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Moments in Time  by Larner 19 Review(s)
Kara's AuntyReviewed Chapter: 30 on 1/19/2009
Hello Larner,

wow, for such a short ficlet, that was powerful stuff!

But then, you have a gift with your ability to subtly mold a deceptively simple scene into something very profound, which leaves a lingering impression.

And this gift of Rose marvelling at her husband and hardly able to believe her great fortune at capturing his heart is another example of that.

Pure, honest beauty. Excellent work!

M ;)

Author Reply: Thank you, Maureen. This is one of my favorites in many ways, and appears to be one of the favorites of others as well. It was easily approved at HASA and won a first in the MEFAs when it competed.

And as she came to appreciate just what Sam had accomplished with Frodo it must have amazed her the more that he returned to the Shire and to her.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 30 on 5/2/2007
Well, there may be some arguments why Sam could have stayed in Gondor, but I doubt he would've been happy. His love for the Shire, and Rosie, was stronger. And he isn't overly fond of all the honours, if I recall correctly *thinks back to a certain circlet* And after Frodo sailed, I think it was Rosie who kept him grounded.

But I have often wondered how whole and happy Sam truly was, with his beloved Master so far away ...

Author Reply: I, too, doubt Sam would have been happy anywhere other than in the Shire with his wife beside him. What use are honors and lordship if it keeps one from puttering in the garden of Bag End and watching the sunset over the land he knows and loves? Yes, Rosie kept him grounded, as Diamond and Estella kept Pippin and Merry grounded. Once the three wives were gone, however, it must be noted that their husbands all left the land they loved to be with others they also loved in lands far away.

Mostly whole--mostly.

Thanks so much, Kitty.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 30 on 5/2/2007
A beautiful look at Rose and her life with Sam, who was firmly planted in his beloved Shire, even if part of his heart was in the West.

Lovely, Larner!

Author Reply: Yes, part of his heart was in the West, but the one who held that part of his heart wanted the rest of it there, where he'd been planted, with the one he loved and who loved him so.

Thanks so much, Baggins Babe.

LilyReviewed Chapter: 30 on 5/1/2007
This is lovely. I enjoyed Rosie's voice and the fact that she pities "the one waiting there" - even if it's only a little.

Author Reply: I'm so glad you do enjoy her voice, Lily. Frodo has his reward now, but it came at great cost; and it won't be complete until Sam joins him and they go beyond. But Sam's greater reward is here, to find himself where he began and to know THIS fulfillment first; and Rosie has hers for her great patience and faith, and rejoices that this is so.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 30 on 5/1/2007
Aw, but this is such a lovely sketch!

Author Reply: I'm so glad you do, mellon nin. And love to the girls and Bob.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 30 on 4/30/2007
It must have been tough on Rosie, actually - despite her love for Sam. Married to a war veteran who is hankering after his long-gone Frodo over all those years. I'm sure he did his best to be 'one and whole' - but he had shadows she couldn't touch.

Female characters don't get enough credit, on the whole. Unless they're acting like men (Eowyn). Lots of picking up the pieces and enduring. And still Rosie is generous-hearted enough to send Sam off to Frodo rather than trying to blackmail him into seeking a grave in the Shire that his family can tend. Although the whole Shire is his memorial, in a way.

Author Reply: She loves him and he loves her; and she's willing to accept him in spite of the obvious fact an important part of his heart and soul belong to Frodo. She accepts what he can give her, and accepts that when the time is right and she's no longer there to hold him he'll probably go off to find that last missing piece to put himself back together before he dies.

And there's no question you're right about the entire Shire being his memorial. What a wonderful observation!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 30 on 4/30/2007
A delightful glimpse of Rosie

Author Reply: Yes, at times I do manage to actually write short pieces; but this look at Rosie was one that didn't need long explication.

Thanks for the feedback.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 30 on 4/30/2007
A lovely short glimpse into Rosie's thoughts. It must have been hard for her sometimes, knowing and yet not knowing what her husband went through and knowing that part of his heart was somewhere else. But she was the reason he came back, the reason he healed. And it's so like her that she would feel compassion for Frodo.

For some reason this story has got me singing "The Isle of Innisfree."
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: You can know what someone has done without understanding completely what it truly meant; and this is true, I think, of Rosie Cotton right then. And she can't ignore the fact that there's a portion of Sam Gamgee's soul that opens where she can't fully follow. But you're right that she's the reason he came back and was able to remain rooted in the Shire as long as she remained at his side.

Now I'll have to find this song, for it's not one I'm familiar with.

Glad you appreciated this one. Thanks.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 30 on 4/30/2007
... here where the Creator planted him

Beautiful, Larner! I like this image very much!

What Rosie does not consider is that it was in fact the memory of the Shire, the plain life, the everyday procedures and the images of their loved ones that helped the four travellers to carry on! For "There's no place like home!" :)

And she finds she has pity for the one who waits there--some pity, at least.

Rosie is really a gem!

Thank you very much!

Author Reply: Yes, for Sam, this is where he was planted and where he will thrive most fully. You are certainly right that for Sam the idea that his Rosie was waiting for him must have strengthened and heartened him several times through the time he was laboring through difficult lands far away.

And Rosie is indeed the true gem in Sam's crown. And thank you!

RowanReviewed Chapter: 30 on 4/30/2007
Wonderful! I love fics that look at our heroes from an "outside" perspective, even if Rosie isn't exactly "outside". And I can easily imagine the wonder she must have felt that Sam could be fulfilled with her despite all he had seen and done.

Author Reply: I love such stories, too-obviously! And so many military wives, as noted below, have felt wonder that their husbands would return to them in spite of the wonders and terrors they faced.

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