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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 14 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 12/4/2005 |
| So nice to see him dancing again! I'm glad Aragorn can ease all his small brother's varied pains, physical and spiritual/mental/emotional. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Yes, Aragorn can help, at first, at least; but the gentle decline is beginning. Galadriel commented on the long defeat known by the Elves, when even victory brings loss and the final need to return to their roots in Elvenhome, for now is Middle Earth lost to them as a world they can shape. And so it is proving also for Frodo Baggins. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 12/3/2005 |
| I bet the cooks just love having the king in the kitchen helping them out! That will take some getting used to, but they'll adjust eventually. :) I was so glad that Frodo finally got to enjoy a feast for a change - food, dancing, singing, even wine and sweetmeats. And then he lost it all on the way home. sigh. And it would be so frustrating for him and he would take it out on those around him - like Elrohir. And the healer in Aragorn would be frustrated by Frodo's unwillingness to not allow him to do what he thinks is best for him. But he can't make Frodo take the draughts he is offering. The spider bite opening had to have shocked them all, as they would have assumed that was all healed and dealt with. If that doesn't go away, that poison is going to be affecting his system too. Poor Frodo. I think I keep saying that, but what else is there to say? Author Reply: For Frodo from now, there is the slow realization that he isn't truly recovering, that he cannot hold onto the moments of pleasure and joy indefinitely as he could before, for they are so swiftly followed by continuing evidence that his hold on life is already beginning to waver. And he and Aragorn and all other who love the both of them know the grief as they watch him slowly begin to slip away, either to death or Elvenhome.... | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 12/1/2005 |
| Poor Frodo, to want to eat, and not be able to keep it down. He should listen to his healer, and drink all his medicine. He is having more good days now. Liked the dream Frodo had, of Aragorn and his children. Author Reply: What we ought to do and what we WILL do, as you know, are often two different things completely. Glad you like the dream of foresight. Frodo's been experiencing dreams of foresight since he was in Bombadil's house at least; and they continue now. Thanks for the comments. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 12/1/2005 |
| I would much prefer the fish and vegetables !Poor frodo,unable to eat what he enjoys thought.I love the way that Aragorn is so considerate of him and respectful.I also enjoyedthe scene with Sam. Author Reply: I'd prefer the lamb WITHOUT the curry, myself, although the veggies sound good to me, even. And Aragorn would be considerate to Frodo, and would be coming to realize just how much Sam is coming to mean to him, I think. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 12/1/2005 |
| At least Frodo could enjoy the feast and even dance a bit. But it is so sad he had another setback afterwards. I am only glad Elrohir and Aragorn were there for him. And the end with Aragorn and Sam was sweet. I think they both suffer because they aren't able to help Frodo permanently and need the comfort they can give each other. Author Reply: There will be setbacks for the rest of Frodo's live in Middle Earth, a truth he is coming to accept. And Aragorn and Sam are both coming to realize how much they mean to one another, beyond their shared love for Frodo. And not being able to permanently help another is very painful--believe me. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 12/1/2005 |
| Oh Larner, I'm sorry to hear that you know some of Frodo's problems from your own experience. I used to have no problems with food at all - until some months ago. So I can feel with you and with Frodo! Although, for a hobbit it's much worse. It's good to see how much Aragorn can help Frodo, but they will part far too soon. I wonder if Frodo ever thought of settling down in Minas Tirith. Author Reply: It's nothing much, most of the time, until I miss a night of good sleep or have some crisis hit, and the stomach lets me know it's on the job, expressing my frustrations. Perhaps we will explore the temptation Frodo has to remain in Minas Tirith. Had he remained, however, I suspect he would have still declined, but probably not as quickly or seriously. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 12/1/2005 |
| Poor Frodo. Three steps forward, two steps back. I'm glad to see Sam being 'umble. I wonder if he's entirely convinced of his 'I'm only a gardener' role now - sure the acclaim he has received must be making him doubt that he will ever be 'only a gardener' again. As Gimli says - he's a Lord of the Free Peoples - and even if that means nothing to the Gaffer, it means he has changed in ways that the Shire will never know. It's a shame these two and Aragorn don't have that much longer to be together. Author Reply: I started writing a response the other day, but a snowfall hit and suddenly I couldn't access the satellite connection, and then I found either the tenants were again playing with the server or a hacker managed to get by the firewall on it. Hate hackers sometimes. Had to remove a suite of software I certainly didn't download onto it! Anyway, Sam is indeed beginning to realize he is more than just a gardener, and hopefully he won't again convince himself he's nothing more. And he and Aragorn are building their own relationship independent of Frodo, although their strongest tie at the moment continues to remain the current family head for the Bagginses. And it is indeed a shame that their time together draws to a close. I think Aragorn is cherishing every minute of it. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 12/1/2005 |
