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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 16 Review(s) |
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| Endaewen | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 6/5/2006 |
| Possible continuity error. This is a couple of chapters late and I'm not a hundred percent certain, but according to the FOTR, Many Meetings, it was Brand, the grandson of Bard who was ruling in Dale. In your story here, I seem to remember you using Bard himself. I've told you this before, but this is a great story Author Reply: Am going by the appendices here. It is Bard, grandson of Bard the Bowman, who is now king of Dale after the battles fought in the region during the War of the Ring. Both Dain Ironfoot and Brand son of Bard died in the battles. But thanks for the concern and the words of praise. I truly appreciate it when errors are caught. And am so glad you appreciate the story so. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 12/20/2005 |
| The king is getting things prepared for his bride at last... cleaning out the citadel and preparing her chambers and all of those things to try and please her. The joy and anticipation must be overwhelming for him and yet at least he has work to keep his mind occupied for a time. ;) I liked the brief talk Aragorn had with Faramir over the statue of Denethor and keeping it in the Hall of Kings and how much Aragorn admired him. Faramir needed to hear that and of course Aragorn would be sensitive to his needs, besides the fact that he truly did like Denethor and he did do a good job for years and years. I think people forget that at times - he made some really big mistakes, but he did do some good things over the years too. I imagine that Aragorn was upset with those healers that intruded on Frodo's privacy... though they truly were trying to help him. They just didn't know the whole situation. It's nice to be back and catching up again! :) Author Reply: Nice to have you back, too. Yes, now that the Tree's been found, Aragorn is quite busy, for he's assured the Valar are behind him now and that Arwen's on her way. I suspect that Aragorn did try to keep to the good memories of Denethor as much as possible, and dedicated all in the memory of that one. And it would be easier for Faramir, knowing that the King honored the good his father had done. Of course the healers were trying to assist, but didn't know the best way to deal with Frodo at the time. And all is in readiness for when the party from the north arrives now. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 12/18/2005 |
| Oh, my poor, beloved Frodo, I wish you could be well too. You gave so much. Why is more suffering your lot instead of the reward and health and joy you so need? Author Reply: Frodo has his share of suffering, but so do all who are in decline. It's part of life, unfortunately. But he has his share of pleasures as well. Health wasn't a reward, although to appreciate the life he found it was necessary. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 12/18/2005 |
| How typical of Aragorn, that he would continue to have Denethor's statue on display and show him respect. He can see past the later deterioration in Denethor's character to the young man he once was, and he appreciates his good points. Wonderful for Faramir to know this - no wonder he serves the King so willingly. And Aragorn is busy preparing the Royal Apartments - poor man has to do something or he'll go crackers! At least he is cheerful now - we don't want a grumpy monarch, do we? :-)) Author Reply: Aragorn is able to see the whole person, good as well as bad, and does his best to focus on the former when possible, I think. Not only Faramir but all who served under Denethor would be heartened to see Elessar doesn't see Denethor as a rival and respects his good points. He was, all in all, a decent Steward, after all. And ALL in the end who truly came to know him would serve him willingly. And, yes, he now is busy preparing the nest for his lady love. No time or energy right now for grumpiness. Too excited, I suspect. | |
| Amy | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 12/18/2005 |
| Ch. 47 gives much food for thought in terms of guilt and sacrifice. This seems the key concept: You see, Iorhael, how just the willingness to spend yourself for others was itself a sufficient sacrifice at the time? Aragorn’s thinking about others sacrificing their lives for him must be necessary for leaders not to go mad with survivors’ guilt. The flashback in Ch. 48 to Ecthelion and Thorongil at the kings’ hallow is quite thrilling. It’s a pleasure to read an Ecthelion who isn’t a monster, and I like the way he confronts the Thorongil as bastard son rumor. Wonderful to see Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam welcome the Tree to the family! I loved Aragorn cuddling the Tree, returning through the Silent Street, and the people stroking the Tree and bowing to it! And Legolas translating for the Tree and how it and the stones of the city love the king. Can’t wait to see how the Tree will respond to Arwen! Wouldn’t it be great to have a set of Aragorn and Arwen’s wedding china in the Two Trees pattern! Aragorn's