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Keeper of the Jewels by Cuthalion	9 Review(s)
meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/14/2006
Ah, poor Sam! This is such an amazing story. I fell behind reading for a while there, but now that I have more time I'm really enjoying getting caught up. Your descriptions are gorgeous, and Artanis is such a complex and fascinating character. Her relationship to her father and her loyalty to his scheme is wonderfully complex, too. I can just feel her anguish as she's torn in two directions. I love the chess game she plays with Aragorn here, and Frodo too is wonderfully mature, thoughtful, and so protective of Sam. Author Reply: Thank you very much, meckinock! You see, Artanis was certainly not my first OFC, but in a way she was my most difficult one. Not a beauty, feeling un-loved, un-cared for and downright superfluent, she is a woman who has learned to survive painful circumstances. Funny enough it was jodancingtree who decided that she should not be some man from the court (as I had suggested), but a woman, and together we made her the daughter of the true villain, torn - as you say - in two directions between good and evil, between family and sovereign. I'm very glad that she works so well for you! Cúthalion

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/22/2006
And they have no idea just what kind of King or Man they face, nor the type of aid on which he can call. And Sam is wisely keeping his mouth shut, although the infection appears to be working on him. Poor Hobbit. Author Reply: Poor Hobbit indeed. But he will be saved in time. Thank you! Cúthalion

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/26/2006
I like the fact that Sam has names for his guards. That seemed like something Sam would do. He seems to be staying clever about everything by not speaking too much or letting them see his hand. I only hope he is able to continue the deception. I was pleased that Artanis didn't tell her father that they don't have the correct Hobbit. I think in only her short meeting with the new King of Gondor and Frodo Baggins that she is beginning to regret her part in all of this. I wonder if she will come to regret it enough or if she will just remain silent and allow things to proceed as they will. I am still enjoying this very much!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/17/2006
I'm loving this story,it is gripping.If only Artanis,would confess all and throw herself on Aragorn's mercy. Why didn't the King want Arwen to stay? Poor sam, things look very bleak for him now.I eagerly await more. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda - I'm just writing chapter 6, and there will be an explanation why Aragorn sent his wife away. I'm very glad that you like this, and there are ony three chapters and one epilogue missing now. Cúthalion

SurgicalSteel	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/14/2006
Another lovely chapter - Artanis is quite an interesting character, and Oh!the intrigue! And poor Sam! Author Reply: Oh! the intrigue indeed. Thank God I'm still keeping track with my own, complicated plot! And even if I make Sam suffer, I won't do him more harm than necessary. Thank you! Cúthalion

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/11/2006
This was exactly the chance she had been waiting for… the information she was seeking, the knowledge she urgently needed to satisfy her father and to help him fulfill his mysterious plans. And yet she doesn't tell him about the mistake! Artanis is a very interesting character. On the one hand she wants to obey her father, but on the other hand she just can't tell him all she knows. I think, especially the Lady Arwen and Frodo deeply impressed her, and the fear that both of them might be able to look directly into her heart. And poor Sam! Not being able to have his wound tended for fear that they might discover that he is the wrong hobbit! Aragorn has received the message now. But it is very vague. Well, I don't know, what "the ransom we wish to receive" is. I hope, he knows ... Author Reply: He does not, at least yet. I think you will be very surprised to hear what it is Aragorn has to bring... and that's not the end of the tale. Thank you or you review - I'm so glad that you enjoy my tale! Cúthalion

Periantari	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/10/2006
Wow how intriguing. I love all the description that you have in this and i can really imagine Arwen in the beginning and how Artanis dressed before she met with her father. Artanis is an interesting OFC and i like how you describe her. It's interesting how Artanis will act seeing how hurt Aragorn and Frodo were... it's interesting to see if she will indeed betray her father if she feels sympathetic to Aragorn. And gosh, i loved that bit with Sam--oh poor Sam!!! Lovely description in that part as well. :) and the last part is so suspensefully written! i can't wait for more. :) Author Reply: I'm very glad that you like Artanis; I'm getting increasingly fond of her. And I love Arwen; I think there must be some more substance than only the elvish beauty. She is a strong, wonderful woman, and I remember how sad Tolkien was that many scenes he had written about the lovestory between her and Aragorn had to vanish into the appendices (or not be published at all). I try to do her justice each time I have the chance to write her in a tale. Thank you for your lovely compliments - I'm very glad that you enjoy this tale so much! Cúthalion

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/10/2006
Oh my! Well, meeting Aragorn, Frodo and Arwen had to make a difference to Artanis if she had any heart of her own at all. Good for her. It's too much to expect her to actually betray her own father--but clearly, she is going to obstruct him now, if she can. But her father sounds like an arrogant git in the same mold as Denethor, and probably Saruman too--proud of his own cleverness, and too blind to see the intelligence of others. Poor Sam, getting sick, and frightened by those villains... Author Reply: Oh yes, poor Sam indeed! He's in deep trouble (which is the reason why there will be more than one rescue party...) Thank you!

cookiefleck	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/10/2006
Oh, my poor, dear Sam. Now he's feverish, on top of his other woes. Can't wait to see what happens next. Author Reply: I promise he will be saved in the end... but he really is in danger. It was an interesting thing to develop the character of Ardhenon... he got darker and darker with the growing of the plot, and meanwhile I'm a little afraid of him myself... grins And thank you!

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