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Moments in Time by Larner	14 Review(s)
Soledad	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/17/2008
I see I must be careful whom I offer my favourite recipes in the future. :)) This was a very funny story. Poor Mistress Loren, unknowingly trying to acquire a harem of Hobbits... Author Reply: Yes, this was such a fun one to write, and to think of one custom that must be very Hobbity to the point that it could be misconstrued elsewhere and amongst Men. Poor Mistress Loren must have been totally confused and embarrassed. And it was wonderful to find a moment when Frodo felt just happy, a child in his arms, after his return from the Quest.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/4/2006
Sorry to be so late in reading and reviewing this. That poor woman, innocently giving out those recipes and completely scandalizing the three hobbits. But it did get Frodo laughing hard so it was worth it! Love the idea of his secret candle. This story also brings up something I've been wondering about. One author stated Frodo was naked when he entered the fire chamber or so I seem to remember. I know he shed much because he couldn't stand the weight and Sam looked on with pity when he shed even the Elven cloak, but I would think if he was completely naked it would have been remarked upon. That would make his humility and sacrifice even more heartbreaking and worthy of admiration and respect, that he was that determined and that worn down to shed everything to accomplish his task. You state that he still had the cloak and so does someone else, but I do wonder. And on another note, could I post that prayer of Aragorn's that you translated when I update my website next? It is so wonderful. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: No, Frodo was reportedly dressed in Sam's Elven cloak girdled with a piece of rope cut from Sam's roll of hithlain rope, when he entered the Sammath Naur; perhaps the one garment that could have survived such a place. But I doubt Dianthus would consider the cloak to be clothing. He might also have worn underthings of some kind, probably something gathered by Sam. When they woke they were dressed first in what they wore through Mordor before they were taken before the company gathered in Cormallen, although I suspect that Frodo was dressed in the clothing recovered from the Mouth of Sauron, as reportedly the orc stuff went down the crack with Sam's pans and the orc blades. Gandalf restored the two Elven cloaks, Sam's cleansed of all the hurts it had taken while being worn by Frodo, so he didn't throw that away, at least. Am so glad this story gave a chuckle, and love to imagine how it would have confused Mistress Loren. And I, too, love Dianthus calling Frodo's Light his secret candle. Am glad it strikes a chord in you. And yes, you may indeed post The King's Prayer when you update your website. Thank you!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/29/2006
How nice to see Frodo able to laugh ! Author Reply: Yes, to see Frodo able to laugh now and then, and a good hearty one at that, is a wonderful thing. He needs the children's love and perspective.

demeter d	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/29/2006
So you invented the recipe sharing idea? it is indeed, Hobbity! And, "look, Da, his secret candle is lit, again." By the weak and foolish are great things accomplished, indeed! Author Reply: This was just one of those ideas that struck me and had to be expressed. The things that we'll think of as we take baths! And I doubt any truly considered Frodo Baggins foolish, not after meeting him. No, too much to admire in him, I think. But this night, at least, he knows peace of spirit through the laughter of children.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/29/2006
The story about the meaning of sharing recipes was great! rofl No wonder the hobbits were so confused because Mistress Loren gave everyone her recipes and Gandalf and Aragorn, knowing more about the whole matter, laughed so hard when they finally understood what was wrong! Thank you for that, it was a lot of fun! As for Dianthus, she found the one point in the whole story which was funny, too. How nice to see Frodo laughing so hard, and in the end sleeping peacefully with the girl in his lap! Lovely story, Larner. Author Reply: Oh, am so glad you enjoyed it, Kitty. Cultural differences can be so hard to fathom! And this one must have proven a puzzler indeed for the Hobbits until it was explained to them. Of course the others would laugh once they realized--even Mistress Loren herself probably laughed once she understood. And through the eyes of babes we see the world anew, and can find joy in the worst of past experiences. Frodo needed the child's perspective, I think, and deserved both the laugh and the joyful dreams.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/28/2006
