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The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	13 Review(s)
Szepilona10	Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 11/10/2008
To bad you married off Hardorn, 'cause I think he's cute! Author Reply: He might be a bit old for both of us at this point, though! (Grinning!) Thanks for the feedback.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/5/2005
I enjoyed very much the talk between Aragorn and Gandalf as they washed dishes together. Gandalf's comment about Aragorn washing dishes and how certain people would have a fit about that was funny, but what about having a Maia drying the dishes?? :) It would have been so difficult for Aragorn to lose all of those he loved and who had also been such guiding lights to him for all of his life in such a short span of time. Even though he was fully mature and as fully prepared as you ever could be to be a king, the grief and loss would be so difficult. And yet you choose to go on and live life - it is a good thing that he did have Arwen and that he did have others around him that he loved and loved him - at least in your story he does - his cousins, etc. Of course eventually he grew close to Faramir, Eowyn and others, but they weren't the ones he knew most of his life. Hobbits waking up with swords in their hands... sigh. I'm sure they would, but it is sort of a sad image to see in my mind. There is no going back to the innocence they once had. Well done chapter! Author Reply: No, the Hobbits aren't innocent any more. The only one not to reach for a sword is Frodo himself, poor dear. Glorfindel remained, as did Celeborn and the twins; probably a few who'd lived in Rivendell and more from Lorien. But so many others gone--Gildor, Erestor, how many others with Elrond and Galadriel? Those who'd given Aragorn his earliest identity, who knew him as a small child and prepared him for his day of glory--making clean the break lest it perhaps tear at the son and daughter left behind and at themselves as well; perhaps in ways fleeing ahead of the grief. And you are right--we have King and Maia doing the dishes! Hadn't thought of Gandalf--but he's been doing such things now in this form for the last fifteen hundred years at least--I think he'd find no problem with it. Thanks for the giggle!

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/5/2005
Ah, the wizard and the king doing the washing up, can I barrow them for awhile, I keep asking my cats to do the dishes, but they won't because they don't want to get their paws wet. Good thing I am not in Aragorn's boots, because I would be wailing; "You're not leaving too." Not very kingly. Love it that Aragorn had imaginary brothers. Author Reply: Yes, Aragorn had imaginary brothers, and you can see him playing with them in "Fostering." They are also mentioned in "The Ties of Family" and "Lesser Ring." Based on my own imaginary twin sister when I was a child, as well as my world of imaginary friends. Guess they helped me prepare for a life as a writer and for the acting I've done.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/5/2005
Oops! Did I say "so much questions"? I meant "so many". If you can count it, it's "many". That's what I learned at school! So, never mind :) Author Reply: That's okay--I'm forcing myself to remember when to use "that" and when to use "which." We all have our weak points! Heh!

