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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 11 Review(s) |
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| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 63 on 1/15/2006 |
| Those poor gaurds, to be stuck between Hardorn and guarding a king, that keeps taking off. I love the tree and the eagle in this chapter. Gwalhir had much good news to tell. The twins can make their choice at any time, so Arwin will not be alone. And that all three ringbearers can go, plus Gimli too. Author Reply: Yes, I feel for the King, although considering Aragorn didn't allow Hardorn to accompany them the last time, I think he'll go easy on them. And the news carried by Gwaihir is indeed of the best kind, offering much easing to the heart of King and Queen. So glad you are keeping at it. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 63 on 1/10/2006 |
| This was a beautiful bittersweet chapter.What a lovely surprise to return to Aragorn !How hard it must have been for him to part from so many,knowing he would never see them again.I loved the way you explained why Gimli could go to the Undying lands and that the twins could stay a while. Author Reply: There had to be a deep reason for these decisions more than just Galadriel's appreciation for the courtly love paid her by a dwarf and mere whim. I truly believe that these would have been under consideration in the making of the determinations to lift certain bans; and that Bilbo's admittance and later Sam's were as much for Frodo's comfort and strengthening at the beginning and end of his stay as for their own deserving. And Aragorn knows grief--he's eighty-eight, after all; his parents both died young for their kindred; he's led countless battles in several realms; he's healed and watched those he sought to heal die. He's learned to deal with it, not to let it fester, but not to let it drag him down, either. Thanks so much for your comments, Linda. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 63 on 1/9/2006 |
| Good to hear. And Aragorn and Arwen got more than they asked for, too - and all for very logical reasons. And the end of one story is the start of another. The Fellowship scatters and the elves head home for a last few years before sailing, and Aragorn has to turn his attention to the business of building a kingdom in a world that has changed. Which means war. And diplomacy at home and abroad. But, I suppose, at least he has Arwen and she has him. Author Reply: The word may have come to Aragorn and Arwen (and perhaps simultaneously to Rivendell via Gandalf) first; but the gift is to those who need it and is beyond what Arwen had first envisioned as the Creator read hearts and needs. This is still Frodo's story, though, so it's not quite ended. Yet, yes, there was still war to face, still diplomacy needing to be practiced. And Aragorn and Arwen do indeed have one another. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 63 on 1/9/2006 |
| There is so much beautiful imagery in this chapter, Larner. I loved the thought of Gwaihir wiping Aragorn's tears, and his respect for the King and Queen. Your explanation of why Gimli was allowed to go was brilliant, and I was so relieved that Arwen's brothers are allowed to stay and make their own choice. Aragorn must be so relieved, not only to learn that Frodo has been permitted to go, but that his wife will not be alone whe the time comes. And dear old Rustovrid, already proving trustworthy! Author Reply: All truly sentient beings SHOULD be capable of compassion and wish to comfort others when it is needed and appropriate; that Gwaihir would so act with Aragorn seemed logical. I'm unaware of any explanation by Tolkien himself as to why the twins were allowed to remain behind when their father left Middle Earth past the original limit of having to accompany him; and this seemed the most logical and comforting reason for the lifting of that limit. And I like to believe that from the beginning Sohrabi and Rustovrid would prove true in their dealings with the new sovereign of Gondor. After how Sohrabi showed himself in "Lesser Ring" I'd expect nothing less. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 63 on 1/9/2006 |
| I see Rustovrid already has proven trustworthy, even at this early stage of the relations between the realms. It is so sweet of Frodo to leave these gifts for his birthday at Gondor as a last reminder for his friends. And after the separation from so many he will never see again it must’ve been a great relief and joy for Aragorn to know the Valar granted their request and even more than they ever had expected. Author Reply: Yes, things are changing for the better in several places throughout the known world; and I think Sohrabi and Rustovrid between them would not wish their whole land to come under Gondor's displeasure so early in the new order. That Frodo would think to plan for his birthday gifts seemed very in keeping for my image of him; and they were probably for several of them the only bequests he could think to leave them, as he is aware he's almost totally unlikely to return to see them again. And the decision of the Valar and Iluvatar Himself as to the disposition of more than just Frodo must have caused such thanksgiving in Aragorn and Arwen and others. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 63 on 1/9/2006 |
