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The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	11 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 95 on 3/5/2006
They should’ve send Pippin to talk to Merry’s parents, maybe that would solve at least part of the problem – he can talk, and they want to hear, unlike his own parents. Poor Merry, if he knew just why Frodo doesn’t want to celebrate his birthday! But it is so sweet of them all that they want to be there in October to help Frodo through the anniversary of Weathertop. “Very well, although if looks were daggers I’d have bled to death the first evening I spent in Hardbottle, going to the inn there with him. Bartolo’s nose is so firmly twisted by Benlo’s defection I suspect next time he goes out in the rain he’ll drown.” giggle Brendi is under no illusions, isn’t he? I love his humour. As for the rest, it was quite sad. It tore at my own heart what Frodo said about courting Narcissa. The only comfort was to know at least Brendi got to say a proper farewell to Frodo, knowing he would never see him again. To be honest, I thought it always so unfair that Frodo slipped out of the Shire without telling even his beloved cousins and they’d not been able to say farewell if not for Gandalf. In my opinion, that would’ve been much harder for them than to see him in his bad state. And they have known him long before the quest and how he was then, so they don't have only the image of him fading to remember. Author Reply: It's hard for some to appear less than what they see as their best, or so I've found. And for as private a person as Frodo, he'd be very unwilling to share his final state with others, I think. So glad you appreciate Brendi's humor, and I, too, am glad Gandalf robbed Frodo of his final disappearance. You are certainly right that the others had far more wonderful memories than bad ones, and he ought not to have been so foolish.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 95 on 3/4/2006
Wow! After that marvellous conversation between Frodo and Brendi I recognized that I was actually holding my breath! Every single word of Frodo in this conversation is a treasure, not only for Brendi but also for the reader. “I now wish--wish I’d done what you suggested--took my own advice--perhaps courted Narcissa. Now--” he turned to meet Brendi’s eyes, “--now it is indeed too late. I was so foolish.” Too late indeed. They would have made the perfect couple. Of that I'm sure! Although Frodo has a detailed plan and even a list to tick off what has been accomplished, he is unsure about Merry and Pippin. “When will you tell them--Merry, Pippin, and Sam?” “Merry and Pippin will know--after I leave the Shire.” “That’s not fair, Frodo!” Now, this time it's me who is torn in two. What Brendi says is true, but I can also understand Frodo. It's really a tragedy! Thank god that Gandalf was there in the end, for if Merry and Pippin had not been there to say farewell to Frodo, that would have been yet another reason to make him feel guilty. Author Reply: Actually holding your breath? Now, that is a compliment! Brendi is seeing just how depleted Frodo himself has become, to the point he cannot bear the farewells. Frodo himself accepts he has been foolish, that he might have known more than he did--but now he realizes he's cheated himself, which again is in part a step forward. And I think they might have known more joy than Frodo realizes even now. Frodo's choice has always left us torn in two--and we see how it affects almost all there as well. And I, too, rejoice that Gandalf was there at the end to see things set right before Frodo bears that regret away with him as well.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 95 on 3/4/2006
So Frodo has finally decided that he needs to sail to the West. I hope the poor Hobbit finds peace there. Author Reply: I've always believed Frodo did find his peace there. So glad you agree.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 95 on 3/3/2006
All this plotting and counter-plotting! It's so wonderful to see the Hobbits all trying to do the best they can by each other, even if it is such an awful situation. But Frodo seems to have made his peace with his fate, and he has chosen the possibility of healing over the certainty of death. Looks like things will be coming to a head real soon. Author Reply: Yes, the story is indeed looking toward its ending. Frodo has at last chosen as you've noted, and while others seek to come to his comfort he seeks to slide out between the various approaching fronts. But at least he has indeed chosen the possibility of healing.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 95 on 3/3/2006
Oh, man! It just kills me when we see Merry and Pippin making plans, when we know that Frodo will be gone before they can come to pass. And while I know Frodo's rationale for not telling them, I never have and don't now, agree. Thank goodness for Gandalf. As carefully as Frodo is planning all these things, he is still not taking into account how unfair he is being in his secrecy. But that is part and parcel of his malady, and while he has come to accept certain things, letting go of his secrets is not one of them. Yet he has made a good deal of progress on one front: I don’t know if I’ll survive to make it to Tol Eressëa. That will be your choice. You are correct that once you go aboard the ship you will not see the others save for Sam while you remain within Arda. Is there any reason not to bid them farewell? Save, he thought wryly, for the fact I’m desperately out of practice. Be honest with yourself, child--whose heart is it you seek most to spare being torn in two at this point--theirs or your own? You aren’t worthy of their caring. This time Frodo found himself shaking his head. “We don’t love one another based on worthiness,” he said softly to himself. “Hearts aren’t ruled by reason.” He felt as if a warm hand had just been placed on his shoulder. This is something he could not have admitted, a few months earlier. The part at the end, showing the talk about the food ordered, showed that it is going to not only be the hearts of his close kin and friends that will be torn, but those of others, who know and care about him. sigh Author Reply: Gandalf will have a task, getting Merry and Pippin there in time. Yes, a good deal of the desire to keep things secret is due to the PTSD and its attendant depression; and I think a good deal of it is an attempt in part to spare himself further distress. It's not just those who remain who will feel torn by his leaving--he, having said goodbye in his heart, must now see the grief in the eyes of those remaining behind, must feel the grief resonating in himself. I think part of not telling Merry and Pippin was to spare himself that; yet in the end it is probably better just to be open about it, which Frodo is not yet able to do. But you are right--it's not long since Frodo could not have responded as he did to the voice of the Ring, and marks one more step in his repudiation of Its former hold on him. One counts how successful a person is not by the number of people he or she knew, but by the number whose lives were touched for the better. Frodo Baggins openly, secretly, and simply as a matter of being managed to touch the lives of so very many.

