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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 15 Review(s) |
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| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 2/1/2014 |
| Such a beautiful wedding! I wish we'd had Frodo at ours! Or maybe just as a guest afterward...most of the actual day is blurred in my mind because there was so much to do and our photographer insisted on a zillion pictures while I wore a summer dress in winter weather and shoes I would have gladly burned afterward. I just love the cord of many colors to reflect all the moods, and all of Frodo's words to Sam and Rosie and the wedding vows. I also giggled over Sam's major freak-out the day before. So good of Frodo to send him off for some relaxation! Author Reply: Preparing for a wedding can be stressful, as you know from experience. The multicolored wedding cord has been a part of my stories since "The King's Commission," so I had to find a way to work it into Sam's wedding as well. We were married in June, and the day was clear, and the hatch for the station wagon stuck open, and I thought we'd never be able to head for Victoria as we'd intended! Sam needed to come off of perfection mode, and Frodo was the Hobbit to relieve him, although he ended up doing more than was strictly good for him. But the wedding came off well, and I think everyone was glad Frodo officiated! | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 2/21/2006 |
| I simply loved this chapter! To finally see Sam and Rosie married was very, very special. I was glad that they incorporated some Dunedain customs into their wedding... it seemed to fit somehow. Sam is of the Shire and yet a part of the larger world beyond it as well. Poor Frodo though with his little heart attack type things going on. Trying to do too much and not wanting to spoil Sam and Rosie's special day... which is understandable. Nicely done! Author Reply: Yes, Frodo is trying so hard not to disturb the wedding and the groom, even if it includes hiding the fact he's in a good deal of pain. That Aragorn would want a little input into Sam's wedding, even if it includes getting Frodo to include Dunedain tradition such as the marriage cord, tied contract, and so on in the Shire ceremony, seemed logical; and you are definitely right that Sam now belongs to far more of Middle Earth than just the Shire. And am so glad you loved the ceremony. | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 2/20/2006 |
| Great chapter on the getting ready for Sam's wedding. I love the image of a Samwise utterly flustered. Good thing to have him taken off to the pub. Great thought to have one of the braided cords of the Dunedain as part of the wedding. Author Reply: Even the unflappable Samwise Gamgee must have had a hard time the day before his wedding, don't you think? The most important day of the rest of his life, and like all brides and grooms he worries about it all going wrong. And I do think Aragorn and Arwen would have desired some input into this marriage, after all; the braided marriage cord seemed the proper tweak they'd offer. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 2/19/2006 |
| Yay! Hooray! Mazel tov to Sam and Rosie! Author Reply: Yes, finally married, and glad of it at that. It's not been quite as long a wait as between Aragorn and Arwen, but it's felt that, I'm certain, for Rosie. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 2/18/2006 |
| What a perfect wedding! The additional details really made this even more beautiful - the presence light, the cord...... How touching to think that Dunedain traditions were brought in to a Shire wedding, and fitting that Frodo should perform it. I'm only sorry his heart was faltering during the marriage ceremony, and I don't think he's up to a walking trip to Buckland, but he's such a stubborn Baggins. I think Sam and Rose will always remember their wedding day. Author Reply: I am so glad you appreciated it, Baggins Babe. This is a bringing together of all their experiences, and a recognition in ways that Frodo and Sam belong as much to the world at large as they do to the Shire. Frodo is truly appreciating he is fading, and so is putting all he can into the wedding, and seeking to do as much as he can while he can. And, yes, he is a stubborn Baggins, isn't he? I think far more than Sam and Rosie will remember their wedding day, actually. | |
| demeter d | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 2/17/2006 |
| ....never want for food,clothing,shelter and ...love. The last perhaps even more important than the rest. As Star Wars's Obi Wan Kenobi said to Luke after his first training success, "you have just taken your first step into a larger world". Frodo and the other Travelers, and their many friends and visitors, are slowly but surely alerting the Shire to the fact that they are part of a larger world. Your marriage vows are lovely, the most complete that I have ever seen! They promise to respect each other's families even though they put each other first. And to promise to be financially careful for the sake of those who depend on them, and to try to mind their tempers and be prepared for bad times as well as good. I liked the touch of Lord Glorfindel greeting Sam with as much respect as Sam gave to him. Sam has grown indeed! Lovely, Larner. Looking forward to more. Author Reply: Slowly Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin are drawing much of the rest of the Shire into the larger world, a step that needs to be taken. I see the Shire wedding as primarily practical, while that of the Dunedain tends to be more spiritual. Sam and Rosie have taken both sets of vows now, and I think these two will take them MOST seriously. So glad you appreciate the Shire vows. If only we all took them seriously. As for Sam and Glorfindel--they are BOTH Lords of the Free Peoples, and I'm certain the Elf would treat a brother Lord, particularly one whose willingness to give of himself for all as was true of Sam, would be most certainly respected and honored. Am so glad you approve. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 2/16/2006 |
