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Moments in Time by Larner	10 Review(s)
Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 4/20/2008
Very interesting. So nice that he's called "best beloved" by angels. Truly a place to heal and learn about his true importance and love the idea that heard the Voice of God, even in childhood, and that Gandalf/Olorin called God 'Atar' and that He was with His child. Now at long last I am finally caught up with your stories! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: What can I say, Antane? I wrote this just after I caught up with Fiondil's first "Elf Interrupted" story and have been following "The Wars of the Valar," and he uses "best beloved" a good deal. I've used it a time or two myself, as I love it in Kipling's "Just So Stories"; here it just fit. I don't see the Valar precisely as does Fiondil, but that's to be expected, I think. However, we do see SOME things similarly. And it only seems right that Gandalf/Olorin should be most with Frodo through all this. Glad you found time to read this at last.

Alassiel	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/25/2008
Greetings Larner, When I read Filled with Light as with Water several years ago, one thing I wondered was: What happened when Frodo met the Valar? Now I know. This tale is both beautiful and terrifying. The idea that Ungoliant could lodge in another's body like a parasite made me physically ill. I'm glad that horror was exorcised. Frodo's spiritual journey was also frightening, but lovely—from terror to peace. Yes, your vision is different from Fiondil's, but to me it is no less valid. Thank you for telling us of Frodo's healing and rest. Blessings, Alassiel Author Reply: I would think that for mortals to find themselves face to face with the Valar would be very difficult in many ways; and Tolkien indicated the Undying Lands would cause most mortals to burn out early, as they couldn't bear such concentrated Light. Frodo is a mortal, after all; and is still fighting his demons, one of whom has been lodged in his neck for the past three years. There are such spiders in this world that do things like that, and I found myself remembering that as I first contemplated what might be causing that wound to reopen as it did. After going through Elf Interrupted I was finally inspired to write my own version of a judgment and the type of healing that Frodo would need. And I doubt he had much in the way of fear of death left to him, once he'd made it that far. Thanks so much for the feedback.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/25/2008
This is one that bears re-reading any number of times. I can hear echoes of Fiondil's work which I couldn't put down either. Author Reply: Yes, Fiondil managed to inspire me to write this one at last. So glad you feel it bears rereading! Thank you!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/24/2008
Oh, wow...That's amazing. My first thought when I realized what was going on was "Ooo! She actually did it!" (I sort of hinted at it in a review of something a long time ago, so naturally I was thrilled!) But I didn't know you were going to go beyond the healing of the neck wound and show the whole thing! It's late and I want to reply to your e-mail real quick before I head to bed, so I won't be wordy enough to be annoying this time. ;) Frodo's feelings were especially vivid in this piece, I thought; I felt like I was right there with him, either feeling or watching, depending on the perspective you were writing from. Parts were terrifying (the battle in the shadow realm--what an adversary! shudders spidery in her nature, whatever form she took); and then there were the touching moments, like the Valar's care of Frodo. I especially loved Yavanna here, the offering of food was so perfect and I think Frodo's Hobbit friends/relatives would have approved of that. :) Absolutely loved the interlude with Este! I just love the way you portray the Valar! At any rate, by the time the healing and the judgment were over, I felt I'd definitely witnessed and been a part of a trying ordeal, but then there was the rest at the end. Gandalf's and Namo's conversation about Frodo not being truly healed and being cherished brought a lump into my throat. The whole thing was masterfully done, and so beautiful! (I feel like I never say what I really mean, but the English language does have limits, you know.) God bless, Galadriel :) Author Reply: I rather thought you'd like this one, and will catch up on the email tomorrow evening when I get off work--am being switched at last to day shift. I've been reading "Elf Interrupted," so this was working at me as I read Fiondil's work. Am so glad you feel that I managed to portray Ungoliant as propery "spidery" even in a form that mimics that of the Creator's Children. I've tried to imagine what it must have been like for Frodo to find his healing at last; would he have been totally physically healed, or would it be enough that his spirit would be set at rest? I suspect that the very fact he was mortal would preclude total physical healing, but that the fact he was now at peace would allow him to live a full life nonetheless. And am so glad you like him with Yavanna and Este. Thank you so! It's been an interesting past month--flu and conjunctivitis have taken their toll (am fighting the latter at the moment) plus I've been subbing for colleagues while training my replacement as night-nanny. And now I need to get to sleep so I'll be up in time to work in the morning. I was to continue working primarily in the attended facility, but will be subbing for a colleague who's retiring and whose brother is now dying--it's going to be interesting as I make the transition. Good to see you have time to read again.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/22/2008
You filled another gap with this one. I remember the mentioning of finally cleansing Frodo's wound from this evil, but there were not much details. So it was truly interesting to finally get them. The Valar and the judgment show how Fiondil influenced you. As I loved 'Elf interrupted' very much, I am glad you liked it, too, and enough to be inspired. It seemed very fitting here how you included and described the Valar in the act of destroying Ungoliant and healing Frodo at last. After all he went through, it's probably no wonder Frodo was so uncertain if he should continue to live or go on beyond the circles of Arda. But luckily, after the one evil still tormenting him is destroyed, now he can enjoy the time still remaining for him. What I enjoyed, too, was that Gandalf was there the whole time and cared for Frodo. No other would have been more fitting, after all the long time he has known the Hobbits. And he even sang a Hobbit song at the end! Author Reply: No, I'd always left it up to the imagination of my readers to figure out how Ungolian was dealt with in my other stories, except, of course, for "Go Out in Joy," of course--in that case there would have had to be a way to make certain she doesn't come back to "bite" the Shire, after all. I agree that Frodo must have been fairly frustrated at this point--he's just thinking he's pretty much all better, and here he has this wound acting up again, and to find it's inhabited would be a shock, particularly when one realizes which Maia it is that's causing the problems. Perhaps it would be better to let go--or maybe not. Now that he's finally starting to feel better.... And Gandalf would have to be part if the whole process, I'd think--Hobbits have been his passion for so long; and this will be the last Hobbit he'll have the chance to truly cherish through the remainder of his life. And for this Hobbit and for Bilbo of COURSE he'd want to sing Hobbit songs! And it was all Fiondil's fault this one got written.... Thanks so much for the feedback.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/22/2008
Dear Larner, First of all I would like to quote Fiondil here: One can only cherish, never protect, for from what can one protect another when the other is already in the hands of the One? This is wonderfully said! If we keep this thought in mind, life will be much easier to bear. It is frightening to imagine that Frodo took with him more than an old wound to Tol Eressea. On the other hand that particular place was the best place to get rid of that evil creature. I'm fascinated by your knowledge of the Valar and Maiar. I have read some parts of the Silmarillion, but not enough I fear ;-) I particularly liked it that even the Valar were reassuring Frodo that he did all he could, and even more. He just has to believe them, and I think he finally does. Last but not least I liked it that this story began with Frodo reminding himself that he is a hobbit: I am Frodo Baggins of the Shire. And it ended with a hobbit song and a hobbity remark! Very well done! Thank you. Author Reply: I've so often wondered what happened to Ungoliant, if Shelob was her daughter. I know that spiders have a habit of consuming one another, and that Ungoliant might have been ingested by her daughter is, unfortunately, a possibility. But as a Maia, how would her spirit be dealt with? Could she still be lingering around? Where? And if she had been sort of injected into Frodo's wound, how would that be handled? Indeed, after reading Elf Interrupted I found myself being annoyed again by the bunny that led to this one, and finally wrote it out. Frodo was conditioned by the Ring to think of himself as being more responsible than any one individual can be, or so I've always seen himself; he'd need that reassurance from the highest authorities that he'd done his best, and no one can do more; and others also NEED the chance to follow his example. And to begin and end this with the reminder that Frodo is a Hobbit was as much a joy for me as it is for you. Thank you!

