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The Blue Wizard Blues by GamgeeFest	8 Review(s)
elanor winterflowers	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 7/22/2007
So much to love in this chapter, most especially the beautiful ceremonies and the little boats on the water. Wonderful images, and so much depth in the conversations and revelations. Really impressive! What really struck me, though (twice, as I read it again) was this: “This was my great-grandfather’s,” she says. “So it is you who took him, as we guessed all along. How long you did torture him before you killed him?” “Long enough for him to forget the just and honorable man he once was,” Sauron replies, grieved at the memory,... It made me wonder--assuming he is truly reformed, (and I AM starting to believe in him again)--if he suffers himself for what he did, if he has private agonies of grief and regret, and what kind of effort it takes to conceal that beneath his typically impassive exterior. I wonder if Rick knows. Author Reply: There was much to cover in this chapter and it was by far the most difficult to figure out, pacing wise. Much of it even had to be distributed over the next two chapters, so I was worried for quite a while that I wouldn't get this to turn out the way I wanted it to. It works though and it does resolve quite a few of the loose ends, if not all of them. The ceremony came from a culmination of many sources, both fictional and actual. The boats on the water I want to say is either Indian or Chinese in origin, but I can't say for certain. This wouldn't be a normal part of the ceremony though, but Aliya had to improvise for those entombed in the lake. You can bet the farm (assuming you have one, if not, bet someone else's farm) that Rick knows. Sauron does play it close to the cuff, and to the casual observer he would appear to be quite aloof and unremorseful. It's a defense mechanism and he has become quite adept at using it. But Rick has been traveling with him for a while now, and he's a rather perceptive and intuitive young man. You can expect Rick to be giving Sauron a talking to once things have calmed down a bit. ;D

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 7/20/2007
I've been away, so I'm reviewing tow chapters at once here. Wow! Chapter 20 was really intense; for a minute I thought Sauron was done for. The wizards deserve the Void; that is where they ought to have been sent without question. Sauron's struggle with the rings was something I didn't expect, but it was really interesting and seemed realistic. I love how he was drawn out of it; that was definitely a nice surprise! I love Syrus! He will make a fine and noble king. Poor Frodo, though, being idolized once more, LOL! The richness of detail in this chapter especially adds a true-life feel to the story. I especially like Semirah's words to Frodo and Sam: “The Khandrim do not believe in sacrifice, not as you do. Rakmahnesh did what he must to protect you and in doing so he entrusted you with his unspent years, so that you now each hold a part of his life so that it may be lived to its fullest. It is to them the most noble way to die, for it is a mercy to those left behind as well as a gift to the one who goes ahead. Lay your guilt and shame aside and be honored that a man so great has entrusted you with his life. Do not do him the dishonor of not living it.” Wow. tears I'm going to be sorry to see this story end, but satisfied, too...because then I get to just put it on my "to read again" list and enjoy it all over again, as a whole the next time! God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Sauron very nearly was done for a couple of times! Evil!Sauron wasn't really much of a fighter, but it seems that playing for the good guys has sharpened his fighting skills quite a bit. LOL! Of course, he's also no longer fighting for himself, but for everyone else instead and that's quite a motivator. ;) It occured to me that it's been quite a while since Sauron physically held a Ring of Power. He had the 9, and a few of the 7, but he did not use them since there would be no need for him to do so. To now suddenly be in possession of the 2 Rings together, both of which are individually nearly as strong as the One, would give Sauron a momentary struggle of will. To be caught within your own creation, tricked by your own trap so to speak, is the ultimate kharmic punishment. He overcomes it with the help of his affection for his friend, and so the tyrant learns his first true lesson of the power of love. The Wizards will be keeping Melkor company for a long time. They really do rather deserve each other. ;) Cyrus has become a favorite of mine also. I took his name from a real-life Persian king Cyrus the Great, who founded the Persian Empire and reunited the two states of Iran, among other things, to create the larget kindgom the world had yet seen at that time. The name seemed a fitting one for this accidental hero. His background is still much of a mystery and I think it shall remain that way, but he will undoubtedly be a good King. Hehehe. Frodo just can't get away from people idolizing him - and for good reason! But the Khandrim have gone above and beyond even that of Gondor and Rohan. Frodo might actually come to appreciate the stoic respect he receives in the West after this! And Semira delivers the price of salvation. Their lives are no longer their own, and indeed in a way they haven't been their own since the events in the War of the Ring. Perhaps this is the reason Frodo was always so uncomfortable with the attention he received, knowing that all those people now expected great things of him and feeling he could not live up to those expectations. Now he is expected to simply live, which he had already resolved to do before reaching the Wizards' lair. Will he remember this? "To read again" list? Wonderful! blushes :D