	Reviewed Chapter: 95 on 3/3/2006
Dearest Larner.....Your stories are ALWAYS filled with such grace, tenderness and poignancy...you never fail to evoke for me, both the extreme measures of bitter irony and profound sadness, together with the joy and appreciation I have for someone such as yourself, who love the story Tolkien created so much, as to never let it die....heavy sigh...please, dearest Larner, let us down gently, for this parting to come, is a great, tremendous rend. It always leaves me weeping, no matter how many times I have seen it, or how many times I have read it. Thank you so much for your efforts, and your generosity to share it with us all, it is a marvelous work.............Q Author Reply: Thank you so very much; and I hope all is going well for the moment at least in your life. I will not let anyone down more strongly than did the Master himself, I think. That I'm able to evoke such a strong and varied emotional response in you and others shows that I'm doing my job as a writer well. Thank you for such a tender review.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 95 on 3/3/2006
The last few chapters have been wonderfully detailed but rather harrowing. Poor Frodo, and poor Pip, having his father speak to him like that. Palading needs a good shaking, and I see I'm not the only one who thinks so. Dear Brendi is a marvellous character - he's supportive, perceptive, kind and intelligent, and I love that in your other stories he and Narcissa find each other. He deserves some happiness. Author Reply: Am so glad you find them fulfilling in spite of the angst, Baggins Babe. Paladin has caused his last wound--he now will come to terms with what he's done. Am so glad you like Brendi, and that you see him so much as I do. And now Frodo himself realizes he is, in ways, giving Brendi and Narcissa and the twins to one another.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 95 on 3/3/2006
P.S I have just read Shirebound's wonderful observation. Now there is quite a thread to wind into the one about the sea-longing affecting Merry and Pippin too! Author Reply: Do you think I should do another in the lines of the story of Pippin admitting the sea longing to his son?

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 95 on 3/3/2006
Quite a lot to keep track of in this chapter Larner! I don''t know how you do it. All those loose threads lovingly woven into such a rich tapestry. The thing that breaks my heart the most is that he tries to do without saying goodbye to P & M. I am so glad that he doesn't manage it! And to finally admit his regret over Narcissa - my heart gave quite a squeeze at that too. Mum seems to be liking being back and Jet is very taken with her. He actually obeys her more than Dad but I don't think either of them have noticed. He certainly isn't obeying me! But then I can be cajoled into playing tug 'o war or 'You put my toys away while I fetch them out'. g I have managed to re-negotiate my working week to allow me to get home every Friday to give my Dad some relief. Now all I've got to do is see how that works out, get him to admit that it will be helpful and that I don't mind cleaning house. Thank you for helping me to keep my sanity through all of this by having something else to focus on. Author Reply: The Master himself gave such a rich tapestry to begin with, and it's a wonderful experience taking his story just that much further, seeing what we can make of it. I hope I'm not leaving too many loose threads, although such are always good for another story, as you know. Yes, I think Frodo would in the end regret the chances he's passed by and admit it openly. But the refusal to let Pippin and Merry know must have been as much to protect himself as to protect them, don't you think? So, Jet had identified the alpha in the family as your mother, has he? Wise dog, then. And he knows who the real softy is as well. Love the identification of the game "You put my toys away while I fetch them out!" Have seen children and dogs both who love that particular pasttime. And so glad you get to be home on Fridays to help your dad. Good luck with it all. Chronic illness in the family can be difficult to deal with, but in the end can be remarkably rewarding.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 95 on 3/3/2006
I like the look at Merry and his parents before the dinner, and the conversation between Merry and Pippin. What a bitter surprise everyone will have when they discover that Frodo is leaving or already gone. I especially feel sorry for Mags-of course any tender-hearted woman would want that, but she won't have her chance, and wouldn't even if Frodo wasn't going. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I have always imagined that those who fostered Frodo when he was young would have had a special relationship with their own son. Frodo's need to leave leaves him in a terrible position, for he physically and emotionally can't bid farewell explicitly with everyone; he doesn't wish to raise in Merry and Pippin impossible desires; and he's getting to the point he can't bear dealing with the grief which he knows would surround his actual going. As for Mags--she's but one among many who would desire to see Frodo properly plump and rosy and dancing again before the Shire--an impossible dream for him on this side of the Sundering Sea at this point, I think. And we get glimpses of the smaller lives touched by Frodo, all the ones not named who were helped by his bequests, who were touched by his generosity, who were pulled up short in foolishness and encouraged in compassion and charity by him and his example. Such as Frodo touch many lives, openly and secretly, or so I've found.

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