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Reconciliation by Larner	17 Review(s)
Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/22/2006
“Cherish him!” he prayed the Valar. “Let him know easing in body and spirit, and let his Light shine fully once more that when the day comes for me I might find my way by it.” I love that! I'm glad that Aragorn was able to see his brother again, even if he missed saying goodbye. It would hurt him so much if he had arrived and caused Frodo's death that way due to that dear one's weak heart. I'm glad Frodo was convinced to 'uwrap the present.'. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: I had always rather wished Aragorn had come to say goodbye to Frodo; I get to write it that way when I write my fanfiction stories. However, as this isn't canon, Aragorn arrives too late, but is able to know that it's probably as well for Frodo that he was late. There were so many parallels between the King and Frodo that I do feel that Aragorn would pray just this way for Frodo's recovery and comfort. So glad it strikes a chord with you as well.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/9/2006
I was sorry that Aragorn missed saying good-bye to Frodo but I was rather relieved that he had missed his chance after the news that Frodo might not have been able to stand another good-bye. At least he did get to visit with Merry, Sam and Pippin for a while. Author Reply: I always felt when younger that Aragorn would have wanted to be there at the Grey Havens to bid farewell to Frodo, Elrond, and Galadriel and others he'd known from Imladris and Lothlorien. Now that I'm writing my own fan fiction stories, of course I can indulge in this conceit; yet I don't feel free to break canon to the point he actually makes it. And so, yes, Aragorn receives at least some reassurance that the delays may well have worked to the good in the case of Frodo, and yet he also realizes his foster father recognized he was trying and sought to give him reassurance the attempt was appreciated. And the visit with Merry, Sam, and Pippin, of course, would help to make up for the lack of contact with those he missed. Thanks for the feedback, GW. You know I appreciate it.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/6/2006
So much to love in this chapter I honestly don't know where to start! It was sad that Aragorn didn't make it in time, but interesting to think that Frodo might not have borne another farewell. I was glad that Cirdan and Radagast were there to greet him. The vision was perfect - and wonderful for Aragorn to see his own father. So Frodo is still drawing on the Elessar Stone? I'm thankful that Aragorn was able to witness Frodo's decision to live. The meeting with the Bounder was marvellous - of course a hobbit would have a larger skillet! Hobbits must wonder why Men don't fade away, they eat so little. :-)) I wonder what this particular Took will think when he learns the identity of the Ranger? It was lovely that our favourite King and hobbits were able to spend some time together. It is necessary in order for them all to mourn the loss of Frodo and to start the healing process. Author Reply: If Frodo's heart were actively failing then there would be, I think, a limit to the grief of partings he must experience; and that with Aragorn would be as difficult as that with Sam, if not worse, for this would be both a greeting and a farewell. And I believe that when Frodo described his heart as being frayed by the farewells he's already made I think he was speaking literally as well s figuratively. I suspect Elrond would have realized Aragorn would try to make it to the embarking and so would have left at least something for him, probably realizing he would then meet with Merry, Pippin, and Sam. In that case Cirdan certainly would have been deputized to pass on Elrond's provisions and to seek to soften Aragorn's disappointment. And I think Radagast would stay after the defeat of Sauron to the rebuilding of Middle Earth's natural beauty and its animal population. That Aragorn would befriend a Bounder may not have been foreseen, but that meeting helps serve to strengthen the trust growing between the Shire and the Rangers of Eriador. (And of COURSE Beligard would have a properly big skillet in his pack, wouldn't he? He IS a Hobbit, after all!) Am glad you appreciated the vision of Frodo--I know I wrote it before into a couple of my other stories, but wanted to expand it but a bit and look at it from Aragorn's experience. Whether Frodo was actively seeking to draw on the Elessar or it simply recognized his need and flared on its own or in response to the King's emotions is difficult to say, so I'll let each of us interpret it as we desire. And, yes, they do need to give one another permission to mourn and reassurance the rest remain to one another's comfort at this time.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/6/2006
