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The Ties of Family by Larner	6 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 2/4/2006
You know, the ignorance of these Angmarians was almost amusing, and I laughed with Eowyn. Children fed to eagles indeed! And maybe I don't pity Beasty after all. Such...such...ugh, I don't even know how to describe it--it's appalling! To do all he did with Lotho, to go and act really stupid after getting off so easy the first time, to blame it all on his father (not that he's excused either), and, to put the icing on the cake, to act like he's about ten years old instead of old enough to know not to indulge in pointless, cruel, contemptable, and childish teasing...sigh No. No, he deserved what he got and more--and he most certainly didn't deserve to have the one whom he had physically abused stand with him. But it was more than honourable of Brendi to do so, for the sake of Frodo's wishes. But then, I don't think I could have resisted that appeal either. And, as always, Aragorn has proven himself remarkably just. When I first started reading "The Acceptable Sacrifice," I must confess I wondered if I'd ever get used to court life :), but I find I rather like it after all. Oh, and one more thing: I love to see Aragorn comforting Sam! Author Reply: We tend to interpret what we see in terms of our own experience and expectations, which all too often are based on what WE would do in such a situation. The Angmarians have no other experiential base on which to understand what they've seen, for they haven't seen Hobbits before. It is one of the defining traits of what I consider the "small" man that he will consistently attribute his own motivations and actions to others, and will fail to perceive that not all are like him. Another central trait to the criminal personality is that such an individual is almost totally self-centered and self-absorbed. And face it, there is no question Bedro Bracegirdle is as small individual as there is, and the perfect example of the criminal mind. He NEVER learns from experience. And this is quite the contrast to Brendi, who is completely the opposite. And I, too, like to see Aragorn comforting Sam.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 6/18/2005
Stern but stictly fair justice - just as everyone would have expected. It must have been hard for Aragorn to turn back to the case in hand having seen the twins, especially because of the way he suffers for his judgements. And isn't he going to be wondering (and a little hurt) why someone didn't tell him about the twins a little earlier? Author Reply: I think he's already accepting that Frodo was keeping the secret of the twins' existence from about everyone until it was time for him to leave the Shire, and only then letting it be known, and that it's been about the same for him as it has been for the others. I doubt he'd be that hurt, but would accept everyone was basically doing as they thought Frodo wished. Also, since Halladan had already seen them at the previous hearing, he really probably ought to have been the one to bring it out in the open--although while in the capitol no one kept it completely a secret from him. A cousin Fosco whom Frodo had taught to dance, Folco whom Frodo and Bilbo had taught to dance.... He might have pieced it together, and now realizes perhaps he ought to have done so. And yes, his justice would have been stern but scrupiously fair at the same time.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 6/17/2005
And so the King has judged and judged wisely. Bedro certainly did get a rude awakening and to see Arwen understand before Aragorn exactly what being struck from the family book means to a hobbit was a nice twist. Usually, it's Aragorn w/all his experience and knowledge and using it to make his decisions. Nice to see just how their relationship works in Court surroundings such as this. Oh and this.... The King turned back to Bedro. “Is what he says true?” Bedro surprised himself by admitting, “Yes, it’s true.” “Did no one ever seek to stop you?” “Once. A stranger hit me once.” “When was this?” “Years ago, just after the Free Fair.” “A rather tall, slender Hobbit with dark hair?” “Yessir. How did you know?” “Educated guess.” ...Was priceless!!! Loved that!! Glad to see some of the men from Angmar realized they had been operating under false pretenses and acknowledged that in front of Aragorn and all those witnesses. They were giving up everything, including their families safety, by doing such a thing. Knowing Aragorn's cousin from "The King's Commission", I know they'll be spirited out of Angmar w/little problem. At least I hope so. Oh and Troll's Bane, Anduril and Halladan's sword coming up to protect Faramir so quickly...Wish I could have seen the look on the Angmar leader's face when that happened. A shame he couldn't have realized what his men did, but here evil had taken root, he wasn't going to repent, so Aragorn gave him the only justice he could give. I only hope Arwen is nearby to help Aragorn w/the after effects of such. So many twists and turns in this chapter. As always, looking forward to the next installment. :o) Author Reply: I know "an educated guess" is probably an unacceptable modernism, but what equivalent can one come up with? Aragorn has learned Frodo had been taught how to throw a telling punch by his cousin and used it at times in the Shire to stop injustices, teasings, beatings, abuse, and so on; he'd have a good idea who struck Bedro; and if Bedro were smarter, he'd have figured it out from what Fosco said after he bounced the bully off the wall of the Gravelly dining room. He knows the King knew Frodo, also. I suspect Bedro is terminally stupid. Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. And, yes, Arwen and Aragorn are a pair, for all she has not been crowned co-ruler. And I think the King will find more than his wife will be there for him afterward.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 6/17/2005
Swift, just, merciful and above all, practical. He punishes exactly enough to make the point and remove the threat, and no more; he sees that the innocent do not suffer; and he makes all this perfectly clear to both the malefactors and those attending. I could wish that I had a King, and he was as this one. I most certainly would offer him my fealty in truth. sigh Author Reply: I think all of us would love having an Aragorn as King over us. Too bad the Aragorns in this world are the minority rather than the commonplace. Hadn't thought of the practical side of his justice, but you are absolutely correct. Thanks for adding to my own understanding!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 6/17/2005
Wow. As wonderful as this trial is, what I found most fascinating was the fact that the trees weren't united in what they did -- some chose action, some chose inaction and indifference. Indeed, in each race (even the trees) can be found differences in age, motivation, and choice. Author Reply: The trees of the Old Forest on the north side of the road are proactive in their own defense and offense, while the younger ones on the south side, not acknowledging the sway of Old Man Willow, have less reason to seek to harm those who travel amidst them. Yes, even the trees would not be totally united. Glad you appreciate the differences!

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 6/17/2005
Beasty is a brainless fool, no doubt! What he said at the beginning was truly absurd. He was imprisoned for something his father did? And not being caught is justice to steal again? I would never have dared to say this at all, least of all to the King himself. I wonder if the work in the quarries of Gondor is enough for him to learn to think ... It's comforting to see at least some of the Angmarians aren't bad to the core. And it is so typical for Aragorn to consider the fate of their families as well and to try to protect them from the ire of the others for the behaviour of their men. He is truly a great king. But the leader of the Angmarians ... how can he be so stupid to try and kill Faramir in front of so many people? What thought he to gain from this? But I loved it that it was not only Anduril and the sword of Lord Hardorn who stopped him but Troll's Bane as well and Aragorn's remark about this. Paladin must be quite proud, now he can accept what his son had done in the south. The sentence for the others sounds quite brutal, but fitting. Without their sword hands they have to held peace. (And thinking back to Gilfileg-Staravion, the Rangers probably make sure there aren't some lefthanded ;-)) Author Reply: Yes, I think that the Rangers would make certain of handedness before lopping off hands, but you will notice Aragorn plans to do this in the Houses of Healing. He's going to try to be humane about what he sees as needful maiming as possible. Although he might rethink himself.... As for Beasty--I've been following true crime stories for some time, and the willful stupidity of such as this one is ALL too common--it's hard for those of us who think to understand how such "logic" holds such sway with them, but I assure you it is all too real and likely. As for why the leader plans to do the killing in front of witnesses--he's a fanatic, who also tend to be lacking in logic skills; and he's been charged with killing someone and fomenting war, so he's going to do it however he can; and doesn't perceive that his action now focuses attention solely on himself and not on his people as a whole. Fanatics and those with criminal minds don't usually think logically or with their full minds, you will find.

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