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The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	15 Review(s)
Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 4/7/2007
A most interesting and eclectic chapter… Yes, even negative emotions are better than feeling nothing…just as every child knows negative attention is better than none. So Gondorians don’t drink tea, or is it just the concept of tea bags that’s a novelty? Are they Aragorn’s invention? Once Galador gets over the shock I suspect he will enjoy having a King who wants to discuss the minutiae of seating with him…after all, it confirms the importance of his work! The singing was lovely, and I’m so glad that Frodo joined in. Author Reply: I suspect that the folk of Gondor have their own herbal drinks and tisanes, but don't as yet fully appreciate tea as much as do Hobbits and Breelanders. When doing medicinal teas, I suspect Aragorn has come to realize that making certain the proper balance of herbs is important, and so it is that he would very possibly have decided to make up packets he believes might be useful with Frodo at hand ahead of time, packets that can be steeped for one and won't leave bitter dregs in the bottom of the mug. I suspect many healers used cheesecloth to make up such packets, in fact. I've had two students who practiced self-destructive behavior such as face slapping and scratching of their own arms. For one of them it was found that he had poor ability to process tactile information dealing with pressure on his face; of all things, covering his ears helped stem the self-stimulation of the slapping. Pain was preferable for him to not feeling anything near his ears, for some reason. Researchers dealing with Holocaust survivors found a goodly number who had their adrenalin systems so stressed during their time in the camps that they reported that they found that in returning to normal life all seemed grey and dull. Whether their bodies no longer produced sufficient adrenalin to give them normal experiences of excitement or alarm, or the receptors in the brain that react to the presence of the hormone had diminished, or what, they couldn't say. Maybe the amygdala itself was heavily traumatized and left somewhat scarred. I strongly suspect that there were too many times when Frodo felt drained of the ability to feel, perhaps for similar reasons. Galador is going to find himself reacting to unexpected changes to normal behavior throughout his tenure as Master of Protocol for Elessar's court, such as when the King throws a welcome feast for emissaries from Harad and Umbar and invites NOT the nobility but merchants and artisans. He will either adapt or give up, I susupect. Heh! And Frodo does have moments when he can feel normally, at least. To join in that harmony was a gift to him, I'd think. Thanks for the feedback.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 12/4/2005
"Why do I still want it?" Ah, the wondering of any addict who can't let go of what he knows is bad. I ache that this pure, wonderful, beautiful, good creature has been so hurt. I love having things in common with him - being a reader, writer and having my head in the world of dreams just as his was from all of Bilbo's tales - but I am sorry to have being sick when upset as something we share too. I don't know if I've ever actually thrown up from being too upset about things, but I've certainly come very close. The last time was when I discovered slash. Refering to your response to my last review, I too, wish people would understand that simply because two beings are very close, that doesn't automatically mean they are romantically or sexually involved with each other. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Finding some slash stuff has been a pretty heavy blow to me, I must admit, although some of it is even beautiful while some is quite humorous. But I doubt the Master would have approved in any case, and I don't find it part of my depictions of this world. Many of us who have been drawn so to Middle Earth feel just as you do, with the feeling of identity to Frodo, and/or with others we meet here. Tolkien has given us so much with which to identify!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/29/2005
What a beautiful scene for Aragorn and Frodo, you write those two together so well!I also enjoyed the other delightful glimpses of the King throughout the chapter. Author Reply: I love writing my favorites, and these two are certainly among them. And Frodo needs Aragorn right now as he tries to recover. These first few days in Gondor are indeed a roller coaster for Frodo!

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/28/2005
Interesting how even guilt can make Frodo feel that he is alive, he is so eaten out on the inside that only really strong emotions can fill him now. So very tragic and yet going through really traumatic events does that to people. I liked how the garden was soothing to him (and to Aragorn), it would have been a touch of home I would think - a memory of happier times. I can just see Galador hiding out in his office trying to figure out what to do about the feast and that was nice that Faralion came and helped him out and I'm sure they were totally shocked to have all 3 kings some and visit them! As Aragorn was explaining things to Galador about how he wanted things done and then apologizing to him, I was wondering to myself if Galador really heard all of that or if he would be back to his old ways in a few days! :) At least about how Aragorn greets and arranges the seating, etc. I just remember things from the other stories and little comments Aragorn made about upseting the Master of Protocol, but at least Aragorn tried to explain to him how things would be done. Off to read the next chapter now! Author Reply: Yes, it takes strong emotions to get through to Frodo now, and it's difficult for him to accept there are good times as well as the bad, as the response to the bad tends to be so dramatic any more. But, as you said, this all too often happens in real life. Yes, Galador is a bit bemused, and will find his King will continue to challenge him and his expectations probably for the rest of his tenure. But I think in his heart of hearts even he is pleased with the new state of affairs.

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/28/2005
I love it that Aragorn wants to garden, it is a good outlet for him. Nothing like getting your hands dirty, even better if you get vegetables at the end. I also liked Aragorn's visit to Galador. Galador trys hard, he just has to get his head wrapped arround to the new way of thinking. Author Reply: Yes, definitely a new way of thinking about things for Galador, and he'll do well enough with it, I suspect, as time passes. As for the garden--I've always thought Elrond would want his foster son to know how to nurture the herbs he'll need to use, and to use them in a variety of ways as well. So glad you approve!

