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| Reconciliation by Larner | 14 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/2/2006 |
| Oh poor Sam! But fitting somehow the way you described how his heart was torn out. I think as much as it would have hurt Frodo to do that to his brother, he would have chosen the least painful way to do it, if there was such a thing. And Sam's heart would have been bleeding for some time just as Frodo's was. I've thought before that Frodo's leaving doesn't make him any less torn in two. The only time he wasn't torn was when he had both halves of his heart with him. Love that Pippin and Merry sang the healing song. Poor lads. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: No matter how it was done, it would be painful; however, I see Sam probably having become increasingly aware that Frodo was fading away and needed special healing, and the more Frodo appeared to fight that idea the more wrung out Sam would feel, until he got to the point he felt that his heart had no more blood to lose. Now it's come to the point of Frodo leaving, how could Sam seek to keep Frodo by him? Yet, the final separation would still have hurt. However, in the end, Sam's able to go on and to find healing for himself, only to have the joyful reunion before the two go on to rejoin Rosie and all the others both had come to love. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/31/2006 |
| You shouldn't write chapters that are going to make me cry on a Friday night... especially the one before Spring break! And this one and the next one both made me cry... and I don't cry easily! :) I loved hearing the Invocation, it was beautiful and meaningful. And them singing on the way home was special... songs can be healing in a special way. The fact that they had to sleep touching each other moved me as did the fact that the elf was there when they woke up... that they didn't have to be alone the rest of the way home. And then when Merry and Pippin get to Crickhollow and their fathers were there and took such wonderful care of them... so very well done and moving. *sniff* Author Reply: Well, I hope that spring break is a pleasant one to make up for the tears. I based the invocation on psalm form, and in my mind hear it sung rather antiphonally as psalms are often sung in sung Eucharist services in the liturgical churches. Pippin sings in self-healing, and Merry finds himself joining him and hopefully finds similar relief, although Sam isn't ready for that yet. However, he still could accept this in them and find a bit of relief just in listening. I think they'd need a bit of reassurance by being close enough to touch that night, although I don't tend to write "Hobbit pile" stories as much as many doe. And I felt that one of those who wouldn't be going with Gildor might well be asked or choose to watch out for these on their journey home. And am so glad you like seeing them cared for by their parents. Thank you for your appreciation expressed. | |
| Elanor Silmariën | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/30/2006 |
| Oh, it's so nice to see Paladin finally starting to understand what his son needs! I love this story! God bless, Ellie Author Reply: Yes, Paladin Took is seeing the error of his ways and is doing his best to be father first now, being there when his son needs his da. Thank you for the review. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/30/2006 |
| Oh Larner! Again a beautiful chapter! All three had found themselves giving Frodo tremulous smiles as he turned back to look at them as he stepped onto the deck of the ship, for they saw the relief just that act gave him. Well, I think I've told you before how much I love that scene in the movie. Thank you for putting it here. The songs you chose were perfect, especially the invocation of healing. It is very Pippin to express his feelings in a song. And for Merry it must have been relieving to sing along. And when they come back to Crickhollow, their fathers are waiting for them to give them comfort. The Thain of Tookland turns into Paladin the farmer again. At first Pippin can't believe the sudden change, but he's glad to have his dad back. And I'm glad they made peace again. Very touching was the scene where Saradoc retrieved the younger hobbits' belongings from their trouser pockets. In particular I liked the marble that was a gift from Frodo to Merry when he was just a little lad. A precious keepsake! I think all three hobbits, Merry, Pippin and Sam have come to the same conclusion on their journey home: Frodo did the right thing. And it was the only possible way to find healing. And they will gladly satisfy his wish: to live fully - for him. Author Reply: And your review is just as moving. Thank you, Andrea. To live fully was the greatest gift they could give him now to take with him, knowing they would be the best individuals they could be while they could. And that marble has been in Merry's pocket probably from the time so long ago when Frodo left the Shire, a world in a sphere of glass or crystal, to hold the memory of him there across the Brandywine and the Shire. And now it will continue to act so, that Merry not forget Frodo loves him. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/30/2006 |
| It's one thing knowing that Frodo was within days of death - and another accepting that he has chosen to leave. But Pippin chose the right song. His and Merry's presence must have been very comforting for Sam - maybe taking them from Frodo's cousins and comforters to his supporters. Glad to see that Paladin - and Saradoc to a lesser degree - have managed to make the mental shift and are offering support rather than denying their sons need it. Author Reply: That Frodo would choose to leave had to have been a shock, I think. Either way he'd be gone, but he had not much influence on the choice if he were to suffer a massive heart attack on the sixth during the bout of memories and pain. And now they are Sam's supporters, and he's faced with accepting that the three of them are now peers, and he's as much there for them as they'll be there for him. And Paladin has made the shift; while Sara is still willing to be there to support as he can and is allowed, although he's going to soon demand his questions be answered. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/30/2006 |
