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| Reunion by Larner | 15 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Elemmķrė | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 7/1/2006 |
| This entire story was just absolutely beautiful, Larner, most especially the last two chapters. I really liked how you explored Frodo and Sam's views of mortality as compared with the Elven children who do not understand what death is, why it occurs, or how the hobbits can be so pragmatic about it. It often reminded me of a terminally ill patient sees the end of life as compared with those around them. I say again, Larner, just beautiful, poignant, sad and yet uplifting as well. Well done and I look forward to whatever you pen next. Author Reply: Thank you, Elemmire. For mortals such as Frodo and Sam who've been granted the grace to survive to fulfillment when they'd come so very close to dying, to come to the end of this life at last and be allowed to offer it back gently must have been seen as quite a grace. They've been allowed to finally know peace and joy after long stress; now it is their time to rest. I know my mother-in-law was ready when her time came; it was more difficult for my husband, who was really too young to go as yet, but he was glad for the end of the constant pain and diminishment, I know. Anyway, I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier. Now the satellite dish is malfunctioning, and I don't have the money to have it fixed for another couple weeks. If it's not one thing it's three others, I swear. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/26/2006 |
| What a beautiful way of saying "goodbye".I loved the way you link with your other stories too and the poem had me blinking,it was so touching. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda. I loved the "dribble" poetry Dreamflower indulged in a time ago, and decided to try my own hand at it, although this isn't a straight "dribble." I like to think Frodo wasn't as into rhyming poetry as his Uncle Bilbo--that he'd try other forms. And I'm so glad you liked it. I'm not going to read tonight, I fear--I'm dripping sweat, as summer has hit like a sledge here in the Pacific Northwest. Need to go downstairs and cool off. But hope to catch up with your story soon. | |
| Tigger | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/26/2006 |
| Wow...What a lovely gift to be given to Aragorn, Arwen and the others there at the Citadel who loved Frodo. This was a very special way to end the story Larner. Thanks for sharing it w/us. Author Reply: Am so very glad you loved it, Tigger. And I think at the last, particularly after learning of Gilraen's foreseeings, Frodo would especially wish to send some memorial to Aragorn. Thank you for enjoying the story! | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/26/2006 |
| *sniff, sniff* Love it, simply beautiful ending. Perfect. I remember the story about the bottle! Want to read it again soon. Once more....absolutely lovely. Brava!! ~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@ Author Reply: Thank you, Armariel. Should post the Author's Notes tomorrow. It was imperative, I felt, that Frodo send one more message and that it should be somehow flagged for Aragorn. So glad you loved this reprise. And thanks so much for the applause. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/26/2006 |
| I can only echo so many others here and say that this was perfect. 'Message in a Bottle' has always been one of my favourites and I am so happy to see that Aragorn has received a similar comfort with a message from across the Sea. Loved the 'conversation' between Gandalf and Shadowfax - so wonderful to see the friendship and love between them, and the great horse's amusement and obvious fondness for the hobbits. The pictures sent by Frodo, and the gifts for those left behind, were just right, and his words to Aragorn beautiful beyond belief. Author Reply: Thank you so very much, Baggins Babe. Am so glad you appreciated the second message so sent. I always felt that with Olorin Shadowfax would be able to communicate fairly clearly in return. He must have felt rather patronizing toward the Hobbits' ponies, I think. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/26/2006 |
| Oops! Typo Larner! But for now to {be} feel life in the riding would itself be soothing. re-reading for its soothing effect before bed! Author Reply: Thanks for the heads up. Have it fixed now. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/26/2006 |
| It was foretold That Iluvatar would speak in my heart. He does! Ever He has done so! And even the pain I knew Is now blessčd. Oh Larner! There simply is no other word: This is PERFECT! "Even the pain I knew is now blessed." That's the conclusion of "The Acceptable Sacrifice" and the result of Frodo's transformation. This is true wisdom, and once again I realize that Tolkien chose his name well : Wise by experience! P.S.: I very much enjoyed the "conversation" between Gandalf and Shadowfax, and of course Frodo's signature - the dragonfly :) Author Reply: Yes, the name was indeed properly chosen for Frodo, and am so glad that Tolkien gave over Bingo in the end. I've wanted to play with "dribble" poetry, and this was my first sort-of trial of it. And this was one thing C.S. Lewis noted in "The Great Divorce"--that in the end salvation would work through the past to make all part of the present Joy; so it must have worked for Frodo as he healed on Tol Eressea. And as Shadowfax was able to understand the tongues of Men, it seemed right Gandalf should be able to reciprocate. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/26/2006 |
| Oh, my, Larner! This is incredibly beautiful and moving! Another message, another bottle--again, you show your instinct for knowing the absolutely perfect ending! I was so moved by Gandalf's "conversation" with Shadowfax, and his seeking out Orome and the Hunt. And even though he *knows* his dear friends are happy, at peace and in the Presence, he will still mourn, for until Legolas and Gimli arrive, he is the only one of the Fellowship on that side of the Sea. I find it very appropriate that Faramir Took decided to follow his father's example and retire to the Court of the High King for his waning days. I think it an excellent tradition, and one that must be of much comfort to Aragorn, who must be missing his other companions sadly. I wonder, perhaps, if Pippin did not charge his son to look after the King when he was finally gone... I thought that you had outdone yourself with "The Acceptable Sacrifice", but *this* story is even finer, and a fitting end to that one! Very, very well done indeed! Author Reply: Thank you for such kind words, Dreamflower. The desire to send one last communication to Aragorn must have been overwhelming. And I think there so soon before his own acceptance of the Gift would have been the right moment to receive it, and for Pippin's son to have seen it and delivered it to him. I'd written in "Light on the Way" that Faramir Took joined the court after Goldilocks died and as he looked at his own last years, and so wanted to look at how he'd have arrived there. I've always loved that the Mearas understood the tongues of Men; and I felt SOMEONE ought to reciprocate. By that time there must have been a special bond between Gandalf and Shadowfax; and so glad that Gandalf received the kind of understanding he needed at the time. That you feel this outdoes "The Acceptable Sacrifice" is such an honor! Thank you so much! And it is a sequel to both TAS and "Reconciliation." I am so glad you enjoyed it so. | |
| Endaewen | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/26/2006 |
| This is a beautiful story. Sweet, sad, and yet happy. Author Reply: Yes, the joy ought to be there as well as the tears, I think. Thank you so much for your kind words, Endaewen. Am so very glad you enjoyed it so. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/26/2006 |
| I'm glad the sea carried last messages back from the Blessed Realm to Aragorn et al before he, too, makes his own way west. It will be heartening for them all to see how much they were loved. Author Reply: Yes, the last message has finally been delivered, and not a long time before Aragorn himself finds himself seeking his own way. Ulmo did wait until one would spot it who would understand the implications of the flowers to see it found, as well. So glad you liked it, Bodkin. | |