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Lesser Ring  by Larner 10 Review(s)
grumpyReviewed Chapter: 23 on 8/21/2005
Aragorn hunt went very well, he has cuptured a whole mess a bad guys. I like that part about he still has his old leathers, but Arwin will not let him wear them. Alsothat his bow, was once his fathers. looking forward to more

Author Reply: Ah, what wives will insist on regarding comfortable and still-useful clothes! And I think he'd be proud to carry what had been his father's bow. And, yes, he's caught some baddies, and I'm glad, too!

Thanks for the feedback!

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 23 on 8/20/2005
Well, Sherfiramun won't be making sneery remarks about Pip's abilities as a warrior from now on, will he! Great to see our favourite Took showing his mettle.

I really feel as though I'm there - I can feel the heat and the prickle of the grasses in the marsh. Great writing, as usual, and wonderful to see Aragorn outwit the bad guys again. They never learn, do they? I suspected that guard from the docks would turn up again!

Also loved Aragorn's remark in a previous chapter, about hobbits not lying unless mushrooms are involved. *snert* I wanted to review that chapter but my dial-up connection decided to play up. Grrrr!

Author Reply: Oh, I am so glad someone appreciated that comment on the mushrooms! And evidently my writing was enough to get your own imagination supplying details I hadn't even written there! I am honored!

As for outwitting bad guys--a great part of becoming a bad guy is surrendering some of your ability to see things truly, for in becoming a villain you are tying yourself to a particularly narrow point of view--your own. It becomes easier and easier all the time to outwit such as those who are honest with themselves have more leeway for thinking clearly.

Thanks so for the feedback!

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 23 on 8/20/2005
Wow! What an exciting chapter. I had to read it twice! :) Pippin cutting off fingers... quite the picture there - I'm always amazed at his courage. That's one of the things I enjoy about your stories - getting to see him all grown up so to speak! Love the accuracy of elves - though maybe Mablung shot one of those too. I've always liked him. :) And he did a great job leading them to the ambush - perfectly sneaky guy - and a great writer to describe it. Of course then all of the great Aragorn stuff - being aware of everything going on around him, hunting (2 different things!), healing, questioning prisoners - I especially loved how he could tell that one of the guys was really clever. I was sort of surprised that Aragorn didn't leave right away to get back over to the palace where Arwen and his children were. But I know they'll be all right - I have confidence in them and in you! :)

Author Reply: I always liked Mablung in TTT, and had to make certain he and Damrod continued on somehow, which is how they have ended up in The King's Commission and here. But where Damrod had chosen to continue to follow Faramir primarily, Mablung's more tied to Gondor itself. And I suspect he got the shoulder, myself.

As for Aragorn hurrying back--the longer the rebels don't know where anyone from the hunting party is, the easier it is to sneak up on them at the proper time, don't you think? And between the Rohirrim (including Eowyn as well as Eomer, Elfhelm, and Haleth) and those of the Northern and Southern Dunedain (including Benai as well) remaining there, as well as Gimli and those skills Arwen and Avrieth possess, they are safe enough, I think .

I'm honored you read it twice! That is a nice thing to note!

Thanks so much for all the feedback!

AmyReviewed Chapter: 23 on 8/19/2005
Crocodiles await the unwary!

I'm hoping for disguises in the next chapter, and poss. another fainting spell?

Great pacing: I can hardly keep from bouncing with excitement!

Author Reply: Oh, but they can't ALL faint, Amy!

Am glad you are enjoying it. May take a day or two to post the next one, as the revisions aren't finished yet.

But, yes, I think there will be disguises.

Mum's the WordReviewed Chapter: 23 on 8/19/2005
I'm enjoying this story very much. It continues the quality of your previous stories. I'm especially enjoying the pre-Egyptian culture of Harad, and of course the newfound Numenorean descendants, as well as the intrigue in this story.
A question, if I may, about a name: Pelseti. If 'Seti' is Haradrim for Sauron, and 'pel' is Sindarin for 'fenced field' -- did you name this guy 'Mordor' in mixture of Haradrim and Sindarin? Or does 'pel' mean something else in Haradrim? Certainly he's a servant of darkness, and Aragorn was wise to recommend a close watch on him.
I like the names you've come up with, many of which sound 'nearly familiar,' as you've adapted them from Egyptian.
Well done, Larner! I look forward impatiently to the next chapters.

Mum

Author Reply: Oh, dear--if we are looking at mixing Haradrim and Sindarin, we do have an interesting situation. Actually, the equivalent of Seti is Morgoth; so in that case you'd have perhaps Angband, but not strictly Mordor.

That being said, I'll admit my knowledge of Sindarin or Quenya is fairly rudimentary at best, and when I deliberately try to name something or someone with a particular meaning I've always had to ask others who have educated themselved more deeply than I. But it's fascinating how some coincidences turn out, as I'd simply not thought of that connection at all.

I try to mix known Egyptian with some imaginary elements together to make plausible names for my characters within Harad.

And finding ways to use information from modern-day documentaries and scientific studies into Middle Earth is always interesting.

Thanks so much for such a positive response.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 23 on 8/19/2005
*great big grin*

This was *so* exciting! I could just see it all unfolding before me, as though I were watching it happen!

I am so glad that they got in at least a *little* hunting before the Bad Guys screwed everything up. Don't you just hate it when that happens? Here they were hoping for a nice morning's hunt--but, being Aragorn, of course, he's *prepared* for a good deal more!

