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The King's Commission  by Larner 5 Review(s)
ArielReviewed Chapter: 53 on 7/5/2005
I am reading along, and know I should be reviewing more often, but I keep the story on my PDA, as I think I have mentioned, and it makes it difficult to review. I just passed through this chapter and found one of my pet peeves, and since the story has been so utterly delightful so far, it sticks out like a sore thumb and really grates. Ok, maybe it only grates on those of us who really care about this issue, but still...

I found your use of a 'bottle of milk' very anachronistic. I realize this story is long done, but if ever you are placed in this sort of position again, I would strongly suggest you use a wetnurse. Considering all the folks who are piled into that wagon, surely a wetnurse could have been squeezed in somewhere! LOL!

In periods of human history that seem to parallel Gondorian society's level of advancement, there were no 'bottles of milk' - there were wetnurses, and if something other than a wetnurse was used, it was ONLY as a very temporary situation. Children who were not breastfed, died. Plain and simple. It is unfortunate that the result of an industry seeking to create a broader market for a rarely needed but lucrative product has created whole generations of people who accept bottle feeding as normal and look at nursing mothers as if they had just grown two heads... but I will spare you my rant... No, really I will... LOL!



Author Reply: First of all, Lanril is already six months old, and old enough to be drinking from an infant cup, and there have been many examples of such throughout history. And goats milk was sometimes used as a substitute for human milk when no wet nurse was available, usually in a leather bladder with a special sucking nipple sometimes made of intestine or a hollow reed like a straw.

But I do understand your concern. I do tend to think in terms of my own preferences, and I've been a milk drinker all my life; so I put in the milk for Lanril.

Had I had a child of my own, believe me--it would have been breast fed.

Author Reply: By the way, Ariel--you'll note I didn't fall to this in my newest story. Hope all is going well with you.

SharonBReviewed Chapter: 53 on 2/20/2005
Aragorn has done good to help keep Ifram from considerable harm. It seems as though Varondil has definitly made the wrong decision about who his clients are this time. Buying such information can only be interpreted as a threat to tne new ambassador. And this could get him into greater trouble than messing with his indentured students could. It might not be that hard for Ruvemir to get Celebgil's indenture changed over to him after all. It sounds like it will be an arduous path for all of them but that all will work out well in the end.

I love the way the dwarves think of Ririon, it seems so true that those who are true artists have appreciation of what talents each being holds. They are much happier to see him use his talent, be well trained in that talent and even help him along that path.

Many thanks again for this story.

Author Reply: Yes. true artists are more concerned about seeing art come to life and seeing others learn to use their own talents than they are in building themselves up.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 53 on 2/19/2005
Ah...And the plot thickens. Varondil might end up w/more than he bargained for by asking after the Rhun embassy and where they have gone. Good!!

Quite the coach load headed out. I'm afraid Ruvemir and Elise are going to find the return journey to the White City too quiet and too lonely. I'll miss their little family as much as they will.

Can't wait for the next chapters!!! :o)

Author Reply: I tend to agree about how lonely they will feel coming home. And Varondil is indeed going to get more than he bargained for.

Thanks for the review.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 53 on 2/19/2005
Uh-huh.
Why am I not surprised that Varondil is in the pay of the Bad Guys?
Could it be because he is a sleazy opportunist? But he seems to be playing over his head now. Looks like the King's informants are already on to him...
I don't dare imagine that this trip to Lossarnach will be as uneventful as the journey to the Shire...

Author Reply: Oh, it will be a good deal more interesting, I think.

Thanks for the review.

EruviluiethReviewed Chapter: 53 on 2/19/2005
The plot thickens! That's why Varondil seemed to expect Celebgil to provide information - but why? Who is this mysterious patron? Why are Ruvemir and Ifram seemingly connected in that Varondil wants information on both? Clearly, you've raised a lot of questions here. This story gets more interesting by the chapter - the more chapters there are, the more eager I am for the next one! Excellent work!

Author Reply: There is indeed more going on. I hope the story continues to please.

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