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Moments in Time by Larner	12 Review(s)
Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 8/23/2007
I liked this as I can well imagine the baffled relatives thinking like this.I laughed at the section about the Rangers only having clean horses ! Author Reply: Am so glad you see this as plausible. And I can well imagine Paladin coming out with such a reaction to Rangers--they take such good care of their horses, but look at them! The reaction to Men's beards would be different, I'd think, than to those on Dwarves, whose facial hair is, we're told, congenital and a matter of pride. If anyone had such a beard as Strider wore I can see Paladin considering him terribly scruffy. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 8/18/2007
I forgot to mention about the Gaffer's fear that Sam and Frodo's hearts were so entwined that when Frodo accepted the Gift, so would Sam - he was right but not as soon as he feared it would be. I'm glad he seems to have accepted such a strong love. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: I strongly suspect that part of the reason Frodo remained as long as he did in the Shire was to be assured Sam was grounded there and would NOT follow him should he die or leave Middle Earth as he did. I think the Gaffer realizes that these two did indeed do something unimaginable together, so much so they now are indeed brothers of the spirit. Oh, and the way Pippin got rid of his bells--that's what my little brother did when he was small--was always taking his clothes off, including the bells on his shoelaces, of course.

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 8/18/2007
I love that Pippin had bells sewn into his clothing and how he got around those! :) And I love what the Gaffer said about him noticing that Sam would be there to let Frodo know that things are all right even when they didn't feel like it and their obvious love for each other. One of the best (out of a zillion or so wonderful things) about hearing the BBC Radio adaptation is Sam saying "It's all right, Mr. Frodo." It's definitely not all right as they are trudging their way to Mordor, but at the same time is was because he said it was and he doesn't lie. But I think the very best was the pride the Gaffer had in his son. I hope Sam knew of that. I forgot to ask earlier but can I have the story about smiles for my website too? Please with a mushroom on top? Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: The bells are borrowed from Grey Wonderer, and the knitted pig from Cathleen, of course. The Gaffer had known for years of the growing friendship between his son and the Young Master, but now he sees there is a special relationship and a brotherhood there as intense as what Sam has known with his real siblings, but of a different caliber, for these two have literally been to the Black Land and back, sustaining one another through it all. And he had to have felt pride, having heard Master Frodo himself saying that Sam is one of the most famousest of Hobbits ever, honored even by the King himself. I'm certain Sam had to realized how proud his dad was of him. And of course you may post the story of the smiles!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 8/18/2007
Oh man, this computer is determined to embarrass me! I’m so sorry about the messed-up review. I’m on my brother’s computer because mine died (and he decided to be really, really nice to me an let me install Jaws—which he hates), and for some reason whenever I try to type in online form fields it garbles everything I type. I’ve been typing e-mails in a Word document and then cutting and pasting them where they need to be; now I know I have to do that with reviews to. Sorry. What I meant to say was: I’m reviewing two chapters in one this time because of the aforementioned problem. “The Light of Your Smile” I love this one; it’s truly heart-warming! Each smile is so unique and beautifully described. My favorites would have to be Bell’s, the Gaffer’s (love his grin at Bilbo’s outrageous statements, LOL!), and Gimli’s—and of course Frodo’s at the end is perfect! “Contrast” Oh, these poor Fathers. Saradoc wants so much to understand, but Merry just can’t tell him yet. As for the Tooks, I have a little more sympathy for them after that. I found myself thinking back on your saying a while ago that you’d worked with parents with that attitude, and also on some true accounts I read not long ago when researching a certain branch of special ed because I thought I’d like to go into it (though I’ve changed my mind now because I know a few things firsthand that really burned me out), and I can definitely see the comparison; it’s heartbreaking. Hamfast’s section made me want to cry. As narrow-minded as he can be at times, he is certainly perceptive and has a great, loving heart. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Some computers will do that, I've found. Bless your brother, and thank heavens for the ability to write elsewhere at times! Oh, I'm so very glad you liked these two so. Each smile does tend to be unique, and to remember people in that way particularly is so wonderful. And am so glad you appreciated the Gaffer's grin--I suspect that having worked so long for Bilbo he would have developed an appreciation for his Master's wry humor and biting wit. Gimli is Gimli, and his smile must have taken a while to fully appreciate, but once recognized would have been dear to Sam, I think, whose people had dealt primarily with Dwarves for so very long, after all. And Bell--well, a mother's smile is always the sweetest and best remembered, I think. And am so glad you loved the depiction of Frodo's, now the two of them are together again. So, you now appreciate the feelings of those who are in denial. It's impossible to fully embrace them, but they need to be respected in a way if they're to be changed. And the Gaffer--he perhaps does the best simply because he just accepts and is proud of what he has had returned to him. It must have been such a quiet shock of pleasure to have his son return to him at last! We've missed you, and hope the computer problems are solved soon. Bless and keep you!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 8/18/2007
I'm eviewing two hapters t nce here because my omputer died, nd 'm n different ne hat eems t njoy doing attle ith aws nd onsequently ith e. It akes orm ields oddly ifficult, so idn't want o o his wice. "The ight O Your amile" I love his; t's truly eart-warming! Every mile s unique nd beautifully dscribed, and Frodo's t he nd s ust erfect. s I thnk Armariel aid, his ould ave asily een corny n oer hnds, ut ou ade ewel f t. Now, his ne: Oh my. Saradoc o ants o nderstand,but erry just an't ell him et. And as or he ooks, I hink ave ittle ore sympathy or hem ow. I hink ack o hat ou ncesaid bou orking ith ome arents with his kind f ttitude, nd aso of certain true ccounts ead th ast year when tudying particular branch f pecial d or hort tory (and ecause I thought I might onsider it as a ossible career hoice) nd cn ee he omparison. Makes e ant o o ack nd read "Reconciliation" gain. God less, Galadriel P.S. Sorry f his s ot legible; for ome eason Jaws does ot ead in or fields n his omputer, nd aven't exactly otten used o it yet. h, nd Imet to omment n amfast's art f his. A arrow-minded s e an e t imes, e iscrtainly erceptive. The ast ouple of entences made e ant o ry. Author Reply: I'm leaving this in honor of the wonders of computing in spite of obstacles. One program we used to work with just didn't work well with Tony's screen reader, and this so reminds me of trying to do anything while it was up. Hope you aren't too embarrassed. Hail, JAWS! Screen readers are a godsend at the same time they're a royal pain in the patoot!

