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| Might Have Beens by Larner | 17 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Periantari | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/11/2007 |
| WOw..what *would* happen to Lotho if he kept it for a long time...i don't think there would have been a happy ending, for the Black Riders will come into the Shire and take it and then it'll all end before we know it. Fascinating scenario you described, Larner! I love how the Ring talked with Lotho. What a creative story! :) I enjoyed reading it. Author Reply: No, things wouldn't be easy for Lotho if he took the Ring, and I suspect whether he still had it when the Black Riders arrived he wouldn't have survived. And am so glad the Ring talking to him worked for you. | |
| Elemmírë | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/6/2007 |
| OH MY! Now there's a unique AU take for you! Shame on Lotho!!! I really enjoyed the Ring's "conversation" with Lotho. It was very fitting amd entirely believable for one such as he. That's also an interesting concept--that in Its' desire to return to Its' master, the One Ring, would go so far as to influence Lotho and his future behaviors as you suggested in another review. The Ring plays upon the desire for Power, a trait which Lotho no doubt already posessed, but perhaps this was expressed more fully in him after encountering Frodo (who carried it with him always). It certainly makes a great case for Lotho's own involvement in the Time of Troubles. ~Elemmírë~ Author Reply: Yes, Lotho managed to bring much on himself, and what more he might have done had he managed to steal the Ring in such a manner as this is fascinating to contemplate. We know that both Lotho and Saruman entertained similar lust for power and apparently for vengeance against those they saw as having deprived them of what they wanted. The Sackville-Bagginses as a family appear to have rehearsed again and again how they, not Frodo, DESERVED Bag End; and now having it and the support of Sharkey's folks Lotho tries to take over the entire Shire. It only made sense to me that this combination of desire for power with a feeling of entitlement and a desire to get back at all slights, real and imagined, would draw the Ring's attention to both, and perhaps draw them together, particularly if the Ring's own personality tended to be vengeful. Gollum won't leave his cavern and pool? Abandon him! Frodo won't pay attention to the lasses and indulge himself in abusing them? Shut down his natural sexual urges--geld him emotionally! And attract the attention of those who might cause enough mayhem to draw attention once the Nazgul get here! So glad you appreciate the logic behind this story. Thanks for the feedback. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/4/2007 |
| What a fascinating idea for an AU !I fear had Lotho had the Ring, Sauron would be ruling in triumph ! Author Reply: That is a distinct possibility, although how Iluvatar might have picked up the pieces might have been even more wonderful than what we got in the book! But I swear I'm not getting caught up on writing still ANOTHER longer story right now. (Larner holds off the plot bunnies and nuzguls with ears on with her trusty Bic lighter--no, wait, that's--that's a pen! Oh, no--they see it not as a threat but as an invitation! Help!!!!) | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/4/2007 |
| Good description of Lotho - ick - can't believe I actually read a story about him. But this is intriguing as to what happens next when Frodo discovers his ring (not yet knowing it's *the* Ring) is missing - I wonder if its evil helped turn Lotho into who he was. Hmm... Happy 4th! God bless America!! Namarie, Antane :) Author Reply: I suspect that the Ring did have something to do with Lotho turning out as he did. It was able to touch Saruman by that time, at least, and he was forty days southward walking, remember. As for Frodo and his knowledge of the Ring's nature--by this time he KNOWS it's Sauron's Ring--that was why he sold Bag End, having decided the best thing to do would be to get as close to the eastern borders of the Shire as possible in order to make a quick getaway once it was time to do so. So, once he realized the Ring was gone, what do you think he would have done? I think he'd realize it was important to get the Ring back as quickly as possible, and he'd have a good idea the perp had to be Lotho, Lobelia, or Ted Sandyman. How do you think he'd try to regain possession of it. Also, the Ring-lust was already on him, we know. How would it have manifested itself? Yes, food for thought, and may your fireworks be delightful! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/4/2007 |
