Queen Galadriel
· 26 February 2006
· Chapter 90: 90: Birth Come, Death Contemplated
Well, I'm glad nothing terrible happened at the banquet; that's a relief. But oh, Odo is so obnoctious! *sigh*
It seems funny, maybe, buit I can't help feeling a sort of maternal frustration over Frodo's not having proper care. Marigold and Widow Rumble didn't mean any harm, but goodness! For the poor hobbit to go looking for something to eat and find nothing? *shakes head* I can't help laughing at myself though, because my nickname since I was seven has been "Little Mother," and I'm unconsciously living up to it.
Loved the moment with Elanor at the end!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, the old Proudfoot remains a bit too outspoken and definitely obnoxious. Silly old Hobbit.
And I know the feeling of maternal caring and frustration. And of course Frodo isn't going to bother anyone by trying to point out he slept through dinner; Begonia thinks Marigold took the plate to him, and Marigold thought it was intended for Rosie, who undoubtedly welcomed it by the time they realized this was still but a practice bout. And so Frodo finds himself trying to fend for himself in a kitchen which temporarily isn't even his.
And now he's holding the long awaited baby born to the smial for the first time, rejoicing she comes whole and wholesome.
Kitty
· 26 February 2006
· Chapter 90: 90: Birth Come, Death Contemplated
The kitten was a nice little detail. And it was so sweet of Frodo to cook and to do everything he could to help, so Sam and Rosie could concentrate on the baby. Poor Frodo, the burn must’ve been quite embarassing.
And I don’t like it how it went with his tea and food and all, even if Marigold meant it well. Well-meant isn’t the same as well done, isn’t it? *sigh* Why couldn’t he tell Marigold to leave his tea there, even if it’s cold?? And on top of all this the nightmares ... :(
The only comfort is that Frodo was still in Middle-earth when little Elanor was born, so he got to know at least one of Sam’s children and had one child to fuss over for the last few months.
Author's reply
Well, that kitten has wound its way into the story before and had to find itself made more manifest in this one. So glad you like it.
I think Frodo would want to do what he could, but isn't quite up to it right now, of course; and then the smial is full of women's business and not enough attention left over for the poor old bachelor Hobbit hiding out in the study. And it's hard to focus on other matters when such a blessed event looms.
And, we and Frodo all have that comfort--that he was granted the grace to know one of Sam's children, was able to love her as he'd so long desired.
French Pony
· 26 February 2006
· Chapter 90: 90: Birth Come, Death Contemplated
I like all these little mentions of communications from Bilbo. It really ties in to the sense you get at the end of the book, that Frodo and Bilbo both know what they're planning to do, even though Bilbo is just venturing forth from Rivendell for the first time since leaving the Shire. That's a nice little bit of background you're filling in.
And Frodo's dreams are getting stronger. They're big, powerful dreams, that's for certain. And it really works the way you wrote them, that Frodo is starting to lose his ability to distinguish between dream and waking life.
Author's reply
Bilbo's losing more of his time to sleeping now, and can't write much, but I think he'd want to do his best to send encouragement to Frodo as he could, through Elladan and the book of hymns. So glad you feel this is so right.
And as he finds his own hold on health failing, the nightmares do get worse and more frightening as he begins confronting just what he realizes he might have done had the Ring not been taken from him, as he weaves together barely perceived impressions with what he remembers. And you know how it is when you're feverish anyway--the dreams can be awful and totally confusing as well as all too often terrifying.
Andrea
· 26 February 2006
· Chapter 88: 88: Time Granted
I can't stop thinking about what would have happened, if Elladan hadn't come!
Would Frodo have accepted the Gift of Iluvatar right there, under the stars with Sam by his side? I think that is very well possible. But it's so sad!
In Bilbo’s spidery scrawl was written, I love you so, my boy. I am so proud of you. Frodo smiled and held it to his lips.
Good old Bilbo! That little message came just in time for Frodo.
Author's reply
It's hard to be certain what Frodo might have done, but I do think it strongly possible he might have given over that night. It must have been tempting.
