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Might Have Beens by Larner	20 Review(s)
Ainariel	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/3/2011
My apologies for leaving such a tardy review - but I found I had to read this a couple times before I found what I wanted to say. The first time I read it, I HATED it (or so I thought) but the idea kept working on me and wouldn't let go. The more I thought about it, the more plausible it seemed...and my mindset went from "Sam wouldn't do that!" to "Could the Ring have done much that to Sam?" He was a Ringbearer, after all, and who knows what seeds It could have planted in the brief time he carried it? And it really isn't that much of a stretch to twist caring/protective into possessive/obsessive, especially when you add a touch of supernatural influence. So...I can tell you I probably won't read it again (Too Creepy) but I've found that I do like the fact that it really made me think about the lasting effects such a thing as the One Ring might have had! Glad to see the new Chapter in "In Empty Lands"!! Author Reply: I don't mind when people find themselves either revisiting stories or coming to them long after they were posted, actually. This was difficult to write, for all that the story, once it began occuring to me, insisted I stay up all night to see it written. It's not in my nature to enjoy writing particularly dark stories, and this was one of the darkest. C.S. Lewis, in The Great Divorce, noted that the greatest of virtues make the worst sins when they are twisted: loving mothers become child-devouring monsters; faithful ministers become intolerant judges for witch hunts and inquisitions; responsible men become wife beaters and abuse their children. And so it is here. In one story I'd just read, Frodo explains to Sam he and the other Ringbearers must leave Middle Earth, as the rings they bore tied them all to the One Ring, which Sauron had inadvertently made an extension of Angainor, and thus they had all become conduits of Morgoth's evil. Only by going to Aman could they protect those they loved in the mortal lands from the direct influence of Morgoth. The idea that Sauron had been influenced by his former master to teach the forging of such rings and that through them Morgoth could gain a toehold in Ennor was a fascinating and disturbing one, I found. And then this story started working at me--what if the virtue of Sam's love HAD been twisted by his exposure to the Ring.... Glad that you found that this caused you to think. I'm just glad I could confine it to a single-chapter story, as I don't think I could have borne writing it over multiple days. And it's not one of my stories I reread often.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/4/2009
I can see that I left you a complete and comprehensive review of this wonderful, if extremely grim, piece! :) Will try to do better for the MEFAs. Author Reply: So, you reread it. Now and then I do so, too, and find myself shuddering. I am so glad Sam was NOT this way!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/26/2009
I...I... I don't know what to say. reads everyone else's intelligible responses I can't think...not objectively anyway. I want to cry and can't because it's too depressing for tears. The debate about suicide runs over me like water off a duck's back. Being evangelical it's not like that for me...but I will say that I believe he would be pitied and forgiven...if that didn't apply under those circumstances, we couldn't say "God is love." (I'm so sorry, by the way, that you've had such unpleasant experience with other evangelicals, and, being an evangelical, I'm going to tell you that I understand completely what you mean. Passing judgment can be a difficult fault to overcome - for me, it is at times - but it's almost always the wrong approach, and if more of our fellow Christians realized that, this world might have a little less discord in it.) But back to the story. This isn't Sam, and that's not love...it's possessive obsession, and abuse. I find myself wondering what Rosie thought of all this - but I'm not asking for a sequel, mind, I wouldn't wish that task on anyone, especially not one of the authors I've so come to admire and love. I know, though, that sometimes the darkness has to be written out so that the light shines brighter...or else just to get it out because it won't leave you alone. This is nightmarish and numbing and heart-shattering, but the end is hopeful. Elanor couldn't completely forget in the end, and maybe she will take part in bringing her father back from the darkness he's fallen into. To be more positive, you show yet another facet of your amazing talent in this. I'm not going to try to describe it because I can't, but wow. Finally cries over it Okay, now I need to go find something bright to read. Author Reply: As I said in my author's notes--this nasty little plotbunny or nuzgul was so deeply attached to me I had to write it away, and I doubt I will entertain many of such stories--thank God. My brother-in-law joined one of the evangelical congregations, and it has made him a far better person than he was before, so I know that most are not as I've found the likes of Josh or George, two of the most obnoxious self-proclaimed "righteous" evangelical Christians who are anything but that I've ever come across. But as I said, the absolute worst intolerant soul I've encountered so far personally is a minister of my own church. I used to feel tainted when I found myself reading his venom on our world-wide Anglican list. Am sorry to give you tears such as this must have raised. And I'd have you know that this is a story I rarely reread--in fact I haven't reread it since a couple days after writing it. I just finished the story that will be posted on my birthday next month--I think you'll find it far more enjoyable!

