Reviews (239)

harrowcat · 25 October 2006 · Chapter 21: In Elven Lands

You talked a lot in your sleep and my heart ached for all the terrors that you had endured all alone, the barrow-wights and the Riders. I was right next to you some of that time and still you had to fight by yourself. I wish I could have protected you better from it all. All this time you have had to fight alone because you went to places that I could not This is so painful and so true. In our darkest times we walk alone with our Creator even though we may be surrounded by friendship and love. You show this so very well Antane.

Larner · 21 October 2006 · Chapter 20: The Ford

Yes, the stubbornness of Bagginses and the sense of the Brandybucks and the feyness of the Tooks--Frodo needed all that and more; and again he sees only what he perceives as failure, not realizing it is the greatest courage shown these foul creatures in centuries.

Queen Galadriel · 21 October 2006 · Chapter 20: The Ford

Oh dear. Poor Frodo. How *can* he hate himself forr what *they* did to *him*? I especially love Sam's part here. And this is my favourite: "Oh, he’ll do that," Mr. Merry said with the utmost confidence. "Frodo can be the most stubborn of hobbits when he wants to be. Used to drive my parents and Bilbo and I daresay Sam here, to the edge of madness at times." Strider looked at me and smiled as I blushed, but it was true. How often have I thanked the Powers for that. :) :) God bless, Galadriel

harrowcat · 21 October 2006 · Chapter 20: The Ford

Two very different views of the same event. And I love the smile from Strider.

harrowcat · 20 October 2006 · Chapter 19: Learning

There are a lot of elements to this learning aren't there Antane. I like the way that you are mirroring Frodo's feeling post-quest with how he was on the quest itself. I've often pondered on that comment of Frodo's at the trolls too. I always thought that Sam knew himself quite well and that it was Pippin and, especially, Merry who ended up as Warriors and Wizards on the quest. Well warriors definitely and I quess that those in the Shire would sense something magical about the way they had grown. But I think that you are right too. Sam is a warrior- a spiritual warrior battling for Frodo's very essence and it took quite a lot of support from 'the other' as Tolkien puts it as well so I guess that there is spiritual 'magic' there too. Magic as defined by a power one doesn't understand.

Armariel · 19 October 2006 · Chapter 19: Learning

You said you were learning a lot about me, but I was learning a lot about you. Well, truth to tell, it wasn’t anything I didn’t already know, but it was like it something I always knew but never saw so well displayed and there it was coming true in front of me. Well expressed. I think of the phrase "articulacy in inarticulacy." There you have it! ~~~{~@

Queen Galadriel · 19 October 2006 · Chapter 19: Learning

This is so full of tiny but very significant details that I can't put my thoughts into words, so I'll go through and pick out my favourite quotes. I actually welcomed the night because then the shadows were not so pronounced and I could almost believe I could see naturally again, but I knew I was beginning to see as a wraith did. I was becoming separated from the world of the living and entering the world of shadows. Even having read that part of FOTR four times or more, I never thought about that. But yes, that was the beginning of becoming a wraith. Ooo...*shivers* Sometimes it is not as bad as that, Bilbo would probably say I was being over-dramatic,... Even though this wasn't meant to, I can't help being somewhat amused, imagining what reasons Bilbo might have for saying such a thing when Frodo was younger, before the Ring came to him. Yes, he'd be one for drama, I'm sure. :) But still there's a serious side to this. The Ring really did cause him to become over-dramatic. He's responsible, very responsible, and the Ring just took that and twisted it to evil, so that he'd feel guilty, so: I learned a lot about myself too on our journey and none of it is good. I gave in or wanted to give so many times to the Ring’s call. It’s a wonder the entire Quest didn’t fail any sooner because of my weakness. It was not my strength that caused it to be destroyed. *sighs deeply* I'm just glad It couldn't destroy his gentle spirit. And unless I'm to quote all of Sam's part right back to you, I can't pick anything out. It's just so warm and...just so Sam. Yeah, I'm not good with words today, but I know you know what I mean. :) Sam is so necessary to the whole of the quest, like a pillar of a dorrway; if it was gone, the whole thing would fall. And though Frodo might not take any credit for himself, if one little thing had been different, it wouldn't have worked. This is lovely! God bless, Galadriel

Larner · 18 October 2006 · Chapter 19: Learning

The love of each for the other is very obvious, and I'm so glad to see it so openly expressed on both sides.

Elemmírë · 17 October 2006 · Chapter 18: A Restless Night

This is my favorite one yet, Antane! The caring and love you describe between Frodo and Sam ... they truly have a remarkable and uniquely special relationship, as we all know. And just as their love and care is reciprocal, so too is their concern, sorrow, and suffering. Sam suffers because he feels he can't do enough for his master's sake; Frodo suffers because he knows Sam is suffering and he wonders what he ever did to deserve such a friend to begin with. I thank you, but mere words are not enough. They are completely inadequate for all you do for me, each and every day. I promise you that your reward will be to see all your efforts were not in vain. You will see me healed one day. Ah, how very true that will be ... after much more suffering. In my job I've often wondered which is worse--being the one suffering from so much pain and hopelessness ... or being the one forced to watch such suffering occur, knowing there is little that can be done to ease it? ~Elemmírë~ p.s. I don't know about anyone else, but I for one certainly wouldn't mind reading an expanded version of Frodo's fall from the haycart and the loving care he received from Bilbo and Sam. Just what was Frodo doing jumping off a haycart anyway? :D

harrowcat · 17 October 2006 · Chapter 18: A Restless Night

Hiding his pain is a hard habit to break even when he knows there are people who see stright through the effort. Being with someone in pain and not being able to ease it is even worse pain.

