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| Passover and Pilgrimage by Larner | 53 Review(s) |
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| Celeritas | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 7/6/2009 |
| Sea-longing due to lembas, eh? Then presumably Turin would have had it as well, and so many others... Interesting idea, but it's a tough sell on me. The transformative experiences of the Quest are enough for me to understand why Merry and Pippin would not feel at home in the Shire at the end of their days. I also still have to be a tad skeptical--not necessarily about how much Sam, Merry, and Pippin would know about the Powers (you've convinced me there) but how much they would vocalize it. It all still seems to be a great sort of mystery that would be difficult to communicate, even to one another. When you've gained a huge spiritual insight on life that no one else in your culture knows of it can be difficult to share. On the other side of that of course is the fact that these are not in the Shire, and that this is in a world where Aragorn has reinstituted the Numenorean practice of Eruism. There would have to have been during some period after the long scholarly decline in the Third Age a revival of information, especially cosmological/Elvish/religious to have accompanied that. It's the only thing that can explain why we know so much more than the characters in LotR! Very interesting stuff. The arguments on how Valarin 4th Age Gondor (feat. hobbits) is can go either way, but I'd really like to see your take on the effect of lembas on Turin! Author Reply: Here I am going by what Tolkien himself wrote, that in mortals lembas had a tendency to awaken the Sea Longing and other Elvish appetites. I think he wrote that prior to deciding they were the M.E. version of Communion Hosts, by the way. And perhaps part of the reason Turin so often felt out of step with the world was because he did experience the Sea Longing and had no idea what it was he was feeling. Although he was a heavily conflicted character from the start. I doubt that Merry, Pippin, and Sam would talk often about the Powers with anyone but one another (and even then but rarely) and perhaps other members of the Fellowship and perhaps the twins or Glorfindel. As you note, it would be very hard to explain to most Hobbits, although I suspect that from time to time they might come across one or two Hobbits who might understand at least a little bit, for a moment or two, at least. But here with Aragorn and Faramir, I do believe they would be more open, particularly with Aragorn whom Tolkien himself describes in his letters as renewing the lineage of the Priest-Kings. Don't know if I'll ever tackle Turin. His is one part of the Sil I remember best, and I've read The Children of Hurin as well. But dealing with Turin himself--Tolkien did so very well by him it's hard to imagine dealing with him myself. I'll think about it! Thanks, Celeritas! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 6/27/2009 |
| As usual, your AN give a great insight into your thoughts and what moved you to write this story in the first place. Have to agree about the knowledge of these four Hobbits about Elves, and about the Maiar and Valar. They were no common Hobbits who never left the Shire and for whom the world outside their borders doesn't exist, after all. And even if at the beginning only Frodo and maybe Sam knew a bit, I am sure that changed through their contacts outside. You listed a lot of reasons for that, and I completely agree. Merry and Pippin would never have retired to Gondor if they had remained so ignorant and insular as they were when they left the Shire for the first time. So many Hobbits are barely journeying inside the Shire, after all, much less outside of it, so I think it took something quite strong to draw them out of their home for good in the end. And I doubt it was only to be close to their friends from the quest, so there had to be more to it, among it the need to be close to someone who understood them, who could give them what no other Hobbit could. Thank you for another great story, Larner! Author Reply: You have stated it so succinctly, Kitty. Thank you so! I enjoyed writing this story, and although I'm sorry as to how long it took to write it, I'm glad it is finally posted at last. Thank you ever so much! | |
| Inzilbeth | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 6/24/2009 |
