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| The Way Home by Lindelea | 303 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 78 on 7/11/2026 |
| At least Bill's on his feet and on the mend now! And in his spirit, he has seen Frodo's rescue. Now to see what comes next! | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 78 on 7/7/2026 |
| It’s getting so bad that he’s even starting to forget “that blessed valley” now. Seeing Frodo lash out at “his” Sam is so heartbreaking for Bill – especially when he doesn’t understand about the Ring, even though he senses that it's evil. “All’s well that ends better.” I think that’s an improvement on that old phrase. Once again Bill is in two places at once but I’m glad he’s back for the time being. He needs a break from all this so he can recover. He’s not out of the woods yet. Author Reply: You're right; I envisioned part of the Ring's influence as oppressive. Alas, It took everything away from poor Frodo near the end. This snippet from "Mount Doom" makes me feel weepy: ‘Do you remember that bit of rabbit, Mr. Frodo?’ he said. ‘And our place under the warm bank in Captain Faramir’s country, the day I saw an oliphaunt?’ ‘No, I am afraid not, Sam,’ said Frodo. ‘At least, I know that such things happened, but I cannot see them. No taste of food, no feel of water, no sound of wind, no memory of tree or grass or flower, no image of moon or star are left to me. I am naked in the dark, Sam, and there is no veil between me and the wheel of fire. I begin to see it even with my waking eyes, and all else fades.’ In the film, Sam says, 'Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It'll be spring soon. And the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they'll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields... and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?' In both cases, Sam says something like "Best be rid of It, then" (and in the book, he casts away his precious cookware). And so, Bill's mental/spiritual proximity to the Ring during this part of the story have allowed the Ring to oppress him with impressions of his doom at the hands of orcs while suppressing the memories – like his thoughts of Rivendell – that give Bill strength (I tried to show the Ring as connecting directly to Bill's consciousness without words, rather like Gandalf's conveying of the the way home as he bestowed his gift of the Voices on Bill outside the Doors of Moria). But like Sam's love for his master helped the Gardener resist the Ring, Bill's love for and the nearness of his beloved Sam give him strength and keep him anchored. Hopefully this makes sense! I, in contrast, do remember the taste of food, and I'm overdue in cooking something or other for dinner! When I start rambling, it's a good sign I need to get up and search for protein. If only I had some lembas handy... (Thanks!) | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 7/7/2026 |
| Poor Bill. He doesn’t realize he’s not the one Sam is calling a “sluggard.” I don’t think Sam even knows he’s there, at least not consciously. BTW, I’m glad to hear that those Voices are coming from a more benevolent source than I thought at first. Author Reply: While Sam doesn't consciously realize Bill is with him in spirit, I wonder if he dreams about Bill being present in later years? (The idea intrigues me.) I'm glad to have been able to reassure you as to the origin of the Voices that were speaking to Bill at this point. Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts! I really appreciate it. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 78 on 7/7/2026 |
| I'm here too, I whicker deep in my throat, not caring that he will not understand what I am saying. We've come, dear Master. By life or death, we could not bear to let the orcs have you! Ohhhh, that's lovely. No one could ever deny that Bill was as much an essential and courageous part of this Fellowship as any of the others. Author Reply: No one could ever deny that Bill was as much an essential and courageous part of this Fellowship as any of the others. Even the Professor said so! In "The Ring Goes South", he wrote: The stay in Rivendell had worked a great wonder of change on him: he was glossy and seemed to have the vigour of youth. It was Sam who had insisted on choosing him, declaring that Bill (as he called him) would pine, if he did not come. ‘That animal can nearly talk,’ he said, ‘and would talk, if he stayed here much longer. He gave me a look as plain as Mr. Pippin could speak it: if you don’t let me go with you, Sam, I’ll follow on my own.’ So Bill was going as the beast of burden, yet he was the only member of the Company that did not seem depressed. And Gandalf, who was typically sparing when it came to praise, called him "a useful companion" and admitted that they would have had to travel lighter without him. Yup. Both courageous and essential; I agree! (And thanks!) | |
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 7/5/2026 |
