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Via Dolorosa or The Way of Sorrows  by Antane 3 Review(s)
Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 21 on 10/25/2006
Oh, I know I've said it before, but this is so very poignant.

Poor Frodo, what agony! He wants to talk about it, and he doesn't. He hates the Ring and wishes he'd never had it, and he wants it back, longs to hold it, loves it. He wants to see the love that radiates from Sam and from his cousins, almost his only light now, and yet he can't bear it because he "doesn't deserve it". He wants to go West, and yet he wants to stay in the beloved Shire. He longs for the fullness of dawn, and yet he doesn't want to leave the glimmer of it that is the love of those whom he holds most dear. I can't even grasp what that must feel like, what unbearable pain...like having one's already shattered heart ripped in half.

Dear Sam, always with the servant's heart. I wish I could be so all the time.

And this...

I tried that hard to hold onto
you, first along the Road into darkness and then out into the light, back to the Shire, but I don’t think you ever left the night. You were taken away
from me bit by bit by that terrible Ring as we were all so afraid you would be before that splinter was found.

...has inspired a story!
God bless,
Galadriel

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 21 on 10/25/2006
Indeed a reason for grief, knowing the beloved one is gone. Now I feel the grief of both.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 21 on 10/25/2006
You talked a lot in your sleep and my heart ached for all the terrors that you had endured all alone, the barrow-wights and the Riders. I was right next to you some of that time and still you had to fight by yourself. I wish I could have protected you better from it all. All this time you have had to fight alone because you went to places that I could not

This is so painful and so true. In our darkest times we walk alone with our Creator even though we may be surrounded by friendship and love. You show this so very well Antane.

Author Reply: Hantanyel, my dear! Poor Sam and Frodo. I don't know whether Frodo was even aware he was not alone, that his Creator did indeed walk with him and that makes it even worse to think that he would feel so bereft. Sam did so much to be a visible sign of Iluvatar's love.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

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