Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	10 Review(s)
Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/5/2006
Going back to work after the holidays is always so hard and keeps me so busy! :) This was a hard chapter to read because I hate farewells! But you did a wonderful job of starting the process of them saying good-bye. I liked the image of Frodo drawing Aragorn and Sam outside the gates of Edoras... that's a picture that I would like to have! :) My friend is an artist and has drawn a picture of Aragorn for me that is absolutely wonderful - I'll have to see if I can send that to you. Anyway, I liked that image. I liked the meeting with the Ents and how they approached both Aragorn and Frodo and Sam and saw them for how they truly were and the discussion they had with the elves. And the image of Aragorn holding hands with his 2 brothers stirred my heart. One thing I like about Tolkien's work is that physical acts of affection between men can be displayed without being taken the wrong way. Well, they shouldn't be anyway, though I know some people do. I need to get back to work, but will review more chapters later! :) Author Reply: The picture I described in "For Eyes to See as Can," as well as the conversation that went along with it that Frodo didn't here. He misinterpreted the focus of that conversation, and so was better able to appreciate the mutual grief and comfort he saw being given. I tried to draw it the other night, along with Ruvemir's painting from "Lesser Ring," and I couldn't do justice by either. And again in the image of the three sons of Elrond, two immortal on either side of their mortal brother, we have a similar moment. I, too, am glad that displays of affection in Tolkien's world failed to have a strictly sexual connotation, and get very tired of our "sophisticated" idea that this is always true. And I wanted it plain that the Ents also agreed with Frodo's and Sam's ennoblement, and that not even Frodo could ignore that fact. Plus I always rather liked Quickbeam and wanted to see more of him independently, and now we get to see it. As for work--considering my schedule the last two weeks, I'm glad to have the holidays over and have a few nights to devote to my reading at last.

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/4/2006
So sad the parting of Arwin and her father. I needed one of Sam's handkerchiefs, by the end of the chapter. When Aragorn realizes that he most likely will not see Frodo again. Author Reply: Yes, it was a sad thing, even in the book, when Arwen and Elrond said their goodbyes, and am glad you liked how I wrote it. And I, too, felt with Aragorn as he said his last goodbyes to Frodo. Thanks so for the response.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/4/2006
No wonder the hobbits couldn’t sleep in the tower, it’s against their nature to feel comfortable there. And particularly for Frodo it sparks too many bad memories. The only one advantage ist that he was told the story of the battle at Helm’s Deep. He needs the knowledge for the Red Book, and more so because none of the hobbits was there. Loved the reaction of the Ents to Aragorn! It’s good even they recognize how worthy he is. And of course, it was fascinating how Quickbeam could tell Sam was a gardener. Author Reply: I think one carer for growing things will tend to recognize another fairly quickly; and certainly Quickbeam and Sam both meet that description. But the Ents would need to know they could trust the new King, I think, and would respond positively as they come to recognize his quality. Author Reply: Forgot to add that I'm glad you appreciate Frodo's discomfort in the tower of Helm's Deep. I freely credit Radbooks for this awareness from her wonderful story "In Aragorn's Safekeeping", which is available at FFN.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/3/2006
I like the way you explain how Frodo learns the details of the battles to put in his book. I always find the parting between Aragorn and the Hobbits sad enough in the book,but feel your version will be even sadder. Author Reply: Well, Frodo had to learn about the battles SOMEHOW to put into the book, and he won't be able to call Aragorn or Gandalf, Legolas or Gimli in later to fill in the gaps, so decided this was as logical a way as any as to how he learned how they were handled. As for the sadness of the parting, you can judge that in tonight's posting.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/2/2006
Oh, I love how Sam is still pulling little things out of his pack that he's anticipated that Frodo would need. And the whole scene at Isengard with the Ents is marvelous. Even the Ents, he realized, sensed that in Aragorn was a deep center of grace worthy of the same respect commonly given the Firstborn Wonderful. And this is such a strong image to end the chapter: He held out his hands to his brothers, and for a few moments they rode, the three sons of Elrond together. Author Reply: Well, of COURSE Sam stays true to his nature. He THOUGHT Frodo might need that pen and the paper and the drawing sticks if he didn't have them, and so into the pack they went, once he had his own things in--and mostly practical stuff for himself, I think, other than the bracelet for Rosie. And am glad you appreciated the image of the three brothers, one mortal and two immortal, together for the moment.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/2/2006
sniffs loudly and grabs for hankerchief I have been waiting both avidly and reluctantly for this part of the tale as I always felt that the Prof rather short-changed us. But then, what would be left for other great word-masters to do? Avidly because I can't wait to read it but reluctantly too because there is no thrill as great as reading it for the first time. I'm like a hobbit with his first piece of seed cake! Greedy for it and yet wanting to savour it! Author Reply: Oh, and thank you for this, Harrowcat. And I know how one realizes the pleasure of the first viewing or reading can't be purely repeated. Now, to go bake up some seed cakes! Heh!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/2/2006
This breaking up and going home / saying farewell is just such a protracted period - it must have been so hard for them all. In some ways I think Elrond and Arwen were wise to choose a cut off point and leave it there - after all, nothing was going to make it any easier. For all the difficulties Arwen will face, her troubles with this have an end - whereas Elrond will be left to fret as long as Arda lasts. Plus he has the stress of trying to get Celebrian to understand! Most of them know that they can meet again - although chances may be few and far between. They have had a very intense few months together and the bond of that can never be recaptured - but, on the other hand, it can never be broken either. Frodo's fate is the saddest, because he cannot see beyond the next few weeks or months, and they are all clearly worried sick about him. You'd think the Valar-messaging service would be a bit quicker! I like Quickbeam. Nice to see a conversation with an Ent. Sorry for the seasonal delays in reviewing - everything just gets a bit hectic this time of year. Author Reply: Considering seasonal extra hours in my job, I certainly can't complain about what other people do, can I? Yes, such a whittling down of the party bit by bit would be difficult on all those forced to follow through to the end, for it's one loss on top of the rest, and we begin to feel with Elrond who wants to end some things cleanly. The Fellowship as an active group is done, and now there are the shared memories, but it will always be on a reestablishment basis, although the love will never truly end. Frodo's is the saddest at the moment, although in the end he does accept the healing offered; but for now no one truly knows what will become of him. And glad that you appreciated Quickbeam's interaction. I think that after Treebeard himself Quickbeam would be the next most logical Ent to seek relationships with outsiders.