| Poor Frodo, he gets one day where everything is working right, and he gets to eat and drink and dance, and then he just goes to pieces. That must be especially frustrating for him. But at least he did get to dance, and I think that was good for him. At the very least, dancing, even if it was a slower dance, raised his spirits a little for a short time. So that spider bite is draining. . . that's probably good, all things considered. Whatever is draining out of the wound, it's probably better to have that on the outside than on the inside. One small nitpick: I don't think Aragorn would have mentioned that the cooks have a store of a spice the Rhunim call curry. Curry is a mixture of spices, not a spice in and of itself. The cooks could have store of the spices needed to create Aragorn's favorite curry, though. Author Reply: Yes, this is life for many in situations similar to Frodo's, and he knows pleasure, laughter, the ability to express joy--and then illness. Yes, the spider bite is draining, but so far they don't know why. As for curry being a mixture of specific spices--you will have to accept my plea of not knowing, for I myself can't eat curry, peppers, chilis, onions, or similar foods--I have several of the digestive disorders ascribed to Frodo as a result of his near-starvation, exposure to ash, and his spider bite, although I've had mine for many years and mine are mostly responses to stress. That in the past the Citadel purchased an amount of the mixed spices used to curry lamb still seems logical to me. Aha--the promised snow nos is falling. Oh, wonderful! | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 12/1/2005 |
| The frustration, sadness, anger, depression and many other emotions that come with realising and living with long-term illness and disability can be overwhelming. Total acceptance of the state or situation can be dangerous too as it may lead to despair and/or self-neglect. But to have the courage and strength of will to fight (what seems like) a losing battle with one step forward for every two or three steps back and to do it with humbleness and grace takes a true nobleness of Spirit. Thank you for portraying this so well Larner. Author Reply: Unfortunately for many this is what they do face, and to do so with a measure of grace isn't easy. Thank you for your appreciation of my attempt to be true to life. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 11/30/2005 |
| “A burden, small brother? No, never that. Never, never that. Stubborn? Yes! But never a burden.” Love it, love it! That is absolutely beautiful! Indeed, how could Frodo be a burden to anyone? It was so good to see him enjoying himself at the feast, but I knew he shouldn't have eaten those sweets and had that wine. Poor dear, I can't blame him, but I knew he'd lose it. *sad sigh* Poor fellow, I know it's frustrating, oh I know it, and I feel ashamed of ever complaining a few years ago when I couldn't tolerate anything more than soup and very light sandwiches. That's bearable, anyway. I can see how you linked this story to "Fostering," which I thoroughly enjoyed, with the counting song, and I have a growing curiosity as to how the song goes. :-) I think this is the best chapter yet. Namarie, and God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I don't know if you have ever heard "Green Grow the Rushes-O," but the song I imagine as being close to that. "I'll sing you one-O. Green Grow the Rushes-O. What is your one-O? One is one and all alone and ever more shall be-O. I'll sing you two-O. Green grow the rushes-O. What is your two-O? Two, two the lily-white boys, clothed all in green-O; and One is one and all alone and ever more shall be-O." Frodo would see himself as a burden; no one else would see him that way, or see helping him however possible as more than a gift. Yes, he's fragile and frustrated; but he will receive his reward in the end, even if it costs him greatly and others just as greatly for him to know it. Author Reply: For those who wish to know the full song: I'll sing you one-O. Green grow the rushes-O. What is your one-O? One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so. Twelve for the twelve apostles, and eleven for the eleven went up to heaven. Ten for the ten commandments, and nine for the nine bright shiners. Eight for the April rainers, and seven for the seven stars in the sky. Six for the six proud walkers, and five for the symbols at your door. Four for the gospel writers. Three, three, the strangers, Two, two the lily-white boys, clothèd all in green-O, and One is One and all alone and ever more shall be so. I first learned this song at age ten attending our diocese's church camp; I later found it in a 4-H song book in the last sixties. The 3 line is sung at a much slower tempo, similar to the 5 line in The Twelve Days of Christmas. Both the 3 line and the one line have two melody lines which are often sung in harmony. | |