Queen Galadriel
· 8 December 2005
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
Aww! I don't want it to be over! LOL! Wow, Ariel! This is incredible! I love the way you portray Frodo, and your original characters are quite amazing! I was *glad* to see that wretched, disgusting Clearwater (Bottoms?) fellow go to the dust! Ha! He deserved no less, and perhaps more than he got. His own mother...ugh! At the beginning I didn't think I could ever like Dody, but now I find myself wishing you'd told more about him. And how perfectly you portray a parent's feelings when a child is near death: the desperate hope, the sickening fear, being unable to realise it's over when it is. And the ending is so very beautiful! I'm so happy for all the characters...and I think I'd like to meet Daisy Burrows! Excellently done! Namarie, and God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Oh, it was SO good to hear this! Really, it is such a delight to me to hear that I gave someone some pleasure with one of my stories! Especially one I put this much work into. Really! It's like the best Christmas present ever! Low calorie, matches everything and looks really good on both giver and receiver! LOL!
I do have plans for my little guy. He's got a fellow orphan to comfort and a love affair to have. Don't worry. You may be just starting to read fanfic but I haven't finished with Dody.
Thanks again! You made my evening!
Periantari
· 11 January 2005
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
I love this story...so very love it. Your prose is wonderful for advancing the story and your introspections into especially the feelings of Primula and Dody are wonderful.
Dody is a great OC that you've described and written about throughout and i'm so glad for how he becomes in the end.
The dialogue and the instance of "losing" Frodo in the woods in the last section of the story was a great close. Forgiveness and learning to have trust again--being one of your major themes of the story are written about in a way that is very integral to the story and seamlessly placed in to have significance, and i like the fact that the story goes full ciricle in telling how every character grew in his/her own way.
I remember reading the first... 15 chapters? in one great flourish because i was so concerned and worried about Frodo.. the story got better after the healing of Frodo and i'm amazed about the bredth and suspense of the story that keeps me wanting more and more.
Great close to a wonderful story and as i mentioned in a previous review, this remains my favorite of all time. :)
::hugs:: Great job, Ariel~ I look forward to reading more of "Turnabout". ;)
Author's reply
And I love getting your reviews...
I worked a long time on this fic and it took on a life of its own, demanding I give each chapter the attention it deserved. I am quite delighted that the work seems to have paid off in this case and you call it your favorite of all time. That is one of the best compliments I have ever received. Thank you!
Inkling
· 31 December 2004
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
What a lovely ending, so full of hope and redemption! The perfect note on which to end the old year and welcome the new…
Reading it, I was able to suspend my knowledge of the sadness to come and, like Primula, revel in the joy of that moment in time you created for them. While I would enjoy an epilogue in which Dody comforts Frodo after his parents’ death, as some of your readers have suggested, I almost think it’s nicer to end on this happy note. Poor Frodo doesn’t get that too often! ;)
Thank you so much, Ariel, for writing this wonderful, original story and sharing it with us.
Author's reply
*claps hands with delight*
Now that all the hard work of writing this puppy is a little ways behind me, I can sit back and take enjoy the pleasure others are finding in it. It's like watching your kids on Christmas day and the warm glow you feel when they really love the present you spent AGES searching for!
That's what reviews are like to me. I just get such a kick out of them!
As to your question about an epilogue - if it runs the usual course, it will be quite a while before I manage to write one, but they are usually worth it. If you have ever read my 'Thicker than Blood' http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=500, the last chapter (Sacrifice) was an epilogue that I wrote about 6 months after the main part of the story was posted. It's actually my favorite part of the story (and has gotten the most response) and I think the time gives me a chance to reflect and think back on the story as a whole before writing.
And as to your comment about ending on happy notes, most of my fics do. Though I am the Angst Maven™ ( :D ) I can't seem to write a fic that ends in total doom and gloom. I'm just not 'dark' enough to do it. So rest, assured. Any a fic of mine, even from that time period, would not be as depressing as it could be. Angsty, yes, but I always find the silver lining.
