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The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	17 Review(s)
Soledad	Reviewed Chapter: 100 on 12/29/2007
An excellent story, Larner. I couldn't get away from it for the last two days - but since I'm on holiday and sick like a dog, I could afford to indulge. :)) As I started your stories with the Tenant, it was good to meet Bartolo again - he's such a wonderfully quirky character. Author Reply: Somehow I missed this, Soledad. I'm honored you read and enjoyed this. And am glad you find yourself enjoying poor Bartolo. He is indeed quirky, I'll admit, and has been managing to insinuate himself into my stories for some time now, from "Stricken from the Book" to "Go Out in Joy."

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 100 on 3/17/2006
Ah, Strider did not make it, well I really knew he would not. Loved the letters that he got. I cryed through each one of them. And again when Aragorn knew when ship had left Middle earth, and when Bilblo and Frodo touched the white tree. I am beginning to think of the trees as telephone posts. Author Reply: At least they can help each side be aware all is going well with those on the other side. Not precisely telephone posts, but reassurance posts. The sacrifice was as much given by Aragorn, Sam, Merry and Pippin and all others who loved Frodo as by Frodo himself, after all. I think that I should invest in a company that manufactures facial tissues! ;-) Thanks so much for following this story to closely and all the feedback. I so appreciate it.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 100 on 3/16/2006
Sorry for being late again, but RL is rather hectic at the moment! What a conclusion for this story! Aragorn was not the only one crying ... I needed a lot of tissues for this chapter! The letters were beautiful, even if very sad. For Aragorn it must’ve been very hard, to lose so many people he loves deeply, and it was so bitter he rode so very far and was too late in the end. (I know, Canon doesn’t allow him to be there in time, but it is sad nonetheless) Well, at least Merry’s and Pippin’s parents are not being difficult this time – it would’ve made this already hard time even worser for the friends. And for the parents it’s probably comforting to know their last meeting with Frodo wasn’t the usual disaster; they would’ve felt so bad for it. Loved the end, with the little communication between Frodo and Aragorn through the White Trees. A wonderful experience for both of them, and for Aragorn probably even more than Frodo, because he’s now reassured Frodo is healing and well. You’ve already described the trial for Timono and I can’t remember it? Now I’m ashamed! As soon as I have a bit more time again, I’ll have to re-read „The Ties of Family“! And congrats to your own library! I’m in a similar position very soon, having ordered a very big bookcase which is being delivered in some weeks. Can’t wait for it! It’s good to have all the books together, isn’t it? Author Reply: Yes, I always thought it was rotten that Aragorn wasn't allowed to say goodbye, too. It's almost as if his ties to the north kingdom were completely discounted at the end of the book. But at least he was able to be where he could "see" when they actually left Middle Earth and entered the Straight Path, which must have made it somewhat easier--in my version, at least. That the parents finally came around and accepted what really happened would mean a great deal to Frodo, I think, and he and Sam were able to tell more to Esme and Sara, with whom he'd have been closer, I'm certain. The first realization that communication was possible through the White Trees must have been reassuring on both sides--and at least one knows for certain Frodo did survive the voyage! I'm about to go reread Primsong's Nothing of Note, myself--beautiful story, you know--absolutely wonderful story!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 100 on 3/12/2006
sniffle sigh This has been a wonderful tale, filling in so many gaps with plausible explanations... But more than that, you captured the spirit of the love that was Frodo Baggins, and the love everyone else who knew him came to feel for him as well. Wonderfully, masterfully told. Author Reply: I am very honored, Dreamflower--truly honored indeed. And I'd tried to show both the love that Frodo embodied and that all who truly knew him gave him in return. Thank you so much for following this so faithfully.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 100 on 3/12/2006
Oh, darling, you have joy at last! This has not been an easy journey to take, but I am glad I did take it, that I was with you. I love you. Larner, hannon le for this! I am glad that Sundays are exempt in Lent so I could keep up with this. I suspected the Voice was Iluvatar's and I'm glad I was right. I'm sorry that Aragorn missed saying goodbye to his brother - I did so hope you would break with canon for it for the king's sake, but ah well. I'm glad they have some contact still though and now Frodo just needs to wait for his other brother to be complete again. I read one of Queen Galadriel's review that it was felt that she was personally losing Frodo and indeed it did feel that way as we followed him along on such a detailed telling of his decline. I've been dreading the 13th for weeks just as though it can still hurt him, but he's a shining being of light now and has been for thousands of years. I can so easily imagine him standing there in the Presence with his Sam, Rosie, his nieces and nephews and cousins and brother king - and right next to him, the Professor! I can hardly wait to see that myself and to see what masterpiece you write next! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Ah--my Lenten discipline involves chocolate and Dr. Pepper. Perhaps one day the internet might be added, but not yet! I, too, am glad that Aragorn is able to find other ways to communicate with Frodo, although I hint the White Tree is involved in "The King's Commission" and show it plainly in "The Ties of Family." I only push canon here and there, and TRY not to break it, although now and then I have to do edits when I realize I made a blooper now and then--once described Dora as Bilbo's sister instead of Drogo and Dudo's, you see, and in this one I went a bit wild with Lobelia's pedigree. Glad I checked the family trees again. As for whether our favorite characters will be there to greet us--I'd certainly like that! But I do think that what I wrote in the ends of "Light on the Way" and "Fostering" would be true for Frodo and Aragorn and Sam!

