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The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	11 Review(s)
grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 1/29/2006
Christmas oranges, what a nice gift. I always got a orange in my stocking when I was little. Nothing like a little citrus to make one feel better. I like how all that ash from the mountain, did some good, from oranges to glassware. Author Reply: Our special gift was maple sugar candy, which goes into our stockings every year in honor of my dad's birth in Vermont. And to think abundance and nurturance and beauty came out of Sauron's hatred is the greatest irony, and the great blessing in spite of his desire to destroy. Eru has quite other ideas than does Sauron.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 1/23/2006
“And good riddance to both,” Sam muttered. Frodo gave him a long look which Sam returned defiantly. How typically Sam! Not afraid to let Frodo know that he has his own feelings, and that he doesn't forgive, even if Frodo does. Nice to see the jam and some oranges make their way to the Shire. And Bucca is starting to use his head and work out what happened to the Travellers. He's an intelligent hobbit. Author Reply: I agree. Frodo doesn't want the Hobbits of the Shire to become enamored of long feuds and ideas of vengeance as happens in the outer world, and yet Sam shows him that memories of betrayal and anger are still part of Hobbit nature. And Sam is definitely a Hobbit with a mind of of his own, and not just an extension of Frodo. And, yes, the jam and some fruit Aragorn has learned Frodo enjoys have made it, helping Frodo convince the others present that there is an outer world out there that has good things to offer; and the jam lets them know that Frodo's tale of the bathing tub filled with strawberries and cherries was real. All this adds more credence to what he's said--and indeed Bucca and Mina have begun working it out. As you note, they are intelligent Hobbits.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 1/22/2006
How wonderful it must be to get crates of exotic fruit in the Shire in winter. Especially considering what the Shire's just been through, those crates must seem like little boxes of pure sunshine. Author Reply: Oh, I so agree, French Pony. For someone feeling a bit stretched this must have been most welcome.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 1/22/2006
Ah, how wonderful to see Frodo receive a gift to bring him pleasure! And how sly of Aragorn to send them some of their own jam! :) Off to read the next one-I just can't seem to keep up lately! God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Yes, a gift of something Aragorn knows Frodo will appreciate and may help him eat and enjoy life a bit more; a return of their own jam; and a bit of evidence to help others accept there is indeed a Gondor and therefore other places spoken of by the Travellers are likely to exist.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 1/22/2006
Rose is a very, very patient hobbit lady! :) She must truly love Sam... well, I know she does, but it would be very hard not to say something to him! Oranges would be such a delightful treat for the hobbits. I'm sure there were many things like that that could grow in the south and not in the north. And then the jam was a nice touch from Aragorn. Will and his family are slowly beginning to realize that all they have heard over the years are not just stories... that these things are real. It would be hard to accept I would think. And if Bilbo's stories are real, then what Frodo is saying about himself must be real too. It would be hard for them to take in and process. Author Reply: Rosie trusts her Sam, but I wish he'd get a move on, myself. However, it appears he didn't ask until after Frodo moved back into the hole, and so I'm trying to stay true to the book. The oranges and jam help to underscore that there is such a place as Gondor out there, and that there is now physical evidence to support belief in the tales they hear from Frodo--and it is something that obviously Frodo is now familiar with, peeling and eating oranges. It adds to the realization you've noted that both Frodo's and Bilbo's stories are real, and there's more that is important they don't yet know.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 1/22/2006
The three children shared looks of surprise. Were Frodo’s stories true, then? Well, finally the hobbits come to the conclusion that Frodo's "stories" are indeed true! But they needed something to see and touch, like strawberry jam, to believe it. The children are not to blame, though. But the adults should have recognized much earlier that Frodo told them the truth. “Who’s Saruman?” asked Pimpernel. I admire Frodo's patience. How often has he told by now, that Saruman is Sharky? And still he explains it with all due respect and calm. I'm impressed, really. If I was in Frodo's stead, I would have answered in a more "drastic" way ;-) Author Reply: The children are old enough to know, after all, that there are conventional fictions that are part of life--Father Yule, the tooth Hobbit, the sand Hobbit, being born by being found under a cabbage leaf, or whatever other odd stories are told to offer a bit of mystery and wonder to the world--or to avoid discussing subjects which are too difficult to face or explain properly at the moment. So, there are stories of Bilbo's adventures that have been told now for over a generation most Hobbits their parents' age have heard about spiders and rings of invisibility and stone trolls, and