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 8/18/2007
Interesting look at the Travellers through the eyes of their fathers, pondering what they know and think about the whole matter. Saradoc was probably the one who understood the facts best; he is so perceptive and saw what happened and made connections as best as possible, summarised the problems rather well without knowing most of the answers. It’s truly sad that Merry took so long to finally talk about all that. How is it that you four managed to do in two days what we, in nearly a year of occupation, could not? Interesting question. It seems they only needed someone to take charge, didn’t it? The Hobbits there in the Shire probably have wondered later why they waited so long. Pippin isn’t even of age yet, and still he walked into the Great Smial and commanded his own father when the need was there. How else could he walk out of there within two hours with a troupe of Took archers without Paladin quite understanding what had happened? That’s another story I’d love to read. Until now, I’ve found only one story dealing with this and always wanted more about this. It was one of these parts I missed in LotR. And to be honest, I already wondered how this would have gone, considering the situation between Pippin and Paladin. Paladin, on the other hand ... here it is so obvious he had difficulties to accept not only that Pippin has matured beyond his age, but that it was his underage son saving the Shire, though it was Paladin’s job as Thain to protect the Shire. And it was informative to know what he exactly thought, as we had mostly the summarisation of it until now. Had to grin about his opinion about Rangers and a certain Ranger in particular :-) Though in the end it was rather sad that he so desperately wanted his little son back, and that’s impossible. Pippin has lost his youthful innocence forever. As for the Gaffer, I think he is the one who understands the least of it all, but is the one most trusting of his son, accepting what happened and how they have changed without much questions. Author Reply: Saradoc most reflects me and my own take on life--I have at times a pathological need to understand. And I think that's the path most reasonable folks would take in trying to accept the changes once they become obvious. I may tackle Pippin walking in there and wresting a troupe of archers out of his dad, and perhaps sooner rather than later; but I am trying to continue to make headway, of course, on the stories in progress, too. But the question of why did we wait so long must have occurred to many once the ruffians were on the run and Sharkey dead. Accepting that our children are growing up is difficult; I know--been there, done that, as the new saying goes. But as I said in "The Acceptable Sacrifice," innocence, like virginity, once lost is gone forever. Wisdom, experience, and empathy are hopefully the results of the sacrifice of innocence; and Pippin certainly embodies those attributes. Unfortunately it takes Paladin and Eglantine time to accept the truth--there is no going back, only forward; at least they did do this in my version of the story, even if it was at the expense of a good deal of pain on the part of themselves, Pippin, and Frodo. And it was fun to think what Paladin might have thought had he realized he had met Strider during a jaunt out to Bree sometime in the past! He must have been taken as much by surprise as the Bree Hobbits were to realize that that odd Strider was now the King! And am so glad you appreciate Hamfast's reaction. Acceptance first, and then let understanding come as it might. Thanks so for the comments.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 8/17/2007
Heart-wrenching in every sense of the word. The fathers of Merry and Pippin and Sam all consider the 'fab four' after the end of the Time of Troubles, and are sorely troubled by the changes in them. Paladin's thoughts are the most painful; it's obvious he is terribly saddened by his precious little boy's transformation into a powerful warrior who has seen things that perhaps no hobbit should have looked upon, and has been strengthened by them, but is still haunted by them. Paladin's love for his only son is cruelly obvious; and it's sad that he measures his own strength by his ability to shield Pippin; who has simply grown beyond his ken. Unlike Saradoc, who does seem to want to know more about what has changed the younger hobbits; Paladin cannot even bear to think about what his boy has seen and done. I found Paladin's thoughts the most painful, and sad, of the three hobbits. Perhaps Paladin's attitude towards his precious heir might have contributed to Pippin's original immaturity and heedlessness. And leave it to the Gaffer to wind things up, and to see what the other two fathers could not - he knows his son and trusts Sam to weather the changes that he has been through, though as a father he still has concerns. Very good vignette! Author Reply: Am so very glad this has been accepted just as it was intended, Raksha. The terror of knowing Pippin faced perhaps unspeakable things fills Paladin; the desire to understand his brother-in-law. And indeed the Gaffer, who accepts he doesn't understand (and who, like Paladin, perhaps doesn't wish to fully understand) nevertheless appreciates that his son has prevailed and that HE understands, and that that is all that is needed. Thanks so for the feedback.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 8/17/2007