sigh I’m so very sorry for Aragorn! How sad for him to ride so long and hard through half of Middle-Earth, only to realize he is too late! It may be true that Frodo’s already failing heart may not have been strong enough for another farewell, but for Aragorn it is still sad. And the fact he will never see Elrond and the others again is certainly not helping. At least he was able to see Merry, Pippin and Sam again, to talk to them, and I am somehow glad he hasn’t to ride all the way back to Gondor alone. Now I wonder if the Bounder, Beligard, will ever realise just who this ranger was! I’d love to see his face if someone tells him the true identity of Strider! grin Well, as he is supposed to bear Aragorn’s greetings to the three Hobbits, he will probably know soon he has meet the King. Aragorn’s ... is dream the right word under these circumstances? ... was fascinating. Somehow it was so fitting to have him witness Frodo’s struggle to remain and to have him going after Frodo, even if only to witness his decision. Well, when his brother some years later gave him the journal of his mother he was probably able to understand why not only Primula and Drogo were there, but Gilraen and Arathorn as well, as Frodo is in a certain way their child, too. Wonderful idea! The whole episode was simply beautiful, from Aragorn’s first look at Frodo until the flaring of the Elessar stone. Author Reply: Yes, I wish Tolkien had allowed Aragorn to be there at the Havens to say goodbye as well; but as he didn't, Aragorn must accept the cold comfort of realizing his coming may well have been a bad thing for Frodo. Yet he receives the awareness that his coming was prepared for, and that in his way Elrond also seeks to aid him in his return back to the former's wife, the latter's daughter. He knows he is loved and that his desire to be there was recognized and honored. Beligard is going to be surprised when he learns the identity of the Man whose breakfast he shared, isn't he? And the dream or vision is a moment of comfort for him as well as the last incentive for Frodo to return and accept life at the end. And you are certainly right as to why these four served as fellow witnesses. Aragorn will understand one day, and perhaps is beginning to realize now. Thanks for the feedback, Kitty.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/6/2006
I'm glad Elrond knew Aragorn was coming - and left a message that might console him for not having got there in time. And that Aragorn was apparently part of the business of persuading Frodo not to give back the gift unwrapped. He'll know that Frodo made it to the west anyway. And another good get-together - Glorfindel, the twins, Aragorn, Merry and Pippin. And I'm glad the hobbits can see the difference between Sharkey's men and these Rangers. Cos it's pretty huge. Author Reply: Elrond was gifted with foresight and had known millenia to hone it; I'm certain he'd know Aragorn was coming and would have sought to prepare for it, although he knew his foster son would arrive too late. And Aragorn's spiritual presence again offers incentive while not forcing. What can Frodo do, surrounded by such love, but give in and live in spite of himself? Between Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, AND Aragorn he's totally outnumbered, after all! And I think that, as a Took, Beligard would be blessed with a good deal of discernment to his nature, don't you? Once he saw the signs of true knowledge and acceptance of Hobbit nature in this one, of COURSE he'd haul out his skillet and add his own offerings for the meal. He's probably descended from old Gerontius as well, don't you think? So glad you appreciate it.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006
Oh my...Larner, this was so beautifully bittersweet. I love this part of the story from Aragorn's POV. Meeting the Bounder and showing that he truly was not like the Men who had taken over The Shire during The Time of The Troubles. Seeing that Aragorn truly knew how to handle himself in the wild would have done much to impress the hobbit that this particular Man really did not mean any harm. Then Aragorn's dream...My Goodness...I don't know where to start. For him to "meet" Arathorn and in such a manner. All to try to let Frodo know it wasn't his time to take the Gift and all that was wanted was his healing. So very, very powerful. I'm so glad you had Aragorn, his brothers and Glorfindel meet up w/Sam, Merry and Pippin. I think they all needed to be w/one another, at least for a small measure of time, right at that period. They were all still broken hearted, but unlike the constant and accepted ache that's there in your other stories, the grief was very, very near here. They truly did need to be w/one another and to just talk. What an amazing chapter to this great story. Is there more to come? Author Reply: Beligar now stands as another witness that the Men who make up the Rangers are quite a different kind than the Big Men; and what he will do when he realizes just WHICH Man he's met with will be interesting to explore, I think. This one is keeping carefully outside the Southern borders of the Shire, and is respectful of the Hobbit and of the land, seeking to leave all in good condition in spite of his camp. That Aragorn would at times have visions of those he's loved and in this case even the father he probably barely remembers I thought would be right and proper, particularly in light of the spiritual brotherhood I've imagined between Frodo and Aragorn. And am pleased you found that scene powerful. Aragorn, having come so far only to be unable to complete his avowed mission would need at least to meet with these three; and it would be healing not only for the four of them but for Elladan and Elrohir as well, having seen their grandmother, father, and so many they've known probably all their lives now leave them. And now the children of Elrond and three grandchildren of Galadriel will have the chance to be with one another and aid one another to heal. There will be some more, although not a great deal of it. Thank you so much for following it so well. Note: the power supply for my laptop died and it will be a few days before the replacement arrives. I transferred your story onto it, and can't do anything about it until I can get back up and running. Please forgive me the wait.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006
