Hobbit Month post: The Gift of Ilúvatar [Elenya's journal]

You're viewing

elenya's journal
Create a Dreamwidth Account Learn More

Reload page in style: site light

←

→

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Welcome to my LJ. :) Hobbit Month 2006 gave me the impetus to start writing this story, and in my Hobbit Month post last year, I linked to the first part. If it therefore seems familiar in the beginning, that's why.

This story is dedicated to

aliena_z and to

annwyn55, in memory of lost loved ones.

Author: Elenya
Genre: Slash
Pairing: Frodo/Sam
Rating: NC-17 for sexual content.
Disclaimer: I make no money from these stories. These beautiful characters are sadly not mine; I merely borrow them because I love them. With grateful thanks to JRR Tolkien for providing us with such a richly imagined world to play in.

Acknowledgement: My grateful thanks to

ghyste and

mariole for many useful suggestions and comments, and to

aliena_z for her very thorough grammar beta.

The theme of death as the gift of Ilúvatar is explored in this story, but it is not a death fic. I have used the mythology that Tolkien created for Middle-earth. For those of you who hold that there is no life after death, remember that this story, like The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings, is a work of fantasy. It forms an epilogue to my story All That I Had, and at the beginning briefly follows the fate of characters from The Adventures of Tom and Barard. If you haven’t read the latter, it really doesn’t matter; all you need to know is that Tom is Tom Gardner, youngest son of Sam, Barard is the youngest son of Pippin; their friends, Catos and Faros, are Haradrim lords. The idea of a telepathic bond between Frodo and Sam is explored in All That I Had (see notes for chapter 19) and continues in this story. Ninquelótë is an elf, both unassuming and highly regarded, who befriended Frodo on his first arrival in the West, and played an important role in his healing.

THE GIFT OF ILÚVATAR can be found here.

←

→

There are 58 comments on this entry. (Reply.)

I'm kind of in a daze right now, Elenya- it's hard to come back to reality after being immersed in a story so rich in detail and emotion. I have such an ache in my heart for all the characters, dealing in their different ways with the realities of death and loss (even though we didn't see Elrond and Celebrian directly, in some ways I felt worst of all for them). I love how the story was bracketed by Legolas's POV, and that it ended with peace and the hope of love for him. As for Frodo and Sam... their love is so beautiful (and hot :)) and I wept and laughed and rejoiced with them. I'm sure they went at exactly the right moment, and their joyful songs are still there for us to hear if we listen. What a really fantastic story. Thank you so much!! I plan to re-read this many more times to appreciate it fully! :)

(I did notice a couple of lines out of order, in case you weren't aware yet:
Legolas shook his head. ‘I don’t know; someone is running, I think, but the light is brighter than any lantern oro their view. Legolas hesitated, then made up his mind. ‘I’m going to take a look.’ He reached for his discarded tunic.

torch.’ The movement of the light slowed to a halt, or maybe turned away from them, and was lost t‘I thought you said we should stay here until it was lighter.’

I hope you don't mind me pointing that out)

their joyful songs are still there for us to hear if we listen.

My thoughts, exactly. :) It doesn't sound quite right to say I'm glad you're in a daze, but I'm glad it seems to have had an emotional impact on you. Thank you for your prompt feedback :) :) I realise FB is likely to be quite slow, as not everyone will have the time to read it at one sitting.

I hope you don't mind me pointing that out

Not at all. Thank you. :) That must have got garbled sometime between last night and this morning. I usually read through once I've posted to my website, but in this case it would have taken me too long. I just scanned through to make sure that italic tags had been closed properly. I've corrected it now. Let me know if you find anything else.

[link] [parent] [reply]

(no subject) —

lbilover.livejournal.com

(no subject) —

elenya54.livejournal.com

Never mind my previous post, I noticed that lbilover already pointed it out. *blushes*

No worries. Let me know if you see any more bloopers. I'm not even sure how that one happened, because it wasn't there when I had my final read through on Friday, and I didn't make any changes to that section.

[link] [parent] [reply]

What a magnificent story - so epic in its design and detail, yet so intimate in its emotions and character development.

Thank you, Aprilkat. :)

[link] [parent] [reply]

Absolutely wonderful. I sent you feedback, but wanted to just tell you how much I enjoyed reading this story. It's a treasure.

Thank you, Mews. :) No feedback as yet. I'm going to crawl off for a very early night as I was up until nearly 3am getting the story formated. I'll check in the morning. And, yes, I did look at the spam filtered posts as I know that was a problem before for you.

[link] [parent] [reply]

I sent you feedback

Still nothing. Where did you send it?