| So soon Aragorn has to go to war again, so sad. But then such joyous news for him and Arwen. I do so like the fact that they got to be the bearers of such wonderful news. To the ringbearers first, but then also to Elladan and Elrohir and then to Gimli who will be shocked beyond belief at the thought of that. I wonder what his thoughts will be at that news... instant denial or interest or what. It will be interesting to see what happens! :) Author Reply: Well, I'd written in "The Choice of Healing" that in Frodo's first letter from Aragorn the news came there'd already been a battle with folk from Harad, but without the Farozi's blessing; I had to figure out the circumstances, of course; and if Sohrabi and Rustovrid weren't backing the situation they'd want to stave off further invasion of their own land at such a sensitive time when the overlordship of Mordor has crumbled completely by giving the new leadership in Gondor a heads up. And I'd wondered for years why the limits were lifted for Elladan and Elrohir and what other reasons than being friends with Legolas and favored by Galadriel might have led to Gimli being granted that grace; that this would be the reason is plausible, I think. As for Gimli's own response--good question! We'll have to explore that! | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 63 on 1/9/2006 |
| “The Tree is excited, dearling. I have never felt it so before. I will swear it sings today, a hymn of delight.” What a beautiful image! The White Tree was always a sign of hope and renewing, for the people of Gondor - and for Frodo. Now, not only Gondor's hope has been fulfilled, but also Frodo's, though he doesn't know yet! As a link between the Mortal and the Undying Lands the White Tree may also mirror the joy of the people of Tol Eressea about the decision of Iluvatar, and that's a wonderful thought! Frodo has still some time before him and not all will be to his liking. Your mentioning of the coins reminded me of a really nasty scene ... Author Reply: So glad you enjoy the idea that the Trees would already be aware of the decision for Frodo and the others; and Frodo has now the hope he doesn't yet accept he needs. And we'll see that nasty scene from a different point of view this time. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 63 on 1/9/2006 |
| Ooh! No words at all for this chapter Larner it is just so perfect! But I guess if you push me then Frodo's presents stand out and above all the Answer!!! And your reason for Gimli being allowed to go is one that never dawned on me but is so real in this context. Oh and I love the two guards! Author Reply: Am so glad you approve, and that the reason for the grace granted Gimli is so well accepted by several. And I do think Frodo would use his birthday as a pretext for leaving his bequests, as he foresees he will not return. And the guards must have been worried indeed about the possible outcome of following the King's orders (or not). But either way, they would have undoubtedly faced censure by one or the other of the two most serious people in the combined kingdoms to offend. Luckily the King outranks his cousin, however, even if Hardorn IS Captain of the King's own Guard. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 63 on 1/8/2006 |
| Such good news for those who love Frodo, and yet at the same time, such sad news, for they know the day is hastened when they will never see him again. I like the way you have tied up the loose ends, and shown that Gimli was not simply taking a chance when he went with Legolas, but had good reason to believe that he would be welcomed. I am glad that you returned for a time to Aragorn's POV. It's good to see how he is dealing with things... Author Reply: Point of view does tend to switch sometimes rapidly in my stories, I'll admit, and am glad you like the return to Aragorn and Arwen, however briefly. And I don't think Legolas would have taken Gimli with him had they both been unaware of the welcome for the Dwarf. The knowledge they won't see Frodo again must be difficult for all who remain in Gondor and who've come to love him. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 63 on 1/8/2006 |
| Ah, at last we get to see for ourselves that the petition was granted! And this is a little thing, but I love it! “Lord Hardorn will have our hides cut from us in strips,” one murmured quietly to the other. “Perhaps,” the other replied, “although I suspect that had we insisted in accompanying them further what the King would have ordered would be worse.” Ha ha! It's amazing how you keep track of all this, Larner-writing what's going on in, what, three different places at once. I'd be totally lost by now! :-) And one thing I forgot to ask while they were still in Gondor: How on *earth* do you come up with such lovely Gondorian names? God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I've read a fair number of stories by now by other authors who have studied Sindarin and so on, and have learned more of the commoner name elements, such as "gil" meaning "star" and "celeb" meaning "silver," "-rion" and "-lion" meaning "son of" and so on--; plus some names I have picked up from the appendices or the writings of others and used where I felt they were appropriate. In "Fostering" I looked at how the word was passed among the great Elves via revelation to Mithrandir and shared via mind-links; how Aragorn and Arwen would learn of it was now the question. That since Arwen used Gwaihir to make her plea, it seemed proper that he would also bear the answer to her and her husband. And I like the guards, too! Heh! | |