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The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	13 Review(s)
Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 4/1/2007
Loved Aragorn looking in on everyone in bed. What a good dad he'll make! Poor Frodo...to be a helpless patient again, so soon after his impressive fisticuffs! Author Reply: I based Frodo's rocky steps to healing on my husband's experiences in his last two years--a step or two forward, two or three back, and one sideways seemed to be typical for him. And I agree, Aragorn is a good paternal figure, for his family, his friends, and now his nation. I'm proud of him!

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 2/23/2006
I do feel so sorry for poor Frodo and in this chapter for everyone who was trying to help him. I don't blame him for becoming annoyed with it all but it must be hard on his friends when they realize that there is very little they can do. Author Reply: One of the hardest things one can ever do is to watch someone you love dearly be ill and in pain and find you can do nothing. And unfortunately those with that pain have a tendency to take it out on those who are closest to them. But in the end it bonds them that much closer together.

TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/25/2005
It seems poor Frodo is paying a dear price for defending himself. His frustration is understandable. But he has many friends looking after him, whether or not he appreciates at the moment. ~TF Author Reply: Oh, dear--I see I never responded to this, TithenFeredir. Please accept my apologies for missing it. Yes, Frodo is here knowing the pain of his hand aching so badly after having to strike the fool; to have ones dominant hand so damaged and vulnerable must have been extraordinarily difficult at the time. And he was fortunate to be surrounded by all the love he now knows.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/22/2005
What a terrible relapse! It must be frustrating not to be able to eat what you want and to have to stop every few steps to catch your breath. But Frodo is a stubborn hobbit and he is willing to fight - and to live, for his foremost aim is to return to the Shire, and then ... Well, I think, that he doesn't know clearly, himself! Right now his condition is far away from trying to return to the Shire and that bothers him. That and the fact that everyone is fussing about him and his health. Poor Frodo, indeed! Author Reply: Yes, to find one is constantly being fussed about must be terribly frustrating for Frodo. He is not yet healthy enough to travel home, and he's not accustomed to being dependant on others and less than fully competent. As for what he'll do when he gets home--well, first things first--first build up enough endurance to get there! Thanks so much for the review.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/22/2005
In a way, it's quite remarkable that Frodo was willing to leave Minas Tirith and Aragorn. He really seems to need the medical help his friend can offer - and was quite brave / foolhardy to head off back over a long distance to travel home. Although merely being home can be quite helpful in a lot of cases. And hopefully, Elrohir and Elladan will be there along the way to help him. And Elrond, of course, by then. I like the number of people it takes to get Aragorn. The hobbit called the page and the page spoke to the guard, who woke the valet - it's like the house that Jack built. Some much better groups of visitors waiting today, though. Good to see some old friends turning up. And to have it made clear that the battles were not confined to Gondor. Author Reply: Yes, I see the parallels to the nursery rhyme. Quite funny! But it's the way things often go, after all. Yes, in many ways it might have been better for Frodo to stay in Minas Tirith for his health, both physical and emotional; but Sam won't go without him, and all four are needed to counter the damage Saruman has going on there. And glad you approve of the delegations from Dale, Erebor, and Mirkwood. Since Tolkien indicated such came to Gondor to honor Aragorn's coronation, I just made them come a few days late. Certainly those in Umbar need to realize that Sauron's plans of conquest were many sided, and that in the end he was successfully countered on all sides. This was very much a continent-wide war, I think. Thanks for the comments.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/22/2005
Poor Frodo! It is so frustrating he can't even eat properly - that certainly doesn't improve his strength! And it must be hard to accept he needs help from the others. No wonder he doesn't want the others there to see his weakness, although it is probably for the others equally difficult not to be there. Merry put it quite appropriate: “It’s what we came for, Frodo, to be with you when the bad times come.” Now I am even more angry at Angrapain (I should quit reading the other reviews, or I start calling him Angry pain, too! I love this modification!) because he was the reason Frodo had to hit him and now his hand hurts again. Although the fact he was knocked senseless by a Perian little over half his height must be wonderfully troubling to the fool. grin Oh yes, Aragorn has a point here! I'd say Angrapain is the sort of man who is very offended after such an experience! And I can't say I'm sorry eg Author Reply: Yes, Frodo is indeed caught within a vicious cycle, one which will come back to haunt him for the remainder of his life in Middle Earth. Such stomach and intestinal disorders can be so awful--believe me--I live with them, too. And to appear less than competent drives him crazy. He knows he should open up to the others, but it's such a hard thing to do, to admit he has these bouts of stomach ills. And you're right, Angrapain will always blame the other for what he's done, even when there is no question he himself did what he's upset about. As for reading other reviews--they are often entertaining and enlightening. Thanks for yours.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/22/2005