| LOL! Bill may be physically in a stable at The Prancing Pony, but clearly, his spirit is tracking Sam. Wonder is he's still going to tracking Sam in his spirit when Sam finds and rescues Frodo? Author Reply: You have your answer now, as I have just posted the next chapter. Thanks! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 7/4/2026 |
| Light shines within his grasp, driving the shadows away rather than drawing them in. What a marvelous way to compare the Ring and the phial! Author Reply: Thank you! Darkness versus Light... | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 7/3/2026 |
| Wow! What a devastatingly beautiful and vivid description of Sam's struggle! If it's really the Ring that's doing this, (Is that the Voice Bill is "hearing"?) then it "shot itself in the foot" (so to speak) because if the connection works both ways, then Bill's "presence" may have actually helped Sam to find the strength he needed to do what he had to do. Author Reply: Perhaps I didn't make it clear enough, but the Voice that Bill is "hearing" in this part of the story belongs to one of the Valar (or more than one, speaking as one), or perhaps even Eru (!), watching to see the outcome that would be wrought by free will at this point in the story (or do I mean the Song?). For even though I believe it is written that Light will triumph against Darkness in the end, free will is also built into the equation somehow. Thus, Isildur might have cast the Ring into the Fire when he had the chance. Galadriel might have accepted the Ring from Frodo when he offered it to her. Saruman might have recognized the pitfalls of pride and stood firm against Sauron's enticements and illusions. Boromir might have resisted temptation. Etc. Any of these possibilities would have led to a completely different story/journey/epic/thing. Bill cannot hear the voice of the Ring, but he can see Its effect on Sam. (Do you think I need to go back and clarify that point?) Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and impressions. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 7/1/2026 |
| Steady, Great-Heart. For now is the moment of Decision, and the fate of all Middle-earth hangs in the balance. I never really thought of how pivotal that moment was! What a marvelous and insightful chapter. It reminds me of my story "Light out of Darkness", in which Frodo tells Gandalf... "Much more would have been lost without Sam,” Frodo murmured. “The star-glass wasn’t the only source of light for me, or even the brightest.” How we love our Sam! Author Reply: Oh yes! Thank you for reminding me of that story. I went back and re-read it. (I know I re-read it because I left reviews way back when, but I had forgotten much, and so it was almost like reading something new again.) I love your insights into the Professor's story, and how you draw the characters and their inner thought process and their relationships. The idea of Light recognizing Light rings true. Larner also comes to mind when I think about this idea, and how her stories describe Frodo and Sam in terms of their Light. I am smiling at Frodo's description of Sam as a source of light, sometimes shining even brighter than the star-glass. (In other words, I love that quote!) Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! They contain great food for thought. | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 75 on 6/30/2026 |
| "He will not let it harm me." So even in this dream state, Bill has enough "horse sense" to know that the Ring is bad news. Author Reply: I think so. I remember reading (in one of JRRT's letters?) that the black horses could hardly bear their dreadful Riders. Even in the real world, animals seem to know evil when they encounter it. (A few of our dogs over the years very clearly showed their sensitivity to good vs bad people.) Thanks! | |
| Erulissé | Reviewed Chapter: 75 on 6/25/2026 |
| You have no idea how relieved I was to read the chapter name! Little Letty is so precious! It's going to be heart-rending when Sam reclaims him! Hmmm... I wonder if Letty ever comes to visit him or vice versa when Sam goes abroad (I rather seem to remember he didn't do that very often... Food for thought). I would never have thought of Bill shadowing his Sam, but it is so brilliant! I love it. It really makes me think of an angel. We can't see them, but we know they're there, especially in our darkest moments. So much love! I can't wait for the next one. All of your time and care is deeply reflected in your writing and it is deeply appreciated!!! 💗 Author Reply: Ah, yes, food for thought. (Perhaps such a scene might appear in the Epilogue, you never know.) I cannot imagine that Sam was completely abandoned, though his choices remained entirely his own. I seem to remember that the Valar and Maiar did not interfere in the lives of mortals, allowing for the working of free will. (I was thinking of what I've heard about angels, too, actually. Bill is no angel, but he is a vessel for good.) Thanks for reading and for your encouragement. I do love "playing" in the Professor's sandbox... | |