Moments in Time by Larner
Inkling · 30 April 2007 · Chapter 30: She Watches
"...here where the Creator planted him." Just so, and nicely put! This had me thinking of the old maxim, "East, West, home's best." Rosie seems to know this deep down, despite her fretting…
Author's reply
Yes, that maxim's so true. (Larner quietly taps her heels together and chants "There's no place like home....) Thanks so much for the comments, Inkling.
harrowcat · 30 April 2007 · Chapter 30: She Watches
It must have been hard for Rosie knowing that, no matter how truly he loved her, part of Sam wanted to be elsewhere.
Author's reply
Yes, it must have been somewhat difficult; but she also knew he loved her as much as he loved his Master. Thanks so much for the comments, and hug Jet for me.
Radbooks · 29 April 2007 · Chapter 30: She Watches
Very nice. It must have been difficult at times for Rosie to know Sam's feelings for Frodo and yet I'm sure she was also totally secure in his love for her. Sam was basically such a down to earth sort of hobbit and she had to know that even with what he'd seen 'out there' that it was the good tilled earth of the Shire and the love of his wife and children that kept him grounded and content. Nicely done!
Author's reply
Sam was a solid soul, and knew where his priorities lay. Having made his commitment to Rosie, he was tied to the Shire for as long as she lived with him as his wife; only when she was gone did he go to find the healing he needed, needed for what the Ring had done to him, for the loss of one dearer than brother he'd seen through horrors only to lose at last to the need for a Light brighter than what the Shire could give him, and for the loss of the one who'd kept Bag End and the Shire home for him for over sixty years. Thanks so much, Radbooks.
Armariel · 29 April 2007 · Chapter 30: She Watches
Sounds very like the thoughts of a returning soldier's wife. ("How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm/After they've seen Paree"....) Which, in a sense, she is. I can see how she might fear he would find things a bit dullish on the home front...and yet he must truly cherish the land he helped to save all the more and the peace and quiet he helped to bring about. Lovely writing, as always. ~~~{~@
Author's reply
Oh, very much that, although I'll admit I hadn't thought of what I've read of thoughts of military wives after WWI and WWII. But Sam and Frodo were first intending only to save the Shire--that they'd do so for the whole of Arda wasn't what they'd thought to do, not when they left the Shire. And thanks so much for the vote of confidence--it's well appreciated, you know.
shirebound · 29 April 2007 · Chapter 30: She Watches
A very perceptive glimpse into Rosie's heart and thoughts.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you agree, Shirebound. Thank you!
Raksha The Demon · 29 April 2007 · Chapter 30: She Watches
An excellent vignette from Rosie's P.O.V. It couldn't have always been sunshine and flowers for her; knowing that part of Sam's heart belonged to things she could barely imagine and rarely, if at all, experience, as well as his lost "Master". Her love for Sam shines through, as does her compassion even for Frodo. It's an interesting contrast to Denethor's refusal to accept "halved" love - Rosie is a warm-hearted person who can share what and whom she loves; Denethor could not.
Author's reply
No, not always sunshine and flowers; yet she's the one who has him NOW, which is the important thing as far as she's concerned. And she knows love shared is love multiplied in the end. You're right--the antithesis to poor Denethor. Thanks for the comments.
Antane · 29 April 2007 · Chapter 30: She Watches
And yet, for all most of his heart is here, here in Bag End under the Hill, she still catches him paused, his eyes turned westward, for an important part of his heart is there, waiting for his coming one day. I think the only time Sam's heart wasn't torn in two was when he could look over both halves of his heart, either before the Quest or after it. Sam knows quality - either in his Frodo or his Rose. My heart ached a bit for Rose to think that Sam would not think her anything after all he had seen. I hope he told her, I'm sure he did, that his thoughts were with her. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, I'm certain Sam never let Rosie forget she was what he came home to and for. He's as whole as such a one as Sam can be, now that he's in the Shire and has found his full place within it, and she's willing to accept that Sam's heart is capable of embracing far more than just her and the children. Glad you enjoyed this one, Antane.
