News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Go Out in Joy by Larner | 11 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/17/2007 |
| So he learns that Saruman's death/refusal to accept redemption is not his responsibility/fault either. Good. Another burden lifted. It must be hard for him, hard for them all, to just be waiting around for the end, but it was good for him to admit that he was glad after all that they were there. I am ever more confident that he will indeed go out in joy and though there will be much grief in that passing for those left behind, there will hopefully be some joy and peace there too. He has some time left to continue to heal from hhis deep, infected, nonphysical wounds and everyone else has some time to spend to show him how dear he is to them. I think, I hope, he will in the end prefer that to be surrounded by those who love him and those he loves is a better way to go instead of trying to slip away from them all. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Frodo needed that knowledge before he goes, I think, and it was wonderful to be able to write his appreciation of the fact he isn't to blame for what happened to Saruman. And at times like this the waiting can feel so stressful, as time seems to both drag and hurtle by at the same time. For Frodo, however, I think those who truly love him would wish him to appreciate just how much they wish him surrounded and buffered by that love, making it easier to get by the worst bits. Glad you're continuing to read as you can. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/7/2007 |
| Am glad Gandalf managed to break the mood, at least for a time. Well, Frodo and Sam know so much about the earlier ages of ME and about the elves, so it is not too surprising that they not only saw the Three but guessed just what they saw, too. It must be rather disconcerting for most of the hobbits to learn that Gandalf had been there even around the awakening of their race, as I suppose few save the Travellers know his true identity. They may have wondered why he was around so long and changed so little, but I doubt they ever even suspected he’s a Maia. Saruman’s ring I had completely forgotten, and this is only the second story I know in which it’s mentioned. Ah, so the engravings were wrong? And Saruman was too busy feeling important and much too arrogant to note it. You know, that’s so very like him! What I love particularly here is that most of the other hobbits seem to know a bit more than in the canon stories. Somehow I am glad they are able to understand more of what happened to the Travellers and particularly Frodo – it feels reassuring. Author Reply: All Sam had read of the Great Rings had been consigned to the idea of "story details," I think, until he heard Frodo and Galadriel discussing it over the Mirror. And I suspect once he'd awakened in Ithilien, having worn the One Ring, he'd also be able to see the hidden Rings of Power, and in the end guess their nature. Frodo also had to make the leap between "story details" and "Hey--this is a lot more real than I'd ever dreamed"; but having lived with Bilbo I believe he'd have a good deal easier time of making that gap. Once this nuzgul is taken care of (and then the rotten thing had presented itself as merely a helpless, harmless little plot bunny--how was I to realize just how tenacious the thing was, and how it was hunkering down and wearing fuzzy ears to tempt me away from the other two Nuzgul I've been dealing with?) I'll get back to "Stirring Rings" and "The Tenant from Staddle," and in the former, of course, we WILL look at that ring of Saruman's. Frodo and Sam's discussion of how the children would wish their dad to read more of the story or have the book put away because it's too horrible indicated to me that probably the wealthier, more educated families probably did read of Beren One-hand and Turin and so on; therefore I think that for the families of the Thain and Master, particularly with Bilbo and Frodo retelling these tales and more, in the end would have a greater chance of putting things together, once all the pieces were given them; and I doubt truly Merry's and Pippin's families would have agreed to remain totally in ignorance of what happened "out there." Nor would those who dealt with the Travellers on a regular basis be able to do so. And in this AU where Frodo is actually dying, I believe that there is NO way things could remain hidden, not once Frodo accepts this is it. Am glad you find it reassuring. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/6/2007 |
| Ick. Getting rid of Saruman's ring definitely seems a good idea! Somehow it seems easier to understand Frodo's suffering in Frodo's presence - less likely to be swept under some carpet in favour of a more romanticised version of the events. And there's nothing like trade for ensuring that people work towards an understanding of each other! Author Reply: I certainly agree with all you say, Bodkin. Just as Sauron's own abominations are best dealt with by destroying them as quickly as possible, so it is with Saruman's ring, which was inspired by Sauron, I'm certain. And yes, those last couple weeks of Frodo's life in Middle Earth would be one revelation after another, I'll bet. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/6/2007 |
| It is so sad for those who love Frodo to see him decline.I love the way yu link your stories. Author Reply: Yes, it would be very difficult for them. And you know how I always like to do that. Thank you, Linda. | |
| Pearl Took | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/5/2007 |
| This gets increasingly intriguing and beautiful, Larner. I see you call Eglantine "Lanti" as I do :-) Cool! Author Reply: I'm not certain whose story originally I saw Lanti in, but I felt it far nicer than Aggy or Eggy, and I personally prefer it to Tina, and so adopted it. I suppose I might have seen it first in one of your stories, but I couldn't say for certain. After all, we do all tend to inspire one another. And I am so glad you find it beautiful. Thank you. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/5/2007 |
