News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil by Larner | 16 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Kaylee Arafinwiel | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/12/2010 |
| Dear Larner, I see my friend Susana dropped you a review on this one. I can't remember whether I have yet or not...if I haven't I've only myself to blame, as I meant to do it from the time I first saw it; it's one I've read and re-read many times! LOL! Bad Kaylee *wry grin* (Susana's writing about how Aragorn would treat with leaders of other countries (Harad, mostly) and this story immediately came to mind, as her view of Aragorn strikes me as very similar to yours, so I showed it to her) Anyway, time to review it properly myself *lol* I think my very favorite part was where the Klifa's son begged his uncle to let them stay longer. It really shows what kind of ruler Aragorn is, that he would even have his supposed enemies' children happy and beloved of him. And that last line...! Oh, things are definitely going to change for the Khandian noble here! What a shock he's had! I love Arwen's handmaiden. I've given Aragorn and Arwen a Haradric ward myself, and I'm planning for him to ask for Aragorn's daughter's hand when she's of age. (Karim will come of age first...I think Elrond will be laughing at Aragorn's discomfiture from the West.) I wonder if Arwen's handmaiden (I can't spell her name, lol) would marry Eldarion in your story? Please please PLEASE write more about the Klifa's son! (And if you have, direct me there, please?) I love him! He should be friends with Darion! Kaylee Author Reply: The handmaiden in question becomes a foster daughter to Aragorn and Arwen after Arwen buys her from a slave market in Thetos in Lesser Rings. That Hasturnerini should in time become one of Arwen's maids in waiting seemed very likely. And as in the case of your Karim, the girl had been made a slave for reasons regarding her partents' debts. Someone else becomes enamored of Hasturnerini, I fear. I based my Haradri culture on the ancient Egyptians, as you'll find as you read the story, if you ever do. And I do think that Elrond would be most in sympathy with Aragorn should a Haradri suitor appear asking for the hands of either of the daughters I've envisioned for Aragorn and Arwen, even though I also think he'd want to laugh at the irony of it! Heh! I do think that Aragorn would be a very human figure in spite of heroic status--or at least I firmly would think so. And his ability to turn enemies to allies would have become legendary by the end of his life, I imagine. Thanks so--glad you commented at last. | |
| Susana | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/12/2010 |
| Dear Larner, I really enjoyed this story, thank you so much for writing it! I loved all of the details, about the King's household in the future and such. Thank you! Susana Author Reply: And thank you, Susana! I do suspect that Aragorn and Arwen would prove far more human and approachable than was common in most of the lands of Middle Earth, and that many would be surprised to find Aragorn found as much (or more) fulfillment serving as a healer as he knew as king. And I can readily imagine that there would be pets in the Citadel once he and Arwen are firmly in residence! Heh! | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/27/2007 |
| Oh, yes, I think Mahmot will learn a lot from his stay in the White City—and has already begun to feel it, simply seeing the openness and fearlessness with which men and women of all rank display affectionate friendship and familial love, even while not forgetting their formal positions. I knew Aragorn was going to pull the disguise again. *grins* But it seems to have had excellent effect here. Yes, he could treat with the one who bore such eyes. He only wished that he felt as strongly of the honor of the Man he served within Khand. Wow! God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: So good to see you back, my Lady. Am going over the prologue tonight, I think, as I've been preparing The King's Commission for editing and review on HASA. Man, I had a LOT of errors throughout it. As for Mahmot--I wanted and obviously got a good deal of culture shock here, and although Aragorn wasn't deliberately in disguise, it was enough of a letting down of guises to make the emissary from Khand think twice! So glad you approve! Hope you can drop in more frequently! | |
| SurgicalSteel | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/25/2007 |
| I've been away for a little while, and found this on returning. Beautifully done! Author Reply: So glad you enjoyed it, SS. And it's good to have you back! Hope all is settling down for you there in the ER. | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/22/2007 |
| Who can blame Mahmot for feeling a bit weak in the knees, I think he has had one to many shocks to his system. But you got to love Elessar's court: elves, dwarves, cat and dog, and children with skinned knee's. Loved the story. Author Reply: Oh, it's always pleasant to hear from you, Grumpy! Yes, Mahmot's frame of reference is being royally pulled right out of shape, isn't it? And indeed there's a full compliment of folk poor Mahmot has no idea how to deal with, not to mention the dog and cat. And this one is not only the King, he's also a Dad, and a darned good and concerned one at that! Thanks so for the comments, Grumpy. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/22/2007 |
