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Well-Earned Comfort by Elemmírë	9 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/25/2007
Ah, why did I wait so long to read this? How truly sweet and lovely, Elemmire. I just love seeing Aragorn as the humble healer/servant. I especially love how you described his hands--used to a sword, battle-roughened, but gentle in the handling of the feet that had walked so far, over so many rough places. Gandalf's tenderness was also very well portrayed, and the detail you put in was amazing! (Ha, makes me wonder if I'll ever manage my Renewal. I already have countless blunders to fix if I don't want to kill our poor Hobbits with improper care.) I'm glad Frodo did respond a little, even if it was such a heartbreaking response. At least they now know he was with them enough to feel it, even if it hurt, poor dear. Now you have me thinking of a tale in which Merry helps with the trimming and grooming and remembers something from long ago--I love those kinds of stories. :) Thank you for a cozy, sweet, loving, heart-warming read! God bless, Galadriel

Anne	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/10/2007
Shirebound says it all. Reading this has a healing effect. Thank you. Anne Author Reply: Wow! Thank you, Anne. I'm very glad you enjoyed this tale and that it had such a positive effect on you. :) Thank you for taking the time to read/review. I really appreciate it! ~Elemmírë~

Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/9/2007
Nice to see this at last, dear Elemmire. :) The humility of Aragorn as healer and friend and future king is well protrayed here. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: I was wondering when I was going to hear from you, Antane. LOL! I'm really glad that you liked this tale and how I wrote it. Now I must say a big Hannon le to you, for our chat regarding Aragorn's own humbleness brought this tale to new heights and brought much more depth to it than I had originally anticipated. I'm sooo glad you enjoyed it! Namarie, ~Elemmírë~

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/8/2007
Oh, now this was wonderful. A rather unique take on what very well would have happened during those first days of Frodo and Sam being brought out of Mordor. However, out of all the various stories out there that focus on the damage done to our two Ringbearers feet, this is the first one I've read where someone has actually given more details to what kind of shape their feet would have been in rather than just having "Frodo and Sam w/tender feet due to their journey." It also makes perfect sense Sam's would be in far worse shape than Frodo's. Although Aragorn and Gandalf don't know it yet, but w/Frodo's weight on his back, of course Sam's cuts would be deeper and need stitches. However, it's the concern of Aragorn for Frodo and Sam having possible kidney damage that hit close to home. I am a kidney transplant recipient (December 10th, 1993) and also spent close to two years on dialysis. When you get to that point, you are on strict liquid restrictions due to both the kidneys not working and the effects of all that liquid on the various portions of the body. Aragorn's concerns and the way he was dealing w/him was dead on target!! Very well done. Sigh...A combination of lavendar and peppermint. Two of my favourite scents, but have never tried them together. Might have to give that one a shot next time I have a migraine/pollen sinus headache. An excellent, excellent story. Thanks for sharing it w/us. :o) Author Reply: Thank you very, very much, Tigger! LOL, I know what you mean when you say Frodo and Sam w/ tender feet, etc. I will admit that I love hobbit hurt/comfort stories ... and the more detail, the better. Maybe it stems from being a healthcare worker, I don't know. But, I also like detail in general as well, which is one of many reasons why I fell in love with Tolkien's writing--it's rich with detail. To me, Sam's feet would be just as hurt as Frodo's, but Frodo's I think would take longer to heal for his body is just so weakened and he has many other injuries to recover from. As for the burns, well movie-Frodo was dangling from a cliff with erupting magma lapping at the soles of his feet ... not to mention I think the rocks of the mountain would be a tad bit hot from the pouring magma. :D To me, being a healthcare worker, it's an honor to receive such a praiseworthy review from a transplant recipient. I'm glad that you were able to be the recipient from a matched donor, for as you very well know there are just so many people on the waiting lists, more than there are donors. Many of the patients I take care of have renal failure of some degree and there are lots who receive dialysis as well, but many do not qualify for a transplant. I hope you're continuing to do well. A boy I once knew finally was able to receive a kidney transplant as well a number of years ago. I really glad you appreciated the medical detail, as I wrote it from my own experiences in the hospital with the patients I see. To me, if Frodo and Sam were deprived of water and were to the point of such severe dehydration, then they would already be in the first stages of acute renal failure. Flooding their bodies with so much liquid after their ordeal would indeed send their sensitive kidneys into shock and into further renal failure that could become irreversible. They would need to take it slow at first in order to reacustom their kidneys to normal conditions again. I'm surprised at all the post-quest healing stories out there, that no one has written one dealing with kidney failure yet. Anyone? I myself find that eating something spicy helps to clear the sinuses. Menthol or eucalyptus works good too sometimes, depending on the severity of congestion. Thanks again for reading/reviewing, Tigger! ~Elemmírë~

