Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Hollow Victory by Kara's Aunty	10 Review(s)
mm	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 7/26/2019
I still love this story. I guess you won't ever see this review after all that time, but I wanted to leave it. It shows a whole other perspective on how Frodo and Sam might have felt after the quest, seen all the more clearly because of the horrible things happening in the Cusp of Victory, though I think Canon events would have been enough to elicit this kind of reaction if not that strongly and swiftly as is displayed here. I'm fully captivated by the events in this fic and return from time to time to reread it and wonder how it would have continued. For I have no doubt that our dear hobbits would have been able to heal and reconcile over time with a lot of effort and help - hope is their virtue, and especially Sams, and neither of them gives up so easily. I also love how you included the others into the course of events, mainly Aragorn, Gandalf and Merry and Pippin, because they have scars of their own and especially Gandalf has a lot of responsibility for how things turned out (the good and the bad parts). (I also just love the Big Folk, especially Aragorn, take care of the hobbits and had looked forward to it...) So, I guess I'll just thank you for writing this far!

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/7/2015
My dear cousin, are you ever going to continue this? I see you have been active on Twitter, and I am most glad you have not left the world altogether but we need you here!!! Namarie, God bless, Your Tookish berry and bloom :)

MM	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/11/2013
Oh, please, please continue to write this! I love this story. I could never have thought of all the things Sam said, but he was right. And it fits for someone as badly traumatized as he is. Poor hobbit. I hope he does not get far. In his state he will not survive for long. Or maybe he will meet someone else who can help him. A former soldier of Gondor maybe or he is found and taken to the city. For sure Aragorn and Gandalf will need a very good idea of how to deal with him when he's found - and Frodo as well. I fear it will come to a head with Frodo soon, now he feels responsible for Sams disapperance (and probable death), too.

eef	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/9/2013
Please, I beg of you, on knees, with hands clasped in a prayer: PLEASE, FINISH THIS!!!

MM	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 7/30/2013
Wow. I just had to stop myself from running out and organizing a search party. I really hope they will find Sam before something happens to him. I am really impressed by your story. Such profound insights of trauma and what might have affected the hobbit and big folk in which way is intrigueing. So, I can't await the next chapter.

whisperer	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/19/2013
“But no. That Sam! He had the nerve to serve you faithfully and save your life, and here you are: wounded, broken, but alive." well, Merry has spoken for me.. Thanks to him. hoping to read the next chapter.. always visiting this site just to be sure the chapter has been posted. :(

curiouswombat	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/10/2013
Ah - well said Merry. He might not, necessarily, be exactly right - but he is surely not all that far wrong just at this minute...

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/10/2013
Well, better a runaway than suicide, of course. And Merry said what Frodo needed to hear, after all. Now, perhaps he'll start letting go of the self-recrimination he's been taking out on poor Sam! Now--where is the dear gardener? And, as he's a Hobbit with a particular feel for the natural world he'll have a good deal to work with in keeping hidden, of course. The levity was needed, and I rejoice that Aragorn was able to use it to break his mood so that he could think clearly and foresee some such problem! Now, to find Sam!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/10/2013
As he spoke, he absently waved around the hand which clutched his staff. Candlelight flickered dangerously. Those are the little details I love. Levity can be woven into even the most dire situations. anxiously pacing until the next chapter

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/10/2013
I think I would be afraid of how big that knife would have to be to cut through the tension, but still Merry's harsh words are words that need to be heard. More needs to come out too. I thought Gandalf and Aragorn were too hard on Sam in the last chapter and now they realize it and regret it. I loved their conversation. But Gandalf is now being too hard on himself. He did tell Frodo all the way back at Bag End exactly would be the horrific fate of any mortal who possessed the Ring. Of course, I do not blame Frodo for not remembering that or for blaming himself for his actions. I would do the same thing. It would take a while and counseling and grace and wisdom to accept the truth that he was not, that I was not. And Gandalf is right that he wouldn't change anything even if he did know what would happen. Only Frodo could have been Ring-bearer for no one else was created to be so. I think Frodo himself would have made the same decision. Wonderful that Aragorn could laugh and laugh heartily and I like his words asking Gandalf not to burn down the tent. This is not the first time that Frodo's torment and now Sam's inspires me to pray for all those afflicted with PTSD and the terrible toll it takes on families and Frodo and Sam are family. They love each other deeply and that's the foundation of many of their actions and words, but it's coming out crooked because of their overwhelming pain that you can feel as a physical thing. How much more terrible in power would it be to those who are actually there. There's a fun Facebook page called Concerning Hobbits that did a wallpaper for me with this quote: "I'll give you my love if you give me your pain. I'll hold it inside of me til you are stronger again." and it's Sam speaking. Of course, he gives his love no matter what but it's a neat quote. They are both in such incredible torment, for each other and from each other and for themselves. This is another wound underneath the wound that caused the trauma: you are no longer who you once were. So glad you are updating regularly or this really would be too much. Poor Pippin too. Namarie, God bless, Your bloom :)

Return to Chapter List