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Reunion  by Larner 11 Review(s)
EordemaegReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/4/2015
I had been meaning to write a review of the past chapters, but often neglected to do so every time, since my habitual instinct upon reaching the end of one chapter was to get on to the next, particularly when the writing is unusually good. But allow me to say now that more than once have I been reduced to tears by this story, most especially this chapter. More than that I cannot say; if perhaps I can wring words from tears, I would have a decent length written out in praise of this piece.

Author Reply: Thank you so very much for such kind words. This is the culmination of my own trilogy that I most wanted to write--The Acceptable Sacrifice, Reconciliation, and Reunion, the latter two being far shorter than the first. To know that I've been able to move people with my writing I find most satisfying. Thank you so for letting me know!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/26/2006
I loved the way you showed Melian as truly her father's daughter.

How I wish I could have seen the stars dance !A very moving passing for Frodo and Sam.

Author Reply: I believe all three of Aragorn and Arwen's children (as I figure it, anyway) would have been as extraordinary as their parents. How could the children of such parents be otherwise? And of course Umbar would quickly learn that the women of Gondor are capable as being as formidable as their menfolk. Melian would disabuse the folk of Umbar very quickly, I think.

This is the third time I've visited the dancing stars, and I think each one is beautiful when I reread it. Am so glad that each time it has served to move those who've read it. Thank you so much, Linda.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/25/2006

A lovely passing into the light for the last two Ringbearers! Wonderful that they left together; Sam wouldn't have wanted to be left behind on Frodo's last journey. All in all, a sensitively told story of Sam's last years. I like to think of all those Gardner hobbits enjoying the beauty of the Shire, laughing and loving, as Sam-dad passes from Arda.


Minor quibble - Aragorn and most of his family take off to spend several months in the North while Faramir is in ill health and might have a fatal stroke? Isn't that just a bit cold, not to mention politically tacky for the King to leave for so long during what is probably the last months of his Steward's life? He could have sent Arwen and Eldarion to Annuminas without him, just this once.



Author Reply: Am so glad you appreciated it, Raksha. I'd written in "Filled with Light as with Water" that Aragorn had gone north that spring and summer, and saw the wonder of the dancing stars from Annuminas, Merry and Pippin standing nearby, their families gathered to celebrate Midsummer with the King. Then in "The Choice of Healing" we saw the last evening of the Hobbits, laughing and filled with pleasant anticipation for their departure, then laughing with delight as they rose to dance among the stars.

I never thought of the apparent callousness of Aragorn going north at such a time; and in "The Choice of Healing" I report that Faramir did indeed have a major stroke in May, but was almost fully recovered by the time Aragorn returned in the fall. I'll now just imagine that Faramir insisted that the King go to Annuminas as planned, as first there was no way to say for certain whether worse would follow or not; and secondly, such a visit was not something lightly to put aside with all planning on it for at least a year or two. Hope you don't mind it too much. You'll find if you read "The Choice of Healing" Faramir didn't appear to mind the King's absence.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/25/2006
Why not indeed! What a lovely trip along the way.

Better than mine... just got back from taking a bus-load of teens away for the day. Individually they are great. Together....?!!!?

Author Reply: A busload of teens again, eh? What kind of outing this time?

Life continues a bit hectic, but that's about all I can say at the moment. I'll try to write you personally soon, as I cannot believe what I've faced over the past two months.

And am so very glad you felt that Sam's final response to the invitation was a proper one!

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/25/2006
Oh such a lyrical passing...simply beautiful!! Not so much a death as a rebirth, certainly. But poor Gandalf, left without them! I can hardly think of what it will be like for him...so is there more to come? Yes, yes?

~~~{~@

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/25/2006
So beautiful!

To simply lie down and pass away in peace - who would not wish for that?
To sail with the Mariner to the uttermost west, why not indeed!

And now I'm looking forward to yet more reunions to come! There's still one chapter left...

KittyReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/25/2006
How very typical the Umbarians thought they could get from Melian what they couldn’t get from Aragorn and Eldarion! I’m very pleased to know they were very wrong *eg*

As Ruvemir couldn’t go to Tol Eressea and work there, it is good to know Frodo left these little statues there for them to remember their mortal guests.

Though I – of course! – ended up in tears once again, the way you described the end of Frodo and Sam was wonderful. I loved the idea of them sailing with the Mariner to the West!

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/25/2006
What a wonderful way to go... to just be able to slip away like that when you knew it was your time to go. And, to go with a friend. Simply lovely.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/24/2006
*sigh*

Perfect. The Uttermost West.

Somehow it makes me think of Dawn Treader and the Uttermost East.

The imagery of light and joy and music were perfect.

*sigh*

Author Reply: I certainly hadn't been thinking of Narnia when writing this chapter, but I can certainly understand how you make the connection. Although we don't have Reepicheep's little dory but the Vigilot at the end!

Am so very glad you loved the imagery. I'm always so happy when I learn my writing moves people so. Thank you for letting me know how it's moved you.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/24/2006
Sigh...Perfect. W/out question a perfect ending.

I've enjoyed this story so very much, but w/how crazy life has been for me lately, I thought I'd better wait until the end to leave a review. This was just a very lovely story on Sam accepting the Grace to join Frodo and what happened once he reached Tol Eressea. Just a beautiful and lovely job.

Thanks for sharing it w/us my friend. :o)

Author Reply: Not quite the ending, Tigger. At least one more chapter and Author's notes.

And believe me, your life cannot be anywhere as crazy as mine has been in the past few months. I cannot believe all that has happened to me. This story is the only thing that's kept me somewhat sane.

And thank you so much for your kind words.

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