Great story. I had not thought of the similarity to the situations of Sam and Celeborn, so unlike as they are on the surface. Very thoughtful analysis. But hee hee Rose Cotton telling off the Lord of Lorien, what a treat! Thanks!

Ah, bless fanfiction! This was a delight to read. It's not common in the fandom to explore Sam's deepest feelings regarding the situation with Frodo and his 'wounds.' The focus always tends to be on the latter, and it's understandable since his suffering seems the heaviest between the two, but I do beg to differ. Frodo's suffering is Sam's, considering how deeply he loves his master. I think this is the first fanfic I read that tackles Sam's 'failure' to such great degree, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who seem to think that in the end, Sam did fail (if you want to call it that). His quest has not been to save Middle-earth, but to save his master. For a time he thought he did, but he learns eventually that just as Frodo has lost himself to It, despite everything he suffered and sacrificed, so has Sam, and it's a bitter pill to swallow. I seem to keep forgetting that Prof. Tolkien based their relationship on the one he saw in the trenches of WW, so coming back alive must have felt like that for him, but I digress. I'm sure it hurt terribly to lose what you love to evil, and that's how Frodo and Sam must have felt. Oh, well...

Again, bless you for writing this proper fic. You do Sam proud!

This was beautiful in its melancholy and bitterness, and I loved it!

Thank you for writing!

It is sad that in here Celeborn chose not to sail at all, but I am glad that at least Sam and he both have something to urge them forward.

What a lovely little story. And I like how you liken Galadriel and Celeborn to the Entwives and Ents, an excellent conceit.

Thank you for sharing it.

First of all, this was beautifully written, as all your work, actually.
And I really do like your interpretation of Celeborn, or better your interpretation of Galadriel's and Celeborn's courtship. She is one of the greatest elves that ever existed, powerful, willfull, beautiful and wise. Yet he must have been equally great in many ways for he became her lover and husband and I highly doubt many men could have had the "strength" for it, she herself called him "wise".

That is why I don't understand why some people love one and hate the other. He certainly was not a dull lap dog, but she - though certainly difficult due to her personality and skills - cannot have been so selfish and power hungry and arrogant that he did not fell in love with her.
And the issue with the rings - well, I'm sure it was just as hard for the ringbearers as for the companions. The ones have to watch helplessly as their loved ones fall into this addiction which causes both of them great pain.
So please don't pity the one more than the other.

I think their relationship is equally beautiful as tragic.
And in my head, even if it takes many ages, in the end he will become weary enough to sail to Valinor as well. Middle-Earth is becoming more modern, the age of men, and elves are somewhat out of place there in the end. Sadly.

Sorry, this became actually quite long but I had to, some reviews and comments were bothering me ;)
Again, great writing skills and thank you for all your work! Keep on! :)

Wonderful story with fantastic character portrayals and interactions. I loved the image of Celeborn so far out of his element in the Shire, yet he handled everything so well and was so tactful. And Sam - your Sam was perfect, I have no more words. And the ending, I loved the slightly hopeful tone even among the bittersweet topics being discussed. *sniffles*

This was a beautiful story; poignant and sad yet hopeful. I love how you touch the theme of coming to grips with the aftermath of the journey not only through Sam but through Celeborn. And I must say, I love your Celeborn.

"I will not abandon my home while there is breath or strength in me to defend it. If I struggle against the tides of fate what of it? Have I not done the same all my life?"

"Would you treat arrow-shot with the same medicine you would use on a broken bone?" Celeborn was stern, "Think not to call all wounds the same, Master Gamgee, or how can you heal them aright?"

"Often she said to me 'to bear a ring of power is to be alone.' And I would say 'take it off then, and be with me.' But she would not."

That particular last quote really pierced me. Just from one single line, you can tell how much love Celeborn had for his wife.

And kudos to your Rosie! I love a woman who can speak her mind ). All in all you have created a story with such depth and insight that everytime I will re-watch and re-read LOTR and come across Celeborn, I will be reminded of this fic. Thanks you for writing it.

I really liked the idea of the world being made anew. It gives such hope.

Thanks for the attention given to both Sam and Celeborn. It was a great story and well-pulled together.

Oh, that was lovely! Thank you.

Oh my goodness, this is exactly what I needed to read! And by mere coincidence I am hearing 'the Return of the King' soundtrack.

This was sweetly, yet heartrendingly written. I adore that you used Sam and Celeborn! Not all stories have happy endings. For some they did, but for Sam and Celeborn, they lost loved ones not to death, but to the power of the rings. I loved their conversation together, and rightly so that only they understood the grief of losing their loved ones.

But the line, "Often she said to me 'to bear a ring of power is to be alone.' And I would say 'take it off then, and be with me.' But she would not." Oh, the pain of being a ringbearer and the lack of understanding of those who do not possess them of why they do not just leave it. Heartbreaking.

Also, I love that Celeborn visited him. Sam loved the elves

Words cannot express just I enjoyed and loved reading this. Thank you so much! _

I've read this story many a times, so I am surprised that I forgot how good this is. Now that I think about it - this prompted farewell - it was almost my take on your work if you will

This is such a lovely piece which makes me miss your Celeborn as if I actually lost him from my life.

Any change you'll return to writing about him anytime soon (or at all - even if it is not soon).

This story broke my heart but so beautiful at the same time.

"Often she said to me 'to bear a ring of power is to be alone.' And I would say 'take it off then, and be with me.' But she would not."

That line just made my heart melt and suddenly I felt for Celeborn.

And he's like top elf now that Elrond's gone.

Oh sam, what a hobbit! :DD

-runsaroundsquawkingforjoy- very good!

Wow, that one hit hard. It's a sad feeling, knowing that they left one that loved so dearly behind.

Very deep; I like it.