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Reconciliation by Larner	11 Review(s)
Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/20/2006
First, a rather belated Happy Easter, Larner! Christ is Risen! He is truly Risen! I've been meaning to get back to this story since Sunday and am only managing now. Oh, poor Pippin - "...I need some time just to realize that Frodo is gone. It’s one thing when you’re racing to catch him before he’s gone or returning home or hurrying here or there; it’s quite another thing to just waken to the fact we need to get through this day without him, and it’ll be this way from now on.” Such is each deeply felt loss. But perhaps when that heals some, he'll realize his beloved cousin hasn't really left him as he will always reside in Pippin's heart and in the hearts of so many others, including ours! I talk to him out loud and in my mind as though he is there listening as I believe he can hear me and is actually rather embarrassed by all the love there which I have apologized for but then I tell him that he must be used to it by now because I'm certainly not the only one! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: He is risen indeed! Alleluia! If the Shire exists in our hearts as Ian McKellan pointed out, and the Ring is the most hated item that ever didn't exist, save in our imaginations due to Tolkien's writing, then Frodo and Sam and Aragorn are among the best beloved individuals ever that have lived only in our hearts. They must have a special place in Heaven, don't you think? But for Pippin and the others, as with all who have lost ones so well beloved, that is the trick--learning to live in the here and now without their presence so that one day we will meet them again when it is right.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/3/2006
It’s good to see that now not only Merry and Pippin have so much respect for Sam, but their parents as well. He deserves it after all he has done. And it is necessary they recognize his worth, as he has to be elected as Mayor some years later. As for Pal and Lanti, I think they have realized at last how mature and reliable their son is now. After all the problems over the last two years that is truly great! And I am glad Sara and Esme got Merry finally to talk about his experienced and all that happened. It was about time! They needed to know more of it, not only from others but from himself. And he needed to open up and talk about it for his own sake, too, I think. Author Reply: All are beginning to see what Frodo knew for years--that Sam Gamgee is one of the greatest Hobbits born in the Shire. And at last relationships are beginning to return to normal and Pal and Lanti learn to listen and Merry allows himself to talk at last. And you are right--Merry needs to talk for his own sake as well as for others.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/2/2006
I really enjoyed the first part of this chapter, where they're all realizing that they held pieces of the puzzle that was Frodo Baggins. That's a lovely image. It seems to fit both the characters and the situation remarkably well -- it's simple and yet so full of meaning. The second half of the chapter I liked less, because you were summarizing "The Acceptible Sacrifice," and I've already read that. Author Reply: Sorry about the second half, but it is written equally for those who haven't read "The Acceptable Sacrifice as for those who have. Unfortunately this tends to lead to a bit of duplication. Please forgive me. And am so honored you so appreciated the image of all holding pieces of the puzzle. Thanks for letting me know.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/2/2006
I loved that Thain and Master and their families recognised the greatness in Sam. He deserves recognition. At least now they can discuss Frodo's problems openly, and this too will be part of the healing. I am so enjoying this story. Author Reply: It's said that "clothes make the man" (or in this case, the Hobbit). All have always seen Sam as Frodo's gardener and caretaker; now for the third time Hobbits of the Shire are truly seeing him as a Hobbit of substance (intellectual, spiritual, and experiential as well as financial) and are being reminded Sam is far more than he seems. In "The Acceptable Sacrifice" the first revelation comes at the meeting of the family heads where Sam comes dressed in a Gondorian outfit instead of Shire dress; the wedding doesn't quite count as even in the Shire I suspect bride and groom would try to dress as finely as their means and their families' means can afford; then at the banquet to honor Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin for their contributions to the recovery after the Time of Troubles Sam again dresses up, but ends up having attention drawn from himself by his insistence Frodo wear his Lords mantle as well as Frodo's own native charisma. With no chance of hiding further in Frodo's shadow, Sam is now clearly being seen for the worthy Hobbit he is at last; and his dress for the day reflects that. Frodo recognized this was needed for Sam much as Bilbo recognized the same was true for Frodo back when Frodo first came to live at Bag End as Bilbo's ward. And, yes, open discussion helps ease the healing of all. Thanks for reminding me how much you enjoy it. How long it will take me to finish it I'm not certain, for my laptop's power supply died last night and I won't be able to replace it for three weeks, I fear.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/2/2006
"Openness Returned" - that's a very good title for this chapter! This conversation could only take place with Frodo being gone. Maybe the reservation the three travellers showed when asked about the quest had a lot to do with Frodo being there, to spare him the pain of hearing and re-living it again. Now, that he left Middle Earth, they can speak more freely. My right hand does the same, although not as strongly, and I usually recover faster than he did.” Saradoc winced at the use of the word did. More than his father, Merry has accepted that he will never see Frodo again - not in this life. And at last he finds the courage to speak of his journey, with Sam and Pippin putting in lots of details. I think, all three of them needed this conversation desperately, as did their parents and friends. With all said, what was of importance to them, they can now really say good-bye and start a new life. I wish them all the luck in the world! This story is great, Larner! Author Reply: Whether it was to spare Frodo reliving it through rehearing it or because Frodo refused to allow others to know what he'd been through or their own reticence in not being certain what they ought to tell themselves and what Frodo ought to tell on his own is difficult to say. But now that he's gone it's lightened their inhibitions, and they are finally feeling freer to share what all four have done. Whether consciously or unconsciously, Merry realizes Frodo is gone; for Frodo's former foster father and beloved older cousin, this is a difficult matter, to be reminded so soon that this is so. You are certainly correct that telling the story as they have is the first part of letting go and learning to live with Frodo gone from their lives. And isn't it wonderful how these fictional characters have become so real to us we can wish them luck as you have here? I find I do the same! (How many times I've written in reviews of other folks' works, "Bless the Hobbit!")

