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West of the Moon, East of the Sun  by Armariel 2 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/21/2007
Hughes died on me last night as I sought to post the review to this chapter. Amaryllis may not as yet appreciate why she is named as she was, but one day she will. She will remain, but have this memory, of the shining of her grandfather, her grandfather who will not remain that much longer perhaps, but whose love and shining beauty will remain on this island ever where it has helped so many move beyond what they were to become what they were meant to be.

And for him, there is a cradle rocking the heart of one he loves so deeply, so that in the end he faces the renewal granted him not alone among those who never thought to see such changes.

Author Reply: Ooo, that first sentence gave me a little scare, until I realized that "Hughes" was your computer and not a living person or pet. (I named mine "Gandalf" but sometimes I think I should have named it "Treebeard" cuz it's so pokey!)

Amaryllis is frightened by the idea of mortality, of which she has very little, if any real concept. Therefore, the thought of being named "for a dead person" fills her with incomprehensible dread, and perhaps hints to her that her grandfather is mortal also, and will not be around much longer. And once he is gone, all she will have of him is that memory. Probably not until she is grown will she really understand what an impact he had on the citizens of the Island. And come to appreciate the honor of being named for his sister.

And he faces the renewal but also the knowledge that his time is short, and he will be leaving his loved ones to mourn his loss for years to come. But surely they will not allow his light to die out on the Island.

Thanks so much for your comments!

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AntaneReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/19/2007
Yes! Reunion at last! That so wanted one is going to be quite surprised when the entire Samwise Gamgee fan club shows up on the shore waiting to greet him, but he'll have eyes only for the president of that club. What a joyful day! Hantanyel, my dear!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: You're most welcome!! Well, maybe not TOO surprised, since Frodo has surely been regaling him with stories about them for decades...but yes, his primary interest will be the "president"! And the others will be overjoyed to know that he is real and not just a legend, and that he is there in the flesh before one and all. Yes, a day of joy!

Thanks for commenting!

hugs
Armariel
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