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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 17 Review(s) |
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| Inkling | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 3/29/2007 |
| Very astute of Frodo to see that Angrapain was more drunk than he appeared. Not that that excuses him... Author Reply: I suspect that after fifty years of life Frodo has a far better understanding of how many folk can express drunkenness than many men half his age, and would recognize it, and I suspect that the effect of the Morgul blade enhanced the sense of smell as well as vision and hearing as described by Tolkien. No, it doesn't excuse him; but it does perhaps mitigate the situation. | |
| storyfish | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 9/8/2006 |
| Yaaaay Frodo! This was an exciting chapter--I went from biting my nails anxiously as Angrapain plotted his revenge to cheers as Frodo (yet again!) showed hidden talents. (Fisticuffs! Who knew? And why am I somehow not surprised??) I especially loved his reaction--so very Frodo--apologizing for hitting the man twice! Of course, I suspect he was mildly in shock at that point.....but still. This story is definitely picking up speed, I think--the last few chapters were filled with moments I'll remember for a long time--from Frodo's examination of Pippin's back, to the discussion of his and Sam's titles that will bring a pestilence of hobbits back to Gondor for generations... ;-) Great job! Author Reply: So glad you approve! I'd written the idea that Frodo had learned while still a tween to use his fists, but had been sworn not to use them more than he needed to to stop someone from beating up on others in my very first story, "For Eyes to See as Can," and it has continued in my other stories, most especially in "The Ties of Family" where he passes on his skill to his much younger cousin Fosco, who uses it to great effect when a Bracegirdle tries to force an unwanted marriage. So far in my stories I've not indicated how Aragorn ever became aware of this hidden talent in Frodo, who probably wouldn't have seen it as particularly useful against Black Riders and orcs; and here I found a perfect means of doing so. Angrapain is a true pain in the patoot, of course, and deserved this and more. But to have received his initial comeuppance from a creature only have his height whom he'd assumed to be very vulnerable--that must have been quite a shock. And you're right about Frodo's reaction--very Frodo, and a Frodo in shock. Thanks so much for the response! | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 1/3/2006 |
| I do love that Frodo is getting a hero's attention for something other than the Ring this time. I was glad to see that when everyone rallied around him none of them treated him as if he were ill but all of them talked of how he had protected himself before. Excellent! Author Reply: Yes, Frodo has shown he isn't just a vulnerable scholar, but has his own capabilities, and all must respect that and be glad at another aspect of his personality revealed. They are finding he is far more accomplished than they'd thought in the last few days. It's always fun allowing a character to show they have more to them than folks had imagined. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 11/21/2005 |
| Ah, Frodo feels guilty even for protecting himself! Or, I suppose for breaking his promise to his cousin, perhaps both. But he shouldn't be sorry for punching that horrible man... but I suppose even in the best of circumstances he might be apologizing, people say the strangest things in stressful situations. But then he was even trying to let the man off the hook by blaming it on the fact that he was drunk. Poor Frodo. And Aragorn keeping his fury under control and tending to Angrapain. I don't know how is able to do thinks like that. I know it's his healer side taking over and his long life experience and his sense of justice, etc, but when it's a precious friend of yours that's been hurt, it must be so hard for him to do. Loved how Gimli wanted to immediately just go and take him out - so in character for him. :) Author Reply: Yes, the pacifist Frodo has had to actually use TWO blows; Aragorn's contradictory instincts as protector and healer are at war, but the healer wins (although I think he's just as glad to let his brother take over here), and Gimli is straight Gimli, wanting to avenge the insult given. So glad you approve! Thanks for the response! | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 11/20/2005 |
| Frodo has impressed Aragorn with his talents, he can defend himself. I loved the part about hobbits and the finding of mushrooms, that Bilbo had been the same way. Author Reply: Glad you appreciate that detail of Hobbits tending to try to remain somewhat secretive about finds of edible mushrooms, and that Bilbo tended to be the same way. I think Aragorn would find Frodo's behavior reassuring here. And yes, it is time Aragorn realized that Frodo isn't totally helpless and dependent. Thanks so much for the review. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 11/19/2005 |
| I'm glad to hear that those unwelcome guests are leaving !It is good that Frodo can surprise Aragorn still ! Author Reply: Yes, those from Umbar will shortly be sent home, save for one or two who have proven less than decent and who have broken local law. And I doubt Wasnior or much of the rest of Umbar will be sorry when Angrapain doesn't come home again. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 11/19/2005 |
