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The King's Commission by Larner	7 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 3/20/2006
Merry rinsed his hair, got out and wrapped a towel around himself, came over to Sam’s tub and said, “I’ll wash your back, Sam.” Ruvemir realized suddenly that Sam was weeping, as he turned and buried his face in Merry’s shoulder. The artist could see a wide scar high on Merry’s face, up under the hair that ordinarily fell over his forehead, a bit more dramatic than that on Sam’s. Then he heard Sam’s muffled voice, “He deserved every bit of honor he got and then some, every bit. And he never believed it.” And Merry rubbed his friend’s back. Pippin quickly finished cleansing himself, and wrapping himself as had his cousin, got out and came to the other side of Sam’s tub, and wrapped his arms around him as well. Finally Ruvemir found himself doing the same, found himself embracing the damp gardener, too, breathing in the odors of steaming water, soap made with lavender oil, clean skin. Finally Sam straightened, and the three of them pulled away. Ruvemir looked up to see the saddened brown eyes now examining him. They were eyes that had seen too much, and he realized that the Ring had cost him almost as much as it had Frodo. Oh, what a sweet and precious moment for all of them, and that Ruvemir was included will, likely, help him in knowing these four better and thus give him more to put into the memorial. This is one of the best chapters so far. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I am honored you appreciate it, my Lady. Ruvemir is not only accepting them, but coming to be accepted by them, and is able to bring the caring the people of Gondor hold for the four of them here to their own homes. They need this reminder, I think.

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/9/2005
Love this story. Am really glad there's so much more of it. But==pssst--my favorite (so far) is still "For those with eyes to see" (hope I got the title right g) That one is right next to the book, I think........ xoxox Armariel~~~{~@ Author Reply: Am so glad you like For Eyes to See as Can, as it's the one that got me into this mess of writing fanfiction. And am glad you like this story as well, for you still have a good way to go with it. It's fun to look at the various characters from so many different viewpoints.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/13/2005
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this chapter (and actually the last 3 new chapters as well!). To see how physically marked the hobbits were from their experiences during the war. I forget about that. I knew, of course, that emotionally they were changed and they would always be different but you tend to forget about the physical effects - well I guess except for the fact that Pippin and Merry are taller. And to see how Ruvemir is being accepted by them and this whole trip is helping him (and Miriel) to accept their own uniqueness. Oh, I did want to comment about the letters chapter. I really enjoyed the one from Pippin's dad to Aragorn. How when he came back he could see the positive sides to his son. I also liked how Ruvemir is seeing so many different sides to Frodo - he is very complex! :) Do you know what Ruvemir's name means? I know the Mir stands for jewel, just as in Boromir and Faramir but I don't know what the first part stands for. Thanks again for writing... this is a long review! Radbooks Author Reply: No, I don't know what the prefix ruvi- means, but I'd like it to indicate red, as rubi- in English does. Red Jewel, ruby or garnet, I suppose. Glad you enjoy the chapters. Yes, they would all carry physical as well as emotional and (in the case of at least Frodo) spiritual scars after their experiences.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/12/2005
I loved this. I loved how Ruvemir became so moved by Sam's grief that he also came over to support Sam. I also loved that the hobbits were so open with him once they realized that he had issues of his own to deal with. This is a lovely story and I look forward to more. Author Reply: I've been working with folk who are obviously disabled for almost forty years now, and one thing I've learned is that all of us are disabled in one way or another, just maybe not visibly. We want to hide our scars, and need to see others have theirs as well. Then it becomes easier to accept others as they are, on their own terms.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/12/2005
This was a truly interesting chapter. I love the way you have characterized the hobbity attitude towards baths, and how the Travellers are reluctant to let others see their scars, and how that gives them something in common with Ruvemir. Poor Frodo. He had it so hard when he came back; it is no wonder he was never able to recover in the Shire. Author Reply: I agree about how Frodo would have had such a much harder time trying to recover. Thanks for the feedback.

FantasyFan	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/12/2005
Poor Sam. This is harder on him than on anyone else, I think. I wonder if some of his initial reluctance to go forward with this project was due to the pain that bringing up all these memories would bring. Remembering Frodo must give him both pain and joy, but remembering the quest is I am sure all sorrow. Author Reply: Much of the quest would be painful, but there is also good there to remember. Sometimes we need to clear away the dead wood of the bad memories to find the joy that's often hidden within, like a jewel.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/11/2005
Oh my...That was so well written and realistic. I have been through many surgeries and procedures over the years and I am very nervous about showing my scars to those I don't know very well. I could so relate w/the nervousness Sam, Pip and Merry would have felt seeing Ruvemir enter the bathing room. And for him to feel the same way because of his physical characteristics. I just wanted to join that hug and help Sam get through what the memories had triggered. Wonderful chapter!! More...Please? :D Author Reply: I've seen it in friends and clients and students. Yes, I, too, wish I could have been there to join in that hug of reassurance. More is coming.

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