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Go Out in Joy by Larner	8 Review(s)
Szepilona10	Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 11/22/2012
So, before I started reading this, I had totally thought that I had already read it...2 chapters in I realized that I hadn't. (I might have started it before though) Anyway, I enjoyed it thoroughly! I was amused at how Elladan and Elrohir were able to convince Aragorn to break his edict. I could imagine them rolling their eyes and being really exasperated with him. Bartolo's 'forgiveness' (not sure that that's the right word...) of Frodo was quite touching. If it can happen in your AU, could it happen in your canon? hopeful smile Thanks for writing! God Bless & Happy Thanksgiving! ~Szepilona~ Author Reply: I'm so glad you finally read it in its entirety. I had planned only to write a single-chapter story, but it kept morphing and adding on! And I, too, can imagine the twins doing their best to remind Aragorn of his own responsibilities until he finally realized that this was one occasion where an exception must be made, and not only just for himself. As for Bartolo--I think you will find even in the more "canon" version he will find himself coming at least more to terms with Frodo in the end. But first I have to finish "Stirring Rings," which I've avoided much of this past month with the health problems I've faced. Anxiety is a terrible deterrent to writing, I find.

Halrohir	Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 12/6/2007
I have just reviewed this marvelous work - even in an AU storyline, you keep the flavor and taste of MIddle-Earth so well! You have done so much honor to Frodo, and having the Shire-folk finally wake up to the facts of the Quest Of Mount Doom is a beautiful tale. And in your epilogue, you are right: you do pathos quite well! I so look forward to walking through the garden of words that is your collection. I Am, HALROHIR Author Reply: Thank you so, Halrohir. How I managed to miss this review, I'm not certain, although I admit I DO have the ISP from Mordor! I'm so glad you feel I did manage to keep this believably Middle Earth. And I DO love writing pathos. Thank you again!

Pearl Took	Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 3/20/2007
An excellently well done piece indeed! I liked the epilogue that Frodo would be able to be in the Undying Lands with Sam until such time as they would both move on. The funeral was well conceived and written as well, a good blend of Hobbity and out-worldly. Bravo! Bravo!! Bravisimo!!! Author Reply: I am so pleased you found these the right ways to portray such an eventuality as this. If Aragorn was indeed involved and there were Elves and Dwarves there at hand, I think that this would indeed be a mixture of traditions proving unique and just right for Frodo himself. And am glad I bowed to the little nuzgul on the addition of the epilogue, as it has rung true with so many. Thank you so very much, Pearl Took.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 3/19/2007
I wanted to wait until the end to post a review and...Oh my!! This was just so beautifully handled Larner. For someone who doesn't write AU stories often, this was amazing!! Thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful story w/us. :o) Author Reply: Thank you so much, Tigger. I am much honored that you appear to have liked it so. Hadn't heard from you for a time, and was hoping all was going well with you. Still following skating?

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 3/18/2007
Was grinning through your explanation how you came to write this AU. The persons one is writing about can be very demanding, can’t they? Well, you’re in the best company – remember what Tolkien himself wrote about Faramir? A new character has come on the scene (I am sure I did not invent him, I did not even want him, though I like him, but there he came walking into the woods of Ithilien) ... And it was probably rather similar for you grin The rest of your AN deals with at least some of my ponderings how parts of your other stories would change under these different circumstances, though of course I could think of more changes, if I try. But as you have told me not to encourage this particular Nuzgul I will resist the temptation ... ;-) Now I’ll wait with some amusement if the nuzgul is content or not! And of course I hope you will be able to post the other AU story one day. Thank you so much for another wonderful, moving story, one I’ll not forget easily and re-read from time to time (when I’m alone, of course, as I doubt I’d not cry the second time) Author Reply: Oh, I know indeed Tolkien's own dilemma, ever since Ruvemir crawled out from the empty space where the drawer is missing from the pedestal for my bed to introduce himself to me. And this has been such a very persistent little nuzgul--the most persistent since the one came to me from Lindelea's direction that got me started with "For Eyes to See as Can." It all started there, you know. And am so glad you find the story moving, as it certainly has moved me deeply as well. I'm very honored you find it worthy of a second reading. Thank you indeed, Kitty.

Laurelin	Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 3/18/2007
Good story, very moving, as always. I'm looking forward to erm everything really, please write more soon g. L. Author Reply: Am trying to finish the next chapter to "Stirring Rings," and have at last convinced Gandalf to leave Minas Anor and head north once more. And there does seem to be cooperation going between Gandalf and Saruman, for the moment, at least. Both at least are seeing the same danger threatening, at least.... Heh! And am so very glad you appreciate this story so. Thanks so very much.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 3/18/2007
Interesting insights, of course. Oooo, a longer AU? This will be fascinating, I'm sure! shudders I don't think I even want to know what Ungoliant might have done in the Shire if she'd been left alone! Or if she'd been left in Frodo's body, what she might have done to it. I can't believe I'm even typing this, ugh! giggling at your description of the "darling little plotbunny" They can deceive, can't they? It's oh-so-tempting to nudge this one, but as I can appreciate the feeling of being overwhelmed, I guess I won't...yet...grins God bless, Galadriel :) Author Reply: Ah, yes, the other AU will be longer, but I MUST get the two I'm working on now going once more. As to what Ungoliant might have done had she been able to take a shape to herself once more and get free in the Shire--I shudder at the thought. And I don't doubt she'd have drained what little was left of Frodo in the escape. Yes, this was just a plot bunny--or rather it certainly had me convinced it was. And please don't nudge it too hard, not yet. This one has far too much life in it by itself, and without encouragement! Heh!

