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Only a Second or Two  by Larner 9 Review(s)
CeleritasReviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/19/2009
This reminds me of a discussion I once had about the glimpses we get of the post-Scouring Shire, and particularly the imagery of plum stones piled up like skulls! It gave off the impression of a Shire that was not quite as innocent as it had been.

Author Reply: Yes, that image is a marvelous one, allowing us to see ties to an almost savage racial memory! No, no longer quite innocent. But hopefully it's at least wiser, wisdom being the gift that ought to be received when innocence is lost.

Author Reply: Yes, that image is a marvelous one, allowing us to see ties to an almost savage racial memory! No, no longer quite innocent. But hopefully it's at least wiser, wisdom being the gift that ought to be received when innocence is lost.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/18/2009
Oh but now I want to know Freddy's answer! Never mind that I could guess at it...I want to read it! :P

Yes, returning home and finding even the peaceful, quiet Shire falling apart, Frodo's astounding efforts must have felt to him like a waste at first...it would have taken time for him to see it wasn't so.

Author Reply: Maybe I will do an expansion on this one some day--some I find already beg to be expanded upon. And you are right about Frodo's response to what he finds on his return, I think. Too right.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/15/2009
The suffering of the friends and relatives he'd left behind and gone to h*ll to save had to have torn Frodo's heart. A nice nod to the loss of innocence in the Shire, and the last bit of innocence taken from Frodo.

Author Reply: I do believe that this was indeed one of the tortures Frodo did suffer in the aftermath of his return. Although at one time in his feckless youth he'd felt the Shire NEEDED shaking up, when it came to it I'm certain he never wanted anyone there seriously injured or lost. This perception of the final loss of innocence in himself must have indeed torn at him more than he thought he could bear.

Again, thanks so, Raksha.

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/15/2009
Sadly, I'm afraid Frodo is right - even the Shire has been corrupted. The Scouring seems to have been for naught..... I'm afraid of what he might find in the West. The Elves there (and the Valar) are not perfect either. Shees! (Yikes - that felt suspiciously like a nuzgul or plot-bunny bite!)

Author Reply: The Shire has felt its own share of the sting of the great War Frodo and Sam helped end elsewhere; but the corruption had already been there in the hearts of those like Lotho and those who collaborated with him. Now, to allow the wisdom that follows such loss of innocence to settle in.

True perfection is not found within this creation, but we can choose to surmount and transcend the marring we see, and I'm certain Frodo did so even on Tol Eressea. And I'm interested in seeing where this nuzgul or bunny might take you! Heh!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/14/2009
A moving glimpse of Frodo's sorrow.

Author Reply: Yes, thanks, and for the two reviews on one drabble! Heh!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/14/2009
I like the way you capture Frodo's sadness here.

Author Reply: And I'm glad you do. Thanks again, Linda.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/14/2009
It must have seemed for Frodo that nothing had remained untouched, yes, but still, it's not true. The hobbits might have witnessed some evil things, but they're far from the extend of damage Frodo suffered through It and can live with these experiences.

Author Reply: And the Shire in the end will be the better for having gone through this. He didn't suffer in vain, at least, although it may take some time to appreciate that.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/12/2009
Is no place untouched by evil?

It may be that no place was left untouched by evil. But there were some hobbits who fought against it: Frodo and his companions - and Freddy Bolger, in the Shire!

Their fight was not in vain. The evil was driven away and the world was renewed.

You cannot hide a land as big as the Shire forever! Lots of peoples in Middle Earth are aware of it now. And that is good, not evil!

Author Reply: You are right, Andrea--one can't hide the Shire forever, and they acquitted themselves very well in the end. Frodo did his job, and folk like the Thain and Freddy did their part as well. Frodo doesn't realize it isn't possible to remain totally innocent.

Thanks so for the feedback.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/12/2009
I think this is exactly the reaction he must have had. That he, slowly shattering himself, came to an already shattered Shire and he must have wondered, for what did I leave and suffer for? Terrible for them all but most terrible for Frodo to come back and see all his torment apparently suffered in vain, but hopefully he saw the truth that it wasn't in vain at all when the Shire healed and all was more appreciated because of the darkness endured and passed through by all of them. Hantanyel for your ok to have Sam answer Elanor's question - I am going to lift that sentence but of course say where I got it! :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Ah, all too likely this was so, Antane. At least he was able to stay long enough to see the healing well underway before he sailed.

And I look forward to seeing what you make of Elanor's question and her father's recollections and answer.

Thanks so.

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