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Reunion  by Larner 13 Review(s)
AspenJulesReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/9/2006
Wow... what a beautiful chapter. Poor Sam, so excited and terrified in equal measure that his heart almost gave out. Especially as he looked at Bilberry and realized that she was the very last bit of the Shire left to him, and he was leaving her behind. Good thing he'd been taking the athelas drink!

When Celeborn commented on his singing I felt the lump in my throat again... I don't know what it is about this story that just keeps moving me so much, but it does. And Sam's description of what the Ring did to Frodo, likening it to a rape... very very powerful. Can't wait for the two of them to be together again! I'm glad he seems to be getting stronger. Anyway, so very well done.

Author Reply: Thank you, AspenJules. For one such as Sam who was brought up to distrust boats and whose last experiences with boats were all bound to the journey to Mordor, the sailing upon the sea must have been very terrifying indeed, no matter whether they led him to Frodo or not. And in his pony--watching as he pulled away from her must have been a deep grief, as much as he loved ponies to begin with. And certainly aspirin has aided many who experienced heart attacks and strokes.

And I'm glad you appear to find the imagery used appropriate. Thanks so much for the feedback.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/7/2006
Loved the description of the ship and the water and Sam not wanting to look outside at the water. He never has liked the water and I can't imagine he would enjoy being on the ocean. (I however love the ocean and love to take cruises - but that's a different thing altogether!) It was touching how Sam told the story to the elves... I'm sure that most elves never would have heard the story. They would have only known that Sauron had been defeated.

I can't wait for the reunion! :)

Author Reply: Am once again without a computer. Hopefully that won't last long; however, in the meantime I have to borrow someone else's when I can. Please forgive me.

This was the chance to learn the full story from one who lived it, and I think that they will serve as a core of those in the Undying Lands who will keep alive the story and see it disseminated throughout Aman in time. So glad you appreciate it.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/7/2006
Oh. I had already feared Sam would have heart problems, as his master before him. Thank godness he was with elven healers. Frodo would’ve been so very disappointed if Sam had died on his way to Tol Eressea!

Our dear Sam still doesn’t love sailing or boats at all, doesn’t he? It’s amazing he chose to sail at all for the sake of Frodo.

Loved the idea of Sam singing hobbit songs for the elves! And it is so good they were told about the destruction of It through at least one of the eyewitnesses. The elves should know the whole truth, and I think Glorfindel and the others who came last should bring a copy of the Red Book to Aman, to have a full account of it all from the point of view of the hobbits.

Author Reply: Somehow the response I wrote the other night didn't take--must have hit BACK instead of POST again.

Yes, it's as well Sam sailed with a couple Elven healers, and so he could get appropriate aid as he needed it. And I agree that had Sam died en route it would undoubtedly have caused Frodo grief, but at least he'd have known that Sam cared enough to try.

It's always interesting to look at Sam's life-long fear of boats; and to have sailed to rejoin Frodo must have taken a good deal of courage.

I love the idea that Glorfindel and the twins might bring with them a copy of the Red Book--I'll have to explore that some day.

And am so glad you loved the chapter. Thanks for the review.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/6/2006
I just love this! I can't wait for the actual reunion. Yes, Frodo was indeed a victim of a brutal, repeated rape. It's good that he will healed now that he can accept that he is also a hero.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)


Author Reply: Yes, the Ring was a violator of the worst sort, and carrying it must have cost Frodo more than he'd imagined he could bear. And now he is indeed healed, which was necessary.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/6/2006
H'mm. Sam's use of athelas is an indication, is it? I wonder if Frodo could apply it as well as benefit from it...

Sam is full of surprises, I think. He's so modest that even those who know him don't realise quite what he can do. I'm glad he's kept up his Sindarin - and even knows some Quenya. Not that I think he'll need words for long.

Story telling - something to which he is very accustomed. And however much you know, eye witness evidence is something else. It is taking it out of him rather, but I think he would definitely feel it is worth it to have this story told.

There soon now.

Author Reply: You know, I've never considered having Frodo try HIS hand at using the athelas, although I've indicated that not all healers in the Shire have the same level of success with it.

Sam is the one everyone tends to underestimate; but he's the one who was educated alongside Frodo and undoubtedly in part by him as well; he's loved the stories of Elves and I've indicated he's taught at least part times in the Shire schools Frodo endowed; and I think he'd secretly be excellent at reading Sindarin and would understand it fairly well, and that mostly he'd be perhaps shy about speaking it in front of others. Ruvemir in The King's Commission learned his secret, of course, for Mistress Loren had realized Sam was reading and understanding Sindarin; and in the intervening years I think he'd quietly study some Quenya in preparation for one day joining his Master.

And you are right about the eye-witness evidence. But these Elves will serve as part of the core to enlighten all of Aman regarding the victory in the War of the Rings, helping lead up to your New Years Celebration, which as you know is one of my very favorite of your stories.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/5/2006
Poor Sam, i feared he'd never make it with his heart condition but at least he seems to have revived now.I'm glad the Elves enjoy his stories.

Author Reply: Yes, Sam would make it, supported as he is first by the Elves and then by the Valar themselves.

And it's always good to have another group who've heard the story from one of the ones who lived it.

InglorReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/5/2006
Powerful. Beautiful. Unforgetable.

Author Reply: Thank you so very much, Inglor.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/5/2006
Aragorn said Frodo was made of "stern stuff," but I think they all were. I'm so glad Sam was safely on the ship when the seizure finally came, as I was afraid it would.

*chuckles* Poor Hobbit, still doesn't like the water.

He rose and turned away from his audience, took one of his rare looks out the windows at the stern of the ship, looking up at the beauty of
the stars that were visible that night. Finally he spoke. “I understand that rape, the takin’ of a lass or lady by force, isn’t uncommon in the lands
of most Men, and that it often leaves the one as was raped feelin’ destroyed. That’s what the Ring did to my Master--at the end It raped his spirit, took
him by force, tried to make him into Sauron’s image. My gentle, carin’ Master--It took him. And he felt destroyed. He felt destroyed. He felt tainted.
I’m just glad as he was give this grace, and that I’m allowed to come to him again afore we leave Arda.”

Very touching indeed, and the end of this chapter is so uplifting.
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: I, too, found myself glad Sam was aboard the ship when the heart attack came; and that he was with not just one but two healers who'd worked with Elrond.

And am so glad you found Sam's evaluation of what Frodo went through touching.

Hope you are enjoying yourself in Colorado.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/5/2006
Hm... Sam and boats - never a good mix that! I love the bits about Sam singing and the reaction of the elves to him being able to use Kingsfoil.

Sorry about the short review but must hit the sack!

Author Reply: Yes, Sam is an unusual one, and almost all tend to underestimate him. And now he's at last on his way to the one reunion he'd wished above all others.

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/5/2006
You don’t lose what you give up willin’, you understand. Hadn't really thought of it that way, but there's much truth to it. Sounds very Sam, too!

~~~{~@

Author Reply: Oh, I agree--this sounds to be VERY Sam. And that which is properly sacrificed is never lost, but instead is fulfilled, as is the one who makes the sacrifice.

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