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Stirring Rings by Larner	7 Review(s)
Imrahil	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 8/27/2016
This chapter is perhaps the worst I have read in regards to historical inaccuracies and a lack of understanding of Tolken's works and themes. "They apparently intend to cross the River Anduin tomorrow and to roll through the Pelennor to the White City itself, where without the King it is expected Pelendur will give over the rule of Gondor to them." Minas Anor was the greatest fortress in all of Gondor. Anarion raised that seven tiered city on the knee of Mount Mindolluin and encircled it with a Great Wall of unbreakable black stone. How in the world would the unorganized rabble of the Wainriders ever breach that fortress. How would they even cross the Anduin? And why, under any circumstances would the Steward of Gondor surrender his City, nay his entire realm to a horde of barbarians? it took centuries of unceasing warfare, a might host led by the Lord of the Nazgul and the immense mental pressure of Sauron himself for Denethor to lose his mind and give up. Why would Pelendur, with no such pressures even think of surrendering Minas Anor to a horde of savages that, by all record, had no possible way of break into the White City. I did like reading about Earnil and his glorious triumph at the Battle of the Camp. But I have to express some dismay at your assumption that the Men of Gondor needed Gandalf's help at so many major battles. There is no evidence that Gandalf aided the South Kingdom in battle prior to the War of the Ring. Earnil was a proud and mighty Lord of Gondor and he would need no aid from a Wizard to achieved victory. Indeed, Gandalf paid little attention to Gondor until the line of Kings failed and they became embroiled in a hopeless struggle against Mordor. I don't mean to be overly harsh, but your writing seems to denigrate the Men of Gondor to a great degree, and in my opinion does a disservice to the wise and mighty Dunedain of the South. Tolkien wrote them as wise and mighty Men, and in their days of might they would have been even more so. Your portrayal of the Gondor Men does not seem to agree with the Professor's depiction of the Dunedain. Author Reply: Gondor is obviously your land within Middle-earth, even as the Shire is my favorite place to revisit in my writing. Yes, Minas Tirith is amongst the greatest citadels ever within Tolkien's lands; but Minas Ithil has already fallen to the Enemy's people, and despair tends to make for despairing predictions. Earnil cannot be certain as to how Pelendur will react to the news of the deaths of Ondoher and his sons. As for Gandalf helping--if he was present, why should he not offer such assistance as he could? Certainly with his knowledge and experience with making fireworks he could easily have assisted to present distractions to terrorize the Wainriders' horses and many of their men as well. Earnil is not denigrated by accepting such assistance as offered by the Grey Wizard--he is simply an astute leader using all assets made available to him. I doubt that the land of Gondor and its leaders need our championship one way or the other. I simply have my story to tell and am telling it in my way.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 7/20/2012
Wow! A most stirring g rendition of that time. One of Gondor's darkest hours. Such horrors after such hope. Ah Pelendur, you know not what you do. Stunningly written. Author Reply: Yes, a dark, dark time, and one that cost so much in the end. No, Pelendur does not know what he is doing, I fear. Nor does he realize that Earnil and Earnur will not serve more than a generation or two.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 8/23/2007
The grip of evil tightens. What a terrible way to die by these poisons. Author Reply: Sauron and his minions are intent on breaking the last two lines of the Kings completely; and that they'd use tainted ointment seemed all too possible, and well in keeping with Sauron's and Khamoul's tendencies. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 8/16/2007
Irritating to have a Shkatha of Rhun behaving so despisably – I’m more used to Moritum and his brothers ;-( Hm, so the Wainriders have robbed one of the blue wizards? Somehow I’m not surprised; I had always feared something bad has happened to them, even if this one seems to have escaped – for now. Saruman has helped the wrong side again? sigh And he was rather arrogant, if you ask me. Speaking about pride ... how is that expressed in English? The pot calling the kettle black? And all this treachery is rather depressing (well, I fear I’m repeating myself ...). It makes me so furious that they all have to die this way and nobody is able to prevent it. Knowing the worst is yet to come doesn't particularly help. At least they defeated the enemy in the end, but the losses were already bad enough ... And I did enjoy Gandalf’s contribution to this battle! Author Reply: Moritum had the advantage of having been brought up by a Dunedan, and in so doing had learned much of honor that neither this Shkatha nor the war leader had had the chance to learn. What precisely happened to the Blue Wizards no one knows; so the thought that if one of them were captured by the Middle Earth equivalent of the Mongol Horde what might happen once his staff was captured and then broken had been niggling at me. Would he cease to exist within Arda or would he pass outside the Bounds of Arda completely? Gandalf appears to have perhaps gone as much outside the Bounds as staid within them, or so it seems to me. Your use of the metaphor of the pot and kettle is both appropriate and accurate. Yes, Saruman himself is so arrogant enough in himself that he ought not to be being so dismissive of the pride and arrogance of others. We know that Sauron and his strongest servants tried their best to betray all whenever they could; that their treachery might at this sensitive period in time reach within the Citadel of Minas Tirith just seemed too likely. And I do believe that as he did with the Fords of the Bruinen Gandalf would have added his own distinctive touch to any battle he might be called upon to assist with. So glad you appreciated it. Not something himself to kill, but to dishearten and overwhelm those who need correction.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 8/15/2007
Eeee, this is such a dark and tumultuous time. This chapter reminds me of Galadriel's line about "fighting the long defeat". Author Reply: Oh, indeed, Shirebound. For years the Wainriders just keep coming and coming, until at last Ciriol and Eorl combine forces and manage to destroy that threat for years.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 8/14/2007
Saruman should really take his own advice about pride to heart. It looks like Pallando the Blue perished in the East; not that Saruman evidently cared. Excellent account of the conspiracy to destroy the last King of Gondor and his heirs; and good use of Gandalf's affinity for fire. Author Reply: Well, how many times have you been told by someone you ought to stop doing this, and the particular person who's "advising" you is the biggest offender around? Oh, I've been through it so often! It's always a question as to what happened to the Blue Wizards; and that one of them might have lost his identity as an Istar in this manner I just thought might be possible. They got lost somewhere, after all. Actually there were two more Kings of Gondor, although had Pelendur accepted Arvedui's claim probably both kingdoms would have done far better than they did. That would be an interesting AU, although I don't think I'll follow up on it at this time, though. And am so glad you like how Gandalf used his fireworks, not to kill but to confuse and overwhelm, much as he did with the shining horses and riders in the flood of the Bruinen. Thanks so for the feedback.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 8/14/2007
How ironic that Saruman of all people should warn another about pride, of all things! You manage intrigue so well--and now the inevitable sundering of North from South is set in hand... Author Reply: Isn't it the way of things, that the most arrogant refuse to recognize in themselves what they criticize in others? Poor Saruman! And am honored at your summation. Thank you!

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