[link] [parent] [reply]

(no subject) —

mews1945.livejournal.com

(no subject) —

elenya54.livejournal.com

(no subject) —

mews1945.livejournal.com

(no subject) —

elenya54.livejournal.com

Just finished and had to review before eating something, even though I'm about to pass out from hunger. :D

I just loved this, Eleyna! Every word was just perfect. Frodo's confusion between wanting to stay and go, and Sam's fear of the darkness and losing Frodo (whom he has already lost before) are so true. Gandalf's liking them to birds was both comical and accurate. Sam did need his own healing and I'm glad that he was finally able to get it and begin to accept the gift of Iluvatar, though he wisely points out they don't have to go just yet.

Legolas and Gimli are perfectly drawn here, and I love that Legolas is 'such a prude' as Gimli put it, and that's he's so completely clueless that Ninquelote's daughter is besotted with him. Gimli takes such pleasure in teasing him, as a good friend often does in such matters.

Thank you so much for this lovely story! It's a lovely addition to your 'verse. :D

Gandalf's liking them to birds was both comical and accurate.

The swallows have started gathering on the telephone wires here. They twittered at me as I passed them which made me smile.

I love that Legolas is 'such a prude' as Gimli put it, and that's he's so completely clueless that Ninquelote's daughter is besotted with him.

:grins: When you've had something to eat, check out Legolas's conversation with Gimli. From his POV, he was obviously very aware of Laurealote, he just appeared not to have a clue...

Thank you for your lovely comments. :)

[link] [parent] [reply]

(((((Elenya)))))

I've read it in one go and I'm still captivated in the the fantastic world you have created. It's a perfect epilogue to ATIH.

Proper feedback follows as soon as I'm back in our space and time ;)

Hugs
Cat

Thank you, Cat. I'm very pleased you enjoyed it. :)*hugs you back*

[link] [parent] [reply]

(no subject) —

catw.livejournal.com

(no subject) —

elenya54.livejournal.com

{{{{Elenya}}}}

!!!

It's hard to give coherent feedback to a story this rich in detail and emotion and my thoughts are scattered hither and yon, but I'll try...

This is just the perfect epilogue to your beautiful stories - so well characterised, so believable and so real. Tom and Barard - such a wonderful beginning! I adore prudish Legolas and sensible Gimli, love that twist in their journey - that they ended up where they most wished to be. That stirring of long-dormant desire in Legolas, called forth by Sam and Frodo's love - lady, that was inspired.

Our beloved hobbits! You did them and their love proud. Their story was moving without being swamped by bathos, romantic without being overly sweet. Beautifully lyrical and sensual prose, and a sure touch with dialogue. And hot. Did I say it was hot? OMGHOTOMG. Of course Frodo would be the first to feel the call - over and above Sam's need for healing of his own (another inspired touch, btw). I've always thought of him as air and Sam as earth. Very nice 'twittering' metaphor - perfect as white noise overlying deeper concerns. Fantastic ending - Legolas misunderstanding Ninquelótë's remark struck me as so realistic because I felt a twinge of panic myself.

The themes of death and loss moved me so. Elrond and Celebrian's absence because of their grief - such a telling detail. But other losses spoke of lives well-spent, and there was a sense of rightness and acceptance to them.

I love the intimation of peace and harmony that you left us with, and having come back to mundane Earth, I wish I knew - that the afterlife you and Tolkien envision was true.

Thank you, my dear. ♥

(((((Annwyn)))))

Thank you for your lovely feedback. I had no idea when I started writing that Legolas would find a love interest, but it does seem right, doesn't it?

Their story was moving without being swamped by bathos, romantic without being overly sweet

Romance was very much what I had in mind. :)

In Letters, Tolkien somewhere likens Frodo's stay on TE to being in purgatory, which for me had a connotation of atonement and a Bad Thing, but then I looked in my etymological dictionary and found the root of the word was to purify, which seems to fit much more with Arwen's words about finding healing.

I wish I knew - that the afterlife you and Tolkien envision was true.

There is no way we can know, which is where Sam's comments on understanding (or rather lack of it) come in. You'll find some distant echoes of 1 Corinthians13 in the story, especially the idea of being a child waiting to take their first step, and also Frodo's explanation of trying to see through a window at night and only seeing your own reflection.

[link] [parent] [reply]

(((((Elenya)))))
You've done it again! I thought that ATIH was perfectly complete in itself, but you've added to perfection. There's so much to praise that I'm going to have to send you a very l...o...n...g email and go into extruciating detail! Your portrayal of all your characters is sensitive, realistic and very moving, and as for TE itself, well, if I didn't know better, I'd say you must be a regular vistor! You deal with change, loss and death in a way that is realistic and yet comforting at the same time. There's such a satisfying sense of "rightness" to all of it -it's the perfect epilogue to what has always been my perfect fic.
Elaine x x x

Thank you, Elaine :)

You deal with change, loss and death in a way that is realistic and yet comforting at the same time.

