Via Dolorosa or The Way of Sorrows by Antane
Larner · 11 January 2007 · Chapter 37: Brave Deeds
Yes, to walk with Elanor in fact and Frodo in spirit would be a great relief to Sam Gamgee, I'm certain. Lovely for both of them. Love the comparison of Sam as lifeline to the hithlain rope, glimmering in the darkness and giving Frodo something to focus on so he could be ready for the rescue.
Author's reply
I loved that comparison too! :) Hantanyel! Iluvatar continues to watch over His children. Namarie, God bless, Antane
harrowcat · 11 January 2007 · Chapter 37: Brave Deeds
Sam's devotion is so beautiful. Only the two together on that road could win through.
harrowcat · 10 January 2007 · Chapter 36: Watchers
Am getting behind in the reviewing - Sorry Antane. I love the way that various members of the Fellowship and especially Sam overcome their fears to aid Frodo. You also show this conflict between two loves/commitments so well. A situation we often face too.
Author's reply
Hantanyel for your review, my dear harrowcat, especially about the two equally fierce loves in Sam's life. I was wondering whether he was chomping too much at the bit to go West when he loves Rosie just as much, so your review helps resolve that doubt. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane
Larner · 9 January 2007 · Chapter 36: Watchers
The pain of the separation is great, but the anticipation of reunion will support the both of them.
Author's reply
Something and someone to look forward to always hopes get one through tribulations. Hantanyel for your continued support, my dear Larner - so appreciated! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner · 9 January 2007 · Chapter 35: Parting Gifts
I agree, the idea that Frodo took comfort from the assurance he might find the Undying Lands is a profound one; and that he would offer that same comfort to Sam is also itself comforting. And I love Sam's assurance he'd swim to Tol Eressea if that was what would be necessary.
Armariel · 8 January 2007 · Chapter 36: Watchers
Ahhh, so your Sam can see/hear Frodo in the night also! Good thing for them both. I will live the life you gave me, then I will come. Yesssss!!!
Author's reply
Indeed yes, I think that was the only way they could both go on - to have something and someone to look forward to. Hantanyel for your review! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Queen Galadriel · 8 January 2007 · Chapter 36: Watchers
Okay, I'm beginning to wonder if tears and tissues are going to be routine. How can it be so good and yet so, so sad? There are so many things I love about this that I don't know how to pick them out--or maybe it's just one thing: it's so *real*! That's a poor way of describing it, but I have no other words. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Hantanyel, ammelda! Not a poor way at all since that is the way it does indeed feel to be too. I don't even feel this is my creation at all. As the professor said somewhere "I've ceased inventing, now I wait to find out what really happened." or something very close to that. Wish I could remember where I read that! It wouldn't be a bad idea to keep those tissues handy. Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)
Queen Galadriel · 8 January 2007 · Chapter 35: Parting Gifts
Oh, this is so amazing. Nai hiruvalye Valimar. Nai elye hiruva. Maybe thou shalt find Valimar. Maybe even thou shalt find it. Wow, wow, wow! I never noticed or made that connexion before. And how appropriate a song for Frodo to sing while his Sam sleeps. And hope remains with Sam, even amidst the grief, that he shall find it. The imagery evoked teases my poetic muse unbearably, but there are no right words. I agree with what Harrowcat said; what a lovely way to put it. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Hantanyel, ammelda! I haven't made these connections before either but that's what happens when you have someone who lived through this telling you what happened that he couldn't bear to put into the book. Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)
harrowcat · 7 January 2007 · Chapter 35: Parting Gifts
Yes, sometimes the future is what keeps us going in a dark present. Lovely Antane.
Author's reply
Hantanyel, my dear! This and the chapter before have been my favorite so far to transcribe. I was getting a little emotional myself just wallowing in all that love - lucky hobbits! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane
harrowcat · 5 January 2007 · Chapter 34: Elf-magic
Ah, wise Sam. Even by Lorien he knows that the only way back is by going forward. Bitter-sweet Antane. Sam has spent so long protecting Frodo by holding him close now to do that he must trust the Elf-magic he holds dear and let Frodo go beyond his physical sight for a while.
