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The King's Commission  by Larner 4 Review(s)
annmarwalkReviewed Chapter: 24 on 2/11/2005
Some lovely details I particularly enjoyed -

-- the hobbits singing "nonsensical" words from a language they no longer remember - this so reminded me of the Latin mass of my childhood!
-- burning the Troubles - what a great idea!
-- the embroidered Evenstar doll
-- the happy lovers!
-- Farmer Cotton asking the gruff, hard questions.



Author Reply: Think of one of my favorite childhood games and songs that I love to play with my younger students--"Ring around the Rosie." It's nonsense now, but once was an invocation intended to guard against smallpox. There are other songs whose words have shifted over the years as the original meanings faded, as language shifts and meanings of words change, or as the language of the people becomes more infused with words from other languages. Seems that the Hobbits would have some hangover words and traditional songs from the days east of the Misty Mountains that would be most likely to be repeated at such times as Yule.

So many new years traditions are intended to chase away ill luck from the old year, and there are cleansing ceremonies in so many cultures. I just figured this one would be in keeping with Hobbit sensibilities and sufficiently similar to other practices seen by such as Ruvemir he'd understand the importance. The New Light is in our culture and shared faith--at Candlemass, Christmas, the Easter Even services for those in the liturgical churches--the church darkened, the New Light struck from flint and steel, and the flame caught in the Pascal Candle, from which other candles are lit until the entire church is full of the golden light.... You know what I mean, Ann, if you were raised Catholic (I'm Anglican Catholic, by the way). The actual fire drill ceremoney and relighting of the home fires I borrowed from Rosemary Sutcliff's book Warrior Scarlet, and I doubt she would be angry I'd done so, although she wrote of Beltane and I write of Yule.

And one of our favorite dolls was a soft sculpture doll; and I think Miriel would produce a magnificent version.

I always felt that Sam ought to have been at least offered the chance to go with Frodo, but that he'd have chosen to stay with Rosie, having made the commitment of marriage with her. And I think that Farmer Cotton, like Farmer Maggot, would have a good understanding of the world as it is, and would have wanted to find out what Sam gave up marrying his daughter and remaining true to his vows to her.

As for happy lovers--the world always has room for a few.

Glad you liked these details, too.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 24 on 1/20/2005
Folco and Miriel. It could be complicated - in more ways than one, but they suit each other.

Sam seems to have managed to convince the Mayor of the need for education, although I don't know if he will keep up his enthusiasm when it means work and taxes.

I like the living thrum of the Mallorn and the White Tree - and Ririon's recognition of it.

Sam's character is appearing stronger and stronger.

Author Reply: Tolkien had indicated that Frodo could feel the life of the Mallorns while in Lorien, and I tried to figure out how that would be expressed, and finally decided that this would be how a young teen like Ririon would feel it.

Talk therapy can assist folk to become stronger.

Thanks for the feedback.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 24 on 1/19/2005
Oh my, I'm so glad about Folco and Miriel! That's just lovely!!

The Yule gifts were marvelous and well-thought out. I think there is nothing quite so hobbity as hobbits and gifts, *sigh*

We continue to learn more and more about Frodo, and how well-loved he really was. I have always thought Frodo under-valued himself, and never really realized how dearly people cared about him. His always trying to hide his own pain and sorrow was a part of that.

Will Ruvemir and Miriel be spending the winter in the Shire? I would think that travel would be difficult at this time of year...

Author Reply: Yes. it would be difficult to travel in that season, I think. And Frodo didn't appreciate how much others would be willing to help him bear, if he would only open up.

Thanks for the feedback.

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 24 on 1/19/2005
The two things that touched me the most in this chapter were the Troubles List that Rosie and Sam had prepared, and Adamant Rumble's story of Frodo angry and hurting. The short line on the list Grief at Missing Him, and the fact that the list is otherwise quite short, captures the bittersweet pain of post-quest Samwise perfectly. I like Widow Rumble's story because Frodo is not some kind of saint in it: he's frustrated over his illness and angry because of all that he has been robbed of, but without even thinking of it he is still focused on doing something for somebody he loves. And again you've brough up the fact that the ring stole happiness from Frodo by keeping him from marrying. What's interesting to me is that it didn't keep him from loving. His deep friendships with Fatty and Folco, Merry and Pippin, and especially Sam could not be prevented or destroyed by carrying the Ring, and those kinds of 'attachments' that perhaps Evil Will discounted as not as important enough to prevent, turned out to be so very important after all.

Such a thoughtful story - I'm really enjoying it.

Author Reply: Evil Will tends to be shortsighted. It tends to be ideological in nature, seeing what it wants to see unless it is a perceived weakness it seeks to exploit. And that Frodo would be frustrated wanting to make a berry pie for Sam and Rosie I, too, found to be part of his nature.

Now that I've brought her name into the story, I find myself wanting to meet Narcissa Boffin. I'm several chapters ahead, and wonder if she'll somehow make herself known.

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