Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Go Out in Joy by Larner	11 Review(s)
Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/15/2007
Now I think I begin to understand the title a bit more. Perhaps bit by bit the guilt will leave and healing take its place, if our beloved, stubborn Baggins will let it and he will truly be able to 'go out in joy'. He needs to be reminded of all the good he did and he made it to the Fire precisely at the moment God had planned all along for him to do it. The depression and the guilt will have smothered all sense of the great good he did. I love all this counseling that he's getting from Gandalf, sorely needed wisdom. My favorite scenes are that Elanor's first steps were toward him and his first word was for him. Even as a faunt she recognizes his great worth. He seems to be the only one who doesn't but depression would do that to someone. I love most Sam saying it was seeing Frodo's Light that had Smeagol on the verge of conversion. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Yes, all hope that if Frodo must leave him he does it with peace. Although it's not always a simple process. Had he gone, of course there would have been a good long time for Frodo to get proper counseling, of course; and I'm certain Gandalf is rather frustrated with the current rush of things. And somewhere Frodo was made aware that there on the steps Gollum was beginning to soften, before the "sneak" exchange. Only other one there was Sam, so he must have reevaluated what he first saw, and realized perhaps he, himself, with that thoughtless comment perhaps might have foiled a good deal of good in the making. And Elanor is a child filled with grace from the very beginning, I think. So glad you appreciated it.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/4/2007
Gandalf's words are very wise. I agree Sam is also the Renewer. Author Reply: Gandalf was the one fully intended by Manwe himself to stand against Sauron, after all. The wisest of the Maiar, and probably, along with Sauron, one of the two greatest in power. Those given to evil may appear to wield more power, but as Professor Dumbledore was advised, it is because those given to Good are too noble to allow themselves to perform the more crushing blows and actions. And in the end Love holds the far more potent magics, perhaps because it is so much more subtle and invasive--and enjoyable and fulfilling for all who share it.

lotrgirl1415	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/3/2007
Oh my....this fic is so sad....I'm about to cry..... holds on to Frodo and bawls! You are such a talented writer! xoxoxxooxoxo --Katie Author Reply: Sad, but definitely part of life. As Gandalf tells Pippin in the movie, Death is but another road, one we all must take. For some the need to set foot on that road comes earlier and for others it comes later; or perhaps some find the current takes them far faster than it does others. Frodo has accepted he's traveled it faster than he'd have liked, but he's ready to cross into the land where it leads as he must with few regrets of note; and the burdens he's carried are at least lightened a good deal by Gandalf's visit. And thank you so much for the compliment.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/3/2007
I suppose I can see why Frodo wouldn't want to sail - would prefer to make an end of it in his home surrounded by those who loved him. And Bilbo has long since made the break to dwell among elves and would welcome this last adventure. Gandalf's words are relieving a weight on him - and it's good that he could hear them before the wizard leaves him. Author Reply: I cannot imagine that if Frodo had indeed chosen to stay that Gandalf would have been denied one last visit of this sort. And I do believe that to sail would indeed have been offered as a choice, one those who granted that choice desired he might accept, not a sacrifice insisted upon. And I do agree with all you've said, and am glad you appear to have seen in this chapter so much of what I'd intended to convey. Thanks so much for the response.

White Gull	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/1/2007
This is delightful, so far. If this is going where I think it is, I'll be smiling. I've never been tempted to write an AU of this sort, and I know that if I was, I could never match your equisite prose. I look forward to your next chapter! :) WG Author Reply: I am very honored, White Gull, considering your talent with poetry and your love of giving Frodo loves of his own. I fear my loves for him were never consumated, or at least not in THIS story, at least. Maybe in other "Might Have Beens"....