| A most wonderful essay, Larner, with all the points you raised being very well reasoned and researched. It was, of course, an absolute stroke of genius on Tolkien's part to write a religious story without any overt religion being included within the text, leaving the tale open to all to interpret as their own beliefs dictate. I felt your reasoning behind the hobbits' knowledge of Elves and the Valar to be spot-on and you highlighted a concern I had myself when writing about the use of the Elosterion Palantir in Aman. Very well done! Author Reply: Thank you, Inzilbeth. Tolkien wrote a classic to which folk all over the world resonate! And I LOVE playing in his world and exploring it! Am so glad you agree about the Hobbits' growing understanding of the nature of the Valar and Maiar and fellow races dwelling within Middle Earth. And am so glad I'm not the only one who wonders about the Elosterion Palantir! Thanks again, so very much. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 6/23/2009 |
| Wonderful notes! I always appreciate seeing your thinking and what led you to write as you did. I tend to agree with you, that having once been exposed to the thinking and beliefs of other races, and having met Elves themselves and seen prophecies fulfilled, Merry, Pippin and Sam would have returned with a far greater understanding and belief in the Powers of the West. Whether they would have been open about their new understanding might still be in question, but I do believe that post-Quest, there would have been a few hobbits who now believed and understood what pre-Quest was always dismissed as "traveller's tales" "news from Bree" and "moonshine". And of course, many in the Shire would still continue their dismissals! Author Reply: Oh, I agree. Most Hobbits might think little of the stories told; but that the Thain, Master, and Mayor all take the news of a King Returned seriously; and more than just Bilbo Baggins and innkeepers along the Road now welcome and entertain Dwarves and possibly Elves has to have given many of their folk and neighbors a degree of pause. The world has changed indeed, and the son of the Thain, the Son of the Hall, and the new Master of Bag End, all of them influential folk, had to have come home and made it clear they had friends who were NOT Hobbits and that those friends were to be treated respectfully when they were encountered. They might not discuss their appreciation for the Powers freely, but there had to be times when such appreciation could be seen by others and at least commented upon. Most would still brush it off as peculiarities picked up "out there," but there would be at least some who would begin questioning their own preconceptions, I'd think. Thank so very much, Dreamflower. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 6/23/2009 |
| Denied Sam’s right to sail, they instead resort to the company of those who would be most likely to appreciate the ineffable urges they know themselves—Aragorn, his Queen, and Legolas (and possibly Gimli as well), all of whom have also eaten lembas and likely heard the call of the gulls and waves. Oh my, how fascinating. What a thoughtful and perceptive essay. Author Reply: Thank you. I dealt with many of the same issues when I wrote "Longing," and at one site had a number of folk inform me that they could not accept that Pippin and Merry would know so much about Elven cosmology. All I could say was, "Why not? How can you expect Pippin, in his nineties now, and Merry, who's over a hundred, to be as callow as they were in their twenties and early thirties?" I know I am not the one I was at nineteen; and certainly my grandmother wasn't the same as she was at twenty-one when she died a month and a half short of her ninety-sixth birthday. If Pippin gave Aragorn his copy of the Red Book and Bilbo and Frodo's Translations from the Elvish, and if Merry went to Rivendell to study, it follows that they themselves had been studying, and were likely seeking answers to their own questions as to what Frodo had chosen. And even if they didn't have to live for days and days on lembas as was true of Frodo and Sam, they still did eat them, and the combination of the lembas and the Ent draughts probably helped them heal as well as they did from what was done to them during the orc-hauling through Rohan. It's likely that they, too, felt the Sea Longing to some extent, and that once the anchors of their wives and Sam's presence were cut it made it more likely they, too, would drift away from the Shire. And where better to find oneself in such a situation than at the side of others who are likely feeling many of the same urges to give over this life and sail away to Valinor? Anyway, again, thank you so! | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/22/2009 |
