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Via Dolorosa or The Way of Sorrows  by Antane 5 Review(s)
ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/17/2006
This is my favorite one yet, Antane!

The caring and love you describe between Frodo and Sam ... they truly have a remarkable and uniquely special relationship, as we all know.

And just as their love and care is reciprocal, so too is their concern, sorrow, and suffering. Sam suffers because he feels he can't do enough for his master's sake; Frodo suffers because he knows Sam is suffering and he wonders what he ever did to deserve such a friend to begin with.

I thank you, but mere words are not enough. They are completely inadequate for all you do for me, each and every day. I promise you that your reward will be to see all your efforts were not in vain. You will see me healed one day.

Ah, how very true that will be ... after much more suffering. In my job I've often wondered which is worse--being the one suffering from so much pain and hopelessness ... or being the one forced to watch such suffering occur, knowing there is little that can be done to ease it?

~Elemmírë~

p.s. I don't know about anyone else, but I for one certainly wouldn't mind reading an expanded version of Frodo's fall from the haycart and the loving care he received from Bilbo and Sam. Just what was Frodo doing jumping off a haycart anyway? :D

Author Reply: Hantanyel, my dear! So glad you enjoyed it. I think it was St. Terese of Liseiux (spelling?) that said there was no greater suffering on earth than to watch someone loved and be helpless to do anything about it. Sam definitely knew that suffering. I'd like to see that haycart accident and aftermath myself! :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/17/2006
Hiding his pain is a hard habit to break even when he knows there are people who see stright through the effort. Being with someone in pain and not being able to ease it is even worse pain.

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/17/2006
I have held out my hand to you at times during the night when I wake sometimes and almost get up to check on you when something wakes me and I know you are hurting and needing to be held. I don’t get up, but I do hold out my hand and I hope you can feel it. If I can feel your pain, I hope it works both ways and you can feel all the love I want to send you.

A very credible depiction of the aftermath of loss. I bet he did feel it!

~~~{~@




LarnerReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/16/2006
I must indeed hold the hope the love is felt, and now on both sides.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/16/2006
Now I see what's going on. Finally. Even while Frodo is remembering the first days of the quest, he's still trapped in Mordor, in the fire. I hope, though, that further on he'll have some happy memories as well to relieve the suffering a little.

Dear, devoted Sam, still longing and trying to comfort Frodo even though he can't reach him now.

This whole chapter is very vivid and poignant.
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: Hantanyel, ammelda! I'm glad you see what angle Frodo is looking at all this through. Sam can still reach his Frodo, never fear that. :) (Got your EBH e-mail, many thanks, will respond soon I hope, tomorrow at the latest).

Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)

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