Althea	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/28/2007
I have read this chapter twice. The first time I I was almost overwhelmed by wisdom, comfort, and peace your words conveyed. The second time I read through the chapter, I was trying to think of words I could to let you know how deeply the message and insights of this installment affected me. I can't begin to match your expressive prose. All I can say is that I love this chapter and the peace and forgiveness it brings. I love the emphasis on the fact that a higher power was involved and had a benevolent plan all along. I have always felt that Gollum had already made plans with Shelob before the "sneaking" conversation, so I was very happy to see this idea featured in the story. I also love the fact that Elanor's first word was "Fro." I like the idea of the Creator's forgiveness of Gollum for being of use in the plan. There are so many wonderful ideas and lessons in this chapter, but I particularly like this, "You will learn that the Creator has a distinct sense of humor, and enjoys hiding His greatest treasures in the most difficult places to access. Why do you think diamonds and emeralds of great worth are found hidden in common soil and stubborn rock?” Thank so so much. Author Reply: "Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and NOT by Its maker. And in that case, you, too, were meant to have it, and that is a comforting thought." Tolkien tried to expunge religiosity from his story that it not appear preachy, yet its basic truths are with us. Gandalf was sent by the Valar, and sent back by Valar and Creator to finish his task. He now speaks with a good deal of authority, I think; and now, since Frodo won't have time in the Undying Lands to come to full terms with what he accomplished here and how likely it is that even Gollum, having been used by Divine Providence, is likely to find his way back to the Light, then I believe Gandalf would feel the need to give him a crash course to make his way once through the Gates easier and better guided. Certainly the idea Gollum had already been working to betray them is supported by Gollum's appearance from up the stairs. And so glad you like that line in particular. Thanks so much for the review.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/28/2007
Yea!!! You updated!!! I was truly beginning to think I really couldn't stand it any more. :) I love this chapter; I'm so glad Frodo has already found some healing, and I have a feeling he might find more before the time comes. As always I love Gandalf's gentle but firm manner of pointing out exactly what's what and where responsibility and blame belong. “It appears that, no matter what my wishes are, I’m to have a birthday party of sorts after all,” Frodo said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Although what kind of birthday party is it when the host must perforce leave in the midst of it?” A tear escaped him, just as Sam found himself inexplicably starting to laugh. Rosie and Frodo looked at him aghast, only to see he couldn’t help himself at all. Sam sank down on the bench and held his sides. “Of all I could ever imagine,” he finally choked out, “who’d a’thought of such a thing--that those as love you best would descend on you like this, leavin’ you with no way to hide from them? Oh, my Master, they love you, and you must face the fact as none of them is lackin’ in brains. You’ve tried to hide it, but you can’t--you can’t at all. Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin--they’d already told me, last time as they was here together, they were comin’ for the sixth. The other night when the Thain and Master and their ladies was here, they could see the truth of it.” The laughter had faded and tears were now forming. We do laugh at the oddest times, don't we? tears Obviously I can't laugh just now, reading it, but this conveys very well what you've said before and what I've recently found to be true: sometimes we have to laugh just to get through the rougher times, even if there's little or no real humor in it. But that's not what I was going to say; I was going to say that I love how all his family and friends just flock to Frodo's side as he prepares to accept the Gift. Frodo’s shoulders were shaking as he wept into Elanor’s gown. At last they could hear, the tone muffled, “I don’t want to have to----” “To say goodbye?” finished Gandalf gently after it became obvious Frodo could say no more. Oh, poor Frodo! I can sympathize--I've come to hate "good-bye" (though I don't exactly have a good reason like he does). And how sweet and wonderful that Elanor's first word is "Fo"! Aww! Oh, I so hope Frodo needn't pass while the memories are upon him, in that dreadful time! That Sauron spoke the curse first and the Ring shared it with Frodo is very intriguing and explains a lot. I always thought that Frodo must have been either very angry or under the Ring's influence (leaning more towards the latter because of the description in the book) to say those words to Gollum. Yeah, my internet connection hasn't been terribly fabulous lately either, and my computer is falling apart. Really! The screen is coming off (it's a laptop). Erg, if it's not Jaws or the book player or the pac mate being goofy, then it's something physical that makes me wonder how long I'll have a computer. But hey, like I always say, it makes life more interesting :( I wish I could just detach the blasted screen; all it's ever done is get in my way, and it's not like I need it, whatever my brother (my supposedly mature and knowledgeable thirteen-year-old brother who has lived with me every day of his life) might think about a computer having to have a screen in order for Jaws to read it, LOL! (I love his logic! "It's a screen reader, right? So it has to read the screen!" Hahahahaha!) I do hope something can be done about your connection. good computer wishes :) God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: This was SUPPOSED to be a single-chapter story, but refuses to behave and cut itself short. Now I'll have to retitle the