Ancestress by Dreamflower
Larner · 14 September 2012 · Chapter 60: The Upward Path
I am so glad for the three of them as each finds healing in his own way.
Author's reply
Yes. It's a little more subtle for Bilbo. He too had his own wounds, though he'd be the last to think so, but all of them needed healing.
shirebound · 14 September 2012 · Chapter 60: The Upward Path
I love the double meaning in the chapter title. My heart soars with Bilbo's.
Author's reply
Thank you! It seemed very apt. Mine, too! Of course, Frodo's healing is a major part of this story, and a major reason for Adamanta's presence.
Antane · 12 September 2012 · Chapter 59: Watched Over
I love that he felt his parent's love in his dreams. I always imagined he dreamt of the West again but I love the way you and he think of it. Cheers for whatever blessing gave him strength to go on resisting! *hugs him and you* Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I think he also dreamt of the West, and of other pleasant things from time to time-- that was one way in which the Powers could aid him without interfering and give him a little rest from his torment!
GamgeeFest · 12 September 2012 · Chapter 59: Watched Over
I do believe it was Drogo and Primula as well, watching over him. Frodo was well protected and it's interesting to hear about how he was able to protect his friends from the ring's temptations.
Author's reply
For a long time I have thought that it was Frodo's need to protect his friends from the Ring that helped keep him going from Weathertop to Rivendell; the knowledge that if he succumbed to the Ring there would be nothing to keep it from launching an all out assault on them would have strengthened him like nothing else. But something must have triggered in him the knowledge that the Ring was, in fact, resistable. My idea was that it could be his parents' intervention through a dream.
Larner · 11 September 2012 · Chapter 59: Watched Over
What comforting thoughts, that his parents were seeking to guard him from the Ring. And I rejoice that she hugged him-- they probably both needed that at that moment.
Author's reply
They did need it. And Adamanta has finally begun to fill her role as the mother-figure Frodo has long needed without knowing it.
Antane · 29 August 2012 · Chapter 58: The Strength of Love
How interesting. Terrible for Frodo to hear but love that Drogo and Primula were there for their son. Love is indeed the strongest force in the world. Take that, Ring! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yep. While they could not banish the Ring from tempting Frodo completely, they could at least make it stop that particular form of torment! And knowing that it *could* be stopped gave Frodo the strength to fight back!
Andrea · 26 August 2012 · Chapter 58: The Strength of Love
That wicked Ring! But It was beaten by a power which was greater than Its Master - the power of Love.
Author's reply
Exactly.
GamgeeFest · 25 August 2012 · Chapter 58: The Strength of Love
That blasted Ring, to tempt him so! Thank Eru his parents were able to comfort him in that moment and that the Ring actually listened to them!
Author's reply
I've long thought that would be one of the first of Frodo's vulnerabilities that the Ring could sense and tap into. It would possibly be the only thing it could understand-- that he longs for people who are dead and gone. But of course bringing them back in any way that was acceptable to Frodo would have been beyond its power and it lied.
GamgeeFest · 25 August 2012 · Chapter 57: The Voice of the Ring
And yet another wound mended! How wonderful that Frodo can speak of the Ring freely.
Author's reply
Yes, as it grows less important to him personally it becomes easier for him to speak of it without hesitation.
GamgeeFest · 25 August 2012 · Chapter 56: Early Memories
Oh, what joy that Frodo can now remember his parents and not be pained by it, but instead think fondly of those he loves.
Author's reply
Yes, that wound was far older and deeper, really, than the ones inflicted by the Quest, for he was so young when it happened and the trauma was never really dealt with at the time. But now his healing is going beyond just what the Ring did!
GamgeeFest · 25 August 2012 · Chapter 55: A Lesson for Adamanta, (part 2)
Tuk is a wonderful teacher, patient and kind. But I like most how protective he is of his wife, making sure no one comes into the kitchen while he's teaching her so no one will learn her secret.
Author's reply
I think you are the only person who caught that! But yes, he'll protect her secret because it is hers.
Virtuella · 24 August 2012 · Chapter 58: The Strength of Love
Oh, excellent, excellent!
Author's reply
Thanks!
Virtuella · 24 August 2012 · Chapter 57: The Voice of the Ring
The sore tooth is gone? That's a good way of showing how Frodo is healing!
Author's reply
I thought that would be a good analogy to show that!
Larner · 23 August 2012 · Chapter 58: The Strength of Love
Bless the Communion of the Saints, that it helps protect us as it does. Frodo needed to have that lie stopped, I'm certain. And I am glad he realized he could control It somewhat with his will, even if he refused at the time to let It control him! (Was a bit reminded of the HP stories, of course.)
Author's reply
You know, the HP parallels had not even *occurred* to me, but now that you mention it, I can see them clearly! And it's much the same sort of protection, too: love and truth will banish hate and lies every time.
