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| Following the Other Wizard: journey into healing by jodancingtree | 5 Review(s) |
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| Calime | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 7/28/2004 |
| A very satisfying, yet disturbing chapter. I loved Frodo stepping to the forefront to lay full claim to his past and his rightful honor, but the last scene really grabbed me. The Orcs obviously still have a long way to go, and I'm sure that even Frodo is not near as far along in his healing as he thinks he is. You are delving deeply into the nature of evil--its persistent corrupting influence as well as its ultimate demise. I love the moral sense you bring to "your" Middle Earth. | |
| Yavanna | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/11/2004 |
| Thanks, Jo, wonderful chapters! I think itīs a very moving idea to consider the experience of Frodo with the ring, his salvation, as a kind of focus for the redemption of the orcs.I have the notion that Frodo, after the quest, felt himself almost identified not only with Gollum, but with all the losers and condemned of the story. By the way, in your fic, Frodo has got Sting with him, and handle it if necessary. Canon Frodo said: "Iīll bear no weapon, fair or foul" and "I have not wish for any sword". Why did you decide to change this?, because I think itīs a significant statement in the moral evolution of the character. Author Reply: Very perceptive question, Yavanna! You're right, and it is such a beautiful thing when he says that; it always thrilled me. But at the Battle of Bywater, it says that Frodo was in the battle but did not draw sword, so I take it he did have Sting with him (he tried to give it to Sam at Cormallen, and Sam wouldn't take it, you remember). Gandalf persuaded him to wear a sword at Cormallen, and it would seem that he kept it after that. In Another Way of Leaving, he is brought to such a pass of despair that he leaves home with the intention of falling on his sword, and is prevented. So in this story, he has the sword, and I think his instinct to reach for it when surprised by the orcs is a healthy symptom, a sign that he has recovered his desire to live, even to defend himself if necessary. I see Frodo as a real person, and subject to the inconsistencies that we all have - noble enough to desire to do no harm, and yet (when he's not in deep depression) having an instinct of self-preservation. Being Frodo, his nobility is apt to win out over self-protection, when he has time to think about it. | |
| Grimnir | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/11/2004 |
| Aaah, I was so happy when I found out you have written a sequel to "Another way of leaving" - one of my favorite storys. And such a long one! I just had to read all the parts you have written already non-stop - and yes, I should have done something else in the night than only reading... so being a bit tired today. It's really great. I like the way Frodo is healed by giving comfort to others and by the support from Radagast. And I always have wondered if there is a way to "heal" the orcs - you are doing well in this subject. And - I must admit - I would love it to see a healed Frodo meeting Gandalf again in your story :-) (but do not feel interfered!!) Most of all I liked this one: "Why does it remind you of me?" he asked. The wizard smiled. "Broken just enough to show what it's really made of, to reveal the beauty within. Worn and shaped by suffering, but not destroyed, only made more lovely. Keep it, Donkey. It is a precious thing -- and so are you." Thanks so much for sharing this story! Author Reply: Thank you so much for reviewing, Grimnir. I'm delighted that you like this story - heavens, that's a lot of reading for one night! No wonder you're tired! That shell is real, by the way - it's sitting on my dresser this minute... reminding me of Frodo. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/10/2004 |
| Well, this story is certainly going in an unexpected direction! I am fascinated by the idea that the orcs are drawn to Frodo because he gives them hope. The sentence about looking at a star in a cup, then seeing the sky was both beautiful and so insightful! That Radagast would heal an orc doesn't surprise me at all - he has never been one to judge by superficial appearances. But to see Frodo struggle with the whole idea keeps the story real. His past experiences with orcs were not good, but he's stretching his perceptions in all ways. And it's always been a little disturbing that even Tolkien couldn't find anything redeemable about orcs, even when every other evil creature was given an explicit chance to repent and reform. Orcs are treated as fodder for a game of killing - their deaths and pain don't count. Brava to you for taking on the daunting task of redeeming the forsaken orc (there's only one other story that I know of that even tries). Author Reply: You're right, Frodo is being stretched by his meeting with these orcs. Being healed isn't the end, it's the beginning. It was a very lovely story (forget the title) of a lost orc capturing Frodo in the Shire, that got me thinking about the possibility of an orc turning away from evil. (If you wish, I can go search out the title and author of that one for you.) Meantime, I'm glad you like my efforts on this theme... | |
| Tathar | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/10/2004 |
| Gosh, I'm running out of things to say about this incredible story of yours... I'm completely in awe. The addition of the orcs to their "fellowship" is just amazing -- I hope they will stick around for a while. **"I think they follow you, Donkey. You carried the Ring, and something of its aura still lingers on you. The imprint of the dark power you wrestled with and overcame I think it draws them, and Canohando especially, because he is the most aware of the three."** Ohhhh!! *shivers* That idea, that the orcs are drawn to Frodo, is incredible in itself. I love it. And I thoroughly enjoyed Frodo stepping forward and taking command when they encountered the Men, and his conversation with Canohando later. Frodo *has* won his battle, after all! I'm so happy. :) *sigh* As I've already said -- many times, probably -- I'm completely hooked on this story. Hope to read more soon! Author Reply: Thank you, Tathar! I'm really enjoying writing the orcs - very complex characters. These are the shorter, grey-skinned "Mordor" orcs - Yarga has a narrow, pointy face and squinty eyes, and Lash is heavy-browed with very bad teeth - but I picture Canohando as, for an orc, not too bad looking - regular features and a lot of intelligence in his black eyes... of course, now I watch the movies with an eye on the orcs, looking for these guys! | |