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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 13 Review(s) |
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| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 1/29/2006 |
| So Lobelia died hearing one last time a letter from one of the very few Hobbits who didn’t scorn her? Frodo’s two letters seem to have been a huge comfort to her. And of course Bartolo wasn’t happy with her will, but Benlo was probably right in what he said about the ownership of Bag End. Nice to see some decent Bracegirdles for a change! Author Reply: To hear words of respect from one on whom she'd poured lies and rumors and hatred for years must have been a shock to her, and in the end, as she repented for what she and Lotho had done she must have felt reassured by what he wrote her. Yes, I think they were a comfort to her. And am glad to see others also like to see decent Bracegirdles. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 1/29/2006 |
| At least Lobelia got to die with some semblance of peace unlike a lot of people there in the Shire over the last year or so. It was very good of Frodo to write and to express his appreciation of her returning Bag End to him so that she could leave knowing that she did do something right in her life. And it was good that she left most of her things to help others and to try and restore some of the damage that was done by her son, though of course material things will never make up for the loss of life and of innocence that was suffered by the people of the Shire. But it was all she could do and at least she tried and she was not the one that caused the damage to the Shire herself in any case. Author Reply: I agree about Lobelia, doing her best to make what her son had damaged right again. No, the material assistance doesn't make up for everything, but it does help ease the losses and bring back the feeling of normalcy once more. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 1/29/2006 |
| What a lovely letter for Frodo to have sent. It is such an open, honest letter, that it must have touched Lobelia right to her heart. I'm glad it was a comfort to her and that it helped her to die with the dignity befitting the lady she always wanted to be. Author Reply: To die with dignity after all the years of pettiness and rumormongering should have been beyond her expectations, but I, too, am glad it was granted to her. And, yes, she did manage to die more a lady than she spent most of her life. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 1/29/2006 |
| Your Frodo is not only a talented storyteller, but also a skilful letter-writer, like Tolkien was. Maybe, he doesn't even know what this last letter meant to old Lobelia. It was not a letter of satisfaction that he finally got back what truly belonged to him. It was an honest letter of gratefulness and happiness about her deed and his confidence that the Shire would be a beautiful place once more. With those images in mind, Lobelia's end was peaceful! Author Reply: I'm so glad you agree that this was what Lobelia needed to die in peace. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 1/29/2006 |
| Hyacinth is a nice hobbit. Kind-hearted and generous. Poor old Lobelia. I wonder what went into making her so obnoxious. She clearly had some better feelings and nicer characteristics. Deep down. I wonder what made her bury them to become so defensive and snobbish. And desperate for position and respect. She ended up doing the best possible thing with her money and property, though, for whatever reasons. Bartolo should be counting his blessings at the moment rather than looking to see what he has lost. Author Reply: Well, here is a plotbunny, isn't it, to figure out how Lobelia became--Lobelia! Anyone have an empty hutch, folks? Glad you like Hyacinth Bracegirdle, for I find I rather like her, too. And Bartolo may eventually find he is better off than he thinks. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 1/28/2006 |
| Lobelia'sdeath was touching, I felt sorry for her,a character I'd always disliked. Author Reply: Isn't it odd when we find ourselves feeling compassion for folks for whom we've always felt antipathy? I hope one day I might feel that way toward two real individuals who've done their best to make others miserable. | |
| demeter d | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 1/28/2006 |
| The Professor told us that Lobelia recieved honor after her release from the Lockholes. And, she gave Bag End back to Frodo, and all of her money to help others. You have filled in the details of a gracious peace between Frodo and Lobelia before she died. So sweet. Author Reply: Thank you, Demeter. And the Harrowcat returns thanks for the prayers offered. | |
| Tigger | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 1/28/2006 |
| Finally...All caught up from the last few weeks. Poor Frodo and the rest of them as well. I know all too well having no one to talk to or being talked down to in response to trying to talk something out or to get something out by your family. And then people start wondering why you hold things in. What's the point in trying to explain things when you get called silly or stupid for thinking that way. You would be silly and stupid if you kept trying, didn't you? Merry and Pippin were so very lucky to be given Crickhollow by Frodo. At least they had a place to go. As always, you are doing an amazing job of this story. I loved the scene when Gimli discovered he had also been given permission to sail and why. That was so beautifully done. Also Aragorn's frustration over how his friends are being treated by their own families. Sometimes friends can see more clearly than family, but at the same time, their own hands are tied because the family just can't or won't listen to what is needed to take place for their loved one to truly heal. A vicious circle all the way around. Looking forward to the next chapter. Especially now that I've caught up. :o) Author Reply: So glad life is allowing you to return to the story--know it's been rather difficult at times. Frodo, unfortunately, is trying to hide his true condition even from those who DO appreciate it and who would do anything to help him; but I agree about poor Pippin--dealing with those who WON'T listen is so difficult. And glad you like how Gimli responded to his permission to sail, although I still feel that this was more for Legolas's sake than Gimli's. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 1/28/2006 |
| That is a wonderful letter. There isn't much more nasty than relatives at odds with each other. And it is often over the dividing up of property. My Grandmother had the right idea. She labelled all her furniture etc with people's names. (And I still don't know whether she or the Prof thought of it first!!) But it still led to anger and disputes. I am glad the S-B feud was settled before Frodo had to leave. To do good things and make sacrifices for our friends is all well and good. To do them to benefit our enemies too is even greater. Jet returns the wriggle, adds a very wet lick and promises to be as well-trained as a guide dog; well one day anyway!!! Author Reply: I know about nasty relatives. Have a very petty family feud going in my own family which is so slowly healing, and it drives me crazy. I, too, am glad Frodo was able to find his peace with Lobelia before the end, and that she gave over the selfishness. And met Lindelea's daughter's chinchilla today. Jasmine wriggles her nose for Jet. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 1/28/2006 |
| Wow, what a loving letter! Author Reply: Yes, I think that Frodo would seek to address the best in the other, helping to bring it out in that individual, particularly in his letters. | |