's been prepared to do all his life and what needs to be done. And am so glad you liked what I did with your harp vibrating in the wind. The image of that from your story has just stayed with me, and I felt needed to be included here. Thanks so much for the permission to add to it. | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/30/2005 |
| Very lovely. Like taking a thumbnail sketch and turning it into an oil painting, the coronation seems here! Wonderful detailed descriptions and fleshing out. Really human and touching. Author Reply: I love that description, Armariel. Yes, Tolkien did leave us with a number of thumbnail sketches, and it's always a delight to flesh them out. Glad that you appreciate how I did it here. Thanks so very much for the response. | |