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A Maid Waiting by Larner	10 Review(s)
Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/15/2007
I loved the scene of the investiture; as a Faramirist, to see my hero rewarded, crowned and gowned in silver and white, glowing with the moon's light...Sigh. And oh yes, Beregond's reprieve and reward countering the pain of his exile. Kingly justice indeed! Author Reply: Yes, he is now the Prince of Ithilien, and deeply beloved by all. So glad you appreciated this. It's a different POV of the investiture as I wrote it originally in "The Acceptable Sacrifice," of course; but I think those who worked within the Citadel must have been desperately proud of their Faramir that day, and honored the new King the more for his actions. So glad you like it, Raksha.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/30/2007
Beregond's fate was well received and I am so glad that he was spared. When I first read the book it was one of the things that troubled me most. I liked the fact that Aragorn spoke well of Denethor to the staff too. Author Reply: I always suspected that Aragorn had found many things about Denethor to admire during the time he was in Gondor, and that he was wise enough not to speak badly of him to those who'd served him, but would focus on what was good in him rather than the final madness. And that he would find such a way to honor Beregond while meeting the letter of the law I always felt spoke very well of him. So glad you are glad that those within the Citadel should approve of this. Thanks so for the feedback.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/27/2007
Interesting that Systerien could see the lights. It was fascinating to see Aragorn through her eyes. Author Reply: I suspect Systerien doesn't realize just how perceptive she actually is. Once she gets some perspective she'll make someone a very good wife, I think.

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/26/2007
Oh, my a lady named Buttyfly tried to catch the king's eye. Well it was worth a shot. But Aragorn is much to smart for that, plus he has his own love life plans. Author Reply: Well, I had to offer my tribute to "Yours to Command," you know! And, yes, I suppose she thought it would be worth a shot, although it ended up putting her down in the opinion of the King. And you're certainly right about Aragorn. So glad to hear from you, Grumpy.

Halrohir	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2007
And once again, Larner, you have not failed to dissapoint! You have established the characters of Systerian and Airen very well, and their chance meeting with Elessar was quite well done. I also enjoyed the bird's-eye seat you had on Faramir's investiture, and Beregond's judgement. As before, I am eagerly awaiting the next installment! Again, As Always, HALROHIR Author Reply: Thanks again, Halrohir. Aragorn's elevation to King had to have had a tremendous impression on everyone within Minas Tirith, and particularly on those within the Citadel itself. That a person such as Systerien should go from being dismissive of Airen to becoming her friend would show part of how Aragorn's and Frodo's influence would have helped transform the lives of those they met. And it's fun to think that the servants would have their own place from which to watch important audienced. Faramir appears to have been very well beloved within the capital; that those who worked in the Citadel would be particularly interested in what happened to him and a former Guard of the Citadel just seems so likely. Hope to post the next chapter Monday the 26th, God willing and the creek don't rise!

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2007
I'm really enjoying this story, Larner. I love the way you write about OCs and how their perceptions are changed by our favourite King and his friends. The fact that this girl can see the Lights of Being suggests she is not as shallow as she first appears, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how this continues. Author Reply: I suspect the fact Systerien isn't as shallow as she's appeared is as much a surprise to Systerien herself as it is to everyone else. The presence of the Elessar stone borne by Elessar Envinyatar would have a tremendous influence on everyone about him, particularly during the time Frodo is also partially in residence within the Citadel, I'd think.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2007
It must have felt strange to be offered a choice about where to serve. I am glad that she is still uncertain. Well mum is packed and ready to go. I just hope that she enjoys and makes the most of it. Author Reply: Oh, I suspect you're completely right about how odd it must have felt to have such a choice offered to her. She eventually seeks to make that choice, of course. Hoping your mother is enjoying her time in the respite facility. And hope your dad and you are finding new strength to face what comes next. One of my best friends has MS that has remained stable for some years; the mother of another recently died of hers. It is such an odd, individualistic disease. My prayers continue with you and yours.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2007
Oh, I’d not expected that Systerien, of all people, would be able to see the Lights of Being. It changed my look at her favourably; after the first chapter I was not completely sure what to think of her. Nice look at Beregond’s judgement and how people reacted to it; it is good to know that he and Faramir both are held in such high esteem among the people. Author Reply: Many folk appear shallow until they are challenged in some way; and I strongly suspect that Aragorn's presence, and that of those with him, posed just such a challenge. I suspect a good number of folk who came into contact with the members of the Fellowship found unsuspected depths to their characters! The fact that Beregond was seeking to save the life of the beloved Faramir would itself make the judgement of the man of more interest to all kinds of folk, and particularly to those who knew Faramir best, including those who'd been serving Faramir directly for some time, or so I'd think. And now both are publically honored in a manner no one can dispute!

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2007
Great chapter, Larner! I liked the different reactions of the audience to the King's actions. As you said, some of them have seen Faramir grow up and some have grown up with him. He's "their" steward. And now he is the Prince of Ithilien! If that's not a good reason to cheer. It's totally different with Beregond. The situation is grave, there are rumors of course, but they might prove to be just that - rumors. And then the King banishes him from Minas Tirith but honors him by appointing him Faramir's guard. And the crowd claps! I think they chose to do that out of respect, to honor their King and Beregond. Cheering would not have been appropriate. But he still gets his cheers - from his companions, the guards of the Citadel! How wonderful! Last but not least I was as fascinated as Systerien to see the lights of being of Frodo, Sam, Aragorn and Gandalf through her eyes. Beautiful description! I especially liked Gandalfs "light", a shining flame of purest Fire in his heart as he stood there. Thank you :) Author Reply: Gandalf was the Servant of the Secret Fire, after all; what better True Shape for her to see than that? Stars and Sun and even Moon this time were there as witnesses. And you are so right--the justice offered to Beregond was one not for those within to cheer for--this is Justice, not mere following of the law. They have heard a doom and a blessing granted, as much as is given to a mere king among Men to grant; but for his own, outside before the Citadel--that's something different. And am so glad you approve of the response to Faramir's elevation to Prince of Ithilien. Thank you so for the comments, Andrea.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2007
Very nice to get a view of Beregond's judgement/reward and Faramir's ivestment with a princedom from Systerien's POV. You can see her fondness for Faramir there. And I am glad she was able to answer the King so clearly when he spoke to her--I do not think that if her lesser nature were at the forefront she'd be able to do so. As I thought, the child has a good heart. And you say this is a sequel to "Vocabulary Lessons", so I'm daring to hope a bit of Larner O/C romance may be in store! Author Reply: Those who live and work in the Citadel I'd think would be among the first to cheer Faramir, most of whom have known and loved him for as long as they've lived and worked in the Citadel. You're right--she does have a good heart, one that is being reinforced by now living almost directly under the King and Ringbearer's influence. As for a bit of O/C romance--well, this story, after all, is first and foremost LISTED as being a romance! Heh!

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