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Reconciliation  by Larner 14 Review(s)
demeter dReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/26/2006
My sympathies on your technology troubles. Modern "conveniences" can be mixed blessings. Sweet, wistful story. One by one the Shire's inhabitants are learning the news. The Bounder's reaction to hearing who his Ranger visitor was reminds me of Butterbur in Return of the King, after Gandalf has told him that the king has always loved the Pony, and Mr. Butterbur's beer.
I, too, think that Frodo had insight when he gave the drawings of Narcissa
to Brendilac. He had had visions of several of Sam and Rosie's as yet unborn children before he left them. Why would he not also be given insight into the possible futures of others that he cared about? And I think he would know when Paladin finally repented. Well done. Real life has caught up with me, also. i am having to control the hours spent on the computer, to actually get WORK DONE! Best wishes to you.

Author Reply: Hopefully I will have the new modem by the first of next week at the latest, but we will see, of course.

Yes, they are learning, and some are realizing surprising things. I hadn't thought of old Barliman's reaction in ROTK, but I can certainly see why you immediately did. After all, how many of us think to share a breakfast along the road with the King Returned?

I'd written in The Acceptable Sacrifice that Frodo foresaw the marriage of Brendi to Narcissa, an event I wrote into The Ties of Family; as we know Frodo had prescient dreams on several occasions, I thought it only appropriate that he might plan for that day, and perhaps plant some ideas in his unsuspecting cousin's head. And as hard as he worked to try to pound the fact through Paladin's head that Pippin was an adult in everything but chronological age and that no one was going to change the story just to make it more palatable to Paladin and Eglantine, I think he'd be very sensitive to the moment Pal apologized to his son and meant it.

I don't have any excuse not to get more cleaning done, now that I'm offline save for when I can get into the office after hours and slip a bit of time online, but that doesn't seem to get me into cleaning the floor, which desperately needs it. Glad you're able to do better at disciplining yourself than I've been able to do.

Thanks for the feedback.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/25/2006
I am very pleased that Pippin's parents realize how wrong they were about Pippin and about Frodo. It seems as if Frodo has managed to leave something special for everyone. So like him to think of the others and to be that organized about it all. His note to Pearl was so very sad. Lovely chapter.

Author Reply: At least Paladin is big enough to admit he's been a fool and to do something about it. It's not an easy thing to apologize to the one you've wronged; it's even harder at times to apologize to everyone else who's had to deal with the situation.

And of COURSE Frodo would be organized about his bequests--no tag sale in the parlor for Frodo, I think, unlike Bilbo. So glad you appreciated the letter to Pearl.

EndaewenReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/25/2006
This is simply beautiful. There's that remote sadness so characteristic of much of the later Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion.

Author Reply: Thank you--being compared to the Master himself is always the greatest honor of all.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/25/2006
I’d always intended to give it to my eldest son.

Oh, if that doesn't just tug at the heart! All those dreams and hopes - all dust. But all that love still. I'm glad you ended it with a glimpse at Frodo too. I hope we will see him again! :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: I do believe Frodo would have wanted to have a family--so many orphaned as he was find this is the one thing they wish above all else. And so it goes to the cousin he most identifies with, along with the hopes that Fosco will do what he did not, and marry and father children.

The glimpse of Frodo at the end will be a rather oblique one in this story, you'll find.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/25/2006
Poor Larner, you’ve a lot of bad luck with your computer! These things can be quite nasty, can’t they? I hope this is now soon over! It must be very frustrating. And I have grumbled because of my own problems – at my laptop is only the place broken into that the internet cable belongs, so the connection is rather unstable, to put it mildly, and I have always at least one book lying on the cable to hold it in place. But that’s nothing compared to you.

Dear Frodo, he selected all these gifts so careful and lovingly! As sad it is that he has left the Shire, I hope his friends and relatives find some consolation in these little reminders of him. And he is still thinking of others, trying to care for Fosco and Forsythia as best as he can. And his letter to Pearl was simply touching *sniff*

So Beli now knows just *who* this Ranger was? Nice little surprise for him, and for the others as well. It’s understandable he has some difficulties to imagine the King from far away in the South could’ve been the Ranger he meet at the borders of the Shire. I’d not expect it, either, in his place.

Now I’m quite impressed with Paladin. Not everyone would’ve been able to be so open about his faults.

The best wishes for your computer problems!


Author Reply: Yes, the computer problems continue, although HOPEFULLY all will be well once more on Monday at the latest. Had to come to the office to turn in my time sheets, so am slipping onto the internet before I head for work. It's frustrating not to be able to do this at home, though. And understand about the book--before the connection in the power cable for the laptop finally bit the dust I was having to put books underneath it to keep the connection going. Good luck with your own computer issues.

Frodo may be gone from his family's lives, but he has done his best to remember each, and planning for the continued leadership for his own family and all.

I agree--Paladin is proving a much more impressive individual than he appeared when he was driving poor Pippin and Frodo crazy insisting they not say things he didn't want to believe in. And it would be very interesting to have breakfast and later learn the pleasant person we shared a table with was someone we'd always hoped to meet but never dreamed we would. It was fun imagining Beli's response once he learned the actual identity of the nice Ranger he met along the road.

And am honored you found Pearl's letter touching.

Good luck with your own computer problems. They do get to be maddening, don't they?

