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Lesser Ring by Larner	9 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 5/15/2006
I tried to slow down so that I wouldn't end up writing reviews the length of short chapters, but I guess I didn't manage it after all-sorry. :) Yes, I can well imagine that the distribution of alms might make the Shirefolk uncomfortable, open and accepting as they generally are. It horrified me, even being quite familiar with some of the typical reactions today, when my grandfather told me of when he was a boy, seeing those who were blind or otherwise supposed to be different selling pencils by the roadside or more often near shops--horrified and angered me for obvious reasons and doubly because of the perception of blindness that such sights instilled in Grandpa which, seemingly, nothing I do or say can overcome. But to Pippin it must have been worse, being pretty much unfamiliar with such treatment of people, and knowing Ferdi as he did. I can't see Ferdibrand Took being made to beg and liking it--no one with any dignity would submit to something like that, or at least I should hope not. I got a kick out of Ruvemir's tale of the flabbergasted guild master! LOL! That is so believeable! It's a sad thing that he and Ririon have to make such demonstrations--they can make one feel ridiculous sometimes, depending on who the audience is--but it will be to the good in the long run. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone could live in a place like the Shire? :) That a grandmother, a grandmother, and a mother--that any creature capable of love could seek to ruin the happiness of her daughter and then to slowly kill her own grandchildren is so terrible that it's almost incomprehensible to me. I must suppose then that it was not love that drove her, but malice and selfishness. She couldn't love her daughter and yet subject her to that kind of suffering. Those poor children! I love the dreams and the prophecies, and how they were brought about. That battle has to be one of the most suspenseful I've read in a while. I was terrified that Ma'osiri would die! That act of bravery was so touching. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Somehow I missed this one. I saw pencil sellers in the early nineteen seventies in Seattle, of all places, when walking down the street with college friends who'd been blind from birth who were already working on their professions. And my husband's previous wife, who was at the time a high-functioning partial compared to my husband's total blindness, was far more handicapped than my husband ever dreamed of being. While he was finding ways to do what he wanted to do, she was finding ways to avoid doing much of anything, teaching their son that "you don't have to work--welfare will take care of you," as he told us solemnly one day when he was still only six years old. It was always interesting trying to counter her negative influence, we found. As for the murderous grandmother--unfortunately such exist in our world; and I can't believe that particularly in a land that had been so long under Sauron's influence that such things would have been infrequent. The desire to overpower others with our own wills is frightening at times. And it is in fighting such individuals and twisted appetites for attention at the expense of the happiness of those we'd impell to the worship of ourselves that such as Aragorn and Arwen most shine. I think he and Frodo would have been most horrified and righteously furious with such as this and the father who abused his family--to so twist love into a goad for self control would have been so contrary to both their awareness of just how precious love is and should be. And am so glad you appreciate the battle and the courage of Ma'osiri. A delightful child, I found him to be.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 9/20/2005
Oh dear! I was right to fear such treachery. I'm so glad the little boy lived. It would really have been hard to have a child die. I loved again the strategy worked out in advance, Legolas scouting ahead, and the way they all knew more or less what to expect. You are so good atthat. Author Reply: Am so glad that the planning is seen both as appropriate and, apparently, well presented and believable. And I, too, am glad Ma'osiri lived. Thanks for the feedback.

Grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 9/10/2005
Great chapters, and I still have one more to read. So much exictment, pain and healing. I love the part, where the two shining figures turn the boy about, and gave him a push back towards Aragorn. Author Reply: Yes, I think the Lords of the Halls of Mandos are amused and pleased to send one small boy back to Middle Earth, realizing Harad needs him right now. Thanks so much for the feedback, Grumpy.

lindahoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 9/8/2005
I forgot to say just how much I liked the way that Faramir,Eowyn and Eomer comfort Aragorn.This is my very favourite chapter.The eagles were wonderful too.I've just read it a second time as there was so much in it !Benai is a very likeable character. Author Reply: Who heals the healer when the healer needs healing and is just about exhausted from a fight, adrenalin rush, a long ride each way, one way at speed with a wounded man in his arms and having to keep the pressure on, a complicated lealing, and then realizing he, himself was wounded? Yes, I think those who have known his touch personally and have seen firsthand what he's done in the past would be there for him, particularly Eowyn, who has taken up healing after all. So glad you enjoyed this chapter. The Valar helps those who seek to aid the world to be a better place, I think; and I believe Harad needs both Ankhrabi and Ma'osiri in the coming times. Thanks so much for the feedback.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 9/8/2005
After reading your last response and the title of this chapter, I was tempted to start reading at the end of the chapter, I was so anxious! What a moving chapter! And so many wonderful parts (even if some had me on the edge of my chair!) How Aragorn and Arwen visited the infirmary and discovered the poisoned childs was a surprise. I was so glad they found out who did this! And I hope you do tell us what happened to the father of the children - and how their bad grandmother will going to be punished. It was really touching how Berevrion, Haleth and Pippin gave the Farozi and his family their mails, knowing an assault would come! Another detail I enjoyed was how Rustovrid got ahead to slip behind the enemy. He can't deny his origin. Imagine an ambassador of our modern time doing something like this! Then you scared me to death! Honestly, I thought Ma'osiri dead, and was so sorry for the boy. It was so moving how he tried to protect his Baba and sacrificed himself without thought! He is a sweet, brave little boy, and I am so glad you didn't kill him. The same goes for Ankhrabi. Oh, and I loved the idea the great eagles came to help! Another connection to the dreams. Hm ... didn't you say somewhere Aragorn has a special connection to people he has healed? If I remember that correctly, it should prove well for the relationship between Gondor and Harad in the future, after he has drawn back both the future Farozis from death. But poor Aragorn - he must be totally exhausted! It says something that he didn't even notice his own injury because he was so busy healing Ankhrabi. I was so glad the others were there for him then - Éomer, Faramir, Éowyn ... And it was telling again he thought more of the others, even the not injured family members of the Farozi, than of himself when he awoke. Once again he went to the little boy and spent his already dwindling strength for another. By the way, that was wonderful written, including the last remark of the Shining One to Aragorn. I think the Haradrim will adore him after this ;-) Author Reply: He is one who draws the honorable to him, and precisely because he himself is the height of honor. This is why I've long thought of him and Frodo as brothers on a spiritual level, for both did this. It is with reason that the White Tree sprang up only when the time came for him to look to come south, to renew the kingship and take to himself the Winged Crown and the Sceptre, reuniting the lands of the Dunedain. Thank you for appreciating the thought that went into the chapters. I'd thought myself that Ma'osiri was dead until I found Benai summoning Aragorn to the side of Arwen, and found why Benai had taken the last leaf of athelas....

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 9/8/2005
Wow, oh wow! How to describe this chapter. It was so moving, Larner. It moved me to tears here. The first time when Aragorn and Arwen were dealing with the children who had been poisoned... their fury and then the mother's anguish. Then the sacrifice of the two men and Pippin to give up their mail so that others could be protected and Aragorn's response to them. The boy taking an arrow for his father like that and then wanting Aragorn to heal him, somehow knowing that his own wound was fatal. Aragorn so trusting his men to deal with the enemy so that he could focus on healing. Eomer and Faramir holding Aragorn's hands and just being there for him as he passed out from the pain of his own injury. Eowyn wiping Aragorn's face after he wept. Knowing that Arwen had sat there for HOURS holding death back for the boy until Aragorn could come and help her and then of course when they were able to call him back to life - or to have him returned since it obviously wasn't his time to go! :) And then the utter, utter exhaustion of Aragorn and Arwen and the care of Benai and Avrieth. As I said, incredibly moving. I can't wait to see what happens to the men that attacked them, though I doubt if a lot of mercy will be extended to them when you attack a party like that. Author Reply: It was pointed out earlier by one of you who reviewed the chapter in which the Farozi visited Aragorn's folk in their quarters that those who came on this journey to Harad came as an extended family, and certainly that is true. All here have seen Aragorn put himself at the forefront of the fight to protect them and their lands and peoples. All have learned to follow his example. All have seen and often been the recipient of his healing touch. Now he is the midst of a firefight, and he must make the decision to heal now when he can, or to fight, and probably lose the two most in need of his gift--and he gives over the fight to others to serve as healer as only he within the company can. And the others do what they can for him as well, being there for him as he has been there ever for them. I am so glad you appreciate seeing that. I think all have had their respect for him increased, and a good deal of good will has been born between the two nations which had formerly been enemies. When you fight evil, it's often best done without swords.... Thanks for the feedback. I pray for all who are still recovering from Katrina, and hope many can return to us soon.

lindahoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 9/7/2005
This chapter was just wonderful,you show Aragorn at his very best with all the wonder power and greatness he has,and yet very human toowith the frailty we all share. I just love your healing chapters and when you show good triumphing over evil with a lovely twist. A friend who was reading my stories was grumbling about Aragorn being so hands on,but I love reading and writing him that way and showing him as a man as well as a KIng. Thank you for not minding about the athelas,and do feel free to use any idea of mine that might inspire you. Author Reply: Would your friend be happier with a King who did nothing but sit on his throne every day and makes great judgments and does nothing on his own any more? I think, personally, that Aragorn would hate such a life with a passion--I know I would. He's the best of the heirs of Elendil to date, with the stamina of Isildur without falling to the same lures; the courage of Earnur but with both more common sense and with a love of beauty Earnur couldn't find. He and Faramir make good partners--both capable, both leaders of men, but who are also both capable of keeping things in proper perspective. I suspect Aragorn actually enjoys fighting more than Faramir does, but doesn't enjoy killing. He does what he must, and will train his son to do what he must. He will not leave his heir believing that there's no maintenance that might need being done; Eldarion will be as consumate a warrior as his father, although he will probably be more involved in diplomatic and managerial tasks than his father was. But, when the push comes to shove, the Telcontar Kings will fight for what needs to be fought for.

Amy	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 9/7/2005
This chapter is so moving, Larner. I'm sorry that I've been too busy to leave the kind of review I'd like, but I wanted to let you know that I'm still reading and squeeing when I see another update. I'm trying to read carefully to keep up with your plot twists. I really enjoy your road trip stories, esp. when Arwen and the hobbits get a chance to see new lands, and Harad is even more exciting than I imagined it would be. Author Reply: I think that almost all of them could do with a dose of dullness right now, though, don't you? ;-p And I'm glad you enjoy seeing folk learning about other cultures and seeing new places. As for thinking of them as "road trips"--I find myself singing "We're off on the Road to Morocco...." Bing and Bob might enjoy themselves in Middle Earth, don't you think? I'll have to consider doing that as an AU at some far time. Where would I place Dorothy Lamour, do you think? Thanks so much for following the story and enjoying it so.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 9/7/2005
Goodness - that was a surprise. I am glad the child was sent back. But Aragorn and Arwen must be desperately in need of rest now. And they need more athelas. This is a very interesting and complex society! Author Reply: I'm glad I've been able to make it both interesting and complex, and thus more real in the long run. I prefer to think of them as real cultures, with all the strenghths and weaknesses seen in our cultures today. And, yes, they truly need more athelas now. That the Queen of Gondor is also descended from Earendil is a handy thing, as is the realization that the Great Eagles sometimes are sent at times of great need. That the child would be willing to offer himself for his father after what he'd heard the previous day seemed logical, as well as the realization Harad needs such selflessness right now if it is to move into the Fourth Age as an equal to Gondor and Rohan. Thanks so much for the feedback.

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