And Bilbo is needed by Frodo right now, even in just tiny communications such as this.
Bodkin
· 26 February 2006
· Chapter 90: 90: Birth Come, Death Contemplated
Poor Frodo - Sam is too distracted to give him proper attention and, kind as everyone else is, they don't really understand what it going on. Fingers crossed that Elanor will be able to provide him with a reason to carry on a bit longer. And, while she's in his arms, at least everyone else's attention will be on Frodo.
Author's reply
The baby's coming, and of COURSE everyone is focussed on that. I suspect Frodo would have preferred that he be able to do so undistracted by his own concerns as well.
We have reason to believe that Elanor was an important part of the last few months Frodo remained in the Shire, and I choose to believe she did help him keep as grounded as was possible for him at that point.
harrowcat
· 26 February 2006
· Chapter 90: 90: Birth Come, Death Contemplated
No time to appreciate this this morning Larner but the argument in the mountain was great - and so is all the rest for that matter.!
Author's reply
Another chance to look at precisely what MIGHT have happened within Frodo as It took him at last, whether he was actively wanting to participate in Its plans or not--and I think that even the Ring might have found It underestimated both Frodo and Gollum. I certainly like to think so.
So glad you appreciated it.
Linda Hoyland
· 26 February 2006
· Chapter 90: 90: Birth Come, Death Contemplated
Congratulations to Sam and Rosie !
What lovely gifts from Gondor.Typical of Sam to get a kitten.
Author's reply
Yes, the blessed event is come, and once more there is the promise of new life and love and family in Bag End, finishing the wiping away of the years of bachelorhood it housed for so long.
And so glad you liked the gifts, and the kitten!
Dreamflower
· 25 February 2006
· Chapter 90: 90: Birth Come, Death Contemplated
This chapter is just heart-wrenching. Frodo has become so full of despair, so lacking of any hope for himself. He's always been one who counted his greatest happiness in the happiness of others, but now he realizes that his own happiness seems to be out of his reach forever...
Author's reply
Watching oneself degrade can be terrifying, frustrating, humilating, and infuriating; and I suspect Frodo felt every one of those emotions and more in those last few months, doing his best to hold onto the happiness he could know through Elanor's birth as he could.
Andrea
· 25 February 2006
· Chapter 87: 87: Too Long and Too Deep
But I don’t want to leave my identity as a Hobbit.
You are more than just a Hobbit, Iorhael. You are a Lord of all the Free Peoples of Middle Earth.
But I belong to the Shire!
Why do you not accept a marriage with one of Hobbit-kind who loves you in return, then?
That was brilliantly countered. I love "the voice". But Frodo is far too stubborn to listen to it's advice!
I was amazed by the knowledge Rosie has now about the quest. And the way she told about it shows that she believes her Sam every word.
Saradoc experiences the same problems as the other hobbits. His rational thinking is disturbed by the reappearance of Gandalf as the White.
On the other hand he tries to help his son as best he can and he accepts it, when Merry refuses to tell him of his nightmare.
Budgie's reactions are also very interesting. As a healer he knows of kingsfoil, of course. But like the herb master in Minas Tirith he does not know the true value of it and does not believe there is any value - simply because there is no proof!
But he found out immediately about Frodo's weak heart. He is a good healer, but he could improve his skills, if he listened more to experience, not only to science. I studied physics, but in my current job I have learned that experience is really a treasure!
Author's reply
Yes, the Voice does try to advise, but never forces, finding ways around the stubbornness in the end.
So glad you appreciate Rosie's knowledge of the quest, for I think that Sam would have shared most of it with her early on, both out of consideration for her need to know as his closest family now and as he'd undoubtedly have his own nightmares she'd have to deal with.
Sara doesn't quite know what to believe, but won't disagree even when he finds his credulity strained--he's realized the Travellers have seen far more of what CAN happen out there in the world than he has, after all.
As for Budgie--he's a decent healer, but needs a bit of the pride in his training and expertise knocked out of him by experience. You are certainly right about how important that is in truly understanding the world.