And thank you! thank you! for letting Pippin show his mettle! I loved his sword at Shefiramun's belly, and then cutting off the fingers of the other villian! Whoo-hoo, Go Pip!

I hope we soon see how those left at the palace are dealing with things. I have a feeling the Bad Guys have been out manuevered there, too!

Author Reply: Glad you appreciate it, Dreamflower! Yes, letting Pippin show he has now earned the rank of Captain is always satisfying, as is seeing that Aragorn is thinking several steps ahead of his foes.

One person commented they liked the fact that a crocodile got one of the baddies, and in this case I think I agree.

And that you felt you were there is a great compliment, as that is part of what I think those of us who love the movies feel--that we are there alongside our heroes as we watch it, such as when WE ride up the steep streets of Minas Tirith with Gandalf and Pippin.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

lindahoylandReviewed Chapter: 23 on 8/19/2005
This was just so exciting !You had me on the edge of my seat ! Great to see that Aragorn has lost none of his old ranger skills and I just love to see him in Healer mode as you write him so beautifully.
I would not like to get on the wrong side of Aragorn as I actually ended up feeling sorry for the villains !
Many thanks for your kind review.I tried to write the scene as much in the spirit of Tolkien as I could.

Author Reply: Sorry for the villains? Oh, dear, now there is something new! Yes, being Aragorn's prisoner doesn't appear to be a very healthy role to take unless he feels some level of respect for your integrity, it seems.

And am so glad you like how I write his way of healing. That is a compliment, as that is your especially favorite factor to write about.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 23 on 8/19/2005
Well, after this, that and the other, I'm all caught up w/this incredable story. Hmmm...So another hunt nearly became more than just a hunt for duck. Trust Aragorn to lead them all on a merry chase and then prove to them just how foolish it was to try an assination attempt. And another of the Lesser Rings has surfaced. Looking forward to seeing Aragorn's reaction to that.

The past three chapters have had me literally on the edge of my seat. Am I wrong in thinking we might see Eowyn and/or Arwen showing the Haradi what can happen when you take on a trained Shieldmaiden and the Granddaughter of the Lady of Light? Especially when their children are in danger? Hmmm?

I know, I'll have to wait and see. Patience in this case is *not* a virtue. ;o)

Looking forward to see how all of this is resolved. :oD

Author Reply: What will happen will unfold as it does, I think we will find. Am still working on the next two chapters, doing the final revisions, in fact.

But it's fun to see how Aragorn's loosely planned defense worked in this case, to the ends of having twelve prisoners now, and learning more fully of the intended coup.

Intrigue is always fun to watch unfold, particularly when we don't like those doing the planning, and we are happily watching the counterplots take shape!

I'm so glad folk appear to be enjoying this chapter, as it was a good deal of fun to write.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 23 on 8/19/2005
*grinning widely*
Obviously I was quite correct in my foretelling yesterday - that was exact what I had expected!

I don't know where to start - it was a long and very exciting chapter! I was so glad to see Aragorn sensed there was something to happen and took precautions! It was truly amusing to read how they set their guard and trap.

As for Merdirion (which seems to be the one I thought), he has thought out this very nice, how he could become the new tyrant, but he has underestimated the Northerners badly, if he thought they are foolish to come to Harad all at once. Well, maybe he himself isn't used to get his hands dirty because he sends his servants to do the work, so he can't imagine the Northern Lords are quite capable to defend themselves! And he is an uncle to Landrion and wears another ring? That explains a lot! And I have the distinct feeling Merdirion is about to share his nephew's fate in being captured in his own estate.

At least Aragorn had an opportunity to see the use of throwing sticks, although the traitors seem to be very bad in their use - or are they too distracted? Anyway, I loved it that it was Pippin who blocked the attack on the Haradri noble, although I'd not mind in the least if it had been Sherfiramun who lost the fingers. It was only a pity the traitors managed to injure Ankhrabi, and I am so very glad Aragorn was able to suck out much of the poison immediately and then to treat and safe him. No doubt, after this day the Haradrim will be more respectful of Aragorn than ever - how he handled the attack and healed Ankhrabi was quite impressive.

Now I look forward to how they capture Merdirion and to hear more about what happens to Merdirion's men who wait to attack the palace. It will be fun to see how they run in another trap, I suppose, because they have underestimated An'Sohrabi as well *rubs hands*. Can't wait for the next chapter!

Author Reply: Yes, you'd reasoned a good bit of it out.

I thought of Sherfiramun being the one who tried to attack another--but he kept ending up with one of Legolas's arrows in his hand, so I finally left it at that, as apparently one of his troopers was meant to face Pippin. Legolas just appears to have had it in for Sherfiramun, somehow.

It is not only An'Sohrabi they have underestimated--Afraim is the leader of the desert legions, and had the assassination attempt worked, he'd probably be dead, now, too. Getting such a man angry with you isn't a good idea, particularly if you intend to have your own troops assault the palace of the Farozi tomorrow. I think that Merdirion is going to be much surprised at how things turn out, not to mention those who have backed him to now.

Landrion's family seems apt to troubles, doesn't it?

utfrog98Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 8/19/2005
One of the best chapters yet - great story

Author Reply: I am thrilled you approve! Glad you are enjoying it!

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