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Reconciliation by Larner	7 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/2/2006
Sorry for not reviewing, but after my last review the socket for the cable broke out of the laptop, and being on holiday, I hadn’t internet access for a whole week and even now only at work. You can probably imagine my withdrawal symptoms! Now I am trying to catch up. I hope you don’t mind if the reviews are a bit short. And I hope your problems are solved. It’s a bit sad to see how Dorno - and probably many other, if not most, hobbits - thought of Frodo. Luckily Will could appreciate what Frodo did in his time as Deputy Mayor, even if Will doesn’t understand much more. The book Frodo gifted to Dianthus was a wonderful idea, as it helps them to understand where he has gone and what it means. I’m sure Mina is right – Dianthus will always treasure this gift. Author Reply: Kitty, I've had the laptop, the desktop AND the server all go down; and then had Trojans and viruses attack the renewed system before I had a chance to install my antivirus, popup blockers, and spyware blockers, one of which was limiting my online time to mere minutes. Am so willing right now to send targeted attacks on such hackers, believe me. I can't imagine what pleasure they get out of causing hassles to folk such as you and me. I, too, have had nothing but frustration for weeks. Two out of three computers fixed, and am awaiting the return of the desktop. Anyway, Yes, I think Will would particularly appreciate what Frodo faced in his term as deputy Mayor, particularly the sorting out of the would-be villains from dupes and puppets; and in setting up proper programs to sort out complaints and other issues. Dorno is only just beginning to realize that there is indeed a place in the Shire for administrators and examiners. I, too, find myself glad Frodo gave Dianthus that book. She truly wanted to understand what Frodo was choosing, where and why he went, and why he couldn't return again. This book will be well-beloved indeed by Dianthus and her family, I think.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/27/2006
I printed this chapter out to take with me, to read while I waited for my mother at the doctor's office. This is so beautiful--I love Frodo's letters, they are just beautiful, and sound so like him. I love letters and correspondence in stories--they are a way of getting in a bit of first person POV when the character who wrote the letter is not on the scene. They are perfect for conveying Frodo's feelings in this chapter. I really appreciate the way that in your stories, Frodo is never really gone--he remains a vital presence in spite of his absence. That is something I strive for as well, but you are a master of it. Author Reply: I agree about correspondence allowing for an absent individual to interject his own point of view. Now that Frodo's gone, how else will others begin to appreciate why he's done as he's done. And it's the only way for those who've been left behind to fully understand and begin to reconcile with his leaving, I think. And thank you for the praise. I so appreciate that you feel I've managed to do as I intend--to keep the love of Frodo there within the Shire so all realize he's still there for them as he's able to be, and their grief at his immediate absence is tempered by relief that he's receiving what he needs as he can receive it.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/27/2006
“Mr. Frodo Baggins, when he come back here, you’d best believe he was fightin’, too. He was fightin’ to keep us from becomin’ like the worst he saw out there, he was." That is so true! Children can easily be impressed with shining mail and swords. But they are not to blame, they are still learning. Will and Mina are making sure, that they fully understand what especially Frodo and Sam did for the Shire and all of Middle Earth. However, as you pointed out two chapters earlier, some adult hobbits seem to behave like children in that respect, and stubbornly deny the truth. I find I don’t envy the Elves their immortality, for I will be reunited with those I love most truly soon enough. I totally agree! I believe that some time I will see all those people again who have left the world before me. And I think the "gift of Iluvatar" is a well-chosen expression! P.S.: I hope your computer problems are solved. Maybe, you know Murphy's Law: "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong!" This law can be applied to nearly every part of human life! So, take this as comfort: You are not alone :) Author Reply: Tolkien himself described death as "the Gift of Iluvatar," and I think that Frodo and Aragorn particularly would appreciate just what a gift it can be. Yes, I agree that he so designated it appropriately. Frodo is almost willing to accept it when he needn't just to be done with the pain, the nightmares, the memories, and I find I can't fault him for it.\ And Bucca, as well as Mina and Will, has his own appreciation for what Frodo did in the war and how vital it is. His children aren't going to be among those who only appreciate the flashy ones or the ones they see replanting; the assault on ideas and truth in the end is the most dangerous assault of all. In The Acceptable Sacrifice I indicated that Frodo was asked to wear a sword at the awakening feast as an indication of how he is one who has been chosen as well as has actively chosen to protect others as he can; on his return to the Shire he continued to protect others--just not by use of the sword he carried. Am so glad you appreciated this. Thanks so much for following it as you have. And hopefully next week I'll be back online at home. Wish me luck. Hate Murphey's Law!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/26/2006