Ainu-Yavanna	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 3/19/2009
I read this story in January and it kept going through my mind since then. You are on of my favorite authors of LotR-fanfiction, I especially love "For Eyes To See as Can" and "The Acceptable Sacrifice". I adore your diligence and your thoroughly inside in all of Tolkien's works. You say there was a Nazgûl driving you to write down this story. It must have been the Witch-King of Angmar, so dark is it. When I read this story, my inside was screaming: What of Merry and Pippin? They threw the ruffians out of the Shire and cannot handle a mad Sam! What of Thain and Master of Brandy Hall, Frodo is kin, would they not intervene? What of Aragorn, would he not help earlier, he, who is king, warrior, healer and a wise diplomat. Would they all accept Sams selfish claim on Frodo. Would they all abandon the Ringbearer? But what really still makes me shiver is the idea of Eru punishing our selfless, forgiving and loving Frodo for his suicide after all his suffering. I don't believe in God, but being raised evangelic I internalized the idea of God as a loving and forgiving Father. Tolkien was a Catholic, but he said in one of his letters that Frodo was up to throw himself into the fire together with the ring, had Gollum not been there to save him. What then, would he be guilty in this case too for ending his own life, for not being able to part with the ring and would he be denied the admittance to the world of the dead? No father who deserves this title would be so cruel. Author Reply: As I said, this was a very dark AU, and there is a reason it is AU--Sam was NOT that kind of person, and the others were also not that kind of people. But if the influence of the Ring HAD lingered under the surface--could this have happened? The Roman Catholic church and the Jewish faith both have historically seen suicide as the worst of sins, and those who committed suicide were not buried in hallowed ground. In Jewish communities suicides were buried by custom outside the fence of the proper cemeteries; in Christian Europe they were buried at crossroads where it was hoped their spirits would be so confused they couldn't find their way home to disturb their families. However, within the past century both the Roman Catholic Church and Union of Orthodox Rabbis have ruled that in most cases those who commit suicide had to have been suffering from some form of mental illness, usually a serious form of depression; therefore, as they were not in their right minds they are forgiven the sin of self-destruction and are buried anyway within the cemeteries. Now, Roman Catholic tradition has allowed for one form of suicide--if a person purposely allows himself or herself to starve to death for a specific purpose. The Jewish traditions honor those who will commit suicide rather than to allow themselves to be dragged from Judaism through a conversion to a different faith supported by physical force and coersion. And both honor those who have chosen death over being forced to betray their faith, others, or their principles--martyrdom. So things are not all cut and dried. In the case of Frodo in this story, I truly believe that the thrusting of Frodo through the Doors of Night was merely a diversion so as to keep Morgoth so distracted Sam or Elanor might be influenced to slay Ungoliant's physical form as it came forth, saving the world from the evil she represented and the return of Morgoth within the Circles of the Arda to the torment of all the Children of Iluvatar. You will note that Frodo's fear and torment cease immediately once she is no more! Had Frodo thrown himself into the volcano, I strongly suspect that he would have been accepted as a martyr as well as one who was clearly so under the influence of the Ring he recognized he was suffering from Ring-induced madness and that he would have gone totally insane had he thrown the Ring away so. Both are "acceptable" reasons for suicide, the former blessed, and the latter recognized as due to mental illness, not purposeful, spiteful self-destruction. As for God Himself--I do not believe that He ever sees us as blackly as we see ourselves and one another. We human beings are so quick to judgment and mutual condemnation! I am not Roman Catholic but from a related denomination, and our church long, LONG ago became much less dogmatic about what God will and won't accept than the RCs, and more willing to allow God Himself to make that plain rather than US making judgments in His Name! As for Evangelical Christians I have known--too many of the most judgmental and intolerant folk I have known personally have been from that tradition or were raised strict Southern Baptists. Their intolerance and disdain and dismissal and condemnation of others who do not believe precisely as they do is often so complete that they give ALL Evangelicals and other fundamentalist Christians a bad name they don't necessarily deserve. Although the one person so intolerant I put a permanent filter on his email was a minister from my own denomination who I would swear would have done well as a member of the Spanish Inquisition, for he would have happily lit the fires to burn all he personally disapproves of at the stake! I feel somehow tainted knowing he is in such a high position within my denomination and leading as prominent a congregation as he does! I DO believe in God, and doubt sincerely He will willingly allow us to suffer eternally. If we do suffer eternally, I see it as due to our own choices, NOT His. He is ever there, calling us back to Him. It is OUR privilege to respond to that call, and if we refuse He will allow us merely to suffer the misery of such separation until we are willing to turn to Him of our own will.

