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| Light from the West by Armariel | 215 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/27/2006 |
| Yes, the ultimate in egotism the fool is. And now the lighthouse is glowing? I want to find out what this means. Author Reply: Not really sure yet myself--the Muse made us do it!!! And she'd better have a good explanation!! Well, I think I know, maybe, but, well, we'll see, precioussss.... I think light symbolizes Truth in this tale...the kind with the capital T, you know.......... ~~~{~@ | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/22/2006 |
| Quite the most moving chapter so far, to go in an agony of anticipation of dread, and to find beauty instead. This is a gift of healing, I think. Very, very lovely. Author Reply: Wow, thank you! It has been the most difficult one to write so far, so glad it works. I felt that maybe Frodo, surrounded by natural beauty and the affection and concern of his friends and mentors, would find healing along the way if he made up his mind to do so, and it would ultimately enable him to see things for what they really were, leave his demons behind and grow in spirit. blessings & cheer Armariel~~~{~@ | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/22/2006 |
| That must have been a little scary for Frodo to hear his own addiction to the Ring spelled out so cleary. As far as demons repenting, no their choice was made a *long* time before, they cannot become good again even if they wanted to, just like the good angels cannot become evil. We humans are free to repent and change from evil to good or good to evil, but not them. Their choices are permanently fixed. I think I might change my mind on letting Sam hear the whole poem, though I suppose if he can get through the little snippet here, he should be able to get through anything. I suppose Frodo couldn't just tell us the whole thing and spare his brother? :) Namarie, God bless, Antane Author Reply: Well, I suppose I could have put a link to the entire poem at the bottom of the page, it not having occurred to me that some readers might not have been familiar with it, but a bit late for it now. Maybe I will anyway. Not so sure about good angels not being able to become evil--if it happened before, it could happen again, and it's easier to fall than to rise after all--but it's highly unlikely, I suppose, so I don't fret about it. I think if they were going to fall they'd have done it long ago! If you are familiar with C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters you might remember where the demon Screwtape states that it was God's decision to create a being composed of flesh and spirit (a "revolting hybrid" as he puts it) that decided Lucifer and his gang to rebel and go off on their own. Whether that's factual or just Lewis's speculation I don't know, but it makes sense to me. Then there's Milton's Satan whose opinion is that it's "better to reign in hell than serve in heaven." I don't know if Tolkien was familiar with Dante or not, (I'm sure he probably was) but his orcs are very close to Dante's devils, of whom Lewis says are probably the most accurately depicted of any author's. He doesn't seem to approve of Milton's take on them and thinks he's inadvertantly glorifying evil, perhaps in the way that some moviemakers glorify street gangs without actually meaning to. Eek, I'm rambling...well, redemption is a theme that has long intrigued me, and I sometimes wonder why Tolkien didn't see fit to redeem any of his evil characters. He seems to have toyed with the idea of redeeming Gollum, but didn't quite get there, settling for having Frodo forgive him--which brings about Frodo's redemption, but that's it for that theme! But I just love redeeming imperfect characters in my stories. Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling...lol Thanks once more! hugs Armariel~~~{~@ | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/22/2006 |
| Galendur is good for Frodo. Dizzy intoxication and giggling must make a pleasant change from gloom and doom. Poor orcs. Taken and tormented and twisted. I have, occasionally, wondered if the spirits of orcs were taken into the Halls of Mandos and purified of evil - and whether they might, in time, be returned to new hroa and gifted with life in the Blessed Realm. Or whether that might apply only to those who actually started life as elves before they were captured, and future generations of orcs, being genetically engineered, did not have a fea in the same way. Odd the things you wonder about! I like the vision of Elwing's tower as a light-house. Author Reply: Oh yes...I refuse to let my Frodo mope and angst all the time, my Frodo will laugh and joke and tease at least some of the time! And he needs a companion who's a bit of a nutter to stir him up and keep him from getting old before his time. I've wondered about orcs. I've thought of some things I've read long ago, people speculating on whether or not devils could repent and go back to heaven (Taylor Caldwell seems to think they can) while others state that a perfect being who falls cannot rise again, unlike an imperfect human. And the passage in Dante's "Inferno" in which Virgil chides Dante for weeping over the damned, saying something to the effect that those who knowingly choose evil and do not repent are not entitled to pity no matter how wretched their fate. And the plight of criminals who have served their prison sentences and find themselves faced with freedom in an understandably mistrustful and unwelcoming society. All that go me to thinking about the fates of orcs. I was of the notion that they were drawn to the Dark Lord and all the perks that might come of having him as their master; the idea of him just taking a lot of innocent Elves by force and twisting them to his will didn't click with me. I come to no definite conclusions, but just let the characters speculate on it and draw their own. I don't know whether her tower was actually a light-house, but it makes sense for it to have been one. If it wasn't, I'll AU it into one! Thanks once more!! ~~~{~@ | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/22/2006 |