Grey Wonderer · 29 April 2007 · Chapter 30: She Watches
It must have been difficult sometimes for Rose. I think she would have had times when she felt a bit left out of it all. This is lovely.
Author's reply
Sometimes she indeed must have felt left out, but I'll bet that just as often she was glad to let Sam do his work so she could do hers, which was to love as many as she could as fully as she could. Thanks so for the comments, Grey Wonderer.
Telpethoron · 29 April 2007 · Chapter 30: She Watches
This is a wonderful story from Rosie's POV. For all that Sam has seen and done, it's the simple things that ground him and fulfill him. Beautifully done, as always!
Author's reply
Oh, you are so right, Tepethoron--Sam has found that which keeps him grounded and fulfilled indeed. And thanks so much for the compliment!
Antane · 29 April 2007 · Chapter 28: Mirror, Mirror
What a lovely, loving gift he got. I do wonder what he saw - I'm sure his own heart and soul reflected in those lumunious eyes he so longed to look into again or some such gift. Both had their golden treasures in each other. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Perhaps he saw what he wished to see, or something else, or perhaps realized the time for such wishing was not yet, while he held the treasure of his family right there in his hand. Sam apparently never told what he did (or didn't) see.
Linda Hoyland · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 29: Awakenings
A nice look at all the many awakenings Frodo has experienced. I see them as symbolic rebiths in a way.Sorry I'm so late reviewing these, they skipped my attention somehow
Author's reply
Yes--symbolic rebirths indeed. And having taken so long to review "A Time to Reap," I fully understand. I oftentimes hate my ISP.
Linda Hoyland · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 28: Mirror, Mirror
What a lovely idea !
Author's reply
Glad you agree, Linda. Thanks for responding!
harrowcat · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 29: Awakenings
Loved it, loved it, loved it Larner. And as somebody commented very appropriate for Easter. Made me want to go and re-read that last true awakening of stepping forward into the Presence with everyone around him!
Author's reply
Yes, this was my Easter-Passover story this year. So glad you feel it appropriate for the season. The joy of that last awakening must have been so much the greater, for he came to it having relearned how to know joy once more. Hope your holiday was pleasant. It's my birthday today, and so I've been visiting, also. Be home briefly then off to work with my clients. Wish me luck.
Andrea · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 29: Awakenings
That was beautiful, Larner! And before I start to quote the whole story, let me just pick up three quotes! But that was followed by a far grimmer awakening as he, a mere Hobbit, realized he must go further than anyone ought to have gone, and that it was very likely he would soon die to free not just the Shire but the whole of Middle Earth from even worse evil than he’d foreseen so far. That was an eye-opener for me! When you have read the story several times, you simply forget that Frodo's first intention was to save the Shire and that he had never expected to be involved in a much greater quest, to save the whole of Middle Earth! Only in Rivendell, at the Council of Elrond he realised that. But he went on! ... and he and It claimed one another, there in that place of fire and darkness. Wow! The choice of words is perfect! And last, but not least: So now he stood on the deck of the grey ship, between Gandalf and the Lady, Elrond behind him, the Wizard’s hand on his shoulder, watching the rain curtain like silver glass roll back, and he took a deep breath, feeling himself awaken fully for the first time in years. Beautifully written! After having read your AU story, I think this way it was much easier for Frodo to leave Middle Earth. But he IS a stubborn Baggins, and he could have very well decided otherwise ;-)
Author's reply
I don't know why the AUs are taking me, but they are. But am so glad that this makes it easier to accept that in the end Frodo did leave Middle Earth. Yes, he was a stubborn Baggins indeed! Am so glad you liked this one.
Kitty · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 29: Awakenings
Most of these awakenings were terrible – to find his parents dead, to have to take It to Mordor, the tower of Cirith Ungol – and then to find next time was even worse ... I think it was important for Frodo to have finally an occasion in which he could feel he was waking up to something good, to a relieving of pain and guilt. He truly deserves it. Wonderful ficlet, Larner!
Author's reply
Thank you, Kitty, although I think today's offering will be very upsetting by comparison. I certainly agree Frodo needs an awakening in which he finds healing and joy in place of diminishment, grief, pain, and guilt.