Ariel
Inkling
· 22 December 2004
· Chapter 20: Confrontations
Well my dear, somehow in between shopping, wrapping, baking, and all the other demands of the season I found a bit of time to get back to your story…and oddly enough it, too, seems appropriate the season since, I as said, it seems VERY Dickensian to me, and just gets more so—chapter 20 especially, with the dramatic arrival of Drogo and Bilbo to the rescue and the Doc finally getting his comeuppance. “Clearwater stilled like a deer that had just scented the hunter.” Oh, I enjoyed that!
So many great lines in these last three chapters…“Frodo could not do this thing, and yet he would…” ah, that pretty much sums up our dear hobbit, doesn’t it?
And this: “…but knowing what you could have done with the time you were given and didn't, well, that could eat you up inside." A nice twist on Gandalf’s classic words to Frodo…
As always, you’ve conveyed wonderful heart-felt emotions and a wealth of background material, like the Mid-Year’s Day celebration…the things that bring a story to life!
I’m looking forward to the conclusion…after I do some more shopping/baking/wrapping!
Author's reply
*you’ve conveyed wonderful heart-felt emotions and a wealth of background material, like the Mid-Year’s Day celebration…the things that bring a story to life!*
LOL! You know, I could have written the very same thing about your fic! I think, together, we could describe a place that was very nice to live in and very much like Tolkien's own image - or at least as close as modern day folks could make it. Thank you so much for your vote of confidence and I hope you continue to enjoy the story's last few chapters.
Ariel
Inkling
· 15 December 2004
· Chapter 17: Angst
What?! The fandom is winding down…? Say it ain’t so! I came rather late to this party, so I don’t want it to end yet! Given the number of stories I have in the works, and the abysmally slow speed at which I write, I’ll be at this for a LONG time to come! :D
I’ve been writing for a few days but the muse finally seems appeased for the moment and is letting me get back to your story…
Chapter 16 is lovely. Primula’s foreshadowing visions adding yet another layer of complications to her feelings about Frodo’s recovery (most haunting to me was the one in which I assume Frodo is throwing flowers over the Brandywine in memory of his parents)…Frodo’s strength of character starting to reveal itself in so many little ways: his perception that Dody’s neglect presents an opportunity, his determination to “fix” his problems with his mother, and above all his refusal to wallow in self-pity, in which perhaps we see the greatest difference between him and Dody…
I had to laugh when I saw the title of Chapter 17: Angst!? Like Chapter 16 wasn’t angsty enough??
Dr. Evil just gets creepier every time he appears…don’t tell me he’s a child molester…? YUCK!!! But I can’t still can’t quite tell what’s going on with him…which is half the fun!
Frodo and Primula really have to stop it now with the premonitions, or they’re never going to get their relationship back on track. I keep finding myself wanting Drogo to return and set everything, and everyone, to rights. Just one of the qualities of the story that makes it seem so Dickensian to me…
Author's reply
If it's any consolation, it might become less frantic, but I doubt it will disappear entirely. Most fandoms begin to slow down once their film/show is off the air, but Tolks has been around in some fashion for 50 years. The movie fever might fade, but the books are eternal (thankfully!).
Dickensian? LOL! Why thank you very kindly for that, my friend! A nicer compliment I couldn't imagine. There is a bit of resolution to come and perhaps Drogo will save the day (maybe he'll even have some help?) ;), you'll have to be patient to find out.
As for the dear Doctor, you may interpret him as you wish. Taking a lesson from the professor himself, it is more important that you interpret the story to your liking rather than learn what I intended, if I intended anything at all. Clearwater is what he is presented to be - someone who makes your skin crawl. If you see him that way, I have succeeded.
*grin*
I am glad the story is pleasing you. That is what I wrote it for.
Inkling
· 9 December 2004
· Chapter 15: Someone To Cling To
You’re abroad (or were)? Lucky you! Hope it is(was?) a fun trip!
As usual I’m reading this in the wee hours of the morning, when it’s hard to write a coherent review, but I’ll give it a shot…
So did I understand that correctly? Is Drogo a solicitor? What an interesting idea!
And what a lovely bond you’ve portrayed between Drogo and Frodo…something I haven’t seen much in fanfics.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…it’s wonderful how you reveal a character’s many facets…for example, managing to make Menegilda likeable, even though she and Drogo loathe each other. She’s right about the nursemaid job being good for Dody, even if she’s being manipulated by the doctor. And about Drogo being a good role model for him…at last, Dody has “someone to cling to.”
