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Go Out in Joy by Larner	17 Review(s)
Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/22/2007
I was hoping he would die in Sam's arms - the only place that makes sense really - and the place I hope he truly did die in. So glad Aragorn made it in time! That Frodo truly did have a spider in his neck and that one is terrible but he's free at last - he 'escaped' as Gandalf would say. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: The ISP has been giving me fits since late Saturday, so haven't been able to respond until now. To find release either in Sam's arms or beside him seemed the only two choices for Frodo's death as I could see it, also, which is why I wrote the latter in my stories of his dying on Tol Eressea and the former in this one--and in "An Enemy Made." And for this Aragorn had to be there, I think. As for Ungoliant--I'd already written her presence within the wound into "The Choice of Healing," so had to find a way of dealing with her presence on this side of the Sundering Sea, with no Maiar and Valar to see to her removal and disposal and the subsequent healing granted him. With that last pain and taint removed, Frodo is now free to die quietly and blessedly, able at last to rejoice he doesn't slip away alone and unnoted. Escaped? Perhaps; but at least now he has indeed gone out in joy, which is the wish (or blessing) Gandalf/Olorin left him with. So glad you are continuing to read and review.

Pearl Took	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/20/2007
“Shelob left her get in there?” the gardener said harshly. The Man examined the form caught in his tongs with dispassionate interest. “No, not precisely her get--rather, her dam, who apparently has been trying to form a new shape for herself using Frodo’s own substance. No wonder the wound kept reopening and the seepage was so foul!” “Ungoliant herself,” one of them murmured. *********** A very interesting touch! A good explanation of why the site of the sting would continue to trouble Frodo so badly. You handled Frodo's death beautifully! MEWD, Larner! Author Reply: This is an idea I've considered before in "The Choice of Healing" and "Reunion," so if Ungoliant was indeed hiding out in there, how would they deal with her in THIS story? And am so very glad you felt Frodo's death was beautifully done, as no one deserves a blessed death more than he, I think. Thank you.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/19/2007
Shelob left a piece of Ungoliant in Frodo's wound - ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. I suppose it's possible. It's good that they finally got rid of it so the poor hobbit could die in peace. Frodo's death was beautifully written, though sad. Author Reply: Yes, a moment of gross horror indeed. I did have to deal with her, having put her there in my other story lines, of course. Thank you for the compliment. Yes, sad, but part of what might have been, of course.

Althea	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/15/2007
I knew Frodo would pass in this chapter, and I dreaded reading it. I do have tears in my eyes, but you made Frodo's last moments in this world beautiful. I am so relieved that Aragorn was able to help chase away the shadows, destroy Ungoliant, and allow Frodo freedom and peace at the end. I would have hated him to have died while in the midst of his horrible memories. I love the shining forms of Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn and how Frodo seemed so full of joy at the time of his parating. You have done a wonderful job. Author Reply: Thank you indeed, Althea. I am deeply honored.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/15/2007
facepalm And then I got all teary-eyed again writing the review, and messed up the formatting. Sorry! Author Reply: I wrote the response to your other post on the laptop, and then the blasted internet went down again, so I saved it to notepad, and will have to transfer it. Please forgive me, Dreamflower. But that you found yourself so overwhelmed as to botch the formatting is itself a great compliment! Thank you!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/15/2007
Yesterday, I could not bring myself to review this, I was so moved. But there was so much I wanted to say. The one thing that this AU has, which is denied by the canon ending, is the chance for all those who loved and honored Frodo to be able to stay with him, and lend him their love to the last. This is the first place I teared up: That night Merry and Pippin made it plain they would be spending the night with Frodo, which made him smile. It was after midnight when Sam slipped into the room to find Merry and Frodo deeply asleep while Pippin lay on his back, soundlessly weeping as shown by the reflection of his tears in the light of the stars from the window. These two, described from the first, as Frodo's "best friends", who had grown up under his watchful and loving eye, and who had willingly abandoned home and family to follow him into peril--they needed this last time, to sleep in his embrace. Beautiful, just beautiful. And this: Frodo leaned back in his chair. “There’s not many I have told. But not even you know everything there is about me, Samwise Gamgee.” Close to the last. Even at this point in time, Frodo has yet to give up all his secrets. Budgie looked from face to face before he answered her. “It’s not--not uncommon in those who are dying--the last shining of the candle’s flame before it’s totally spent.” Yes, very much so. I remember when my mother-in-law passed at home, how true that was. A soft whisper: “Yes, Aragorn. The spider--wants--wants removing.” Here, we see Frodo is finally aware of what has inhabited him. His asking the King to remove it seemed to have a symbolic element, beyond the obvious. It seems as though in asking to have this darkness removed from him, he is enacting a form of confession, asking the King to intercede for him and absolve the darkness. There was a cry as horrible as that Frodo had given earlier in his own agony, and a shape went up in the smoke, the shape of a woman, beautiful and enticing and utterly horrible; and it