Elemmírë	Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 3/18/2007
Larner, I must apologize for not leaving you a review of this tale before now, but I'm in the process of moving and I've had limited access to the Internet until I get my own established. So, I'm leaving you with one review to encompass all the chapters you worked so hard on. I can't say 'well done' enough, Larner, and to me those words are paltry for the depth of this story. That said, this was an absolutely amazing and incredible tale; definitely one of my favorites that you've written!! Every single chapter was excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed both the story and all of the rich details you incorporated into it, many from your other tales--the Yellowbook, Bartolo as pall-bearer, the excising of the spirit of Ungoliant, the reasoning of the Elven twins with Aragorn in order to enter the Shire, Frodo's personal thoughts and the astute descriptions of his failing, the Dwarves from afar laying their crystals and stones at the bier, and lastly the entire and most descriptive funeral. I truly felt as if I were there in the Shire and experiencing Frodo's passing as witnessed through my own eyes. You even had me crying at the end there. I have again based Frodo’s symptoms on real-life maladies--angina, congestive heart failure, and a fairly mild heart attack. I’ve had the chance to observe all three, after all. As have I in my line of work. It's never an easy process to watch, as you very well know. I've encountered many such patients as your loved one, who just seem to suffer one complication after another until the end finally and blessedly arrives. And I always wonder why? What did this person do or not do in order to be fated to endure such suffering? I really love how you captured both the emotion and the medical process of Frodo's physical and spiritual decline, yet maintained his dignity as well. You truly wrote this as one who's 'been there, done that' and it shows beautifully through the characters and the attention to detail. You had me really curious as to where Frodo was going to be buried--Hobbiton or Buckland? At first I thought it would be good to lay him to rest with his dear parents, but I liked your solution and explanation for it even better. It makes perfect and the most sense to have his final resting place atop the Hill at Bag End ... It was here he was happiest. This was his home.” And the realization of Saradoc and Esmeralda here was just so very poignant. You may not write AU often, but this tale was remarkable and well-executed, despite the sadness of it. This has been necessarily angsty, but as I said before I love writing pathos, so please forgive me. I don't forgive you for writing it because as much as I enjoy reading the fluffy, humorous tales, it's the dark, angst-ladden dramatic ones that tend to mean so much more. I find them to be more emotional and laced with more thought-provoking realism and plots. And I LOVED reading this one. So, I thank you for writing it, Larner :D ~Elemmírë~ Author Reply: Considering the iffy nature of my ISP over the past couple months preceded by the constant hassles the various computers I've had have given me in the past two years, I certainly can fully understand the need to sneak computer time elsewhere. I've had to spend time at the office for my job after my shifts are over, slipping onto the Internet just to check reviews and occasionally even to post far too often myself. I've tried to flesh out the Shire and the realms in my own stories, and indeed have added many details, but Yellowskin is Tolkien's own invention, the record book for the Tooks; I merely have added in the descriptions of the family Books for other lineages, to the Scroll for the Baggers and Weavers from "Stirring Rings" and "The Tenant from Staddle." I'm glad that such details add to the richness of the Shire for you, and rejoice you appreciate them so. Each people would have its own way of offering honor, I think; the offerings of the Dwarves were inspired by the placing of stones upon the grave of Oskar Schindler shown at the end of "Schindler's List," a process I've heard described in books on Jewish traditions but that I'd not seen enacted before; and what other things would Dwarves use as marks of great honor? I'd already indicated that greens and flowers were used as honor offerings about the memorial to the Hobbits in Minas Anor, and about the White Tree at Aragorn's own death in "Light on the Way." That image came from what I observed at Windsor Castle the last time I was in England, just after the death of the Queen Mum, where each individual allowed into the grounds added their own spray of flowers or greens to the growing pile left in tribute to her on the south side of the castle grounds. It made a deep impression on me, and seemed so right for a mode of offering honor by the folk of Gondor and Arnor. It's apparent you are of the one of the healing professions. I've known many nurses, now, and have great honor and respect for the vast majority of them, particularly the dialysis nurses and technicians who aided my husband in his last few years, all of whom were among the most compassionate, hopeful, and caring folk I've met anywhere. And thank you for indicating the attention to detail was consistent with your own experience. I did so try to strike a balance between dignity and simplicity for Frodo's burial, for this was important that it be such. And I also try to keep a balance between angst and Light in my stories, that they aren't so heavy they bludgeon us into insensibility. That you find the plots of the more angsty stories more realistic as well as more compelling is reassuring. And thank you so much for reviewing this one, Elemmire. Thank you so much.

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