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Via Dolorosa or The Way of Sorrows  by Antane 3 Review(s)
harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/5/2007
Ah, wise Sam. Even by Lorien he knows that the only way back is by going forward. Bitter-sweet Antane. Sam has spent so long protecting Frodo by holding him close now to do that he must trust the Elf-magic he holds dear and let Frodo go beyond his physical sight for a while.

Author Reply: Or more correctly, his physical arms, since he still holds him in his heart and there is that 'Elf-magic' that allows him to physically see Frodo as well - a gift from Iluvatar though he knows it not. Hannon le for all your reviews, my dear harrowcat!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/4/2007
Oh, I admire you for what this must take...I could never do it...this made me cry.

I know I cannot, but I shall try in my own small way to show you anyway.

Oh, Frodo, you just don't know...

You carried your beloved pots and pans nearly all the way to the Fire, but left them in that foul place,
the better to carry me, though neither of us knew it at the time. You left blood, sweat and tears. You were willing to give me your life. Oh, my Sam, how
could I ever make that up to you?

But love doesn't ask to be made up to; it gives, and it's enough to have the joy--yes, and pain--of the love itself, if that makes any sense.

The Lady spoke of the Enemy seeking her mind and reaching it not. So I wish it could have been for me, but I was laid bare to the lidless Eye. I knew him
and he knew me. She passed her test. I did not. I am not staring now into a blank nothingness like I did then, for the pain is all around me and I think
at times I see it, a tangled, angry, jagged mess that is stained with my blood.

Oh, that's a terrible wrench just to read! Especially that last sentence. Such vivid imagery.

Such a lovely voice you had, so sad at times for most times the songs were that heartbreaking
and many a tear I shed as a lad listening to them. I remember each one of those times and how you held me at the end of them, rocked me gently, stroked
my curls and just let me cry, sometimes crying with me, until the magic wore off a bit and we came back to the Shire, our backs against your favorite tree,
the picnic lunch already finished off and the sun bright and the air warm.

As painful as Frodo's part of this was, I was doing okay until I got to this. I don't know why it made me cry, but it did. So much pain, but so much love. I wonder how two such seeming opposites can so often go hand in hand.
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: Hantanyel, ammelda for such a long, wonderful review! This was one of my favorite passages to translate and the next coming chapter also that I'll be posting tomorrow. That imagery is painful and vivid, isn't it? No wonder he couldn't write all this down for Sam and everyone to see. Of course Sam would want no thanks for what he so naturally gives but of course Frodo would still want to thank him somehow. :)

Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/4/2007
An Elvish Hobbit, Frodo Baggins. And he holds much love within himself.

Author Reply: Indeed he was blessed with the best of both worlds - Elven and Hobbit. Hannon le for your kind reviews - so glad you are enjoying, my dear Larner!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

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