| Larner, that was rather chilling. Lotho stealing the Ring ... I started thinking about the consequences and very fast decided I truly don't want to look into this scenario too deep. It simply doesn't bear thinking *shudder* Nonetheless, it's an interesting ficlet. Loved the different voices talking to him - only a pity he listened to the wrong one. An orc in all but body, indeed! Very apt description. And it was so typical of Lotho to be offended because he didn't get the holes in the Row, too (if he had wanted it, he'd have paid more attention to the contract!), and for only the money he paid for Bag End alone. Plus, to sneak in and steal ... one can see this all happen only too well - save I'd prefer him to steal something different, for obvious reasons. Author Reply: Yes, it doesn't bear contemplating well, does it? Just think what it would have been like once the Black Riders got into the Shire--they would have found him in a heartbeat and he wouldn't have had the willpower to resist them, I don't think! And he DID listen to the wrong Voice. I suspect that Lotho had written his own sales agreement giving himself ownership of the holes on the Row as well as Bag End as well as making himself family head for the Bagginses, and was surprised to find Frodo (and Brendi) did things differently. The problem with those who would be villains is that usually they can't imagine any other manner of doing things or understanding things other than from their own point of view, and responding to their own motivations and urges. It's the sign of the small person to be that self-centered. | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/3/2007 |
| Nice job! Author Reply: Thanks, Agape. Glad this Might Have Been didn't happen! Heh! | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/3/2007 |
| An orc in all but body. I really must congratulate you on that one; what an apt description! Yet it's sad, too, in a way, to think of one of the Shirefolk fitting such a description...though Lotho unquestionably does. The miserable wretch! But this, too, is sad: It is dangerous, child--very dangerous. He understands It--you do not. Let him take back the burden before It takes you. He won’t blame you--but once you take It away from his influence you will lose whatever personal will you have ever had. There was no real contest in the end--Lotho slipped out of the door, closing it as quietly as he could, and ran to the side gate and through it, fled down the steps and toward Hobbiton, one hand jammed into his jacket pocket where he held in it the Ring he’d just stolen--not realizing he himself had just been commandeered. That makes twice I've ever felt pity for Lotho Sackville-Baggins (the other time being after reading Gamgee Fest's marvelous "A Tale That Grew in the Telling.") But I am *very* glad this didn't happen! (Though it does arouse a kind of morbid curiosity to see where it would lead if it had. No, please don't pay any attention to it!) God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Ooh, yes--that was quite the story as well! Pity for Lotho is hard to accept in oneself, but I've found I felt it learning he'd been murdered by Wormtongue on Sharkey's orders. But you can't say Lotho didn't have the chance and warning not to continue on as he did. Yes, a lovely morbid curiosity we tend to have, you know! | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/2/2007 |
| They deserved one another and in some ways it is just too bad that they didn't get one another. You always make me think and that is only a small part of what I love about your writing! : ) Author Reply: I make people think? Well, another sign I must be doing SOMETHING right! So, you think that Lotho and the Ring deserve each other? Personally I can't see ANYONE deserving that Ring! (I shudder!) | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/2/2007 |
| Ugh! Now I have the shudders! That would have been a disaster for all of Middle-earth. Thank goodness that it didn't happen. "An orc in all but body....2 Yes, that describes Lotho's nature. He would have been an all-too-perfect tool for Sauron I fear. Author Reply: I'm shuddering, too, and I wrote it! Heh! Yes, the presence of the Ring within the Shire and Hobbiton probably affected Lotho; but had It gotten him--it would have been sheer disaster! | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/2/2007 |
| Ooooooooo baaad naughty Lotho! I can just see you hunched over the ring and stroking it and murmuring "My Preciousssss".......oh but what unthinkable catastrophe would have come about! Now there's a "might have been" that thankfully never was! Brilliant! *applauds* Author Reply: Ooh, unfortunately I suspect you are all too right. Lotho is definitely a match for Smeagol for corruptibility to begin with; and he undoubtedly would have made the transformation far more quickly had he actually gotten his hands on the thing. *Bowing* | |