Might Have Beens by Larner
Frodo Baggins · 2 July 2007 · Chapter 2: Stolen
Wow! That's kind of creepy. I'm glad that is only a might have been. :) I like the touch of Iluvatar's voice trying to protect Lotho from the Ring. That was cool. Great work, which isn't the least bit surprising. :) Namarie, Yours, Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
Yes, I, too, am glad it's only a "might have been." And hanyatel!
Daynawayna · 2 July 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Hoooo-leeee... oh my.... wow..... Damn woman! Now THAT was intense! I just... wow. Amazing. I think I'm gonna like these! :)
Author's reply
Yes, that first one IS rather intense, isn't it? What would Sam do as the Ringbearer under such circumstances? Glad you think you'll like these. And thanks for the feedback.
Queen Galadriel · 25 June 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Well, I read it. Finally. What can I say that hasn't already been said? I dread to think of Sam when that horror hits home. I dread to think of what will haunt him along his way. I dread to think of the end of the journey for him. Will he have the will to come back? But Elrond is right: Sauron is doomed, because of his own evil. The thought that this all might have been avoided had they waited a few moments more is terrible. God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Maybe one day I'll write out the rest of this story, but not yet. If I do it'll be too intense to want to do much in the way of other writing while I work on it. Maybe Frodo could have lasted those few moments more--but if he was convinced the shard was nearly to his heart I think he would have begged for this. As for the horror hitting home--right now he's in shock, and in a rage the intensity of which even Sauron can't understand. Once that rage is unleashed.... Glad you could finally bring yourself to read it.
Linda Hoyland · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
This was truly chilling and something I could all too easily have imagined happening.Very well written,I enjoyed it,if that is quite the right word.
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda. Yes, all to easily this might have happened. And glad it at least intrigued you--as you note--this isn't exactly comfortable to read.
Grey Wonderer · 16 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Now that was frightening! I could see Sam doing that too. Very powerful.
Author's reply
Thank you, Grey Wonderer. The idea even has me somewhat disturbed.
Bodkin · 15 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Oooh. Dreadful thought. It wouldn't have done Sam any good at all in the long run - but I can see him being willing to sacrifice his peace of mind to save Frodo in the last way available to him. And then bearing the burden for him. Sam is strong - and determined.
Author's reply
Unfortunately, I can see it, too, Bodkin. The aftermath of such an action would be the question, I think. But I cannot see Frodo wishing to become a wraith, or the rest agreeing to it.
Pearl Took · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
OH MY GOD, Larner! This is an incredibly powerful story!! And yes, Sam would indeed become a force to be reckoned with. I've still got the shivers! MEWD!!!!!!!!
Author's reply
I agree--Sam in such a situation would indeed become a force to be reckoned with, although what he would come to in the end is the question. Thank you so much.
Edlyn · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
I have not the competence to truly describe how this alternate telling struck me. Terrible, and heartrending don't even come close to describing it. Beautifully crafted, meldenya. Edlyn
Author's reply
Thank you, indeed, Edlyn.
Kitty · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Uh – that was truly terrible, and I am so *very* glad it didn’t happen that way. Poor Sam! That’s certainly the worst he had ever to do – to destroy the One Ring will be nothing in comparison, I suppose. And I am sure Elrond is right – his hatred for Sauron will give Sam a strength nobody could expect in a hobbit and the immovable will to destroy Sauron. I only wonder if he would get out of the Sammath Naur in the end or jump in after Gollum and the Ring to be reunited with his Master ...
Author's reply
I, too, am so glad it didn't come to this. I'm now being strongly tempted to write far more of this story, but I'm doing my best to hold off this nuzgul until my current stories are further on.
Andrea · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Oh my God!!! I'm grateful indeed that this never happened! I can very well imagine that Frodo would have chosen death rather than becoming one of the Wraiths. And he would have asked Sam to do it. Sam did what he was "commanded" to do, out of love. But what would have become of him then? ...but in being forced to slay his Master this one has taken on a wrath and purpose the likes of which Arda has never seen. This is no longer the Sam we know. I agree with you, there is only one purpose of Sam's life now: to destroy Sauron. And after having accomplished that or during the process he would have killed himself. I don't think he would have managed to live with that guilt. A very dark story! Once again I'm glad it never happened!
