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The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	11 Review(s)
Inkling	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/20/2006
I enjoyed the battle of wills between the two stubborn friends (and fully agree with your observation in a review reply that it was this stubbornness that got Frodo through Mordor), and also the moment of tenderness when Aragorn embraces Frodo. I do like so much your portrayal of the relationship between these two. Author Reply: Yes, there is a stubbornness that both bore, and certainly that stubbornness was needed by Frodo to accomplish his quest. But it is a stubbornness that at times works against Frodo save when someone else manages to outstubborn him, as happens here. And I'm so glad you appreciate the relationship between Frodo and Aragorn, for I've long felt it ought to have been close and warm, particularly after the quest was finished.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/19/2005
So many arrangements to make! Aragorn is certainly making a wonderful first impression on his new staff. I loved Sam trying to decide who was going to win out in the battle of the stubborn! Author Reply: That first day was so crucial to letting the staff of the Citadel know at least a hint of what they can expect from now on. Aragorn is showing himself already more democratic in viewpoint than feudal, and that's going to have a profound effect on how the staff of the Citadel see themselves and the guests to the place in the future.

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/2/2005
I'm melllllllltinnnnngggggggg!!!! Author Reply: Yes, they are all dear to us, all three of them, Aragorn, Sam, and Frodo! And if you do melt, try not to leave a puddle on the carpet. ;->

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/2/2005
Frodo was one of the most stubborn of a stubborn line with a bit too much Brandybuck and Took thrown into the mix for his satisfaction I love that! Nice way to put it! Aragorn thought obviously more about the comfort of his friends than about his own – to have organized all for their home in the guest house without even having been in his own quarters! Not many other Kings would do likewise, I suppose. Well, it’s Aragorn, and he is always expectional in this. Author Reply: Glad you like the description, for this has always been much of my imagination of how the Bagginses were, and Frodo especially. For all his courtesy and compassion for others, there was something about Frodo's makeup that kept him going through Mordor when others would have simply have lain down and died and been relieved to have done so; and then later to do his best to hide just how emotionally drained he remained, even after returning home to the Shire and his extended family. He even hid things from Sam, and that must have been difficult to manage. Sam realized Frodo was going to leave the Shire again, and this time would stay away; to learn that it was the West and not Rivendell was yet a great shock to him. This was one reason I feel it is acceptable to see Frodo as quietly dying, that Sam realized that if Frodo didn't leave he would be totally lost. As for Aragorn's greater interest in the comfort of others over the disposition of his own quarters--well, today's chapter just underlines that. Poor Aragorn--never thought to say what he'd like. But then, he's probably always lived in the homes of others to this date, with not much control over what his own quarters would be like, usually adding personal touches only after he enters them. He probably unconsciously expects to do the same now that he's King. His greater control over his own place has probably not occurred to him as yet.

TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/2/2005
I like the way your Aragorn is as stubborn as Frodo, carries great authority, and yet is very courteous to the staff and almost tender with the hobbits. I loved that bit where he embraced Frodo and the hobbit responded by resting his forehead on Aragorn's chest. It was sweet but it also indicated Frodo's trust, that he was able to lean on Aragorn like that. The way the king deals with the staff will surely create great loyalty in those who honestly wish to serve. ~TF Author Reply: It is as I've always seen Aragorn as King, one who will not have those who do not serve willingly around him, one who knows those who serve him and sees the servants for the Citadel not just as anonymous individuals who do for him, but now as members of the same household all working for common goals. And I'm certain he'll be up there checking out the pages' dormitory to make certain it is well run and the pages feel safe and secure as much as he'll be making orders to be certain rooms are properly outfitted for the comfort of his guests, such as ordering wooden headrests for those who visit from Harad where it would be the automatic response of his household staff to put out the comfiest of pillows. And I think the relationship between Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn would be particularly tender. So glad you appreciate how I've depicted it.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/2/2005
Frodo was obviously too ill to give Aragorn his 'look' but I'm sure he wanted to over having to have guards and servants around him. He definitely needed servants there, for himself of course, but also for Sam, otherwise Sam would have worn himself out trying to take care of Frodo. I loved it when Aragorn got embarrassed over not answering the door, I'm sure there would be lots of times when he would forget that he was the king. I forgot how young Lasgon had to have been when he worked there as a page for the hobbits and everyone since of course by the time Ruvemir meets him he is 18. And how proud he is about how long his family has worked in the Citadel - that he knows how many generations have worked there. I know that in other eras people used to keep track of those kinds of things, it's just hard to imagine anymore. I was thinking that after Aragorn told them that he was going to visit the man he had had the brain storm and how it shocked everyone, how much talk must be spreading everywhere in the Citadel. Everyone must be trying to figure this new king out - rumors would be everywhere and things like that no one would believe. Just Lasgon and Loren standing there when Sam calls Aragorn 'Lord Strider' must make them wonder what that is all about and you know they would talk about it to others and it would all add to everything going on around them. I can't wait to see Aragorn's chambers! Author Reply: Yes, a new broom indeed, a completely different personality than they have known before. And it is possible that Aragorn knew this man, if he was old enough to have been in Gondor when Captain Thorongil served the realm. It may be as much curiosity as the trained reflexes of the born and bred healer that direct Aragorn to check him out. The rumors are flying, flying indeed, and all are now wondering just how they are going to come to the King's attention so they can begin evaluating him for themselves. Hope you like the description of the King's chambers in today's chapter.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/2/2005
I often thought that Aragorn travelled so much, as a younger man partially to observe how kingly and noble men behave (such as Theoden and Ecthelion) and how it was best not to behave (such as Denethor). Those lessons, coupled with his own wisdom and essence, have already created in him a king to be marveled at. He is truly starting his reign with courtesy, honesty, firmness, and nobility. Author Reply: I truly think that the King Returned would be that kind of person, and that everywhere he went he would leave a legacy sparked by his example of how those in authority should behave, leaving the world more open to bettering itself once Mordor was thrown down. It's one reason Rhun changed and became an ally in The King's Commission--that StarEagle and Staravion had visited them; and the effects of the one he thought of as Horubi'ninarin had a profound effect on how Sohrabi of Harad reacted once he was made ruler there, not to mention how the same alleged trader affected Sohrabi's father and older brother. Thanks for the thoughts, for I agree with them.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/2/2005
Aragorn continues in his "my door is always open" management style. This is probably very interesting to the people of Minas Tirith, who haven't seen a King, ever, in their lifetimes. I wonder if they'd had any preconceived notions of how a generic King might behave, or if they're just assuming that he'd be like a Steward, only bigger. Certainly, their own lives have been shaken, not stirred, by the War, and I like that the characters you introduce here show the effects of that event on their own lives -- the guard who had the stroke, the young woman who was pressed into service after her family was killed -- these are very nice touches of realism. I have two minor nits to pick -- one is your use of the verb "to access." It sounds extremely modern and corporate, and doesn't really fit with the setting of Minas Tirith. The other is here: My adar is groundskeeper, and my daeradar was a Guard of the Citadel for twenty years. My mother serves in the archives. I'd either use "father, grandfather," and "mother," or "adar, daeradar," and "naneth," that is, keep the language usage consistent. Other than that, I enjoyed this chapter, and I like seeing Aragorn grow more confident in his new job, even with a few bobbles along the way. Author Reply: I try to show the realism of the effects of the centuries of fear of Mordor and especially the viciousness of the last few decades, the last few years in particular. It would have been difficult to live in such times and not have lost someone close to one, whether it is a father, a brother or son or cousin or nephew--or more likely several such folk--or ones lord as all who have served in the Citadel have done. The whole of Gondor lost its Lord to pride, despair, and madness at the end, and many of these folk were there to see the last horrors as their Lord lost all hope and ordered his own and his son's immolation. All must be still reeling. As for the language problems, point taken, and I'll try to fix them tonight or tomorrow. You are correct. Author Reply: Just fixed them. Thanks for the courtesy.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/2/2005
More lovely, lovely detail. You are so very thorough and so very practical in the way that you arrange things. I love the startlement of the servants as they realize what a "hands on" King they now serve. I also like the way he heads the hobbits off at the pass, so to speak, anticipating their stubborn self-reliance and reluctance to call on him or be what they think of as a "bother". Quite deliberate the way he gave his instructions about keeping him informed where both Frodo and Sam could hear exactly what he said. chuckle Wise man. I am so loving this. Author Reply: And I thought the threat of Gandalf being on HIS side should the Hobbits try to hide how they are feeling when the bad times come on them was quite masterful. That was one of the details that just inserted itself--I was rereading and realized that somehow that little threat had just appeared. Does that ever happen to you? I understand how Tolkien felt when he commented that sometimes the stories were there as if they'd been written by someone else first. And we do have a hands-on king here, quite one who will know what's going on around him as much as he can, not through need to control, but just to try to keep ahead of any intervention he might need to make. Glad you like the details. One reason I tend to write longer stories, I think, the tendency to think in terms of details.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 11/2/2005
Oh, Oh, irresistable force meets immovable object! Of course sparks are going to fly but Aragorn is also a great diplomat and skilled in the art of compromise. The resolution is so sad. 'There will be nightmares'. And Frodo's discovery that even those he thinks are strongest have personal nightmares to deal with is very hard for him - almost harder than bearing his own I suspect. I was once told that when we are in the midst of personal pain or trauma it is very difficult to appreciate the needs or pain of others. That Frodo can do so is, perhaps, a mark and a grace that all is not lost. It is also our own woundedness that helps us to empathise with others. I loved the bit with the knock on the door and, while I think he is going to get a bit of getting used to, Aragorn's style of Kingship will go down well with those who serve. (The image of a Priest or Minister as the servant of the servants of God comes to mind). However, the Lords and land-owners, great merchants etc may be an entirely different matter! The bit with the Elessar really wrung my heart. Please Frodo don't go and feel guilty about that now or, worse, deny yourself its use because you have been found out. And I think that Aragorn needs Frodo (and Sam) beside him as much as they need him. Of course it would be him/them that Aragorn would wish to share things like a first visit to his new quarters with. (What an awful sentence, sorry!) Finally, as I really must get dressed and go to work, I really like how you develop the close relationship between Aragorn and Sam a little later and slower. Author Reply: The relationship between Aragorn and Sam tends to be overshadowed by that with Frodo; but it is important all along, and even more when Sam is seen strictly on his own, without being able to hide his accomplishments in Frodo's shadow. For Frodo is right--in the end it is the strength that Frodo has seen in Sam that the Shire needs--strength which perhaps might never have been allowed to develop had Sam not first loved Frodo as the worthy soul he was. And you know I, too, honor the commitment of the one who leads by serving, who appreciates that this is how you get the best not only out of others but out of yourself as well. And I can't think of anyone who better to share ones first look at ones new digs than those who did the most to help bring it to be.... Glad you took time out of your morning to read this. Posted it late in the evening, so not many have read it as yet.

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