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The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	9 Review(s)
Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 2/28/2006
Look at you, the Lord Frodo Baggins of the Free Peoples of Middle Earth, lying in the dust, a wretched, crawling, hole dweller, barely worth the attention of those seeking to keep their feet unsoiled. It was a shock to hear that voice again and I don't find any other expression: I hate that voice! At least, Frodo was able to get rid of a large part of what was left of the Ring in himself. But that happened far too late, I fear. He is fading, and he knows, this cannot be stopped. Along with that his physical condition gets worse and worse, and even the stubborn Baggins has to admit: fighting is useless! So he decides to purchase that poppy juice - only as a last insurance, so to speak, nothing more - for now! But stubborn as ever he tries to convince the others that he is doing well, and fails, of course. Not only Brendi realizes it at first sight, Sam knows it also. At last Brendi said softly, “You think you’re dying, don’t you?” That must have been hard for Brendi to ask and for Frodo to confirm. Still there is a second option, but not much time left. BTW, I found it very interesting what Queen Galadriel said in her review. When I first read "The Return of the King" I didn't see it coming that Frodo had to leave Middle Earth. But when I read it the second time I recognized lots of small hints that all led to his departure in the end. Now I think, I simply didn't wish to let that happen - and so I ignored it ;-) Author Reply: One of my favorite books at the time I first read LOTR the first time was Abraham Merrit's "The Ship of Ishtar, whose main character is suffering from a severe case of depression and shell shock at the beginning due to experiences in the First World War. Another was Lloyd C. Douglas's "The Robe," in which Marcellus for a time fights the same condition after taking part in the execution of a man he feels was innocent of any crime--plus this is his first experience having to take part in an execution. I could pick up on the signs the same thing was happening with Frodo, and that he was hiding it, more or less successfully--yet not so successfully that Sam didn't realize he was going to leave the Shire, although he plainly thought Frodo would retire to Rivendell. I wasn't surprised at that, but HAD completely missed all the clues as to the relationship between Aragorn and Arwen, so much so that when she appeared for the wedding all I could think was, "Who is this chick and how come she gets to marry MY man?" Anyway--the echoes of the Ring's voice are still there, even though he has finally managed to release his desire for it; and it can still cause a good deal of damage to his self-esteem and will to continue or to open up to others. And neither Brendi or Sam can ignore the fact Frodo is failing, or at least they can no longer pretend it's not as serious as it is.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 2/28/2006
Everyone wants to feed Frodo up - but only those who know him well have the sensitivity not to push. Something which had remained coiled in him for years, wound tighter and tighter all during the time he’d carried Sauron’s Ring, suddenly broke free Good. It's almost become something he looks on as a defining part of himself. Needs to let it go - but not an easy thing to do at all. And the more people who understand why Sam becomes his heir the better. Saves trouble later! Author Reply: If I'd seen Frodo then I would have wanted to do the same. Yes, it's here that Frodo stops thinking of the Ring as part of himself, although all his self-criticism from now on will tend to take what he thinks of as Its voice. And you're certainly right the more who realize why Sam and not a blood relative, the better for the entire Shire.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 2/27/2006
We’re coming to the part of the tale I don’t like at all ... poor Frodo, these nightmares are so horrible, and it is depressing to see how much sway the ring held still over him. At least he was able to get rid of a part of it. As for Brendi, I love him more and more. He is a wonderful hobbit, so intelligent, discerning and compassionate, and I am glad to know he found his own happiness with Narcissa in the end. And I think he could help Frodo a bit, forcing him to acknowledge certain truths. Well, he’s a lawyer, and they tend to be used to complicated trains of thought and to keep track of little details, so he is able to think things through very well ;-) Author Reply: How often when we feel bad anyway such nightmares as these come. How much of it is simply fever, how much his feelings of guilt coming out, how much leftover residue of the Ring is hard to say. But I think at least some of the healing would begin to take part even in the mortal lands. I'm so glad people like Brendi so, for he and Ruvemir, Narcissa and the twins have become so much a part of my imagination's view of Middle Earth any more. Yes, the mind schooled to follow logic and evaluate assumptions is needed here, and helps further weaken the shell built up around Frodo so that when he reaches the Undying Lands it can be more easily stripped away completely.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 2/27/2006
Look Larner - you can't do this to me you know! I can't be crying as I try to drive down the motorway at 70 miles an hour! Author Reply: I'm sorry! Do watch out--I've driven on your motorways, after all, and know how much more dangerous they are than even most stretches of our interstate freeways, for we have far more empty spaces and less congestion than you do once you get outside our metropolitan areas. But we are getting into the difficult times, after all.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 2/26/2006
Child, is it a burden to care for one so well beloved? No, darling, it isn't! Don't leave because you think you are a burden. "I thought I wanted you--that your presence meant I wasn’t truly alone?” he demanded in a fierce whisper through clenched teeth. “Why in Middle Earth I ever thought that comforting I have no idea....I wanted you? I wanted you?! Just so you could belittle and destroy me?” You realize now more than ever what it's done to you. Stop listening to it! Listen to the other voice, the one that actually loves you, listen and talk to Sam and your cousins. You can't bear this all alone. No one can. You are not a burden! Oh, Larner, I know you are writing from personal experience and not only is my heart breaking for Frodo, it's aching for what you went through too. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Well, a good deal of it is projected from the experiences discussed with my husband--when he'd speak of it--before he died. Another friend who also had diabetes and kidney failure preceded him by two years, and he was stoical and did his best to hide from so many what he was experiencing, and it was difficult watching how people finally came to the realization just how bad he was. My husband's condition was even more complicated due to multiple degenerative conditions each adding its own little bit. And yes, finally Frodo is beginning to put aside the voice--except when it speaks to his own feelings of guilt and inadequacy.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 2/26/2006
It looks like the story is just beginning to wind into its last act. Frodo really has given up on the Shire. He has no joy of life any more, and he's starting to make the preparations. One way or the other, he's leaving, and his friends and family are just beginning to acknowledge that. And in the springtime, too, which makes it even sharper. Although now I find myself wondering how Frodo will ever find it within him to travel all the way to the Havens. Author Reply: Tolkien indicated that it was due to repeat of the illness at the time of Elanor's birth that Frodo realized he would never properly recover or fit in any more, which indicates this is the time at which he began actually thinking of his alternatives. As the days came closer to the fall fit of memories he must have gotten near frantic. I admit I up the ante bit with his physical condition reflecting more strongly the experiences and wounds he suffered; but I do feel that there would have been longterm residual effects of what Frodo went through. As for how he made it to the Havens--well, he was traveling with the greatest healer on Middle Earth, ring or no ring.

