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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 11 Review(s) |
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| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 99 on 3/16/2006 |
| I am glad that Gandalf went to get Merry and Pippin, so they could see Frodo off. That age old question, what is a wizard. I love the hobbits insisting that he is a man. Author Reply: I, too, am glad that Merry and Pippin didn't find out when it was too late. It was a dreadfully unfair thing for Frodo to have done, to try to leave them in the dark like that. And I certainly can understand younger Hobbits not knowing the difference between wizards and men. You're almost done now. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 99 on 3/12/2006 |
| Out of the mouths of babes, indeed! That child does have some insight, doesn't she? Wow. And wonderful to see the backstory of Gandalf getting Merry and Pippin to the Havens in time. I know Frodo's reasoning behind not telling them, but thank Gpd Gandalf realized that Frodo would have suffered more not to have said goodbye and more pain is the one that thing that dear one does not need! Loved the story Frodo told too. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Yes, both Cyclamen and Dianthus are very perceptive, each in her own way. And it was fun trying to figure what kind of obstacles might hold up the White Wizard. But Merry and Pippin deserved to know, after all! They don't deserve being left behind as Frodo had intended. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 99 on 3/12/2006 |
| This chapter left me crying! But I loved what Frodo told Cyclamen, and her question if the finger would wait for Frodo. Children sometimes come up with interesting questions and insights. And this “I bet it was proud to go so the rest of you didn’t have to, though,” was absolutely sweet! Dear Cyclamen! Amusing idea to have the bounders bar Gandalf’s entry in the Shire. Of course young Beldin couldn’t understand that Gandalf isn’t a man! What does he know about Istari or Maia and all that, after all. He’s obviously not one of these who are close to the Travellers and probably know Gandalf is more than he seems. What a relief that Gandalf rode to Crickhollow and told Merry and Pippin! Merry was so right: “Oh, Frodo, why is it in trying to protect us you tend to inflict the deepest hurts?” It would’ve been horrible for the two if Sam had returned from the Havens to tell them Frodo was gone forever without saying goodbye. Oh, and even if they didn’t get to meet Lord Halladan this time, I’d still love to see Pippin’s and Merry’s parents meet him. Not to mention the trial for Timono. (I know, I'm a plague ...) Author Reply: Yes, children tend to see things from a unique perspective, and will ask questions at times that stymie us with the astuteness displayed in their forming. And Frodo needs to realize he has a unique worth. Tolkien himself says that Gandalf tipped off Merry and Pippin as to Frodo's intentions to leave the Shire and Middle Earth, so I just wanted to see precisely what he had to go through to do this in this story. And what do most Hobbits know of the distinction between wizards and men? Beldin has a bit of education to go through, I think. Just glad the ferryhobbit recognized him and didn't give him any flack, myself. And those who try to slip away do cause pain. But think of the greater pain which all would have felt when Frodo considered killing himself. The trials for Timono and his cohorts are told in my story "The Ties of Family," followed later in the story by another hearing and trial for Bedro Bracegirdle and Ted Sandyman and a few accomplices. Bedro gets his final trial before Aragorn himself in Bree, btw. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 99 on 3/11/2006 |
| Poor Gandalf,he must feel very frustrated ! I think FRodo shpuld have told Merry and Pippin that he was leaving. Author Reply: I'd always wondered why Frodo didn't tell Merry and Pippin, and finally decided he must be one who had a aversion to taking leave and dealing with the pain he saw expressed on both sides. Letters of farewell must have seemed far easier to deal with for such as he. As for Gandalf--he's just had a frustrating time and is only bent on seeing that all is properly ready for Frodo's leaving of Middle Earth. At least he managed to get all set right. And I'd always wondered why he arrived separately from the Elves anyway. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 99 on 3/11/2006 |
| Lovely chapter Larner. Sorry to hear about the row with the Tenents! Any conflict is Nasty business. Things are very tough at home and I haven't had much sleep for three days so I'm off to bed. Spent most of yesterday at A&E as Mum's catheter was blocked and the district nurse couldn't replace it. Got up this A.M to another wet bed and no drainage! Hoping it might be solved but not holding my breath. Had to come back to work and left my Dad holding the fort but he is very tired too. So, sorry, if I skip a review please assume I am reading but can't fit in replying. Author Reply: Oh, it's not just tenants now. I don't believe the last few days--I just don't. But the tenants are on their way out. They're turning the property into a junk yard and I won't have it. Glad you appear to have enjoyed this chapter. Praying for your mom. Frustrations of this sort are so difficult for those who'd far rather be able to just get up in the morning and see to breakfast for the family instead of having to be taken care of, I'm certain. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 99 on 3/11/2006 |