| It is a delight to see that the hobbits have their priorities in the right order - mushrooms! Nice to know that they remain so hobbity at heart. I suppose Aragorn has never really thought of Frodo having to defend himself in the Shire. I like to see Frodo portrayed as strong and determined - he would never have made it to Mordor otherwise but so often in some fan fiction he is written as a totally pathetic creature, incapable of defending himself. Oddly enough my next story will feature Frodo having to give someone a bit of a smack, and that particular Nuzgul took up residence in the dog basket months ago! I'm sure a period of time cooling his heels in the prison will do Angrapain the world of good. Author Reply: Your nuzgul was taking up residence in the dog basket? Wonderful! My latest is rummaging in the jewel box, and have a plot bunny who snitched a diamond and an emerald and is trying to figure out which to wear.... I've always thought Frodo had been able to use a punch--first wrote it into For Eyes to See as Can, after all. But only now is he in a situation where he can properly use it since he began the quest. And am glad others, also, want to see him as capable. Look forward to seeing the story when it comes. And of course mushrooms are a priority, you know.... | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 11/19/2005 |
| Well - if ever a slimeball deserved the Frodo punch, Agrapain is it! And I think two punches are fair enough to bring him down to size. The Umbar deputation isn't making many friends. Not unless they are throwing money at some of their spies - and even then their loyalty is going to be debatable. Although Agrapain's blackmailing techniques might have kept some on their side. For the time being. The other deputations seem a good deal more welcome - not surprising really. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them. Author Reply: I hope to show some of them. In the appendices it says Erebor and Dale sent deputations to Aragorn's coronation--so I twisted things a bit and had them arrive a bit late. And I think they'd be a far sight more welcome than those from Umbar. And I think those from Umbar will be glad to escape with their lives--I think they've realized their dignity has been stripped from them now! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 11/19/2005 |
| Frodo is much more noble than I ever could be. Honestly, to apologize because he had to hit twice to bring Angrapain down! *shakes head* I’d say Merimac would be very proud of him if he knew of this. The promise to strike only once was meant to be used for punches against hobbits, after all! And then to excuse Angrapain’s bad behaviour with his drunkness, that is something I disagree with Frodo. It’s not as someone had forced Angrapain to drink in the first place, isn’t it? Pippin was quite brave to remain on duty instead of rushing to gather the mushrooms! And Aragorn noticed it. Good. I hope he is properly impressed. *grin* His use of the mushroom soup to lure the hobbits to dinner was wicked – he knows them all too well! Nice idea to have some visitors from Erebor, Dale and Mirkwood there, too. That is something Tolkien had overlooked. Another good idea was to use Rohirric speaking guards for Angrapain and have him isolated this way. Now I truly look forward to this audience for the Umbaris – and I wonder what Wasnior will say when he meets Angrapain again. The Dúnedain guard made it quite clear they will be thrown out of Gondor the following day, didn’t he? Author Reply: Actually the deputations from Erebor and Dale were described by Tolkien in the depths of the Appendices, so I had to find a way of slipping them in, so I cheated, I suppose, and had them arrive a bit late. Oh, well--he certainly didn't describe them in the story proper, did he? As for Frodo--again his standards for himself are unrealistic, and at the same time he recognizes that Angrapain was under the influence. Even if he was doing it to himself, still the perverted sot wasn't completely in control. Now, I'd still give him the consequences of his actions fully, but then I've helped too many recover from addiction. But, I'm not Frodo. I think the primary intent is to remove Frodo from the chance of becoming the target of any more unwanted contact with the Umbarians, but the mushroom soup is indeed a good lure. And I, too, think Mac would have been proud that day of his cousin. Thanks so much for the comments. | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 11/19/2005 |
| SORRY???????? Isn't that like apologizing to the Japanese for Pearl Harbor??? Eek!!!! Well, I might have known *some* of us would try to take all the fun out of hating that pervy hobbit-fancier and imagining gruesome fates for him by analyzing the heck out of him and making us feel sorry for him....lol Well, if he just had a thing for Frodo and kept it to himself, or confided it to someone but refrained from making advances on the object of his desires, THEN I would feel sorry for him, but...but......ahh, screw political correctness anyway, haha.... Glad the hobbits got those mushrooms anyway! Can almost smell the soup! I must be hungry or something....... ~~~{~@ Author Reply: Remember, it IS Frodo who's apologizing here. He would do something like that where few others would do so--I certainly wouldn't! And, drunk or not, abused himself or not in his past, still it is in the here and now that this fool has made his offenses, and he deserves what he gets from Aragorn, I think, although that chapter is still a few away. And I was just eating mushrooms with my roast left over from the other night. I know what you mean about perhaps being hungry! Heh! | |