Your description of Brandy Hall is marvelous; I could picture it perfectly. And you’ve captured very well the nuances of the hobbits’ social class system…healers are not working class, but neither are they gentry. I liked the parallel exchanges that bought this out: “Primula…retained a distance that Daisy found strangely reassuring” and “If Menegilda didn't notice the way Clearwater stiffened at the term 'servant', Dody did.” One is happy in her “place,” and the other chafes at his…
Author's reply
Yes, abroad and coming back today. *sigh* I am eager to see my kids again, but this has been such a lovely visit. I will miss these incredible folks. Haven't had such a good time at a harem meet since the very first one. *sniff* It is sad to meet people I could have had long and dear friendships with only as the fandom seems to be winding down (though I believe I could say the same of you! ;)).
Yes, I made Drogo a solicitor - and not fabulously rich himself, though from a wealthy family. I envisioned Belladonna and Bungo to be the real wealth in the family.
And I am glad you notice the differences in class. It is such an unconscious part of LOTR and with PJ basically ignoring it, I often find fanfic authors (especially american ones) ignoring this dynamic. Perhaps I was one of the gentry in a previous life, but without it, it doesn't seem LOTR to me.
Keep your eye on that class difference. I will handle it differently than many (especially americans) will expect. I do so hate to be predictable, or stereotyped. LOL!
Thank you so much for reviewing and letting me know you continue to enjoy this story. That warms my heart. Thank you!
Ariel
Lily the Hobbit
· 6 December 2004
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
All right. I have spent almost eleven hours in front of the computer (with many short and longer pauses) to read this jewel among fanfiction and, though I am not good in leaving proper reviews I will try anyhow.
Did I recently mention that I love Drogo? And him and Bilbo together, my, that was a scene! I wouldn't have want to be the target of their anger.
But now at the story as a whole. The character of Dody was so well formed! I really felt for him. There were times I pitied him, times I hated him and times I loved him. It's marvellous to see how this character grew throughout the story.
As was Primula's character. First her fears and how she finally realised them and let them go.
This really was less a story of telling something (though it told a good deal as well) than it was of growing with the characters. I also liked the foreshadowing you used in several points.
Though I am a bit dizzy now myself, I don't feel sorry about reading this - but well, this was less a matter of reading than it was of devouring. I'm glad I've come to know you on LJ or probably I would never have ended here.
Author's reply
((((((HUGS)))))))
Awwww! You have made my day, my dear! That is the kind of feedback every author dreams of. Thank you so much for presenting me with it. I haven't had many readers for this fic, but those I have had have been very kind and welcome. Thank you for being one of those precious few.
Lily the Hobbit
· 6 December 2004
· Chapter 19: Epiphany
Awww... what a sweet ending for a chapter!
Did I mention that I love Drogo? I can surely understand why Primula fell for him.
Lily the Hobbit
· 6 December 2004
· Chapter 17: Angst
You know, Frodo's last comment made me shudder. What is it he feels? And who is looking out for him? Poor Primula must be so desperate!
"It's an ache of the heart and there is no medicine for it. You know you must go on, live for the sake of those who love you, but the hurt stays with you forever. Time only teaches you how to function through it, but nothing eases the heartache."
This is so sad! In my German story Frodo is learning the meaning of those words rather painfully.
~*~
Could somebody please strangle that Clearwater before he ruins everything, if he hasn't already done so.
Author's reply
*Reconsiders learning German*
Oh, Clearwater will get his comeupance! I only hope it will seem enough justice to you.
:*
Ariel
Lily the Hobbit
· 6 December 2004
· Chapter 16: Fell Voices
Drogo, the best father in the world, eh?
You're so right! :)
First a note on the formate. You should check this chapter again. It is written in rather small letters.
Now to the chapter itself. Poor Frodo. I so hope he is not going to hurt himself with his stubborn determination.
And... concerning Primula's visions. Believe it or not, I had thoughts about similar things happening in Dear Diary or a new story. :)
Author's reply
Oh, dear! I will have to fix that formatting once I get home. I thought I had them all fixed! Grrr.
