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The Acceptable Sacrifice  by Larner 8 Review(s)
AntaneReviewed Chapter: 97 on 3/12/2006
Finally - the Tooks have seen the light!



Author Reply: Yes, and it was rather painful at that. Glad they did, personally.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 97 on 3/6/2006
Ah, I was hoping they'd talk after that dinner. They all needed it; it helped them-and me, for that matter-understand. I actually pity Palidin and Eglantine now. They *were* silly to think that the Gondorians were only humouring Pippin and that the swords and things were just for show and all the rest, but I can see where they've been coming from now. Of course it would be hard for them to accept that their " dear, exasperating little Pippin" is grown up, and more mature than some hobbits I could name.

And as to titles, what do you suppose that song was like? I was daring enough to try and make a rough version which I'll post on the twenty-fifth-it's twenty-six verses long and basically tells the story, but it seems it ought to be more...if anyone can bear more. :)
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: So glad that at last Paladin and Eglantine are redeeming themselves somewhat. It's not easy to accept that your son went into terrible danger without asking permission, then returned an adult in all but chronological age. This so often happens to veterans, after all. So they convinced themselves nothing was as serious as indicated by the stories they've heard but refused to believe, including the honors given. It's hard to accept the honors if you don't accept the reason why they were granted.

Am looking forward to reading your version of the Lay of Frodo of the Nine Fingers.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 97 on 3/6/2006
How do you do that? So much emotion, so much sadness and suspense, but also relief and hope! Wow!

I am really relieved that finally Paladin accepted the truth.

“It will be all right, Pal,” she said. “Oh, big brother of mine, he’s Pippin, after all--once he’s certain you are truly willing to understand, he’ll forgive you.”

Paladin Took buried his eyes in his sister’s shoulder and wept--wept for what he’d done to his son.


I didn't thought that possible, but at this point I actually feel pity for Paladin and I hope Esme is right. It's certainly true that Pippin is one who can quickly forgive, as is Frodo.


Author Reply: Oh, am so glad you approve, Andrea. Paladin and Eglantine have been purposely hiding from the truth, but they aren't bad people, just ones who have been handed information beyond their ability to believe and who want so desperately for their beloved, exasperating son to have remained safe instead of having gone from danger to danger. And they are worthy of respect in the end. And I'm certain our Pippin will forgive his parents, as we already know is true of Frodo.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 97 on 3/6/2006
So, at long last Pal and Lanti have to accept the truth - their little lad is no coward, but a honoured hero. It is good to see the direct effect of what Frodo told them had on the four of them after we knew from the earlier fics only the repercussions.

“Have I ever told you, Sara, that I am one of the stupidest Hobbits ever born in the Shire?” he asked. Well, I have to agree with Saradoc's answer to *that*! And I am glad Paladin has reached this point - Pippin will need his parents when Frodo is gone, I suppose. (Btw, at the moment I suspect Brendi was the one who told them that Frodo planned to slip away, as he is the only one to knows the whole truth).

Good idea of them to go and meet Lord Halladan, I think. I'd love to witness that.



Author Reply: Yes, Paladin has been a decent Thain and excellent leader of his family and people; but now he's having to accept the full truth about his son, and here he's been quite pigheaded indeed. A relief to get that dealt with at last.

Ah, but the book says that Gandalf got Merry and Pippin headed for the Havens, so we're going to look at that soon, of course.

Yes, they'd do well to meet with Lord Halladan, but don't actually end up with quite enough time to do that, as they find Crickhollow empty when they go to make the suggestion to the two younger Hobbits.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 97 on 3/6/2006
Oh Larner it is so good to see the aftermath of the dinner from the pov of the parents! It has hit them hard indeed and is finally helping them to fit those pieces into place but barely in time and too late for Frodo. And I have this dreadful fear that Eglantine is going to do a flip and come down at the other extreme. One that finally acknowledges his deeds and how brave he was 'in spite of his youth'. I can almost feel the cotton wool being unwrapped for....

my little Pippin [who] was so badly hurt--and so brave and all!

I know I keep saying it but I am glad for two things: this isn't an AU version and that we DO know that P & M get there in time to say good bye. Otherwise I would be ranting at Frodo right down the computer cables!

(Things not so good at home. The carers have failed to urn up twice so far in less than a week. Mum has had a bout of an upset stomach and her pressure ulcer site has split open again. So she is back to being on her side and plastered up!)

Author Reply: Am not going to approach the relationship between Pippin and his mother in this fiction, but maybe sometime in the future. But the wool batting might indeed come into play for a time--unless she listens to Esmeralda, who has had considerable experience with how counterproductive it is in the end.

And I DO try to stay as true to canon as I can, although at times I have been known to play with some facts, I know.

Sorry to hear about the problems with the carers. Here had a horrible row last night in the midst of dealing with the tenants, who ARE being evicted. And tell your mom I'm praying for her. More pressure ulcer problems--YECCH!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 97 on 3/5/2006
Well, *finally*! Paladin and Eglantine have *finally* come to their senses. To have had to have their faces rubbed into the truth before they'd believe it.

“Have I ever told you, Sara, that I am one of the stupidest Hobbits ever born in the Shire?” he asked.

Well. Duh!

I'm so glad that Sara and Esme had more sense than that!

I do know that Pippin will forgive his father, probably more easily than Merry will forgive his uncle for hurting Pippin. But I can't help but hope he rubs it in just a *tad* after all they put him through. Of course, I'm not nearly so forgiving as Pippin and Frodo. It is probably wise to try and get Lord Halladan there. It will help defuse the situation.

I'm looking at the dates on the ToY--with everything else they have going, it looks as though it will be cutting it very closely indeed for the two to make it to the Grey Havens. That of course, is canon. But I can't wait to see the kind of breathtaking suspense you will put into *your* version of *how* that came to be.

That is something about your stories--you can turn purely emotional events into something as suspenseful and heart-pounding as an adventure story or a thriller. The tension, the pain, the conflict--all are there to a greater degree than most give to the story of a physical fight to the death!

Author Reply: Yes, Mum and Dad have finally come around--and not a moment too soon for their son, although too late to make it up completely with Frodo before he is gone, although I'm certain he has faith they've made the turnaround. Am not going into the final shifts in relationship between Pippin and his parents in this story, though, as it is winding down. One more chapter after the one I posted today, and then author's notes.

It says Merry and Pippin arrive in a hurry at the Grey Havens, so I think they'd have been hurrying far more than Frodo and Sam have been traveling with the Elves. But they have a further distance to travel, after all.

And I'm honored for your evaluation of my writing. This story, although not finished, has been named runner up for a Golden Mushroom award, BTW--got my notification today. The category was for Best Candidate for Prozac. I had to laugh.

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 97 on 3/5/2006
So Frodo has finally convinced the older cousins. That's one more thing to check off on his list of things to accomplish before he leaves. Good to see Paladin finally accepting that he's wrong.

Author Reply: I, too, am glad that at last Paladin Took has turned the corner and is headed back to a positive relationship with his son. And yes, Frodo has accomplished one more goal before he leaves.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 97 on 3/5/2006
I see Pippin's parents have realised the truth at long last.I hope it will make things easier for him.

Author Reply: I'm certain having his parents accept the truth about what Pippin experienced while he was gone helps a good deal. It's difficult to accept that things could so seriously might have endangered our children. Accepting the truth is a major step forward for them.

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