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Lesser Ring  by Larner 6 Review(s)
utfrog98Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/29/2005
Any time I see Larner as the author, I know I will be a very happy reader. Enjoying this one as much as ever.

Author Reply: I am flattered. Thank you for the compliment!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/29/2005
Somehow reminds Virubat me so much of Varondil and Landrion. They ask all the same questions about Thorongil and Aragorn, and all of them are spys. It seems his fate reminds of Landrion, too, at least in the way how he was captured in his own house. I truly enjoy Aragorn as ranger! Can't wait to know more!

Author Reply: By the time Aragorn and Hardorn captured Landrion they'd had decades to perfect the manner of breaking into supposedly secure homes and accomplishing the extractions. This would be an earlier practice at the technique, I think. And the spying would be much to the same effect and about much the same individuals. Sauron would want reassurance this new commander in Arnor isn't the heir of Elendil and Isildur, after all, while those in the North would want to hide the information as long as possible. And spies and agents employed by Mordor would be quite similar, probably, as well.

Anyway, glad you are enjoying it.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/29/2005
Great stuff Larner. Aragorn puts me in mind of the Scarlet Pimpernal; 'They seek him here, they seek him there....' Am off to a Summer School so will have to see who's internet connection I can steal! Just don't think I've lost interest. Expect a bumper review when I get caught up!

Author Reply: Yes, wary honorable folk such as the Scarlet Pimpernel and Aragorn would be very similar in seeking to hide their trails and yet to leave the enemy openly confounded.

Hope you enjoy your summer school experience. Am looking forward to hearing from you once you're settled.

aragorn_readerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/28/2005
Oh, my, bearding the enemy in his den, indeed!

Most exciting!

Author Reply: Of course, Amy--what better place to take someone unawares than where he feels safest? Tends also to put greater concern into the hearts of Virubat's folk, not being certain how he was taken or by whom from in the heart of what he would see as his own fortress.

Glad you approve.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/28/2005
*chuckle* I love Aragorn's very direct and no-nonsense way of dealing with these problems. I have a feeling that Virubat is going to be very sorry he took up with the Dark Lord's emissaries.

One of the things I love about your Aragorn is how he is both practical and idealistic at the same time. He can be cagy and canny in how he answers questions, but he never out-and-out *lies*, though you might have to look closely to find the grains of truth. He is ruthless enough when it is necessary, but he is never cruel or unjust. And he never disguises his true beliefs when questioned, no matter how odd they might sound to one unfamiliar with the tales of the West, but most of the time he couches them in terms his listener can at least begin to comprehend. You do so very well in depicting him, Larner!

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you like Aragorn as I depict him, Dreamflower. He's wonderful because he is capable of being all those things, and that's certainly how I always envisioned him from Tolkien's descriptions.

Thanks so much for your wonderful appreciation.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/28/2005
Ooooh...So, the servants of the Enemy are trying to find Captain Thorongil, Gilrean and any descendants of the leaders of the Northern Dunedain. Nice tension maker there. ;o) I really liked how Aragonr answered his new friend's questions on who he was and where he came from. Gave just enough information to show he meant no harm to the Haradrim noble, but not enough to give him away. Also a nice touch to show the respect given to Aragorn after questioned about who led his caravan and was the Captain of the Guards of it. Showed that Aragorn knew what he was doing.

Now how will our favourite Ranger get that chest open, because Virubat's not going to do it willingly. Looking forward to the next twists and turns in this intruging story.

Author Reply: It will take a bit of time to get the chest open, because Aragorn's skills will be needed in another capacity soon. But he does tend to be very diplomatic in his communications, and appears capable of listening to those who advise him as Meriti and his son did on his plan to appear as a merchant. That kind of wisdom, to trust in other experts instead of always overriding them to prove oneself, would be, I think, part of Aragorn's wisdom and the difference between himself and other leaders we've seen in the world, historical and fictional.

We've hinted that there would have been a search for Aragorn's survival before by both Mordor and Denethor; it seemed only right to echo it here as well.

Am so glad you find so much to appreciate in this chapter.

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