redecorating is so sweet! Thorongil’s picture banished! And no matter how dysfunctional Denethor was in the end, he kept the kingdom functioning to the last, and so fulfilled some of his duty as steward. Finally, word from the guards! *readies party hat* Author Reply: Three chapters at once! Love it! Yes, Frodo needs to realize there is more to sacrifice than just dying. He needs to be able to appreciate the fulfillment which is the other side of the coin. I, too, hate seeing Ecthelion pictured as a creep. I suspect he was a decent guy, or I doubt Aragorn would have spent so much time under his command. And glad you like the counter to the rumors of illegitimacy. Gondor is renewed through the presence of the King Returned bearing the Elessar stone for which he is now named, and I think the whole place would be rejoicing, every least bit of sand. Glad you appreciate Aragorn's honor of the good Denethor was able to bring about, and the memory of the young man he loved and respected while he could. And glad you like the wedding china. I think Aragorn would want so much to give her the feeling of home. And, YES, she's COMING! | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 12/18/2005 |
| Glad that the baby tree and Aragorn are in tune with each other. And Strider is busy getting the place ready for his love. Driving the hobbits crazy because no one will tell then what is happening. It is good that Aragorn still respects the Denathor that was, just as Denathor kept Thorongil picture where he could see it. Author Reply: I suspect that in many ways Denethor still had a great deal of respect for the one he saw as his rival in the end; and that Aragorn might have had a bit of secret delight doing spectacular things in front of Denethor's statue at times. And, yes, Aragorn's one busy bird in these last few days as he awaits the coming of the Queen! And the White Tree is happy it's been found and is doing what it was intended to do. | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 12/18/2005 |
| Ooooooooooo she's coming!!! So good of Aragorn to put Denethor's statue in the throne room. Love the chapter about the Tree. There's such a "you are there" feel about the whole story. ~~~{~@ Author Reply: Am so glad you so feel that I take you there. And, YES, she's COMING! The King is about to go ballistic. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 12/18/2005 |
| So, the elves are coming? Good! To be honest, now I’d dearly love to see the faces of certain people at first sight of the „rustic Dúnedain maiden“ *eg* And it’s about time they’re coming, or Merry and Pippin will *burst* with curiosity! Poor Frodo, I can imagine how uncomfortable, or probably more likely upset, he must have been about the interest of the other healers. He didn’t even show his scars to the others of the Fellowship or even his cousins, and these healers are strangers to him! Even if they mean well, they should know they can achieve nothing if even the King is not able to help Frodo! Author Reply: I agree--if Aragorn's only able to do so much, the rest aren't likely to do better than he can. Frodo is facing those who SO want to help and find they can't do all that much, and partly because he fights them so quickly. And the King's bride will be a surprise to many. Hope you enjoy the next chapter. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 12/18/2005 |
| A long anticipated event. And if it is anything as well described as the coronation then we are in for a treat indeed! I love the way that you have both tree and city/stone linked to Aragorn and felt by those in tune with these elements. And I had to laugh at the portrait hidden away! Though I am surprised that even more people didn't make the connection if the picture was only moved when Boromir went to Imladris. But then, who truly looks at a picture if it has been there a long time? I would have liked to be a fly on the wall when Aragorn spoke to the healers! (Flies in the houses of healing - surely not!) Now, are we going to get a meeting of the new King with the eagles as mentioned in the last chapter? And the new white tree isn't really going be able to act as a good conduit for later Aragorn/Frodo encounters without at least one good joint bonding session with it is it? *tongue in cheek wish list presented shyly.* Well it is Yule! Author Reply: I HOPE they don't have much in the way of flies in the HoH! You're right--many ignore pictures on the wall, particularly when their attention is focused on the Man at the other end of the table. As for your wish list--Santa thinks you've been a good girl, by and large; but Christmas isn't for some days yet, if you'll remember. Heh! | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 12/17/2005 |
| It amazes me how Aragorn can keep it a secret !You really convey his sense of excitement well. Poor Frodo, I truly sympathise with how he must feel at the contant intrusions into his privacy. It is nice Aragorn is so thoughtful to Faramir about his father. Author Reply: I'm glad you're pleased about how I convey the excitement of the King. And I think many commisserate with Frodo about intrusions into his privacy as he desires it. Thanks so much for your kind reviews. | |