Fiondil	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/22/2008
Particularly for Fiondil, in return for many hours of reading recently--although I don't quite see some things precisely as he does. And why should you? grin But this was just lovely, Larner, and I'm glad that my own take on the Valar and such were an inspiration to you. I think you showed the various Valar and Maiar with great sympathy and sensitivity. I particularly enjoyed watching Frodo's fëa going in and out of his hröa like a yo-yo. Even poor Glorfindel didn't do that. LOL It's good to see Frodo finally being healed enough that he can make the choice for Life, however long that might be granted him. I particularly liked the conversation at the end between Námo and Olórin. One can only cherish, never protect, for from what can one protect another when the other is already in the hands of the One? I think this has to be one of my favorite of your and I'm delighted that I had some small part in sending this particular bunny your way. Author Reply: Yes, poor Frodo, not truly certain what he wants, and suddenly feeling totally overwhelmed again. I mean, I'm certain he thought it had all been left behind when he left Middle Earth, but here his mind sees a stone circle and conjures up barrows and all, and then faces Ungoliant, and not certain he wishes to continue to live.... I agree, could probably give Glorfindel a run for his money. And am so glad you agree with the conclusion Gandalf and Namo make. And am honored to have turned your bunny into this. Now, am looking at a very, absurdly small Ranger....

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/21/2008
Poor Frodo having to suffer evenin the Blessed Realm.Let us hope the Maiar have finally healed him. Author Reply: I rather think this is the last suffering Frodo will have to know. Mostly it's accepting it's now time to live without fear for the future, a pleasure he's not known since he first learned the nature of the Ring. But at least Arda is now free also of the fear of the return of Ungoliant!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/21/2008
So now we see how they rid Frodo of Ungoliant in the West--something you had sort of hinted at showing at the end of "Go Out in Joy". I think what I was most touched by here was seeing Gandalf/Olorin's great depth of love for his dear friend--the lengths to which he was willing to go to see that Frodo finally got his healing. Lovely job! Author Reply: I'd mentioned this happening in "The Choice of Healing," and after reading Fiondil's "Elf Interrupted" this has just been practically beating me up, demanding to be written! Heh! Author Reply: And I felt that Gandalf would have a very special love for this Hobbit--the last Hobbit he's likely to know closely from now on, the last he can truly call "friend." For the sake of all of Frodo's people and ancestors he's known, I think he'd especially wish to see this one know peace and fulfillment.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/21/2008
What a beautiful, lyrical journey, Larner. And how wonderful to end it with laughter and friendship, two of the most cherished things indeed. Author Reply: Thanks so much, Shirebound. When the spiderbite bit again Frodo must have been quite shocked, and particularly once he learned what was in there. So much must have been difficult, and choosing to live and see where the life he'd been granted might lead would have taken some courage, I'd think. A joyful Lent to you!

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