How lovely to have a chapter full of Aragorn !The dream(or rather vision) was just beautiful.I loved the way the stone glowed.It would help all Frodo's loved ones to se each other. Author Reply: Yes, they all need one another now, I think, and are able to offer one another solace. Am so glad you found the vision beautiful; but it was perhaps the last time Aragorn could offer the Elessar's power to Frodo to share. Thanks so much for following this so well and your feedback.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006
Oh, I know this is strange, but I was glad that Cirdan was able to tell Aragorn that it might have been too much for Frodo if he had seen Aragorn and had to tell him good-bye. Somehow that would seem to make the fact that you didn't get to see him a little easier I think. Still disappointed, but.... I liked the scene between Aragorn and the other hobbit in the wood. It's good for other hobbits to have good interactions with men and learn that they aren't all bad. And for Elrond to have provided food for Aragorn was a nice touch... a father thinking ahead! :) It took me a long time to figure out why Aragorn's parents were there when Frodo was trying to decide whether to stay or go... I'm so slow sometimes! :) But it was neat for Aragorn to have a glimpse of his father. I, of course, wanted Aragorn to be able to stay and be with Merry, Pippin, and Sam for awhile longer but I know that he has a lot of things that he must do and I was glad that his brothers were going to go home with him. I was touched that Pippin wanted to go with him, too, but they have to live their own lives and those are so far apart from each other. Very enjoyable chapter! Author Reply: I agree about Cirdan's words being in an odd way a form of solace for the lateness of Aragorn's arrival. Yet in the end he wasn't denied a farewell of sorts, which was also a welcome to the life to come. So, you wondered why Aragorn's parents might have been present? Many others might also wonder, although they haven't read "The Ties of Family" and "Lesser Rings." You do have me giggling here. And I also think it would be a gift for Aragorn to feel he is indeed interacting with his father, to feel the communion with all close to him who have gone before. Pippin seeks to do his duty; but at the same time Aragorn realizes that Pippin's strongest duty right now is to grow once again as his father's son and to learn the duties inherent on being the Thain's heir. And I do believe the three sons and one daughter of Elrond need one another right now. The King doesn't go back home alone as he came, but with a proper escort, although if I know Aragorn he'll be as much escorting them as they are him. Heh!

Elanor Silmariën	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006
I love hearing about Aragorn! It was simply wonderful that Aragorn now knows that Frodo has chosen to accept the gift given to him. Keep it up, I love it! God bless, Ellie Author Reply: Oh, I've been in love with Aragorn myself since I was thirteen; that he would come north to try to be there to bid Frodo farewell I've felt was in character, and in my case I suppose I NEED him to do so as well. And he does now know that Frodo has accepted the grace fully, and is willing to see what the future brings to him. So glad you enjoy it.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006
How wonderful to see Sam finally getting the full respect his dignity (and his well-earned station) deserve. And now the time of realisation comes--I think that's the most painful part of losing someone so dear. It's one thing to do what needs to be done, go where you must, try to manage to get life back in order; but quite another to at last have a moment to think, and then it just hits you like a ton of bricks. It's hard enough when you aren't extremely close to the lost loved one, but I can't even imagine how it will be for them... Good--they're all opening up to one another at last. Yes, I imagine Merry would have a difficult time forgiving his aunt and uncle, after all poor Pippin went through because of them. I love this latest chapter! You manage to write this from Aragorn's POV without repeating overmuch, and the vision/dream was perfect, and kind of the Valar to let him see and even have a part in that final struggle-and victory. And I quite agree with Aragorn that the only force that can overcome a stubborn Baggins is the will of an even more stubborn one. :) Which reminds me, I need to get another chapter of your story up... God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: You are right--it's once the busy-ness of the memorials and wakes and last business is done with that the reality of having to live without the person becomes most obvious. And it's also in that time we begin to heal as we can. Sam deserves to be recognized for what he is--one who's always hidden his intelligence and understanding under bushels and has stood in Frodo's shadow, but who now lives in the full daylight on his own merits. One who is fully worthy to be Master of Bag End and to become Mayor in his own right in the future. Now he will learn to manage Will that he be better able to work alongside Master and Thain in the future. And Frodo would do well to accept the truth--he's opposed by one stubborn Baggins in better shape to remain so for now as well as a Wizard and two of the greatest of Elves, not to mention the love of all who would see him find fulfillment now, symbolized by his friend and spiritual brother Aragorn. And am looking forward to more of MY story, after all! Heh!

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