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| Starship by shirebound | 26 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| althea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/22/2010 |
| I just want to let you know how much I am enjoying this story. I love the idea of Sam being honored as he leaves Middle Earth. Author Reply: Thank you so much, Althea. This story is making me happy, too. :D | |
| inzilbeth | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/22/2010 |
| Ah Shirebound, you have excelled yourself here! What a truly wonderful departure for Sam. I absolutely loved it. Well done! Author Reply: Thank you! I tried to imagine the nicest send-off possible. :) | |
| lbilover | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/21/2010 |
| "The Shire has been gently loosening its hold on him, like a tree about to be transplanted into new, rich soil." What a very beautiful comparison, and so perfectly apt. This was just a gorgeous chapter, and it did my heart good to see Sam so honored and loved, and Frodo remembered, too, with such caring. I was very happily surprised to see Strider and Arwen put in an appearance. I love that they were there when Sam left, and that Aragorn put Sam into sleep for the journey. What a truly imaginative and fascinating take on Sam's departure, and very moving, too. Sam's parting from Elanor must have been truly heartbreaking for them both. Author Reply: Frodo's departure was so quiet, with so few present to honor him, I wanted to pour everything I could think of into a wonderful send-off for Sam. I don't think Aragorn would have forgiven himself if he could have been there, and wasn't. And all the folk who were there will never forget it. This is as close as I could bring us to being there with them! Thank you so much for your lovely comments, my friend. :) | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/20/2010 |
| This certainly had me sniffling, Shirebound. The Dunedain holding their swords aloft, Aragorn's love for Sam, the Eagle, and the Rangers wanting to greet Meneldor on his return......... Not to mention Sam's farewell to the Shire and to Elanor. I loved dear practical Sam leaving his walking stick because he doesn't want to 'bother the Eagle with too much nonsense'!!! How totally Sam! This was just so moving and so perfect and I loved every word. Author Reply: Oh my, thank you. I wanted this farewell to be full of love and respect. In the Shire Sam became a leading citizen, but to the Outside world he had attained nearly legendary status. It was fun to show this while making sure he kept his simple hobbity nature. I'm so happy you liked this, BB! *beams* | |
| cookiefleck | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/19/2010 |
| Well, I'm back (*grins*) - I wanted to collect my thoughts before leaving a proper review. I really did get very emotional (tears were shed) reading this chapter, which is a tribute to how beautifully and thoughtfully you wrote it, and reflects my depth of feelings for the dear character of Samwise. In terms of plot elements and details, I really enjoyed the Shire turnout and then the final, special meeting with Elanor. I was thrilled and surprised that the King and host came to bid respects and farewell. And I appreciated (and noticed) all of the smaller bits that are so telling, such as Sam's reasons for leaving his walking stick behind and Aragorn's thoughtful tucking it into place. I love that one sentence for so many reasons. I appreciate that you found and struck the right balance in terms of Sam's attitude, and of those close to him and even the larger group of those who knew him and knew of him. I like to feel that Sam led a happy and full life in the Shire, that he was well-loved by all, and that at some point he was ready for that next "adventure." I don't like stories that minimize his time in the Shire, as if all he did for decades was pine for Frodo. You wrote that aspect reflecting the way I think Tolkien wanted us to think of Sam's post-quest years. It's interesting to read the other reviews, because many of them relate emotionally to this chapter because of feelings about Frodo's passing over the sea. Although I understand that, you know that my primary character interest in LOTR has always been Samwise, and I feel that his accomplishments are sometimes minimized by readers/writers (not by Tolkien, of course) in "favor of" honoring Frodo. My emotional reaction stemmed from being glad to read your portrayal of him as fully respected, loved and honored for all that he was and did in his life. I could not have asked for a nicer farewell tribute to a character that holds such a special place in my heart. Incidentally (just to make this review even longer and wordier, hah), while typing this I was listening on my computer to a favorite song, Shining, by Badly Drawn Boy. You can google the lyrics and song if interested. It was a coincidence that I was listening to it but it actually compliments your story quite well. Author Reply: My friend, I'm thrilled beyond words that my portrayal of Sam and his leave-taking makes your heart happy. He truly does deserve to be "fully respected, loved and honored for all that he was and did". Some of my stories from a few years ago -- "The Three Towers" and "Mind to Mind" in particular -- brought him to the foreground along with Frodo, but this story revolves around him first and foremost, and I'm enjoying every moment of planning and writing. Thank you so much for noticing the little details! I try to imagine a scene as completely as possible, and it's often the little things that bring us into an understanding of someone's thoughts and feelings. And thank you for being so patient while this story came together. I know you've been waiting a long time. *hugs hugs* | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/19/2010 |