| You gave a very good explanation *why* they could sing at all on the way home - I found it always a bit odd, as at first look it seemed a bit uncaring of their separation from Frodo. These songs made sense. And finally Sam knows he can sail one day, too. The elf who accompanied them back from the Havens was a nice idea! Rather confusing for Pippin to come home and find his father there, and so changed in comparison to their last encounter! But it was touching how Pal and Sara welcomed them back and cared so wonderful for them. And Pal seems to be quite impressed with the praise Lord Halladan had for his son ;-) As for your last answer, I know which picture you mean. It's a nightmare, and I'm glad PJ didn't use it. It would've haunted me to see Frodo as another Gollum! *shudder* And I have to agree about the description of Frodo as weak in FF. To be honest, when I started reading FF, I soon learned to avoid Hobbitfics at all, because I couldn't stand it to see Frodo and the other three hobbits as weak, cowardly, childlike creatures, who couldn't even hold their swords, had to be carried at every occasion and the like. Unbearable!! That was certainly not how JRRT saw them! Only after discovering SoA I could read Hobbitfics again. Author Reply: I never thought Merry and Pippin could find heart to sing thoughtlessly, and that the songs they sang must have been somehow in the honor of Frodo and what he was choosing. We know not all the Elves sailed with Frodo; that one who'd chosen not to sail might have been deputized to keep an eye on Sam during his return if he had to go home alone made sense; and that some would come to the Havens just to bid farewell also made sense. Pippin has his da back rather than the Thain persona, and it must indeed be comforting. Between having to accept that Frodo wouldn't be lying to him when he felt as he did at that last dinner, what he'd heard from Bard and Ferdi and the children and now Lord Halladan, Paladin Took can't deny the truth any more; and is realizing it's okay to be the father of such a changed, mature, capable, brave son where for years he's been the son of the trickster, impatient, endearingly foolish, carelsss Pippin. To find this Pippin was there all along has been a revelation to him. Sam now knows he has the right to sail, although he won't do so while Rosie remains. So glad you appreciate why this has bothered me, too. So many whose only introduction to the story has been the movie seem to accept the surface features, not realizing that just facing the Nazgul and continuing on when he had to believe he was dying there in Mordor was proof Frodo Baggins was far braver than almost anyone else in the story. I, too, have been glad to see Hobbits here treated mostly with dignity. | |
| Tigger | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/30/2006 |
| When you're in a state of lingering shock, you do wonder how things can get done so quickly. Beyond a shadow of doubt that's what Pip and Merry are in right now. Both Saradoc and Paladin were wise to put the two in the Coach, w/Jewel and Stybba being led to Bag End. That scene between Paladin and Pippin...Oh my!! You had me crying!! So beautifully, beautifully written. Pippin needed his Da, but was too scared to hope after what had happened at the Smials the last time. Thank Goodness Paladin finally came to his senses. W/a bit of help from Frodo and Halladan. Very well done. I'm just as curious as everyone else what Frodo's Will will say. Other than the obvious that Sam is his heir and now Master of Bag End. I'm so glad you were asked to follow through The Acceptible Sacrifice w/this sequel. Looking forward to the next chapter. :o) Author Reply: Shock it is. Speaking from experience, the shock comes and goes in the aftermath of the situation, also. I agree it was probably best they rode in the coach, although they're most likely to need sleep the first while that they're not riding themselves. So glad you appreciate the fact Pippin feels he's getting his father back. More about the reading of the will is written in "For Eyes to See as Can." Part of the next chapter is lifted from that, even. And am so glad you are glad your request led to this. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/30/2006 |
| Oh I get so frustrated when I don't have time to give this the review it deserves! Absolutely lovely Larner!! Author Reply: So glad you like it, Harrowcat. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/29/2006 |
| The mixed feelings come out nicely here. There is grief at Frodo's leaving, yet relief that he's done the right thing. Pippin and Paladin are beginning to make up, but it's still tentative and hushed. Everything is suspended, a little. Author Reply: Knowing how some of my own losses have come, yes, the feeling of suspension is accurate--all too accurate. Am so glad you appear to find it appropriate to the situation. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/29/2006 |
| I liked the way the Hobbits used the invocations they'd learned from Aragorn and that they are wise enough to accept that Frodo needed to go. Author Reply: I would think that the invocation would be among the first things to come to mind as they faced the fact Frodo needed healing beyond what he could find here. And they have become wise, after all, as they've learned to work together and to learn from one another and those they've met along the way. Glad you appreciated it, Linda. | |