Simply Afraid

[Lily Bracegirdle]

What's wrong with crying? It releases tension. Just be sure you don't have to be anywhere special after finishing the book. Then you can experience it at leisure. I don't usually find the ending sad, just bittersweet.

I don't really recommend the tale of Aragorn and Arwen in the appendices. I found it disturbing. But I do love knowing that Gimli and Legolas became lifelong friends and traveled together at the end.

If knowing there isn't any more is what keeps you from finishing, there's always fanfiction -- some of which is very well written. Altariel's "A Game of Chess" at the Henneth Annun website is just wonderful. It's a post-ROTK Faramir/Eowyn story that's funny and sad and romantic, just the way a good drama should be.

Good luck!

-Lily