lotrgirl1415	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/7/2007
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Just reading all about Frodo’s feet made my own feet start to hurt..:( Poor Aragorn & Gandalf, I couldn’t imagine how it would be like to tend to such a close friend like that. Poor Frodo as well to have such injuries. Will you be continuing this in another story, or anything? You are an excellent writer Elemmírë! Xoxo Lots of Hobbity Love No galu govad gen ---Katie Author Reply: Hello Katie, I'm glad you enjoyed! (sorry your feet didn't, lol) It is hard to tend someone who is sick or hurt in general, let alone when the one suffering is also one you are close to and love. The experience itself can be revealing in regards to one's self and rewarding in some respects, however. Working in the hospital, I see much suffering and it saddens me because I know I cannot always help, but then I realize that help and healing comes in many different forms, not just in the way of a "cure" for a debillitating disease/illness. Hmm, I hadn't planned on continuing this in another tale ... but you never know. :) Thank you very much for your kind words, Katie, and also for taking the time to read & review. Namarie, ~Elemmírë~

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/7/2007
Very carefully thought-out detail. What a picture we have of healer-king, servant-king as well, who has laboured long and hard to reach his destiny, and has earned his place, if not quite yet reached it. I was particularly struck by the last few paragraphs, especially this: He would be the Heir of Isildur, not* Isildur himself* Thanks! Author Reply: Thank you, Lindelea! I'm glad you enjoyed! Aragorn would not be the great king he is if he did not care for those under his service ... and it was the actions and sacrifice of Frodo that ultimately resulted in his ability to bear the crown. He respects Frodo deeply for that and more. The concept of being the Heir of Isildur was perhaps better demonstrated in the movie version, than in the books, but in order for Aragorn to be as humble as he is, I would think he would in some way be frightened of his responsibility to the crown. That he would fear his ancestor's mistakes, for just knowing that same blood runs through his veins as well and that he too, is not infallible. But it is this realization in itself that contributes to Aragorn's own humbleness, for by realizing that he is not Isildur himself can he accept the burden of the crown and all the responsibility it entails. For as Larner said in her review, 'a true king serves more than rules.' ~Elemmírë~

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/7/2007
"As I have washed your feet, I command you to wash one another's feet." So it is that the King of Gondor and Arnor begins his reign, in humble service to others unable at the moment to do for themselves, cleansing their feet to aid them in healing, offering respect to one who above all others deserves it. This would be the King I would gladly follow, one who knows a true King serves more than rules. Author Reply: This was orginally to be a simple tale regarding Aragorn caring for Frodo's battered, wounded feet. As I wrote, I began to realize the humble nature the story was taking and then at one point Antane and I got into a chat comparing the humbleness and humility of book-Aragorn vs. movie-Aragorn. The story seemed to take on a new light and become so much more after that discussion. I agree with you completely. A true King serves all. A true King honors all with respect, regardless of rank or station in life. 'Do unto others as you would have done unto you.' or even better said, "Love one another as I have loved you. And upon just reading your latest addition to 'Moments in Time' it fits nicely with that very sentiment you expressed above and in your own new tale. One thing, young lord--I suggest that you consider the nature of nobility, honor, service, and humility before you present yourself tomorrow before the King.” Thank always, Larner, for reading/reviewing. ~Elemmírë~

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/7/2007
How wonderful. Gentle, attentive humble care given to Frodo makes my heart happy. And little moments like these are so lovely... the tailor from Rohan sewed together the sections of the silk to form a pillowslip, which he then stuffed with the down feathers gifted to him by the Great Eagles themselves upon his humble request for such a purpose to serve and comfort the Ring-bearers. Sleep and heal, dear Frodo. Your friends are with you. Author Reply: I know ... attentive, humble care to Frodo makes my heart happy too! :D When I read your "wish list" on LJ, I realized that we enjoy many of the same things in hobbit fic, so I endeavored to write something for you. I had begun this tale around the time of Easter and it started with a mere sentence describing Aragorn preparing to wash Frodo's battered feet. Then one day soon after Antane sent me a writing regarding the women washing Jesus' feet and she remarked on wishing to read a story where Aragorn treated Frodo as such. I told her I had the early beginings of such a tale and well, it just went on from there. I'm really glad you enjoyed all the little moments/details I included such as the silk pillow. I think all who were present at the Last Battle from the Men to the Eagles would have expressed a desire to help the hobbits in any way that was open to them, for not all could do as Aragorn and Gandalf. Frodo thanks you for the warm sentiment of healing and comfort. ~Elemmírë~

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/7/2007
Definitely well earned comfort Elemmire even if they are in no ste to appreciate it. I am sure the it comforted Aragorn and Gandalf a little to provide it even if Frodo cannot respond as yet. Beautifully described piece of writing Elemmire. Author Reply: Thank you so much, Harrowcat! Although it tears at their hearts to bear witness to poor Frodo and Sam's wounds begotten from such a grievous journey that they themselves were incapable of taking, it does indeed bring some measure of comfort to both Aragorn and Gandalf to be able to tend their beloved friends as such. They would do no less after all. I'm glad you enjoyed & thanks for reading/reveiwing! ~Elemmírë~

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