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Lesser Ring by Larner	7 Review(s)
MP brennan	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/23/2013
Hey Larner! Now that I finally have a little bit of time on my hands, I've been reading through this fic. Just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying it so far. The world-building in this story is really remarkable--none of it feels familiar or cliched and all of it feels very real and multifaceted. I especially love how you've interwoven the canon of the Valar with influences from the Egyptian pantheon (at least, I assume they're all Egyptian? my liberal arts education is getting rusty;). It might take me a while to read through the whole thing, but you definitely have me hooked. -Brennan Author Reply: Yes, I deliberately chose to model the Haradrim on Egyptian influences. One of my favorite books when I was in Junior High was "Mara, Daughter of the Nile," in case you hadn't guessed. It's wonderful to find that it is still popular so many years later! Also, my mother managed to pass onto me her own enthusiasm for archaeology and Egyptian anthropology. And I'm thrilled you feel the story is both original and believable. Thank you so! I so hope you continue to enjoy it.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/2/2005
What a chapter!! I was completely facsinated by how you described the operation and how Aragorn uses both the respective herbs and the skills of someone trained in the art of hypnosis to combine the two for a Middle Earth version of general anesthesia. That very brief description of how it was done two stories back when Aragorn was "taking off" the hands of the Angmarians had me wondering just exactly how he pulled that off. Thanks for the more indepth fleshing out of that. Loved all the omens and how the priest was able to tell what each one meant in regards to Aragorn. Especially the birds. Birds are very powerful creatures in many cultures and feature strongly in their mythology. Same w/the number combinations. Especially seven flowers for the Rightful Owner of the Seven Stars of the Palantiri. Nice touch. Same w/the Tale of Eärendil also being told in it's own fashion in Harad. Many cultures also share the same tales/myths. Just proves we really are much the same in many ways. Knowing you, we'll be seeing Aragorn/Arathorn/etc's Ranger Star brooch again in the story. Just got a notice letting me know the next chapter's up. So, off I go to read. Looking forward to seeing what happens next. :o) Author Reply: The art of divination from the study of the flight of birds is an ancient one which was reportedly very popular in Rome. Much less nasty than examining the entrails of sacrificial animals, and more in keeping, I think, with what would be preferred by the Lady of the Stars to occur within her temple precincts. And I felt she would be one of the older gods accepted by the Haradrim, perhaps the honoring of her going back to the earliest sailings of the Numenoreans to Middle Earth, and so her temple is plainer, more basic and less given to ostentation and flourishes. As for the different lilies blooming--the idea that the seven bloom for the rightful Lord of the Palantiri and the princes who bore the seven stars of the Dunedain is a wonderful one. I'd seen it as a form of putting right--these are, obviously, the numbers of the rings of power, three for the Elves, seven for Dwarves, Nine for Men, One for the Immortals; but now the indication is that the Valar would see all brought to proper respect through the example Aragorn is to embody of obedience and proper rule and honor. It was through the love for the Lord of the White Tree that Elves and Dwarves at last gave up their ancient enmity and began working together in the White City, learning at last to cooperate, tolerate one another, honor one another's skills and gifts, and together bow out of Middle Earth's politics, leaving that to Mankind for good or ill. Nine great Kings of Men no longer roaming the world in spirit form, but one Lord standing above all teaching through his own example, ruling with justice, mercy, wisdom, respect, and, I hope, humor as well as love. A ruler followed not out of solely respect and/or fear of power displayed, but through Love of the Love he himself displays for all others. Yes, I suspect that star will resurface eventually in the tale. That many tales would be similar between the Dunedain and the Haradrim is indeed similar to what we know today from comparative mythology and religion studies. Oh, dear, I see I'm going into lecture mode. Better let off before I bore all silly. Thanks so much for the review--it is much appreciated.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/1/2005
I just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying this story, which gives us such an intriguing glimpse into Aragorn's life before we meet him in Bree. I have been fascinated by Ancient Egypt since I was tiny, and I found it fascinating to compare the various myths and gods with those of other cultures. It is wonderful to see the similarities with those of Middle-earth. Can't wait for the next chapter - your characters are so multi-dimensional and real. Author Reply: It is an honor to have my readers express the belief my characters are believable individuals. I do try to make them so, but sometimes I feel I fall short. It's fun to take aspects out of our world and apply them to Arda, and to make cultures that are both recognizable and yet unique at the same time. And it's also fun to speculate on what Aragorn's trip to Harad MIGHT have been like. I'd touched on his trip to Rhun in "The King's Commission," after all. Thanks for the feedback.

utfrog98	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/1/2005
This chapter gave me cold chills! Your writing is now very sophisticated and skilled. Wonderful story. Author Reply: It's nice to get the feeling that you find my writing has improved so, and love that you find it moving. Thanks for the feedback.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/1/2005
Ah, so Ambassador Rustovrid was the son of Ma'osiri! I thought he must be somehow from this family. It is so nice to see the characters again ;-) The operation was very well described, and the way to anaesthetise the Farozi was quite fascinating. I am glad it turned out so well. And I loved the omens and how the priest interpreted them. Poor Aragorn must be quite confused about the brothers, but for someone who'd read your other fics it was so clear and I enjoyed the hint. And now we know why Aragorn is the only one ranger not to wear a star. Another bit I loved was the comparing of the Gods. To see Seti and Morgoth alike was quite fitting, as far as I remember what I've read. And Osiri and Eärendil ... (too bad Aragorn couldn't say he was the brother of his foster father and his own ancestor, Ma'osiri would've thought him crazy). For me it was very lovely to see this comparison. I enjoy this story more with each chapter! Author Reply: I agree, it must have been tempting for Aragorn to have affirmed his relationship to Eärendil. I know I was strongly tempted to write it in, but as you pointed out, Ma'osiri would indeed have thought him crazy; and if he had then repeated the story anywhere where an agent of Mordor could hear, it would have blown Aragorn's cover and would have endangered the life of Ma'osiri that much the more. Rustovrid is the son not of Ma'osiri, but of Bherevrid, a captain of the Farozi's private forces. But Ma'osiri, as you will find out in today's episode, has a special relationship with Bherevrid for good reason. Thanks so much for all the faithful feedback.

Elemmíre	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/31/2005
Hoom hoom, very good! I liked the bit about the omens. :), Elemmíre Author Reply: Hoom barum, glad you like it, and especially the omens! Thanks so much for the feedback!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/31/2005
Wow! This is just magnificent! The surgery was beautifully described, and the scene with the portents was masterful--I do love the knack you have for dropping hints that the reader can easily understand, but the characters do not, necessarily. The part about his brothers, for example, would only have meaning to one who has read "Fostering". Very nice!! Author Reply: Yes, this must have Aragorn quite confused! And it is fun to think of omens and portents and how they might be read by one trained to read them. Can't remember the name of the type of divination done by watching the flight of birds, but know it was done, and was quite popular in ancient Rome. So, I sort of moved it south just a bit into Harad. Added in the use of a hypnotic herb and the use of hypnosis as a form of anethesia--if they ever have to do another operation on me, this is what they'll undoubtedly have to do for me, as I'm horribly needlephobic with things gatting worse as I age rather than getting better. Thanks for the quick feedback--you'd done a review before I managed to post this on the other sites where I post my stories.

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