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/2/2006
Oh, good for Merry! He has finally managed to tell his parents some of what happened to him. Now, more than ever, he is going to need them to help him get through all of this. And dear, sweet Sam! You write him so well! Author Reply: Yes, at last Sara and Esme have an idea as to what has happened to their son and nephew and cousin and Sam; and they are beginning to appreciate just what the implications of what they'd seen mean. And am so glad you like how I see and present Sam. He's a dear old soul.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/2/2006
At least no-one has to keep quiet now because Frodo wouldn't want to have his ills discussed. By removing himself, he has tacitly given them permission to reveal all the little things that his presence caused them to hide. And I really like seeing them remember that Sam is Lord Samwise of All the Free Peoples. They might need to remind themselves of that every now and then until they get used to his new authority. It's not going to be easy for Paladin and Eglantine to swallow the pill of the last few years and accept what has happened - but I'm sure Merry will keep his knife sharpened to scrape off any accumulation of veiling. And too much is still happening for them to bury their heads totally. Author Reply: Without Frodo there to serve as inhibitor, all are feeling a good deal freer to share what they can; and certainly Merry needs to do this more than ever, for he needs to share Frodo's ordeal as well as his own to begin finding healing. Yes, Sam is no longer able to hide his wonderful nature and intelligence by clinging to the guise of the common laborer or standing behind Frodo any more; now he's standing forth, presented as he is to the world of the Shire as the greatest of which he's capable, and by no less than Frodo himself. And I love your description of Merry keeping his knife sharpened to scrape away the veiling. Now, as long as he does this for himself as well as for the rest.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/2/2006
That has given everyone a good deal to think over. Memories re-visited and individual view points collated giving a fuller picture. I just hope that the three 'lads' don't suffer for it. Great Larner. Author Reply: Talking it out has been shown to be helpful in most cases, as long as we aren't just rehearsing old wrongs to work ourselves up to actions we shouldn't take or scapegoating others, at least. Thanks, Harrowcat.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/1/2006
It was lovely to relive memories of Aragorn's coronation,which was such a wonderful day !Also good to see Sam come into his own. Author Reply: Yes, they'll have those memories there forever, one of the defining days of their shared lives. And at last Sam is revealed as a worthy Hobbit in his own right, dressed for once as befits his nature as well as his improved station; and he's getting the recognition he deserves and that Frodo had long recognized is his due.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/1/2006
Well, now they can talk about it, as you say in the chapter heading--"openness returned". There is no need to protect Frodo's feelings by keeping silent now, and now they can be assured that their parents are truly listening, and not just hearing what they want to hear. I am glad that Merry did rebuke Paladin and Eglantine. Although I knew Pippin would forgive them easily, and not hold any grudge, Merry is another matter altogether, and it would have been OOC for him not to say anything. And they deserved it. But I'm glad, too, that he kept it brief, and let it go for Pippin's sake. And I am looking forward to seeing Sam and Rose make their first real visit to Buckland. Sam will finally begin to learn of what life had been like for Frodo before he came to Bag End. This is really a lovely story! Author Reply: Yes, the openness is beginning to be seen again between parents and children, and it's definitely needed. Sara and Esme have wanted to know, and now they're finally learning, and not just from Merry but from all three. And am so glad you agree it would have been out of character for Merry to have said nothing. At least they had the grace to blush, and he the grace to forgive them for Pippin's sake. And they do need to have this visit. Thanks so for the compliment!

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