Kitty · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 28: Mirror, Mirror
Sorry, just realised I had somehow forgotten to review this. The daughter of my friend would say something about Alzheimer ... ;-) Even the grotto in itself, without the mirror, would have been beautiful. You know, I’d dearly love to see the garden of Bag End! With such a one as Sam to maintain it, it must be wonderful. Was truly surprised about this last gift from Galadriel. I had always assumed she had taken her mirror with her to Valinor and would never have thought of it ending up in the Shire. Though I have to admit it could be a wonderful thing for Sam if it showed him his beloved Master, healed and happy, in Valinor. But I doubt it worked for Sam, at least not in this way. And maybe it is for the best, as I suppose it would have distracted him too much from his family and duties if he could watch Frodo through the mirror.
Author's reply
So glad you like this one. No one said anything about Galadriel taking the basin and ewer with her, so I assumed it would have remained in Middle Earth--and who better to gift them to than Sam. And I, too, would wish to see the gardens. As for seeing Frodo in the mirror, I agree with you--too much distraction. Thanks so for the feedback.
Bodkin · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 29: Awakenings
Charming device. Poor Frodo - he's had a hard time, but he can look forward now.
Author's reply
Yes, difficulties and terrors and near-death (and worse) more than once; now he has the chance to awaken to easing instead of frustration and pain and fear of memories. So glad you've responded to it.
Periantari · 9 April 2007 · Chapter 18: Light Thought Lost
Gosh, I am stricken by the vivid description you use to describe Frodo and Sam's wounds... And also love how you refer to Frodo's beauty in several times over the course of the fic. Lovely last line: Then he was leaning over Frodo and Sam, seeing the great beauty both held, intent on bringing it back to fullness as he invoked his own Light of Being in his search to find theirs.... Just... yes, i love this so much because indeed they truly were in the brink of death before released into a healing sleep by Aragorn. ::loves this fic too::
Author's reply
Am so very glad you liked this one, Periantri. This was written for the "In the Eye of the Beholder" challenge on Henneth Annun, and it was interesting to think of how the various individuals might have looked on Frodo in the days he was closest to death as a direct result of the final assault on Mordor itself. The beauty of the spirits of both these individuals was so very great, particularly once they set themselves to do what they did in defense of all of Middle Earth. Aragorn was prepared for his part in the final war against the Enemy; they were not. He had to search intently to find their spirits and recall them to themselves, and in the eyes of those who came to love Sam and Frodo they were beautiful indeed. Glad you are reading so many of these stories that have been on for a time.
Periantari · 9 April 2007 · Chapter 8: In Memorium
How sweet and what a lovely moment to commemorate March 25th. Indeed, Eglerio to the dear Periannath! ♥
Author's reply
I wrote that last year. A more informal moment of memorial prior to the greater one to involve the city and realm to come. Yes, Eglerio indeed.
Periantari · 9 April 2007 · Chapter 6: Longing
Wow that's very interesting perception on why Pippin left the Shire at the end as well. It seems to me, all the Fellowship had to leave Middle-earth in some way, either in their homeland or abroad and this little dialogue between Faramir and Pippin is so realistic and so insightful. Thanks so much for this! I really like it! procrastinating studying to read a little bit of your shorter works... i must say i really really really loved "Requesting Mercy" too and will leave you a longer review when time allows.
Author's reply
In "Reconciliation" I'd written the Rangers telling Saradoc, Esmeralda, Paladin, Eglantine, and Merimac about the expected effects of lembas on mortals as Tolkien described in one of his letters. In one of the responses to that chapter someone asked whether or not Merry and Pippin might also be expected to know the Sea Longing, and how it might have expressed itself, and this story resulted. That you find it realistic and insightful is interesting, as I have received feedback elsewhere that some readers found it contrary to their expectations regarding Pippin. All I could do was shrug. As this is sixty-some years after the quest, I'd expect that Pippin would have a good deal of self-knowledge he didn't know back when he first left the Shire. Thanks so much for the feedback.