Armariel · 17 October 2006 · Chapter 18: A Restless Night

I have held out my hand to you at times during the night when I wake sometimes and almost get up to check on you when something wakes me and I know you are hurting and needing to be held. I don’t get up, but I do hold out my hand and I hope you can feel it. If I can feel your pain, I hope it works both ways and you can feel all the love I want to send you. A very credible depiction of the aftermath of loss. I bet he did feel it! ~~~{~@

Larner · 16 October 2006 · Chapter 18: A Restless Night

I must indeed hold the hope the love is felt, and now on both sides.

Queen Galadriel · 16 October 2006 · Chapter 18: A Restless Night

Now I see what's going on. Finally. Even while Frodo is remembering the first days of the quest, he's still trapped in Mordor, in the fire. I hope, though, that further on he'll have some happy memories as well to relieve the suffering a little. Dear, devoted Sam, still longing and trying to comfort Frodo even though he can't reach him now. This whole chapter is very vivid and poignant. God bless, Galadriel

Larner · 15 October 2006 · Chapter 17: The Bridge

Yes, one more milestone passed, and a potentially deadly one. And Frodo kept right on fighting the entire way.

Queen Galadriel · 14 October 2006 · Chapter 17: The Bridge

Ah, lovely! And do we get a glimpse of the meal taken in the shadow of the threatening stone trolls? :) And am I wrong, or do I begin to see the hope returning to Sam's heart? I hope I'm right. :) God bless, Galadriel

harrowcat · 14 October 2006 · Chapter 17: The Bridge

Yes, the bridge really is quite a turning point in the journey to Rivendell and finding the stone, such a small and insignificant seeming thing, is good for the heart.

Queen Galadriel · 12 October 2006 · Chapter 16: Traveling

Oh, no wonder Frodo fought so hard! It would have been terrible if Strider or someone else had had to "end it". Those who remained would have carried that with them always. I especially like Sam's part of the chapter here--it's so very like him. And the sense of family and strong bonds of love you bring out in the Hobbits always gives me a warm feeling, as if I'm among old, dear friends. :) God bless, Galadriel

White Gull · 12 October 2006 · Chapter 16: Traveling

Wow, this quite an undertaking for a fic! You are doing very well, at least in my estimation. It's always interesting to see another reader/author's view of Tolkien's masterpiece. Thanks.

Elemmírë · 12 October 2006 · Chapter 15: Wounds

Hi Antane! Sorry for such a quick review this time, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm enjoying this fic. I think you're going a great job with the alternating points of view of Frodo and Sam. Keep it up! :) ~Elemmírë~

Larner · 12 October 2006 · Chapter 16: Traveling

The time carrying the shard must have made it that much the worse later for Sam, for he'd already seen Frodo use so much of his inner strength fighting the shard; and what he fought now was so much heavier and more deadly than the shard.

harrowcat · 12 October 2006 · Chapter 16: Traveling

Writing things out can help but the amount of pain and desolation in these acconts is making me want to hold and comfort them both!

Elanor Silmariën · 10 October 2006 · Chapter 9: Foggy Night

Eep! That part in the book still gives me shivers! It's so terrifying! Their thoughts at that moment are exactly what I'd expect. *shudders and goes to read next chapter* God bless, Ellie

Elanor Silmariën · 10 October 2006 · Chapter 7: Dreams

I've been remiss in reviewing lately, I've had so much homework! But I had a few free minutes and had to tell you I am still very much enjoying this story! It's sad that Frodo's fears followed him even into Tom's home. God bless, Ellie

Queen Galadriel · 9 October 2006 · Chapter 15: Wounds

Frodo? Weak? I don't think so! It never ceases to amaze me what the Ring made him think! His pain is so deep it makes me feel numb. But there you are, plain as plain, as fragile and luminous as the moonlight that streams in your window. I was so afraid how empty this place would be without you, how different, but you are still here, my dear love, and you are also where you need to be. That gives me a peace I didn’t think I could feel so soon, but I do feel it when I see you this way, and I can rest again myself, knowing that you are. This is beautiful. God bless, Galadriel

Armariel · 8 October 2006 · Chapter 15: Wounds

I was so afraid how empty this place would be without you, how different, but you are still here, my dear love, and you are also where you need to be. That gives me a peace I didn’t think I could feel so soon, but I do feel it when I see you this way, and I can rest again myself, knowing that you are. Very touching. ~~~{~@