Independence1776	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 2/3/2009
Oh, my word. This was a wonderful story, and I am so glad I waited until I had the time to read it properly. I don't really know what to say except well done! How Sam acted, that Morgoth was that cunning (and I can frankly believe him to be so), and that Elanor was the one to balance everything. Stupendous. I find the part about Morgoth being part of the Ring easily believable, especially since Tolkien said that Morgoth put a part of himself into the very planet and therefore his taint touches everything. And since the Ring was made of gold... ~ Indy Author Reply: Thank you so, Indy. Sam was no longer the Sam we know and love, as Morgoth had been able to enter into him and change him; and it was his daughter who indeed must balance things once more. And if the world is Morgoth's Ring, then it is more imperative we seek to deny him access to our inner selves, while it is more likely he can sneak in access in spite of us. And you're right about the gold.... Thanks so for the comments!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 2/2/2009
A truly chilling story that sent shivers down my spine.How fine a line between good and evil we tread!Very thought provoking and well written. Author Reply: And it was intended to spark thought. Am so glad it has managed to do as intended. Thanks so, Linda.

cookiefleck	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/30/2009
It was a very dramatic story, but the characterization of Sam was so counter to the "real" character that I found myself waiting for a "twist" that would explain the new, horrific personality. I was a little unclear about the ending... was Sam "possessed" so to speak and therefore acting OOC or was it your intention just to play with the idea of a different ending to the (LOTR) story? Author Reply: Yes, in this version of the story, Sam was possessed in part by Melkor at least at the point he kidnapped Frodo and to a lesser extent perhaps afterward; and if this had happened, then what might have happened from there? I found it a disturbing idea, and as I said in my author's notes, it's been working at me, and largely as the result of having to put up with the behavior of one individual not on this board. Melkor/Morgoth, after all, was Sauron's mentor and was the true author of discord and ambition within Arda.

