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Masquerade  by Elendiari22 6 Review(s)
demeter dReviewed Chapter: 18 on 8/3/2006
How charming! The Librarian's house as a combination of Bag end and Rivendell. It so fits the picture you have drawn of the Librarian. I believe that he and Bilbo could have become friends, had they been able to meet?
But now, what does he know?

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 18 on 1/2/2006
You have me very interested in this Librarian. Why would Gandalf send Merry and Pippin to him for information? When he could perfectly well tell them stuff himself. Could it be the natural mystique of a wizard that compels him to be obscure?

I like Pippin's simple questioning method.

And Eowyn is definitely being sensible in choosing Arwen as her diary-reading partner. You can't be nearly 3000 and not have developed a pretty strong resistance to the nasties of life. And keeping Aragorn in the next room mightn't be a bad idea either.

On the party front - Arwen sounds to have done a very good job on sprucing up the Shieldmaiden. I imagine Faramir being most appreciative. And I love Arwen's dislike and rejection of some of Gondor's most hidebound customs. She and Aragorn will have to be careful not to overturn too many customs too quickly, but some of them are quite definitely overdue for the chop. (And even if Faramir wants to hang on to a few for old times' sake, he won't get much encouragement from Eowyn!)

Superb line:- "And we do not go gallivanting off, as you put it. We go on educational detours.” Delightful.


Author Reply: Well, the Librarian stared out as a marginal character, and then Gandalf decided to be obscure and keep sending them back to him. Which actually works out quite well, I've found.

Arwen and Eowyn will be reading the diary in the next chapter, and they will definitely have aragorn within shouting distance, just for comfort. As for the customs, they're likely just going to slowly and surely break each one, not making a big deal about it. Faramir won't be getting much encouragement over any weird ones sticking around, but he'll live. :)

Hee, I'm glad you liked that line. It makes me laugh, too. Thanks!

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 18 on 1/1/2006
Well, I wonder why Gandalf is being so guarded - he is definitely being 'close' here, isn't he? I really hope you update soon, as I'm on the edge of my seat wondering what they are all about to discover.

As for all those rules in Gondor - hooray for Aragorn! The sooner such things are thrown out the better. I really do wonder what Finduilas may have discovered....... You are building the tension beautifully and I never realised how threatening Minas Tirith and the Citadel could seem.

Oh, and I loved Aragorn's remark about Frodo bawling him out! :-))

Author Reply: A lot of stories are about to follow, and hopefully some answers puzzled out.

The traditions bit is my own opinion leaking through, I'm afraid. I've recently read a lot of fics where characters had to put up with traditions that are more Medieval than Tolkien, such as having the court witness a wedding night (!!!!), and other stuff of that ilk. But it does work for this story, making everything seem not so straight out Good or Evil. Luckily Aragorn, having been raised by elves and being aware of a higher purpose in life, will do away with a lot of things in his regency.


demeter dReviewed Chapter: 18 on 12/31/2005
Ohh! welcome back after so long..Now you move the story forward a page, only to leave us with yet another cliff-hanger! Anxiously awaiting!

Author Reply: More is coming, and hopefully soon! I've finally figured out the drama, which ishalf the reason I was taking so long to update.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 18 on 12/31/2005
Now, what's Gandalf up to? Obviously he *could* have answered at least some of Merry's questions--there seems to be some reason he wants them to find out for themselves. And is the Librarian more than just a Librarian? I wonder...

Author Reply: Oh, Gandalf could definiely have answered some questions, but I get the feeling that he is enjoying being enigmatic. And the Librarian knows more on the matter than even Gandalf, so he's a good man to turn to.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 18 on 12/31/2005
"And we do not go gallivanting off, as you put it. We go on educational detours.”

I think that's one of my favorite lines ever! What fun.

:D


Author Reply: Ah, hobbits trying to justify themselves. It's fun. :)

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