| I wonder how Sam arranged the meeting with Glorfindel? Well, it’s certainly a request Elrond will fulfill gladly. And Sam should be honored it was the legendary balrog-slayer who came to meet him. How nice of Frodo to sent Sam to The Green Dragon and to take the preparations in hand himself! I am glad Merry and Pippin put him to bed before he collapsed. Of course Frodo had to add Sam’s title and explain it, but to forget to mention his own title. He’s truly hopeless. *shakes head, smiling* Wonderful idea to have Aragorn send the rings and the cord for a marriage as he himself and Arwen had. And you described the wedding ceremony so well! It was wonderful done. And I was glad Frodo get through the ceremony without collapsing after overdoing it so the day before. Although I am a bit worried about this pain he felt – was it the knowledge he will never have the joy Sam and Rosie now shared? Author Reply: I think that Sam just went specifically to a region he knew the Elves were likely to travel through and set himself planting trees there in hopes he might actually see one, and it happened Glorfindel was just returning from one of his jaunts to Mithlond for Elrond--or perhaps on his own hook, there being stories written elsewhere here of his friendships and relationships with some of those who worked under Cirdan. For so many wedding parties it's difficult to keep the anxiety of the day from driving the bride, groom, and parents crazy; and Frodo would recognize when that anxiety was taking over poor Sam and do his best to see it relieved and the responsibilities dealt with by others better able to see to what needed doing. That he himself might end up pushing himself too far is very likely. I think that, knowing the wedding between Sam and Rosie was coming, Aragorn and Arwen would want to have some impact and would think to send marriage tokens and the wedding cord; that Sam and Frodo would consider using them and Rosie would agree for their sakes seemed logical. As for the pain Frodo was experiencing--I suspect he pushed himself too much the day before and is feeling the consequences of it, although his hidden grief he didn't expect to know the same happiness is probably contributing as well. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 2/16/2006 |
| I couldn't review this last night Larner. First it was so late and second I stayed over at work to look after the house - a BIG house with lots of rooms and doors. I felt like hobbits in Bree or in the King's House. So I printed out the chapter and took it to bed to keep me company. What a beautifully bitter-sweet chapter to send me into dream-land (or as much of dream-land as I got!) I've decided! I want a wedding just like Sam & Rosie's! But then, of course it would need someone as wise and gentle as Frodo to preside. (Aragorn would do!! *g*) Only one obstacle to all this - first find a man to be my very own story-book hero and who can put up with the eccentric creature that is me! As usual you have out-done yourself yet again with this chapter dear Larner. And, for me the beauty is in all the detail; such as Frodo learning the marriage knot. Got to run and open up! Only one thought - Isn't Sam going to be too 'busy' to make up more 'tea' for Frodo to take with him? This does not bode well. Especially if we have read your other tales! Author Reply: I love BIG English houses, and would probably love the one you work in. And I find myself looking for a second husband of the quality of the first, but yet different--am finding being widowed is beginning to pale after almost five years. I had two wonderful priests who cooperated in our first wedding, one doing the nuptial mass and the other the actual marriage, and I'd look for a similar situation were I to do it again, of course (although I wouldn't mind if the groom were Aragorn and Frodo doing the honors, of course). But, as with you, I need a special guy who can put up with me and my dogs, cats, and books. So very glad all seem to appreciate my idea of a Shire wedding. And again we do have Frodo appreciating Aragorn's insistence he learn the wedding knot--the foresight of the line of Kings is legendary, after all. So glad you approve. As for the tea, I suspect Sam filled the waterskins with that last night, you know. Love to your folks and Jet. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 2/16/2006 |
| What a beautiful wedding! I'm sure Sam wasn't too enthusiastic about the Lord Samwise references, but he took them very graciously. Frodo has been putting rather too much strain on himself, though - and Sam isn't going to be in any state to notice for a while. I don't think this is the perfect time for a walking trip. Author Reply: So glad you approve of the wedding, Bodkin. No, Sam isn't likely to appreciate the Lord Samwise comments, but also isn't going to make an issue of it now. And Sam certainly has excellent reason to not notice Frodo's physical condition. I agree, a walking trip isn't the best idea at the moment, but Frodo's going to insist on it anyway. | |
| Lady Saruman | Reviewed Chapter: 81 on 2/16/2006 |
| I'm so happy that you're updating every day again--I can't stand it when you don't. The wedding was a bittersweet thing, because Sam, Rosie, Frodo, and all the others are happy, but when the wedding was over Frodo experiences the wound he had obtained from the Witch-King. Thank you for this chapter, and for making the wedding come at last. Please hurry and update!!!! Hershey's hugs/kisses, Lady Saruman ^_~ Author Reply: It's easier now I can actually transfer the files from laptop to the server to post. Am going to have to try to find a card that will put the laptop on the network properly--it's an older wireless system, and the newer cards don't always hook in properly with the older routers. Yes, the wedding is bittersweet for Frodo, although his actual symptoms are of a mild heart attack--I did write him as originally suffering heart damage which was partially healed by Aragorn and his brothers; but the two bouts of memories have left him compromised once more. However, he is very happy for his Sam, I think. And I certainly got my share of candy for Valentines! (Including a Hershey's Pot of Gold box, of course! Love Hershey's Pot of Gold chocolates.) Wishing you the same. | |