Socrates399	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/30/2009
Wow...that was creepy!...and depressing... I must say that it wasn't my favorite. I thought Sam's first action--brandishing Sting against the Elves, and actually injuring Frodo--was too out of character, too suddenly. His gradual self-delusion and increasing cruelty made sense, but the first act was so extrememly cruel that I just couldn't buy it. I don't mind AU--I enjoyed the one (can't remember the title) where Sam has to kill Frodo before they get to Rivendell) but I thought that was a tragic possibility given the story. That being said, I probably don't fully appreciate the story because I'm not a Silmarillion/Unfinished Tales/etc. aficionado, and I am probably more than a bit biased since Sam has been my favorite character in any book for twelve years, now. Thank you, though, for all your stories. I really enjoy (most of) them. (See, I'm sure that you want both the good and bad reactions to their stories, but now I'm having a guilt trip for leaving a negative review :-( ) Author Reply: I am imagining, Socrates, that in this instance Sam has been possessed by the will of Melkor, who was far more powerful than had been Sauron, being a full Vala. Having started the process by taking advantage of Sam's grief and selfish desire to keep Frodo by him, Melkor then withdraws sufficiently to allow Sam's further deterioration to proceed on its own. As I said, this was one that started working on me, and I do not desire to write any more than this in this particular possible world. And I am glad you like most of the rest of what I write. I'll probably not write another dark AU for some months--I'm rather glad I don't get such bunnies attacking me very often. I have no desire to become another Stephen King!

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/30/2009
How terribly disturbing! I see that Fiondil has already set you straight on the Church's teaching on suicides so I will just say bravo to him and not add anything else. I am very glad this didn't happen! Such a total twisting of Sam's love from total selflessness to total selfishness. I am not a reader of Stephen King but didn't he write a story of an obsessed fan holding her 'beloved' hostage? How terrible for them all including the king. Love the ending though - when Ungoliant is defeated at last. I would not wish Frodo to be damned and perhaps her demise is the good God took from Frodo's death. Too sad for them all. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: As I said in my comment to Fiondil, my decidedly Anglican mother and her strongly Roman Catholic friend would go round and round about the fate of those who committed suicide, and the friend was certain they'd damned themselves from the moment they even considered the idea killing themselves. That both the Vatican and the Union of Orthodox Rabbis have embraced my mom's opinion on the situation is a relief. And in this case, the idea that Frodo's presence might have been intended as a ruse to mislead Melkor in order to destroy still another of his attempts to reenter Ennor is always a possibility. Ah, yes, I remember when my late husband was reading Misery. As he didn't have good enough tactile discrimination to be an efficient braille reader, he did all his reading via talking book, so when he read a book, I usually heard more of whatever was his current book than I perhaps wanted to hear. Shuddering at the memory of what that nurse did to her captive writer! Obsession of that sort is so destructive! As for Frodo's ultimate fate HAD this version happened--well, as Fiondil pointed out, the Star of Hope returned once Ungoliant was destroyed. In this case, redemption is now again a possibility for both Frodo and Sam.

Fiondil	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/30/2009
A very dark tale indeed, Larner, and a most interesting re-interpretation of Againor. While the Catholic church officially frowns on suicide, its stance these days is more forgiving than it once was, recognizing that the person is most likely not compose mentis and that God is more forgiving than we humans are of our frailities. That is why suicides are no longer buried on unhallow ground at the cross-roads. The Church has wisely decided to leave any judgments to God and hopes for the best (as must we all who are inheritors of the Marring and its consequences). At any rate, I like to think that Frodo being sent to the Void was indeed a ruse on the part of the Valar and that once Ungoliant was slain, he was released to Mandos for healing before being sent beyond the Circles of Arda. The very fact that Eärendil rises at that precise moment is the clue for me (plus I'm an optimist anyway grin). I'm almost sorry to have been one of your inspirations, but I'm glad my Wars of the Valar have provided you with food for thought. Thanks for the dedication. Author Reply: I'm glad that the RC church is more forgiving than it once was, as I remember hearing some spirited debates between an RC friend and my CE mother when I was younger on suicide and mental illness and whether or not the act of suicide could ever be justified. Yes, the rising of Earendil is an important clue! There I agree with you. And I prefer the portion of inspiration that came from your story to the one offered by TR, believe me! That one's often twisted logic and controlling personality led to the characterization of Sam here, and it's not one I can deal with easily, I find. And I'm glad to have been able to dedicate this to you at least in part.

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