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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 16 Review(s) |
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| Inkling | Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 5/29/2007 |
| “But the words are inscribed, it seems, on my heart.” Lovely, Larner! And a very apt analogy to the question at hand regarding the nature of faithfulness and duty. Sam abandoned the Quest to turn back for his Master…but in so doing saved both his Master and, ultimately, the Quest. I loved the scene on the garden bench, with the night singers and the stars… Author Reply: Yes, indeed a proper analogy, for Sam epitomizes those qualities. And Frodo needed a few memories--a few good ones--from the time to hang onto. And am so glad you appreciated that scene. I suspect that even in Minas Tirith there would be the night singers. Now and then a white owl flies across my front yard, and all who see it rejoice--except, of course, the rats and mice. | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 11/29/2005 |
| I always thought Aragorn's solution to the Beregond problem was inspirational, staying within the law, and rewarding him, with the person he saved. Loved how you write Aragorn's court. And that part where Aragorn talks to Frodo and Sam about his love. Author Reply: So glad you appreciate the additions and expansions to the familiar scenes. I hope that I do Aragorn's court full justice. And the Master did give us a King full worthy to rule, didn't he? And so glad you liked Aragorn's talk of his love, although he never named it openly. | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 11/29/2005 |
| A splendid scene. I could see it all in my mind. Another delightful fleshing out of a thumbnail sketch...is that a mixed metaphor? *g* ~~~{~@ Author Reply: So glad you appreciate how I filled out the scenes, for I've wanted to see more of the details myself for so long. It's always a joy to be able to find somewhere where I can stay so strictly within canon and yet let my own imagination fill in so many details. Thanks so much for the kind words. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 11/29/2005 |
| Yet another scene which I felt had been somehow cut from the book and finally reappeared here. This was a wonderful peep at the honours given to those most deserving - Faramir is not only a fine and worthy Prince of Gondor but also a worthy suitor for Eowyn. How perfect to have Frodo and Gandalf involved in the ceremony, as a sort of mirror image of the Coronation. Lovely to see Pip made a Captain of the Guard, and Merry receiving his new sword. The hobbits are all given respect from the people and the nobles. A beautiful and moving glimpse of Tolkien's world, Larner. Author Reply: Thank you, BagginsBabe. That this has obviously touched a joyful note with so many is flattering. We all love what Aragorn did for Faramir and Beregond; and to be able to add in the details has been a joy! Thanks again. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 11/29/2005 |
| Aragorn certainly has a flair for the dramatic. All that time sending messengers to everyone to tell them what to wear to court that day probably heightened the suspense and made the granting of pardons and titles even more of an occasion. Must have been a lot of work, but I bet it was worth it to see the expressions on everyone's faces and how handsome they must have looked. Author Reply: When Aragorn son of Arathorn grants honors, he does it right, and with the desire to put each into as good a light as possible, I think. So glad you appreciate it, FP. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 11/29/2005 |
| That was sweet. It is good to know Aragorn, Frodo and Sam are together and able to help each other, at least to a certain extend. And the rest is so lovely! I'd liked to be there, too! It was so nice to see how exactly Faramir became the Prince of Ithilien; Tolkien told us not much about it. A wonderful idea to have Frodo to give the circlet to Aragorn! And on top of it, Éomer's leave to court Éowyn! Pippin's appointment as Captain of the Guard and Merry's distinction were equally wonderful. And I loved the part with Beregond. I was always quite happy with Aragorn's decision to make him Captain of Faramir's guard after all what Beregond risked to save Faramir's life. It is good Aragorn is able not only to judge what happened at Rath Dinen, but to weigh everything he did. (Denethor wouldn't have done that but would've had Beregond executed, of that I am sure!) Author Reply: Yes, the three are there for one another through this evening, and Aragorn has someone with whom to confide at least some of what he would wish, although he's not naming names yet. And I thought that having Frodo and Gandalf take part helped give a feeling of symmetry and blessing, reflecting Aragorn's own coronation. And this would be an ennoblement gift which Faramir would appreciate--formal permission to court the woman he loves! I've always written Pippin as a Captain of the Guard, and wanted to explore when and how this happened; and I certainly wished to see when Merry got his new sword from Eomer and Eowyn. But mostly I wished to look at the reactions to the judgment of Beregond. We know he was happy; but what about those who heard and learned of that judgment, and the realization this man his fellows loved is now the highest ranking officer in Ithilien. He may have had to follow the ancient law to leave the city where he has served to date; but both his sin and his sacrifice have now been rewarded, and I'm certain the honor he received would have been profound. So glad you approve! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 11/29/2005 |
| And I'll bet Faramir was taken aback. Despite being the highest in the land after his father's death and until the coronation, he is not the kind of man to expect this treatment. But a good decision of Aragorn's - as is his solution to the problem of Beregond. Aragorn is still waiting on word of whether Arwen will arrive, though - and I'm glad to see he is concerned for Elrond's loss in his own hope of gain. But the prospects are good and nature is looking towards the future. Author Reply: I've wanted to see Tolkien's report on these happenings fleshed out somehow, and was grateful for the chance to write it. And yes, Aragorn is waiting, and worrying perhaps a bit as well, and communicating a bit of his anxiety to two whose company has come to mean a great deal to him, I think. Elrond has made his sacrifice willing at the end, wishing to see two he loves more than many others happy and to assure the blessedness of the mortal lands after he is gone, although the pain of separation is there. What is the cost of love? The probability of loss. Yet, even he in the end finds it worth it, I think. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 11/29/2005 |
| Not much time to review this morning as I am off down the motorway yet again. But this is Masterly, yet again. Author Reply: Be careful on the roads--we were supposed to have snow last night, though nothing stuck in my immediate area. Still the dogs got the door to their yard open, and this room is FREEZING this morning, and the fire in the stove went out. MAN, it's cold! Glad you approve. I've always wanted to see the manner in which Faramir became Prince of Ithilien and the reaction of others to the judgment of Beregond, and now have had the chance to write them! | |
| Tigger | Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 11/28/2005 |
| Oh Larner...You have done an amazing job at fleshing out just how Faramir was gifted the Princedom of Ithilien and then how Aragorn made Beregond The Captain of The White Company. You took what was a little mention in ROTK and have turned it into so much more. Lovely, lovely job and I think we all needed a happier chapter after the last few. Now...Am I wrong in thinking I foresee Gandalf taking Aragorn on a little jaunt outside of the City soon? Hmmmm? :oD Looking forward as always to the next chapter. :o) Author Reply: Obviously folk think I did justice to the story as begun by the Master, and I am honored. But I've tried to imagine several times how these moments of honor were handled, and it's a joy to finally be able to put them into print and see them come to life so others can share my own imaginings. Remember, though--we're only about a week into Aragorn's rule, and Arwen doesn't arrive for a month and a half yet! Heh! | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 11/28/2005 |
| Wow! I love the ending of this chapter! Also I love Frodo saying that that beautiful song of so much hope is inscribed on his heart, and Aragorn speaking of Arwne as his "treasure" and so much more highly. Ooooo! I can't wait for the wedding! :-) God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Am so glad you appreciate this. I think that that song would stay with Frodo forever--forever and a day! And Aragorn is not yet naming his treasure, but at least is admitting the hope of it. The wedding is coming, but still will take time to arrive. | |