Oh, thank you, Larner! This is a perfect gem! Frodo's description of the citadel even made me dizzy. Wow! No wonder they didn't want to live there-I don't think I could stand living in a place big enough to become lost in, especially as my reputation for getting lost everywhere grew considerably this summer in Colorado. LOL! Dianthus’s mouth dropped open. "You mean that Mr. Peregrin is betrothed to her now?" she demanded, as that was the common meaning of an unmarried lass sharing family recipes with an unmarried lad within the Shire. Oh, I love it! The custom is so very Hobbit-like, and the story...Oh, that's hysterical! "Sam had commented to me that since his return Gandalf had become like a fount of humor and joy, enough to set whole kingdoms laughing; and that afternoon he did just that. All of a sudden Aragorn began to laugh, and when he truly laughs it is a rolling laugh! 'Oh,' Aragorn kept repeating, 'Bilbo and Meliangiloreth! Bilbo and Meliangiloreth!' And then I began laughing as I realized I was right, and then Sam because he couldn’t help it, and then Merry and Pippin because I was laughing so hard. Only Mistress Loren wasn’t laughing at that point, being even more bewildered than any of the rest." Hahahahahahaha! Oh wow! Bilbo and Meliangiloreth?! That is too funny! LOL! She started to drink some of her cider, found herself laughing again and snorted her drink out her nose. Frodo was laughing also as he sought to help her clean herself up. At last she managed to gasp out, "He didn’t know that the one as he needed to watch out for was the Hobbit what didn’t have no clothes on, did he?" Frodo lost it completely, and laughed helplessly, drawing his knees up to his chest. Dianthus watched, feeling triumph. LOL! The first time I listened to the BBC LOTR drama (that was my introduction to LOTR) I just bawled through that whole scene in the tower, and I still don't see how Frodo could look "ludicrous", but when you put it as Dianthus does, well...I laughed so hard I nearly dropped my laptop! "Frodo lost it completely..." Good! He needed that, and it's a treat to see it! :) As her father gently disengaged his daughter so he could take her to her bed, she awoke. She looked back at the Hobbit who slept in the chair and smiled. "Look, Da," she murmured, "his secret candle is lit again." Oh, that is so sweet. A childlike and beautiful description, and of course Dianthus would see his light, as perceptive as she is. Afar off in Rivendell Olórin was watching over the Ringbearer’s dreams. Frodo dreamed he was at a great picnic with his parents, and with the brothers and sister who’d been lost to him around them. And if his brothers had been increased in number somewhat and resembled Aragorn, Sam, Merry, and Pippin and the sister he swung about in circles looked like Dianthus Sandheaver, no one would fault him. The Wizard smiled as he called blessings down on his friend. I'm so glad he could have such peaceful dreams this night. What a beautiful way to end this sweet story! It's gentle and and funny, a little bit sad in places, but absolutely heartwarming-I love it. :) God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Life isn't all one emotion, and for Frodo I'd think it was even more obviously a mix. He deserved a good laugh and to realize just how much humor is needed to remain sane and to face the day coming with some sense of equanamity. Poor lad--he had such a time of it! I'd think anyone would feel intimidated by such a place as the Citadel of Minas Tirith; and imagine what that of Osgiliath must have been like, particularly with the Dome of Stars in the midst of it, suspended over the river! I always loved the perception that Gandalf was a fount of laughter, and felt that PJ was referencing that dramatically when Frodo wakes in the Houses of Healing to find Gandalf standing at the foot of his bed, ready to laugh with relief and joy and simple delight at how sweet life can be. Faced with a situation such as Frodo is describing, he must have been in his element! In writing "Stirring Rings" I was researching in "Unfinished Tales" and the Silmarillion, and it states there that Olorin spent a good deal of time in Irmo's company and in Nienna's, and that he offered dream therapy to the Elves of Aman proper and the Lonely Isle; in FOTR it states that Gandalf had monitored Frodo's dreams somewhat while he was unconscious, a statement reinforced after the two awakened in Ithilien. I'd used this as a basis in "The Acceptable Sacrifice" for Gandalf to state he'd caught part of Frodo's dream when he was younger, back in the Shire. Again I felt that now Olorin would, at least from time to time, watch over Frodo's dreams and rejoice when they proved happy. And Harrowcat forwards her birthday greetings as well.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/28/2006