Author's reply
I, too, doubt Sam would have chosen to leave the Sammath Naur had this happened. But to see his beloved Master turned to a wraith himself--can you imagine how much worse that would have been for both of them? To see Frodo truly lose himself completely? To know he was being pursued by the Frodo-wraith, seeking to take the Ring back, even if the result would be that it would be taken from him again by Sauron himself? And even if this new Sam were to come back to the Shire, could he have married Rosie Cotton? I truly doubt it. Thanks for the comments.
harrowcat · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
The Man felt the world of Arda skip a beat, then turned back to look toward the hollow where he’d left the Hobbits. “No!” he whispered in an agony of grief. “Not that!” But in the depths of his heart he knew it had been done, and fury such as he’d never felt before in his life rose in him. “Sauron—what you bring people to! You think that Elendil and Isildur and Gil-galad and Elrond hated you then? It’s nothing to what you will know now!” A definite 'might have been', Larner and a great starting point for another AU spin off that i think many people are willing you on to write. A heart-wrenching/killing thing for Sam to have to do.
Author's reply
If I were to write this tale, it will have to be after the Tenant and the Wizards are done with--it's taking far too long as it is to get them written. This would come close to destroying Samwise Gamgee, I think. Frodo's desire to find a small, dark corner in the Halls of Mandos to hide within so he might recover would be nothing compared to what Sam would need, I fear.
Stefania · 12 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Whew, what a dark story, Larner. Yet I agree with the other reviewers that it could easily become the starting off point for a great AU tale. I can't wit to see the other "what ifs" that you put in the Might Have Beens space. - Steff
Author's reply
Some Might Have Beens are pretty dark, I admit. Don't know when I'll do another; but after rereading "Requesting Mercy" this one sort of wrote itself.
elanor winterflowers · 12 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Agghh! That was PAINFUL—poor, poor Sam! Poor hobbits, all! There is an interesting distinction here, in how this might play out. We know that while the Ring hollowed Frodo out, it never really changed his nature, the essence of who he was. But here, we have Sam fundamentally changed from the outset, charged with the destruction of life and set upon the path of revenge that in the end will very likely render him a horror to himself. In such a reality, I expect he would take the Ring over the edge and into the Crack of Doom, happy to die with it. So, so sad!! And beautifully done; I was totally caught up, if kicking and screaming. :)
Author's reply
Yes, this is how Sauron seeks to bring about the falls of others. And how Sam might have ended is difficult to say. Would he have been sent back to Tol Eressea, or would he have found himself feeling that what Feanor must endure is nothing to what he himself deserves in the Halls of Mandos? Thank you for the reaction--I know it has been almost too much for at least one other to read, and I grieve for the pain she feels.
Radbooks · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Oh, wow... that's heart wrenching! I've seen stories where Elrond, Aragorn, and Gandalf, etc., discussed having to do it if they couldn't get the shard out, but never thought of having Sam having to do such a thing. It makes me shudder inside... it's horrible to contemplate. It's so hard to imagine Sam carrying the Ring on and, yet you just know he would have done so with steely resolve.
Author's reply
This is a sort of sequel to "Requesting Mercy." In one of Bodkin's stories during the final defense of Imladris by Elrond there was one by him with a knife, I trust to cut the finger with the Ring on it from his hand should Sauron come back into possession of his own that he not find himself put immediately under Sauron's control. I could imagine that Frodo would prefer to be dead than to become a lesser wraith. Had it come to this, I think that Sauron would have been amazed at just how implacable Sam would have been. Thanks for the review.
