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Via Dolorosa or The Way of Sorrows  by Antane 5 Review(s)
CibilkaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/7/2022
Lovely series! I've just been in that kind of mood of filling in some gaps in the story. I just can't get enough of these two! What they have is the most precious and beautiful thing in the book for me. My heart suffers for what they both had been through. Frodo losing himself to It, and Sam losing Frodo to It. It's such a tragedy words can't describe. But despite the pain and tribulations, love endures. It was for the best that Frodo didn't tell his friends in advance about his plan, for if he did, he would have met some resistance from his cousins. I doubt Sam would stop him, for he knew in himself that he was hurting beyond words and he deserved to go there for his healing. Hence, why his response was, "And I can't come." I don't know what he would've done if he hadn't married yet! It'd have been more bitter for him, Frodo leaving him alone like that. I believe the latter waited for Sam to settle down with a family so he knew he would be okay once he was gone. And it was time for him to be whole, in the sense that he needn't worry about his master anymore, and he could look after himself and his family.

Author Reply: Thanks so much for this lovely review! I think if Sam hadn't married, he would have followed Frodo right then but who knows, I think it likely. Another beautiful take I read years ago was that Frodo never left, Sam never married and they remained together committed to each other. Love endures, hope endures. This is what true love is - sacrifice, thinking ever of the other never of the self. Such inspirations!

Namarie, God bless,hobbity hugs, Antane :)


AltheaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/24/2006
Oh, that Merry is a sly one all right, getting Pippin on a sugar high to distract Frodo. I'm glad it worked, but I'd hate to be the one to try to get little Pippin to sleep that night.

Author Reply: Me too, I hadn't thought of that! :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/23/2006
Pippin was even then the one to guard laughter and humor, and a useful tool to keep a Baggins laughing in spite of himself. And Frodo's laughter and dancing was even then prized.

And Frodo still sees himself as hurting when he is actually continuing the healing for all.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/23/2006
I hadn't really seen the symmetry of Bilbo leaving Frodo and Frodo leaving Sam before. You have highlighted it well Antane. And I love Sam's detirmination that he will hear his Beloved laugh again!

Oops, I caught a typo!

You helped me so much, dear Sam, that night, determined that I enjoy myself and Merry and Pippin were even {more} determined, though ignorant of what trouble lay upon my heart.

Author Reply: I hadn't realized the symmetry either until I came across this missing text. Interesting though, isn't it? I'll have to fix that typo!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/22/2006
Oh wow! So heartbreaking and full of so much love. The writing of all this had to be part of the healing for both of them. I especially love Sam's part here. And how like Merry to contrive to keep Frodo busy and laughing and use poor innocent Pippin for it! LOL! So sweet. Of course, Pippin would enjoy every minute of it. :)
God bless,
Galadriel

P.S. "So tell me, what did you really think of it..." Hahahahaha! as if it wasn't obvious! LOL!

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