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Reunion by Larner	215 Review(s)
Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/24/2006
I don’t wish to stay.... She laughed. “Not stay? But you won’t have to stay! It’s but the memory! And what will the Feast be without your sweet voice adding to the singing and without you joining in the dancing? And how can our Lord Elessar join us without you?” Wonderful, Larner! The concept of timelessness is fascinating. It took me some time (LOL!), though, to understand. We are too much depending on time, it seems. To be everywhere you want to be, at the same moment, because there is no time - that's great! Of course, Frodo Baggins belongs to the Feast. And I hope, there'll be much singing and dancing. After all, they have an eternity to celebrate :) And what Olorin said to Bilbo was a perfect conclusion: Well, my beloved friend, we’ve managed to bring them through. Author Reply: What is time but the defining aspect of this creation. And to be able to be all places at least in memory while rejoicing to enter the Presence with those one loves--the greatest blessing of all! So glad you love the conclusion! Thanks for the feedback.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/24/2006
no edicts here save to rejoice How lovely. Author Reply: So very glad you approve, Shirebound. But I think that would be the only edict in such a place and situation, don't you agree? Thanks for the feedback.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/24/2006
Oh my dear Larner this is so, so perfect! What an ending/timeless beginning. I can hardly see to type. The way that you have handled the timelessness is wonderful. I am speechless! Author Reply: Am so glad you appreciate it, Harrowcat. What would time be like there in the Presence? It's part of why I've written as I have in other stories of the memories of various characters left in the particular halls within Mandos's great House they've had ties to--that they aren't tied to time but there is yet a reflection of it there. But as Frodo did live as a Hobbit of the Shire, I think he truly belongs at the Feast, and am glad of those like Lindelea that have made it part of Hobbit expectations for the afterlife, and hope they appreciate my appropriation of it for this story. Hope that Bodkin appreciates it as well.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 7/21/2006
After glancing over your author's notes I am very much looking forward to reading the story! (But it'll have to be next week; I'm out of time for today.) I had speculated on Frodo's time as well, and the possibilities of his being lonely, but I took a slightly different tack. I was remembering a conversation about heaven between an adult and a small child. I don't remember the context, but I remember this bit: The child asks if their mutual loved one will "be lonely there" and the adult answers, no, for there is no time there. And then there was something about "a few moments" in one place being like "an eternity" in another. Putting those together I had Faramir Took spending the time it took him to draw a few breaths, in conversation with Frodo, in Another place, while several days elapsed in Middle-earth. Don't know if it's a plausible solution, but it spared Frodo loneliness before Sam's arrival. (OTOH, I think I read a story where Bilbo "stayed" until Sam arrived. Something to do with what JRRT said, that mortals are not immortal There, but that they have the ability to lay down their lives when they are ready to move on. Anyhow, all this is just to say I'm looking forward to your take on the matter. Author Reply: As the Undying Lands are part of Arda in spite of physically being somewhat removed from the rest of the world since the breaking of it and the foundering of Numenor, I saw it as still being under the restrictions of Time somewhat, and so have Bilbo realizing his own time was come to go on early on, but remaining just long enough to be certain Frodo will remain on Tol Eressea until he is joined by Sam. But in all three cases they gave over their lives gladly enough when they felt it was indeed time to go on. I finally have the chance to add the small epilogue chapter. I hope others appreciate it, for you will find your own described scenario echoed in it, I think. Tenants are FINALLY out, although we will be cleaning up after them for months, I fear. I cannot believe what they have done to my property. Satellite dish is still out, also. Hopefully in another week or so....

cookiefleck	Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 7/4/2006
Meant to stop by sooner to say thanks one last time for the story, and to let you know that I enjoyed the author's notes. I happened to be just finishing Tolkien's letters this week and it was interesting to run across the passage you alluded to in your notes. "Their sojourn was a 'purgatory,' but one of peace and healing and they would eventually pass away (die at their own desire and of free will) to destinations of which the Elves knew nothing." In my heart, I am sure that Sam, too, went over the sea, even if Tolkien didn't connect all the dots quite as neatly as some of us would have liked. Because when Sam sets out to do something, it gets done, after all. Author Reply: Am so glad you enjoyed it, Cookiefleck. Once again am having problems with the home system, for this time the satellite dish itself has gone wonky. It's such a comedy of errors; and once again I steal a few minutes at work to write replies. Am looking forward eventually to getting my own copy of the letters, but haven't had the money for some time. And I agree--what Sam sets out to do gets done. He's just that kind of person, isn't he? Thanks so much for the reviews, and the patience with the responses.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 7/2/2006
Thank you, Larner for this wonderful story! I’ve seen many depictions of Frodo’s death on Tol Eressëa.[...] In one I read Sam arrived only just in time to wish Frodo goodbye as he died a most painful death. I can’t see Frodo, after sixty-one years of blessed life on the island, being reduced to such straits. I totally agree with you! Since I have read Tolkien's letter about the "purgatory experience" I think, or better I believe that he was given time to find his peace again and to understand and accept the role the Creator had given him in the quest. After that he would be given the grace to die in peace. And that's exactly how you see it! I'm taken with your idea that the "shadowy realm" was only temporarily a frightening and dark place, but became again what it was originally intended to be, after Sauron's death - a place of light instead of darkness, creativity instead of standstill. (Is this the right word? I really hope so ;-)) I'm looking forward to reading new Larner stories :) Author Reply: Oh, I am so looking forward eventually to reading the entire Letters myself when I can afford to get a copy! It's fun to imagine just what kinds of things Sauron sought to twist to evil purposes. Am so glad you appear to have appreciated just what the Shadow Realm may have been intended to be originally. And for Frodo to be allowed to enter it properly and at will seems so right, somehow. Thanks so very much for the feedback. Am working on several stories at the moment, but when I'll actually be able to start posing one I'm not yet certain. The satellite dish itself is now out, so it'll be another week at the earliest before I can afford to get it fixed. I've been having to use all my spare cash lately trying to get my tenants evicted. It's been a real pain in the behind.