rose high as if to obliterate the Stars themselves. Only the Lights of the Man, Samwise Gamgee, and Frodo himself, who’d twisted his torso as if to see, his hands having been dropped by the two Captains, shone to overmatch the Darkness of the shape, and overhead Eärendil also shone to match the light in Sam’s hand, while the glow of the Elves also became almost unbearable. At the Man’s throat the green gem also glowed, a clean, clear, healing green that further illuminated the Shadow shape, illuminated it--illuminated and undid it. A fresh breeze from the West almost languidly blew the smoke away, dissipated it, unmade it. Here you recalled the endings of both Sauron himself, and of Saruman, as their forms were dissipated by the wind from the West. Absolutely a brilliant stroke of storytelling. After a time Frodo said, “Hungry.” One of the Elves pulled out of a satchel he carried a flattened bread, broke off a small piece, and gave it to the Man, who held it gently then placed it in Frodo’s mouth. The other dark-haired one had brought out a small flask, and after uncorking it gave it to the Man, who lifted the Hobbit into a sitting position and gave him a sip of it. After swallowing both, Frodo was quiet again. “I never thought,” he said at last, “I’d truly appreciate the taste of--of lembas again. I was wrong.” And, as with the spider removal, it seems that you once more are harking back to the Catholic imagery that JRRT himself embedded in the story. He said that lembas had a sacramental use, and here it is as though Frodo is taking part in a Eucharist. By this time I am definitely in need of Kleenex. And then you completely undid me: Well done, you last three Sons of my Spirit. Well done indeed! the shape seemed to say, looking at the Man and the two Hobbits between whom he stood. Then its eyes fixed on Frodo’s. Vingilot awaits. I will gladly carry you where you would go, child. One final symbolic moment, where Earendil stands in for the Creator. The words "Well done" harking back to the Gospels. You truly did an incredible job with this, but I have to say you left me an emotional wreck at the end of this chapter. I was completely incoherent. sigh Author Reply: Ungoliant's ending was a deliberate mirroring of that of Sauron and Saruman--and greater than that of the latter while lesser than that of the former. Tolkien never told us what became of her after she accompanied Melkor/Morgoth in his flight from Aman; and of all the named Maiar-turned-demons I wanted her end to match that of her two brethren, that of the greater and that of the pathetically lesser. And as I've already put her there, in that bite wound, it allows Middle Earth to ever be rid of her from now on. And as she's been almost totally inactive save for what inspiration she's given her daughter-successor, the breeze can, in spite of her history of spite and malice, be languid about her dismissal/dispersal. I'd not thought of the sacramental aspects of Frodo's request to have the spider removed, although that of the acceptance of the lembas and miruvor is indeed intended to fulfill the sacraments of the Roman Catholic and other liturgical churches, particularly as Tolkien himself has indicated the correspondence, and as he indicated (and I'd repeated in Reconciliation) that such might be shared with mortals approaching their deaths to help ease the way. In the case of the great honor all held for Frodo and the presence of the Sons of Elrond--all three of them--at this moment, I think that they would have not have thought to do otherwise than this. Frodo's first "little brother" was Merry, whose birth brought him perhaps one of his first true interests in continuing to appreciate life since the deaths of his parents; Pippin served as little brother to both. As you note, this relationship between three always seen as equals by the rest of the Shire, three cousins as close as brothers, needed its own moment of acknowledgment, the last time the three still bachelor companions might know that level of comfort with one another, while Sam accepts and acknowledges it only to return to the new relationship and role he has chosen for himself and that was confirmed by Frodo as he returns to Rosie's embrace. And I do believe that the family's customary role in farewelling those who are dying would have played out had Frodo remained in the Shire. Tolkien indicated family ties were extensive for the Bagginses--there might not be many Bagginses left, but Frodo is yet related to half the Shire by blood and marital alliances. With this AU the Shire actually has the truth of what happened out there and Frodo's part in it far more clearly explained, for the Shire and his relatives can't remain in blissful ignorance of it when Frodo's death and those who come to stand by him during it are there to speak it aloud and abroad. As for Earendil's role--again, not a fully deliberate harking back to the Gospels, yet it is there as you point out. But as the stars danced for Sam and Frodo in my more canon end, and Earendil ferried him and Sam, who at death found his fear of water, heights, and boats had abandoned him completely, I believe Creator and Valar would again have allowed the Mariner to bring Frodo in a most blessed and for him delightful manner transport to the Beginning of the Way. And I really DO need to invest in Scott Paper Products! Thank you for the lengthy review, Dreamflower.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/15/2007
This was so sad and beautiful. The spider was a masterful touch and I'm glad Frodo was freed of it. The ending was very spiritual and uplifting as well as sad. Author Reply: A small bit left to tell now. Yes, it was sad, although I'm so glad you also found it beautiful. As for Ungoliant--as I've always felt her influence lingered with the spider bite, she had to be dealt with, didn't she? Glad you appreciated it.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/14/2007