lotrgirl1415	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 2/26/2006
Hey! Okay Haven't reviewed for a while. I feel so very sad for Frodo. I keep imagining him being so skinny in my head. cries Will there be more angst to come health-wise for Frodo? I do wish he had courted(or attempted to court) Narcissa Boffin in this story... Because even though i love Tolkien's LOTR, I've always wished Frodo had found a lass for him, no matter the lenghth of time. sigh keep up the great work! xoxoxoxoxo --Katie ps: love the addition of the kitten...reminds me of my brothers(and mine) cat Garfield.and reminds me of my deceased cat Pippin...who died 13 months ago.I luv kittens!^-^ Author Reply: We still have a few more months before Frodo leaves Middle Earth, so of course there's going to be some health angst, unfortunately for Frodo. I, too, find myself wondering what it might have been like had Frodo had the courage to marry Narcissa. I think it would have helped him accept a type of healing, at least; but then I think it would have been a more earthly healing than going to Tol Eressea gave him. But I've enjoyed a number of stories in which Frodo married and knew some joy--in some stories Hobbit maidens have ended up inexplicably in the Undying Lands; in some he found joy before he left, or instead of leaving. And in Armariel's stories he meets a sea maiden who gives up her immortality to bind herself to him. As for the kittens--have had many cats and dogs all my life. My Pippin was just loving up against me. Unfortunately I lost his brother Merry a year and a half ago, which was a great grief. Two gorgeous Siamese males.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 2/26/2006
When I first read LOTR, I didn't realise how the Ring or Sauron could be so ominous-at least, not fully. But these last few chapters have given me more of an appreciation for just what it did to Frodo, and it makes me really hate it! And I've come to dread the mention of poppy juice. It's irrational, I know, but it seems every time I've ever read about it it has something to do with adiction or suicide, and I can't see Frodo succumbing to either. Oh, I know, he was in a lot of pain, and I'm perfectly aware that I have no idea what I'm talking about. But still, I just can't get used to such an idea. I've never let it stop me from reading a good story though. Well, I'm glad Frodo will confess to Brendi; that's a plus. It must be a relief to let someone know-since either he has no idea or he refuses to see that it's obvious to all those who love him best. This chapter has to be one of the most poignant in the story so far. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I have commented before that, just as Ian McClellan indicated Middle Earth is one place we love which has never existed except on our hearts, even so the Ring is one of the most loathed objects that never existed--except in our hearts. It was made by one of the greatest of the Maiar, who learned his own way and craft from one intended to be one of the greatest of the Valar but who refused to accept obedience but insisted on dominating all, trying to usurp all power to himself. That such an article--reputed to hold the greater part of Sauron's own vanity, hatred, will for domination, envy for all he himself could not create, and will to destruction of all else--would have been devastating on whoever held It once It awoke. It wove its way into the foundations of his mind and consciousness; losing it after seventeen years of having It ever there must have been terribly damaging. And letting go the desire for It's presence must have been terribly hard. My adopted daughter's birth family is the true stuff of nightmares. Her oldest birth sister, rescued from it, kept running back to it, again and again. Her experience with life was so twisted she could not accept that there might be a place out THERE which was better than the home she knew. Better the devil she knew than the one she imagined had to be worse--out there in the larger world. I won't tell you what that family went through, but it was about the worst we can imagine. Even so Frodo, whose closest companion has been that Ring in his pocket, one who didn't go back home to Number Three most nights, must have found having that awareness wrenched from him in such a violent manner, must have felt at times completely bereft, even as he rejoiced it was gone.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 2/26/2006
Poor frodo,no wonder he wishes Aragorn were there to help and support him ! Author Reply: Yes, I think at times like that he did wish for Aragorn at the same time he wouldn't want Aragorn to see what he was descending to as he worsened.

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