No, no real contest in the end between Bill, who he knew was likely to remain safe, and Frodo, who would not be so for quite some time.
Am do glad he took the steps in the dark, for in the end it helped Frodo come out again into the light, even if it meant loosing the hold on that hand to take the faltering steps forward so that in time he could stand firm to take it again to draw Sam that way, also.
Each gave the other the strength to trust.
Author's reply
Hantanyel, dear Larner for all your kind reviews! I appreciate your support so much!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
And to realize the two greatest of the company disputed which path to take, and that Aragorn foresaw that there was special danger under the mountains focused on Gandalf must have been terrible indeed.
Larner
· 14 November 2006
· Chapter 26: Watchers
The darkness now is lifted, and Frodo's fears then are now released.
But the darkness he carried with him for so long did its best to darken his soul as it could.
Larner
· 14 November 2006
· Chapter 25: Into the Shadows
Perseverence in the face of all the worst the Ring could throw at them, and the illusion that Frodo failed. But the healing will show him how he won, and at last he will know peace again.
harrowcat
· 13 November 2006
· Chapter 28: Choices
Yes, the fact that Gandalf and Aragorn disagreed over the road always makes me shiver. It is the same feeling I got when I finally realised that my parents were not the all knowing, all perfect beings I thought them to be when I was little. Lots of good things in this chapter Antane.
It tears at me something fierce to remember your last look at me as you left, but there was also so much love there and there was light and I will see that again.
Of course he will! And the memory will sustain him through the years and make his life worth living..........
~~~{~@
The episode with the wargs and the trees is so reminiscent of 'the Hobbit'. I like the way that Sam felt so safe in their company and that rubbed off on Frodo.
harrowcat
· 7 November 2006
· Chapter 26: Watchers
But it didn’t end at the Fire where it should have.
Too true. It is a bit like climbing a mountain. You keep getting to what seems like the top only to find that there is another bit to climb just beyond. I am glad that Sam seems increasingly certain that Frodo is healing and that he is being watched over.
harrowcat
· 5 November 2006
· Chapter 25: Into the Shadows
Yes both Frodo and Sam were so strong against this evil. I agree with you that this sentence
We expected to die on the mountain, but I was already dying bit by bit already along the way.
Is key to everything that happened after.
Elanor Silmariën
· 4 November 2006
· Chapter 20: The Ford
Ah, I'm so behind on reading this lovely story! I didn't realize till today that the last chapter I'd read was chapter nine! But I'm still reading it! And loving all of it. Poor Frodo, it seems as though the lies of the Ring are still with him. But his Sam does know the truth of it all.
God bless,
Ellie
Author's reply
Hannon le, my dear! I am so glad you are enjoying it. Frodo is indeed still caught in the dark, while Sam even in his grief lives in the light.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Armariel
· 4 November 2006
· Chapter 24: Mighty Gifts
The light in you that helped me heal when my mum died is the same light that will heal me now. I wish I could thank Mr. Bilbo for all he did to make that shine out. Perhaps I will speak it to the wind and he will hear somehow.
Lovely. Why are we so hung up on light? lol
~~~{~@
Author's reply
Better than being hung up on darkness as poor Frodo is at this point, don't you think?
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
harrowcat
· 4 November 2006
· Chapter 24: Mighty Gifts
Lovely chapter as always Antane. Especially love the heart calling to heart across the sea and Bilbo's gifts. Sam made good use of 'Sting' too don't forget.
One typo! "You would have died with(out) that shirt"
Author's reply
Fixed the typo - dear me, that was a big one wasn't it? Thank you so very much for all your very kind reviews, my dear!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner
· 4 November 2006
· Chapter 24: Mighty Gifts
Oh, I think that if Sam speaks his thanks to the wind Bilbo will indeed hear it. What a beautiful image!
And to know Frodo doesn't start out alone on the Lonely Isle is heartening to all.
Author's reply
Hannon le for all your kind words! So appreciated. :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner
· 4 November 2006
· Chapter 8: A Respite
It's a grief it couldn't have been that way, but then life has never, never been precisely fair.
But Frodo does follow his dream now, and finds the peace he needs and so rightly deserves, although he won't be fully fulfilled until Sam can join him.
