harrowcat
· 19 April 2007
· Chapter 8: The Dark Lord
If you did them harm last night, it was only to save them from greater harm later on.”
Like having to cause more pain in order to heal someone eh?
I think that you are getting the tone for Sauron just right. Remote and distant and frightening at times but it helps to see the vulnerability and self-recrimination too.
Not unlike some aspects of Gandalf I feel.
Author's reply
Exactly like that. In this way, I dare say, he was more courteous than Gandalf, who let the hobbits walk into everything blind.
Sauron is still learning how to interact with people. The more time he spends with Rick and the hobbits, the less remote and cut off he will be. He's already showing his self-doubts to Rick, which makes up for sometimes forgetting to tell him The Plan. ;)
Thanks for reading!
Queen Galadriel
· 19 April 2007
· Chapter 8: The Dark Lord
Whew! Well, those visions did seem cruel, terribly cruel (except the last one, of course, that was nice), but what a wonderful outcome. Something tells me things may be easier from now on, at least in one respect. Marvelously done, GF!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Sam really didn't understand how truly evil Sauron was once upon a time. He needed to see with his own eyes, so he could see how Sauron has changed. That last vision of Beren and Luthien only proved it to Sam, for the Sauron of old would not have even considered comforting someone.
Thank you for reading! I'm so glad you're enjoying this!
For some reason this didn't show up in my inbox (or maybe it did and I overlooked it in the rough and tumble of this last week or so and never even realised it).
Oh, those poor Hobbits! No Sauron had better not return soon, frightening them like that. I know his intentions were good, and they worked, but what about next time? Has he lost Frodo's trust? Will Frodo allow him to continue training him for what is to come? I hope Sam will be all right. He's resilient, but what an unexpected horror. I, too, wonder what he saw.
That Frodo absorbed some of the Ring's power is a chilling thought. But plainly he is stronger than he thinks, and this *was* needed to bring it out. Now if he can accomplish that again without the same provokation.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
It was certainly a rough night for the hobbits, Sam especially. He is resilient though, as you say, and whatever he saw (which will be revealed in the next chapter) was, as Sauron said, exactly what he needed to see. As for Frodo, well, the trust is on shaky ground right now. Sauron will have some explaining to do when he comes back.
I've seen other stories that address the possibility that Frodo absorbed sime of the Ring's power, and I find the possibility to be a fascinating one. While there's nothing to support this in the canon, it does open up some interesting avenues to explore when writing an AU such as this. It also offers another explantion for Frodo's deterioration after the War - what powers he did absorb would be harmful to him with the Ring gone. If he is not aware of them, and therefore unable to learn to control them, it would leave him quite weak.
Larner
· 14 April 2007
· Chapter 7: Drastic Measures
A horrid thing to do, but necessary in this case, for Frodo will do for others what he won't for himself; and he needs to accept that his gifts are a part of him and have their purposes. Poor Sam, to spend the day in anticipation of such an assault.
Author's reply
Frodo always puts others before himself, so there really was no other option. Sauron would have known that Frodo was resisting using his full powers, which would hinder his development of them - not very wise considering what they are going up against. While he would have preferred to do this without involving Sam (he *did* wait a whole month), in the end using Sam was the only way to get the job done.
The anticipation certainly made this that much worse for Sam, but it might not be so terrible in the end.
Thanks for reading!
Andrea
· 14 April 2007
· Chapter 7: Drastic Measures
Wow!
Sauron's plan did work! But poor old Sam! What did he make him see, I wonder?
If Sauron knows what is best for him, he will not return to camp any time soon.
That would be wise indeed. If Frodo is angry, you should better leave him alone. And after he showed what he is able to do, Sauron should be better wary.
P.S.: Thank you for quoting that song, which is my favourite in LOTR :)
Author's reply
Poor Sam indeed, but it might not be so bad once all is said and done. We'll find out in the next chapter just what Sam saw and what really happened after it was all over.
Sauron has learned not to miss with this hobbit! He won't be back soon! ;) But he will be back and he'll be more than prepared to deal with Frodo's wrath.
