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The Ties of Family by Larner	6 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 6/28/2005
Great chapter, Larner! There are so many things I loved in this chapter! First, the way how Mertirio was "welcomed" by Merry and Pippin, reading as if he wasn't there and how they then dealt with him. It would have been funny to watch Mertirio's face grins Second, our good Bedro. Truly, he is more than slow! To need so much time to comprehend who Hildigor is! His remark about him knowing so much about Aragorn ... snickers ... and, worse, his reaction to the memorial and especially what he said about Frodo. If it ever occurs to him how much of himself he has told with this? I enjoyed Imrahils words to him! And then Aragorns ruse to send the prisoners back, seemingly maimed to protect them from their own leaders, but in truth whole and healthy, and with so much more insight in the ways of their war leaders in comparison to Aragorn. That was so canny! Even although they don't have broken their swords, they have much honour and I can see where this probably will lead. That was ingenious! It will certainly be interesting how this continues grinning widely I can't wait to know more and look forward to the next chapters! Author Reply: Bedro Bracegirdle is among the densest of the dense, no doubt! And the final showdown between Angmar and Arnor will be posted tomorrow. Hope you continue to enjoy it.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 6/28/2005
What a compassionate and wise judgment, Larner. I suspect that Angmar will never be quite the same again. But this is my favorite passage: “We are the forces of the Periannath. Rarely have we left our own lands, but we will no longer remain safe when others are threatened. And you will find that when we speak of war, we do not boast idly.” Elrond spoke truly at the Council, when he said that "this is the hour of the Shire-folk." Author Reply: Indeed, the Shirefolk have come into their own. Thanks for reviewing.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 6/28/2005
Sneaky, sneaky Aragorn! I have a feeling things in Angmar are about to get very interesting. Some of the bits I loved: Sitting in a comfortable folding chair reading a book was a small figure in black and silver, the surcoat he wore over his shining mail embroidered in silver thread with a flowering tree below and a seven stars in a circle above, with a winged crown between. He wore a belt of linked leaves, from which hung a black sheath wrought with silver. His feet were bare. He was quite the strangest sight Mertirio had ever seen. Opposite him sat another, also dressed in mail beneath a leather hauberk died in rich browns and greens. He wore an identical belt, from which also depended a sword. He had a book also in his lap, and a mug in his hand, from which he was drinking. A small table between their chairs held a plate with rolls and another mug. If Mertirio had been imagining all night what this parley would be like, he’d never in his wildest thoughts have thought of this. I just adore this image. Nothing calculated better to both insult the Angmarian and to confuse him than the sight of those two hobbits being hobbity. And I also love that it was Pippin who got to deliver the King's ultimatum, and in such an impressive manner. I'm glad we got to see nasty Beasty on his journey South. The idiot still didn't get it. Until perhaps this moment: Here they were marched toward the Citadel itself, although all found their attention captured by the monument that stood there, white Elven lilies, golden elanor, pale niphredil, and the soft blossoms of kingsfoil blooming about the feet of four Periannath. Bedro stopped in shock as he looked at it. He looked up at the Guardsman next to him. “But that’s the Travelers!” he exclaimed. “Travelers?” asked the Man. “Pippin Took, Merry Brandybuck, and the Hobbiton gardener,” he explained. “Those are Hobbits, and I know them!” “You know Captain Peregrin and Sir Meriadoc and Lord Samwise?” asked the Man. “Yet you do not know the Lord Frodo as well?” Beasty examined the one in the front, then flushed. “He hit me once, years ago,” he said. “The Lord Frodo struck you? And what were you doing to upset him? He was most gentle in his nature.” Of course they knew it was Beasty's own fault if Frodo punched him. What a delicious moment! I hope we get to see more of his discomfiture as he serves out his sentence in Gondor! snicker I do love to see the Bad Guys get theirs! This story is just wonderful. Author Reply: Actually, the last of Beasty we see is him sitting in his cell, still wondering if he'll ever leave Minas Anor in spite of being assured the arrangements for him to go on to Casistir are in the works. He is definitely not capable of learning from his experiences, is he? And the others know more about Frodo's nature than he does, even if they know of him only from report. And I think little would be better calculated to get through Mertirio's tendency to think of others in terms of himself than the sight of two Hobbits in the usual Hobbit occupations of resting, satisfying their curiosity, and eating. Glad you enjoy it.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 6/28/2005