Awww... Well, I hope you don't mind the way I handle Frodo. He's no fool, even at 8, and I won't make him do anything stupid. I can't seem to do anything like that to my dearest hobbit.
LOL! Primula and visions. ;) Frodo had to get that tendency from somewhere, eh?
Ariel
Lily the Hobbit
· 6 December 2004
· Chapter 15: Someone To Cling To
Did I mention how much I love Drogo? So sensible and caring! I feared the worst when Dody was the one who should help Primula but now I am somewhat at ease.
Author's reply
How could I not love Drogo? He was my darling hobbit's father - and no hobbit who came out as special and perfect as Frodo could have possibly had anything but the best father in the world.
(((((HUGS))))))
Ariel
Lily the Hobbit
· 6 December 2004
· Chapter 13: Awakenings
I am a very slow reader, besides there is a lot of distraction :)
This chapter was so beautifully done... and the ending.... AWW!!!
Author's reply
Awww!
Yes, I thought, after all this angst, we needed something gentle and positive. I am glad you are enjoying it, no matter how long you take to read it.
Ariel
Lily the Hobbit
· 6 December 2004
· Chapter 6: Guilt
This story is captivating me!
I love how you give every character a bit of 'history' just with a few sentences. The characterisation of Dody is remarkably well done. You show his feelings perfectly and they are very understandable.
Author's reply
OH! You are reading it! Oh, goody! Well, I do hope you enjoy this fic. It was a pleasure and a cleansing to write it, but it is wonderful to share it also. I hope you find the rest of the story as pleasurable to read.
Inkling
· 2 December 2004
· Chapter 12: Like Father, Like Son
Wow! Chapters 11 and 12 are powerful stuff. ‘Hope’ is so sweet, and yet so very sad given our foreknowledge of Drogo’s and Primula’s fate.
Child abuse is never an easy subject to confront head on—I barely scratched the surface in ‘Terror’—but you did a masterful job of capturing the destructive dynamic between abuser and victim. Especially horrifying was the idea that Dody was trying to goad his father into beating him to death. And what a chillingly believable portrait of an abuser—from the eagerness in his voice beforehand to his creepy repentance afterwards. (So why did Lacy ever marry him, anyway?)
Congrats on another interesting OC: Marietta. No black or white characters in your bunch, just lots of complex shades of gray… “She saw much that she could do nothing about and instead of despairing over it, she did what was needful, what she could, and took note of the rest.” A wonderfully succinct characterization.
And hooray for your nice, meaty plot! A lot has certainly happened in one day…
Author's reply
I am abroad so am just getting a chance to answer you!
Thank you for your appreciation. These chapters were difficult but are probably my favorite ones. The fact that you like them and the story gives me wonderful warm fuzzies. I prefer reading meaty, realistic characters too - and will always endeavor to write them. They are much more fun to read.
Ariel
lovethosehobbits
· 30 November 2004
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
A great fic, my dear, and very well done indeed. I continue to admire the way you write and share your wonderful stories with us, and hope that, soon, we will once again be graced with another. love to you, tree
Author's reply
I will most certainly try, my friend.
Ariel
Periantari
· 28 November 2004
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
awww how wonderful~!~
awww a wonderful, triumphant close...
ahh i'll write more later... i'm in a rush.. but wanted to say GREAT JOB
and this remains one of my favorite stories of all time.
=)
GREAT JOB ARIEL~!!! =)
Author's reply
:D
You are ever so welcome, my friend. I am pleased to learn the ending was a satisfying one. And to hear that this is one of your favorite stories! *Snfff* That makes it seem very worth my while.
Thank you!
Elwen
· 27 November 2004
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
Perfect.
So much foreshadowing of the future Frodo and his role in the world. And your thoughts on forgiveness . . . so very true.
Thank you for writing this masterpiece. I've thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope you write many more like it.
Author's reply
*I hope you write many more like it.*
Blinks, eyelid twitches, cold sweat gathers on upper lip...
Well, I guess it shows you are into HURT/comfort... :p heheheh
This one was a LOT of work. I am actually planning on writing something easy next, like some mindless angst - h/c and then some equally mindless (though LONG on the back burner)and exceedingly hot smut. I think my brain deserves a break now before it breaks FOR me! LOL!