demeter d	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/2/2006
Sweet, quiet, lovely. I have been reading a lot of Eomer-Lotherial stories lately, and most of them cast the youngest brother, Amrothos, as a silly prankster. Nice to see him given another dimension, as one Aragorn trusts to attend on the lady of his heart until he returns. Yet another of the "Speaking Races" of Middle Earth has now paid tribute to Frodo and Sam. I especially liked the reminder that the quest was always under the Creator's guidance, and He was able to use even Gollum to fulfill his purposes.A story full of light and hope! Author Reply: I haven't read many such stories myself, although I've read one, and poor Amrothos barely was mentioned. Here, too, he's barely mentioned, but a growing respect is implied and purposely so, I decided. Here is a young man who's grown up in the most trying period in the last age, and he'll have to have grown up expected to be a warrior as would all his class. I want to think his competence would already be obvious; and so I had Aragorn recognize it and offer him a recognition appropriate for his age and status. And I also like to think all the "speaking races" were united on the recognition for Sam and Frodo and their dark journey. The peoples of Middle Earth were a deeply spiritual group in spite of their distance from the Valar and the lack of organized worship; and I appreciate that you feel I express this in my writing. Thank you.

Lady Korana	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/2/2006
This is lovely, and so very poignant. The chapter with the final splitting of the Fellowship has always made me very sad and depressed. I was especially moved by your portrayal of Aragorn's anguish that he is the cause of the final parting of Arwen and her father. I also really enjoyed all the exchanging of tales of what happened at Helm's Deep, Isengard, etc. My sole regret is that you never had Frodo bid farewell to Legolas and Gimli. As loyal members of the Fellowship, and as friends, they at least deserved a quick hug and 'goodbye'. I think it would have been nice to give Legolas and Frodo a moment to exchange some shared understanding of sea longing too. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter. Author Reply: So glad you appreciated what was there, and am sorry I didn't think to show the goodbye to our favorite Odd Couple friends. You are right--I managed to short change them. However, it's hard to keep every single thread straight in such a complicated story. But I will try to deal with some of your concerns by other means. Aragorn is saying goodbye to his remaining parent, knowing that he has managed to cause him great hurt; and Elrond is having to deal with the mixed feelings as well, knowing that this is another link in the chains of his loves he will never see again. And they are all concerned for what will be Frodo's fate, knowing he is particularly vulnerable. Thanks so much for the review.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 1/1/2006
Poor Aragorn! I loved the scene with Sam comforting the King. I find myself wondering what was said, and how the gentle gardener coaxed Aragorn into revealing his grief. The part with the hobbits being uncomfortable in the tower at Helm's Deep was a very good detail. Of course, the mood of melancholy and leavetaking continues; one by one, more farewells are said. Poor Aragorn.

Return to Chapter List