The song is one of my favorites also, but it has a special meaning here, which we'll also find out about in the next chapter.
Thanks for reading! :D
cookiefleck
· 14 April 2007
· Chapter 7: Drastic Measures
I already left you feedback for this story elsewhere, but can't help reading along again as you post these chapters. Chapters 6 and 7 have been, for me, the most riveting, so far... I found the build-up and actual invasion of Sam's mind fascinating and nerve-wracking. Your Sauron is also an interesting character idea. Hats off and I am looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Thanks cookie! It's such an honor knowing that you are enjoying the story so much!! This chapter certainly is one of the most intense to be written so far. Sauron doesn't hold back with poor Sam at all, and having to anticipate this all day long was one of the worst things about it for him.
Sauron has been the most difficult one to figure out. He's been evil for so long, that it would take him quite a bit of practice to figure out this whole 'being good' thing. Thankfully, he has Rick there to help guide him and let him know when he's going too far. ;)
Thanks for reading! Again! :D
harrowcat
· 13 April 2007
· Chapter 6: Rohan
Always devoted Sam. Got a shiver when Sauron said he remembered him wearing the ring. I like the present tense you are using GF.
Author's reply
Sam will always do whatever it takes to help Frodo, even despite his doubts and better judgment.
Tolkien never specified what exactly Sauron sees when someone else puts on the Ring. We really only know that he doesn't know where the wearer of the Ring is. I thought it would be interesting if Sauron could in fact see who was in possession of the Ring, while still not knowing their whereabouts. It would have made him that much more frustrated.
Thanks for reading!
Andrea
· 10 April 2007
· Chapter 6: Rohan
Cliffhanger!!!
This is going to be very unpleasant for Sam, I fear.
But he would do everything for his master and as Sauron said, he IS strong!
Sam still doesn't trust Sauron completely, and in that respect I'm like Sam ;-)
Author's reply
I probably should have put a cliffhanger warning at the beginning of this fic. ;)
They're all in for an unpleasant evening and none of them really know what is going to happen, not even Sauron. If he doesn't know yet what amazing creatures hobbits are, he certainly will soon!
Larner
· 10 April 2007
· Chapter 6: Rohan
Definitely a worthwhile alternative to seeking to assault Frodo's own mind. Frodo was always more likely to defend others than himself.
Am glad to see Sam's trust is being slowly earned.
Author's reply
Indeed, and if Sauron waited so long to take this route it was only because he wanted to get *some* small amount of trust from Sam first. He'll learn soon enough just what Frodo is capable of when defending one he loves.
Sam is a stubborn one, and he'll hold back his trust just on principle alone! Besides, this is Sauron, and he's not likely to trust him anytime soon. This scheme will either be a huge step backward, or it will be exactly what they all need.
Queen Galadriel
· 9 April 2007
· Chapter 6: Rohan
*squirms* Dratted cliff-hangers! :)
Oh, wow. I shudder to think where this could go, and yet something tells me good will come of it. But both Sauron and Sam will have explaining to do afterward.
I really enjoyed the conversation around the fire--a very nice touch to lighten the mood a bit and give more depth to Rick. It still amazes me that you can pull this off! Now that's talent! :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Muahaha! And the cliff-hangers will only continue. ;)
This will be an eye-opener for both hobbits and possibly even for Sauron as well. None of them are really sure of what is going to happen when they put this little plot to the test.
It's been interesting figuring out who exactly Rick is. When I first conceived him for my movie parodies, he was mainly just an annoying foible for Eomer, and later Aragorn, to put up with. As much fun as he was in that role, I much prefer him as he is here. ;)
LOL! I'm just as surprised as you are that this turned into a full-fledged story! Thanks for reading! :D
Queen Galadriel
· 4 April 2007
· Chapter 5: First Lesson
Oo! More and more interesting! GF, I really, really. reeeeally can't stand these cliff-hangers! :D But I'm completely in the power of this tale, so I guess I don't have a choice, LOL!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
It's been so long since I've done a cliff fic that I'm making up for lost time. :) There will be more cliffs ahead, but some valleys also. LOL. I'm so glad you are enjoying this!!