| Pippin laughed. “Remember, Gandalf, I told you I wished to know all the history of Middle Earth and the stars and the Sundering Sea and all. Well, it was from my own father that I inherited my curiosity. We’re all descended from the Old Took, you realize.” Wonderful! I'm really glad that Gandalf is still there. Without him there would not have been any laughter, I fear! “He agrees now, Narcissa, that he ought to have opened to the possibility of a love between you earlier, when he first returned. Oh, how I would have liked to see that come true. But it's too late now. Still, I'm content that Narcissa (and her mother) understand and accept now, why Frodo reacted the way he did. Last, but not least I'd like to quote Dreamflower: "Well he make it in time, this time?" Please? Author Reply: I've never forgotten the vision of Gandalf returned as being filled with sufficient joy and humor to set kingdoms laughing, and I've ALWAYS felt that was why he had, in the books, his silver scarf, and why he chose to wear the great blue hat. And even in grief there should be a reason to see the joy and delight beyond the present moment. It would have been delightful had Frodo been able to know love, whether with Narcissa Boffin, Iris Whitfoot, Miss Maggot, Lily Proudfoot, Pearl Took, or anyone else one might imagine, either in or beyond canon. But with Frodo there I think Narciss would have in the end known a quicker healing than she would have after his sailing. As for HIM, well, you'll just have to wait and see. After all, Roheryn did sprain his hock there in Rohan, you know.... | |
| White Gull | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/5/2007 |
| I wish that Frodo HAD been loved so dearly by so many in the Shire. If he was, maybe he wouldn't have had to leave. I love this AU, for I think Tolkien made it clear that Frodo, and Bilbo, were misunderstood by almost everyone. If the heroes of the quest were understood in fullness by the Shire, maybe it wouldn't have faded, and we would still have hobbits today, in peaceful interaction with the children of Men. :) WG Author Reply: I suspect Frodo was thought of by most as Old Mad Bagginses almost equally cracked ward and heir; but there had to be those who loved him beyond his younger cousins. After all, heroes aren't made in a vacuum, as I noted once. And in my version, the relationship between Frodo and the Thain, not to mention that between Paladin and his son, had been somewhat bent out of shape by Pal's reaction to having to accept the mantle of authority left him by Ferumbras and his anxiety to doing it right leaving him with not enough time to maintain his earlier loving relationship with his son, as well as the desire to deny anything beyond his experience could have happened. In part Frodo helped to spark the healing of that rift. So glad you like this AU. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/5/2007 |
| I'm glad Gandalf stayed on a little while; somehow, I don't think that ship will leave without him. I like the way everything is now coming out into the open, and so much is being revealed. You know, it had never occurred to me to wonder what could have become of any ring Saruman had. Very interesting speculation! Are you going to go into more detail about this in "Stirring Rings"? And I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a certain well-loved Big Person will make it in time, this time! Author Reply: No, I doubt the ship would leave without Gandalf; but in the end I think he leaves the resolution of Frodo's mortality to the mercies of other mortals, as all find themselves putting aside their fears as they seek to hold Frodo while they can. As for a certain well-loved Big Person......... | |
| Elanor Silmariën | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/4/2007 |
| Oh, I just love how you write hobbits! The way they talk amongst themselves makes me smile! Oh, I'm worried though about what will happen to Frodo! *is nervous* I love how Frodo figured out who Gandalf really was, though, and I'm glad his family is being understanding and/or trying to understand. Please update again soon! God bless, Ellie Author Reply: Am so glad you enjoy the Hobbits as they show themselves in my stories. I find I like the folk of the Shire a good deal, which is why my stories keep being taken back to it. And as Frodo learned at least some Sindarin from Bilbo, I'd think he'd have indeed picked up the knowledge of Gandalf's origins along the way from hints here and there. And at times like this families either try to understand, or they fall apart altogether; and I can't imagine those Frodo had always loved falling apart. So glad you like it. Plan to post the next chapter tomorrow, God willing and the creek don't rise. | |
| eiluj | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/4/2007 |
| The fate of Saruman's ring -- now *there's* an issue I've never seen covered in fanfiction. And even Tolkien didn't address it. I'd rather think that Saruman's ring was destroyed than left in the dirt to be found aeons later by some petty soul with more ambition than was good for him, or a grudge against humanity, or an idea for a new cult.... Excellent job as always. Author Reply: I've been considering Saruman's interest in rings of power as I continue work on Stirring Rings, of course; and as I've played with the idea Sauron himself might have tried his hand at making some and finding they aren't as effective as he would have liked unless the recipient was already well on the way to falling, I had to consider what kind of ring Saruman might try his hand at. But the idea of someone in the future finding the horrid thing and founding a cult on it.... Now, there is a nuzgul. Someone catch it right away before it gets into my jewelry box along with the one already there that I've been coaxing out of it! | |