Elemmírë	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 7/1/2006
This entire story was just absolutely beautiful, Larner, most especially the last two chapters. I really liked how you explored Frodo and Sam's views of mortality as compared with the Elven children who do not understand what death is, why it occurs, or how the hobbits can be so pragmatic about it. It often reminded me of a terminally ill patient sees the end of life as compared with those around them. I say again, Larner, just beautiful, poignant, sad and yet uplifting as well. Well done and I look forward to whatever you pen next. Author Reply: Thank you, Elemmire. For mortals such as Frodo and Sam who've been granted the grace to survive to fulfillment when they'd come so very close to dying, to come to the end of this life at last and be allowed to offer it back gently must have been seen as quite a grace. They've been allowed to finally know peace and joy after long stress; now it is their time to rest. I know my mother-in-law was ready when her time came; it was more difficult for my husband, who was really too young to go as yet, but he was glad for the end of the constant pain and diminishment, I know. Anyway, I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier. Now the satellite dish is malfunctioning, and I don't have the money to have it fixed for another couple weeks. If it's not one thing it's three others, I swear.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 7/1/2006
This was most interesting.I think we have similiar ideas in weaving our stories into a connected whole.I think one gains far more that way.You stay true to Tolkien's world,while at the same time creating your own sub universe with some memorable OCs. Author Reply: Am so glad you appreciated it, Linda. And am so very glad you like my OCs as well as the disposition I give our favorites from Tolkien's own pen. Haven't been able to get back online at home, and must leave my office shortly, so won't be able to read any here, either. May not have time to respond to all the reviews. I hate technology when it is intent on not working.

Fiondil	Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 6/30/2006
As always, Larner, you tell a great tale. It's actually interesting to read the same events from different viewpoints. I'm not sure what all the fuss about fireflies might be. Growing up in central New York, catching fireflies was the highlight of the summer as a child. Never stopped to think that other places in the world wouldn't have them. The last chapter sort of threw me because it took me a while to realize that this was some years later, because previously Aragorn was in the North when Frodo and Sam finally bid adieu to Arda. The fact that Aragorn was now whitehaired should have been a clue (duh!). Anyway, once I realized "when" it all fell into place. I look forward to reading more of your stories, but please, let's see more of the rest of the Fellowship besides Frodo and Sam, especially more about Aragorn and his family. Why do the Umbarians fear Eldarion? Enquiring minds want to know. Author Reply: Hopefully I'll have a new story started once the satellite dish is repaired. It's been a piece of technology at a time for months, it seems, and now it's the dish. Living in the wilderness has its drawbacks! I remember as a small child making firefly lanterns by imprisoning a number of the insects in a mason jar with holes in the lid, and how Mom would make us let them go. I truly missed them when we moved to the west coast, believe me. Sorry the last section threw you a bit, for I'd tried to make it clear that this was very near the end of Aragorn's reign, although for those who haven't read "Light on the Way" the fact that Valandil is attending audiences with his father and the arrival of Faramir Took to retire to Aragorn's court would perhaps not be as significant as if they had. And I just MIGHT go into why the Umbarians fear Eldarion one day. I love having such a culture that will do its best to seek to circumvent the best interests of Gondor and Arnor, after all. Thanks so much for the feedback.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 6/30/2006
Masterly Larner. As always, Larner, I enjoy your notes almost as much as your tale. It is great to see some of your thought process and I am constantly in awe of how deeply you think about the Prof's work and keep to Canon with enough latitude for variation. Reading your tale always feels like slipping on a well-worn and familiar jacket. It isn't repetitive as you always vary and add detail. If you want an opinion then if you have an extra, one-off, chapter then I, personally, would like to see it on the end of this tale. P.S. I have seen fireflies down in Cornwell but never in the Shire Counties of England so I didn't 'bat an eyebrow' at their inclusion. I did once dare to raise them at the inclusion of Racoons in one Author's story and suggested squirrals instead. We are only just beginning to appreciate how much the Gulf Stream protects this country from a climate like Labrador. Author Reply: I'm very glad you appreciated the author's notes, although they strike me as a bit scattered this time. Maybe I'll eventually reedit them again. They have fireflies in Cornwall? (Or is it indeed Cornwell?) I've not been in Cornwall in the summer, although I've been there in the spring; but I've been through much of England proper in all months of the summer and hadn't seen fireflies anywhere there. We don't have them in Washington, Oregon, or California in my experience. But as a small child in Oklahoma and a teen visiting Arkansas and Kansas or a grad student in Michigan I certainly used to love them. I'll see about perhaps adding the last chapter into this story, then, once the satellite dish is repaired. I am SO tired of technical difficulties and having to borrow time at the office after work in order to get online. Happy Summer!

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