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| Passover and Pilgrimage by Larner | 17 Review(s) |
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| Kara's Aunty | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/24/2009 |
| Hello Larner, enjoyed the camaraderie of the group and the way they all look out for each other. A very close-knit, considerate company they are. My favourite part was the last two lines: a fine trickle of water followed after him, the birth of a second singing stream to quench the thirst of a land long bereft of refreshment I thought this comparison to Eldarion being the second singing stream to quench Gondor's (etc) thirst for a monarch (him being the second stream; his father the first) was lovely. M ;) Author Reply: Oh, I'm so very glad you found that comparison and appreciated it! Oh, thank you, thank you! Yes, it's fitting that this should indeed follow Eldarion's footsteps! And I love ALL these characters! | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/22/2009 |
| Now here's a view of Mordor I don't think even Tolkien would have thought possible! It always depressed me in the book when he described Mordor as so defiled it would never be restored until the cleansing of the Seas. This is a much more optomist and uplifting view - and an excellent tribute, in it's own way, to Frodo, who gave so much of himself to save Middle-earth. That lake were once was lava and ash is amazing, and Sam's vision of the forms on the island very fitting. I worried that the journey might prove ill and set Sam to thinking on horrible things, but it was quite the opposite. Who knows? One day, it may well be populated by Men and livestock, rather than orcs and tyrants! Author Reply: I would think that this would give the Valar a good chance to do a bit of "spring cleaning" with a vengeance within Mordor. And I love to think that the sacrifices offered by Frodo and Sam indeed had such a positive effect on the place. Having visited Mt. Mazama in Oregon and rejoiced in the beauty of Crater Lake within its caldera, I can think of few more fitting ways for the Valar to thumb their collected noses at Sauron and his mentor! Am so very glad you approve! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/22/2009 |
| However odd it must be to find the land so changed, I can understand the need to see everything for themselves, to get a better idea what Frodo and Sam went through and where. Going further into Mordor, even to Mount Doom, might lay some ghosts for Merry – and probably not only for him. Very satisfying to see how much that once ruined land has recovered already, that the Valar are at work to turn it into a green land again! At least Sauron didn’t manage to completely destroy this part of the world forever. Yes, that’s only right and sort of symbolic – the remaining Fellowship going to the end of the Quest to destroy the Ring, keeping their intent to follow Frodo up to the mountain, even if belatedly. Like the idea with bathing in that pool. Merry is right, it is sort of a gift from Frodo, and I find it great to know that things like this pool are there, mending the destruction Sauron caused. Only wish Frodo could be there with them, seeing for himself the change he made possible! Oh, that lake in the crater surrounded by trees was unexpected, but such a lovely image! And how satisfying to think it is in defiance of Sauron, undoing his work! Author Reply: Of all the Fellowship, I would expect that the one with the most regrets would be Merry, who found his own path sundered from those of the others, and especially from that of his beloved cousin. To see the difference made within the circling walls of the Mountains of Shadow and the Ered Lithui must have been so heartening for him, perhaps more than all the rest! Sam realized there were some things even Sauron could not touch; now they all see that his touch was not lasting in the end! Am so glad others also rejoice in the finding of the pool--a bit more down-to-earth than wanting to swim, perhaps, in the lake! Thanks so. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/20/2009 |
| I've thought of doing something shorter along these lines, a sort of sequel to a ficlet of mine; but this chapter is quite lovely. All the growth where once things were barren and blasted - Frodo's revenge on Sauron if ever there was one. And nice glimpse of Faramir helping with the cooking, and singing. Author Reply: I'm sorry Faramir doesn't get more exposure here, but feel he would be along on a trip like this. Oh, I'd love to see what you'd planned. Perhaps not Frodo's own revenge on Sauron, but certainly revenge on Sauron on behalf of Frodo--and a whole bunch of other folks as well! Heh! Thanks so, Raksha! | |
| Celeritas | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/17/2009 |
