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Hollow Victory  by Kara's Aunty 55 Review(s)
RobbieReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/7/2013
This chapter is great! (And so fast too, thank you)
It shows where the two of them stand and makes it possible to interpret their actions. I think it believable they're fighting in this situation.
I feel so sorry for poor Sam, he has to deal with the fallout of Frodos problems. His own are still a bit under the surface. I fear he won't let the others help him (Can they even?)
Waiting impatiently for update ;-)

Author Reply: Hello Robbie,

thanks very much! And if you think this chapter was fast, wait for the next one. Or dont', 'cos it's posted already!

And Sam's problems might not be on the surface for much longer ...

Thanks for R & R-ing,

M ;)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/6/2013
The forgiveness of Sam, I meant! Good grief--my fingers are not working well today!

Author Reply: It's okay. I know you meant Sam!!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/6/2013
Taking out his own feelings of guilt on Sam is counterproductive, of course. I certainly appreciate just why Sam is feeling devastated. But as Frodo knows he failed, he cannot bear to forgive himself, much less accept the forgiveness of Frodo!

Author Reply: Hello Larner,

counterproductive indeed - if his feelings are purely down to guilt.

*innocent whistle*

Thanks for R & R-ing,

M ;)

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/6/2013
Poor Sam's heart must be broken in two. How awful for these dear, dear friends to be fighting, each on the other side of a dark chasm they can't seem to reach across. I hope so much that the anger and despair get resolved.

Author Reply: Hello shirebound,

me too. It's just not right to see them at each other's throats (literally or figuratively)!

Thanks for R & R-ing,

M ;)

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/6/2013
Well, of course, my dear cousin, I want you to be the one writing this, even though you torture me with such long waits. I am curious though whether any of my bunnies will show up. I thought this morning as Pippin did not specify who was shouting, maybe it was Frodo and Merry or even Merry and Sam - but I hope it's Frodo and Sam because they really need to get this out of their system so they can then just curl up together and start to heal. We shall see but don't keep us waiting *too* long!

Namarie, God bless, Your anxious bloom :)

Author Reply: Hello Berry,

find out the answers to your questions right now, 'cos the next chapter is already up ...

Cousin Mo ;)

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/5/2013
Another chapter, another chapter, another chapter!!! *does Precious dance* Thank you for this mighty gift, dear cousin. :) I must agree that the Gaffer would have been great to deal with Sauron. I mean he told off a Nazgul without much trouble, so he could stand up to the wraith's boss too. I was extolling your marvelous storytelling abilities to my mom at dinner tonight and said what Frodo and Sam really need to do is have a big argument with Frodo shouting how much he couldn't stand what he did to Sam because he loved him and Sam would shout back that he loved Frodo and it would end with them in tears and hugging each other and the poison would be drained and the healing would come after. And here you end with just what I wanted, *does another dance* though I am concerned that it has Pippin worried. But still I think arguing is the best thing that could happen because something had to break through Frodo's self-loathing and shame and guilt. Frodo would not be angry at Sam, unless he was angry he was still so stubbornly loved when he felt he didn't deserve it anymore, more the anger would come out that he was really directing at himself, and Sam would no longer be walking on eggshells but putting Frodo back in his place, which is right beside him and saying I don't care how bad you are I still love you and I will always love you. Love to see what you come up with!

Namarie, God bless, Your happy bloom :)

Author Reply: Hello Tooky Bloom,

well, you seem to have the whole story mapped out. Maybe I should save myself a lot of time by passing it on to you and letting you finish it? Then I could watch 'The Hobbit' again. In peace ...

*chortles madly*

On second thoughts, it would be no fun to pass it over to you. I wouldn't be able to torment you with the story development otherwise. Because things may not develop in quite the way you think ...

*whistles innocently*

Hope you enjoyed your dinner, and thanks for R & R-ing!

Cousin Mo.

curiouswombatReviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/5/2013
I have just read this from the beginning to here in one sitting. It has held my attention all the time.

I can see why such a small change might have these repercussions - it makes for a fascinating tale. And what a good idea for Sam to 'defile' the ring in such a neat fashion.

I will be very happy to read the next chapter when life gives you time to write it.

Author Reply: Hello curiouswombat,

*grins*

I'm very pleased to know 'Hollow Victory' has held you fast thus far. The repercussions of that one alteration of events really is having quite an impact on our heroes. Not that it was Sam's fault; IMHO it was all down to Gollum, in the end, for going all AU on us when he let rage take over and threw that rock at Sam, then tried to kill him. He left Sam with no choice but to defend himself, and ended up losing his life as a result. And now, Frodo and Sam are having to handle the consequences of Gollum's decision. Even now, he's still haunting their steps ...

Will try to get another chapter up as soon as! Hope you enjoy that one too.

Thanks for R & R-ing,

M ;)

robbieReviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/5/2013
I'm very glad you posted this new chapter. I love this story and its prequel because it's not only a quite realistic way it could have happened but it's also well written. You keep mentioning details I wouldn't have thought about, for example the discussion of compromising the ring in this chapter. I liked that very much.
I also like that you write a lot out of Sam's perspective. I really want to know what they are fighting about - I got the impression they themselves don't even know if they feel guilty, or betrayed or just hurt and angry...
Waiting for the update =)

Author Reply: Hello Robbie,

and I'm very glad you're enjoying the story so much, and thanks especially for letting me know which parts you like the most. The whole Phial of Galadriel compromising the One Ring actually only occurred to me while I was trying to get Sam out of a sticky situation during 'Cusp of Victory'. But it makes sense that the Ring can be damaged, even if not destroyed, by something so pure. I'm having fun theorising over it in the fic, at least!

There aren't too many Sam pov stories out there (I know, I've looked), so I like to get the gardener's perspectives on the epic events he finds himself caught up in. As to why he and Frodo are so suddenly at loggerheads, or whether they'll be able to resolve their issues amicably, well, you'll just have to wait and see!

Thanks for R & R-ing,

M ;)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/4/2013
Poor Pippin--first coerced and then having to seek intervention to keep Frodo and Sam from destroying themselves and one another. Obviously the echoes of the Ring's voice are still active in Frodo's heart, and he refuses to relinquish his guilt!

Author Reply: Hello Larner,

at least Pippin had a decent lunch beforehand; that might've helped him cope with the shock of witnessing Frodo and Sam yelling at each other. Then again, maybe not - Frodo and Sam yelling at each other just isn't natural. Let's hope they can resolve their issues, and quickly.

Thanks for R & R-ing,

M ;)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/4/2013
So--that's it! Frodo still believes he was working independently of the Ring's will, and hopefully now he will accept that this wasn't true. Sam truly has the right of it, of course--the Ring was in control at that point, not Frodo.

But, even though Frodo knows intellectually now that he's not to blame, that still has to sink into the emotional part of his intelligence, which is far more reluctant to accept reality too often than the rational part of the brain.

I reread the story from the beginning so as to be in a better position to appreciate the new chapter--my memory isn't what it once was, I find. I'm glad that the two of them were forced to tell this now--now they have the chance to recover better with it all out in the open. But I'm surprised that Gandalf would assume that the Ring had to be claimed instead of the other way around.

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