Oh, bad timing. I had just uploaded my review to you when I suddenly realised that the DVD had reached the bit in the second film where Faramir, in Ithilien, is looking at the dead soldier at his feet and asking Frodo and Sam if they think that he was any less honourable for fighting so hard for his own side. War kills the innocent on both sides. How apt to this chapter. Good information can only serve the truth and affect your viewpoint and behaviur/choices. Yes I know it is sad being so cocooned in LOTR that I am reading fiction AND have the film on the DVD but, I promise, I do emerge into RL for most of the day. Author Reply: Oh, I live in LOTR world a great deal myself. And the thought of the dead Southron at Sam's feet helped me create the characters of those sent to foment war and hopefully not return again. Thanks so much for following this so well.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 6/28/2005
Devious Aragorn, devious and clever and oh, what a King and Statesman! To allow these honourable men to keep their honour and to send them home in such a way that saves their lives is brilliant. To stand back and trust in their honour to change the path of Angmar not only saves many innocent lives but allows that country to develop in its own true path. I am both honoured and gratified to know that I have started (or should that be startled?) a new nuzgul running around your house. I hereby entrust you with its care and feeding and look forward to meeting it again when it is all grown up and ready to see more of the world. I have one of Shirebound's plot bunnies grubbing in the dust under my bed. However, I haven't written any fiction since I left primary school, (well not seriously anyway,) and she does seem to be answering her own question in her current, and also brilliant, story. My computer does give the occasional whimper from time to time so who knows! And I do enjoy giving you even more work by reviewing regularly. I am still quite new to fanfiction (well reviewing anyway)and your, regular, replies are helping me to become a better reviewer, or at least I hope so. At least I have grown in confidence about expressing my opinion over this strange thing cxalled the internet. So thanks indeed Larner and if I ever get to be a pain in your neck please let me know and I will back off a bit!!?! Author Reply: Thank you for this review, also. Now, get in there and start writing yourself. You never know what might pop out. Love to think of Aragorn thinking of ways to make things better for all in both Gondor and Arnor as well as Angmar. Yes, devious he is, and as noted by Kitty, canny as well. When the Nuzgul is well and truly ready for release back on the reading public, I'll remember to devote him to you.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 6/28/2005
Due to a visit by my niece who has been in Korea for a year teaching English, and will be heading back in a month, I didn't get a chance to review the last chapter. I'm so sorry about that, but I did have my priorities in the right place. Loved the image of the Strawberry bath and of Aragorn and Hardorn making Strawberry Jam. I grew up on Wild Strawberry Jam and have helped Mom a time or two making batches, so that brought back some lovely memories. Oh and not sure if it was intentional or not...But couldn't help but snicker at a Strawberry Bath being put in this lovely story. I too have read the VSD's and it seems the Strawberry Soap joke that spawned has taken on a life of it's own. ;o) Now...For this chapter.... Cunning Aragorn...Most cunning. And what an amazing gift he gave to all of those Men. Not just letting them keep their sword hands, but also to let them see how things were done in Gondor compared to how things are done in Angmar. In showing Mercy, Aragorn has also laid the ground work for a Resistance Cell and right in the heart of Angmar too. Very, very cunning. Knew our Ranger King wouldn't let us down. Both w/his mercy and deviousness. Looking forward to the next installments of the story. :o) Author Reply: Not much left now. Hope you enjoy it all. And, yes, the resistance is now in place.

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