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The Time of Probing  by Larner 109 Review(s)
AntaneReviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/22/2013
Poor Merry and Pippin with their frustration that Frodo did wake and they didn't know it. Love the ending the most with Sam's determination to stick by his beloved treasure and know his other treasure would be waiting.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

"Remember before God, Richard III, King of England and of those who fell on Bosworth Field, having kept faith, 22 August, 1485." - http://www.r3.org



Author Reply: It took both faith and hope to stick by his Master through to the end as he did, but as we know, Sam had both!

And it's been over five hundred years since perhaps England's noblest and most enlightened King fell to treachery there on Bosworth Field. It was an honor to look on his personal library and to drop a flower to his memory there where he died. And I so rejoice that his body has indeed remained in peace in what was Greyfriar's Abbey. And to think I may once have stood over the place where his grave was hidden all these years since Henry VIII's people destroyed the place!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/21/2013
Loved seeing Aragorn and Arwen in this chapter. sam's room was just perfect for him with the image of Yavanna.

Author Reply: I loved being able to look at how those two acted "in company," and how honorable the two of them proved. And I loved imagining the perfect headboard for the bed granted to Samwise! Again thanks so, Linda!

PraveenReviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/21/2013
I have been reading this story avidly. Just wanted to point something out - According to the book, Shadowfax never came to Rivendel. "I could not ride among the rocks in the troll-fells, and shadowfax departed. I sent him back to his master" - these are the words of Gandalf at the council of Elrond. Later on, he reclaimed Shadowfax after his visit to Edoras with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. Not sure if you have overlooked this detail or this is slightly AU, which is perfectly fine.

Author Reply: I'd forgotten that Gandalf bade farewell to Shadowfax before they reached the valley, but have decided to let this stand as written. The noble beast might well have followed his chosen rider into the valley for a few days' rest, after all! Heh! I know that although they didn't attend the Council, Merry and Pippin still knew that Gandalf's horse had come from Rohan, so imagined that they'd seen him before he returned south without a rider.

So glad this story has found acceptance in spite of my small error. Thank you so for letting me know, Praveen.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/20/2013
The famous standard, used to create a nice and comforting image!

If we regard Frodo as the standard bearer, then he has many friends that night who do all to protect him: the other hobbits, Gandalf, Aragorn and all the Elves of Elrond's household!

Author Reply: Oh, what a wonderful comparison between Frodo and Halbarad here! Thank you so very much, Andrea!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/20/2013
I doubt I have seen such strength of purpose in many in the over two Ages of the Sun I have lived.

Well, some people call it "strength of purpose", others call it "stubbornness" which is more negative, I think. But it definitely is a good quality and it obviously saved Frodo's life here!

I very much liked Gandalf's words to Sam:
I sometimes suspect it is only your presence that reminds him who he is in the world of Arda, and that reminds him that he is yet a Hobbit of the Shire.

Author Reply: Strength of purpose, stubbornness, perseverance, endurance--Frodo was the epitome of all of these! You are right--this quality saved his life, coupled as it was with Sam's equally stubborn hope and faithfulness. Without the perseverance of both of these as well as the more selfish stubbornness of Gollum, all of Middle Earth would have suffered so! And of course Gandalf would recognize how Sam's presence served Frodo's need.

Thanks so for all your feedback.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/19/2013
Oh thank goodness! I am back in! (Since getting my new computer I've had trouble logging in here! The new one does not seem to remember to keep me logged in, and it doesn't seem to remember all my passwords!)

Anyway--excellent chapter here! I love the mention of Bilbo's poem, and the further explanation of why he wasn't at the feast. And I also like Gandalf's plan for the awakening of Frodo.

Poor Sam! It's such a shame that his plans were doomed--it would be nice to imagine an AU in which Frodo settled peacefully in at Crickhollow to a nice long life in Buckland.

Author Reply: I've always had difficulty with being kicked offline on this site within a few minutes of logging in, and particularly in high peak times.

It's always bothered me that Gandalf ends up admitting that Bilbo had also spent so much of his time by Frodo's bedside, but at the last minute seems to have eschewed attending the feast. I had to find a viable reason why he'd be in the Hall of Fire instead!

Perhaps in time I will work on such an AU, but NOT NOW! Gads, the plotbunnies and nuzguls with ears on have been persistent lately! Have two more almost ready for posting and the essay to finish........... Aargh!

Anyway, thank you so for the feedback, and hope you were also able to read ch. 14.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/19/2013
What a logical and interesting interlude. It's nice to see Master Elrond take so much time to explain his reasoning and actions to the hobbits.

And this is especially thought provoking... It may also seek to lend Its power to his recovery now, for It undoubtedly wishes him stronger that It might lead him where It would go

Author Reply: It would be in the Ring's best interests to get Frodo back traveling as soon as possible, after all. And I think that the other Travellers would be up in arms to be kept from Frodo now that he was recovering, so Elrond would have to be up front about the reasons why.

Thanks so for the feedback throughout the story, and I still love your means of the shard's possible extraction!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/18/2013
Good to see Frodo getting better. I loved the scene with the horses.

Author Reply: I agree--long past time when he should be recovering, of course. And I loved working the horses and ponies into the tale one more time. Thank you so, Linda!

UTfrogReviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/18/2013
Love Bilbo's insistence that honeybuns be sent to Legolas! Sam is right to feel that their job is not quite over. Excellent chapter. Thank you.

Author Reply: And thank you so, UTfrog. I love thinking that Bilbo felt some regrets for what he might have done while caught inside Thranduil's keep, and have always imagined that he watched the Elven King's family with interest and may have shared a taste for honey buns with Legolas! Heh!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/18/2013
Bless the stubborn love of hobbits!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Indeed, Antane! If it hadn't been for the stubborn love, loyalty, and honor shown by Frodo's friends so much evil would not have been averted as it was! Thank you so.

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