I'm glad you found it so. Death seems to be such a taboo subject these days. I have to say I loathe the whole wearing black to funerals thing; I prefer the idea of them being a celebration rather than sackcloth and ashes.

[link] [parent] [reply]

Thank you so much for this wonderful Hobbit Month entry.

Hi Addie. :) My pleasure.

[link] [parent] [reply]

Oh Elenya! This is so gorgeous. I read it all in one go but don't have time for feedback right now. I will come back later - at the moment I want to stay in that world, stay with Frodo and Sam and their song and their love.

Thank you so much - this is such a glorious fic!

Take a bow, Steffi. You kick-started it into existence, and I'm very happy you did. I got a lot out of writing it. :)

[link] [parent] [reply]

(no subject) —

frodosweetstuff.livejournal.com

(no subject) —

elenya54.livejournal.com

(no subject) —

frodosweetstuff.livejournal.com

Elenya, thank you for writing and sharing this beautiful, Light-filled story... as healing for the reader as for any character involved. Indeed, you may have helped me to see a piece of something I've been trying to puzzle out for a very long time.

You should be very proud of this magnificent tale.

Indeed, you may have helped me to see a piece of something I've been trying to puzzle out for a very long time.

I love it when that happens. Thank you for sharing that and for your kind words. :)

[link] [parent] [reply]

Yay! I can't believe it's here! I'll be reading it slowly for "bedtime stories" because I'm really overwhelmed with my new teaching position, but I know it will be wonderful and I hope I remember to get back to you with feedback when I'm done! Thanks so much--it'll give me something to look forward to.

I hope you enjoy it, Sam's star. :)

[link] [parent] [reply]

You have such a beautiful style and create your world so beautifully. Thank you for letting me glimpse it from the crowsnest. I appreciate the view!

Big hugs. Cheers.

((((((Mariole))))) Thank you for all your valuable input. :kiss: I'm taking my laptop with me to Atlanta (wish you could be there), but it means I should be able to finally read "Splendor" in its entirety. I've had been burning the candle at both ends these last few weeks, but I'm looking forward to being able to settle down with it on the plane. :)

[link] [parent] [reply]

What a sensitive and emotional story. It made me smile, laugh, cry ... I'm at a loss for word, elenya.
I'm deeply touched. you know this? Sometimes when you finished reading a story - a brilliant one - you can't read anything else? This just happens to me.
Pure perfection, love!

Thank you ever so much for this awesome hobbit post!

Hugs you very tight,
Julchen

Sometimes when you finished reading a story - a brilliant one - you can't read anything else? This just happens to me.

Wow! I do know that feeling, so I'm really... well, proud, I guess, and definitely thrilled to know I achieved that. Thank you very much. :) :) :)

*Hugs you back*

[link] [parent] [reply]

Hi, I don't know what to say; I feel dazed like lbilover, completely overwhelmed. I have never read a story through (at the beginning) Legolas' point of view, and I tend to avoid stories after the quest. I read some though, but it is hard to say what I need for those stories to feel right for me. This one did. The love and the light in it, and the humour! The characters were spot-on! It feels almost creepily (?) real around here. You guided me through this unfamiliar territory with sure hands, so to speak.
Thank you very much.
Anne

Thank you, Anne, for commenting. I seem to have left a lot of readers feeling dazed, and I can only hope from your end comments that it was in a good way. I suspect that posting it as one long story, rather than serialising it, means that that you get more immersed in the world, and therefore it's more of a wrench to leave it. I'm very flattered that you found it "real". :)

[link] [parent] [reply]

Hi Elenya,
I'm the one who emailed you a while back about ATIH, & you very kindly sent me the link to The Beginning, which you'd just posted. I wasn't on LJ then, but I am now, & I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading The Gift. It was the perfect feelgood rounding off to the epic ATIH. I came away from it feeling relaxed, warmed, peaceful... almost spiritually uplifted, if that isn't too OTT. I'm not always a big fan of Valinor fics - my hobbit heart will always be in the Shire - but this was just perfect. This is how it was meant to be. I really believe Tolkien would approve. Thanks!
Btw, can I friend you?

