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The King's Commission  by Larner 7 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 71 on 3/9/2005
Wow! The revelations in this chapter are really something! Obviously the broker Mardion had dealings with not only Denethor, but Sauron and Saruman as well. Of course it makes a good deal of sense--but is not something I had ever thought about before. Clearly, not all the intelligence gather over the years could have come from the palantirs, as they have certain limits on their use, but the idea of such an agent had not occurred to me before! Brilliant!

Author Reply: Really? The thought of using human agents as well as the Nazgul seemed very natural to me, and by all parties concerned. Glad you found it a new idea, though.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 71 on 3/9/2005
The plot is thickening nicely - you write political intrigue and pageantry well. And I'm always pleased to see Faramir get a few lines; even if I'm not sure that he would have been that quick to voice an implied threat to the King over Beregond's being a hostage.

Author Reply: I think he knows he is quite safe in Aragorn's hands. And Aragorn knows he loves Beregond as well as Beregond loves him.

Glad you like the intrigue.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 71 on 3/9/2005
And the plot unravels. Nice twist that Denethor had asked the whereabouts and doings of Gilrean and Aragorn's uncle, as well as if Aragorn had actually died as was said. I hope Aragorn gets the Lord of the Wainriders back in time. I don't think he could handle both Faramir and Pippin at the same time. ;o) So...Aragorn himself wanted to be the hostage. That is very much his character and how his arm ended up in a sling...Here I thought it was injured during battle, and in a way, it was.

Looking forward to see what the next part of the audience is going to reveal.

Author Reply: Which questions came from Mordor and which from Denethor, as well as how many overlapped, of course, is unclear. Both parties would obviously be interested in finding Aragorn, finding out about him, and finding out about other possible heirs.

Yes, it would be a battle convincing Aragorn to go back to his work at home while Beregond acted as the hostage, but I'm certain Beregond would see the need to keep the King actively working with the likes of the Ghan. Once Aragorn was on his way home he could send for Marcipor and Mordion and Wasnior and make sure they would arrive at the right time. Aragorn just has always struck me as a hands on kind of keng, after all. Glad you are anticipating the next bit. Hope it continues to keep you involved.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 71 on 3/8/2005
This is such an awesome story. I know I haven't reviewed for awhile and I'm sorry! I've felt bad (in some ways) for Ruvemir having to take on all of those apprentices when he just wants to do his commission. But then I think about how wonderful it is for those boys to have a second chance and to be with such a wonderful man and woman - and Lord Gilfleg is there too! So as hard as it is for him, it is better in the long run, because those boys need him desperately. I loved when 'Stider' and 'Bowman' did their interview with Landrion and how they took care of that problem. Also touching to see Aragorn's caring nature when he didn't want Landrion's son to suffer for his sins and so placed him in Ruvemir's care as well. This chapter where he left Beregond behind - yikes! That was absolutely amazing, Faramir's anguish - as well as Aragorn's. You write your characters so well and give them depth and make them realistic, which is difficult to do. Very well done! Thanks for writing and sharing your gift.

Author Reply: There is perhaps an almost selfish reason for his concern about Landrion's son, although it it closely tied to his nature and his role as the Sacred King who stands for the Land and its People.

As for leaving Beregond behind--I'm rather glad, myself, that Beregond saw the need for the King to return home right then. They will get him back.

I find myself loving these characters and thinking of them as friends much as Tolkien himself expressed about Faramir. I'm glad you feel depth to them, both the canon and the non-canon characters. Thank you so much for expressing your appreciation.

EnvinyatarReviewed Chapter: 71 on 3/8/2005
Sorry I haven't reviewed for a while, I have been greedily devouring updates. Once again I want to congratulate you on the breadth and depth of your story. I love the way you present both a sweeping view of the geopolitics of the period and the minutiae of daily life. I really don't want this story to end.

Author Reply: But it has to end some day! Gotta be! Gotta be!

I am so glad that you find it so satisfying. I've tried to cut it shorter, but can't without damaging the integrity of the details I've given already.

However, it ought to smooth out and go more swiftly now that the war is winding down--I hope.

Mysterious JediReviewed Chapter: 71 on 3/8/2005
I do hope there is no more mention of "nasty stuff" with Varondil or however you spell it, except in the context of judgment and healing?


Author Reply: I hope so, too. That is coming soon.

EruviluiethReviewed Chapter: 71 on 3/8/2005
Wow! The level of detail here is amazing! The intrigue is so deep! I'm really curious about the other two groups outside the door, and what is next for Ruvemir to witness. Beregond hasn't changed at all - willing to do whatever it takes to protect his lords. And his lords feel the same, bless them! Mordion is an interesting twist, plus another chance to see the previous workings of Strider. How interesting that he kept an eye even on those seeking information about him, and how different things might have turned out if anyone had found out that the Strider following them was the son of Arathorn they sought! Excellent chapter. I'm eager to hear what comes next, both regarding war and the intrigues of home and Varondil's spying and "other activities". I wonder what Armanthol thinks of all this so far?

Author Reply: Aragorn is a thorough one, isn't he? And I suspect intrigue would have been very active at about that time, don't you?

Glad you are finding it still engaging.

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