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The King's Commission  by Larner 5 Review(s)
KittyReviewed Chapter: 74 on 3/12/2005
Very lovely chapter. Loved the letters and how Ruvemir shared them with the apprentices. They seem to start to feel better. And it is educating for Armanthol to see and hear how Aragorn or Sam care for others.
The little house was so cute - dear Pippin, what a wonderful idea!

Now I hope Moritum and his people look over Ivarnon so he doesn't any harm, and that Gilfileg is on his guard, too. I don't trust this one who blames others for his own faults.

Author Reply: Hopefully Ivarnon will grow out of it--given the chance, of course.

Glad others find the little house in the garden intriguing--I drive by a place that has a number of small houses every time I go see my brother or son, and these structures sort have awakened the part of my mind that identifies with The Borrowers, Mistress Masham's Repose, and so on, as well as bringing back memories of my own childhood.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 74 on 3/12/2005
What's the John Donne line - 'Every man's death diminishes me'? Something like that. It seems to be a big part of Aragorn's inheritance.

I love your Ferdibrand and his awareness of the light in the West.

Pippin's tricks are rather clever - I like tricks that end up making everyone feel better. They are more like gifts of love.

Author Reply: Gifts of love--yes, you have it indeed--these are gifts of love also intended to disconcert just a bit, but also to keep up the laughter. Pippin, I think, thrived on laughter and realized we all need it.

And I like my Ferdibrand, also.

Thanks so much for the comments--they make my day.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 74 on 3/11/2005
A very interesting chapter. I hope their Ranger of the North, not Strider, comes back to the house before Liana's husband decides to make some mischief. What a lovely, but also bittersweet in a way, chapter. Loved Pippin's practical joke on Merry, but what a lovely gift. So, Frodo lives in the little house during the day and looks over Elanor and the rest of Sam's family during the night. That sweet little girl. I'm glad the thought of that doesn't hurt Sam now.

As always...Looking forward to the next chapter!! :o)

Author Reply: I'll admit I based that in part on my own growing up. My dad died when I was a baby, so I made up stories about him and how he lived in my doll house. I guess I'm projecting on Elanor in part.

I think Pippin would still play pranks, but more positive ones with a real point to them. Give a gift, but do it in a manner to disconcert and truly draw laughter. My Pippin has always felt that he needed to help others keep their sense of humor.

EruviluiethReviewed Chapter: 74 on 3/11/2005
Well, Armanthol is certainly taking instruction well, now. His progress is encouraging. Ivarnon is the next one to watch carefully. He will not admit to the evil of what has been done, refuses to see the truth before him, and chooses to be angry and blame Ruvemir rather than rightfully let fear change his actions. An interesting development, to be sure. I hope whoever is watching him will prevent him acting against Ruvemir. The letters from the Shire are always wonderful. Pippin's practical jokes were clever and hilarious. It's so cute that Cyclamen and Elanor so enjoy the little house, and that Sam enjoys their stories so much. I like that Sam knew full well that Aragorn used the palantir to keep tabs on Sam's family at Rosie's birth. I loved Ferdi's message that Frodo's light was growing stronger - it's just wonderful to hear, to be aware of the healing as it happens. I'm so glad Sam is healing, as well, and able to believe that Frodo can see his family. I loved the discussion at the end, especially Gilmirion's insights. He may have been damaged, but his heart still feels as it should. Ever eager for more of your wonderful writing!

Author Reply: Glad you like it. Yes, they are all healing now, and I think knowing Frodo is doing so assists the rest.

Gilmirion started with the artistic temprament and love of true beauty that was almost lost under Varondil--it's starting to return now, now that he's with a true master and is no longer having to live solely in a world where he has to worry about himself and others; now he can let himself care again, let himself seek beauty again without fear of having it ground into the dust before his eyes.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 74 on 3/11/2005
Dear me! No sooner has Ruvemir gotten rid of one set of enemies, than another comes along to take its place. This Ivarnon sounds like an unpleasant wretch, at the very least, and dangerous as well.

Of course, you know I loved the letters. Pippin's practical jokes were absolutely wonderful. Of course, the one on Merry was more "jokey"--I could imagine his face! The little house, now, I think was probably more of an elaborate gift to little Elanor than really a joke, although it must have mystified Sam at first.

I liked the way Ruvemir shared the letters with the apprentices. Amanthol is going to really learn something this way.

Author Reply: Still the prankster, but in a more positive, affirmative manner, I think. I found the little house sitting there begging to be put in, absolutely demanding to be put in, in fact.

Ivarnon is a typical male chauvenist pig, I find, who uses distraction as a means of distancing himself from his own stupidity. Not as much an enemy to Ruvemir as one who hasn't bothered thinking or listening to his conscience for rather too long, and who has gotten into the habit of blaming others for his own shortcomings.

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