Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The King's Commission by Larner	7 Review(s)
Ariel	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 5/27/2005
Thought I had better review in case you thought I had forgotten you. There are many wonderful things I could comment on and I probably should more often, but I wanted to concur with your view of what the Ring did to Frodo's chances for marriage and a family. Yes! That is also what I have always thought. Just a question too - I notice that in a lot of the hobbit fics I read, there seems to be a 'fanon' that people follow. You have many of the same characters and positions as Lindelea (and others) writes and I wondered if that was per an agreement or if it was just because you enjoyed doing so? Author Reply: Oh, dear--the borrowing of characters and devices and so on. I found myself intrigued mostly by the stories of a few folk when I started--Baylor, Chip of Dale, Anglachel, Jodancingtree, and Lindelea in particular; and those plot devices and characters I'd seen them use that were not counter to canon I have admitted from the beginning I integrated into my first story, "For Eyes to See as Can," which is basically Sam's own story of his relationship with Frodo and how possession of the Ring changed him and affected all who went with Frodo on his journey. I took the idea that Frodo might have been born with a heart murmur (which I know may or may not be a serious condition in a child) and examined it from that point of view, how it would have affected the way the good folk in Brandy Hall treated him and could have led to Bilbo demanding at the last to take Frodo as his ward to give him a more realistic final raising. Lindelea and I have exchanged a number of emails regarding the borrowing of Budgie and Viola (I'd intended to integrate my own story into what I saw as a sort of established Shire social structure), and she has always been thrilled to see that her characters were seen as sufficiently true to life someone else would include them elsewhere. Now I'm waiting to see if Ruvemir or Narcissa or one of my other characters might find their way into other stories to expand on what I've added to the world of Middle Earth. You will note, however, that my Budgie and Viola have slightly different backgrounds, and had a son instead of a daughter, and named their son after Frodo's father. We do diverge.

annmarwalk	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 2/11/2005
(I'm reading these at HASA, where the chapters are a bit different). I loved the description of Frodo's clothes, and how the colors changed from before to after his journey! And his scrawled notes about his nightmares are heartrending. I'm continually amazed and delighted at your skill in making all these familiar characters, but particularly Frodo, so real. Author Reply: I had to split a couple of chapters at HASA as they don't accept as long of files as the other sites do. The changes in colors are inspired by movie-verse, of course. But I think the nightmares would have been particularly horrible for him, and his need to get them out in the open through writing and later drawing would be particularly intense. For one who does not himself appear in the story until the final chapter (I have that one written, although I'm only about a week ahead on the rest), Frodo is still very much central to the story.

annmarwalk	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 2/11/2005
Some of the things I particularly enjoyed about this chapter: -- the uses of medicinal herbs, such as foxglove and willowbark, in additon to athelas. I always enjoy reading about herbalore! -- little Elanor's quiet and thoughtful inspection of Ruvemir was very touching! -- Sharkey seeking knowledge from the hobbit's libraries - very chilling and devious. Off to read more! Ann Author Reply: I went through a couple of our herbologies to find proper herbs to cite. Elanor becoming aware of the differences between Ruvemir and Hobbits I would think to be common to most intelligent children her age. And I'm so glad you found it touching. And, yes, I truly think Sharkey would have been grasping for what information he could find that might possibly assist in helping him to develop temporal power. He'd already been stripped of what power and authority was native to him as one of the Istari--the vacuum he'd have tried to fill somehow, I'm certain.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 1/18/2005
I'm getting behind. Folco and Miriel, huh? I like the image of Sam in communion with plants. For a very hobbity hobbit, Sam is quite elfy in some ways. Even to speaking fluent Sindarin. Interesting finds in Frodo's room. Author Reply: Sam has always been the unexpected Hobbit--the one who thinks of contingencies not considered by others, the one who figured out Frodo's mind, the one who brought them there and back again, even fighting the Ring itself during his brief possession of the cursed thing. That he would be able to communicate in some way with plants seems just part of his nature.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 1/17/2005
I think that your take on the Athelas smelling different to everyone was terrific. I loved that and the fact that in Sam's hands, it worked better because of his understanding of plants and his talent with them. The Yule gifts were lovely also. I liked the way Sam put Runemir in Frodo's room and allowed him to look through it. A person's room does tell a great deal about them. Very good thinking on Sam's part. Author Reply: Tolkien himself indicated that athelas smelled differently for each individual, so I was only trying to figure out what it would smell for Frodo and the others Sam would know. And Sam's affinity with plants would undoubtedly impact how well the athelas would work for him. Thanks for the response.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 1/16/2005
I can't believe how quickly you update and with such long, wonderful chapters! I am truly loving your story and the insights into Frodo and the other hobbits that you have written. Thanks for sharing your story. Radbooks Author Reply: I like seeing people from different points of view, myself, which is why Ruvemir is getting the full exposure he receives. I try to limit myself to updating only a chapter or two at a time, for I have written a bit ahead, I'll admit. Got a fair amount done while the two computers were being reworked. Thanks for the feedback.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 1/15/2005
There is so much to love about this chapter I don't even know where to begin! I see that you have been somewhat influenced by one of my favorite stories, "A Small and Passing Thing" by Lindelea. It's such a good one, and an excellent take on Frodo's leaving. I do like your Folco. I had my fingers crossed that Miriel might find a hobbit to fall in love with. Your Folco is so nice, and he's alive, which is helpful, LOL! I am enjoying this so very much! Keep it going! Author Reply: Yes, Lindelea and I have exchanged notes on how I drew on her Budgie and Viola, although they are tending to diverge a bit, I fear. Folco is the cousin who gets mentioned and dumped in the books, so I thought we should see what he was really like.

Return to Chapter List