But, knowing me, I won't be able to avoid a plot. Even this thing started as a simple Frodohealers story.
Dreamflower
· 27 November 2004
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
I am so glad you decided to finish this story here at SoA. I read most of it long ago, and thought it wonderful, but could not leave reviews there. This story is so full of depth, and your Dody is such a fully realized OC! The picture of young Frodo, with his fearless and fierce love, and his indomitable will is incredible. I would love to see Dody encounter Frodo on his return from the Quest; I think that he, of any who remained in the Shire, would have some understanding of what it had meant to be the Ringbearer.
A lovely, lovely story! Thank you for sharing it!
Author's reply
And thank you for taking the time to read it! It's always hard, when you have a story with a promenant OC, to get folks interested in the story. Add to that a LONG time between chapters (I am such a slow writer! LOL!) and you are almost guaranteed to lose people. That is why the few that have stuck with this story and enjoyed it are so precious to me. If I have pleased you, I am delighted. That knowledge is the best reward I could have.
Thank you for sharing it with me!
Gentle Hobbit
· 26 November 2004
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
Oh...my. How I have enjoyed this story. I feel sad that it has ended, but you have written a very thought-provoking, *satisfying* ending that feels very right. I think that Dody has become my favourite OC in all the fics I've read. He is such a compelling character. He hasn't become pure as gold - there is still unresolved anger -- but the growth of maturity, sympathy and perception in him has been a joy to witness. Thank you so much for this lovely story. (And if Dody should ever reappear in another fic, let me assure you that I'll be there reading it!)
Author's reply
Thank you very much, GH. He's been fun to write, and I am delighted to hear you say I have kept him interesting. I like original characters and often despair at the bad rep they have. Sometimes an OC is the only way to see a particular aspect of a story, and if you want to try your hand at writing original someday (which I do), you have to write a whole BUNCH of OCs! Might as well practice in fanfic, you know?
Thank you for reading along and letting me know that you have enjoyed this story. As you well know, appreciation is the only 'payment' we get. Thank you for being so generous all along the way. :D
Breon Briarwood
· 26 November 2004
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
Wow, at long last. What a great story! Any chance of an epilogue to see how Dody fares with his father, or a later meeting between him and Frodo? (say, at Drogo and Prim's funeral?)
Author's reply
YOU are a mind reader....
Yes, the meeting at the funeral is exactly the epilogue I planned.
You always knew Frodo grew up too well adjusted to have been just left to fend for himself at Brandy Hall. I think Dody would have made a phenomeonal 'older brother' type, just as Merry probably became his 'younger brother', with Saradoc and Esmeralda as loving surrogate parents.
I am impressed!
kris10-668@earthlink.net
· 26 November 2004
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
shirebound
· 26 November 2004
· Chapter 22: Forgiveness
Congratulations on finishing "Fear"! And oh, what a marvelous, satisfying, wonderful conclusion.
"Any other would have avoided this place forever. And yet Frodo had come back to this very tree and climbed into it, either out of innocence or courage, and faced his fear. Dody stroked his dark head, both surprised and impressed. He already respected the boy's courage, but this act endeared him. What a brave, precious treasure of a hobbit this little one was! The older boy murmured softly and spread wondering hands over the small back"
Lovely. True healing for everyone, in heart, mind, and body.
*hugs*
Author's reply
Thank you, dear. After all that angst, I figured you deserved a happy ending.
:*
Inkling
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 10: Family
Hi Ariel! I tried to post this review on ff.net last night but not only would it not let me, it punished me for banging on the “leave a review” button by deleting most of my first two reviews! Grrr…Well I hope you saw them before that happened, let me know if you didn’t and I can resend. Anyway, to be on the safe side I thought I’d move over here…
Albarus Clearwater is a marvelous name and he is an intriguing OC. I can think of very few evil doctors in literature (in fact the only other one that comes to mind is the creepy shrink in Mrs. Dalloway)—and I do suspect the Doc is evil, “excellent suggestion” notwithstanding. Wonder what these motives are you keep hinting at though; so far I can’t guess…
Nice job on the surgery chapter…it seemed accurate without getting too grisly. I liked the notion of smell being the last sense to go, and that Frodo felt safe because he could smell his mother.