Author's reply
Or more correctly, his physical arms, since he still holds him in his heart and there is that 'Elf-magic' that allows him to physically see Frodo as well - a gift from Iluvatar though he knows it not. Hannon le for all your reviews, my dear harrowcat! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Queen Galadriel · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 34: Elf-magic
Oh, I admire you for what this must take...I could never do it...this made me cry. I know I cannot, but I shall try in my own small way to show you anyway. Oh, Frodo, you just don't know... You carried your beloved pots and pans nearly all the way to the Fire, but left them in that foul place, the better to carry me, though neither of us knew it at the time. You left blood, sweat and tears. You were willing to give me your life. Oh, my Sam, how could I ever make that up to you? But love doesn't ask to be made up to; it gives, and it's enough to have the joy--yes, and pain--of the love itself, if that makes any sense. The Lady spoke of the Enemy seeking her mind and reaching it not. So I wish it could have been for me, but I was laid bare to the lidless Eye. I knew him and he knew me. She passed her test. I did not. I am not staring now into a blank nothingness like I did then, for the pain is all around me and I think at times I see it, a tangled, angry, jagged mess that is stained with my blood. Oh, that's a terrible wrench just to read! Especially that last sentence. Such vivid imagery. Such a lovely voice you had, so sad at times for most times the songs were that heartbreaking and many a tear I shed as a lad listening to them. I remember each one of those times and how you held me at the end of them, rocked me gently, stroked my curls and just let me cry, sometimes crying with me, until the magic wore off a bit and we came back to the Shire, our backs against your favorite tree, the picnic lunch already finished off and the sun bright and the air warm. As painful as Frodo's part of this was, I was doing okay until I got to this. I don't know why it made me cry, but it did. So much pain, but so much love. I wonder how two such seeming opposites can so often go hand in hand. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Hantanyel, ammelda for such a long, wonderful review! This was one of my favorite passages to translate and the next coming chapter also that I'll be posting tomorrow. That imagery is painful and vivid, isn't it? No wonder he couldn't write all this down for Sam and everyone to see. Of course Sam would want no thanks for what he so naturally gives but of course Frodo would still want to thank him somehow. :) Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane
Larner · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 34: Elf-magic
An Elvish Hobbit, Frodo Baggins. And he holds much love within himself.
Author's reply
Indeed he was blessed with the best of both worlds - Elven and Hobbit. Hannon le for your kind reviews - so glad you are enjoying, my dear Larner! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Queen Galadriel · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 33: Probing
Wow. Antane, sometimes, during the course of this, things have just jumped out at me, startling in their...clarity? I don't know how to describe it. Like this: She judged me then, a stranger, but I think I passed her test and came away, almost a friend, strengthened, though I wasn’t sure how. Wow! I've always wondered what passed in Frodo's mind that he said he would "keep there", when Galadriel tested him. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Hantanyel, ammelda! I wondered too wondered about that and now we know! Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)
Larner · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 33: Probing
Alas he must know such probing, but am glad it helped him heal and with his further journey. At least he and Galadriel could begin to understand one another.
Larner · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 32: The Golden Wood
The thought of being there, within that song, is a wonderful one indeed.
harrowcat · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 32: The Golden Wood
This makes me smile and cry at the same time. One of my favourite bits of the book is Aragorn and that hill. For some reason I don't think that this showed up on my Author Alert but I am glad I found it.
Queen Galadriel · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 32: The Golden Wood
What gifts: that a part of Frodo's heart could still remain in Lorien, that he could still see that through his darkness; and what a gift that vision must have been for Sam. This is so sad, but grief can be like a balm that stings when applied but ultimately helps to cleanse and heal a wound. Happy New Year! God bless, Galadriel
Larner · 30 December 2006 · Chapter 31: Being Watched
Sam sees what is, Frodo still through the veil of the Ring's influence.