| I bawled like a baby through this chaper. Seriously, I cried my eyes out through the whole thing. And as I was crying, I was thinking to myself, "What on earth is going on here?" Sam was emphatically not sad to be leaving. He was totally at peace with it, as were all the others around him. Yes, the leavetaking can be painful, but nobody was in terrible overwhelming grief about Sam finally going to the West to be reuinited with his Master, in reward for his faithfulness and love. There isn't anything sad about that! And yet, I'm crying again even as I write that. I finally came to the conculsion that I wasn't crying for Sam. I'm crying for Frodo, in the same way I always cry at the end of the book. He didn't leave children behind to miss him. He didn't have Aragorn and Arwen to say farewell. Moreover, he didn't have a full life to look back on with no regrets, or loving memories to take with him. He had doubts and pain and illness amd scorn and nightmare memories instead. And I can't read about Sam leaving, without remembering Frodo and everything he was so cruelly denied. Thus, your loving and gentle chapter leaves me bereft, for the moment, until I can read the reunion and see the healing for myself. I'm looking forward to it. And as a final aside, the invocation and standing silence at the end was absolutely beautiful, and absolutely perfect. Author Reply: Oh my, you're going to make me sniffle too! This is why I write so many "happy hobbits in the West" stories, incorporating different ways Frodo has found joy, friendship, love, respect, peace, and fulfillment; we were denied seeing all of those things in canon. Bless the fact that fanfic can soothe our hearts and spirits regarding his fate. I *promise* that there will reunion and healing in this story. *hugs you* Thank you so much for your lovely comments, and I'm very appreciative to know that this chapter moved you. From beginning to end, I really poured my heart into it. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/19/2010 |
| A most blessed leavetaking, with Aragorn and Arwen in attendance, and so many others! May he know peace and joy in his passage! Author Reply: Thank you, my friend. Praise our humble Samwise with great praise! | |
| cookiefleck | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/18/2010 |
| I actually had to read this chapter in start-stop stages tonight, because it moved me so much. Will leave longer feedback tomorrow. *hugs* Author Reply: Oh Cookie, that's such a compliment! I've been hoping for a long time to bring you a story like this. *hugs you* | |
| Estelcontar | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/18/2010 |
| Here is the chapter I've been waiting for, and what a lovely one it is. I just loved to see Aragorn and Arwen there farewelling Sam, and Aragorn putting him to sleep so as to ease his journey to Tol Eressëa. This was such a beautiful and most well deserved farewell. I also loved your mention of the Star of The Dúnedain which both the Rangers and Sam bore, and of the Elendilmir on Aragorn's brow. It somehow created a link between them. I found the ending moving and perfect. Author Reply: Thank you. I'm so pleased you like this chapter, and that it was worth the wait! I tried to create a send-off that would be respectful, memorable, and full of love. :) | |
| AspenJules | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/18/2010 |
| That was a lovely chapter, Janet... even if you did make me cry. Three times! The partings you write for Sam, from Hobbiton and his family there, and then from Elanor, and finally from Aragorn and Arwen were so beautifully done, not over done but still each one of them brought tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat. Nice job! I also like the ideas of Meneldor finally getting to bear a Ringbearer, and of the Shire letting go of Sam, and even the little mention of Arwen not being able to bear watching her father sail. Nice of Cirdan to send reassurances to Sam, I'm guessing that's where some of the hurt will come in, though I think this part was the hardest. Now he gets to be reunited with his Frodo! *bounce* Author Reply: I'm really gratified to know that this chapter moved you. Although this event is full of anticipation and excitement, Sam is still leaving the only life and home he's ever known, and it must have been somewhat bittersweet. But by now, his heart and dreams would be calling him to a new home, which will be just as sweet and welcoming. LOL, how could I write a story without a bit of h/cccc? Hobbit-tending is one of my favoritest things. *grins* Thank you so much. I poured a lot of love into this chapter. | |