| I have always felt that Mordor did become a living land once Sauron had gone. Volcanic soil is very fertile - hence all the vinyards and olive groves near Vesuvius. It is wonderful to think of Mount Doom as a beautiful caldera with an island and fruit trees, and I am so glad that Frodo was able to see and share it. Author Reply: I know about volcanic soil, having grown up in the Pacific Northwest where so much of our geological history is centered on our volcanoes, including Mounts Rainier and St. Helens! The years that St. Helens was sending out ash eruptions were rich ones for the orchards of Eastern Washington and much of the area between the mountain and Portland, Oregon, where there was a heavy ash fall. As for the caldera--I'll be addressing that tomorrow in my Author's Notes. Yes, life returned once Sauron was gone, and Frodo did have a chance to see just how! Thank you so much! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/22/2009 |
| Oh, Sam brought a painting of the island in the lake? How wonderful! I am glad Frodo got to see it, and had fun watching him wondering about where it is! So Eldarion did see a vision of Frodo, not another monument? Had a feeling this could be the case when I did read the end of the last chapter. Good. And I am glad Frodo got to see two of Aragorn’s children. Anyway, that was lovely, Larner, and it is a joy that Frodo learned just how much of a difference he made in the end! Author Reply: Yes, he brought two pictures to share with Frodo, and I bet he enjoyed ever minute of Frodo's confusion as to where this pictured lake my lie. No, the lights upon the little island were not quite monuments; but what greater monument can there be to Frodo than this lake, lying in the crater of Mt. Orodruin? And indeed at least Frodo did have a glimpse of Eldarion and Idril at least. Thank you so--and I agree thoroughly about Frodo realizing just what a difference his life made at least to these lands. And welcome home! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/22/2009 |
| However odd it must be to find the land so changed, I can understand the need to see everything for themselves, to get a better idea what Frodo and Sam went through and where. Going further into Mordor, even to Mount Doom, might lay some ghosts for Merry – and probably not only for him. Very satisfying to see how much that once ruined land has recovered already, that the Valar are at work to turn it into a green land again! At least Sauron didn’t manage to completely destroy this part of the world forever. Yes, that’s only right and sort of symbolic – the remaining Fellowship going to the end of the Quest to destroy the Ring, keeping their intent to follow Frodo up to the mountain, even if belatedly. Like the idea with bathing in that pool. Merry is right, it is sort of a gift from Frodo, and I find it great to know that things like this pool are there, mending the destruction Sauron caused. Only wish Frodo could be there with them, seeing for himself the change he made possible! Oh, that lake in the crater surrounded by trees was unexpected, but such a lovely image! And how satisfying to think it is in defiance of Sauron, undoing his work! Author Reply: Of all the Fellowship, I would expect that the one with the most regrets would be Merry, who found his own path sundered from those of the others, and especially from that of his beloved cousin. To see the difference made within the circling walls of the Mountains of Shadow and the Ered Lithui must have been so heartening for him, perhaps more than all the rest! Sam realized there were some things even Sauron could not touch; now they all see that his touch was not lasting in the end! Am so glad others also rejoice in the finding of the pool--a bit more down-to-earth than wanting to swim, perhaps, in the lake! Thanks so. | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/21/2009 |
| A lovely ending. Love the description of the new Mordor. Full of fruit trees and "Nuru Lahta"...a beautiful name! Might have to remember it when I get there myself...lol ~~~~{~@ Author Reply: Am so glad you appreciate it, Armariel. And what better revenge on Sauron than such things about that lake? Thank Fiondil for the help in naming the lake and the region as it came to be known afterwards. The author's notes will be posted probably Tuesday. Thank you so much! | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/21/2009 |
| He gently ran a finger over the painting. It is a living land now, Mordor is? Sam nodded solemnly. “That it is.” Frodo appeared to be shining more brightly. Then we *did* make a difference! “That we did, Frodo--that we did.” Dear, old Frodo! Of course they made a difference! Stubborn Baggins ;-) There's light and water now as Sam wished for. And the Valar created that beautiful lake to demonstrate that the Land of Mordor is now under their special protection. Thank you very much, Larner. I enjoyed this story a great deal! Author Reply: I am so very glad you did, Andrea. I wish it hadn't taken so long to get written, however, particularly considering how relatively short it is! Yes, our beloved, stubborn Baggins! Light and water indeed! Thank you so very much! | |