This was so very powerful and moving. I had to wait all day to review it because I found it so emotional. A vivid description of death but I'm so glad that in the end it was peaceful for Frodo. As for what came out of the spider bite.........!!!! I remember you writing a little about that idea in one of your other stories but you didn't go into as much detail. Ungoliant herself shudder Spiders don't bother me but obviously she is something else. I'm so glad that Aragorn arrived in time to free Frodo from that horror and allow him to go peacefully. Superb writing, as always, Larner. Author Reply: Thank you so much, Baggins Babe. To find I've moved so many is, as always, gratifying; but death does tend to be sad for those left behind. Back in The Choice of Healing I tied Ungoliant herself to that spider bite, leading to a personal encounter with the Valar to see her properly dealt with and Frodo recovered, and so have mentioned it elsewhere, particularly in Reunion. Spiders don't particularly bother me, either--I brought home a tarantula once, back when in my early childhood we lived in Tulsa; and my family shakes their heads about me capturing those who venture inside and putting them out, as they'd prefer to squash them. But Ungoliant, Shelob, their descendants and Aragog's kin are something else indeed. And as this is MY AU, I can have Aragorn arrive. As for Ungoliant's ending, taking place as it does in ME and not Aman, she can blow away on the wind just as did Sauron and Saruman. And good riddance to her! Heh! Thanks so much for the comments.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/14/2007
Absolutely wonderful in every single word Larner. I was sniffling so hard at work last night that I had to print it out and bring it home before my boss got concerned! And I had just reached Frodo's awful cry! Anna's Mum is still holding her own but still classed as critical. She is alert and able to communicate which is a blessing. She is either going to rally and recover partly or not. And, at present, I don't know which to hope/pray for. Author Reply: Thank you so much, Harrowcat. This chapter would be particularly moving, of course, although I can understand your unwillingness to sniffle over it at work. QG's family already knows if she's sobbing while reading I'm probably to blame, I've learned--to think of the folk alongside whom you work feeling similarly would be rather ironic, I think All we can do with Anna's mother is to pray that God's will be done, as He knows better whether or not there's something she still could accomplish while here. I continue to pray for her and your family. Love the picture you sent. Jet is beautiful, and I so love your mother's expression. She does indeed look like quite the lady. Internet is remaining iffy. I'm going to start demanding the cable folk finish those last three miles. This depending on the satellite ISP is becoming worse than ridiculous.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/13/2007
Oh, what am I to say? Again it's almost impossible to type for crying. I wrote the above half an hour ago and was then interrupted for supper. I have to tell you, it's been a really long time since a fanfic has moved me like that. I didn't think I was going to be able to stop. It just broke my heart to see how fast Frodo failed, and what Budgie said about the last flaming of the candle. And all the sweet moments just made me cry even more. rueful smile I'm so very glad Aragorn and Co. made it in time! And also that Aragorn was able to cleanse that wound at last, though what came out of it was horrifying! Eeeewwww!!! I cannot stand spiders, and that one is of course worse than your average critter. "Free now." Oh, that is just...beyond words. I'm so happy that if Frodo had to die, he could have this peaceful end. I just dread to think of those left behind... There's so much else that was wonderful and powerful about this chapter, but I know if I look over it to pick things out, I'm going to start all over again. I will reread this sometime and review more thoroughly. And I am definitely with Kitty for a happy AU! Please please please please pleeeeeease? :) Even if it's just a short one. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Thank you so much, my Lady. When my grandfather died, he rallied the last day, and the doctors told us this was typical. Same with my mother, and several others I've seen go--a brief rally before the end to the point many have mistakenly thought they would possibly now recover. So this is what I wrote into the story. I'm not particularly afraid of spiders, and far prefer their presence to that of flies, for example. As I've written that part of the reason why that wound never properly healed was due to Ungoliant's influence and as there was no aid from Maiar or Valar to be had here if Frodo didn't sail to them, I had to find some way to deal with her; so if she'd just started putting a body for herself together using Frodo's own substance to form it, it made sense that such a body could be killed as had been true of Saruman's, leaving her to the same fate as that of Saruman and Sauron himself. If Frodo were to have died at home in the Shire, I'm certain the truth of what he and Sam did out there would have been far more likely to have come out and become generally known. In this way his death would have served far more strongly to bring about stronger involvement with the outer realms more quickly than did his almost secret removal out of the Shire. By going away privately it would be far easier for most of the Shire to ignore his impact both within and without the Shire; but with such prominent ties to Thain, Master, Mayor, and a good many of the various family heads, it's far more likely that his funeral would become indeed a ceremony that would draw the fascination of a good majority of the Hobbits who live throughout the Shire, and particularly in the region surrounding Hobbiton. "The good die young" goes the old saying. Those who are too sensitive do tend to do so, it seems; and it's hard to think of one better or more sensitive in his way than Frodo Baggins. It's just hard for me to see him lingering long years in the Shire, I'm afraid. As for a HAPPY AU--well, maybe someday. However, we've been letting Saruman and Gandalf sit too long, not to mention Alvric and Bartolo and Boboli and Denro Gorse!

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