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Lesser Ring  by Larner 5 Review(s)
Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/9/2005
So I was wrong, having failed to note that the Westerners came to Harad by water and would thus not be vulnerable to sandstorms...But I still think that including the lords of Rohan, Gondor and Ithilien and all their kids in the party was a bit foolhardy. Presumably the visit will be beneficial to everyone and devoid of strife.

Have I mentioned how neat it is to see Faramir in Harad in a diplomatic capacity, even if you have too much else going on in the story to expand on his stay (and this story is about Aragorn!)? Thank you for the image of Faramir and Aragorn singing the future second Prince of Ithilien to sleep, I imagine that Faramir has an excellent singing voice, as of course Elessar does.

Very interesting and sensitively told story.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/7/2005
I remember the first time I read about the cones of perfumed fat in Ancient Egypt. Like you I thought it sounded horrible. I'd love to know what Sam's reaction might be when Pip relates that story. Can't see our Sam approving of headrests either! :-))

This is such a fascinating story that I can't wait for the next chapter.

Author Reply: I remember looking at the headrests found in Tutankhamen's tomb and reading the description of them and thinking, Oh, dear! And then the perfumed fat!

I agree, Sam would be likely to look well askance at wooden headrests and the fat, and I can think of Rosie particularly looking at the fat and shuddering.

Am so glad you are enjoying this. Thanks for the feedback.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/7/2005
Some more lovely reunions *smile* It was very nice of An'Sohrabi to invite Antipatha, too! He has obviously thought a lot who should be there. I begin to like him. And the way he dealt with his daughter-in-law proves he is a wise man.

I was quite amused about the pillows. How thoughtful of Aragorn to take a whole chest of pillows with him! I must admit, wooden headrests sound not very comfortable, no matter the heat.
Nefiramonrani, on the other hand, has obviously some difficulties to accept that the guests are a bit different from herself. She was told they don't want the headrests, put them there in spite of that, and then to be offended ...*shakes head* Sohrabi is right, she should to to Gondor for some time. And knowing Aragorn I am sure he will make sure she has her beloved uncomfortable headrest there, even if they don't bring them from Harad!

Author Reply: Oh, I'm certain you would be right about Aragorn providing headrests for Haradri guests. And, after his own visit to Harad, he would realize it was probable this would be what they'd be offered, and would try to plan ahead. I've always seen him, once he realized a need was there, trying to find ways of fulfilling it.

But some folks just can't imagine others doing things differently than they do. And even I've been known to complain of some things I've faced in England, much as I love the land and my friends there. We all tend to want and expect what we are accustomed to.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/6/2005
Wow!! Well written chapter once again. I think the Farozi's daughter in law is very much in for a rude awakening and this is just the beginning. The suggestion that she and her family be sent to Gondor for a visit might make for a very interesting story somewhere down the line. There, another plotbunny sent in your general direction.

Loved Aragorn's reunion w/the now grown boy whose life he saved during his first visit. Then how that in turn gave him added prestige in the eyes of the Haradri nobles.

Really love this story and interested to see what comes next.

Author Reply: I think perhaps Sohrabi wished to see whether or not the Lord Elessar was truly the one he'd met, and to provide some meat for memories renewed if he was.

Travel can be broadening, and I think that Nefiramonrani would in the end be finding herself with more appreciation for the world if she takes up the Farozi's challenge. We all have to get past preconceptions based on lack of experience with alternate possibilities, if it's for head support when sleeping to the reality that not all countries drive on the same side of the road.

And such occurences as the reaction of the bigwigs at the greeting party does happen--someone "important" pays attention to someone seen as insignificant, and all of a sudden the "nobody" goes from nowhere to celebrity overnight.

I think that Aragorn probably recognized this fact as well, and preferred to give his notice to those who truly deserved it. Might put one more truly decent person in a position of influence at just the right time.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/6/2005
*chuckle* I can just imagine Pippin's and Isumbard's reactions to the idea of putting perfumed fat on their heads to melt, LOL! Although I would guess that Pip's reaction would have been mild compared to say, Sam's if he'd been there! And I have to say, wooden headrests sound pretty darn uncomfortable to me, heat or no heat.

So, you're going to send the Farozi's son and daughter-in-law to Gondor for a while--now *that* will be interesting, to say the least.

Author Reply: When I first read the description of the practice of offering the fat in one of my books on Egypt, I must have been eleven or so, and thought, "EEEEE-EW!" Yet such was often done, perhaps to hide the smell of sweating bodies in such crowds. The Egyptians did reportedly bathe and figured out the first flushing toilets reportedly; but as I myself cannot abide feeling oily the idea of the melting fat running down my face and hair and back, no matter how sweetly perfumed, I find particularly repugnant.

Don't think I'll actually follow the Farozi's heir and daughter-in-law in this story, but it at least offers a basis for the next one.

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