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/27/2005
Ahhh the singing...was really, really hoping Frodo would join in, thanks for not disappointing me! (Not that you ever do:)) Very lovely chapter! ~~~{~@ Author Reply: Even Frodo rejoices to see it gone, and all together help to dispell many of the shadows still lingering over the city. So glad it was what you wished to see here!

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/27/2005
“If the stone had not come to me, small brother, it could have been meant for you to wear. You use it well, and it is glad of you.” Quite insightful, as Aragorn doesn't know as yet about his very special connection with Frodo and Sam! I was so glad Aragorn was able to comfort Frodo and to help him a bit. When reading these little scenes of them together I am always so sad Frodo couldn't remain in Middle-earth. They loved each other so much. As for Galador, that was amusing. Poor guy, he has obviously taken Aragorn's reprove taken a bit too much to heart. After that it must have been an even bigger shock to find Aragorn at his door, not to mention with the two other human kings in tow. Honestly, I look forward to the arrival of the Elves and hope you will give us a glimpse of Galador's attempt to sort out this seating arrangement! The singing in the end was wonderful! Author Reply: Galadriel warned Frodo that to bear a ring of power was to be alone; and yet in reality Frodo is always defined by his relationships. All who came to know him well came to love him, even in the end Lobelia, once she let go her smallness and ambition and resentment. Frodo and Sam; Frodo and Merry; Frodo and Pippin; Frodo and Gandalf; Frodo and Bilbo; and Frodo and Aragorn--each is a special relationship, a different means of showing the love Frodo drew to himself and poured back out onto those who came to love him. Glad you saw the humor I'd intended to put into the visit between Galador and Aragorn. To find not one but THREE KINGS at the door--I find myself humming "Have you seen a child the color of wheat, the color of corn...." or "This is my box!" Sorry--don't know how Menotti managed to sneak into this reply, but he's doing that right now with Christmas coming up...... We'll see how Aragorn and Galador handle the seating arrangement at the next feast. And so glad you loved the singing.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/27/2005
Poor Frodo, not able to eat and enjoy food - what a terrible thing for a hobbit! He must feel very resentful towards the Ring for all it has taken from him, but he still wants it. No wonder he feels such terrible guilt. The ending was beautiful, with all those voices mingling and singing to cleanse the last of the darkness. And how wonderful that Frodo was able to join in - not all beauty and enjoyment is lost to him. Author Reply: Frodo was terribly emptied by what he experienced, and as a Hobbit not being able to eat properly must have been sheer torture. And, yes, hating and wanting the Ring back would raise guilt in his, raise it indeed. And yet at moments such as hearing the song from above and joining in it, Frodo begins to realize he's not lost everything, that there is still some core of himself which can be cultivated and fill him again. Thanks so much for the comments.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/27/2005
It just breaks my heart to see Frodo so emptied and wounded. But ohhh, such love from those around him. And the stone delighted, he realized, to Frodo’s touch. He didn’t try to direct the healing offered, just let it go where it was needed. Finally he murmured against the Hobbit’s chest, “If the stone had not come to me, small brother, it could have been meant for you to wear. You use it well, and it is glad of you So lovely and gentle. And what a wonderful description of the music as sung by such different peoples! Author Reply: There will be times when Frodo will feel almost whole, and times when he will feel totally emptied, although neither is quite true of him. He has been wounded, and he'll do his best as long as he can, and then will need to leave, for he simply doesn't fit in fully anywhere any more. And am so glad you felt the music was well described. I think such a singing would be needed in the recovery of the city and eventually of the entire dual realm. Thanks so much for the response!

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/27/2005
Oh, that last bit was wonderful! The Ring took so much from Frodo, but it could not take away his singing voice nor his pleasure in song. He deserves to have at least one pleasure left to him. And I love the descriptions of all the different voices blending together. That must be a glorious sound to hear. I think I see a purpose behind Arwen's later gift to Frodo. I bet that jewel was more than just a pretty bauble. I can certainly understand Aragorn's do-it-yourself ethic, but he might want to let his staff do at least a few things for him. That's their job, after all, and they seem like they might become slightly insulted if the King keeps swooping in and insisting that he can do their jobs as well as his. It'll take him a while to find a happy medium on that. Perhaps he should start by teaching his protocol master how things are done in the North rather than arranging the seating for a Northern party all by himself. Author Reply: Hmm. I took it that this is Aragorn beginning to teach Galador how things are done in the Northlands and among the Elves who raised and nurtured him and who have sustained him all his life. He's not taking over--he does want to see how things settle out and offer his own suggestions when it is appropriate, I think. And he's opening regular communication in a manner such as Galador is probably best suited to appreciate. I don't see Aragorn so much into micromanagement as you appear to see me portraying him as much as he, as the top administrator, is making certain that buck always appropriately stops there. Galador knows the lords of Gondor; Aragorn knows the officials they will deal with from the North; and now the two of them need to cooperate to keep things running smoothly. And thanks for the pleasure you've expressed about the song. Considering Tolkien had his universe come into being by means of harmonies and song, I felt that part of the letting go of the griefs of the past would require cooperative singing by all now gathered in the capitol, led by the singing of the Firstborn.

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