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Reunion  by Larner 10 Review(s)
AntaneReviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/18/2006
"Thank you for trusting us with your treasure for so long, and for coming to seek it at the last.”

If you love someone, set them free. If you freely let go of your treasure, it will be returned to you.

Love this and Frodo acknowledging the best birthday present he could have ever rec'd. And laying down and offering ourselves up... They did that on the Quest, too, offering themselves up as living sacrifices.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Well, they offered to sacrifice themselves on the quest, but have learned in the intervening years what a living sacrfice truly is. Now the time is come to give back the gift, and they are ready, having lived fully and now looking at dying well.

And what is truly sacrificed is not consumed or destroyed, but fulfilled.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/18/2006
All the letters and messages! How lovely that the communication could be sent! Narcissa and Brendi's letters were lovely, and I was so touched by the letter to Elrond.

It's just a shame that the letters have to be one-way only...

Author Reply: I agree about the difficulties of the communication being so largely one-way. I think you'll appreciate the final chapter.

But once folks realized Sam was leaving to follow Frodo, they must have wanted to send what they could. And Frodo would have loved knowing things went so well for Brendi and Narcissa, I think.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/16/2006
Wow! This was a very powerful and moving chapter. All of the letters and pictures brought tears to my eyes. I loved the fact that Aragorn and his family were able to send letters and pictures to Elrond and Celebrian... that is a comforting thought and there is certainly no reason that they couldn't do something like that. There is so much here in this chapter that it's hard to comment on it all, but I will just say that I enjoyed it very, very much. :)

Author Reply: The desire to be remembered along the way to those who have been removed is a driving force in much of human nature, or we wouldn't love to consult mediums, spiritualists, channelers, and so on. The idea that someone will soon follow a departed loved one does tend to bring out the messages; and I can't imagine that Aragorn and Arwen would be much different from us more normal ones.

So glad you appreciated this chapter, Radbooks. Hope your summer vacation is pleasant.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/15/2006
"Messages of Love", indeed! A wonderful chapter!

Not only Frodo received letters from his friends and kin, but also Elrond and all the members of his family.
I liked it that the children of Aragorn and Arwen do not only resemble their parents (and ancestors) but also Frodo and Sam. Of course, Sam has not yet recognized it ;-)

He gave Sam a piercing look. “And where has he had monuments made to me?”

LOL! Olorin just can't get completely rid of Gandalf. Gandalf is a part of him. And Gandalf will be known in Middle Earth for a long time, just look at all those monuments.
And he's right, who else would have been able to light all the candles on Frodo's birthday cake at once?



Author Reply: The recognition by Sam and Frodo is coming, and hope you enjoy it when you find it.

And I don't think Olorin would WANT to completely get rid of Gandalf--he WAS Gandalf for 1500 years of Men, after all. So glad you liked he lit the candles for Frodo.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/15/2006
A very touching chapter, Larner! I was constantly in tears, althoug tears of joy this time. As I said before, it was so good Frodo had all these letters from his loved ones, and I am glad Sam thought to bring letters and pictures from Aragorn and his family as well. It must mean so very much for Elrond and Celebrían.

What a party for Frodo, having not only Elrond and his family there, but three Maiar and Finrod and Finarfin! It tells a lot about the honour given to the hobbits there, I think. And *of course* Sam had to argue a bit about Elven Lords doing the washing up *grin*

and he has the folk of Umbar terrified of him, although he has never openly spoken a word of threat against them Well, that had me laughing. That's not a bad thing, considering what I know so far of Umbar. If they don't have changed considerably over the years, it is good they fear Eldarion, as they are far less likely to attack Gondor then.

Frodo and Sam doesn't seem to be surprised or confused about what Aragorn wrote about the care for his lost brothers. Did anyone ever tell them about this, I wonder?

Ruvemir carved a statue of Gandalf for the throne rooms? Oh, that is truly fitting! Lovely idea!

Author Reply: So glad the tears this time are joyful ones. I AM one day going to buy stock in Barnes and Noble and in a tissue company, as I support both so much! Heh!

That the folk of the Shire would send messages via Sam and that Aragorn and his family would seek to do so via Celeborn just felt right to me. And I'm certain at least some of the great Elves tied to Galadriel and Elrond would seek to know Frodo during his stay.

And yes, of course Sam would feel it's wrong to have great Elves waiting on him in this way.

In the appendices Tolkien describes the history of Umbar as the initial center of Numenorean contact in Middle Earth, and how it broke from Gondor and housed the Black Numenoreans and those who followed Castimir the Usurper, and so became one of the centers of illegal and antisocial activities on the continent as well as being allied with Sauron. It's been fun trying to imagine what kind of government they might have and their reactions to the renewed line of Kings in Gondor and Arnor.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/14/2006
I am so glad that Elrond and Celebrian have news of their family and Sam is experiencing the happiness that Frodo now enjoys.YOu make it all seem veryreal.

Author Reply: I'm certain Aragorn and Arwen would try to send messages of reassurance to their absent family and let Elrond and Celebrian know how things have settled out for them.

Sam needed the full reassurance Frodo was indeed healed; Frodo needed Sam's experience to fulfill his nature as a mortal. And am so glad you both like it and find it realistic. Thank you so much!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/14/2006
I was getting more and more tears in my eyes reading this tonight Larner and it is not just because I am so tired. I could go on and on about it if it wasn't midnight already and I have to be up at six to go home and take Mum to the docs for a medication review. I love the letters and the meeting under the tree and most of all the likenesses to 'family' members. I would love to see more of this story from Elrond's POV and, as I nagged Shirebound (I think it was anyway!) from Gandalf's side. Perhaps something about the Cormacolindor from the other Ringbearers, not forgetting Cirdan. I often think of he, Sam and Bilbo as kindred souls in that they all gave up rings of power.

Now what was I saying about keeping this short and going to bed?....at least it is a little cooler for sleeping.

Author Reply: Chapter fourteen is much from Gandalf's point of view, as is part of fifteen as well.

The idea of Cirdan, Sam and Bilbo are kindred spirits is a fascinating one, and would be a fun one to explore some time. Now you've let another nuzgul loose, and I still don't have all I'm dealing with now corraled!

Love to your folks.

AspenJulesReviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/14/2006
I've finally settled on what is so beautiful about this story, and so many others of the fine stories originating from the wonderful original, and that is LOVE. These stories contain so much of love, compassion, appreciation, kindness, joy, gentleness (I could go on and on) that is lacking from the world we live in, and shouldn't be. *Sigh* Whether it be Minas Tirith under King Elessar, the Shire, or Valinor... don't you just wish you could live there too?

Author Reply: The Lord of the Rings has always caught at the imagination because it so firmly figures how HOPE is meant to be expressed and fulfilled; and am so glad you find all these positive aspects to my additions to it. Thank you so much!

And I'd love to spend time in the White City and the Shire!

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/14/2006
I like the hobbits being able to get in touch with Aragorn through the tree. And the letters and pictures are so nice!

~~~{~@

Author Reply: There's at least rudimentary awareness through the Trees, which is reassuring to all sides, I think.

And we so want to be able to communicate with those we truly love who are far away--the idea someone is headed that way possibly would be an open invitation to try to slip on a note of love and reassurance, I'd think. So glad you approve!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 12 on 6/14/2006
"We have been greatly honored that we were allowed to cherish him."

Indeed, so have we all. What a lovely chapter. I enjoyed the letters very much.

Author Reply: Am so very glad you appreciate it, Shirebound. And I think one such as Frodo deserves cherishing.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

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