Queen Galadriel
· 2 November 2006
· Chapter 23: Rest for the Journey
Oh, this is so sweet. Yes, it's good that they didn't know, but I think that even if they had, they would have gone. They would all have been more afraid, true, but Frodo would still have tried to spare all but himself, and the others would have still vowed to follow him "even to the bitter end". What a blessing that the end was not bitter, but sweet, when they finally reached it through all the bitterness and toil that lay between.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Hantanyel, ammelda! I think, I know, they would have gone anyway - can you see Frodo not and of course where he goes, Sam goes and Merry and Pippin would have followed. My Questions Already Answered addresses that very thing, but I agree that it's better not to know, just to deal with crises as they come. (Hope to get to the riddle game soon.)
Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)
Queen Galadriel
· 2 November 2006
· Chapter 22: A Still, Small Voice
Now I know what you mean when you say how much pain there is in translating this. I thought, foolishly, that I might get through a good part of this one without shedding tears. Now here we are, only as far as the council, and I'm crying. I can't pick out what's so poignant. It all is. It's the kind of sorrow that makes the heart ache, terribly, but somehow contains a drop of sweetness.
God bless,
Galadriel
Larner
· 30 October 2006
· Chapter 23: Rest for the Journey
Love would not be denied; and Frodo needed that love as long as it was by him.
White Gull
· 30 October 2006
· Chapter 23: Rest for the Journey
It was for you and all the Shire that I accepted the burden.
And we love him for it, too. :( Lovely chapter.
WG
Author's reply
Thank you, White Gull! I am glad you enjoyed it. I am in awe of all he and Sam endured and did. I hope if I ever have to do anything like it, I will be as strong.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
harrowcat
· 30 October 2006
· Chapter 23: Rest for the Journey
Happy the person who knows that their choice is right. Or 'happier' at least. It must have been reassuring for Frodo when Elrond affirmed that decision - a decision truly made when he received the ring from Bilbo I think but only acknowledged at Rivendell.
Armariel
· 29 October 2006
· Chapter 23: Rest for the Journey
A nice hiatus and respite from all the angst. Goodness, I wish I had my own Rivendell! heheh
~~~{~@
Armariel
· 28 October 2006
· Chapter 22: A Still, Small Voice
Yes, these must surely have been Frodo's thoughts exactly. Certainly a great turning point in his life!
~~~{~@
Author's reply
I'm glad you think they reflect his thoughts. Before I started this, I told Frodo I wanted to do it right and I needed his help and so I do feel this is something he wrote that I am merely translating. I'm certainly not anywhere as good as the professor but this must be something like he felt too. It's painful to do though - all this torment! :(
Namarie, God bless, Antane
Larner
· 26 October 2006
· Chapter 22: A Still, Small Voice
He took the darkness to keep it from devouring the rest; but now he's ready to be refilled once again in the Light.
harrowcat
· 26 October 2006
· Chapter 22: A Still, Small Voice
I miss you sore, but then I think of all you did because you spoke those few words, all that is now safe because of your sacrifices, all that remains green and growing and at peace. You are not just Elf-friend, but a friend of Hobbits, Men, Dwarves and all who walk in the light because you took the darkness upon yourself so it would not spread.
This is lovely Antane. And the title quote from one of my favourite hymns too. Or at least I think so. The Creator has a lot of 'foolish ways' to forgive in mankind's dealings with the Ring but not this hobbit. Except, maybe, his inability to forgive himself for failing to do the impossible. That still, small voice of calm is still there and he is listening to it.
Author's reply
Hantanyel! I am glad you are taking this journey, painful as it is for all of us. Sam sees the light, all Frodo can see is darkness but one day the dawn will come for him too.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Queen Galadriel
· 25 October 2006
· Chapter 21: In Elven Lands
Oh, I know I've said it before, but this is so very poignant.
Poor Frodo, what agony! He wants to talk about it, and he doesn't. He hates the Ring and wishes he'd never had it, and he wants it back, longs to hold it, loves it. He wants to see the love that radiates from Sam and from his cousins, almost his only light now, and yet he can't bear it because he "doesn't deserve it". He wants to go West, and yet he wants to stay in the beloved Shire. He longs for the fullness of dawn, and yet he doesn't want to leave the glimmer of it that is the love of those whom he holds most dear. I can't even grasp what that must feel like, what unbearable pain...like having one's already shattered heart ripped in half.
Dear Sam, always with the servant's heart. I wish I could be so all the time.
And this...
I tried that hard to hold onto
you, first along the Road into darkness and then out into the light, back to the Shire, but I don’t think you ever left the night. You were taken away
from me bit by bit by that terrible Ring as we were all so afraid you would be before that splinter was found.
...has inspired a story!
God bless,
Galadriel
Larner
· 25 October 2006
· Chapter 21: In Elven Lands
Indeed a reason for grief, knowing the beloved one is gone. Now I feel the grief of both.