Antane
· 25 February 2006
· Chapter 89: 89: Light of Stars
Doesn't he just look beautiful all dressed up like that? :) Cute that Sam combed his curls and liked him falling asleep against Merry.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
For all Frodo is frustrated with Merry for not listening when Frodo would like to explain he just isn't feeling good, still the two of them remain so close, the cousin-brothers that they were while Merry was tiny.
And I think Sam would continue to have things he'd think handy for his Master's benefit. Going to a banquet by coach? Probably going to need a touch up at the other end, you know!
And so glad you like the suit and mantle.
Kitty
· 25 February 2006
· Chapter 89: 89: Light of Stars
I *love* the banquet! Frodo may not have been so very happy with the whole idea, but I was! It was so comforting to see the other hobbits to acknowledge at last what the four Travellers, and particularly Frodo, have done for the Shire. And I had to grin about your remark about Will’s and Frodo’s speech habits :) Although Odo deserves a slap for his rudeness. Sancho is right, he should be ashamed. Well, he got the right answer from Will ...
And I can imagine how splendid Frodo looked in his new clothes!
Thank you, I truly enjoyed this chapter!
Author's reply
For all his skill as a story teller, Frodo knows that when it comes to a banquet in the Shire, the words and purpose are of less interest to most Hobbits than the food, so he tends to keep it short and sweet, where Will is probably getting more and more wordy as the years progress. But I do think Will would greatly appreciate how the return of the Travelers at just the right moment helped to restore the Shire, and would seek to bring together enough of the leadership to have a general recognition of just how much each one meant to the Shire's recovery. But most folk never saw the mountain of paperwork and aren't going to appreciate how what was done behind the scene by the deputy Mayor has affected them all.
Odo was outspoken at Bilbo's party, and I suspect he got more and more obnoxious as the years went by, don't you? And he did get the right answer from Will and Sancho.
As for Frodo--I think he would look special at any time; and now that he's withdrawing from Shire society he would appear more and more remote. So glad you liked the description of his outfit and the mantle.
So glad you liked this chapter.
Kitty
· 25 February 2006
· Chapter 88: 88: Time Granted
Having been convinced by Budgie that Sam’s tea wasn’t particularly efficacious, Frodo had stopped drinking it. *rolls eyes* Oh Budgie, you have no idea!
I remember he was in Gondor with Narcissa and the others, but I couldn’t remember if he was taught something about healing. Well, he will have learned at least that Athelas has its merits ... although it will probably not work for him.
*sigh* It is quite depressing to see that Frodo does eat nearly nothing and suffers so much at the anniversaries. Poor guy, he certainly didn’t deserve it. But it was absolutely sweet of Elladan to come to his aid! With his healing abilities he was at least able to help Frodo a bit. And the little letter from Bilbo was another nice touch.
Author's reply
At least Budgie is able in the end to admit his own shortcomings in experience, training, and so on and so learn from it. He may not be able to get much out of athelas, but if he hasn't ever used the herb much he has yet to find out what it might do for him.
And I, too, and glad Elladan convinced me as well as his father to allow him to ride to the Shire at that time. As for Bilbo--Frodo needs to know that love is still there for him.
harrowcat
· 25 February 2006
· Chapter 89: 89: Light of Stars
Oh poor, stoical, Sam! The parting is happening even before the departure.
And I would love to see and touch that fabulous mantle. Joseph and his dream coat comes to mind. The word picture you paint of how Frodo looks at this point is beyond wonderful.
The 'mis-understanding' betweens the cousins was too, too, heart-breaking.
And the banquet? Very hobbity with some interesting reactions.
Good old Mina!
Author's reply
Sam, as I see him, is more perceptive than Tolkien made him, and has been recognizing all along his beloved Master needs some aid to hang on in this world; in some ways he is like Frodo in that he does his best to convince his conscious mind that "if only we keep up the athelas" or "if only we do this" we will be able to keep us here in this world. And there is one Roger Whittaker song I love in which he advises "the first time we say hello is the beginning of the last goodbye."