Wonderful, Larner! First Saradoc, who tries hard to understand what happened to his son during the quest and who desperately wants him to tell of his travels to help his parents comprehend what happened in that long year. And then Paladin! He simply doesn't accept that his son has changed. He wants Pippin to be his little boy again and he wants him to seek his father's protection - not the other way around. And he forbids Pippin to speak about his journey! He would like to turn back the time and restore eveything and everyone like they were before. There is actually another character in LotR who wished for this, too: Denethor! Last but not least, old Gaffer Gamgee! He admits frankly that he won't be able to comprehend what happened to Sam and the others on the quest. But he does not need to know it. One look in the eyes of both, Sam and Frodo and he already knows more than Saradoc or Paladin! The Gaffer may behave gruffy at times, but in fact he is a very wise hobbit and a good father. Author Reply: Each is an excellent father--at least to a point. At least Saradoc wishes to understand and realizes Merry needs to speak of it. Paladin wants to hang onto the innocence a bit longer, but innocence lost cannot be restored, a truth he has as yet to appreciate. I'd not thought of the parallel to Denethor wishing things frozen as they are with the Steward ruling Gondor forever, but now you've mentioned it it seems obvious. As for the Gaffer, yes, he merely accepts, which at the moment is what is needed most of all. Let the lads deal with what they've done--for now it's only necessary that he let Sam know he's glad he's back, acknowledge the changes, be concerned for the losses but accept they can deal with them as it proves necessary, and love his son. Thanks so for the feedback.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 8/17/2007
you’re not just a gardener to them, but one as has done somethin’ powerful important and brave, somethin’ as not just anyone could o’ done. I really love that line. Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you do, Shirebound. But it ought to have been obvious Sam came back more than he was when he left the shire. Thanks for the feedback.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 8/17/2007
the rumor of Black Riders was one thing, but nothing to the reality of Lotho’s army of Big Men and the predations of Gatherers and Sharers. Betrayal at home would have been worse than rumour, even of such evil creatures. Unfortunately our lads discovered the full reality of it all between them and came home to more. But with their experience it is no wonder that it only took them two days to curb it. if we are to fully appreciate this glorious King you apparently all love so deeply, we must understand the sources of the shadows he has helped each of you face. Indeed but it is so hard to do. If only..... Awful regret to live with. Sweet water, Peregrin Took--Frodo was fifty and you still a tween! How were you, a lad yet, to protect someone who’s helped take care of you since you were born? No young person should have to take on this carer's role but so many have to! I got an overtone of Theoden's 'No parent should haveto bury his child', (from the film,) with this. The way that you have written Saradoc's anguish is so, so painful. But, with his feelings of failure, his treatment of Pippin is understandable. But he did protect the Tookland as best he could. Just don’t let your heart be so close tied to his as when he fails you do as well. Rosie’ll never forgive’im if’n that was to happen, you know. And the Father who sees clearest of all. Gruff and reticent but with a heart full of love. He reminds me so much of my own Dad. Wonderful Larner. Author Reply: The coming of the Black Riders in the end affected only a few, including the Bounder they rode down and the few with whom they interacted. But the Gatherers and Sharers and the Men affected everyone throughout the Shire, large and small, village dwellers and distant farmers. And the wonder that the returned Travelers managed in barely a couple of days to do what those who'd remained there hadn't managed in a year must have wrankled. The realization that the King understands what they'd done recently better than their parents must also have wrankled. That you see the echo of Movie-Theoden's grief is interesting--I'd not thought on that particularly, but have heard adults turn down the aid of their adult children with just such words--"We're the parents--we're supposed to take care of you, not the other way around." And for Paladin there must have been such feelings of failure in not being able to do much more than protecting his own family's lands. He didn't have Frodo's greater appreciation for the whole Shire, or the understanding of human nature all four of them now knew as a result of their experiences and observations moving amongst the powerful ones of other races for as long as they did. What did most Hobbits understand of the motivations of those who would make themselves the dictators over others? Yes, of the three fathers Paladin knows the greatest anguish. While Hamfast has recognized from the first he has exercised little enough authority over his son in the past decade and a half or so; what can he think to say to correct his son now, who's basically been his own master in the ordering of his own time and Bag End's gardens since Master Bilbo left. So he takes his son as he finds him, recognizing his own limitations and therefore better accepting both what he sees in his son and what his son has accomplished. And am so glad he reminds you of your own dad. I so wish my stepdad had been more this kind of person.

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