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 100 on 3/12/2006
I felt so sorry for Aragorn, arriving too late to bid farewell to Elrond and Gandalf as well as Frodo. The letters were perfect, and Gandalf's particularly moving. So Frodo can finally accept that he is loved and that what he did was worthy of praise and admiration. His going to the Undying Lands was worth it for that alone. I have loved this story - a phenomenal amount of effort and a huge achievement. Little Cyclamen saying Frodo's finger should be honoured and proud was a beautiful moment, but there have been so many moments such as that. Thank you for this wonderful and absorbing tale. Now I'm wondering what your next story will be! Author Reply: Thank you so much for the compliments, as it keeps me writing. I agree that to have Frodo simply accept properly won praise and thanks is itself well worth the voyage; and I do believe he found again his ability to dance freely, as I hinted in "The Ties of Family" where he dances the Husbandmen's Dance beneath the White Tree. Cyclamen insisted on having a place in this story, as I think she now feels she ought to be included in all of them if possible. As for the next one--we'll have to see which nuzgul makes it first--or maybe the plotbunny will beat them both out.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 100 on 3/12/2006
Wow! That was beautiful! And in his heart he felt a moment of recognition from Aragorn. Small brother--are you there? Do you rejoice once more? Are you learning once more how to live fully? At last! Eglerio, Frodo--eglerio! Ah--yes, tall brother. I’m learning at last--the greatest Sacrifice of all is to live to the delight of Eru. And once more Frodo felt as if a warm hand had been laid on his shoulder, and he felt compassed around with Light and Love. Yes, Frodo--this sacrifice indeed is acceptable. "To live to the delight of Eru" or to live fully, as Aragorn says, is something that Frodo had not thought to be possible for him. He was hurt far too deeply, he thought, his body, his soul - and his pride. He wanted to die right there on Mt. Doom because of his failure, because of the emptiness he felt. It was the Baggins stubbornness that brought him back to the Shire. He accomplished a lot in the last years there, but soon he felt he was fading. He did not belong there anymore. And he only accepted Arwen's offer to spare his friends the pain to see him die, I think. But he made it to Tol Eressea and he felt the healing and finally when he was given the ability to communicate with Aragorn through the White Tree, he felt pure joy! And this joy made the sacrifice acceptable! Once again "the voice" calls him "Frodo" - the voice of a parent, I'm quite sure! This could very well be the end of your story, but the summary says "in progress". Will there be another chapter? Author Reply: A wonderful summary, Andrea. Thank you. And this time being called Frodo is indeed intended as a parent speaks to a beloved child. The story is done, although I do have the author's notes to finish and post. Then I'll mark it done indeed. Thanks so much for all the feedback--I appreciate it so much!

	Reviewed Chapter: 100 on 3/12/2006
Tedicus A prodigious effort Larner! Gandalf's letter is magnificent. If only the small step of applying that logic to the divine right of monarchies were taken to its inevitable conclusion; middle earth politics might be infused with the fervor of a revolution. Your account of Frodo here has hinted at another possible undiagnosed medical condition: "S.R.S" (Selective Recall Syndrome). No patient with chronic pain that requires opiates to remain minimally functional, could possibly endure the constant exposure to a bawling, brat. If that could not cure him of his desire to procreate then poor Frodo must be living in a state of delusion. As a nonreligious individual, I have chosen to appreciate the incredible depth of the characters you imbue with such life and detail without the "spiritual" aspects that you yourself and many others seem to enjoy. That the narrative holds up inspite of this is a testament to your literary talents. We all choose to see the world through differently tinted lenses I suppose. So what's up next? Perhaps a fresh perspective on the much maligned and under exposed Ted Sandyman? A sceptic and a freewheeling capitalist, now that sounds like an interesting individual...Please don't make him gay- not that there is anything wrong with that of course!!!! Anticipating the next work of art. Thanks Author Reply: You have me giggling again, Tedicus. Am not certain whether or not Middle Earth is up to communism, socialism, anarchy, or even a democracy, although they do have a form of the latter in the Shire for the Mayor's office, at least. Not all babies are bawling brats, I'll have you know, although I'll admit even the best can drive you nuts at times. Tolkien in his letters described much of the spiritual aspect of his story he so carefully excised from it before publication; I just tend to carry it on a bit further. I am religious, not that I find many of those I must deal with follow suit; so I do tend to put a spin on it I hope you don't find too offensive. That you find the characters well drawn is satisfying, as I try to do this. No, Ted isn't likely to show up in my next story, although he does make appearances in my story "The Ties of Family." And I DON'T tend to write canon characters as gay in my Tolkien FanFiction stories, as doing so would be definitely counter to what I know of Tolkien's nature and intent. I'm afraid Angrapain is the closest to a gay character I've written so far. As for what's next--there are a couple nuzguls hanging round, one playing in the jewel box, and a plot bunny digging holes in the driveway. You might look for my next offering to show up in "Moments in Time" where I put my one-chapter stories.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 100 on 3/12/2006
Is the story ended, or is there one more chapter, with Sam and others? Very sensitive and moving story, as I've probably said before. Nice symmettry (?spelling) between the White Tree of Valinor and its distant scion in Minas Tirith. Author Reply: There will be the author's notes, but that's it. I am honored you found it thus, Raksha. Thanks so very much for the praise, as it keeps us all writing. And am so glad you like the symmetry between the two White Trees. They to allow some awareness in my stories and thus some comfort to my characters from time to time.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 100 on 3/12/2006
Poor Aragorn. It's such a shame he wasn't able to get there in time to bid them farewell. It would have been a comfort to him. But at least he can sense Frodo beneath the White Tree and know that he is healing. Author Reply: I have so wished that Aragorn did make it to see Frodo go; but I won't break canon on this, at least. But if he's able to sense Frodo from time to time I think it would be comforting to both of them. Thanks so much for following this so closely, Bodkin.

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