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/25/2006
Am so very glad to see this up and to hear that it is 'only' computer problems holding up the muse! :).
Great as always Larner.

Mind you, I haven't had time to review in the last two weeks anyway - between work and home life has been hectic. Mum says thank you for the best wishes.

Author Reply: I bet it has, and am glad to hear your mother appreciates my concern and continued prayers.

Thanks for letting me know you read it, and that you enjoyed it. Good luck to you and yours. Hope to have the new modem by the first of next week at the latest.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/25/2006
What a shame for Paladin that he left his arrival at understanding so late - he will never, in this life, be able to reconcile properly with Frodo and let him know that he has come to terms with the last years.

All Frodo's last gifts and messages are so well thought out. He must have spent a great deal of time over the last year deciding exactly what he had to say. And he says it very effectively.

A difficult time for everyone. Apart, I suppose, for the scandalmongers who didn't really know Frodo. They must be having a ball.

Author Reply: In The Choice of Healing Paladin at one point thinks it's too late to make it up with Pippin; I'm just glad he was able to do so after all with his son. He knows that Frodo forgives him, too, but I'm certain you're right that he wishes he could just have that mutual awareness he's sorry for what he did and has indeed reconciled with Pippin.

I think Frodo would have found many hours when he was fighting off nightmares when he'd plan what he'd like to do for others for his final bequests. And am so glad you find he personal notes effective.

As for the scandalmongers--well they are always the ones who will make their own opinions best known. The great problem is that so many are so willing to believe whatever the rumors say instead of trying to find out the truth of the matter.

At least those who matter most to Frodo do know what he accomplished and honor it, even if it is after the fact. His own reluctance to admit what he did worked against him, I think.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/24/2006
I knew when I hadn't seen another chapter to this, the problems were worse than you thought a couple of weeks ago. Don't feel bad about it and not being able to take a look at the story I wanted you to go over. I more than understand. ((((HUGS))))

I loved Frodo's gifts to every one and his letter to Brendi. How he was leaving it to Narcissa to figure out what jewelry would be the best to give to Forsythia on her 25th birthday...Very smart hobbit our Frodo. Not only was he making sure she got approriate gifts for that very special day, but he was also making sure Brendi and Narcissa would be there on that day. Cunning, very cunning. ;o)

So sad to see the conversation between them and the hobbits of the Inn. So very difficult to talk about those who have left us. Poor Pippa when she finds out.

Brendi's reaction when he learned about the King and the Bounder meeting...I'm sure the maid in charge of that room will not be thinking good thoughts about him. I did love the touch of the Bounder focusing first on Arwen in Frodo's picture. Typical male whether he be Man or Hobbit. They always have a hard time tearing their eyes away from a gorgeous woman. ;o)

Lovely addition to the story Larner. I hope the computer problems are fixed and soon for you.

Author Reply: I have three computers, and to have EVERY ONE of them all develop problems was almost more than I could deal with. Power supplies, damaged mother board, fried processor, and THEN the transmitter for the satellite modem self-destructing. I am SOOOOOOO frustrated. It's been a most expensive month for computers. And then last night the capacitor for the well pump decided to become so corroded it wouldn't pump water, and my niece this morning has determined she WON'T live where one has to deal with pumps and propane tanks. Not to mention all the car repairs that have been needed in the last two months. It would be SO nice to be able to spend the little extra money I get on something I'd LIKE rather than something NEEDED if you understand what I mean.

Anyway, of COURSE Beli will look first at the lovely lady in the picture. So glad you appreciated that.

Brendi is in many ways Frodo's secondary heir--the one who has to see to the last of the legal business, who won't fully be free of responsibilities to Frodo until Fosco comes of age. And I think that having foreseen Brendi and Narcissa's wedding and that there is a strong tie there to the twins, Frodo's not above trying to help it along.

I agree about the maid and Brendi's spilled ale. But, seeing these are Hobbits I doubt she has to do it all that often. And in this case there was ample reason for Brendi to be surprised. Who'd dream the King himself was heading their way. Yet they've managed to learn enough of Aragorn's nature from what the Travellers have told them to appreciate what he's likely to do and do next.

Thanks for understanding.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/24/2006
How considerate of Frodo to leave the gifts and mementos.It must have been hard telling everyone the news.

I do hope you soon get your computer problems fixed.I have misssed you,but assumed you were on holiday for Easter.

Author Reply: The holiday has been computer enforced. Hope to get things back up by next week, and then to get a credit from my ISP for the inability to be online, in part due the failure of the modem I purchased from them to begin with. They want me to buy the new modem, of course, but I'd rather not have to tie myself to another fifteen month contract in case I find I can't work properly with the transfer they've done to a new server and domain name and software and so on.

And am so glad you appreciate the thought Frodo took in planning his bequests. I think he'd be far more thoughtful and compassionate than Bilbo was.

SlightlyTookishReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/24/2006
Lovely chapter, and very peaceful. I especially loved Pippin's letter that Paladin and the rest read. They're learning more and more everyday. I'm so glad to see an update for this story :)

Author Reply: I was grateful I can use the network at the office to update on occasion. It's been trying not being able to access the net from home at the moment. Have about three other stories started and one even completed which will go up soon, I hope.

And am so glad you appreciated Pippin's letter. Paladin has more assurance that Pippin understands and has been willing to forgive him.

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