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| Moments in Time by Larner | 13 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/25/2006 |
| Good thing for the want of green things, that led Sam to the lake, and then Frodo remembering, which led to the finding of the men. Two more that the dark lord did not get. Author Reply: Good is indeed still being brought forth from evil intent. Thanks so for the review, Grumpy. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/24/2006 |
| What an enjoyable story !I loved the idea that evil was turned to good. Author Reply: Yes, at least two were restored to their families, both of whom I'm certain rejoice to have family members home. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/23/2006 |
| Oh I am so glad that you took thought to return to this dreadful sight in Ithilien and brought some good out of the evil the firepit represents. Author Reply: I had been listening to my recordings of the BBC radio broadcast of LOTR, and for some reason the part where Sam saw the bones in the orc firepit hit me hard. What folk had they been feasting on, and what if one or two had managed to get away? And so this story was born.... Glad to hear from you. And, please, pray for Nance, who has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and a broken rib. I am so furious that the rib went undetected in spite of multiple doctor and ER visits for almost two and a half weeks! Love to your parents and Jet. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/23/2006 |
| Remarkably lucky pair of Rangers, there! And such a good thing that they were found when they were - I doubt they would have survived much longer. I like the hobbits seeking for fresh food in Ithilien - I can imagine them living off the land very successfully! Author Reply: Doctors have found those who die of malnutrition have managed to survive surprisingly long times if there is water available, at least. With these, who have sorrel and a few greens available along with whatever they had in their pockets, the chances they would survive for some time is greater, although they aren't getting enough fat and protein to sustain them forever. I just found I loved the idea that two the Ring had thought to betray had somehow managed to survive anyway, and the very act of using their betrayal as a means of torturing Frodo in the end would serve to grant them rescue. Yes, remarkably lucky, if you consider being stuck in a cleft in the rocks for almost two months lucky. As much as Sam found Ithilien refreshing and recognized sources of food and flavoring there, I do believe he'd be glad to help the camp's foragers to find what greens they could for the needs of those camped there. And, yes, I suspect all the Hobbits could have lived comfortably off the land, between wild plants and former gardens and fields gone wild. Thanks so for the feedback. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/21/2006 |
| A beautiful look at how good can come out of evil, even against the Ring's own will. I really hope Frodo holds on to this and realises that it was his beautiful nature and compassionate soul which wrenched the Ring's own designs. Mean to review this yesterday but spent most of last evening in shock, having been told that a friend of mine, due to give birth last week, learned over the weekend that the baby has died. Bad things do happen to good people unfortunately, even today with the advanced medical technology at our command. Author Reply: Yes, even if he hadn't claimed the Ring yet, still, Frodo's own compassion managed to sway Its actions long enough to help at least two Men escape. I'm sure the Ring took delight in the idea of the two of them being blocked in so they couldn't escape further; but the Creator here took a hand to see that the Ringbearer's will and desire was in the end met, beyond the destruction of the Ring. I know what you mean about Real Life interfering--just learned one of my clients, one whose querky humor I've come to love, is dying, and it hit me pretty hard. My prayers are with your friend. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/20/2006 |
| You helped save two good Men, child. And that will for good helped you remain stronger against It that much longer. Rejoice, Iorhael. Wow! Wondeful story, Larner! And so it was that even after Its destruction the Ring, through the memories of Its visions, helped Frodo to save the lifes of others. Rejoice, indeed :) Author Reply: I like to think that on occasion the Ring had to bow at least in part to Frodo's will, even though he hadn't claimed it. And I do suspect that Frodo's Voice that Argues truly wished to see him rejoice, and rejoiced to have this chance to see the rejoicing expressed. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/20/2006 |