| Yet another superb look at the White City and the King through the eyes of strangers. To arrive there expecting to see the boy in chains and find him excitedly learning new things from his 'captors' must have made Mahmot seriously dizzy! Hopefully the wisdom and mercy of King Elessar will work its magic on yet another former enemy. Delightful to see the children all come out to greet Faramir, and nice to know even Crown Princes can skin their knees at times. Oh, and lovely to have the dog and cat right there in the Throne Room - Denethor would be appalled! Author Reply: Tolkien tells us that Eomer followed Aragorn on many a campaign in far places; and so far Khand hadn't been suggested as a possible foe. That they might have tried an assay of their own and been handily beaten just seemed likely. I doubt that Aragorn would be a "scorched earth" kind of victor; and suspect that his innate courtesy and humanity would in the end have amazed and puzzled many former foes. We know that the Hillmen were surprised to be allowed to surrender at Helm's Deep and assured they'd merely been used by Saruman, and that those Men who surrendered before the Black Gate were treated courteously, although the army continued to fight those who, in the face of defeat, continued their aggression against the mixed forces of the West. That such as Mahmot would find himself realizing his nephew was blooming during his stay in Gondor would be a great surprise but in keeping with what we know of Aragorn's nature. All little boys ought to have the chance to skin their knees--it's an important part of childhood! And their parents always--if they're good parents--do their best to patch such skinnings up. I don't see Aragorn allowing nursemaids to take over all such activities, myself. And, yes, Denethor would probably have been appalled. Nyaah, nyaah on him! Heh! | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/20/2007 |
| Thank you so much for this delightful birthday gift. I loved it.You even managed to include a cat as well as all my favourite characters!(My grey Elessar is on my lap and the others scattered around) I especially enjoyed the scene of Faramir with the children and Aragorn and Eldarion and most of all the visiting ruler's amazement. I've been offline a few days,so only found out about this today when Raksha told me. Thank you again ! Author Reply: So glad it pleases you, and am sorry it's taken so long to finish and get posted. The ISP from Mordor has been acting up again, so I wasn't certain I'd be able to post it this week, even. And I had to include Caravel and Aragorn's white cat! Heh! So glad your Elessar is enjoying the comfort of your love at the moment. Author Reply: And Harrowcat forwards her wishes for a wonderful birthday, too. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/19/2007 |
| Lovely story, Larner. I think it begs for a sequel because I'd like to know if they do stay for awhile... personally, I'd never want to return to Khand! :) I was so glad that you mentioned how hard it was for Mahmot to walk all the way up to the top of the city. It's something I've often thought about when I'm writing my stories and while it never makes it in there because my characters have been there a long time now, it is something I thing about and it's something I'm very glad that I don't have to do! :) I liked the images of the children riding out to meet Faramir and surrounding him and being so happy to see him... it was just something I could really see in my mind. Thanks for sharing this! Author Reply: Oh, several of my shorts beg for sequels, they tell me! I suspect that Mahmot won't be hurrying his nephew away before he's learned what he wishes to learn, and that he will end up a more worthy Klifa for the Sunirim than his father in the end! And am always glad when people tell me they can see the story occurring in their head. Thanks so much! | |
| Amy | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/19/2007 |
| Well, I am, of course, completely delighted with the fainting! *beams* The king gardening, bandaging scrapes, and finally having those pets that he couldn't keep all those years he was in the wild. Arwen spinning and sussing the visitor. Faramir and children, special guest stars, the white tree. I especially liked Eldarion's sister, unnamed (as per canon, in a way), although she seems to have disappeared to her lessons towards the end. Or perhaps she's watching it all from the wings. I feel like walking right in and living in your fic for a while. Lovely fic, thank you so much! Author Reply: Yes, the overwhelming of those who begin to realize the nature of the King is always fun! Heh! Eldarion's sister is named Melian in my version, of course. And in the end she and the other children are following behind Mahmot and Arwen as they enter the King's presence, so they all rather fade back. I was afraid to do too much with them once they got to the level of the Citadel for fear it would detract from Mahmot's own reactions. And am so thrilled you felt you wished to be there with it! Thank YOU so much! | |
| elanor winterflowers | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/19/2007 |
| What a wonderful story! The proud emissary must have been very confused indeed for awhile, and chastened, too, at the end. What an unforgettable introduction to King Elessar's household and homeland! I enjoyed every bit of it, most especially Pippin, and Faramir in the role of father and uncle. Apologies for my lack of reviews these past months; real life has, and continues to, smother me with obligations elsewhere, but I'm glad I stopped in to look at this: quite a jewel of a story! Author Reply: Am so glad you enjoyed it. It's fun to think what kind of parents these characters would turn out to be, and how their children would act about them. And it's always fun to work in a visit from Hobbits. I certainly would have liked having Aragorn and Faramir as relatives of mine--although I so wished I could marry Aragorn when I was younger. As for real life--believe me--I can and do relate. Good luck! And check out "Adolescence" in this collection--hopefully it will give you a chuckle--more of the royal children in action! | |