| This was lovely, to read of the transformation in the landscape. I am of course curious as to how much the characters (especially hobbits) would actually know of the Powers, or discuss them, given how little we hear about them in canon. But that visitation at the end of the chapter was golden! Author Reply: Thanks so much, Celeritas. Okay--who were those who owned copies of the Red Book, including Bilbo and Frodo's translations from the Elvish? And who is said in the Appendices to have gone to Rivendell when it was under the control of the twins to study in its library? Although I'm reasonably certain what little Merry and Pippin knew of Elvish cosmology was reasonably superficial at the time of the quest, I cannot imagine either of them agreeing to living in ignorance of what little was known of the Undying Lands and who was known to live there once Frodo left with the other Ringbearers. It would be important for all of them to understand Frodo's choice and the reasons and hoped-for benefits he should know as a result of going to Tol Eressea. And, having access of sorts to Elrond's sons, probably Glorfindel and Celeborn, as well as Aragorn and Arwen and Legolas, I'd expect them all to develop excellent appreciation of the Powers over time. Their experiences outside the Shire I would expect managed to take what they'd thought of as the equivalent of fairy stories and make it plain they were histories. Nothing like a dose of reality to help one appreciate the true nature of those stories. | |
| lizstephen@btinternet.com | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/16/2009 |
| What a truly wonderful scene, Larner, and so very fitting that this place should now be filled with water and light. The white tree, even if it isn't a proper white tree is a lovely touch. Author Reply: Thank you so, Liz. Perhaps not a proper White Tree--or maybe it is! It's fun to speculate on! Again, thank you! | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/15/2009 |
| And so, another white tree grows for the renewing of the land. And Frodo is there with those he loves. You made me think of Lourdes with the new stream of water. And Faralion is determined to make hiomself better known as well as my favourite Sculpter is he? Wonderful so far larner. Am so looking forward to more. Author Reply: Yes, a tree with white blossoms, at least, grows there on the small island. And Frodo is remembered by many with thanksgiving rather than merely the pain of loss. I'd not thought of Bernadette and the small spring she helped make manifest, there in Lourdes, but I see the comparison now you've brought it up. And, yes, Ruvemir and Faralion both are part of the company this time. Thank you so! | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/15/2009 |
| And there in the midst of the greater forms there appeared to be one smaller one, like a small column of silver light. So beautiful! I can't find the right words to describe it! The Valar not only erased all the signs of Sauron and his slaves. No, they created beauty there, in the Land of Mordor, to such an extent that it even surpassed the extent of its former ugliness! I'm quite sure that this was not what Merry expected to see, and to feel. But it already helped him! For Merry was the first one of all the Fellowship to jump into the pool and enjoy the water. I loved that scene :) And Frodo would have loved it, too! Author Reply: Oh, I'm certain that had Frodo been spiritually well enough to come there again with the rest of the remaining Fellowship he'd have loved the site as well. Am so glad you appreciated this, Andrea. And I believe Merry undoubtedly needed such reassurance to help with his own healing! Am so glad you appreciate he was the first in he pool! Thank you so! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/14/2009 |
| Ah, heart's ease. So lovely to see the healing of the land. I am reminded of our trip to Crater Lake, some years ago. To look down upon the sparkling waters with the knowledge of the violence that formed that crater... Author Reply: Am so glad you enjoyed seeing Mordor come to life once more. And of course this is itself inspired in part by my own visits to Crater Lake, which I saw the first time in 1973, in a trip with my brother and a friend. It is such a lovely place! It's also remeniscent of visits to Punchbowl Cemetery and Diamond Head on Oahu, both of which are also calderas of now-extict volcanoes. Thank you so. Am heading your way I believe on the eleventh of July. See you then. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/14/2009 |
| This is a very striking story. As easy as it would be to focus on the tragedy of Mordor, and of Frodo's pain and loss, it's just not possible in this story. Everyone who could be grieving, is over and over given reason to rejoice instead. The time for grief is past, and even Merry, who might have the hardest tome letting go, is the first to jump into the pool in memory, no, in honor of Frodo. Learning to live beyond grief is a hard thing. But the world does not stop; indeed it continues to grow and flourish. The powers truly are there to console, once eyes (and hearts) are open to receive that consolation. Death has truly passed over this land, with all that implies, including that the passage of death is over and done. What a heartening message! Author Reply: You have it exactly, FantasyFan. Even so! Thank you so very much! Death has passed over and from this land; it is a living land itself once more. | |