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Moments in Time  by Larner 18 Review(s)
TeresaReviewed Chapter: 35 on 12/30/2017
I think that the entire Fellowship were being shaped that way. Boromir s was darkened briefly; but his strength and light held at the end. I wonder how Legolas and Gimli s lights blended? Starlight and firelight perhaps? They were also brothers of the heart and soul. Many thanks for posting this! :)

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 35 on 9/5/2007
Thank you so much, Larner! That is a beautiful look at the Fellowship in Lothlorien - and I'm not surprised that Galadriel and Celeborn can see the honing of the light in them and how they fit together. The image of Frodo being cut for a briefer flowering than Aragorn is telling - he needed to withstand a great evil over a short time, while Elessar needed endurance. Good to see the understanding between elf and dwarf growing in strength, too.

I am so behind in reading - and it was such a thrill to find this. Like having a second birthday!

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you finally had time to read this, Bodkin. And that you agree with the image of Frodo being swiftly whipped into shape while Aragorn might be prepared at leisure is reassuring, for some reason.

And it was there in Lothlorien that we are told Gimli and Legolas first began seeking out one another's company, often spending hours at a time together away from the other members of the Fellowship.

And hope that your birthday was a joyful one. May the coming year bring you much fulfillment.

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 35 on 8/9/2007
Absolutely lovely. Just got back from Germany day before yesterday so I'm catching up. The image of the constellation is breathtaking, so is that of souls being "carved" like gemstones to catch the light in every facet. I wrote a poem somewhat along those lines many years ago, don't know whatever happened to it. Wasn't that good, really, but I still love the image. (Have to admit, I love gems, although I don't wear jewelry very much) Love the stars also. And this line: “Light for the world of Arda to find itself by, perhaps.” Perfect!

A beautiful and endearing piece.

~~~{~@

Author Reply: Oh, then I'm so glad I posted The Cook-off today, then! You'd think I knew!

And am so very glad you, also, appreciated the imagery in this one. And Middle Earth has a chance at a new start due to these who remain of the Nine, and the one who will be sent back....

Thanks so much.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 35 on 8/8/2007
Constellations of light! I loved this, a beautiful picture of the ongoing rendering by the Master Sculptor. The description of Aragorn, giving himself up with trust, joy, and eagerness, was wonderful, and the contrast with Frodo was heart-breaking.

Reminds me of a conversation I had with a mom who'd had increasingly short labours to bring forth her children. Forty-five minutes, the third-to-last. Half an hour, the second-to-last. The last one was just one overwhelming push. She said the shorter the labour, the harder it was and the greater the pain. There's something to a longer labour for loosening up the muscles, or something. Chipping away in littler bits, the way you put it.

Author Reply: I am so honored you found this one beautiful, Lindelea. Aragorn has been being shaped and tested for decades now; Frodo's only truly been tested in the last year.

The likening of the necessarily shortened shaping of Frodo to the woman whose labors grew so obviously shorter each time is so apt! Thank you for sharing!

Thanks so much!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 35 on 8/8/2007
What a beautiful idea! I could almost see the lights glowing as I read this.Our heroes are indeed precious jewels!

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you like it, Linda. Jewels indeed, shining to light the way to the new days coming.

Thanks!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 35 on 8/7/2007
Love it that the first thing Gimli and Legolas managed to talk about with each other without insults and even to agree about something was just Frodo and his light of being. Gimli seeing it as a jewel is only logical, as is Legolas seeing it as a vessel filled with the light of stars, I think. And the details are fascinating, as was their similar outlook at the other members of the Fellowship. A beautiful piece, Larner!

Author Reply: Am so glad you agree about the logic of Gimli seeing it as a jewel and Legolas as the vessel. They are realizing at last that they share such a love of beauty and equal degrees of faithfulness.

Thank you so much, Kitty!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 35 on 8/7/2007
“He’s being carved upon, as if under the hands of a far greater craftsman than I’ll ever be,” the Dwarf continued. “The great gem of his being is being polished, its facets carefully angled to catch the slightest light.”

Oh, my dear Larner, that has to be the most beautiful description I have heard of Frodo! And indeed right that the carving of the Craftsman had to be quick and sharp and painful but think of the tremendous beauty of the finished gem! I think, I hope, that is what Sam saw at the Fire, but what he saw when he went West, would have been even greater as Frodo would have still been a work in progress at the Mountain. What a moving description of the shaping of such a beloved child. And Sam not even being aware that he too is being shaped. Interesting that Frodo was aware. Can I have the honor please of this gracing my website?

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: In one way Frodo had two differing powers seeking to shape him; and if the great Craftsman is hurrying to see him properly shaped, it is perhaps to keep him from being mis-shaped by the Ring and the Will that empowered it.

No, Sam isn't as aware how he himself is being shaped--but that won't last, unfortunately.

And you have my blessings to see this posted on your website. Thank you for the honor.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 35 on 8/6/2007
What a beautiful image you paint, Larner!

And once again you chose an unusual perspective: Gimli and Legolas, who seemed to have not much in common. But still they come to the same conclusion about Frodo, Sam and Aragorn! Wonderful!

And even if, or maybe just because dwarf and elf are so different, they make the perfect team:

“And look there--have you ever seen two Lights of such disparate origin yet so perfectly matched?”

Thank you!

Author Reply: These two are just beginning to realize how much they have in common, including their common love of beauty and respect for honor. And those three they watch most closely are those who together will be used to see the balance set right again; it's only natural they should find themselves learning to appreciate one another in their mutual appreciation of those three.

And thank you for your comments! Thank you so much.

PeriantariReviewed Chapter: 35 on 8/6/2007
HOw beautiful! So interesting to see your analogy that Frodo is a jewel being chiselled and how Legolas and Gimli perceive Frodo and Sam is right on in how i view them as well!

¡°As a vessel increasingly filled with the Light of stars,¡± admitted Legolas. ¡°It is interesting that both of us appear to see the same thing in him.¡±
That is beautiful...reminds me of what Gandalf thought about Frodo in Rivendell when Frodo first woke.

Loved that bit about Sam too~
¡°--he will be a jewel to endure. Not starlight in that one, though--he¡¯s a gem of sunlight, and Mahal rejoices to see how each new facet makes that plain.¡±
So cool to hear Gimli say this... it's as if new things are being perceived by both Elf and Dwarf in Lothlorien. :)

Author Reply: For those who are perceptive, I'd think that the dedication Frodo made to protecting the Shire and then all of Middle Earth would make the Light at the core of his being obvious to those of discrimination. Both he and Aragorn could command such loyalty so swiftly and easily.

And I've long felt that part of the reason Gimli and Legolas were chosen as members of the Fellowship was due to their own innate ability to recognize and respond appropriately to such nobility, just as Gandalf has already done.

Yes, Elf and Dwarf are truly appreciating there is more between them than ancestral disdain for one another's race. For Legolas it's in terms of the Lights with which he is most familiar; with Gimli it's the great beauty of jewels that catch and sometimes contain Light within themselves; but they are at last reaching that relationship that makes the two of them brothers indeed.

utfrog98Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 8/6/2007
Simply marvelous. Beautiful symbols.

You and Bodkin are jewels to treasure.

Author Reply: Thank you so much, utfrog98. I am honored, and I'm certain Bodkin is as well.

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