Author's reply
Very true, so it will continue until the veil is removed in the West. Thanks so much for continuing to review! Happy Yule and New Year, my dear Larner! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane
harrowcat · 30 December 2006 · Chapter 31: Being Watched
Feeling safe with the elves - oh yes that is a lovely feeling and picture. Welcome back Antane and Happy Christmas Season. Celebrate to the full after your fast.
Author's reply
So nice to hear from you again, my dear! I was wondering about you. Glad you are still enjoying. Happy Yule and New Year! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Queen Galadriel · 30 December 2006 · Chapter 31: Being Watched
How do you do it! This had me on the edge of laughter one minute and wanting to cry the next. We met Haldir on the other side and Legolas told us about how you breathed so loud. That brings a smile to my face even now. Oh, my dearest, most beloved Sam, how I shall miss everything about you, even your snoring! Aw, that's funny and yet so sad, because it really can be that way; when a loved one is gone, you really do miss everything, everything about them, and the things you miss the most can be the oddest things. Even sleeping in the trees I knew we were safe - imagine me saying that! You know how I hate heights and even worse was the next day, on that rope bridge over the water... I always wondered at Sam during that part of the Fellowship. The others are chattering away in the trees and he's like, "Be quiet and go to sleep!" I would not sleep at all if I had to sleep on one of those things! *shudders* And as for walking little skinny ropes (or any ropes for that matter) over water...uh-uh, forget it! But then, Sam had a very powerful motivater--love--and who can refuse that? But it just isn’t right that you aren’t here, too. That’s why I keep looking for you here, in the meadows and fields and streams. I listen for your voice in the wind and by your favorite tree. I stood there for a long time today, just listening to you as you read one of those tales that always thrilled us. I could just about see you too, leaning up against the tree, book in hand, face bright, voice so lively and dramatic. You always made the tales so exciting, using different voices for different people. You were so good making the sounds of dragons and other terrible things that I jumped in fright at times, but I always knew I was safe with you. I hope I will always hear that wonderful voice of yours. And I hope I will always see you - smiling, laughing, so full of light and life and joy. What tales you will have to tell when I see you next, dear! Oh man, just break my heart! *tears* I hope this writing it out eases both their hearts. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
What a review, ammelda! Hantanyel! It's wierd that we are seeing these love letters and those it was written to didn't but one does need to release the pain and the love somehow. Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)
Queen Galadriel · 30 December 2006 · Chapter 30: Reflections and Not
Mithril to guard his heart with. I like that a lot. I know I've wished for it a time or two, though I didn't put it so poetically. :) God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Wouldn't that have been nice? Nothing could have gotten through that to hurt him so much. Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)
Larner · 28 December 2006 · Chapter 30: Reflections and Not
The emptiness is acknowledged, and the fulfilling is hoped for. It is right and proper. And Sam sees what needs to be seen, seeing for Frodo the hope remains.
harrowcat · 16 November 2006 · Chapter 29: Eyes and Fire in the Dark
Every time I read that part of the book I think of Frodo and Sam holding each other together until Aragorn can treat them. And I always pause to consider who would grieve for Gandalf and in which way - standing or on the ground as the Prof puts it. Well Written Antane and a happy Fast to you.
Author's reply
Hantanyel, dear harrowcat! Ah, hobbity love! I wonder as well who stood and who completely collasped. I love Frodo's expression in the movie, as always showing how deeply he felt everything, whether it be love or grief or suffering or joy. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Armariel · 15 November 2006 · Chapter 29: Eyes and Fire in the Dark
Ah, I could do with a little fasting myself! But that's highly unlikely, hahah....wouldn't it be nice for my soul and my figure if I were the fasting type? Oh well! Hope we don't entirely lose sight of you till Christmas! ~~~{~@
Author's reply
Keep writing and you may see glimpses of me! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane
Larner · 14 November 2006 · Chapter 29: Eyes and Fire in the Dark
Just remember--Sundays remain ever feast days. Look forward to the resumption of the tale.