Larner
· 2 April 2007
· Chapter 5: First Lesson
It would be terribly difficult to trust one such as Sauron now; but it appears it is now worthwhile. And that Sauron would be named anew by names bestowed on himself due to his new nature in heartening somehow.
Author's reply
It will take Sam quite a while before he lets his guard down. They all have a very long road ahead of them. ;) I think it's only fitting, considering that Sauron got his current name from all his misdeeds, that he might eventually earn a new name through his good deeds.
Thanks for reading!!
harrowcat
· 2 April 2007
· Chapter 5: First Lesson
This journey is fascinating GF.
Author's reply
Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Larner
· 31 March 2007
· Chapter 4: An Unlikely Treaty
The Light does not lie, and for that I am grateful. Now--to deal with this new adventure.
Author's reply
No it doesn't and it's a good thing that Frodo is able to see it. And so Frodo finds himself on another unexpected quest, with Sam at his side.
Thanks for reading!
Andrea
· 31 March 2007
· Chapter 4: An Unlikely Treaty
Wow! I did not expect Frodo to react that calm! But maybe it was the tea ;-)
"What must I do?"
Well, he did ask that very question before. And like Gandalf did then I can only say: hobbits are amazing - especially Frodo!
Unlike Sam, Frodo did notice Sauron's light of being. And what he saw there reminded him of his own situation. One's light of being does not lie, that's true. So Frodo trusts and helps his former (arch-)enemy. But one fact remains: if not for Sauron, Frodo would never have been in this situation! (If you know, what I mean ;-))
I'm looking forward to reading more.
Author's reply
Frodo simply didn't have the energy to get worked up about this visit, and there's only so many times a person can pass out. ;) Plus, he has the added benefit of being able to read their auras, so he knows that Sauron is speaking the truth. Sam will take much more convincing.
The irony of the situation is not lost on any of them, but then, that is how one makes amends. Find those you wronged before and try to help them now. Let's just hope this works! :)
Thanks for reading!
Queen Galadriel
· 31 March 2007
· Chapter 4: An Unlikely Treaty
Wow! It's not impossible! :-O Very, very clever! I think in such a situation I would have written myself into a corner. That tea was a very good thing, as was Sam's eavesdropping. And I should have remembered Frodo's compassion! Wonderful, wonderful! Now I'm really, *really* excited to see where this goes! :-D
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I was rescued from my corner by having a very enlightened hobbit to work with. Had it been anyone else, then Sauron would have been marched to the Bounds and booted out of the Shire. Thankfully, Frodo can see things that others can't, and he will always be compassionate and dignified before he is anything else.
And Sam will always be a terrible sneak! lol Good thing he overheard Rick's real name and was able to get the full story out of them - but not before Frodo was able to benefit from the tea. ;)
Andrea
· 29 March 2007
· Chapter 3: The Ring-bearers
Well, it was as I suspected. Frodo did recognise Sauron on the spot - and fainted. But I did not know that he already expected Sauron to turn up at his doorstep - to destroy him. Poor Frodo! All his nightmares seem to have come true!
What I had not expected was that Sauron knew about herbs, athelas in particular. And the brew he ordered to be made for Frodo seemed to be really a healing draught, although I don't know what ephedra is ;-)
I still have my suspicions, though! Sauron does not intend to tell Frodo and Sam his real name, not until they are in a safe distance from the rangers.
But what will he do to persuade them to come with him, I wonder?
That won't be easy, particularly because of what Sam heard. He IS an expert eavesdropper, and no mistake ;-)
I'm looking forward to reading more!
Author's reply
Frodo would have been told immediately upon Sauron's return, by Gandalf or Aragorn, and quite possibly both. They would have wanted Frodo to know, for he would have heard anyway, and more importantly than that, they would have wanted to reassure Frodo. Not that the reassurance helped all that much.
I think it's possible for Sauron to know about herbs. He could have used them, and other types of healing, to try to bring back his strength after the Last Alliance. He also would have expected just this sort of reaction and so he came prepared. Ephedra is usually used for treating asthma but it also stimluates the central nervous system and elevates mood. :D It has to be used with caution though.