Will have to make this quick, as I'm going to regret not being asleep by this time in the morning. I have to get up about dawn. Wow, very interesting to see others telling the tale. Maybe they don't completely understand, but those who want to understand, generally do to a certain extent. The gifts were so perfect, especially the book for Dianthus. That is so very like Frodo, to explain his leaving in that way, so that all who wish may understand. A beautiful chapter! God bless! Galadriel Author Reply: Frodo doesn't waste time anymore trying to convince those who don't WANT to understand--instead he does his best to make certain those who do have the information they need--as best he can provide it, at least. And Dianthus above all others wishes to understand where Frodo's going and why. Perhaps this is the way Frodo became aware of what going West over the Sundering Sea would mean to himself in the beginning; he certainly appreciates that this is the only way at the moment he can convey it to Dianthus in a manner she can fully understand. She already has realized he was dying; now she realizes he is indeed going so he can live, and as fully as he is able from that point on. And she realizes his own hope is to see her again, when the time is right. Hope you appreciate the epilogue and the Author's Notes.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/26/2006
What thoughtful gifts and a touching letter that Frodo left. Author Reply: Am so glad you appreciate the gifts and the letters, Linda. Hope to catch up with your story soon. Being offline for so long has been a burden.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/26/2006
Oh my...The understanding of what Frodo and the others did being told by a hobbit other than The Travellers and to other hobbits...The beginning of the legacy of what they, especially Frodo, did for The Shire. Will getting so angry at his Grandson for saying all Frodo did was sort papers I felt very true. I'm sure that's exactly how it appeared to the majority of The Shire. Sam was working hard at his forestry, Merry and Pippin were working on making sure the Borders were safe, but to them, all Frodo did was sort papers in The Mayor's Office. Only the Mayor himself and those who worked alongside Frodo would have truly understood what Frodo had done to sort out the mess Sharkey's Men had created. I loved the gifts Frodo had gifted to Mina, Will and the family. The book about the Elves of Middle Earth will go a long way towards understanding about Frodo's choice and was gifted to the right little hobbit I think. A lovely chapter. I look forward to the next one as always. :o) Author Reply: Bucca and Mina are truly appreciating what the four Travellers did, I think; and now they're making certain that at least a few of the next generation appreciate what was done and how even the paperwork was important. Probably the least appreciated workers in any organization are those who have to make sense of the paperwork; they aren't out there in flashy uniforms and doing their stuff in front of everyone; they're in the back offices and cubicles trying to check to make certain all is on the up and up, finding out the errors before they multiply or lead to chains of destructive events; checking the figures and doing the cross-indexing. And it is by twisting language so many hope to slip fast ones by us. Having a scholar of languages must have been a godsend to the Mayor's office in catching just how Lotho's folks engineered their takeover and then making certain it wouldn't happen again. Am so glad you appreciate the gifts; and the book was given to the one who most wanted to understand what Frodo had chosen and why, and why it was important he go now. Plus it will motivate her to learn to read and to do so well, I think. Hope tomorrow night I can sneak in again for at least a brief time and post the next chapter. Thanks so much for your appreciation of what I write. Wish I could read more before I have to go to work. Night jobs where there's no internet access is the pits, I find.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/26/2006
He does write the most lovely letters, doesn't he? Oh, I do so hope to meet him in Heaven one day! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Yes, Frodo does communicate well. God bless indeed, Antane.

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