Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	16 Review(s)
Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 3/5/2007
A very sensitive and insightful look at letting go, with its subtle parallel to Frodo’s feelings of guilt and foreshadowing of his later choices. Your characters are always so well drawn, even the minor ones. Author Reply: Thank you so very uch, Inkling. I had wondered what those who had come to aid Denethor and brought him the torch, and the grief and guilt they might feel afterward; that seeing the ending of one of these coming with peace I felt might indeed aid Frodo as he faces his own future and the choices before him. So glad you're able to continue reading.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 12/1/2005
(Elf and King looked at one another, then exchanged looks with Eldamir. Aragorn closed his eyes and shook his head. “Feelings of guilt can destroy so much of one’s spirit,” he said quietly. Knowing from personal experience just how true this statement was, Frodo simply nodded.) I like the way you've hooked this poor man's grief with Frodo's feelings. When the man choses to die it makes Frodo's situation seem all the more bleak and yet speaks to Frodo's strength that he tried for as long as he did. I loved Sam's surprise when Pippin stayed as guard outside. Pippin is doing a wonderful job and I like his pride in his duty. Author Reply: Yes, Frodo is learning to live, and that there is a right time and a wrong time to let go. And, yes, Pippin knows his duty.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/15/2005
“Feelings of guilt can destroy so much of one’s spirit,” he said quietly. Knowing from personal experience just how true this statement was, Frodo simply nodded. This simple gesture tells more than any words! Frodo knows far too well, what Aragorn is talking about. In fact it's his daily experience! Aragorn not only helped the old soldier to pass in peace, his calling for Faramir and Faramir's forgiveness might help Frodo a good deal to cope with his own feeling of guilt - or so I hope. This chapter was really moving! Author Reply: Yes, the calling for Faramir to show Halargil he was forgiven for what he'd done was done as much for Frodo as for the dying guardsman. It may take time for Frodo to fully appreciate the significance of this toward himself, but the lesson is there in a part of his mind, waiting for his emotional understanding to catch up with his intellectual understanding. I rejoice you found it moving.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/15/2005
High praise for Pippin - but he deserves it. It is difficult to imagine his own people at home will not see him as mature for some years! Frodo was very sweet with Avrieth. He is truly good at comforting people. (And I seem to remember that name ;)) But the rest was simply sad. Even although I don't know Halargil at all, I ended up in tears at the end of the chapter. You're describing these intense emotional parts so well that I feel as if I were there. It was very touching and I was so glad the poor man was more at ease in the end and could die in peace. But I'm not so happy with Denethor - obviously this brainstorm was at least partly his fault. Another reason not to like him. Author Reply: This is a different Avrieth than the Northern Dunedain lady who ends up caring for Arwen's children after Elise marries Ruvemir (or at least I think she is), but glad you remembered the name! Heh! Yes, Pippin deserves the praise for doing well in his new post, and he deserves to hear it now and then. Frodo has begun showing himself able to help people, to comfort them and inspire them with the hope he often can't find for himself; and am glad he was there for the young maidservant. As for blaming Denethor--you'd do better to blame Sauron--Sauron finally managed to bring Denethor to his knees in despair to horribly destructive levels. No, Denethor was not a particularly nice man at the end of his life, but the dignity and dedication to his people were still discernible to Pippin when he swore fealty to him.

TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/14/2005
That was well done. Clinically it was quite realistic, more so because you wrote their knowledge of stroke and pneumonia as limited. You created a quietly somber mood that made the old soldier's passing very poignant. Considering the way you ended it, I wonder if the next chapter will address the effect of the soldier's death on Aragorn, Elladan and Frodo. Author Reply: Thank you for the evaluation. I wrote basing the symptoms on the stroke my own mother had when she was still quite young. I had to have been nineteen or twenty, and I was born just before her twenty-fifth birthday, so she must have been only forty-five, now I think on it. An accident caused it, when a blood clot from her arm broke loose and hit the brain. Long, complicated story. It's taken a long time to appreciate what causes strokes, but their effects have been documented long enough. That this man lasted as long as he did speaks of the expertise of those who worked in the Houses of Healing; but that he didn't get immediate physical therapy speaks of their lack of appreciation that some connections within the brain can be maintained and even possibly restored as long as the body is kept busy and the muscles stimulated. That I managed to evoke precisely the mood I'd been aiming for I find reassuring, and I'm glad you appreciated it. The next chapter, which is up now, does touch on its effects on at least Frodo and Aragorn, but Aragorn wants to give Frodo much to think on this night to help draw him from brooding. Hope it gives you a chuckle or two.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/14/2005
This was a wonderfully touching look at the way a great healer must sometimes accept that it is better to allow a patient to go. When I worked in veterinary medicine there were many people who would not consent to let go of their pets, even when it was clear that the animal was ready to go. I have always tried to be aware of this and allow my loved ones (both human and animal) to go when they are ready. In many cases it becomes obvious that death truly is the Gift of Iluvatar. I hope Frodo can learn something of the nature of guilt and can allow himself to let go of some of his own. And I am glad Faramir was able to reassure Halargil that he did not hold him responsible, and to promise that he would look after his widow. Author Reply: Thank you for the kind words; and the number who found parallels to their own experiences has been startling--I certainly have been able to tie it to my own life and the decision to allow the doctors to not resucitate my mother after the last devastating stroke she experienced. Frodo has learned, at the same time he still clings to his own guilt emotionally. The intellectual mind and emotional minds don't always move at the same speed after all. And I think that Faramir would do precisely this, recognizing how Sauron's will at the end not only brought his father's great will crashing down, but how close he came also to dying of despair before the King in hope called him back.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/14/2005
Poor Halargil. I'm glad that they are able to accept that sometimes the desire to fight should be curbed. And I'm very impressed that Frodo can tell Elladan from Elrohir - I imagine he is seeing something below the surface that isn't apparent to everyone. I imagine they all needed Sam by the end, though. Author Reply: Oh, Frodo is most discerning, after all, and is more responsive to barely perceived details than many others, I suspect--undoubtedly moreso than he yet realizes. And letting one go who is ready is difficult, but often necessary. As for Sam--how often he is the healing after the struggle. It's part of his function as the part of the hope he embodies, I think.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/14/2005
I am so glad that Sam was there to welcome them back. And I am so proud of Pippin! You made me cry with this Larner. I am soo late for work and I am not even dressed yet! But I couldn't not read this immediately! Author Reply: Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but Monday mornings after my three nights of working are often times I only wish to crash for hours, and that's what I did yesterday. I, too, am glad Sam was there for the three of them who'd attended on Halargil, and am equally proud of Pippin, as is Frodo as you'll see as you read today's chapter. Hope this doesn't also make you late for work! Heh!

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/14/2005
I'm not even sure how to review this chapter. It was so incredibly moving and sad and yet also full of grace and peace and forgiveness. I never had thought about the poor man whose torch had been used to light the fire and the guilt he would have felt later. How wonderful for him to have that forgiveness at the end and to have peace when he left knowing that his wife was going to be in the very best of care and protection. Frodo knowing how guilt could harm the spirit and effect the healing process struck me and just him being there in the house and his gentle presence just seemed to add to the soothing presence that you would expect to get from Aragorn and Elladan. Of course, their compassion as they worked together was obvious and you could also tell that they had worked together many times. Anyway, it was a very touching chapter and it brought tears to my eyes. Very well done, Larner. Author Reply: Frodo is still learning that his presence is healing in and of itself, and Aragorn asks him formally to continue assisting him in today's chapter. I'd often wondered what happened to the ones who answered Denethor's call for torches, how once the Shadow was lifted they'd feel about their blind obedience. This was what came out. And Frodo sees acted out reality about forgiveness and self-forgiveness that has relevance to himself and that hopefully in time he will accept for himself emotionally as well as physically. I am proud this chapter moved so many so well.

treymaine	Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/13/2005
Very beautifuly done. I had tears in my eyes with this very poignant chaper. Well written as always. Author Reply: I am pleased this chapter has obviously moved as many as it did. Thank you so much for letting me know how much it affected you.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List