Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The King's Commission  by Larner 12 Review(s)
Eirinn LeighReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/2/2015
I found it! Thanks for advising me on the origins of the dragonfly.

Author Reply: You are so welcome! I love seeing how different people have marked their works over the years! And thank you for letting me know you're continuing to enjoy what I've written.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/16/2006
Well, I've begun this at last, and even this first chapter has me intrigued! Seeing Imrahil's and the innkeeper's surprise at finding that their king was Theronduil was just hysterical! And I like Ruvimir already, and I can certainly see just stepping out and bowing with a smile in polite introduction. :) But this is my favourite line:

“Healing someone ties you to him in a unique way. And--I helped heal him in Eriador, in
Imladris, between Moria and Lothlorien, and finally after the battle. Except in none of those healings was I--were we--totally successful. For we could
not fully counter the effects of the Enemy’s weapons. Only the Valar can fully heal him, I fear. He was willing to cast himself into the Cracks of Doom
for us all, but we could not relieve him of his pain."

Wow! What truth is in that, and what deep grief it expresses.
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: Welcome to the world of Ruvemir son of Mardil. He's based partly on some people I've known, including a former drama teacher I had in college who'd been through a couple of the forms of polio as a child and whose bones and muscles never grew properly afterwards and so was quite short and had to use crutches.

Yes, Aragorn has a great deal of grief for Frodo having gone to Tol Eressea, and mourns him still.

And I bet he got a good deal of entertainment watching people realize he had been the Lord Captain Thorongil ( T h o r o n g i l ) over the years. The Master of Casistir must have been shocked past telling to recognize him!

ArielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/12/2005
Truth be told, I saw this fic at the beginning and always wanted to read it, though, because I had somehow managed not to get 'hooked' on it yet (another WIP!), figured to read it when it was complete.

Well, now it's complete.

Thank you for reminding to get back to it. I know I have a delightful read ahead of me.

Author Reply: I try to get a good deal of the story done before I start posting it so I can try to keep to a chapter a day schedule for putting it on the sites. I hope you do enjoy it, and that you find Ruvemir an acceptable addition to the world of Middle Earth.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/31/2005
Ah, yes, glad I finally have a little reading time.

Meticulously detailed, a fascinating layered feel to the piece, intertwining past and present. Nice character studies of Aragorn and Frodo, and a nice fleshing out of Imrahil from figure to real person.

The flashes of humour were a welcome balance to the weightiness of the theme. Very nice, and am looking forward to reading more.

Author Reply: Am so glad you have time to do some reading for a change. Wish I could use the Internet at work, as I'd have plenty of time to read during my night shifts. And I am glad you find the layering interesting.

I imagine that Aragorn, now that he's not quite so busy just trying to survive and get others facing Sauron, would finally let his sense of humor have a good deal of play. If anyone deserves to do so, it has to be my favorite King.

Gentle HobbitReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/15/2004
What an intriguing story. I haven't yet "met" Rumevir and already I find him a fascinating character. I like the way you portray Aragorn, with the mixture of nobility and humility that I find consistent with the books. I am very much looking forward to discovering more as I read through the chapters.

Author Reply: I am glad you find Aragorn familiar and faithful to the Aragorn we know from Tolkien. And I'm glad you find Ruvemir also intriguing. He's becoming quite my friend. I find myself admitting he just walked into my mind as did Faramir into Tolkien's and started telling me his story. Thanks for the review.

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/15/2004
I have been waiting to be able to sit down and read this story properly, and finally I have some spare time (well, not...but I'm making time LOL).

I had to giggle at Aragorn's teasing Imrahil about his past identity...he got a kick out of that, didn't he? :-)

But the focus of this first chapter to me was on Frodo, and Aragorn's grief over his departure. I've read lots about Frodo and his deep connection to Merry, Pip, and Sam...but this is one of the best I've read showing the strong feeling Aragorn developed for the Ringbearer. "He brought out the best in almost everyone he ever met...including me." What a heartfelt tribute to a friend! It's not often you find one of those who have the ability to make the people around them better.

"...it was traveling with Frodo, who always called me by my rightful name, Aragorn, that I began to put aside all the disguises..." I have a friend who firmly believes in the power of a person's name...she never calls her children by nicknames (or short forms even) because of that belief. I can see how Aragorn might become other than what he was born to be simply by being called so many different names not his own. That was a very thought-provoking statement, Larner! :-)

A great introduction to this story...Ruvemir is intriguiging also! A memorial worthy of one who sacrificed all to save the world...possibly made by an artist who has never seen him before and must rely instead on how he was perceived through the eyes of the ones he saved! Wow! Thank you for sharing this!

linda



Author Reply: The power of names has long been recognized. There was a reason why Elrond chose the child-name Estel for Aragorn; and both Thorongil and Strider are certainly descriptive of him as well. But he must accept the crown as himself in order to take on the new identity of Elessar fully.

Sorry I didn't post today--just got the EE of ROTK, so you can guess what I've been doing this evening. It's after four in the morning. Thank God I don't have to work today, although I do need to go into the office briefly in the late afternoon.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/7/2004
What an interesting premise! I love this idea.

I always get a kick out of stories where people find out Aragorn was Thorongil, for some reason it tickles me to imagine their reactions, and this one, where Imrahil suddenly realizes...it's hilarious.

And I love your depiction of Aragorn's grief at Frodo's departure. While for Frodo himself the exile was a way to hopefully find healing and peace, for those he left behind, he might as well have been dead--they are never going to see him again, and were left to grieve. I'm sure Aragorn's grief was sharpened by his feelings that he should have somehow been able to find healing for Frodo on this side of the Sea, as well as the burden of gratitude, knowing that he owed his bride and his crown to Frodo.

To memorialize his friend perhaps will help to assuage his grief.

Author Reply: I agree with you about Aragorn and his grief--the grief all must feel for Frodo's absence. Aragorn and Sam must have shared the deepest levels of grief, I've always thought.

As for Aragorn as Thorongil--I bet he got a lot of quiet enjoyment out of that situation over the years.

Thanks for the review.

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/6/2004
great start to your story, very well written. Poor Imrahil, to be tricked by the king (or Thorongil). I liked what you said about Frodo bringing out the best in people, that because of him Aragorn put away he habit of disguising himself. looking forward to more

Author Reply: No, not tricked so much as teasingly reminded of what was put out of mind long ago. I'm wondering myself if Aragorn will go back to Casistir to meet with Endeth after all this time, myself.

songspinnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/5/2004
What a sweet beginning! Such a sense of humor - I could just see the twinkle in Aragorn's eye as he completely confuses people...but at the same time, you showed how much he loved and admired Frodo.
And your idea of the sculptor's talent is an intriguing one. I can't wait to see how he gets the image for it completed.

Author Reply: Forensic artistry of the Fourth Age in Middle Earth--a fascinating idea, is it not? Thanks for the review.

annmarwalkReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/5/2004
I'm awed, as always, by your originality, and incredible attention to detail. I'm so looking forward to reading this!

startlingly beautiful Pherian - Ah, so very true!

Ann

Author Reply: Yes, I agree. A hobbit who continues to look like a young man though he is of low middle age for his race. And I appreciate your response, as always, Ann.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List