Antane · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Thank God indeed this didn't happen! Frodo had no right to ask his Sam this - this is going to destroy that gentle heart unless some great grace is given to him to endure his terrible darkness now. It was Frodo's terror speaking, not certainity. Would he have begged, would Sam have done it if they had known Glorfindel and help and salvation were so close? Not even the Wise can see all ends. This is why we should never murder someone simply because they ask for it because they can't or think they can't endure a moment more. I shudder to think what is going to happen to Sam now who is no longer going to be Sam. Don't let him near the Ring! Or else all of Middle-earth will fall and that loving soul will be the first. Not only poor Sam, but poor Merry and Pippin and Bilbo and Aragorn and everyone. Please have some goodness be brought out of this terrible evil and pain. God wouldn't have allowed it otherwise. Namarie, God bless, Antane
Author's reply
Oh, I am certainly glad this never came to happen; but had Frodo felt his ability to hold off the taking by the shard slipping, I can imagine that he would prefer to die rather than to become a wraith under the command of the Nazgul. Aren't you glad this didn't happen in the original?
GamgeeFest · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Oh yes, I can very much see Sam becoming a force to be feared if it had come to such a pass. Sam will quite literally see the Ring destroyed with his very last breath.
Author's reply
Unfortunately, had Sam become the Ringbearer, and in such a manner, I truly doubt he would have left the Sammath Naur. Yes, his last breath indeed.
Althea · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
I could see this happening, although I'm relieved that it did not. What an awful promise Sam had to fulfill. His actions were ones of love, though. I don't think Sam or any of us could have borne the horror of Frodo as a Nazgul and being forced to serve the Dark Lord. Elrond is perfectly correct. Sauron does not realize what Sam's grief and anger will lead him to do.
Author's reply
Even born out of love, the promise Sam has been made to fulfill has made of Sam more than a force to be reckoned with. Thanks so for the response, Althea.
Shann · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Oh, Larner, that was so sad! I really cried. That was one heck of a might have been. I am very glad it didn't happen, but it makes me shiver to think that one day's delay might have caused it. At least I like to think that Aragorn wouldn't have opposed it, and let Frodo be taken. Poor, poor Sam.
Author's reply
Again, just one day may have changed very much indeed--and yet I think Eru would have found the means to use those changes to the good of all, as long as all remained true to the quest. This is looking at what might have been had the promise evoked in "Requesting Mercy" in Moments in Time had come to this pass. No, Aragorn would have understood all too well what was asked of Sam by Frodo and why he felt bound to honor the promise he made. Yes, poor, poor Sam. But had Sam not done this, Aragorn would probably have had to do it.
SurgicalSteel · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Oh, ouch. It could have happened just that way, too.
Author's reply
Yes, all too easily it might have come to this, SurgicalSteel. Thanks for the response.
cookiefleck · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
This was so powerful, Larner! I would love to read a follow-up story, that shows everyone (including Sam) coping with the emotions following such a tragic situation. How difficult it would have been for Sam to bear not only the burden of the ring, but also the burden of what he had been made to do. Yet, I have no doubt that he would fulfill the quest.
Author's reply
This plotbunny has given birth to another nuzgul, I fear; but I will insist on holding it off until I'm done with Stirring Rings and The Tenant from Staddle.
Telpethoron · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
This is an interesting take on the tale - what might have happened had Sam taken the Ring to Mount Doom instead of Frodo. Sam was indeed a brave soul, but could he have taken on this task all by himself, without Frodo? Perhaps. This is one reason I like AU stories on occasion - a chance to see how one single event can change the course of history. What might the Fellowship have been like if Boromir had lived? Would he be the one to go to Osgilliath instead of Faramir to try and retake the city? Lots of possibilities. Thanks for posting this - it's always good to see your writing!
Author's reply
Oh, yes, AUs have their appeal. And I suspect that Sam would have indeed become an unstoppable force had he be forced to do what he did here and become the Ringbearer. As for Boromir leading the attempt to retake Osgiliath--how do you think that would have gone? And thanks so for the review.
Dreamflower · 11 April 2007 · Chapter 1: An Enemy Made
Utterly and thoroughly chilling! *shudder*
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, Dreamflower. Had it come to this Sauron would have been totally doomed indeed.