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| The Blue Wizard Blues by GamgeeFest | 7 Review(s) |
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| Althea | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 7/29/2007 |
| Frodo shines in this chapter. His heartfelt words in defense of Sauron and his gentle advice to Cyrus exquisitely demonstrate his wisdom, forgiveness, compassion, and insight. Author Reply: Frodo takes centerstage here and he uses it to the fullest of his ability. He might not have wanted the gig of Great Shaman, but he's realized he must fulfill it, if only to help nudge these lost people in the right direction for rebuilding their kingdom. Frodo's capacity to forgive has grown much over the course of the last few years (indeed, I believe it is his greatest power) and here he uses it to show everyone that the Maia truly has changed. It is a speech that would shock anyone who heard it, Sauron least of all. He's not used to hearing praises spoken in his name. Thanks for reading! :) | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 7/28/2007 |
| “Our best is all any of us can do, even me,” Frodo says. He laughs suddenly and Cyrus smiles with him, though he does not know what has made the Shaman happy. Wow! Is this really what I think it is? Has he finally accepted that he did his very best on the quest and that this was more than enough? Cyrus showed Frodo how *he* felt when Bilbo left and when he had to leave with the Ring. And suddenly Frodo understands and what's more, accepts that all living creatures have fears and make mistakes. But that's not important! It's only important to do as much as you can! Thank you very much, GamgeeFest! I'm looking forward to reading more. And I don't think Sam has to worry. Rosie will wait for him :) Author Reply: He has finally accepted it, and that in itself will be more healing than anything else. He knows now he did his best and he can finally accept that he didn't fail. The final burden can now be lifted, and even if some scars never heal, they can now be endured more easily, or so it is to be hoped. After everything Frodo has been through, he deserves to live happily ever after to the end of his days. The wrath of Rosie will not be entirely what Sam is expecting. ;) | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 7/27/2007 |
| Wonderful! It looks like Frodo has truly learned what he needed to know, about himself and others. It's often so, that in giving advice to other people, we suddenly realize that we need to take it for ourselves as well! I look forward to the journey home! Author Reply: It's been a long arduous road, but Frodo has finally come to realize that he did the best he could and, what's more, his best was good enough. He hadn't failed, far from it, and he has much to be grateful for and be proud of. Now, if only these pesky dreams will leave him alone... They'll all be grateful to get back to Gondor and back to somewhere familiar. They're in need of a respite. :) | |
| elanor winterflowers | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 7/27/2007 |
| This chapter is full of such wisdom--which, before Frodo could say it, you had to think up! It is beautifully conceived--really well done! I loved it when Sauron reacted to what Frodo had said about him; what a moment! Very impressive on all fronts. I'm a little worried about that 'dream' of Sam's.... Author Reply: Frodo does have a way of imparting the truth to help others see things more clearly. He might not have been happy with his unexpected Shaman status, but he is using it to the fullest of his ability to try to help this lost people. Sauron is going to have to get used to people singing him praises. He may not feel he deserves it and it will be just as hard for him to come to terms with it as it was for Frodo, more so even, but he will just have to accept it. ;) And Sam has reason to worry! Rosie is an understanding lass, but even she has her limits. ;) | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 7/27/2007 |
| The Great Shaman speaks from wisdom earned. The best *is* all we can do as we struggle to find God's will and purpose to our lives. Don't really agree that Sauron and the Ring were like two different entities and it was the Ring that raped Frodo and not Sauron, but Frodo does see souls clearer than most, that I will agree with. And don't worry, Sam, Rose will wait! She knows what a treasure she has in you and won't find anyone better and she knows that you have a treasure besides herself that must be cared for too. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: The Ring was undoubtedly the main force behind all of Frodo's torments, even Tolkien says as much. But as for the Ring and Sauron not being linked, well, that's not entirely accurate. Frodo does acknowledge this when he adds 'not directly' at the end of his argument, but he also sees the finer distinctions between the Ring's will and Sauron's. I don't know if I entirely agree with him also, but it's Frodo's POV that matters here. He is the one with firsthand knowledge, so I guess we just have to take his word for it. Sam does have some reason to worry. Rosie's not going to be as understanding or pleasant about him taking off *again*. A lass will only put up with so much, and even Rosie has her breaking point. ;) | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 7/27/2007 |
| In offering instruction Frodo himself is reminded of lessons learned. Excellent! And love Cyrus's humility and readiness to ask advice of one who has had to learn the hard way. And am so glad Sam demanded Frodo be allowed to get a proper sleep. Author Reply: It's so easy to forget things, especially as new lessons come along to replace the old. This is a lesson that Frodo very much needed reminding of, for he's been far too hard on himself for far too long. At least now, he won't be forgetting it again. Cyrus will grow more confident as time goes on. He is lucky to have Frodo for a mentor, if only for a little while. He may not be able to accept that Frodo is a simple mortal like him, but he does recognize that Frodo has wisdom he has yet to acquire. Well, of course Sam would insist that Frodo be allowed to sleep. :D Whatever else has happened, he's still Frodo's servant and so it's up to him to make sure his master is treated accordingly, even if that means defying all those important people. ;) | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 7/27/2007 |
| Oh, GF, I love this chapter! Highlights: 1. Frodo's talk about Sauron. Wow, wow! You know, I just realized when reading that that over the course of this story I've come to see your reformed Sauron as not so terribly unlike another Gandalf. Somehow that thought chills and warms me. I just never expected to actually take him seriously; it is hard to do, I must say, and when I first started reading I thought "No way, that's almost laughable." But it's not. 2. The game with Fatima and Frodo's realization about her. How poignant! It's always amazing to hear of such things. This brought to mind my dad telling me of the children he'd seen on a business trip to Brazille (Spelling? I'm exhausted, LOL) who lived in a dump and yet played as happily as my siblings and I. 3. Frodo's conversation with Syrus. Oh, I *love* that! Our Frodo is truly very aptly named "wise one." And of course the end left me with my own warm smile. So sweet. So, what happens next? :P God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: LOL! A reformed Sauron does take some getting used to, and there are those who will never accept it. But Sauron, another Gandalf? For one, he's nowhere near as crotchedy and looks nothing like an old man. For another, he has neither a hat nor a staff. And lastly, he doesn't get the point of smoking pipeweed and making smoke rings. Clearly, they are nothing alike. :P hehe But they are both rather meddlesome in their own way. Frodo's defence of Sauron was rather surprising. Not that he defended, just what he said about the Ring. I'm not sure I entirely agree with him on that point, but it's not really for me to say either. He was very insistent upon it, and so I had no choice but to include it. Children manage to find a way to enjoy life and to find things to laugh about. It was good for Frodo to be able to observe her before they had to leave and to realize the importance of what she was showing him, even if she didn't mean to. Resiliency is more than just learning to swim to keep from drowning, it's learning to go with the current and staying afloat no matter where it might take you. Cyrus was lucky to find a mentor in Frodo. Though Frodo couldn't stay, you can bet that Cyrus will remember his words that day and carry them with him. Next, they return to Gondor. :D | |