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| The Ties of Family by Larner | 7 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 2/6/2006 |
| This grows ever more interesting, Larner. It's comforting somehow to know that most of the Angmarians were honourable men, and it's just sad that they were sent for the reason that they were. I find myself thinking of that lot from Umbar in "The Acceptable Sacrifice," and of one in particular whom I don't believe I'll ever forget, and wishing it could have been so for them. But I may need refreshing on that point-I was so horrified with that one that I didn't think very much about the others at the time. That Sestor (*blush*...sorry again if spelling is wrong; I really should be a little less hasty) thought Samwise's true name was "Sam-dad" just struck me funny. I guess that was the only way he'd heard him addressed, but still...*chuckle*. Sam would have made a wonderful healer himself, and every time I read something such as this I find myself mentally adding that to Frodo's list--and my own: Conspirator, gardener, jester, healer, husband and father (of course!), friend, brother, even guardian-whatever he was needed to be. And it's so wonderful to see Narcissa and Brendi happily wed by the king himself! I thought they'd come to it sooner or later, ever since Brendi allowed his anxiety over Narcissa's departure to show. :) But at the time I thought maybe I was being a little over-romantic. And I'm so glad that Aragorn finally truly knows and understands the truth about Frodo and Sam and himself--or at least, he is beginning to understand. I hope he does discuss it with Sam. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Those from Angmar are quite different from those from Umbar, who for the most part wouldn't know decency or honor if it struck them over the head. But you will meet one such Umbari if you read "The King's Commission" and "Lesser Ring," one who eventually decides he wants to teach his people the King's honor. For one who is not completely fluent in the Common Tongue as is true of Sestor (and you spelled it correctly), and particularly if, as I suspect, "Dad" is a common element only in the Westron of the Shire and its environs, the title bestowed on Sam as "Sam-Dad" (which along with Elanorelle is depicted being used by Elanor in the proposed epilogue Tolkien eventually decided not to include in the book) would be confusing. Do you have punctuation turned on? If not, I wonder if that last sentence will make any sense. Narcissa found herself shedding her devotion to Frodo, although never forgetting her initial love for him; Brendi found himself taking another chance on love after the loss of his first wife. (What can I say--I'm more than a bit a hopeless romantic myself, I suspect.) And I think Frodo would be intensely relieved to find two he had cared for found joy in one another. And at last Aragorn has proof that his idea of Frodo and Sam as his brothers isn't only a trick of his imagination. As for discussing the contents of his mother's diary with Sam--I STILL haven't decided on that issue. | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/8/2005 |
| Loved the double marraige that took place. So Aragorn finally got Hardorn to ask her. Glad to read that it was somebody he knew for awhile. Can not have one of my favorite rangers just marrying anybody. Aragorn can be very sneaky. Author Reply: So often in my stories Hardorn is the one lingering in Aragorn's shadow, so am glad this has become one of your favorite Rangers in spite of being an OC. And I, too, am glad that he had been working on the relationship for a time. It was a late time of life even for one of the Northern Dunedain to marry, after all. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 6/25/2005 |
| I have just been re-reading this chapter. I can never appreciate the detail enough at one sitting! Do I get the right impression that Aragorn has his own version of Frodo's writing box? You are making me want to start one. I have kept a journal for uyears off and on but have never really been disciplined enough to keep it all in one book. Perhaps a box would suit me better. Author Reply: Perhaps it was his writing box, or simply the box of mementos from his own childhood he now felt free to take with him to Minas Anor, to remind him of the child he'd been, the mother he'd lost, the father he didn't remember save for what little might have been told him of others. Either way, he slipped his mother's journal into it, his picture of the brothers he'd wished to have had. Thanks for checking on my when the computer crashed again. Am SO tired of it crashing! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 6/25/2005 |
| What a lovely wedding ceremony. I especially love, "Do you do this full willing, in joy and delight in him and in your choosing?" And ohh, Gilraen's journal! How fascinating to see what might have been... and what very well may have been accomplished in other ways (Frodo and Sam). Will Aragorn ever tell Sam about this? Author Reply: Am not certain if Aragorn will tell Sam--after all, Sam waited to let Aragorn know about Frodo's dark side until he left Middle Earth himself. I've speculated on the similarities between Frodo and Aragorn often enough; when this idea hit me, I wondered how Aragorn might have seen the same similarities and how he might have learned of the truth of the loss of those who'd been lost to miscarriage; and this was what came out. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 6/25/2005 |
| Aw - you had me in tears again Larner. Brothers of the heart indeed. And I do love your wedding ceremony. We all need ritual. It speaks beyond words but the wisdom of Aragorn is powerful and tempered by his and Arwen's experiences. Author Reply: Most marriage ceremonies I've seen described and referenced are basically similar, and so I tried to think of the words and symbols that might be used among the Dunedain, and perhaps among the Elves as well, to whom the Dunedain were related and among whom the northern Dunedain still moved and lived. It's basically the same ceremony I wrote for the wedding of Ruvemir and Elise, with perhaps a bit of Hobbit tradition thrown in there for Narcissa and Brendilac; but it's one which I think most traditions would recognize. It's certainly similar enough to the one in which my husband and I were married, and also the two my best friend and her husband went through, both the civil wedding and the religious one--and their religious traditions are far older than mine. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 6/25/2005 |
| Thank you, this was exactly what I had dreamed of - Narcissa and Brendilac married, and by the King himself! It was wonderful done. And Hardorn too ... obviously Aragorn has succeeded there - Hardorn got the hint ;-) The idea of Aragorn having had brothers and they later being born as Frodo and Sam was so sweet and touching. But I fear my English is not good enough to express my feelings about this, so I only say it was wonderful. Author Reply: I'm glad it apparently feels right to you that this might be true--that there are several levels of relationship between Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn. And I'm glad that the Master and the Thain were there, too, to assist in the wedding of Narcissa and Brendilac, so that they got the touch of Hobbit traditions that might make them feel even more properly married in the ways of their own people. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 6/24/2005 |
| Oh my goodness! The idea that Frodo and Sam might have been Aragorn's "brothers" is a very interesting concept! I wouldn't have thought of that in a million years! And the double wedding was just beautiful! It's going to be so interesting when the two of them return to the Shire as husband and wife! Looking forward to Aragorn's sneaky plan for Angmar... Author Reply: I've always felt there was a special relationship among the three of them, and so I just let it go to see where it would lead, and this is what I came up with. I've been waiting to get the wedding in there, and decided that somehow Hardorn coming to love one of Lothiriel's maids might not be enough, then found his long-time love had been waiting for him for quite some time back in Eriador. As for the Angmarians--they are going to be a bit surprised by what they find on their borders soon, I fear. | |