whole thing, and hope that doesn't confuse people too much. Humor is based on the absurd; and absurd thoughts will show themselves at the oddest and most inappropriate times. One moment all looks to end in moments, and just then Sam utters the totally unlikely wish to know just how their story will be told--and on awakening that one wish is granted. Frodo had a moment to appreciate, "How on earth can he think of a thing like that at a moment like this? Oh, but how very much that's my Sam!" and then they awake to find they're not the only ones to think of such a thing! And we need to laugh at such moments. For such individuals who are loved as Frodo has come to be loved by his family, their families WANT to be with them to fare them well. And it appears to be heartening to those who are dying to see their families gathered, and for the moment in amity with one another, quarrels and arguments and rivalries forgotten, comforting one another, being there for one another. That's how we're supposed to be at all times, and how we all too often aren't. I've always felt that Gollum was intended to serve a divine purpose, and I am certain that with some of his awareness of beauty and peacefulness and integrity restored to him there is something the Creator can work with to help bring Smeagol back to Himself fully, now he is no longer under the Ring's influence. As for your brother and "the screen reader needs to read the screen"--how wonderfully naive! He still thinks the screen is necessary! How does he think you read on the PackMate? Treasure him, our Lady, treasure your own personal Gollum. Good luck with your computer hassles.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/28/2007
Oh, it is wonderful that they all have come to Bag End! I am so glad! Even if I know how Frodo feels about farewells, it’s still not right to leave them all without saying anything. Was glad to have Gandalf there, who seems to understand best of all not only why Frodo refused to sail, but understood his feelings of guilt and failure so well. You did a great job pointing out the connections between Frodo, Gollum and the Ring, and the most intriguing was probably that Sauron hat predicted exactly what Frodo said to Gollum later. I fervently hope Frodo will think this over and let go of a good part of the burden he is carrying. sigh The way Gandalf eased at least some of Frodo’s guilt gave me a tiny spark of hope that Frodo would make it through the sixth and the following days. But then I remembered that his heart is failing, and now I don’t dare to hope :-( Author Reply: This is the way it tends to happen when families realize a loved one is failing--they come to spend what time they can while they can. And at least they know that Frodo is able to appreciate it, even if he hadn't wanted all this. I think the new herbal mixture is helping a good deal to help keep him focused and less stressed; but just accepting that his family also has need to deal with his gradual weakening and potential loss as they can is easing to all of them. But whether he'll make it through the sixth or not we don't know as yet.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/28/2007
That's what I feared would happen. I could really see no other way! I'm glad that Gandalf was there and could relieve Frodo from at least one part of his guilt. Sauron was the one who uttered the curse first, and through the influence of the Ring Frodo repeated these words. Wow! That's a reasonable explanation for what happened! I also liked Gandalf's words to Sam: Why do you think diamonds and emeralds of great worth are found hidden in common soil and stubborn rock? A perfect image! Thank you for that :) Last but not least I'm satisfied to see that Saradoc and especially Paladin have come to accept the truth much earlier. Great story, Larner! But I must admit that I'm a little afraid of what will happen next. Author Reply: A grievous time, but a time for blessing for all as well, as each comes to terms with Frodo's loss, even if this time they do not know he is healing in Tol Eressea; yet they do know he is prepared to accept peace and healing beyond the bounds of Arda. Diamonds and emeralds are so much a part of Middle Earth and its cosmology, it only seemed right that such stones would be used in this metaphor to help Sam realize he is important, just as important and worthy as Frodo and Aragorn himself. Saradoc and Paladin are getting the details a bit earlier as to Frodo's own part in the quest; but they did have the meeting with Frodo a few days earlier and so are not totally ignorant of their sons' parts now. Death is a part of life, and an important part of life. We don't know when it will come, which is why we are enjoined to live as if each day might be our last, that we rejoice in what we can, and don't do things we will regret at the last moment. How long one lives isn't as important as what we accomplish and how many people's lives we touch along the way.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/28/2007
Well, I do see which road you chose, now. I am glad Gandalf was there--truth is, he needed to say these things to Frodo, and Frodo needed to hear them. I am also glad that all those others will get their chances at farewell. It makes me also hopeful that one person, who was too late to say farewell at the Havens, may possibly have time to say farewell this time. (And it's still seven years till the Ban is official.) crosses fingers And Elanor is adorable. Author Reply: I suspect these topics and more were what Frodo had to deal with in his recovery in the Undying Lands. Certainly Tolkien indicates that Frodo needed to develop a more realistic view of his own place in the scheme of things, and accept he was no better than the worst of the Creator's creatures, and no worse than the best. As for just that one more individual arriving in time--well, you know he is on his way. As for Elanor, she's ALWAYS a delight. Frodo's separation from her must have been among the worst he suffered.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List