Sauron has much to learn about hobbits, mainly that they're excellent spies (Sam in particular) and that it's always best to be upfront with them.
Thanks so much for reading! I'm glad you're enjoying this story!
harrowcat
· 27 March 2007
· Chapter 3: The Ring-bearers
I admit that I did sneak over to your LJ but I am glad to be reading this here too. Great stuff GF!
Author's reply
Thanks harrowcat! I'm not updating my LJ with the revised chapters, so it would probably be a good thing to check in here every once in a while. I'm finding a lot of little gaps in the continuity and other details in need of expanding.
Thanks so much for reading! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Larner
· 27 March 2007
· Chapter 3: The Ring-bearers
They don't know about how silently Hobbits can move, do they? Or they've forgotten.
But Frodo definitely needs healing.
Author's reply
No, that little detail about hobbits has been completely overlooked by them. Now, to see if that's a good thing or a bad thing... Frodo is just a wreck at this point. No sleep, plus the dreams when he does sleep, is sapping him of all his energy. It would be impossible for him to heal the way things are going right now.
Thanks again for reading!
Larner
· 27 March 2007
· Chapter 2: Hobbiton
Our poor Frodo--sick with bad dreams and sleep deprivation.
Now, what do our heroes do during house calls?
Author's reply
As if post-Quest Ring-sickness isn't enough to deal with, my poor Frodo has much too much piled on his plate. But he keeps going, just as we would expect him to.
Thanks for reading!
Larner
· 27 March 2007
· Chapter 1: The Storyteller
Sauron the Good, eh? And the idea of getting Frodo to cooperate does sound awfully iffy.
Okay--let's see what happens next....
Author's reply
This story is a stretch of the imagination. Thanks for giving it a go! And trying to convince the hobbits to come along for the adventure won't go exactly as they are hoping - or fearing.
Larner
· 27 March 2007
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Hayrick, cottage, and woodlots, of course, and I see they have spawned a character? Okay--will check it out.
Larner
· 27 March 2007
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Hayrick, cottage, and woodlots, of course, and I see they have spawned a character? Okay--will check it out.
Queen Galadriel
· 26 March 2007
· Chapter 3: The Ring-bearers
Oh no, this might not be good. One thing Sauron either didn't know or overlooked about Sam: he is an expert eavesdropper. Oh, dear! The suspense! But now that I've seen Sauron's gentler side and Rick's more serious side, I'm inclined to trust them a bit more. Now if only Sam will see. I don't know why, but I'm no longer so terribly worried about Frodo (at least where Sauron is concerned). Oh, please update again soon!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I don't think Sauron would have heard about the Conspiracy, and Rick, for all the stories he's heard about the hobbits, wouldn't be privvy to this little detail either. So now Sam knows more than they wanted him to. That sneaky Sam! ;)
Sam is suspicious of *hobbits* if they come from other parts of the Shire. It took him until they met Glorfindel to trust Strider. He won't be giving Sauron the benefit of the doubt anytime soon.
Thanks so much for reading! I'm glad you're enjoying this! :D
Andrea
· 22 March 2007
· Chapter 2: Hobbiton
Wow! This story has a very intriguing plot! And I do believe it is very difficult to write a story, in which Sauron has turned from evil to good.
I still have my suspicions, though. I simply can't trust him! But I'm working on it ;-)
Now I wonder what Frodo will say when Sauron makes his "home-call". Frodo will recognise him, even if he doesn't give his real name, I'm quite sure. And Frodo will think that his dreams have now really trapped him. It won't be easy for Sauron!
One last question: What did they sing?
Author's reply
It has been an interesting (not to mention, strange) story to write and it keeps throwing these little twists and turns at me. There are many who are still suspicious of Sauron, so you're not alone! LOL Yet for as much as he's become used to people not trusting him, he hasn't dealt with Sam yet. :D
Frodo and Sam are not in for a very pleasant afternoon, the poor lads.
What did they sing? That's easy: Secret Agent Man. :P hehehe