So glad you like the Lord's mantle--I've had it in a couple other stories but never bothered to describe what makes it so special--this time it just came out in my mind precisely how it looked. So glad you like it!
Misunderstandings of this sort partnered by stubbornness is always heartbreaking, but so much a part of the human condition.
And so glad you liked the banquet. And I agree about Mina.
Raksha The Demon
· 25 February 2006
· Chapter 89: 89: Light of Stars
"Sam nodded again. He was remembering his first impression of Frodo, back when he was a mere lad of ten--Fragile--it was fragile he looked then. And it’s fragile he looks again now, like some o’ that glass as he loves as that Master Celebrion blew in Minas Tirith."
Sam's words reminds me very much of Gandalf's thoughts back in Rivendell (October 3019) when the wizard thought that Frodo might become like glass filled with clear light for those to see who could (or something like that, I don't have FOTR in front of me). A sad and lovely comparison.
Author's reply
That this reminds you of Gandalf's assessment of Frodo is interesting. But the comparison with the glass could indeed bring it to mind.
"...like a vessel of glass filled with light as with water, for eyes to see that can..."
Which is the source of the titles for my first two stories, after all.
Fragility--the recognition that something is easily lost or ephemeral--is a bit different from the transformation to one whose Light shines before all and who can be recognized only by those who are already predisposed to perceive; and yet at the same time the two are each in its way quite different in nature.
Anyway, thanks for bringing the thought to mind, for you've got my brain running again--a dangerous thing when there's a keyboard in front of me. Heh!
Dreamflower
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 89: 89: Light of Stars
The first part of this is quite sad, as we see how thin and tired and worn poor Frodo is, and how it is now becoming obvious, not only to those who love him best, but also those who do not know him quite so well--and also love him inn their own ways.
I love how impressive all the Travellers look, all gussied up for the banquet--isn't it fun to design fine clothes for them, and make them wear them? LOL!
And I was impressed by Will's speech, and the way in which he shamed the hecklers--old Odo's a trouble-maker, isn't he? But he's only saying aloud what many others were thinking. Hopefully Will's impassioned response finally made them ashamed of themselves, and perhaps more willing to give Frodo a bit of credit...
And the ending, how sad, as once more he feels constrained to not dance, lest he end up sick again.
Author's reply
Some are aware that something serious is going on; others don't notice. And Frodo does his best to hide how he is feeling. But a good deal of what is really going on now is a misunderstanding on the one side compounded by him reacting by refusing to communicate just what IS bothering him in reality.
And it is nice to see them all properly dressed and ready to show themselves before society. I agree, we can do what we please in many ways in the way of dressing up our favorites, like fascinating virtual paperdolls in our heads.
Odo's just contrary, I think. And you're completely right in that he's the one who isn't too inhibited to say what's on his mind and the minds of many. And I, too, hope that Will's speech got through to many of those present.
And I agree about the dancing. So much the Ring robbed him of.
French Pony
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 89: 89: Light of Stars
How very Hobbity, to mark the restoration of the Shire with a big formal banquet and some speechifying. It does seem a little ironic that this banquet is in honor of Frodo, yet it's exactly the type of event that he can't deal with any more. Yet another sign that he can't stay in Shire society much longer.
Author's reply
Frodo can barely stand the banquet itself; with the additional problems Sam becomes aware of it makes it worse. Yes, the drifing away has begun now.
Linda Hoyland
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 89: 89: Light of Stars
I liked the idea of the Hobbits sending Yule gifts to Gondor and the suit like starlight was a clever pointer to Frodo's destiny.
Author's reply
I've always seen gifts exchanged at least at Yule and Midsummer, and occasionally more often. So glad you liked the suit, which is indeed intended to indicate just that. He's no longer finding a place in the Shire, and will soon be a distant star for those with eyes to see as can.
Endaewen
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 89: 89: Light of Stars
This was just beautiful, especially the last line.