Althea	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 7/19/2007
The detail you have put into this story amazes me. Your descriptions make me feel as if I am there. I was worried about Frodo. I am glad to see that his headaches are getting better. Author Reply: The images I have for this story are so sharp that it has been relatively easy to work out the details, if not always easy to convey them. I've also had these chapters more or less drawn up in my head months ago, which also helps. The hardest to write were the fight scenes. I think I shall have to go a good healthy stretch before writing any more action. ;) Frodo waged quite the battle with the Wizards. If simply being in the same region as the wizards causes his head to ache if he is not careful to protect himself, then being in direct conflict with them was bound to cause some trauma. At least this time around he didn't require a twenty-day induced sleep to help him recover. :)

cookiefleck	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 7/15/2007
I'm finding it interesting to read how you wrap up all the plotlines, am impressed by how you wove it all together. But my favorite little scene was Frodo watching Sam sleeping. :o) Author Reply: The journey home will take so many chapters as the journey here, but there is still much to wrap up. More than I thought at first, actually, so I'm glad you're enjoying it! Even if Frodo couldn't sleep himself, he took comfort in watching Sam's peaceful slumber. :)

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 7/15/2007
To live fully is for most the greatest sacrifice of all--and Frodo needs that now. It was a great gift to be given by the guard. And I rejoice at the closeness between Rick and Sauron here, and the recognition that this is the bantering and bickering of closest partnership. Having seen the same for so long in Gimli and Legolas, Frodo must recognize it easily. Author Reply: Frodo does need it. He is too ready to shut himself away and ignore the life that is bustling around him. The guard was indeed merciful in giving him this gift. Let's just hope that it's enough. Well, I'm sure Rick was a little bit miffed, but he also just couldn't resist ribbing Sauron here - all in good humor of course. And Sauron rises to the challenge, just glad that everyone made it through this relatively unharmed. Frodo and Sam also got a chuckle out of the exchange, just as Cepros did. ;)

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 7/15/2007
“I believe he thinks you are The Shaman, the one from whom all mortal shamans get their knowledge and power, the one who the legends say will return one day to end the darkness in the land.” Wow! The Shaman! I would have liked to see Frodo's face when he heard that! The burial ceremony was very impressive, especially the little boats. I think I've heard of them before. Maybe from ancient Egypt? Lay your guilt and shame aside and be honored that a man so great has entrusted you with his life. Do not do him the dishonor of not living it. Now, this is indeed a new burden! And I agree with Dreamflower, the biggest question is: What will Frodo do? Author Reply: Horrified would be a mild word for the expression on Frodo's face at that moment - that is, had he not been gentlehobbitly enough to conceal it. ;) This is certainly something that no one planned on, and Frodo is not going to have much luck of convincing them that he's just a hobbit, especially as they don't even know what hobbits are. ;) The floating boats are something I heard about quite awhile back and I don't even recall what particular culture it was. It seemed appropriate here though, so I used it. A new burden, but one that Frodo very much needs at this time (just as Sam needed it at the end of LOTR when Frodo left). Frodo has a tendency to withdraw in on himself and ignore everything else around. This promise/pact/burden will give him incentive to at least attempt a normal life again. Will it be enough though? That has yet to be seen.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 7/15/2007
Now that's a twist but very Frodo-like - stepping in front of Sauron to protect those who would harm the one who had harmed him so greatly - or perhaps the one who has the same one but not the same person in a way of speaking. Very nice touch there. Frodo's heart is full of love and when he finds a soul worthy of that love he does not hold back. I still can't take Sauron seriously as a good guy but I trust Frodo's clearer vision. So is the great-grandfather the Mouth of Sauron? That would be interesting. Love the part of Sam covering Frodo with a blanket and sleeping beside him in the chair instead of the bed and the end about tears releasing burdens - that was very poetic. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: We will hear more of Frodo's viewpoint as to Sauron's treatment of him in the next chapter. I will be greatly interested to hear what you think of that! It even surprised me! But this Sauron is very different from the Sauron we've known for so long. There are many in ME who have trouble accepting this, so you're not alone! ;) Frodo is full of love. Definetly. He would never want someone to be hurt on his behalf, or in his name or defense, even if that someone deserved it. He even defended Saruman after he all but stabbed him. Sam knows better than to question Frodo at this point, but he shows his concern in his own way. Covering his master and sleeping next to him is just one of the many ways he will do this. Thank you so much for your lovely review!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 7/15/2007
This is a very touching and moving chapter; you have done an incredible job of world-building in a part of Middle-earth that JRRT never shows to us! What will Frodo do now? That's going to be the biggest question of this AU. (Aside from "What will Merry and Pippin say to him for giving them the slip this time"? LOL!) Author Reply: With nothing to really go by other than the region, I've just been making a hodgepodge of various cultural traditions and throwing in little bits of my own here and there. It's been fun, for the most part. :D What will Frodo do? That's very much up to debate right now. The Muses are keeping quiet. At one point, there was a version of the ending where this was revealed, however, given the Wizards' unexpected demise, that ending is now moot. We shall see what comes to light. As for Merry and Pippin: hehehe. Well, they will certainly have some words to share with Frodo when he returns. ;D

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