| Of course, *who* other could Aragorn send to look for edible plants and herbs than hobbits? It's about time the rangers learn something about it, considering how much they are out in the wilds. Maybe King Elessar should employ a hobbit for teaching his rangers how to cook in the field ;) It is a lovely idea that Frodo was able to twist the vision meant to torment him in help for the two rangers to escape, at least so far they weren't killed. How luckily they stumbled over the fire and then didn't keep their find from Frodo out of fear to upset him! I think it was important for Frodo to see not all these visions were only evil and he was, even if unintentional, able to do something good with It. Author Reply: Oh, I suspect the Rangers know many edible plants; but there in the relatively early spring I'd think the aid of Hobbits would help identify even more, particularly at a time when the need is great to help meet the needs of so many. And I do have it indicated elsewhere that in the letters renewing the charter for the Shire Aragorn states he'll accept Hobbit service in case of war in terms of cooks for his armies. In listening to the BBC radio presentation while driving back and forth to work over the past few days the portion where Sam first sees the firepit and the bones in it struck me, as it did when I was rereading that section in the books to check some detail or other; the next thing I knew this story was working its way out of my head, through my fingers and into the computer. And I agree it was indeed important for Frodo to realize he wasn't always just a helpless spectator in the visions granted him by the Ring for his torment. In Boromir the Ring would work on his desperation to protect his land and city; in Frodo I believe a lot of Its influence was intended to work on his feelings of responsibility toward others, seeking to force him to take and use It to help stop the pain It showed him. That without wearing or claiming It he'd still at least once in a while manage to force It to do good in spite of Itself just seemed to flow. The Creator would see to it that Its own will didn't win all the time, I think. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/19/2006 |
| Brilliant! I love the beginning of this, with Sam going out to help forage. So very hobbity! And then for Frodo to remember--and to realize that the Ring was forced to do good in spite of itself! I am quite sure that this would have helped Frodo to hold out on It just that much longer. The Ring, unwittingly helped Itself to It's own destruction in a number of ways--by helping Bilbo on his Adventure, and extending his life so that he could adopt Frodo, and extending Frodo's own youth and vigor. By tempting Boromir and causing the break in the Fellowship, by delaying Sam with It's temptation, so that he was able to hide from the Orcs and rescue Frodo, by cursing Gollum at the end. Eru managed to turn It's evil back to good so many ways. Author Reply: Yes, very Hobbity indeed; and having written Sam joining the foragers into TAS, I had to reflect it here. I'm certain most Rangers would be fairly able foragers, but I doubt they'd be as aware of as large a variety of edible plants and their proper preparation as Hobbits. I love to think that now and then Frodo's own will to see good come and his defiance of the Ring might just have managed to invoke Its power in spite of Itself, forcing Its power to save and preserve when It would rather have delighted in death and destruction. Indeed by extending the relative youth and vigor of both Bilbo and Frodo the Ring helped prepare these for Its own destruction; and Eru certainly was able to use Its own malice and will to evil against It again and again to the end of Its existence. Again, "All things work to the good for those who love the Lord." No matter how we seek to twist things or manage to mishandle matters, if we truly wish good to come of it all, that good will happen to the amazement of all. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/19/2006 |
| Oh, wow! I'd forgotten about the fire pit, and I guess it never registered in my mind before what exactly was in it...Oh, how horrible! It's wonderful to see that good came even out of one of the Ring's visions, and even more so to see Frodo's will win a victory over the Ring's! Your portrayal of the brotherly love between Frodo and Aragorn is so very sweet, and one of my favourite things about your stories, especially those set in Gondor. And I love the inner dialogue at the end. God bless, Galadriel P.S. Haven't forgotten "Stirring Rings" or "The Tenant From Staddle, just been very, very busy, and I'll catch up as soon as I can. It's always something now, it seems. Author Reply: Was listening to the BBC radio presentation on the way to work and back over the last few days, and that part hit me, for some reason. Then the story followed, and this is what came out. "All things work to the good for those who love the Lord," and I like to think that Frodo's held intent to fight the Ring's influence for as long as he could would work to the good of others as well as himself. I think he should have at least one memory of when he fought the Ring that turned out well to take with him, to serve as a core about which to wind his healing of its influence. And having started the inner dialogue in "The Acceptable Sacrifice," it only seemed right it should be reflected here. That there should have grown up between Frodo and Aragorn a feeling of kinship and love also just seems right. As for the other stories--they're coming more slowly as the MEFAs wind down and I try to get my reviews in. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 11/19/2006 |
| I always enjoy the relationship that you write between Frodo and Aragorn. It just seems so very right to me. Lovely story! Author Reply: Am so glad you appreciate that relationship, GW. I have just always felt there would be a special one there, between these two special Hobbits. Author Reply: Between these two special people, I meant. Man, I am TIRED. | |