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Or Perchance, When the Last Little Star by Larner	10 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/5/2009
I always like to see Húrin and Lynessë together, so I enjoyed that visit. I wonder how long it will take until they realise their feelings ;) How very Boromir to simply drag Húrin along without asking his father beforehand! Not that I have anything against his presence, of course grin And the snowball fight was fun. Interesting debatte between Lynessë and Denethor about degrees. Admittedly I'm more with Lynessë here. She's a formidable opponent in that regard, I must say. Though I hope she's careful; I sincerely doubt Denethor will appreciate it for her to have the last word too often.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/1/2009
Mistress of the Stillroom - Oh good grief! I definitely want to be the Mistress of the Stillroom!!!! "...his younger kinsman’s desires are more a force of nature..."I REALLY like this phrase and Boromir's entrance and everything about those first moments - exactly what I would have imagined Boromir to be like in such a situation. Sure of himself and his place in the Citadel and welcoming of all - someone you would definitely like to know... And her last question.... she and Denethor will lock horns again, I expect. Good chapter again! Author Reply: Am so very glad you think so, Agape. I am honored! Yes, I do believe that Boromir would be like a force of nature here in his home, with his adoring father and brother both at hand. As for them locking horns again--well, we shall see! Heh!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/17/2009
I kept thinking here that Aragorn would understand that circumstances should be taken into account. Poor faramir to have been deprived of his book.I'm enjoying his story very much. Author Reply: I certainly agree with you, Linda. Aragorn would always examine motives, I think, and take them into account before assigning punishments, I suspect. As for the book--I like to think that without realizing it Faramir might have had some Hobbit influence in his life! Thank you so--was gone last week and didn't get much written; am now catching up on what I missed while I was gone and just now getting around to answering comments--forgive me my tardiness! Now to get the next chapter written, although I'm working on other things at the moment, I fear.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/13/2009
I enjoyed the interplay between Denethor and Lynesse here; and the glimpses into the Steward's home life. We see him as a patriarch, a caring yet stern father and lord; a man given to justice but making some allowance to fairness but also notice his rather fanatic response to Mithrandir in depriving his son, when young, of a children's tale because it was gifted by the wizard. Nicely done; and good hints of Faramir's restlessness, determination and already somewhat delicate relationship with his father. Author Reply: Thank you so, Raksha. The greatness of the man is balanced by his few tendencies toward envy and suspicion and perhaps absolutism. But I do believe he loved both of his sons fiercely indeed!

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/13/2009
He searched her face for a moment, and then, unwillingly, he gave a smile--a small smile, but a smile indeed, and Lynessë knew that he admired her persistence. Great! That was a clear victory for Lynessë. I found it also very interesting and in-character that while Faramir found the same arguments as Lynessë against his father's opinion, Boromir seemed not to be very interested in the subject. He's a soldier, not a lawyer. Author Reply: I suspect that Denethor had begun to view life in part as rather a contest in which he was intent on coming in first; and that as long as the victories weren't too embarrassing or frequent, he did have a tendency to admire those who'd bested him--at first, at least! And Boromir was indeed a warrior born, I've always thought. Thanks so, Andrea!

Soledad	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/13/2009
Haha! Denethor has found his true match in his new chatelaine, I'd say. Loved the portrayal of Boromir, too - you made me like him even more than before. Author Reply: Ah, that he has. I think all of his family find they rather appreciate her personality, really! And am so glad you are enjoying my portrayal of Boromir. Thank you!

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/12/2009
While stealing for need rather than greed does not make the crime any lass, it does argue for mitigating circumstances. Why does snow turn the most sober of adults into little children? More please, Lynda Author Reply: I'm not certain why stolid adults can't seem to keep from rolling and throwing snowballs, but it seems almost a fact of life, doesn't it? As for the thefts--you are right, except in this case there was no need. I think the punishment for the launderer was a bit harsh, but such punishments were often harsh indeed. A child could be hung for stealing a loaf of bread from a baker during Tudor times. Thanks so, Lynda.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/12/2009
A very fascinating evening, and one in which there were many undercurrents beneath the conversation, and yet also an opportunity for lightheartedness as well. In many ways, Denethor's argument with Lynesse and Faramir about whether a punishment should be mitigated in some manner depending on motive reminded me of some of the things that Scrooge said in "A Christmas Carol". He has begun the process of hardening his heart in response to the Enemy (actually it was probably begun years before, but now it appears to be really taking hold). I don't know if you meant those echoes on purpose or not, but I found they really resonated in depicting Denethor's character. Scrooge eventually found redemption, sadly Denethor did not. Also, I love the description of Boromir as a "force of nature"! I am quite sure that there were very few who would gainsay his wishes. He's fond of Hurin, and wanted his company. Faramir, however, is a little deeper-- I wonder if his encouragement of Hurin's presence at the dinner was caused by his wish to put his cousin once more in Lynesse's presence--this time in a social setting? And the part about the children's book: very sad and very telling. Lynesse is a very shrewd judge of some things. Author Reply: Yes, I can see the comparison to Scrooge and his "Are there no workhouses or prisons?" He is growing more rigid, although the seeds of that rigidity, I suspect, have been there for some years. Although he also strikes me as one who just likes to argue--heh! I certainly suspect that Boromir tended to be granted his own way by most folk, and I DO suspect you are right about Faramir as well. As for the book--you have indeed seen it as it is. Thanks so, Dreamflower!

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/12/2009
I am sure that both Húrin and Lynnessë will find lots of good reasons for meetings to coordinate their respective duties ;-) “Theft is theft, Mistress Lynessë. Whether the reasons for the theft are altruistic or selfish, yet the one stolen from has lost what was taken and either must go without it altogether if he cannot afford to replace it, or must pay twice for what he ought to have paid for only once.” Yet Denethor does not choose to view his arranging for “losing” the book given to Faramir as theft. And I also noticed that the well-dressed brother – who clearly was the one benefiting from the situation - was treated more gently than the one serving in the citadel. scowls at Denethor Well, neither brother was innocent here, but I wonder how Aragorn would have dealt with this business – and just what he might have found out about the wealthy brother. And I wonder if Lynnessë’s little victory over the Steward – getting him to call Húrin unutterably rude and a schemer, even though he doesn’t really view him in that manner – might not have consequences for her down the road. It was a small victory, yes, and I suppose he does respect her for it, too, but as he gets more paranoid, he would get less tolerant of anybody voicing opinions that conflict with his own. Author Reply: There will undoubtedly be the intent on the part of both Lynesse and Hurin to see one another as they can, but matching intent to deed might prove more problematic than they'd each thought. I do agree Aragorn would probably have found differently with the two brothers. As for the book--one almost never sees one's own actions as one sees similar ones done by others. Alas! As for the small comeuppance--well, we'll see what we see. He may admire her now and yet have it come back to wrankle later, or he might just forget about it almost entirely. You never know, do you? Heh! Thanks so, Sunny!

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/12/2009
A brave and spirited lady is your Lynesse. I am enjoying, if that is the right word, your portrayal of Denethor at this point in his life. Author Reply: Thank you, Harrowcat. I find I like Lynesse as well. And I like exploring what Denethor might have been like when not under the direct pressure of dread anticipation and grief he was to know in ROTK. It's been interesting to look at his strengths and foibles.

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