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| Following the Other Wizard: journey into healing by jodancingtree | 153 Review(s) |
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| FabtasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/31/2004 |
| Yes, Frodo seems healed quite a bit in his physical health. I am not surprised that the March illness was less this year. But until he can fully accept who he is, and what is in his past, his healing will not be complete. It is a mark of this that he can barely speak to Gimli of it, and not at all to the other dwarves. I have a feeling Nano is not out of the story for good, is he? I'll be looking forward to what you come up with next. Author Reply: You're so right -- Frodo has a long way to go in his emotional healing. I hadn't thought about his inability to speak about it as a symptom of that, but it is, of course. jo | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/31/2004 |
| What a marvelous chapter. I never expected this encounter (and neither did they!). How wonderful that Nano has found his "place" at last. I wish the same for Frodo. Author Reply: Oh, I really wanted Frodo to run into Gimli - he's such a marvelous character, and much under-represented in fanfiction! And he'd be just the person to deal with Nano... But Frodo - poor dear, his rightful place is in the Shire, and that's just where he can't bear to be. jo | |
| Tathar | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 1/27/2004 |
| **Nano thought about that, biting at his knuckle. At last he said, "If you hadn't taken it to the Mountain, they would all have been killed at the Black Gate. Aragorn would never have become King." He stepped up to Frodo and put his arms around him. "You are a hero, Donkey." He was nearly a head taller than the hobbit now, but it was a child's hug and Frodo returned it, blinking back tears.** Siiiiigh. I don't think anything else need to be said. Beautiful! :) Eagerly awaiting more! Author Reply: Thanks, Tathar! I'm working on more... jo | |
| Tathar | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/27/2004 |
| Yay! I'll have you know that I squealed out loud with joy when I saw that you had updated. I am completely hooked on this story. ;) Sigh. Have I mentioned how much I love your characterization of Frodo? And Radagast? They're both brilliant, and Nano is very loveable -- and I don't think he's *too* similar to Fosco; certainly not in personality. When I mentioned the similarities between them I meant in circumstance, mostly, and their relationship with Frodo. How perfect that Nano will (hopefully) be "adopted" in Rohan! That's the perfect place for him... And does that mean that we will see King Eomer? (Although Frodo probably would not enjoy that...) He's a favorite of mine, if only because he's so overlooked. :) And probably my favorite part of this chapter -- the Wild Men! Forgive me if I'm simply ignorant, but did you make them up or are they mentioned by Tolkien somewhere? They were really fascinating. (And I love it that Frodo was ready to defend Nano and himself from them, too -- Radagast summed him up perfectly: "gentle-hearted, but with courage to defend his friends." On to the next chapter, now! :D Author Reply: Good, I'm glad Nano isn't too much like Fosco in personality! And the Wild Men are out of Tolkien - when the Rohirrim are on the way to Minas Tirith, the Wild Men come and guide them on a hidden road, to avoid the hosts of Mordor - according to Encyclopedia of Arda, the peninsula of Andrast was also a place where they lived. I'm trying to make this story as true to Tolkien's world as I can, other than the AU situation that Frodo is traveling with Radagast instead of going into the West. I'm so happy that you're enjoying this! jo | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 1/26/2004 |
| Wonderful, as always. I hope, by the end of the story, that Frodo is content with who and what he is, and will hold his head high when he says his name... or hears others say it. Author Reply: Thank you, shirebound! I'm still working on the ending chapters, so I'm not quite sure how Frodo will be at that poing... jo | |
| powerwriter | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/26/2004 |