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/5/2005
"...and those I love now among mortals will also go before me, including Sam and Frodo. Which is another gap in what you said, leaving Frodo out of your count. Is his life indeed likely to be so short?" "You are the healer trained by Elrond--tell me what you know in your heart." A very insightful conversation between Aragorn and Gandalf! There is a close relationship between those two, so close that Aragorn actually talks to Gandalf about his imaginary brothers and his feeling that those two are Frodo and Sam. When he speaks to Frodo, Aragorn calls him "little brother"! Surely, Frodo has noticed that. Will Aragorn tell him more? Or will Frodo ask him? Do Gandalf or Aragorn have any idea about the gift, that Arwen will give to Frodo? So much questions! But they are only indicated to show you, how much I'm intrigued by this story :) Author Reply: We'll see what Aragorn and Frodo tell one another of what they feel toward one another. However, as he and Eomer also refer to one another as brothers and I suspect he and Faramir will do so also, whether or not Frodo will see anything special in Aragorn's address of him in such terms is a matter of question. Tolkien indicated that Aragorn became close friends with Gandalf after he left Rivendell; and I would suspect that the two had become quite close, close enough definitely that when Aragorn foresaw the danger to the Wizard if they went into Moria he did all he could to talk Gandalf out of entering there. Anyway, I appreciate the questions, even if I don't answer them all.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/5/2005
“If Master Galador could see you now, Aragorn, he would have apoplexy; and Denethor would assume you’d lost your mind. The High King of Men, washing dishes like a common husband!” How true! It is amusing to imagine their faces! LOL But it is one of the reasons we all love Aragorn so much, I suppose – he is so humble and nice in spite of his rank and everything. Though I second Aragorn – it is so sad for him and Arwen that Elrond and the other bearers of the Three departed so soon from Middle-earth! He lost so many friends then, so many people he had grown up with. It is good at least Celeborn, Glorfindel and the twins stayed as long as he lived, and of course Legolas and Gimli. Your own example is already setting into motion reforms in Rhun and Harad you will not appreciate yet for some years, and even in Umbar there are those who are beginning to think far differently than their people are accustomed to think, again largely sparked by you. Very true, but I wonder how Gandalf can know this? Foresight? Aragorn’s thoughts about the feeling Frodo and Sam could be his brothers leave me thinking it is a pity nobody remained who could talk with him more about the events in „Fostering“ – Elladan and Elrohir didn’t know about Gilraen’s lost other children, didn’t they? And I haven’t the impression Gandalf is going to talk about this all. sigh Another nightmare. Poor Frodo. And I think it says a lot that even Sam, who is certainly no warrior, is sleeping with a weapon at hand. Author Reply: Yes, Aragorn has never lost touch with the fact that, King or not, he's first a person who CAN wash dishes when they need it, and he's not too good to do so. No King Alfred letting the cakes burn in Aragorn son of Arathorn. As for Gandalf's foresight--he is Gandalf Returned, and is allowed more authority than he knew before; he has decided his time to go is soon; I suspect he is allowed some glimpses of the future as a Maia soon to return to his proper identity and form. He also has probably been allowed some intelligence from whatever entities might be keeping eyes on the other realms named. But I don't know if he'll discuss his own knowledge regarding Frodo's and Sam's possible first intended identities with Aragorn at this point. Not that Aragorn remains ignorant of them for all that long. And I suspect all three of the Hobbits named would have to have a good deal of time before they start sleeping without a weapon at hand when they feel unsettled, either by the weather or by situations.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/5/2005
Perhaps this chapter needed an angst warning Larner. I, especially, enjoyed the conversation between Aragorn and Gandalf over the washing up. Great to see that relationship expanded at this point in time. Most other Authors seem to concentrate on early Gandalf-Strider/Estel. Also love what you have been doing between Aragorn and Sam in the last few chapters. BTW - Was watching a food programme on the TV yesterday and, guess what they were using! Morrels. Strange-looking fungi indeed but the recipie sounded fit for a hobbit indeed. Chicken mousse and morrel terrine, Yum! P.s. I also always notice when you mention the dog! Our black monster Jet did very well at his first puppy training class and is now house-trained. (Well barring accidents that is!) Author Reply: Aragorn and Gandalf's friendship is almost seventy years old, and I suspect that once he realized Gandalf intended to leave Middle Earth Aragorn would have regretted it deeply, and would have sought what time and counsel he could get from him. As Aragorn didn't appear to spend time with Gandalf before he left Rivendell according to the Appendices, I've just written the little I did in "Fostering" where suddenly Gandalf becomes aware of the boy but stays aloof, awaiting developments, while Estel is yet a child. Aragorn and Sam do develop a relationship, and that relationship needs building as well; I truly think that once he was able to see Sam a bit freer to do what he pleased in Minas Tirith the respect begun during the quest would grow into a deep frienship coming close to what both felt toward Frodo. There had to be a reason why Aragorn gave Sam one of the Elessar stones, and not to Pippin. There was a much different level of love and respect there, I think. Glad you notice the dog; and glad Jet is doing well in his classes. Hope no more peeing! Heh!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/5/2005
Ooo! You know this is something I'd love! I just love Frodo-Sam-Aragorn h/c. These three really are brothers of the spirit. This was very well done! I especially liked the song put in. Music is truly one of the greatest comforts, I think. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: The song helped Frodo realize in the tower that help was coming and that he wasn't alone; I think Sam would realize that and seek to use it again when he felt it needed and appropriate. Singing, after all, isn't something orcs are likely to do. So glad you appreciated it, and the fact that the three brothers of the spirit are each helping the other.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/4/2005
Frodo continues in his holding pattern, and I still think that the spider bite is operating on "better out than in" mode at the moment. I liked the discussion between Aragorn and Gandalf. It's a nice look at Aragorn really growing into the prime of his life, getting ready to accept full responsibility for the weight of the world, and how he deals with other people getting ready to hand it off to him. His imaginary brothers were a nice touch -- it's fun to imagine what Aragorn might have been like as a child, and this makes him seem like he really was a fairly normal little kid. Author Reply: Well, Aragorn would be as normal as any child of men brought up in the midst of immortal elves would be, at least. You can actually see a couple of scenes of Aragorn playing with his imaginary mortal brothers in my story "Fostering" (it's actually quite short for my stuff--only seven chapters). I patterned it on my own imaginary twin sister when I was a small child. And, yes, Aragorn is receiving the torch passed to him by Gandalf, his adar, and his foster grandparents. As for the spider bite--that's better dealt with in "The Choice of Healing." I so appreciate all your comments--they make me think about what I've written and why.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/4/2005
It is very touching to see how readily Aragorn accepts the most humble of tasks,I too could just imagine the looks of the faces of certain people !It must be very sad for Aragorn when Gandalf and Elrond sail,but it is now the age of men. Poor frodo to be so tormented by nightmares. Author Reply: I am not certain Aragorn would see washing dishes as humble as much as something that needs doing he can and will do, and to heck with those who try to make it a humble task. Aragorn doesn't define his royalty in terms of what jobs he does or doesn't do--he just does what he sees is needed and that he has been granted authority to do. Aragorn and Gandalf have a long history by this time; that they would want to share what time they can seems logical. And knowing that so many he loves are choosing already to leave the shores of Middle Earth must be painful to him. As for Frodo--nightmares will be a part of his experience for as long as he remains in Middle Earth, I think.

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