they must have picked up their elders' suspicions these stories were just told to entertain or build Bilbo up in his own imagination. But now this idea that these stories are fictional is challenged, and not only does Frodo receive odd fruit which doesn't grow in their lands, but he knows how to help them explore them and accept them by demonstrating how to smell them, feel them, peel them, taste them, and how to tell if they're too old. Suddenly the thought that Frodo's saying Bilbo's story of the trolls is true becomes more believable. And then he's told them of the fruit bath and the jam making--and there's the proof as well. Again, more support for believing him. And as the children have more reason to believe Frodo, their parents and grandmother find themselves moved to do the same. Must have been difficult, but necessary. And so many times we answer the same question over and over and over. My students often become frustrated at having to demonstrate that braille is an acceptable medium for the written word, and that they can use their white canes and trailing and other techniques for finding their way. It's a constant educational experience. But Frodo's patient enough to deal with it, I think.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 1/22/2006
It's fascinating - and very true to life - how incidental comments and idle questions will bring out a story. Much of it must be very difficult to credit, though - trolls and orcs and ents are very far from the experience of hobbits. (What they do - or should - know, however, is the nature of their own kin.) Oranges, though - there to smell and taste and touch. Solid evidence of the hobbity kind! Author Reply: Yes, here is a new experience that can't be denied, and one that helps add credence to the rest of the stories Frodo's been telling--and being a form of food is indeed properly aligned with Hobbit sensibilities. Knowing that this strange fruit is real and tastes good must help then begin to accept that maybe Frodo's not just making it up, particularly when the pots of jam are included as well. This is something Frodo is obviously experienced with, this fruit, and he helps them enjoy its scent and then its taste, and knows how to tell if it's past its prime. He must have indeed been there before. And the little associations help more important information to come out.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 1/22/2006
Disturbing indeed but at least Frodo is beginning to be able to speak of things nearer to the heart of the matter, at least to those who are willing to try to understand. Out of evil can come some good as is shown by the ash I have got to rush but I am intrigued - where did the idea for the goldfish come from? Author Reply: Yes, for the moment Frodo is beginning to be able to speak some, and it gets closer to what he did. Having told Ferdi and Brendi, it's easier to speak with others, I think, although he can't quite say everything. "All things work to the good for those who love the Lord" goes the quote from the Bible, and so it happens with the ash as well--for the Creator put the potential for beauty and fulfilment into everything he made. As for the orcs being turned into goldfish, it just seemed to come out that way. You know how often dreams can be wonderful and awful at the same time, and full of ludicrous images? I think that's just how the ludicrous part came out in this one.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 1/22/2006
Paladin and Eglantine must've been a huge problem for the four Travellers during the first one or two years after their return. shakes head No wonder Frodo refused to join them for Yule! Frodo is right about Bard, but I'm glad Bard was worried enough to care so well for him. It must be very relieving for Frodo that Bard and Mina understand he must have little meals more often and Mina isn't offended if he can't eat everything she brought him. Nice reminder of the Troll story and the berry bath! I could imagine these two scenes so lively! giggle Good old Aragorn, to send the fruits and jam to Frodo! And it is truly good to know Sauron's attempt to destroy Gondor has backfired so well :D Hm, so Bucca and Dorno are beginning to put two and two together? They're on the right track, I see. Author Reply: I certainly agree about dealing with Paladin and Eglantine--it must have been excruciatingly difficult at times. But why other than overprotectiveness and lack of understanding would drive Merry and Pippin to stay in the Crickhollow house? I felt there must be a need to do so. Bard's a decent sort, and between him and Mina they're making certain Frodo gets the care he needs. But I do think that the Creator would take great relish to find positive uses to put the signs of Sauron's attempt to destroy all to, and the added fertility of the land (which is scientifically backed, by the way) would have delighted Him. And, yes, Dorno and Bucca are adding things up properly.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 1/21/2006
The basket of fruit must have been a lovely surprise.We are so used to fruits of every kind,but I still feel a thrill when English cherries and plums are in season ! Author Reply: I doubt any in the Shire had seen oranges save for the son of Gorbadoc who went to sea, so this would be something totally new for all of them to deal with, and a concrete indication that Frodo and Sam and Merry and Pippin DID go to "foreign parts," and now had a commodity to show for it that Hobbits could appreciate. So glad you like it, Linda.

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