| *jumps up and runs around the room* YES! This is such an awesome story. I've been waiting for you to start Frodo and Radagast's travels. The character interaction is so good...I can't find any words to describe it better :) Nano doesn't remind me of Fosco. Though there might be some, I didn't notice any similiarities that made me go, "He's like Fosco". Cuina is adoreable! I finding myself wondering where she is when she's not around. The beach scenes have been the best so far. I can just picture it all...and it gives me shudders :P Wonderful story, Jo. Please keep going! Author Reply: Thank you, powerwriter! I'm encouraged to hear that you can picture what's going on in the story - I see it so clearly myself, and I want to share that. And I'm relieved that Nano isn't too much like Fosco. Thanks for reviewing - it's such a comfort to hear from readers! jo | |
| Tathar | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/18/2004 |
| Eeee, this might be my favorite chapter so far! From Frodo saving Nano in the waves (I don't believe I breathed at all until Frodo came to on the beach!), to Frodo helping the gull (no words for that -- it was just perfect), to the end: The wizard smiled. "Broken just enough to show what it's really made of, to reveal the beauty within. Worn and shaped by suffering, but not destroyed, only made more lovely. Keep it, Donkey. It is a precious thing -- and so are you." Sigh. Perfect, perfect, perfect! That's just it. I'm curious to know how many chapters you think this will end up being? I'm hoping that it will go on for a long, long time to come! I can't get enough of it. And not just for your incredible characterization of Frodo, but also Radagast, whom I've learned to love, and Nano -- if he travels with Frodo long enough, he'll come around, I'm sure. (I hope!) You know, having just finished "Sam's Rose," I found similarities between Nano and Fosco that I find comforting, since Fosco turned out so well. ;) And yes, I will certainly be sure to let you know if that plot-bunny comes to anything -- I probably won't start it until I finish "Always a Silver Lining," but who knows? I've been writing ideas for it all day, so it might end up developing sooner than I thought! :) As always, thanks for an incredible read -- I can't wait for more! Author Reply: I'm so glad you've gotten to love Radagast - because so have I! But I'm dismayed to hear Nano reminds you of Fosco - darn, I tried so hard to make them differeent! I may have to go back and work on that some more; I don't want a sort of generic little kid turning up in my stories! Funny how stories just sort of - insinuate themselves into your mind, isn't it? There's an OC later on in this who is already demanding a story of his very own, arrogant cuss that he is... jo | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/18/2004 |
| Another wondrous chapter, Jo. And what a rare thing for Frodo to try not to look "so tall"! I laughed at that. What a gentle, incredible story. Author Reply: Thanks, shirebound! It is a funny idea, for a hobbit to be trying to look short - I hadn't thought of that! jo | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/16/2004 |
| It took me awhile, Jo, but I finally caught up with this phenomenal story. You write like no one else, and sweep us up in the most inspiring and wondrous tales. Incredible. I eagerly await future chapters, and thank you for sharing this with us. Author Reply: Thank you, shirebound! I'm glad you caught up with it too - you write such encouraging reviews, and I'm always waiting to hear what you think of my stories! Is it too corny to say you're a great blessing to a struggling writer? jo | |
| Tathar | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/16/2004 |
| Ohh, I *LOVE* this story!! I'm sorry I haven't reviewed it before. This might very well be my favorite story of yours, in fact! Just.... beyond words! It's incredible. I've always thought that Frodo having to sail was unfair, and this is just the solution to that! And I love seeing Frodo as a healer -- I could very well imagine that; his personality lends itself perfectly to life with Radagast. Personally, when I was reading FotR, one of the things that drew me to Frodo's character was the loyalty of his friends -- such faithfulness does not come to people unworthy of it. And hobbits are not the only ones proving loyal to Frodo -- I really love the way Cuina and now Greyling are so faithful to him. And Nano, too -- although he worries me with that temper and pride of his! Perhaps Radagast and Frodo will be able to change that. Wonderful, wonderful story, I can't wait for it to be continued!! Author Reply: Thank you, Tathar! Yes, I really think learning healing with Radagast, out in the wilderness, is the one thing in Middle Earth that might make Frodo whole again. And his gentleness and courage draw the most unlikely friends to him -- I hope you'll continue to enjoy the adventure! jo | |