Oh poor Frodo. He really is in a 'catch 22' situation. He needs good food and plenty of rest without stress but the food only aggravates his stomach thus causing more stress which in turn upsets his stomach more. I suspect that it is a vicious circle that many with long term illness know all too well. I certainly do! Stress, among many other things, raises my blood sugar levels which then stays high due to the anxiety of knowing that it is high! Loved the waking up scene. g Are there ancient pock marks in the door from thrown daggers. Oh no I think I remember you saying something about new doors being hung! Oh, and how do you sit upwind of pipe-smoke in a closed room? Or was the window open? Or did Legolas sit on the balcony as he doesn't feel the cold? Or was Gandalf directing all smoke to form rings and float up the chimney? :) Author Reply: Yes, and I know that Catch-22 situation myself. Been there, done that--get upset and the colitis goes crazy and excess acid, then know the upset due to those and get more frustrated which makes the others go crazy.... I think Belveramir has reverted to the manner in which he's awakened warriors in the past and what Hardorn taught him of waking Thorongil so long ago. Doubt Aragorn's throwing daggers, however--just waking to realize where he is by the light of the lamp, then getting up to do what's needed. Although the idea of former warrior kings throwing daggers at that door has me giggling. As for the smoking--if you'll read it again you'll see Aragorn joined Gandalf and Gimli on the balcony, and Merry followed after them. But Gandalf sending all the smoke to form rings and go up the chimney is a wonderful one! I find I love it.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/22/2005
Oh so helpless Merry and Pippin must feel at this time. At least Sam is able to stay in the room and 'do' somethng for his master or at least be near him, but it must be frustrating for the other two to not only not be able to do anything, but then to be sent from Frodo's side. Even if you know he's not himself and you can't really help anyway, it's still hard. Of course the physical and emotional pain Frodo has is already enormous and then having to deal with Angrapain and punch hom on top of that did not help him in any way. And now the start of him throwing up... at least I think it's the start of that whole vicious cycle. I was touched how Aragorn went and checked on Lasgon and praised him for his actions that night. No wonder he became such a faithful servant - not that he wouldn't have been anyway, but who wouldn't want to serve a king like that? :) Author Reply: Yes, Frodo doesn't like being fussed over, particularly when he fears it is only upsetting them to see how he is. But it's hard for him to admit to himself that they are more worried not seeing what's happening than if they were present--although too many bodies in the room can make things harder for the ill person, which is why they often limit the number of visitors in hospital rooms at a time. And, yes, the vicious cycle is there and keeps starting over again. And I think Aragorn would be concerned about all, and would seek to reassure himself everyone there was resting properly; and would praise those who without protest and with honor do what is expected of them. But of course he's building loyalty! As with Frodo, he draws loyalty to him like a lodestone draws fragments of iron. He and Frodo are two of a kind.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/22/2005
Poor Frodo,he is having a bad time.I'd have loved to have known what he said to Aragorn.It seems we both like giving the poor King disturbed nights !I'm not surprised Frodo is suffering after landing that well deserved punch, how I wish Faramir had done the same to Mahrod.He deserves a flogging for trying to attack Frodo.I wish Icould see all the court assembling,they sound wonderful. I see that we can now reply at the other site too. Author Reply: We can? Wonderful--I'll have to try it out, although yesterday's chapter still hasn't been announced to my email account. FFN has its difficulties. As for what happens to Angrapain--that comes in tomorrow's chapter. And I, too, wish Faramir or Aragorn either one had managed to sock Mahrod a good one--if anyone deserves it, he does!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/21/2005
sigh Poor Frodo! I know the dear, stubborn hobbit wouldn't like to hear me say that, and anyone in his/her right mind wouldn't say so in his presence, but I can't help it. Just when things were beginning to look a little bit better, for his health anyway. I've often wished I could jump right into the story and somehow make him well and whole; but then the story wouldn't be half so powerful. I like the gentle care Frodo receives here (you know I'm a full-fledged, unashamed Frodo-healer :-)), and that innocent little fib is so in character. But Master Angry-pain (I'm sorry, but can't resist) is lucky I'm preoccupied with Frodo right now! If he brought this on by forcing Frodo to have to use his fists on him...well, he's lucky. :-) God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Yes, Frodo is a most stubborn of stubborn Bagginses, and hates being less than his best. He'll do his best to hide when he's ill, even when it is against his best interests. As for Angrapain--tomorrow will see to him, you will find. He's helped bring on this bout, but isn't responsible in the end for Frodo's days of bad bouts. That's just part of his condition.

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