Antane · 22 August 2012 · Chapter 57: The Voice of the Ring
This is intriguing and I hope you continue. How neat that the pain of the 'sore tooth' is gone! *happy dance* Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, the Ring has become much less important to him as he heals.
Larner · 21 August 2012 · Chapter 57: The Voice of the Ring
Ah, a number of realizations are coming forth right now, and he knows he is healing at last!
Author's reply
Yes he does! I think he's a little surprised that the thoughts of the Ring are no longer as painful as they were. He'd become so used to the pain he is a little shocked that it is leaving him.
Larner · 21 August 2012 · Chapter 56: Early Memories
And, so the best in this Adamanta has managed to live on to fruition in Primula. I rejoice that those memories no longer bring pain for Frodo.
Author's reply
I've always felt that in a way the loss of his parents was a deeper wound than the ones the Ring inflicted, coming on him as young as he was. He needed healing from that as well.
Andrea · 19 August 2012 · Chapter 56: Early Memories
Little Frodo with honey all over him! That's sweet :-) It is sad, though, that those memories brought him pain for such a long time. But this time is over now, thanks to Adamanta!
Author's reply
He was so young to be torn from his parents, plus (at least my Frodo) had the horrific experience of seeing their bodies when they were brought up. I think it made it too hard for him to see his memories as anything but reminders of what he'd lost! Yes, he's healing now, and of things beyond merely the pain of being Ringbearer.
Virtuella · 18 August 2012 · Chapter 56: Early Memories
Thanks for another chapter of gentle wisdom. :)
Author's reply
I am glad you like it!
Antane · 15 August 2012 · Chapter 55: A Lesson for Adamanta, (part 2)
That's a loving, understanding husband - love it! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes, that's Tuk. He understands more about his wife than he ever lets on-- and he loves her very much.
Larner · 15 August 2012 · Chapter 55: A Lesson for Adamanta, (part 2)
Most satisfying! I love the repetition of the tasks in the retelling of them. She learned wisdom and discretion from her husband, it would appear.
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad you liked that particular device. I debated over it as I came to cutting words (the hardest part of writing in this format) and ultimately decided to cut something else, so that I could leave that part! I am pleased you found it effective. I love parallelism. I think that's a true thing about most happily married couples, especially as years go by.
shirebound · 14 August 2012 · Chapter 55: A Lesson for Adamanta, (part 2)
Tûk is such a wonderful husband. I'm enjoying this love story very much.
Author's reply
Thank you, dear! As you know, I don't write a lot of romance, but I do have a soft spot for Tuk/Adamanta!
Virtuella · 14 August 2012 · Chapter 55: A Lesson for Adamanta, (part 2)
Awww, that is just really cute. And I always say, the secret of a good marriage is teamwork. ;-)
Author's reply
I agree absolutely! And Tuk's very wise as a teacher; he's able to be patient and bring her along slowly.
GamgeeFest · 9 August 2012 · Chapter 54: A Lesson for Adamanta, (part 1)
Poor Adamanta! I've always maintained that there must be some hobbits out there who can't cook very well or at all, it's the law of averages, but it's got to be hard for those who lack this skill. She's learned a hard lesson: seeing and doing are not equivalent when it comes to cooking. Time for some lessons. ;)
Author's reply
In my Shire, I take pretty literally JRRT's statement that they start learning to cook before they learn to read. But even so, skill levels vary. I've never shown a hobbit who could not cook at all, but I've implied that there are many who are very-- limited, shall we say?-- in their range of cooking. Among the hobbits I've written of most, Sam's the best (that's canon!), and Bilbo probably runs him a close second--even Sam doesn't think his honeycakes are as good as Mr. Bilbo's. Frodo's a good enough cook, but not up to Sam's standards, and he tends to have a few specialty dishes that he sticks to, such as noodles and cheese and stuffed mushrooms and mushroom soup. I established early on that Estella thinks Merry and Pippin are better cooks than she is (and she's not a bad cook at all). But the two of them were not terribly good at baking until they had a few lessons from Sam (or Pippin at least). Merry does make good currant scones though. Among my OCs, I think Trotter's the best cook-- his cooking, after all, was how he wormed his way into the Rangers! And Adamanta had become a very good cook, eventually!
Virtuella · 8 August 2012 · Chapter 54: A Lesson for Adamanta, (part 1)
Well, this is such an excellent point to make! A very hobbity skill, of course, and one that takes experience rather than magic prowess. So yes, there would surely be something lacking. As an aside, this reminds me of my father, who was a ship's mechanic and on one journey had to replace the cook, who had fallen ill. Ash cakes indeed!
Author's reply
I think the love and care hobbits pour into their food could not be imitated by magic-- it would lack something special! Oh dear! I hope your father did all right with the cooking!