At last she managed to gasp out, "He didn’t know that the one as he needed to watch out for was the Hobbit what didn’t have no clothes on, did he?" Dianthus is a fascinating character! How can such a young girl be so perceptive and wise! And she seemed to make Frodo happy so easily, where others were constantly trying without success. Wow! Oh yes, the Creator's sense of humor! You are right to mention the absurdity of the whole quest. Yet, it was this absurdity that led to the final victory. "Only a fool's hope" in Sauron's opinion, but he was completely wrong. The deeper meaning of the recipe exchange was really funny. I can very well imagine that as a hobbit tradition. Regarding the importance of meals, the giving of recipes to someone special must have been a serious matter. Just as with dwarves and their knives, I bet ;-) Author Reply: Children don't have all the associations we adults build, and so often they can perceive things the rest of us just ignore. And Frodo needed some perspective, for the strength to remain while he could, for the wisdom to do what he had to while he could, for the realization love wished him well, which in the end helped him accept the grace to go on to Tol Eressea. Those who are cruel often have very poor senses of humor if any, and are usually able to only use them to inflict pain when they do have them. Only one with a great sense of humor would have created us, I think, and I remember in reading "Mr. God, This is Anna" how the Devil could be sent on his way by laughing at him and seeing how insecure he is. Sauron had no clue that a good sense of humor is well grounded in practicality and sensitivity and love; and that his downfall would appear only a foolish joke in his own eyes yet would be so effective. Now is the time for Frodo to regain his sense of perspective. And I'm so glad so many have enjoyed the idea of sharing recipes being part of courtship--it DOES just feel right, doesn't it? Thanks!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/28/2006
That's a sweet story, Larner. Such an unexpectedly relaxing evening for Frodo! Frodo lost it completely, and laughed helplessly, drawing his knees up to his chest. Dianthus watched, feeling triumph. At last Frodo drew her up into his lap, forgetting the troubling contract he’d been reviewing earlier, forgetting his solemnity. "Thank you, Dianthus," he whispered to her, "for a most entertaining evening." She smiled as she snuggled closer to his chest, and smiled as he rested his cheek against the top of her head. Ahh, and one more perceptive person who can see Frodo's "secret candle". Lovely. Author Reply: Actually, there is a level of absurdity to the story of LOTR. We have the almost ultimate in evil who, one learns from reading the Silmarillion is perhaps a pale copy of his former master, but one with far more staying power to date, and he is brought down not be a great Elf warrior or the King returned, but by a nearly naked Hobbit armed at the last only by a stubborn will to see the duty he's taken done, but protected by love unimaginable. And Frodo needs that moment of recognition that in the end it was absurdity that took out Sauron. Certainly the Creator has a sense of humor or he wouldn't have created us! And I think those who would not only see but appreciate Frodo's "secret candle" would be a blessed company.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/28/2006
Somehow the idea that exchanging recipes is tantamount to a declaration of love is exceedingly hobbity! As is the total incomprehension of a daughter of Men. Dianthus is very good for Frodo. As is Elanor. He needs the uncomplicated affection of children to hearten him! Author Reply: The idea of exchanging family recipes being seen among Hobbits as a sign of serious intent just hit me some days ago and wouldn't leave me alone until I'd written this. And I agree that the love of children is something almost all of us need, but that Frodo needed in especial--that and the unique perspective children can bring to the consideration of deeds done. And at times Frodo just needed a very good laugh! Between Dianthus, Cyclamen, and Elanor, not to mention spying Pando, Frodo's well protected for the moment.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/28/2006
"He didn’t know that the one as he needed to watch out for was the Hobbit what didn’t have no clothes on, did he?" Frodo lost it completely, and laughed helplessly, drawing his knees up to his chest. Dianthus watched, feeling triumph. A moment of unbridled joy and a fundermental truth go hand in hand. Clever Dianthus! Lovely Larner. I almost didn't get to read this as my internet connection seemed to be playing up last night and this morning. Woe is me. May I add my birthday greetings too? Author Reply: Oh, you KNOW I know about computer problems! Hope yours resolve soon! And Frodo needs a unique perspective capable of showing him just how much of a sense of humor the Creator has, and just how potentially funny his predicamate was, in order to accept the final healing. After all, healing comes not by dwelling on the griefs and pains of the past but by embracing the future; and realizing that there were hilarious aspects to such moments of torture help to allow Frodo to let them go.

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