Very nice, thoughtful portrayal of Drogo…I like it that he doesn’t seem too young. I’ve seen several fics make that mistake, not realizing that he came to fatherhood rather late in life. He must have been—what, around 68 in this story?
“Frodo lives”…eep! The famous sixties graffiti makes it into a fanfic! Was it intentional? Either way, I loved it!
Author's reply
.
Highly intentional. I am of an age to have one of the buttons. And not one of the recent remakes.
In all of my fics I try to pay careful attention to canon - which includes Drogo's age. There was only one error that I noted in this and I have since sort of 'fixed' it - though it took a bit of creative manipulation. Drogo is said to be fond of Gorbadoc's hospitality - but at the time of this story, Gorbadoc had been long dead. I took that to mean that Drogo had been either courting Primula for a long while, or liked visiting his relations across the Brandywine. Probably a little of both. ;)
I did get both reviews and am delighted to be able to provide you as much entertainment as your tale did me. There is nothing I like better than a good story, and if I can find one that's long enough to keep me entertained for a while, even better.
Consider it just returning the favor you have done me!
Ariel
PS. - My last chapter is very nearly beta ready and I hope to have it posted by Friday. Maybe by the time you get to the end, you will have the end to read!
esamen
· 23 August 2004
· Chapter 21: Tying Up The Ends
But no, his bright one was indeed whole and would be all right. The best of his people was not lost. Blinking back an unbidden tear, he leaned forward and gratefully kissed the child's small brow.
Oh!!!
Oh!!!
I nearly fainted, this was so great! Your fic "Thicker Than Blood" was the first one I ever read, and that line in it about "Bilbo's bright one" so undid me, I must have sat there and reread it about twenty times. I had to use it as a chapter title in my own fic that I wrote later that month. I love, love, love your portrayal of Bilbo and Frodo' relationship. It is just the best.
And something else -- Primula and Drogo really come alive for me in this fic. I am not usually very attracted to other fics about them, but yours really come to life. Somehow, they are very Tolkien to me. I'm not exactly sure why. But you have a lot up your talented sleeve -- a certain way of writing -- thanks for all your hard work in sharing your vision with us.
Please, please write more Bilbo-Frodo during this time period. Fan fic keeps me sane in this hectic world . . . I'm looking forward to your next chapter.
Esamen
Author's reply
*Grin*
Yes, you got that reference perfectly! And you HAVE totally made my day! heheheh I don't think I have read that fic of yours but I am looking for it now! Oh, that is sweet of you to use that phrase for your title! *sniff* I will definitely have to write more of these for your sake!
Thank you!
cpsings4him
· 23 August 2004
· Chapter 21: Tying Up The Ends
Squeeeee!! I was so excited to see this posted! I have been longing for a good dose of Ariel fic!
This chapter was wonderful! See! You CAN do fluffy!
I loved Frodo's enthusiastic reaction to Bilbo...that was so SWEET. Also, I think it's great that you tied in the feelings Bilbo discovered he has for Frodo in (is it called, "A Small Regret" - or something of that nature) back into THIS story. Wonderful! As always, your characterizations are great and spot on! Bilbo's worry over Frodo was so sweet and you know I love him helping to take care of Frodo.
This just made me sigh happily. One regret, though...it's almost over! Waaaaah! But I'm sure you have many more wonderful stories in store for us!
Thank you again for sharing your talent with us in this way!
Blessings!
cp
Author's reply
*See! You CAN do fluffy!*
Groan...
OK, so maybe you are right in that. *cough*
You won't tell anyone, will you? I do have a reputation to consider. You know, the angst and all that.
*grin*
Yes, I did want to tie this into 'Passing Regrets'. There might be one more fic of Ariel's brand of Bilbo & Frodo cute in the making. I have a plotline for one that takes place between these two though I want to finish Fear's last chapter first. I have LOTS of plot bunnies to finish up, believe me. Always have to laugh when Shirebound puts up her bunnies. I'd love to help her do some of them but don't dare because I have so many of my own! And hers DO bite deep, too! LOL!
Thank you, again, for your wonderful comments and enthusiasm. It brightens my day immeasurably.
Ariel