Author's reply
Frodo did have a past before Bilbo, after all. So glad you liked it.
I'e had such a chaotic week I haven't had time to review as much as I'd have liked, but I wanted to say how beautifully I thought you dealt with this one.
Rose is so wise - yes, it is real courage, to go on doing something even when terrified. She understands so much and will be the perfect companion for Sam.
Poor Frodo - walking all that way when he's having such problems with his heart really wasn't a good idea but he's so stubborn! And Esme cares, even if she doesn't understand it all.
Author's reply
Yes, Rosie is the proper one for Sam, definitely. And she has the best of heads on her shoulders and most open of hearts.
As for Frodo--what can be said, other than he's the epitome of stubborn Bagginses?
Yes, Esme cares, and wants so to understand.
Antane
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 88: 88: Time Granted
I love you so, my boy. I am so proud of you.
So do I and so am I, and many more besides me! Thank you.
And thank you Larner for another great chapter! I never considered that the carrying of the shard for so long would bring its own illness. Heartaching but glad Sam was there to help. Thanks so much also for all your reviews of my own epic. It is so much appreciated!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
How much was true illness and how much the effects of Frodo's own sometimes overactive imagination--and how much the dregs of the Ring's own influence, of course is hard to say.
Thanks so for following this one, which OUGHT to be winding down. It's got a blessed life of its own, I find!
FantasyFan
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 88: 88: Time Granted
Perhaps not; but the children of your spirit will be beyond the count of the Children of Iluvatar.
That is a beautiful sentiment. Dare we all count ourselves among this number?
Author's reply
Yes, I was purposely counting everyone who's read the Master's epic as part of that number.
harrowcat
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 88: 88: Time Granted
Oh that was so painful but also beautifully told Larner. I feel most for Sam and Rosie - To stay by one who is suffering so much is difficult for their own relationship too.
Be firm with those tenants! Off home now to try and get the house ready for mum to come home on Monday!
Author's reply
Hooray! Your Mum is coming home? At long, long last!
As for Rosie and Sam--they are dealing with it and doing a good job of not losing sight of one another while trying to help the Master.
Linda Hoyland
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 88: 88: Time Granted
This was a very touching chapter.I love the way they are all connected.It was lovely to have a glimpse of Aragorn and Arwen and to know how Elladan and Sam cared for Frodo.
Author's reply
Yes, they are all connected, and each doing his best to help the others and keep all grounded. Watching someone well beloved suffer, and knowing part of it is due to stubbornness, isn't easy at all.
Dreamflower
· 23 February 2006
· Chapter 88: 88: Time Granted
Oh wow! I'd not thought about Frodo's anniversary that year lingering through the entire time period he bore the shard; even though I have long been convinced that Frodo downplayed his illness in his account in the Red Book, I'd not thought of that.
It's a shame Budgie convinced him to leave off the athelas tea Sam made. *sigh* And the hiding of the food is a classic sign of certain types of eating disorders...
And I love the idea that Elladan went to see him, and watch over him through the crisis--and bringing him that lovely note from Bilbo was the perfect touch. If nothing else, it might convince him to linger a bit longer for Bilbo's own sake.
Author's reply
Again, how much of the prolonged times were due to actual illness and how much is due to an overwrought imagination is difficult to be certain, as stress and fear can aggravate so many of the physical conditions and symptoms.
Budgie's only knowledge of athelas is through legend, which he's convinced are just stories, and therefore not reliable. And we already know that for athelas to be very effective it should be handled by someone capable of releasing its power--like someone of the lineage of Earendil, or a markedly gifted gardener, perhaps. And the hiding of the food is also classic symptoms of someone who's desirous of not being nagged to eat when he feels he can't bear it.
So glad you liked it that Elladan insisted to his father--and to me--that he be allowed to be there at need.
Thanks so for the note.
Now that was some excellent justice. I will be back to read more over the weekend.
Author's reply
Yes, I see Aragorn as a markedly wise judge, and one whose justice will be appropriate and unquestioned in most cases. Looking forward to hearing more from you soon.