| I thought elves didn't remarry... not after Finwe's experience. But if a smidgeon of jealousy persuades Frodo to go on this trip, it's probably a good thing! He needs to deal with his demons rather than let them hold him back. And I can't imagine that Elwing's tower would bear much resemblance to Sauron's. I'm glad to see they've got Dinlad taped. Pesky brat. Author Reply: Wellll, THIS pair may...perhaps...although I didn't originally intend it, but sometimes characters will take on lives of their own and go in different directions than planned! And if they don't remarry, they should...they're immortal after all...going through all the ages with no mate, not good! Yeah, I'd toyed with the idea of Frodo visiting that tower in "Bear Me Away" but ended up scrapping it, and someone else's muse retrieved it from my cutting-room floor, which happens sometimes...but then my muse picked it up and gave it back, saying, "Come on, you CAN use this!" They SHOULD tape Dinlad...across the mouth, perhaps? little varmit! But maybe he'll be a lesser Gollum in more ways than just child's play, his orneriness may do some unexpected good...... ~~~{~@ | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/20/2006 |
| I love the poem - he's got tell his Sam the whole thing later, what a loving tribute - and sleeping with the dolls. I hope we hear more of his faith journey also. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Oh, I don't know if he'd want to inflict the entire poem on Sam, such a stark and naked depiction of his own ordeal...but, maybe eventually. Even in paradise he needs some outlet for his worst memories; that outlet becomes a part of his healing. If you've seen the chapter in Bear Me Away! you might remember that his road to faith began with his wish to help a fellow sufferer with whom he identified; he comes to the conclusion that he could not save her himself but could only do what he was able when the opportunity came up, and came to find that no action performed on behalf of another, however small, is ever wasted. And this knowledge helps to bring about his own inner healing. And if he did his own part, the Almighty would do what Frodo could not. And the dolls will help, I'm sure :D hugs Armariel~~~{~@ | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/20/2006 |
| Poor Frodo--fated for now to see lovely women he could so easily love, and yet unable to do aught about it, feeling unfree to speak of natural stirrings. Galendur is turning out to be all right after all. Author Reply: Oh yes...but someday his time will come:D this is the land where dreams come true, after all, and there's someone for everyone....Yes, I got the impression that he had quite an eye for beautiful women, from Goldberry on outwards, and could maybe have been a bit of a flirt, under different circumstances:) but at the same time, a romantic to the core! I've a feeling that deep down Galendur is really the soul of loyalty and a fun guy besides, despite a few rough edges...or maybe because of them? What more could one want in a friend? ~~~{~@ | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/15/2006 |
| Galendur being attacked by a peacock... Lovely image, that! For all his apparent impulsiveness, I don't think he is dumb enough to attack Rûdharanion - although not everyone might agree! Still - if Elwing knows where he is... I bet it's something silly - matching the size of his ego. That boy - Dínlad - what a little pest! Deserves to sit through a couple of days' worth of Rudharanion's less interesting poems. Author Reply: Heheh, now there's an idea...I dare say Galendur deserved it when he was Dínlad's age too! As for Rûdharanion...we'll just see, precioussss...maybe so!;) ~~~{~@ | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/13/2006 |
| I was excited to see another letter - looks like Frodo got the answer he was hoping for. Loved that poem. I'm proud of you, too, Frodo! :) (BTW, glanced at first chapter of Bear Me Away and loved that Frodo was able to tell his Sam that he arrived safely home). Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: He got it in part, I'm sure, maybe more later one:D But judging from "The Sea-bell" I would say he could do much better *grin* Hope you'll get the time and inclination to read the rest someday. And hope I'll have time to get more up soon this week... Thanks once more! blessings & cheer Armariel~~~{~@ | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/13/2006 |
| The best part of this is the peacock guarding Frodo's privacy. That is priceless! Author Reply: Heheh...I believe YOU are in part responsible for that! LOLOL ~~~{~@ | |