Welcome to LJ, Telstar, and thank you for letting me know you enjoyed The Gift and it left you feeling so peaceful. I was aiming for a spirituality about the fic, so I for me "almost spiritually uplifted" is just fine. :)

You're welcome to friend me, but please don't be offended that I don't automatically friend back. I struggle to keep up with LJ, so most of my friends list comprises people who I've meet in RL or people whose fics I want to follow. I know a lot of LJers take the whole friending thing very personally, but I just see it as a way of tracking posts, not as a statement of liking or disliking someone. I'm not sure if there will be any more Hobbit fic. I won't rule it out, though I'm interested in trying original fic at the moment, but if I do get inspired to return to my dearly beloved hobbits, I'll post the result here. :)

[link] [parent] [reply]

I’m sorry it took me so long but here is the promised fb!

Of course, the parts that I loved the most are those about Frodo and Sam but before I drool about them, I have to say a few words of praise about Legolas and Gimli – so funny!!!! Such a great idea for them to go to TE together. I especially love your Gimli – very dwarvish!!! And the boat and sailing details were wonderful!

So lovely, too, to meet Tom and Barad again!!! *huggles them*

And aaaaah, Legolas – such a prude when it comes to bare-assed rutting hobbits but such a romantic too, when it comes to Frodo and Sam!!! *loves him* His memories of finding out about Frodo and Sam are so well-written and it makes me love the hobbits so much more. Seeing Sam giving Frodo what he needs, the rightness of them being together and the love and the lust and then the light shining from Frodo… *happy sigh*

Legolas’ and Gimli’s journey is full of suspense and ohh, when they meet Frodo and Sam – and Legolas thinks for a moment it’s Tom and Barad, and then when he realizes that Frodo is well and happy! *sniffles* I love that he has tears in his eyes so very often!!! He’s obviously the biggest F/S fan around!!!!! :)

As for Frodo and Sam – ooooooooooooooooooooooooooh, Elenya, perfect, perfect, perfect! I love that you are addressing the question of when to leave and die. I love that Sam isn’t ready – so understandable in his position – and how Frodo would love to go but will not without Sam.

I know you said before posting this that your beta thought there was too much sex in this but omg, not in this version!!! It is always sensual and motivated by the plot and so right and so necessary. And of course hot, loving and beautiful!! It is a great pleasure to read about them – I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to read this story and the lovemaking in particular. It is so good and so moving. There are no words how brilliant you write them making love!!!

And it’s soooo touching that Gimli can’t see Frodo because of the light!! *gulps*

It’s great to see how Frodo and Sam appear to Gimli and Legolas. :) Had to giggle when Gimli thought that they didn’t talk to each other! :)

Oh, and three wonderful topping!Frodo scenes!!! You wrote them so well that it felt so right! And only you could get me to applaud three such scenes in a row!!! ;-)

I loved the meditating and how they went about it and that in the end they decided to take the gift.

I wish I could say much more about your fic but every time I re-read it I get so caught up in it that afterwards I just want to sit here and smile and not say or do or think anything, just let the happiness flow through me.

*hugs* Thank you so very much for this fic! It is truly wonderful and a great gift and your Frodo and your Sam are wonderful and reading about them makes me so very very happy.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Steffi. :) You probably realise after reading several of my fics that I do try and keep stuff canon, so Gimli sailing with Legolas wasn't my idea: "Then Legolas built a grey ship in Ithilien, and sailed down Anduin and so over Sea; and with him, it is said, went Gimli the dwarf." I'm guessing it was Tom and Barard, writing back to the Shire, who were the source for that snippet in the Red Book. :D

but such a romantic too... I love that he has tears in his eyes so very often!!!

Who'd a thought the Elf was such a soppy old thing. :D

I know you said before posting this that your beta thought there was too much sex in this but omg, not in this version!!!

I cut one scene, which was unnecessary and which I'd never planned. Frodo was on a roll and wanted to give head again, but I curbed his enthusiasm. I think the balance of the story is better for it, although Frodo sulked a bit.

I wish I could say much more about your fic but every time I re-read it I get so caught up in it that afterwards I just want to sit here and smile and not say or do or think anything, just let the happiness flow through me.

:) :) :) I love it that the story has that effect on you, and thank you again for your lovely feedback. :kiss:

[link] [parent] [reply]

(no subject) —

frodosweetstuff.livejournal.com

(no subject) —

elenya54.livejournal.com

(no subject) —

frodosweetstuff.livejournal.com

Sorry it took so long to get back to you! I HAVE been reading "The Gift" slowly at bedtime... and re-reading it... and not wanting to let it go! I can't tell you enough how impressed I am at your ability to create a world and characters of such depth--it truly rivals Tolkien's himself. Thank YOU for this wonderful gift!

I really love to hear that people are finding it difficult to let go of this story; it makes me feel that I've pulled you in as a reader and immersed you in this world. :) Thank you, Sam's star. :)

[link] [parent] [reply]

April