| Frodo should be called master storyteller! Never before did I read about Frodo telling someone about the death of his parents and his reactions. He found just the right words for Cyclamen to let her understand what he told her. Of course he left out a lot about the quest, but he told her all that really mattered to him. Then all was done, and he realized one of his new companions was one of the most wonderful of people he’d ever known, but in the end he wanted to return to his own home and people. So he did. And once again I think of Aragorn, riding like the wind to be there in time. But there seems to be no chance that they will meet again in Middle Earth! “Oh, Frodo, why is it in trying to protect us you tend to inflict the deepest hurts?” Poor Merry! He knows exactly why his cousin didn't say a word. Maybe that decision was selfish, yet it was made to spare Merry and Pippin the pain of saying good bye. But the pain when they had recognized he was gone, would have been far deeper. Author Reply: So glad you like actually hearing one of Frodo's own tales, most of which are spoken of but not actually recounted, although I do have him telling one in "The Ties of Family" when he tells of Aragorn and a little of the destruction of the Ring to the children of Hobbiton. And there are so many who love him who would say their goodbyes if only given the chance, I think; and Aragorn's desperate ride represents them all. And Merry does know his cousin, and feels the pain of the lack of willingness to face that goodbye. I am just so glad Tolkien indicated Gandalf saw to it they came in spite of Frodo. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 99 on 3/11/2006 |
| “I bet it was proud to go so the rest of you didn’t have to, though,” she added Oh my, Larner, what a lovely and amazing thing for a child (or anyone) to say. That's one of the most special lines I'll take away from this story. Author Reply: Art Linkletter used to have the segment on his show, "Kids Say the Darnedest Things!" and the Bible speak of wisdom from the mouths of babes. That Frodo would come to think of his finger as glad to sacrifice itself for the rest of him as being in ways the reflection of his own willingness to sacrifice himself for the Shire as well as the rest of Middle Earth I felt was a lesson he needed to hear. So glad you found it profound enough to take away with you. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 99 on 3/10/2006 |
| Congratulations on reaching 100 chapters, or 99 + 1! This has certainly been a heart-rending but rewarding journey, and one can't help but feel relief mixed with sorrow that Frodo is finally on the way to healing at the end of it, though it takes him beyond the reach of almost all he knows and loves. Author Reply: I'd intended to finish this story much sooner, but I had two separate Nuzguls who both insisted on being included, I found, the motherly one from the nursery and the pathetic one wrapped in bandages who was hanging out near the box where I keep the first aid stuff. Frodo did need healing, and I always grieved it must be elsewhere; but even when I first read this at thirteen I recognized the damage left by Sauron's Ring would need special healing that could probably only come with going wherever it was the Elves went. But I think all he knew would find relief in the thought he was going to find the healing he needed and so well deserved. But to do so at the cost of his family ties must have been wrenching for him, which is why I've always felt the actual decision probably was made late in the game. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 99 on 3/10/2006 |
| Frodo has a nice storytelling voice, particularly the bit where "the lad" is asking around the house if anyone has seen his parents. There's a lovely rhythm to that bit that just makes the ultimate outcome all the sadder. And now Frodo's actually gearing up to leave. But of course, the final flurry of activity has to go off as, well, not-planned. Of course Gandalf had to run into every possible obstacle on the way to Crickhollow. This chapter was a very nice blend of humor and sadness. Author Reply: So glad you approve of the storytelling voice I've ascribed to Frodo here, for I think by that time he would have understood the rhythms and images that would keep children listening. But as he said, his story wasn't the pleasantest to tell or hear, but was one Cyclamen needed to hear at the moment. I remember reading LOTR for the first time and being surprised that Merry and Pippin had to be told by Gandalf so they'd be able to arrive in time. That this might be common to him in seeking to avoid having to deal with partings seemed logical, and so it's built its way into my stories that Frodo simply isn't able to handle partings easily. And of course there'd be problems Gandalf would face making certain Merry and Pippin got there in time. Thanks so for the compliment! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 99 on 3/10/2006 |
| Oh, the talk with little Cyclamen was so sweet and beautiful and painful. *sniff* What a dear wise child she is, and I'm so glad she was there to comfort Frodo. And Yay! for Gandalf--now Merry and Pippin are on a desperate race to arrive in time! And, really, I feel sorry for the poor hobbit on Bridge duty. How is he to know? Gandalf could, I suppose have saved some time by turning him into "something unnatural", but I guess he wouldn't give in to that temptation, LOL! But I feel so for Merry and Pippin--how painful this race against time must be, and what they must feel of sorrow, grief, anger and exasperation over Frodo's attempt to avoid saying good-bye... Author Reply: Am so glad Cyclamen insisted she be allowed to say that goodbye, and that you appreciated it. And I think Frodo needed the lessons she gave him before he left. I think indeed Gandalf was probably tempted to turn Beldin into something unnatural, too, and glad you appreciated it. But bet he was even more frustrated with the oxen, actually. I never felt Frodo did right by Merry and Pippin, trying to get away without them knowing; and if he did it to them, I figured he probably needed to do it to others as well. But I'm certain that the feelings of the two of them did feel all those emotions and more, exasperated by Frodo's desire to slip off without their knowledge once more. And I've always been glad Tolkien wrote that Gandalf got them there in spite of Frodo. | |