Periantari · 9 April 2007 · Chapter 29: Awakenings
Beautiful. These are so very poignant and what a theme that you wrote in them! But that was followed by a far grimmer awakening as he, a mere Hobbit, realized he must go further than anyone ought to have gone, and that it was very likely he would soon die to free not just the Shire but the whole of Middle Earth from even worse evil than he’d foreseen so far. The reason why Frodo is one of my favorite hobbits-- he did the one task that no one wanted to do and that sacrifice was just so great and honorable. Knowing that he may not survive, Frodo still kept on and gosh, i think he did one of the greatest things ever in MIddle-earth and Elrond was right that he'll be made into a song like Beren and Tuor were in the Eldar Days. The waking in the orc tower, to the despair of thinking all was lost with the Ring, to pain and torture and the agony of loss--loss of It, loss of hope, loss of Sam. Further brief coming to awareness in the waking nightmare of crossing Mordor under the weight of It and Its burning against his breast before falling back into the darkness as his strength drained away. So beautifully written, so full of angst and truth that it so stings at my heart. ANd your last line... gosh, i was blown away by it, "awaken for the first time"-- i love it. THis is an amazing fic, Larner! Thanks for writing it!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Periantri. Was meditating on Frodo's comment in "The Return of the King" that rather than waking from a great dream as the others expressed he felt as if he were falling into sleep again. There were Holocaust survivors who commented that their times in the camps were the one time in their lives they'd felt fully alive, and that their lives often felt flat and grey afterwards; I saw the parallel between that and Frodo's own comment. Perhaps it was due at the time to adrenalin overload; but in the end Frodo apparently felt he needed a new awakening. And I look forward to seeing your response to "Requesting Mercy."
Antane · 9 April 2007 · Chapter 29: Awakenings
Love the ending and the way you phrased he and the Ring claiming each other. I still wonder how much free will he had left then, a little, but certainly not as much as he thought he had and blamed himself and suffered so much for later. Love also that Sam's wish to hear their story told helped ease what they both thought would be their final moments. I love the way that's protrayed in the movie - Frodo with his eyes closed, resting his head against Sam's and both arms around him, trusting, peacefully accepting and waiting for the end, and Sam still watching over him even then. The joy and wonder of being lifted away by the eagle. He awoke many times I'm sure he wished he hadn't - after his parents' deaths, after Gandalf's, after the Fire, but then he wakes in the West and one day would wake in the Presence. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
The image of Frodo and Sam embracing one another there as the volcano is erupting above and behind them is truly one of the most powerful ones contained in all three films, or so I'd always felt. And that serendipitous comment by Sam as they waited for death to finally take them always seemed such a profound defiance of all they'd been through--how it must have touched Frodo and helped draw him, for the moment at least, away from the grief and pain. Yes, I think it might have indeed eased him in what he thought would be his last moments of awareness of life. Life must be lived while it remains with us; and for all of us there are awakenings we wish we didn't have to endure, as well as others that are filled with delight and joy. And the awakening to the fact he now belonged in Elvenhome must have been an intense joy for Frodo once he accepted it. Am looking forward to your responses to "Go Out in Joy."
Radbooks · 9 April 2007 · Chapter 29: Awakenings
A very moving way to look at Frodo's life. I love that image of Valinor and the healing that lies ahead for Frodo.
Author's reply
Am so very glad you love that image, Radbooks. Thank you--this just seemed proper for Easter.
Queen Galadriel · 9 April 2007 · Chapter 29: Awakenings
Oh wow! Very powerful, particularly the ending. I never thought of most of those events in quite that way before. Very appropriate for Easter. And a (belated) blessed one to you too! God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Glad you agree with me on how this was an appropriate response to Easter. Thank you so very much. And may your Eastertide be renewing for you.
Dreamflower · 9 April 2007 · Chapter 29: Awakenings
Yes, many awakenings, both literal and figurative, followed him all his life. But now is the hope that *this* awakening will bring true healing.
Author's reply
Yes, I agree so very much. And at last Frodo may know some hope for himself after having given it over for himself within Middle Earth and the Shire. Happy Easter.