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The King's Commission by Larner	6 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 3/26/2006
Oh dear, where to begin? I love your descriptions of the work done. I have had more experience with clay than anything else, and none at all with stone--yet, so it's very interesting to see how all this is done. And I do feel as if I'm seeing it as I read. I also really like Ruvemir's kindness and care for his band of apprentices, especially for poor Celebgil. I do pity him, and not only for finding himself stuck with a master whose goals and desires for his apprentices are obviously infinitely less noble than those of Ruvemir, or of any decent man. (I'm pretty sure, though, that something will be done to remedy that situation in the end. The truth always comes out sooner or later.) The fear, even of physical closeness, the "closedness" (I know, it's not a word :), but it's descriptive and I can't think right now) are what move me most. Yes, Ruvemir ought to talk to him. If he'll just let himself respond... I loved all the letters, especially the ones from the travellers and Syclamen, and from Rosie. Speaking of, just out of (amused) curiosity, have you ever heard a screen-reader read mixed cases in words? It's quite interesting I assure you. :) I enjoy letters in stories, so I was listening with contentment, when all of a sudden it seems to have changed languages. "Wait a minute! What happened here? Who is this person, and where are they from?" LOL! Of course it didn't take me long to realise it was plain English, and I did finally manage to get through the whole letter and found it well worth the extra care it took to read. (Was that hard to write?) Yes, Rosie is as wise as Sam, and never was there a more well-matched couple. Oh, and I'm interested to know what Pippin's planned trick is! :) Oh, those poor children! And a baby too! I hope Miriel and Folco do take them in as fosterlings. I love the care and respect shown Frodo's stone here, and Aragorn's singing in Quenya was very touching and really shows the love he bore his "small brother." And so wonderful to see Master Iorhael again! I'm glad I read The Acceptable Sacrifice first, for it makes so much in this story familiar, and of course the things mentioned in passing are more deeply explained in the other. So, Mardil and Faragil have come for the wedding! How very different Faragil is from Varondil. Celebgil can't but notice, and I hope that difference will help to bring him to talk of his troubles to Ruvemir--who, as you said, is quite a healer of hearts. "Red jewel" seems to suit somehow. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Had a friend as an undergrad who did quite a bit of sculpture, and he used to joke that you chipped off the stone you were working on all that didn't belong to whatever it was you sought to sculpt. I collected rocks as a child, and was the youngest member of our city's rock collector's club, in fact, which must have caused them a good deal of amusement, all these serious men and this one eight-year-old girl. Learned a good deal about inclusions and faults and so on. Those who have been subject to the type of abuse shown Varondil's apprentices do tend to become closed to outside influences, and it can take a good deal to open them back up again. Oh, remember I teach blind kids and was married to my late husband for over twenty-seven years, so have had LOTS of experience listening to speech synthesizers doing all kinds of odd things. And I'm certain Rosie's letter would have thrown yours for a loop. Are you using Jaws or WindowEyes, or what? And which synthesizer, by the way? Always curious to current trends, of course. I don't think the two children will be left homeless for long, of course. As for Mardil and Faragil--they provide quite a contrast to Varondil, assuring Celebgil that he need not look for that type of abuse elsewhere. He himself hasn't been abused as yet, but you will learn the details as the story unfolds. Glad you also feel "Red Jewel" suits Ruvemir, one of the salt of the earth.

	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 2/4/2005
Please forgive me if this is a stupid question (I haven't been able to read this story nearly as closely as I would like to), but I was wondering why you have Ruvemir refer to his father with the elvish "Adar." I was under the impression that elves were rather, well, not secluded exactly, but not enough of most Men's everyday life for such a language exchange to be likely. Like I said, though, I've probably just missed something obvious. Thanks again for such a great story! I'm thouroughly enjoying it. Author Reply: Remembering from LOTR, the Hobbits realized that the language spoken by the people of Gondor when not using the Common Tongue was a form of Elvish, but somewhat changed by years of estrangement from actual Elvish influence. Therefore their proper language probably had a good deal of Sindarin and possibly Quenyan words as well. That Adar would probably be used by upperclass property holders and owners of estates seems to me to be fitting. Have Aragorn discussing this question in a later chapter. (Think of the relationship of "Pherian" usage in Gondor and "Perian" among the Dunedain and Elves of the north.)

SharonB	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 2/4/2005
Ruvemir and Faragil seemed to have had quite a good relationship. Ruvemir needs to draw out the reasons that Celebgil doesn't have anywhere near that type of relationship with his own master. I can see how Ruvemir and Miriel came up with such good attitudes on life from how their father is. It looks as though everyone will have a good homecoming with Mardil when they go that way. It was interesting how the carving went so well with Aragorn singing in Quenya, but that must be part of the Noldor way of shaping and crafting. Another good chapter. Author Reply: I suspect you are correct regarding the Noldor crafting using song as part of the process. Certainly seeing the creation of the universe as a direct effect of creative harmony would lead them to see singing as part of any creative process. Personally, I think two such nice people as Miriel and Ruvemir would have had to have come from such parents as Mardil and his late wife.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 2/4/2005
This is wonderful! I love Ruvemir's father; he seems so kind and wise, it's easy to see why Ruvemir and Miriel are so special, and are not bitter about their physical differences, with such a father as that. And I like Ruvemir's old master as well. So the queen is about to give birth! That's going to be exciting! And it looks as though Ruvemir is, indeed, beginning to suspect what Celebgil's problem is. I hope that he talks with the lad soon! Looking very forward to the wedding... Author Reply: He will, but whether or not Celebgil will be forthcoming is another question.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 2/4/2005
It was good to see Ruvemir's father arrive for the wedding - and his former master. And the commission is coming on well. I like the way Elessar came and sang as Ruvemir carved. Author Reply: I agree. Thanks for the feedback.

FantasyFan	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 2/4/2005
You know, I actually had tears in my eyes, as Ruvemir worked and the king sang in the shadowy room. This whole story has been building, layer by layer, on the character of Frodo. To hear Ruvemir describe him to his father, and to see the respect that they show to the flawed piece of stone that takes the place of the ringbearer, is very heartfelt and emotional. Ruvemir speaks for us all who have never met him, in truth, but still love him. This is really a marvelous story. I'm looking forward to more, as always. Author Reply: I know. We are learning both of Frodo and of Aragorn throughout the whole story, I've found, for their stories are so inextricably intertwined.

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