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| The Time of Probing by Larner | 109 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/18/2013 |
| It is good to know that Arwen's gem helped slowing down the shard's progress. Even more interesting is the discussion about how to wear the Ring. Until now I thought that the only purpose of the chain was to keep the Ring in a safe position, so that It could not "escape". But now I wonder what Boraënur will prepare. Maybe some extra protection? Author Reply: I've loved imagining the purpose of Arwen's gem, and the idea that it was used to help counter the effects of the Morgul shard seemed logical. I've always imagined that the chain on which the Ring was worn from Rivendell on served several purposes beyond keeping the Ring from straying further. It also helped Frodo to avoid being caught by It slipping Itself onto his finger by "accident," and the idea that the chain helped to dampen Its power has always been one I've favored. By now hopefully you've seen what has been done to further strengthen the chain! | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/16/2013 |
| It was very interesting to see how surgery is performed in Elrond's house. And what an amazingly easy yet convincing explanation why the Elves' techniques are so advanced: Thousands of years of experience! But poor Frodo! He is already unable to part with the Ring for a relatively short time. And yet he has not even been appointed to bring it to Mount Doom! It is already clear at that early point of time that Frodo himself cannot destroy the Ring. Author Reply: Most of our greatest innovations in medical practice have been made in the last two hundred years, and have been successful primarily because of far better communication throughout the world. I would think that medical practitioners who had been at it for better than six thousand years and who had the memory capacity of Elves would have learned a lot, and they would do their best to share their knowledge and techniques with whoever among mortals were willing to learn from them. Gandalf had noted that it was difficult to convince Bilbo to leave the Ring behind when he left the Shire, and that Frodo couldn't be brought to throw the Ring into his parlor fire even though he undoubtedly knew rationally that no harm could truly come to It in such a situation. Then, after Tom Bombadil handled It and It didn't disappear, Frodo put It on and tried to sneak out with It, jealous that someone else didn't react to It as he did. It's obvious that the Ring had quite a hold on both of them, as It had done with Gollum from the first glimpse he had of it. I would think that even unconscious he was feeling uncomfortable without It in his possession as he was accustomed to at that point. Thank you so, Andrea! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/16/2013 |
| I just love phrases like "the collection of drowsing Hobbits" and "a deep, comfortable sleep gathered him into its arms." What a comforting chapter, in which you weave so much of the canon we know, and the small details we crave. :) Author Reply: Thank you so, Shirebound. But as you know, I love to find the context in which to set the details we do know! | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/15/2013 |
| “It’s tricksy,” he whispered, and Sam felt a chill at the change in Frodo’s voice. Tricksy indeed! But unlike Gollum Frodo was constantly fighting the Ring. He did this for his friends and for the Shire. When Smeagol obtained the Ring by murdering Deagol he lost both, his friends and eventually his home. The rest was easy for the Ring! Author Reply: True, Frodo was very unlike Smeagol both in the way by which he came into possession of the Ring and by the way he handled Its influence, and by his determination to get It to the Mountain so that It could be destroyed. Yet in the end Frodo found that he no longer fitted into his place either with those who had been his friends or at least his contemporaries, or within his home and homeland. But I suspect everything that the Ring robbed him of was granted back to him in the days of his healing. Again, thank you so! | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/15/2013 |
| Oh dear, I'm 9 chapters behind - but at least I do not need to wait for an update :-) Sam grinned. “Yes, you’re right about that. I’d of sooner believed as you was the heir to Arvedui Last-king!” “Which is what I am!” LOL!!! I would love to see Sam's face! It is amazing how much information Sam gathers in such a short time. Maybe it has to do with his frankness towards them that both, Aragorn and Gandalf so readily answer all his questions - and of course with the special situation. Author Reply: Well, if you have questions you really wish to see answered, what better place than in the House of Elrond to have them questioned? And I, too, would have loved to see Sam's face when he was hit by that revelation! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/13/2013 |
| It's so great to see a chapter in which everyone can relax a little and feel better about things. They've still got a lot of trouble and pain ahead; but for the moment they can simply enjoy the knowledge that this particular crisis is over. Author Reply: And you are so very right! How wonderful to think that the worst is over, although this is not the worst that Frodo shall face in the end. Thanks so very much, Dreamflower! | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/11/2013 |
| Smiling even! Hooray! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: I so agree, Antane! | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/11/2013 |
| A pause before another storm moves in! Love the interaction with the animals. Thank you. Author Reply: Yes, after all Frodo is only transitioning to the need to complete yet another, even more dangerous task after all. Not that the rest understand that as yet. And loved being able to allow Bill, Shadowfax, Asfaloth, and Bilbo's pony (whom I'll always think of as Merrylegs a la Lindelea) a bit of exposure! Thank you so! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/11/2013 |
| It's lovely to imagine the hobbits bringing flowers to Frodo's room, and the air of ths sickroom filled with a gentle lullaby. But this is my favorite line: "...it accepted its tribute with gentle dignity." Dear Asfaloth, what an important task he was assigned, and how bravely he carried it out. Author Reply: The tension is over, and all are beginning to feel the effects of the stress they've now known for the last few weeks. Time to allow themselves to relax and to seek to bring beauty where there was fear. And don't we love all of the horses and ponies in LOTR? Bill and Asfaloth did such a wonderful job of seeing Frodo to safety! | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/9/2013 |
| It is good to see Frodo improving. I love the way they strengthen the chain. Author Reply: I agree--quite time for Frodo to begin gaining rather than losing strength. And I figured there had to be something about that chain that made them decide to provide him with that as the means for carrying and securing the Ring, so it stood to rights that it had been somehow been empowered to stand against the Ring's will in some manner. Thanks so very much, Linda! | |