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Moments in Time  by Larner 9 Review(s)
Galadriel GardnerReviewed Chapter: 100 on 1/26/2023
This is so beautiful! Very well written, very singable at a first look, very Sam with touches of Pippin. Very poignant and descriptive of Frodo. Praise them with great praise, and the true poet, also! Well done!

Author Reply: Am continuing to find your comments, my Lady. This song worked at me until I got it all written out. Am so glad it struck home with you as it has.

estelnalissiReviewed Chapter: 100 on 1/31/2014
Because I can't bear it that Frodo sailed from Middle Earth, I shy away from your stories, but your love for Frodo and the honor you do him and the Hobbits in your heartfelt, complexly imagined, deeply layered writing draws me irresistibly back to read and admire and cry a few tears. Sam's song with Pippin's tweaking is a bittersweet sketch of Frodo's life abbreviated to a dense concentration of detail and emotion. I am especially moved by the verses in which you show Frodo deciding again and again to put the well being of others before his own, eschewing his own happiness and comfort until he's lost the Hobbit's instinct to dwell in cozy community. I brailled this poem, to get it out of the computer so I can read it any time, anywhere to celebrate the profound nobility of Frodo and The Lord of the Rings.

Author Reply: I am so touched by this tribute! There is no question that Frodo Baggins is a most extraordinary being, no matter what his race or native inclinations, and it is his willingness to put others before himself that makes us love him so very much. And I am so honored you brailled this! Somehow I've lost my Duxbury program, or I'd have many of my stories translated into .brf format for those who want to read them using a braille display or other paperless braille device, or have them ready to print to a braille embosser. Again, thank you so much. I, too, grieve that he felt it necessary to leave Middle Earth, but have always felt that it was needed at the time.

Thank you so very much!

GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 100 on 3/27/2010
I can see Sam at the desk in Bag End’s study, furiously writing this, spurred on by the ignorant comments on his neighbors for not understanding Frodo’s role is securing their freedom. Very poignant, and sounds very much like something Sam would write.

Author Reply: We know he wrote some lovely comic poetry in the song of the Stone Troll, but that Sam would find himself compelled to write such as this just seemed so right! Am so glad you find it appropriate to him as well, GamgeeFest. Sam was so worthy a Hobbit! Thank you so.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 100 on 1/24/2010
Oh wow, Larner, that's great! Admittedly I admire everyone who can write that sort of text - I'm absolutely hopeless when it comes to poems and rhymes. You managed very well to put the whole Quest into these verses!

Author Reply: Thanks so, Kitty. I don't do rhymes often, and have to struggle with them so. I started this poem just before my client RA died in November, and put it away for a time while I dealt with her death. Now, it's finally posted, and I found that the other story needed to be told with it. Was so glad for the excuse to write it, too.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 100 on 1/21/2010
Ignore my last comment about needing to post the whole song - reading this backwards and didn't know you had already posted the masterpiece! I love the most the repeating of the first stanza at the end and the determination that he shall sing. Love it and bless dear Sam for it! *hugs him*

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: And don't forget to thank Pippin for his services as editor and first performer! Heh!

Am glad you found it here. And a joyful day to you!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 100 on 1/19/2010
I had every intention of reviewing this right after I read it-- but had to tear myself away to cook supper, and then after supper, my newly upgraded Norton decided to take over my computer for an automatic back-up (thus rendering it so sluggish as to be useless).

Then when I read the first offering of your new anthology, I suddenly realized I'd never got back to this!

This is filled with Sam's powerful emotions of frustration and longing-- I could easily see him pouring his heart out all night long, trying to say what should be said!

What a fitting close to this anthology! I hope you soon fill up your second one!


Author Reply: Oh, I know how it is when computers decide to take on tasks on their own and refuse to answer direct orders! Am glad you got back to this one.

That now and then the pain should return as bad as when Frodo left them only seems normal, as I've certainly found that happens in my life. And that Sam should find himself trying to write out the pain in such a manner also seems likely.

Am so glad you feel this is a good place to stop my first collection; and I found I had to use the backstory for the first of the second one. I'm just glad that so many have enjoyed what I've written.

Thank you so much!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 100 on 1/17/2010
Very well done, Larner!

The Gondorian minstrels would be proud of you (and Sam).
And they would be jealous, because this song gives much inside information they would have loved to know.

P.S.: Happy anniversary! For this is #100 in "Moments in Time".

Author Reply: Yes, this shall become Old 100 now! And indeed there is inside information here.

This ends this collection, and in its way shall start the next. And may these not be forgotten while folk turn onto the new stories!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 100 on 1/17/2010
This is so well done Larner. Is it really six weeks between Rivendell and Moria? How clever of the Prof, and you.

Author Reply: I may have taken liberties with the timeline somewhat--I counted on Sam and Pippin remembering Gandalf saying they must hold to the southern path for forty days before they'd come to where they'd turn, and that this number would be used by Sam in his poem--makes a nice, round number, doesn't it? And reminiscent of other forty days spent in the wilderness....

Sir_MerryReviewed Chapter: 100 on 1/16/2010
Wow! That was beautiful. Wonderfully written! I loved it!

Author Reply: Am glad you do! Thank you so!

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